With that final threat, they spun on their heels and hurried away, disappearing into the crowd.
The marketplace buzzed with murmurs as people watched them retreat. Some scoffed, others shook their heads in disdain.
"Cowards," someone muttered.
"Can't even handle a little pushback," another chuckled.
The old man let out a deep sigh of relief. Trouble had been avoided, for now. He turned to face the crowd, bowing slightly in gratitude.
"Thank you, everyone. Truly, thank you so much."
People waved off his gratitude, offering reassuring smiles.
"It was nothing, old man!"
"They were just barking dogs."
"You stood your ground well."
Despite the warmth of their support, a shadow of worry lingered in his heart. He knew those people would come back.
And no matter how the crowd stood by him today, he was still in the wrong for setting up shop on land that wasn't his. What was he supposed to do now?