Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune: Starting with death row inmates

"Well said!" Qin Pi cheered loudly for Shen Chen. Using the deceased's fingerprints to forge a marriage contract, once this gets out, Luo Xiong will probably never be able to show his face in the mountain stronghold again. Qin Pi admired how Shen Chen could come up with such a disgusting thing.

Luo Xiong was indeed furious: "You're talking utter nonsense! The fingerprints on this marriage contract were pressed by Fang Yu herself that day, and everyone can testify to that!"

"Do you mean your subordinates by 'everyone'?" Shen Chen retorted, then turned to one of Fang Xue's men and asked, "Did you see Fang Yu's fingerprints?"

The subordinate was indeed present that day and witnessed it with his own eyes, but in this situation, anyone with a brain would know how to answer. He decisively shook his head: "I didn't see it."

The men who had been slapped by Luo Xiong's men all shook their heads in unison: "We didn't see it, we didn't see it..."

Luo Xiong was both angry and hateful. His eyes were fixed on Shen Chen, revealing a murderous look: "You dog, I'll boil you and eat you..."

Shen Chen calmly continued, "Besides, Fang Xue has already severed her sisterly relationship with Fang Yu. What does Fang Xue have to do with what Fang Yu promised?"

Qin Pi pulled out the severance letter Fang Yu had given him from his pocket: "Look carefully, it's in black and white, with both Fang Xue and Fang Yu's fingerprints. They've long since severed their sisterly relationship. This marriage certificate of yours is just a piece of fucking worthless paper, understand?"

Upon seeing the letter severing ties, Luo Xiong's pupils constricted sharply. He cursed inwardly, "That bitch surnamed Fang had this trick up her sleeve. Damn it, I've been played..."

But he persisted, saying, "Blood is thicker than water; how can a blank piece of paper negate that?"

"That's right. Fang Xue was raised by Fang Yu since she was a child. As an elder sister, she was like a mother to her. As the saying goes, marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers. This is absolutely true." A young man who looked like a scholar next to Luo Xiong said in a refined manner.

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiong's expression softened somewhat. He snorted coldly, "Master Shen is a scholar; surely he understands this principle?"

Shen Chen grinned: "There's no need for us to talk about the words of sages here, is there? Sages also said to abide by the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues. Which brother has followed them? Step forward and let's see."

"Brother Luo, if you truly believe in the words of the sage, you can go down the mountain and surrender to the government. Last time you wiped out a family of five and raped their beautiful daughter. You'll definitely be sentenced to death by a thousand cuts for all your crimes."

He paused, then shrugged: "But even if you pay with your life, it won't matter. According to the sage, you'll be reborn as a pig or a dog in your next life."

Qin Pi laughed loudly: "Well said, Luo Xiong, what are you doing sticking a scallion in your pig nose? Although neither of us are exactly clean people, you're definitely the worst and stinkiest one!"

The barrage of insults drove Luo Xiong to the brink of madness. With a clang, he drew his blade and roared, "Qin Pi, I'll take your life today! Brothers, attack!"

Qin Pi was engaged in combat with Luo Xiong in the blink of an eye, and Luo Xiong's men also drew their swords and charged into battle, turning the whole scene into chaos.

Faced with conflict, what do you choose?

[Good fortune: Immediately go to Fang Xue's door to protect her. Fang Xue's impression of you will greatly change. Auspicious.]

[Below average fortune: Quickly retreat to your room to ensure your safety. After the conflict ends, everyone will be quite disappointed by your cowardly behavior. Minor misfortune.]

[Bad Luck: You'll immediately be drawn into conflict. Having just finished practicing your leg techniques, and with your martial arts skills still lacking, you'll be stabbed in the stomach by a henchman and die instantly. Extremely unlucky.]

Fang Xue had been staying in the small room next to Qin Pi's for the past few days. Shen Chen quickly walked to the door of the room and heard sobbing coming from inside.

He asked in a low voice, "Miss Fang, are you alright?"

Fang Xue recognized Shen Chen's voice and sobbed, "Brother Shen, how is the situation now?"

"Master Qin has already started fighting with Luo Xiong. The scene is chaotic, so you shouldn't go out for now," Shen Chen said in a deep voice.

Fang Xue exclaimed "Ah!" in a flustered voice, "Okay, I... I'll stay inside, I won't go out, I won't go out..."

Seeing that Fang Xue was nervous and under great pressure, Shen Chen called out to Cui'er, "Cui'er, go inside and keep Miss Fang company, chat with her for a while."

Cui'er nodded in agreement. Hearing the sounds of clashing swords and ping-pong balls outside the door, she asked in a panic, "Master Shen, what's going on?"

"It's a small matter, nothing to worry about," Shen Chen reassured him.

After Cui'er entered Fang Xue's room, Shen Chen drew his knife and quietly stood guard at the door.

The two women inside felt a little more at ease when they saw the shadow at the doorway.

"Whoosh." Four or five fierce-looking men walked into the courtyard and immediately spotted Shen Chen guarding the gate.

"Get out of the way, don't disturb the brothers' wedding procession!" the leading man said fiercely. He was burly and vigorous, clearly a leader in the village.

"Shen Chen, the 'Ghost Calculator,' greets you, esteemed heroes." Shen Chen smiled slightly and calmly cupped his hands to the men. "If you wish to enter this room, you will have to step over my corpse."

The leader sneered and drew his blade: "Then come on."

"Okay." Shen Chen nodded, and he slowly drew his sword, but the blade was placed against his own neck.

This move immediately stunned the men. They looked at each other, not understanding what Shen Chen was trying to do.

How can someone put a knife to their own neck during a fight?

I have three things to say.

Shen Chen said calmly, "First, I am a brother of Qin Pi with whom I have a life-or-death bond. I'm sure you've all heard about this to some extent. If I die, Qin Pi will not let it go."

"Secondly, Luo Xiong was in the wrong in this matter. He was the one who went to Qin Pi's door to cause trouble first, and he was the one who started the fight. Afterwards, the chieftain will definitely side with Qin Pi."

"Third, you have two choices: either take Fang Xue away and leave my body behind, or leave voluntarily and get a scolding from Luo Xiong."

Shen Chen slowly exhaled and looked at the group calmly: "I've finished speaking. You can make your move now."

The group hesitated, looking at Shen Chen who had a knife to their necks, and recalling what Shen Chen had just said, their momentum immediately weakened.

If I were to step forward now and escalate the situation, according to Shen Chen's words, I would most likely have to pay the price for Luo Xiong's crime, or worse, I would have to trade my life for his!

But if we take a step back, at worst we'll get a scolding from Luo Xiong, or at worst, a beating...

"Should we just let it go?" The group exchanged glances and muttered to themselves.

One of the quicker-witted ones came up with an idea: "Why don't we deliberately let that guy surnamed Shen beat us up, leaving some traces so we can explain it to Boss Luo later..."

"Good idea." The others agreed.

They made their decision instantly and said politely, "Mr. Shen, please put down the knife. We won't rob Miss Fang anymore."