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

Zhuang Man didn't get angry when he heard Zhang Xiaolong's question. He just said in a calm tone, "This is the chief's arrangement. To be honest, I don't understand it either."

He sighed, looking melancholy, and the air on the table seemed to freeze for a moment.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohu quickly chimed in, "If it weren't for that guy surnamed Shen, this leader would definitely be Brother Zhuang's."

"Yes, yes," the henchmen chimed in.

Zhuang Man winked at Liu Gouzi, who understood immediately. He suddenly sighed heavily, "Alas, we brothers are all vigorous martial artists, so why did the chieftain assign us a scholar as our leader?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression froze.

Wang Wu raised his voice: "What? That guy surnamed Shen has never practiced martial arts?"

Bandits believe in the power of force. They cannot accept someone who is weak riding on the head of someone who is strong.

At this moment, Zhuang Man looked at Zhang Xiaolong and asked, "Xiaolong, you met Shen Chen at Qin Pi's welcome-home banquet, right? What's your impression of him?"

Zhang Xiaolong bluntly stated: "Indeed, he has never practiced martial arts and became the leader purely through his relationship with Qin Pi."

Upon hearing this, the men's expressions turned even more grim.

Everyone wants to climb higher; who among you wouldn't want to sit in the top seat of this bandit group? But following such a good-for-nothing who relies on connections, will there really be a future for you?

Zhang Xiaolong thought for a moment and then said, "However, to be recommended by Qin Pi, he must have some skills."

His words went unnoticed. Zhao Qian, who was sitting in the corner, was the first to stand up and toast Zhuang Man: "It seems that we will have to rely on Brother Zhuang for help in the future."

The group realized what was happening and stood up to toast Zhuang Man: "Brother Zhuang, compared to that guy surnamed Shen, I think you're the most suitable to be our leader!"

Zhuang Man laughed heartily and said, "Thank you for your kind words, brothers. I'll do my best!"

He couldn't help but feel smug. With just one drink, he had won over the hearts of the team, sidelined Shen Chen, and regained the leadership position with ease.

……

Shen Chen let out a long breath. In the morning light, his skin radiated a faint glow, like beautiful jade.

With improved blood circulation, his originally thin physique has begun to show muscle definition, his eyes are bright and piercing, and he exudes an extraordinary aura.

He stretched happily, and crackling sounds echoed from all parts of his body.

After a day and a night of cultivation, he officially entered the second realm of the Refining Essence Martial Artist: the Bone and Tendon Realm.

This speed is already quite exaggerated; that mark is almost equivalent to giving Shen Chen a root bone of grade A or above.

However, Shen Chen discovered that using the mark to assist in tempering his qi and blood was not without its drawbacks. The mark consumed a lot of a person's spirit and nutrition. After cultivating for half a day, Shen Chen had to consume a large amount of beef and ginseng, and he also had to take a nap to replenish his spirit before he could continue to use the mark to cultivate.

Recalling the prices of beef and ginseng in the village, Shen Chen couldn't help but grit his teeth: "It's almost equivalent to paying money to speed up cultivation."

He estimated the size of his purse; the chieftain's reward made up the bulk, roughly worth eighty catties of beef, enough for him to use the mark about four more times.

The leader's monthly salary is one thousand coins, plus a wild ginseng root, just enough for him to use the mark once.

"After five tempering sessions, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to enter the Internal Organs Realm this month." Shen Chen set a goal for himself for the time being.

But a new problem arose: how could he, with only a grade C aptitude, cultivate so quickly? If this news got out, it would likely cause a lot of trouble.

Shen Chen immediately drew a fortune stick for himself.

After stabilizing your physique and bones in three days, you choose:

[Good fortune: Conceal your strength, act discreetly, and you will be blessed.]

[Unfavorable divination: Inform Qin Pi of this news, and soon the news of your martial arts genius will spread. A few days later, while you are practicing martial arts alone, you are ambushed by several masked men and crippled. Fierce.]

Shen Chen looked at the result of the draw, his eyes flickering slightly.

The interpersonal relationships in this village are not as harmonious as they seem; in fact, they are extremely dangerous, and any slight act of arrogance can bring disaster.

"Be careful and don't show off your skills," Shen Chen reminded himself.

After breakfast, Shen Chen stepped out of his room, preparing to practice the "Extreme Yang Breathing Method," when he suddenly heard a crying sound.

Shen Chen walked past the wall and saw Fang Xue kneeling on the ground, wiping away tears with her sleeve. In front of her were two memorial tablets, engraved with the names of her older sister Fang Yu and younger brother Fang Yong.

Shen Chen recalled that his sister Fang Yu's attempt to rescue Fang Yong from the county jail seemed to have failed, and she herself got herself imprisoned. Moreover, in order to win over Luo Xiong, Fang Yu had even offered Fang Xue's body to him, and the two had severed ties because of this.

"They've clearly severed all ties, so why is she still paying respects to Fang Yu? And... so sorrowful?" Shen Chen observed Fang Xue's behavior and sensed something was amiss.

He suddenly remembered that when Luo Xiong came to his door, Qin Pi showed him a letter of severance signed by Fang Yu. He also recalled Fang Yu's almost shrewish behavior towards him and Qin Pi at the inn. His eyes flashed, and he suddenly understood something.

Hearing the noise behind her, Fang Xue turned her head slightly and saw Shen Chen. She looked flustered and choked up, saying, "Today is the seventh day after my sister's and brother's death. I'm looking for a place to offer incense to them. Please forgive me, Master Shen."

Shen Chen said, "This is the proper ceremony, Miss Fang, there's no need to worry. It was I who was inconsiderate."

He took a step back and said softly, "Miss Fang, please accept my condolences."

Fang Xue stood up from the ground, her face filled with shame: "I suppose my sister offended Master Qin and Master Shen that day. How could I possibly pay my respects to her here? I will remove her memorial tablet right away."

She was about to remove Fang Yu's memorial tablet when Shen Chen stopped her: "No, Miss Fang, you have a good older sister, and she is the one you should worship the most."

Fang Xue was taken aback. She looked at Shen Chen, whose eyes were bright and whose expression was resolute.

"He knows?" Fang Xue's pupils contracted slightly. She had kept Fang Yusheng's instructions to keep quiet.

Fang Yusheng's words suddenly echoed in her ears: "That Brother Shen in Qinpi is an exceptionally intelligent man. You must take the opportunity to get to know him better, and ask for his advice if you encounter any difficulties."

Fang Xue bit her lip and suddenly called out to Shen Chen, who was about to leave: "Master Shen."

"Hmm?" Shen Chen turned around. "Is there anything else, Miss Fang?"

Fang Xue bowed slightly: "I have something I'd like to ask Mr. Shen. I wonder if it's convenient for you?"

After thinking for a moment and drawing a fortune stick, Shen Chen agreed: "Okay, let's go inside and talk."

A moment later, inside the room.

Fang Xue looked at Shen Chen sitting opposite her, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Mr. Shen, please keep what I have to say a secret."

Shen Chen replied amiably, "No problem, Miss Fang, please rest assured."