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

Three days later.

"Sizzle!"

A sharp glint of light flashed, and the pork skin hanging on the tree instantly split open with a large gash.

Shen Chen walked to the tree, picked up the pork skin, and looked at it in his hand.

This cut only pierced the surface of the pigskin; the inside was still connected by layers of tendons.

"It's still a bit lacking." Shen Chen rubbed his wrist and sighed.

His movements and power generation are no longer a problem; his only weakness is a lack of strength, which is a limitation imposed by his skill level.

Qin Pi was extremely skilled in martial arts; every move of his sword technique was beyond the reach of those in the Visceral Realm.

Shen Chen tossed the pig skin to Cui'er beside him: "I want to eat stir-fried pig skin today."

Cui'er obediently took the pork skin: "Yes, Master Shen, I'll go back and prepare it right away."

After Cui'er returned to her room, Shen Chen was about to pick up his knife to practice again when a figure suddenly rushed over.

"Shen Tou!"

Shen Chen looked closely and saw that the person who came was Zhang Xiaolong, who was panting heavily and covered in sweat.

"Xiao Long... have you had lunch yet? If not, come over for a meal. I have some really delicious pork skin!" Shen Chen said with a big smile.

"Shen Tou, what's the point of eating?!" Zhang Xiaolong said anxiously. "Don't you know? This month, the brothers' pay has been reduced by 50%. Zhuang Man says you embezzled everyone's money!"

Shen Chen paused for a moment, then his expression returned to normal. He said calmly, "I didn't do such a thing."

"Zhuang Man wants to confront you face to face. I don't think he's here with good intentions." Zhang Xiaolong's expression was solemn. After what happened last time, he had completely sided with Shen Chen.

Zhuang Man accuses you of embezzling the brothers' monthly wages. What is your choice in this situation?

[Good fortune: A clear conscience, confront the barbarian face-to-face, auspicious]

[Bad omen: Avoid confrontation and temporarily evade scrutiny. Others are gradually beginning to believe that you embezzled your monthly salary. Ominous.]

Shen Chen said calmly, "He wants to confront me face to face, so let him confront me. Xiao Long, take me there."

Zhang Xiaolong led Shen Chen to the training ground, where Zhuang Man was sitting on a stone stool, loudly announcing to those around him, "Don't worry, everyone, I've made up for your monthly salary this month."

"Is it really true that Shen Tou embezzled his monthly salary?" Zhao Qian asked.

"Hmph, otherwise why is this month's salary less than half of what it usually is?" Zhuang Man sneered. "Shen Chen recently bought four salt wells from my cousin, so he's not exactly rolling in money. It's understandable that he'd try to take advantage of the brothers."

Everyone fell silent. The village's monthly salary was paid every three months, so the amount was not small, but now it was reduced by half. In the next three months, some people might even have trouble eating.

"Brother Zhuang's generosity in filling the vacancy is truly magnanimous," Zhao Qian said, clasping his hands in a fist salute to Zhuang Man. "I am deeply grateful."

Wang Wu was silent for a moment, then said, "Brother Zhuang is magnanimous, but we still need to ask Boss Shen in person before making a decision."

Just then, Shen Chen arrived.

Zhuang Man caught sight of Shen Chen and immediately stood up, shouting, "Boss Shen, why is our monthly salary halved this time? I expect you to give the brothers a reasonable explanation."

[Excellent fortune: The person frankly admits that they do not know why their monthly salary is insufficient. Regarding the shortage of money and food, they should consult Zhuang Fu. Auspicious.]

[Bad omen: Find the accountant in charge of managing monthly salaries and confront them. The accountant will then claim that they shared the money with you. Ominous.]

A cold glint flashed in Shen Chen's eyes when he saw the contents of the fortune slip.

"Shen, could it be that you colluded with Jia Fu and took the brothers' money?" Zhuang Man stared intently at Shen Chen.

He had already made arrangements with Jia Fu, and during the confrontation, Jia Fu would insist that Shen Chen had embezzled his monthly salary.

Shen Chen said coldly, "Zhuang Man, you say I colluded with Jia Fu, but then produce some evidence. What are your intentions in accusing me of embezzling the brothers' monthly salaries without any proof?"

"Besides, your cousin Zhuang Fu has always been in charge of the money and provisions. So the lack of monthly salary is his fault. I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to do with this matter."

Those around him who heard this thought that Shen Chen's words made a lot of sense.

Isn't Zhuang Fu in charge of managing the village's finances and grain distribution? It's hard to say whether the shortfall in monthly salary wasn't due to his negligence...

Moreover, Zhuang Fu is Zhuang Man's cousin, so it's possible that Zhuang Man did this on purpose. Otherwise, why would he be in such a hurry to fill the vacancies for everyone? It's clearly an attempt to win people over!

In an instant, several gazes fell upon Zhuang Man.

When Zhuang Man heard Shen Chen point the finger at Zhuang Fu, his face twitched, and he shouted angrily, "My cousin is so meticulous, how could he be so careless? You must have colluded with Jia Fu to embezzle the brothers' reward money! Come on, let's confront Jia Fu face to face!"

Wang Wu and Zhao Qian exchanged a glance. Jia Fu was also one of Zhuang Fu's men, and Zhuang Man was Zhuang Fu's cousin...

This is not good. It seems that Zhuang Man deliberately set a trap to pick a fight with Shen Chen. If Shen Chen really goes over to confront him, Jia Fu will probably only speak on Zhuang Man's behalf.

Most of those present understood the situation, but Zhang Xiaolong hadn't thought that far ahead. He angrily said, "Fine, let's have a confrontation then. Boss Shen, let's go!"

Zhang Xiaohu quickly tugged at Zhang Xiaolong's sleeve, signaling him to shut up.

Shen Chen looked at Zhuang Man and sneered, "I have no connection with Jia Fu, but I have a close relationship with you. How could I possibly collude with him to embezzle the brothers' monthly salary?"

"You're in such a hurry to drag me to confront him, I bet you just want him to dump his dirty water on me so I can vacate the leadership position and take it for myself, right?"

He explained Zhuang Man's scheme in just a few words, and the atmosphere immediately turned icy.

Everyone stared silently at Zhuang Man and Shen Chen, except for Zhang Xiaolong, who belatedly slapped his forehead and said, "So that's how it is..."

He looked around and saw that Zhang Xiaohu, Zhao Qianwangwu, and others all had calm expressions, as if they already knew: "Hmm? Why aren't you guys reacting?"

At this moment, Zhuang Man's face was extremely ugly, and he was even somewhat embarrassed and angry: "You surnamed Shen! Stop talking nonsense here. You don't dare to confront me, so you must have something to hide."

"Zhuang Man, I know you've always been resentful of me and want to take my leadership position." Shen Chen slowly placed his hand on the scabbard, his expression calm. "Then today, let's have a fight."

"If you win, this leadership position is yours from now on. If you lose, then you'll obediently serve under me and don't cause me any more trouble!"

Shen Chen slowly drew his sword, stared directly at Zhuang Man, and demanded, "Zhuang Man, do you dare to fight me?"

At this moment, Zhao Qianwangwu and the Zhang brothers all turned their incredulous gazes toward Shen Chen.

Has Shen Chen gone mad?

Zhuang Man entered the Visceral Realm a year ago, participated in countless battles, and even made the first move, so his combat strength is self-evident.

Shen Chen, who has been practicing martial arts for less than half a year, actually wants to fight him one-on-one?