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

Chen Tie's eyes reddened, he turned his head away and stopped talking, his chest heaving violently.

Shen Chen, who had been leaning against the door, walked over. The room wasn't big to begin with, and he reached the bedside in just a few steps.

"Brother Qin is right, you should focus on recovering from your injuries." Shen Chen's tone was very calm, as if he were talking about something trivial. "I'll avenge Hei San for you tomorrow."

Chen Tie on the bed suddenly turned his head and stared intently at Shen Chen. His lips trembled for a long time before he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence.

"Brother Shen Chen... I'm sorry..."

Shen Chen raised an eyebrow, remained silent, and waited for him to continue.

"Back then... it was my fault, Chen Tie, who was blind to talent," a blush crept onto Chen Tie's face, his eyes darting around. "I told him your physique wasn't good enough, that you weren't suited for body cultivation... I..."

The tough guy's voice was choked with emotion. He couldn't bear to look at Shen Chen. Thinking back on his disdainful attitude, it felt like a resounding slap across his face.

Shen Chen waved his hand:

"Brother Chen, why are you saying all this?"

His tone was flat, and there was no hint of blame in his voice.

"You were right when you said I wasn't naturally gifted; I really wasn't back then," Shen Chen said with a smile.

Chen Tie was stunned.

He was prepared to be ridiculed and mocked, and even thought that Shen Chen would take the opportunity to kick him when he was down.

After all, anyone would hold a grudge against their own words back then.

But Shen Chen didn't say anything.

"You...you really don't blame me?" Chen Tie's voice trembled.

"What's it to you?" Shen Chen retorted. "You didn't harm me, you just told the truth."

He paused, then added, "Besides, you stood up for Brother Qin today and lost all four of your limbs. I saw your loyalty."

Chen Tie's nose tingled, and tears almost fell.

Qin Pi watched from the side, patted Shen Chen on the shoulder without saying anything, but the hand was heavy.

"Take good care of your injuries." Shen Chen turned and walked out. "I'll avenge Hei San for you tomorrow."

As soon as he reached the door, he saw a young man in brocade robes standing in the courtyard.

The young man held a long black sword in his hand, the scabbard of which was carved with a coiled dragon pattern and gleamed with a faint light in the setting sun.

[Black Dragon Blade] Wu Long.

"Brother Shen," Wu Long said with a polite smile, clasping his hands in greeting, "my master would like to invite you to his residence for a visit."

Shen Chen raised an eyebrow: "Master Tang is looking for me?"

"Yes." Wu Long nodded. "The head of the household said he has something important to discuss."

Shen Chen's mind went blank.

Tang Long contacting him at this time is probably not a good thing.

Just as he was about to refuse, a line of words suddenly popped into his mind.

[Good fortune: You will obtain important information on this journey; auspicious.]

Shen Chen paused.

Important intelligence?

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Okay, I'll go with you."

Tang Long's mansion was located on the east side of the mountain stronghold, covering a vast area. Several pine trees were planted in the courtyard, which were neatly trimmed.

Shen Chen followed Wu Long into the main hall and saw Tang Long sitting in the main seat, holding a teacup in his hand.

"Brother Shen is here." Tang Long put down his teacup, stood up to greet him, and said, "Please have a seat."

He gestured for Shen Chen to sit down and then had tea and refreshments served.

"You're too kind, Master Tang." Shen Chen sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Tang Long smiled and, without beating around the bush, said directly, "Brother Shen, I invited you here today to discuss a business deal."

"What kind of business?"

"Thousand Cloud Hands." Tang Long stared at Shen Chen. "I want this skill. Name your price."

Shen Chen paused in his movements.

He had long guessed that Tang Long had this idea, but he didn't expect the other party to be so direct.

"Master Tang, the Thousand Cloud Hand technique was given to me by Fang Xue." Shen Chen put down his teacup. "To pass it on to someone else, you need her permission."

Tang Long's smile faded slightly.

"Fang Xue..." he sighed, "To be honest, there's been some misunderstanding between us."

"Misunderstand?"

"That's right." Tang Long nodded. "The massacre of the Fang family had nothing to do with me. I don't know which villain's slander she listened to and developed a grudge against me."

He spoke with such sincerity, as if he had truly suffered a great injustice.

After listening, Shen Chen remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he raised his head, looked at Tang Long, and slowly said, "That villain is me."

The air inside the hall froze instantly.

Wu Long tightened his grip on the knife, and Tang Long's smile vanished completely.

"Brother Shen, what do you mean by that?" Tang Long's voice lowered a few decibels.

Shen Chen did not avoid his gaze: "The literal meaning."

Tang Long narrowed his eyes, stared at Shen Chen for a few seconds, and then suddenly smiled.

"Good, very good."

He slapped the table, the sound not loud, but carrying a suppressed anger.

"I rescued the Fang family and brought them up the mountain, taught them martial arts, and protected them. And what happened? Fang Xue turned around and gave the command flag to Zhao Ying, and even treated me like an enemy."

Tang Long stood up, walked to Shen Chen, and bent down.

"Shen Chen, tell me, is there any merit to your instigation of this matter?"

Shen Chen looked up at him, her tone calm.

"I'm just telling the truth. When the Fang family suffered, you did nothing. When Fang Yong was arrested, you stood by and did nothing. These are all facts."

The smile on Tang Long's face vanished completely.

"fact?"

He gave a cold laugh and straightened up.

"You know nothing! I saved the Fang family's lives during that ordeal!"

"As for Fang Yong, he caused this mess himself, why should I clean up his mess?"

He caught his breath for a moment, calming down: "But none of that matters."

He looked at Shen Chen again and said decisively, "I'm going to take the Thousand Cloud Hands. Name your terms."

Shen Chen remained silent, his eyes calm.

Seeing that Shen Chen didn't speak, Tang Long wasn't in a hurry and continued.

"Shen Chen, I've always been straightforward in my actions. I'm willing to do anything for my path in martial arts."

He paused, then his tone became more direct.

"The Thousand Cloud Hands is something I've had my eye on for a long time. Give it to me, and name your price."

Shen Chen looked up at him, her tone calm.

"What if I don't pay?"

Tang Long's smile froze.

He stared at Shen Chen, remained silent for a few seconds, and then suddenly smiled.

"Shen Chen, do you know? There was someone who rejected my terms back then too."

He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Shen Chen.

"That man is called Li Tieshan. He is the owner of a martial arts school and has a unique skill that he has mastered. I want to learn it, but he refuses to teach me."

Tang Long turned around, his smile turning sinister.

"And then? He died. Of the more than one hundred people in the martial arts school, not a single one survived."

He walked back to the table, bent down, and stared at Shen Chen.

"Now, the grass on his grave is three feet tall."

The atmosphere in the room instantly became oppressive.

Shen Chen sat in the chair, not moving, just quietly watching Tang Long.

Tang Long straightened up and patted Shen Chen on the shoulder.

"Chief Shen, I advise you to think this over carefully."