Chapter 134: Did You, the Old Charlatan, Predict Your Own Misfortune Today?

Actually, Tang Chen was forced to behave this way by his System. Just when Elder Du appeared and everyone’s attention was drawn to him, the System issued a task: “Ding! Beginner Task triggered. Host has been relying too much on violence to complete tasks lately, which greatly displeases the System. This is a harmonious and uplifting good book. It must not mislead young student readers due to the Host’s shameless actions. Issuing command: Host must not use any force to solve current difficulties. Host may abandon all shame and integrity, but must not resort to violence. Task successfully rewards one captivating brainwashing guitar. Task failure results in a 10% decrease in Host’s enhancement stats.”

Tang Chen felt incredibly frustrated when he heard this task. Damn it, he was used to slapping faces and showing off. Now, the System suddenly told him not to use violence? Screw that—how was he supposed to complete the task then?

“System, you’re deliberately messing with me, aren’t you?” Tang Chen cursed angrily. The System was truly shameless, using the excuse of not misleading young student readers as a cover. Damn it—it was clearly because the System saw him completing tasks too easily and wanted to make things difficult!

So shameless—even more shameless than he was!

Tang Chen’s sudden behavior made Du Hongde twitch at the corner of his mouth. Watching Tang Chen kneel directly before his father, he had a thought: Was this guy switching from a tough approach to a soft one after failing?

It must be said that Du Hongde was quite clever. At that moment, Elder Du helped Tang Chen up and kindly smiled, saying, “Young man, what grievance do you have? We are now in a republic, not ancient government offices. There’s no need to kneel before me.”

Tang Chen sniffled. Since he had decided to abandon shame, he might as well continue shamelessly. He spoke emotionally, “Elder Du, I know you are a general of our Great China—a truly remarkable figure in our nation’s history. The September 18 Incident, the daring seizure of the Lugou Bridge—so many great achievements, weren’t they all won by you leading the resilient men of China? You could say half of Great China’s territory was secured by you. Though you are older now, you remain unwavering and enduring. Revive your former vigor!”

In truth, Tang Chen didn’t actually know Elder Du at all. Everything he said came straight from history books. His thought was that since he needed to tackle Elder Du, he should start with some flattery.

After all, flattery never fails.

Du Hongde couldn’t take it anymore and said with a dumbfounded expression, “My father didn’t take part in any of those battles. Where did you hear about them?”

Tang Chen was so embarrassed. Damn it, he had intended to show off with flattery, but ended up exposing his own lack of knowledge. So shameful, so shameful.

Elder Du, however, wasn’t angry at all. He chuckled and said, “You’re quite an amusing young fellow, but after all that, you still haven’t said what your grievance is.”

Tang Chen continued with tears streaming down his face, “Elder Du, it’s like this: I have a very close friend. A couple of days ago, while crossing the road to save a pregnant little dog, he got hit by a car and has been unconscious ever since. Don’t you think he’s both brave and pitiable?”

Du Hongde had already guessed what Tang Chen was going to say, but hearing such a shameless excuse still left him utterly speechless.

Elder Du nodded and said, “He is indeed brave. There aren’t many young people like that nowadays.”

Tang Chen grew more and more indignant as he spoke. He stood up directly and said excitedly, “Exactly! Besides an exceptional good man like me, there are hardly any good kids like that anymore. But even such a good person—while staying in our hospital, minding his own business—was forced to move out of his ward. And the reason given was absurdly claimed to be because the ward had good feng shui. Good feng shui, my foot! Don’t you think only idiots would believe in feng shui?”

Elder Du understood now. So, after all that complaining, this young man was actually talking about his own son. He looked up at his son and said sternly, “Hongde, you clearly told me you would handle this properly. Is this your idea of handling it properly?”

Du Hongde wished he could kill Tang Chen on the spot. That bastard’s words were too cutting—the last part was clearly calling him an idiot. But facing his father’s questioning, he obediently said, “Dad, I haven’t resolved this matter yet, but rest assured, I will handle it properly.”

Tang Chen gave a sinister laugh and added, “How will you handle it? Are you going to use a gun on me again? Don’t you know how scared I am?”

Du Hongde nearly spat blood. Damn it, so shameless! Scared? Scared of what? You didn’t look the least bit scared earlier!

Elder Du said with some displeasure, “Hongde, I’ve told you many times—I don’t need to move somewhere else for treatment. I’m old; I’ve long been at peace with life and death. Besides, I told you those are just superstitions, but you refuse to listen. Let’s go now and not trouble others here any further.”

Du Hongde grew anxious and said, “Dad, Master Fang is very famous throughout Jingdu. What he says isn’t superstition; it’s scientifically grounded. Master Fang went to great lengths to determine that this place has exceptionally good feng shui. Please listen to me, Dad.”

“What nonsense Master Fang? Major General Du, this is the 21st century, an era of blooming progress. How can you still believe in such swindlers who paste fake charms and cheat people out of money?” Tang Chen curled his lip disdainfully. He absolutely did not believe in ghosts, gods, or feng shui—it was all made-up stuff. He couldn’t understand why so many fools fell for it.

“Who are you calling a swindler? Young friend, you should watch your tongue,” a man said softly as he emerged from the restroom. He was about 162 cm tall, with sly, shifty eyes, and looked untrustworthy. This was Fang Pan, Master Fang.

Du Hongde nervously called out, “Master Fang, please don’t be angry. This kid doesn’t know how powerful you are. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Fang Pan snorted, walked up to Tang Chen, and pointed at him, saying, “Young friend, I see darkness between your eyebrows and a purple tinge in your eyes—it means you’re headed for disaster.”

Tang Chen spat and said, “Did you, the old charlatan, predict your own misfortune today?” As he spoke, Tang Chen grabbed Fang Pan by the neck and slammed him hard against the wall. With a bang, Fang Pan immediately passed out.

Tang Chen spread his hands and said to the Du father and son, “Major General Du, Elder Du, you see? In the end, heaven sees all that people do. Things like feng shui and fortune-telling are nonsense. If heaven wants to punish someone, it can’t be predicted—just like I said he would have a misfortune; could he avoid it?”

“Master Fang! Kid, you’ve gone too far!” Du Hongde exclaimed, his fists clenched tightly. He had gone to great lengths to invite Master Fang, and now this kid had attacked him right in front of him. How could he tolerate that?

“Hongde, what this young man says makes sense. You should believe less in such superstitious things from now on,” Elder Du declared. He smiled with satisfaction; it was clear Tang Chen’s actions pleased him.

“Cough, cough!” Suddenly, Elder Du started coughing without warning. Du Hongde hurried over and called out with concern, “Dad, are you okay? Dad, I’ll take you back to Jingdu right now. Hang in there.”

Seeing the old man cough up blood, his face turning purple from distress, Tang Chen walked straight over and said, “Elder Du, if you trust me, let me treat you.”

Du Hongde angrily pushed Tang Chen away and said furiously, “What can you treat? What do you even know about treatment? You attacked Master Fang and now my father can’t get the rest he needs. Are you satisfied?”

Tang Chen said seriously, “Major General Du, I know you have issues with me, but I just want to do my small part to help the old master. After all, he is a general of our China, a true hero who sacrificed so much for the founding of our republic.”