"Tang Hao! You... you..."
Old Jack was so angry that he stammered.
Tang Hao had scorned the work-study student place just moments ago, yet now he was forcibly snatching it away. His attitude changed in an instant, and he would not even allow anyone to refuse. His overbearing behavior was outrageous.
Old Jack was beside himself with anger. He had a stubborn temper too, and now he stiffened his neck, refusing to give the place to Tang San no matter what.
Seeing this, Tang Hao frowned even more deeply. This Old Jack really did not know what was good for him.
With his standing, asking for a work-study student place was already doing the other man an honor.
In the past, he would never have spared a mere work-study student place a glance.
It was only because he had fallen on hard times, the Clear Sky Sect had withdrawn into seclusion, and he was unwilling to leave the mountain behind Holy Soul Village. After all, Ah Yin was hidden there.
If not for giving Tang San somewhere to receive a Spirit Master's education, he would not have bothered wasting these words on Old Jack. Wouldn't going home to drink and sleep have been more comfortable?
By then, Lu Chen, whose mind had gone blank under the shock of Tang Hao's imposing aura, had gradually begun to recover.
His awareness cleared, and he gasped for breath as cold sweat kept streaming down his forehead.
In that instant just now, he had felt as though he were staring death in the face.
Perhaps Lu Chen possessed extraordinary talent, and as long as he did not die, he would certainly become a mighty figure one day.
But there was one condition: he had to stay alive!
As he was now, he was still far too weak. Faced with Tang Hao's threat, he had no means of resisting whatsoever.
He slowly turned his head and looked at his parents.
Lu Chen's father, Lu An, was an honest farmer who had lived uprightly his entire life. Now he lay collapsed on the ground, utterly powerless, his face flushed crimson and veins bulging on his forehead.
Lu An felt so humiliated!
Tang Hao had come to steal his son's work-study student place, yet he had been frightened so badly that he could not even stand. It filled him with intense shame.
Lu Chen's mother, Rose, was a warm, generous village woman who treated people kindly and got along with her neighbors. She had never once grown red-faced with anyone or gotten into an argument.
When Tang Hao had first brought Tang San to Holy Soul Village, she had pitied the grown man caring for a baby all alone and given them quite a lot of food.
Now her kindness had been repaid with malice. Rose trembled all over in fright, her eyes red and tears streaming down her cheeks. Even her mental state seemed somewhat amiss.
Something instantly ignited in Lu Chen's heart. An indescribable fury surged through his chest and rushed straight up to the crown of his head, bringing a savage gleam to his eyes, as though he wanted to slice someone a thousand times and tear them into ten thousand pieces.
Now he was like a powder keg with its fuse lit, ready to explode at any moment.
Yet in the next instant, the thought of Tang Hao's terrifying strength-that cruel reality-doused Lu Chen with a basin of cold water, extinguishing the fuse completely.
If he clashed with Tang Hao, it would be no different from striking a rock with an egg.
I have to stay calm!
Calm!
Lu Chen kept telling himself this, but at the same time, he swore an oath in his heart:
Tang Hao, you can throw your weight around now only because you're a Titled Douluo. Just you wait. The river flows east for thirty years, then west for thirty years. With my Become Stronger by Breathing talent, I'll soon catch up to you-even surpass you!
When that day comes, I'll cripple your Martial Soul, break both your legs, and make you kneel before my parents to atone for what you've done today!
I'll cut off your son's head right in front of you, trample it beneath my feet, and grind it to a pulp. I'll make you truly understand what regret means!
Then, while you drown in endless regret, I'll slice you a thousand times and tear you into ten thousand pieces!
After swearing that oath in his heart, Lu Chen drew a deep breath and suppressed all his emotions and fury deep within.
In the end, all that remained on Lu Chen's face was carefully feigned fear.
Like an ordinary child who had suffered a terrible fright, Lu Chen spoke in a trembling voice:
"Grandpa Village Chief, I don't want this work-study student place anymore. Let's think of another way."
After speaking, Lu Chen turned around somewhat stiffly and went to help his father and mother up. Supporting Lu An and Rose on either side, he left with them, the family of three stumbling along in utter disarray.
Old Jack watched the bewildered backs of Lu Chen and his parents. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but his throat seemed blocked, and not even the slightest sound came out.
He lifted a leg and stumbled, nearly falling to the ground himself.
After finally steadying himself, Old Jack looked at Tang Hao and said fiercely:
"Fine, Tang Hao! Just my rotten luck. Why did I ever let you stay back then? If you want this work-study student place, take it!"
With that, Old Jack turned and left, as though spending even another moment with Tang Hao would bring him bad luck.
Once the work-study student place was secured, Tang San, who had stood behind Tang Hao without saying a single word, followed Old Jack with an obedient expression.
"Grandpa Village Chief, I'll see you out!"
Looking at the obedient-faced Tang San, Old Jack felt deeply conflicted. He had always sympathized with this precocious, sensible child and had therefore always taken good care of him.
But this time, he had seen Tang San standing behind Tang Hao, watching Tang Hao bully others without saying a word himself.
He sighed inwardly:
They are father and son, after all! No matter how well I treat him, he won't feel grateful or bravely step forward to say a fair word.
Finally, Old Jack said in a low voice:
"Little San... take care of yourself from now on!"
Then Old Jack strode away without looking back, trying to catch up with Lu Chen and his parents ahead.
Only after watching Old Jack walk off into the distance did Tang San return to Tang Hao's side and say with an admiring expression:
"Thank you for getting me the work-study student place, Dad!"
After threatening Old Jack and Lu Chen's family to secure the work-study student place, Tang Hao promptly put the whole matter out of his mind.
Such was his confidence in his own strength!
Then Tang Hao swaggered back, saying as he walked:
"Little San, cook for me when we get back. I'm hungry."
Tang San immediately answered obediently:
"Yes!"
Father and son walked toward their home, one behind the other.
This was Tang Hao and Tang San. They were truly united by their interests.
For Tang San's sake, Tang Hao could bully others with impunity and snatch away a work-study student place. For Tang Hao's sake, Tang San could turn a blind eye to injustice, watching coldly from beginning to end.
Tang Hao, a true scoundrel who relied on his strength.
Tang San, a hypocrite who appeared righteous.
All one could say was that these two truly deserved to be father and son.