Chapter 5: The Stunning Sister-in-Law, System, Add Points Quickly!

The Grand Court session concluded.

The officials departed, one after another, taking to the skies. Shen Lang followed behind Shen Canghai, gazing at the evening glow on the horizon, feeling a profound sense of relief. Ever since he had transmigrated into this world, the pressure had been immense. He had worried incessantly about being unable to adapt to the political intrigues of a fantasy world. Yet, after today’s Grand Court, his confidence had soared to unprecedented heights. To put it bluntly and perhaps arrogantly, when it came to schemes and power plays, none of the officials here could hold a candle to him. He had merely employed a few minor tricks, and yet he had run circles around them all—it was truly dull.

"Old Wu, bring me my Coiling Dragon Staff!"

Just as Shen Lang was daydreaming about his future, the words ringing in his ears made his heart skip a beat.

"Grandfather, I performed quite well today, don't you think? Still going to hit me?"

Shen Canghai did not answer his inquiry. He merely accepted the Coiling Dragon Staff from the middle-aged man named Wu Daonan with a stern face. Watching the gilded light shimmering off the staff, Shen Lang instinctively stepped back, preparing to bolt.

But the next second, Shen Canghai handed the staff to him. With an honest, naive expression, he said, "Lang'er, it was my eyes that were blind in the past; don't take it to heart! If you feel aggrieved, hit me as you please! Even if you break three of my legs with three strikes, I won't blame you!"

"This..."

Looking at the sincere expression on Shen Canghai's face, Shen Lang’s mouth twitched. Had the old man lost his nerve? Still, thinking of how much Shen Canghai had worried over his predecessor all these years, Shen Lang waved his hand. "Grandfather, what are you saying? Without your protection, I wouldn't be where I am today! How could I ever raise a hand against you?"

Seeing Shen Lang’s obedient and sensible demeanor, tears welled up in Shen Canghai’s eyes. "My Shen family is not destined to perish! But Lang'er, from this day forward, you must cultivate diligently. Otherwise, that old dog Song Changhe will surely come for your head!"

Shen Lang was well aware that Song Changhe would retaliate. However, the final part of his plan was specifically designed to provoke that retaliation! Otherwise, from where would he harvest his grievances?

"Rest assured, Grandfather, I know what I'm doing!"

...

As the saying goes, good news stays at home, while bad news travels a thousand miles. Within just two hours, the citizens across the hundred cities of the Great Qin Empire knew exactly what Shen Lang had done at the Grand Court. In an instant, his name became a household word once more. Only this time, instead of being used as a cautionary tale for misbehaving children, the entire populace was cursing his name.

Shen Lang was a scoundrel!

Yet, the perpetrator himself was in his room, listening to the system's notifications and beaming with joy.

[Ding, grievance value from Wang Er +10]
[Ding, grievance value from Zhang San +10]
[Ding, grievance value from Li Si +10]

"System, how much grievance value do I have now?"

"The host's current grievance value is 38,520 points."

Hearing this number, Shen Lang excitedly asked, "If I use it to improve my strength, how much can I gain?"

"One thousand points of grievance value can raise the host by one level in the Qi Refining stage. Ten thousand points can raise the host by one level in the Foundation Establishment stage. One hundred thousand points can raise the host by one level in the Golden Core stage!"

After hearing the system’s explanation, Shen Lang became even more thrilled. With his current points, he could reach the Foundation Establishment stage immediately. Just as he was about to upgrade, a knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?" Shen Lang asked.

"It is I."

Upon hearing that voice, Shen Lang was momentarily stunned. A face of peerless beauty surfaced in his mind—Ziyuan. She was the fiancée of his elder brother, Shen Chen. After Shen Chen passed away, Ziyuan did not choose to annul the engagement like Huang Yiyi had. Instead, she had resolutely married into the Shen family, even threatening to take her own life when Shen Canghai offered to release her from the betrothal. However, in his predecessor's memories, Shen Lang had felt a mix of love and hatred for her. He loved her breathtaking beauty, but hated that she never gave him a chance, often reporting him to Shen Canghai for peeking or harassment, which had led to his predecessor being soundly beaten by the Coiling Dragon Staff more than once.

Now that Ziyuan was knocking on his door, Shen Lang was curious. "The door isn't locked, come in!"

*Creak.*

As the door pushed open, Shen Lang finally understood why his predecessor had been so obsessed with his sister-in-law. In reality, Ziyuan was even more breathtakingly beautiful than in his memories.

[Ding, grievance from Ziyuan +10]

*Huh?* So much resentment? Shen Lang was surprised that Ziyuan had provided him with ten points of grievance value in one go.

Ziyuan, however, looked at him with disgust. "Grandfather said you were hiding your true capabilities, but why do I still find you so despicable and vulgar?"

"Uh..." Shen Lang felt a bit awkward being rebuked, but he quickly composed himself. He said with a serious expression, "I just didn't expect you to come, Sister-in-law, so I was a bit dazed."

"Hmph!" Ziyuan scoffed coldly. "Put on your training gear and follow me to the martial arts arena!"

Without waiting for a response, she tossed a set of clothes onto the bed and turned to leave. Watching her cold, resentful figure walk away, Shen Lang sniffled. "What a catch!"

Walking into the martial arts arena, he saw many people already gathered. Shen Canghai greeted him with a wide smile, "Lang'er, you're here?"

"I am," Shen Lang nodded, but his gaze fell upon Ziyuan in the center of the arena. She had changed into a training outfit, but the form-fitting attire did nothing to hide her beauty; instead, it outlined her curves perfectly, making it impossible for Shen Lang to look away.

Ziyuan, however, did not indulge him in the slightest. Her tone was icy. "If you keep looking, I will gouge out your eyes and then end my own life to atone for my failure!"

"Lang'er, do not be disrespectful to your sister-in-law!" Shen Canghai reminded him sternly.

"Ahem..." After being warned, Shen Lang coughed twice and changed the subject. "It's so late, why have you called me here?"

"Regarding what you proposed at the Grand Court today, I have thought it over and decided that your daily training must be put on the schedule! Otherwise, Song Changhe will certainly make you pay dearly!"

Hearing that it was for martial arts training, Shen Lang immediately refused. "Didn't I say that everything is within my calculations? Song Changhe is nothing but a joke; he cannot touch me!"

"That won't do!" Shen Canghai said solemnly. "The entire Great Qin knows you are ruthless now. In the last hour alone, Uncle Wu has already dealt with three waves of assassins sent to kill you. You must train to have the ability to protect yourself!"

*Hiss...* Hearing that assassins were after him, Shen Lang felt a tingle on his scalp. He had been so focused on farming grievance points that he had forgotten this world wasn't as peaceful or stable as his previous one. However, with the system, he still felt that martial arts training wasn't entirely necessary. Just as he was about to refuse, Shen Canghai’s next words made his eyes light up.

"No excuses! A genius like your sister-in-law teaching you personally is a blessing you earned in your past life! Furthermore, she has promised that if you can reach the third level of the Qi Refining stage within three months, she will grant you one small request!"

"Is that true?" Shen Lang looked at Ziyuan with anticipation.

"Naturally," Ziyuan replied with a cold smirk, as if she had seen right through him.

"Damn it, System, add my points!"