Chapter 6 – Insult
Tie Zhu fell silent as Wang Zhuo said mockingly, “I told you before that this kid has no talent. All he does is go and embarrass our family. I passed the first exam, so I didn’t see him until later. A few days later, I heard he failed all three. It’s better that he didn’t go. I’d rather have Fourth Uncle’s son go instead.”
Tie Zhu’s fourth uncle frowned and said, “Wang Zhuo, even if you are going to become an immortal, what could you possibly know about what my son can or cannot do? How dare you!”
There was a cold glint in Wang Zhuo’s eyes. He laughed softly, but said nothing.
Tie Zhu’s father suddenly looked like he had aged over 10 years and fell off his chair. Tie Zhu’s mother was also shocked, unable to believe what had happened. She asked, “Tie Zhu, is… is this true?”
Tie Zhu bit his lip until it bled. He fell to the ground and prostrated himself several times. He whispered, “Mom, Dad, Tie Zhu was not chosen by the gods. I’m sorry, I…. I will repay you both in the next life.”
Tie Zhu’s mother realized her son was in despair. She immediately ran over and helped Tie Zhu up. She whispered, “Son, don’t worry. So what if you weren’t chosen by the gods? There’s the district exam next year. Son, don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t do anything stupid either. Your parents still hope you’ll be at our funeral.”
Tie Zhu’s father snapped out of his reverie. He realized Tie Zhu’s mental state at that moment. His heart pounded, and he immediately ran to his son. Embracing him, he said nervously, “Tie Zhu, you better not do anything stupid. Listen to your father. Let’s go home and study hard for next year’s district exam.”
The surrounding relatives immediately moved away from Tie Zhu’s family. They all gathered around as if watching a show, gossiping and commenting on the events unfolding before them.
Tie Zhu’s sixth uncle quipped, “I always knew that this Tie Zhu brat had no talent whatsoever. How could he compare to Wang Zhuo?”
“That’s right. If this was meant to happen, why act like he’s already accepted? What a shame. Lao Er, you’re already this old. How could you still do such a foolish thing? No wonder father didn’t give you a share of the inheritance back then,” Tie Zhu’s third uncle said sarcastically.
“In my opinion, the story that this child has been intelligent since childhood is just a fabrication. Perhaps it’s because Lao Er knows he’s a failure himself. He tried to elevate his son’s reputation by lying, and now he’s been found out,” said Tie Zhu’s fifth uncle, his expression already grim.
A female relative mocked, “Of the three children who took the exam, only he failed. Tie Zhu is the worst child in the Wang Family. Second Sister-in-law, I said earlier that you were lucky with Second Brother. Now it looks like your luck will continue to run out for the rest of your life.”
Tie Zhu’s fifth aunt also sneered, “Really? When I went to see Tie Zhu a few days ago, I wondered how he could compare to Wang Hao and Wang Zhuo.”
Another female relative said mercilessly, “I can already see that Tie Zhu’s child has no talent whatsoever. Just look at his mother and father. How could they possibly give birth to anyone good? In our Wang family, only the children of our eldest and third brothers are good. Tie Zhu, bah, just with that name, he sounds like a fool.”
“I was truly blind back then, nearly pushing my daughter into a fiery pit. Fortunately, we knew beforehand that Tie Zhu wasn’t chosen by the gods. My daughter would hate me forever if I married him. Tie Zhu’s mother, let’s forget all this. Since your Tie Zhu won’t become a god, who would want their daughter to marry him? Isn’t that like a toad lusting after a swan’s flesh?”
Within moments, all the relatives turned arrogant. They constantly hurled insults at Tie Zhu’s family.
Compared to the previous scene, this was like heaven and earth. There were even relatives who demanded the gifts they had given them. Seeing his parents’ pale faces, Tie Zhu clenched his fists tightly. Hearing all the insults made him want to die.
Wang Zhuo’s father laughed inwardly, and sneered, “Lao Er, didn’t I tell you that to become an immortal disciple, you need fate on your side? How could there be a chance unless you have talent like my son? Yet you truly believed it would be possible. Now you’re making your son wish he were dead! Was this necessary?”
Tie Zhu’s father couldn’t hold back his anger any longer. He shouted, “Wang Tianshan, shut up! Back then, my father left me a portion of his inheritance on his deathbed. You colluded with other relatives to steal it from me, and now you’re here insulting me. Do you really think I, Wang Tianshui, will just endure this?”
“And all of you too. You were so happy to congratulate me earlier, and now you’re here insulting us. Our son is already in this state, yet you’re adding insult to injury. Are you all still human?”
Wang Tianshan was silent for a moment and said, “Why bring up the past? I warned you with good intentions that your son had no talent, but now you’re angry with me. Hmph, with a father like you, your son won’t be much better off!”
All the insults thrown at the desperate Wang Lin were like thorns piercing his heart. He stared at everyone coldly and carved their faces into his heart.
“You, I’ll fight you to the death.” Tie Zhu’s father couldn’t hold back his anger any longer and grabbed a chair. Tie Zhu’s fourth uncle rushed over and stopped him, whispering, “Big brother, don’t be impulsive. Big brother has many helpers. Listen to me, don’t bother him.”
Tie Zhu’s fourth uncle glared at Wang Tianshan and said, “Eldest brother, is that how you speak? I won’t listen to this anymore. If you dare to continue insulting my second brother, don’t blame me for not caring about family ties. Although the Wang family is large, I’ve made many friends along the way. Don’t force me to burn them all down.”
Wang Tianshan muttered a few words. He was still afraid of his well-connected fourth brother.
“Lao Si, what you said is unreasonable. We weren’t wrong in pointing out that Lao Er’s son lacks any talent. What’s wrong with us, the older generation, scolding the younger ones? What you said is too unreasonable,” said the third uncle of the family in dissatisfaction.