HLnovel Ch. 145 - Is This What Corrupting People Feels Like?
Ch. 145 - Is This What Corrupting People Feels Like?
"Damn it! I knew I wouldn't learn it!"Ouyang Bao cursed. He hadn't expected Chen Shu to actually guess right.
The Ice Snow Crazy Lion had already consumed two hearts.
But it still hadn't comprehended the skill. The odds were making him question his life choices...
Sure, he had money, but he couldn't just burn through it like this.
Ouyang Bao looked at Chen Shu. "How did you know I wouldn't learn it?"
"As expected—the legendary big data price discrimination."[1]
Chen Shu smirked. He hadn't expected to actually guess right.
Ouyang Bao asked with a confused expression, "What big data? What discrimination?"
"Simply put: the more you spend, the worse your luck gets!"
Ouyang Bao seemed to understand but didn't quite get it. Still, he bought the third heart anyway.
After consuming three hearts, the Ice Snow Crazy Lion finally comprehended the Ice Wolf Lord's talent skill "Frost Claws"!
"Fifteen million yuan to learn one skill..."
Chen Shu watched Ouyang Bao's beaming smile and could only feel that rich people really didn't play by the rules.
"Skills are secondary—the key is learning how to use them properly!"
The teacher stepped forward from the side. "Even a delivery driver knows more than you guys! Can't you give me SOME pride?!"
Chen Shu, who had been about to leave, froze mid-step and spoke up:
"What do you mean 'EVEN a delivery driver'? As Earth's strongest profession, being knowledgeable in various fields is perfectly reasonable, you get me?"
The special training class students all turned to look.
The teacher frowned, annoyed. "You know EVERYTHING?"
I give you a compliment and you start getting cocky?
He was already irritated that Chen Shu had disrupted the competition rules by speaking up.
Now this guy was claiming he knew everything?
"Perfect timing. I've collected all my students' contract spirit skills and was planning to teach them flexible skill usage. Think you can do better? YOU teach them!"
Chen Shu hadn't planned on engaging with him, but suddenly options appeared in his vision.
[Option 1: Walk away and ignore him. Completion Reward: One High-Grade Strength Potion]
[Option 2: Put your hands behind your back and say, "You tell me to teach and I teach? Wouldn't that make me lose face?" Completion Reward: Medium Beast Taming Power]
[Option 3: Step forward and teach the students how to use their skills, making him question his existence. Completion Reward: Rebound Force +1]
Chen Shu rubbed his chin. He hadn't expected one trip to Daxing City to trigger two system choices.
He walked forward calmly, took the materials from the teacher's hand, and looked them over.
As expected of Daxing First High School's special training class—ten students had A-rank contract spirits, and two had even reached Level 8 Beast Tamer.
The first one listed was Ouyang Bao. His battle awareness was terrible, but damn if he didn't have money.
"Damn it, seven skills! Add the Frost Claws he just learned and that's a full eight."
Chen Shu looked at the Ice Snow Crazy Lion's data sheet and immediately felt the oppressive pressure radiating from rich people.
"Ouyang Bao, your 'Frost Burst' is best used after closing distance. Also, the moment the frost mist appears, it'll obscure your opponent's vision—learn to exploit that tactically..."
Chen Shu spoke with a calm expression, his words flowing smoothly.
He systematically pointed out the optimal timing and techniques for various skills.
The teacher stood there dumbfounded, his eyes gradually filling with shock. He was starting to question his life.
What Chen Shu said might not be comprehensive, but many of the tactical insights made even him feel enlightened.
Skill usage wasn't rigid by nature—only those with agile minds could develop multiple techniques.
After a long moment, the Beast Taming Arena fell silent. Everyone just stared blankly at Chen Shu in his delivery uniform.
So you really were "Earth's strongest profession"...
"You know, how about I just become your homeroom teacher?"
Chen Shu coughed once and spoke up.
Ouyang Bao chimed in: "Actually... that's not unreasonable..."
The teacher's eyes went wide. He instantly realized what was happening and snatched the materials back from Chen Shu's hands.
You're publicly stealing my job right in front of everyone?!
The teacher spoke up: "Non-students, please leave the Beast Taming Arena!"
"Too small. Your whole perspective's too small..."
Chen Shu shook his head and left the arena with a helpless expression.
He left behind the students and teacher staring at each other, their worldviews thoroughly shattered.
Could delivery drivers really know everything?
Chen Shu whistled as he left Daxing First High School.
Looking at the over 10 million Huaxia Currency in his account, Chen Shu felt his entire outlook suddenly broaden.
"Might as well explore Daxing City a bit."
Chen Shu wasn't in any rush to return. He'd finally gotten a chance to get out—why would he go back to school so easily?
Just as he was wandering through Daxing City's black market, a message arrived on his phone.
Ouyang Bao: "Boss, want to grab dinner tonight?"
Chen Shu had originally planned to refuse, but thinking about how rich this guy was, maybe he could squeeze him for more in the future.
These days, finding someone both stupid AND rich wasn't easy.
"Sure! You pick the place!"
That evening.
Chen Shu arrived at a restaurant in downtown Daxing City.
"I'm sorry, sir! The restaurant has been reserved by one person for tonight!"
"..."
Chen Shu's mouth twitched. Reserved the whole place?!
He immediately caught on and said, "Ouyang Bao invited me."
"You must be Mr. Chen Shu?!"
The restaurant staff's attitude instantly became extremely respectful as they led him inside.
Ouyang Bao was sitting properly at his seat. Behind him stood several burly men in black clothes and sunglasses.
The moment they saw Chen Shu enter, Ouyang Bao and the men behind him immediately bowed respectfully and said in unison: "Boss!"
All the other staff turned to look, staring at Chen Shu with curious expressions.
Chen Shu couldn't help but take a step back. This setup's so over-the-top that I might end up arrested halfway through dinner.
"Don't call me 'boss.'"
Chen Shu came to the table and said, "I'm saying, you don't need to be this extravagant when inviting someone to dinner. Are you a rich second generation or something?"
Ouyang Bao scratched his head. "I'm not a rich second generation."
Then he leaned in closer and said in a low voice: "My dad is."
Chen Shu's eyes went wide. "Never mind then!"
So he's a rich THIRD generation?
He silently felt a bit regretful. If only this were in an Alternate Dimension—he'd definitely rob this guy down to his underwear.
Ouyang Bao spoke up: "I just wanted you to teach me how to win fights against people."
"Didn't your teacher already teach you?"
Chen Shu ate without any courtesy. The food really was quite good.
Ouyang Bao said, "What the teacher taught was all theory—basically useless. I think you're the real combat expert!"
"As long as you're willing to teach me, money's no problem."
Chen Shu rubbed his chin. Didn't expect you to have such good judgment.
"When it comes to combat, it's mainly about adaptability. Just talking about it doesn't mean much."
Ouyang Bao sighed and asked, "Is there any medicine that can boost brainpower? Price doesn't matter."
"..."
Chen Shu's expression went blank. Then he said, "Since that's the case, I'll teach you one move for free: AMBUSH!"
With that, Chen Shu spoke in a low voice, constantly instilling in Ouyang Bao the profound mysteries of sneak attacks.
Seeing the sly smile that appeared on his honest face, Chen Shu actually felt a sense of accomplishment.
Is this what corrupting people feels like?
[1] Big Data Price Discrimination (大数据杀熟): A notorious practice exposed in 2018-2019 where Chinese apps like Didi (ride-hailing) and Meituan (food delivery) used algorithms to charge loyal customers HIGHER prices than new users. The term literally means "big data slaughters the familiar"—the more you use the app, the more it gouges you. Chen Shu jokes that this is why Ouyang's expensive purchases keep failing: the gacha system is "discriminating" against his whale spending habits.