Just as I was thinking about this, several black vans stopped at the society's gate. Dozens of men who looked like thugs got out. When the old man in front of me saw them, he immediately stood up and approached them, trying to intervene. A man in a black coat and pants stepped out of the front car, likely the leader. He said, "Old man, this society is now owned by Xia Corporation, and you people are living here illegally. We're here to throw you out."
The old man replied, "What nonsense. This property belongs to Old Lou. I know him; he would never sell his property to you corporate types." In response, the man in the black coat simply showed him a document. As the old man read it, he slowly brought his hands together and said with trembling hands, "Please give us time. Our men are currently arrested by the police. Once they return, we will leave this place. Until then, please let us stay here. We only have women and children here."
The man in the black coat pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and said, "Listen, old man. We are as helpless as you. Even if we leave, some other gang will come and force you out, and I assure you they are much worse than us. We don't have any personal issues with you; it's just that you oppose someone much more powerful than you. So, it would be wise to listen to us." He then told his men, "Listen, I want this place empty before I finish my cigarette, so help these people move out."
Hearing this, the men moved toward the housing society. By now, the residents had gathered outside after hearing the commotion. The old man tried to stop them but was pushed down and fell to the ground.
Just then, Jessy came running to the old man to help him up. She turned her head toward the thugs and said, "Do you people have any humanity left? First, you tried to take our—when we protested, you arrested our men, and now you're here to bully helpless women and children."
Several thugs looked back at her and replied, "Listen carefully, girl. You are not in a position to talk to us like that. We are nice guys, which is why we're speaking kindly. If it comes to bullying, we can do much worse, especially to a pretty girl like you." Jessy shuddered, her blue eyes filled with tears as she cried while holding the old man. The old man gently patted her, wiping the tears from her face, and said, "Don't cry, girl. This world is like this; only the strong are respected. Poor and weak people get bullied no matter where they go."
Jessy sulked and asked, "But grandpa, isn't there anyone who wants to help the poor and weak? What about the stories you told me when I was a child? What about those heroes?"
The old man replied, "Jessy, you are very naïve. You've grown up, and you still believe in those stories. Those heroes are just fantasies created by the poor and weak to pass the time. There's no such thing."
After hearing their conversation, I felt so upset that I almost wanted to confront all those thugs. But then, inspired by the old man's words about heroes, a plan came to me. I quickly ran toward the thugs, who were now close to the crowd of women and children. Standing in front of them, I pretended to be a beggar and said, "You all stop before it's too late. Your actions have already angered the heavens. If you try to do injustice to these helpless people, you will be punished. I can see it on your faces—your fate is turning dark. Please leave now before it's too late."
While I spoke to the thugs, I silently sent a message to both Lu Xiaoran and Roman through my system watch. They were ready to act, especially Lu Xiaoran, who had been clenching his fists since the thug pushed the old man. I told both of them to wait until I finished my act, and that Lu Xiaoran shouldn't use any powers—just his body as a normal person to handle these thugs. Once I relayed the message, I returned to my role.
I said to the thugs, "Please don't bully the poor and weak. Your bad karma won't be tolerated. I can see the shadow of death on all of you. Please listen to my words. I am a fortune teller." Hearing this, the thugs laughed. The man in the black coat stepped in front of me and arrogantly said, "Everyone, look. This beggar fortune teller wants to scare us. Listen, if you want to save these people, tell them to leave, because no amount of your blustering about karma or heavens will save you."
Having said this, he stepped back, and one of the thugs moved in front of me, glaring menacingly. He raised a metal rod to strike me, but just as he swung it, Lu Xiaoran grabbed it. Standing in front of me, Lu Xiaoran faced the thugs and didn't say a word. He simply punched the thug in the face, knocking him to the ground.
This was my plan from the start. After hearing the old man talk about heroes, I realized I had a way to deal with Lin Chen. According to the system, Lin Chen is a hero, and Lu Xiaoran is merely a small villain in his story. So, what if this small villain became a hero?
The system said, "Host, things don't work that way. Heroes or chosen ones are selected by heaven and the world, possessing great luck and the protection of destiny."
I responded, "That's the point, system. Your idea of heroes is incorrect. Real heroes don't have luck or world protection; in fact, real heroes don't have a specific villain because the whole world is their villain. Let me explain it this way: if you're sitting on a bus moving with constant acceleration, what happens if you suddenly accelerate the bus? What force acts against that acceleration?"
The system answered, "Host, that force would be inertia—a force opposing any change in an object's state."
I said, "Exactly, system. Think of the world as the bus. When someone tries to speed up society and the world, it resists; that's how it is. The world will resist any change not accepted by the masses. Thus, real heroes are always opposed by the world, labeled as villains. But now, I will make my disciples real heroes, without help or luck. The world has chosen its protagonists, but I will choose mine. The heavens have their plans, but I will make mine. Now, no one will decide my disciples' fate except themselves. My disciples are no longer cannon fodder villains; they now have the identity of heroes."
Looking at my disciples, I saw Roman watching from the side, as I had instructed him to do nothing. Meanwhile, Lu Xiaoran had taken care of all the thugs. Now, those thugs and their leader were lying on the ground, many of their bones broken by Lu Xiaoran.