Chapter 60: I Would Like to Know If There’s a Challenge Class

Upon hearing Shen He’s words, everyone present fell silent in an instant. Though they knew he was speaking the truth—no one could withstand his monstrous strength—in the face of such brute force, any technique was rendered useless. Yet, when Shen He said it, it sounded so boastful.

After bidding farewell to the others, Shen He headed straight home, grabbed a bottle of good wine, and walked toward Shen Dali’s house. After all, the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, and he had learned nearly everything he needed. He planned to return to Xiangxiang City early the next morning. His first stop would be to find Liu Mu, the one practicing Taekwondo, then in the afternoon to seek out a few people specializing in grappling. The day after, he’d challenge the practitioner of internal Bajiquan. If all went well, he’d finally complete his “Martial Artist” job transfer quest.

At dinner, Shen He informed Shen Dali’s family of his departure the next day. Upon hearing this, Shen Dali’s family insisted on drinking with him until they were all thoroughly drunk. Yet, with Shen He’s current physique, he managed to drink them all under the table before feeling even a hint of intoxication. Returning home, he washed up briefly and went straight to bed.

Early the next morning, Shen He awoke and immediately summoned his system panel.

[Ding! Daily Quest 1: Survive for one day]
[Completed]
[Quest reward has been granted]
[…]

Upon seeing the extra attribute point on his panel, Shen He immediately allocated it to stamina. A faint, barely perceptible tingling sensation flashed through him and vanished. He then glanced down to check what new daily quests had refreshed for today.

[Daily Quest 1: Survivor Gathering]
[Today marks the day for the nearby survivor gathering—go and purchase some useful items!]
[Note: Money is no longer important to them; they have no interest in it.]
[Quest reward: 300 points]
[…]

Reading the quest, Shen He was momentarily bewildered. Survivor gathering? Was there such a thing? He thought for a moment, and realization dawned—today was the town’s market day. So this was what the system called a survivor gathering?

He had a few choice words he wanted to say, but held them back for the sake of those 300 points. Since the blind box feature had been unlocked, he’d already encountered two quests rewarding points. If only he’d saved those earlier 100 points—eventually he’d have enough for a ten-draw. Why did he have such itchy fingers?

Shen He continued reading.

[Daily Quest 2: Establish Authority]
[As a survivor, you must be wary not only of mutated beasts on the surface and subterranean monsters, but also of your fellow humans. Sometimes, survivors and marauders are separated only by a fleeting thought.]
[Defeat some ill-intentioned individuals to demonstrate your strength.]
[Quest reward: 5 free attribute points]
[…]

Seeing this quest, Shen He rubbed his chin. He intended to complete part of his “Martial Artist” job transfer quest today, only to be confronted with this new task right at dawn. It was hard not to overthink.

Did ancestral blessings really work so well? It was as if the food was being fed directly to his mouth. He wondered if, by proactively seeking a challenge, his opponent would still count as an ill-intentioned individual according to the system’s evaluation.

After a quick wash, Shen He packed his things and prepared to leave by car. He’d already told Shen Dali’s family that he would depart early after packing, and now, with the quest freshly updated, it was the perfect opportunity to fill his stomach at the town’s market gathering.

He tossed his belongings into the trunk and drove toward the town. Upon arrival, he parked and found a bustling breakfast shop by the roadside, ordered enough for three, and ate leisurely. By his estimate, he’d finish breakfast, stroll through the market, and complete Daily Quest 1. Then, he’d drive into Xiangxiang City, find Liu Mu for the Taekwondo challenge, and just in time for lunch after finishing. His scheduling was impeccable—a true master of time management.

After breakfast, Shen He wandered around the town’s market. It had been years since he’d strolled through the marketplace like this. The town’s market was lively—ring toss, miniature trains, balloon shooting, and a whole row of various snacks down the center street, their aromas wafting through the air. Unable to resist, Shen He ate as he walked.

About ten minutes into his stroll, a line of small text appeared before him.

[Ding! Daily Quest 1: Survivor Gathering]
[Completed]
[Reward granted]
[…]

He glanced at the notification and at the 300 points now credited to his account, a smile spreading across his face. Now this was a proper daily quest! Simply wandering and eating his way through the market, he’d effortlessly earned 300 points. More quests like this, please.

Shen He bought a few little toys he’d never dared buy as a child, playing with them as he walked toward his parked car. Yet, before he even reached the vehicle, he found himself bored of them. Now that he had the means to satisfy his childhood cravings, the objects themselves held no appeal. It was just as the old poem said: “Wishing to buy osmanthus and carry wine together, it is never like the carefree journeys of youth.”

He handed the toys to a nearby child whose eyes brimmed with longing, then got into his car and drove toward Xiangxiang City.

He hadn’t gone far when angry shouts erupted behind him:

“Where did you get those toys?”
“Someone gave them to you?”
“At your age, why are you lying? If you said you picked them up, I might believe you.”
“What? Now you’re saying you picked them up? Looks like you’re asking for a beating.”
“Where did that car come from? Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget, you little rascal who only remembers the food, never the beating…”

…

Soon after, in Xiangxiang City.

At ten o’clock in the morning, Shen He parked in a nearby spot, glanced at the “Taekwondo Training Center” not far away, and confirmed the location on his phone. Once sure, he got out and walked over.

This training center was far more lavishly decorated than Li Ding’s Sanda gym. As soon as he entered, a young woman in her early twenties approached with a smile, “Sir, are you interested in our Taekwondo training programs?”

Shen He nodded and looked inside, where he could faintly hear boys shouting and see them striking Taekwondo poses.

The receptionist smiled, “We offer adult classes, youth classes, and children’s interest classes. Which are you interested in learning more about?”

Shen He turned to her and said, “I’d like to know if you have classes where one can challenge the school.”

At these words, the receptionist’s smile froze. Seriously? It’s already 2024—how are people still playing the challenge-the-dojo routine? I’m just a receptionist—he’s not planning to hit me, is he?