Chapter 77: The Path of Life (Update 1)

With three deaths in a row, Chen Sijin's mood was as grim as his complexion.

Seventy-three exiles remain alive. Their paths of life have only reached about one-fifth of the way through middle school.

He wondered if even half of them could survive to adulthood at this rate.

What troubled him even more was that he hadn't figured out how to quickly reverse his fortunes, to become the top among these hundred exiles, the ultimate winner on the path of life.

Because it seemed their paths were already laid out for them.

Just like the lives of many ordinary, poor, or even wealthy people - studying, growing, struggling through life, until old age.

It's a path visible to the naked eye.

But is such a path truly the path of life that meets the final criteria?

The young man, leaning on the desk and looking at the sunlight streaming in through the window, couldn't help but start contemplating life.

Perhaps at the age of fourteen, people start to truly ponder their existence.

Well, better focus on studying for now.

No matter what one wants to do or which path of life one wants to choose, ultimately, a solid foundation and capability are essential.

Thus, over the following days, Chen Sijin studied diligently, raising his intelligence to 38 points.

He thought the three years of middle school would pass like this, without any more peculiar middle school-specific shenanigans.

After all, apart from being a bit adolescent, a bit rebellious, and facing a sudden increase in life and academic pressures, what's left is just a bit of youthful naivety and small emotions. There's nothing else to stir up... right?

Then, young Chen Sijin realized he was wrong.

It turns out the adolescent phase can indeed bring such a significant turn in life—

"Sijin, let's go to the internet café to play games today. We can skip the afternoon classes. Your grades are good; missing one class won’t matter!"

This was a warm invitation from the bully group.

"I'll help you rank up all the way to the top!"

Chen Sijin rolled his eyes.

"No thanks, I'm not interested in playing games."

The inviting chubby boy looked surprised: "How can anyone not be interested in games? This is the latest competitive game! Super thrilling and exciting! Plus, the boss plays really well, he's even livestreaming online now, getting lots of gifts from viewers! The boss is making a fortune!"

Chen Sijin felt a twinge of toothache at this thought; Xiaolezi now even had more money than Number One, Kong Ju.

His current money is 5000, meaning he has 5000 yuan to spend every day, and then that guy, unable to spend it all himself, starts sending gifts like crazy.

Coupled with some nutritious delicacies brought over by Number One's family's kitchen staff, he's practically living in torment every day.

"Thanks, but no thanks. How many people can play games as well as your boss, good enough to join a professional team? I don’t think my fingers are agile enough, and my eyes aren’t suited for long hours on the phone or computer."

After saying this, he turned and walked away, leaving the inviting chubby boy looking displeased.

"Pfft! It's just because the boss took a liking to him, otherwise I would have dealt with him long ago."

"Bro, what do we do if he doesn’t want to come?"

"Forget it, that kid is under the boss's protection, and he's got some skills of his own, hard to mess with. Call someone else. Anyone who refuses is disrespecting me!"

That night, Chen Sijin saw an event notification on the path of life:

[Exiles Number 11, 60, and 72 (Middle School Phase) became fascinated with the endless allure of online gaming and the dark world after going out to play games and visit bars with classmates, becoming addicted to gaming and pleasure-seeking.]

Self-Esteem +10, Stress -20, Fatigue +5, Intelligence +2-3, Health -5, Money -300.]

[Exile Number 60's money is negative.

Exile Number 60 became addicted to online gaming and borrowed five hundred thousand using their parents' mobile phone.

Exile Number 60's family went bankrupt, and in a fit of immense rage, his parents beat him to death.

The path of life for Exile Number 60 has been severed.]

[Exile Number 11 spent three consecutive days at bars, became overly excited, and got involved with drugs.

Exile Number 11 began to steal money from home recklessly, losing interest in studying, and his parents discovered Number 11's behavior.

Exile Number 11 was abandoned by his extremely angry and disappointed parents and sent to a rehab center.

The path of life for Exile Number 11 has been severed.]

Chen Sijin lay on his bed, grinding his teeth.

So, going out to play games and visiting bars ends up like this.

Indeed, every step on the path of life is fraught with pitfalls.

The adolescent period is when it's easy to lose control and become curious about new things, but as long as one can restrain their desires, there shouldn't be any problems, right?

Chen Sijin glanced at the remaining ten days of middle school, after which he could move on to high school.

Ten days should be easy to get through.

The next day, Chen Sijin was kept in the office by a gentle and refined male teacher.

"Teacher, I've finished compiling the documents. May I leave now?"

The handsome young man placed the documents on the teacher's desk and received the teacher's approval.

"Sijin, you truly are a great help to me. Thank you. Without your assistance, I might have had to work overtime until eight or nine in the evening."

"Ah, this is some juice I bought – it's all-natural and pollutant-free. Consider it a token of my gratitude. Why don’t you try it and see if it tastes good?"

The young Chen looked at the already opened juice in front of him and smiled.

"Since it's from the teacher, it must be all-natural, pollutant-free, and environmentally friendly pure juice."

"Then I'll drink it."

The young man took several gulps of the juice, then replied with a smile, "Ah, it tastes really good. Thank you, teacher."

After speaking, he turned to leave.

But his hand was immediately grabbed.

In that instant, a cold look flashed across the young man's handsome face.

"Teacher, is there anything else?"

"Ah, no, but could you wait a moment? I just want to check the documents briefly."

The young man turned back around and stood still.

"Oh, go ahead and check."

As he said this, Chen Sijin was already scanning the office for any handy tools.

At this moment, the seemingly respectable male teacher wore a determined smile, glancing at the inconsequential documents and then up at the very charming young man in front of him.

From the first moment he saw this young man, he had wanted to do something.

Unfortunately, there had never been an opportunity.

But today, he finally had his chance.

Five minutes passed.

The young man was still standing there, perfectly fine.

Ten minutes passed.

The young man was still standing there, just a bit impatient now.

Twenty minutes passed.

"Teacher, have you finished checking?"

The young teacher: ...Why didn’t the drug in the juice work?! It could knock out a cow, is this delicate and handsome young man made of elephant stuff?!!

"Uh, yes, I've finished checking for today. Thank you for your patience. You may go now."

The young male teacher scrutinized the youth in front of him, noting that he seemed particularly alert, and with a bit of a dazed and confused look, could only force a smile and let him go.

Then, in the moment Chen Sijin turned his head, he saw a special green notification for individual events on the path of life:

[You have caught the attention of a male teacher at school who has special connections. Note: His background is significant.

Please handle this matter carefully to prevent it from having a major impact on your life path, or your path of life may be severed.]

Current stress +60

A chill smile appeared on the face of the youth with the delicately cold features.

He knew there was a big problem the moment that drink appeared.

This damn life! Can't it ever give me a break?!

So, how should this despicable scum be dealt with?

Calling the police or telling his workaholic, controlling parents would be futile.

Moreover, for a child of this age, the authority of a teacher is significant, and with a strong sense of pride, such a situation is an unspeakable humiliation.

Chen Sijin stopped at the school entrance.

Then, he smirked.

If that's the case, he'd just have to take care of it himself.

Carrying his backpack, he walked to a secluded corner where cameras couldn't reach and expressionlessly pulled out a black robe that covered him from head to toe.

As he donned the black hood and robe, Xiaolezi squatted beside him out of nowhere.

By now, this tall and leggy youth had already grown into the future look of Xiaolezi.

He seemed to be enjoying his journey on this path of life, "Yo, sweet Jin! What are you doing dressed like that? Going to rob someone? Count me in."

The tall young man laughed heartily, but his expression turned incredibly fierce the instant he heard the response from the boy opposite him.

"Oh, going after a wolf in sheep's clothing, are we? Together?"

The youth stood up abruptly, his height and physique imposing an immense pressure, paired with his now darkly ominous expression, making it impossible to meet his gaze.

"Sure. You tell me, who's on the menu?"

Half an hour later, a male teacher with unfulfilled desires and a gloomy expression walked out of the school gate.

He got into his car, pondering where to vent his frustration that evening.

But as he drove down a quiet street, someone knocked him out cold with a karate chop to the neck.

The car then swerved erratically for a while before heading straight to a secluded area in the outskirts.

The next day, the male teacher was found lying by the roadside in the outskirts, in a pitiful state, stripped of his male dignity.

His body bore marks of being mauled by stray dogs.

At the same time, the education system received an anonymous tip-off.

On the third day, the teacher was promptly fired.

Chen Sijin saw his stress plummet to 5.

Truly a healthy figure.

Although his stress had significantly reduced on the night they took action, it was Xiaolezi who was ruthless, using stray dogs to render the man useless.

In the last few days, young Chen Sijin smoothly advanced to high school.

However, on the last night of middle school, the path of life issued a startling notification.

[Exiles Number 3, 8, 15, 17, 25, 39, 44, 45, 57, 61, 67, 70, 78, 81, 82, 83, 95, 17 individuals, due to not addressing various incidents in middle school timely and effectively, developed negative states such as depression, binge eating, anorexia, autism, mania, vanity, infatuation, etc.

The paths of life for these 17 individuals collectively regressed.]

Thus, Chen Sijin directly witnessed seventeen red dots on the path of life map taking a step, even two steps back, instantaneously.

And with such a retreat, a clear divide was almost immediately drawn—

Not by the exiles' numbers.

But between those ahead on the path of life and those lagging behind.

On this road of life, at this moment, a noticeable gap emerged between individuals.

For some reason, looking at this clear [Life Map] in front of him, Chen Sijin vividly felt the urgency and disparity of life.

Number One at the very top.

Himself, somewhere in the upper middle.

And those below him.

This is, simply put, life.