Chapter 478: Tongue-Tied
Cheng Tian's excessively sharp choice of exposé topics immediately left the two old men (and women) stunned. With just a single opening statement, the sheer volume of information overwhelmed them, causing them to freeze on the spot.
"I wonder how many people have told their parents, 'When I grow up, I'll never become like you'... But in reality, the influence of family factors is more deeply ingrained than imagined.
Our South Town ruler, Geese Howard, due to being abandoned by his father in his early years, also became a scumbag who abandoned his wife and child. This led to young Rock, who was painstakingly raised by his mother, actively seeking help at the age of six, only to be rejected by this scumbag.
He was six years old! How could you, old man, be so heartless?!
Fortunately, after being kicked out of his home a second time by his biological father and left to wander the streets alone, young Rock was eventually adopted by his biological father's arch-nemesis."
In an instant, the scene erupted in an uproar, with a flurry of discussions breaking out.
As the master of South Town, a fictional American city, that old rascal Geese's social status was indeed not low. Especially among those who followed the fighting world, very few didn't know him.
Of course, most people only saw the surface and didn't understand, nor had any way to understand, Geese's true nature behind the scenes.
And as soon as this bombshell about him abandoning his wife and child was dropped, Geese's image instantly collapsed, plummeting to rock bottom.
Terry, looking utterly bewildered, was the first to recover. The gaze he directed at Geese was no longer purely hatred; another emotion had begun to accumulate within it.
"So that's it. No wonder that kid didn't want to tell me his last name.
Perfect, he might as well change his name to Rock Bogard from now on. I bet young Rock would also be willing to completely sever ties with you, this irresponsible scumbag father."
At this moment, an emotion—Terry wasn't sure if it was paternal or maternal love—overwhelmed his hatred for Geese.
And upon hearing Terry's provocative statement, an unnamed surge of anger also welled up in Geese's heart.
"He is a Howard while alive, and a Howard in death. What does it matter if you change his name? Blood will not change!"
"Damn it, you old geezer, spouting nonsense! If you don't want to raise them, then don't fucking have them! Is wearing a condom that hard?! Or did you get used to taking pills after your sex change? I'll send you a box of emergency contraceptives!"
Before Terry could even get angry, Cheng Tian slammed the table and jumped up, grabbing the microphone and cursing during the worldwide live broadcast of the match.
Although Cheng Tian had never complained about being an orphan, that didn't mean he had no opinions on his background.
He was fortunate to meet his master and even became an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, with no problem supporting himself. However, many others from similar backgrounds were not so lucky.
If it weren't for the excessive number of scumbags like Howard, who pursued momentary pleasure and then irresponsibly abandoned their wives and children, there wouldn't be so many unfortunate children born.
Moreover, compared to those scumbags, Howard himself was even more reprehensible, because others might genuinely lack the ability to raise a child, while this guy had the ability but chose not to.
Although the latest work, "City of the Wolves," clearly tried to rationalize Geese's abandonment of his wife and child by adding a new reason – "to avoid his wife and son getting caught in the whirlpool of power struggles," and thus deliberately distancing and exiling them... how is that any different from Lelouch's father?
He still abandoned his wife and child, didn't he!?
One can only say that if the grown-up Rock didn't become a father-hater, it was truly because Terry raised him well.
Hearing Cheng Tian's curses, the old man's veins bulged on his forehead, and his gaze at Cheng Tian was now filled with nothing but murderous intent.
"…Say what you want, keep talking, say anything you like. You definitely won't live past the end of this tournament. I will personally twist your neck."
Geese, who had completely chilled, had issued a death declaration to Cheng Tian.
And this was the prelude to a volcanic eruption.
At the same time, a spatial prompt popped up in front of Cheng Tian.
Your reputation with Geese Howard and "South Town" has plummeted to the "Mortal Enemy" stage.
Your teammates have been affected, and their relevant reputation has simultaneously plummeted to the "Hostile" stage.
After this match, Geese Howard will initiate an unending pursuit against you, your teammates, and all those associated with "Howard's Lab."
Huh? Still dare to resist? Then I won't hold back!
Cheng Tian pushed the sunglasses-wearing man with the small mustache aside with one hand, gripped the microphone tightly with the other, took a deep breath, and then—
"A mass murderer! A betrayer of masters and ancestors! Do you, Geese, really think you conquered your subordinates with personal charisma? I'm telling you! During the time you faked your death, Billy Kane didn't even visit your grave once! That mad dog Ryuji Yamazaki has more integrity than you!
Your wife was sick, almost at death's door, your son was starving, gnawing on walls, but you? You're clutching a Qin family secret scroll like the One Ring, squatting in South Town, pretending to be some kind of big shot!
And you talk about not wanting young Rock to get caught in a power struggle? Bah! Both a hypocrite and a sanctimonious prick! You deserve to be blessed by the Midnight and turned into this ghostly figure with breasts sagging to your belly button!
If you ask me, you should be blasted off a building by the Power Geyser again! And your Geese Tower should be blown to smithereens! Let your corpse, you Godfather of South Town, be more tattered than Takuma Sakazaki's old Kyokugenryu gi!!!!!"
The arena fell silent.
So quiet that only the sound of human breathing could be heard.
Then, it's unclear who started it, but one clap, two claps... countless rounds of applause began to fill the entire arena!
It was almost a landslide, with virtually everyone in the venue loudly supporting Cheng Tian, and the very small minority of dissenting voices were instantly drowned out, unable to make a sound.
And the reactions of those repeatedly cued by Cheng Tian varied.
Billy Kane, who had just left the stage not long ago, visibly became restless, because he really had never visited his boss's grave during the period of his boss's fake death. On one hand, he was forced to take over a portion of the Howard Corporation's business, and on the other hand... taking care of his sister was a much higher priority than visiting his boss's grave!
Ryuji Yamazaki, who was currently being ganged up on by three big-nosed guys, was originally quite displeased with Cheng Tian and even planned to stir up some trouble in the audience to get revenge. But upon hearing Cheng Tian actually believe he had more integrity than Geese, Ryuji Yamazaki's mood instantly became complicated, though his idea of causing trouble dissipated.
As for the nickname "mad dog," Ryuji Yamazaki didn't really mind.
As for the Kyokugenryu resting area, which had almost no interaction with Cheng Tian's group yet was still mentioned, a few people first exchanged bewildered glances, then all their gazes settled on their master + father who was only watching the match, not participating.
"Is my old gi really that tattered?"
Takuma Sakazaki looked utterly confused.
His son, daughter, and disciple all had the same image flash through their minds, then nodded in unison.
In the center of the ring, Geese's face changed colors like a rainbow, displaying a mottled array of hues. Then, under the almost astonished gazes of Terry and others, Geese, unable to control himself, let out a "Waaah!"—
The blood mist he spewed formed a small rainbow in the air!