157: Lie down first, then lie down.

Three days later, at the Pillar of Leaders, Chen Jun Manor.

Chen Jun was immersed in a newly discovered game in the virtual universe called "Zen Bonsai," attempting to Cultivate his character and find inner peace by pruning a virtual "Ancient Star Pine."

[Ding! You pruned the left branch, Concept value + 1.]

[Ding! You accidentally cut off the main branch, Zen value - 50, the ancient pine has entered a 'critical' state.]

Chen Jun was speechless: "...This lousy game is harder than managing the Family!"

Just as he was considering whether to use his "Ancestor Chen Authority" to forcibly prolong the life of this broken tree...

An extremely subtle yet incredibly miserable and urgent energy fluctuation came from outside the manor.

Immediately after, Li Qingshan's voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness, was transmitted via Divine Sense: "Ancestor Chen, Your Highness Zhao Jing and Young Master Yuan Hai are outside requesting an audience, saying they have... an extremely urgent matter."

Chen Jun exited the virtual universe and raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Jing and Yuan Hai?

This father and son are usually busy, one with "plowing" and the other with "branching out," so why did they come to find him together today?

And it's extremely urgent?

"Let them in." Chen Jun commanded lazily, casually picking up a piece of chocolate and tossing it into his mouth, preparing to see what kind of mischief these two lads were up to.

A moment later, two figures rushed into the side hall, practically tumbling and crawling.

Leading them was none other than Chen Zhaojing. This nominal eldest grandson of the Federation and Stellar Level Peak expert currently had dark circles under his eyes, a pale complexion, and unsteady footsteps. The majestic star robe he wore looked empty on him, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

Seeing Chen Jun, he looked as if he had seen a savior. His lips trembled, and he almost burst into tears on the spot...

Chen Yuan Hai, who followed behind him, was even worse off. This leader of the younger generation and great-grandson known as a romantic genius no longer had a shred of his usual carefree demeanor.

His hair was disheveled, his clothes were untidy, and his War God Peak aura was in complete disarray. His eyes were filled with terror and lingering fear, looking exactly like a little lamb that had just escaped from a wolf's den.

"Grandfather/Great-Grandfather! Help!!!"

The father and son spoke in unison, their voices choked with sobs, and they plopped down on their knees in front of Chen Jun's lounge chair...

The sound was so shrill that it would break the heart of anyone who heard it...

Chen Jun was startled by this display, and the chocolate in his mouth almost choked him.

He sat up straight and looked suspiciously at the two haggard descendants: "Hmm? Zhao Jing, Yuan Hai? Are you... robbed by Star Pirates? That's not right, what Star Pirates are so blind as to dare touch the grandsons of Chen Jun?"

"They are ten thousand times scarier than Star Pirates, Grandfather!" Chen Zhaojing hugged Chen Jun's thigh, weeping: "It's... it's those granddaughters-in-law and great-granddaughters-in-law of yours! They... they want to drain us dry!"

Chen Yuan Hai also hugged the other leg, crying even louder: "Great-Grandfather! They aren't human! They are devils! They are Star Succubi that specialize in absorbing Yang Qi! Grandson... Grandson is about to be tortured to death by them!"

Chen Jun: "???"

He looked at the two "pendants" hanging on his legs with a confused expression, his mind unable to process this for a moment.

Granddaughters-in-law and great-granddaughters-in-law? Drain dry? Star Succubi? What is all this?

Aren't the wives of his Chen Family all carefully selected, virtuous, and demure?

"Stop, stop, stop!" Chen Jun rubbed his temples, feeling a headache: "Speak properly! What on earth is going on? One at a time! Zhao Jing, you go first! Look at you, you are at least a Stellar Level Peak expert, have some dignity!"

Chen Zhaojing was glared at by his grandfather and restrained himself slightly, but still with a mournful face, he began his tearful accusation: "Grandfather! You don't know! Ever since the news spread that newborns in the Family would definitely have an Innate Martial Body and that pregnant women could receive Innate Nurturing Feedback, Cui Hua and the others... they have gone completely crazy!"

He counted on his fingers, listing them one by one: "They established a 'Fertility Management Committee'! They made a 'Ovulation Period Schedule' for me! Accurate to the second!"

"All sorts of ancestral secret recipes, interstellar folk remedies, 'Ten-Complete Strengthening Soup' provided by the Academy of Sciences, 'Dragon-Tiger Vigor Wine'... they force-feed them to me like water!"

"Now, when I burp, it smells like medicine, and when I fart, a dragon-shaped phantom appears!"

"They also do 'performance appraisals'! Whoever doesn't get pregnant this year gets less time allocated next year! So they try desperately to make up for it with me!"

"One night! Just in one night! If they don't get pregnant after ten times, they want a hundred! If they don't get pregnant after a hundred times, they want a thousand! If they don't get pregnant after a thousand times... then... then... Grandfather, I am suffering!!!"

"Grandfather! I... I am a Stellar Level Peak expert! Logically, the fertility rate is naturally low! But they think that because my cultivation is high, I should be a hundred percent effective! This... this is simply unreasonable!"

"Now, when I see the door to the bedroom, my legs go weak! I feel like it's not a gentle haven, but a juice extractor, Grandfather!"

Chen Zhaojing became more agitated as he spoke, beating his chest and stomping his feet: "Think of me, Chen Zhaojing, branching out for the Family, I have worked hard even if I haven't achieved greatness! I have fathered over two thousand children! Now... now I have ended up in such a state! Grandfather, Grandson... Grandson is suffering inside!"

Watching his grandson weeping, Chen Jun's mouth twitched slightly, struggling to keep a straight face and not let himself laugh out loud.

He seemed to... understand what was going on.

At this time, Chen Yuan Hai also impatiently began to add, his accusation even more "vivid": "Great-Grandfather! At least my father has Aunt Cui Hua to manage things uniformly, orderly! My side... my side is completely Hell mode!"

"Over eight hundred! Over eight hundred wives! They fight on their own, using every possible means!"

"Some pretended to be kidnapped to trick me into 'playing the hero to save the damsel,' only to lure me into a cave!"

"Some wore 'Succubus Witch Outfits' that amplify mental suggestions, almost making me make a fool of myself in public!"

"And some drugged me! With that kind of... that kind of medicine! The potency was so fierce I almost exploded and died!"

"They even did big data analysis on my behavioral patterns! Formed strategic alliances! Conspired against me!"

"Great-Grandfather! I'm only at War God Level! Even my father can't hold up, how can my little physique withstand the ravages of eight hundred red-eyed women?!"

"I live in fear every day now, afraid that if I'm not careful, I'll be dragged into some corner by them... Wuwuwu... Great-Grandfather, I am still young, I don't want to die of kidney deficiency so early!"

Chen Yuan Hai spoke with tears and snot flowing, truly a sight that would break the heart of anyone who heard it...

Listening to the father and son's accusations one after another, Chen Jun's expression went from confusion, to realization, and then to... struggling to hold back laughter.

He completely understood.

The appearance of the [Multifortune] function, with the guaranteed Innate Martial Body and the Innate Nurturing Feedback—these two super buffs—completely ignited the "fertility" enthusiasm of the Chen Family wives!

And this enthusiasm was entirely transformed into... crazed exploitation of Chen Zhaojing and Chen Yuan Hai, the two "sowing cores"!

Good heavens!

He originally thought this function would benefit the Family, but he didn't expect the first to "enjoy" the blessings would be his most precious grandson and great-grandson!

Looking at these two miserable figures in front of him, who looked like they had been bombarded by dozens of Stellar-level Experts in turns, Chen Jun finally couldn't hold it back and laughed out loud with a "pfft."

"Hahaha... cough cough!" He quickly coughed twice to hide his laughter, put on a stern face, and said, "Hmm... this... situation, I basically understand. You... have indeed worked hard."

Hearing his grandfather's words "you have worked hard," Chen Zhaojing and Chen Yuan Hai looked up with teary eyes, filled with expectation, as if they had heard the voice of an immortal.

"Grandfather/Great-Grandfather! You must make the decision for us!"

Chen Jun stroked his chin and began to think about this problem seriously.

He had previously only focused on lying down to win and looking forward to System upgrades, and indeed hadn't considered the "work pressure" on the direct executors.

Now it seems that the "dividends" brought by the [Multifortune] function are simply a "happy disaster" for core members like Zhao Jing and Yuan Hai.

Leaving it alone is definitely not an option.

These two are the greatest contributors to the Family; if they are really exhausted, or develop psychological trauma, affecting the "work enthusiasm" for the subsequent popularization of core Family values, then that would be a huge loss.

But a complete ban is also not an option.

The Family's expansion and System upgrades still require their efforts.

Need to think of a compromise... one that allows these core descendants to have something to look forward to and have rest, while also ensuring the Family's population continues to grow steadily.

Chen Jun's eyes flickered, his brain working at high speed, and a "brilliant" idea gradually took shape.

He looked at the father and son kneeling on the ground, a signature smile—tinged with a hint of laziness and profound meaning—appearing on his face.

"Zhao Jing, Yuan Hai," Chen Jun said slowly, "I see and remember all the contributions you have made to the Family. You have suffered."

The father and son nodded vigorously, their eyes brimming with moved tears.

"Therefore, Grandfather has decided to show some consideration for your difficulties and set a rule for you."

Chen Jun held up two fingers and waggled them.

"From today on, for all direct Bloodline male descendants of the Chen Family, as long as you sire two thousand offspring for the Family, you will have completed the 'Basic Quota'."

"Those who complete the quota may voluntarily choose whether to continue expanding the Family's branches. If you choose to stop, the Family will never force you, and your original treatment and status will remain unchanged. Furthermore, you will receive additional rewards in recognition of your outstanding contributions."

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Zhaojing's eyes widened instantly like copper bells, and his breathing stopped!

Two... two thousand?

He had already fathered 2045 children several years ago, when he was 37!

He had already exceeded the quota long ago?!

A massive surge of surprise swept through his mind like a Universe storm!

He... he was liberated?!

He would no longer have to face that terrifying "Ovulation Schedule" and the endless "Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup"?!

He could finally enjoy a life of lying down and winning just like Grandfather?!

"Grandfather! Are... are you telling the truth?!" Chen Zhaojing's voice trembled, and he was so excited he almost fainted.

"A gentleman never goes back on his word." Chen Jun nodded with a smile, "Zhao Jing, you have already met the standard. From today on, you are free. If you want to have children, do so; if you don't, no one can force you. I will have a word with Cui Hua."

"Thump!"

Chen Zhaojing threw himself flat on the ground and kowtowed three solid times to Chen Jun, his voice choked with sobs:

"Grandfather! You truly are my own grandfather! This is a grace of rebirth! Your grandson... your grandson will never forget this for all eternity!!!"

He felt as if a thousand-jin burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and his Soul had been sublimated!

His originally pale complexion instantly turned rosy; his back no longer ached, his legs no longer hurt, and it even felt like the Bottleneck of his Stellar Level Peak was vaguely loosening!

Well, a good mood is the primary productive force for Cultivation!

In stark contrast to Chen Zhaojing, who was so overjoyed he was almost ready to Ascend on the spot, was Chen Yuanhai beside him.

When he heard the number "two thousand," he felt as if he had been struck by a bolt of Nine Heavens lightning, instantly turning to stone!

The color drained from his face at a speed visible to the naked eye, becoming even paler than Chen Zhaojing had been just a moment ago!

His body began to tremble uncontrollably, like a falling leaf in the autumn wind.

Two... two thousand?

He... he had just turned twenty-four this year, and relying on his youth and "Love Saint" methods, his current number of offspring was... five hundred and eighty-seven.

That wasn't even a fraction of the quota?!

What did this mean?

It meant he still had to sire one thousand four hundred and thirteen children?!

Based on his current rate of producing one hundred children per year—which was already the result of him giving his all—he would still need... fourteen years?!

A full fourteen years?!

Moreover, as his Cultivation level increased, his fertility rate would decrease!

If his Cultivation didn't improve, he wouldn't be able to handle it at all!

This timeframe might even be extended by his Cultivation improvements!

At the thought of the next fourteen years, or even longer, having to continuously face those eight hundred-plus wives who were like wolves and tigers with endless tricks up their sleeves...

Chen Yuanhai felt his vision go dark, as if he could see the miserable scene of his future self being completely drained dry, wasted away, and eventually dying an untimely death...

"No... no... Great-Grandfather..." Chen Yuanhai's voice trembled as he looked at Chen Jun with his last shred of hope, "Two thousand... isn't it... a bit too much? Can... can you give a discount? For example... one thousand?"

Chen Jun looked at his great-grandson, who was on the verge of a breakdown, and was inwardly overjoyed, but on his face, he wore a stern expression of "I'm doing this for your own good":

"Yuan Hai, you are the 'strongest' of our Chen Family's fourth generation and a role model for your younger siblings! How can you have such a lack of ambition?!"

"Two thousand is a reasonable number. It ensures you make sufficient contributions to the Family while giving you a clear goal to strive for!"

"Look at your father; didn't he complete it easily? You must learn from your father!"

"Besides," Chen Jun patted Chen Yuanhai's shoulder earnestly, nearly patting him to pieces, "Young man, this is the prime age to work hard! How can you always think about lying flat? You need to have some fighting spirit! Grandfather believes in you!"

Chen Yuanhai: "!!!"

He looked at this Great-Grandfather with his "kind" smile and "encouraging" tone, then looked at his father beside him, who was already weeping with joy as if reborn...

A wave of sorrow and indignation, wanting to cry but having no tears, surged into his heart!

He finally understood what it meant to have "different fates for different people" and what "tears of the era" meant!

His father had finally made it, but he... his suffering had only just begun!

And there was no end in sight!!!

"Great... Great-Grandfather..." Chen Yuanhai wanted to struggle a bit more.

"Alright, this matter is settled." Chen Jun made the final decision, not giving his great-grandson a chance to bargain:

"Chu Yueyao will officially add this regulation to the Family Code. Zhao Jing, since you are free, go get some rest and consolidate your Cultivation. By the way... help Yuan Hai share the burden of educating him on the core values of the Family so he doesn't get too distracted."

"Yes! Grandfather! This grandson obeys! I will definitely 'help' Yuan Hai well!"

Chen Zhaojing responded loudly, his eyes filled with sympathy as he looked at his son, but more so with a sense of relief that "it's better for a Fellow Daoist to die than for me to die."

Chen Yuanhai looked at his father's "hypocritical" sympathetic gaze and fell into complete despair...

He knew that his "happy" life for at least the next ten-plus years had been completely arranged by this light remark from his Great-Grandfather...

"Oh, right." Chen Jun seemed to remember something and added:

"In order to encourage the enthusiasm of the younger generation, besides being able to 'retire' after completing the two thousand quota, for every one hundred children born beyond that, the Family contribution points will be doubled! Yuan Hai, keep it up; Great-Grandfather looks forward to the day you break your father's record!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuanhai could no longer hold on; his eyes rolled back, and he very simply... fainted.

"Oh my, Yuan Hai! Yuan Hai, what's wrong?" Chen Zhaojing "panicked" as he supported his son, though the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

Chen Jun watched this scene of "fatherly kindness and filial piety," nodded with satisfaction, and slumped back into his lounge chair, picking up a new piece of black hole chocolate.

"Hmm, having solved the little troubles of the younger generation, I feel refreshed. What to do next?... Hmm, let's continue playing 'Zen Bonsai'; this time I must save that wretched tree!" he thought happily...

This brat Yuan Hai still wants to not work hard?

If he doesn't work hard, how can I lie down and win?

Just like before Transmigration on Blue Star, if the corporate slaves didn't work hard to grind, how could the bosses lie down and win?

If the corporate slaves didn't strive, how could they help their bosses live in villas, buy luxury cars, and keep the goddesses of their dreams as mistresses?

996 is a blessing!

The bosses only need to dangle the carrot of promotion and a raise, and the corporate slaves will grind themselves to death!

They grind until they have sub-health issues, grind until they are extremely smart, and the kings of grinding even die suddenly!

In the end... no promotion!

No raise!

When they get old, they get fired just the same!

Working hard to work overtime voluntarily, working hard to work voluntarily... and no overtime pay... it's all in vain...

Anyway, there will be a new generation coming of age to continue the grind...

Repeatedly eating the same carrots and suffering the same hardships as their predecessors... silently fantasizing about promotions and raises...

But I, Chen Jun, am different!

I never dangle carrots!

Lying down and winning is truly contagious!

Yuan Hai, my good grandson, the suffering you endure now is all for your future blessings...

First-generation lying-down brings along second-generation lying-down, just like... the first to get rich bringing along those who get rich later.

Hmm, that's exactly it...

Thinking of this, Chen Jun's thoughts were clear...

And the last thought of Chen Yuanhai, who had fainted, before losing consciousness was:

"Great-Grandfather... you really are my own Great-Grandfather... you're really screwing over your great-grandson..."