The underground fighting arena was alive with noise. Spectators packed the stands, cheering, jeering, shouting for blood!
Cao Yang and Iron Bear were seated at ringside. His match was up next.
Iron Bear had demanded that Cao Yang fight ten bouts to offset the 500,000 yuan he claimed he spent to get Li Yan out. Cao Yang agreed—first, get his sister free. Iron Bear insisted he fight one match first.
Inside the octagonal cage, two men fought bare-chested. Their skills were evenly matched. After ten minutes, both were bloodied and bruised, yet no victor emerged.
The crowd roared, "Kill him! Kill him!"
Another five minutes passed, and one fighter finally exhausted himself, collapsing to the mat.
A stunning female referee entered the cage, raised the victor's arm, and announced the winner. The audience erupted—cheers for those who won bets, curses for those who lost.
Iron Bear patted Cao Yang on the shoulder.
Cao Yang got up and headed backstage. This time, he moved with confidence, having learned from prior experience.
He changed clothes, stepped onto the platform, and sized up his opponent.
A bald man stood before him, muscular and roughly the same size. On sight alone, he seemed stronger.
Cao Yang knew this was Liu Yilong, from Henan—a so-called secular Shaolin disciple.
Iron Bear whispered, "He's the younger brother of the Henan gang boss. Stronger than Liang Feng. Be careful."
The crowd erupted, shouting Liu Yilong's name:
"Yilong!""Yilong!!"
Bets flooded in for Liu Yilong. Yet some still bet on Cao Yang, remembering how he defeated Liang Feng last time.
Initially, spectators thought Cao Yang's victory over Liang Feng was staged. How could a nobody defeat a known fighter? But after checking, they realized Liang Feng had been badly injured and hospitalized—this wasn't a fake fight.
"Cao Yang!""Cao Yang!!"
Some fans cheered for him, hoping for a repeat performance.
Jim from the Sichuan gang had quietly made his way to the stands and sat beside Iron Bear.
"You're sneaky! Bringing Cao Yang here without telling me?" Jim complained.
Iron Bear shot him a glare. "Cao Yang is my brother. Do I need to report to you?"
Jim chuckled. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. I just got here a bit late, otherwise I'd have helped him get his sister out."
Iron Bear scowled. "Don't interfere in my Henan matters!"
If Jim helped, he'd reap the rewards: Cao Yang's gratitude, perhaps even a share of this money-making machine. Iron Bear couldn't allow that.
Jim waved him off. "Relax. I haven't done anything yet."
Iron Bear's neck stiffened. "I said don't interfere!"
"Ha… enough of that. How much did you bet on Cao Yang? I'll match you."
Meanwhile, inside the cage, Liu Yilong sized up Cao Yang.
"You're the Cao Yang who beat Liang Feng?"
If this were the old Cao Yang, he might have exchanged a few words, discussing martial arts. But now, he had no interest in chit-chat. He ignored Liu Yilong, face cold and expressionless, waiting for the referee's signal.
"You brat! I'm talking to you!"
Cao Yang didn't even lift an eyelid.
"Cheeky!" Liu Yilong glared, waiting for the referee's bell.
Most underground fighters fought for money, but Liu Yilong did not. His brother was the Henan gang boss—he had endless resources. Liu Yilong was a martial arts fanatic, obsessed with challenging skilled fighters.
To him, Liang Feng was a worthy opponent. Learning he had been defeated, Liu Yilong grew interested in Cao Yang. He specifically signed up to face him.
The bell rang. Bets were closed. The crowd fell silent.
A stunning female host took the stage. She pressed her hands to the chests of both fighters, then revealed the giant dice.
The moment the dice were revealed, Liu Yilong struck, his massive fist hammering toward Cao Yang's face.
The punch was brutal, forceful, and direct. Any normal person would dodge, but Cao Yang did not. He met the punch head-on, fists clashing.
BANG!
The collision exploded, like the air itself had been shattered.
Liu Yilong staggered back three steps, arms trembling. He could not believe Cao Yang hadn't moved an inch.
"You're no match. Give up." Cao Yang said lightly, immediately sizing up his opponent. Slightly stronger than Liang Feng, but slower and less coordinated. Cao Yang had fought Liang Feng half-heartedly last time, but today he wanted a quick fight.
"I admit you're skilled, but this arrogance is too much!" Liu Yilong shouted.
Feeling insulted, he leapt and kicked at Cao Yang's head.
He was a martial arts fanatic—never giving up easily. Even if defeated, he fought with everything he had, aiming to learn from every clash.
"Seeking death!"
Cao Yang's expression darkened. He dodged the kick and countered with a strike to Liu Yilong's abdomen.
Liu Yilong was sent flying, crashing into the cage. Blood trickled from his mouth as he clutched his stomach.
The crowd erupted. Betters on Cao Yang cheered, while Liu Yilong's supporters cursed.
"Hohoho…" Liu Yilong wiped blood from his mouth and laughed oddly, still defiant.
"This is it. Cao Yang's dead meat," someone muttered.
"Why? I don't see how—" his friend questioned.
"You don't get it. Liu Yilong is obsessed with martial arts. He challenges masters all the time. Those who beat him may survive, but those who hurt him… don't."
"Why?"
"Because anyone who injures him is executed by his brother."
Cao Yang didn't know this, and didn't care. He fixed Liu Yilong with a cold gaze.
"Give up, or you die."