Chapter 41: You Think You Can Show Off and Then Just Walk Away?

Lin Zhongze was not surprised by this at all. Over the years, he had long known that his men harbored growing resentment toward him. He refused to pocket the easy money right under his nose—and, worse yet, forbade anyone else from taking it either.

In the face of profit, what genuine brotherhood could there really be between Lin Zhongze and these men?

That was precisely why he truly cherished Lu Ye, one of the rare few he could still call a brother.

As for someone like Xu Sanlong—no better than a dog—if he wanted to leave, let him go.

Lin Zhongze simply extended his hand toward the group across from him, his tone indifferent: “Suit yourself.”

Delight instantly flashed across Xu Sanlong’s face. Without a moment’s hesitation, he scurried over to Xu Fugui and began fawning over him, not even bothering to look back.

“Hahaha, Lin Zhongze, you don’t even have a dog left at your side. How are you supposed to fight me now?”

“Just admit defeat already—unless you plan to get on the ring yourself?” Xu Fugui’s laughter was wild with arrogance.

In the center of the ring, the seductive ring girl smiled, her voice lilting: “Thirty seconds to go. Both participants, please take your places.”

Lin Zhongze cast a glance at the entrance—Lu Ye was still nowhere to be seen.

With a faint sigh, he stood up, shrugged off his coat, and prepared to mount the ring himself.

Xu Fugui was visibly taken aback. He never expected that, even with no options left, Lin Zhongze would still insist on taking the fight himself.

Fine, if you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish.

A sly smirk played at Xu Fugui’s lips as he taunted, “Xu Sanlong, why don’t you go up and fight him?”

Xu Sanlong hesitated. “Young Master Xu, I just defected from his side to yours. Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”

Xu Fugui uttered three words: “One million.”

Xu Sanlong nodded at once. “I’ll go! I’ll go!”

Lin Zhongze and Xu Sanlong stepped onto the ring simultaneously, glaring at each other across the distance—the tension between them almost crackling in the air.

“Master Lin, you might as well admit defeat. I really don’t want to fight you.”

“Stop wasting time.”

Clang! Clang!

The bell rang—the first round began.

Xu Sanlong tried to seize the initiative, striding forward in a rush and throwing a punch straight at Lin Zhongze’s face.

With a deft twist of his wrist, Lin Zhongze’s right palm deflected most of the force from Xu Sanlong’s blow. In the same motion, his left hand clenched into a fist and struck Xu Sanlong squarely in the abdomen.

A textbook example of four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds—true Tai Chi.

In his youth, Lin Zhongze had relied on his mastery of Tai Chi to carve out his own territory in Mingzhu City, a true self-made man.

But time had not been kind. Even putting forth all his strength, he was only able to make Xu Sanlong suffer a minor setback.

Xu Sanlong staggered back two steps, spat into his palm, and snarled, “Again!”

Determined not to repeat his earlier mistake, he kept his distance this time before suddenly sweeping Lin Zhongze’s legs out from under him with a low kick—sending him crashing to the mat. He immediately lunged forward, aiming to straddle Lin Zhongze’s head, fighting in the rough-and-tumble style of a street thug.

Lin Zhongze, however, simply kicked upward, catching Xu Sanlong squarely between the legs just as Xu Sanlong was mid-pounce, unable to dodge.

“Aagh!”

Xu Sanlong collapsed to the side, clutching his groin and howling, sweat pouring down his face—clearly done for.

The ring girl declared, “Round one: Lin Zhongze wins!”

At that moment, applause sounded from the entrance.

“Old man, I didn’t expect you to have a few tricks up your sleeve!”

Lu Ye and Su Qianqian had finally arrived together, Meng Beauty following close behind.

Lin Zhongze, still catching his breath as he sat up on the ring, called out, “What took you so long?”

Lu Ye scratched his nose, looking embarrassed. “I was planning to make a dramatic last-second entrance, but with New Year’s coming up, the streets are a nightmare.”

“Tch, I’ll leave the rest to you two. Ouch—my old back is killing me…”

Meng Beauty leaped onto the ring. “Boss Boss, let me help you down.”

“Boss Boss?”

“You’re my boss’s boss, so that makes you Boss Boss, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, oh, I see.”

Being addressed by the third-ranked killer as “Boss Boss,” Lin Zhongze was both flattered and relieved.

Xu Fugui, having lost a man right at the start, looked livid.

“That Xu Sanlong is useless! Cao Bai, you’re up for the second round!”

“Yes, Young Master Xu.”

A burly man, muscles rippling, emerged from behind Xu Fugui and stepped into the ring. He cupped his fists toward Meng Beauty in greeting. “My name is Cao Bai, the number one free fighter in the Southeast!”

Meng Beauty wasn’t one for such formalities. He grunted, “I’m here to beat the number one!”

Enough talk—the fight was on!

Meng Beauty relied on his iron body technique to withstand Cao Bai’s fierce onslaught, but he underestimated his opponent.

While Cao Bai couldn’t match Meng Beauty in sheer strength, he specialized in targeting joints, winning with technique and precision.

Soon, Meng Beauty was caught—his forearm twisted back and locked.

With a howl, Meng Beauty dislocated his own right arm to break free, then spun and hammered a swinging punch at Cao Bai’s chin—a notoriously vulnerable spot.

Bang!

Cao Bai never saw it coming. Meng Beauty’s desperate strike sent stars spinning before his eyes.

With a sickening crack, Meng Beauty nonchalantly forced his arm back into place—a trick he’d performed countless times before.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The ring echoed with heavy blows as Meng Beauty and Cao Bai clashed at close quarters. Fists and legs blurred, each man countering the other with dazzling skill.

But Lu Ye paid no attention to the fight. He was too busy feeling embarrassed on Su Qianqian’s behalf!

The older woman was watching Meng Beauty with unmistakable fervor and admiration in her eyes.

What could a laywoman like her possibly understand about real fighting?

“What’s so great about Meng Beauty’s brute force style?” Lu Ye muttered.

Su Qianqian, eyes glued to the ring, retorted, “I just find it thrilling! Every punch lands with a crunch!”

Lu Ye grumbled, “That’s because you’ve never seen me in action. When I fight, there’s only one word—cool!”

Su Qianqian scoffed, “Keep dreaming!”

Damn!

If only I’d gone up first and let Meng Beauty play second fiddle. Why did I try to be dramatic? Now I’ve missed another chance to show off.

Pfft!

Under such fierce physical exertion, Cao Bai faltered first—his speed and power waning rapidly.

At last, Meng Beauty spotted an opening and unleashed a heavy punch, sending Cao Bai flying out of the ring to land in a heap at Xu Fugui’s feet.

With two losses in a row, Xu Fugui was struggling to keep his composure.

“Billson, looks like it’s your turn!”

A heavyweight fighter nearly two meters tall and weighing over three hundred pounds slowly rose from his seat, a sneer of disdain twisting his lips as he strode toward the ring.

It seemed that with every step Billson took, the floor shuddered.

Meng Beauty was already built like a tank, but compared to Billson, he was a size smaller.

Gulp.

A sense of unease crept over Meng Beauty. He turned, pleading, “Boss, how about you take this one?”

Lu Ye smiled and shook his head. “No, this one’s yours.”

Damn you! After showing off, now you want to back out?

I have to let you take a beating in front of my wife—only I deserve her admiration!

Let Billson thrash you, and then I’ll thrash Billson!

Heh heh.

That way, the contrast will make me look even more unbeatable!

The third match began.

From the onset, it was clear to everyone that the gap in strength was enormous.

Meng Beauty was a powerhouse, but so was Billson. Since they fought in the same style, weight and endurance became the decisive factors—and Billson clearly had the edge.

There was no suspense. After enduring a relentless barrage of heavy punches, Meng Beauty was knocked out cold.

“Yes!” Xu Fugui leapt to his feet in excitement.

Damn, all that money I spent hiring this big oaf was worth every penny!

“Ahem!” Lu Ye cleared his throat, swaggering to his feet. “Now, it’s my turn to shine!”

Su Qianqian shot him a sideways glance. “Don’t be ridiculous. Didn’t you see even Meng Beauty couldn’t handle him? Billson’s punch could kill you!”

“Haha, old woman, just keep your eyes wide open and watch!”

Finally, my time to show off!

Lu Ye threw his head back and let out a long howl, then vaulted onto the ring with a flourish, striking Bruce Lee’s signature pose—only to accidentally knock off his own mask while wiping his nose with his thumb.

Across the ring, Billson’s eyes bulged as he cried out in astonishment, “Master? Is it really you?”