Chapter 82: The Underground Arena (IV)

Chu Dong unclenched his fist. He wasn’t the sort to suffer losses right before his eyes. When violence was unavoidable, he held firm to one principle: if he couldn’t win, he’d flee; if he could, he’d fight to the bitter end.

The bald man grinned broadly, evidently pleased that his warning had worked. Chu Dong’s tension had eased, and the bald man patted his shoulder. “You’re a wise one, brother. Go back and wait—maybe a hero will appear and save these two ladies for you. Ha ha…”

Chu Dong was helpless. The man spoke the truth. Even if Chu Dong were a hero, in this moment, the best he could do was escape himself—let alone two people, he couldn’t manage even one.

He pulled the equally indignant Tan Xue and Li Youlan back to their seats. This brief episode hadn’t affected the matches below; the frenzied crowd paid no attention, absorbed wholly by the fighters in the ring.

Tan Xue and Li Youlan spent the third and fourth bouts clinging to each other, eyes tightly shut. By the fifth match, the announcer appeared once more.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you all know that the next is the final bout of the night. They say the best is saved for last, and tonight is no exception.” He paused. “The last to enter is from Thailand—Viata!”

With the announcer’s elongated introduction, a shout erupted backstage, and a man in sports shorts leapt into the arena. His skin was dark as charcoal, his physique not tall but lean and well-proportioned, his muscles solid, eyes sharp and fierce as a hawk’s. He lifted his leg, threw a punch, circled the ring with the vigor of a tiger, then saluted the audience.

“Viata has held the Thai boxing champion title for three consecutive years. So far: sixty-one victories, zero defeats. Forty-seven by knockout. In the world of fighting, he’s yet to meet his match. Want to see if his legend continues tonight? Want to witness his invincible skills? Curious to see how the so-called ‘Killer King’ devastates his opponents? Then tonight’s your chance! Now, his opponent is equally renowned, a multiple champion in Sanda competitions—Liu Tian! The prodigy Liu Tian has never met defeat in Sanda, young yet already adorned with several gold belts, having beaten many formidable adversaries. Tonight, he wants to challenge the self-proclaimed undefeated Viata and see whether Chinese martial arts surpass the foreigner’s might! The hour for national glory has come—let’s cheer for our hero!” The announcer’s words flowed like a torrent. “One last thing: the previous four matches awarded half a million to each winner, but tonight’s prize is three million. If anyone thinks they’re up to it, they can challenge the victor and take the prize, plus a surprise reward to be announced soon. Enough talk—let’s welcome our hero!”

At the sweep of the announcer’s arm, a young man taller than Viata, draped in a golden cape and barefoot, stepped into the ring, throwing a few symbolic punches and saluting the crowd.

“Who’ll win?” Li Youlan asked Tan Xue. Tan Xue shook her head, looked at Chu Dong, who smiled wryly and shook his head as well.

The young man perhaps had genuine skill, but this was a brawl. In such a place, he was far too inexperienced. Viata, from his appearance alone, was a veteran, exuding a deadly aura. His presence couldn't be matched by the novice Liu Tian. Any insider could see that Liu Tian’s movements were tense, betraying his uncertainty and a weaker spirit.

Those who’ve watched boxing know: before the match, both fighters glare at each other. If one’s gaze falters, the match is lost before it begins. Even the pre-fight trash talk is meant to pressure the opponent. Now, Liu Tian had already lost a round psychologically before the first punch.

The Chinese are always united against outsiders. Whenever a foreigner challenges our martial arts, we believe Chinese kung fu is unbeatable. But all skills require diligent practice—bones, mind, and willpower alike. Mere passion can’t vanquish a formidable foe; it only provides them the opportunity to flaunt their blood-stained triumph. Yet everyone in the arena hoped Liu Tian would win, shouting themselves hoarse for him, Chu Dong included.

Even knowing Viata’s strength, many hot-blooded youths still bet on Liu Tian, wishing to express their patriotic fervor even if they lost. The organizers were grinning from ear to ear. Chu Dong had calculated: just from these five matches, not counting their own bets, the rake alone had earned them over ten million.

Li Youlan and Tan Xue had settled down, sitting quietly. When the lottery hostess passed by, seeing no signal from Chu Dong, they didn’t place any bets.

The match began swiftly.

Liu Tian, amidst thunderous cheers, launched a fierce assault on Viata—straight punches, swings, front kicks, side kicks—but to little effect. Viata either dodged lightly or absorbed the blows, the damage negligible, as if the attacks didn’t even breach his defenses. Still, the spectators were convinced Liu Tian would win, seeing his relentless attacks and Viata’s passive stance.

Even those who bet on Viata joined in shouting Liu Tian’s name, whistling, pounding wood, some so excited they tore their shirts and hurled the bundled fabric into the ring.

Chu Dong was restless, his body moving in rhythm with Liu Tian’s, wishing he could land a punch and knock Viata out himself.

Five minutes passed—Viata pressed closer, unhurried and unbothered by Liu Tian’s storm of blows, as if he were forged from steel and impervious to pain.

Eight minutes in, Liu Tian’s stamina was waning. His punches slowed, his side kicks nearly made him stumble.

“Liu Tian, Liu Tian…” The noisy room grew strangely unified, everyone chanting in unison, though no one knew who started it.

In the ninth minute, Viata suddenly exploded into action. As Liu Tian threw a punch and hadn’t yet withdrawn his arm, Viata smashed his fist forward.

The blow landed, and Liu Tian staggered, barely able to keep his feet, reeling backwards several steps.

Viata pressed his advantage, lunging forward and bringing his elbow down hard on Liu Tian’s head. Liu Tian’s legs trembled, but he remained upright—until Viata’s knee drove into his chest.

It was as if a speeding train had struck him head-on; his breastbone gave a sharp crack, darkness clouded his vision, and a mouthful of blood sprayed forth. Liu Tian’s body went limp, collapsing to the ground in slow motion.

Viata stepped back two paces, raised both arms high, and faced the crowd with a swaggering, taunting grin.

The screen switched to an image of Tan Xue and Li Youlan huddled together, and the words appeared: “Surprise prize, winner receives both Red Label beauties.”

Viata grinned wickedly, then suddenly leaped into the air, curling his leg and preparing to bring his knee crashing down on the convulsing Liu Tian.

ps: Second chapter update!