Chapter Forty-Seven: The BBC’s Gamble

As he spoke, Sikong Lang clenched his fists, muscles suddenly swelling beneath his skin. In an instant, his previously thin frame became robust and powerful, his body expanding to nearly twice its original size.

“What? He can actually alter his muscles like that?” Li Gang watched in astonishment from inside the room. It was the first time he had ever seen anyone with such an ability.

“It’s nothing special,” Sikong Lang replied calmly, hearing the surprise in Li Gang’s voice. “I’m a monster without any other particular talents—the only thing I can control is my muscles.” He then turned to address the colossal beast towering at least four times his own height. “You can start now. Show me your strength!”

As if it understood Sikong Lang’s words, the beast stretched out a massive arm, swinging a heavy paw down at the challenger before it, clearly intent on smashing him into pulp for his insolence.

Standing before the towering beast, Sikong Lang made no move to dodge. He allowed the giant paw to slam down onto his shoulder, the immense force fracturing the floor beneath his feet in a web of cracks that radiated outward. The power of that blow was truly formidable.

Grabbing the beast’s arm where it rested on his shoulder, Sikong Lang raised his right fist and said softly, “Luckily, we’re in the basement. If you must hate someone, hate the scientist who created you and the master who raised you!” Then, with a single punch, he drove his fist through the beast’s body, the shockwave blasting its internal organs out through its back and splattering them across the wall. Glancing once at the convulsing body behind him, Sikong Lang released thirty percent of his strength and walked out of the cage. “Even if it was your master’s command, it pains me to have killed you like this.”

“Magnificent! Hahaha! I never imagined Brother Sikong could slay the Kirin Lion so effortlessly—truly incredible!” As Sikong Lang bent to pick up his shirt from the ground and put it on, Li Gang, arms folded, cautiously stepped forward. “Brother Sikong, you mentioned something about thirty percent—was that only a third of your full strength?”

“That’s right. In truth, twenty percent would have sufficed, but I’m a bit cautious, so I used thirty.”

“Amazing, Brother Sikong Lang! Shitou, go make the call!” Li Gang shouted to the doorman behind him, evidently named Shitou.

“Yes, Boss Li. I already called earlier—the buyers for the Tears Crystal will be here soon.”

“Idiot, not that call! I meant the one to the BBC crowd.”

“Are you planning to open a betting ring, Boss Li?” Shitou seemed to understand what was required.

“Where else could you find an opportunity that’s both profitable and entertaining? Go quickly, then come find me in the studio—got it?”

“Understood, Boss Li!”

Glancing at the portly Li Gang before him, Sikong Lang exhaled a puff of smoke. “You… are bound to die a miserable death.”

“If money can buy life itself—heh, well, time to make some money! Money, money, money!” Unbothered by Sikong Lang’s remark, perhaps still awed by the display of power, Li Gang showed no embarrassment, leading Sikong Lang and his companions toward the broadcasting studio—his usual gambling venue with the BBC.

Speaking of the BBC, hardly anyone in the public knows of its existence, but within the underworld, it is infamous—a syndicate formed by some of the world’s wealthiest conglomerates. Their financial power accounts for nearly a tenth of the world’s total wealth. With such resources, they have everything. Its members are top-tier entrepreneurs and heirs from various countries who amuse themselves by participating in video-streamed gambling events, with wagers starting at a hundred million US dollars—the largest private betting platform in existence.

Five minutes later, Li Gang led Sikong Lang and his companions into a spacious reception hall, where ten enormous screens hung on the walls, each displaying the face of a participant. These ten must be the gamblers Li Gang had assembled for tonight’s betting.

“Thank you all for joining my wager,” Li Gang began, addressing the faces on the screens and explaining the rules. In the BBC, any member with an interesting project could initiate a betting session, and the format was set by the host. As tonight’s host, Li Gang offered his opening remarks to the ten guests: “Let the feast begin…”

“How could we miss out, Boss Li? It would be unforgivable not to join in such an entertaining affair, heh.”

“Yes, indeed. At this point, there’s nothing else that piques our interest.”

“That’s right—we’ve done everything else. We’re bored stiff.”

“Watching others’ misfortune is our greatest pleasure, heh.”

“Let’s hear your rules, Boss Li, so we know what to expect.”

…

Hearing their enthusiastic responses, Li Gang settled into the large sofa before the screens, lit a cigar, and continued, “Someone snuck into my estate tonight, hoping to uncover the secret of my Tears Crystal. So, I thought to make the battle between them and my Dark Bodyguards the theme of tonight’s wager…”

“That doesn’t seem entirely fair, Boss Li,” objected an elderly blond man on one of the screens. Despite his lecherous appearance, he was in fact the largest arms dealer in the United States and rarely participated in BBC events. Something must have piqued his interest tonight. “We know nothing about the intruders. With so little information, how can we bet on anyone but the Dark Bodyguards? After all, they’re creatures from another world.”

“Heh, Mr. T, there’s no need for concern. Let me introduce the contestants to everyone,” Li Gang said, signaling to Shitou beside him. Shitou immediately understood, bowed to the ten screens, then turned to a huge display, pointer in hand, and began his presentation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, here is a map of the entire estate. This is where the intruders are currently located. We’ve already stationed the Dark Bodyguards along the route to the villa. As you all know, these bodyguards are creatures from another world, not to be underestimated…”

“Yes, these Dark Bodyguards have served me for many years,” Shitou continued, when Sikong Lang stepped forward to elaborate. “Each one hails from another realm, each with the strength to instantly kill a professional wrestler. I think that gives you an idea of their power. There are twelve stationed outside the villa and three more here inside.”

After Sikong Lang’s explanation, Mr. T said, “I see now. So you’re charging us a hefty admission fee to watch these intruders face your Dark Bodyguards—well played, Li Gang, well played.”

“Exactly, Mr. T. How could we waste such a splendid spectacle by not inviting everyone to join in? Enough chatter—let’s begin. The first round: wager on whether the two intruders or my twelve Dark Bodyguards will win. Winners double their money. Now, place your bets.”

“Two hundred million on the Dark Bodyguards.”

“Two hundred million on the Dark Bodyguards for me as well.”

“One hundred and fifty million on the Dark Bodyguards.”

“Three hundred million on the Dark Bodyguards.”

“Two hundred million on the Dark Bodyguards.”

…

Listening to these wealthy BBC members place heavy bets on the Dark Bodyguards, Li Gang was inwardly delighted. They’d all taken the bait—his investment in intelligence had paid off. From Sikong Lang and his brother, he’d learned that the intruders were two of the most notorious humans in the underworld, having recently eliminated numerous otherworldly monsters and even dealt with the Four Sacred Beasts in the Dark Castle—truly formidable adversaries. While the Dark Bodyguards were formidable as well, conventional wisdom suggested betting on them was safer, and so the BBC members all chose that side. However, Sikong Lang had told Li Gang privately that his men might not be able to handle these two intruders. So, the more they bet on the Dark Bodyguards, the more Li Gang stood to win…

“I’ll put five billion on the intruders.”

Just as Li Gang was reveling in dreams of immense profit, a long-haired, middle-aged Asian man on one of the screens placed a massive bet on the intruders, clearly intrigued by their prospects.

“…Impossible…”

“Yes, Mr. Yujing, you’re betting on the intruders? But there are twelve Dark Bodyguards…”

“Heh, I’m quite interested in those two intruders myself,” the man replied, lighting a cigarette. A scar ran from his brow across one eye, but rather than making him look menacing, it lent a commanding air to his otherwise delicate features. After a drag, Mr. Yujing continued, “I just received word—two young demon slayers have recently become famous. Perhaps these two intruders are them…” He exhaled a plume of smoke, his confidence in the two intruders’ abilities evident.