I knew they were worried about my life, but I was more concerned about whether the underground Muay Thai champion from Thailand would use banned substances in the competition.
If he drags the fight to test endurance, given my current half-dead state, it would be challenging.
"My injuries are not a big deal. This pain in my elbow is just a bit sharp. As long as I can move my hands and feet, I'm fine," I sighed, filled with worry about the competition a month away.
"I have money. I'll go buy ginseng outside to strengthen your body. If you die, I'll blow up the entire camp and have them buried with you," Chen Weiqiang stubbed out his cigarette, a hint of menace in his eyes.
The money was supposed to be sent to Wrench's mother for his sister's treatment, but Chen Weiqiang covered my medical, nutritional, and tonic costs instead.
I thought his threat to blow up the camp was just talk, but later...
"I won't die. Don't worry. I have confidence to win, but..." I frowned, still feeling the time was too tight.
Today's injuries especially affected my internal energy training.
Chen Weiqiang lit another cigarette. "Tell me what you need. I'll find a way to get it. These past two days, I've made some big deals with Liu Shiyi, so I have the freedom to leave the camp."
"I need top-quality ginseng, Sanqi powder, and pigeons for nutritional supplements. Qiangzi, try to contact Professor Ace. He will surely help. Other than that, just let me rest. Muay Thai can be countered, but I haven't yet mastered my master's ultimate move. During the fight with Paitun, I witnessed the power of heavy punches firsthand. But Chinese kung fu is about using softness to overcome hardness. Though difficult, I believe I can defeat him."
I sat up cross-legged, speaking calmly.
My master taught me combat skills that combined traditional and modern techniques, including the deadliest move he developed over his lifetime. Maybe on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will comprehend and execute it.
"Okay, I trust Master Chen's skills. I'll go find Professor Ace right away..."
"Qiangzi, be careful on the road."
"Don't worry, Liu Shiyi won't let me die. I'll take people and guns with me."
Chen Weiqiang patted my shoulder and left the dormitory.
Bayi cried guiltily, "Brother, I'm so useless. I couldn't help you and got you hurt like this. If you hadn't blocked that punch for me, you wouldn't be injured..."
I patted his head, "Bayi, don't cry. We're brothers. Don't dwell on it. What's a little injury as long as you are alive? If someone hit me, you'd block it too, right? As compensation, teach me how to hunt so I can survive in the jungle."
Bayi nodded vigorously, "Yes, I'll teach you everything."
Wrench said, "Surviving in the wild isn't much related to hunting, but knowing how to hunt can indeed extend your life a few more days."
"Were you in the military?" I suddenly asked, and Wrench didn't hide it. He immediately explained, "Born in a martial arts family, I loved weapons since childhood. I joined the army before finishing high school. Due to my height, I was specially recruited and later joined the special forces. I retired early to take care of my mom after my dad passed away. I never expected such a tragic end."
Wrench's eyes sparkled when he talked about his time in the military. He must have been full of vigor and hope for the future back then.
"Brother, things will get better. We will definitely escape," I repeated words of reassurance, even though I doubted them myself.
Will we really be able to escape? It's all uncertain!
I didn't even know if I would survive through Mid-Autumn Festival intact.
"Do you know what Liu Shiyi was drinking in the basement?" Wrench asked suddenly.
Bayi and I shook our heads, clueless.
"That was virgin's blood and the tenderest flesh from a virgin! He said it's a highly nourishing supplement..."
"Ugh!" Before Wrench finished, I vomited out the porridge I just ate.
Eating human flesh, drinking human blood... Truly the vilest of devils!
I must kill that scumbag Liu Shiyi with my own hands!
After a moment, Bayi trembled and asked, "Is that girl still alive?"
"Bound and bled, with flesh cut off. Do you think she could survive? He kills one every week..."
"..." I clenched my fists, feeling short of breath. The pain in my fingers forced me to open my palms helplessly.
Their cruelty towards women was beyond imaginable, with more horrific and inhumane acts to follow...
"The ID badge you gave me is real. I asked the locals, and a soldier here knows some stories about the Yan family army," Wrench changed the topic, seeing Bayi and I on the verge of breaking down.
When Liu Shiyi was taking me to the basement, I pretended to fall and handed Yan Yun's jade pendant to Wrench. He had been here longer and would understand the complicated things.
Like how he and Qiangzi were used to bloodshed and spoke calmly about it, while Bayi and I were devastated.
"Is he really a descendant of the Yan family army?" I was overjoyed, feeling a glimmer of hope.
"Yes, he's said to be from Hunan and has a good relationship with the local military commander. He's in the fourth special zone, Xiao Mengla, just a few hours' drive from here."
Wrench handed back the jade pendant, satisfied with his findings. At least, being a descendant of the Yan family army meant he wouldn't cause trouble for us and might help clear our names through Boss Cai.
"Brother, if we have a chance to escape, we can find him to help us return home. That's great."
"Don't get too excited. Whether Yan Yun will keep his promise is uncertain. Rather than pinning hopes on someone we may never meet, we should focus on winning that match. We've made two plans: win, and everything's fine. If not... we have a second plan. No matter what, we must keep you safe."
Wrench's idea of keeping me safe definitely involved a mutual destruction scenario.
Bayi asked, "What's the plan? Tell me."
"I can't. You talk too much. I don't trust you."
I understood that Wrench didn't want to involve Bayi in any danger.
"Hmph, you don't treat me as a brother."
"It's because you're my brother that I can't tell you."
"Alright. Anyway, if you need me, just say the word. I, Bayi, swear to help you with everything."
Bayi patted his chest forcefully, promising earnestly.