When Tang Tian heard that I was going to participate in an underground fight, his reaction was quite intense, completely different from how Professor Ace had described it.
He explained that underground fighters are often desperate individuals, each carrying a history of several murders, and some are even wanted criminals in other countries.
This grand underground fighting event had no rules at all. Particularly the Mid-Autumn Festival match, which was a one-versus-many fight!
A one-versus-many fight means that a single challenger faces off against all the contestants one after another until they are exhausted to death.
The betting worked like this: people could bet on the challenger dying in the first round or being knocked out in the second round, and so on.
Regardless of who wins, the challenger is always expected to die. Even if it were a robot, it couldn't withstand endless attacks.
Unfortunately, I am that challenger, about to face all the contestants alone.
Professor Ace, as expected, is insidious and vicious. He deliberately uploaded the videos of me killing the Black Ghost and Python to the dark web, enticing gamblers to place wild bets and attracting underground fighters from around the world to challenge me, the Chinese fighter.
Especially the black and Thai fighters, they all boasted about knocking me out with one punch to avenge their fellow fighters!
Since all participants had to pay a deposit of 100,000 RMB to their secret sponsor, Ace had already made a fortune with this move.
"A one-versus-many fight is a guaranteed death sentence! Who wouldn't want to trample on my Chinese kung fu?" My heart sank. I realized I was just a tool for Ace to make money. If not for Tang Tian revealing this dark secret, I would have been kept in the dark until my death.
He simply wanted to squeeze all my value out at once and then discard me like trash.
I can't just wait for death; I must fight back in advance.
Tang Tian lowered his voice, saying, "If you don't want to participate, I can ask Boss Ning to help you out as a welcoming gift for a new brother."
"Thanks, Brother Tian. I'll think about it and let you know when I come to the casino in a few days. We still have half a month."
I didn't outright reject him. Who knows what his real intentions are?
In my experience, Tang Tian isn't a good person either, so I must be cautious.
"Alright, let's meet at the casino in five days then."
"Okay!"
I smiled, exhaling a ring of smoke, and looked worriedly at Yan Zi in the distance.
In no time, she was already chatting cheerfully with Boss Ning. Indeed, men are attracted to beauty; they can't take their eyes off a pretty and sexy woman.
Seeing how happy Boss Ning looked, it seemed they were getting along well. On the other hand, Liu Shiyi, who matched her in appearance, now looked like a redundant third wheel, standing there awkwardly.
Tang Tian suddenly said, "Your cousin is very beautiful. I've seen many women here, but she's the only one who caught my eye."
I smiled and shamelessly replied, "I'm not bad either, right?"
"Haha, of course, you're also very handsome! Boss Ning is here, remember not to mention what we talked about earlier. It's our secret!"
"Got it. We didn't say anything."
We exchanged knowing smiles and walked towards Boss Ning.
"What were you guys talking about, looking so happy?" Boss Ning, with his arm around Yan Zi's slender waist, looked pleased.
I replied casually, "Dirty jokes."
Yan Zi quickly chimed in, "Cousin, you've become naughty."
Boss Ning laughed heartily, "Men, when together, don't talk about makeup, do they? Right, Shiyi?"
"...Yes, Boss Ning, you're right."
Liu Shiyi's face showed a fleeting moment of displeasure before quickly returning to normal.
For men, makeup must be a painful subject for Liu Shiyi.
Yan Zi, holding Boss Ning's arm, said sweetly, "Boss Ning, my cousin's clothes are dirty. I want to take him shopping for new ones so he won't embarrass you."
"Sure, buy whatever you need! This card has no password, use it as you like. Also, get yourself some sexy dresses and high-end makeup. Make yourself even more beautiful. From today, don't go back to Myawaddy. Stay with me from now on!"
With a lewd smile, Boss Ning handed her a credit card.
Yan Zi kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you, Boss Ning. You're the best!"
I was speechless. Was she still the innocent Yan Zi I knew?
On second thought, it was quite sad. I wasn't the same person anymore either.
The environment had forced us to become someone else, someone who had to survive by any means.
Boss Ning enjoyed Yan Zi's affection and instructed, "Tang Tian, take them to the city center for shopping, then meet us at the Royal Hotel."
"Yes, sir. Yan Jie, let's be quick!" Tang Tian nodded respectfully, signaling us to follow him.
Within such a short time, Yan Zi's title had changed.
"Shiyi, I have a gift for you too. Let's head back to the hotel first..."
Boss Ning put his arm around Liu Shiyi's shoulder, and they got into an Audi A8.
Yan Zi and I followed Tang Tian into his military SUV, along with a soldier who drove us to the city.
Liu Shiyi followed Boss Ning's armed convoy back to the hotel...
We didn't speak much on the way, mainly because we had just met and didn't want to say anything wrong that might cause suspicion.
"Tang Tian, the Fourth District is beautiful!"
Finally, Yan Zi broke the awkward silence.
Little Mong La is the capital of the Fourth District, so its economy is more developed.
Tang Tian turned and smiled, "Yes, there are many Chinese here, so the economy is growing fast. Let's go shopping in Chinatown; they have many Chinese goods."
"Great, you're familiar with the area. We'll follow your lead."
"Yan Jie, you're too kind. I know a tailor in Chinatown who makes beautiful qipaos. Many people can't get one, but you'd look stunning and elegant in one. Boss Ning would love it!"
"But why would he sell it to me?"
Tang Tian smiled, waving his AK-47, "Don't worry, I have this, and you have that!"
"That" referred to the credit card from Boss Ning.
Yan Zi chuckled, "You're smart. If my cousin were as clever as you, he wouldn't be bullied in the KK Park."
Tang Tian hinted, "If Yan Jie settles down, your cousin will be fine too."
Yan Zi played along, "I'm new here and don't know much. I'll rely on you for guidance!"
"Helping Yan Jie is my duty. It's also a way to support Boss Ning! Yan Jie, what kind of food do you like? Chinatown has almost all kinds of Chinese snacks..."
Tang Tian was enthusiastic, introducing the local customs.
In my ears, these customs were just Chinese style, Chinese taste, and Chinese people.
Fifteen minutes later, the SUV drove into the city of Little Mong La.
Tall buildings lined the streets, the roads were smooth and clean, and Chinese shops and pedestrians were everywhere.
There were at least 300,000 Chinese here, even more than the local ethnic groups.
It's quite ironic; a few hundred years ago, this was Chinese territory, but now the situation is so different.
Hearing the Chinese language blaring from the shop speakers, I felt like I was walking in my own country.
"Stop!"
The driver abruptly stopped the car.
Tang Tian jumped out first, then opened the door, "Yan Jie, this is the shop."