Wang Lei's group exchanged bewildered looks, utterly shocked that Shen Xingkong had the audacity to insult their idol, Lei-ge, right to his face.
The tension in the air was thick as everyone sensed the explosive anger emanating from Wang Lei. Even Xu Jianhui couldn't help but take a step back, fully aware of how dangerous Wang Lei could be when provoked.
"Hahaha…" Wang Lei suddenly burst into laughter, his voice dripping with anger. "Shen Xingkong, I always thought you were trash, but it turns out you've got some guts. Fine, I'll give you a chance to prove you're a real man… Hand it over!" Wang Lei barked at one of his lackeys, extending his hand.
The guy beside him flinched and quickly handed over the wooden stick he was carrying, already picturing the scene where Shen Xingkong would be beaten until he coughed up blood.
Wang Lei took the stick and tossed it at Shen Xingkong's feet.
"I'm not going to bully you. You can use this… Shen Xingkong, if you can make me fall, then you're a real man. If not, you're nothing but dog shit, and you'd better prepare to die!" Wang Lei's eyes were bloodshot, glaring at Shen Xingkong like a wild beast.
Shen Xingkong glanced at the stick on the ground, a faint smile playing on his lips. If Wang Lei had attacked him right away, he might've been in trouble. But this challenge, giving him time to prepare and offering a one-on-one fight—this was practically suicide.
Today's situation was beyond any hope of a peaceful resolution, and that was by Shen Xingkong's design. He could have chosen to grovel and get rid of Wang Lei's group for now, then figure out a plan later. But he knew that he and Wang Lei were destined for a final showdown. The strong win when they meet head-on; otherwise, he'd forever be trampled under Wang Lei's feet.
Human nature is such that if someone bullies you and you submit, they won't stop—they'll just escalate.
"Heh, I don't need something like this to deal with you. But I do have something I need to take care of. Can you give me two minutes?" Shen Xingkong's smile turned strange as he delivered his final provocation to Wang Lei.
"Something to take care of? Hahaha…" Wang Lei laughed again, the sound reverberating through the courtyard. "Fine, I'll give you two minutes… Haha… Shen Xingkong, I'm not afraid of you calling for backup. In this city, no one would dare touch a hair on my head." Wang Lei assumed Shen Xingkong was planning to call for help.
"Hmph!" Shen Xingkong didn't bother explaining. He turned around and slowly walked into the entrance of his apartment building.
Wang Lei waited in the courtyard with his lackeys, completely at ease. He wasn't worried about Shen Xingkong running away, nor was he concerned about any reinforcements showing up. He had already decided that today, he would beat Shen Xingkong until he couldn't get out of bed for three months. And if by some chance he ended up crippling Shen Xingkong for life, well, that would just be bad luck for Shen Xingkong.
Inside the building entrance, Shen Xingkong was focused, left hand touching his right ear, right hand holding the golden-tipped needle, feeling a bit nervous. Last time he had stimulated his adrenal glands with the needle, he'd managed to take down Wang Lei's lackeys but had nearly fainted from the strain on his heart and brain.
Over the past few days, he had been using his abilities to strengthen his heart and blood vessels, but it had only been a few sessions, so the effects might not be as strong as he'd like. This time, he had to be careful not to overstimulate his adrenal glands, or even if he managed to turn Wang Lei into a pulp, it wouldn't mean much if his own brain burst a blood vessel.
The golden-tipped needle gently pierced his ear's adrenal point, immediately triggering his abilities. Shen Xingkong felt a surge of heat flow from his spine, directly into the ear point.
Back in the courtyard, Xu Jianhui was hiding behind Wang Lei, his shifty eyes darting around. He sensed that Shen Xingkong might be up to something.
"Lei-ge, that bastard Shen Xingkong isn't worth your effort. Why don't we all just gang up on him and take him down?" Xu Jianhui timidly suggested.
"Smack!"
"Bullshit!" Wang Lei backhanded Xu Jianhui across the face, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. "You think I can't take down Shen Xingkong?"
"N-no, Lei-ge… You're way stronger than him!" Xu Jianhui clutched his cheek, cursing himself for not keeping his mouth shut.
"Get lost! If you don't know how to talk, then keep your damn mouth shut, idiot."
"Y-yes, of course…" Xu Jianhui slinked back a few steps, hoping to avoid further punishment.
Just then, Shen Xingkong finally emerged from the building entrance, his expression strange and his eyes locked onto Wang Lei's face. Wang Lei paused, momentarily startled by the predatory look in Shen Xingkong's eyes, like a beast eyeing its prey.
Xu Jianhui, sneaking a glance at Shen Xingkong, also noticed something off. Shen Xingkong's face seemed unusually flushed, almost as if he'd been drinking.
"Hmph!" Wang Lei sneered, his gaze filled with contempt. "Shen Xingkong, you finished with your little errand? Need more time to wait for your backup?"
Shen Xingkong didn't reply. His fists clenched, and he started moving faster, directly towards Wang Lei, clearly ready for a fight.
Though initially unnerved by Shen Xingkong's strange demeanor, Wang Lei quickly regained his confidence. His face twisted with malice as he took a big step forward to meet Shen Xingkong head-on.
"Shen Xingkong… you're dead!"
As the distance between them closed to about a meter, Wang Lei, relying on his extensive fighting experience, suddenly leaped forward, aiming a powerful kick at Shen Xingkong's chest, determined to strike first.
Wang Lei's lackeys instantly buzzed with excitement, eagerly anticipating the sight of Shen Xingkong being sent flying to the ground and beaten mercilessly by Wang Lei. Even Xu Jianhui began to think he'd been worrying for nothing. With Shen Xingkong's slim build, there was no way he could take on someone as brawny and ruthless as Wang Lei.
But then, in an instant, everything changed. No one saw how it happened, but somehow Shen Xingkong managed to catch Wang Lei's kick. Then, with a loud roar, he spun around and flung Wang Lei several meters away.
"Shit!" Wang Lei cursed, scrambling to regain his footing before lunging at Shen Xingkong again, his fists flying like rain towards Shen Xingkong's face.
Faced with Wang Lei's frenzied assault, Shen Xingkong initially raised his arms to block, taking several hits. But it was as if he couldn't feel pain; his movements weren't hindered at all. When Wang Lei went to kick him again, Shen Xingkong grabbed his leg once more.
"Ahhh!" Shen Xingkong roared again, and just like before, he spun around and sent Wang Lei flying through the air.
"Thud!"
This time, Shen Xingkong's throw was even more powerful, as if he were possessed by some kind of superhuman strength. Wang Lei flew three or four meters before crashing to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
Wang Lei's lackeys were left in stunned silence, unable to comprehend how the tables had turned so drastically.