Su Xiaobai had never seen a real dog fight, but she knew a bit about it. In some countries abroad, dog fighting tournaments were quite popular. Some even established international dog fighting competitions, where the winning dogs could earn their owners a significant cash prize. These events were mostly organized by local dog fighting clubs. While such competitions occasionally took place in certain regions of the country, they were typically more common in rural areas. After all, holding such an event openly in big cities would surely upset animal rights activists.
It was the same as cockfighting—those who organized such events often expected the animals to fight to the death, with blood spilled everywhere. And when it came to larger and more ferocious fighting dogs, it only escalated.
Though Su Xiaobai wasn't an animal rights activist, she still found it cruel. But since they were already there, it would be difficult to ask Li De and Cheng Dongdong to turn back.
The first person to step into the arena was a blonde, blue-eyed international referee. Dressed in a red vest, black trousers, and white gloves, his sharp blue eyes scanned the crowd as he stood quietly to one side of the stage. Following him, a man holding a microphone introduced the two contestants briefly, then stepped aside.
With the atmosphere tense and everyone holding their breath, a man on the right side of the stage led out a muscular, jet-black Japanese Tosa dog with a shiny coat. The dog, standing as tall as a man's shoulder, had a fierce and steady gaze. Though it was lying down obediently at its owner's feet, its eyes darted alertly as it spotted the other contestant.
The other young man, leading a dog onto the stage, had a dog that was considerably smaller in both size and build—a brown, slightly scruffy pit bull. The dog's temperament matched its owner's—it seemed a bit lackluster, almost as if it couldn't care less. It glanced lazily at the Tosa dog before flopping back down, emitting a quiet whimper, almost as if yawning. This annoyed the Tosa dog, which took several aggressive steps forward, growling lowly. Luckily, the owner managed to pull the dog back in time, but the Tosa dog was clearly itching to charge forward and tear into the pit bull.
The man holding the Tosa dog, after calming his dog down, smiled and said, "Su Miao, is your dog a bit too young? It looks like a pup."
"Young Master Deng, if my 'Second Dog' is a pup, then your Tosa must be a grandfather," Su Miao replied. "I wonder if the match will be tough for your old dog."
Deng Ping narrowed his eyes, his expression full of open contempt and malice. "How can a match like this not have some bloodshed? I'm afraid your little pup will be a bit out of its depth. After all, my 'grandfather dog' will make sure to teach it a lesson. You'll have to show respect to me and my old dog after this match, you know?"
Su Miao, not one to back down, shot back with a biting remark. "Oh, is it a grandfather dog, then? Young Master Deng, you'd better keep a tight leash on your 'grandfather dog,' or it might get a bit too much to handle." The word "dog" was especially emphasized, a clever jab that insinuated that Deng Ping himself was just an old dog.
Deng Ping ground his teeth in frustration, wishing he could peel Su Miao's skin off, drink his blood, and turn him into dust.
As the two continued their verbal sparring, the referee finally signaled for the match to begin.
Each contestant loosened the leash on their dog. The dogs stepped onto the stage with elegant strides. In an instant, the two dogs faced off—each a fierce contender in its own right. But as the saying goes, in a fight between two tigers, one must lose. On first glance, the Tosa dog definitely had the size advantage. It arched its back, lowered its front legs, and growled menacingly, making anyone listening feel a sense of dread.
The Japanese Tosa, a breed known for its massive size, agility, fearlessness, and intelligence, was specifically bred for dog fighting competitions. In the past, the UK had even banned the breeding of this breed due to its inherent aggression. This particular Tosa was Deng Ping's prized dog, the champion of the last competition, having defeated its opponents in three rounds, leaving them bloodied and battered.
As expected, the first to take the offensive was the Tosa dog, which charged directly at the pit bull's stomach. Fortunately, the pit bull wasn't an easy opponent. It was quick, cunning, and although it didn't have the size advantage, it managed to evade the Tosa's attack with nimble leaps.
The crowd erupted in surprise as the Tosa dog managed to sink its teeth into the pit bull's right thigh. With one bite, it tore off a chunk of flesh, and the Tosa dog held onto the bloody, mangled piece in its mouth. The pit bull let out a low growl and immediately collapsed to the ground. The Tosa dog seized the opportunity, biting the pit bull several more times.
A victorious expression spread across Deng Ping's face. It seemed clear that this match was already decided. After all, the pit bull had already fought three rounds in a row, and it didn't look like it could last much longer.
Just as everyone thought the Tosa dog's victory was inevitable, in a flash of lightning, the pit bull, which had been lying down, suddenly sprang to life. Its previously dull eyes gleamed with a sharp, intense light. The moment the Tosa dog relaxed, the pit bull leapt up and bit down on the Tosa's neck. It refused to let go, and the Tosa dog howled in pain, shaking violently.
In reality, pit bulls possess an unyielding fighting spirit and a tenacious nature. It's said that once a pit bull locks onto something, it won't let go. With its compact body, strong muscles, and skin that dulls pain, it seems almost made for combat.
This is one of the reasons the pit bull has dominated the dog fighting scene for over a hundred years. Furthermore, a pit bull's bones are three times harder than those of other dogs, making it nearly impossible for other dogs to break its bones. Therefore, the Tosa's earlier attacks hadn't caused any fatal damage.
The pit bull continued to bite fiercely, sinking its teeth into the Tosa dog several times. Only when the Tosa dog let out a few more painful yelps did the referee intervene, signaling for the owners to pull their dogs apart.
The match was over, and the result was unexpected by everyone. Deng Ping's face darkened, and with a scowl, he ordered the dog to be pulled back. Smiling grimly, he said, "Su Miao, your dog is impressive. I'll admit defeat this time."
"Not at all, Young Master Deng. You're too kind. After all, a beast is just a beast, and the outcome depends on its temperament," Su Miao replied, her words laced with sarcasm.
Deng Ping cursed inwardly, but maintained his easygoing appearance. However, his followers soon found themselves in trouble. The Tosa dog, which had seemed on the verge of death, suddenly went berserk. As if it had experienced a moment of revival, the dog suddenly regained its energy, broke free from its handlers, and charged directly towards the audience. Covered in blood and with open wounds, it barked loudly and bit several people in its path.
Everyone was caught off guard. Deng Ping whistled, trying to call his dog back, but the crazed animal wouldn't listen. It charged forward, its direction now changed. By the time Li De's group realized what was happening, it was too late. They watched in horror as the mad dog headed straight for them, specifically targeting the spot closest to Su Xiaobai.
Su Xiaobai was momentarily stunned. The world went dark for a moment, and then she saw the black, menacing creature charging straight for her face. Without thinking, she instinctively closed her eyes, but just as she did, a sharp whistle rang out. The dog yelped a few times, as if cursed, before it leapt into the air and collapsed, lifeless, on the ground.
The entire crowd was stunned, unsure of how it all happened. Even Deng Ping's face turned pale. Su Miao, standing to the side, clenched her fists, her hands trembling ever so slightly.
Among all the people present, only Su Xiaobai noticed something strange. Just as she closed her eyes, she glanced toward a corner and caught sight of a familiar figure—still wearing a crisp white shirt and black trousers, standing out as though untouched by the world. She couldn't help but think to herself, "Isn't this just fate?"