Guan Hong makes his debut and claims the first victory!
This scene caused an uproar throughout the crowd, with many exclaiming that Qian De Shui's third brother was still in top form, adding another twist to tonight's scheduled battles.
Furthermore, Guan Hong's domineering words after his victory stirred the hearts of the spectators.
Qian De Shui, watching from below the stage, could barely contain his excitement. He murmured, "They're back, they're all back. This feeling, I haven't felt it in so long!"
Guan Hong let out three hearty laughs before descending the stage.
Qian De Shui rose to greet him, quickly saying that Guan Hong must have worked hard. Guan Hong replied, "Big brother, I haven't worked hard at all. I'm already content to be able to fight alongside you in our campaigns."
Zhang Cheng then added, "Third brother is still in his prime, I can't let down my brothers!"
Guan Hong patted Zhang Cheng's shoulder and said earnestly, "Fourth brother, if you're truly outmatched, then admit defeat immediately. Your life is paramount, understand?"
Qian De Shui echoed the same sentiment.
Zhang Cheng forced a bitter smile, "Do you guys look down on me that much?"
Qian De Shui looked towards Chen Jin Zhao, noticing that the gentleman hadn't spoken yet. He asked, "Young Master Chen, do you think Zhang Cheng has a chance to win this match?"
"Should I tell you the truth?" Chen Jin Zhao asked.
Zhang Cheng nodded, "Young Master Chen, please speak your mind."
Chen Jin Zhao's expression turned grim as he said, "It's very difficult. So I advise you not to force yourself. Just do what you can."
Zhang Cheng's expression became despondent. Qian De Shui and Guan Hong exchanged a glance, then Qian De Shui said again, "Young Master Chen is very discerning. You'd best not push yourself, and leave the final match to Young Master Chen."
"Mm, I understand." Zhang Cheng had made up his mind.
On the other side of the arena.
Ning Fei and Hong Xing Wen's expressions were grim, even unsightly.
The initial defeat had greatly dampened their morale.
Hou Feng, dragging his injured body, apologized to Hong Xing Wen, "Young Master Hong, I've failed your expectations. Please punish me!"
Hong Xing Wen's face shifted between anger and uncertainty. Finally, he said with a stern face, "It has nothing to do with you. Go back and recover well. The Qian Sect will still depend on you to consolidate its rule in the future."
Gratitude appeared on Hou Feng's face, and he returned to the back of the crowd to tend to his wounds.
"Liao Jie, do you have confidence?" Hong Xing Wen asked.
Liao Jie was the second C-class fighter he had brought. His strength was on par with Hou Feng's, but if the two were to fight to the death, Liao Jie would have the upper hand. Liao Jie stood up, his height of nearly six feet exuding a powerful pressure. His eyes were like torches as he nodded, "If my opponent is Zhang Cheng, I can defeat him within three moves."
Hong Xing Wen's tone was solemn, "Good. Find an opportunity to take care of Zhang Cheng. I want to see Qian De Shui's tearful face."
The death of a beloved woman, the demise of a brother...
The thought of it was amusing.
A cold smile crept onto Liao Jie's lips, "I guarantee the mission will be completed."
On the stage.
The female host first announced the results of the previous match, then introduced the fighters for the next round. She gave the audience ten minutes to place their bets. Once the betting closed, the match would officially begin.
Meanwhile.
Yu Bo Tao and Yu Zheng Zhi also witnessed Guan Hong's victory, and their expressions were not good.
Yu Zheng Zhi cursed, "Damn it, what the hell was Qian Sect's Hou Feng doing? How could a young man in his twenties lose to Guan Hong, who's over forty? He's a damn failure!"
"Could it be that Qian De Shui wins?"
Yu Bo Tao snorted, "Guan Hong was just lucky. The upcoming Zhang Cheng might not be so lucky. Let's wait and see. If Zhang Cheng isn't beaten to a pulp, then I'll eat my words."
"Let's hope so..." Yu Zheng Zhi replied.
On the cruise ship, the atmosphere grew increasingly heated, attracting many gamblers to place their bets.
After warming up, Zhang Cheng said to Qian De Shui and the others, "I'm going on stage. Wait for my good news."
Several people nodded.
Qian De Shui reiterated, "Be careful with everything. Don't push yourself, understand?"
Zhang Cheng grinned, turned, and stepped onto the stage.
Liao Jie had already taken his place on stage. After scanning Zhang Cheng, he secretly shook his head and sneered, "Where did this stray dog come from, thinking he's worthy of fighting me? I'm not exaggerating when I say you're trash."
Zhang Cheng let out a cold snort, "Whether I'm trash or not, we'll only know after we fight."
The female host also sensed the intense animosity between the two. She then addressed both fighters and the audience, "Are both of you ready? I now announce that the second match officially begins!"
Liao Jie attacked first, appearing before Zhang Cheng like a gust of wind.
Zhang Cheng hadn't fought for many years and was completely out of shape. He was struck in the face in the first exchange!
Qian De Shui and Guan Hong abruptly stood up, their hearts feeling as if they were being squeezed.
Guan Hong roared, "Fourth brother, if you can't do it, then admit defeat!"
After being hit, Zhang Cheng staggered back a few steps, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. "I'm fine. Can't a grown man take a beating?"
"Come again!"
Liao Jie grinned and attacked once more.
Zhang Cheng could barely keep up with Liao Jie's speed and punches, but after not long, he began to pant, large drops of sweat streaming down his forehead.
After more than ten exchanges, Zhang Cheng's stamina gave out and he was hit in the chest by Liao Jie's punch.
In an instant.
Zhang Cheng was almost suffocated.
He sighed inwardly, finally accepting the fact that he was no match for Liao Jie, and said, "I..."
Before the word "surrender" could leave his lips.
Liao Jie lunged forward, causing Zhang Cheng's mind to go blank for a moment. By the time he reacted, his throat was already clasped by Liao Jie, and he couldn't utter a sound!
"I..."
"Urk..."
Liao Jie sneered, gripping Zhang Cheng's throat and lifting him into the air. Zhang Cheng struggled with his hands, trying to break free from Liao Jie's grasp, but found Liao Jie's strength to be immense. Coupled with Zhang Cheng's previous exhaustion, he was completely unable to break free.
"You what?" Liao Jie sneered.
Zhang Cheng thrashed his legs wildly, struggling desperately like a drowning man.
Below the stage.
Hong Xing Wen watched everything with a smile, this was exactly the effect he wanted.
His gaze swept past the arena to Qian De Shui, whom he saw clenching his fists tightly, roaring at Liao Jie on stage, "We surrender! Release Zhang Cheng immediately!"
Liao Jie ignored him.
Guan Hong, anxious, shouted at the female host, "Are you deaf? We've already surrendered! According to the rules, Liao Jie is not allowed to continue attacking."
The third party behind the female host had already reached a temporary cooperation agreement with Ning Fei. Holding the microphone, she explained, "Our rules are such that even if one surrenders, it must be proposed by the participant themselves, otherwise it's not valid. I know you're in a hurry, but rules are rules. We can't help."
Qian De Shui angrily said, "Bullshit! The rules don't say that! You're twisting the rules. Aren't you afraid of a credibility crisis?"
For a major gambling conglomerate, credibility was paramount.
If they lost their credibility, they would quickly decline.
The female host showed a troubled expression, "Master Qian, I hope you can understand us. Rules are rules. The moment you stepped onto this cruise ship, you agreed to abide by the rules we've set."
Guan Hong roared, "What kind of bullshit rules are these? We've already surrendered! Since you've breached the agreement first, don't blame us for wrecking this place!"
With that said.
He stood up, intending to walk towards the stage.
The female host quickly looked at Hong Xing Wen. Hong Xing Wen nodded at Liao Jie on stage.
A sinister smile spread across Liao Jie's face. He tightened his grip, crushing Zhang Cheng's throat! Zhang Cheng stopped struggling, his head drooping powerlessly, his life completely extinguished.
The onlookers below the stage held their breath, watching this scene in disbelief.
A living person had just died!
Liao Jie raised his hand and tossed Zhang Cheng's corpse down to the stage – in front of Qian De Shui and Guan Hong – and laughed, "Boring, truly boring. How can someone so weak even dare to fight me.
"What a shame, he couldn't even say the word 'surrender'."
Guan Hong looked down at Zhang Cheng's corpse. His pitiful fourth brother had died with his eyes open. He choked, "Fourth brother, you died unjustly. Third brother will avenge you!"
Qian De Shui's eyes were also filled with shock. He never expected this outcome.
Zhang Cheng, who had been chatting and laughing with them moments ago, had instantly become a cold corpse. Anyone would find it difficult to accept.
Guan Hong roared, wanting to rush up and fight Liao Jie!
Qian De Shui held Guan Hong's shoulder, shaking his head slightly. Now was not the time for rash actions. After this match ended, they would settle accounts with Hong Xing Wen slowly!
Liao Jie, seeing this, laughed again.
"I've long heard that Master Qian of Jiangnan is a formidable figure. Seeing you today is truly disappointing. I say, you, Qian De Shui, are no longer worthy of being called a formidable figure, but a complete coward!"
"A person who deceives the world with false fame is nothing more than this."
"Hahaha!"