Leng Ziyu, at this moment, was like a cicada before a downpour, its belly swollen on a branch, emitting a dull, dry sound.
This sound was not particularly pleasant, much like walking on a frozen lake in winter, with fish swimming beneath, yet you didn't know when the ice would suddenly crack.
Jin Wei could only respond with a dry, mechanical voice, as if a sandbag too heavy to lift was weighing down his shoulders.
He took a step forward, like a warrior resolutely heading to his death.
At the same time, Yang Lingxue, beside Ren Yuanhao, revealed a mischievous smile. If Leng Ziyu was likened to a wicked old witch, then the Yang Lingxue before them was the not-unlikable young witch guarding the old witch's home.
"Look, they're sending out Jin Wei."
Yang Lingxue pulled up the archival data. Ren Yuanhao lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then walked up to Chen Hao, who was somewhat short and pale to the point of being sickly, and patted his shoulder.
"Hey, kid, tell me, if I send you out for the first match, what are your chances of winning?"
Chen Hao looked at his opponent, whose muscles were as knotted as large rocks bulging on a dry riverbank. His eyelashes fluttered like willow branches, revealing his sickly disposition.
"I don't know. Those four guys over there are all similar in build. It's impossible to tell what type of้ธๆ they are."
Ren Yuanhao wagged his finger and said with a sly grin, "If I could let you know in advance what type he is, what he's good at, how high his rank is, and even tell you his weaknesses, would you have the confidence to beat him?"
"Of course, if the data is extensive and detailed enough, I think it could at least compensate for a rank difference. But that kind of information is usually only available within their own circles, so..."
Ren Yuanhao snapped his fingers, chuckling wickedly, and then held out the archival data from his phone for Chen Hao to see.
Chen Hao's expression instantly shifted from worry to ecstatic joy.
"Big brother, is this information reliable?"
"Absolutely reliable."
"But wouldn't this make us seem like we're cheating?" Chen Hao frowned slightly. Although he desperately wanted to win, he wanted to win beautifully even more.
"Do you think this competition is fair? Don't forget how they crippled Peng Lin yesterday. For people like that, using some dirty tricks like that, can you blame us?"
Ren Yuanhao had learned this move from Yang Lingxue and was now relaying it to Chen Hao.
"That's right. For guys like that, why should we show any mercy? It's likely they already have our information in their hands!"
The thought of Peng Lin's injury from yesterday instantly ignited an indescribable rage throughout Chen Hao's body!
"Hey, kid, I don't want you going into the arena with anger. Remember, you're fighting for yourself now. Fight well, and the regional top four will be within your reach. If you don't do well, it's okay, we can try again next year. Remember, don't be reckless; your coach dislikes that the most."
As Ren Yuanhao finished speaking, Yue Ran's clear voice announced, "Please, contestants from Yufang City and Aishen City, take your positions."
"Kid, you have 30 seconds left. Memorize the opponent's data thoroughly. Remember, when you compete later, you must be unpredictable, just like your captain. The moment you strike, you must score. Do you understand?"
Ren Yuanhao smiled, his expression like sunlight melting ice and snow. Chen Hao's initially tense heart gradually calmed down.
Thirty seconds later, the audience erupted in cheers and applause. The waving glow sticks were like celestial bodies drifting in the universe, moving along predetermined orbits, vast and brilliant.
"Kid, remember, I arranged for you to go up after careful consideration. Trust my deployment."
Ren Yuanhao patted his back and added, "Relax, relax. Know yourself and know your enemy. All you need is an opportunity. Their strength isn't much greater than yours. Remember, relax, focus! Go!"
Jin Wei's steps were heavy. With each stride, it was as if Mount Tai was pressing down. Coupled with his fierce expression, narrow eyes, sharp jawline, broad forehead, and sunken nose, he presented a truly menacing figure, a stark contrast to the lanky Chen Hao.
As soon as the two stepped onto the stage, there were no pleasantries. After the referee signaled them to salute each other, they began to test each other.
The arena echoed with hollow and desolate 'clang' sounds as the two circled each other, like the wheezing coughs of an elderly person struggling to expel phlegm. Heat waves billowed, and the roar of the crowd was deafening. The entire martial arts hall seemed to have transformed into a giant furnace.
"Yuanhao, I don't quite understand. Is it really appropriate for you to send the skinny monkey up? Look, Chen Hao has been pushed into a corner!"
As Yang Lingxue spoke, a thunderous roar seemed to erupt from the stage. Fists met flesh, sweat and hormones mingled, exciting the crowd's cheers. However, most of them were cheering for Chen Hao.
"Did you hear that? Only the weak evoke empathy. Listen to those words of concern and encouragement floating above their heads. Don't you find it jarring?"
After a brief thirty to forty seconds of probing, Jin Wei unleashed his full offensive. Chen Hao felt as if his opponent had transformed into a dark, densely packed cloud surging down under a storm. His punches were powerful, and the wind from his kicks cut at Chen Hao's face like sharp blades!
He braced his elbows, parrying left and right, appearing clumsy on the surface. He retreated while defending, unable to land a single punch or kick in response, much to the dismay of the spectators in the martial arts hall.
"It's a complete crush, too brutal. If I were the chief referee, I'd investigate the data of all the Yufang City contestants. With that physique, they don't look like they're under 18 at all."
"Exactly. Although Taekwondo relies on skill, if the physical disparity is too great, and one is constantly suppressed by the opponent, even the most exquisite techniques cannot be employed."
"Is that kid who replaced Shen Lan Ni any good? Don't they know the importance of the first match? I see he has a rather robust-looking teenager under his command. Why not send him out? He'd be better than the current fighter, wouldn't he?"
These words, like clinging maggots, burrowed into Ren Yuanhao's ears. He frowned slightly, then channeled his qi and regulated his breathing. Afterward, he raised his eyebrows and said meaningfully, "Don't you think this fight is quite similar to yesterday's match between Peng Lin and Pang Qiang?"
"Now that you mention it, it does seem that way. However, Pang Qiang was much stronger than this Jin Wei. Although his attacks seemed fluid and impenetrable, they didn't cause much damage."
Yang Lingxue chewed on her spicy strips, managing to be serious for once.
"Moreover, what's better than Peng Lin yesterday is that we now have full knowledge of the opponent's weaknesses. That kid doesn't need to be distracted. He's just waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to score."