Zhao Quan's body trembled.
His face contorted as he turned to look at Chen Fan, filled with hatred. "Whatever you want. Kill me, torture me, I can't resist."
"But you'll never get a single word out of me."
Zhao Quan glared venomously at Chen Fan, gritting his teeth. "I, Zhao Quan, am reduced to this state entirely because of you. And you come knocking, expecting me to cooperate? You're dreaming!"
He let out a bitter laugh, then grabbed Chen Fan's collar and roared, "My entire Zhao family, seven souls – my grandmother, my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, my little sister – they're all dead! Dead!"
"I should have died with them. Living is worse than a dog, just barely clinging to life. And you, still haunting me, seeking me out?"
*Slap!*
Chen Fan slapped Zhao Quan across the face and threw him to the ground.
"Eighth Master of the Ghost Market, it seems you're quite content with your life?" Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and sneered. "You truly are a dog. Your entire family was wiped out, and you, a mere survivor, have lost even the courage to speak of vengeance. You live in fear every day, like a rat in a gutter."
"Did your parents give birth to you, raise you, only to suffer eight lifetimes of misfortune? Did they commit unforgivable sins in a past life?"
"You..."
Zhao Quan sat up, anger flashing in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Or perhaps, the screams of your parents before they died, their bodies cast into the river to float as corpses, your sisters tortured to death, violated one after another by those scumbags, the only thought left in your mind was that you were still alive?"
"You have no hatred in your heart. All you care about is survival. Even if your legs were crippled, your fingers cut off, you wouldn't care. Whoever lets you live, you'll grovel like a dog?"
Stung by Chen Fan's words, infinite pain welled up in Zhao Quan's eyes.
Instinctively, he roared, "Shut up!"
"Shut up? Why should I shut up?" Chen Fan chuckled coldly. "Am I wrong?"
"You're actually living quite well now. You're known as Eighth Master here, you never lack for money, and you certainly never lack for women!"
"You hide here, barely clinging to life, trying to survive another day until they find you and crush you like a rat in a gutter."
"Do you even deserve to be called a man? If there's even a shred of manhood left in you, when you wake up in the dead of night, do you think of your parents and sisters? Do you remember the price they paid with their lives for your momentary mistake?"
"You... stop talking!"
Zhao Quan growled, breathing heavily, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
Like a dehydrated fish, his body trembled, his eyes crimson.
Then, he let out a cold laugh. "You think I don't want revenge? But on what grounds can I seek revenge?"
"If death offered even a one-in-a-thousand chance of revenge, I wouldn't hesitate. But there is no such chance. Not one in a thousand, not one in ten thousand!"
"You think you're so great, but what of you, The Undefeated Heavenly King? Aren't you just a puppet in their hands?"
"Of the seven families you annihilated, how do you know they weren't the ones who wanted to use you to get rid of them?"
He sneered disdainfully.
Chen Fan's eyes grew dark.
As for Wang Ziqing, upon hearing this, her legs grew weak and her whole body trembled.
The more she heard, the more terrified she became.
Operating in a place like the Ghost Market, she knew more than ordinary people. While she hadn't delved into the deepest secrets, she had glimpsed fragments.
The more she understood, the more she regretted and berated herself for getting involved in this mess.
"So what?" Chen Fan said coldly. "They're nothing but bugs hiding in the darkness, afraid of the light. It's easy for me to crush them!"
"They're scheming against me because they fear me, because they dare not face me directly. Don't you understand such a simple logic?"
Zhao Quan sneered. "You'll never get a single word out of me."
"Unfortunately for you, you've already been exposed," Chen Fan said, narrowing his eyes. "You have no choice but to cooperate with me. Not only will I spare your life, but I'll also help you get revenge."
"The opportunity is right in front of you, and you still lack courage. You are a coward, and your parents and family died for nothing!"
"Even if I turn around and leave now, I don't think you'll live much longer!"
Zhao Quan's expression changed drastically.
He knew Chen Fan was right.
In a place like the Ghost Market, if you didn't attract attention, your secrets were safe. But once you did, they were impossible to keep.
There were many grey-market dealers who made a living selling information. The moment Chen Fan uttered Zhao Quan's name, his secret was out.
"You have no choice but to fight for it, or do nothing and join your parents and family in death," Chen Fan said in a chilling tone. "When you meet them in the underworld, what will you tell them? What will you tell them you did?"
"I don't believe you have the strength!" Zhao Quan's expression shifted rapidly, and finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "My death is your fault. You are a bringer of bad luck!"
Chen Fan shook his head. "I don't believe in such things. When you are strong enough, fate itself can be altered."
"Tell me everything you know, then come with me. Not only will I give you money and women, but I will also let you live with your head held high and witness your enemies crushed by me."
Zhao Quan chuckled coldly.
But his resolve was wavering.
He actually knew of Chen Fan's capabilities. The incident of him destroying seven noble families in a fit of rage back then had shaken the capital. As someone involved, how could he not know?
Perhaps Chen Fan wouldn't succeed, but this was his only remaining chance.
Just then, the door was kicked open.
The bodyguard guarding the outside lay slumped on the ground. A middle-aged man in a black robe entered, his gaze sharp.
His eyes swept over the room, and he asked, "Little Ba, are you alright?"
"Master Qing!"
Seeing the newcomer, Zhao Quan's expression relaxed slightly as he called out.
Master Qing stared at Chen Fan.
Looking at this man, Chen Fan's pupils contracted slightly.
"Little Ba, what's going on?" Master Qing asked sternly.
"My identity has been exposed," Zhao Quan said.
"What are your plans?" Master Qing asked, a killing intent flashing in his eyes as he looked at Chen Fan.
Chen Fan wasn't too surprised.
Zhao Quan, who could hide in the Ghost Market, undoubtedly had connections. He was clearly relying on the organizers of this underground boxing ring.
Otherwise, given that his family had been annihilated, simply surviving would have been a luxury.
"I plan to leave with him," Zhao Quan said, staring at Chen Fan, gritting his teeth and making up his mind. "You know I've been longing for revenge day and night."
Master Qing paused at this, then shook his head. "Little Ba, you are safe here. No one can do anything to you. Seeking revenge will only cost you your life!"
"I... I don't want to live like a walking dead man anymore, waking up in tears every night."
Zhao Quan fell silent for a moment, then said, "Master Qing, I've wronged you, and I've wronged Master Cang."
"No one is taking you away. Your life belongs to Brother Cang. Without his consent, no one can take you," Master Qing grunted.
"I must take Zhao Quan away today, and no one can stop me. This is for his protection," Chen Fan said, his voice firm, hands clasped behind his back.
Zhao Quan suddenly said, "He is Chen Tianjiao, The Undefeated Heavenly King!"
Master Qing was stunned, his expression slightly shaken. "The legend of the army, The Undefeated Heavenly King?"
He laughed. "I never thought The Undefeated Heavenly King would come to a place like the Ghost Market. But so what? He's alone, not leading an army!"
"Master Qing, please grant us this." Zhao Quan said in a deep voice.
Master Qing still shook his head. "Little Ba, both I and Master Cang appreciate your abilities. If you just walk away, wasn't saving you back then for nothing?"
"What Heavenly King or not, he can't protect you. Only in this sinful, grey territory can you live well."
"Master Qing, I owe you. If I don't die, I'll repay you with my life in the future."
"If I die, I'll repay you in the next life!"
Zhao Quan had finally made up his mind and remained insistent.
Master Qing's expression turned cold, and he narrowed his eyes, looking at Chen Fan. "Chen Tianjiao, I can let Little Ba go with you, provided that you step into the ring and prove to me that you have the ability to avenge Little Ba."
He then said to Zhao Quan, "Little Ba, you know this is the rule. If you want to leave after becoming a member of the Sihai Gang, you must fight in the ring. Since Chen Tianjiao is taking you, he will be the one to fight!"
Zhao Quan looked at Chen Fan. "Agree to him, or even if I die here, I won't leave, nor will I tell you a single secret!"
Chen Fan frowned slightly.
"This is the rule!" Master Qing said sternly. "You can't just take our man away without anything in return!"
Chen Fan glanced outside. The entire underground hall was still noisy and chaotic. A match in the boxing ring had just ended.
As he looked, he saw a burly man twist the neck of his opponent who could no longer fight.
Amidst screams and clamor, countless people let out excited roars, relishing the bloody and brutal scene, shouting the boxer's name.
"How many matches?"
Chen Fan asked.
"For most people, three matches. For you, ten matches!"
Master Qing sneered. "Ten consecutive wins without a break are required."
"Agreed," Chen Fan said without hesitation. "No introductions needed in between. Ten matches, no breaks. I don't want to waste time."
Master Qing sneered upon hearing this, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Good, you can get ready."
With that, he took out a walkie-talkie and gave an order.
The announcer, who was still celebrating and whipping up the crowd's emotions, paused upon hearing the instructions in his earpiece.
Then, the announcer said, "Everyone is excited, and some friends have made a fortune from the thrilling spectacle. For those who were unlucky for a moment, don't worry, because we are going to change the scheduled matches for an even more exciting performance."
"Because someone is challenging for a ten-win streak, a ten-win streak!"
The announcer's words caused the gamblers to scream, reaching the peak of their excitement.
"Whenever this happens, it's time for everyone to strike it rich! Please look at the big screen. We have arranged the match-ups and corresponding odds. This fighter's codename is 'Ghost Chariot.' The odds for him winning three to five consecutive matches are different."
"The highest odds now are twenty-one to one, a twenty-one payout, unprecedented! What are you waiting for?"