Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Underground Arena

If one were to choose the most fitting phrase to describe Zhuo Nan, it would be: “A heart as black as poison…” This scoundrel sought to completely dominate Gui Nanchao, not only in body, but also in mind—to achieve utter control.

You’re ruthless? I’m even more ruthless. I have records of your crimes, and footage of your murders. Fatty, you’d best behave and be my slave… hehehe… Zhuo Nan smirked darkly to himself.

The bodies of Black Bear and Pig Biao were ultimately burned beyond recognition by Gui Nanchao, a grisly sight. As for how Gui Nanchao would explain the disappearance of Brother Bear and Brother Biao to his own men, that was his own concern. Our Brother Nan, meanwhile, continued to pursue his romance and earn his little fortune.

On Saturday night, Zhuo Nan informed his family before heading out. Along with Long Kun, he drove to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, which Gui Nanchao had converted into an illegal fighting ring. Seating surrounded the ring, but once the fights began, it was doubtful any spectator would care about their seats…

Gui Nanchao personally greeted Zhuo Nan at the entrance. “Brother Nan, you’re here. Everything’s ready.”

Long Kun was shocked by Gui Nanchao’s respectful demeanor—more than that, he grew increasingly afraid of Zhuo Nan. The man touted as Deqing’s number one underworld boss, Gui Nanchao, was wagging his tail like a dog before Zhuo Nan. Luckily, there were no other witnesses; otherwise, jaws would have hit the floor.

Zhuo Nan nodded impassively, not a flicker of expression on his face. “Long Kun, take out the money.”

At Zhuo Nan’s command, Long Kun took off his backpack, unzipped it, and, chin raised, shot a sidelong glance at Gui Nanchao as he handed him the bag stuffed with wads of cash. “Three hundred thousand. Brother Nan is betting on his own victory…” Long Kun had already seen through the situation—Gui Nanchao was finished; before Zhuo Nan, he was nothing but a dog, a dog that barks but doesn’t bite.

A smile plastered across his face, Gui Nanchao replied, “Rest assured, Brother Nan. I’ll take care of it right away. Once the match is over, I’ll bring you your winnings.”

Zhuo Nan nodded, not even glancing at him, and said indifferently, “Have someone show me to the lounge. After the match, let Long Kun go with you to collect the money.”

Cold—Gui Nanchao’s only sensation. His nickname was Gui Nanchao, but he truly feared he’d become a wandering ghost at any moment before this man—no, this boy. He could become a ghost at any time, with no one to collect his remains. In front of Zhuo Nan, it didn’t matter if he played the fool or played the dog—as long as he could survive, he’d play any role without a second thought.

When one’s life is at stake, status, prestige, and pride are all worthless—only survival matters!

“Brother Nan, don’t worry, everything’s prepared,” Gui Nanchao replied obsequiously, much to Zhuo Nan’s satisfaction.

Zhuo Nan nodded, and Gui Nanchao summoned one of his men, once again putting on the airs of a boss. Chin up, he instructed his subordinate, “Take Kun and the others to the lounge.”

The underling, unaware that his boss was playing the fool, looked down on Long Kun and Zhuo Nan. “Come on, follow me…”

Watching this underling’s behavior, Long Kun wanted nothing more than to punch his head into his stomach. Gui Nanchao, too, heard the insolence in the man’s tone. But Zhuo Nan seemed unbothered, smiling as he followed. That smile was enough to send chills down Gui Nanchao’s back—hadn’t he heard the saying, “A smiling tiger devours without leaving a bone”?

He began to worry for that underling. Zhuo Nan wouldn’t stoop to bickering with such blind fools—they weren’t even ants, just specks of dust, brushed away without a thought…

The lounge was small—a shabby room, really. Two chairs and a cabinet. Zhuo Nan sat and closed his eyes to rest, while Long Kun stood respectfully by, not daring to breathe too loudly for fear of disturbing Brother Nan. Truth be told, his mind was bursting with questions, but since Zhuo Nan said nothing, he dared not ask.

Sensing Long Kun’s unease, Zhuo Nan opened his eyes and called softly, “Long Kun…”

“Yes, Brother Nan? What are your instructions?” Long Kun asked quickly.

Zhuo Nan smiled faintly. “Do you know why Gui Nanchao acts like a fool before me?”

That was exactly what Long Kun wanted to know. He shook his head, curiosity written all over his face.

“It’s simple… He’s ruthless, but I’m even more ruthless… I’ll give you half a year. In six months, I want everyone on the streets to know that Deqing’s number one is Long Kun.”

Dominance—that was Long Kun’s first impression. The boy before him, still bearing traces of youthful innocence, spoke with an authority that brooked no refusal, as if Deqing’s underworld was already his to devour at leisure.

Long Kun thought, “It took Gui Nanchao ten years to become Deqing’s number one. Can I really do it in just half a year?” But seeing the cold glint in Zhuo Nan’s eyes, a new feeling arose. Perhaps, under Brother Nan’s leadership, it wouldn’t be long before not just Deqing, but the entire province’s underworld trembled beneath his feet…

With a bang, the lounge door was kicked open by the insolent underling. He shot a sidelong glance at Zhuo Nan. “Time’s up. You’re on.”

Zhuo Nan’s brows knitted. This underling had no sense of discipline… As he walked past, Zhuo Nan smiled at him and remarked, “You’re quite something…” Before the man could react, Zhuo Nan had already stepped out. Staring after his retreating figure, the underling was suddenly overtaken by a chill.

When he turned, he found Long Kun standing before him, smiling. “You—” he had just uttered the word when Long Kun’s left hand clamped over his face, his right hand grasped his head, and with a sharp yank, a sickening crack sounded. The underling crumpled to the floor like a pile of rotten flesh.

The moment Long Kun exited the lounge and saw Gui Nanchao, he said, “That underling of yours—I gave him a lesson.”

Gui Nanchao broke out in a cold sweat. Ruthless—too ruthless. Zhuo Nan was already ruthless enough, but Long Kun had killed without the slightest warning… Gui Nanchao dared not protest. What could he say, after all? He forced a smile. “Good lesson, well done…”

Inside the fight ring, the crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder—no seat left unfilled. You couldn’t just buy a ticket to get in here. Anyone with a name in Deqing’s underworld was present tonight. The older, well-dressed men were recognizable figures in Deqing’s business world. The rich young heirs and heiresses, even more so—these matches were their haunt. Only here could they find true excitement, the tang of blood in the air stirring their most savage desires. The power over life and death gave them a thrill, letting them drop their usual façades and indulge in their darkest, cruelest impulses…

Zhuo Nan, however, felt no shock at the spectacle. He was calm, calculating in his mind just how much Gui Nanchao would rake in tonight…

With the announcer’s entrance, the first bout began. “Dear friends, tonight we present an exciting match. Let us welcome the super champion from Country M, Johnson!”

Cheers, whistles, and screams erupted—the crowd clearly adored Johnson.

The announcer continued, “Johnson has defeated fifty-two opponents, killing fifty-one. The sole survivor is now a vegetable…” The audience responded with another wild outburst.

Johnson vaulted into the ring—a massive black man, over six foot two, clenching his fists and roaring at the crowd like a beast freshly loosed from its cage.

“Now, let us introduce his opponent, a young fighter from Country Z, Blood Wolf…” The name was over the top. Zhuo Nan had no intention of fighting under his real name. Gui Nanchao had asked him to pick something intimidating. Zhuo Nan mulled over names like Wild Qiang or Thunder Leopard, all sounding fierce enough, but in the end, what did it matter? A fierce name didn’t make a fierce man. It was just a cameo fight anyway; the name could be left to Gui Nanchao to decide.

But when “Blood Wolf” was announced, Zhuo Nan was stunned. What kind of ridiculous name was this? He shot Gui Nanchao a glare. Not realizing he’d offended Brother Nan, Gui Nanchao thought, “Isn’t that a cool name?”

If Zhuo Nan had known his thoughts, he would have cursed him up and down: “Cool? Cool your head! Go cool off in the latrine!”

Left with no choice, Zhuo Nan vaulted into the ring—albeit wearing a mask. He had no desire to be recognized on the street once the fight was over.

“This is Blood Wolf’s first match. Let’s welcome this young fighter…” The announcer’s words were met with a chorus of boos. The audience didn’t believe someone twenty centimeters shorter than Johnson could possibly be his match.

Johnson stared at the masked newcomer, a sneer curling at his lips.

Once both fighters were in the ring, the announcer exited. The crowd fell silent, knowing that as soon as the starting command was given, the slaughter would begin. All held their breath, waiting for that moment. In the deadly quiet, only one man would leave the ring alive…

The announcer took a deep breath, surveyed the crowd, and shouted, “Begin!” With that, the audience erupted once more.