Chapter 491 - 490: Counterfeit Match?

The second round of knockouts began.

At this stage, the remaining contestants were all highly skilled, and most of the matches dragged on with fierce exchanges.

Finally, as the sun dipped low in the sky, the fourth match of the second round arrived.

It was Fenric’s turn to fight.

When his opponent, Wang Chao, stepped onto the ring, the audience erupted into cheers.

Wang Chao had delivered a dazzling performance in his first-round fight against Cao Wujin, earning himself a crowd of supporters.

As Fenric entered, however, the crowd shifted into murmurs and debate.

"Damn, of all people, he had to draw Wang Chao? Talk about bad luck."

"Yeah, I thought he had a chance to make it to the semifinals, but running into Wang Chao this early? It’s over."

"From Wang Chao’s match with Cao Wujin, you can tell he’s already at least a senior grandmaster. He’s only one step away from the innate grandmaster realm! Reaching this level at his age... he’s a true genius. Fenric can’t win."

"Don’t count him out just yet. In the last round, Wang Chao was amazing, yes, but Fenric crippled Rengei with just a finger."

"Don’t bring that up—it looked too fake! A single finger breaking Rengei’s body? I still think that was staged."

"Fake or not, we’ll know soon enough."

Most of the crowd leaned heavily in Wang Chao’s favor. Only a few sharp-eyed individuals sensed the outcome was far from certain.

Uncle Gon Family Residence

"Dad, do you think Fenric can win?" Caila asked anxiously, her eyes glued to the television.

"How would I know?" Father Gon muttered, though his gaze was fixed on the screen as well.

Caila pursed her lips. "But you used to be a great warrior, didn’t you?"

"That was many years ago."

His expression darkened, old memories flickering in his eyes. He waved off the question. "It’s been too long. My strength is long gone."

Seeing his reluctance, Caila didn’t press further. She turned back to the television, her attention unwavering.

Father Gon also fell silent, for Fenric’s match was about to begin.

Arena

On the ring, the host called out, "The two contestants, prepare to begin!"

The moment the host stepped aside, Wang Chao moved.

He leapt high, like a great roc spreading its wings, and dove at Fenric, his palm crashing downward toward Fenric’s forehead.

Fan Tianyin(*Heaven-Flipping Seal)!!

He opened with his ultimate move.

Unlike the crowd, Wang Chao clearly recognized Fenric’s danger. He intended to overwhelm him with his strongest strike from the very start.

It was the correct decision—

but he had no idea just how terrifying his opponent truly was.

Fenric merely lifted his hand and tapped lightly with one finger.

"One Finger Zen" once again!

The instant their palms met, Wang Chao’s expression twisted in shock.

It felt as though he wasn’t facing a finger at all, but the endless, boundless ocean. Power surged against him in relentless waves, swallowing him whole.

And he was but a fragile boat tossed helplessly on those waters.

In such a vast force, no martial arts or techniques mattered.

If the sea willed it, a single thought could shatter him.

Staggering back, Wang Chao retreated all the way to the edge of the ring before halting.

His eyes widened, disbelief flooding his face.

"I... lost."

After a brief silence, he muttered those words, then turned and jumped off the stage, forfeiting the match.

"!!?"

The entire stadium erupted into chaos.

"What the hell? Did Wang Chao just surrender?!"

"What’s going on? Why would he give up like that?"

"All it took was one finger, and Wang Chao quit?!"

"No way! That’s too fake!"

"Yeah, beating Rengei with one finger was barely believable. Now Wang Chao too? This reeks of a rigged fight!"

"Where the hell did this Fenric come from? Did he really convince Rengei and Wang Chao to act with him?"

"If you’re going to stage a play, at least make it convincing! Do they think we’re idiots?"

"This guy must have powerful backing. Maybe he’s the pampered child of some martial arts association, using the tournament to polish his name!"

"Whatever his background, this is unacceptable! Boycott fake matches!"

"Yeah! Boycott the fake match!"

"Throw him out!"

At first, only a handful of spectators shouted. But soon, the chant spread like wildfire.

"Boycott the fake match!"

"Boycott the fake match!"

The roar echoed throughout the stadium, faces twisted with outrage.

On the VIP platform, the municipal leaders’ expressions turned ugly. Even they suspected foul play. Some whispered about ordering a strict investigation.

Fortunately, several martial experts with keen perception leaned forward to explain. "This was no fake. Wang Chao’s surrender was wise. The strength of the young man Elder Xiao recommended is... unfathomable."

Even so, the tension was boiling over.

The host hurried back on stage, trying to salvage the situation.

"Everyone, please calm down. I assure you, there are no fake matches in this tournament! As for Wang Chao’s decision, surrendering is his own freedom. Now, let us welcome Contestants No. 9 and No. 10!"

He quickly shifted attention to the next match. "Our No. 10 contestant is none other than the general manager of Haisheng Group! I believe everyone here is familiar with his name. Let’s cheer them on!"

The move worked. The crowd’s anger slowly subsided as curiosity turned to the next fight.

Backstage

Wang Chao had barely stepped in when a middle-aged man intercepted him.

"Chao, what was that? Why did you suddenly admit defeat?"

This man, also surnamed Wang, was his cousin and had taken on the role of assistant for the tournament. His true motive was to leverage Wang Chao’s fame for business promotion.

He had hoped Wang Chao would at least reach the national finals, where he could endorse products and wear custom uniforms with their brand emblazoned across the back.

But now, Wang Chao had quit in only the second round.

Seeing Wang Chao’s silence, the man grew furious. "Say something! Do you realize how much Grandpa expects from you?!"

At that, Wang Chao’s face hardened. "My business is none of yours. As for Grandpa, I’ll explain it myself."

Leaving those words behind, he turned to go.

"Don’t walk away from me! Were you paid off by that Fenric to throw the match?!" the man shouted angrily. "I’ll tell Grandpa everything and see how you explain yourself then!"

But what he failed to notice—

was the thin trickle of blood seeping from Wang Chao’s right palm.

----

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