Chapter 1333 - 1309: Battle of the Wager (Part 3)

Chapter 1333: Chapter 1309: Battle of the Wager (Part 3)

Time continued to slow down, and everyone was filled with awe and trepidation at this extraordinary battle. They were both shocked and surprised!

Today, Chu Qi’s bizarre boxing technique was executed to perfection. He had never imagined a day like this would come, where he would fully display his self-created boxing skills. Typically, most people could withstand at most the second wave before meeting their demise, yet the person before him was merely superficially wounded.

Despite his astonishment, Chu Qi couldn’t help but be curious about Xiao Lin’s true capabilities. To what extent could this person be strong? If he couldn’t defeat him here, he worried for the condemned prisoners—even though many among them were skilled fighters and were evenly matched, facing Xiao Lin alone was already difficult. Facing so many experts, the ones at a disadvantage would undoubtedly be the prisoners.

Though pondering over this, his skills didn’t falter. Taking a deep breath, Chu Qi elevated his True Qi to a higher level, his fists began a slow movement between his chest and abdomen, lower than the previous position where he started, blending inner and outer strength.

Xiao Lin seemed accustomed to Chu Qi’s simplistic moves, anticipating complexity and variation behind this attack. Xiao Lin was adept at using illusions to win, hiding endless changes and power behind simplicity.

Chu Qi, breath held, continuously augmented his strength, like a sponge absorbing the atmospheric energy, and finally unleashed a terrifying roar, charging toward where Xiao Lin stood.

Bang bang bang!

Their speed was now impossible to be clearly seen with the naked eye. Previously, one could still see a blur, but now it could only be described as a powerful wind sweeping through the confined space, causing everyone to retreat in fear of being inadvertently caught by that gust.

The successive blaring impacts resounded like pounding on everyone’s heart. Mere listening made breathing difficult—let alone imagining the result of the two truly battling in the field.

Under such an internal organ-affecting impact, Chu Qi felt a surge of blood inside, intolerable. Strands of fresh blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, his complexion flushed, while his attire was now tattered. His body was covered with ruptured muscles from the impact, presenting a horrifying sight—several places had fractured bones exposed, indicating multiple bones had been forcefully broken.

"Chu Qi, do you wish to continue?" Xiao Lin stood with his palms poised, asking Chu Qi.

With closed eyes, Chu Qi spat out a mouthful of bloody froth and shook his head.

"Alright!" Chu Qi shook his head not for surrender but signifying continuation. Xiao Lin suddenly charged forward, his tightly clenched fists gathering power, fiercely blocking Chu Qi’s incoming fist, striking brutally toward his chest.

Chu Qi had overlooked one thing; throughout the entire match, Xiao Lin had never formally attacked. So when Xiao Lin initiated an offensive, Chu Qi immediately felt his inadequacy.

Bam!

The overwhelming force cascaded like a tidal wave from the point of impact, spreading in all directions. Chu Qi couldn’t describe the feeling of being hit by Xiao Lin’s punch—it sent him flying, and the power he had concentrated in his legs was immediately shattered by this punch.

When everyone thought Xiao Lin would stop there, they were mistaken! As Chu Qi flew backwards, Xiao Lin advanced toward him with incomparable speed, trailing after Chu Qi with residual shadows—a fierce intent to take him down.

However, Chu Qi wasn’t easily defeated. He pushed against the ground with his hands, bouncing back up, and without his feet landing, he was already swinging his fists in counter-attack against Xiao Lin.

Bam! Chu Qi’s rapid reflexes were practically perfect but ultimately too hasty; in the sudden pounding, he was still forced back to his original position by Xiao Lin’s power.

Xiao Lin sneered coldly, his fists turned into claws, diving down like an eagle, gripping Chu Qi’s left shoulder, while his feet slashed toward Chu Qi’s left side abdomen.

Having no strength to resist, Chu Qi let out a scream, as a patch of flesh was sliced from his shoulder by Xiao Lin’s claws, exposing terrifying white bone.

A cracking sound, Xiao Lin’s hands twisted over the exposed bone, swiftly moving downward, using force to break Chu Qi’s left arm with dislocation.

Chu Qi’s left arm was effectively useless, hanging limp from his shoulder, blood gushing out, dripping down to the ground.

The unimaginable pain surged from his left arm throughout his entire body, evoking cries of agony from Chu Qi.

Xiao Lin coolly glanced at him, showing no mercy, believing he had already given Chu Qi a chance, but having declined, Chu Qi must now bear the resolve to endure till the end.

With a powerful push, both hands struck towards Chu Qi’s chest, sending him flying backward again and crashing into the crowd of onlookers.

The people caught up in the commotion fell to the ground from the force, and the slightly less skilled assassins spat out a mouthful of blood before stabilizing their energy and blood flow.

However, everyone was holding on to one thought - was it truly over just like that?

Of course not. Just as everyone was speculating, Chu Qi struggled to get up from the ground. He placed one hand on his fractured arm, using the strength of the other hand to charge towards Xiao Lin. He intended to use this completely numb arm to counter Xiao Lin’s attack.

"Is he crazy?" Lao Jiu exclaimed in astonishment; at this rate, that arm would be completely ruined.

Ye Lu Shou also sensed Chu Qi’s intention, but he believed Xiao Lin would not end it so easily.

Chu Qi turned his fists into feet, the sudden change of stance caught Xiao Lin off guard. While he had to attend to his arm, he also had to fend off Chu Qi’s rock-solid kicks, which left him somewhat flustered, restricting his movements.

The sudden shift in the situation drew gasps and cheers from the crowd. In their eyes, this was a true battle, exciting and visually striking.

Continuing would only exhaust both of their Inner Strength further, and if Chu Qi’s already broken arm wasn’t treated soon, it would become a permanent injury, reducing his dual-arm combat prowess. Many wanted to stop Chu Qi, but watching his increasingly fierce attacks, Xiao Lin frowned.

"Chu Qi, don’t force me to kill you." Xiao Lin said in a low voice; for someone so persistent, words had no effect.

Chu Qi didn’t listen; he continued stepping forward towards a target with his powerful legs. Xiao Lin shook his head, lifted his right leg, and swept it violently at the moment Chu Qi was a step away, hitting his left leg. Chu Qi, losing balance, was sent flying by Xiao Lin’s force.

The Black Doctor seemed to notice Xiao Lin’s intent. As Chu Qi attempted to attack again, he blocked him, grabbing his left arm and pulling it towards himself, causing Chu Qi to scream in pain once more.

Numbness does not mean lack of pain, the Black Doctor taught Chu Qi this lesson while still gripping his wrist. "If you want to destroy both of your arms, I won’t stop you."

Chu Qi stared blankly at the Black Doctor, then looked at Xiao Lin, and finally knelt before them with a thud. "I lost!" Indeed, in this battle, he was utterly convinced of his defeat. Xiao Lin’s strength lay not only in his skills but also in his heart.

Xiao Lin walked up to Chu Qi. "Chu Qi, you are a worthy opponent. The Black Doctor will take care of you." He patted the Black Doctor’s shoulder, knowing with him around, Chu Qi’s arm would be alright. He had been careful not to damage any nerves, just that it looked bad.

"Xiao Lin!" Chu Qi shouted from behind.

"Once you’re better, we’ll talk again!" Xiao Lin waved his hand without turning back and swaggered out of the tenth floor. He knew that this event would inspire even those who once thought of leaving the underground city to stay.

Xiao Lin found some medicine for external injuries on the seventh floor and treated his wound. Although it would heal on its own soon because of his body’s peculiarity, he was reluctant for many to know.

A raven seemed to smell his blood and quietly poked its head through the gap in the door, its nose still twitching. Xiao Lin, seeing its sly expression, smiled. He thought about sending the raven to the Assassin Group to accompany Xia Xue, but Xia Xue insisted he was content with Consort Ling’s company.

However, Xiao Lin sometimes wondered if it was right to take such impulsive risks. For Liu Yi, the leader of the Assassin Group, he always felt some close connection with him, which Xiao Zhenfeng’s tone seemed to confirm, despite his constant denials. Yet, Xiao Lin sensed the connection was more than it seemed.

Even when Ye Lu Shou had killed members of the Assassin Group and faced execution, this bond had been destined. Having killed those members on several occasions, Xiao Lin should have been pursued long ago, but he never saw the moment Liu Yi genuinely wanted him dead. At his current strength, he was no match for Liu Yi, who had every opportunity to kill him, yet didn’t. Were those excuses merely excuses, or was there another reason?

Xiao Lin stroked the raven’s head and lit a cigarette. His wound on the right palm remained open, and the raven licked at the blood with its tongue. The Black Doctor didn’t think it wise to keep feeding the raven his blood. Initially intended to tame the beast, it seemed unnecessary now to control it with his blood.

The beast had its nature, and the raven, having recognized Xiao Lin as its master, would be his lifelong guardian.

Without Sire Four’s interference, finding Mu Rongyun became exceedingly difficult. The longer Mu Rongyun remained hidden, the more uneasy Xiao Lin felt. Outside the boundaries of Sin City, another enemy needed to be dealt with. Feeling agitated, he ascended to the eighth floor with the raven. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Readers on mobile, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)