chapter 28 Making up the numbers (Part 1)

The ring was set up outdoors, and under the illumination of several groups of strong lights, it appeared as bright as day. Nolan Chu, accompanied by Caleb Lu and several other martial arts masters, faced Jaxon Ye, Dominic Yan, and the boxer they brought at the front of the ring. Andrew Qi glanced at “Mr. Ye,” Jaxon Ye, who was in his forties. Although he was from a collateral branch of the Ye family, he was an internal strength martial artist. His aura was not much weaker than Nolan Chu's, but he lacked Nolan Chu's innate iron-blooded aura, instead, his face bore a more sinister aspect. As for Dominic Yan, he was just a pawn, unaware of his role. His arm was wrapped in bandages, yet he was still in high spirits, probably thinking Jaxon Ye had come to stand up for him. The boxer brought by Jaxon Ye, though his face was mostly hidden under a black cloak, radiated a murderous aura, indicating that he was a killer that had taken many lives! After the greetings, Nolan Chu went straight to the point, “Jaxon Ye, where are the other two boxers of yours? Are they too scared to show up?” A mocking laughter sounded. Jaxon Ye, however, was indifferent, snorting coldly, “The person I've brought is enough! Any of your three boxers can challenge him, and if any of them defeats him, you win! But Nolan Chu, don't say I didn't warn you, be prepared to handle the corpses!” “Did you hear that, Nolan Chu? One is enough for us! ― Hey, didn’t you also bring one to make the numbers?” Dominic Yan, whose arm had been disabled by Nolan Chu, naturally didn’t miss the chance to mock Nolan Chu, referring to Andrew Qi. Nolan Chu, as if he hadn’t seen Dominic Yan, surprisingly didn’t respond. As for Andrew Qi, he was even less likely to pay attention to someone like Dominic Yan. “Look carefully later, Nolan Chu!” Dominic Yan said, somewhat self-mockingly. “I can’t wait any longer, who will face me!” At that moment, the boxer in the black cloak jumped onto the ring, and tore off his cloak, revealing a black vest and numerous crisscross scars on his shoulders and arms, exuding a murderous aura like a lethal weapon. Only then did everyone clearly see the boxer's face. Nolan Chu suddenly frowned, recognizing the man, “This is Charson Lian! ― Jaxon Ye, your Ye family is really impressive, daring to recruit a wanted criminal!” Charson Lian, one of the top fighters of the Bamboo Union Gang in Gulf Island Province, was wanted for multiple murders and had fled the island. Nolan Chu had heard from his friends of the police force of Jiang district to keep an eye out for him, not expecting Charson Lian to have joined Jaxon Ye! “Well spotted, Nolan Chu!” Jaxon Ye clapped his hands, yet dismissively said, “What has his killing and arson, got to do with us? The important thing is that he can work for me now! Nolan Chu, are you scared?” “Let me meet him!” After receiving a signal from Caleb Lu, Daniel Sun had already stepped up to fight. Caleb Lu had bet heavily this time, as he had no choice. His land in Xia Yang City was coveted by Jaxon Ye, who had named it for the bet. He couldn’t appear cowardly, but the land was worth over a hundred million, so how could Caleb Lu not be anxious! Fortunately, the opponent had only one boxer. First, Daniel Sun would probe him with Tai Chi, depleting the opponent's strength. Tai Chi, being both offensive and defensive, might not defeat Charson Lian, but it could at least stall for some time, creating an opportunity for Keith Liu. As for Andrew Qi, Caleb Lu didn't have any expectations for this student! “I am Daniel Sun from Xia Yang City's Tai Ping Martial Arts School. May I know your name―” “What’s the use of this talk! Be prepared to be crushed!” Charson Lian, bearing many lives on his hands, was heavily influenced by his murderous spirit, like a cultivator’s inner demon. At that moment, Charson Lian, who had not seen blood for many days, was already eager. As soon as Daniel Sun stepped up, he lunged forward with a cannon punch aimed directly at Daniel Sun's forehead, a lethal move right from the start! Daniel Sun raised his arms to block the punch, employing the fullness of Tai Chi. Boom! – At their first exchange, Daniel Sun’s arms were blasted open by the opponent's fist strength, numbing his arms. “Internal strength fully achieved!” Daniel Sun was shocked. The opponent was a master of full internal strength and also an experienced fighter. The situation was more likely to be dangerous than lucky. He could only defend with all his might, depleting the opponent's internal strength to create an opportunity for Keith Liu. “Get down!” Charson Lian was a real killer, a top fighter of Black Gang, who had experienced numerous death fights in the underground boxing world. He could easily see through Daniel Sun's intention. As he blasted Daniel Sun's arms open with internal strength, his fist continued along the centreline, landing a hand chop of the Kyokushin Karate of Ichi-Nichi Island, on Daniel Sun's chest. Crack! – The sound of breaking ribs echoed as Daniel Sun was flung from the ring, crashing heavily to the ground, blood spewing from his mouth, his life hanging by a thread. Although death and injury were common in underground boxing, a scenario where blood was drawn in two moves was still rare. Some spectators hadn’t even clearly seen what happened, probably having to wait to see the recording later. “Master Sun― hurry and get him medical help!” Caleb Lu almost exploded with rage. Daniel Sun was a helper which he had invited for a high price, and he was defeated in one move, with his life hanging by a thread. At that time, Charson Lian laughed coldly on the stage, “My master said, these martial artists of the mainland, raised like pigs and sheep by the state for decades, have lost their fighting spirit, and are no longer as brave as before! Truly a pushover ― your turn now!” Charson Lian pointed at Keith Liu. As a well-known boxer, Keith Liu naturally couldn’t avoid the fight, even though he knew his chances of winning were slim. “Master Liu, where there’s life, there’s hope. If you cannot win, just admit defeat,” Isaiah Lin whispered to Keith Liu, seeing that Charson Lian's internal strength was above Keith Liu’s. Isaiah Lin, being a martial artist himself, understood this naturally. More importantly, Charson Lian was an assassin, while both Daniel Sun and Keith Liu were merely boxers. “Master Liu, it’s all up to you now!” Caleb Lu had just sent Daniel Sun away and now had to pin all his hopes on Keith Liu. Keith Liu nodded slightly, leapt onto the ring, bowed with cupped hands, and immediately started a fierce offensive move with powerful steps! Bang! Bang! Bang! – Keith Liu exerted force with each step, each sounding like a war drum, each stronger than the last. With his feet exerting force, fists releasing power, he was controlling all directions with his palm! It appeared that Keith Liu’s internal strength was even above Daniel Sun’s! But Andrew Qi, Nolan Chu, Isaiah Lin, and others saw that Keith Liu lacked confidence, hence his aggressive start, hoping to use the ferocity of the Eight Extremes Fist to repel the opponent. “Not bad! But do you not know the origin of my master’s ‘Eight-Arm Iron Fist’?” Charson Lian laughed wildly, also using the Eight Extremes Fist, even more vigorously than Keith Liu, and with a bloody aura! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! – Crack! – The two exchanged rapid blows. After a moment, they separated, with Keith Liu kneeling on one knee, one hand on the ground, the other covering his chest, several of his ribs broken by Charson Lian, and his spleen injured. “Mainland boxers, with just this level of strength!” Charson Lian sneered, his foot aiming a kick at Keith Liu's forehead. “Stop―” Just then, a sharp shout erupted from below the stage, a powerful divine consciousness stabbing at Charson Lian's brain, forcing him to retract his leg and concentrate fully on facing this formidable enemy!