Chapter 30: Victory

"Bang!" With a dull thud, Liang Feng's compact frame was sent flying by Cao Yang’s strike. He collapsed heavily to the ground, clutching his left flank, unable to rise for a long time.

"Good! Nicely done!" Tie Xiong bellowed from ringside, while Jim, sitting beside him, couldn't help but rise to applaud.

"Finish him! Quick! Strike while he’s down!" Tie Xiong frantically urged Cao Yang to press his advantage.

Cao Yang did not pursue. Instead, he waited calmly for his opponent to recover.

Ten seconds later, Liang Feng struggled to his feet. No longer daring to underestimate Cao Yang, he began circling him, wary of committing to another attack. In the previous three exchanges, aside from his opening sneak attack that had briefly rattled Cao Yang, he had gained no ground. What mattered most was that he had been the one initiating those attacks; Cao Yang had merely been defending. If Cao Yang were to take the offensive, the outcome might be even more disastrous.

"Get in there! What are you circling for, you idiot?" the crowd jeered, urging Liang Feng to engage so they could settle their bets and get paid.

Liang Feng ignored them, his eyes locked on Cao Yang, scanning for a weakness. In truth, Cao Yang seemed to be nothing but exposed openings; he stood there as casually as any ordinary man. Yet, Liang Feng sensed these were deliberate traps intended to lure him in. Cao Yang’s loose, unrefined stance suggested he was either a grandmaster or a complete amateur. After their clash, Liang Feng didn't believe the latter, but given his age and style, he didn't look like a master either.

"Hurry up! Kill him!" Tie Xiong screamed, urging Cao Yang on.

Cao Yang’s patience was wearing thin. If this guy wasn't going to make a move, was he just going to stall forever?

"Hey, moron, I’m coming for you!"

No sooner had Cao Yang spoken than he lunged forward, a fist hurtling toward Liang Feng. A gust of wind preceded the blow. Liang Feng dared not be careless; avoiding a direct collision, he crossed his arms to shield his face.

"Boom!"

The force of the punch far exceeded Liang Feng’s expectations. He was blasted backward, slamming into the perimeter fence before hitting the floor. As he struggled to stand, a hand clamped onto his throat, hoisting him into the air. With a powerful flick of his wrist, Cao Yang swung him around twice before hurling him away.

"Bang!"

Another thunderous impact shook the cage as Liang Feng slammed into the railing, bending the metal. Agony tore through his body, as if every bone had been shattered. Just as he tried to rise, Cao Yang descended upon him like a starving tiger, pinning him down with crushing weight. Liang Feng tried to kick him away, but his legs were unresponsive, racked with pain and beyond his control.

Cao Yang pinned him effortlessly, his knee digging into Liang Feng's spine and his hand pressed firmly against his face, rendering him completely immobile.

"Good!"
"Awesome!"

Cao Yang’s fluid combination drew cheers from the entire house. Jim and Tie Xiong were ecstatic, as if they could already taste victory. Those who had bet on Liang Feng, however, cursed loudly, convinced the match was fixed and that they were being swindled.

"Do you concede?" Cao Yang asked, looking down at him.

Liang Feng remained silent. Though pinned and helpless, he grit his teeth and refused to give up.

"Kill him! Kill him!" the audience roared.

Cao Yang found himself in a dilemma. According to the rules, the fight only ended when a fighter conceded, died, or lost the ability to battle. While Liang Feng was currently pinned, he would still be capable of fighting if Cao Yang let him go. Was he really expected to kill him? They had no personal grudge; Cao Yang had no desire to take a life. Even in a place where such things were overlooked, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

He released Liang Feng and stepped back. If you won't surrender, I'll give you another chance, he thought—I'll beat you until you do.

"Are you an idiot?" Tie Xiong cursed, enraged by Cao Yang’s hesitation. What a perfect chance to kill or maim him, yet he let him up—what a soft-hearted fool!

It wasn't that Cao Yang was soft-hearted. If he had perceived Liang Feng as a formidable threat, he would have seized the opportunity to finish him. But Liang Feng’s performance convinced him that he was far superior, so he was merely indulging in a bit of sport.

Liang Feng stood up, spat out a mouthful of blood, and bowed to Cao Yang, acknowledging the second chance. He respected this young man, but on the stage, he would not surrender. Mercy was the greatest weakness in the octagon.

"Yah!" With a guttural cry, he launched himself three meters into the air, aiming a flying kick at Cao Yang’s face.

Cao Yang simply watched him, shaking his head slightly. He threw a punch, his fist moving late but arriving first, slamming into Liang Feng’s stomach. Still in mid-air, Liang Feng was sent flying backward, the force of the blow causing him to vomit his last meal.

He hit the ground with a heavy thud, curling into the shape of a shrimp, unable to rise.

Cao Yang walked over and said calmly, "You are no match for me. You are too slow."

He turned to walk away, assuming the fight was over. Suddenly, Liang Feng grabbed his calf, opened his mouth, and bit down hard!

A surge of sharp pain and anger washed over Cao Yang. He hadn't expected such a vicious, underhanded tactic.

"Let go!" Cao Yang roared.

Liang Feng only bit down harder. Cao Yang kicked his head repeatedly, but the man wouldn't release his grip. Gritting his teeth, Cao Yang delivered a heavy, decisive kick that sent Liang Feng flying. As he did, Cao Yang felt a searing pain; a chunk of his calf had been torn away, with two of Liang Feng’s teeth still embedded in his flesh.

"Damn you!" Disgusted and furious, Cao Yang realized this guy was asking for death. He channeled his strength into a final kick aimed at Liang Feng’s face, certain it would be lethal.

Yet, the foot stopped three centimeters from Liang Feng’s face.

Cao Yang saw that Liang Feng was crying. There were no sobs, only tears streaming down his face, his eyes filled with a sense of release. When Cao Yang held back, he even saw a flash of disappointment in the man’s eyes.

Cao Yang looked at him quietly, unable to fathom what was going through his opponent's mind. He truly wanted to win, but he also truly wanted to die. After the first few exchanges, he must have realized he was outmatched—why not surrender? Why suffer through this? Perhaps the cost of losing was worse than death itself.

The official stepped onto the stage, raised Cao Yang’s wrist, and announced, "Winner: Cao Yang!"

The arena erupted in chaos; some cheered, but most cursed.

Backstage, medical staff tended to the wound on Cao Yang’s calf. Liang Feng, too severely injured to walk, was loaded onto a stretcher for transport. As he passed by, he cast one last, lingering look at Cao Yang.

"Useless trash! You're a waste of medical resources!" Chen Xida, the leader of the Guangxi Gang, spat at Liang Feng.

Turning to Cao Yang, his expression shifted into a smile. "Young man, you’ve truly opened my eyes. I am Chen Xida, the boss of this district for the Guangxi Gang."

Chen Xida handed him a business card. "Let’s be friends. If you need anything in this area, give me a call. My word is all it takes."