Flower Burial

The convoy drove down the street and pulled into the underground parking lot of North Wind Arena.

Arena security had sealed off the underground parking lot in advance, leaving it completely empty.

The door of the lead car opened. Kitano Yama stepped out and walked over to the second car.

Its door opened.

The butler emerged first and nodded toward the car. Five burly men in black then climbed out, holding up a limp body.

The body was, of course, Xia Lin.

He was as limp as a noodle, stark naked and pale, with cold sweat seeping from his pores. A strange smell wafted off him.

The smell made Kitano Yama frown and take half a step away from Xia Lin.

Looking at Xia Lin, who had been worked over until he was barely alive, Kitano Yama nodded in satisfaction and turned to the butler.

"You're sure he's finished?"

"I'm sure," the butler answered.

After all, the butler was a professional at this sort of thing.

He continued, "Before he goes onstage, give him another hundred milliliters of Enchanted Dream. He'll be able to move freely, and outsiders won't notice anything wrong."

"But under the effects of Enchanted Dream, there's no way he'll be able to use that method of opening subspace and taking out missiles."

Kitano Yama nodded in satisfaction.

At Xia Lin's level, without his Subspace Missile Bombardment Fist, he couldn't possibly stand up to the other Fierce Martial Arts fighters.

"What about the referee, the host, and the commentators?"

"They've all been bought off."

With that, everything was ready.

Kitano Yama smiled in satisfaction.

"Let's go in."

At that moment, North Mountain Arena was packed with people, every seat occupied.

And as Kitano Yama headed to the arena, a series of arousing moans suddenly rang out in his private box.

Inside the box, a naked man and woman were entwined.

The woman was Suzuki Wan, the young lady of the Suzuki Consortium.

The other was Xia Lin's opponent for the day, the Flower Swordsman, Flower Burial, who had just turned eighteen that year!

No one knew how long they had been going at it there.

With a low growl, they shuddered together and reached bliss.

They held each other and panted for a long while. Only then did the Flower Swordsman climb off Suzuki Wan and stand respectfully beside the sofa like a kept man, while Suzuki Wan stretched, showing off her lovely curves.

"Not bad, not bad..."

"Hua'er, you really do taste wonderful. I like you very much."

Flower Burial bowed slightly, a hint of fawning on his delicate face.

His clear voice rang out. "To be able to serve you, young lady, is a blessing I earned through three lifetimes."

Suzuki Wan yawned as she dressed.

"That flattery's too trite. I've heard those words far too many times."

Flower Burial's smile stiffened, and he was somewhat at a loss until Suzuki Wan covered her mouth and chuckled.

"But when those words come from you, Hua'er, they're different from when anyone else says them..."

That was how the world worked.

Good looks were a form of capital too.

When good-looking people and unattractive people said the same thing, the effect was different.

And naturally, good-looking people could also receive certain other privileges and help.

By the time Suzuki Wan had finished dressing, Flower Burial had poured some red wine and brought it to her.

Taking the wine, Suzuki Wan walked to the window and looked outside. A sea of people and the spectacular arena came into view.

"I've arranged everything."

"Just go up there and perform as you normally would."

"As my kept man, since you want to become famous, I'll do everything I can to help you."

"But you know your own talent. You can show off in the low-level Savage Martial Arena, but you can't make it to a higher-level arena."

As Suzuki Wan spoke, Flower Burial nodded in agreement.

Then Suzuki Wan turned to look at Flower Burial, a trace of affection appearing in her eyes.

She reached out and stroked his hair, speaking softly.

"Explosive Bomb Fist is currently the most famous Fierce Martial Arts fighter in the low-level Savage Martial Arena."

"The media outlets under me have also been heavily promoting this fight these past few days. Everyone is watching."

"At the same time, I hired an online troll army to steer the discussion, saying that Explosive Bomb Fist is bound to win and you're bound to lose."

"Do you know why?"

Flower Burial nodded. "I understand the thought you put into this, young lady."

"Watching something beautiful get destroyed appeals to human nature."

"But the weak defeating the strong, an upset, and things like that appeal even more to human nature."

"Right now, everyone thinks Explosive Bomb Fist is sure to win. Once I win in spectacular fashion, I can draw all his attention to myself."

Suzuki Wan smiled and nodded. "You won't have to go to the trouble of fighting more matches in the Savage Martial Arena. That's too dangerous, and martial arts and the like are things only low-class people play with."

"Since you want to be famous, I'll make you the subject of a celebrated tale as quickly as possible."

"But let's be clear first. Once you've fought this match and become famous, I'll arrange for you to retire immediately."

"After that..."

She leaned close to Flower Burial's ear, her breath as fragrant as orchids.

Just as the mood was turning intimate again, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

Suzuki Wan frowned and told them to enter.

Kitano Yama pushed the door open and came in, nodding to Suzuki Wan.

"Everything's arranged. We can begin."

Without needing Suzuki Wan to say anything else, Flower Burial tactfully took his leave to prepare to enter the arena.

Fireworks and lights exploded across the venue.

The host's opening speech was as rousing as ever!

"First up is a rookie martial artist who has just turned eighteen, the Flower Swordsman with unparalleled beauty, Flower Burial!!"

A chorus of boos rang out, drowning out the scattered cheers until they were barely noticeable.

The platform slowly rose, bringing Flower Burial into everyone's view.

Facing the resounding boos, he slowly closed his eyes.

The stage...

And the attention of the masses.

This was what he wanted!

The boos were a little loud, but that didn't matter. He believed that after today, everyone would remember his name, Flower Burial!

"Next up is the man we've all been waiting for, Explosive Bomb Fist! Xia! Lin!"

The cheers shook the sky.

On the other side, a platform slowly rose, bringing Xia Lin up from beneath the stage. His upper body was bare, and his head hung low.

The cheers grew even louder.

No one noticed Xia Lin's body trembling slightly, and no one noticed that his eyes had turned completely blood-red.

The spectators simply cheered and jumped for joy, letting it all out!

Only a few people sighed softly, each with different thoughts.

In a shabby house in the old district, Duan Jun sat in front of the television, his phone already switched off. He could hardly hide his disappointment.

In the end, Xia Lin hadn't listened to him.

Or perhaps he had listened and taken it to heart, but ultimately hadn't been able to withstand the consortium's methods.

And now Xia Lin had appeared in the arena. Although nothing seemed wrong with him, Duan Jun knew that Xia Lin definitely wasn't normal right now!

Yang Dehai's voice sounded beside him.

"See? I told you it was no use. The consortium has too many tricks up its sleeve."

He tossed Duan Jun a can of beer and sat down beside him.

Looking at the picture on the television, he asked in puzzlement,

"By the way, why did you take the day off today? And why did you insist on dragging me along too?"

Duan Jun's lips trembled. He didn't know how to answer.

He couldn't very well say that Xia Lin had warned him, could he?

In any case, he had somehow listened to Xia Lin and taken the day off, even persuading Yang Dehai to do the same...

Duan Jun looked at Xia Lin's profile on the television and couldn't help thinking,

I listened to you. What about you?

You must have prepared something, right?