Iron Mask

Xu Manli brought Fang Mo back to the office and had him sign an agreement.

"Young Master Fang, according to our arena rules, your current combat ranking in our boxing gym is only entry-level. Each fight pays one thousand, with another thousand as a reward for victory. Additionally, if you die in battle or are crippled, it has nothing to do with our Martial Hall!"

"No problem?"

Fang Mo signed the agreement directly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Good, the contract is signed. Young Master Fang, choose a mask, then come up with a title!"

Xu Manli pulled aside a curtain on the wall, revealing numerous masks of all colors and shapes. They were all made of soft leather and covered only the eyes, like Zorro's mask.

Fang Mo swept his gaze over them, took down a glossy black eye mask from the wall, and put it on.

Xu Manli stared at Fang Mo, momentarily stunned. Fang Mo was actually rather handsome now. He had not been unattractive to begin with, but with the mask on, he gained a touch of mystery—especially those eyes beneath it, so pure they made one's heart tremble.

Ahem, ahem!

Xu Manli gave two light coughs. "Young Master Fang, choose a name!"

"Iron Mask."

Fang Mo looked calmly at himself in the mirror.

"Good. From today onward, Young Master Fang's codename at our Iron Stone Boxing Gym will be Iron Mask!"

Xu Manli smiled. "From now on, I'll be the only one who knows you are Iron Mask. Please keep your mask on. I'll arrange for someone to take you to the lounge. Our arena fights won't begin until eight, so get some proper rest first!"

Fang Mo nodded. Xu Manli called someone over and had Fang Mo taken away.

They reached an elevator inside, and it went down again, apparently descending two more floors to the fourth level. When the elevator opened, Fang Mo was led through a passage into a room.

"Mr. Iron Mask, please rest here. There is food and drink here, as well as a restroom. When it is your turn, we will arrange for someone to bring you into the arena!"

said the staff member responsible for guiding him.

"Thank you."

Fang Mo thanked him. The staff member withdrew, and the door shut.

Fang Mo surveyed the room. Across from the door was a glass window half a meter high and a meter long. Neon lights flashed outside, accompanied by intense music. He walked over and looked through the window, seeing an iron-cage arena surrounded by tiered seating and booths.

At that moment, several scantily clad women inside the cage were dancing wildly, while the men and women in the booths danced along with them.

"Whether on Earth or here, entertainment doesn't seem to have changed much!"

Fang Mo could not help sighing at the sight. In his previous life, he too had devoted himself to cultivation, but he had needed to make a living, so he had worked in sales and run a company. He was no stranger to this sort of thing—it was all the same routine.

After watching for a while, he sat cross-legged and regulated his breathing. He needed to keep himself at his absolute peak.

The music outside remained wild, with excited screams from men and women ringing out from time to time. He closed his eyes, detached from all external things.

In Xu Manli's office, she was looking at a file on her computer, reading it carefully.

"Fang Mo! Fang Mo! The useless young master of the Fang Family—interesting!"

An unexpected smile appeared on Xu Manli's face. "Everyone thought he had no Bone Structure for martial arts. Who would have thought he still chose to walk the martial path!" She tapped lightly with her finger. The file disappeared, replaced by an image of Fang Mo sitting cross-legged.

"His mindset is not bad. I'd like to see whether you can give me a little surprise!"

A smile appeared on her face again. She had become somewhat interested in Fang Mo.

"Manager Xu, the arena fights are about to begin!"

A staff member entered and reported.

"I know!"

Xu Manli stood up. The smile vanished from her face, replaced by a stern majesty. She straightened her clothes and walked out. "Make arrangements for that Iron Mask. Find a weaker martial artist to fight him. Don't let him get crippled in the first match!"

"Yes, Manager Xu!"

the staff member replied.

Fang Mo had no idea that Xu Manli had already investigated his background. As the organizers, it was impossible for them not to investigate the origins of those participating in the matches. They had to understand the fighters' information to guard against unforeseen factors.

For example, if some young master from a major family came to fight and got injured or killed, it would be troublesome if anyone came seeking accountability afterward.

No one knew how long passed before the music suddenly stopped, and Fang Mo slowly opened his eyes.

"Dear friends, welcome to Iron Stone. Our boxing matches are about to begin, so please get ready!"

At that moment, a voice came through the speakers in the room.

Fang Mo stood up and went to the glass window. From where he stood, he could see the iron cage clearly.

Fang Mo was surprised to discover that there had previously been less than half the crowd present, but now the place was packed. Nearly every booth was full.

A potbellied middle-aged man stood inside the iron cage, his hair slicked back with oil as he waved excitedly.

"Everyone, there will be five matches today! Violent Wolf will also participate in his nineteenth fight, bringing you a thrilling battle between Mingjin Martial Artists!"

Thunderous cheers immediately erupted from the stands.

"Violent Wolf!"

"Violent Wolf!"

Fang Mo felt his own blood stir as he listened. He was lucky today—there would actually be a battle between Mingjin Martial Artists. He could observe it for himself.

"Next up, the first match!"

"Our fighters are Chasing Wind, whose leg techniques are invincible, and Iron Fist, whose iron fists shake mountains!"

"Cheer! Please welcome our two fighters to the stage!"

The host roared excitedly. Two names immediately lit up on the big screen, along with their strength profiles.

"Chasing Wind: Strength Training Realm. Trained for one year. Proficient in Chasing Wind Leg. Leg strength: 380 kilograms. Seven fights, seven victories!"

"Iron Fist: Strength Training Realm. Trained for one year. Proficient in Iron Thread Fist. Fist strength: 350 kilograms. Two fights, two victories!"

Fang Mo's expression turned grave as he studied the introductions. Both of them were stronger than him!

At that moment, the stage lights shone down while the surroundings fell into darkness. The two men entered the iron cage through separate passageways.

Chasing Wind was tall and lean, especially his long, powerful legs. Iron Fist was not tall, but his arms were thick and strong, his body packed with hard, corded muscle. They stepped onto the stage and stood a meter apart.

"Betting will remain open for thirty seconds!"

the host shouted.

Tablets lit up one after another in the private booths around the stands, casting light over face after face as people operated them.

"Betting is closed!"

At the host's shout, everyone in the stands put away their tablets.

"The rules of the match: if one side admits defeat, the battle ends, and the opponent may not attack. If no surrender is declared, the fight is considered ongoing!"

The host looked at the two men in the iron cage and called out loudly:

"Do you understand?"

The two nodded at the same time.

"Close the cage!"

With a sweep of the host's hand, the iron cage door was immediately shut, and two burly men locked it.

The venue fell silent in an instant. The two men in the iron cage stood facing one another, their eyes meeting as sharp glints flickered within them.

Fang Mo watched intently as well. This was a real fight.

"Kill!"

Chasing Wind suddenly let out a thunderous roar and moved first. His feet tapped rapidly, his body like a galloping horse as he closed the distance in an instant. A whipping kick lashed toward Iron Fist's head, carrying a howling gale.

"So fast!"

Fang Mo narrowed his eyes. That kick was swift as lightning. Judging by the force of the wind it produced, it was probably already very close to Ming Jin.

Ha!

At that moment, Iron Fist let out a roar, planted his feet in a horse stance, and threw out a punch.

Bang!

The kick struck against the back of Iron Fist's hand with a muffled thud. Iron Fist's body swayed as he took a step to the side, while Chasing Wind landed and immediately tapped off the ground again, spinning his body into another roundhouse kick aimed at Iron Fist's face.

Iron Fist roared and fired a straight punch, blocking the other man's foot. But Chasing Wind landed and pressed in again, his legs launching a relentless chain of kicks.

Each kick was faster than the last, each one heavier than the one before. Iron Fist blocked them again and again, and a continuous series of bangs immediately rang out across the stage.

Cheers rose from the stands from time to time, and some women screamed excitedly. Yet the two men onstage fought fiercely, moving all across the arena.

Fang Mo's blood began to boil as well. This was a true battle—so thrilling! Only by enduring battles like this could one become a true martial artist.

"Wind Sweeps the Clouds!"

A furious shout rang out as Chasing Wind spun through the air, both legs sweeping toward Iron Fist.

"They're about to decide the victor!"

Fang Mo's heart tightened, and light flashed in his eyes.