Life and Death Match

"Close the cage!"

With a shout, the iron gate slammed shut.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense, and the driving music surged along with it, stirring the crowd's emotions.

Fang Mo shifted slightly, stepping forward with his right foot and assuming the Tiger Subduing Stance.

His body rose and fell faintly in sync with his breathing, like a ferocious tiger preparing to hunt.

Guan Lu's eyes lit up sharply. Having received the true teachings of Tiger Subduing Fist, she could tell at a glance that Fang Mo's stance was authentic.

It was definitely not the watered-down version of Tiger Subduing Fist taught outside.

Mountain Breaking Claw rose onto one knee, spread his arms, hooked both claws outward, and assumed the Flying Eagle Stance, like an eagle about to soar into the sky.

The two locked eyes, their gazes sharp enough to strike sparks. Everyone held their breath as they watched.

Screech!

Mountain Breaking Claw suddenly let out a piercing howl. The shrill sound drowned out the music and stabbed at everyone's eardrums.

He stomped down, and his body truly seemed to take flight like an eagle, pouncing straight at Fang Mo with both claws aimed at his face.

Fang Mo moved at the same instant. He stepped forward and used Erlang Carries Mountain, swinging both palms to knock aside the incoming eagle claws. The force was like striking steel, numbing his arms. Ignoring the pain, he shook his hands, and White Snake Flicking Tongue shot straight for his opponent's throat.

His opponent's claws suddenly flipped downward and clamped onto Fang Mo's arms. Those fingers were like steel talons—if they got a firm grip, his arms might be ruined.

Fang Mo had no choice but to withdraw his move and shake his arms, jolting the other man's arms away.

Riiip!

His sleeve was still torn open, several claw marks appearing on his arm.

Fang Mo kicked up from below with a Heaven Ascending Kick. Mountain Breaking Claw pressed down with both claws, blocking the kick as he retreated, while Fang Mo also backed away several steps to widen the distance.

His arms burned with pain. If he had been any slower, it would not have been merely skin that was injured.

"Again!"

Mountain Breaking Claw gave a savage grin, spread his arms, and swooped in once more, his claws flashing like lightning.

Without a word, Fang Mo met him head-on. He countered every move as it came, using palms, claws, fists, and fingers—chopping, striking, grabbing, and jabbing—displaying the subtleties of Tiger Subduing Fist to the fullest.

His opponent, meanwhile, clawed, buckled, pinched, seized, flipped, smashed, hooked, and dragged, each move aimed directly at Fang Mo's vital points, never straying from his throat, heart, ribs, and groin.

At times, he used Tendon Dislocation, trying to wrench Fang Mo's arms apart.

This was the most difficult fight Fang Mo had faced since he began fighting—even harder than the one against War Bear.

Whether in skill or speed, his opponent surpassed him. Fang Mo was fighting with great difficulty, completely restrained.

Fang Mo's clothes had been torn in many places, and both his arms were covered in wounds.

Quite a bit of blood had already stained them. If not for the experience from his previous life and the deflecting techniques of Tai Chi Intent, his arms would surely have been crippled by now.

"Go, Iron Mask! Beat him!"

"Iron Mask, I bet a hundred thousand on you! If you lose, I'll get someone to chop you to pieces!"

"Mountain Breaking Claw, put some strength into it! Beat him, and I'll tip a thousand!"

The audience shouted excitedly from the stands. Some cheered for Fang Mo, while others rooted for Mountain Breaking Claw. Money and liquor bottles were thrown down from time to time, smashing against the iron cage.

"Senior Sister Guan, do you think Iron Mask can hold on?"

Chu Silin asked anxiously. After all, their opponent also practiced Tiger Subduing Fist, so naturally they hoped Iron Mask would win.

"Difficult!"

Guan Lu shook her head gravely. "This Iron Mask is quite a bit weaker than his opponent. Eagle Claw Technique truly is tyrannical. His defeat is only a matter of time!"

Her eyes remained fixed on Fang Mo. For some reason, Iron Mask seemed more and more like Fang Mo to her.

"Don't you think this Iron Mask looks a little like someone from our Martial Hall?"

At that moment, Chen Song suddenly said with a furrowed brow.

Guan Lu's expression shifted slightly at his words, and she abruptly looked at Chen Song, though she did not ask anything.

"Someone from our Martial Hall?"

"Who?"

"How come I can't see it?"

Liu Shiwu asked in surprise, one question after another.

"Don't you think he looks like that sullen mule, Fang Mo?"

Chen Song said, frowning.

Guan Lu's eyes brightened as well. She had not expected someone else to feel the same way. Could this person really be Fang Mo?

"Now that you mention it, he really does look a bit like him!"

Liu Shiwu stared at Fang Mo on the stage, then shook his head with a laugh.

"Probably not. How could Fang Mo's strength possibly compare to this Iron Mask's? The difference is far too great!"

"It couldn't be him. Fang Mo didn't even dare spar—how could it possibly be him!"

Chu Silin spoke with the same firm conviction.

At her words, Guan Lu's eyes flickered as well. Iron Mask's image didn't match Fang Mo's at all!

Could it really have been her illusion? More than anything, she simply believed Iron Mask could not possibly be Fang Mo.

How could someone without Bone Structure possess such combat strength so quickly?

"Iron Mask is going to lose!"

Just then, Chi Jing suddenly said calmly.

Everyone hurriedly looked over, and their expressions changed at once.

"Eagle Soaring Over Sea of Clouds!"

In the arena, Mountain Breaking Claw seemed to have been enraged. He let out a shrill roar, lunged forward, spun, and raked his claws toward Fang Mo's vital points.

Fang Mo could only retreat again and again as he blocked. With one misstep, his chest was torn open by the eagle claws. His clothes split apart, and five bloody gashes appeared across his chest. Before Fang Mo could react, the opponent's other claw went straight for his throat.

Fang Mo reached out and grabbed the other man's wrist, but with a flip of his palm, his opponent locked onto Fang Mo's wrist instead.

"Fall for me!"

Mountain Breaking Claw bellowed as his clawed hand clenched violently.

His fingers were like steel and iron; they could tear through Fang Mo's tendons.

Fang Mo hurriedly used Tai Chi Cloud Hands, turning and redirecting to dissolve the claw technique. Yet his opponent was surprisingly familiar with it and followed up by pressing downward, refusing to let him break free.

"Stabbing Leg!"

Fang Mo raised his leg and kicked out. Mountain Breaking Claw kicked as well, and both struck the other in the abdomen. The tremendous force sent them both flying apart, stumbling backward.

Fang Mo only stopped after crashing into the iron cage!

The back of his hand burned with pain. It was covered in blood, marked by five deep claw wounds.

"Bleurgh!"

Fang Mo opened his mouth and spat out bitter fluid streaked with blood. He felt as though his intestines had been kicked apart.

His heart sank. He had already used all his strength.

Yet he was still no match for his opponent. Today, he was going to fall here.

"Young Master Chen, winning this ten million was rather easy!"

In the private room, Qin Yuanping laughed smugly. The last time had cost him ten million; at last, he had reclaimed his honor.

"The outcome has yet to be decided!"

Chen Yeming smiled faintly, but his eyes were dark. The hand gripping his glass unconsciously tightened.

"Young Master Chen, there's no shame in admitting defeat!"

Qin Yuanping looked thoroughly pleased, gently swirling the red wine in his hand. "Mountain Breaking Claw practices Iron Shirt. That kick couldn't hurt him at all, while this Iron Mask can't even stand up anymore. How could he possibly avoid defeat?"

Chen Yeming said lightly:

"Until the moment of surrender, anything is possible!"

Qin Yuanping's eyes cooled slightly. "Then let's see the result!"

At that moment, in another room, Xu Manqing's gaze was complicated. Fang Mo's predicament this time had been caused by her. She pressed her communicator.

"Manager Fu, be ready to stop the match. Don't let anyone get killed!"

The host, a portly middle-aged man, raised his head and glanced toward Xu Manli's seat before activating his intercom.

"Manager Xu, this match cannot be stopped. It is a life-and-death match. Young Master Chen has already arranged it—only one side's death can bring it to an end!"

Xu Manli's expression changed instantly, and she said in a grave voice:

"Why wasn't I told?"

Manager Fu smiled faintly.

"Manager Xu should ask Young Master Chen about that!"

Xu Manli froze at his words. She cut off the communication and looked at Fang Mo inside the iron cage. A trace of reluctance flashed through her eyes as she murmured, "I hope you won't blame me!"