Those Words Cut Deep

Fang Mo had struck to kill. How could such a fragile spot as the ear temple withstand it?

Mountain Breaking Claw let out a shrill scream, clutching his ears with both hands as he staggered back.

Blood streamed from his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears, making him look like a vicious ghost.

After stumbling back several steps, he crashed into the iron cage. His body bounced back, only for him to pitch stiffly forward onto the ground.

His body twitched on the floor as blood spread beneath him.

The entire venue fell deathly silent. Mountain Breaking Claw had actually lost.

The reversal left many people unable to process what had happened.

"He really won!"

Xu Manli's lovely face was also filled with shock, but it was quickly replaced by joy.

Fang Mo's survival eased much of the guilt in her heart. Only then did she realize that her palms were drenched in sweat.

"Fuck Mountain Breaking Claw! Pay me back my money!"

"He won! I bet on Iron Mask—my hundred thousand turned into a hundred and fifty thousand!"

"Iron Mask, I want to sleep with you!"

"Iron Mask, I love you!"

Some people in the stands furiously hurled bottles and cursed Mountain Breaking Claw, while others shouted in excitement. Many women, their faces flushed, screamed themselves hoarse.

Qin Yuanping's face was so gloomy it looked ready to drip water.

He wanted nothing more than to tear Mountain Breaking Claw to pieces. With such a perfect chance before him, the man had failed to press his advantage.

Instead, he had given his opponent time to recover and allowed his opponent's boxing technique to break through.

"Young Master Qin, I told you—until the very last moment, there is never a true winner or loser. I'll gladly take these ten million!"

Chen Yeming laughed heartily at Qin Yuanping.

He was in an incomparably good mood. Today had been absolutely satisfying: ten million in hand, and Qin Yuanping so angry he could spit blood.

"I should thank Young Master Qin too. I won nearly five million!"

Zhou Shaojiang said with a laugh as well.

"Don't celebrate too soon!"

Qin Yuanping forcibly suppressed his anger, the smile returning to his face as he said lightly, "This was only an appetizer. We'll see the real contest soon enough!"

"You couldn't win this match, and you won't win the next one either!"

Young Master Chen said with a smile.

A faint smile appeared on Qin Yuanping's face. "Young Master Chen, shall we make the stakes bigger?"

"How big?"

Chen Yeming smiled faintly as well. "A hundred million. Do you have it?"

Qin Yuanping swept his gaze across the boxing gym, then pointed with one finger and said:

"How about we bet the Iron Stone Boxing Gym?"

Everyone present subtly changed expression at those words. Qin Yuanping was serious?

Leaving aside the basic value of the property and renovations, Iron Stone alone generated tens of millions in revenue every year. Its valuation had to be at least two or three hundred million, yet he was directly wagering the Iron Stone Boxing Gym. What a grand gesture.

Chen Yeming had known already, but fury still rose in his heart. He said coldly:

"You want to wager my Iron Stone Boxing Gym, Young Master Qin? What are you putting up against it?"

Qin Yuanping had long since prepared for this. With a wave of his hand, a man behind him stepped forward and placed a case on the table.

With a click, Qin Yuanping opened the briefcase and turned it around to display its contents before Chen Yeming.

"This is the property deed to Lijiang Building. Is it enough to match Iron Stone?"

The crowd erupted into another stir. Qin Yuanping was truly serious this time.

Lijiang Building was an important asset of the Qin Family. The fact that he could put it up meant this was the intention of the entire Qin Family.

Zhou Shaojiang looked gravely at Chen Yeming, waiting to see what he would do.

"Young Master Chen, what, too scared now?"

Qin Yuanping asked with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"Fine, I'll take the bet!"

Chen Shaoming suddenly snapped the briefcase shut and said in a deep voice.

"They're betting! They're really betting! Have they gone mad?"

"This is no simple matter. The Chen and Qin families have brought their struggle into the open. It looks like Yunyang is truly about to see the heavens change!"

Everyone in the room discussed it in low voices.

Anyone could see the flashing blades and shadowed swords today. They had initially thought it was merely a clash between two young masters, but now it seemed to be a struggle between two factions.

"Good, Young Master Chen, how forthright. Then let us settle this once and for all!"

Qin Yuanping laughed heartily, with none of the anger of someone who had just lost ten million.

In the stands, Guan Lu watched Fang Mo walk out of the iron cage, and she rose to her feet as well.

"I'm going out for a moment!"

"Senior Sister Guan, I'll go with you!"

Chu Silin hurriedly stood up.

"No need. You stay here and watch!"

Guan Lu refused Chu Silin and quickly left the private booth, her steps somewhat hurried.

Chi Jing's eyes shifted slightly as she watched Guan Lu's departing figure. She knew what Guan Lu had gone to do.

She was surely going to confirm whether Iron Mask was Fang Mo. The corner of Chi Jing's lips lifted in faint mockery. In her view, that was simply impossible.

Guan Lu quickly left the stands and headed downstairs by way of the stairs outside.

Iron Mask had just passed beneath the stands to enter this place. He had to be in the passageway below. When she reached the lower floor, she spotted the door at once.

She hurried over and pulled at it, but it was locked.

Then she saw Iron Mask in the passageway, following a staff member deeper inside.

Guan Lu shoved at the heavy door several times, but could not force it open. Seeing Iron Mask's back about to disappear, she cried out urgently:

"Fang Mo!"

She stared fixedly at Fang Mo's back, but she was disappointed.

Fang Mo's figure vanished around the corner without even pausing.

"Did I guess wrong?"

Guan Lu's gaze was full of doubt. Somewhat disappointed, she slapped the door once and turned to leave.

What she did not know was that Fang Mo had heard her call. He had merely happened to reach the corner; his steps paused slightly, but he did not stop.

Fang Mo did not know who had called him. The voice had been somewhat unclear, and the music in the venue was deafening. He could only make out that it was a woman's voice.

But his identity here was supposed to remain secret. He could not expose himself, so rather than stopping, he left straight away.

The door opened. Fang Mo stood at the entrance and froze slightly—there was someone in the room.

Xu Manli.

She stood gracefully, a warm smile on her face. Looking at the staff member, she said:

"You can go now!"

"Yes, Manager Xu!"

The staff member answered and turned to leave, carefully closing the door behind him.

Xu Manli looked at Fang Mo, who stood there without moving, smiled slightly, and pointed at the seat.

"Sit down! I'll apply medicine for you!"

"This medicine isn't poisoned, is it?"

Fang Mo asked calmly.

Xu Manli's hand paused slightly as she opened the medicine box. She turned back to look at Fang Mo, a despondent smile appearing on her face.

"Those words cut deep."

"Has anyone ever been hurt by betrayal without being wounded?"

Fang Mo remained unmoved as he spoke calmly.

"If I told you I didn't know, would you believe me?"

Xu Manli opened her large eyes wide. Her watery gaze rested on Fang Mo, filled with sincerity and apology.

Fang Mo looked at her as well. Their gazes met like that for a full thirty seconds.

For some reason, Xu Manli began to feel unable to bear it. It was not because she had a guilty conscience, but because looking into his eyes gave her a heart-fluttering sensation she had never experienced in all these years.

Her thoughts became a little muddled. Just as she wanted to look away, Fang Mo spoke.

"I believe you."

Fang Mo walked over and sat beside her, directly taking off his shirt to reveal his fair upper body.

"What are you doing?"

Xu Manli instantly panicked and hurriedly stepped back. Looking at Fang Mo's sculpted body, her face reddened slightly, and her heart raced like a startled deer.

"Weren't you going to apply medicine for me?"

Fang Mo looked at her, his eyes questioning.

"Oh!"

Only then did Xu Manli come back to herself, and her face flushed even redder.

She silently cursed herself. She had seen all kinds of situations—how had she actually lost her composure before a young boy?

Still, she had weathered storms before and was no innocent little girl. She quickly calmed down, stepped forward, and began applying medicine to Fang Mo.

"Hm? Your injuries seem to be healing quickly?"

Xu Manli was somewhat surprised as she applied the medicine. Back on the stage, she had clearly seen just how badly Fang Mo had been injured.

Fang Mo noticed it as well. His injuries had almost healed, especially the wounds on his hands. He knew this was a benefit brought by his advancement.

"I took healing pills."

"No wonder!"

Only then did Xu Manli set aside her doubts. As she rubbed medicine onto him, she said softly:

"You'd better not come to the boxing gym for the time being. That Mountain Breaking Claw was hired by the Qin Family. They may not let you off. You killed Mountain Breaking Claw, and the Xiongying Martial Arts School may also come after you for revenge!"

"Someone from the Qin Family?"

Fang Mo abruptly raised his head and looked at Xu Manli.

Xu Manli smiled faintly.

"Yes. Qin Yuanping was the one betting against us. You made him lose money, so he certainly will not let you off!"

A cold glint flashed through Fang Mo's eyes. He had not expected Mountain Breaking Claw to have been hired by the Qin Family.

Good. This counted as collecting a little interest first. He nodded.

"Alright, I understand!"

"I've finished applying the medicine!"

Xu Manli finished rubbing on the medicine, glanced toward the arena, and said:

"Leave later. It would be best to wait until the event ends and blend into the crowd when you go. Don't let anyone keep an eye on you!"

With that, she carried the medicine case away.

Fang Mo watched Xu Manli's departing back, puzzled. He did not understand why Xu Manli was treating him so well.

Was it because she wanted to atone?

Then a thought rose in his heart.

Suddenly, his expression changed.

Xu Manli might already know his identity. Otherwise, she would not have mentioned Qin Yuanping.

He waited no longer and decided to follow Xu Manli's advice.

He changed into a new set of clothes, quietly left through the passageway, opened a door from the inside, and entered the boxing gym stands.