Opponent

Opponent

Because the previous matches had all been arranged in advance, the strongest gladiators generally would not meet too early, ensuring that the final showdown remained exciting and talked about.

But now Zhang Heng took the field again amid the audience's cheers, bringing with him a new problem: his opponent for the next round had yet to be decided. The arena officials were in a difficult position, but Zhang Heng then said something to the referee. The latter looked astonished and repeatedly asked, "Are you sure?"

"Of course. I wouldn't joke around with my own life," Zhang Heng said.

The referee hurriedly relayed Zhang Heng's proposal to Commodus in the front row. A strange expression appeared on the young emperor's face. "He really said that?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I specifically asked him twice," the referee affirmed.

Commodus considered it. "Then we should believe him. He is someone who always creates miracles. I don't think this time will be any different."

The young emperor gave the order, and before long, more and more people in the stands learned who Zhang Heng would face in his next match.

The audience was stunned.

They were even more shocked when they saw Zhang Heng hand over his only weapons, the two Persian Swords. They began whispering among themselves.

Although Zhang Heng had displayed overwhelmingly formidable strength in his previous match, not many people favored him in the upcoming one. Given the opponent he was about to face, his advantages in combat skill, strength, and speed would vanish completely. Yet he had chosen to meet his enemy barehanded. No matter how they looked at it, his chances seemed grim.

Of course, that was only from the audience's perspective.

As the instigator of all this, Zhang Heng did not think he was courting death. Besides, he