The Victor Lives, The Vanquished Dies

"Ahhh!"

Even with the medicinal power suppressing part of the pain, such a severe blow still tore a ghastly, ghost-like scream from Xiong Wu. His massive frame, struck by the immense lateral force, staggered uncontrollably to the right, his center completely exposed, the vital point of his neck laid bare.

Chen Yue pressed his advantage without mercy. His footwork shadowed Xiong Wu's every move as he stepped forward another half-pace, twisting his waist and driving his shoulder forward. His left fist shot out from his hip like a dragon emerging from its cave, a iron awl that slammed viciously into Xiong Wu's fully exposed throat, bared by the backward tilt of pain.

"Pfft!"

Another sickeningly dull thud, laced with the faint crack of cartilage. Chen Yue's knuckles sank deep beneath Xiong Wu's Adam's apple.

Xiong Wu's piercing scream was severed like a blade cutting through rope, cut off abruptly.

His eyes bulged, bloodshot orbs filled with disbelief, terror, and boundless agony. His hands clawed futilely at his own neck, but no sound escaped—only the gurgling "heh-heh" of bloody foam.

His neck bent backward at an unnatural angle; the cervical spine had clearly been shattered by that punch.

The battle was not yet over!

Chen Yue knew that in a life-or-death struggle, he could never give his opponent even a moment to catch their breath or counterattack—especially not a desperate man who had consumed a strange drug.

With the force of his left fist still lingering after crushing the throat, Chen Yue used the momentum to twist his body.

The power from his waist and hips instantly transferred to his right leg. That leg, like a heaven-splitting axe, tore through the air with a shrieking whistle, sweeping upward in a fierce arc and slamming viciously into Xiong Wu's head, which now hung limp from the broken neck!

"Bam!!!"

A collision of utmost dullness. Xiong Wu's massive skull, under the impact of that terrifying leg whip, visibly caved and deformed. The sound of cracking bone was unmistakable.

A mixture of red and white fluids sprayed from Xiong Wu's ears, nose, mouth, and eyes.

Xiong Wu's enormous body was lifted off the ground by that kick, flying like a tattered sack. It tumbled half a turn through the air before crashing down with a "boom" onto the edge of the arena, three zhang away. His limbs twitched a few times, then fell still.

His bulging, bloodshot eyes remained wide open, staring at the gray sky, but all light had faded from them, leaving only boundless stillness.

On the arena, Chen Yue slowly withdrew his leg and straightened up. His chest rose and fell slightly, his breathing a bit hurried, but his gaze remained as sharp as a blade.

He swept his eyes over Xiong Wu's mangled corpse, confirming there was no sign of life. Then, Chen Yue slowly turned. His cold gaze crossed the silent arena and fixed on Tang Qizheng, whose face was ashen in the Sea Shark Gang's seating area.

The Life-Death Arena: the victor lives, the defeated dies.

This battle, Chen Yue had won!

"Excellent!"

After a brief silence, Ma Jun's cheer—almost cracking from excitement—shattered the suffocating stillness of the training ground. That shout seemed to wake all the onlookers, who had been stunned by the shocking scene.

Immediately after, an even greater wave of noise erupted! Discussions, exclamations, and cheers mixed together, nearly lifting the roof off the Nantong Martial Hall.

All eyes were now locked on the young man in the center of the arena, who was slowly finishing his stance.

"Is Xiong Wu really dead?"

"Those last moves... too fast, too ruthless! He didn't give any chance at all!"

"This Chen Yue... not only is his fist and footwork superb, but his grasp of timing and his ruthless decisiveness in battle—he doesn't seem like a young man at all!"

"The Sea Shark Gang has lost face big time this round! Tang Qizheng must be furious enough to burst!"

"Iron Mountain Hall has really struck gold this time! A disciple with such killing instinct and natural talent—his future achievements are limitless!"

On the arena, Chen Yue paid no attention to the surrounding uproar. He slowly turned his head to look at Gu Huaizhang, who was acting as the witness on the high platform.

Gu Huaizhang met his gaze, a smile spreading across his face. He channeled his inner energy, his voice overpowering the crowd's noise: "The Life-Death Arena battle—victor, Chen Yue!"

With the announcement, the matter was settled.

Chen Yue clasped his fists in a distant salute to Gu Huaizhang, then turned and walked steadily down the bloodstained wooden steps of the arena, heading toward the Iron Mountain Hall group.

Zhou Jingfeng strode forward to meet him, his face beaming with unrestrained joy. He slapped Chen Yue hard on the shoulder, the force revealing his inner excitement. "Well fought! Clean and decisive!"

Before this battle, although Zhou Jingfeng had confidence in Chen Yue's talent, he couldn't help but worry.

But Chen Yue's performance on the arena had far exceeded his expectations. It wasn't just a display of strength—it was a complete victory of mind, resilience, and combat wisdom.

With a disciple like this, what more could he ask for?

"Junior apprentice brother, well done!"

"So satisfying! Let those bastards dare to act arrogant again!"

Yu Kan and Ma Jun also rushed forward, faces full of excitement, slapping Chen Yue's back and shoulders with no less force—both to celebrate and to vent their own pride and exhilaration.

On the other side, Father and Mother Chen only now felt their taut nerves suddenly relax.

Father Chen let out a long breath of stale air, as if shedding a thousand-pound burden. His back was slightly hunched, but a complex, relieved smile spread across his face.

Mother Chen could no longer hold back. Tears burst forth like a broken dam, but she didn't sob—her face was full of smiles.

Just as the Iron Mountain Hall side was celebrating their victory, the Sea Shark Gang members had already hastily wrapped Xiong Wu's body in a straw mat.

Led by Tang Qizheng, dozens of gang members walked over with grim faces. Wherever they passed, the crowd parted, and the noise died down.

Tang Qizheng stopped a few steps in front of the Iron Mountain Hall group. His narrow eyes lingered on Chen Yue's face for a few breaths. Then, he shifted his gaze to Zhou Jingfeng, his face expressionless, his voice betraying no emotion.

"Hall Master Zhou, congratulations. Today's matter—Xiong Wu's skill was lacking, and he died on the arena. No one else is to blame. Between our two houses, let this matter end here. What do you say?"

Tang Qizheng's words seemed like an admission of defeat, but anyone could tell it was only because of the public eye and the Life-Death Contract signed beforehand that he had to accept this outcome.

Zhou Jingfeng's face was calm. Meeting Tang Qizheng's gaze, he nodded slightly. "Gang Leader Tang is straightforward. Since the grievances are settled, I hope from now on, our two houses can continue to keep to ourselves and live in peace."

Though he did not fear the Sea Shark Gang, Iron Mountain Hall had few members and families to protect. Unless necessary, he didn't want to forge an irreconcilable blood feud with such local bullies.

Since Tang Qizheng had publicly declared the matter closed, Zhou Jingfeng was happy to let it go. Of course, his vigilance toward the Sea Shark Gang would not diminish by even half.

After hearing Zhou Jingfeng's words, Tang Qizheng twitched the corner of his mouth noncommittally. His gaze swept over Chen Yue once more, and this time, a smile of indescribable meaning cracked across his face.

But in the end, he said nothing. He simply flicked his sleeve, turned, and led his men away from the Nantong Martial Hall without looking back.