Shocking

On August 22, Zhang Shuai and Huang Tianli boarded a flight to the Beautiful Country.

It was the first time in Zhang Shuai's life that he had flown. With Pan Xiaoyu's help, he had gotten his passport and visa in just five days, and Huang Tianli was personally accompanying him to the Beautiful Country.

Their destination was Las Vegas, the famous gambling capital of the Beautiful Country.

As soon as they got off the plane, a man of Dragon Kingdom descent, around thirty-six or thirty-seven years old, drove over in a Mercedes G-Class to pick them up.

"Old Huang, is this the expert you told me about?"

The man of Dragon Kingdom descent was speaking to Huang Tianli, but his eyes were fixed on Zhang Shuai, sizing him up with deep suspicion.

Huang Tianli said, "Don't worry. His strength is beyond your imagination. You just need to arrange as many matches as you can over the next few days. You'll get every bit of the commission you're owed."

Then Huang Tianli began making introductions.

"This is Situ Changtian, a member of the overseas Hong Sect. Just call him Brother Situ. He knows the underground fights in the Beautiful Country inside and out. I was able to arrange these fights thanks to his help."

Zhang Shuai sized up Situ Changtian as well. He had heard about the overseas Hong Sect, which had been reported on by quite a few domestic media outlets. Situ Changtian looked to be around thirty-five or thirty-six, with a slightly stocky build, a full beard, and long hair. His arms were covered in tattoos. He didn't look like an upstanding sort.

Still, he needed Situ Changtian's help, so Zhang Shuai greeted him politely. "Brother Situ, my name's Zhang Shuai. This is my first time abroad. I'll be counting on you to arrange the fights."

Situ Changtian nodded. He seemed to have doubts about Zhang Shuai's ability, but didn't ask much. Once Zhang Shuai and Huang Tianli got into the car, he started the engine and drove away from the airport.

Half an hour later, the car pulled into the parking lot of a five-star hotel.

Situ Changtian took Huang Tianli and Zhang Shuai to a room on the hotel's seventh floor. It was a twin room with decent amenities.

"Old Huang, you two will stay here for the next few days. Remember not to wander off, especially at night. This place isn't like the Dragon Kingdom. It's dangerous at night."

Huang Tianli readily agreed. "Don't worry. We won't go anywhere except to the fights. Arrange some matches for Zhang Shuai as soon as you can. We're here to make money."

Situ Changtian said, "There's no rush. I need to get a feel for Zhang Shuai's abilities first. Underground fights aren't like professional matches. Things can easily turn deadly. Every year, at least several hundred people are beaten to death in underground fights because they aren't strong enough. As a fellow countryman, I have to make sure Zhang Shuai stays safe."

Zhang Shuai quickly said, "Thanks for looking out for me, Brother Situ. But I'm confident in my abilities. Go ahead and arrange the fights. I won't be in danger."

"Normally, that might be fine, but several world-famous fighters are here this week. I have to be cautious."

Zhang Shuai smiled. "Don't worry, Brother Situ. I'm not the kind of person who'd risk my life for money. Coach Huang Tianli has tested my abilities before."

"I'm looking out for your life. Even if you don't care about dying, I still have my reputation to think about. If you get killed as soon as you step into the ring, the organizers might revoke my right to recommend fighters. Remember, this is Las Vegas. The underground arenas here draw huge crowds, and the prize money is the highest in the world. So I need to know what you can do. Have you ever fought in an underground bout?"

"No, I haven't."

"Then what boxing or fighting competitions have you entered? What have you accomplished?"

"I haven't entered any competitions, but—"

Zhang Shuai hadn't finished speaking when Situ Changtian lost his temper. He turned to Huang Tianli and said with clear displeasure, "Old Huang, why did you bring some inexperienced rookie here? To send him to his death?"

Huang Tianli hurriedly said, "Brother Situ, don't get worked up. Zhang Shuai may never have competed before, but he's incredibly strong. I sparred with him before coming here, and I couldn't last even one move against him. Trust my judgment. If he gets in the ring, there won't be anyone who can beat him."

Huang Tianli's explanation surprised Situ Changtian. He knew Huang Tianli's record: he had won the Gold Belt twice at the World Fighting Championship when he was young. Even though he was older now and nowhere near as strong as he used to be, he still wasn't someone just anyone could beat.

"All right. Since you speak so highly of him, I'll find a way to arrange a match right away. But I still need to test his abilities. Come with me. I'll find someone to spar with Zhang Shuai."

Zhang Shuai had no way to refuse Situ Changtian's request.

So Situ Changtian took Zhang Shuai and Huang Tianli out of the hotel again, driving them to a Dragon Kingdom martial arts school more than twenty kilometers away.

The school was quite large. When Situ Changtian led Zhang Shuai and Huang Tianli inside, they saw more than a dozen students practicing Dragon Kingdom martial arts. Zhang Shuai was a little surprised: most of the students were foreign teenagers with blond hair and blue eyes.

"This is the martial arts school my friend Yang Song runs. He once won the Dragon Kingdom Martial Arts Championship, then came to the Beautiful Country to make a living and opened this school. I'll have Yang Song spar with you in a moment. Just take it easy and don't go too far."

Situ Changtian briefly explained the school's background to Zhang Shuai and Huang Tianli, then led them straight to a room inside the gym. It had punching bags and wooden dummies, and was clearly a training room.

Then Situ Changtian called Yang Song over.

Yang Song was around 175 centimeters tall and in his early thirties. He looked solidly built, with strong, muscular arms. He was clearly a trained fighter.

"Brother Situ, what brings you to my school?"

As he spoke, Yang Song noticed Huang Tianli standing nearby and exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? Huang Tianli? What are you doing in the Beautiful Country?"

Yang Song and Huang Tianli weren't close, but they had met before. The last time Huang Tianli had visited the Beautiful Country, the two of them had eaten and drunk together.

"Haha, Yang Song, your school looks like business is going well. You've got plenty of students. I've brought this young fellow here to fight in a few underground matches."

At that, Yang Song's sharp gaze settled on Zhang Shuai.

"Kid, you want to fight in underground matches? I'd advise you to think carefully. The people who fight underground are real experts, and they're all desperate men who don't fear death. Don't let the fact that I won the Martial Arts Championship fool you. Even I wouldn't dare enter the underground fights here."

Zhang Shuai smiled. "Don't worry, Brother Yang. I know what I'm doing."

Situ Changtian said to Yang Song, "Yang Song, spar with this young man. If he's strong enough, I'll arrange for him to compete. If not, I won't send him in to get himself killed. He's a fellow countryman, after all. I can't just let him go to his death."

Yang Song laughed. "Sure. Come on, kid. Let's spar. I'll see what you're made of."