Black Heart Hand Zhu He

Underground black boxing.

Huo Yi brought Xu Qing to the underground black boxing venue, tossed him to a fat man named Yu Chen, and left directly.

Inside the room.

"You're Xu Qing, right?"

Yu Chen was dressed quite decently. He gave Xu Qing a few once-overs, his fat body looking well-fed, then asked, "How capable are you?"

"I'm just an ordinary person."

Xu Qing shook his head.

"Figures."

Yu Chen nodded. "If you want to make money in underground black boxing, you have to risk your life. You won't be fighting today. We'll arrange a match for you tomorrow."

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded.

"Someone will bring you lunch and dinner. Before tomorrow's match begins, you are not allowed to leave this room, much less wander around."

Yu Chen said in a grave tone.

"I understand."

Xu Qing nodded again.

After that.

Yu Chen left the room, leaving Xu Qing alone. There was a wooden bed, a wooden stool, and a table in the room. It was sparse and simple.

Next.

Xu Qing took out everything he had on him.

Ten copper coins, a shabby concealed-weapon hand crossbow, six old crossbow bolts, and a tattered book.

This was Xu Qing's entire fortune.

"I need to figure out how to use the Omni-Codex in my mind."

Xu Qing pondered inwardly. "If I want to earn the tuition for Azure Hawk Martial Arts School in a short time, underground black boxing truly is a good way. But that depends on whether I can win—and survive."

"The prerequisite for all of that is having enough strength."

As he thought.

Xu Qing immersed his mind in the Omni-Codex. As his consciousness gradually delved deeper, the Omni-Codex in his mind began to emit a faint glow.

Buzz!

The next moment.

A stream of information surged forth.

"So that's how it is."

Xu Qing understood, and a hint of delight appeared on his face. He picked up the shabby concealed-weapon hand crossbow from the table.

"Record."

Xu Qing gave a low shout.

Whoosh!

Silver light flashed.

The shabby concealed-weapon hand crossbow in Xu Qing's hand vanished. It had already been recorded in the Omni-Codex, which displayed the corresponding information for the crossbow.

To give Xu Qing a clear understanding, the Omni-Codex presented the relevant details in the form of data in his mind.

Omni-Codex

Shabby concealed-weapon hand crossbow Level 1: 0/5 (A concealed-weapon hand crossbow used for over a decade. Its power has long since declined considerably, and it may even fall apart.)

After the recording was complete.

Xu Qing also learned how to upgrade the shabby concealed-weapon hand crossbow: use it to shoot. Every shot would grant one point of experience, and after five shots, it could be upgraded once.

Immediately after.

Xu Qing recorded the ten copper coins and the tattered book in his hand as well.

Great Zhou copper coin LV1: 0/10 (Copper coins issued by the Great Zhou Martial Kingdom. They can be spent within the Great Zhou Martial Kingdom. Having been touched by the people's vitality, they possess an exceedingly faint evil-dispelling effect.)

Serpent Evasion Technique (Incomplete) Level 1: 0/5 (An incomplete martial arts movement technique. Knowledge of the movement technique is hidden within its chaotic text. Though incomplete, it is still a martial arts movement technique.)

"This is good stuff."

Xu Qing's expression brightened. He truly had not expected that among Grandpa Nine Fingers's belongings, this tattered book would conceal an incomplete martial arts movement technique.

Buzz!

The next moment.

The Omni-Codex flickered with faint light, and waves of knowledge and information surged into Xu Qing's mind—the mysteries of the Serpent Evasion Technique.

Without realizing it.

Xu Qing seemed to enter a mysterious space. Within that mysterious space, he continuously practiced the incomplete Serpent Evasion Technique, gradually mastering it.

At last.

It was as though enlightenment had been poured directly into his head.

Xu Qing had already learned the Serpent Evasion Technique.

At the same time.

Xu Qing also learned how to upgrade the incomplete Serpent Evasion Technique: practice it. Each complete practice would grant one point of experience, and after practicing it five times, it could be upgraded once.

"Let's try it."

Xu Qing began practicing the Serpent Evasion Technique in the room. Because it was incomplete, it looked somewhat wrong, but his footwork moved like a slithering serpent.

Two hours later.

He had completed five rounds of practice.

Serpent Evasion Technique (Incomplete) Level 1: 5/5 (Upgradeable!)

"Upgrade."

Xu Qing said.

The instant the words fell.

The Omni-Codex glowed, and Xu Qing's consciousness entered that mysterious space once more, continuously practicing and deducing the incomplete Serpent Evasion Technique.

Gradually.

He completed the incomplete Serpent Evasion Technique.

Serpent Evasion Technique LV2: 0/10 (A complete martial arts movement technique. Once mastered, one's footwork can be as nimble as a slithering serpent.)

At this point.

Xu Qing had mastered the Serpent Evasion Technique.

However.

After practicing the Serpent Evasion Technique for more than two hours, Xu Qing had expended a great deal of stamina. His stomach was growling as well; he had clearly consumed much physical and mental energy.

He could no longer continue practicing.

Fortunately.

It was already noon.

A servant from the underground black boxing venue delivered lunch to Xu Qing's room. After eating, Xu Qing recovered much of his stamina and energy.

Originally.

Xu Qing had planned to continue practicing the Serpent Evasion Technique that afternoon and raise it a few more levels, making tomorrow's match safer. Yet not long after he finished eating, Yu Chen came looking for him.

"Xu Qing."

Yu Chen gave a light cough and said, "Underground black boxing has been severely short of fighters lately. We originally intended to let you acclimate for a day and have you fight tomorrow, but another fighter had an accident today. We can only have you fill in."

"This..."

Xu Qing froze for a moment.

However.

He had no way to refuse.

"The time is almost here. Get ready."

Yu Chen said.

"Alright."

Xu Qing said.

Half an hour later.

On the underground black boxing arena.

"Whew..."

Xu Qing took a deep breath. He was already standing on the arena, looking around. What met his eyes was an environment similar to the Roman Colosseum.

All around.

Rows upon rows of spectators sat encircling the arena. There were quite a few of them, and each held a slip of paper—their bets.

"Who's fighting in today's first match?"

"I took a look just now. Fighter Number One in the first match is Black Heart Hand Zhu He. I've never heard of the other one fighting Zhu He. He seems to be a newcomer."

"I know Zhu He. His win rate isn't low. He's already fought nine matches, won six, and lost only three."

"Look, Fighter Number Two is coming out."

"What the hell?"

"A beggar!? Are you underground black boxing people fooling around? You're actually sending a beggar into the arena?"

"Quick, quick, quick! Place your bets! I'm betting on Black Heart Hand Zhu He."

"Are you giving us money for free?"

"..."

In the spectator stands.

Everyone discussed animatedly, all growing excited and worked up as they took out hard cash to place their bets.

On the arena.

"Kid, I don't know who talked you into coming here, but since you had the guts to step onto this arena, you'd better be prepared to be beaten to death."

Black Heart Hand Zhu He stood a full 1.8 meters tall, with somewhat well-developed muscles. Bare-chested, he displayed an exceptionally sculpted physique.

"Whew..."

Xu Qing took a deep breath. His expression was calm, but his clothes were ragged, his hair was a complete mess, and he was covered in grime. He looked exactly like a beggar. Compared to Zhu He, one was in the heavens and the other in the earth; there was no comparison at all.

Therefore.

The betting from all the spectators was completely one-sided.

"Come on."

Xu Qing said calmly.

"You're courting death."

Zhu He gave a low shout. His knees bent slightly, then he exploded forward in the next instant. His body shot toward Xu Qing, both fists smashing at Xu Qing's face.

"Hm?"

Xu Qing was slightly startled. He discovered that Zhu He was not fast—at least, in his eyes, Zhu He's speed seemed slowed down somewhat.

Therefore.

Xu Qing merely shifted his body slightly and evaded Zhu He's attack.

Clearly.

Having mastered the Serpent Evasion Technique, Xu Qing's reaction speed and physical fitness had risen by a level, already surpassing ordinary people.

That was why.

This situation had occurred.

Elsewhere.

The founder of the underground black boxing venue was Huo Yi, Senior Disciple Brother of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. He held the largest share, and aside from Huo Yi, there were three main people in charge.

Yu Chen was one of the three main people in charge.

The other two were Fan Yanbin and Lü Wei.

"Yu Chen."

Fan Yanbin was a middle-aged man with a square face. His gaze was fixed on the arena as he said, "You've got some nerve, sending a beggar like that into the ring."

"Do you know how many people have bet on Black Heart Hand Zhu He? Even though we've already pushed Black Heart Hand Zhu He's odds very, very low, if Black Heart Hand Zhu He wins, how much will our underground black boxing venue have to pay out?"

"If Lord Huo Yi learns of this, you can forget about keeping your head."

"I had no choice either. Zhu He's opponent died, bitten to death by a corpse monster in his own home. I couldn't find another fighter on such short notice, so I could only have this man fill in."

Yu Chen clenched his fists so tightly that his fingers had turned somewhat white. It was clear that he was extremely nervous at that moment. "This beggar was personally brought here by Lord Huo Yi, so he should have some ability, right? Besides, I've already lowered the odds as much as possible."

It could be said.

This truly was a massive gamble.

"Heh."

Lü Wei sneered, folding his arms across his chest and leaning against the nearby wall. He said indifferently, "Then I'll wait for your good news."

At this moment.

On the arena.

Zhu He's attacks were exceptionally fierce. Xu Qing shifted left and right, executing the Serpent Evasion Technique. Like a nimble serpent, he evaded Zhu He's attacks time and again. At a cursory glance, it looked as though Zhu He was chasing Xu Qing all over the arena.

In reality.

Xu Qing appeared completely at ease. Zhu He's attacks could not touch him at all.