Black Heart Hand Zhu He

Underground black boxing.

Huo Yi brought Xu Qing to the location of the underground black boxing, handed him over to a fat man named 'Yu Chen', and then left directly.

In the room.

"Your name is Xu Qing, right?"

Yu Chen was dressed respectably. He sized up Xu Qing a few times, his obese body looking well-fed, and asked, "How's your strength?"

"I'm just an ordinary person."

Xu Qing shook his head.

"That's true."

Yu Chen nodded. "If you want to make money in underground black boxing, you have to fight for your life. You don't have to compete today; I'll arrange a match for you tomorrow."

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded.

"Lunch and dinner will be delivered. You can't leave this room before the match tomorrow, and you can't run around."

Yu Chen said sternly.

"I understand."

Xu Qing nodded again.

Afterward.

Yu Chen left the room, leaving Xu Qing alone. The room had a wooden bed, a wooden stool, and a table, appearing spacious and simple.

Next.

Xu Qing took out everything he had on him.

Ten copper coins, a tattered hand crossbow, six old crossbow bolts, and a dilapidated book.

This was Xu Qing's entire net worth.

"I need to figure out how to use the 'Omni-Codex' in my mind," Xu Qing thought to himself. "If I want to earn the tuition for the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School in a short time, fighting in underground black boxing is indeed a good method, but the prerequisite is being able to win and survive."

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

As he pondered, Xu Qing immersed his consciousness into the 'Omni-Codex'. As his consciousness delved deeper, the Omni-Codex in his mind emitted a faint glow.

Buzz!

The next moment.

A stream of information surged forth.

"So that's how it is."

Xu Qing understood, a hint of joy appearing on his face. He picked up the tattered hand crossbow from the table.

"Record."

Xu Qing let out a soft cry.

Swish!

With a flash of silver light, the tattered hand crossbow in Xu Qing's hand disappeared, having been absorbed into the 'Omni-Codex', which displayed the corresponding information for the tattered hand crossbow.

To give Xu Qing a more intuitive understanding, the Omni-Codex presented the relevant information in the form of data in Xu Qing's mind.

[Omni-Codex]

[Tattered Hand Crossbow LV1: 0/5 (A hand crossbow used for over ten years. Its power has long since declined significantly, and it may even fall apart.)]

After the recording was complete, Xu Qing also received the method to upgrade the tattered hand crossbow: use the tattered hand crossbow to shoot. Each shot would grant one experience point, and after completing five shots, it could be upgraded once.

Following that, Xu Qing recorded the ten copper coins and the dilapidated book in his hand.

[Great Zhou Copper Coin LV1: 0/10 (Copper coins issued by the Great Zhou Martial Kingdom. They can be used for consumption within the Great Zhou Martial Kingdom. Because they have been in contact with the populace, they possess an extremely weak effect against evil.)]

[Serpent Evasion Technique (Fragmentary) LV1: 0/5 (This is a fragmented martial arts movement technique. The knowledge of the technique is hidden within chaotic text. Although it is incomplete, it is still a martial arts movement technique.)]

"This is good stuff."

Xu Qing's expression lit up with joy. He truly hadn't expected that within the dilapidated book, among his grandfather Nine Fingers' relics, there was a fragmented martial arts movement technique hidden.

Hum!

The next moment.

The Omni-Codex flickered with a faint luminescence, and a torrent of knowledge and information surged into Xu Qing's mind, detailing the profound mysteries of the Serpent Evasion Technique.

Unconsciously.

Xu Qing felt as if he had entered a mysterious space. Within this space, he continuously practiced the fragmentary Serpent Evasion Technique, gradually mastering it.

Finally.

It was as if a divine revelation had struck him.

Xu Qing had learned the Serpent Evasion Technique.

At the same time.

Xu Qing also learned how to upgrade the fragmentary Serpent Evasion Technique: by practicing it. Each practice session yielded one experience point, and after five practice sessions, it could be upgraded once.

"Let's try it."

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

Two hours later.

The five practice sessions were complete.

[Serpent Evasion Technique (Fragmentary) LV1: 5/5 (Can be upgraded!)]

"Upgrade."

Xu Qing said.

As soon as the words left his mouth.

The Omni-Codex flashed with luminescence, and Xu Qing's consciousness once again entered that mysterious space, where he ceaselessly practiced and deduced the fragmentary Serpent Evasion Technique.

Gradually.

The fragmentary Serpent Evasion Technique was completed.

[Serpent Evasion Technique LV2: 0/10 (This is a complete martial arts movement technique. Once mastered, your footwork will be as agile as a slithering snake.)]

At this moment.

Xu Qing had mastered the Serpent Evasion Technique.

However.

Xu Qing had been practicing the Serpent Evasion Technique for over two hours, and his stamina was greatly depleted. His stomach growled, clearly indicating the significant expenditure of physical energy and mental focus.

He could no longer practice.

Fortunately.

It was already noon.

A servant from the underground black boxing match delivered lunch to Xu Qing's room. After finishing lunch, Xu Qing's physical strength and energy recovered considerably.

Originally.

Xu Qing had planned to continue practicing the Serpent Evasion Technique in the afternoon, hoping to upgrade it a few more levels to ensure greater safety in tomorrow's match. However, shortly after finishing his meal, Yu Chen came to his door.

"Xu Qing."

Yu Chen cleared his throat and said, "The underground black boxing match is desperately short of fighters these days. I had originally planned for you to adapt for a day before your debut tomorrow, but something happened to another fighter today, and we need you to step in."

"This..."

Xu Qing was taken aback.

However.

He had no way to refuse.

"Time is almost up, get ready to begin."

Yu Chen said.

"Alright."

Xu Qing replied.

Half an hour later.

On the stage of the underground black boxing match.

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing took a deep breath. He was already standing on the stage, looking around. The scene that greeted his eyes was an environment reminiscent of a Roman coliseum.

Around him.

Rows upon rows of spectators sat surrounding the stage, and the number of spectators was considerable. Each spectator held a piece of paper in their hand, representing their bets.

"Who is fighting in the first match today?"

"I just checked. The first match features contestant number one, 'Black Heart Hand' Zhu He. The other fighter competing against Zhu He, I haven't heard of them. Seems like a rookie."

"I know Zhu He, his win rate isn't low. He's already fought nine matches, winning six and losing only three."

"Quick, look! Contestant number two is entering the ring."

"What the hell?"

"A beggar!? Are you guys running this underground black boxing seriously? You're actually letting a beggar compete?"

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

"Are they just giving us money for free?"

"..."

In the audience stands.

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, all of them excited and animated, even taking out real money to place their bets.

On the stage.

"Kid, I don't know who conned you into coming here, but since you have the guts to get on this stage, be prepared to be beaten to death."

Black Heart Hand Zhu He stood at about 1.8 meters tall, with slightly developed muscles. He was bare-chested, revealing incredibly defined musculature.

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing took a deep breath. His expression was calm, but the clothes he wore were tattered, and his hair was extremely messy, covered in all sorts of grime. He looked like a beggar. Compared to Zhu He, they were like heaven and earth, completely incomparable.

Therefore.

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

"Come on."

Xu Qing said calmly.

"You're asking for death."

Zhu He let out a soft cry, slightly bending his knees. In the next moment, he exploded forward, his body shooting out like an arrow towards Xu Qing, his fists clenched and smashing towards Xu Qing's face.

"Hmm?"

Xu Qing was slightly taken aback. He found that Zhu He's speed wasn't fast at all; at least in his eyes, the speed seemed to have slowed down.

So.

Xu Qing merely shifted his body slightly, and he dodged Zhu He's attack.

Clearly.

Xu Qing had mastered the Serpent Evasion Technique, and his reaction speed and physical fitness had improved by a level, surpassing that of ordinary people.

This was why.

Such a situation had occurred.

On the other side.

The founder of the underground black boxing was the senior disciple of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, Huo Yi, who held the largest shares. Besides Huo Yi, there were three other main responsible parties.

Yu Chen was one of the three main responsible parties.

The other two were: Fan Yanbin and Lü Wei.

"Yu Chen."

Fan Yanbin, a middle-aged man with a square-shaped face, looked towards the stage and said, "You're too daring, actually letting a beggar like this compete."

"Do you know how many people are betting on Black Heart Hand Zhu He right now? Even though we've already suppressed the odds for Black Heart Hand Zhu He to be very, very low, if Black Heart Hand Zhu He wins, how much money will our underground black boxing have to pay out?"

"If Huo Yi-daren finds out about this, you won't get to keep your head."

"I had no choice. Zhu He's opponent died, and was bitten to death by a corpse monster in his own home. I couldn't find any other fighters on short notice, so I had to let this person fill in."

Yu Chen clenched his fists, his fingers already turning somewhat pale from the force. It was evident how nervous he was at the moment. "This beggar was personally sent by Huo Yi-daren, so he should have some skill, right? Besides, I've already pushed the odds down as much as possible."

It could be said.

This was truly a gamble.

"Heh heh."

Lü Wei let out a cold laugh, his arms crossed, leaning against the nearby wall. He said in a faint tone, "Then I'll be waiting for your good news."

At this moment.

On the stage.

Zhu He's attacks were quite fierce. Xu Qing moved left and right, employing the Serpent Evasion Technique. Like a nimble, slithering snake, he dodged Zhu He's repeated attacks. A cursory glance would make it seem like Zhu He was chasing Xu Qing all over the ring.

In reality.

Xu Qing appeared to be handling it with ease; Zhu He's attacks couldn't touch him at all.