A Person Can Be a Bastard for Life, but a Pig Gets the Knife

[As expected of a competitive training reality show planned by CCTV. It's barely started, and things are already this explosive?!]

[That saying really holds true: big rewards bring out brave souls! The official account promised last night that anyone who makes it through all five seasons will receive a wealth of career opportunities!]

[With the national team behind them, how could their careers not take off? Didn't you see that Scrawny and Rare Blood both showed up? Even if they have to risk their brittle bones, they want a slice of the pie!]

[By Scrawny, do you mean Jian Li? I'm just a passerby, neither a fan nor a hater, but judging by his two appearances, he isn't weak. At least he's tougher than the one who fainted.]

[How could his personality change so drastically all of a sudden?! I bet he's trying to establish a persona. Once they actually reach the training grounds, Jian Li will probably be the first to cry!]

[His agency has really bent over backward for Jian Li. Who knows if it'll work, though? I doubt it!]

As the barrage of comments continued, the show's popularity skyrocketed.

In less than half an hour, it topped a certain short-video platform's view rankings.

Behind the monitors, the director curled his lips. "This is just the beginning. Once they reach the island where we're filming, heh heh..."

He had gone to great lengths to make Lone Warrior feel fresh rather than formulaic.

The entire team had spent several nights working until dawn, studying countless similar shows from China and abroad and scrapping several proposals along the way.

Only after discarding the dross and keeping the best had they finally settled on the first season's title-Devil Island Hell Training Camp.

Just as the name suggested,

this training exercise would be more devilish than the devil and more hellish than hell.

No matter how big a star a guest was, once they reached that isolated island near the border, everyone would be treated as a raw recruit. No one would get special treatment...

As for the one called Panda Blood,

the director sneered.

So what if he's the investor's little brother?

If you dare to shove him in here, I dare to put him through the wringer.

The liability waivers have already been signed anyway. As long as the production crew does its best to provide medical aid, we're off the hook!

This was a crazy era. Whoever could go the craziest would stand out...

Seeing the director rub his hands at the screen with a sinister expression, as though his scheme was about to succeed, the assistant calmly picked up the walkie-talkie.

"Attention, all departments. Our boss has slipped into his fantasies again. Head out as soon as everyone's here."

"Will do!"

"Copy!"

"Roger!"

Amid the chorus of replies, the luxury coach slowly pulled away from the hotel where the show's guests had gathered.

The temporary host stood at the front of the coach, his face wreathed in smiles. "Dear viewers and esteemed guests, I'm your guide for season one of Lone Warrior. It's a great honor to be here with you all as we embark on an unforgettable journey together."

"Next, let me give everyone a brief introduction to the show's rules."

"Lone Warrior will be filmed on an island near the border. The troops stationed there will assist with the show..."

Before he could go any further, the stern-faced man in the front row suddenly lifted his eyes. "We have the information right here. Is there any need to repeat it?"

"Ah, yes, we did send out the information beforehand." Caught off guard by the sudden challenge, the host floundered. "But the viewers watching the livestream..."

That piercing gaze made him change tack. "The viewers have indeed already seen the preview too. Um, Mr. Huo must be tired from his packed schedule and need some rest, so I won't go into any more detail."

With that, he slunk back into his seat.

The cameraman beside him curled his lips in schadenfreude. You weren't even supposed to have a part, but you just had to grab some attention. Got put in your place, didn't you?

The host glared at him and said nothing more, his face ashen.

Come on, who would dare offend Best Actor Huo?

Even if he wanted more screen time, he could only swallow that urge!

For a moment, an eerie silence settled over the coach.

Seated in the back row, Jian Li glanced at the back of Huo Xiao's head, then closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Having a gorgeous, powerful, tragic villain holding down the fort sure was nice.

Saved me the trouble of saying anything...

After the luxury coach reached the airport, they took a three-hour flight, then boarded a cruise ship bound straight for Devil Island.

Toward evening, they finally arrived at the filming location.

The camera crew, already poised and ready, switched on their cameras together, and the livestream chat erupted.

[The main show is finally here! Wow, Devil Island looks pretty nice. Blue seas, sunset skies, lush vegetation-perfect for surviving on a deserted island!]

[Is this a tourism promotion? With a few ads thrown in? The director's got it all figured out, huh?]

[Ha, haven't you heard of Devil Island? Without CCTV backing them, would the crew even be allowed ashore? Tourism, my ass. Try swimming over here, and you could easily get your head blown off!]

[Is it seriously that hardcore?]

[Yep, that hardcore!]

After disembarking, Jian Li stood on the beach and surveyed Devil Island with seemingly casual eyes, while a map began taking shape in his mind.

That ability was nothing unusual. After enough missions as a mercenary, a man picked up a few tricks for staying alive.

First he built the framework, then he would fill in the terrain as he ventured farther in.

In his previous life, before a bomb had blown him to pieces, Jian Li had rescued hostages on a similar island...

As he narrowed his eyes and reined in his thoughts, a quiet voice suddenly buzzed beside his ear like a mosquito.

"Jian Li, are you scared? Is that why you don't dare go any farther? It's all right. Just apologize to me, and the staff on the island won't give you a hard time."

Jian Li recoiled in disgust. "A person can be a bastard for life, but a pig gets the knife. Get any fucking closer, and I'll give you the knife too!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the cameraman to capture it for the livestream. The cameraman promptly swung in for a close-up of Lu Yuanhang.

The latter looked ready to burst into tears. "Jian Li, I was only asking if you were seasick. Why are you insulting me?"

[Jian Li is going too far. The poor guy hasn't even done anything, and he's already so hostile. My heart breaks for Hanghang. Being frail and sickly isn't his fault. Why should he have to suffer like this?!]

[Hahaha, good question. I'd like to know too. If you're sick, go to the hospital. What are you doing prancing around on a reality show?!]

[Has Jian Li already hired paid commenters? Why are people whitewashing him everywhere?]

Unwilling to play along with Lu Yuanhang's act, Jian Li strode away and took his place in the middle of the group.

The other guests quickly gathered as well. Only Lu Yuanhang remained where he was, wiping away his tears.

He had thought his pitiful appearance would win him sympathy and affection, just as it did with his older brother Lu Siqi.

But when he happened to look up, he discovered that everyone except the cameraman had already left.

Standing conspicuously apart like this only made him look affected.

A flash of malice crossed Lu Yuanhang's eyes. Bastard. Let's see how long you can keep this act up, he cursed inwardly, then forced a smile and headed toward the assembly point.

Once everyone had gathered, the show's guide picked up a megaphone.

"Congratulations, everyone! Your Devil Island adventure is about to begin. Since this is an elimination-and-survival reality show, there will naturally be plenty of competition and pursuit."

"So, to ensure fairness, please open your suitcases first. Our staff will check them for prohibited items on camera..."

Before he could finish, a flippant voice rang out.

"I don't agree."

The guide looked toward the voice and frowned in confusion when he saw Jian Li. "Why not? These are the show's rules. Everyone has to follow them."

Seeing his chance, Lu Yuanhang chimed in. "Jian Li, if you can't handle hardship, there's still time to drop out."

"No need to drop out." Jian Li curled his lips and glanced at the suitcase beside him. "But once you open it, this show might get taken off the air."

"No way!"

Refusing to believe him, the guide walked over and unzipped the suitcase himself, with the cameraman close behind.

Then everyone around them sucked in a sharp breath.

Was this a whole fucking suitcase full of tools for murder and robbery?!