"I forfeit."
Si Qing raised his right hand decisively, without the slightest hesitation, utterly ignoring the boos from the surrounding stands. The referee looked at him dubiously and asked, "Are you sure you want to forfeit?"
"Yes!" Si Qing did not hesitate for a moment.
Their exchange was broadcast through the equipment to every corner of the stands. The spectators booed even louder, but Si Qing's expression did not change in the slightest.
With no other choice, the referee announced Chen Mu's victory.
From beginning to end, Chen Mu had neither spoken nor made a single move. As soon as the referee finished the announcement, he stepped straight off the arena floor.
The match left everyone baffled and bitterly disappointed. The moment Si Qing stepped down, reporters swarmed around him, packing him in so tightly that not even a drop of water could have slipped through.
"Mr. Si Qing, why did you forfeit?"
"Mr. Si Qing, were you secretly threatened by someone?"
"Mr. Si Qing, did someone put pressure on you?"
The reporters were as worked up as if they had been injected with chicken blood. It was only the third match of the opening round, yet a contestant had already forfeited without explanation. These sharp-nosed reporters were all letting their imaginations run wild. If they could dig out the inside story, wouldn't they shoot to fame in one stroke?
Si Qing froze, then looked torn between laughter and tears. He shrugged. "Gentlemen, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. There's no inside story here. I simply happened to witness Mr. Chen Mu in combat once, and after careful consideration, I made this rational choice. I don't think anyone has put pressure on me. I simply have a very clear understanding of the gap between Mr. Chen Mu and