Chapter 25

In the first round, Zhao Jin faced a very weak opponent who was about the same height as him but had no fighting skills, only knowing how to swing his fists and charge forward. Zhao Jin sidestepped and kicked him down with one foot.

In the second round, the participants drew lots again. This time, Zhao Jin’s opponent was an acquaintance, the short guy from Liu Yong’s gang. The short guy was proud of making it to the second round, but he didn’t expect to face Zhao Jin.

“I forfeit...” The short guy thought for a moment and then admitted defeat, looking dejected.

The match for the top sixteen was also straightforward. The opponent was a bit stronger than Zhao Jin, but when they got close, Zhao Jin punched him in the nose, causing him to cry and wipe his face, admitting defeat.

The battles of the other strong contenders were not much more difficult than Zhao Jin’s. Chen Sheng was quick and accurate, ending his fights almost instantly. His opponents either admitted defeat in pain or lay on the ground unable to get up. Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang didn’t fight as beautifully, but they also ended their matches in two or three moves.

Sun Dalei fought the ugliest. Anyone who faced him had the upper hand, always managing to hit Sun Dalei with punches and kicks. He was fat and slow, often at a disadvantage. However, once he got close, Sun Dalei had a chance to win. One hit from him often decided the match.

By the fourth round, it was the top eight. Zhao Jin, Chen Sheng, Shi Manqiang, Sun Dalei, Ji Xiang, Liu Yong, and two other teenagers were left. The two teenagers hadn’t even made it to the top eight the previous day, which surprised Zhao Jin. He had thought the top eight would remain unchanged.

The teenagers gathered in a large circle, with the fighting area in the middle. There were only eight wooden plaques left in the clay pot. Chen Hong, struggling, shook the pot and then placed it on the ground. Everyone reached in to draw.

The spectators had various expressions. Some who had just lost looked frustrated, clenching their teeth and glaring at the snacks on the platform. However, everyone’s face showed excitement and anticipation. These eight had fought their way up, and the matches between strong opponents were always exciting. Everyone was also curious: who would be the strongest today?

Coincidentally, Zhao Jin faced Liu Yong, and Chen Sheng faced Shi Manqiang. These pairs were old rivals.

Although Uncle Zhao Zhenxing had said to finish the matches before going home, Zhao Jin still wanted to practice martial arts early. He organized the matches at the cargo yard not to fight or to find opponents for Chen Sheng, but to make friends and build popularity.

Despite this, Zhao Jin wouldn’t back out. On the other side, Chen Sheng couldn’t wait and asked to fight Shi Manqiang first.

When they faced each other, Shi Manqiang confidently charged forward. Chen Sheng met him, and according to yesterday’s experience, Shi Manqiang could win by relying on his strength. However, things changed today. Just as they were about to grapple, Chen Sheng sidestepped, hooked Shi Manqiang’s right arm with his left, and punched him in the ear.

Shi Manqiang had intended to take the punch, but this one left him dazed and weak, and he fell to the ground.

The entire venue fell silent. Everyone expected a thrilling match, but Chen Sheng won with one punch. The spectators gasped, but then they remembered that Chen Sheng, except for losing to Zhao Jin once, had never lost in the cargo yard.

Chen Sheng shook his arm, showing no joy in his victory. He turned to look at the other six, his expression serious, as if deciding his next opponent.

It happened so fast that no one had time to react. Only Chen Hong clapped and cheered. Zhao Jin noticed Chen Sheng’s expression and wondered what pressure the Chen family elders had put on him for not winning first place yesterday.

The second match was between Zhao Jin and Liu Yong. Liu Yong had a smug smile, as if saying, “You’re finally in my hands.”

“You tricked me that day, but today I’ll get my revenge. Let everyone see who’s stronger!” The matches usually started immediately, but Liu Yong took the time to gloat.

Liu Yong had watched Zhao Jin’s match with Ji Xiang yesterday and thought Zhao Jin wasn’t very strong or fast. As long as he was careful, he wouldn’t lose.

Zhao Jin shook his head, not wanting to waste time. Chen Hong shouted “Start!” and Liu Yong charged forward. This time, Liu Yong didn’t attack recklessly. He moved slowly, his upper body tense, but Zhao Jin didn’t move.

The spectators were stunned, wondering if Zhao Jin didn’t want to fight.

Liu Yong wouldn’t miss this opportunity. He threw a punch, but Zhao Jin blocked it. Liu Yong threw another punch, and Zhao Jin blocked it again. Liu Yong kicked, but Zhao Jin stepped aside.

In children’s fights, punches and kicks were usually met with instinctive dodges, but Zhao Jin’s conscious blocking was rare. After two punches and a kick, Liu Yong’s confidence wavered, and he was a bit stunned.

Zhao Jin was about to punch, but at the last moment, he changed his mind and went for a takedown. Liu Yong fell to the ground.

The spectators were speechless. Liu Yong, lying on the ground, was disheartened and didn’t bother to get up, only panting heavily, thinking he wouldn’t come back the next day.

As Liu Yong was lost in thought, he felt his shirt tighten. Looking up, he saw Zhao Jin pulling him up by the collar.

“I’m going to practice martial arts. Here’s my share of the snacks. Fight well, or I’ll be at a loss if you rank too low!” Zhao Jin patted Liu Yong’s shoulder and called to Mu Shulan, and they ran off.

Liu Yong was still in a daze, sitting there. Chen Sheng, who was nearby, called out, “Zhao Jin, why are you leaving so early? I was waiting to fight you!”

Watching Zhao Jin block Liu Yong’s punches and kicks, Chen Sheng’s eyes had sparkled. Many of the teenagers in the cargo yard were good fighters, but only Zhao Jin truly understood martial arts. Chen Sheng always felt that fighting Zhao Jin was a match of equals.

But to his disappointment, Zhao Jin had left early yesterday and was doing it again today.

“Martial arts are important. We’ll fight when we meet again,” Zhao Jin called out without turning back.

The crowd made way for Zhao Jin. The children and teenagers in the cargo yard had developed a sense of respect for him. Zhao Jin had arranged the entire competition, and everyone followed his rules to determine the rankings. The once timid and weak Zhao Jin had become strong, winning all his matches, and he didn’t care about the rich prizes or the snacks, always generously giving them away.

These factors made the children see Zhao Jin as different. After his near-death experience, Zhao Jin’s maturity and demeanor were far beyond his peers, which further increased their respect.

Just as they ran out of the cargo yard, Uncle Zhang Zhenxing appeared at the intersection, and Chen Jinchai, the Chen family’s steward, was looking from the other side. Zhang Zhenxing looked puzzled and asked, “Xiao Jin, didn’t I say you could finish the matches before practicing? Why are you leaving early?”

Zhao Jin hesitated, then smiled and replied, “Uncle, I organized these matches to make friends, not to win first place.”

Zhang Zhenxing was taken aback. He hadn’t expected this answer. Such thoughts were usually only found in adults, and very calculating ones at that. How could his nephew have such thoughts? Mu Shulan, understanding the situation, stood aside, not interrupting them.

“Actually, fighting every day is very beneficial for your martial arts. Practicing hard every day with me is like working in isolation,” Zhang Zhenxing tried to persuade him.

Zhao Jin paused, then smiled and whispered, “Uncle, I don’t have the confidence to win first place, so I won’t fight until the end.”