You had to admit—young people really feared nothing. The moment the alarm stopped, the crowd of youths rushed right back to the arena, completely forgetting the blaring siren from moments ago.
Zhuang's scream—his arm still dislocated—drew everyone's attention, including Abomination and Wong in the ring.
"I think we should leave."
Seeing Natasha and the others, Abomination turned to Wong and said in a rather simple, honest tone.
"Agreed."
Wong opened a portal and stepped through first. Abomination followed right behind.
So the two had been throwing the fight. They'd already agreed beforehand who would win and lose—just a way to make some extra cash. Who would've thought that Wong, protector of Hong Kong, would be short on money? If Karl were here, he'd definitely mock him for it.
Natasha and the others could only watch as the two escaped. Barton and Sam were just a step too late.
"Damn it!"
Sam kicked a can away in frustration.
"It's fine. We'll track down that sorcerer later."
Barton remained calm. He didn't know Wong personally, but he recognized the portal spell—clearly a mage from Kamar-Taj.
As soon as they stepped away from the arena, the interrupted matches resumed. The crowd acted as if nothing had happened.
"Woohoo!!!"
The atmosphere exploded with excitement again.
At that moment, a staff member walked up to Shang-Chi.
"You're up. Get backstage and get ready… and take off your shirt."
Before Shang-Chi could react, he was dragged toward the back.
Meanwhile, Zhuang stood there sweating profusely, his arm still dangling awkwardly. Natasha had let him go—but hadn't fixed it. That was his punishment.
He looked at Barton and Sam with pleading eyes, while the two simply watched with amused expressions.
Then the bell rang.
The host grabbed the mic and shouted excitedly:
"Ladies and gentlemen!! The fight you've all been waiting for is about to begin! In the blue corner—going viral across the internet, all the way from New York—the Bus Boy!!!"
"What kind of trash nickname is that?"
Natasha glanced at Zhuang.
"I… might've come up with it…"
Zhuang winced in pain.
The host continued:
"And tonight, his opponent… in the red corner… Macau's most feared fighter—Xu Xialing!!"
A girl about Shang-Chi's age stepped out from the other side, her face cold and expressionless.
Shang-Chi froze—then turned sharply toward Zhuang, anger flashing in his eyes. So this guy had known Xialing all along.
"Xialing…"
Before he could finish—
She attacked.
A flying knee came straight at him.
"Wait—Xialing—!"
Shang-Chi barely dodged, but she followed up instantly with a spinning kick that slammed into his shoulder.
He raised his arms to block, but the force still sent him sliding back. Then came a downward elbow strike that drove him to one knee.
"What's wrong with you?!"
He couldn't understand—this wasn't the gentle sister he remembered.
Xialing said nothing. She just kept attacking—fast, ruthless, relentless.
Shang-Chi could only defend.
Suddenly, she kicked him square in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. But instead of pressing the attack, she stepped back.
"Xialing, I know you're angry—but I really need to talk to you."
He stood up, his bare torso already marked with bruises.
She didn't care. She charged again, even fiercer this time.
"I don't have time for this!"
Shang-Chi blocked and countered, finally catching an opening and throwing her to the ground.
But she grabbed his arm mid-fall, kicked him in the head, then spun and struck between his legs.
Shang-Chi's face went green as he staggered back, clutching himself.
Xialing closed in, locking his neck—but she was still weaker in strength.
He countered, tripping her and pinning her down. His fist came down toward her face—
—but stopped just an inch away.
"Can you stop hitting me?"
he asked helplessly.
Her response?
A punch straight to his face.
She broke free and leapt onto him, raining punches down like a storm.
They weren't heavy—more like she was venting.
Shang-Chi realized it… and stopped resisting.
"Stop! I really have something important to tell you!"
He grabbed her wrists, forced her off, and jumped back.
"Dad is coming for you."
He stood at the edge of the arena.
Xialing rushed up to him.
"I'm not fighting you anymore," he said.
"You shouldn't have come back."
Her voice was cold. She turned away, as if lost in thought.
Just as Shang-Chi turned—
BAM!
A sudden kick landed square on his face, knocking him flat.
"Arena rules. The fight only ends when there's a winner."
She spoke blankly—then walked off.
"WOOO!!! Xu Xialing wins again! What a match!!"
The host launched into excited commentary.
Shang-Chi got up, rubbing his face. She hadn't used full force—otherwise he'd be seriously hurt.
Looking down, he saw Natasha and the others happily counting money.
They'd bet on him losing.
Natasha even gave him a thumbs-up—thanks for the winnings.
---
In an office room—
Shang-Chi was still rubbing his face.
Zhuang lay sprawled on the couch, his dislocated arm hanging off the side.
Suddenly—
Bang!
The door flew open. Xu Xialing walked in.
Before Shang-Chi could speak, Zhuang shot upright like a spring.
"Sister Xialing!! I'm injured—hurry and fix me!!"
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