Chapter 249

The gap between a top-tier fighter and a true martial arts master may seem thin, but it's an insurmountable abyss.

That sliver of inner energy becomes the uncrossable chasm separating them.

Countless elite fighters spend their entire lives stuck at this threshold, unable to advance further.

Some train bitterly for twenty years. Others achieve enlightenment in a single moment. A rare few ascend through ancient martial techniques.

Now, this elite fighter finally realizes he's bitten off more than he can chew.

"None of you are leaving tonight!"

Xiao Chen moves like a phantom, instantly cutting off his opponent's retreat. His fist cuts through the air with a howl.

Boom!

Fists collide. The elite fighter staggers back three steps, his palms splitting open.

Desperation flashes in his eyes. "Call for backup!" he roars at the frozen Lao Hei.

Then he charges at Xiao Chen, his strikes whistling through the air.

Cornered prey often unleashes unimaginable potential.

Right now, he's like a lone boat in a storm—barely staying afloat but refusing to capsize.

Lao Hei snaps out of his daze and turns to flee.

"Looking to die?"

Xiao Chen's cold snort precedes his blurred movement. A kick lands square on Lao Hei's back.

Thud!

Lao Hei flies like a broken kite, crashing hard onto the ground. Blood sprays from his mouth.

"I said no one leaves."

Xiao Chen turns back to the elite fighter.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Fists and feet clash. Shockwaves ripple outward.

"Break!"

Xiao Chen suddenly shouts. A faint white glow flickers around his fist.

The elite fighter's pupils constrict—inner energy!

Crash!

He's sent flying, smashing through an entire wall before being buried under rubble.

Xiao Chen strides forward, casually picking up a bloodstained brick.

"N-no... please..."

The brick falls. Blood blooms.

Xiao Chen walks toward Lao Hei, his gaze icy as a blade.

"W-who the hell are you?"

Lao Hei presses against the wall, trembling uncontrollably.

"Why target Evelyn?"

Xiao Chen's voice seems to rise from the depths of hell.

Lao Hei blinks, then understands. "That's what this is about?"

Crack!

Xiao Chen stomps down, shattering his shinbone.

"Ahhh! My cousin set it up... someone paid 500 grand..."

Sweat pours down Lao Hei's pain-twisted face.

"Your cousin?"

Xiao Chen narrows his eyes, lighting a cigarette.

"C-can I live?"

Lao Hei grits through the pain, bargaining for his life.

Xiao Chen smirks, picking up a revolver from the ground.

"Five bullets. One empty chamber."

He spins the cylinder expertly before pressing the barrel to Lao Hei's forehead.

"Let's play."

Lao Hei's face turns ashen. A dark stain spreads across his pants.

"Wait! I know where Ren Hai is!"

He screams hysterically.

Xiao Chen pauses. A sharp glint flashes in his eyes.

"Talk."

"H-he's meeting a shipment at the docks tomorrow..."

Lao Hei rattles off the details, terrified the gun might fire any second.

Xiao Chen thoughtfully pockets the revolver.

"Your cousin's name and address."

Lao Hei babbles the information like a drowning man clutching at straws.

"Good."

Xiao Chen suddenly grins eerily, pulling out a coin.

"Heads you live. Tails you die."

The coin flips into the air, tracing a silver arc.