8: Invitation from Master Qin, underground boxing match

He watched Qin Ming extend his finger.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire place fell silent, and the sound of people swallowing could be vaguely heard.

Not only was the thirty million debt canceled, but he was also offered a good job with a monthly salary of twenty thousand?

This...

Only an idiot would refuse, right?

"First, you need to understand one thing."

Su Lei's voice suddenly broke the silence.

"Not only will the debt be eliminated, but the money Li Xiuyuan gave earlier must also be returned in full."

"Second, I'm not interested in this coach job, and I don't want to work here."

The air seemed to freeze at this moment.

Countless astonished gazes shot over, and the onlookers exchanged bewildered looks.

Su Lei quietly watched Qin Ming, who was now staring intently at him, his eyes sinister, the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

The atmosphere in the arena suddenly became tense, making it difficult to breathe.

After a few seconds of silence, a glint flashed in Qin Ming's eyes, "It's been a long time since anyone spoke to me like that. Interesting..."

"How about we make a bet?"

"Oh?" Su Lei raised an eyebrow.

"Let's have a spar," Qin Ming licked his lips, Battle Intent burning in his eyes, "If you win, Li Xiuyuan's contract is void, and his money will be returned in full. If I win..."

He looked at Su Lei meaningfully: "You'll stay at Qin Martial Arts School and work for me to pay off your debt, until it's fully repaid!"

Gasps of cold air echoed through the training room.

The students excitedly whispered among themselves, while the coaches looked grim, exchanging glances.

Li Xiuyuan's expression changed abruptly, and just as he was about to say something, Su Lei suddenly smiled.

"Alright."

He took off his jacket and threw it to Li Xiuyuan, revealing his muscular arms: "Right here?"

"Good!"

Qin Ming burst out laughing, then violently tore off his black suit, revealing his robust, scarred body.

"Everyone step back! Clear the area!"

A large area in the center of the training room was quickly cleared, leaving only two figures facing each other.

Su Lei stood firm, his feet slightly apart, adopting a basic starting stance.

A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Ming's eyes.

This posture was too ordinary, so ordinary it looked like a stance a beginner would use.

But precisely because of this, he dared not be careless.

"Please," Su Lei said indifferently.

A fierce glint flashed in Qin Ming's eyes, and he suddenly stepped forward!

"Boom!"

As he stomped his foot, the floor slightly vibrated, and using this momentum, his right fist shot towards Su Lei's face like a cannonball.

The punch whistled, powerful as thunder!

A full-power strike from a Fourth-Stage Martial Artist was enough to shatter granite!

Su Lei did not dodge or evade; instead, he swung his right fist straight to meet it, his movement seemingly slow but arriving first.

"Snap!"

A crisp sound of bone dislocation rang out.

Qin Ming grunted, his right arm instantly went limp, and a hint of pain flashed in his eyes.

But he was indeed a battle-hardened Martial Artist; almost at the same moment he was injured, his right leg swept out like a steel whip, aiming straight for Su Lei's waist and abdomen!

Su Lei also raised his right leg, moving so fast it almost left afterimages.

Fist against fist, leg against leg!

"Bang!"

Amidst the dull thud, Qin Ming's tall figure staggered back five or six meters, then heavily fell onto the floor!

His resolute face became distorted, and his forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat.

The entire place fell into a dead silence.

Everyone's eyes widened, watching the scene before them in disbelief.

The head of Qin Martial Arts School was actually knocked down by a single punch and kick?!

With the help of a coach, Qin Ming struggled to get up from the ground.

He stared intently at Su Lei, the contempt in his eyes long gone, replaced by shock and a hint of... fear.

"You... who exactly are you?"

Su Lei slowly withdrew his fist, his expression still calm: "I told you, Su Lei, no sect, no school."

"Do you want to continue?"

Qin Ming's face was unpredictable.

He took a deep breath, then suddenly cupped his hands: "This match ends here, I concede."

As these three words were spoken, the entire training room instantly erupted into an uproar.

The students whispered and discussed among themselves.

The coaches' faces were ashen, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Their most proud academy head had actually conceded after just two exchanges?!

Qin Ming wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, "Go get Mr. Li's contract. The debt... is canceled."

The front desk Young Miss nodded hastily and quickly left.

Li Xiuyuan stood rooted to the spot.

He only came to his senses after the procedures were completed, suddenly jolting and trembling with excitement.

"Brother-in-law! You're amazing! You're like my second parents!"

Su Lei shook his head, helping his brother-in-law up as he was about to kneel, and gently patted his shoulder.

A complex look flashed in Qin Ming's eyes: "Mr. Su, I apologize for any offense earlier."

"May I... have a word with you in private?"

Su Lei pondered for a moment, then nodded.

The two went to the head's office.

Qin Ming waved away the front desk Young Miss who was assisting him, then personally brewed a cup of tea and handed it to Su Lei,

"It's clear that Mr. Su is in need of money right now."

"Coincidentally, there's a place where you can earn a large sum of money and also fight against various powerhouses. I wonder if Mr. Su is interested?"

"Oh?" Su Lei raised an eyebrow slightly, "Tell me more."

Qin Ming took out a gilded business card from a drawer and handed it over.

It had a dark beast head logo printed on it, with a line of small text below: Beast Cage Club.

Su Lei frowned slightly, "Underground boxing?"

"Exactly. I wonder if Your Excellency is interested in participating? I can be your referrer."

Su Lei was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "As far as I know, this is illegal."

"So what?" Qin Ming interrupted with a sneer.

"Just the ticket sales and drinks alone are a huge sum of money, not to mention the betting. The daily turnover is an astronomical figure you can't imagine."

"Let me tell you, even the big figures in our city have shares in it."

"Watching those powerhouses, whom you usually have to look up to, being locked in octagonal cages and fighting each other."

"It satisfies the perverted desires of some people and also brings enormous profits to the big figures."

"Under this unspoken agreement, despite explicit prohibitions from above, underground boxing still lurks in the darkness of every city."

"However, I must warn you—" Qin Ming narrowed his eyes, "Once you decide to participate, you cannot back out."

"There are no rules there. Injuries are commonplace, and you might even... die."

"But risk and reward coexist. Winners receive generous prizes. With your strength, one match would be at least this much." He held up five fingers.

"Fifty thousand?"

"Five hundred thousand," Qin Ming sneered, "And the more consecutive wins, the more the prize money doubles."

"Don't worry about owing me a favor. If you make a name for yourself, as a referrer, I also benefit."

"Once you've thought about it, call me."

...

Late night.

Moonlight streamed through the gap in the curtains.

Su Lei gently closed the bedroom door, then slowly slipped into bed, trying not to make a sound.

As soon as he got into bed, Li Xue凝 suddenly turned over and hugged him tightly like a startled fawn.

"Don't worry, everything's resolved," Su Lei gently stroked her long hair, "Are the children asleep?"

Li Xue凝 playfully hit him, her face still showing faint tear stains.

"Don't you know, I was so scared," her voice trembled slightly as she buried her head in Su Lei's embrace.

"Scared you'd leave and never come back..."

"Wuu... I'm just glad you came back safe..."

Listening to her choked sobs and feeling her trembling in his arms.

Su Lei remained silent, only holding her tighter.

The heavy breathing of the two filled the bedroom.