Chapter 10: Demon Arena (8)
“Of course, once it’s done, I’ll take twenty percent of all your earnings as commission,” Yan Wuzhen said slowly. “Think it over carefully — this is a guaranteed profit deal. If things go smoothly, you could have enough for a hundred soul coins in three days.”
According to the revival match rules, one could exchange 100 soul coins for a “Qualification Trial” — and leave this hellhole.
It was impossible not to be tempted. Even Xiu Weiyi, who was just listening, thought it sounded feasible.
But Tang Mobai kept his greed under control and asked rationally, “According to what you said, I’ve already caught most of the gamblers’ attention. As long as I win each fight step by step, I’ll earn plenty. So, what exactly can you do to deserve twenty percent of the profits?”
Yan Wuzhen had taken the initiative to reveal his most valuable intel — which also meant Tang Mobai could theoretically cut him out.
“Of course, if you’re powerful enough to guarantee clean victories in every match…” Yan Wuzhen’s tone stretched out lazily, “then naturally, I don’t deserve that twenty percent. After all, you’d have no need for me.”
A sly, fox-like grin appeared in his eyes. “But the whole plan hinges on one thing — that you truly have the strength to crush every newcomer here. If you don’t put on the kind of show they want to see, then all the spectators gathered in your stream because of your potential will lose interest and leave.”
“And even if you are that strong — do you know how to choose your opponents? Do you know their information? Do you know whether there are hidden rules in this revival match that could kill you if you’re unaware of them?”
Tang Mobai’s expression flickered — it was true. What he lacked most right now was intelligence.
“Unfortunately for you but luckily for me,” Yan Wuzhen continued, grinning to show sharp white teeth, “I’m the only information broker in this demonic arena. I know every piece of intel you’ll ever need. I can help you pick the right opponents, tell you every obscure rule you can exploit, even guide you to clear the ‘Qualification Trial’ as quickly as possible.”
He flashed a toothy smile. “After all, I believe in sincerity — my name’s Yan Wuzhen (meaning ‘Never Lies’), remember?”
Tang Mobai: “…Seriously, that’s your name?”
“You don’t have to answer right away,” Yan Wuzhen said, zipping up after the sound of water echoed through the bathroom. “But don’t take too long — if I’m not mistaken, you newbies are required to join at least one fight by tonight, aren’t you?”
After washing his hands, he left.
Tang Mobai and Xiu Weiyi followed him out. After making sure Yan Wuzhen was gone, Xiu Weiyi asked, “Are you going to agree to his deal?”
“I’ll think about it,” Tang Mobai said vaguely.
Xiu Weiyi nodded and left, while Tang Mobai returned to his quarters. With no paper, pen, or coins, he picked up a sharp rock and began scratching notes into the dirt floor.
The livestream chat scrolled by:
[So boring. When’s the fight starting? Hurry up! I’m waiting for this newbie to get wrecked!]
[Yeah, what’s taking so long? He spent forever in the bathroom!]
[You guys don’t get it. Only reckless noobs rush into their first fight. Smart ones gather intel first.]
[Exactly — that guy he talked to was Yan Wuzhen, the “Spider” of the arena. He’s definitely doing some kind of deal.]
[Is it that kind of deal? (blushing face)]
[What’s he even writing? Those squiggly symbols look like gibberish.]
[No clue. Anchor, explain yourself!]
The chat couldn’t decipher the strange markings, but the real-world expert team did. The moment Tang Mobai drew the second symbol, they frowned and began decoding.
Yes — it was part of Tang Mobai’s training: a private code combining pinyin, letters, and Morse, designed specifically to transmit messages to the expert team without alerting the livestream audience.
He was reporting his entire conversation with Yan Wuzhen — waiting for orders on whether to accept the deal.
In the real world, once Wang Yuanzhi received the message, he immediately recognized its importance and called an emergency meeting.
“It’s both a risk and an opportunity,” said the negotiation expert brought in temporarily. “From his speech patterns, this Yan Wuzhen clearly holds vital information about the revival match. If his proposal is real, it might give Tang Mobai a shortcut to clearing it.”
“But based on his tone, I doubt he’ll be satisfied with just twenty percent. He’s dangerous,” someone argued.
The room was on the verge of another debate when one of Tang Mobai’s combat instructors stood up and said quietly, “You’re all making good points. But tell me — if he fights honestly, do you think Xiaobai can actually beat anyone?”
Silence. The entire room froze.
…Fair point.
When it came from his combat instructor — the man who had personally trained him — it carried weight.
In truth, the instructor was right. After sending the message, Tang Mobai had gone to observe the ongoing matches. Judging by the level of the fighters… well, maybe he could bully weaklings like Xiu Weiyi, but that’s about it.
Wang Yuanzhi rubbed his face and sighed. “Alright. Adjust the plan. We’ll accept Yan Wuzhen’s offer — but if we’re taking that risk, we’re maximizing the returns.”
He looked around the room, his expression sharp, “Who’s the hunter and who’s the prey — that’s not decided yet.”
A faint grin spread across his face. “Let’s see if anyone dares to push our people around.”
“Oh, and the new character profile is ready. Our ID can officially enter the field.”
*
Meanwhile, in the arena, Tang Mobai was watching match footage intently. The longer he watched, the more nervous he felt, though he kept his face blank for the audience’s sake.
But the viewers were growing impatient:
[Why hasn’t it started yet? Every other streamer’s already fought their first match!]
[Come on, hurry up! I’m ready to place my bet!]
[He’s scared, isn’t he? Total coward.]
[I bet those weird symbols he wrote were messages to some big shot for help.]
[Funny, though — aside from that one warning message, he hasn’t spoken a word.]
[Did the streamer get forgotten? (lol)]
Tang Mobai ignored the chat. Then, a familiar ID — 92678 — finally appeared:
[Do as you planned, sweetheart. I’ll always support you. (wink)]
That sealed it — his “lover” persona was now confirmed.
But knowing that behind that account was an entire panel of stone-faced experts — possibly even a bunch of burly military instructors — Tang Mobai almost broke character laughing. He covered his face, ears burning red.
[Damn, the sponsor’s here in person!]
[Aww, he’s crying! Such a lovestruck fool!]
He could barely keep a straight face. With teary eyes and a trembling voice, he forced out, “Mm… I’ll do my best.”
Yan Wuzhen had been lingering near the gladiator arena for a while. When he saw Tang Mobai approaching, he didn’t look surprised at all—just turned around and walked toward the restroom.
Tang Mobai followed behind. Coincidentally, Xiu Weiyi was also nearby, and Yan Wuzhen casually pulled him along. The three of them once again arrived at that all-too-familiar place—the same restroom as before.
After confirming there was no one else inside, Yan Wuzhen said, “Looks like you’ve made your decision. Then let’s sign the contract.”
He then took out a contract certified by the Demon Shop and handed it to Tang Mobai. “Take a look. If you’re not satisfied with any clause, we can discuss it.”
“Can you wait a moment?” Tang Mobai asked.
“Go ahead.”
Tang Mobai left with the contract in hand. Yan Wuzhen stood there waiting.
Five minutes later, Tang Mobai returned. Yan Wuzhen’s gaze fixed on him, and a knowing smile curved his lips. “They agreed?”
Tang Mobai instinctively started to nod, but halfway through the motion he froze, forcing himself to stop. His whole body went rigid. Then he lifted his head and looked deeply at Yan Wuzhen.
“Don’t look at me like that. There are cameras everywhere—we’ll never have real secrets here.” Yan Wuzhen pointed toward the ceiling, then stretched out his hand to Tang Mobai with a meaningful smile. “Besides, the more intel I have, and the faster I get it, doesn’t that just prove your partner is capable?”
Tang Mobai recalled the reports sent from the real world, then reached out to shake his hand. “Indeed.”
At least for the next three days, they would be teammates.
The expert team had examined every clause of the contract—even the decorative border—and confirmed there were no traps. In black and white, it clearly stated: “For three days, Yan Wuzhen must wholeheartedly assist Tang Mobai in earning as many Soul Coins as possible. All opponents arranged by Yan Wuzhen must lose to Tang Mobai, must not inflict irreversible injuries, and must not kill him.”
In return, Tang Mobai would give Yan Wuzhen 20% of his earnings during that period.
The contract was notarized by the Lost Paradise platform—no one could violate it without facing tenfold punishment. Since a notary was required, Yan Wuzhen hadn’t minded Xiu c’s presence earlier; he had already known this would happen and that Xiu was the best candidate.
As compensation and hush money, Xiu Weiyi also gained the right to share their intel. Free information just for keeping his mouth shut—he had no objections at all.
“However, I want to add one more clause,” Tang Mobai said. “During these three days, you must share with me all the information you know about this place and about Lost Paradise. And you can’t lie about it.”
Yan Wuzhen raised an eyebrow. “Information is how I make my living as an intel broker…”
“But since you’re my dear client,” he smiled after seeing Tang Mobai’s tense expression, “of course that’s fine.”
“Then let’s have a pleasant partnership.”
They discussed the details of the upcoming gladiator match right there in the restroom, spending a full half hour before finally zipping up and walking out, chatting and laughing.
For some reason, though, the people around them gave them strange looks.
Probably just an illusion.
The three split up at the restroom door. Tang Mobai and Xiu Weiyi headed straight toward the gladiator arena. It was as lively as ever—the blood-red moon hung above, though everyone now knew it wasn’t the real sky.
Almost the moment they appeared, people turned to look—and saw two newcomers.
It was already the afternoon of the first day. Tang Mobai and his group had perfectly missed the first round of fights. Other newcomers who had arrived at the same time had already battled once, roughly gauging each other’s strength. Most bore some kind of injury. Some were triumphant, pleased with their new Soul Coin balance; others hung their heads in despair, desperately scanning for their next target.
Human joy and sorrow rarely align.
When Tang Mobai appeared, nearly all the newcomers who had lost their first fight turned toward him—their eyes filled with killing intent, despair, and hope. Those who had previously been under Unit 009 with him, however, quickly averted their gaze—they hadn’t forgotten how he somehow survived that deadly night completely unscathed.
The others didn’t know that. After a round of combat, even the victors, though bloodied, had shed their civilized masks, revealing a feral and violent nature. The losers were ready to fight to the death, while even the winners—who had earned enough to survive the night—were eager to hunt again and widen their advantage.
But just as some were about to step forward to challenge him, Tang Mobai moved first.
He approached a chosen target, turned his back to the crowd of predatory eyes, and said politely, “Hello, would you be interested in having a match with me?”
At the mention of that key phrase, both newcomers and veterans around the arena looked over curiously. When they saw who it was—Tang Mobai—and who he had chosen to challenge, their expressions froze for a second before flashing with shock.
Seth glanced at him, then silently nodded.
Once viewers in the livestream recognized the man, the chat exploded.
[First match of the day?? He’s challenging him? Is he serious?!]
[LMAO—another one fooled by appearances.]
[Sure, Seth looks half-broken, but the fact that no one’s challenged him yet should mean something, right?]
[Guess this newbie’s getting cocky.]
[‘Dark Horse’ rookie vs. the War Machine—now this I’ve got to see!]
[Too stupid. He could’ve easily picked another rookie for a guaranteed win, but no—had to go for the high-difficulty one. Just for clout, huh?]
Well, they were right.
It was for clout.
The stream’s view count skyrocketed. The bets brought in the hype, and the hype drew in even more viewers.
Everyone wanted to see just what kind of rookie had the guts to challenge a veteran head-on— and who would actually win this fight.
Exactly as Tang Mobai and Yan Wuzhen had planned.
Mini-theater:
After deciding to disguise themselves as “lovers”, we held a meeting to discuss what the image of lovers should be.
Wang Yuanzhi: It’s best to be the opposite of serious, so that it’s not easy to associate with an official organization.
The fighting instructor patted his chest: Leave it to me, I’m good at earthy love words.
[Do what you want, baby, I will always support you (wink)]
Tang Mobai: Chills jpg
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