NOVEL WEB Fighting in the Arena: Where Every Punch Counts (And So Does the Ticket Price)
In the months following Lord Zhang's grand announcement (you know, the one that promised to turn Longjiang into a paradise with roads and bridges), the town experienced a surge of immigration. Families from drought-stricken areas flocked to the town like it was the last pizza joint before a famine, all in search of a better life—and probably pizza.
Li Wei found himself deep in engineering projects, working tirelessly to create adequate housing and community spaces for the newcomers. He was knee-deep in blueprints, tools, and an unshakable fear of accidentally constructing a two-headed house. However, his focus remained primarily on his own pursuits rather than the broad community changes. After all, who wouldn't rather be perfecting their Iron Sand Palm than figuring out where to put a community garden?
As the town expanded, whispers of an underground fighting arena began to circulate. And honestly, who wouldn't be intrigued by the idea of beating people up for money? Li Wei viewed it as an opportunity to test his skills outside of training—and maybe earn some coin to buy fancy tools for his engineering escapades. After some consideration (and by "consideration," I mean a lot of daydreaming about glorious battles), he decided to join the arena under the pseudonym "Ironside," donning a mask that made him look like a cross between a superhero and a slightly confused bandit.
The day of his first match arrived, and the atmosphere was electric—like someone had plugged in a toaster in the middle of a thunderstorm. The arena was packed with spectators eager for entertainment, their cheers echoing off the walls like a thousand bees having a party. Li Wei stepped into the ring, feeling the weight of anticipation in the air and trying not to think about how many people had probably been knocked out on this very spot.
As Ironside, he fought with precision and control, relying on his mastery of the Tiger Boxing Method and Iron Sand Palm. Each movement was calculated; he struck with power but avoided unnecessary aggression. Mostly because he didn't want to deal with a referee who looked like he'd enjoy throwing him out for being too "friendly."
The crowd roared with approval as he emerged victorious from his first match. The thrill of combat ignited something within him—like he had just discovered the magic of double chocolate chip cookies. But he remained detached from the excitement around him. Winning was satisfying, but it was merely a means to an end—an opportunity to hone his skills and gather information about potential threats in Longjiang. And maybe earn enough to buy himself a nice sword without breaking the bank.
In the weeks that followed, Li Wei continued to participate in matches at the arena, each fight sharpening his abilities. It was like an all-you-can-eat buffet for his martial arts skills. He observed various fighting styles, noting how different fighters approached combat. Some were flashy, some were brutish, and one guy just kept shouting motivational quotes in the middle of the fight, which was mildly distracting.
Despite his growing reputation as Ironside, Li Wei kept a low profile outside the arena. He spent hours poring over files related to the elusive thief known as the Three-Eyed Phantom, who had become something of a local legend. This thief had been stealing for years, leaving behind only whispers and rumors, much like a bad smell that never quite goes away.
One evening, while reviewing notes at his workshop (which had become less of a workshop and more of a "Li Wei's Fortress of Solitude"), he stumbled upon a description of a theft that had occurred during a festival in a neighboring town. The thief had left behind a distinct symbol—a mark that Li Wei recognized from previous cases. A-ha! he thought, feeling like Sherlock Holmes with a significantly less impressive hat.
With renewed focus (and a slight coffee buzz), Li Wei set out to gather more information about this recent incident. He spoke with merchants who had been present during the festival, listening intently to their accounts. Each detail added another piece to the puzzle he was trying to solve.
As he delved deeper into both his training as Ironside and his investigation into the Three-Eyed Phantom, Li Wei felt a growing sense of purpose—not for community improvement or recognition but for personal mastery and understanding of this new world around him. The arena provided not only an outlet for his skills but also a means to navigate through Longjiang's evolving landscape while remaining true to himself.
As Ironside fought under the mask, he continued to piece together clues about the thief who haunted local lore like a ghost—one step closer to unraveling the mystery that had captured his attention for so long. And maybe, just maybe, he would figure out a way to balance fighting, investigating, and not accidentally building a two-headed house.