Chapter 35: Reunion with Big Head


    The "good show" Li Chengfeng mentioned was the underground arena that took place after the official beast competition.


    As the name suggested, the underground arena was an illicit event. Li Chengfeng explained to Han Ming that after the formal beast competition ended and the audience left, an underground match would begin. This time, the competitors weren''t beasts but beastmen. Since beastmen possessed intelligence far superior to ordinary beasts—almost on par with humans—and were incredibly powerful, these matches were highly sought after. The wealthy and powerful were particularly fond of them. The earlier beast competition was merely an appetizer. However, capturing beastmen or forcing them to fight to the death was illegal in this country, so these events had to be conducted in secret.


    It was similar to keeping humans as private slaves. While illegal, such practices were widespread, and no one bothered to investigate them. What set beastmen apart from humans was their ability to transform. In their normal state, they resembled humans but with some beast-like features. When they transformed, they took on a more bestial form, with human characteristics becoming secondary, and their combat prowess increased significantly.


    Some underground auction houses even secretly sold illegally captured beastmen, including female beastmen. Many wealthy individuals were eager to purchase them, not only for their strength but also to satisfy certain twisted desires.


    This was the first time Han Ming had heard about beastmen''s ability to transform. He knew Big Head was a beastman but had never seen him transform. What did a transformed beastman look like? Han Ming''s curiosity was piqued.


    Before long, two beastmen were led into the arena, ready to fight to the death.


    Han Ming noticed that one had wolf-like features, likely a common werewolf, while the other was a minotaur. After the commentator announced the families the beastmen belonged to, the match began.


    The minotaur was much larger than the werewolf, with immense strength but slower speed. After a few rounds, the minotaur had several deep wounds, while the werewolf remained unscathed. Everyone assumed the werewolf would win.


    The werewolf seemed to think so too. When the minotaur fell for a feint, the werewolf launched a final attack. With a agile leap, it aimed for the minotaur''s neck, its sharp fangs gleaming. If it landed the bite, the minotaur would be finished.


    But to everyone''s surprise, the minotaur suddenly lunged forward, turned around, and transformed into a massive, raging bull. The minotaur had transformed! In the same motion, it charged at the werewolf, which was still mid-air and unable to react. The minotaur''s sharp horns pierced through the werewolf''s slender body, and after a few swings, it flung the lifeless corpse to the ground.


    The referee declared the minotaur the winner. The surviving minotaur sneered at the werewolf''s body. Han Ming finally understood: the minotaur''s clumsy and slow appearance was a deliberate act. This minotaur was cunning and adept at deception. The werewolf had been fooled from the start and didn''t even have a chance to transform before meeting its end.


    Li Chengfeng sighed with感慨. "Never let your enemy''s appearance fool you, even if they seem as dumb as a minotaur."


    Han Ming wholeheartedly agreed.


    After a short break, the second beastman match was about to begin.


    Han Ming was puzzled. The victorious minotaur was immediately participating in the second match. Didn''t it need to rest? This seemed unfair. While the minotaur might survive the early matches, how much stamina would it have left later on?


    Li Chengfeng explained that this was the arena''s rule. If a beastman survived and performed well, their ranking would be adjusted in future competitions. In other words, the early matches featured newcomers. Fairness was impossible unless you proved your strength by eliminating others. Then, you would become the target for future newcomers.


    The arrangement was undeniably残酷.


    The minotaur rested briefly before the second match began. The replacement for the dead werewolf was a beastman with an enormous head covered in black scales, making it look incredibly tough. However, its body was frail, almost like a normal human''s, and lacked scales.


    "What kind of beastman is that?" Li Chengfeng muttered, unable to identify the newcomer''s race.


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    But Han Ming recognized him. To his shock, the second competitor was none other than Big Head, the beastman he had been searching for. Han Ming''s mind was in turmoil. Why was Big Head here? Why was he participating in these brutal matches? Had he been captured? Big Head''s body was covered in old scars, indicating this wasn''t his first time in the arena. But did Big Head even have the strength for this?


    Han Ming hurriedly told Li Chengfeng that the second competitor was his friend. Li Chengfeng was equally astonished. What a coincidence! If Big Head was truly Han Ming''s friend, he couldn''t stand by and watch him suffer like this. He immediately called a servant and, with Han Ming in tow, went to find the arena''s organizers. They explained the situation to a manager.


    The manager looked troubled. Li Chengfeng was the son of Wildfang City''s lord, so he couldn''t be offended. But Big Head belonged to the Busman family, the city''s largest weapons dealer. The arena had no authority to make decisions for another family.


    Han Ming noticed the manager''s dilemma. Clenching his fists, he said firmly, "Just ask the second competitor if he''s participating voluntarily. If he is, I have nothing to say. But if he''s being forced, then no matter how powerful the Busman family is, I won''t let them off easily."


    The manager had heard rumors about Han Ming and knew this seemingly cheerful young man wasn''t to be trifled with. He sighed inwardly but had no choice. He halted the competition temporarily. He couldn''t let Han Ming approach Big Head directly, so he suggested Han Ming write a note, which he would deliver.


    Han Ming nodded and wrote a brief message, telling Big Head that he had returned and asking if he had been forced into this. He assured Big Head not to be afraid and that he would stand up for him.


    The manager took the note and personally delivered it to Big Head, pointing in Han Ming''s direction. After reading the note, Big Head looked over and grinned widely. It was clear he had been worried about Han Ming and was relieved to see him safe. He waved happily and nodded vigorously, indicating that he was participating voluntarily and hadn''t been forced.


    Han Ming could tell Big Head wasn''t lying. He was likely here of his own will. But why? What could he possibly gain from this?


    Since Big Head had made his stance clear, Han Ming didn''t press the matter further. He thanked the manager, and he and Li Chengfeng returned to their VIP box.


    After this brief interlude, the match officially began.


    The minotaur still appeared harmless, clumsily charging at Big Head. Han Ming couldn''t help but worry. He had seen firsthand how cunning the minotaur was. If Big Head wasn''t careful, he could easily fall victim to its tricks.


    But Han Ming was relieved to see that Big Head wasn''t taking any chances. He fought with full concentration, showing considerable experience. To Han Ming''s surprise, Big Head''s speed and strength were now exceptional, a far cry from the Big Head he had known. Even when the minotaur transformed, Big Head defeated it with ease.


    Seeing Big Head''s impressive strength, Han Ming felt reassured.


    "Your friend seems to be at least a fifth-tier warrior," Li Chengfeng remarked, stroking his chin.


    Han Ming nodded. He didn''t know how Big Head''s strength had improved so dramatically. He decided to keep watching, hoping to find some clues. He had a feeling there was more to Big Head''s participation than met the eye.


    The third match featured a bird-like beastman, far stronger than the minotaur. After a fierce battle, Big Head emerged victorious, though not without adding a few more wounds to his body.


    The fourth competitor was a beastman Han Ming couldn''t identify. Li Chengfeng explained that it was a six-horned beastman, known for its terrifying strength and speed. The most dangerous feature was the six sharp horns on its head, arms, and legs, making it a formidable opponent.


    As expected, Big Head was in for a tough fight. The battle lasted nearly half an hour, with Big Head suffering multiple deep wounds from the six-horned beastman''s attacks. Blood poured from his body, while the six-horned beastman only sustained minor injuries. Big Head''s stamina was nearly depleted, and the situation looked grim.


    After another exchange, a panting Big Head suddenly pulled out a small flower with three differently colored petals. He ate it, and something bizarre happened. Big Head''s body began to change, growing larger and covered in black scales. His entire form transformed, resembling a lion covered in black scales, radiating an imposing aura.


    "Three-leaf poison grass?" Li Chengfeng exclaimed in shock.


    "What''s that? Do you know about it?" Han Ming asked, puzzled.


    Li Chengfeng nodded solemnly, a look of concern on his face. "I''ve heard of it. This grass is highly toxic. Each use drastically shortens the user''s lifespan in exchange for a temporary boost in strength. If I''m not mistaken, your friend has a severe physical defect that prevents him from transforming like other beastmen. But look, after consuming this grass, he can transform."


    "Drastically shortens the user''s lifespan!?" Han Ming was horrified. He knew Big Head''s situation all too well. Big Head had spent decades searching for the Miracle Flower, and his lifespan was nearly at its end. If he continued using this poison grass, it would only hasten his death. Why would he do this? Didn''t he know his time was running out? Had he given up on finding the Miracle Flower?


    "Is this three-leaf poison grass easy to find?" Han Ming''s face darkened.


    Li Chengfeng thought for a moment. "I know what you''re thinking. But I suspect this grass belongs to your friend, not the Busman family. There are two reasons. First, this grass is extremely rare. The Busman family deals in weapons and likely wouldn''t have it. Second, you mentioned your friend has been searching for a miraculous flower. He might have stumbled upon this grass by accident. Most people don''t even recognize it. I only know about it because I happened to hear about it once. This is my first time seeing it. Since your friend is here voluntarily, it''s unlikely someone forced him to use it. What we don''t understand is why he''s willing to sacrifice his lifespan for victory."


    Han Ming nodded, agreeing with Li Chengfeng''s reasoning.


    But what could possibly drive Big Head to such extremes?