Chapter 37: Hatred


    "Han Ming! Stop your friend, he can''t keep eating. He''ll die!" Li Chengfeng shouted at Han Ming.


    Han Ming remained silent, his nails digging so deeply into his palms that blood trickled down. He knew Big Head''s stubbornness; even if he tried to stop him, Big Head wouldn''t listen. Besides, Big Head must have his reasons. Han Ming had no right to stop him. If Big Head wasn''t allowed to give his all today, could he truly live on? His survival until now was solely due to the unwavering belief in his heart.


    After consuming a three-leaf poison herb, Big Head''s eyes instantly regained their spark. He dodged a heavy punch from the dual-headed beastman, narrowly escaping. Big Head was burning the last remnants of his life to gain strength. His power surged from a second-tier warrior to a third-tier warrior.


    "It seems I have to transform," the dual-headed beastman muttered, seeing Big Head grow stronger. His body expanded dramatically, growing from over five meters to more than seven meters tall. Each step he took caused the ground to tremble.


    "Fourth tier!" Li Chengfeng''s pupils contracted in shock. "The dual-headed beastman''s power is terrifying. A single transformation boosted his strength by two tiers. It took me three years to go from third to fourth tier!"


    The gap between Big Head and the dual-headed beastman had widened. The ensuing battle was brutal. Big Head''s scales were nearly all destroyed, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to give up.


    The fight turned into a one-sided massacre. Big Head, small and frail, dodged desperately under the dual-headed beastman''s relentless attacks. Occasionally, when the beastman''s foot slammed near him, Big Head would bite the beastman''s leg before struggling to escape. But to the beastman, it was like a mosquito bite—insignificant.


    The three-colored poison herb, while boosting Big Head''s strength, was also mercilessly draining his life. When the dual-headed beastman''s massive foot crushed Big Head''s hind legs, Big Head knew it was over. His heart filled with bitterness. His dream was shattered; he would never see his mother again. Seventy years of effort had gone to waste. The once unyielding Big Head finally shed tears of sorrow. He had never cried before, not even when his body began to rot from eating poison herbs. But now, he cried because the last glimmer of hope in his heart was gone. The pain of his body was nothing compared to the shattering of his dream. He saw his mother''s figure fading away, and he could no longer catch up.


    The dual-headed beastman lifted his foot, shaking off Big Head, who was stuck to the sole, and flung him aside.


    "I''m sorry, truly sorry. I have no choice. If I don''t kill you today, not only will I be killed by Woody, but I''ll also lose the woman I love. I hope you can forgive me," the dual-headed beastman sighed, lifting his foot to crush Big Head''s frail body. He felt no joy in his impending victory, only sorrow. In the end, they were merely playthings in the eyes of others. He mourned for Big Head and for himself.


    Just as the dual-headed beastman''s foot was about to crush Big Head, a dark figure flashed to Big Head''s side. The figure raised an arm, single-handedly blocking the beastman''s crushing stomp. A deafening crash echoed as dust scattered from the impact. The slender figure, less than two meters tall, stood firm like a rock. The beastman''s terrifying stomp didn''t even bend the figure''s arm.


    Gasps erupted from the private boxes in the audience. These spectators, who had been laughing at the brutal fight, now showed genuine shock. The dual-headed beastman''s massive body, combined with his terrifying strength, made his stomp something even a peak sixth-tier warrior wouldn''t dare to block. Yet, this slender human had withstood it purely with his physical strength. Who was this man?


    It was Han Ming, who had appeared at the last moment.


    With one hand holding the beastman''s foot, Han Ming coldly glared at him. "Enough, you''ve won."


    The moment their eyes met, the beastman trembled in fear. He was in his transformed state, yet this human had blocked his stomp! And those eyes—they were terrifying, as if they could see into his soul. Only someone consumed by rage could have such eyes.


    The beastman fearfully withdrew his foot, standing there uncertainly.


    Li Chengfeng also arrived on the scene, speaking to the referee, who then declared the dual-headed beastman the winner.


    Han Ming, heartbroken, cradled Big Head in his arms. Seeing Big Head on the verge of death, he felt an indescribable pain. Big Head was the first person he had met in this other world, the first to move him.


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    "Han Ming, cough, cough, it''s a pity it ended like this. I''ll never see my mother again. I wish I had more three-colored poison herbs. If I could just pass this last hurdle, Mr. Bodibusman would give me the Miracle Flower," Big Head sobbed in Han Ming''s arms.


    Big Head''s words pierced Han Ming''s heart like a steel needle. They were so similar to what Wei''er had said before her death.


    Han Ming felt panic-stricken. He didn''t want to lose Big Head. Wei''er and Big Head were the first friends he had made in this world, and he treated them like family. Were they both destined to meet the same fate?


    Han Ming held Big Head tightly, unable to bear the pain. Watching his friends die for their dreams while he was powerless to save them—why was fate so cruel? It wasn''t fair. It shouldn''t be this way. Why?


    "Big Head, don''t be afraid. We still have a chance. Don''t give up. Don''t forget, you still need to find your mother. If you give up now, you''ll never see her again," Han Ming pleaded, trying to convince Big Head to hold on. He couldn''t bear to see Big Head relive Wei''er''s tragedy.


    "Let me check his injuries."


    Han Ming turned to see a man in a green robe, accompanied by Li Chengfeng and a stern-faced middle-aged man.


    Li Chengfeng quickly explained, "Han Ming, let Mr. Kus treat your friend. He''s a friend of my father''s, visiting Wild City to see him. He''s a third-tier wood mage, skilled in healing. Given your friend''s condition, a wood mage is best suited to treat him."


    Hearing that Kus was a third-tier wood mage, Han Ming''s hope reignited. He stepped aside, allowing Kus to treat Big Head, and bowed deeply three times. "Please, save his life. I beg you."


    Han Ming had never begged anyone before, no matter how dire the situation. But now, he had no choice.


    Kus, while examining Big Head and casting powerful wood healing spells, said without turning, "Thank Li Zhan. I''m doing this for him."


    Li Chengfeng then introduced the stern-faced middle-aged man as his father, Li Zhan, the city lord of Wild City. Li Zhan had been watching the match with other nobles, so he hadn''t met Han Ming earlier. When Li Chengfeng asked for his father''s help, Li Zhan immediately called on his friend Kus.


    "Hello, Uncle. Thank you," Han Ming said respectfully, realizing the middle-aged man was his sworn brother''s father.


    Li Zhan''s stern face softened into a rare smile. "You''re Han Ming. I''ve heard about you. I know you and Feng''er are sworn brothers. We''re family now; no need for formalities. Take care of your friend; don''t mind me." Li Zhan had been impressed when he heard about Han Ming''s duel with Bardel at the mercenary inn. Learning that his son had sworn brotherhood with Han Ming had pleased him greatly.


    Having such an outstanding sworn brother was a boon for his son. The future belonged to the young, and with his son''s talent and Han Ming''s potential as a water mage, they could go far together. No matter how he looked at it, helping Han Ming today was the right move.


    Li Chengfeng urged, "Han Ming, don''t worry about us. Go take care of your friend."


    Han Ming nodded gratefully to Li Chengfeng and his father, then turned to check on Big Head.


    Kus, the wood mage, looked grave. "Your friend consumed two three-leaf poison herbs and is severely injured. His condition is dire. Unfortunately, I''m only a third-tier wood mage with limited magic power, and I don''t have any wood magic crystals on me. Otherwise, I could save him."


    Han Ming quickly pulled out ten wood magic crystals from his storage bag, handing them to Kus. He said if more were needed, he had more. He was willing to pay any price to save Big Head.


    Kus was surprised. He hadn''t expected this young man to possess so many magic crystals. He had some himself but didn''t want to waste them on a stranger. Mages were typically aloof, rarely helping others without personal gain.


    But with Han Ming''s offer and Li Zhan''s presence, Kus couldn''t refuse. He took the crystals and began healing Big Head. Given Big Head''s severe injuries, Kus would only need one crystal''s energy, leaving him with nine extra.


    After nearly twenty minutes, Kus managed to neutralize some of the poison in Big Head''s body, saving his life. Han Ming, overjoyed, thanked Kus and offered ten more wood magic crystals as a reward.


    Kus accepted the crystals without a word, wiping sweat from his brow. He thought the young man knew how to handle things. Plus, he owed Li Zhan a favor. This wasn''t a wasted effort.


    At that moment, members of the Busman family arrived. After all, Big Head was their beastman, and even though he had lost, it was only right to check on him. Bodie, aware of Han Ming''s identity, didn''t take him seriously. He believed his son Kelwin was far superior to Han Ming and saw no need to fear him.


    "City Lord Li, what a pleasant surprise," Bodie greeted Li Zhan, ignoring Big Head completely.


    Li Zhan smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Bodie.


    Han Ming glared at Bodie, furious. His friend was nearly dead, and this man couldn''t care less. Big Head had suffered for their family, and Han Ming now suspected Bodie had deceived Big Head. Earlier, Big Head had mentioned that winning the match would earn him the Miracle Flower from Bodie. Han Ming doubted the Busman family possessed such a rare item.


    "Patriarch Bodie, this beastman is my good friend. Could I buy his freedom from you?" Han Ming asked, suppressing his anger.


    Bodie chuckled, barely glancing at Han Ming. He turned to his steward and said, "Take that trash back."


    The steward quickly arranged for a stretcher, and Big Head was carried away.


    Han Ming nodded coldly, saying nothing. He wouldn''t let this go. With Li Chengfeng''s father present, he wouldn''t cause trouble now that Big Head was safe. But he would reclaim Big Head and make Bodie pay.


    "Your son is truly remarkable. I hear he''s reached the fourth-tier warrior level. How enviable," Bodie praised Li Chengfeng, though inwardly he thought his son Kelwin, a fire mage, had a brighter future.


    Li Zhan modestly replied, "Not at all. How could he compare to your son Kelwin? He''s a fire mage, one in a hundred thousand. If anyone should be envied, it''s me."


    Bodie nodded arrogantly and left with his entourage.


    Han Ming and Li Chengfeng exchanged a glance, both startled.


    Kelwin!!


    Han Ming''s eyes widened in anger. That name was etched in his memory. It seemed fate had a cruel sense of humor—Kelwin was Bodie''s son. Both Wei''er and Big Head had fallen victim to their family.