"Eat it!"
"Eat it!"
As soon as the match began, the entire crowded arena erupted with deafening cheers that shook the very walls. Those who hadn't placed bets watched for pure entertainment, while those who had were staring at the dusty arena floor with tense, sweaty anticipation. But everyone agreed on one thing: this chicken was basically walking to its certain death.
The hyena, limping but still fierce, charged forward across the sand without needing any command from its handler. It was a top predator on the food chain, and its bite force reached over 1300 pounds (around 590 kg), which was even stronger than that of a tiger. Sure, Xiao Dou was wearing specialized metal armor, but to a hungry hyena, that was like a person eating a crayfish. Who would care about the small claws? Even if it pinched you, it would only sting for a second.
Right now, the hyena was pissed. It just wanted to finish the fight fast and go back to its dark cage to heal.
Xiao Dou, like every other broody hen, preferred lying in her warm nest, squinting her eyes lazily and minding her own business. She was a simple, peace-loving chicken, totally different from the savage beasts that usually filled this bloodstained arena. But when the hyena's raw bloodlust flared, she finally realized—this dog was just like the one from yesterday. It was another dirty mutt trying to mess with her!
It turns out her owner hadn't been joking about the danger.
The host hyped up the crowd, his voice booming through the silver mic. "Oh, look at that! The hyena is charging in, can't resist that fat juicy chicken! But the chicken doesn't seem to notice the predator at all. In my forty years of commentary, it's the first time I have ever seen a chicken that doesn't run when facing a dog. Is it stupid or what? Now, the hyena is opening its stinky mouth and going straight for the chicken's unarmored butt! Looks like this fight is about to end!"
The fight did end.
But it wasn't the way anyone expected. There was no long back-and-forth struggle, no dramatic reversal of fortunes—just a sudden, shocking scream of pain from the hyena.
The supposedly dumb chicken suddenly turned her head, her iron beak flashing in the light, and started viciously pecking at the hyena's eyes. The spectators closest to the iron cage swore they had just seen a damn woodpecker at work.
In just a few seconds, the hyena's head was covered in deep, bloody holes. Xiao Dou narrowed her eyes in pure enjoyment as she pecked out the hyena's eyes and devoured its brain like it was her favorite snack. The enormous hen, now appearing as big as a calf to the terrified onlookers, ate with gusto.
Monkey and Ah Huang both swallowed hard as they watched from the side. So what Jing Shu said was true—her chicken really loved eating eyes and brains.
To the audience and the nobles in the lavish VIP seats, it felt like watching a crayfish turn around, blind its human captor, and eat their brain.
Xiao Dou lifted her head proudly, her tail feathers raised like a queen. Her look clearly said, "You dare touch my ass?"
"Oh my God, what just happened? That chicken... it actually turned the tables? My God, did you all see that? This chicken is a real battle chicken! I declare the winner, the battle chicken!"
The arena erupted into absolute chaos. People shouted loud accusations of match-fixing, demanding the judges review the fight.
Countless spectators had lost their day's rations, and some mercenaries had bet their entire life savings. The hyena's owner had gone all in to win it back, but now not only had he lost his money, his pet was lying dead on the ground, its skull cracked and its brain gone.
No one could believe it. Sure, the chicken was big, but how could it have such terrifying strength?
"Well then," the host said, shaking his head in disbelief, "let's see if this chicken can keep up its lucky streak."
"Next up, place your bets! Our second match features... oh! An eagle! A predator famous for hunting chickens! This is the perfect counter! And since the eagle can fly, it's practically unbeatable!"
He sounded regretful—he had even placed one black market coin on Xiao Dou himself.
The official referee entered the stage to calm the shouting crowd, while the eagle appeared, blindfolded, perched on a man's thick shoulder.
Xiao Dou was big, sure, but compared to the eagle, she still looked small.
Standing on the burly foreigner's shoulder, the bird made its handler look smaller in comparison.
"Fuck, this round better go well. That eagle has got to deliver," someone shouted from the stands.
"Yeah, I'm betting on the eagle too! No way a ground chicken is beating a sky king!"
Xiao Hei translated the shouts vividly, while Jing Shu smiled quietly and said nothing.
She glanced toward the noble seats. Would they really just sit there and watch her win ten death matches in a row?
"Alright, let's get this started already. I can't wait any longer."
The eagle was released into the cage. Meanwhile, Xiao Dou had already finished the edible parts of the hyena.
She actually preferred braised ribs or fried drumsticks, so the raw meat didn't really interest her much.
Once freed, the eagle spread its massive wings and circled the cage, crying out sharply.
There was no need for the host to call "start." The moment the heavy door clanged shut, the battle had already begun.
Xiao Dou stayed calm and unbothered, lying on the ground like she didn't have a care in the world.
She was, after all, a chicken who lived for good food. But the eagle hadn't eaten in two days.
It dove down fast, its sharp claws extended, and the audience roared in excitement.
Facing such a disadvantage, what could the chicken possibly do? Could she really peck out the eagle's eyes like she did with the hyena?
The eagle, not nearly as smart as the hyena, didn't recognize the steel armor for what it was.
It followed its natural instinct, grabbing onto the helmet and trying to snap Xiao Dou's neck with its weight.
Xiao Dou weighed over 25 kilograms, armor included, but the eagle didn't struggle at all.
It had hunted wolves, deer, and even sheep before. A chicken was nothing.
"Oh my God, look! The eagle has got the chicken! But the helmet just saved her life! The eagle is trying to tear through, but it's having trouble. Usually, it would just drop its prey from the sky or smash it with repeated dives. Nothing can survive that!"
The host sounded genuinely disappointed, though the crowd cheered, whistling at the sight of the struggle.
The match was finally turning the way they wanted.
Jing Shu nodded slightly, agreeing with the host's assessment.
Yes, that helmet really did save the eagle's life.
"Oh look! The chicken is still struggling in midair, how cute! Alright, game over! The eagle is diving now, about to slam her into the ground! Even with armor, there's no way she is surviving that!"
Xiao Dou flailed her claws midair, looking completely helpless. The audience burst out laughing at the sight.
But their laughter died in an instant.
There was a heavy crash against the dirt.
The eagle was supposed to smash the chicken into the ground, but somehow, it also slammed down hard with her.
After a violent spin and a crash, the eagle shrieked in pain, flapping its wings weakly as it tried to get up.
And then, something happened that left everyone frozen in shock.