Standing in front of a plucked, shivering chicken and a ten-meter-long, thick-muscled python, anyone could tell who would win. Without any weapons or even a grenade to pull, what could Xiao Dou possibly do now?
There was no suspense left in the eyes of the crowd. The python would win.
Xiao Dou's ten-win streak was about to end in the ninth match.
At this point, even the Chinese spectators who had bet on her victory started to lose hope. The black market staff were the same. Foreigners really had no shame; just like in the Olympics or gymnastics competitions, every time the Chinese pulled off something others couldn't, they would change the rules or ban the move outright. They were always twisting things in their own favor.
But well, a daddy is still a daddy.
"Looks like she isn't going to make it past the ninth round," a man murmured, blowing a stream of hot air against Peggy's cheek and licking her skin with his tongue.
Peggy chuckled, her lips curling as she watched the screen. "Not necessarily. let's see what kind of witchcraft she has got this time. You know, there's an old Chinese saying: 'Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never lose a hundred battles.' let's watch what she is really capable of. Then we'll know how to deal with her in the tenth match."
"The python is already the strongest beast in the black market," the man said, his hand tightening on the sofa. "What could she possibly use next round?"
Peggy smiled but didn't answer. Instead, she whispered, "You're tickling me. How about… mm?"
"It would be my pleasure, my lady."
This match was being called the miracle that even a god couldn't save. The battle between Xiao Dou and the black market's ace python finally began.
To send out their top monster meant the black market's patience had already run thin. More nobles had gathered in the upper tiers to watch, and plenty of bets were already rolling in.
"It's about time this ridiculous fight ended," someone in the VIP area muttered, swirling the wine in their glass.
The python slithered out from its dark crate, its heavy body trembling with excitement as it caught the fresh scent of blood on the sand. It darted toward the center of the cage, its massive, triangular head appearing almost as big as Xiao Dou's whole body. People in the crowd started guessing how many seconds it would take before she was swallowed whole.
Standing alone in the middle of the dirt, Xiao Dou trembled slightly. Damn her master for putting her in this mess. But when she thought about the promise of delicious snake stew; plus her master's word that she would get to eat the python's head braised if she won; she fluffed up her few remaining feathers and got fired up again.
"The python is charging! Oh, look, the chicken is finally running! I thought it was too dumb to move," the host shouted excitedly into the speakers. "Without weapons or external help, it finally knows fear!"
The python's wide shadow loomed large across the sand as it opened its bloody, wet jaws, completely engulfing Xiao Dou's tiny frame.
Everyone in the stands thought the same thing.
It's over.
But just then, Xiao Dou did something no one could make sense of.
"Houwek, juh!"
Before darting off to the side, she flapped her wings hard and spat twice at the python, then started awkwardly fluttering her fat body toward the rusty edge of the cage.
"Oh my god, what is that chicken doing? I have got to admit, it's faster than I expected! It actually dodged that attack, but what is the point? Look, the python is chasing again!" The host was baffled, and the audience nearly fell over laughing in their seats.
If the last eight fights had been tense and frustrating for the gamblers, this one was pure chaos and joy.
"Is that chicken trying to kill me with laughter? It actually spat at the python!"
"Maybe it thinks its spit is toxic!"
"But look, it didn't even affect the python at all! It's still chasing!"
Soon, the chase turned into a one-sided mess. Xiao Dou darted up and down, left and right, across the cage floor while the massive python slithered after her at terrifying speed, its scales rasping against the dirt. Sometimes she would flap to the top of the cage, her claws catching the wire just in time to dodge the snake's snapping jaws.
But the python knew every inch of this cage; it hunted here often. No matter where she went, it followed close behind, striking again and again with lightning speed.
Each time, it missed her by just a hair. Each dodge was heart-stopping for the observers.
The audience and nobles screamed in excitement. Now this was what a gladiator match should feel like. Although, everyone kept wondering; what is with the chicken spitting all the time?
The crowd cheered wildly for the python, and the gamblers were already planning their steak dinners after the easy win. But something strange was happening. The python's movements were slowing down. Its massive coils seemed heavier, less fluid.
"What is going on?" the host frowned, leaning toward the glass. "The python looks exhausted, but I have seen it crush a bull to death in under an hour before!"
The audience soon noticed the change too. Moments later, the python suddenly slumped to the ground with a loud thud, its head resting in the sand as if it had just... fallen asleep.
"What the hell is happening?" people yelled from the rows.
Then came the unmistakable sound of wet, heavy snoring.
"What the—? Did it just fall asleep? In the middle of a death match?!"
Xiao Dou strutted over on her scaly, yellow feet. She spat at it again. "Huek, juh!"
When the python didn't move, she proudly pecked her beak straight into its dark, unblinking eye.
"Goddammit, wake up!"
"She is killing you, you idiot, can't you feel anything?!"
The host stared wide-eyed at the pit. "Wait... could that chicken's saliva have anesthetic properties? Did it just knock out the entire python? Was that why it kept waiting; so the sedative could kick in?!"
Jing Shu calmly nodded. "The chicken is using its own ability. That's allowed, right? Or do you guys plan to change the rules again?"
That was pure mockery directed at the officials. Of course, Xiao Dou didn't naturally have that ability. The sedative was from a stash of tranquilizer Jing Shu had stolen from some robbers last year. She had been saving it for emergencies, and now she had used it all up in the chicken's mouth.
From there, there's no suspense left. Even if someone cut the python's head off right now, it wouldn't wake. Xiao Dou started from the eyes, pecking bit by bit until the entire head was gone and the brain matter was exposed. The python died peacefully in its sleep, completely unaware of its end. Xiao Dou sighed, a little sad that she couldn't have the head braised after all the damage.
The ninth match ended with Xiao Dou's bizarre ability earning her a storm of curses from the losers; and another victory. she is now only one win away from her tenth triumph, and Jing Shu's massive payout in black market coins was almost guaranteed.
"Oh my god, I can't believe this! A chicken with such a strange power; after checking with black market staff and examining samples, it's confirmed authentic! I must declare, the ninth match goes to the Battle Chicken!" the host shouted in disbelief.
Jing Shu dragged the headless python out of the cage, the heavy body leaving a trail in the sand. The arena was roaring with noise; some angry, some mocking; but she didn't bother figuring out what any of it meant. She just filtered it all out.
The black market's trump card was dead.
So for the tenth match, what would they send to stop her?
She couldn't wait to find out.
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I'm now using the Javanese phrase "Huek, Juh!" (a sound of spitting/disgust) instead of the English "Heh, Ptui!" Hope you like the extra local flavor!