Forty years old, awakening attribute panel

Chapter 280 Extra 04
On the other side of the health club, Jiang Sheng remained calm despite the two technicians' teasing. After the massage, he politely asked them to leave and slept quietly alone. When he opened his eyes again, it was already 5:30 in the afternoon. When he walked out of the private room, he saw Zhou Lile lying on the sofa in the hall, enjoying the technician's foot massage service.

When Zhou Lile saw Jiang Sheng, he immediately greeted him warmly: "Brother, are you awake? Come and sit with us."

Jiang Sheng followed his instructions and lay down beside him, with his hands behind his head, and asked directly: "How are things arranged?"

"Everything has been arranged. We can go there directly tonight." Zhou Lile answered easily, then changed the subject, looked at Jiang Sheng, and said with a smile: "My driver Wu Jun has also practiced Kung Fu for a few years. I heard that you are very skilled. I want to learn from you. What do you think?"

"Okay, let him come!" Jiang Sheng agreed readily. He didn't have extra time to speculate on Zhou Lile's intentions. As long as it didn't affect tonight's plans, he didn't mind having another chance to show his strength. In his opinion, this might be a good opportunity to win Zhou Lile's trust and ensure the smooth operation tonight.

Wu Jun, a former special forces soldier with a burly figure and well-defined muscles, was standing in a corner of the club, waiting with sharp eyes. He had not met Jiang Sheng since he received the mission and hurried out in the morning. Zhou Lile greeted him, and the two entered the room together. Wu Jun nodded slightly respectfully to Zhou Lile, then turned his eyes to Jiang Sheng, but he felt nervous.

After only a moment of eye contact, Wu Jun felt a cold sweat on his back. You know, he came from the military, and he was a soldier in the special forces who had experienced countless life and death tests. He killed people like flies and saw the real murderous intent. Murderous intent is different from aura. It makes people feel not awe, but fear deep in the bone. The strong bloody smell emanating from Jiang Sheng in front of him almost broke out of his body, which made Wu Jun sure that this was not an ordinary person, but a "killing god" who had wandered on the edge of life and death countless times. This made Wu Jun very confused. In this peaceful era, how could such a person hide in society, and he was actually an employee of an ordinary company?
Zhou Lile did not notice Wu Jun's subtle change, and introduced him with a smile: "Junzi, this is the brother Jiang Sheng I mentioned. Haven't you always wanted to find a master to spar with? Now is your chance."

Wu Jun felt mixed emotions. Facing such an opponent, he knew he had no chance of winning. The mere presence of the opponent made him feel overwhelmed. However, as Zhou Lile's personal bodyguard, how could he back down at this moment? Once he gave up, his image in Zhou Lile's mind would be greatly reduced.

Jiang Sheng didn't seem to care about the complicated etiquette. He walked straight up to Wu Jun and asked expressionlessly, "Can we start now?" His tone was flat, but revealed an unquestionable determination.

Wu Jun had no choice but to take two steps back, get into a fighting stance, and bite the bullet to fight: "Come on!"

Just as Zhou Liyue was about to emphasize "stop when you're done", Jiang Sheng rushed out like an arrow from a bow. His movements were extremely fast, thanks to his extraordinary agility, and he was close to Wu Jun in almost the blink of an eye. Jiang Sheng swung his right fist, carrying 16 points of basic strength and an additional 15% bonus provided by the gene potion, and hit Wu Jun's arm that was raised to resist. The force of this blow was so great that Wu Jun flew up like a kite with a broken string, flying more than three meters in the air, and finally fell heavily on the luxurious printed carpet with a "bang", and then rolled another four or five meters away before finally stopping.

This scene stunned everyone present, Zhou Lile was even more stunned, he had never expected Jiang Sheng's strength to be so amazing. Wu Jun, who fell to the ground, was in unbearable pain, but was more shocked and unbelievable. He had never encountered such a strong opponent, which made him more curious about Jiang Sheng's identity and origins, and at the same time he was full of unprecedented expectations and worries about tonight's underground boxing match.

"Puff——" As Wu Jun struggled to get up, blood spurted out of his mouth, and then he lost consciousness and fell into a coma. From Wu Jun's initiative to challenge to being knocked down by Jiang Sheng, the whole process was incredibly short, no more than three seconds. Zhou Lile witnessed this amazing scene, his mouth opened wide, like a frightened catfish, obviously shocked by the terrifying strength displayed by Jiang Sheng.

After finally coming to his senses, Zhou Lile rushed to Wu Jun and checked his injuries. Seeing that Wu Jun was just unconscious and not seriously injured, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly arranged for emergency treatment. The scene was in chaos for a while, but order was quickly restored under Zhou Lile's command. After dealing with all this, Zhou Lile couldn't help but sigh, muttering to himself: "If I had known this would happen, why would I have done this?" However, on second thought, Jiang Sheng's amazing strength undoubtedly greatly increased his chances of winning the game, and the huge profits that followed made him excited, and the amount of the bet seemed to be quietly rising in his heart.

As night fell, at 9:30 pm, Zhou Lile drove Jiang Sheng to a hidden private club in the south of the city. This club is not open to the public, and everyone entering and leaving needs to hold a strict membership card, which shows its secrecy and high-end nature. When arriving at the club gate, the security guard at the gate, after obtaining confirmation from the internal supervisor, used professional scanning equipment to conduct a detailed security check on Zhou Lile and Jiang Sheng, and only allowed them to enter after ensuring that they were not carrying any prohibited items.

Jiang Sheng was concerned about completing the mission and returning to his mother as soon as possible, so he didn't pay much attention to the luxurious decoration inside the club. He just followed Zhou Liyue closely, passed through a series of strict security doors, and took the special elevator to go deeper. The elevator door slowly opened, and in an instant, a noisy voice accompanied by flickering lights and shadows came to his face, and what came into view was an extremely luxuriously decorated underground casino.

As Zhou Lile led Jiang Sheng into the casino, he introduced, "Don't be fooled by its small scale. But as far as I know, it generates at least 200 million in net profit a year." Jiang Sheng looked around and estimated that the hall was at least 500 square meters in size and was luxuriously decorated. The "small" in Zhou Lile's words made him extremely curious about the so-called "big".

The casino was crowded with people of all kinds, from wealthy businessmen and celebrities in fancy clothes to ordinary people in plain clothes, men, women, young and old. They sat or stood around the gambling tables, and everyone's face was filled with different expressions. With each roll of the dice on the gambling table, they were either ecstatic because of victory or sighed in frustration because of failure. This bizarre scene, like a mirror, reflects the greed and desire in human nature, and also indicates that Jiang Sheng is about to step into a new battlefield full of unknowns and risks. On the other side of the casino, in addition to the guests immersed in the gambling, there are also some young women with revealing clothes and enchanting makeup. They dance in the crowd like colorful butterflies, attracting those men who are lucky. Under the stimulation of winning money, these men often take these women into their arms without hesitation, and enjoy the pleasure of the flesh in public, regardless of the eyes around them. This scene fills the entire casino with an atmosphere of luxury, indulgence, and decadence, as if it were no different from the dark side of human nature in the doomsday world.

Jiang Sheng followed Zhou Lile deep into the casino, passed through an inconspicuous door, and came to a reception room of only about 20 square meters. The room was filled with smoke, and all kinds of people gathered here, no less than 20 people, each with their own thoughts, and the sound of conversation came one after another. Zhou Lile's arrival did not attract much attention. Several middle-aged men sitting on the sofa simply glanced at him and continued to immerse themselves in their own conversations. Zhou Lile motioned Jiang Sheng to wait, and he went to talk to the men in a low voice, discussing the details of the upcoming game.

Jiang Sheng knew that at this moment he did not need to get involved in these complicated social interactions and transactions. His mission was to participate, win, and then leave with the deserved reward. After Zhou Lile discussed in the reception room for about 20 minutes, he led Jiang Sheng to the competition venue to make final preparations for the upcoming battle.

Although the competition venue is not large, it has a compact layout. In the space of about 100 square meters, a solid steel fence surrounds the center of the ring area of ​​about 15 square meters. There is no space around the ring, and there are no spectator seats. Everything seems primitive and direct, and the air is filled with a tense atmosphere that is about to explode.

Outside the wire mesh, before his opponent arrived, Zhou Lile once again said to Jiang Sheng in all seriousness: "Brother, I have made it very clear before. Once you enter the arena, your life and death will be entirely your own responsibility. It is not too late to regret now."

Jiang Sheng stared at the dark red floor tile on the ring. It was the mark left by countless battles, symbolizing the fusion of blood and sweat. He responded coldly: "No need, I have thought it through."

Seeing this, Zhou Lile stopped trying to dissuade them. The two of them stood quietly outside the iron cage, waiting for the game to begin.

Soon, the door at the back was pushed open, and the first person to walk in was the pockmarked man seen in the office before, followed closely by a black man nearly two meters tall. He was shirtless, with muscles as hard as steel. When he saw Jiang Sheng, he grinned, revealing his white teeth, and let out a chilling sneer, as if foreshadowing the upcoming fierce showdown.

Amidst the chaos and noise, the atmosphere in the center of the competition venue suddenly became tense. Zhou Lile stood aside, feeling mixed emotions. He observed the audience around him who seemed respectable but were actually twisted. Their shouting was like a sharp knife, cutting through the cloak of civilization and exposing the dark side of human nature. Zhou Lile wondered inwardly, if these people really encountered the doomsday zombie crisis, would they still be so arrogant and presumptuous? Perhaps, in the face of life and death, their so-called bravery and gamble were nothing but a joke.

With the club staff's order, the game officially kicked off. There were no extra rules to restrict the game. The most primitive law of survival was followed here - the strong prevailed. Someone on the second floor platform simply and roughly announced the start of the game. The whole space seemed to freeze in an instant, and the air was filled with a suppressed and tense atmosphere.

Jiang Sheng faced the black man who was approaching him step by step. His eyes were calm and firm, without any fear. The black man was confident of his strength, and his words were full of threats and disdain, but to Jiang Sheng, these were just whispers in the wind and could not shake his will. He faced the threat of death and calmly asked the other party if he had ever killed someone. This question seemed to touch a corner of the black man's heart, making him laugh out loud and show off his numerous "achievements" on this bloody stage.

However, just when Black Kong was getting carried away, Jiang Sheng made a move. He rushed forward like a cheetah ready to strike, and his fist hit the opponent's chest with a sound of breaking through the air. This blow condensed all his strength and determination, and was the most direct response to his opponent's arrogance. Although the black man heard the wind of the fist, it was too late to react. He could only retreat instinctively, but the force seemed to exceed his imagination. It was like being hit head-on by a high-speed train. His body flew out involuntarily, hit the iron fence heavily, and then rebounded and fell to the ground. The scene was shocking and thrilling.

The audience's noise was instantly silent. They stared with their eyes wide open, unable to believe what was happening before their eyes. This seemingly weak oriental man actually had such amazing explosive power. Zhou Lile was also shocked. He realized that Jiang Sheng might not be as simple as he seemed. Behind him, there might be hidden unknown stories and abilities.

At this moment, the nature of the game quietly changed, from a simple violent duel to a contest of courage, wisdom and humanity. The audience who were originally only concerned with betting and shouting began to re-examine the battle, with more awe and more thought in their eyes.

Jiang Sheng stood there, breathing a little faster, but his eyes were more determined. He knew that this game was not only for victory, but also to prove that in this chaotic world, even in such an extreme environment, the brilliance of humanity can still illuminate the darkness and let people see the dawn of hope.

As a witness to all this, Zhou Liyue also began a struggle of his own in his heart - how to maintain the kindness and dignity of humanity in such a world, how to find light in the darkness, this may be the question he needs to think deeply about next. Sister Hong, the mysterious hostess of the club, her identity is far more confusing than her name. In the club, she is not only a shrewd businessman, but also a character with unique charm, who can easily shuttle between the undercurrents of power and desire. People refer to "Sister Hong" with both respect and fear, because in this underground world, knowing too many secrets is often accompanied by unpredictable risks.

With the defeat of Black Kong, the atmosphere in the casino reached an unprecedented climax. Gamblers were either ecstatic or regretful, while Sister Hong enjoyed this feast she carefully planned in her own unique way. She knew that although the failure of Black Kong meant the loss of a small part of the gambling money, it was a huge public relations victory for the entire club, which could attract more wealthy businessmen seeking excitement.

Boss Wang, a man over fifty years old but still with a sophisticated and shrewd temperament, was very interested in Sister Hong's proposal. In the cigar smoke, his eyes flickered with calculations, as if he was weighing the possible benefits of a new bet. Sister Hong's whispers made her men act quickly, and she could always accurately capture every possible opportunity and convert it into tangible benefits.

At this time, Jiang Sheng, accompanied by Zhou Lile, withdrew from the hustle and bustle of the boxing ring. Although there were beads of sweat on his face, his eyes were unusually clear. Zhou Lile's words were a little tentative, trying to persuade Jiang Sheng to accept Sister Hong's new challenge. Jiang Sheng's answer was brief and firm. He was not afraid of the challenge, but he was tired of this kind of life as an exhibit. As a former hunter, he was the absolute master in another world, but now he was forced to perform in the quagmire of reality. This strong contrast made him unbearable.

Leaving the club, the two drove fast. Zhou Liyue opened the password box at the right time, showing the fruits of victory. The red banknotes were like blood, symbolizing the exchange of power and desire. Jiang Sheng's refusal to check not only showed his trust in Zhou Liyue, but also his indifference to this form of transaction. For him, money was just a means to achieve an end, not the ultimate goal.

As they drove away from the club, the neon lights outside the car window gradually blurred, and Jiang Sheng's thoughts drifted away. He began to reflect on what this adventure was all about. Was it for money, or to find the meaning lost in this world? Perhaps, it was through these experiences that he could more deeply understand the meaning of Moon Hyo-ri's words - as former hunters, they should have been above everything, but now, he is looking for a balance between reality and self-worth.

As the wheels rolled and the night deepened, Jiang Sheng looked out the window at the unknown distance. He knew that the road ahead would not be smooth, but he was ready to explore the new chapters of his life that were waiting for him, to prove that even in the muddy reality, he could still shine with his own light.

Zhou Lile drove the car through the bustling city night scene, his smile revealed a bit of pride, as if to say, as long as you have enough strength, everything in the world can be easily controlled. He turned to look at Jiang Sheng, trying to plan the schedule for the next battle, but he didn't expect to get an unexpected answer.

"I want to go back to my hometown." Jiang Sheng's voice was flat, but it contained unspeakable emotions.

Zhou Lile caught Jiang Sheng's subtle expression change from the rearview mirror. The surprise was gone in an instant, replaced by understanding. "So urgent?" He asked softly, as if he could feel Jiang Sheng's longing for home.

"I've been out for a long time. I'm going back to see my mother." Jiang Sheng's tone was filled with a hint of gentle apology. Zhou Lile nodded, with a touch of tenderness in his eyes, "As a child, you should be filial. Okay, we'll talk about boxing when you come back!" This understanding and respect made the atmosphere in the car warm.

Arriving near Youfang Street, Jiang Sheng got off the car, carrying a safe filled with banknotes, and his figure quickly blended into the night. His steps were firm, and he had only one thought in his mind - to go home.

Although it was only a short distance of 150 to 60 kilometers from Jinling to Xicheng, every journey home seemed particularly long in the context of the apocalypse. Jiang Sheng hired a taxi without hesitation, and in the night, the wheels rolled, speeding towards home.

Time seemed to slow down under the baptism of doomsday. Jiang Sheng felt that the separation of only one and a half months had lasted for a long time. His longing for his mother was as turbulent as the tide, and he longed to hear her voice. Even the most ordinary nagging could comfort him.

In the early morning in Jinhui District, Xicheng, an old residential area quietly lies next to the auto parts city. The years have left mottled marks on the walls, and the exposed red bricks show the passage of time. After a short rest in a hotel, Jiang Sheng could not wait to get up as soon as the sky turned pale. He simply had breakfast at a roadside stall. The familiar taste made his heart ripple.

Walking in the familiar neighborhood, every step is a step on memories. Beside the path, the grass grows tenaciously between the bricks, with crystal dew hanging on the leaves, as if telling of tenacity and vitality. At the entrance, the elderly doing morning exercises slowly move their bodies. Their leisurely pace of life is in sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

"When did Xiaofang come back? Why didn't your mother mention him?" A familiar neighbor greeted him warmly, his words full of concern. Jiang Sheng smiled and responded, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart. This warmth from the community was what he missed most when he was wandering outside.

When he got home, he pushed the door open and the familiar smell of home came to him. His mother was busy in the kitchen. When she heard the sound, she turned around and smiled in surprise. "Sheng'er, you're back!" At that moment, all the fatigue and dust seemed to be blown away by the wind. Jiang Sheng hugged his mother tightly, and all the words turned into a silent hug. The warmth of home was enough to heal all the wounds.

Jiang Sheng responded to the neighbors' comments with a smile, without lingering for too long. He knew the complex emotions behind these gossips, which included sympathy and confusion. He quickened his pace, just wanting to return to the place full of warmth and memories as soon as possible. On a summer morning, the sun had already spread all over the earth, and the air was filled with a fresh smell. Everything seemed to welcome his return.

Standing in front of his house, Jiang Sheng took a deep breath. It was the smell of home, mixed with the faint fragrance of flowers and food. He knocked gently on the security door, and a long-lost excitement surged in his heart. "Mom, I'm back." These four words contained too many unspeakable emotions.

The door opened quickly, and Jiang Sheng's mother, Qiu Ping, a woman with a kind smile on her face, looked at him in surprise, with tears in her eyes. "Son, why are you back?" She quickly took the luggage from Jiang Sheng's hand and urged him to come in, her concern and love were beyond words.

Walking into the familiar home, Jiang Sheng felt the long-lost peace. The living room was filled with old-fashioned furniture, each of which carried family memories. The family portrait hanging on the wall recorded their past happy times. While helping her son sort out his clothes, Qiu Ping couldn't help but complain: "The station is not far from here. Why didn't you tell me in advance when you came back so that I could pick you up!"

Jiang Sheng had mixed feelings. He had been thinking about how to explain the sudden million to his mother. He was not a good liar, but the reality forced him to find a reasonable explanation. Doing business, stock speculation, antique trading, these reasons require too many details to support, and there will be loopholes if you are not careful. In the end, he chose the way that would least arouse suspicion - winning the lottery.

He decided to tell his mother that he had won the lottery. This reason was simple and direct, and did not require much evidence. After all, no one would think of going to the lottery center to verify whether a person they had never met had won the lottery. He took a deep breath and prepared to tell his mother the "good news", even though this lie made him feel a little uneasy.

However, just as he was about to speak, he saw his mother's eyes full of expectation and satisfaction, as well as the wrinkles on her forehead gradually appearing due to hard work. Jiang Sheng suddenly realized that no matter how he explained the source of the money, his mother would always care about his safety and happiness. So he decided to put aside his entanglement for the time being and enjoy this long-lost family affection first. As for the money, there will always be a suitable time and way to explain it.

"Mom, I came back this time to spend more time with you, so I took a long vacation from work." Jiang Sheng said softly, his words full of sincerity. He decided to make up for his absence from home these years with practical actions, and to warm his mother's heart with companionship and care. As for the money, let it be a temporary secret. When the time is right, he will find the most appropriate way to let his mother accept this unexpected surprise with peace of mind.

Jiang Sheng returned to his room, packed his luggage, and went to the living room again, ready to confess to his mother the origin of the huge lottery prize. Although he was a little nervous, he was more relieved. After all, it was worth it for him to use a "lucky" lie to exchange for his mother's peace of mind.

"Mom, I took a taxi back." Jiang Sheng said casually, trying to change the subject and reduce the impending shock.

Fang's mother frowned when she heard this, and was obviously distressed about the extra expense. "How expensive is the taxi? How much is it? Did the driver overcharge me?" Her worry was evident in her words. As a frugal housewife, every penny she spent was a concern for her.

"Not much money." Jiang Sheng answered casually, then lowered his voice and continued mysteriously: "Mom, I'm going to tell you something, don't get excited when you hear it."

(End of this chapter)