During the Republic of China era, I achieved unparalleled success by returning to the past.

Shen Daguan parked his car and looked around: "It's so lively. I've lived in Zhabei for twenty years and I never knew there was such a place."

"This is my first time here too." Song Beiyou looked at the warehouse entrance, where a group of burly men in blue robes stood guard, their eyes gleaming like hawks and their expressions wary.

"Ayou, over here." Zhang Fei, wearing a round hat and sunglasses, waved to him late at night.

As Song Beiyou approached, Zhang Feilong immediately put his arm around his shoulder affectionately: "Come on, let me show you the world."

Song Beiyou forced a smile: "Thank you, Second Master. This is my brother, Shen Daguan."

"Greetings, Second Master," Shen Daguan quickly greeted.

Zhang Feilong glanced at it and nodded: "Okay, let's go in together."

The door closed behind me, and the sound and heat, like boiling steam from a pot, hit me head-on. The smell of sweat, cheap tobacco, and a hint of rust and blood mingled together, instantly enveloping my entire body.

A dense, dark mass of people surrounded the huge iron cage in the center, their faces flushed and their expressions excited.

"Kill him! Kill him now!"

"Go ahead and hit me! Hit me now!"

Inside the cage, a dozen or so people, dressed in sleeveless vests with number tags on their backs, were engaged in a fierce battle, their fists flying, a chaotic mess like a pot of porridge.

Zhang Feilong, with a cigar in his mouth, patted Song Beiyou's arm: "Take a look first, then I'll arrange for you to fight a match later, how about that?"

"I'll follow Second Master's instructions." Song Beiyou's gaze pierced through the crowd, fixed on the battle inside the iron cage.

Zhang Feilong was quite satisfied and instructed, "Go register Ayou and get him a number. Azhong, explain the rules to Ayou." After saying that, he followed a man with a red belt and went up the iron stairs.

Song Beiyou and Shen Daguan followed Ah Zhong.

Ah Zhong, the middle-aged man who threw the towel, laughed and said, "The rules are simple: go into the iron cage and fight. The three who are still standing at the end can challenge the champion. Look over there—"

Following the direction of his finger, Song Beiyou saw a large wooden plaque with black background and white characters. He was immediately drawn to the prize money displayed on the plaque.

"Hiss, if you beat that Black Prison Lord, you can get a thousand silver dollars!" Shen Daguan's eyes widened and he gasped.

"Tempted yet?" Ah Zhong pointed to the person at the top. "The Black Prison Lord, undefeated in thirty-six matches. He hasn't lost a single game since he entered the arena. Of course, none of his opponents have survived. A thousand silver dollars isn't easy to earn."

Shen Daguan shrank his neck, looking down: "That Bone-Breaking Demon, just from the name you know he's powerful. Black Impermanence, Deadly Kick..."

Song Beiyou's gaze shifted to the bottom of the screen, and he chuckled, "The lowest price is two hundred silver dollars. Brother Zhong, why don't you give it a try?"

Ah Zhong sighed, "I'd like to go, but youth has its advantages in boxing. The champions are all tough guys, and I could easily lose my life."

Song Beiyou raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are the rules for boxing on stage? Can you just kill people at will?"

"Aside from the prohibition of weapons, defeating your opponent is the rule. As for killing, hehe, once you're in the ring, you're responsible for your own life and death."

Shen Daguan broke out in a sweat, tugged at Song Beiyou, and said, "Ayou, boxing is all about risking your life, why don't you think about it again?"

"No need to think. Just do as I say." Song Beiyou's mind was as deep as an abyss, but his eyes flashed with a dangerous light. The inherited mask needed to be awakened through battle, and this was the arena for him to increase his awakening level and fight for wealth and power.

Led by Ah Zhong, the two wandered around for a bit. Just then, one of the underlings approached them: "Brother Zhong, we got Brother You's number, number twenty-seven."

……

Clang! "The second cage match begins!" The thin Taiwanese official shouted hoarsely through a megaphone, sounding like a squeaking monkey.

"Now, please welcome the ten boxers into the cage!"

"First place, number twenty-one, Vajra Warrior, skilled in the Vajra Fist!"

The burly man in the number 21 jacket, as strong as a water buffalo, cupped his hands in a fist salute to the surrounding spectators, glanced sideways at his other opponents, and retreated to the edge of the stage.

"Second place, Iron Hand Ruthless... Third place..."

"Next up is the seventh person—"

A tidal wave of exclamations and hisses surged around him, but Song Beiyou remained expressionless. When the stage official looked at him, he immediately stepped onto the stage.

"Jade-faced Ayou is skilled in the Shadowless Palm." The host's dry introduction was met with a chorus of boos and mockery.

Song Beiyou's lips twitched, he casually cupped his hands in greeting, and stepped aside in order.

The other six people stared at him with scrutinizing eyes, their gazes revealing a naked threat. Song Beiyou ignored them and stood at attention.

Then three more people came in, making a total of ten. The ringmaster strode over to the boxers, shouting through a megaphone, "Three minutes! You only have three minutes! Choose the strongest fighter you think will stand until the end. Correct picks pay out three times the stake. Go home and take your money!"

Shen Daguan, who was standing on the periphery, licked his lips and squeezed his way to the betting table with the crowd.

"I'll buy number 21, two silver dollars!"

"Number 21 is the most likely, I'll buy his too!"

"I'm rooting for number 23. He's got a tough guy on his feet; his muscles are like iron plates!"

Shen Daguan used his bald head and shoulders to carve a path through the crowd and squeeze to the greasy betting counter. The old man writing the tickets glanced at him over the edge of his reading glasses: "What number? What's the price?"

"Number twenty-seven." Shen Daguan's voice was a little dry, and the silver coins in his hand were slippery with sweat. "Ten... no, thirty! Two bills, one for ten and one for twenty."

The people placing bets around him fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter, looking at him as if he were a fool.

"Isn't number 27 that pretty boy? He looks so listless and weak, how can he even box?"

"Baldy, you must be blind. I'll make you lose everything in a minute!"

Shen Daguan tucked the betting tickets into his pocket, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. "What do you know? Just wait and see!"

A skinny guy next to him muttered, "Why don't we bet on number 27 too? His odds are the highest; what if we win?"

"Are you fucking crazy!" his companion yelled.

In a private room on the second floor, Zhang Feilong was leisurely sipping tea and smoking when a soft, effeminate voice came from next door: "Brother Feilong, you're interested in this level of competition now? Looks like you've lost it all."

"Jade Fox, stop with your sarcastic remarks, weren't you here too?"

"Hehehe, I'm just bored and came to watch the fun, but you, Flying Dragon, definitely aren't. Let me guess, you must have found a new person, right? Who is it? Number 23 or Number 29?"

Zhang Feilong smirked: "Hmph, then you'd better keep your eyes open and see clearly later."

……

Clang! A gong sounds!

On the ring, the ten boxers immediately became alert, like cats with their fur standing on end, and slowly moved their feet to assume their fighting stances.

As Song Beiyou heard footsteps approaching, he turned his neck and glanced around—the most burly man, Number Twenty-One, was staring fiercely at him, looking to make an example of him.

A ruthless glint flashed in Song Beiyou's eyes. His body suddenly shot up like a white ape leaping through the air, and in one swift motion, he was already in front of the burly man. While still in mid-air, he unleashed a powerful punch, aiming straight for his opponent's forehead.

At the critical moment, the burly man raised his arms in alarm, crossing them as he parried upwards. Bang! A fierce punch pierced through his arms.

The burly man's arm trembled violently; unable to withstand the force, he staggered backward, his large, ox-hoof-like feet stomping loudly on the boxing ring.

Before landing, Song Beiyou lunged forward, letting out a low shout as he used the advanced technique "Continuous Mountain Hammer," lowering his shoulders, turning his waist, and swinging both arms together.

The wind and thunder roared, and the big man instinctively raised his elbow to block, but how could he withstand Song Beiyou's heavy punch? He was immediately struck by the whip-like force, which hit a blood vessel on the side of his neck. His face turned blood red instantly, and he fell straight backward.

Before the gamblers could even react, number 21, who was considered the favorite, was already gone.