Standing in front of a plucked chicken and a ten-meter-long python, anyone could tell who'd win. Without weapons, not even a grenade to use, what could Xiao Dou possibly do now?
There was no suspense left. 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 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'd change the rules or ban the move outright. Always twisting things in their own favor.
But well, a daddy's still a daddy.
"Looks like she's not gonna 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. "Not necessarily. Let's see what kind of witchcraft she's got this time. You know, there's an old Chinese saying, 'Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll never lose a hundred battles.' Let's watch what she's really capable of. Then we'll know how to deal with her in the tenth match."
"The python's already the strongest beast in the black market," the man said. "What could she possibly use next round?"
Peggy smiled but didn't answer. Instead, she whispered, "You're tickling me. How about… mm?"
"It'd 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 to watch, and plenty of bets were already rolling in.
"It's about time this ridiculous fight ended," someone in the VIP area muttered.
The python slithered out, its body trembling with excitement as it caught the scent of blood. It darted toward the center of the cage, its massive head almost as big as Xiao Dou's whole body. People in the crowd started guessing how many seconds it'd take before she was swallowed whole.
Standing alone in the middle, 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'd get to eat the python's head braised if she won—she fluffed up her feathers and got fired up again!
"The python's charging! Oh, look, the chicken's finally running! I thought it was too dumb to move," the host shouted excitedly. "Without weapons or external help, it finally knows fear!"
The python's shadow loomed large as it opened its bloody jaws, completely engulfing Xiao Dou's tiny frame.
Everyone 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, she flapped her wings hard and spat twice at the python, then started awkwardly fluttering her fat body toward the edge of the cage.
"Oh my god, what's that chicken doing? I've gotta admit, it's faster than I expected! It actually dodged that attack, but what's the point? Look, the python's chasing again!" The host was baffled, and the audience nearly fell over laughing.
If the last eight fights had been tense and frustrating, 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's 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 while the massive python slithered after her at terrifying speed. Sometimes she'd flap to the top of the cage 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.
Each time, it missed her by just a hair. Each dodge was heart-stopping.
The audience and nobles screamed in excitement. Now this was what a gladiator match should feel like! Though, everyone kept wondering—what's 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.
"What's going on?" the host frowned. "The python looks exhausted, but I've seen it crush a bull to death in under an hour before!"
The audience soon noticed too. Moments later, the python suddenly slumped to the ground with a loud thud, as if it had just... fallen asleep.
"What the hell's happening?" people yelled.
Then came the unmistakable sound of snoring.
"What the—? Did it just fall asleep? In the middle of a death match?!"
Xiao Dou strutted over, spat at it again, "Huek, juh!"
When the python didn't move, she proudly pecked straight into its eye.
"Goddammit, wake up!"
"She's killing you, you idiot, can't you feel anything?!"
The host stared wide-eyed. "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's using its own ability. That's allowed, right? Or do you guys plan to change the rules again?"
That was pure mockery. 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'd been saving it for emergencies, and now she'd used it all up.
From there, there was no suspense. Even if someone cut the python's head off, it wouldn't wake. Xiao Dou started from the eyes, pecking bit by bit until the entire head was gone. The python died peacefully in its sleep, completely unaware. Xiao Dou sighed, a little sad that she couldn't have the head braised after all.
The ninth match ended with Xiao Dou's bizarre "ability" earning her a storm of curses—and victory. She was 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 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!