In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.
During that week, Sing was beaten daily by Fire Cloud, left clinging to life each time—only to recover miraculously the next day.
Sing:"Should I curse or cry? &#£@$¢!"
Despite the torment, the gains were undeniable.
After just seven days, his strength had skyrocketed. He could now exchange several blows with Fire Cloud!
Such monstrous talent was truly terrifying.
Even Fenric couldn't help but sigh. "The Son of Destiny… really is something else."
Now it was the eighth day of Sing's beatings.
By this point, his entire image had transformed.
The once ragged street kid had shed his slum-born look.
Now, Sing exuded a sharp, dignified aura. He walked like a dragon, eyes brimming with confidence.
His entire being radiated the presence of a martial master.
Fire Cloud eyed him with disbelief and muttered to Fenric, "You were already a monster, but this kid… he might just outshine even you."
Fenric nodded in agreement. At this point, all he could do was admire the boy's talent.
Judging by the time, the mission was nearing its end.
Fenric turned to Fire Cloud. "Senior, Sing's foundation is solid now. Let's give him a real test today."
Hearing that, Sing's face changed instantly.
Test?
Big bro, can we not do this?!
Fire Cloud raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'real test'? What if he dies?"
"He probably won't," Fenric replied casually.
But Sing quickly panicked and cried out, "Boss! I'm human! I can actually die, you know!"
Fenric thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, to play it safe, you're coming with me. Once you see her, I guarantee you'll want to live."
Without giving Sing a chance to protest, he dragged him off.
Currently, Sing's strength was comparable to a mid-tier Axe Gang officer. Still, to both Fenric and Fire Cloud, he was no more threatening than a child.
The two got in a car and headed downtown.
After a few minutes, they stopped along a street.
Fenric leaned out of the car and pointed across the road. "Sing, see that girl pushing the cart?"
Sing looked where he pointed.
Across the road, a young woman with a pure, innocent face was pushing a small cart down the sidewalk.
She looked vaguely familiar…
"Yes, Boss. I see her."
"Good," Fenric nodded. "Now go rob her—take her change."
Sing:"???"
He stared at Fenric in disbelief. Was he hearing things?
The mighty Axe Gang leader… wanted him to rob a street vendor?
"Boss?"
"I told you to go—don't argue!"
Fenric kicked him out of the car.
Sing got up, brushed himself off, and reluctantly walked toward the girl.
Fenric watched the scene unfold with great interest from inside the car.
The mute girl was pushing her cart toward her usual stall location.
Suddenly, a figure dashed toward her, barking loudly: "Robbery! Hand over all your money!"
Startled, the girl froze. But when she saw the face of the so-called robber, her eyes widened.
She recognized him instantly.
He was the same boy who once helped chase away bullies when they were children.
She stared at Sing silently, her heart filled with disbelief.
This is how we meet again?
Sing, still not recognizing her, tried to act fierce. "I said, it's a robbery! Can't you hear me?"
Even with all his recent strength, Sing still didn't dare disobey Fenric's orders…
The girl, realizing Sing hadn't recognized her, quietly pulled out a small box from beneath her cart.
Inside it was an old, long-expired lollipop.
She held it out to him.
Sing froze.
And in that moment, recognition struck him like lightning.
It really was her.
Like in the original story, they had never truly forgotten each other.
Seeing the lollipop in her hand, Sing was overwhelmed with emotion.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause echoed from nearby.
The "Big Villain" Shura—Fenric—stepped onto the stage.
"Sing," he said, "you recognize her now, don't you?"
"…Boss…"
A familiar chill ran down Sing's spine.
Over the past week, he had come to understand Fenric's personality.
He wasn't just not a good person—he was something far more dangerous.
Since Fenric had taken over the Axe Gang, its public image had improved considerably.
But those who truly knew him… knew that when Fenric set his mind to something, nothing could stop him.
No matter what it took.
He was a master of manipulation… and he loved digging pits for people to fall into.
And now… Sing realized he was standing on the edge of another one.
He was right.
Fenric walked over to the mute girl, gently grabbed her arm, and turned back to Sing.
"Sing, don't panic. I won't hurt her—not unless you die today."
"…Boss?" Sing's voice was trembling.
Fenric smiled like a devil. "But if you do die, I'm sorry to say, I'll have no choice but to sell her to a brothel."
He gave a dramatic sigh and said, "So, Sing… you better live."
"…Boss… please stop playing around. I don't want to be the top martial artist in the world…"
Fenric's face darkened. "After everything I've invested in you, you think you get to quit? You ungrateful brat!"
He pointed at Sing, voice turning cold: "This isn't a joke. If you die today, I will absolutely send your childhood sweetheart to a brothel. No hesitation."
Sing:"…I'm really gonna die of stress before I become a master…"
Fenric ignored him and turned to the mute girl, who stood there with a frightened but pretty face.
"Girl," he said gently, "you'll have to stay with me for a few days. Sing lives there too."
The mute girl didn't understand the situation at all, but when she heard that Sing was staying with Fenric, she nodded shyly.
Fenric grinned, eyes gleaming with mischief.
The trap had been set.