Chapter 125: Forced Into the Arena

Chapter 125: Forced into the Arena

The marriage between the Second Prince and Zhang Yan was scheduled to take place after the war in Southern Yue.

The thought of soon marrying the woman he loved filled the Second Prince with such joy that he felt as if he were walking on air.

While discussing the bride price with Zhang Yan and Minister Zhang, he happily promised, "You have my word. Whatever you ask for, just name it. I will do my utmost to ensure your satisfaction!"

Seeing how seriously the Second Prince took this marriage, Minister Zhang felt a pang of guilt instead.

On the carriage ride back to the residence, he spoke earnestly to his daughter beside him, "Yan'er, His Highness the Second Prince is sincere, kind-hearted, and honorable. I can see he is a man worthy of your hand. After you marry him, forget that other man for good and live a good life with His Highness!"

Zhang Yan lowered her gaze and replied calmly, "Yes, I will do my utmost to live up to Father's expectations."

Though she said this, she knew better than anyone that while many things in the world could be achieved through effort, emotions were different—the harder you try to let go, the tighter its hold becomes.

She even felt a simmering resentment.

Why could Jiang Shuning so easily capture that man's attention, while she, despite exhausting all her efforts, couldn't even touch the hem of his garment?

The Second Prince was blissfully unaware that his fiancée's heart belonged to another. He went to Xiao Xiuzhan's palace, beaming with joy. "Third Brother, I've lost this bet. The ten thousand taels of gold—I will personally deliver it to you when I return victorious!"

"Congratulations, Second Brother, on winning the beauty's hand! In that case, I shall await the good news here, and look forward to you delivering the full ten thousand taels of gold to my treasury!" Xiao Xiuzhan said with a smile.

"Of course! But, Third Brother, I'm truly curious—what method did you use to make Zhang Yan take the initiative to discuss marriage with me? I had expressed my feelings to her several times, and she always politely declined. I never imagined you had such a miraculous way to make her accept my affection!"

A fleeting, almost imperceptible shadow of malice flashed through Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes before he resumed his usual serene and detached air.

"Second Brother flatters me. I merely recounted some of your many merits before Minister Zhang and Miss Zhang, making them see that you are a dragon among men, worthy of entrusting a lifetime to. That's what moved them to agree to this marriage."

Hearing this, the Second Prince believed it completely and promptly clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Third Brother, you have my deepest gratitude! Helping me marry the one I desire is a kindness I will never forget! Since the ten thousand taels of gold will take some time to gather, how about this: accompany me to the armory. I have some fine weapons stored there—choose any you like as a small token of my thanks. What do you say?"

Unable to decline such a warm offer, Xiao Xiuzhan accompanied him to the armory.

As they passed the training grounds, Xiao Xiuzhan's gaze was suddenly drawn to a familiar figure.

The man was towering and powerfully built, with dark skin, corded muscles, and an imposing physique.

Wasn't this the slave he had encountered at the East Market, the one Jiang Shuning had purchased?

Why was he here in the Second Prince's palace?

Though puzzled inwardly, Xiao Xiuzhan showed no sign on his face. He pointed at the man and asked, "Second Brother, who is this...?"

"Ah, you mean Hao Li," the Second Prince explained with a smile. "General Xia gifted this fierce warrior to me. He possesses innate, god-like strength and can easily lift objects weighing a thousand catties. He's truly remarkable!"

Xiao Xiuzhan naturally knew about Hao Li's Herculean strength—he had witnessed him single-handedly lift a carriage that day at the East Market.

"Second Brother, there's no need for weapons. I find this Hao Li quite valiant and very much to my liking. How about this: if you truly wish to thank me, why not reluctantly part with him and gift this divinely strong warrior to me? I've been troubled lately by the lack of a capable personal guard by my side."

"This..." Upon hearing this, the Second Prince's face immediately showed hesitation, appearing somewhat reluctant.

"What, is Second Brother unwilling to part with him?" Seeing this, Xiao Xiuzhan deliberately feigned disappointment, his tone turning slightly distant. "If that's the case, then forget it. I suppose I shouldn't have taken your earlier offer to thank me seriously."

"Third Brother, you misunderstand! I genuinely want to thank you!" The Second Prince, hearing this, grew somewhat anxious and quickly said, "Fine, since you like him so much, I'll gift Hao Li to you. I hope he meets your standards!"

"Thank you, Second Brother. Then I shall accept graciously!" A triumphant smile curled at the corner of Xiao Xiuzhan's mouth.

Xiao Xiuzhan took Hao Li straight out of the palace gates and delivered him to the darkest, most blood-drenched place in the capital—the arena.

Watching the bloody fights in the arena and hearing the roars from all directions, Hao Li was immediately seized with terror.

"Your Highness, the Second Prince clearly said you would keep me by your side as a personal guard!"

Xiao Xiuzhan's lips curved into a cold smile.

"You are merely a lowly slave. How dare you question your master's decisions? I am your master now, and I decide everything about you! With your dull, simple-minded appearance, what can you do besides possessing brute strength?

This prince wants a battle-hardened soldier, one exuding an aura of killing intent! And the arena is the perfect place to temper you. Only in a place where you face life-and-death trials every day can the primal ferocity in your blood be fully unleashed, training you in the killing aura you lack!"

Hao Li instinctively wanted to turn and flee this hell that was about to swallow him. However, before he could take a step, he felt a cold sensation against his neck.

A retainer beside Xiao Xiuzhan pressed a sword that gleamed with a cold, faint light against Hao Li's throat, his tone icy. "This blade is coated with deadly poison. Make one wrong move, and you will die instantly! If you dare disobey orders, you will die!"

Feeling the threat of death, Hao Li's fear instantly peaked.

He had no choice but to abandon resistance and step by step walk toward the blood-drenched arena of slaughter.

Like a caged beast, he was locked in a specially made iron cage. The cage was surrounded by poisonous spikes; the slightest struggle would pierce his body, leading to a fatal poisoning.

He dared not make any rash moves and could only curl up in the cramped cage, silently enduring endless fear and torment.

Here, every day he had to exert all his strength to defeat one ferocious opponent after another just to barely earn a mouthful of food; otherwise, he would have to endure the torment of hunger.

To survive, he had to become stronger and more ruthless.

Day after day, in the ceaseless slaughter and strife, the honesty and kindness in his eyes gradually faded away, replaced by endless bloodlust and killing intent...