Inside Magnolia Manor.
The entire courtyard had been cleared out. At the very center stood a spacious raised platform, paved with marble slabs in a perfect square.
Around the platform, rows of chairs had been set up for people to sit and watch.
“Sir, this is the Ding family’s martial arena. That up there is their martial stage—where the past Underground Boxing King Tournaments were all held.”
“In the past, there were only a few dozen people each time. They’d fight elimination rounds, and whoever was left standing at the end was crowned Boxing King.”
“But...” At this, Shawn Shi glanced around at the gathering crowd, hesitating a bit. “This time, it looks like there are already over a hundred contestants. I really don’t know what rules the Ding family will use.”
“Mm.”
Evan Lin nodded lightly, his gaze sweeping the scene. Anyone here to fight had real skills, and those spectating either had money or power.
Not far away, Carter Cheng and Ruby Ding were seated together, with Ryan Cao standing beside them.
Ryan Cao was only here to join the fun. His own status wasn’t high enough to get in—he only managed it by clinging to Carter Cheng.
But Carter had been in a foul mood these past few days. A few days ago, outside Northstar Bar, his most loyal green-haired lackey got killed on the spot.
Afterward, Carter checked the surveillance footage, questioned Yvonne Ding, and got a rough description of the attacker from Ryan Cao. He sent men searching for days, but they found nothing.
It was as if that kid had vanished into thin air, leaving Carter even more frustrated.
“Still no news on that kid?” Carter asked, sipping his tea.
“Young Master Carter, I’ve had people searching nonstop, but there’s still no sign. I even checked the car registration at the vehicle office, but it doesn’t match the kid—the car isn’t his.”
Ryan Cao bowed and scraped beside him, adding, “I also asked Yvonne Ding if she knew where the kid went, but she just kept her mouth shut.”
“That Yvonne Ding—just wait till the old lady kicks the bucket, she’ll get what’s coming to her!” Ruby Ding snorted coldly, always having it out for Yvonne.
“If you haven’t found him, keep looking! People who follow me, Carter Cheng, don’t die so unclearly! Right now, half of Leighton City is watching the Cheng family as a joke!” Carter’s brow furrowed, his tone annoyed.
“Yes, Young Master Carter. I’ll send more people to keep searching.”
Ryan Cao kept his head down, answering with utmost respect.
“Young Master Carter, I heard your uncle is back? Will he show up today?” Ruby Ding suddenly asked, smiling brightly at Carter.
“My uncle just came out of seclusion three days ago. Thanks to our ancestors’ blessing, he broke through in one go and is now a fourth-grade Vajra. But when I left home this morning, I had no idea where he went—he might come, or he might not.”
Carter deliberately raised his voice, looking proud as he spoke.
“Fourth-grade Vajra!”
“Could it be Gavin Cheng, the one who disappeared for years?”
“No way, wasn’t Gavin Cheng rumored to have died from serious injuries?”
Hearing Carter’s words, the crowd’s gazes shifted again.
Most people here knew Carter Cheng, who’d run wild in Leighton City for over a decade. The Cheng clan’s ability to dominate the city came first from an ancestor who reached pseudo-Vajra, letting them rise up. After that ancestor passed, Gavin Cheng emerged.
Gavin Cheng was a prodigy, reaching fifth-grade Vajra long ago, but then vanished for three years without a word.
Rumor had it he died in a fight.
Now, Carter’s announcement stirred up a storm.
Everyone’s eyes on him shifted again, filled with shock and doubt.
“I really hope to see Uncle Gavin’s style. Even the Matriarch misses him,” Ruby Ding said, smiling sweetly after Carter’s words.
The more arrogant Carter was, the happier Ruby felt. With the Ding-Cheng marriage pact in place, she knew securing Carter would boost her future status.
Ruby was still smiling when—
Ryan Cao suddenly froze. “Young Master Carter! It’s that kid!”
“Hm?”
Carter looked up at Ryan’s words.
“Over there—sitting right there, that kid! He’s the one who drove the black car that night!” Ryan pointed at Evan Lin, sitting with his backpack, flanked by Shawn Shi and Dongzi.
“You’re sure it’s him?”
Carter stared, sizing him up several times, frowning. “Are you sure? That kid looks like some touristy high schooler. You really think a scrawny guy like him could take out more than a dozen of my men?”
Carter was suspicious. The fighters he knew were all Outer Strength types—muscles everywhere. Even Inner Strength masters, though less bulky, had a natural aura of power.
But that kid over there looked like nothing but a regular high schooler—no edge, no presence.
“It’s him, I remember perfectly!”
Ryan nodded; he knew Evan Lin’s look too well. Back then, he’d threatened Evan to drive Yvonne Ding home, even dropped Carter’s name, but Evan totally ignored him.
Instead, Evan just drove straight to Northstar Bar.
“So you’re here. You have no idea how hard I’ve been looking for you.”
Carter sneered, stood up, straightened his collar, and strode over to Evan Lin.
Ruby Ding followed, tugging his hand.
Carter got the hint and smiled. “Relax, I know today’s a big day for the Ding family. I’ll just go say hi first—after the Boxing King Tournament, I’ll deal with him properly. I’ve got plenty of time.”
“Good. If you stir up trouble now, the Matriarch won’t be happy.” Ruby Ding smiled.
Many eyes were on Carter, and as soon as he stood up, their gazes followed him.
Everyone watched as Carter headed for the spectator seats.
Over there, a group had been chatting about possible tournament formats. Suddenly, someone noticed Carter approaching.
“Sir, no matter what the format is, I’m sure you’ll easily take first place. These guys won’t last a single round against you.”
“Yeah, I think so too! Sir, you’re the strongest!”
Shawn Shi and Dongzi kept piling on the flattery, but suddenly the atmosphere changed.
Evan Lin stayed calm, his expression utterly unruffled.