Chapter 412 - 366: Dramatic Champion, Wei Wu Takes the Stage

"A tie is a possible outcome. If the two of you do not wish to continue competing, then according to the rules, the service fee paid to the casino will be split between you."

"No!" Wu Yun and Takeda Nobuyoshi shouted in unison.

Takeda Nobuyoshi shot Wu Yun a hard look. "Wu Yunsang, I insist we determine a winner today! Even though I must admit I’m impressed by your judgment!"

’We tied,’ Wu Yun thought, speechless. ’So if you admire me, you’re just admiring yourself, aren’t you!?’

So, Wu Yun said, "That’s right! There can only be one winner between us today!"

As the host below announced a ten-minute break and began accepting registrations from the audience, Takeda Nobuyoshi fixed him with a provocative stare. "Well? Do you dare come down and compete against me?"

"The winner takes the entire pot! Do you dare?"

Wu Yun scoffed. "You think that paltry sum is enough to get me in the ring? It’s less than my appearance fee! Why don’t we let our bodyguards have a go instead!"

Wu Yun had already used his Detection Glasses to check on Takeda Nobuyoshi and his two bodyguards. Takeda Nobuyoshi himself only had the Skills: Master of Karate, Proficient in Judo, and Proficient in Boxing.

His two bodyguards, on the other hand, were more interesting. One was a Master of Free Fighting and Proficient in Pistol Shooting, while the other was Proficient in Krav Maga and a Master of Pistol Shooting.

Even their physical stats were far inferior to Da Xiong’s group.

However, Takeda Nobuyoshi interpreted this as Wu Yun’s attempt to jack up the price. He quickly sized up Wu Yun’s bodyguards. By weight, only one of the Huaxia men was comparable to his own bodyguard; the other two, who were Caucasian, were absolute super-heavyweights!

’Baka! This Huaxia man is utterly shameless!’

Wu Yun’s own build and weight, however, seemed about the same as his own. Takeda Nobuyoshi, who had trained in martial arts since childhood, was confident he could easily defeat a pampered rich boy like Wu Yun, who had likely only dabbled in some crude, amateurish techniques.

So, Takeda Nobuyoshi made a difficult decision, but his expression twisted into a sneer. "Wu Yunsang! I see you’re afraid! How about this? I’ll add a property I own in Shibuya, valued at ten Million Dollars!"

Takeda Nobuyoshi said in a tempting voice, "According to the casino’s rules, you only need to put up another eight million US dollars!"

"Of course, if you don’t have the guts, then just pretend I never said anything! We’ll call it a draw for today; I can certainly afford the paltry service fee. But in my mind, from now on, with the exception of a few Huaxia People who have some spirit, the rest of you are just..." Takeda Nobuyoshi trailed off, shaking his head and clicking his tongue dismissively.

It had to be said that Takeda Nobuyoshi’s attempt at provocation was clumsy, but it was undeniably effective—at least, on Huaxia People.

Wei Wu shot up from his seat, glaring daggers at Takeda Nobuyoshi.

Takeda Nobuyoshi wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. Instead, he chuckled. "What, do you Huaxia People enjoy dishonorable victories? I admit, I’m no match for you!"

Wu Yun placed a hand on Wei Wu’s shoulder, signaling for him to sit. Only then did he speak. "I’m not fighting. It would be far too demeaning for a billionaire like me if word of this got out. If there’s going to be a fight, let the bodyguards handle it! Otherwise, they’re just useless!"

Wu Yun said this in Japanese, and at his words, the tall bodyguard behind Takeda Nobuyoshi shot to his feet, glaring at Wu Yun.

Not to be outdone, Wei Wu moved to stand by Wu Yun’s side, his eyes narrowed as he stared down the Little Days man before him, whose tattoos crept all the way up his neck.

Da Xiong and Caviar, who knew Wei Wu’s true strength, chuckled as they rose from their seats to back him up.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense, thick with hostility. The surrounding tycoons, however, all looked on with amusement, ready for a good show.

The casino staff simply stood by, awaiting the result, completely unconcerned about a potential brawl.

Seeing this, Wu Yun just smiled. "Well? How about it? Want to compete? It looks like my bodyguard can’t wait."

Takeda Nobuyoshi pondered for a moment, then shot a questioning look to the bodyguard behind him. He then nodded his agreement.

In Takeda Nobuyoshi’s mind, his bodyguard, Sekiguchi Ichirō, was one of the top fighters in their organization. Takeda knew that in a one-on-one fight, he wouldn’t just lose to him; he’d be utterly crushed.

Takeda Nobuyoshi figured Wu Yun’s bodyguard couldn’t be all that special, probably just an army veteran. And from what Takeda knew of the Huaxia military, even if the man’s Shooting was excellent, his fighting skills were unlikely to match up to Sekiguchi Ichirō’s, a man hardened by years of real-world brawling.

However, since Wu Yun wasn’t personally entering the ring, there was no need to follow through on raising the stakes. This was a safer outcome; even a loss would be smaller now. He could afford to lose ten million US dollars, after all.

Besides, he didn’t think Sekiguchi Ichirō could possibly lose.

Takeda Nobuyoshi was a regular here, after all, so he was quite familiar with the casino’s procedures.

He waved a staff member over. "Bring your agreements here and have these two sign them! Our bet will be decided by one final match!"

The staffer nodded, first telling a subordinate to fetch the documents, then radioing the staff on the main floor.

Shortly after, the host’s voice boomed over the speakers: "Ladies and gentlemen! Our first scheduled duel is about to begin! Please return to your seats within fifteen minutes!"

Audience members who had been on their way out stopped in their tracks. Some hurried back to their seats, while others simply stood and waited.

After Wei Wu and Sekiguchi Ichirō signed the liability waivers, they also filled out a few questionnaires regarding their abilities.

"Will you both please proceed to the casino’s designated locker room to change!"

Because Wei Wu was carrying certain items that weren’t allowed inside, Wu Yun signaled for Da Xiong to accompany him.

Takeda Nobuyoshi assumed Wu Yun was sending Da Xiong to be his corner man, so he said a few words to his other bodyguard. After a moment’s hesitation, that bodyguard also followed them out.

"Ladies! Gentlemen! Next up is a fateful showdown!"

"Who will prove stronger: a special forces veteran from Huaxia, or a battle-hardened enforcer from the gangs of Japan! Don’t go anywhere, folks, you won’t want to miss this!"

"And if you’d like to place a wager, our casino has set the odds! It’s an even split! Haha! Because we have no idea if their credentials are real or not!"

The odds for either fighter to win were set at 1-to-1.3. It was clear the house would be making a profit no matter the outcome.

As for a victory by KO or submission: a first-round win paid out 1-to-2.5, a second-round win 1-to-1.8, and a third-round win 1-to-1.5.

Wu Yun and Takeda Nobuyoshi, without missing a beat, each placed one Million Dollars on their own bodyguard to win in the first round.

Caviar grumbled, "Dammit! I’m putting fifty thousand dollars on my coworker to win by first-round KO!"

Those who knew Wei Wu best were the ones closest to him. Wang Hao also put in fifty thousand USD.

Takeda Nobuyoshi hadn’t been surprised by Wu Yun’s one-million-dollar bet. But when he saw Wu Yun’s other bodyguards and his assistant also placing bets—all on a first-round KO—a bad feeling suddenly washed over him.

It felt like he had just walked into a trap. But it was too late to back out now. All he could do was hope his bodyguard would give it his all and not disgrace his title as the organization’s top enforcer.

Down in the prep area, as the bets were flying, Da Xiong asked Wei Wu, "Cao Cao! You gonna bet on yourself to win?"

"I’m putting down fifty thousand! On you for a first-round KO!"

Wei Wu paused, then asked Da Xiong about the payout odds.

After hearing the odds, a slow smile spread across Wei Wu’s face. He pulled checks and casino chips from his bag. "Go place a bet for me! I’m putting everything I have on it!"

Da Xiong immediately grabbed the items, worth a total of 80,000 US dollars, and sprinted toward the betting window.

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

After the host’s introductions, the referee stepped into the ring. He glanced at the two fighters locked in a tense stare-down. Without caring whether they understood English, he rattled off the rules, separated them to their corners, and then, with a sweep of a large, gloved hand, declared the match begun.

Wei Wu observed Sekiguchi Ichirō’s relaxed, rolling shoulders and the high guard he held, framing his eyes and forehead. ’He knew at once—this man was probably a boxer or a Free Fighting practitioner.’

So, Wei Wu decided to test him.

Wei Wu adopted a Muay Thai stance, raising his hands high to shield his forehead and tucking his chin, deliberately leaving a wide opening across his midsection.

Seeing Wei Wu’s amateurish-looking Muay Thai stance, Sekiguchi Ichirō sneered, his confidence surging. He threw a quick one-two jab-cross, then immediately followed up with a vicious sweeping kick from his lead leg, aimed straight for Wei Wu’s liver.

And then, Sekiguchi Ichirō was on the ground. Gasps of shock echoed through the crowd.