Volume Two: Accepting a Mission Chapter Twenty-Three: The Black and White Friendly Match

The battle of the wicked was a contest between the leader of the Da Neng Gang and the military’s "Flaming Rose." This was not about status in the human realm, nor about who held the most influence or possessed the widest network of connections when the chips were down. It was simply a friendly sparring match, fought for the sake of the fight itself.

In the complex human world, particularly in regions that remain uncultivated or where standards are relatively low, the phenomenon of evil persists, and treacherous, cunning individuals abound. On the Third Cultivation Star, such factions still exist, especially among the underprivileged in impoverished and developing nations, where many have yet to learn the principles of conduct or the meaning of a life well-lived.

"As people age, they gradually learn how to conduct themselves and how to truly embody the word 'human,'" Chen Chen thought, walking through the mortal realm with this aspiration, as if carrying a heavy burden. Driven by the mission of ensuring that humanity’s path remains ever-prosperous, he watched as drama after drama unfolded. The coalitions formed to suppress the forces of evil had shifted from a monopoly held by the "DD Hitting People" agency to a joint effort between the agency and government forces, working together to govern the great world.

Two battles had already concluded, and the participants were no longer strangers. This third bout featured the leader of the Da Neng Gang against the formidable female military officer, Flaming Rose.

The leader of the Da Neng Gang was a burly man, and as they faced off, neither side lacked in presence. He carried a broad, flat saber—his favorite weapon—slung over his shoulder. With his massive frame and a face full of thick whiskers, he radiated raw masculinity. Opposite him, Flaming Rose stood in her military uniform, cap, and boots, wielding a leather whip. She exuded a heroic, spirited air, a woman who yielded to no man, and their silent duel began. It was clear that if this friendly match went well, the two might become excellent partners in the future.

The gang leader had practiced martial arts for years, forging a physique of knotted muscle. Combined with his hearty, straightforward character, he was seen as the quintessential "real man" by both his peers and the women who observed him. Flaming Rose, tall and lithe, possessed a sharp, commanding gaze. Her years in the military and her dedication to the art of the whip had sculpted her own unique charm and powerful aura.

"Very well, let us have a great battle today!" The leader of the Da Neng Gang, not one for flowery words, swung his saber twice with the flair of an old-time executioner. Flaming Rose did not dare to be careless; although this was a friendly match, it was a true test of genuine skill.

Life does not brook negligence; every second is a battlefield. Seeing Flaming Rose at a distance, the gang leader, adhering to the principle that every weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, widened his stance and held his saber horizontally in a defensive guard, wary of a sudden strike.

Flaming Rose used a long whip, favoring ranged combat. Seeing his defensive posture, she did not hesitate, lashing out to coil the whip around his left ankle. She pulled back with all her might, intending to drag him to the ground. But the leader had spent years perfecting his stance. Rooted like a mountain on the stage, he employed his signature "Mountain Technique." Standing firm, he channeled his strength and shifted his weight, not only resisting the pull but actually drawing her toward him.

Flaming Rose, refusing to be outdone in raw strength, felt the pressure of the moment. This match was a test of whether she was strong enough and whether she truly respected the years of martial training the leader had undergone. For a moment, it was no longer about their respective factions or status, but about the paths they had chosen to walk on this stage.

Seeing the stalemate, the gang leader adjusted his left foot, spinning a few times to free himself from the coiled whip. After this opening exchange, neither dared to underestimate the other. The leader charged forward, seeking close-quarters combat. This was his domain; at long range, his saber and martial arts were stifled, but up close, they were lethal.

Flaming Rose, seeing his intent, lashed out again before he could close the distance. Her whip struck his saber with a sharp, metallic ring that shocked the onlookers. It turned out that the core of her whip was forged from fine steel, wrapped in leather; the force of her strike was so great that when it met the blade, it sounded like clashing steel.

Missing her target, Flaming Rose retracted the whip and struck again, aiming for his forehead to disrupt his momentum. She knew that once he got close, her whip would be useless, and his superior close-quarters technique would mean her defeat. The leader raised his saber to block, but the supple whip curled around the blade, lashing toward his face.

The whip, reinforced with steel, would be devastating if it landed. In a flash of lightning, the leader caught the whip with his free hand, narrowly avoiding the blow. With a sudden surge of strength, he yanked the weapon, pulling Flaming Rose off-balance and dragging her right into his reach.

Stumbling forward, Flaming Rose regained her footing and tried to reclaim her weapon. The gang leader, whose "Mountain Technique" was flawless, prided himself on winning through virtue and honor. Sensing that she was frustrated by the loss of her range advantage, he held firm. When she realized she could not pull the whip from his grasp, she sighed, released her grip, and returned to her starting position.

The leader returned the whip to her and said, "I yield the advantage." Flaming Rose took her whip and departed.

The third friendly match had come to an end. There was no backstage manipulation to decide the winner; these matches were simply a comparison of years of cultivation and martial discipline. If the match went well, they would become partners who could spar, improve, and coordinate with one another. If it didn't, they would simply move on, indifferent or disinclined to work together, and seek new partners for their future missions.