Chapter 5 May 7th

Outside the Feiyu Stadium in the Dongcheng District of the Imperial Capital, the atmosphere was boisterous, with crowds jostling shoulder to shoulder.

Jiang Xiao, wearing a baseball cap and a mask, held a high-priced ticket bought from a scalper, slowly shuffling forward with the queue.

From time to time, Jiang Xiao would take out his entrance ticket, examining the portrait of the person above.

Jiang Xiao had never expected that Zhao Wenlong would choose to embark on this path after graduating from university.

"Openweight Combat" refers to a type of combat competition without any restrictions, where styles, weight classes, age, and gender are all irrelevant.

The Ultimate Star Warrior Championship is the top combat championship in the country.

First and foremost, it must be stated that this is an entertainment event prepared for the audience.

However, within the scope of "entertainment events," the Ultimate Star Warrior Championship is already considered the closest thing to a "fight to the death."

Jiang Xiao looked down at the entrance ticket, at the image of Zhao Wenlong tearing at his hand wraps. Clearly, this portrait was continuing the style of the World Cup portraits.

It was said that Zhao Wenlong had entered the professional league in February of this year. In three months, he had fought a total of 2 matches, achieving a good record of two wins.

"Sigh..." Jiang Xiao sighed deeply. In this match, Zhao Wenlong's opponent was a female fighter, 32 years old, in her prime, and said to be a powerful opponent at the peak of the Star River stage.

Jiang Xiao fell into a deep conflict, not for himself, but for Zhao Wenlong.

If he wanted to truly fight, various armies had extended olive branches to Zhao Wenlong, so why didn't he go?

If Zhao Wenlong just wanted to spar and strengthen his body, then there were more entertaining events, more widely attended championships he could participate in. As China had developed to this point, various undertakings could be described as thriving, especially within the Star Warrior sphere, where entertainment competitions were countless. Why did he choose this highest-level fight to the death - the Ultimate Star Warrior Championship?

Filled with doubts, Jiang Xiao followed the crowd, had his ticket checked, and sat in the stands.

Everything was familiar.

The familiar green field, the familiar audience, the familiar cheers and applause.

At this moment, Jiang Xiao seemed to understand why.

It seemed that, in China, only the rules of this Ultimate Star Warrior Championship were the closest to those of the Star Warrior World Cup.

However, in the World Cup, the participants were all students. These participants, apart from fighting for themselves, also represented their countries.

And here, the participants were men and women, young and old, mostly for personal reasons.

This match lasted nearly 20 minutes. Zhao Wenlong won, but it was a hard-fought victory.

The female fighter was clearly an experienced veteran, also from a famous school, the Central Plains Star Warrior Academy. After graduation, she had competed in various events, eventually entering China's top event to challenge herself, but it seemed she had not yet obtained the highest honor.

"Oh!!!"

"Woo-hoo!!!"

"Zhao Wenlong! Zhao Wenlong!" The huge stadium could accommodate nearly ten thousand people, and the audience's cheers were endless. It was clear that Zhao Wenlong was well-liked by the audience.

Jiang Xiao stood in the cheering, bustling crowd, silently watching Zhao Wenlong taking his bows on the field, a complex smile appearing beneath his mask.

Er Wei said that she wanted Hou Mingming to serve as the captain of a small team.

Hou Mingming had joined the Night Watch for nearly a year, seeing all kinds of people and encountering all kinds of strong individuals, but...

But Hou Mingming specifically asked for Zhao Wenlong and Jiang Xiao by name. She immediately asked for the Imperial Capital trio, as if she was still living in the past, in the memories of striving and struggling during her school days.

And Zhao Wenlong, standing on the green field, seemed to be no less than Hou Mingming.

Under the treatment of the medical team, Zhao Wenlong, although his clothes were stained with blood, was still elegant, bowing to the various stands, and finally slowly retreating from the field...

In the players' tunnel, Zhao Wenlong was speaking with a plastic accent, walking and talking to his assistant about something.

"Shh~" A whistle sounded from the corner on the right.

Zhao Wenlong's team, who had just turned to the left, paused and turned to look over.

"If you win, you should be happier." A muffled voice came from behind the mask.

People looked at Jiang Xiao in confusion. Someone had already come over, seemingly to drive Jiang Xiao away. It was clear that Zhao Wenlong was a rising star and had already begun to act like a celebrity.

Zhao Wenlong was slightly surprised, hearing the familiar voice and seeing those familiar eyes.

Zhao Wenlong quickly took two steps, hurriedly stopping the two team members, and the people behind him hurriedly followed.

"Why didn't you say anything in advance? I should have performed better." Zhao Wenlong came to Jiang Xiao with a look of surprise, patting him on the shoulder.

The extent of his joy when he had just won was less than one-tenth of his joy at this moment.

"You are 9 years younger than her. Star Warriors are different from ordinary athletes. Star Warriors have a very long career. She has more experience and more training time than you. This victory is worth being happy and proud of," Jiang Xiao continued.

Zhao Wenlong rubbed his thick hair and smiled, "I can't find that feeling of fighting together with you guys anymore, and I can't find the feeling of representing the country."

Jiang Xiao leaned to the side, leaning against the wall, and said quietly, "What feeling? I remember you were a first-round exit?"

Zhao Wenlong: "Uh..."

Jiang Xiao blinked his eyes.

The next moment, Zhao Wenlong placed his hands on Jiang Xiao's head, even through the hat, he was frantically rubbing Jiang Xiao's short buzz cut.

"Hey? Hey? Why are you getting physical?" Jiang Xiao shouted loudly as he retreated, "Is there anyone who cares? Zhao Wenlong is hitting someone!!!"

The two rolled into a ball in the players' tunnel, the people in the distance looking confused.

......

Ten minutes later, in the locker room.

Zhao Wenlong took off his sportswear, wearing a white vest, casually took a bottle of energy drink from the cabinet, and threw it to Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao took off his mask, raised his head and guzzled: "Glug glug... ha... hic."

Zhao Wenlong unwrapped his hand wraps and asked, "No class today?"

"Mm." Jiang Xiao casually "mm"ed, looking at the nutrition list on the drink, and said, "Not drinking tea anymore?"

"Tried it, switched later." Zhao Wenlong wiped his sweaty neck with a large towel, "Very thirsty after the match, tea's too hot."

"Oh." Jiang Xiao took the drink and started guzzling again.

"What do you want?" Zhao Wenlong wiped his head and walked over.

Jiang Xiao: "Ever considered joining the army?"

Zhao Wenlong: "Huh?"

Jiang Xiao shrugged his shoulders, getting straight to the point: "Join the army, the Night Watch, and a special team within the Night Watch."

Zhao Wenlong raised his finger, gestured around, and pointed to the locker room, saying, "I've rejected many teams. My career is just starting."

Jiang Xiao: "So... you want to keep hanging around in this circle, win some honors, or keep fighting like that female fighter."

Zhao Wenlong thought for a while and nodded: "I really like this atmosphere. When I'm old, being a coach wouldn't be bad."

Jiang Xiao smiled, saying, "Good idea, cultivate the next generation well, let him complete your dreams for you."

Zhao Wenlong: "That sounds meaningful."

Jiang Xiao: "Go apply to be an assistant coach for the next Imperial Capital Star Warrior World Cup team. I'll win the championship, your ultimate goal will be achieved soon."

Zhao Wenlong laughed and waved his hand, saying, "I can't train you."

Jiang Xiao looked at Zhao Wenlong with a serious expression, saying, "You just had bad luck, everyone knows you're not a first-round exit kind of guy."

Zhao Wenlong said with a smile: "Do you think I really care about that?"

Jiang Xiao thoughtfully nodded his head, "You just enjoy the process. If you were really obsessed with winning or losing, Hou Mingming wouldn't have been able to maintain an undefeated record."

Zhao Wenlong sighed softly, casually threw the large towel aside, twisted open the energy drink, and said, "This life is pretty interesting, I enjoy it, meeting all kinds of legendary fighters, and sparring with them."

Looking at the way Zhao Wenlong spoke, Jiang Xiao hesitated.

He didn't know if he should continue to recruit Zhao Wenlong. If he had already found a life path that he liked, why change it?

Zhao Wenlong suddenly changed the subject, saying, "The Night Watch, famous. And a special combat team within the Night Watch, you guys shouldn't be short on people."

Jiang Xiao opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

Zhao Wenlong said softly: "Essentially, you're not a person who relies on teammates. There are countless strong individuals in the Night Watch, you can also find many people who can keep up with your pace. It's not my turn.

You keep going up, climbing upwards, your gaze is always on the front, your mentality and state determine that it's difficult for you to look back."

Jiang Xiao pursed his lips and twisted open the cap of the energy drink.

Zhao Wenlong: "Hou Mingming, right?"

Jiang Xiao: "......"

Zhao Wenlong: "Heard she joined the army after graduation."

As he spoke, Zhao Wenlong turned his head to look at Jiang Xiao: "No one knows which unit she joined. It's been almost a year, and there's no news. I didn't expect her to be with you."

Jiang Xiao said faintly, "Mm, originally she was someone from the Mountain Shattering Army or the Wilderness Reclamation Army. I intercepted her midway and dragged her to our Night Watch."

Zhao Wenlong shook his head with a smile, saying, "How is she now? Is she still so competitive?"

"Glug glug..." Jiang Xiao put down the energy drink, saying, "She used 10 months to get the position of team leader. She now has a little bit of power to choose her own team members."

Zhao Wenlong: "She chose me."

Jiang Xiao: "Mm."

Zhao Wenlong: "Someone who's not in the military."

Jiang Xiao helplessly grinned.

Zhao Wenlong turned his head to look at Jiang Xiao, saying, "It seems you're protecting her very well. She dares to make such a request, someone must be supporting her, right?"

Jiang Xiao scratched his head and said awkwardly: "My relationship with our direct superior is indeed quite good. Hou Mingming was someone I intercepted anyway. We're classmates, and I'm also her referrer, so it's only right to take care of her."

Jiang Xiao hurriedly said, "You can't say it so one-sidedly. She proved herself with her strength, and her results are particularly outstanding. Otherwise, my great face would be useless."

Zhao Wenlong nodded his head and fell silent.

In such silence, Jiang Xiao seemed to sense other meanings.

Jiang Xiao opened his mouth and said, "You have to make things clear. Don't feel pressured. I was sent here by my superiors, I have to carry out orders. Now, my mission is complete. You decide for yourself. I will be staying in the Imperial Capital for three days. If you have any thoughts, just give me a call."

As he spoke, Jiang Xiao stood up, saying, "I'm leaving first."

Zhao Wenlong suddenly raised his head and looked at Jiang Xiao, saying, "Have her give me a call."

Jiang Xiao's body stiffened slightly, and after a long while, he nodded his head lightly.