Chapter 149: Whenever He Was Mentioned, His Heart Would Clench in Pain

Perhaps because the Death Arena had not been used for quite some time, today’s match drew a significant crowd. The area around Qin Sheng was already packed, and spectators continued to stream in. While this match was a life-or-death struggle for Shen Shi and Chen Er, for the onlookers, it was nothing more than a casual pastime to be enjoyed over tea.

Qin Sheng lightly rubbed her palms, lost in thought about the impending match. Guo Jun had ordered Shen Shi’s execution back in the Zombie Forest, though Zhang Dong had clearly lacked the competence to carry it out. Now that Shen Shi had joined her squad, it was clear that Guo Jun’s desire to kill him had not waned in the slightest.

Qin Sheng glanced toward Shen Shi. The youth, usually as gentle as a spring breeze and unruffled by anything, seemed particularly incensed today, his demeanor quite unlike his usual self. Shen Shi surely understood why Chen Er had goaded him into this death match, yet Qin Sheng could not fathom why he would agree to it even with that knowledge.

Chen Er had naturally prepared for this match well in advance; his premeditation suggested he had some method to ensure Shen Shi could not leave the arena today. And yet, Shen Shi still chose to step onto the stage.

Shen Shi was a clever person; there could not be many reasons to drive him to such an impulsive, reckless act. If Qin Sheng’s guess was correct, that man Chen Er must have used Shen Shi’s parents to insult him. To have the memory of his deceased loved ones wantonly insulted and dragged through the mud was something he could not abide, even if he knew he was walking straight into a trap like a moth to a flame. He had to defend his pride.

If it were Qin Sheng, her choice would have been exactly the same.

Qin Sheng took a deep breath and pulled her gaze away. So be it. Whatever he chose to do, she would simply have to adapt to the situation as it unfolded. She would never stand by and watch Shen Shi die on this stage.

"Interesting."

An empty seat beside Qin Sheng was suddenly occupied by someone who slumped into it, legs crossed, leaning back casually as he scanned the arena. Qin Sheng turned and realized it was Song Qing'an.

"Why are you here?"

The moment she saw him, her heart tightened. The area was filled with people from the Safe Zone; if anyone discovered that Song Qing'an was an outsider—unregistered and unauthorized—he would certainly be taken away, and it might well implicate her Seventh Squad. While she didn't mind the trouble for herself, Song Qing'an would surely suffer; he might end up like Lin Xing, subjected to the endless, invasive examinations of those hidden researchers.

"Why so nervous?" Song Qing'an met her panicked gaze, raising an eyebrow in response.

Qin Sheng pursed her lips in frustration, leaning in to whisper, "This place is crawling with guards. If they find out you aren't from the Safe Zone, we'll be in big trouble."

Song Qing'an clearly did not share her concerns. Aside from the fact that the guards barely recognized one another, making it unlikely they would identify him as an outsider, their strength was nowhere near enough to capture him—it was pure wishful thinking. He wasn't worried about such trifles, but seeing the panic in Qin Sheng’s eyes was far more interesting to him than the match itself.

"So, you're worried about me?"

Qin Sheng had watched him ponder for a few seconds, assuming he was weighing the pros and cons of what she had said. Only when he spoke did she realize he hadn't taken her warning seriously at all. Then again, Song Qing'an’s strength was far above everyone here; what did she have to worry about? She wasn't sure why her first instinct upon seeing him was anxiety, but now she understood—it was entirely unnecessary.

Seeing Qin Sheng glare at him and turn away, Song Qing'an’s lips curled into a faint smile. His peach-blossom eyes held a hint of amusement and a touch of arrogance. He had originally found the crowded, noisy arena annoying, but somehow, his heart had grown much calmer.

Watching the stage felt a bit more interesting now.

"Sister Sheng, this Chen Er has ulterior motives," Chu Xingyu, sitting behind her, leaned in to whisper in her ear after glancing at the stage.

Qin Sheng glanced at Chen Er in the opposite corner of the stage. If she wasn't mistaken, Chen Er was looking at her, too. The naked, leering smile made her frown deepen.

Song Qing'an noticed this as well. His smiling eyes instantly turned as cold as frost, like a bloodthirsty, venomous snake; one look from those eyes would be enough to make a man feel as though he were dying of poison. Song Qing'an toyed with the jade ring on his finger, shifting its position repeatedly, clearly no longer interested in the trinket itself.

Chen Er had not forgotten the orders Captain Guo Jun had given him early on: to ensure that "ice-cold brat" Shen Shi died here. He couldn't beat Qin Sheng, but killing Shen Shi was simple enough, wasn't it? Especially with Guo Jun’s backing—Shen Shi would be the only one dying in this arena today!

At that thought, Chen Er cast a provocative look toward Shen Shi, who had just stepped onto the stage.

"Isn't this the stray dog Shen Shi, who betrayed Captain Guo? A stray dog is still a dog; you can't change the fate of being put down in a single move."

Chen Er’s tone was insufferably arrogant. He sauntered slowly toward Shen Shi, spewing filth and insults that were utterly sickening to hear. These ear-splitting insults reached the ears of everyone watching.

"I was wondering why that Seventh Squad member Shen Shi looked so familiar. He used to be with Captain Guo, didn't he? Captain Guo and Captain Qin have always been at odds; Shen Shi really is shameless."

"No wonder Deputy Captain Chen Er calls him a stray dog. To be kicked out of the First Squad—what else would you call him?"

"Hahaha, so that’s what a stray dog is!"

The raucous discussion below the stage was loud enough that not only could Qin Sheng’s group hear it clearly, but even at that distance, the words carried perfectly to the stage. Shen Shi acted as if he heard nothing, meticulously wiping down the blade he intended to use, over and over again.

Qin Sheng’s brow furrowed, and she glared at the loudest of the group. They didn't seem to think their words were hurtful; they showed no intention of lowering their voices, as if afraid that either she or Shen Shi might miss a single word.

"I heard that Shen Shi's father was in the same unit as our Captain Guo before the apocalypse. Who knows why, but he and his wife both committed suicide. Our Captain Guo was kind enough to take him in, only to raise an ungrateful wolf!"

"What other reason could there be? Probably felt he wasn't strong enough to reach Captain Guo's level and couldn't stomach the shame, so he just ended it all."

"Hahaha, your theory is well-founded—very reasonable..."

Seeing that Shen Shi remained unmoved by the insults directed at himself, they escalated their taunts to include his family. His parents were his fatal weakness, a point no one could break.

Seeing this, Shen Shi’s hands, clenched at his sides, tightened until his knuckles turned white. Thick veins bulged on his pale neck.

Chen Er saw the reaction and sneered in disdain. Just as the Captain said, mention his parents and the stray dog would lose his composure. Once his heart was anxious, his tactics would fall apart, and his fighting style would be riddled with openings. Furthermore, according to Captain Guo, every time Shen Shi thought of his parents, he suffered from angina; by then, he wouldn't even be able to lift his blade, let alone fight.

Chen Er glanced at Shen Shi’s rigid back and huffed triumphantly. He signaled to the men below, who proceeded to tear into Shen Shi’s parents even more viciously.

Shen Shi’s fists remained clenched. He raised a hand to his chest; the angina made his previously rosy lips turn deathly pale, and his limbs felt heavy and weak.

*No. I cannot have an angina attack. If I do, I won't have a shred of a chance...*

"A stray dog indeed. It's a good thing Captain Guo kicked him out, or he'd have ruined so many things. Hopefully, he won't be as weak-willed and die as quickly as his short-lived parents..."

"Shut up!"

Qin Sheng stood up abruptly. The force of her shout made the entire Death Arena seem to tremble, and the crowd fell into an instant, breathless silence.

"Say one more word, and I will throw you out of the Safe Zone to feed the zombies!" Qin Sheng’s eyes were filled with fury as she stared coldly at the men who had been speaking.

The arena was so quiet that the drop of a needle could be heard. But after a few seconds, the men, momentarily stunned by her outburst, quickly recovered. How could they be intimidated by a girl? Even if she was the Seventh Captain of the Safe Zone, what did it matter? It just proved that this new batch of guards lacked any real talent.

"Oh, if it isn't Captain Qin. What brings you to such a small match?"

"No, my mistake, my mistake. I forgot that the stray dog Shen Shi is one of your subordinates, Captain Qin. My apologies, I spoke out of turn. I hope you, as a magnanimous person, won't hold a grudge against a small-minded man like me."

"Hahahaha!"

The men were entirely unfazed by her threat, showing no respect for her position as the Seventh Captain.

Song Qing'an had heard their provocations, and his brow furrowed, his eyes darkening with murderous intent.

Qin Sheng slowly looked up, casting a dismissive glance at the laughing men. She channeled her strength, and with a sharp *swish*, her Tang dao flew like an arrow toward them. In a split second, the chairs they were sitting on were splintered into dust by the blade.

"Ah!"

"Argh!"

The men screamed as they tumbled to the ground, their howls echoing throughout the arena. Everyone gasped. Last time Qin Sheng had used the sword, it had been a mere demonstration, but no one had expected such devastating power. The chairs the blade had touched had been pulverized. It was clear that if the blade had struck a person, they would have met the same fate.

The men were too terrified to speak, watching with lingering fear as Qin Sheng walked toward them step by step. They scrambled to retreat, but they were no match for her pace.

"Qin Sheng, this is the Safe Zone! We aren't your subordinates; you can't do anything to us!"

Qin Sheng let out a cold laugh, her lips curling. "Is that so?"