Chapter 23: Triumph Over the Scorpion! Searing to the Eyes!

The Madman nodded in agreement, saying, "Alright, then let's head to the training ground inside."

"Before the fight starts, anyone interested in placing a bet?"

"I'm betting on Chen Yi to win. Who's in?" Viper squinted his eyes, full of confidence.

"I'll bet on Chen Yi as well; he's no ordinary man," said Iron Wolf, usually the quietest, now joining in the fun.

The Madman laughed heartily. "Good, then I'll go against the grain and bet on Scorpion to win."

On the training ground, Chen Yi stood at the center, a faint smile on his face. He hadn't drawn his weapon, instead folding his arms across his chest. Opposite him, Scorpion had taken up a stance, his expression cold, holding the strange stinger weapon he'd obtained from the Wheel of Calamity.

Chen Yi looked at the half-meter-long stingers; he knew them all too well. In his previous life, he'd seen Scorpion wield these weapons up close, harvesting through hordes of zombies with ruthless efficiency.

"Chen Yi, where's your knife?" Scorpion asked, his gaze puzzled, demanding an answer. In such a duel, not using a weapon—was he being looked down upon?

"Whether I use a knife depends on my own judgment," Chen Yi replied calmly.

Yet this seemingly simple statement stabbed at Scorpion's heart like a blade. The taunt enraged him, and murderous intent spilled out, undisguised.

"In that case, let's see what you're capable of!" Scorpion attacked suddenly, his stinger darting toward Chen Yi like a snake.

Chen Yi swiftly sidestepped, evading the strike with composure. Both moved like leopards in their exchanges; Scorpion's attack shifted angles abruptly, stabbing from below with uncanny unpredictability. But Chen Yi seemed to have anticipated this, springing lightly and twisting midair, landing with a spinning sweep of his leg.

"Well done, kid, you're tougher than you look," Scorpion sneered, unwilling to concede, swinging his stinger again—this time even more ferociously.

But now, Chen Yi's twin-bladed knife flashed into his hands.

"My turn," Chen Yi's eyes sharpened, his movements suddenly accelerating.

His blade swept like the wind, instantly clashing with Scorpion's stinger.

A metallic clang echoed through the training ground, the tremendous recoil forcing Scorpion to stagger backward.

"This guy... such strength?" Scorpion marveled inwardly, unexpectedly pressured to this degree.

Panting heavily, his face paled. Sweat trickled down his cheeks, and his stinger trembled from the force of the earlier collision.

"That should be enough, right?" Chen Yi had no desire to continue fighting, ready to put away his twin-bladed knife. The advantage he'd shown was enough to demonstrate the disparity between their strengths.

Yet Scorpion felt even more humiliated by these words, unwilling to accept defeat. His eyes widened, as if deeply provoked.

"It's not over yet!" Before finishing his sentence, he pressed a control button. The stinger in his hand rapidly transformed, suddenly becoming a long, rhombic chain, which he swung fiercely ahead.

"So you're determined to keep going," Chen Yi frowned, slashing the incoming chain with his blades.

The rhombic chain, under Scorpion's control, hooked directly onto Chen Yi's blade.

Chen Yi pulled back swiftly!

But Scorpion refused to let go.

For a moment, the two engaged in a pure contest of strength.

"Yahhh!" Scorpion's forehead veins bulged, his teeth clenched, his face flushed with exertion. The intense tug made his arm muscles strain to their limits.

Yet after only a few breaths, Scorpion's strength began to falter.

"Still not letting go?" Chen Yi narrowed his eyes, his voice cold as the night wind.

"Never!" Scorpion roared, using the last of his strength to try to snatch the blade.

But Chen Yi suddenly pulled with force like a bursting dam; Scorpion could no longer hold onto the stinger, and after letting go, his face was drained of color.

Viper, watching from the sidelines, was thoroughly thrilled, his face alight with excitement.

"In all these days, this is the first time someone's physically overpowered Scorpion!"

"I didn't expect him to be not just handsome, but so powerful!" The Madman nodded with a smile, secretly shocked. He couldn't help but taunt Hu Sanhan as well.

"Chen, who knew you were fiercer than Scorpion. Hu Sanhan has poor judgment, trading a commander like you for his useless son."

"If it were me, a useless son like that would have been dead long ago!"

Chen Yi sheathed his twin-bladed knife, saying lightly, "I hope you'll keep your promise and return Hu Sanhan's son safely."

The Madman was silent for a moment, staring into Chen Yi's eyes, trying to read his true thoughts.

"Do you still have feelings for Hu Sanhan?"

Chen Yi shook his head. "I'm just settling a debt. On the first day of the apocalypse, he saved me."

"Saving his son's life now settles that debt."

"From now on, I will follow you wholeheartedly."

The Madman's eyes flickered, then he threw his head back and laughed heartily.

"Good, very good!"

"Since you've said so, I won't go back on my word."

At that moment, Scorpion walked over, a bitter smile on his lips.

"Commander Chen, I concede."

"Your strength exceeds mine. I have no objection to following your orders."

"From now on, you may deploy me and my men at any time, no matter when."

This made Chen Yi's heart skip a beat. He didn't respond immediately, instead scrutinizing Scorpion.

A rather wild idea crossed his mind.

But within three seconds, he discarded it.

Too risky.

Scorpion was a valuable fighter, but his unstable nature could bring disaster to any team. If he tried to recruit him, managing him would be a constant challenge. Better to avoid risk than worry about it.

In the end, Chen Yi resolved to personally send Scorpion “on his way” at the crucial moment.

The Madman patted Chen Yi's shoulder. "Chen, take a good rest tonight."

"Tomorrow we'll head to the Bright Base together and formally take over the area!"

Chen Yi nodded slightly and was about to leave when two figures hurried over.

The man in front moved with a grace that was even more alluring than a woman's, while the woman behind him was rather plump.

They walked straight up to the Madman, shamelessly pressing their bodies against his sides.

"Husband, why didn't you tell us you were back~" the man said, voice delicate and eyes full of seduction.

The Madman laughed loudly, embracing them both. "You little temptresses, don't be impatient. Tonight we'll have some real fun."

Chen Yi watched the scene, his scalp tingling.

He couldn't help but cry out inwardly—what an eyesore!