Chapter 78: Too Hasty

Jin Ying also nodded; he could see that Xiao Yang had no interest in cockfighting.

"Since big brother isn't coming, let's hurry up and go. I heard there's a reward of five hundred thousand for this preliminary round."

He said this as he bade farewell to Xiao Yang.

"Big brother, we're heading out first. Once we've won some money, we'll come back and spend it here."

Xiao Yang nodded.

Five hundred thousand taels.

He did notice that.

But he felt a bit embarrassed to join the contest.

If Chicken King were to enter the ring, that would be far too unfair to the other chickens.

And most importantly—didn't you hear? Once they win, they'll come here to spend their money.

If he could enjoy the profits without getting involved, why bother jumping in himself?

"Wenlong!"

"I'm here, young master," Hao Wenlong answered respectfully.

"Close the door!"

Xiao Yang ordered the door closed, preparing to catch up on some sleep.

But as soon as the door was shut, someone knocked again.

"Damn! Are you kidding me? Aren't you sleepy this early in the morning?"

He grumbled inwardly.

Nevertheless, he instructed Hao Wenlong to open the door.

To Xiao Yang's surprise, the visitors were none other than the four young masters of the Jin family.

Their faces were noticeably troubled, as if they had encountered some misfortune.

"What are you four sulking about?"

With this interruption, Xiao Yang realized he wouldn't be getting any sleep today.

In the next moment, the four young masters of Beimo rushed forward, clinging to Xiao Yang's leg and bursting into tears.

"Big brother! You must save us!"

Seeing their pitiful state, and glancing at his new clothes now smeared with snot, Xiao Yang's face darkened.

"Get up and speak," he barked.

Although he was annoyed by these miserable fellows, these past few days, their constant cries of "big brother" had been quite pleasing to Xiao Yang's ears.

Seeing them cry so desperately, he couldn't bring himself to ignore their plight.

He had already decided—if he could help, he would.

"Big brother, just now our father gave us a strict order: we must win the preliminary round with excellent results."

"If we don't, he'll disown us. Boohoo!"

Xiao Yang was baffled.

This Jin Buhuan—he really had too much time on his hands.

It's just a trivial cockfighting contest—why bother getting involved? Isn't he tired?

"Relax. With Black Cyclone and the others, it's hard not to win with flying colors," Xiao Yang reassured them.

But with this comfort, the brothers finally voiced their real worries.

In previous cockfighting contests, their father never paid them any mind.

But this time, unfortunately, a royal from the Drug Lord Kingdom was in Beimo City, and this person was also a fan of cockfighting.

He had raised many fighting cocks himself.

Upon hearing there was a cockfighting contest in Beimo City, he entered without hesitation.

That was why, just as the four brothers stepped out, their father sent word.

They must win this time.

If the royal from the Drug Lord Kingdom joins the contest, it's not a problem—their Black Cyclone and the others are top-tier among fighting cocks.

That had been their assumption.

But then Jin Buhuan told them the name of the opponent's cock, and the four brothers lost all composure.

Iron Feather Steel Cock!

Is that even a chicken? That's not a chicken at all—it's a wild beast.

And the grade of these beasts is generally at the level of a demon master.

With such a comparison, their Black Cyclone cocks suddenly seemed inferior.

With this explanation, Xiao Yang understood.

This battle concerned the reputation of Beimo City, which was why Jin Buhuan demanded a win.

If it were just chickens, victory would be assured. But the other side was sending a demon beast into the ring.

"Big brother! You must save us!"

The four brothers were clearly panicked.

The Northern Star royal family and the Drug Lord royal family had never gotten along.

If they lost this time and brought shame to Jin Buhuan, there's a real chance they'd be cast out.

And with their past behavior, old enemies would surely come looking for them.

Xiao Yang couldn't bear to see his best customers end up destitute on the streets.

He was ready to lend a hand.

"Alright, stop wiping your snot on me. Get off."

He stopped their snotty antics and continued.

"Say it straight—how do you want me to help?"

Xiao Yang seemed already prepared.

The events that followed confirmed this suspicion.

Upon hearing his words, the four brothers glanced nervously upstairs.

After waiting a while and seeing no fierce figure appear, Jin Ying whispered,

"Big brother, we want Chicken King to fight for us."

Their sights had long been set on Chicken King.

Even the Black Cyclone cocks, if they managed to break through, would barely reach the first tier of demon master.

Against Iron Feather Steel Cock, they'd likely stand no chance.

And with such high stakes, they dared not gamble.

Compared to Black Cyclone and the others, Chicken King was clearly more suitable.

He could easily defeat the four brothers, his strength around the third or fourth tier of demon master.

That level would be hard for even Iron Feather Steel Cock to match.

Clearly, Chicken King was their best bet.

"Send Chicken King into the ring?"

Xiao Yang was stunned.

Wasn't that just bullying the chickens?

Though he felt somewhat resistant, he decided to agree.

Of course, he wouldn't just let Chicken King enter for free.

After all, Chicken King was a mountain lord—he had his own value.

"I can do it, but the appearance fee is rather high. Can you afford it?"

The four young masters, as always, surprised Xiao Yang.

They replied with swagger,

"As long as big brother gives the word, money is no object."

After all, this concerned royal dignity; their father would agree to spending whatever was necessary.

Hearing this, Xiao Yang's eyes brightened.

"One million!"

The four brothers were stunned.

Xiao Yang felt he might have priced it too high.

He was about to lower it a bit when Jin Ying readily agreed.

"Alright, big brother—one million. I'll have my father send the money right now."

He immediately took out his communication jade and contacted his father.

Moments later,

Jin Ying turned back, smiling at Xiao Yang.

"All set, big brother. My father says he'll send someone with the money right away."

On hearing this,

Xiao Yang fell silent.

"Ah! It seems I was too rash—the price was too low."

But since he'd already said it, Xiao Yang wasn't shameless enough to back out.

One million!

Not bad.

He hoped to encounter such situations more often.

Twenty cockfighting contests, and he'd be a Grand Martial Master.

But such things were just wishful thinking.

Today's opportunity was rare and couldn't be forced.

Without the Drug Lord royal family, Chicken King would never fetch such a price.

"Alright!"

With their agreement, Xiao Yang went upstairs to call Chicken King.

Why not just shout?

Because Zhou Yan was sleeping.

"Wait here. I'll go call Chicken King for you."

Before finishing his sentence, he tiptoed upstairs.

Entering the room, he immediately saw Chicken King sprawled out in a big X shape, sleeping soundly.

At once, Xiao Yang felt a bit annoyed.

He was already awake, yet this fellow not only slept, but slept so arrogantly.

Without another word,

He stepped forward,

And grabbed Chicken King by the neck.