21: Kill You In The Field You Excel At

Wow...

The atmosphere was electric.

Especially among the locals.

Everyone knows that sports can ignite a fierce rivalry, transforming any match into a passionate clash of wills. And when it comes to home turf advantage, the stakes only get higher. Home teams bask in the cheers of their fans, while the visitors often face a barrage of boos and jeers.

So when Ye Chen laid eyes on Bobby Green's taunting grin, he couldn't just ignore it. He had to respond. "Tonight," he declared, his voice ringing with confidence, "your head is gonna feel like a delicate balloon, ready to pop from just one punch. And let me make it clear—I won't even need to take it to the ground with you. You'll be asleep before you hit the canvas."

Ye Chen had no intention of rolling around on the mat with Bobby Green. Each match was a precious opportunity for growth and learning. He wanted to tackle his opponents on their own battlegrounds, facing them head-on where they felt most confident.

The crowd erupted into a chorus of boos as soon as Ye Chen spoke. But Bobby? He was reveling in the attention. Just a moment ago, he had been the one firing shots, and now, he was basking in the glow of his own provocation. Deep down, he had worried about Ye Chen's grappling, but this? This was pure gold.

"Alright then, let's settle it on my terms," Bobby declared, his excitement palpable. "Tonight, I promise to deliver a show-stopping, explosive fight for my hometown fans." He raised his arms, urging the crowd to rally behind him.

"Everyone here, all the media and fans, will witness who truly runs this ring!"

He leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye, as if daring Ye Chen to back out of their wager.

Right then and there, reporters aimed their microphones at Ye Chen, eager to capture every word.

"Ye Chen," one reporter began, "some fans online are calling you the Terminator. What's your take on that title?"

With a slight shake of his head and a smile, Ye Chen replied, "Titles don't matter to me. What's important is that the audience and boxing fans enjoy themselves. That's what I fight for."

"Knowing that your previous agreement with Green doesn't count, will you really just keep it standing? You realize that could jeopardize your victory, right?"

Ye Chen nodded thoughtfully. "Absolutely. I want everyone to see that I can beat my opponents anywhere, even in their strongest areas. My goal is to win cleanly and beautifully, regardless of where that takes me."

His words sent a ripple of admiration through the audience, even at this away game. They could sense the ironclad belief in his eyes—it was impossible to look away.

Dana, watching from the sidelines, couldn't contain his grin. All he needed was a fighter who could push boundaries without ever crossing the line.

A sudden commotion broke out between Bobby and Dana—Green had playfully slapped Dana's arm, only to try and launch himself at Ye Chen amid the chaos. The security team quickly stepped in, but Bobby was relentless.

Ye Chen merely smiled, confident and calm as he watched the unfolding madness. It was like a scene from a movie, the intensity building minute by minute.

This was the pinnacle of tension since the press conference began.

…

Meanwhile, in the official live broadcast room, commentators were buzzing with excitement.

"Look at that! Ye Chen is stepping right into Green's trap. Tonight's brawl will be a test for him against a wily veteran."

"Why would he choose to stand? This isn't a smart move."

"Green can challenge anyone in the top ten lightweight category without breaking a sweat!"

"Isn't it naive? Ye Chen is still green behind the ears."

"The Vegas Terminator is about to find out what 'termination' really means! Don't forget, Green has astonishing resilience."

"Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. Did you see Ye Chen's first fight? He stands tall with an impressive wingspan."

While international fans voiced their doubts, back home, the crowd united to rally for Ye Chen. Social media erupted in fervent support: *Ye Chen, give him what you've got!*

…

In a lavish five-star hotel suite, Catwoman stared at her tablet, her expression somewhere between disgust and disbelief. "What a fool! How could he agree to fight standing up?"

"Seriously, Green is only provoking him? This is… Ugh! Why am I even discussing this with Ye Chen?"

In her frustration, she suddenly realized she might be getting too invested…

…

At the weigh-in press conference, the secondary fighters didn't get a moment to bask in the limelight like the headliners. So as soon as Ye Chen wrapped up his turn at the mic, he retreated to his hotel room.

He needed a moment to himself. The restless night had left him drained, and with only a few hours to go before the fight, he needed to recharge.

In his mind's eye, he recalled the countless sparring sessions with Green during his training simulations. The numbers didn't lie—he had consistently edged out Green. But now, it was more than just numbers. It was about putting that knowledge into practice, executing it when it mattered most.

…

Later that night, Ye Chen prepared to step into the digital arena for the first time.

The venue was massive, far larger than a typical free fight night, and the energy from the audience was palpable.

"Ye Chen, are you ready?" a staff member asked as they fitted his hands with gloves and taped them securely.

Nodding, Ye Chen replied, "I'm ready."

The staff leaned in close and whispered, "If it comes down to it, don't hesitate to take him down on the ground. I'll have your back."

Tonight was more than just a fight; it was a statement—a chance to prove that even in the field where his opponent thrived, Ye Chen would rise to the challenge.