"Eat it!"
"Eat it!"
As soon as the match began, the entire arena erupted with cheers. Those who hadn't placed bets watched for fun, and those who had were staring at the arena with tense anticipation. But everyone agreed on one thing: this chicken was basically walking to its death.
The hyena, limping but still fierce, charged forward without needing any command. It was a top predator on the food chain, and its bite force reached over 1300 pounds (around 590 kg), even stronger than a tiger's. Sure, Xiao Dou was wearing metal armor, but to a hyena, that was like a person eating a crayfish. Who'd care about the claws? Even if it pinched you, it'd only sting for a second.
Right now, the hyena was pissed. It just wanted to finish the fight fast and go back to heal.
Xiao Dou, like every other broody hen, preferred lying in her nest, squinting lazily and minding her own business. She was a simple, peace-loving chicken, totally different from the savage beasts that usually filled this arena. But when the hyena's bloodlust flared, she finally realized—this dog was just like the one from yesterday. Another dirty mutt trying to mess with her!
Turns out her owner hadn't been joking.
The host hyped up the crowd, his voice booming through the mic. "Oh, look at that! The hyena's charging in, can't resist that fat juicy chicken! But the chicken doesn't seem to notice at all. In my forty years of commentary, it's the first time I've ever seen a chicken that doesn't run when facing a dog. Is it stupid or what? Now, the hyena's opening its stinky mouth and going straight for the chicken's unarmored butt! Looks like this fight's about to end!"
The fight did end.
But not the way anyone expected. There was no back-and-forth, no dramatic reversal—just a sudden, shocking scream from the hyena.
The supposedly dumb chicken suddenly turned its head, iron beak flashing, and started viciously pecking at the hyena's eyes. The spectators closest to the cage swore they'd just seen a damn woodpecker.
In just a few seconds, the hyena's head was covered in bloody holes. Xiao Dou narrowed her eyes in pure enjoyment as she pecked out the hyena's eyes and devoured its brain like it was her favorite snack. The enormous hen, as big as a calf, ate with gusto.
Monkey and Ah Huang both swallowed hard. So what Jing Shu said was true—her chicken really loved eating eyes and brains.
To the audience and the nobles in the VIP seats, it felt like watching a crayfish turn around, blind its human captor, and eat their brain.
Xiao Dou lifted her head proudly, tail feathers raised like a queen. Her look clearly said, "You dare touch my ass?"
"Oh my God, what just happened? That chicken... it actually turned the tables? My God, did you all see that? This chicken's a real battle chicken! I declare the winner, the battle chicken!"
The arena erupted into chaos. People shouted accusations of match-fixing, demanding the judges review the fight.
Countless spectators had lost their day's rations, and some mercenaries had bet their entire savings. The hyena's owner had gone all in to win it back, but now not only had he lost, his pet was lying dead on the ground, skull cracked, brain gone.
No one could believe it. Sure, the chicken was big, but how could it have such terrifying strength?
"Well then," the host said, shaking his head, "let's see if this chicken can keep up its lucky streak. Next up, place your bets! Our second match features... oh! An eagle! A predator known for hunting chickens! This is the perfect counter! And since the eagle can fly, it's practically unbeatable!"
He sounded regretful—he'd even placed one black market coin on Xiao Dou himself.
The official referee entered the stage to calm the crowd, while the eagle appeared, blindfolded, perched on a man's shoulder.
Xiao Dou was big, sure, but compared to the eagle, she still looked small. Standing on the burly foreigner's shoulder, the bird made its handler look smaller in comparison.
"Fuck, this round better go well. That eagle's gotta deliver," someone shouted.
"Yeah, I'm betting on the eagle too! No way a ground chicken's beating a sky king!"
Xiao Hei translated the shouts vividly, while Jing Shu smiled quietly and said nothing. She glanced toward the noble seats. Would they really just sit there and watch her win ten death matches in a row?
"Alright, let's get this started already. I can't wait any longer."
The eagle was released into the cage. Meanwhile, Xiao Dou had already finished the edible parts of the hyena. She actually preferred braised ribs or fried drumsticks, so raw meat didn't really interest her much.
Once freed, the eagle spread its wings and circled the cage, crying out sharply. There was no need for the host to call "start." The moment the door clanged shut, the battle had already begun.
Xiao Dou stayed calm and unbothered, lying on the ground like she didn't have a care in the world. She was, after all, a chicken who lived for good food. But the eagle hadn't eaten in two days. It dove down fast, claws extended, and the audience roared in excitement. Facing such a disadvantage, what could the chicken possibly do? Could she really peck out the eagle's eyes like she did with the hyena?
The eagle, not nearly as smart as the hyena, didn't recognize the steel armor for what it was. It followed instinct, grabbing onto the helmet and trying to snap Xiao Dou's neck.
She weighed over 25 kilograms, armor included, but the eagle didn't struggle at all. It had hunted wolves, deer, and even sheep before. A chicken was nothing.
"Oh my God, look! The eagle's got the chicken! But the helmet just saved her life! The eagle's trying to tear through, but it's having trouble. Usually, it'd just drop its prey from the sky or smash it with repeated dives. Nothing can survive that!"
The host sounded genuinely disappointed, though the crowd cheered, whistling at the sight. The match was finally turning the way they wanted.
Jing Shu nodded slightly, agreeing with the host. Yes, that helmet really did save the eagle's life.
"Oh look! The chicken's still struggling in midair, how cute! Alright, game over! The eagle's diving now, about to slam her into the ground! Even with armor, there's no way she's surviving that!"
Xiao Dou flailed her claws midair, looking completely helpless. The audience burst out laughing.
But their laughter died in an instant.
There was a heavy crash.
The eagle was supposed to smash the chicken into the ground, but somehow, it also slammed down hard with her. After a violent spin and crash, the eagle shrieked in pain, flapping weakly as it tried to get up.
And then, something happened that left everyone frozen in shock.