Chapter Eighty-Two: I Have Met You in a Past Life (Please Subscribe)

When Wang Yuming slowly awoke in the infirmary, his face was unusually pale. The sting of defeat on the battlefield struck him like a heavy blow, leaving his mind reeling with dizziness.

With a heavy heart, he exchanged a few words with the medical staff and then left the infirmary.

He didn’t go to the award ceremony. The post-match festivities were still unfolding, with bursts of fireworks rising into the night sky, exploding in a riot of colors.

The championship had slipped through his fingers, and he had no mood to watch the celebrations.

Wang Yuming hadn’t unleashed that devastating finishing move out of any real intention to kill Cheng Feng. Rather, he wanted Cheng Feng to recognize the vast gap between their strengths.

In doing so, he hoped to force Cheng Feng into making a choice—either jump off the stage and admit defeat, or risk death on the ring.

Yet, despite the obvious disparity, Cheng Feng had unexpectedly chosen to face him head-on, which left Wang Yuming astonished.

He had every reason not to lose, and yet in the end, he was defeated by a weaker opponent.

Wang Yuming clenched his fist, an intangible pressure bearing down on him like a mountain. The loss of the champion’s title meant little; even losing to Cheng Feng wasn’t what troubled him most.

What truly mattered was that, without the two hundred thousand yuan prize, he couldn’t afford his sister Wang Xinhan’s exorbitant medical bills, and that was his greatest concern.

Time was running out. He had to find a way to scrape together the money...

Even knowing the vampiric curse was a terminal illness, untreatable by current medical technology, he couldn’t bring himself to give up.

No matter the cost, he just wanted his sister to remain in this world a little longer.

Wang Xinhan was the only family he had, the sister who had been by his side since childhood.

She had inherited their father’s small restaurant business and, through hardship and diligence, had raised him into adulthood.

Years ago, Wang Yuming had awakened his supernatural abilities and was recruited by the Disaster Association to become a Demon Hunter.

From then on, he seldom returned home, spending most of his time carrying out assignments throughout the city, eradicating the monsters lurking in the shadows.

When he learned his sister had been bitten by a female vampire, he found himself powerless to save her, despite his formidable skills.

Navigating the bustling crowds, Wang Yuming passed through the brightly decorated main entrance of the sports center. There, he noticed a figure leaning against the wall, clearly waiting for someone.

Wang Yuming paused, recognizing him. “Cheng Feng?”

Cheng Feng had been waiting for some time. He approached. “You seem to be recovering well.”

“Why are you waiting for me here? Is there something you need?” Wang Yuming asked, puzzled. As opponents in the tournament, they shouldn’t have any dealings after the match. Cheng Feng’s presence here made his intentions unclear.

Cheng Feng spoke calmly, “If I recall, during the match you said you were competing for your sister’s sake, isn’t that right?”

Wang Yuming hesitated. “That’s right.”

“Good.” Cheng Feng produced a bank card containing the championship prize. “You need this two hundred thousand to save her, don’t you?”

Wang Yuming’s eyes flickered, but he did not reach for the card. Instead, he looked steadily at Cheng Feng, surprised. “What are you trying to do?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I want to help you.”

“I can see that... but I don’t understand why,” Wang Yuming replied, hesitating. “We were rivals today. I didn’t hold back in the fight—even if I was ultimately outmatched, I nearly killed you.”

“We both fought for victory—there’s nothing wrong with that. I didn’t hold back either,” Cheng Feng replied unconcernedly. “You’re very strong. Helping you is partly out of admiration—I hope we’ll have the chance to face each other again. Consider it the start of a friendship.”

Wang Yuming was a man indifferent to fame and wealth, but deeply devoted to family. Cheng Feng judged that such a man was worth befriending.

Moreover, Wang Yuming’s talent and strength were obvious; in the arena, he’d been a cut above. He would surely rise to the ranks of the elite in the future.

Having the chance to know a man like this was not an opportunity to be missed.

Although two hundred thousand was no small sum, Cheng Feng no longer needed to worry about money. Now that he had advanced to become an elite member, concerns about housing and transportation were a thing of the past.

With his promotion today, he would serve as a city-guarding elite Demon Hunter, undertaking far more dangerous missions. Naturally, the authorities would not let him suffer the same pressures as ordinary citizens.

The Disaster Association’s treatment of elite members was worlds apart from the rest.

Wang Yuming needed the money urgently, and Cheng Feng had another reason for giving him the prize.

After all, he had crossed over into this dangerous world with few acquaintances; gaining a powerful friend meant one more safeguard.

He had discussed this with Liu Shiyu just now, and she had agreed with his decision.

Having said his piece, Cheng Feng waited patiently for Wang Yuming’s response. “Well? What do you say?”

If his situation weren’t truly desperate, Wang Yuming’s pride would never allow him to accept charity.

He could sense Cheng Feng’s intent to turn rivalry into friendship. Though there was no true enmity between them, their fierce contest had left a faint barrier.

Wang Yuming hesitated, but for his sister’s sake, he set aside his pride. With a sigh, he slowly reached out and took the bank card. “Thank you.”

He gave Cheng Feng his contact information, promising to repay the money if ever given the chance.

...

Passing through the crowd, Cheng Feng returned to the blue sedan. Liu Shiyu was leaning against the car window, gazing at the fireworks blooming over the plaza, her expression thoughtful.

In the back seat, Cheng Yi was curled up, fast asleep.

Cheng Feng took the passenger seat and closed the door. Liu Shiyu turned to him and softly asked, “Home?”

“Home,” he replied.

After an entire day of competition, Cheng Feng could finally relax. He closed his eyes to rest for a while.

Under the night sky, the blue sedan glided steadily along the main road amidst the endless stream of traffic.

After a moment’s hesitation, Cheng Feng spoke. “Liu Shiyu, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time.”

“What is it?”

“When you first came to find me, it was because the President assigned you. We were essentially strangers, barely knowing each other,” Cheng Feng said frankly. “Yet, when we’re together, I never feel any sense of distance from you.”

Liu Shiyu always kept a distance from her colleagues, save for Teacher Yan Ruying; she seldom got close to anyone.

With her cool and aloof demeanor, Cheng Feng could barely sense any barriers between them, which he found puzzling.

Liu Shiyu kept her eyes on the road as she spoke, “Honestly, I’m not sure myself. I’d never met you before, but ever since I took on the President’s mission and met you, there’s been this inexplicable sense of closeness and familiarity. It’s as if...”

Cheng Feng sensed he was about to hear something astonishing. “As if what?”

Moonlight spilled through the window, lighting Liu Shiyu’s serene face. “As if we’ve known each other for a long time already. It’s... it’s like I met you in a previous life.”

A previous life...?

Cheng Feng didn’t find it laughable. He fell silent. Although it was a fanciful notion, a twisted image tried to surface in his mind, only to vanish in an instant.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the world was far more complex than he understood.

Perhaps, once he met the enigmatic President, he would finally learn the truth.

ps: That’s the only update for today—I’m sorry it’s so late. I’ll post the second chapter as soon as possible tomorrow morning.