Chapter 369 - Trapped on a Pirate Ship

Inside the operating room, bright lights illuminated a steel alloy bed in the center, covered by a white cloth with just a corner exposed. Around the bed were medical counters and shelves holding various trays and a myriad of medicines. There were also surgical tools like scissors, awls, and scalpels.

The ceiling lights reflected off the metal instruments, casting a cold sheen that inexplicably induced fear. Simone took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

The operating room door opened, and a team of seven or eight people quickly entered. The youngest among them were middle-aged while the oldest had white hair and a face full of wrinkles. Dressed uniformly in doctor's attire with rubber gloves, they exuded a professional and seasoned temperament. These physicians were renowned orthopedic doctors, highly skilled in the study of human bones and blood vessels. They would assist Cassius in performing the correction during the surgery.

With a

click

, the operating room door was pushed open again. Cassius, wearing a trench coat, walked in looking travel-worn. He seemed to have just finished handling some important matter outside.

"Get ready. Let's start immediately," he said, locking the door behind him. With a glance, he signaled for someone to lift the white cloth, fully revealing the iron bed underneath. It was sturdy, solid, and with metallic edges—it looked like a large shield. At each of the four corners were handle-like restraints that could shackle a person's limbs.

The surface of the bed had grooves and patterns, which appeared to be blood channels for draining blood.

"This... this doesn't seem right... Why does it look less like a surgical bed and more... more like a torture device?" Simone's body stiffened as he glanced cautiously at Cassius.

"You're not wrong. It was indeed modified from a torture device," Cassius replied honestly, without any intent to hide.

"You're just admitting it?! That was straightforward!"

"Am I trapped on a pirate ship... They're going to conduct human experiments on me!" Simone lamented. Terrifying images immediately flashed through Simone's mind.

"Don't misunderstand. We're not interested in your body. It's just that during the surgery, you might experience significant pain and struggle desperately. We've discussed it and can only administer a limited amount of anesthetic. If the surgery concludes within its effective period, you won't feel any pain. If the anesthetic wears off while the surgery is still ongoing, you might have to endure unimaginable pain." Cassius saw through Simone's thoughts at a glance.

"This bed, modified from a torture device, was specially acquired by me. The surface has been reinforced with a layer of tough alloy to ensure that once you're restrained, you can't break free. Even violent struggling won't help you. Don't overthink it, just lie down."

Swallowing hard, Simone, under Cassius's intense gaze, lay down. As his chest touched the cold metal, an inexplicable panic and unease welled up within him.

Maybe I should forget it...? Perhaps I should do this after the exchange tournament...

As the thought of retreat arose, four successive clicks shattered it completely—his hands and feet were all shackled.

Simone raised his head anxiously, seeing a bald middle-aged doctor approaching, holding a large syringe as thick as a wrist. He was expressionless as his glasses reflected the operating room light.

"Mister Simone, please stay still. I'm here to give you an injection..."

"I..."

At 6 AM on September 29, the sky was just beginning to lighten. In the standalone villa's sun-facing room on the third floor, the windows were open, and a gentle breeze swayed the white curtains.

On the pristine bed, a young man was sleeping deeply. He seemed to be having a nightmare. His face was contorted and his eyelids twitching wildly. His body occasionally convulsed as if being electrocuted, looking just like a severe epileptic patient.

"......"

A low sobbing sound could be heard as tears streamed down the young man's cheeks. His lips moved as if instinctively calling out "Uncle."

"

Ah!!!

"

He shouted loudly and woke up abruptly. Sitting up in a daze, he stared blankly at the blurry room.

After a moment, his pupils refocused, and Simone finally regained his senses. He immediately saw Cassius standing at the door.

"Sect Master!" Simone blurted out reflexively, his voice trembling slightly. He shook his head, frowning in confusion. Although the Golem Sect Master was powerful, he shouldn't instill such fear that every cell in his body was terrified. Goosebumps rose inch by inch.

"You're awake, Simone. It's already the next day..." Cassius smiled, walking over slowly.

"The next day?" Simone glanced at the faint light outside the window and immediately realized. He instinctively reached behind to touch his spine. There was no piercing pain, no deformity—just a straight, sturdy backbone!

"My bones, my spine... They're healed!" Simone's face lit up with joy as he turned to Cassius. "Thank you, Sect Master! Just as you said, after the anesthesia, I woke up and everything was fine! I didn't even feel any pain the whole time!" Eagerly, Simone stood up and walked back and forth in the room in front of Cassius, stretching his body with fist techniques.

He was testing the integrity of his new spine. Cassius stood silently for a moment, watching the elated Simone.

I guess the memory was too painful that his psyche couldn't handle it so his brain automatically blocked it out?

Last night, the scene was akin to slaughtering a pig! Operating on someone's spine truly meant skinning and dismembering. Blood gushed, flesh churned, and bones were extracted one after another.

Cassius kept cutting and manipulating Simone's body, continuously repairing it with life vibration energy. Repeating this cycle under the expert team's suggestions, everything went smoothly.

However, it took longer than expected, and Simone woke up midway. He first screamed, then fainted. A minute or two later, he woke up again, screamed once more, and fainted again. It was quite rhythmic.

His piercing cries of pain almost penetrated the concrete and soil above the basement, reaching the sky. It was like an air raid siren, comparable to a fighter jet's glide. When Simone struggled wildly, the restraints proved their worth. Even if his limb joints broke entirely and his fingers dug into the iron plate, he couldn't break free.

Fortunately, Cassius and the expert team grasped the concept of the operation. Finally, they succeeded, helping Simone escape his torment.

That morning, Simone had lost that memory, likely due to the brain's automatic protective function to prevent a mental breakdown. Cassius opened his mouth, but facing Simone's joyful and grateful gaze, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to reveal the cruel truth.

"Well, I suppose it's a white lie. Who told me to be so soft-hearted?" He sighed, shaking his head as he stepped into the corridor.

A doctor hurriedly walked over from the staircase corner. "Sir, how should we handle those things in the basement?"

"Basement?" Cassius recalled the slaughterhouse-like space filled with splattered blood, broken bones and filth.

They had collected three large buckets of blood alone. There were dozens of Simone's spinal columns extracted whole. Even the specially made restraint bed was damaged and deformed, bearing numerous marks of impact and struggle. It looked like something from a haunted house used to scare people.

"Do a thorough cleanup and discard what needs to be discarded. Oh, by the way, keep that operating table. It can still be used after some repairs." Cassius stroked his chin, pondering.

"Sir, is there a new patient to be treated?" the doctor asked curiously.

"No, I mean it can be used as a torture device." Cassius waved his hand, signaling the doctor to leave. Then he added, "By the way, handle those things after Simone leaves. Don't let him see them. It might trigger memories, which wouldn't be good..."

So considerate, so gentle. If Simone knew the truth, he'd probably be devastated.

At 8 AM on September 29 at the Golden Leaf Hall, Simone reappeared after disappearing for a night.

"You look great today, and your mood seems good too..." Fes observed. On the way to the Black Pupil Tower, under the lush roadside trees at a street corner, Fes looked at Simone and spoke.

"I think so too. Everything is getting better..." Simone murmured, showing a rare smile. He looked up at the clear blue sky, where the sun was shining brightly. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze.

Fes patted Simone's shoulder. He could sense that the deeply hidden gloom and despair had vanished.

"Uncle Fes, in the upcoming matches, I will give it my all. I'll let everyone in the Eastern Covert Martial Arts community know that among the younger generation, there's only one star, not some three stars..." Simone's smile faded as he spoke seriously.

He was the strongest among the younger generation. No one was qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. As long as his body was in good condition, he would sweep through the individual matches.

And indeed, things went just as Simone thought.

On the first day of the individual matches, Simone's luck wasn't great with the random draw elimination system. He consecutively drew two first core disciples from the Eastern Nine Sects. He gave each of them five punches, knocking them down violently. The entire process was smooth and effortless.

As for other core members who faced Simone, the strong could withstand three moves while the weak couldn't even take one. Some even surrendered the moment the referee announced to start.

On the second day of the individual matches, Simone really wanted to draw Moon Fist Shaq or Dead Soul Sword Sid to teach them a lesson and make them realize the stark difference in strength! What nonsense about Eastern Three Stars? They think they can be on par with me? There's only ever been one star!

Unfortunately, eager as he was, he didn't encounter his prey ahead of time. Hence, he had to settle for warming up with some small fry. The biggest among them was the first core disciple of the Red Arm Fist, one of the Eastern Nine Sects—a previously unknown dark horse who emerged during this tournament. He had defeated the first core disciple of the Singing Water Sect in the first day's matches, showing considerable strength and clearly aiming for a good ranking.

Unfortunately for him, he ran into the high-spirited Simone.

Three moves! It only took three moves! He was directly knocked out.

Why could other first core disciples withstand five moves, while he only lasted three? Because Simone was serious this time, and so he lost.

At last, it came to the third day of the individual matches on October 1. Here, the final eight would compete for the championship.

To prolong the event, the last few matches wouldn't be held simultaneously but one after another to capture everyone's attention.

At 8:30 in the morning, the first match was full of hype.

Clash of two of the Eastern Three Stars!

Thunder Dog Simone versus Moon Fist Shaq!

In arena one, the referee stood at the edge as two figures faced off. One wore a tight combat suit with a red headband tied around his forehead. His arms were bare, muscles knotted and powerful.

The other was dressed in white and handsome in appearance. He seemed relaxed and casual, eyes slightly narrowed and a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Hey, have you guys noticed? In the past two days, our senior brother has changed a lot. He's always smiling. He feels so... so..."

"Relaxed and unhurried," someone added.

"Yes, yes, that's exactly it."

Disciples from the Cloud Dog Fist were discussing below the stage, and people from other sects nearby were also whispering, engaging in heated discussions.

"Second against first. What do you think? How many moves will it take to decide the winner?"

"Hard to say. Based on past records, both have wins and losses. For two evenly matched people, it might take over a hundred moves to determine who's superior. I'd estimate around a hundred moves."

"Sounds about right. I think so too."

"Indeed, each of the Eastern Three Stars has their own strengths..."

In the arena, the two listened to the discussions below, their expressions hardly changing. Shaq stared intently at Simone opposite him, fighting spirit bursting from his eyes and veins bulging on his strong arms.

"Simone, I've waited for this day for a long time! You've improved, and so have I. Today, I will definitely defeat you!"

"

Heh heh...

" Simone chuckled softly like an adult watching a child. "I originally wanted you and Sid to come at me together but unfortunately, the rules don't allow it. How about this—I'll set a number for myself. Ten moves... no, no, seven moves should be enough. Defeat you within seven moves. Hmm, that should be fine." He spoke to himself, completely disregarding Shaq. Shaq's eyes seemed to blaze with fire, his anger reaching the sky.

"Competitors ready—match start!"

Snap!

A heel touched the ground.

Immediately, Shaq charged out wildly, his feet pushing off the ground like a catapult. The power of third-level accelerated blood flow filled his body; he seemed to hear his heart pounding like an engine. Locking his gaze on Simone standing still, Shaq spread his arms and lunged forward.

Boom!

His sandbag-sized fist drew a whistling arc but was intercepted mid-air by another fist. Shaq's pupils constricted; he retreated rapidly, spinning and activating the Sun, Moon, and Stars Secret Technique, unleashing a swinging punch!

The move was powerful and heavy, like a giant pendulum swinging over.

Roar!

The fierce roar of a beast exploded in his ears.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Simone's right arm vanished in an instant. His five fingers condensed into a claw, or rather, the fangs of a snarling hound. Though he struck a step slower, he was actually faster, tearing toward Shaq! With a ripping sound, Shaq's combat suit was torn open and four parallel blood marks stretched from his left chest to his right waist, oozing with blood!

"So fast!!!" Shaq was shocked but let out a loud roar. He charged fiercely at Simone, knowing that his opponent's physique wasn't strong.

Whoosh!

A fist whipped over like a lash, slapping onto Shaq's shoulder. The immense force caused him to stagger back several steps, barely steadying himself. Once again, Shaq was taken aback. Simone's strength was actually greater than his!

Something was wrong—very wrong. Simone had been hiding his strength, and a lot of it! At least thirty to forty percent!

"I..." Shaq had no time to think. In the corner of his eye, a figure charged fiercely! The terrifying Qi and pressure made him feel as if he were facing a combat artist!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After several more collisions, the battle on the arena was over.

Simone glanced sideways at Shaq, who lay on the arena, and flexed his wrist. "Exactly seven moves. My prediction was accurate..."

As the facts showed, there was indeed a gap among the Eastern Three Stars!