Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

Bowen looked at Cheng Yu with a mocking expression, slowly walked behind him, and kept a distance. Cheng Yu stood there blankly like a puppet without a soul, his mind flashing back to past events, and finally came to a conclusion: Bowen might be right.

Perhaps he really shouldn't go back. Going back would only bring more pain to his loved ones. Perhaps only forgetting could bring him relief. Although his current life was monotonous and dull, it was safe and comfortable. Why should he go back to living that life of constant danger? A thought of escaping rose deep in Cheng Yu's heart. Although he still wanted to resist, he felt powerless in the face of cruel reality.

Bo Wen didn't look back at Cheng Yu. In his eyes, Cheng Yu was already a supporting character about to be eliminated, while only he deserved to stand in the center of the stage and become the true protagonist. Even though both of them were blessed by the world's destiny, the effect of destiny between them was negligible, because they were both chosen ones of their respective eras. The key to victory lay in strategy and strength; the loser would ultimately be eliminated.

A suffocating silence fell over the room, broken only by Cheng Yu's heavy breathing. He closed his eyes tightly, letting his thoughts churn, the scales of his heart swaying violently. On one side was his longing for Aolian and his master, his nostalgia for the beautiful past; on the other, his fear of reality, his uncertainty about the future.

Bowen broke the silence. He walked to the window, looking down at the bustling city outside, his tone tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Chengyu, do you know? This world is vast, and also cruel. Everything you cling to will ultimately be nothing but fleeting smoke. Only power, only the ability to control everything, is eternal."

Cheng Yu remained silent, lost in his own thoughts. Bo Wen's words went in one ear and out the other, failing to resonate with him whatsoever. He understood Bo Wen's ambition, but he did not agree with it. What he sought was not power and strength, but love and peace.

Bo Wen turned around, looking at Cheng Yu's forlorn figure, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Cheng Yu, you're too naive. Do you really think you can change the world? Do you really think you can save the people you love?"

Cheng Yu slowly opened his eyes, finally understanding, his gaze filled with determination. "I don't know if I can change this world, but I will do everything I can to protect the people I love."

Bo Wen burst into laughter, his voice filled with disdain. "How ridiculous! You can't even protect yourself, yet you want to protect others? Cheng Yu, wake up! This world isn't as wonderful as you imagine."

Cheng Yu ignored Bo Wen's sarcasm. He walked to the window, looked at the brilliant starry sky outside, and his heart was filled with hope. He knew the road ahead was full of thorns, but he would not give up. He would bravely walk forward for the sake of the people he loved.

Bo Wen watched Cheng Yu's resolute back, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He didn't know if what he was doing was right or wrong, but he knew there was no turning back. He had to keep going, even if the road was full of darkness and danger.

As night deepened, silence returned to the room. Cheng Yu and Bo Wen each stood by the window, gazing into the distance, their minds filled with different thoughts. They both knew that today was their only chance to completely eliminate the other.

Their gazes met in mid-air, and intense sparks flew silently. They stood motionless, locked in a standoff as if they had clashed a thousand times before. Finally, almost simultaneously, they both took a step forward, their powerful auras exploding instantly, and the air in the room grew heavy.

Bowen scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm: "Are you really determined to fight me to the bitter end? Aren't you afraid of disappearing from this world forever? Should I call you brave or foolish?"

Cheng Yu didn't answer, but instead demonstrated his resolve through action. He threw a punch, the fist whistling through the air like a cannonball, heading straight for Bo Wen's face. Bo Wen didn't panic; he simply tilted his head deftly to dodge, while simultaneously sweeping his right leg towards Cheng Yu's supporting leg with lightning speed. Cheng Yu reacted swiftly, leaping up at the last second, dodging Bo Wen's sweeping kick, and adjusting his posture in mid-air, preparing to counterattack with a fierce spinning kick.

The battle unfolded silently, a back-and-forth exchange of blows, fists and feet clashing, the sounds of their fierce clashes completely isolated by the specially designed room. The cameras inside had long been switched off; no one would know that a life-or-death struggle was taking place there. At this moment, both had lost their magic, relying solely on physical strength and years of honed combat skills.

Time ticked by, the pace of the battle quickening and intensifying. Cheng Yu was gradually losing ground, his body bearing bruises and abrasions, his breathing becoming rapid. Bo Wen, though small in stature, possessed astonishing stamina, his movements remaining swift and powerful, showing no signs of fatigue. Cheng Yu gritted his teeth, enduring the pain; he knew he couldn't fall, he had to persevere.

He constantly dodged, parried, and countered, trying to find an opening in Bowen's defenses. Bowen's attacks were as dense as a storm, giving Cheng Yu almost no chance to breathe. He felt his strength rapidly draining away, and his vision began to blur.

Suddenly, Bowen seized an opportunity and delivered a powerful punch to Cheng Yu's abdomen. Cheng Yu groaned, staggering backward and nearly falling. Bowen pressed his advantage, unleashing a barrage of attacks like a torrential downpour. Cheng Yu could only barely parry, sustaining several more wounds.

He felt his consciousness fading, and the world before him growing darker. He knew he was about to give up, but he still didn't give up. With his last ounce of strength, he threw a punch, but Bowen easily dodged it.

Bowen grabbed Chengyu's arm and slammed him to the ground. Chengyu hit the ground hard with a groan. He felt like all the bones in his body were about to fall apart, and the intense pain made it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Bo Wen looked down at Cheng Yu, who lay on the ground, his eyes filled with cold indifference. "Give up, Cheng Yu. You can't beat me."

Cheng Yu struggled to stand, but his body wouldn't obey him. He coughed up blood, his eyes filled with an unwavering determination. "I...I won't give up..."

Bo Wen sneered, raised his foot and stomped on Cheng Yu's chest, grinding it down forcefully. "Is that so? Then let me see how long you can hold out."

Cheng Yu felt a sharp pain in his chest, and his breathing became even more difficult. He stared intently at Bo Wen, his eyes filled with hatred and resentment.

"I...I will definitely...defeat you..." He used his last bit of strength to squeeze out these words through clenched teeth.

A cruel smile crept across Bo Wen's face. "Is that so? I'll wait and see." He increased the pressure on his foot, and Cheng Yu felt his consciousness fading...

Just as Cheng Yu's consciousness was about to fade into darkness, a figure suddenly appeared in the room. The newcomer was tall, with black and white fur; it was Cheng Yu's friend—the tiger-beastman Bai Yu. He seemed out of place in the room, as if he were an alien from another world. Cheng Yu, his vision blurred, grasped at Bai Yu's presence like a lifeline, a glimmer of hope igniting within him.

Without hesitation, Bai Yu appeared and slammed a punch into the back of Bo Wen's head. Bo Wen was just an ordinary person at the moment and could not withstand the tiger-beastman's full-force attack. He was instantly knocked to the ground and lost consciousness.

"You fucking tried to kill my good brother? What the hell were you thinking?" Bai Yu waved his hand dismissively, his tone filled with anger and contempt. Then, he hurriedly ran to Cheng Yu's side, carefully helping him up and asking with concern, "How are you? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Cheng Yu was in a daze, his body wracked with pain. He tried to speak but couldn't get a coherent sentence out, only managing broken, indistinct sounds. Bai Yu frantically shook Cheng Yu, trying to get him to speak clearly. Meanwhile, Cheng Yu was already cursing Bai Yu countless times in his mind: "Why the hell are you holding me so tight? Are you trying to strangle me?"

Bai Yu finally realized he had been holding Cheng Yu too tightly and quickly let go. As a result, the unconscious Cheng Yu fell to the ground. Bai Yu looked around awkwardly before carefully checking Cheng Yu's injuries. He found multiple bruises and abrasions on Cheng Yu's body, and his breathing was very weak. Bai Yu was filled with worry.

"Hang in there, I'll take you to see a doctor right away." Bai Yu said, and was about to pick up Cheng Yu and leave.

Cheng Yu shook his head and said in a weak voice, "No...no need...I...I'm fine..."

Bai Yu felt a pang of heartache seeing Cheng Yu's weak state. He knew Cheng Yu was just putting on a brave face, but he didn't want to force him.

"Okay, then you rest for a bit, I'll stay here with you." Bai Yu said, sitting down next to Cheng Yu and gently wiping the sweat and blood from his face.

Cheng Yu glanced gratefully at Bai Yu, then slowly closed his eyes. He felt his body growing heavier and his consciousness becoming increasingly blurred. He knew he needed to rest and recover his strength.

Bai Yu sat quietly beside Cheng Yu, watching over him. Looking at Cheng Yu's pale face, he was filled with self-reproach. He felt he had arrived too late, unable to prevent this tragedy from happening.

The room was silent, save for Cheng Yu's faint breathing and Bai Yu's worried sighs. Time ticked by, the night grew deeper, and the atmosphere in the room became increasingly heavy.

Suddenly, Cheng Yu opened his eyes wide, his gaze filled with terror. "Bai Yu...be careful..."

Before Bai Yu could react, he felt a powerful force coming from behind him. He instinctively tried to dodge, but it was too late.

A figure appeared in the room; it was Bo Wen, who had been knocked unconscious by Bai Yu earlier. He had regained consciousness, and his pupils had turned vertical.

Once he regained consciousness, Bowen's eyes were filled with anger and murderous intent.

Without the slightest hesitation, Bo Wen delivered a powerful punch to Bai Yu's back. Bai Yu groaned, staggering a few steps forward before nearly falling.

Cheng Yu watched this scene in horror, wanting to stop Bo Wen, but he was powerless to move.

Bo Wen turned around, looking at Bai Yu lying on the ground, his eyes filled with a cruel smile. "You think you can really defeat me? You're too naive."

Bai Yu struggled to stand up, but his body wouldn't obey him. He coughed up blood, his eyes filled with resentment.

Bo Wen walked up to Bai Yu, looking down at him. "Who do you think you are? Do you really think you can protect Cheng Yu? You're overestimating yourself."

Bai Yu didn't speak, but stared intently at Bo Wen, his eyes filled with anger and hatred.

Bo Wen raised his foot and stomped on Bai Yu's chest, grinding it forcefully. "Now you know how powerful I am, right?"

Bai Yu felt a sharp pain in his chest, and breathing became even more difficult. He clenched his teeth tightly, trying not to make a sound.

A cruel smile appeared on Bowen's face. "That's more like it, that's what a man should do." He increased the pressure on his foot, and Bai Yu felt that, like Cheng Yu, his consciousness was gradually fading away.

Seeing Bowen attack Bai Yu again, Cheng Yu felt a surge of inexplicable power. He endured the excruciating pain, lunged at Bowen, and shoved him aside. Bai Yu seized the opportunity to get up, quickly moved behind Bowen, and kicked him away.

Bowen slammed heavily against the wall with a muffled groan. He looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, quickly replaced by deeper anger. He stood up, dusted himself off, and sneered, "Looks like you two really are brothers. Well, that's fine, saves me the trouble of dealing with you one by one."

After speaking, Bowen clasped his hands together and began chanting incantations. The air in the room began to distort, and a powerful surge of magical energy emanated from him. His eyes glowed with an eerie green light, as if he were a demon from hell.

Cheng Yu and Bai Yu both sensed the powerful magic, and their hearts sank. They knew that Bo Wen was no longer the ordinary person who had been powerless; he had regained his magic and become even more dangerous.

"Cheng Yu, be careful!" Bai Yu warned.

Cheng Yu nodded, knowing he had to be careful. He took a deep breath, gathering the last of his strength to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Bo Wen sneered, his figure flashing as he instantly appeared in front of Cheng Yu. He threw a punch, carrying a sharp gust of wind, aiming straight for Cheng Yu's face. Cheng Yu dodged to the side, simultaneously kicking Bo Wen in the abdomen. Bo Wen blocked Cheng Yu's attack with his hand, then retaliated with a palm strike aimed at Cheng Yu's chest.

Cheng Yu quickly retreated, dodging Bo Wen's attack. He knew he couldn't fight head-on; he had to find an opportunity to counterattack.

Bai Yu joined the battle, wielding his massive tiger claws and relentlessly attacking Bo Wen. Bo Wen skillfully dodged Bai Yu's attacks while simultaneously seeking an opportunity to counterattack.

The room was filled with the sounds of fierce fighting; the three exchanged blows, neither giving an inch. Although Cheng Yu and Bai Yu were working together, they were still at a disadvantage. Bo Wen's magic was far stronger than theirs, and his combat experience was also far greater.

Cheng Yu gradually felt his strength failing, and several more wounds appeared on his body. Bai Yu was in no better condition; his body was also covered in wounds, and his breathing became rapid.

Looking at their disheveled state, Bowen revealed a smug smile. "It seems you've reached your limit. Now, let me send you on your way."

He chanted the incantation again, and the magical fluctuations in the room intensified. A massive black magic circle appeared beneath his feet, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.

Cheng Yu and Bai Yu both felt the threat of death. They knew that if they didn't fight back, they would really die here.

"Bai Yu, we have to fight!" Cheng Yu shouted.

"Okay!" Bai Yu replied without hesitation.

The two exchanged a resolute glance. They simultaneously unleashed their inner magic, preparing for a final counterattack.

……

This is not the main text:

Bai Yu: Author, why the hell am I always getting banned?! You 5cm_f***er!

Cheng Yu: Exactly, exactly! Why is it that only Bowen has magic powers, and we don't? You're being biased, aren't you? Why don't you just make Bowen the protagonist of this novel...?

Author's note: There's nothing we can do; this is Earth, and these are the rules. As for Bowen, he's an ultimate villain, so it's normal for him to be stronger...

Cheng/Bai: Damn it, author, if you want to kill off characters, just say so.