Shrewd as ever, Pax had his men bring chairs for Ned and his valets.
His attitude changed since he was a lot less worried with Ned around—no one would dare make him step down with his benefactor present.
Still, he would have to put up a proper show for the man.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTurning toward the crowd, he said loudly and smugly, "The young man over there is so brave... Every Sunblazer present will be my witness. If he defeats the Four Kings, I'll step down and Hux can take my place." Everyone roared with laughter at that.
"Hehe." Frank simply braced against the jeers and contemptuous remarks and slowly strode toward the ring, cracking his neck.
Pax then turned to the Four Kings. "Go, but remember, give a proper showing. Mr. Janko is watching! Don't blme for disowning you if you lose!" "Yes, Mr. Barzini!" All four burly men answered yes before striding into the ring in a tidy formation.
"Over here, Hux." Ned beckoned at an embarrassed Hux just then. "So where did you find your champion, and how good is he?" Somehow, Ned seemed to care less about the challenge than Frank.
After all, Frank was young and handsome—if Ned were a little stronger, he would be wrestling him into his bed.
Hux was well aware that Ned swung that way, having been given orders before to scout for pretty boys for the man.
And now it seemed that Ned was interested in Frank.
However, Hux was not about to give Frank away so easily.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe man was basically Hux's trump card—what would happen to him if Ned took him away? Still, he had no choice but to brace himself and answer, "Well, he's good in a fight—that much | know since we made our acquaintance through conflict. We're good friends now." "He's good in a fight." Ned puckered his lips before asking, "How long do you think he'd last against the Four Kings?" "Uh." Hux was stumped.
It would be a slap to his own face if he said Frank would not last long—what was the point of challenging Pax, even? On the other hand, if he claimed Frank could win, it might incur Ned's wrath.
"Well, I'd say it's fifty-fifty." Hux smiled awkwardly and gave a response that even he was not satisfied with.
"Fifty-fifty? Hmph..." Ned was obviously displeased with the answer.
On the other hand, Ned's valets could certainly tell from Ned's tone that he was biased against Frank and quickly started circlejerking, but not without a hint of jealousy.
"Oh, it's fine, Mr. Janko. The kid won't even last ten blows." "Exactly, that's what | thought." "I mean, the Four Kings are quite famous in South Morhen, right?" "They're brothers too. With their bloodline connection, the combat ward they cast would buff them up exponentially." "And they are constantly honing their physique to frightening levels too. Ssay they are invincible." "That kid? The Four Kings would break his neck in five moves." "Heh. | think two would be enough," Ned concluded.
As he and his valets giggled so shrilly that it would make a girl blush, Hux could feel his stomach churning as he stood nearby.