First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!

749 Bureau was in an uproar.

A life-and-death duel between a rising powerhouse and a seasoned veteran—was this year’s Year-One Combat Trials getting this intense before it even officially began?

Many investigators who weren’t on missions or had temporarily returned to the Bureau swarmed toward the Duel Stage.

At the very least, they had to watch the spectacle unfold.

Everyone had heard the rumors about Lu Ding’s ruthlessness. Now they wanted to see for themselves—was his reputation exaggerated, or was it well-earned?

”How the hell did Lu Ding end up clashing with Cao Zi’ang? These two should have nothing to do with each other—one’s an intern, the other’s a full investigator.”

”Who knows? Just enjoy the show.”

”I know! The latest Bureau App announcement—Cao Zi’ang’s entire family was arrested, and Lu Ding was the one who caught them. That’s probably the conflict.”

”What? So what? You mean they can’t be arrested? They did shady stuff and got caught fair and square. Now he’s forcing a Life-and-Death Duel over it? Who the f*** does Cao Zi’ang think he is? Since when did 749 belong to the Cao family!?””Yeah, now that you mention it, the more I think about it, the more pissed off I get! Why the hell shouldn’t they be arrested!? What, are investigators’ family members immune to the law? And now, Lu Ding has to fight a duel to justify an arrest? This is total bullsh*t! I gotta hurry and get a front-row seat!”

”I can’t stand this crap. If even 749 is pulling strings for people, then what’s the point? This place is supposed to be the first line of defense against monsters! You’re an investigator, but your family’s full of criminals, and you cover for them!?”

Somehow, the rumors spread like wildfire.

By the time they reached the larger crowd, the story had changed—now, it was:

Lu Ding arrested Cao Zi’ang’s family, and Cao Zi’ang, unable to accept it, challenged him to a duel out of sheer spite.

And that pissed a lot of people off.

So what now? Ordinary people could be arrested, but the relatives of investigators were untouchable?

Two words—f*** that.

What happened to fairness? If this kind of favoritism stood, then in the future, wouldn’t people with higher status get away with anything?

What about those without connections?

A full investigator could throw their weight around, sure, but forcing a Life-and-Death Duel just because someone did their job? That crossed a line.

Honestly… that logic made sense to a lot of people.

But for someone who actually knew the truth—Yan Feifan—this whole thing sounded completely wrong.

Wait, Lu Ge… is the oppressed one here!?

Hiss…

Wasn’t it Lu Ge who hated wasting words and directly proposed the duel himself?

How the hell did this turn into Cao Zi’ang forcing him into it?

Cao Zi’ang forcing Lu Ge? Does he even f***ing qualify?

Something wasn’t adding up.

On the Duel Stage

A Bureau staff member brought out the Life-and-Death Pact and an ink pad.

”Sign your name, then press your handprint. That’s it.”

Lu Ding immediately picked up the brush, signed his name, and pressed his hand down.

Seeing how decisively Lu Ding acted, Cao Zi’ang wrote his own name while keeping a cold gaze locked on him.

”You and I have an 80-20 chance in this fight,” Cao Zi’ang muttered. ”If you tell the truth on the stage, I’ll only injure you—I won’t take your life.”

”Hahahahahaha…”

Lu Ding had no words.

Why?

Why did everyone have such an inflated sense of self-worth?

Did he really look that unthreatening!?

80-20?

Good. Very good. 80-20.

”Sure.”

Hearing this, Cao Zi’ang thought he had agreed.

But Lu Ding continued, ”I’ll fulfill your request.”

What Cao Zi’ang didn’t realize was—

Lu Ding was referring to fulfilling his request for a deathmatch.

80-20?

Fine.

Lu Ding stepped onto the stage.

Cao Zi’ang pressed his handprint down, his expression easing.

”You’re quite sensible. Then I’ll let you witness me at my full strength.”

He formed a hand seal and pressed it to his chest.

Scales rippled across his skin, layer by layer, covering him completely—fish-like patterns spiraled over his body, creating a suit of scale armor.

He flipped onto the stage.

At that moment, many investigators watching below had strange expressions.

What the f***?

Cao Zi’ang, do you have no shame?

Sure, Lu Ding had a fearsome reputation.

But you, a seasoned full investigator, were fighting a rookie intern—

And you used General’s Armor Technique to buff yourself?

Are you even f***ing serious!?

The investigators in the crowd immediately started shouting.

”Lu Ding! Don’t be afraid! His General’s Armor Technique isn’t complete—his legs aren’t covered! Go for his lower body!”

”Lu Ding, don’t you f***ing dare die! Fight him like you fought me—wreck him!!”

Little Tyrant Xue Ning roared from below.

He had previously clashed with Lu Ding in an extremely unpleasant encounter.

But after waking up, he had nothing but respect. Complete respect.

Having power and being arrogant was right!

Having no power and still being arrogant? That’s just being a dumbass.

Having power but holding back? What was the point of training then?

What, were they training to be cowards!?

Besides, after hearing the story from others, Xue Ning got even angrier.

He was just like Lu Ding—proud, headstrong, and dismissive of authority.

But if he had caught people like Jia Yuanfang and Cao Yuan, he would’ve arrested them too!

And now, Lu Ding was being forced into a deathmatch for doing the right thing.

If he ignored it now, what if he was in this situation one day?

If no one supported Lu Ding today—

Then tomorrow, when the same thing happened to him, no one would support him either.

This duel…

If Cao Zi’ang lost? He deserved it.

If Cao Zi’ang won? The future was f***ed.

And as for who would win?

Cao Zi’ang was confident—completely, utterly confident.

He heard the crowd’s mocking, but he remained calm.

”Yes, my General’s Armor Technique isn’t perfected. But you… you’re just physically strong. As long as I keep my distance, you have no chance of winning.”

Lu Ding stared at his legs.

His legs weren’t covered at all?

Interesting.

But to Cao Zi’ang, Lu Ding’s gaze held a different meaning.

”Don’t get any ideas,” he sneered. ”Get ready.”

”I never said anything,” Lu Ding replied. ”Stop assuming things.”

”I was just wondering—why would anyone use General’s Armor Technique so badly? So hideously? To the point where it doesn’t even cover their legs?”

Perfect timing.

Because Lu Ding also knew General’s Armor Technique.

He raised his hand and formed a seal.

A black-flamed aura ignited in his palm.

With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a fire serpent—black mist surged, flames exploded.

A shadow stepped out from the inferno.

Black light gleamed.

Four savage beasts were engraved upon the jet-black battle armor he now wore—each one radiating a terrifying aura.

He stood, mighty and imposing.

Four beasts raged.

The crowd gasped.

”You… you know General’s Armor Technique!?”

Lu Ding raised a hand.

”Not just General’s Armor Technique. I know much more.”

He smirked.

”Go ask your uncle.”

Spiritual energy surged.

A Slash Attack erupted.

Like a raging storm, it obliterated everything in its path.