Chapter 160: A Barrage of Bullets and Gunfire

Inside a massive luxury MAN motorhome parked at the center of the venue, Li Lekang sat with his legs crossed, watching the live broadcast on television. The screen displayed the vibrant scene unfolding outside.

The early May weather was still mild, perfectly igniting everyone's enthusiasm. Even indoors, he could feel the wave of excitement radiating from the crowd beyond.

Spotting a beautiful reporter climbing onto a rooftop in the live footage, Li Lekang suddenly mused, "The ice cream vendors must be making a fortune right now."

Judy, unsure why he was fixated on such odd details, smiled after a moment's thought and replied, "Obviously, you've driven everyone wild."

Li Lekang glanced at the sea of people beyond the screen and remarked, "Still, it feels less crowded than that time at Metropolis Stadium."

"That's because there's no tiered seating here; the crowd is all on one level," Judy explained, handing him a tablet. "Look at this drone shot."

"Wow!" Li Lekang’s imagination took shape. "If I don’t pull out some tricks today, they probably won’t let me off the hook."

He rose, changing clothes with purpose. He knew the crowd that had gathered were die-hard fans, loyal family members eager to contribute their support. Naturally, he had to put on a show worthy of them.

After the DJ’s final track faded, Li Lekang made his entrance.

Under the watchful eye of the live broadcast cameras, he roared onto the stage astride an off-road motorcycle.

A one-meter-high platform had been erected in the center of the field, flanked by enormous ultra-high-definition screens and surrounded by a state-of-the-art sound system to ensure even distant spectators could feel the energy.

Echoing the DJ’s fiery set, Li Lekang’s arrival was nothing short of explosive—his dirt bike sped up a ramp and onto the stage as six towering jets of flame erupted around him. He weaved through the fire before skidding to a halt.

He kicked off the stand and removed his helmet, revealing the famed magician himself.

That single stunt instantly ignited the crowd’s passion.

Shouts and screams echoed into the sky.

Standing on stage, Li Lekang surveyed the vast sea of faces and lifted the microphone. “Hello, Vegas! Let me hear your screams!”

“Wooo! Ahh!”

The crowd’s response surged like waves, even joined by passing car horns—a few die-hard fans had likely stalled their cars just to catch the sound.

Li Lekang grinned, pleased. “I wish I could sing a few pop songs or spin some electronic beats to get you even more hyped!”

The audience cheered and hollered in return, many eager for him to show off his skills. But Li Lekang laughed, “I can’t bring you beautiful melodies or dazzling synths, but—”

“—today, I’ll give you the most thrilling, heart-pounding spectacle of all my magic shows!”

“Tonight, this will be the craziest performance I’ve ever done! I want you to join me—use every fierce technique you’ve got to hurt me, to destroy me!”

“Now, please welcome my ladies!”

At his call, five stunning women strode onto the stage in leather, high heels, and fishnet stockings. Each was armed—some carried assault rifles, others pistols, some cradled sniper rifles—an intoxicating mix of allure and danger.

The crowd’s cheers reached a new crescendo. Li Lekang introduced them with a smile: “What a captivating group of beauties, but today, they’re not just pretty faces.”

“They’re going to cuff me and lock me inside the iron cage above my head! Then, a crane will lift me high, and you’ll decide which lady gets to fire at me by raising your voices!”

“The loudest cheer picks the shooter. Let’s get started!”

With a loud shout, Li Lekang was lowered into a steel cage suspended at the center of the stage.

His hands and feet were shackled before he was locked inside. The assistant sealed the cage, then pulled out a welding tool, methodically sealing every joint. Watching this, Li Lekang joked, “Unless I turn into a bird and fly away!”

Once the welding was complete, the assistant rolled the cage around, showing the crowd its sturdy construction. Then, from a hook above, they pulled down a black cloth covering the cage.

“Now, hoist me up!” Li Lekang’s voice came from inside.

The crane operator tightened the cables, and the cage vibrated as it ascended.

Half a meter from the ground, the cage stopped.

The magician’s voice echoed through the speakers: “Many of you might think that by now, I’ve already escaped the cage. I admit, that’s a pretty savvy guess.”

The crowd nodded in agreement, knowing that with Li Lekang’s agility, any momentary cover would allow him to vanish.

But that wasn’t his style. “Well, then, ladies, please lift the cloth and let the audience see me again!”

They peeled back a corner of the cloth, revealing Li Lekang, still trapped inside. He waved to the crowd.

“Okay, continue!”

The cloth dropped again, and the challenge quietly intensified.

Now the cage was suspended in midair, disconnected from any other apparatus. Escaping unseen had become an entirely different level of difficulty.

The crane held the cage about a meter above the ground.

The crowd’s cheers grew hoarse with excitement.

On stage, the five lethal beauties stood with their arms crossed. Various weapons were arrayed on the floor, awaiting the audience’s call.

This moment deeply engaged the crowd’s participation. Everyone yelled for their favorite shooter, and the adjacent screen displayed the volume of each contender’s cheers in a fierce competition.

Finally, the screen declared the winner:

“All of them!”

With the result announced, the women seized their weapons.

An AK47 assault rifle, an MP5 submachine gun, an M249 light machine gun, an AA12 shotgun, and an R700 sniper rifle.

The crowd was stunned by the sheer firepower.

Even the noise dimmed, as if gripped by hesitation and concern.

Then, someone shouted, “Fire!”

Suddenly, everyone joined in, shouting “Fire! Fire! Fire!”

Without hesitation, the women pulled their triggers, unleashing a furious volley.

Muzzles flared, hot casings flew, and bullets pierced the black cloth and cage, striking the stage’s metal-reinforced backdrop with sharp metallic pings.

This proved the bullets were real. Despite no one seeing Li Lekang’s escape, he was mercilessly swept by the gunfire while suspended.

The cacophony of gunfire formed a strange, penetrating soundtrack to the scene, tightening many hearts in the audience.

Then, Li Lekang’s voice crackled through the speakers: “Ouch, that hurts a bit! But I can hold on a little longer!”

“Wow!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, relieved to hear the magician was still safe.

His voice continued: “Now, for the next round! I’m going to prove I’m still inside this cage!”

“So, my assistant will randomly select a lucky spectator, who will then mark a bullet for the sniper to fire at me!”

Li Lekang raised the stakes with his signature random selection.

The chosen spectator was blindfolded, spun five times, and then tossed a ball behind him with force.

Chaos ensued as the crowd scrambled for the ball. Under everyone’s gaze, the bright red sphere was unmistakably genuine.

A bald man snatched it and was invited onstage.

Olivia, the assistant, handed him several 12.7mm bullets and a metal marker pen. “Engrave a mark you like on one of these bullets.”

The bald man carefully picked a bullet and etched a symbol on its tip. After a while, he held it up to the crowd and cameras.

The screen zoomed in on the green mark on the bullet tip.

He was then escorted offstage as Olivia loaded the specially marked bullet into the heavy sniper rifle, chambered it, and took aim at the cage.

A deafening gunshot echoed, hot brass flew, and the suspended cage shook.

The entire venue fell into a tense silence, waiting for the result.