Chapter 29 · Before the Black Hand Lets Go

Su Mian's face was turning purple.

Chen's iron fingers dug into her throat. He could feel her pulse hammering against his palm, getting weaker. Her hands clawed at his wrist but the scales didn't even scratch.

"Let go." He tried to open his fingers. Nothing. The black arm squeezed tighter. "Let go, let go, let GO—"

Su Mian's lips moved. No sound came out.

Old Xu was screaming something from the floor but Chen couldn't hear it over the roar in his skull. The iron scales crawled up his shoulder, each one locking into place with a wet click. His whole right side felt like it belonged to someone else.

Something else.

"Chen Feng." Steel Claw's voice cut through the noise. He was still standing at the edge of the ring, arms crossed. Smiling. "This is what I meant. The iron doesn't care who you love."

Chen slammed his left fist into his right elbow. Trying to break the joint, force it to bend. The impact sent a shockwave up both arms but his grip didn't loosen.

Su Mian's eyes rolled back.

"No no no—" Chen's left hand grabbed his right wrist and pulled. The iron arm didn't budge.