Translator: AnubisTL
To confront the Yan Family just because of a single statement from the Tian Long gang leader? Li Qing certainly wouldn't be so reckless. He needed to personally investigate the situation of the Yan Family before making any decisions.
Although he was quite tempted by the Yan Family's medicinal wine recipes, the risks involved were also significant.
"If the Yan Family truly only has three Outer Strength experts, then taking a risk with Tian Long might not be entirely unreasonable."
After returning home, Li Qing continuously weighed the pros and cons of the matter.
His eyes flickered as he assessed his current combat strength and ability to withstand risks.
The Yan Family had stood firm in Blackrock City for so many years, and it was no doubt that they had powerful martial artists and enforcers in their employ.
After all, they had collected so many martial arts techniques—it was impossible that they were merely used as table props, gathering dust.
"Tian Long has established the Righteous Gang for so many years. It's impossible that he hasn't had any covetous thoughts toward the Yan Family. If he hadn't encountered me, he might still be lying low."
As Li Qing spoke, his eyes gleamed with determination.
"The only problem now is that Tian Long and I only make two Outer Strength experts. Does he have a way to deal with the third one?"
"Or does the Righteous Gang have another mysterious Outer Strength expert hidden away?"
Li Qing didn't believe that Tian Long could defeat two Outer Strength experts alone. From the level of energy Tian Long had displayed, he might be formidable among Outer Strength experts, but taking on two at once was clearly impossible.
"This matter requires careful consideration. It must be handled as cautiously as possible, preferably with some clever tactics."
Wait! It was currently the busy farming season, and the Dark Wheat Mushrooms outside the city were being harvested. During this time, the Yan Family's three Outer Strength experts would undoubtedly be on high alert for any potential disturbances.
Having made his decision, Li Qing stayed at home for the next few days, not even stepping out of his courtyard.
Toppling the Yan Family was no easy task. He needed to increase his strength as much as possible.
During these days, Li Qing focused on honing his Ancient Mystic Hammer Art, dedicating all his attention to this martial technique.
Compared to the Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram, which tempered the body, and the Light Silk Leg Technique, this hammer-based martial art was clearly more effective in boosting combat power.
After all, Outer Strength experts were still mere mortals. They couldn't withstand a strike from his two-hundred-pound hammer.
Especially since the hammer's surface was fused with a small piece of incredibly hard Ink Gold. Even if the opponent wore sturdy iron armor, Li Qing was confident that a single strike from his hammer could severely injure them.
And so, more than ten days passed in this manner.
The harvesting of Dark Wheat Mushrooms outside the city gradually came to an end, and the Yan Family's granaries were once again filled to the brim.
The Righteous Gang's patience seemed to have reached its limit, and they finally sent someone to Li Qing's home to inquire about the situation.
The visitor was once again the nimble Wei Tian, who effortlessly leaped over the low wall of Li Qing's courtyard. Upon entering, he saw Li Qing slowly swinging his massive hammer.
This time, Wei Tian wasn't here to steal, but seeing Li Qing's muscular physique still made him feel a bit uneasy.
In the freezing cold of winter, Li Qing, bare-chested, was drenched in sweat, which quickly turned into steam in the chilly air.
Beads of sweat trickled down his well-defined muscles, exuding an undeniable sense of strength.
This guy seems even more muscular than before. What on earth does he eat every day? What a freak!
Wei Tian couldn't help muttering to himself, then watched as Li Qing gradually put away the Peerless Hammer and coughed lightly, "Brother Li, our gang leader sent me to ask how your consideration is going."
Bang! After finishing his martial arts practice, Li Qing placed the heavy Peerless Hammer on the ground with a dull thud, causing Wei Tian to flinch.
"Wei Tian, come here," Li Qing said with his eyes slightly closed.
Wei Tian, puzzled, walked over to Li Qing, unsure of what he intended to do.
"Go back and tell your gang leader that I have a plan," Li Qing whispered. As Wei Tian listened to Li Qing's plan, his expression changed dramatically, shifting unpredictably.
"This..."
Before Wei Tian could finish, Li Qing chuckled lightly, "Brother Wei Tian, I apologize."
As soon as the words fell, Li Qing's left hand slightly tensed, and then he pushed out a palm strike directly onto Wei Tian's shoulder.
Bang! Wei Tian's body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing through the closed courtyard gate, even with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
After flying out of the courtyard gate, Wei Tian wiped the blood from his nose and mouth, his eyes flickering for a moment, then he shouted fiercely, "You blacksmith Li, just you wait, our gang leader won't let you off!"
After saying that, his feet moved swiftly, as if powered by an engine, and he dashed out of the street in a flash.
The speed at which he ran left Li Qing momentarily stunned. To be able to run so fast after taking a palm strike from him was truly remarkable.
If he hadn't practiced the Light Silk Leg Technique, he might not have been able to catch up with this guy.
As Wei Tian left, Li Qing sat down cross-legged at home and began to meditate and regulate his breathing.
Naturally, he hadn't used his full strength in that palm strike earlier; otherwise, Wei Tian's shoulder bone would likely have been shattered.
Doing this was not only to avoid injuring Wei Tian but also to conceal his true strength.
Soon, the commotion was naturally noticed by the neighbors, spreading quickly throughout the entire street and even beyond.
As one of the few blacksmiths in the city, many people on the street knew Li Qing, and they immediately began to whisper among themselves.
"Tsk tsk tsk, how did Master Li offend the Righteous Gang?"
"Ah, Master Li is such a good blacksmith, how could he be targeted by those inhuman things from the Righteous Gang."
"I hope he can stay safe. He's the only one in the city who offers affordable blacksmithing."
"This world, sigh! Why doesn't anyone do something about it!"
"..."
Old Man An naturally found out about this incident as soon as it happened. Having benefited from Li Qing's kindness, he immediately came over to visit and inquire.
Knock knock knock! Hearing the knocking, Li Qing opened the door at once.
"Master Li, you were too impulsive. Although the Righteous Gang doesn't have as much influence in the city as the Yan Family, you still shouldn't have offended them like this!" As soon as Old Man An entered, he began to speak earnestly.
However, Li Qing merely smiled and said, "Old Man An, you don't need to worry about this. I, Li Qing, am not someone who will remain indifferent when bullied."
Hearing this, Old Man An was momentarily stunned, then recalled how Li Qing had single-handedly dealt with the three brothers of the Yan Family from the Righteous Gang in the city's market streets not long ago.
Old Man An let out a long sigh and said with a look of regret, "Ah! Master Li, perhaps you should leave Blackrock City. Offending the Righteous Gang is no small matter—their leader is not one to show mercy!"
"Here's what we'll do. There's still plenty of the food you gave me left. Take the Dark Wheat Mushrooms and my granddaughter with you and leave Blackrock City. Head west to Giant Rock City. The Righteous Gang's influence definitely won't reach there!"
Yet Li Qing simply shook his head with a smile and replied, "Old Man An, you should go back. I know what I'm doing. I'd like to see just how formidable the Righteous Gang really is."
Seeing that his persuasion was futile, Old Man An opened his mouth but ultimately sighed and shook his head.
"Ah!"
(End of the Chapter)
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