One Punch

Translator: AnubisTL

As the clear, crisp voice rang out, Crocodile Koloda's pupils snapped wide. "How dare you!" he growled.

The four thugs who had suffered a humiliating defeat at the blacksmith's shop trembled involuntarily, their legs shaking.

"Gang Leader... It's that blacksmith! That's his voice!"

Koloda didn't need to be told. It was the blacksmith himself, coming to him uninvited.

To brazenly trespass into the Sand Crocodile Gang's territory alone... such audacity filled him with unease.

This wasn't just a hollow headquarters. Where were the gang members guarding the entrance?

They wouldn't have let anyone pass easily. Yet this blacksmith had strolled in as casually as if he owned the place. The fate of the others was obvious.

Realizing this, Koloda inhaled sharply.

To silently eliminate so many of the Sand Crocodile Gang's core members... this blacksmith's strength must surpass his own.

A tall, youthful figure soon emerged from the headquarters, striding toward him.

Koloda watched Li Qing approach, unable to suppress his stern question: "How did you get in? What did you do to the guards at the entrance?"

Li Qing walked forward with his hands clasped behind his back, a carefree smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry," he replied. "They're just tired and took a short nap."

No further explanation was needed. The newcomer's casual demeanor made it clear that his strength was at least equal to Koloda's own.

Koloda stared intently at Li Qing as he approached, his voice laced with caution. "Sir, wasn't it enough that you taught my men a lesson? Do you have to come here personally to stir up trouble? Isn't that a bit excessive?"

By this point, Li Qing had reached Koloda's side. He hadn't even glanced at the four thugs along the way, instead walking straight to the table. He picked up an old-fashioned ceramic cup, turning it over in his hands as he chuckled softly.

"Weren't you trying to figure out who I am? Well, here I am. Ask whatever you want."

Li Qing had already passed Koloda, turning his back on the Sand Crocodile Gang's leader, completely unguarded.

Koloda's heart clenched, a ferocious glint flashing in his eyes.

Daring to turn his back on me at such close range? It was a blatant display of contempt. At this distance, a lightning-fast strike would be more than enough.

Should I strike?

The Sand Crocodile, usually decisive and ruthless, found himself suddenly conflicted.

At that moment, the street thugs who still hadn't grasped the situation began to shout:

"Gang Leader, this blacksmith is utterly disrespectful! Teach him a lesson!"

"He dares to barge into our Sand Crocodile Gang alone! He's practically spitting in your face!"

Hearing this, Koloda's lips twitched involuntarily. He was already itching to tear these worthless fools apart.

"Shut your mouths, you good-for-nothing trash!"

Koloda glared at them fiercely. He vowed that if he got through this unscathed, he would personally kick these useless troublemakers out of the gang.

"Sir, this was all just a misunderstanding. I'm willing to let the matter drop," Li Qing said with a playful smile, still toying with his porcelain cup. He set the cup down and turned around.

"I'm not going to waste words, Gang Leader Ko. If you can take a single punch from me, I'll turn around and leave without a word."

Hearing Li Qing's words, Koloda was utterly shocked. But that shock quickly gave way to a surging wave of fury.

So arrogant? Does he really think I, the esteemed Gang Leader of the Sand Crocodile Gang, a well-known External Strength Expert in Giant Rock City, can't even withstand a single punch from him?

"Are you perhaps overestimating yourself, sir? While I may not be a martial arts expert, I'm confident I can handle your punch," Koloda retorted.

Li Qing, who only wanted to settle things through force, had no desire for further conversation. "Very well, Gang Leader Ko. Watch my fist!"

As the words fell, a torrent of Internal Strength erupted from Li Qing's body. His fist, clenched tight at some unknown moment, crackled with vital energy. His muscles exploded like thunder!

Boom!

In the short distance between them, a fierce gust of wind erupted. Li Qing's entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation. He now resembled a ferocious tiger descending from the mountains, his eyes burning with a predatory intensity that seemed ready to devour anyone who met his gaze.

Faced with Li Qing's ferocious aura, Sand Crocodile's breath hitched, and even his Vital Energy flow seemed to stagnate.

This punch felt like Mount Tai crashing down—utterly impossible to withstand with human strength!

He was completely overwhelmed by Li Qing's Martial Path spirit, a suppression that struck at his very essence of Qi, Vital Energy, and Spirit. He didn't even attempt to resist.

In a flash of lightning, Li Qing's fist suddenly loomed large in Koloda's pupils, hurtling toward his forehead.

Boom!

A single hair's breadth. At that moment, the fist was only a hair's width from his forehead. Another hair's breadth forward, and his head would have exploded.

In the years that followed, Koloda would relive this moment like a recurring nightmare, his back drenched in cold sweat.

The fist's wind slammed into his face, ruffling Sand Crocodile's hair before it slowly fell back into place.

Thud!

Koloda's body went limp, nearly collapsing to the ground.

That's right—he couldn't even withstand a single punch from his opponent.

"Inside..."

He didn't finish speaking because he saw the look in Li Qing's eyes and understood his meaning: to keep quiet, as there were still outsiders present.

"Gang Leader! Gang Leader, are you alright?"

The four local thugs stood frozen in shock. Why hadn't their Gang Leader fought back? Why had he just let the blacksmith's fist connect with his forehead?

Li Qing retracted his fist and glanced sideways at the four thugs by the door. His voice was dangerously low as he said, "You four, get out of here now and keep slapping each other. If I don't hear loud slaps coming from outside, you'll regret it."

The four thugs looked as if they wanted to cry but couldn't. They turned to Koloda in unison, their faces mournful. "Gang Leader?"

Koloda's forehead broke out in black lines. They were still calling him by his name? What good would that do now?!

What a bunch of bad omens.

"Do as he says!" Koloda muttered.

It's over. Even our Gang Leader isn't a match for him.

The four comedians, their cheeks red and swollen, silently walked out, remembering to close the door behind them.

Soon after, a series of sharp, rhythmic slaps echoed from outside.

Listening to the rich, rhythmic cadence of the slaps, Li Qing chuckled. He casually pulled up the Gang Leader's seat, plopped down, and crossed his legs.

"Alright, Gang Leader Ko, now it's time we discuss serious matters."

Koloda forced a bitter smile and replied, "It's hard to believe Giant Rock City has gained such a young Inner Strength expert like you."

Li Qing didn't want to answer that question. Instead, he asked, "You should have received an invitation from the City Lord's Manor, right?"

(End of the Chapter)

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