Plan

Confront the Yan Family just because the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader said so? Li Qing certainly wouldn't be that reckless. He had to investigate the Yan Family's situation thoroughly before making any decisions.

While he was tempted by the Yan Family's medicinal wine recipes, the risks involved were considerable.

"If the Yan Family truly only has three Outer Strength experts, then taking a chance with the Heavenly Dragon wouldn't be impossible."

After returning home, Li Qing continuously weighed the pros and cons of the matter.

His eyes flickered, assessing his current combat strength and risk tolerance.

Li Qing had no doubt that the Yan Family, having stood strong in Obsidian City for so many years, would have powerful martial artists and enforcers in their employ.

After all, they wouldn't have collected so many martial arts techniques just to use them as table decorations or let them gather dust.

"The Heavenly Dragon has led the Righteous Gang for so many years; it's impossible he doesn't have designs on the Yan Family. He's been planning for so long, and if he hadn't met me, he'd probably still be lying low."

Li Qing spoke, his eyes gleaming.

"Hoo... The only problem now is that with the Heavenly Dragon and me, we only have two Outer Strength experts. Does he have another way to deal with the third one?"

"Or perhaps the Righteous Gang is hiding another mysterious Outer Strength expert?"

Li Qing didn't believe the Heavenly Dragon could defeat two Outer Strength experts alone. Judging by the Blood Essence he displayed, the Heavenly Dragon might be considered powerful among Outer Strength experts, but fighting two was clearly impossible.

"This matter needs careful consideration. We must be as secure as possible, preferably using a clever method."

Wait!

It was currently the busy farming season, with the Black Rye Mushroom harvest underway outside the city. The Yan Family's three Outer Strength experts would undoubtedly be on high alert for any trouble during this period.

Having made up his mind, Li Qing stayed at home for the next few days, not even stepping outside his courtyard.

Overthrowing the Yan Family would be no easy feat; he had to increase his strength as much as possible.

During these days, Li Qing focused on honing the Ancient Profound Hammer Technique, dedicating all his attention to this martial art.

Compared to the body-tempering techniques like the True Intent of the Fierce Tiger and the Light Silk Leg, this hammer-based martial art clearly offered a more significant boost to combat power.

Regardless, Outer Strength experts were still mortal. They couldn't withstand the impact of his two-hundred-plus-pound hammer.

Especially since the hammer face was fused with a small piece of incredibly hard Ink Gold, Li Qing was confident he could heavily injure an opponent with a single strike, even if they were wearing sturdy iron armor.

This continued for over ten days.

The Black Rye Mushroom harvest outside the city was gradually concluding, 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 couldn't help but send someone to Li Qing's home again to inquire about the situation.

The visitor was, as before, Wei Tian, who moved with the agility of a swallow. He easily scaled Li Qing's low courtyard wall and, upon entering, saw Li Qing slowly swinging his large hammer.

This time, he wasn't here to steal, but seeing Li Qing's robust muscles still made him feel a bit apprehensive.

On this freezing cold day, Li Qing, shirtless, sweated profusely, the moisture evaporating into white mist.

Drops of sweat trickled down his well-defined muscle lines, exuding an unspoken sense of power.

This guy seems even stronger. What does he eat normally? He's such a freak!

Wei Tian muttered inwardly, then watched as Li Qing gradually put away his Peerless Hammer. He cleared his throat softly and said, "Brother Li, our Gang Leader sent me to ask how your consideration is going..."

Bang!

Having finished his practice, Li Qing placed the heavy Peerless Hammer on the ground with a dull thud, making Wei Tian's eyelids twitch.

"Wei Tian, come here," Li Qing said, his eyes slightly closed.

Wei Tian walked over to Li Qing, confused, not knowing what he intended.

"Go back and tell your Gang Leader I have a plan," Li Qing said in a low voice.

Upon hearing Li Qing's plan, Wei Tian's expression became incredibly complex, his face shifting rapidly.

"This..."

Before Wei Tian could finish, Li Qing chuckled, "Brother Wei Tian, forgive me."

As he spoke, Li Qing subtly channeled his strength into his left hand and pushed out a palm strike, hitting Wei Tian directly on the shoulder.

Bang!

Wei Tian flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing through the closed courtyard gate. Blood even trickled from the corner of his mouth.

After being flung out of the gate, Wei Tian wiped the blood from his nose and mouth, his eyes flickering for a moment before he shouted, "You good-for-nothing Li the blacksmith, you just wait! Our Gang Leader won't let this go!"

With that, his feet moved rapidly, like he had an engine installed, and he shot out of the street in a flash.

Li Qing was stunned by his speed. To be able to run so fast after taking his palm strike was truly remarkable.

If he hadn't practiced the Light Silk Leg, he might not have been able to catch up to this guy.

As Wei Tian left, Li Qing sat down in his courtyard and began to meditate, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing.

He hadn't used his full strength in that palm strike; otherwise, Wei Tian's shoulder bones would likely have been shattered.

He did this not only to avoid injuring Wei Tian but also to conceal his true strength.

Soon, the commotion naturally attracted the attention of the neighbors, spreading throughout the entire street and continuing to ripple outwards.

As one of the few blacksmiths in the city, many people on the street recognized Li Qing, and they immediately began to whisper amongst themselves.

"Tsk tsk tsk, how did Master Li offend the Righteous Gang?"

"Sigh, Master Li is such a good blacksmith, and now he's been targeted by those inhuman bastards from the Righteous Gang."

"I hope he can come through this safely. He's the only one in the city who makes iron at a reasonable price."

"This world, sigh! Why doesn't anyone do anything about it!"

"."

Old Man An naturally found out about the incident immediately. After all, he had benefited from Li Qing before, so he came over to check on him right away.

Knock, knock, knock!

Hearing the knock, Li Qing opened the door at once.

"Master Li, you were too impulsive! While the Righteous Gang doesn't have as much influence in the city as the Yan Family, you shouldn't have offended them like this!" Old Man An started lecturing as soon as he entered.

However, Li Qing just smiled and said, "Old Man An, you don't need to worry about this. I, Li Qing, am not someone who stands by when bullied."

Hearing this, Old Man An paused, then remembered how Li Qing had single-handedly dealt with the three Yan brothers from the Righteous Gang on a street in the city's marketplace not too long ago.

Old Man An sighed deeply, a look of regret on his face. "Sigh! Master Li, why don't you just leave Obsidian City? After offending the Righteous Gang, their leader is not a merciful person!"

"Here, you still have plenty of the food you gave me left. Take those Black Rye Mushrooms and my granddaughter, and leave Obsidian City together. Head west to Giant Rock City; the Righteous Gang's reach definitely won't extend that far!"

But Li Qing just smiled and shook his head. He said, "Old Man An, you should go back. I have this handled. I want to see just how formidable the Righteous Gang can be."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Li Qing, Old Man An opened his mouth, then finally sighed and shook his head.

"Sigh!"