Forging Immortality: The Undying Blacksmith

Chapter 24: The Yan Family

The burglar caved instantly. He was, after all, just a common thief who rarely saw a full meal. Beyond a certain nimbleness, he stood no chance against the raw power of the current Li Qing.

With a single hand, Li Qing clamped down on the man’s neck and lifted him clean off the ground.

“You’re from the Righteousness Gang?” Li Qing’s voice was ice.

The thief’s face flushed crimson as he dangled in the air, his struggles utterly useless against the iron grip constricting his throat.

*Thud!*

Just as the man was about to pass out, Li Qing snorted and, with a flick of his arm, slammed him onto the floor.

“Cough! Cough! *Gasp*!”

“I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” the thief choked out, clutching his bruised neck and dragging in ragged breaths. “It was our leader! Our gang leader sent me!”

A brush with death had shattered his nerve, extinguishing any thought of resistance.

Seeing his compliance, Li Qing didn’t press him further. He casually pulled over a chair and sat, his posture radiating an authority that filled the small room.

“Your name.”

“This lowly one is Wei Tian,” the thief stammered. “Our leader found me earlier… told me to come here and just steal a bit of food. I had no idea…” Wei Tian trailed off, cautiously glancing up at Li Qing before continuing in a rush. “I had no idea you were such a monster, sir! If you give me another chance, I swear I’ll never come near this place again!”

“Your leader’s name? Is he a martial artist?” Li Qing continued, his tone unwavering.

Faced with Li Qing’s overwhelming presence, Wei Tian spilled everything. “Our leader is Tianlong. And yes, he’s a martial artist.”

*Tianlong…* A domineering name. And a martial artist, at that. He couldn’t be weak.

“Hmph. The Righteousness Gang has left me alone for a long time. Why provoke me now?”

“Ah? Sir, you have a grudge with our gang?” Wei Tian’s voice trembled. “I really didn’t know! The leader just tells me where to steal, and I go!”

At those words, Li Qing’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re saying you don’t know about the history between me and your gang?” His mind raced.

It had been nearly a year since he’d dealt with the Qi brothers. It seemed the Righteousness Gang had decided to let the matter drop, yet now they send someone to steal from him? It was too unusual. There had to be a reason they’d suddenly taken an interest in him again.

“Sir, you have to understand,” Wei Tian said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. “Even though Obsidian City is practically a ghost town, I can’t possibly know everyone in it.”

He silently made a vow to himself. From now on, he would thoroughly investigate his targets before making a move. This kind of recklessness was going to get him killed.

Li Qing fell silent, his gaze sweeping over Wei Tian. The man was wiry and weak, with shifty eyes that darted around the room—the very picture of a coward.

“When you break into people’s homes, do you ever hurt anyone?” Li Qing asked, his eyes locking onto Wei Tian’s.

“Never!” Wei Tian replied instantly. “I’m a thief, not a robber! I wouldn’t dare! If I’m discovered, I just run. No one’s ever been able to catch me.”

*A thief with a code, huh?* Li Qing thought sardonically. “One last question. If you had succeeded, what was your leader Tianlong planning to do next?”

Wei Tian blinked, then answered honestly. “Probably nothing… Usually, after I hit a place once, the leader never sends me back a second time.”

*A test, then. They were testing my strength.*

If he hadn’t broken through to Outer Force and had his senses sharpened, he might never have even detected Wei Tian’s presence.

After a long moment of contemplation, Li Qing made his decision. He had no intention of killing the man. Instead, he uttered a sentence that made Wei Tian’s face drain of all color.

“Lead the way. I want to meet your leader.”

“Ah?” Wei Tian stared, his mouth hanging open, utterly speechless.

A short while later, Li Qing emerged from his courtyard. He wore a suit of iron mail beneath his thick, padded cotton coat, and the massive Peerless Hammer was strapped to his back.

Leading the way, Wei Tian glanced back at the enormous weapon and felt a wave of profound regret wash over him. Why had he provoked such an omen of death? That hammer looked heavier than he was! A man who could wield such a weapon could crush him like an ant.

The thought of escape never even crossed his mind. He simply walked, numbly leading the way. Whatever happened between this monster and his gang leader was no longer his concern. All he cared about was surviving the night.

After crossing several streets, Wei Tian led Li Qing into a squalid, chaotic lane. Even for the half-empty Obsidian City, this area was a cesspool of lawlessness. This was the headquarters of the Righteousness Gang.

Li Qing’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he took in the surroundings. With a slight curl of his lip, he followed Wei Tian into a large hall at the end of the street.

As they approached, a booming voice erupted from within.

“Hahahaha! A distinguished guest graces our door! What a fortunate day!”

The voice was followed by its owner: a broad-shouldered, middle-aged man with a thick, wild beard that covered most of his face. His eyebrows were so dense they nearly met in the middle, forming a single, dark line as he strode out, laughing heartily.

“Sir, that’s… that’s our leader…” Wei Tian stammered.

Li Qing nodded. He stepped forward, his own voice booming with false cheer. “Haha, Gang Leader Tianlong! I’ve heard so much about you!”

Tianlong was powerfully built, and his breathing was deep and steady. Yet, Li Qing felt no real sense of threat from him—nothing close to the crushing pressure exerted by the commanders of the Wuli Army. This man was an Outer Force expert, at best. He hadn’t even touched the threshold of Inner Force.

“Brother Li, so young and so promising!” Tianlong exclaimed, his praise flowing freely. “To cultivate Outer Force in these starving times is truly remarkable!”

Playing along, Li Qing cupped his fists. “And for Gang Leader Tianlong to have founded such a formidable gang all on his own, this one is truly in awe!”

After the exchange of pleasantries, Tianlong’s smile finally faded, and he cut to the chase.

“Brother Li, I’ll be frank. Sending Wei Tian to test you today was not my idea.”

“Oh?” Li Qing’s smile remained, but his eyes suddenly narrowed. “Then why did you do it, Gang Leader Tianlong? I’m all ears.”

Tianlong’s expression grew serious. He uttered two words.

“The Yan Family.”

Hearing them, Li Qing’s heart gave a slight jolt.

*Just as I thought.*