Forging Immortality: The Undying Blacksmith

Chapter 26: The Plan

Oppose the Yan Family over a single sentence from Gang Leader Tianlong? Li Qing was hardly that reckless. He would have to investigate the Yan Family’s situation himself before making any decision.

He coveted their medicinal wine recipes, but the risks were substantial.

*If the Yan Family truly only has three Outer Force experts, then taking a gamble with Tianlong might be worth it.*

After returning home, Li Qing spent hours weighing the pros and cons. His eyes narrowed, calculating his current combat strength and his capacity to absorb risk. He had no doubt that the Yan Family, a pillar of Obsidian City for so many years, kept powerful martial artists in their employ. After all, they wouldn’t collect so many martial arts manuals just to prop up table legs and let them gather dust.

*Tianlong has led the Righteousness Gang for years. It’s impossible he doesn’t have designs on the Yan Family. He’s been planning this for a long time. Without me, he’d probably still be lying in wait.*

A glint appeared in Li Qing’s eyes as he mused.

*The only problem is, even with me, Tianlong and I only make two Outer Force experts. Does he have a way to deal with the third? Or is the Righteousness Gang hiding another master?*

Li Qing didn’t believe for a second that Tianlong could take on two Outer Force experts alone. Judging by the man’s Qi and Blood, he was formidable, but a one-on-two fight was out of the question.

*This requires careful deliberation. I need to be as cautious as possible. A cleverer approach is needed.*

Wait.

It was the height of the harvest season, and the Black Wheat Mushrooms were being gathered outside the city. The Yan Family’s three masters would be on high alert for any trouble.

Having made his decision, Li Qing remained at home for the next several days, not once stepping beyond his courtyard gate. Toppling the Yan Family would be no simple task; he had to increase his own strength by any means necessary.

He dedicated himself to the Gu Xuan Hammer Technique, pouring all his focus into the martial art. Compared to the Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram and the Qingluo Leg Technique, which tempered his body, this hammer style offered a much more direct path to greater combat power.

Ultimately, even an Outer Force expert was still mortal flesh and blood. They couldn’t possibly withstand a direct hit from his hammer, which weighed over two hundred pounds. The face of the hammer was even fused with a small piece of incredibly dense Black Gold. Li Qing was confident he could shatter refined iron armor and cripple an opponent with a single, devastating blow.

More than ten days passed in this manner.

The Black Wheat Mushroom harvest outside the city drew to a close, and the Yan Family’s granaries were once again filled to the brim.

The Righteousness Gang’s patience, however, had apparently worn thin. They finally sent someone to Li Qing’s home to check on his progress.

The visitor was the same nimble Wei Tian. He vaulted over the low courtyard wall in a few fluid movements, landing to the sight of Li Qing moving through slow, deliberate forms with his massive hammer. He wasn’t here to steal this time, but the sight of Li Qing’s formidable physique still sent a shiver of apprehension down his spine.

Despite the freezing cold, Li Qing was bare-chested, and steam rose from his skin as sweat evaporated in the frigid air. Droplets traced paths down the hard contours of his muscles, a testament to the raw power contained within.

*This guy looks even stronger… What in the world does he eat? He’s a monster.*

Wei Tian muttered inwardly. He watched as Li Qing finished his set and lowered the Peerless Hammer, then cleared his throat. “Brother Li, our Gang Leader sent me to ask… how are your deliberations coming along?”

*THUD!*

Li Qing set the heavy Peerless Hammer down on the ground, the dull impact making Wei Tian’s eyelids twitch.

“Wei Tian, come here,” Li Qing said, his eyes still half-closed.

Confused, Wei Tian approached, unsure of what he wanted.

“Go back and tell your Gang Leader I have a plan…” Li Qing whispered.

As Wei Tian listened, his expression shifted dramatically, a cascade of emotions playing across his face.

“This…”

Before he could finish, Li Qing let out a low chuckle. “Brother Wei Tian, my apologies.”

As he spoke, a surge of force gathered in his left hand. He thrust his palm forward, striking Wei Tian squarely on the shoulder.

*BAM!*

Wei Tian was sent flying backward like a ragdoll, crashing straight through the closed courtyard gate. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

After sprawling in the street, Wei Tian wiped the blood from his lips. His eyes flashed with understanding before he roared, “You damned blacksmith! You just wait! Our Gang Leader won’t let you get away with this!”

With that, he scrambled to his feet and took off, sprinting down the street with explosive speed.

Li Qing was momentarily stunned by his pace. To run that fast after taking a palm strike—even a restrained one—was impressive. If not for his own Qingluo Leg Technique, he wasn’t sure he could have caught him.

With Wei Tian gone, Li Qing sat cross-legged in his ruined doorway and began to regulate his breathing. He’d held back, of course. A full-power strike would have shattered every bone in Wei Tian’s shoulder. The act was meant not only to avoid injury but also to conceal his true strength.

The commotion had already drawn the attention of his neighbors. Within moments, whispers spread down the entire street and began to radiate outward. As one of the few blacksmiths in the city, Li Qing was a familiar face.

“Tsk, tsk. How did Master Li get on the wrong side of the Righteousness Gang?”

“Sigh, such a good blacksmith, targeted by those inhuman thugs.”

“I hope he’ll be alright. He’s the only one in the city with fair prices.”

“This world… Why doesn’t anyone do anything about them!”

“…”

Old Man An heard the news almost immediately. Feeling indebted to Li Qing, he rushed over to check on him.

*Knock, knock, knock!*

Li Qing opened the door at once.

“Master Li, you were too impulsive!” Old Man An said, his voice thick with worry as he stepped inside. “The Righteousness Gang may not be as powerful as the Yan Family, but you shouldn’t have provoked them like that!”

Li Qing just smiled. “Old Man An, don’t you worry about this. I, Li Qing, am not the type to stand by and let myself be bullied.”

The old man froze, his mind flashing back to the day Li Qing had single-handedly thrashed three of the gang’s thugs in the market. He let out a long sigh, his face etched with regret. “Sigh! Master Li, maybe you should just leave Obsidian City. You’ve offended the Righteousness Gang, and their leader is not a merciful man!”

He leaned in closer. “Look, I still have plenty of the food you gave me. Take the Black Wheat Mushrooms, take my granddaughter, and leave. Head west to Giant Rock City. The Righteousness Gang’s reach won’t extend that far!”

But Li Qing only smiled and shook his head. “You should go home, Old Man An. I know what I’m doing. In fact… I’m curious to see just how formidable the Righteousness Gang really is.”

Seeing that his words had no effect, Old Man An’s mouth hung open for a moment before he finally shook his head in defeat.

“Sigh!”