Chapter Fifty-Four: That Startling Kick

When Xiao Cheng made such a statement, Long Worm, who was standing to the side, couldn’t help but feel amused. This pretty boy really thought he was somebody, didn’t he? Not to mention others, even Long Worm himself didn’t dare to speak like that—truly the bravado of the young and inexperienced.

He was actually curious to see what would become of Xiao Cheng after saying such things. If Yan Hongde made a move and crippled Xiao Cheng, it would be exactly what he wished to see.

Zhuo Qinglian, upon hearing Xiao Cheng’s words, was delighted. Whatever anger she felt melted away in an instant.

“Xiao Cheng speaks for me,” Zhuo Qinglian declared, handing all authority in the matter to Xiao Cheng.

“So, you’re another Yang Lianting, hiding behind a woman’s skirt. Today, I’ll show you what real strength is,” Yan Hongde sneered, reaching out to strike at Xiao Cheng’s chest.

If Zhuo Qinglian had spoken to him like this, he could have tolerated it—her strength and status granted her that. But for a pretty boy to interrupt, he had no reason to hold back.

Yan Hongde was supremely confident in this strike; Zhuo Qinglian wouldn’t have time to intervene. Of course, he wouldn’t use his full strength—killing Zhuo Qinglian’s boy toy in one blow would only make her go berserk. He didn’t intend to end the kid’s life, but if the strike landed, that pretty face would be bedridden for weeks.

Yet things did not unfold as he imagined. As he struck, Zhuo Qinglian made no move to stop him. In that instant, he even caught a hint of mockery in her eyes, while the pretty boy about to be struck wore a cold, mocking smile.

A sense of dread crept into Yan Hongde, but it was too late.

Just as his palm—swift as the wind—was about to hit Xiao Cheng’s chest, an unremarkable hand flashed like a shadow and seized his wrist, halting him completely. The owner of that hand was none other than the pretty boy he’d dismissed.

A wave of terror swept through him. What kind of speed was this, to be able to catch his wrist?

Impossible—utterly impossible!

Before he could even be shocked, his vision blurred.

Xiao Cheng gripped Yan Hongde’s right wrist, a cold smile on his face, not giving him any chance to react. His spirit surged, and he lashed out with a powerful kick to Yan Hongde’s chest.

It wasn’t simply that Xiao Cheng was fast; he had anticipated Yan Hongde’s move before he even acted, using the timing to his advantage.

Xiao Cheng put nearly all his strength into that kick. No one had time to react before Yan Hongde’s hundred-kilogram body flew out like a cannonball, crashing into the wooden wall with such force that it shattered, leaving a gaping hole.

Yan Hongde felt his body suddenly lighten, pain blooming in his chest, the world spinning around him.

Yan Hongde was booted more than twenty meters away by Xiao Cheng’s kick. Everyone was dumbfounded, especially the men from Hongde Hall. They knew Yan Hongde’s strength better than anyone; in their eyes, no one was stronger than their master.

Yet their master hadn’t even had a chance to resist before being sent flying. What kind of power did this person possess? Was he really just a pretty boy kept by a woman?

Long Worm was even more shaken, swallowing hard. Who would have thought Xiao Cheng had such ability?

He’d always assumed Xiao Cheng was just some plaything Zhuo Qinglian kept for amusement—he’d even been planning to teach him a lesson. Now he understood this was no ordinary man. If Yan Hongde, stronger than Long Worm himself, couldn’t last a single round, what chance did he have?

No wonder, when they first met, Xiao Cheng hadn’t bothered to introduce himself—because to someone like Xiao Cheng, “Lord Worm” was nobody at all. But now, Long Worm realized he’d have to change his plans; if not for the grudge of a stolen woman, he’d have backed off for good.

Even Zhuo Qinglian was stunned. She’d known Xiao Cheng was strong, perhaps stronger than Yan Hongde, but she hadn’t imagined he would be this strong. With a single kick, he sent someone even more powerful than herself flying.

How miraculous was cultivation! Excitement bubbled up within Zhuo Qinglian, and she looked back with new understanding on Xiao Cheng having given her the Five Harmonies Sutra the other day. So easily, so offhandedly, he’d opened the door to the world of cultivation for her.

The staff in the club were equally shocked. Only now did they realize that Xiao Cheng was someone truly extraordinary.

They’d been bullied by the men from Hongde Hall, so much so that even Long Worm dared not cross them. Yet Xiao Cheng had settled everything with a single kick, filling them with both awe and admiration.

A long moment passed before anyone collected themselves. When they looked at Xiao Cheng, his expression was serene, as if nothing that had just happened was worth mentioning.

“How troubling. Now, what kind of reward should your big sister give you?” Zhuo Qinglian beamed, nestling up to Xiao Cheng with the sweetness of a little woman. Only now did she realize how wonderful it felt to have a man to rely on.

Xiao Cheng smiled faintly. He’d simply done what a man should—nothing more.

He was rather satisfied with that kick. Though his strength was about equal to Yan Hongde’s, even Xiao Guowei—who was a level above Yan Hongde—had suffered from Xiao Cheng’s spiritual power the first time they met. It was only natural that Yan Hongde should fare no better.

Still, this kind of tactic only worked when the opponent was unprepared. Yan Hongde had simply underestimated him.

At that moment, Yan Hongde, supported by his followers, finally got to his feet, his chest tight. He spat out a mouthful of blood before feeling any relief.

“Sir, I must apologize for failing to recognize greatness. Today, I admit defeat. But this is a matter between Hongde Hall and the Qinglian Gang. I hope you will not interfere further,” Yan Hongde said, bowing his head before Xiao Cheng. He had thought he was dealing with a mere pretty boy, not expecting a true expert.

He knew—anyone who could send him flying with a single kick was not someone to provoke. He was certain that this man was a cultivator. No ordinary person could achieve such a feat.

Xiao Cheng glanced at Yan Hongde. Just a moment ago, Yan Hongde was so aggressive. Now, he was nothing but a coward.

“You want me not to meddle? And who do you think you are? Remember this: Qinglian is my woman. If you dare call her ‘Black Widow’ again, I won’t hesitate to make your wife a widow. Don’t doubt my resolve.”

Yan Hongde’s face turned blue and then white at Xiao Cheng’s words, and though he wanted to retort, he couldn’t—this was someone who had every right to speak like that.

“Why are you still standing here? Or do you want me to invite you to dinner?” Xiao Cheng pressed.

Gritting his teeth, Yan Hongde realized there was no way to salvage his pride today. But there would be other opportunities. With a wave, he led his men away in haste, not daring to utter another word—who knew if this man might suddenly make his wife a widow, just as he threatened?

Yan Hongde slunk off in defeat. Zhuo Qinglian, seeing that the revelers nearby weren’t paying much attention to their corner, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If the nightclub’s opening night had been marred by such trouble, it would have seriously impacted business. This was, after all, her livelihood—how could she not worry?

“If I’d known you could settle things with a single kick, I wouldn’t have wasted so much breath,” Zhuo Qinglian said, clinging to Xiao Cheng’s arm and acting coy. “Now, tell me honestly—just how strong are you?”

“About the same as you,” Xiao Cheng replied truthfully.

“Yet you just sent someone flying with one kick?” Zhuo Qinglian didn’t believe him, casting him a flirtatious glance.

“Can we change the subject?”

“All right, then what song shall we sing later?”

“Uh... let’s talk about how I sent him flying instead!”

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[Before midnight, all settled! Phew! I hope everyone continues to support!]

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