Translator: CinderTL
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[Life Level: 7 (45/700)]
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"Six days to complete the first stage of external training, and my life level's 'experience' increased by 1 point."
It had risen from 44 to 45.
In other words, if he continued cultivating at this pace, it would take about a decade to reach Level 8.
Once external training was perfected, internal cultivation could begin, strengthening the internal organs.
"Internal cultivation requires special medicinal herbs to stimulate the five viscera."
Li Chunjun rummaged through his wardrobe, pulled out a baseball cap, put on a mask, and slung a guitar case over his back before stepping out.
It was currently April, a peak season for colds. While wearing a mask was somewhat unusual, it wasn't enough to attract much attention.
Descending the stairs, he headed toward a pharmacy not far from his building.
Pharmacies in this era were no longer like those of decades past, which only sold pills and capsules. Now, they also stocked medicinal ingredients tailored for martial artists—though their prices varied greatly.
After carefully selecting from the available options, he managed to gather a decent collection of internal-strengthening herbs. However, since he was missing a few key expensive ingredients, the overall efficacy would be somewhat reduced.
Using the money he had taken from Jin Haoxuan's residence, he paid for the herbs and turned back toward his apartment.
But after walking a short distance, he sensed something.
Subtly altering his route, he moved toward a quieter alley.
That was when five figures began following him.
With his keen hearing, he caught snippets of their hushed conversation.
"Is it him?"
"Looks like it, but he's wearing a cap and a mask. Not entirely sure."
"Close enough. If it's really him, that's five million on the line. But be careful—we want to make money, not die trying."
"Fortune favors the bold. If you're afraid of dying, you shouldn't be in this line of work."
After a brief discussion, two of them stayed back as lookouts, while the other three closed in behind him.
One of them quickened his pace, intending to bump into Li Chunjun.
Relying on his acute sense of hearing and spatial awareness, Li Chunjun sidestepped smoothly. The man, now colliding with empty space, stumbled forward, nearly falling.
A flicker of irritation crossed his face.
Noticing the incident, his two companions stepped forward aggressively.
"Hey, buddy, that was uncalled for," one of them said, voice thick with provocation. "You almost knocked over my friend. Don't you think an apology is in order?"
Li Chunjun studied the three men.
Judging by their attire and demeanor...
They were likely low-level thugs working for a minor street gang.
And not a very high-ranking one.
They were probably the type who bullied middle schoolers and acted tough in arcades and pool halls.
But that didn't matter to him.
His voice was calm. "Looks like I've attracted quite a bit of attention lately. Who sent you?"
The slightly bulkier one narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"We're the ones asking the questions, not you."
Li Chunjun remained silent for a moment before replying evenly, "I'll give you one chance…"
Then he stopped himself.
Who's going to give me a chance?
He had wanted to hold on to the mindset of an ordinary person, to observe the world from the perspective of a common man.
But from a normal person's standpoint—if he had truly angered a powerful figure and was forced into hiding, only for these thugs to expose his whereabouts—what would the outcome be?
Death.
If he died, then the ones who killed him would be responsible.
But those who acted as their lackeys, who betrayed his location…
They were just as guilty.
So there was no need for further discussion.
In the next moment, Li Chunjun struck decisively, grabbing the burly man's neck with one hand.
With a burst of force, he lifted the man—who weighed around 80 to 90 kilograms—half a foot off the ground before slamming him violently onto the ground.
"Boom!"
The burly man's body smashed against the ground, the violent impact splitting his head open and causing blood to flow.
Not only that, but the force of the collision seemed to shake his internal organs, making him instinctively open his mouth and cough up a mouthful of fresh blood.
He was barely breathing—his life hanging by a thread.
"Old Cat!"
The sudden turn of events made the remaining two men's faces change drastically.
They were even… completely stunned!
Why did he attack so suddenly?
All they wanted was to use an "accident" as an excuse for a conflict, knock off his hat and mask to confirm if this was the fugitive their superiors ordered them to find, and then secretly report it.
But instead…
It turned into a direct fight!?
And more than that, the brutality—the sheer violence!?
He had just beaten Old Cat to death!
Wasn't he supposed to be an eighteen-year-old student?
What kind of monster is this!?
In their moment of shock, the young man who had earlier called himself "Black Hawk" couldn't hold back. He let out a furious shout, drew a dagger from his waist, and charged at Li Chunjun in a reckless display of bravery.
But just as he moved to attack, Li Chunjun raised his foot with blinding speed and unleashed a thunderous kick to his abdomen.
The force sent the 80-kilogram man flying backward instantly. His body curled up like a boiled shrimp as he was launched four to five meters before slamming onto the alley floor. The momentum carried him another meter or two as he skidded to a stop.
Seeking fortune in danger can also lead to death.
This ambitious young gang member, eager to make a name for himself, got exactly what he wished for.
In this line of work, you can't be afraid of death.
And so, he died.
The last remaining man, along with two lookouts in the distance, nearly had their eyes pop out of their skulls at the sight.
They had always relied on their status to act as bullies, believing themselves to be skilled fighters and daring enough to do anything if given the chance.
But the worst thing they'd ever done was break a student's arms when he refused to "loan" them money.
Yet this Li Chunjun—before even understanding the situation—had brutally killed two of their men in the blink of an eye!
One was lifted and smashed to death.
One was kicked to death on the spot.
This pure, unrestrained violence sent a shockwave through their minds, shattering everything they thought they knew about street fights.
When Li Chunjun's cold, murderous gaze landed on the last man, his legs immediately gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
"B-Boss, please spare me…!"
"Answer my question."
Li Chunjun's eyes were calm, devoid of emotion, yet they made the man's soul tremble.
"Who do you work for?"
"Big Iron Fang! We're under Big Iron Fang!"
The man trembled as he hurriedly answered.
Big Iron Fang?
Just a few days ago, Li Chunjun had been an ordinary high school senior, focused on his studies. He knew nothing about these underworld figures.
He pressed further, "Which company? Who's the CEO? What group does it belong to? Who's the chairman?"
"We work for Dafa Construction Materials! Big Iron Fang is the head of Public Relations. He handles… the 'tough' negotiations… The CEO is Song Yuan. There… there is no group or chairman…!"
The man stammered in fear.
Seeing that Li Chunjun's expression remained unchanged, he panicked, afraid that an unsatisfactory answer would cost him his life. Desperate, he quickly added:
"B-But… Song Yuan studied at the Pinjian Martial Hall! He is one of the thirteen registered disciples under Master Han Shan, one of Guangzhou's top martial artists!"
Pinjian Martial Hall. Song Yuan. Han Shan.
Li Chunjun nodded.
Then, he asked, "Did the Pinjian Martial Hall send you after me?"
After a pause, another thought crossed his mind, and he followed up: "Who else is looking for me?"
The man didn't dare lie. He shook his head frantically, "N-No! We weren't looking for you, Boss! It was a mistake, I swear—"
Before he could finish, an overwhelming sense of dread crawled up his spine.
Every fiber of his being screamed that if he said the wrong thing now… he was dead.
The crippling terror of death crushed his pride, shattered his bravado, and wiped away any thoughts of deceit.
Terrified beyond belief, he blurted out the truth:
"There's a kill order from the Pinjian Martial Hall! A bounty in the underground world! A contract on the dark web! And both the Security Bureau and Prosecutor's Office have issued warrants for your arrest!"
"In politics, business, martial arts, and the criminal underworld… the top figures in each are all hunting you down! They've created an inescapable net around the city!"
He hunched over, his entire body shaking uncontrollably—whether from fear of Li Chunjun or from the wrath of the powerful figures above, he wasn't sure.
"Every single exit out of Guangzhou is under surveillance! Thousands of people have been mobilized! No one… NO ONE has ever escaped from a pursuit like this!"
Li Chunjun listened silently.
If the man had dared to look up, he would have seen that—on Li Chunjun's face…
There wasn't a single trace of fear.
Only calmness.
And occasionally…
When a ripple did appear…
It carried the faintest hint of a cold, merciless smile.
"Good."
(End of the Chapter)
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