Chapter 23: Hardcore Action, Iron-Willed Men! (Part II)

Another world—a place where martial arts flourish. Shi Tiexin was born in the Orphanage of Lost Children, a stratum considered the lowest in society. Yet even there he could access basic pugilistic techniques, elementary cultivation methods, and the six fundamental heart arts. Such widespread practice of the martial way gives a glimpse of the world’s martial prosperity.

Compared to those people, the delinquents here are utterly amateurish—barely better than children who’ve never thrown a punch. From Shi Tiexin’s experience, when fighting such types, the most crucial thing isn’t superior technique or clever maneuvers, but a single word: presence.

He didn’t need an overwhelming, invincible aura. It was enough to display that fierce, dare-to-fight spirit—the resolve to kill or be killed. That alone was more than these local delinquents could contend with.

Sure enough, as Shi Tiexin charged at the boy by the doorway, the boy hesitated.

Usually, this boy only followed Teng Chaoguo, cheering him on, extorting, and bullying ordinary classmates. To actually fight a strong opponent, let alone a life-or-death struggle—he’d never experienced such a thing. He shouted, trying to muster courage like before, ready to swing his fists. But when his eyes met Shi Tiexin’s face, terror seized him.

He had never imagined seeing such a face in Fengming First High—a haven for bookish students.

What kind of face was it?

Impossible to describe; at first glance, it seemed completely expressionless. Yet within that blank visage he felt an overwhelming aura, a murderous intensity born of countless battles.

Ordinary students feared Teng Chaoguo—not because of Teng’s prowess. Teng was actually quite scrawny, never professionally trained. It was his disregard for human life, a quality that made others believe he would truly dare to kill, inspiring fear.

But now, the chubby boy realized that compared to the man before him, Teng was nothing but trash—unfit for the stage. Teng was at best a wolf cub; the man before him exuded the aura of a lion or tiger, dominating, unstoppable!

Bang! Another youth landed a punch on Shi Tiexin’s body, but Shi Tiexin didn’t budge, his gaze never wavering as he strode forward. He was tall and broad, each stride covering a wide swath of the boy’s view.

Suddenly, Shi Tiexin stepped forward and leaped. His body unfolded like a beast, right fist raised, strength concentrated. His cold eyes bore into the chubby boy’s brow, causing sweat to break out instantly.

The boy tried to dodge, to block, but the pressure slowed his reactions by a beat. That split second marked the boundary between amateur and professional, between mutual exchange and utter domination.

Lightning-fast, with a thunderous crash, Shi Tiexin’s right fist smashed down, his whole weight behind it. The boy couldn’t lift his hand in time, unable to defend fully, so both his hand and face were struck by the blow.

“Ah!” he screamed, eyes squeezed shut as his legs went weak, body recoiling and slamming against the wall at the far end of the restroom.

Struggling to open his eyes, his face turned pale. Across from him, Shi Tiexin stared with wide eyes, stepped forward, and his fierce left fist thundered in pursuit.

Bang! Right hook!

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Bang! Left hook!

The chubby boy staggered from the blow.

Bang! Right hook again!

He reeled, swaying.

Overwhelmed by Shi Tiexin’s aura, the boy’s heart surrendered—he realized he stood no chance. Desperately, he glanced at his fellow lackey for help. The other boy attacked Sh