Can diligence compensate for lack of talent? But I'm a martial arts genius!

"Human nature is treacherous... Li Hua appears humble and kind on the surface, but behind the scenes he hires assassins and kills without blinking an eye."

Su Changqing felt a sense of helplessness. It was a sign of mediocrity not to attract jealousy. His talent had clearly made Li Hua jealous and want to kill him to eliminate this threat!

"No...don't kill me! My forging talent is better than Li Hua's...I can help you forge even better weapons in the future!"

Su Changqing forced himself to remain calm and said.

"Heh...who can be sure about the future?"

But the man in black sneered and remained unmoved, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. Since he had accepted Li Hua's commission, he was determined to get things done!

"laugh!"

The man in black suddenly flashed, his body shattering the rain curtain. His long sword was drawn abruptly, a bright, cold light slicing through the sky, radiating a chilling sharpness in the darkness, as he slashed towards Su Changqing's neck.

The man in black was a martial artist who had lived a life of danger, and using his strength to deal with a blacksmithing apprentice was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"Um?"

However, the black-clad man's pupils suddenly contracted sharply, and the gleaming blade abruptly stopped when it was still more than a foot away from Su Changqing's neck!

A large, powerful hand suddenly shot out, seemingly fast yet slow, using stillness to control movement, its five fingers gripping the blade, tightening like iron clamps, forcibly stopping the blade in mid-air, unable to advance or retreat!

Su Changqing gripped the blade with his five fingers, the immense force emanating from his fingertips almost breaking it. The fear and panic on his face had vanished, replaced by cold indifference.

"Your knife is a bit slow, and your strength is a bit weak."

Su Changqing's calm commentary rang in the black-clad man's ears.

"He...he can catch my blade with his bare hands so easily? He's...a martial artist at the Divine Strength Realm!"

The man in black's face twitched violently. He was quite strong and proficient in swordsmanship. Many martial artists had died by his blade. However, the young man named Su Changqing was able to hold the long sword that was slashing at him with his fingers. This meant that the opponent's strength was far above his own. Such a huge difference must mean that he was a martial artist at the Divine Power Realm!

A person at the Divine Power Realm can make a name for themselves in Dafeng City. They can open a martial arts school or join the army and obtain an official position.

This left the man in black somewhat bewildered. Judging from Su Changqing's appearance, he was at most under twenty years old, yet he was a martial artist at the Divine Power Realm.

"Misunderstanding... Misunderstanding! My name is Lin Wu, a ghostwriter for the Chasing Wind Pavilion. There must be some misunderstanding between us! Please forgive me for offending you!"

The man in black's expression changed drastically. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake Su Changqing's grip. He forced a smile and said, his back already soaked with cold sweat. He was arrogant at first but then became obsequious.

Su Changqing remained expressionless and asked calmly, "Where is Li Hua?"

The man in black dared not conceal anything and immediately replied, "Li Hua lives at number three in Wutong Lane in the north of the city. He is waiting for me at home now."

"This brat dares to offend you, he's courting death! I'll go and kill him for you right now! I'll make sure it's done cleanly and neatly!"

The man in black quickly assured him, inwardly cursing Li Hua to the core. If he had known that Li Hua was going to kill a martial artist at the Divine Power Realm, he would never have dared to come looking for death even if he had ten times the courage!

But suddenly, a cold glint flashed in Su Changqing's eyes, and he threw a punch. He moved like a rabbit, and his left fist, like a sharp bull's horn, struck the black-clad man's chest with lightning speed!

"Bang!"

The man in black was thrown out like a kite with a broken string, his chest caved in, and he crashed heavily into the rain. Blood spilled from his mouth, and his heart was shattered by the punch. He was already lifeless.

A short dagger slid out from the sleeve of the man in black. He knew that he had stumbled upon Su Changqing's secret and that the other party would not let him off easily. He pretended to be weak while gathering his strength for a sneak attack, but in front of Su Changqing, it was nothing more than sending himself to his death in advance!

"Sigh, trouble comes knocking even when we don't cause it. Since we killed the assassin hired by Li Hua, we have no choice but to eliminate him completely and send Li Hua on his way!"

Su Changqing sighed inwardly, his face turning frosty.

If Li Hua discovers that Su Changqing is not dead, he will definitely cause other trouble, and Su Changqing will not let go of anyone who is detrimental to him!

After tidying up, Su Changqing immediately headed to Wutong Lane in the north of the city, where he had just learned Li Hua's address from the man in black.

In Wutong Lane, a dilapidated earthen-tiled house is Li Hua's residence.

The sky had completely darkened, and a torrential downpour had submerged the entire world. Every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, and the sounds of lightning and thunder could be heard intermittently.

Li Hua's mother died of illness, and his father was conscripted into the army and died away from home. As a result, he was ambitious and eager to change his fate!

"Su Changqing... don't blame me... don't blame me! Blame yourself for blocking my way!"

Inside the earthen-tiled house, an oil lamp was lit. Li Hua was restless, calculating the time in his mind, and felt that Su Changqing was probably already dead. He muttered to himself.

Li Hua believed that Su Changqing was blocking his way, and he would not tolerate it. He could only let the man in black kill Su Changqing!

"Knock knock knock!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Li Hua was startled, knowing that it was probably the man in black who had returned. He hurriedly went to the door.

"Who?"

Li Hua asked nervously in a low voice through the door.

"It's me, the matter is resolved, open the door!"

Outside the door, a familiar, low voice rang out, accompanied by impatient knocking!

"Is the matter resolved?"

Li Hua was overjoyed and completely relieved. At the same time, he was worried that the constant knocking might be heard by his fellow villagers. Without suspecting anything, he quickly removed the bolt from the door and opened it.

"fast forward……"

However, just as Li Hua opened the door and was about to let the person in, his pupils suddenly contracted. There was only one person standing at the door, and a flash of lightning illuminated his cold face. Although the person was dressed in black and wearing a bamboo hat, he was not the assassin he had hired at all, but Su Changqing, who should never have been here!

"Su..."

Li Hua was startled, but before he could utter a sound, Su Changqing strode forward and slammed his fist into Li Hua's forehead.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, Li Hua felt as if his brain had exploded, the world was spinning, and he staggered back a few steps before slipping and falling to the ground.

Su Changqing stepped into the house and closed the door behind him.

"Chang...Changqing, I was wrong, it was all my fault..."

Li Hua's forehead was split open, and blood was flowing all over his face. At this moment, he could understand why Su Changqing had come. He didn't dare to shout loudly, but just trembled and begged for mercy.

"Did Lin Wu fail? Or did he betray me?"

Li Hua was shocked, angry, and puzzled. He knew that the man in black he had invited was no ordinary person, but a highly skilled swordsman. In his opinion, Su Changqing could not possibly have dealt with Lin Wu. It was Lin Wu who had failed to do his job and instead betrayed him!

Of course, Li Hua completely wronged Lin Wu, who had already devoted himself to him.

"Does anyone else know about this?"

Su Changqing looked down at Li Hua and asked indifferently. He didn't kill Li Hua with a single blow; he just wanted to know if Li Hua had told anyone about this.

"No...no, how could I dare tell anyone! Please forgive me...please forgive me! I was wrong!"

Li Hua pleaded desperately for mercy, his face covered in blood, snot mixed with tears, looking utterly miserable.

"Wrong? Then correct it in the next life!"

Su Changqing's eyes turned cold. He would never let Li Hua go. Li Hua didn't know he was wrong; he just knew he was going to die!

Su Changqing slammed his palm down on Li Hua's forehead.

"Snap!"

Li Hua's body trembled, and with a cracking sound of his skull breaking, he collapsed limply to the ground.

Before long, blood spread beneath Li Hua. He had completely lost the breath of life, his death was gruesome, and the stench of blood filled the room!