GULP.

The sound of someone swallowing was particularly clear in the quiet clinic.

The renovation team stopped working, completely caught up in the shock. Then, one of them subconsciously glanced around the room. Were they really here to renovate a clinic? It felt more like they'd stumbled into a martial arts school.

It wasn't until nearly ten seconds after Chen Haiming was sent flying that Dongfang Mingliang snapped back to reality. He frantically put away his phone and rushed forward to help Chen Haiming up. "Young Master, are you all right?"

Blood was trickling from the corner of Chen Haiming's mouth. His body was convulsing, and his face was a mask of immense pain. Xu Ke's kick had been so powerful that it almost made Chen Haiming forget his own grandfather's name.

In fact, Xu Ke had to admit that Chen Haiming did have talent. If a comparison had to be made, forgetting his peers, even the Song Zhong of the past probably wouldn't have been a match for Chen Haiming. Unfortunately for him, he had run into Xu Ke.

"I... I'm fine... cough, cough, cough." Chen Haiming tried to act tough, but he was quickly overcome by another fit of violent coughing.

Xu Ke walked to the side. "Let him rest for a bit. I went easy on him. He'll be up and bouncing around in half an hour."

Hearing this, Dongfang Mingliang's head snapped up. "He's coughing up blood, and you say you went easy on him?"

Xu Ke met Dongfang Mingliang's sharp, imposing glare, and a cold sneer formed on his lips. I've dealt with the younger one, and now the older one wants to have a go?

Just then, Chen Haiming spoke, his voice as thin as a thread, "Teacher... he didn't use a heavy hand... he used a foot..."

Dongfang Mingliang was speechless. He suddenly had no idea what to say to Chen Haiming. After delivering his line, Chen Haiming fainted completely.

Terrified, Dongfang Mingliang panicked, but after checking his breathing, he was relieved to find Chen Haiming was fine—just temporarily unconscious.

The next moment, Dongfang Mingliang's face darkened as he turned to Xu Ke. "The Young Master has fainted now!" he snarled. "And you still say you weren't holding back?!"

Xu Ke replied indifferently, "Elder Sir, out of respect for the Chen Family, I've already shown Alliance Leader Chen sufficient courtesy. If you don't know when to back down, I won't hesitate to stop holding back for real."

As he finished speaking, an icy killing intent exploded from Xu Ke, locking tightly onto Dongfang Mingliang. He wasn't some pushover. He could give Chen Xiong some face, but anyone who pushed their luck had to be taught a lesson.

Dongfang Mingliang stood up with a cold laugh. "Young man, you can be confident. But being overconfident is just arrogance!"

He had to save face for Chen Haiming. If he did nothing after Chen Haiming was kicked until he spat blood, he would be in serious trouble when he returned to the Chen Family. Once Chen Haiming's parents held him accountable, his life would be ruined! At the very least, he would be punished for dereliction of duty. At worst, he might not be able to survive in Tianhai anymore. Everyone knew the Chen Family controlled the Martial Alliance. Even if Chen Xiong was incorruptible, that didn't stop others from wanting to curry favor with the family. By then, as a martial artist cast out by the Chen Family, he would be a stray dog for everyone to kick while he was down.

Xu Ke chuckled. "Truly shameless. Someone who didn't know any better might think you were from the Ye Family."

Nearby, Duan Jia muttered to himself, "Good heavens. For a second there, I couldn't even tell who Dr. Xu was insulting..."

Dongfang Mingliang snapped, "Cut the crap! You, come here and take a kick from me. Then I can report back that my duty is done."

Xu Ke stood up. "And what if I refuse?"

Dongfang Mingliang threatened with a sneer, "Refuse? Then it won't be as simple as just one kick."

The next moment, he gently propped Chen Haiming up against a wall and advanced toward Xu Ke, assuming a fighting stance. The imposing aura of an Innate Initial Stage martial artist erupted from Dongfang Mingliang's body. It was incredibly fierce, and for a moment he seemed like a tiger descending a mountain, so fearsome it made one's blood run cold.

Most of the renovation crew were ordinary people. Even though they knew martial artists existed in Tianhai's shadows, facing Dongfang Mingliang's aura head-on scared them out of their wits. Anyone could see that this old man was far stronger than Chen Haiming.

"Brother Jia, can Dr. Xu handle it?"

"Why is this guy so terrifying!"

"I'm so scared I'm about to cry..."

Listening to the chatter, Duan Jia interrupted impatiently, "Everyone shut up! Just watch and see, will you?"

"Kid, I'm giving you a chance," Dongfang Mingliang said, looking down at Xu Ke, his eyes filled with a pity that resembled charity. "As long as you can withstand three of my attacks, I'll let you go."

Xu Ke stood up, dusted off his hands, and replied calmly, "Thank you."

A cold smirk twisted Dongfang Mingliang's lips as he prepared to mock Xu Ke. But just then, Xu Ke charged forward like a ferocious tiger, landing a punch directly in Dongfang Mingliang's abdomen.

BAM!

A muffled thud resonated through the room. The force concentrated and exploded in his stomach. The cold smirk on Dongfang Mingliang's lips froze.

THUD.

The next moment, without a sound, Dongfang Mingliang collapsed to his knees. His face flushed a deep red, and he began retching in agony. "Argh..."

With a single punch, Dongfang Mingliang was incapacitated.

Seeing this, the previously worried renovation crew fell instantly silent. What was there for them to worry about?

Xu Ke shook his head. I originally thought this guy would be about as strong as Chang Yi, but after testing him, I see he's even weaker than Lin Zhongtian. Even within the Innate Initial Stage, there are different levels of strength. After serving as Chen Haiming's sparring partner for so long, this man has completely lost his combat instincts. He couldn't even dodge a single punch!

With that, Xu Ke sat back down.

After convulsing in pain for a moment, Dongfang Mingliang finally trembled back to his feet. He pointed an angry finger at Xu Ke. "You... young man, you have no martial morality! I wasn't ready! How could you launch a sneak attack?!"

The renovation crew was dumbfounded. What kind of bullshit was that? He was the one who said he was going to attack, yet he claimed he wasn't ready?

An amused smile played on Xu Ke's lips. "You had already assumed your stance. Are you telling me you weren't ready?"

"Of- of course not!" Dongfang Mingliang's face turned green as his eyes flickered with fear at the sight of Xu Ke's fist. Remembering the searing pain, his scalp tingled. How could a Postnatal Late Stage Martial Artist be so powerful?

Seeing his stubbornness, Xu Ke abruptly stood up again. "Fine. I'll give you another chance. Are you ready now?"

As Xu Ke rose, a terrified Dongfang Mingliang stumbled backward several steps.

"Hahaha..."

The entire room roared with laughter. Even the normally stern Xu Ke was amused. Tang Yingchang, who had been observing quietly from the side, couldn't help but smile and shake his head.

"What are you laughing at? I was afraid he'd try to sneak attack me again! I was just dodging in advance," Dongfang Mingliang argued defensively with the crew.

"Hahaha..."

His excuse only made the atmosphere in the clinic even more cheerful.

Xu Ke stared at Dongfang Mingliang. "Weren't you the one who wanted to give me a kick on Chen Haiming's behalf?"

"No, no need! That kick for the Young Master, you don't have to repay it!" Dongfang Mingliang waved his hands frantically, looking like he wanted nothing more than to flee.

He was truly terrified of Xu Ke. After being taken out with a single punch, he now had a crystal-clear understanding of the gap between them. But he just couldn't fathom how a Postnatal Late Stage Martial Artist could instantly render an Innate Initial Stage martial artist completely powerless.

This... this is a complete lack of martial morality!

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