Chapter 154: One Punch Invincible

Yanqing was completely stupefied by the “ancient secret” Chen had so generously decided to impart.

One hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred squats, and a ten-kilometer run. Every. Single. Day.

No air conditioning? And you had to go bald to become stronger?

This was a far cry from the peerless sword manuals, deep mental cultivation techniques, or sudden epiphanies born from miraculous encounters she had been imagining. Her small face was a canvas of pure suspicion, her eyes practically screaming, You’re definitely pulling my leg, aren’t you?

Yet, Chen’s expression was a mask of deep gravity, his gaze burning with the conviction of a prophet. It was a look that seemed to promise, “Believe in me and gain eternal life,” and it was just convincing enough to plant a seed of doubt in her mind.

Could it be? Could there truly be some deep truth, some Great Dao that returns to utter simplicity, hidden within such a mundane training regimen?

Sensing her wavering, Chen knew he had to strike while the iron was hot. He clasped his hands behind his back, tilted his head to gaze up at the ceiling of the underwater passage at a dramatic forty-five-degree angle, and let his voice drop into a distant, mysterious tone as he began to spin his tale.

“Do not look down upon this method! It possesses a history longer than you can imagine, created by a peerless powerhouse who had long since transcended the mundane and achieved true invincibility!”

“That powerhouse was once an ordinary mortal. After suffering countless setbacks, he became obsessed with the pursuit of strength. In the end, he discovered this path to power—a method that seems simple on the surface but, in truth, points directly to the very source of all power!”

He paused for effect, then lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, as if sharing a world-shattering secret.

“Using this method, that powerhouse took a mere three years to shatter every shackle binding him! From that day forward, no matter what formidable enemy he faced—be it a world-devouring monster or a hegemon who ruled the sea of stars—before him…”

Chen suddenly clenched his fist, thrusting it forward in an exaggerated imitation of the iconic ‘One Punch Man’ pose. His voice boomed with passion.

“—It was all a matter of a single punch! When his fist flew, his enemies were reduced to ash! For this, he was hailed by all as the Venerable One Punch, his name echoing through countless worlds!”

Yanqing’s eyes grew wider and wider, her small mouth parting in astonishment.

One punch… to defeat any enemy?

Reduced to ash? The description was simple, even crude, but it sounded… unbelievably powerful.

Was it really true? Was the greatest truth really the simplest one?

Chen watched as the light of shock and desire rekindled in Yanqing’s eyes. He celebrated internally, feeling that his bamboozling—no, his motivational education—was on the verge of success. He was just about to add a few more details, to paint a vivid picture of the Venerable One Punch’s bald yet invincible visage and further cement the connection of ‘going bald equals becoming stronger.’

Just then, a fair hand shot out from behind him, its grip unerring as it seized the back of his collar.

Caught completely off guard, Chen was yanked backward.

He twisted his head to see that Dan Heng had returned at some point and was now standing behind him, her cool face as impassive as ever. Her knitted brows and the weary, ‘I knew it’ resignation in her teal eyes, however, spoke volumes about her current state of mind. She had clearly noticed the team’s most troublesome member had gone missing and had immediately doubled back to find him.

“T-Teacher Dan Heng? Why are you back? I was just teaching little Yanqing a supreme secret method!” Chen yelped, trying to squirm free, but Dan Heng’s grip was like iron.

She ignored him completely, her gaze fixed on the still-dazed Yanqing. In her usual calm, steady voice, she said, “Yanqing, don’t believe a word he says.”

She gave the squirming Chen a little shake, as if displaying a faulty piece of equipment.

“In here,” Dan Heng said, lightly tapping her own temple with a slender finger, the meaning perfectly clear, “he occasionally has… thoughts that differ from those of ordinary people. Of the ten things he says, you can’t believe eleven of them, especially when it comes to ‘becoming stronger’ and ‘secret manuals.'”

“Hey! Teacher Dan Heng! That’s slander!” Chen protested. “I’m providing a lost young girl with proper guidance!”

Dan Heng shot him a look that plainly said, Shut up, I’ll deal with you later.

She turned her attention back to Yanqing. “There are no shortcuts on the path to becoming stronger. One can only remain grounded, diligently refining their skills and tempering their character. The General entrusted the rear guard to you because she believes in your ability and your sense of responsibility. Fulfilling your duty right now is the best possible support you can offer the General and the Luofu.”

Her words were concise and powerful, like a basin of cool water splashing over Yanqing, snapping her out of the daze Chen had woven.

Yanqing’s gaze shifted from Chen, who was still dangling from Dan Heng’s grasp like a kitten and flailing his arms about, to the serious and dependable Dan Heng. The last vestiges of confusion cleared from her mind.

“I—I understand!” Yanqing nodded vigorously, the bewilderment on her face replaced by a steely resolve. “I will guard this place well and await your and the General’s return!”

As for the “Venerable One Punch” and the “Baldness Secret Method” that Brother Chen had mentioned… Yanqing decided it was best to pretend she had never heard them.

This Brother Chen really did seem… a bit unreliable.

“Very good.” Dan Heng nodded, saying no more.

She turned and, without another word, began walking back in the direction the main group had gone, her steps perfectly steady. She seemed entirely unaffected by the human-shaped pendant still muttering, “My reputation! Teacher Dan Heng, you can’t do this to me!” in her hand.

After a few paces, Dan Heng released Chen’s collar. “Keep up,” she said coolly. “Don’t fall behind, and don’t go around teaching any more secret methods.”

Chen straightened his collar, his lip curling. “I was clearly doing a good deed, inspiring the next generation…” he grumbled under his breath.

But when he met Dan Heng’s calm, unwavering gaze, he wisely shut his mouth and fell into step behind her.

The two of them quickly caught up to Jing Yuan, Ms. Welt, and the others, who were waiting just ahead.

March 7th bounced on his heels, his curiosity piqued. “Dan Heng, Chen, what were you two doing back there?”

Dan Heng’s expression remained unchanged. “Nothing. Chen developed an unnecessary academic interest in the underwater architecture, and I was merely reminding him that time is of the essence.”

Chen nodded sagely. “…Yes, academic interest. Very academic.”

Jing Yuan offered them a faint, knowing smile but didn’t press the issue. “It’s good that everyone is here,” she said, her voice calm as ever. “There may be anomalies ahead. Everyone, be careful.”

[Elysian’s Note: Having a good time with the story? Every single bit helps immensely: