Besides its headquarters in City A, the Hero Association also maintained branch offices in every other city. City Z, one of the most disaster-prone locations, was no exception.
Its branch headquarters was an incredibly luxurious facility. Rather than resembling a fortress, the building looked more like a massive concert venue. Only its metallic exterior walls and the Hero Association emblem gave it a solemn, imposing atmosphere.
A luxurious limousine pulled up in the plaza in front of the branch building. Stepping out of the car, Fang Li looked up at the facility and couldn't help but sigh.
"The Hero Association really is rich."
After all, it was funded through public donations, had Sweet Mask as its biggest celebrity representative, enjoyed support from the fan clubs of many powerful heroes, and received investments from countless wealthy sponsors.
Money was never an issue. Now that Sylvia, the world-famous diva, had joined the Association, its ability to attract funding would probably become even more terrifying.
Thinking of that, Fang Li smiled to himself.
"I'd better squeeze as much value out of the Hero Association as I can. Otherwise, it'd be a waste."
Having made up his mind, he started walking toward the entrance.
Just then, a voice called out behind him.
"You're the one from before..."
Turning toward the sound, Fang Li saw a young man with a fully mechanized body approaching from another direction.
"Oh?" Fang Li wasn't surprised. Instead, he smiled. "Isn't this the Hero Association's newest rising star, Genos?"
It was indeed the newcomer, Genos.
"...I see." Genos quickly understood the situation. "So you've also been summoned by the Hero Association?"
"I suppose you could say that," Fang Li nodded. "If you said 'also,' then I assume you've been called here as well?"
"That's right," Genos answered honestly. "They didn't tell me exactly what happened, but it seems every S-Class Hero in the surrounding area has been summoned."
Apparently, Genos still had no idea that the incident involved a Dragon-level disaster.
Fang Li didn't bother explaining. He merely spread his hands. "Just because every S-Class Hero was summoned doesn't mean everyone will actually come."
Genos immediately frowned. "...What do you mean?"
"Well..." Fang Li chuckled. "It'd take too long to explain. Let's go inside first."
"...Alright." Genos had no reason to refuse.
The two of them walked side by side toward the Hero Association branch. Then, they both stopped simultaneously at the entrance.
"...Biological reaction," Genos spoke quietly. "And it's... incredibly strong."
Hearing that, Fang Li merely smiled without commenting. Ignoring Genos's reaction, he took the lead and walked into the building.
A vast reception hall immediately came into view. Deep inside the lobby stood an information counter. Normally, this place would be bustling with people. Even if it wasn't crowded, there would always be people coming and going every minute.
But today, the enormous hall was completely empty. There wasn't a single person in sight.
Well, almost. There was still one person present.
"Oh? So you've arrived?"
It was the voice of an old man. Naturally, its owner was elderly as well.
Standing in one corner of the lobby was an old man with graying white hair and a face covered in wrinkles. He looked to be at least seventy years old. With his hands clasped behind his back, he greeted the newcomers.
"I never expected that besides this old man, there would actually be others willing to risk their lives by coming here. That's truly rare."
As the old man spoke with evident satisfaction, Fang Li turned toward him. Their eyes met.
---
### Chapter 1162: One Who Has Reached the Pinnacle of Martial Arts (Part 2)
At that moment, Genos also walked in through the entrance. The instant he saw the old man, his eyes flashed slightly as he murmured, "...Bang."
Bang. The No. 3 S-Class Hero. Within the Hero Association, he ranked just below the No. 2 hero, the woman known as the Association's ultimate weapon, Fubuki's elder sister. His Hero Name was Silver Fang.
Although advanced in years, this S-Class Hero still possessed enough strength to remain active on the front lines. He was the grandmaster of the martial art known as Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, making him one of the greatest martial artists in the world.
Fang Li was not unfamiliar with this style. Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist was originally created as a form of self-defense that emphasized defeating opponents while avoiding unnecessary killing.
Its movements flowed like water, yet every punch struck with the force of a raging torrent, capable of shattering even solid rock with ease. Hence the name, Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
In the past, the style had been famous throughout the entire country. Bang himself operated a dojo near City Z and had trained numerous outstanding disciples. As for Bang personally, once he became serious, he possessed enough strength to instantly kill even Dragon-level Mysterious Beings.
Now, such an unfathomable master stood before Fang Li, looking no different from an ordinary old man. But Fang Li could tell. Although Bang appeared slightly hunched, as if he might collapse at any moment, every step he took was incomparably steady. Not the slightest unnecessary movement existed in his posture.
Beneath his wrinkled skin lay explosive power. His entire body possessed a perfectly natural harmony, as though it had been crafted by heaven itself.
That feeling, the aura of a true martial arts grandmaster, Fang Li had only ever experienced it from one other person: his master, Fan Xinglou.
Only someone who had reached the absolute pinnacle of martial arts could possess such an aura. The old man before him had elevated his martial arts, despite being an ordinary human, to a realm capable of standing alongside a monster-like immortal such as Fan Xinglou.
As for pure strength, Bang was actually superior. At least, the current Fan Xinglou, who had undergone several reincarnations and was now only nine years old, couldn't compare with Bang.
What Fang Li didn't know was that while he was observing Bang and reaching these conclusions, Bang was also studying him.
"So... you're the rookie rumored to have defeated Sweet Mask with a single slash," Bang gazed steadily at Fang Li, speaking with genuine admiration. "From the way you walk, and from the balance of your body, I can tell that you've mastered an exceptionally advanced martial art. It seems to specialize in offense and evasion, abandoning defense completely."
With just a glance, he had seen straight through Fang Li's fighting style.
Fang Li smiled. "It isn't really martial arts. What I use is an assassination technique. It exists solely to kill. It's fundamentally different from martial arts, which are meant to cultivate both body and mind."
"I see," Bang simply nodded. He didn't argue. Instead, he continued, "But you've restrained your killing intent extremely well. And I don't sense the kind of excessive hostility that usually accompanies someone who has walked your path. I imagine you must have received guidance from a truly exceptional martial artist, someone who helped you understand the true essence of technique."
Those words genuinely surprised Fang Li.
Bang could even discern that?
(End Of This Chapter)
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