Chapter 80: Aftermath of Disaster

The inch punch is a uniquely advanced and deadly technique of Jeet Kune Do, renowned among all its methods for having the shortest striking distance, the fastest speed, and the most formidable penetrating force. It is famous in the martial arts world for its explosive power and piercing impact delivered in an instant.

When Liu Yitiao’s fist brushed against the fabric of the white-robed man’s chest, he suddenly accelerated. Though the distance was less than two inches, in that fleeting moment, every muscle in Liu Yitiao’s body contracted fiercely. A surge of violent force, perceptible only to Liu himself, coursed from his right arm, through his wrist, and struck directly at the heart and lungs beneath the white-robed man’s left chest.

There was calm—unexpected, extraordinary calm.

The white-robed man withstood the punch without flinching.

Liu Yitiao stared at him in shock. The power behind that blow could have cratered a stone, yet the man before him didn’t even sway. Was he still human?

“You are exceptional,” the white-robed man said quietly, standing firm as ever. Then, raising his arm, he delivered an elbow strike.

It was as fast as lightning; Liu Yitiao barely had time to think of raising his hands to block or sidestepping before the elbow landed on his chest. All he could do in that instant was hold his breath, brace himself, and concentrate all his strength in his chest to withstand the blow.

The force shattered the energy Liu had gathered at his chest, and his whole body was sent flying backward. Despite Liu Yitiao’s extraordinary resilience, he spat out a mouthful of blood after crashing to the ground. This eunuch was indeed formidable. Liu could not help but curse; the force of that strike was no less than his own inch punch. Had he not shifted slightly backward to absorb part of the impact, he might have met his end then and there.

“Damn you!” Liu Yitiao spat the blood from his mouth, clutching his chest as if it might fall apart, and raised his middle finger at the white-robed man.

“B-brother, are you…all right?” Gongsun Helan stirred weakly nearby, asking Liu Yitiao in a feeble voice.

“If you’re fine, what could happen to me?” Liu replied, his voice surprisingly robust. He propped himself up and managed to stand, wiping blood from his lips, glanced at Gongsun Helan, and then turned to walk slowly toward the white-robed man.

Standing before him, Liu Yitiao once more raised his fist in challenge. “Waiting here to die isn’t my style, so let’s fight again.”

“And me!” Gongsun Helan, trembling, climbed to his feet and limped over to Liu’s side. “Though death is certain, I, Gongsun Helan, am not one to simply sit and wait for it!”

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A man’s courage and spirit reveal themselves most vividly at the brink of life and death. Liu Yitiao gave Gongsun Helan an approving look; he hadn’t expected this pampered young lord to be able to stand tall at a critical moment.

The white-robed man remained motionless, still facing Liu and Helan, neither attacking nor defending, and saying nothing.

Since he did not move, Liu Yitiao and Gongsun Helan dared not act first. Despite their brave words, deep down, who is not afraid of death?

Liu feared, and so did Helan; unless necessary, neither would initiate, for every moment alive was precious.

But they waited—and waited—for half an hour. During that time, the white-robed man did not move at all.

Liu Yitiao managed, his injuries not too severe, but Gongsun Helan was exhausted and collapsed.

“You damned eunuch! What are you trying to do?!” Gongsun Helan finally lost patience and cursed loudly. “If you have the guts, kill me and be done with it. Come on!”

With that, he staggered to his feet and charged at the white-robed man.

“Helan, brother!” Liu Yitiao called out anxiously, fearing for his life, and ran forward as well. Two against one—however slim the chance, it was better than none.

Thud! Dust billowed from the ground.

“Eh?!” Liu Yitiao stopped abruptly.

He saw Gongsun Helan had mounted the white-robed man, who had fallen stiffly without resistance.

How could this be? The enigmatic, powerful white-robed man felled by a wounded adversary?

Gongsun Helan sat astride him, his face full of surprise and bewilderment, staring blankly at the assassin beneath his knees. How was this possible?

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Liu Yitiao stepped forward and lifted the cloak of the white-robed man. He saw a pale, beardless old face, now drained of color, with blood seeping from the corner of the mouth.

“He’s dead.” Liu checked the man’s nose and pulse—no sign of life.

“Dead?” Gongsun Helan finally grasped the situation and asked Liu, “Brother, how could he die? How is that possible?”

Liu rose and exhaled deeply, feeling as though he had survived a disaster.

He had a fair idea of the eunuch’s cause of death, and said to Helan, “He died of his arrogance. Open his shirt and look at his left chest—you’ll understand. He shouldn’t have let me land that punch.”

Had the old eunuch retreated swiftly when struck, as Liu Yitiao had, to dissipate the force, he might have survived with serious injuries. But the power of the inch punch is not something a human body can withstand directly.

Gongsun Helan did as told, peeled back the eunuch’s garment, and gasped. On the left chest, at the center, there was a pit three inches deep—fist-sized, with finger marks still visible.

Was this the force of Liu Yitiao’s punch? Gongsun Helan shivered; he had often suffered Liu’s fists before. If every punch had been like this…

“All right, get up.” Liu Yitiao brought the donkey over and said to Helan, “There’s nothing more to see about a dead man. Let the authorities deal with him later. For now, I’ll take you home—you’re badly hurt, and if not treated in time, you may suffer lasting effects.”

“Thank you, brother.” Gongsun Helan stood up and pointed at the corpse, “But better send this eunuch’s body to my house. If it goes to the county office, it’ll only trouble my uncle.”

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