Chapter 3: Pneumatic Hammer

Old Yang didn't pay much attention, glanced towards the repair shop behind Li Ming with some sorrow, then slowly said, "Xiao Ming, I've made food at home, come have some."

"Old Yang, there's no need." Li Ming shook his head.

"How can you keep eating those nutrient fluids every day!" Old Yang reached out, grabbed Li Ming with surprising strength, and as Li Ming instinctively tried to resist, he couldn't break free and was pulled along.

Old Yang's grocery store sold everything: fast-food nutritional bars, brooms, tables, chairs, and even smart terminals.

As soon as the door was pushed open, the smell of food wafted towards him. In the corner, there was a small dining table with simple home-cooked dishes, but on Silver Grey Star, this mineral star, these dishes were also not cheap.

He was forcefully pressed down.

"Sit still." Old Yang tapped his cane, making a few snapping sounds, and muttered, "Those nutrient fluids are too greasy and slippery; eat too much, and they'll ruin your health."

He walked into the back kitchen, seemingly to get the dishes, and Li Ming, feeling obliged, prepared to help.

However, his gaze was drawn to an object to the side, a metallic double-headed hammer buried under various odds and ends.

It was a meter long, the entirety a silvery grey color, with exceptionaly large hammer heads, cast in one piece, with round connectors at the ends.

His eyes gleamed with eagerness; he pushed aside the clutter, lifted it out, finding it somewhat heavy for him.

[TaiWei Basic Pneumatic Hammer (Modified)—Unranked: A simple pneumatic hammer produced by TaiWei Company and modified by the mechanic Li Changhai, expanding the pressure valve for a stronger burst of force.

Control Conditions: 4 points of metal energy

Basic Effect: Power Amplification—15%

Special Ability—Pneumatic Pressure: Charge for three seconds to gain a 30% power amplification of one's own strength.]

This thing, pretty good, Li Ming thought heatedly; not only did it provide a regular strength boost, the chip only needed 1 point, this hammer was 4 times that of the chip.

Honestly, he wanted it.

It was the first time he had seen an item that directly amplified one's personal strength.

"Young man, you do have a good eye. Your father brought it to repair something at home and forgot to take it back," Old Yang said, carrying a plate of steaming fried meat out, when he noticed Li Ming holding the pneumatic hammer.

Li Ming's heart stirred slightly; this thing originally belonged to my family? That's really great.

"You might as well take it with you. I was going to return it, but later..." Old Yang said, sighed, and paused. Later, Li Changhai died, and the matter was forgotten.

"Thank you, Old Yang." Li Ming placed the pneumatic hammer beside him and didn't start eating until Old Yang picked up his chopsticks.

Perhaps because his former self hadn't tasted flavorful food for a long time, his mouth unexpectedly felt somewhat acidic at first, then he quickly increased his chewing pace; the taste was undeniably good.

"Haha..." Old Yang laughed when he saw him eating so fast, but his expression soon softened, and he mused,

"With the Fierce Tiger Gang's contract and video, black on white, signed by your father himself, the house definitely can't be kept once the repayment period comes. You might as well move in with me and keep me company, just the two of us."

"Ah, where did all that money go!" He was frustrated.

"Don't worry." Li Ming shook his head, chatting intermittently, and Old Yang seemed to have something to say but kept hesitating, ultimately remaining silent.

After the meal, Li Ming, holding the pneumatic hammer, said his goodbyes.

After he left, Old Yang's face darkened slightly, "This kid... if he's really thinking of ending it."

In fact, the moment he saw Li Ming, he noticed the marks on his neck, indicative of their cause; it went without saying. He had never mentioned it, fearing it might further upset Li Ming.

"Old Li, Changhai, after all these years of friendship... How can I watch your only son fall to such straits?"

Standing up with the help of his cane, Old Yang sighed, not sure who he was speaking to, "Don't worry, I'll definitely find him a way to live, not to mention wealth, ensuring no worries about food and clothing is certain."

But then he hesitated, "But could it be that Changhai's death has stimulated him, the change is quite significant."

As he stepped out the door, Li Ming paused, at the entrance two figures were lingering.

The bulky man stood in front, with what appeared to be his follower behind him. The man's face bore a long, narrow scar that twitched with his cheek, resembling a writhing centipede.

Clad in a blue-gray leather jacket with a collar stained yellow with grease, the most eye-catching part was his right arm, a yellow-painted metal limb.

The alloy components were seamlessly joined in a streamlined shape, featuring muscle-like bulges, a characteristic of bionics.

The silvery-white metal palm was significantly bulkier, and the back of the hand had three dark metal grooves, seemingly tracks for something to be ejected.

Upon seeing Li Ming emerge, the bulky man's eyes flickered slightly, and he approached, casting a shadow over Li Ming, the oppressive feeling was intense.

"How are you considering it, moving out a month early, I can give you a thousand Star Coins," the man's voice was muffled, as he looked down at Li Ming with cold eyes.

The sidekick, with a sharp monkey-like face, chirped in a high-pitched voice, "Anyway, you'll have to move out later, might as well take some money."

"Are you done talking?" Li Ming frowned slightly, "If you are, then don't block the way."

He didn't want to move out yet, Li Changhai's room hadn't been opened, and moving now would be a loss.

"You!" The follower's eyes bulged, stepping up to Li Ming, raising his left arm, only to hear Li Ming calmly ask, "Intentional injury, what's the penalty for that crime?"

The follower froze in place, his face flushed with rushed blood, his arm seemed to be held in place, unable to strike, while a crowd had gathered around, and the street was full of panoramic cameras.

To actually fight would be incontrovertible evidence, but to be intimidated like this was utterly embarrassing.

"Get lost!" The bulky man yanked the sidekick out of the way, causing him to stagger, nearly falling over, he kept a close watch on Li Ming, his gaze lingered on his neck, then fell on his face:

"I heard you were beaten up at school and didn't dare to speak up, but now it seems that's not quite the case."

Li Ming was very calm, "So what?"

"Zhang Hu!" A powerful and angry shout came from behind, it was Old Yang.

He lifted his metal cane, pointing at the bulky man, he let loose a string of harsh words, "You lousy no-good thing, even a stone-skinned lizard is more pleasing to look at than you, get lost,"

He cursed unreservedly, the centipede on the man's face twitched, but he did not reply, a clear wariness in his eyes, he snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

The sidekick hurriedly followed, glancing back fiercely at Li Ming.

"These damned thugs!" Old Yang looked at Li Ming, "You're not hurt, are you?"

"Getting hurt might just be good, could extort some money out of it," Li Ming said offhandedly, Old Yang was taken aback, feeling that Li Ming was somewhat different, the usual Li Ming wouldn't say such a thing.

"You have trouble walking, you should head back," Li Ming said, but Old Yang insisted on seeing him home.

Back in the shop, he pulled down the rolling shutter again, the light dimmed, his expression became unsettled, feeling increasingly urgent, the Fierce Tiger Gang had considerable influence in Silver Grey City.

The law would only make them wary, not powerless, Li Changhai was an example.

However, what puzzled him was that the Fierce Tiger Gang seemed unaware that the house had already been sold; otherwise, they would not be trying to make him move out early.

It would be pointless for him to move out since the house already belonged to someone else.

But if the Fierce Tiger Gang didn't know, what was the cause of Changhai's death?

His predecessor knew too little for Li Ming to even begin speculating.

Nevertheless, even if the Fierce Tiger Gang didn't know now, once they found out later, they would certainly not let him off.

Shaking his head, he looked at the pneumatic hammer in his hand, his desire burning within, he went upstairs and worked for another two hours, finally accumulating 4 points of metal energy.