When Fenric returned to the Axe Gang headquarters, Sing finally regained consciousness.
As expected of a peerless genius!
His vitality far exceeded that of an ordinary person.
If it had been anyone else struck by that blow, their shoulder bones would've shattered, and they'd be bedridden for months.
Yet Sing? He looked almost completely fine.
"You're awake?"
Hearing Fenric's voice, Sing quickly scrambled to his feet and nervously shouted, "L-Leader!"
Fenric waved his hand and interrupted him. "From now on, just call me 'Boss' like the others."
Sing's eyes lit up with joy.
"Thank you, Boss! Don't worry—I'll give it my all! From today onward, my life is yours!"
He looked genuinely thrilled.
After all, his dream had always been to join the legendary Axe Gang and become a powerful master.
But the gang's recruitment standards were notoriously strict. He never thought he'd be accepted.
Now, with Fenric telling him to address him as 'Boss', it was clear he had been acknowledged!
Fenric smiled and gave Sing a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Good. Remember what you said."
"Go get cleaned up and change into some fresh clothes."
Then Fenric casually pointed to one of the gang nearby. "You there—take them both to get a proper meal."
Sing was deeply moved.
He realized that the infamous Boss wasn't as ruthless or terrifying as the rumors claimed. On the contrary—he was incredibly kind.
Once Sing and Fatty Bone had left, Fenric raised his voice and asked the room, "Does anyone know the best doctor in SH City?"
The gang members exchanged confused glances. They wondered why the Boss, who seemed perfectly healthy, would suddenly need a doctor.
One of the senior members stepped forward and replied with a smile, "I know of a clinic in the eastern district. There's an old doctor named Zhou. He's famous across the city—they call him a miracle worker."
Fenric nodded. "Good. Go and invite him here."
After giving the order, Fenric made his way to the guest wing and entered the room where the bald-headed Fire Cloud was resting.
"Senior Fire Cloud, are you comfortable here?" Fenric asked with a polite smile.
"I'm comfortable anywhere," Fire Cloud replied nonchalantly. "You mentioned a miracle. Where is it?"
"No rush. You'll see it tomorrow."
The Next Morning
Early the next day, Sing was summoned by the Axe Gang's leader.
"Boss, you were looking for me?"
He hurried over—only to see a bald old man sitting beside Fenric.
The moment Sing laid eyes on him, his instincts screamed danger. The man radiated an overwhelming presence, like a sea of blood and death.
Sing quickly lowered his head, not daring to stare any longer.
Fenric smiled gently. "Sing, do you remember what you told me yesterday?"
Sing had a bad feeling, but he responded without hesitation. "Yes, I said I'd dedicate my life to you!"
"Excellent."
Fenric nodded, then turned to the bald man. "Senior Fire Cloud, I'll leave him to you."
Fire Cloud gave Sing a strange look. "This kid is really as special as you claim?"
"Of course. You'll see—go ahead and test him."
"Why don't you do it yourself?" Fire Cloud asked flatly.
"I'm afraid I might kill him by accident," Fenric replied, grinning.
Fire Cloud rolled his eyes. If he weren't weaker than Fenric, he wouldn't even bother with this.
Still, he stepped forward and stood before Sing.
"Kid, don't blame me for going all out," Fire Cloud said coolly.
Sing blinked, confused. "Boss? What... what's going on?!"
Fenric chuckled. "Relax, Sing. You won't die. Just feel the pain—it's good for you."
Before Sing could protest, Fire Cloud struck.
Pow!!
The punch slammed into Sing's side.
His entire body jolted violently. The force of the blow surged through him, bursting out his back and tearing apart the new clothes he'd just put on.
Fire Cloud's fists weren't something mere mortals could endure.
In this world, only Fenric could take a punch like that and still stand.
"Gahh!"
Sing spat out a mouthful of blood, dazed and overwhelmed.
What just happened?
He hadn't done anything wrong—so why had the Boss sicced this terrifying old man on him?
As Sing struggled to make sense of it all, the second strike came.
BOOM—!
This time, it was a palm strike to his abdomen—shattering countless internal veins.
Sing flew backward, crashed to the ground, and lay motionless.
"One breath left," Fire Cloud muttered as he withdrew his hand. "If he's not as miraculous as you claim, not even the gods could save him now."
Fenric, still smiling, turned to the other gang members. "Take Sing to Doctor Zhou. Prepare a full medicinal bath for him!"
Once Sing was carried away, Fenric turned back to Fire Cloud.
"Senior, just wait and see."
A Day Later
Sing stood once more before Fenric and Fire Cloud—completely healed, not Single injury in sight.
"Senior, what do you think?" Fenric asked.
For the first time, Fire Cloud looked genuinely stunned.
"There's really such a thing...?"
The next moment, he walked around Sing, examining him like a rare artifact.
Sing flinched, clearly nervous around the strange old man, and tried to step away.
Fenric chuckled. "Sing, how do you feel? Any pain?"
Sing hesitated, then answered truthfully. "No... I feel fine."
"Excellent."
Fenric approached and placed a hand on Sing's shoulder.
"What happened yesterday—don't hold it against me."
"I wouldn't dare!" Sing said quickly. "Boss, you're too kind. My life belongs to you..."
Fenric nodded. "To tell you the truth, you're a martial arts prodigy. You just needed a push. That's why I had Senior Fire Cloud test you—to awaken your potential."
Now it made sense.
Sing finally understood why he'd been nearly beaten to death… only to wake up submerged in a barrel of rare medicine.
He'd heard those herbs were priceless—Fenric had spared no expense to help him recover.
Fenric continued, "To turn you into a peerless master as quickly as possible, I've decided... Senior Fire Cloud will beat you once a day!"
Sing: "..."
Boss!! I'm not sure I want to be a peerless master!!