Chapter 110: Martial Arts Association
"We've arrived."
After arriving in C-City, King followed Silverfang to the dojo.
Bang's dojo was located on the Edge of the Great Forest between A City and City Y, built on a steep cliff.
When King got out of the car and looked up at the ascending staircase, which resembled a heavenly ladder, he almost turned around and left. This heavenly ladder was practically a replica of Mount Tai's Eighteen Bends. Here, the two mountain cliffs were carved like blades, with treacherous stone steps embedded within them. Looking down from above, it truly resembled the Heavenly Gate Cloud Ladder.
"King, is this your first time at our dojo?" Bang asked, his hands clasped behind his back, introducing him with a chuckle. "These long stone steps are for the dojo disciples' training. Normally, the disciples run up and down the stone steps to practice, and I, this old man, also honed my abilities day after day on these very steps. *Sigh*, those are all past events, let's not dwell on them. Let's hurry up; Charanko is probably already waiting anxiously."
"Uh, Bang, can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?"
"Is there an elevator? Or perhaps a cable car."
"..."
As Bang clearly stated there was no other way up the mountain besides walking, King could only sigh inwardly and grit his teeth as he began the ascent.
"Hoo, hoo!"
At first, King could still walk with nimble steps, but after just a few minutes, he was already panting heavily. His physical condition was truly too poor, and Bang had long since vanished at some unknown point.
"This is going to kill me."
His scalp tingled as he looked at the endless stone steps; he almost turned back down the mountain. But thinking about his current lack of security, he patiently endured and painstakingly climbed upwards, resting almost every ten steps and pausing every hundred.
When he finally reached the mountaintop, he immediately lay down, his entire body drenched in sweat, gasping for breath. He was so exhausted that he didn't want to move a single finger.
*Hmpf!*
Bang, his hands clasped behind his back, looked at the exhausted King with a slight hunch. His eyes were filled with puzzlement. *King got this tired climbing a small mountain? That can't be right!*
Based on his understanding of King's strength, climbing this kind of stone path should have been effortless. How could he be so exhausted?
"Could it be that..."
His pupils constricted, and he stared intently at King, who was lying exhausted on the ground. *That's it, no mistake! It must be like this! King was actually seizing the opportunity to train while climbing the mountain! Logically speaking, with King's strength, even running up and down the stone steps a few times wouldn't make him gasp for air. There's only one explanation for his current state: while climbing, King deliberately mobilized his body's muscles to maximize energy consumption and temper himself. Only then could he be so utterly exhausted in such a short period.*
He was deeply impressed. There was a clear reason why King had become so powerful; he had incorporated training into every daily action, never slacking off, persevering tirelessly, and ultimately becoming the Strongest Man on Earth.
"Heaven rewards diligence!"
Compared to Bang's admiration, King felt uneasy. *Bang wouldn't see through the truth of my strength, would he? Sigh, never mind. I was originally a hero by sheer luck. Even if I'm exposed, at worst I'll stop being King and return to being my otaku self, living a carefree and happy life.*
However, even after he had recovered, Bang never once questioned his strength, leaving King utterly baffled. He simply got up and followed Bang into the dojo.
Bang's dojo had a front yard, planted with flowers, grass, and trees, making it appear very serene. The surrounding buildings were dormitories specially built for the training disciples. However, most of the rooms were empty. As far as King knew, only one disciple remained in the dojo now—Charanko.
The main building of the dojo resembled a small gymnasium. The floor was covered with wooden planks, and one had to take off their shoes to enter. The dojo was equally empty, with only a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall: "Press Onward!"
At this moment, Bang's sole disciple, Charanko, was diligently wiping the floor with a rag, sweating profusely.
"Hey, Charanko, is the meal ready? We have an important guest visiting today."
Bang smiled as he greeted the working Charanko, simultaneously inviting King to step forward.
"Master, you're back."
Charanko looked up and saw Bang, immediately brightening. "Has that Giant Monster already been eliminated?"
Bang pointed to King, who was taking off his hoodie beside him, and said, "When I arrived, the Giant Monster had already been defeated by King."
"King?"
Charanko shifted his gaze to King, and his eyes immediately lit up. "The Strongest Man on Earth—King?"
"Mm."
King helplessly turned his head away. This title had been used so often his ears were calloused from it, and Charanko's surprised expression, seeing him for the first time, made him want to vomit.
*Sigh, it's exhausting being the idol of countless young men and women!*
"Charanko, don't just stand there staring. King will be staying at our dojo for a few days. Quickly take King to his guest room and show him the way. I, this old man, will prepare the ingredients, and we'll have hot pot tonight."
Bang lightly tapped the foolishly grinning Charanko and directly sent him off to lead the way.
"Oh, oh..."
Charanko came to his senses and hurriedly led the way for King. "Mr. King, please follow me."
"Mm."
King followed Charanko to the guest room and took a look around. The room wasn't large but had everything one needed, including clean and tidy bedding, a spotless bathtub, and more.
"Mr. King, is there anything else you need?"
Charanko enthusiastically attended to King, busying himself back and forth.
"I think everything is quite complete; I don't need anything else."
King shook his head, indicating that he was going to take a bath. He had sweated a lot on the journey from C-City to climbing the mountain, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
"Alright, take your time with your bath. When the hot pot is ready, I'll come and call you. Tonight's hot pot has some good stuff; the Martial Arts Association just sent my master several boxes of fresh, high-grade beef. You really must try it."
"Martial Arts Association?"
After the enthusiastic Charanko left, King filled the bathtub with hot water and lay down comfortably, recalling information about the Martial Arts Association.
In the world of One-Punch Man, there isn't just the Hero Association as a powerful organization; there are also the Martial Arts Association, the Sword Saint Association, and various other related powerful groups.
Moreover, the strength of each powerful organization is not much different from the Hero Association's. For instance, the Martial Arts Association has recruited martial arts grandmasters from all over the world, including Bang and Bang's older brother, Bomb. Their strength is immense.
Additionally, the Sword Saint Association is also a formidable organization. S-Class Hero Rank 4, Atomic Samurai, is a member of the Sword Saint Association. Who knows how deep the waters run there? Perhaps other abnormally powerful swordsmen are hidden within!
Therefore, while the Hero Association appears to bask in endless glory, it doesn't actually hold a monopoly on power. There are many organizations, both overt and covert, that can compete with it.
Of course, ever since Saitama joined the Hero Association, the Hero Association truly became the sole dominant power.
After all, one Baldy is worth ten million experts!
"Sigh, once the System recovers, I still need to find Saitama. The sooner I establish a friendship with Saitama, the sooner my life will be secure. After all, the System can be too unreliable sometimes."
King lay in the warm and cozy bathtub, thinking contentedly.
(end of chapter)