Urban Martial Saint

Ye Qing looked at Li Lianshan with some surprise and asked, ”What, do you know these three people?”

”I can’t say I know them, but I’ve heard of them.” Li Lianshan furrowed his brows and fell silent for a moment before saying, ”That White-faced Young Man you mentioned goes by the nickname ’Life Claiming Ghost’ and is a professional assassin. He has been quite popular in Shenchuan City these last two years, charging very high fees. Not many can afford him!”

Of course, Ye Qing thought, the person who hired the Life Claiming Ghost to kill Black Bear and Huo Pingping was most likely Yang Shitao. This wasn’t an issue that needed further investigation. However, the nickname Life Claiming Ghost did sound quite peculiar.

”What’s his real name?” asked Ye Qing.

”I don’t know that,” Li Lianshan replied. ”People in their line of work usually use code names.” He paused and then added, ”Moreover, I’ve heard that this Life Claiming Ghost has a very strong backer, making him not easy to deal with.”

Ye Qing was surprised, asking, ”Even assassins need backers?” The hitmen he had encountered on the border, although organized, didn’t have backers as such.

”That’s just what I’ve heard. Apparently, this guy is the lover of Xikou Fire Butterfly. Fire Butterfly has a complex background. Some say she’s the adopted daughter of Red Robe Ao Wuchang, the number one in Shuzhong. Others say she’s the sister of Ludong White Horse Chen San, and yet others claim she’s the disciple of Meng District General Helian Tiehua.

Damn it, each of these three is more troublesome than the next, which is why she operates so successfully in the West Gate. Her backing for Life Claiming Ghost has led to his fees getting higher and higher.” Li Lianshan paused and whispered, ”Actually, Life Claiming Ghost isn’t all that capable. The main reason many fear him is because of Fire Butterfly.

Those who could defeat him generally don’t bother with him too much. This might be the first time he’s faced a setback in Shenchuan City. Little Ye, you need to be careful. Life Claiming Ghost has a strong vindictive streak, and chances are he will come back. If he returns, it’s no big deal, but if he brings Fire Butterfly along, that’s when the real trouble starts.”

Ye Qing was aware of the terms Red Robe and White Horse. The Pao from Shu are plentiful; Red Robe refers to a key figure in the Pao Brother Society. The strength of the Roaring Horsemen of Eastern Shandong is unmatched, and while the group may be gone, their name remains. White Horse Chen San must also be among the best. However, what was the deal with the General of Meng District?

Was this General somehow involved in the criminal underworld?

”Which military zone does Helian Tiehua belong to?” asked Ye Qing.

”What military zone?” Li Lianshan was taken aback, then waved his hand and explained, ”He’s not from a military zone. It’s just a nickname. Helian Tiehua has quite a reputation in Meng District, and it is said he has one hundred thousand disciples. He controls all of the underworld forces of Meng District; hence, he’s nicknamed the General of Meng District.”

Ye Qing finally understood and shook his head, saying, ”Such criminals, who engage in illegal activities, should have been wiped out long ago, instead of being allowed to grow powerful!”

Li Lianshan was speechless. This was just Ye Qing’s character; accustomed to fighting crime on the border, his first instinct upon hearing about the involvement of criminal forces was to take them down. Li Lianshan muttered to himself, wondering. Was it really that easy to take down General Helian Tiehua, the First King of the North?

Li Lianshan advised, ”Little Ye, there’s a saying: ’It’s better to resolve enmity than to deepen it.’ Life Claiming Ghost is easy to deal with, but Fire Butterfly could spell real trouble. If Life Claiming Ghost comes after you again, just let him know when he’s outclassed and let it be. Don’t make an even greater enemy.”

Ye Qing said nothing because he had no intention of letting Life Claiming Ghost off. Anyone who dared to harm his brothers or friends deserved death!

Li Lianshan didn’t say much more, but pointing to Lin Huayu nearby, he curiously asked, ”Hey, isn’t that Lin Zhen Nan’s daughter?”

”Yes, it is,” affirmed Ye Qing.

”How come she’s here?” Li Lianshan asked in astonishment. Although he was fairly well-known and respected in Shenchuan City, when compared to someone like Lin Zhen Nan, he was no different from a street vendor. Therefore, he was surprised to see Lin Huayu there.

Ye Qing recounted the incident where he had fortuitously saved Lin Huayu. Li Lianshan listened, his eyes widening in amazement; he understood the significance of saving Lin Huayu. Moreover, Lin Zhen Nan’s actions today already suggested he would protect Ye Qing in Shenchuan City. In the current situation, with Yang Shitao and a bunch of tycoons wanting Ye Qing dead, Ye Qing was in constant danger.

Lin Zhen Nan’s sudden appearance to protect Ye Qing was a formidable deterrent. It meant that people like Yang Shitao would not dare to go too far, and officials would be even less likely to harm Ye Qing.

”You lucky dog,” Li Lianshan couldn’t help but express his amazement. He paused and then asked, ”But, do you have a grudge against that Boss Lin?”

Ye Qing nodded slightly. Li Lianshan immediately clapped his hands and said, ”I knew it! I had a feeling that guy was trouble. He’s been meddling in these affairs several times. How exactly did you end up crossing paths with him?”

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Qing explained how he had taken down several of Boss Lin’s strongholds. Li Lianshan listened with great approval and exclaimed, ”That Bastard Boss Lin, I’ve disliked him for a while now. The things he’s involved in are bound to catch up with him. Well done. No wonder that Bastard has been trying to get back at you!”

At this point, Li Lianshan paused again, then said somewhat frustratingly, ”But what you’ve done is odd too. You saved Lin Huayu but made an enemy of Boss Lin. Your relationship with the Lin family is a bit complicated and ambiguous!”

”The Lin family?” Ye Qing was puzzled, not understanding what Li Lianshan meant.

Li Lianshan continued, ”Yes, the Lin family, Lin Zhen Nan’s Lin family.” Seeing Ye Qing’s astonished face, he blurted out, ”You...don’t tell me you didn’t know Boss Lin is also from the Lin family? He’s Lin Zhen Nan’s nephew!”

”What!” Ye Qing couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. He couldn’t imagine that such a disgrace could come from the Lin family, such a large household. Logically, considering the situation of the Lin Corporation, couldn’t Boss Lin just do something legitimate in the enterprise? Why would he stoop to such conscienceless acts?”

”Damn, you don’t even know about this!” Li Lianshan couldn’t help but sneer and said, ”Boss Lin is a member of the Lin family. Otherwise, the stuff he’s done would have already been exposed by others. If it weren’t for the Lin family’s protection, do you think he could still be thriving up until now?”

”No way?” Ye Qing frowned and said, ”I’ve met Lin Zhen Nan, and he doesn’t seem like someone who would cover for family members involved in such things.”

”Of course Lin Zhen Nan isn’t like that, but Old Madam Lin is,” Li Lianshan said. ”I’ve heard that Boss Lin was raised by Old Lady Lin herself, so they’re especially close. In the Lin family, with Old Lady Lin backing Boss Lin, even Lin Zhen Nan can’t do anything. I’ll tell you, the situation in the Lin family is damn complicated.

Lin Zhen Nan is a leader in Shenchuan City’s business community, and yet the family has such a disgraceful member. What the hell is this madness!”

Ye Qing slightly furrowed his brows as the things Li Lianshan said left his thoughts somewhat chaotic for a moment. According to Li Lianshan, isn’t Boss Lin Lin Huayu’s cousin? And Boss Lin and Lin Tianyou, are they cousins too? What’s going on? Why is there such a big gap between siblings?

Lin Tianyou is known as the youngest Divine Doctor in Shenchuan City, saving countless people, while Boss Lin is such a degenerate?

Of course, what Ye Qing thought about the most was his younger brother, Ye Jun. During this time, he had been entangled in so many problems and had not had time to look for Ye Jun. He was still very worried about Ye Jun. And now that Boss Lin had hidden everybody away, finding Ye Jun was another troublesome matter.

Ye Qing had thought that if he couldn’t find him, he might have to try asking Zhao Chengshuang for help. But now, after hearing what Li Lianshan said, Ye Qing immediately abandoned that idea. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Zhao Chengshuang, but with Boss Lin having the backing of the Lin family, information would certainly be very accessible.

If the news that he was looking for his brother Ye Jun got out, Ye Qing really feared that his brother would be silenced by Boss Lin!

”Hey, you two men, what’s with the secret talk that’s taking so long?” Lin Huayu complained from the side. ”I’m hungry, Ye, let’s go out to eat.”

It was now time to get off work. Ye Qing turned to look at Mu Qingrong in the office and said, ”Wait a moment, once Director Mu is done, we’ll all go together.”

”What is there to be busy with? I’m going to call her.” Lin Huayu walked straight into the office, ran to Mu Qingrong, and whimsically said, ”Ms. Mu, let’s go eat, I’m starving!”

Although Lin Huayu and Mu Qingrong had just met today, Huayu took a liking to Mu Qingrong and had already started to treat her like an older sister.

Mu Qingrong also liked Lin Huayu’s personality. She gently laughed and said, ”Wait five minutes, let me finish this material, and then I’ll treat you to dinner.”

”Then hurry up!” Lin Huayu sat beside her, glancing up at the clock every few seconds, her impatience evident.

Seeing Lin Huayu like that, Mu Qingrong was helpless and closed her materials, saying, ”Forget it, let’s go eat first. If you keep on looking, my wall clock will blush from embarrassment.”

”Ms. Mu, you are so good to me!” Lin Huayu affectionately hugged one of Mu Qingrong’s arms and dragged her out of the office.

”Let’s go, it’s time to eat!” Lin Huayu called out to Ye Qing.

”Eat? What are we having?” Li Lianshan suddenly perked up, ”Damn, I’ve been starving for a while now, let’s go, let’s go, let’s eat together!”

”Who asked you!” Lin Huayu said discontentedly.

”Oh come on, you didn’t invite me, but I still need to eat,” Li Lianshan vigorously patted Ye Qing’s shoulder and said, ”Don’t you think, Little Leaf.”

Ye Qing ignored him, gathered his things, and followed Lin Huayu and Mu Qingrong out. Lin Huayu pulled a face at Li Lianshan who coughed awkwardly and followed them, saying, ”By the way, I know a great barbecue place nearby, let’s all go!”

”Who wants barbecue? It’s not hygienic.”

”Then what do you want to eat? I’ll treat!”

”A full Manchu Han Imperial Feast.”

”...”