Urban Martial Saint

Ye Qing only learned from Da Hong’s few subordinates that Young Master Fang was behind the incident, yet he was unaware that Young Master Ding Shaoyan was also involved.

After the incident at the North Huanqian Bay Bar last time, Ye Qing had gained some understanding of Young Master Ding Shaoyan’s family background. The Ding Family wielded tremendous influence in Shenchuan City, and Elder Master Ding was a veteran general who had been to the battlefield against Japan, a figure whom even Elder Master Zhao would have to address as a senior general.

The second and third generations of the Ding Family had also flourished, with the highest-ranking member being the third most powerful figure in the neighboring province—a truly awe-inspiring authority. Moreover, Elder Master Ding was still in good health, and hardly anyone in Shenchuan City dared to provoke the Ding Family.

In addition, the Ding Family had a legendary figure, someone who once stormed into a gang alone, with just a knife, killing thirteen people and wounding thirty-seven, a myth that to this day was the most legendary tale in Shenchuan City. It could be said that over the years, this old bodyguard had been mythologized.

He had not taken action for many years, and many young people considered the story just a legend.

But Ye Qing had learned from Zhao Chengshuang and Li Lianshan that those who were well-mixed in Shenchuan City with broader knowledge would never regard it as mere legend. Because they all knew that the tale was actually an altered version of what had really happened. In reality, the number of people killed that year was more than thirteen, and those injured far exceeded thirty-seven.

It was said that the Ding Family had faced a serious crisis that year, when an old political enemy bearing a grudge against Elder Master Ding launched an attack, nearly bringing disaster upon him. At that time, many took the opportunity to kick the family while it was down, challenging the Ding Family from all sides.

It was then that the old bodyguard powerfully took action, his lone blade shattering everyone’s illusions, proving through his own strength that the Ding Family was not yet defeated!

After that battle, no one dared to challenge the dignity of the Ding Family again, and even to this day, it remained so.

In fact, Ye Qing’s assault on Young Master Ding Shaoyan at the North Huanqian Bay Bar last time had made Zhao Chengshuang quite worried for a while, fearing it might provoke retaliation from the Ding Family. Fortunately, the Ding Family did not take any action, which slightly eased his mind. But who could have thought that this time, Young Master Ding Shaoyan would again be implicated.

Ye Qing fell silent for a good while. After the experience of being wanted last time, he had become much more composed in his actions. Previously, he was all alone, and if he clashed with someone, he could always run away. But now things were different. He had eleven sites in Shenchuan City, and he was planning to open an orphanage, so his mind was no longer unburdened as before.

Thus, he had to be cautious with many things.

”Xiong Zi, go investigate Young Master Ding Shaoyan and see exactly what he has been up to recently!” Ye Qing paused, then added, ”Especially check if he has had any contact with Fang Tian recently?”

Ye Qing would not confront Young Master Ding just based on Fang Cailiang’s word; he needed to investigate thoroughly. If Young Master Ding truly had a hand in this, Ye Qing certainly would not let him off. However, there were still too many restrictions when conducting affairs in Shenchuan City.

Compared to those powerful, well-established families, and entities like Fu Bang and Tianqing Gang that held power comparable to the Zhao Family, Ye Qing fell far short.

What he lacked most now was a supporting force behind him, one that could let him stand on equal footing with Fu Bang and Tianqing Gang, and allow him to be unwavering in the face of those major families. Zhao Chengshuang could offer him temporary help, but that was short-lived. Fu Bang and Tianqing Gang were wary of the Poisonous Mantis and dared not actually move against him.

Once they realized that Poisonous Mantis was not backing Ye Qing, they would certainly not let him off then.

With their extensive networks in Shenchuan City, once fully mobilized, even Zhao Chengshuang would not be enough. The entire Zhao Family would have to be willing to support him wholeheartedly, which was improbable, as the powers behind Fu Bang and Tianqing Gang were no weaker than the Zhao Family.

Such a confrontation, if failed, could potentially drag down the entire family; hence, the Zhao Family would definitely not take this risk for Ye Qing.

Reflecting on these matters, Ye Qing couldn’t help but sigh. The longer he lived in the city, the more he felt his own powerlessness. To survive in the city, he needed many things, but no matter what, he could not change his moral compass. Like with the current situation, he would not give up on revenge due to the strength of the Ding Family, but he would no longer act as impulsively as before.

At noon, Li Lianshan finally brought news; he had found an abandoned farm in the West Suburb. The land was extensive, with a small building nearby that once housed the farm owner and his workers, sufficient to accommodate the children. Plus, the surrounding environment was good, and it was less than five hundred meters next to a small town, making it an ideal site for a private orphanage.

Li Lianshan suggested that Ye Qing check out the site.

Ye Qing had been worried about where the children would live, as staying at Tian Sheng permanently was not a solution. Upon receiving the news, he immediately went to the site with Fang Tingyun and Huo Tingting for an inspection.

Li Lianshan was already there and immediately came up to introduce the farm owner’s situation to Ye Qing upon his arrival.

”The owner’s name is Huang Fulin, in his sixties or seventies now. His health isn’t great and he can no longer manage the farm, so he’s been wanting to sell. However, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to sell, and I heard that his children have been interfering,” said Li Lianshan, pointing to an elderly man in the distance, ”That’s him.

The old man is a bit stubborn, so just go along with him when you meet. Such land is rare around Shenchuan City; if you can purchase it, you can build several buildings in the future and accommodate as many children as you want!”

Without a word, Ye Qing followed Li Lianshan to the old man. Li Lianshan warmly approached and said, ”Elder Huang, come here, let me introduce you. This is Boss Ye, Ye Qing, the one I told you about, and this is Elder Huang.”

Ye Qing politely extended his hand, but Huang Fulin just gave him a cold glance and didn’t show any intention of shaking hands. Ye Qing then withdrew his hand and said, ”Elder Huang, hello.”

”Don’t pretend to be all civilized, I’m not a fool, and I can clearly see what type of people you are,” Huang Fulin said with a snide look at Li Lianshan, ”I know you, you’re called Li Lianshan, just a hooligan!”

Li Lianshan couldn’t help feeling embarrassed and said, ”Elder Huang, don’t joke around, I’m just a businessman. Look, I even brought Boss Ye here, why don’t you two discuss the transfer of the farm?”

”No need!” Huang Fulin curtly waved his hand and said, ”I am not transferring the farm anymore, please leave!”

Li Lianshan was taken aback and urgently said, ”Elder Huang, what is this about...”

Before he had spoken a few words, Huang Fulin picked up a hoe nearby, turned around, and swung it towards him, roaring, ”I said I’m not selling it, get lost!”

Li Lianshan hastily retreated several steps, only just avoiding Huang Fulin’s wildly swinging hoe. He looked disconcerted and said, ”Elder Huang, weren’t we on good terms? What do you mean by this? I’ve brought Boss Ye all the way here, and now you’re suddenly not transferring the farm, isn’t this a bit untrustworthy?”

”Trustworthy? Is that something you tell these mongrel breeds?” Huang Fulin raged, ”I know exactly what kind of people you all are. Don’t think you can fool me by dressing up as businessmen, I’d rather take this land with me to the grave than let you bunch of mongrel scum have it cheap. Go tell those unfilial sons that I would rather return the land to the state than leave them an inch!”

Li Lianshan, completely confused, said, ”Elder Huang, what are you talking about, I don’t understand?”

”Stop playing dumb with me, get out of here now, or I’ll call the police!” Huang Fulin shouted, leaning on his hoe.

Li Lianshan wanted to speak, but Ye Qing pulled him away.

”Damn, is this old guy sick or what? He was talking all nice this morning, and just this afternoon, when we get here, he immediately changes his tune, what’s he really getting at?” Li Lianshan grumbled, ”If it was me back in the old days, I would’ve beat him up already. If it weren’t for his old age, I would’ve fought him just now.”

”Alright, don’t be angry anymore!” Ye Qing said with a light smile, ”After all, he’s an old man, and what he said isn’t wrong, you are a hooligan, aren’t you?”

”Damn, can’t you talk properly? If you can’t talk, then don’t speak!” Li Lianshan glared at Ye Qing and said, ”Admittedly, what I did in the past wasn’t all that honorable. But, during this period, I really haven’t done any of those heinous things. Ye Zi, I’m not complaining to you, but without drugs, the business really isn’t as good as before.

I need to figure out how to get the Southern Suburbs Dogfight Arena open soon, otherwise, I’ll definitely be running at a loss, and in a few days, I might have to come to you for a loan!”

Ye Qing shrugged, ”I certainly don’t have the money to pay you back right now!”

”So, the urgent task at hand is to rebuild the Southern Suburbs Dogfight Arena and get it opened as soon as possible!” Li Lianshan scratched his head and said, ”Right, let me tell you. The opening of the Dog Field is a big event, but with the death of Tiger King, whether or not we can restore the previous business is uncertain.

Moreover, I reckon that even though your method was good this time and cleared all those people from around the Dog Field, we probably can’t keep this secret for much longer. On the day of the opening, it’s very likely that a lot of people will come to make trouble, you’d better be mentally prepared!”

”I know!” Ye Qing nodded slowly, his last scheme was just to retake the Dog Field. But the secret probably couldn’t be kept for many days. On reopening day, there would definitely be a tough fight!

”Whether or not we can handle the opening day will determine the Dog Field’s future business, after all, the rich patrons want to play in a safe place!” Li Lianshan then looked at Ye Qing and said, ”By the way, Ye Zi, do you think we should send an invitation to the East State Poisonous Mantis for the opening day?

If Miss Huangfu graced us with her presence, I guarantee that we could restore our former business!”

Ye Qing’s heart skipped a beat, Li Lianshan made a good point. But would Huangfu Ziyu give him that much face?