Urban Martial Saint

Outside the Shen Family Manor lay a narrow path, bordered on both sides by a grove of young trees that cloaked the estate like a hermitage hidden away in a forest.

Beyond the grove lay hilly terrain, where the paths were rugged and walking was somewhat strenuous. There were many paths leading to the Shen Family Manor, but only one main road; the rest were mountain trails, seldom traveled.

Cui Yulong had stepped out of the Shen Family Manor, intending to leave via the main road. However, as he approached a small hill nearby, he heard the distant sounds of metal clashing and cursing, unmistakably the voices of Killing Gate’s members, as if they were embroiled in a fierce battle with others.

Cui Yulong was greatly surprised. He had resolved his grudge against the Shen Family in the boulder field outside the Manor, thanks to the intervention of the Wuhua Monk. Thus, he was completely unaware of what had transpired within the Shen Family Manor. Having settled his grievances with the Shen Family, he did not return to check on the situation inside the manor but chose to leave directly. Little did he know what had happened inside the Shen Family Manor, or that the people of Killing Gate had already emerged.

Upon hearing the sounds, Cui Yulong hesitated for a moment before turning towards the source of the noise and running in its direction. After covering about three miles, he finally reached a bend in the mountain path where he could see the events unfolding.

At the bend was a large plateau, where the members of Killing Gate were surrounded within, blocked by more than twenty people. Among those from Killing Gate, besides the Netherworld Scholar and the Right Protector, everyone else was present. However, they seemed to be at a disadvantage compared to their attackers, especially since many were wounded. The melee was decidedly unfavorable for the people of Killing Gate.

”Cui Yu, I suggest you surrender quietly!” shouted a man loudly on the other side. ”With your current situation, killing you would only take a minute. I’m sparing you because I value your strength and want you to join me for a greater cause, so do not believe I lack the ability to kill you. My patience is limited, and if this delay continues, I’ll have no choice but to kill you all, completely eradicating Killing Gate!”

Cui Yulong frowned. Though he had let go of his grudge against the Shen Family, after all, he still considered himself a member of Killing Gate. Hearing someone so demeaning Killing Gate was naturally upsetting to him.

Most of Killing Gate’s members were seriously injured, with Cui Yu and the Black Asura being in somewhat better condition. Standing back to back, the two held off most of the attackers surrounding them, while others, like Ghost King Li Ruoyuan and Demon Queen He Qinghua, had already collapsed, too weak to resist. As for the Pig King, he lay unconscious on the ground, his status between life and death unknown.

”Wang Tian’an, those of us from Killing Gate wouldn’t have come to Shen Family Manor today if we were afraid of death!” Cui Yu shouted back. ”Stop wasting words. If you have the guts, then kill us. If we survive this, I swear I’ll take your wretched life with my own hands and avenge our brothers you murdered!”

Cui Yulong was taken aback. Wang Tian’an had killed Killing Gate’s brothers? What was that all about?

”Sigh, it seems you really are the type who won’t drink a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit,” Wang Tian’an sighed, waving his hand dismissively. ”Cui Yu, don’t take this the wrong way. Just tell me, what’s left of Killing Gate now? The Killing Gate Seven Hidden lack unity, missing one member, and can’t even form the Seven Kills Formation. With just a few of you remaining, do you still think about seeking vengeance against me? It’s a complete joke. Cui Yu, I see you all as talented individuals, which is why I wanted to work with you. But to think, you’re this ungrateful. Since that’s the case, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

As Wang Tian’an spoke, he gestured with a hand, his voice growing cold. ”Hmph, it seems today is the day Killing Gate meets its end. Kill them all, leave no one alive!”

Wang Tian’an’s face was set in severity. After leaving the Shen Family Manor, his heart was filled with discontent. However, with Shen Tianjun in charge of the Shen Family Manor, he naturally abandoned any designs on the place and immediately led his twenty-some followers to pursue those from Killing Gate. After planning for twenty years, his first step was thwarted at Shen Family Manor, and he was desperate to make amends. If he could recruit Killing Gate’s members to his side, bolstering his strength, he might be able to recover some of his losses.

He had surrounded Killing Gate’s members for nearly an hour without killing them, trying to force their submission. He didn’t expect them to be so defiant to the point of choosing death over surrender, which was completely unforeseen. With no other choices left, he decided to eliminate them. If they couldn’t serve him, they shouldn’t be left alive, for they might become major threats in the future. This was how Wang Tian’an operated.

As Wang Tian’an’s men rushed forwards, prepared to deal a ruthless blow to Killing Gate’s people, Cui Yulong, who had been watching from a hidden position, immediately leaped out. With a long howl, he shouted, ”Who dares say Killing Gate has no one left? Cui Yulong is here, who will challenge me to a fight!”

Cui Yulong’s True Qi surged, his howl thundering like an explosion, resounding throughout the forest and startling the birds into flight. At the sound, almost everyone turned to look. The members of Killing Gate rejoiced at the sight of Cui Yulong, especially Cui Yu, relieved to see Cui Yulong unharmed.

Wang Tian’an’s expression changed upon seeing Cui Yulong; he was well aware of Cui Yulong’s strength. His initial plan had been to use Cui Yulong to eliminate a few key figures of the Shen Family, thus easing his own endeavors. However, he hadn’t anticipated that a Wuhua Monk would appear out of nowhere and take Cui Yulong away. Cui Yulong hadn’t been of any use on his mission to the Shen Family, so Wang Tian’an had almost forgotten about him. He never expected Cui Yulong to show up at this moment...

”Damn, you finally came back!” The Netherworld Taoist, lying defeated on the ground, let out a sigh of relief. ”Hurry, hurry, hurry, avenge me, your master, and give this bunch of bastards a good beating!”

The Netherworld Taoist had always been on good terms with Cui Yulong, so he spoke to him more casually. As for the others, seeing Cui Yulong filled them with excitement. Though some were not too convinced of Cui Yulong’s leadership, his arrival was indeed lifesaving at this point!

Cui Yulong carried the wooden box over, nodding from a distance to Cui Yu. Although the brothers rarely spoke, a single look was enough for them to fully understand each other’s situation.

Watching Cui Yulong approaching, the people under Wang Tian’an’s command momentarily forgot to strike. It wasn’t until Cui Yulong arrived at the scene that everyone snapped back to reality and turned to look at Wang Tian’an.

”Cui Yulong!” Wang Tian’an furrowed his brows tightly and said in a deep voice, ”You actually came out too, I thought that monk had killed you!”

”That’s where you’re mistaken.” Cui Yulong said, ”Monks do not kill, those who do, are not monks.”

Wang Tian’an sneered and said, ”By your logic, the Bloody Monk of Sha Men wouldn’t be considered a monk either?”

”Wang Tian’an, you dare to insult our Sect Leader!” Black Asura said indignantly, ”After I recover from my injuries, I will personally take your damned life!”

”Shut your mouth!” Wang Tian’an glared at him coldly and said, ”You don’t have a say here!”

Black Asura flew into a rage but was held back by Cui Yu’s hand. Cui Yu watched Wang Tian’an with cold eyes and said, ”Wang Tian’an, even Ning Qianshu is considered a peer of our Sect Leader. What gives you the audacity to slander our Sect Leader? Seems like Ning Qianshu didn’t educate you well!”

Upon hearing this, Wang Tian’an also became furious and said angrily, ”You dare to insult my Master?”

”What’s there not to dare?” Cui Yulong shouted proudly, lifting the wooden box and pointing at Wang Tian’an from afar, ”I give you two options, first, take your men and scram immediately. Second, I kill you all myself!”

Cui Yulong’s strength could be said to be the strongest in Sha Men, thus his momentum was also the most formidable. Wang Tian’an’s strength was no weaker than the Right Protector’s, and yet Cui Yulong dared to speak to him like this, which infuriated Wang Tian’an immensely.

”Cui Yulong, don’t think just because you’ve got the Ink Pattern Black Gold Blade, you can do whatever you want!” Wang Tian’an pulled out the Five-Colored Spirit Snake Sword from his waist and said coldly, ”What’s so hard about letting a Famed Instrument recognize its master? Hmph, you have the Ink Pattern Black Gold Blade, I have the Five-Colored Spirit Snake Sword, what makes you think you can threaten me? Today, I will let you know what real strength is!”

”So you’re saying you’re not planning to leave?” Cui Yulong said coldly.

”I had no intention of leaving in the first place!” Wang Tian’an said coldly, ”I also give you two options, first, kneel and submit to me. Second, I personally kill all of you!”

”Then there’s no need for further talk.” Cui Yulong dismissed with a wave of his hand, ”Make your move!”

Wang Tian’an let out a cold shout and rushed towards Cui Yulong in a swift motion, raising his sword to strike down. The Five-Colored Spirit Snake Sword was a Soft Sword, but in Wang Tian’an’s hand, it was as spry as a snake. Despite its pliability, the force of the downward chop was terrifying. Because even if blocked by a weapon, it could wrap around the opponent’s weapon and take advantage, so the functions of this Five-Colored Spirit Snake Sword were quite varied.

Against Wang Tian’an wielding the Five-Colored Spirit Snake Sword, Cui Yulong had no intention of drawing his blade, simply using the wooden box to block.

Seeing Cui Yulong’s actions, Wang Tian’an was enraged. Cui Yulong’s choice not to even draw his blade was a clear sign of disrespect, and it infuriated him greatly.

The Soft Sword collided with Cui Yulong’s wooden box, immediately entwining it. Seizing the opportunity, Wang Tian’an pulled back hard and yelled, ”Let go!”

With this move, he exerted his full strength, intending to snatch the wooden box from Cui Yulong’s hand. However, he underestimated Cui Yulong’s strength. As he pulled, Cui Yulong simply took a step forward, not losing hold of the box.