Urban Martial Saint

Shen Qingyi wanted to follow in, but hearing Shen Tianjun say this, she didn’t insist and quickly left to find Shen Lingwei.

Ye Qing walked into the pill room and went straight to the bedside. Looking at the unconscious Huangfu Ziyu, he felt as though his heart was bleeding.

Since Ye Qing entered Shenchuan City, the person who helped him the most was actually Huangfu Ziyu. If, at first, Huangfu Ziyu helped him with ulterior motives, then later, she had no motives whatsoever. Just like when Huangfu Ziyu risked her life to jump off a cliff to save him. Even though Huangfu Ziyu had told him last time that they should cut ties completely, how could Ye Qing ever forget her?

This time, although Ye Qing didn’t know what had happened, he could speculate that Huangfu Ziyu must have ended up like this to save him. Thus, his heart hurt even more, especially when he saw Huangfu Ziyu’s unconscious state. His heart felt like it was bleeding because he understood the torment caused by the Twin Life Gu within her body. Oh, how he wished he could bear that torment for Huangfu Ziyu. He would rather suffer it forever than let Huangfu Ziyu endure the pain even for a moment!

Not waiting for Shen Tianjun to speak, Ye Qing asked first, ”Senior Shen, can the Twin Life Gu be transferred into my body?”

”Impossible!” Shen Tianjun shook his head and said, ”To remove the Twin Life Gu from Ziyu’s body, you’d have to kill her first.”

”Is there any way to save her?” Ye Qing asked.

Shen Da spoke softly, ”There is a way, but it’s complicated and quite dangerous...”

Before Shen Da finished, Ye Qing turned his head decisively and said, ”No matter what, I will save her!”

Hearing Ye Qing’s words, Old Madam Shen couldn’t help but exclaim, ”Good! Ziyu truly didn’t misjudge you. You really are a man with responsibility.”

Shen Tianjun also nodded with satisfaction. Ye Qing’s sense of responsibility pleased him greatly.

”To save Ziyu, the only way is to go to Miao Borderlands and find the Dong Masters of the Seventy-Two Dong. Perhaps they know a method to resolve the Twin Life Gu!” Shen Tianjun looked at Ye Qing and said, ”But Miao Borderlands has long been a place inhabited by the Miao People, who have always been hostile to outsiders, particularly Han people like us. Even if they might be willing to help, merely venturing into Miao Borderlands is fraught with danger. Many impulsive Miao individuals would kill Han people on sight. These Miao folks are incredibly perilous!”

”I’m not afraid!” Ye Qing declared firmly. ”Senior Shen, who exactly are the Dong Masters of the Seventy-Two Dong that you mentioned?”

Shen Tianjun said gravely, ”Miao Borderlands is divided into Seventy-Two Dong, each Dong has its own Dong Master, who is often the one most skilled in Gu Techniques in their area. Therefore, the Dong Masters of the Seventy-Two Dong are the seventy-two most skilled practitioners of Gu Techniques in Miao Borderlands. If even they can’t resolve the Twin Life Gu, then it’s likely nobody in Miao Borderlands can!”

”Then I’ll go find them!” Ye Qing immediately said.

Shen Tianjun shook his head and replied, ”When you go there, you must be particularly cautious. You don’t necessarily have to seek out all seventy-two Dong Masters. Among the Seventy-Two Dong, some are especially hostile to Han people, while others can somewhat coexist with Han people. It’s best to find those Dong Masters who can coexist with Han people and avoid provoking those who are enemies of Han people.”

Old Madam Shen spoke solemnly, ”If those who coexist peacefully with Han people can’t resolve the Twin Life Gu, then what will you do?”

”Then I’ll go find those Dong Masters hostile to Han people!” Ye Qing firmly replied, ”No matter what, I must save Miss Huangfu!”

”Good!” Old Madam Shen was deeply satisfied. She admired Ye Qing’s determination.

Shen Tianjun sighed. He knew that once Ye Qing sought out those Dong Masters antagonistic to Han people, it would truly be a dangerous situation. However, to save Huangfu Ziyu, there was no other choice—all avenues had to be explored.

”In that case, you should prepare for the journey to Miao Borderlands.” Shen Tianjun stood up and said, ”I have an old acquaintance in Miao Borderlands who is also a Gu Master. When you arrive, you can visit him—perhaps he can provide some guidance. In a while, I’ll ask Qingyi to bring you a map of the Seventy-Two Dong in Miao Borderlands. The map will clearly mark the relationship between each Dong and Han people; review it carefully and decide accordingly.”

”Understood!” Ye Qing nodded firmly. Huangfu Ziyu ended up like this to save him, and he would not hesitate in the matter of saving her.

Shen Tianjun nodded and waved him off, saying, ”Alright, for now, go and prepare. The sooner you set out, the better. Shen Da, accompany him to gather supplies and give him ten Ziyu Chenxiang Pills to use along the way.”

”Understood!” Shen Da nodded, then led Ye Qing out to prepare for the journey to Miao Borderlands.

On their way, Shen Da recounted what had happened in the pill room. When he heard that Huangfu Ziyu had swallowed the Twin Life Gu to save him, Ye Qing’s eyes reddened slightly. Huangfu Ziyu had been willing to risk her life to save him!

Returning to his room, Ye Qing packed a few belongings, though there wasn’t much he truly needed. All he carried was the Seven-Star Ancient Sword; everything else was inconsequential. This journey to Miao Borderlands was truly one of dire risk, but it was one he must undertake.

He called Black Bear to make arrangements for matters in Shenchuan City, mainly instructing Li Lianshan to manage his establishments and Zhao Chengshuang to handle the orphanage’s affairs. If he couldn’t return, they were to sustain the orphanage on his behalf.

Although Black Bear dearly wanted to accompany Ye Qing to Miao Borderlands, even knowing how dangerous it would be, following Ye Qing was his greatest aspiration. Yet, under Ye Qing’s stern orders, he reluctantly drove back to Shenchuan City.

This journey to Miao Borderlands was perilous, and Ye Qing didn’t want Black Bear to risk his life alongside him.

Once everything was ready, Shen Tianjun arrived with the map of the Seventy-Two Dong and handed it to Ye Qing, along with directions to the Gu Master’s residence in Miao Borderlands so Ye Qing could seek his assistance upon arrival.

Ye Qing memorized everything, stowed the map, and prepared for departure. Meanwhile, Old Madam Shen arranged for an RV to transport the unconscious Huangfu Ziyu, allowing Ye Qing to drive her toward Miao Borderlands.

Shen Qingyi and the Shen Family members escorted Ye Qing to the gates of Shen Family Manor, gazing at him with reluctant eyes. She truly didn’t want Ye Qing to leave, but this concerned Huangfu Ziyu’s life and death. She had no choice but to reluctantly bid Ye Qing farewell and watch him depart from Shen Family Manor.

Ye Qing felt a torrent of emotions. He truly liked Shen Qingyi, but Huangfu Ziyu had done so much for him—even the hardest of hearts would be moved at this moment. Yet, between Shen Qingyi and Huangfu Ziyu, what choice should he make? Who could tell him?

Driving the RV down the path away from Shen Family Manor, darkness had already set in. Just as he entered the small forest ahead, Ye Qing suddenly noticed a figure standing directly in the road, blocking his path.

Ye Qing quickly stepped on the brake and looked closely, only to discover that the person was none other than Shen Tianjun.

This sight surprised Ye Qing greatly. He hurriedly got out of the vehicle and walked over, asking in confusion, ”Senior Shen, why are you here? Is there something you need?”

Shen Tianjun glanced at Ye Qing and sighed, ”There was something I couldn’t tell you earlier, so I followed you out to explain it.”

”Please speak, Senior Shen,” Ye Qing said.

Shen Tianjun’s expression turned peculiar. After a moment of silence, he said, ”Ye Qing, actually, the Twin Life Gu in your body hasn’t been completely eliminated.”

”Oh?” Ye Qing said, startled. ”Didn’t the Twin Life Gu already move into Miss Huangfu’s body? How could... how could it still be in mine?”

Shen Tianjun explained, ”Once the Twin Life Gu appears in your body, it leaves behind larvae. Although the Gu insects are now in Ziyu’s body, the larvae in your body haven’t been completely removed, which poses a risk.”

”It’s not a problem,” Ye Qing replied. ”I’ll go to Miao Borderlands to find the Dong Masters of the Seventy-Two Dong. If they can resolve the Twin Life Gu in Miss Huangfu, surely they can remove the larvae in my body too.”

Shen Tianjun shook his head and said, ”Things aren’t that simple. These larvae are connected to the Twin Life Gu. One of the frightening aspects of the Twin Life Gu is that it remains deadly, even when it’s no longer in your body. If the Twin Life Gu is away from your body for too long, the larvae will hatch into small insects and devour your internal organs!”

”What?” Ye Qing was stunned. ”Then... then how long is too long?”

”About twelve hours,” Shen Tianjun replied.

”Twelve hours?” Ye Qing exclaimed. ”Twelve hours? I wouldn’t even make it to Miao Borderlands in that time! Doesn’t that mean I’m doomed?”

”Let me finish!” Shen Tianjun shook his head. ”Currently, the Twin Life Gu is dormant in Ziyu’s body. If your body and Ziyu’s body come into contact, the Twin Life Gu’s aura can transmit to the larvae, preventing them from hatching. So, every twelve hours, the two of you must make contact.”

Ye Qing was instantly embarrassed and asked, ”C-Contact? How? Will holding hands suffice?”

”I don’t think so,” Shen Tianjun said awkwardly. ”I only heard about this from that old friend. I don’t know the specifics of how to make contact. However, my friend mentioned that if the contact isn’t sufficient, the larvae will show unusual activity, and the body will feel it. You can try it out yourself. If there’s no abnormal activity in your body, then the contact is enough.”

These words made Ye Qing even more flustered. What did he mean by trying it out himself? What kind of contact would be considered sufficient?