Urban Martial Saint

”Shouldn’t we stop them then?” Chen Yongchang asked, ”Prince Nalan may be domineering, but we’re just going after Ye Qing. It doesn’t concern him much, does it? He might not bother to stick his hand in this far.”

”It doesn’t matter whether he extends his reach far or not; we shouldn’t risk provoking him anyway.” Wang Tian’an paused and sneered, ”Besides, we have an even better way to deal with Ye. Why should we dirty our own hands?”

”A better way?” Chen Yongchang asked in surprise, ”Third Brother, do you mean...?”

Wang Tian’an smirked coldly, ”Prince Nalan’s eldest grandson, Nalan Tianyu, is a notorious playboy and admires top-level beauties the most. Huangfu Ziyu is considered one of the top beauties in the Southern Six Provinces. If Nalan Tianyu knows that Huangfu Ziyu traveled to the Capital, what do you think he’ll do? Pay her a visit, perhaps?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yongchang lit up with excitement, saying, ”Third Brother, do you mean to make someone else do the killing for us?”

”Hahaha...” Wang Tian’an laughed loudly and said, ”All you need to do is prepare in Miao Borderlands first. If Nalan Tianyu fails to kill Ye Qing, we’ll finish the job in Miao Borderlands. The Dong Master from Huoluo Dong is a friend of our senior brother. You go visit him; he’ll certainly be willing to help us eliminate Ye Qing. The Huoluo Dong is notoriously savage and combative among the Miaojiang Seventy-Two Dong, a truly formidable group. If they’re willing to assist, Ye Qing won’t stand a chance of leaving Miao Borderlands alive!”

”Good!” Chen Yongchang nodded, saying, ”In that case, I’ll head to Miao Borderlands first. But if Nalan Tianyu truly acts against Ye Qing, I doubt Ye Qing can even survive long enough to reach Miao Borderlands. Nalan Tianyu’s strength is remarkable; he’s the most favored among Prince Nalan’s grandsons and has learned the most techniques. Even if Ye Qing is powerful, he can’t possibly rival Nalan Tianyu!”

”We mustn’t underestimate Ye Qing anymore!” Wang Tian’an said in a grave tone, ”This man carries the potential for unforeseen actions. It’s possible even Nalan Tianyu won’t gain an upper hand against him. Therefore, we must prepare contingencies. If he indeed makes it to Miao Borderlands, ensure he dies there. This time, no more chances—whether or not we can win him over, I refuse to have him as an enemy!”

Wang Tian’an’s fear of Ye Qing had reached the peak. He initially thought the Twin Life Gu would be enough to fully control Ye Qing, but unexpectedly, even the Twin Life Gu couldn’t subdue him. Thus, Wang Tian’an didn’t dare overthink it anymore; his sole focus was on eliminating this dangerous threat at all costs. Nothing else mattered!

Understanding Wang Tian’an’s thoughts, Chen Yongchang said no more and hurried to book a flight. First, he needed to fly to the Capital before transferring to Miao Borderlands. Yet, time-wise, he’d be slower than Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu. If Nalan Tiancheng in the Capital could stall Ye Qing briefly, Chen Yongchang might still beat him to Miao Borderlands.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Suburb of the Capital, nestled within an expansive and ancient-style manor, five young men were practicing boxing together. Leading them was a dashing, refined man in his late twenties with an air that could be described as graceful and distinguished.

Among the five, this young man stood out immensely. His punches exuded a natural flair, far more elegant than those of the other four. Outside the courtyard, several young girls leaned close to the wall, peeking inside. Their attention was entirely fixed on the young man as they whispered among themselves and giggled softly.

The young man grinned confidently, throwing punches with increased flair. When he finished the set, he stood tall, gave a subtle smile, and waved toward the courtyard wall as though acknowledging his ardent admirers.

The group of young girls outside became giddy with excitement, practically swooning in adoration. Their cheers rang out, thoroughly mesmerized by the man inside.

”Elder Brother, whenever you train here, these young ladies can’t help themselves,” one of the young men teased as he approached the leading man. ”Elder Brother, your reputation as the Capital’s number one charmer truly lives up to its name. I dare say, no woman in the world can escape your irresistible gaze!”

”Haha!” The young man burst into laughter and replied, ”Third Brother, don’t flatter me like that. If Uncle hears, I’m sure I’ll be chastised again—something about ’The Capital’s most charming man but not diligent enough in martial training,’ hahaha!”

”Elder Brother, please. That nickname wasn’t coined by us but by all the young ladies out there,” another young man chimed in with a chuckle. ”You know the saying, ’The public’s eyes never lie.’ If everyone thinks you’re great, you must truly be great!”

”Absolutely! What lady in the Capital hasn’t been swept off her feet by Elder Brother’s charisma?” A third young man eagerly nodded and glanced at the fourth, who had remained silent and seemed rather reserved. Smiling, he asked, ”Fifth Brother, what do you think?”

Fifth Brother looked around briefly, then at the leading man, softly saying, ”Elder Brother, your boxing just now seemed off.”

The leading man’s face darkened slightly, and the others froze momentarily. Third Brother barked angrily, ”Fifth Brother, who do you think you are? Elder Brother’s boxing skills, off? Even your techniques were taught directly by him. What gives you the right to critique him?”

”Third Brother, calm down,” the leading man gestured with a faint smile. Turning to Fifth Brother, he asked, ”Fifth Brother, you claim my boxing was off. Tell me, in what way?”

Fifth Brother, being straightforward, replied without hesitation, ”Elder Brother, your techniques seemed like adaptations of our Nalan family’s boxing style. However, your execution was overly flashy and lacked power. Our family’s boxing emphasizes bold, dynamic movements—a blend of Northern Fist’s ferocious strength and Southern Fist’s intricacy. But when you perform it, it’s all finesse with no strength. Furthermore, your finesse isn’t actual skill. It’s purely ornamental and lacks true technical essence. In practical combat, your style would be deficient.”

At this, the young man’s expression stiffened, darkening further. He stood abruptly and said coldly, ”Nalan Tiancheng, what do you know about true skill and martial prowess? This set of techniques was taught to me personally by Grandfather. Even your own boxing was learned from me. What qualifies you to say my techniques are flawed?”

”Elder Brother, the style you taught us before differs from what you demonstrated just now,” Fifth Brother replied.

The young man retorted, ”Nonsense! This style has been modified by me, and of course, it’s not the same as yours!”

”Elder Brother, why would you modify the family boxing style?” Fifth Brother asked in confusion.

”Ridiculous! Boxing styles must evolve!” The young man glared, ”Even our Nalan family’s techniques have been passed down and refined by generation after generation of exceptional elders. That’s why it’s reached the pinnacle today. As a descendant of the Nalan family, I am obligated to modernize our techniques and keep us strong!”

Fifth Brother glanced at the young man and murmured, ”But your modifications haven’t improved the style.”

”What did you say?” The young man growled, ready to erupt in anger. At that moment, a middle-aged man stepped into the courtyard.

”Uncle!” Third Brother immediately straightened and nudged the leading man discreetly.

Recognizing the newcomer, the leading man swiftly composed himself, respectfully greeting him, ”Uncle, you’re here.”

The middle-aged man nodded lightly without speaking. He scanned everyone present and eventually fixed his gaze on Fifth Brother, saying, ”Tiancheng, come with me.”

”Yes, Uncle!” Nalan Tiancheng nodded and followed the older man out of the courtyard.

The middle-aged man glanced at the remaining individuals again before locking eyes with the leading man and saying, ”Tianyu, from now on, your techniques will no longer be taught to the third-generation disciples. Your younger uncle will take over their training. You are relieved of this responsibility.”

”What?” The young man, Nalan Tianyu, was stunned. He shouted, ”Uncle, I… I can still teach! Why can’t I continue?”

The older man replied sternly, ”This is Grandfather’s decision. If you have questions, take them up with him personally.”

With that, Nalan Tianyu fell silent. His grandfather’s orders were akin to an imperial edict—no one dared question them.

As Nalan Tiancheng followed the older man out of the courtyard, the remaining three young men quickly gathered around Nalan Tianyu, speculating on why this had happened. Nalan Tianyu himself was consumed with anger. Losing the authority to teach the third-generation disciples meant being stripped of significant power—his grandfather clearly had issues with him. But why? He was the eldest grandson! What could this mean?

While Nalan Tianyu was consumed with frustration, a shifty-looking man slipped into the courtyard through the gate. Spotting Nalan Tianyu, his face lit up, and he hurriedly approached, calling, ”Young Master Tianyu! Young Master Tianyu!”

Everyone turned toward the gate, recognizing the sneaky man immediately. His appearance was familiar.

”Black Mouse, what brings you here?” Third Brother teased, ”Didn’t my uncle say he’d break your four mouse legs if you dared step into the Nalan family territory again? What, itching to test that warning?”

Black Mouse laughed awkwardly, replying, ”Third Master, please don’t tease me. I’ve come to deliver important news to Young Master Tianyu!”