Urban Martial Saint

The Third Brother didn’t intend to make things difficult for him. He teased with a grin, ”Big Brother, that Black Mouse—bold as ever—is here to see you again.”

Nalan Tianyu had already noticed Black Mouse and waved to the Third Brother, signaling for Black Mouse to come in.

Seeing Nalan Tianyu’s gesture, Black Mouse acted as though he’d been granted permission to enter and quickly walked into the secluded courtyard. He awkwardly greeted the other three young men, then walked over to Nalan Tianyu and smiled ingratiatingly, ”Young Master Tianyu, have you finished your practice?”

Nalan Tianyu didn’t even spare him a proper glance and drawled indifferently, ”What’s the matter? Out of money again?”

”Young Master Tianyu, you’re really wronging me with that remark.” Black Mouse shook his hands hastily and said, ”Young Master Tianyu, this time, I’ve come with a piece of incredible news to tell you!”

”Incredible news?” Nalan Tianyu gave Black Mouse a sidelong glance. ”What incredible news could you possibly have? Don’t tell me it’s just some useless information you want to trade for money again.”

”How could that be? Young Master Tianyu, when have I ever lied to you?” Black Mouse said, ”Even if you gave me ten times the nerve, I wouldn’t dare utter one false word before you!”

These words pleased Nalan Tianyu. He smiled faintly and said, ”Stop babbling. Speak, what’s this incredible news?”

Black Mouse paused slightly and shot Nalan Tianyu a quick, meaningful look.

Nalan Tianyu caught on immediately, realizing that Black Mouse didn’t want to spill the news with the other three around. Without hesitation, he turned and said, ”Ah yes, Second Brother, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother—you guys go continue your practice. I’ll come teach you again in the afternoon!”

Faced with Nalan Tianyu’s instructions, the three didn’t dare disobey and promptly turned and left. The courtyard was soon cleared, leaving only Nalan Tianyu and Black Mouse.

”Now, talk,” Nalan Tianyu gave Black Mouse a sidelong look and said, ”I’m warning you—if your news turns out to be worthless, don’t bother stepping foot in the Nalan Family again!”

”Young Master Tianyu, this time the news will definitely blow your mind!” Black Mouse chuckled and lowered his voice, ”By the way, the gal I introduced to you last time—how’d that go? I heard you managed to win her over within just two hours! She’s the campus queen of the Capital Film and Television Academy, famously high-minded and aloof. Many scions of High Officials and Nobles have sought her out, and she doesn’t spare them a shred of face. But you—Young Master Tianyu—your prowess in wooing women is truly unmatched!”

These remarks made Nalan Tianyu feel even more pleased with himself. He laughed and said, ”Such things require talent. When it comes to picking up women, money and power are secondary. First and foremost, you need good looks. Take those scions of High Officials and Nobles; they all look like pigs. If you were a woman, would you fancy them?”

”True, absolutely true!” Black Mouse nodded enthusiastically and said, ”Who doesn’t know you, Young Master Tianyu, are the most handsome man in the Capital? I’d say—forget the Capital—even across the entire nation, no one can match your looks. Those girls—once they lay eyes on you, they can’t help but swoon. You don’t even need to chase them; they’ll throw themselves into your arms willingly. Unlike those guys who spend money, pull strings, and exhaust every effort, only to end up being ignored completely. That’s the difference!”

”Hahaha…” Nalan Tianyu laughed heartily. Black Mouse’s words delighted him immensely. He patted Black Mouse on the shoulder and said, ”Alright, tell me—what’s this incredible news? If it really is good, I won’t let you go unrewarded!”

”Really?” Black Mouse was beside himself with joy and rubbed his hands excitedly, saying, ”Young Master Tianyu, this time’s news is far more important than the campus queen affair. Because the girl involved in this news is a hundred times more beautiful than that campus queen!”

”Oh?” Nalan Tianyu’s interest was piqued. He looked at Black Mouse and said skeptically, ”I don’t believe it. Who could possibly be a hundred times more beautiful? You’re always so exaggerated. Are you trying to swindle me again?”

”How could that be?” Black Mouse shook his head vehemently and said, ”Young Master Tianyu, once I tell you her name, you’ll know I’m not exaggerating at all!”

”Who is she?” Nalan Tianyu asked eagerly.

”Let me start with her nickname first…” Black Mouse smiled subtly and said, ”Her nickname is the East State Poisonous Mantis!”

”Poisonous Mantis?” Nalan Tianyu was momentarily stunned, then his face changed, exclaiming, ”You mean… the Eastern Province’s Huangfu Ziyu?”

”Young Master Tianyu, so you’ve heard of Huangfu Ziyu!” Black Mouse exclaimed excitedly, ”Exactly—it’s the Eastern Province’s Huangfu Ziyu. She’s reputed to be one of the top beauties of the Southern Six Provinces. Some say, in terms of looks, she’s just half a step behind Shen Qingyi, the Miss Shen from the Xihang Shen Family Manor. But compared to that Wooden Beauty, she’s far more alluring. Think about it—even her nickname, Poisonous Mantis, is provocative. A poisonous mantis devours the male after mating—this suggests she’s surely a fiery woman!”

”Huangfu Ziyu!?” Nalan Tianyu was intrigued. He murmured her name slowly and then said in a deep voice, ”How beautiful must she be to surpass even that campus queen by a hundredfold?”

”Absolutely!” Black Mouse laughed and said, ”Think about it, Young Master Tianyu. The campus queen of the Capital Film and Television Academy—there’s a new one every year. It’s not special. Even in the Capital, she’s not necessarily the top beauty. How many people are there in the Capital? And in the Capital, she barely ranks. But comparing to the Southern Six Provinces? Huangfu Ziyu’s reputation as a Southern Six Provinces’ beauty has lasted for years, and no one has yet surpassed her. This proves she’s truly a peerlessly stunning woman. And the most intriguing part is—hardly anyone ever gets a glimpse of her face. Those who’ve seen it insist her title as the Southern Six Provinces’ ultimate beauty is not exaggerated. She’s mysterious and unique. On top of that, since she doesn’t let anyone see her face, I’d wager she’s very likely still a virgin—that’s the rarest treasure!”

These words made Nalan Tianyu’s eyes light up. He furrowed his brows and said, ”Really? If she truly is untouched, then this matter becomes all the more interesting!”

Black Mouse added, ”It’s almost certain—think about it. A woman like her must have incredibly high standards. How could she lower herself for ordinary people? I believe only someone like you, Young Master Tianyu, the top beauty among men, could possibly be worthy of such a woman!”

Nalan Tianyu laughed heartily, nodding repeatedly, ”Is she already in the Capital? Where is she staying now?”

”No, she hasn’t arrived in the Capital yet!” Black Mouse said, ”I just got word she’s boarded a plane—she’ll land in about half an hour. Young Master Tianyu, I’ve already learned her flight details. You can still make it in time to greet her at the airport. I hear several other gentlemen in the Capital have also gotten wind of this news, and they’re likely heading to the airport too. Young Master Tianyu—you mustn’t fall behind!”

”Hmph, trying to compete with me? They haven’t even considered if they’ve got what it takes!” Nalan Tianyu scoffed. ”You go make arrangements. I’ll change clothes and head to the airport shortly.”

”Alright, Young Master Tianyu. Which car should we take today?” Black Mouse grinned.

Nalan Tianyu replied, ”She’s probably tired from her journey and would appreciate some rest. Let’s take the RV I picked up a few days ago.”

Black Mouse snickered and said, ”Young Master Tianyu, your planning is truly impeccable. With your skill, once she gets in the car, a few sweet words might be all it takes to win her over. If it comes to that, having the RV is so convenient!”

”Hahaha…” Nalan Tianyu laughed, waving him off. ”Stop wasting time—hurry up and get ready!”

”Yes, yes, yes!” Black Mouse rushed to make preparations while Nalan Tianyu, brimming with excitement, went inside to change.

Meanwhile, fifty meters away from the courtyard on a tower, an elderly man sat quietly at its peak. The old man appeared to be around seventy or eighty years old, frail and emaciated to the point of looking sickly. Yet his eyes were piercingly bright, revealing he was in rather good spirits.

The elderly man’s gaze was fixed intently on the courtyard where Nalan Tianyu and Black Mouse had been. Observing the cheerful exchange between them, his expression remained indifferent, though a peculiar light flickered in his eyes, betraying his thoughts.

At that moment, an adult man appeared with Nalan Tiancheng in tow and respectfully said, ”Father, Fifth Brother is here.”

The old man seemed not to hear, continuing his focused gaze toward the courtyard. The middle-aged man followed his gaze, noticed Black Mouse with Nalan Tianyu, and scowled sharply.

”That Black Mouse dares to show his face in the Nalan Family? He must have a death wish!” the man grumbled. ”Father, don’t be upset—I’ll go kick him out right now!”

Just as the man moved to leave, the old man suddenly spoke, ”No need.”

”Ah?” The man paused, looking at him in surprise. ”Father, shouldn’t he be expelled?”

The old man shook his head. ”Let him live his life. Just send someone to follow him; ensure he doesn’t stir up trouble.”

”Understood.” The man nodded quickly and turned to Nalan Tiancheng, saying, ”Fifth Brother, stay here with Grandfather.”

”Alright!” Nalan Tiancheng nodded obediently, his expression wooden but his demeanor dutiful as he stood beside the elder.

The elder seemed oblivious to Nalan Tiancheng’s presence, gazing silently toward Nalan Tianyu across the way.

The middle-aged man descended the tower and, after walking a ways, sighed deeply to himself, ”As the eldest grandson, any action he takes is forgivable. But this eldest grandson is an utter disappointment—a feckless puppet. If he’s indulged like this forever, how can he possibly shoulder the weight of the family?”