Urban Martial Saint

Lu Zian suffered another setback and couldn’t help but show his anger. Previously, when he was repelled by Li Bing’en, it could be said that he was careless, which was why he suffered such a setback. However, even when he heightened his vigilance this time, being fully prepared and attacking with full force, he was still repelled. This was clearly the disparity in strength.

Since entering the Mainland, Lu Zian encountered many opponents. However, aside from the monster known as White-haired Ding San, no one could last long in front of him. This fostered his arrogant personality, making him believe that no one could be his opponent. Now, having suffered two setbacks in front of Li Bing’en, he was not afraid but became furious instead. With a roar, he charged directly at Li Bing’en, launching a barrage of punches and kicks, clashing fiercely with him.

Lu Zian’s strength was indeed formidable. When he fought with Li Bing’en, his actions were so swift that it left Ye Qing watching from the sidelines dazzled. However, no matter how fast his movements were, Li Bing’en could effortlessly dodge or block them. The two fought fiercely for over half an hour, yet Li Bing’en did not suffer a single setback. On the contrary, Lu Zian gradually fell behind and the fight became increasingly difficult for him.

Ye Qing had been watching from the sidelines. Ever since he learned Bajiquan, he hadn’t seen anyone use it to fight an opponent. The first time he saw Li Bing’en in action, it was also his first time witnessing a master wielding this Li Family Bajiquan. Comparing Li Bing’en’s Bajiquan to his own, Ye Qing finally realized his shortcomings. His Bajiquan, compared to Li Bing’en’s, was truly worlds apart.

Li Bing’en’s tall and robust figure made him well-suited to practice Northern Fist. When wielded by him, Bajiquan not only possessed intense momentum but also terrifying power. His long arms and legs nearly enveloped Lu Zian completely, making it hard for him to even defend.

Ye Qing observed for a while and was struck by the power of Li Bing’en’s Bajiquan. He also suddenly noticed something strange. Every time Li Bing’en attacked, he would step forward. To be honest, in Ye Qing’s opinion, this step seemed unnecessary, yet he made it every time. The most crucial part was that after taking this step, his fists changed in a peculiar way. Originally ordinary attacks became incredibly tricky and hard to resist because of this step, which was quite odd.

Ye Qing realized that the key issue was in the position Li Bing’en took. Therefore, later on, he mainly focused on observing Li Bing’en’s stance, trying to understand the reasoning behind it.

Previously, Ye Qing hadn’t paid much attention, but upon closer inspection, he suddenly realized Li Bing’en’s stance seemed quite strange and gave him a feeling of familiarity, as if he had seen it somewhere before. However, he couldn’t pinpoint exactly where at that moment.

While Ye Qing was desperately trying to deduce Li Bing’en’s unique stance, the two combatants finally reached a conclusion in their bout. Seizing an opportunity, Li Bing’en executed a Stick to the Mountain move, sending Lu Zian flying, causing him to skid four or five meters before barely managing to stabilize himself.

Lu Zian’s expression was quite unsightly; he had his brows tightly knit and stared intensely at Li Bing’en. In a deep voice, he said, ”You’re not an idiot! There’s no way you’re an idiot! How could an idiot possess such strong abilities? How could an idiot master such excellent martial arts?”

Lu Zian was on the verge of collapse; in his eyes, Li Bing’en was utterly beneath notice. However, he never expected that the one he had dismissed—this so-called idiot—would actually defeat him. In front of Li Bing’en, he found himself with no power to fight back.

”Heh heh...” Li Bing’en maintained his silly, carefree manner, acting as if the outcome didn’t matter to him at all, as if unaware of what victory or loss even meant.

Meanwhile, Ye Qing was extremely excited. Previously, when Li Bing’en defeated Ao Yangrong, he only knew of Li Bing’en’s formidable strength. But he never dreamed that Li Bing’en’s prowess would reach such an overwhelming level.

Lu Zian, of what strength, has consecutively defeated Huangfu Ziyu, Liu Mubai, Cui Yulong, and Chen San. Even Ye Qing himself knew clearly that he couldn’t endure more than a few moves from Lu Zian. Yet, shockingly, such a formidable figure was still not a match for Li Bing’en. This was simply beyond all expectations.

”Lu Zian, do you concede now?” Ye Qing proclaimed loudly: ”Bing’en is the grandson of Northern Fist King Third Master Li. He is the true heir of the Northern Fist King. Now you understand the strength of the Northern Fist King!”

Lu Zian gritted his teeth; losing to Li Bing’en was a huge begrudge for him. Nevertheless, from that recent battle, he acknowledged clearly the disparity in power between him and Li Bing’en; he simply wasn’t a match for Li Bing’en.

”What a cunning move, playing the pig to eat the tiger!” Lu Zian took a deep breath, slowly straightened his body, and said in a deep voice: ”Today’s battle, I admit my defeat. However, one battle reveals nothing, and I’ll challenge you again. Next time we meet, I swear, I’ll claim your life!”

After saying this, Lu Zian turned and ran away.

Seeing Lu Zian leave, Ye Qing exhaled a long sigh of relief. Ever since Lu Zian showed up, he had been on edge. If Li Bing’en hadn’t defeated Lu Zian, he feared he might have had to leave his life here. After all, on his own, he was definitely no match for Lu Zian.

”Bing’en, well done!” Ye Qing walked over, giving Li Bing’en an encouraging pat on the shoulder and laughed heartily: ”Who would have thought, your strength is so formidable that even someone like Lu Zian isn’t your match. It looks like Third Master still has a worthy successor!”

”Heh heh...” Li Bing’en let out another foolish giggle, leaving it unclear whether he had understood Ye Qing’s words but nonetheless laughing with utmost simplicity.

”Lu Zian has been in the Southern Six Provinces for such a long time without a defeat. Today, you finally beat him, which has somewhat curbed his arrogance!” Ye Qing laughed heartily and said, ”Otherwise, he might think that there is no one in Huaxia!”

Li Bing’en continued to giggle foolishly on the side, simply adding to the commotion.

Seeing Li Bing’en like this, Ye Qing felt a pang of sorrow. Although Li Bing’en possessed great strength, he was ultimately still a simpleton, which was heartbreaking. If he were not a simpleton, with his strength, he would definitely be regarded as the foremost of the younger generation. At the very least, one could say that the Northern Fist King, Third Master Li, would have a worthy successor!

Ye Qing sighed, patted Li Bing’en on the shoulder, and said resolutely, ”Bing’en, don’t worry, I will definitely cure your illness!”

Li Bing’en mimicked Ye Qing, patting Ye Qing on the shoulder, and giggled foolishly once more. Perhaps he didn’t even know what Ye Qing was doing, but this gesture brought warmth to Ye Qing’s heart.

Ye Qing took Li Bing’en into the car and continued heading towards Xi Hang. Along the way, Ye Qing suddenly thought of Li Bing’en’s confrontation with Lu Zian earlier and suddenly asked, ”By the way, Bing’en, during your battle with Lu Zian, what Stepping Technique were you using? It seemed quite familiar; I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.”

Li Bing’en looked at Ye Qing, blinked, and it was unclear if he understood.

Seeing that Li Bing’en didn’t answer, Ye Qing smiled bitterly and shook his head, estimating that Li Bing’en hadn’t understood what he was saying. It seemed trying to get this information from him wouldn’t be easy. This matter probably could only be resolved by finding the Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun, after all, all of Li Bing’en’s martial arts were taught by Shen Tianjun. This Stepping Technique was probably taught by him too.

Ye Qing turned his head, continued driving, and didn’t pursue the question further. After roughly two minutes, Li Bing’en suddenly mumbled, ”Grandfather... Grandfather...”

”Grandfather? What’s wrong with Grandfather?” Ye Qing immediately turned his head to look, surprised, and said, ”Bing’en, what is it?”

Li Bing’en looked at Ye Qing and continued to mumble, ”Sword... Sword...”

”Grandfather? Sword? What do you mean?” Ye Qing was even more confused, wondering why Li Bing’en suddenly mentioned this.

”Villain... Villain...” Li Bing’en continued to mumble in his unclear speech, and Ye Qing could only catch these words.

”Grandfather? Sword? Villain?” Ye Qing frowned, suddenly feeling that there must be a connection between what Li Bing’en was saying. But what exactly was the connection between these three?

After pondering for a while, Ye Qing suddenly realized, raising his head abruptly and said, ”I know!”

Li Bing’en was startled by Ye Qing’s sudden shout, turning to look at Ye Qing in surprise. But Ye Qing, regardless of his lapse, stopped the car and turned to Li Bing’en, excitedly saying, ”The Stepping Technique you were using earlier is... the positions where the seven shadows projected by the seven gemstones on the hilt of the Seven-Star Ancient Sword fall under the sunlight, right?”

Li Bing’en stared at Ye Qing for a moment, then suddenly giggled foolishly, seeming not to understand what he meant at all.

Ye Qing was not at all anxious because of Li Bing’en’s demeanor; he excitedly got out of the car and said, ”That’s right, that’s right, that’s exactly it. The Stepping Technique you used earlier was the position of those seven shadows, not wrong at all!”

Ye Qing had heard Li Bing’en mention grandfather, sword, and villain, immediately thinking of the Seven-Star Ancient Sword. Recalling the Seven-Star Ancient Sword, the first thing Ye Qing thought of was the secret on its hilt. After thinking for a while, he suddenly realized that the positions of those seven shadows were exactly the same as the Stepping Technique Li Bing’en used today.

Ye Qing finally understood why the Stepping Technique Li Bing’en used seemed so familiar because he had practiced the Swordsmanship of those seven shadows for several days. He had also memorized the positions of those shadows by heart. He just hadn’t been paying attention to the positions before, mainly focusing on the Swordsmanship.