Urban Martial Saint

Shen Tianjun glanced at Prince Nalan. The prince was known for his deep scheming nature, something Shen Tianjun was well aware of. Yet, this man always acted cautiously and never meddled in anything beyond the Nalan Family’s affairs. This was why he never had any grievances with various factions. However, this time, he seemed to have suddenly changed, unexpectedly stepping in to save Huang Yidao in front of everyone, which was quite strange.

Shen Tianjun knew about the grievances between Prince Nalan and the Joyous Monk. However, if the prince wanted to deal with the monk, he wouldn’t need Huang Yidao. So why bother helping Huang Yidao? Unless, the prince had other intentions?

”Nalan is right, everyone. Let’s focus on the major event of the arranged marriage first,” Shen Tianjun said, inviting everyone into the hall.

Shijia warmly ran over and wrapped his arm around Ye Qing’s shoulder, saying, ”Come on, little brother, let big brother help you win a beautiful bride.”

Ye Qing was speechless. Shijia kept saying he was here to help, but Ye Qing felt he was just here to trick him. He couldn’t shake off Shijia—after all, he was a figure beyond the Five Uniques. If Shijia wanted to pull any tricks, Ye Qing couldn’t do anything about it. However, thankfully, although Shijia had tricked him countless times, they were all harmless pranks that didn’t cause much trouble for Ye Qing. This at least made Ye Qing less worried. Still, he kept his guard up against Shijia; if the old man really tried anything, he would be prepared.

Returning to the hall, Huang Yidao was quite dissatisfied with Ye Qing participating in the arranged marriage, but after almost having his hand chopped off by the Joyous Monk earlier, he finally calmed down. Although his gaze towards Ye Qing was still icy, he didn’t dare say anything, fearing another clash with the Joyous Monk.

Shen Tianjun took his seat, and Shen Da stepped forward, speaking loudly, ”The two masters just arrived, and you missed the earlier discussions. So, please allow me to take a few minutes to explain the details of the arranged marriage again.”

This time, no one interrupted, and Shen Da quickly explained the details of the arranged marriage again. The marriage competition consisted of three projects, and as Shen Da previously mentioned, none involved martial arts contests. Despite that, each item was challenging, as the participants were all outstanding young talents, and the Shen Family, being the Martial Holy Land of the Southern Six Provinces, wouldn’t let the arranged marriage proceed haphazardly.

With the three projects clearly explained, the first round commenced directly. The first project was named ”Risking One’s Life,” though it wasn’t about retrieving anything from fire, but from a sealed box. The box was made of glass, allowing a view of five poisonous insects inside: a green venomous snake, a pure black venomous scorpion, a crimson centipede, a yellow toad, and a bluish lizard. These five insects together are known in folklore as the Five Poisons, with any of them being extremely venomous and dangerous. The five gathered together evoked a chilling sensation, even just by looking from the outside.

”My father visited the Miao Borderlands in his early years and learned about how the Miao People nurture Gu insects. Miaojiang Gu insects, any of which surpass the Five Poisons in power, still hold the Five Poisons in high regard, with any Gu Master raising the Five Poisons. My father was quite puzzled at the time. If the Gu insects are stronger than the Five Poisons, why raise the Five Poisons?” Shen Da stood by the box, speaking loudly, ”Later, my father met a Gu Master, who finally explained the reason for raising the Five Poisons.”

Everyone watched Shen Da, curious as to why even the people from the Miao Borderlands would nurture the Five Poisons.

”The Gu Master told my father that the roots of Miaojiang’s Gu insects originate from the Five Poisons,” Shen Da said, ”The Five Poisonous creatures are the essence of all toxins in the world. Virtually all toxic substances derive from these Five Poisons, which can be considered the origin of toxicity. The Five Poisons are mutually conflicting and beneficial. The conflict neutralizes their toxicities, whereas the synergy intensifies them. Determining whether the Five Poisons are conflicting or beneficial is simple: observe if they can coexist peacefully. If they meet with a battle-fated, then they conflict. But if they coexist peacefully, then they are beneficial.”

Shen Da finished speaking and patted the box behind him, saying, ”Like this box, where the Five Poisons gather without attacking each other, demonstrating their synergy. If all Five Poisons are coexistent, their combined toxins intensify, lethal enough to blockade throats. Despite the Holy Medicine, a victim would be doomed.”

The crowd couldn’t help but take a deep breath. They knew of the Five Poisons but didn’t expect the synergistic result to be so deadly. If bitten by the Five Poisons in that box, wouldn’t that mean certain death?

”And this is the first competition project for today’s young talents,” Shen Da said with a faint smile, ”This box has a hidden steel needle. On the top is a circular hole just large enough for an arm. Successfully retrieving the needle means passing the first project and advancing to the second. For fairness, this project has some restrictions on everyone.”

Shen Da paused, saying, ”First, all participating young talents must gather in a room and attempt to retrieve the needle one by one. Thus, no one sees another’s method, ensuring your strategies aren’t disclosed. Secondly, I know there are Sacred Objects that grant immunity to all poisons. Such items are prohibited, and anyone caught cheating with them will be disqualified from further participation.”

Hearing this, there was some commotion among the crowd, and even Ye Qing showed a change in expression. He carried Mu Ling, an item reputed to grant complete immunity to poisons, yet it seemed unusable now. How was he supposed to retrieve it?

”Shen, isn’t this first project too dangerous?” Huang Yidao finally spoke again, unable to resist, ”This is an arranged marriage, a joyous event. Why make it so extreme? The participants are all outstanding young talents from various factions. If someone loses their life over this, won’t that be disgraceful? What do you think, Shen?”

Shen Tianjun’s expression remained calm, saying, ”If afraid of death, then withdraw from the arranged marriage. The daughters of the Shen Family aren’t so easily wed.”

”This...” Huang Yidao opened his mouth but couldn’t find words. Shen Tianjun had made his stance clear; he certainly couldn’t alter the situation.

”The first project indeed holds some danger, but it also tests your wisdom,” Shen Da laughed, ”I mentioned earlier that this arranged marriage doesn’t involve martial arts competitions. However, we must assess the talent of these young participants. For harmony, if anyone genuinely cannot conceive of a way to retrieve the needle, my personal advice is that it’s best to withdraw from the arranged marriage to avoid any mishaps.”

Standing amongst the eight candidates for marriage, they exchanged glances yet remained silent. Despite the difficulty, backing out on the first project would be embarrassing.

”Since no one is withdrawing, let’s officially begin,” Shen Da nodded, ”Young talents, follow me. As for you seniors, please accompany my father to bear witness. Only those who retrieve the needle can progress to the second project.”

The seniors present left the hall with Shen Tianjun, while the eight candidates followed Shen Da into another room, where they awaited to attempt the first project one by one.

Naturally, the sequence of the eight participants going out was decided by drawing lots after they entered the room.

Without a doubt, the person going first would be the unluckiest, while those going later would have more time to think over their methods.

Ye Qing was fortunate to draw number six, which was relatively towards the end. The first drawn was a young man named Du Feng, the grandson of Du Longwang, the youngest among the eight. Holding the number one lot, he was completely dumbfounded, having never expected to go first—talk about bad luck.

”Nephew Du, take a moment to rest. In ten minutes, you can try retrieving the steel needle,” Shen Da smiled, ”I wish you luck.”

Shen Da finished and promptly left the room, leaving only the eight candidates inside.

Du Feng still stood there, his expression frozen, clearly yet to come to terms with the drawing result. Being the youngest, his psyche is the weakest, struggling to accept the outcome.

”Hey, still dazing?” A young man nearby couldn’t resist sneering, ”It’s almost your turn. How long do you intend to stare blankly? If you really can’t do it, simply back out, lest you lose your life.”

The speaker was Huang Linxuan, Huang Yidao’s son, inheriting his father’s penchant for chatter, with sarcasm evident in his words.

Du Feng, with a sullen face, didn’t have the presence of mind to retort Huang Linxuan, only anxiously saying, ”What... what should I do? This is too sudden!”

”Sudden or not, you drew the lot, can you blame others?” Bei Shisan scoffed, ”I think you’d better just withdraw. Lacking even better luck, what grounds do you have to pursue an arranged marriage?”

”I very much agree with Brother Bei’s words...” Wan Yan Ming smirked, ”In such matters as arranged marriages, luck plays a significant role too. Du, given your luck, I suggest you withdraw first. If you end up losing your life over this, it’s not worth it. However wonderful a beauty might be, having no fortune to enjoy is futile!”