Urban Martial Saint

”Is that so?” Ye Qing couldn’t help but be curious. He only knew that famed instruments were hard to purchase, but he didn’t expect that the South Ridge Sect was actually acquiring them here.

Acquiring famed instruments is no simple task. It’s not just a matter of money, but more critically, it’s a matter of strength. After all, famed instruments are something every martial artist in the world desires, yet most cannot obtain them. In such circumstances, it’s inevitable that some ill-intentioned martial artists will commit unspeakable acts to seize these instruments.

”Innocence is no sin, but possessing a treasure is.” If the South Ridge Sect is indeed acquiring famed instruments, then they must have amassed a large collection, which is bound to incite envy and contention. Even if we don’t consider whether the South Ridge Sect has enough funds to purchase famed instruments, whether they can keep them safe after acquiring them is still uncertain.

One must know that the chaos caused by the Jiangsha Gate in the past was the result of their robbing famed instruments. The outcome was that the martial arts families of the Southern Six Provinces united, with Blood Butcher leaving a trail of destruction for three thousand miles, slaughtering the Jiangsha Gate until only a few remained today.

Does the South Ridge Sect possess the kind of strength that the Jiangsha Gate had? Isn’t it too shocking that they dare to acquire famed instruments?

”When did the South Ridge Sect start acquiring famed instruments?” Ye Qing asked.

”Long ago, ever since they started setting up this market, they began to acquire,” replied the monkey.

”So many years, have they not encountered any incidents?” Ye Qing was intrigued. After so many years, the South Ridge Sect must have acquired numerous famed instruments, yet has no one tried to target these instruments?

”Some have tried, but the South Ridge Sect is inherently strong, and those people may not be able to contend with the South Ridge Sect.” The monkey paused and continued, ”Moreover, I’ve heard that the South Ridge Sect is involved with some martial arts families. Many of the famed instruments they buy are resold to those martial arts families. Therefore, powerful martial arts families or forces won’t bother to seize them. And those loose forces, even if they do try, are no match for the South Ridge Sect!”

”I see.” Ye Qing suddenly realized. No wonder the South Ridge Sect could acquire famed instruments here so openly. It turns out they are merely acting as middlemen, with the famed instruments ultimately being sold to those martial arts families. The South Ridge Sect is essentially an arms dealer in the martial arts world, dealing entirely in famed instruments.

”Which martial arts families is the South Ridge Sect involved with?” Huangfu Ziyu suddenly asked.

”That I don’t know,” the monkey shrugged. ”The internal affairs of the South Ridge Sect, outsiders like us can’t possibly know such details. Knowing this much is thanks to rumors; other matters are beyond us small fries.”

Huangfu Ziyu nodded slowly and glanced at Ye Qing. Ye Qing understood and said to the monkey, ”Alright, you can go now, but stay in contact with those people. Inform me immediately if there’s any news about Handsome Fatty Wang, got it?”

”Yes!” the monkey responded but hesitated to leave.

”Is there something else?” Ye Qing asked.

”It’s just...” The monkey scratched his head and said in a low voice, ”Eldest Brother, if there’s news, where do we... where do we find you? Moreover, this Handsome Fatty Wang is well-hidden, and... within twelve hours, we may not be able to find him. If we really can’t find him, then... then the antidote...”

”As long as you do your best to find him for me, I won’t let you die.” Ye Qing wrote down a number and handed it to the monkey, saying, ”If there are any clues, call this number.”

”Yes.” With Ye Qing’s assurance, the monkey was overjoyed and quickly accepted the number with a nod and a bow before leaving.

Watching the monkey depart, Huangfu Ziyu immediately turned to Ye Qing and said in a serious tone, ”The South Ridge Sect is suspicious.”

”Exactly!” Ye Qing nodded and said seriously, ”Their acquisition of famed instruments could have been hidden from public knowledge. However, even small figures like them know about these matters, which shows that the South Ridge Sect deliberately let this information leak to confuse outsiders.”

”Moreover, in this Jianghu, there aren’t many martial arts families that need so many famed instruments, nor can they afford such expenses!” Huangfu Ziyu said seriously, ”I suspect that the martial arts families supposedly involved with the South Ridge Sect are just made up by them. Who knows what purpose they have for the famed instruments they acquire.”

”But what exactly do they want with so many famed instruments?” Ye Qing asked, looking at Huangfu Ziyu. ”And where do they get the funds to acquire so many instruments?”

”That’s the problem.” Huangfu Ziyu pondered for a moment and said, ”The South Ridge Sect has nine top-level masters. Such a force, even the Seven Steering Committees of the Hong Alliance would avoid conflict with them. Logically, these people could easily dominate an area. However, they remain stationed in Bei Wu City and haven’t ventured elsewhere, which is also quite peculiar.”

Ye Qing nodded. Before coming to Bei Wu City, he was already very curious about the South Ridge Sect. Now that he’s here and has learned about these things, he is even more curious about the South Ridge Sect. Such a powerful faction acquiring so many famed instruments yet without intending to dominate, what exactly are they plotting? And where do they get the funds for acquiring famed instruments? These questions lead one to suspect that there must be a significant secret hidden within the South Ridge Sect.

”In that case, let’s investigate the South Ridge Sect,” Ye Qing said with a smile to Huangfu Ziyu. ”Since we’re here, we might as well see what exactly the South Ridge Sect is up to.”

”Alright!” Huangfu Ziyu nodded, took out the box on her back, and said, ”I want to see what exactly the South Ridge Sect is plotting.”

Seeing Huangfu Ziyu like this, Ye Qing quickly stopped her, saying, ”It’s better if I go. Your Sun Shooting Bow is too conspicuous. If they spot it, we won’t find out anything.”

”Going alone, how can that be right?” Huangfu Ziyu said urgently, ”The South Ridge Sect has nine masters. If there’s a fight, it could be dangerous for you alone.”

”It’s alright, my current strength, even if I can’t defeat them, I can still outrun them, right?” Ye Qing laughed and said, ”Besides, aren’t you here too? If I can’t handle them, I’ll definitely signal you, and you can come to help. With us working together, dealing with them is a piece of cake!”

Upon hearing Ye Qing’s words, Huangfu Ziyu’s face blushed slightly, but she was filled with joy. She gently held Ye Qing’s hand and said softly, ”Just be careful on your own.”

”Don’t worry, I know.” Ye Qing smiled lightly, then stepped out of the courtyard, found the monkey outside, and inquired about matters concerning the South Ridge Sect.

The monkey was very familiar with the situation here, and the South Ridge Sect had quite a reputation in these parts, so he naturally knew a lot about them. He explained everything Ye Qing wanted to know in detail, saving Ye Qing quite a bit of effort.

According to the monkey, the South Ridge Sect has a large clubhouse in Bei Wu City, which serves as practically their headquarters. They often hold antique auctions there. Of the South Ridge Sect’s nine top masters, at least three of them are stationed there regularly.

Besides this private clubhouse, the South Ridge Sect has two key locations: one is a manor located in the north of the city, where their nine big leaders reside. The other is a marketplace in the city, an underground trading market that the South Ridge Sect set up. They earn billions from this market annually, which is the source of their funds.

Ye Qing knew that if the South Ridge Sect had any secrets, they wouldn’t be hidden at the clubhouse or the marketplace, as these are public places. So, he set his sights on the manor in the north. Of course, Ye Qing also understood that the manor might not necessarily hold any secrets, but going there was certainly better than going to the other two places.

Ye Qing didn’t ask specifically about the manor’s location but instead had the monkey drive him and Huangfu Ziyu there. The monkey didn’t really understand what Ye Qing was planning, but being under Ye Qing’s control, he naturally didn’t dare to resist and obediently took them to a spot five kilometers from the manor.

The monkey stopped the car and said to Ye Qing, ”Eldest Brother, ahead is the manor where the South Ridge Sect’s leaders reside. However, there are guards outside, so our car can’t get in.”

”In that case, we’ll walk in,” Ye Qing said, opening the car door and getting out with Huangfu Ziyu.

The monkey watched them from the car and couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, ”Eldest Brother, you... you’re not thinking of targeting the South Ridge Sect, are you? Eldest Brother, the South Ridge Sect is very powerful. If you go in there and get caught, then... then you’d be doomed...”

Ye Qing smirked and asked back, ”Are you worried about my safety, or are you afraid that if I die without giving you the antidote, you’ll die too?”

The monkey opened his mouth, then said with a trembling voice, ”Eldest Brother, p-please don’t joke with me. This is Bei Wu City, we can’t contend with the South Ridge Sect. No matter... no matter what, if you get caught, the South Ridge Sect won’t... won’t spare me either... Eldest Brother, you’re a martial arts expert, I’m just a small fry trying to get by, please don’t make it hard for me...”

”If you don’t want to go in, then just wait for me here,” Ye Qing said. ”If I’m lucky enough to make it out alive, you’ll get your antidote. If I’m unlucky and perish inside, then I’m afraid you’ll have to accompany me in death.”

”This...” The monkey’s eyes widened in frustration and he said, ”Eldest Brother, p-please spare me, I... I really... really don’t dare to go in there... Eldest Brother, how about this, I... I’ll find someone to buy you some famed instruments, how’s that?”