Urban Martial Saint

The Executioner Scholar glanced at the demon blade Muramasa in the black-clad man’s hand, remained silent for a long time, and then spoke in a deep voice: ”What kind of trade do you want to discuss with us?”

”Fourth Brother?” Nearby, the Slaughter Venerable and a few others looked at the Executioner Scholar in astonishment, unsure why he suddenly relented.

The Executioner Scholar waved them off. He was the one most aware of the situation. Wanyan Hongsheng had brought this man over, clearly indicating just how powerful the Wanyan Family was. To know that most of the Wanyan Family members develop in Huaxia and rarely elsewhere. Yet, this person who went to develop in Japan managed to acquire the demon blade Muramasa, which shows the formidable strength of the Wanyan Family members within Huaxia. In such circumstances, if they continued to act tough, they would be asking for trouble. The Executioner Scholar was almost certain that if the Wanyan Family wanted to kill them, the four of them would definitely not escape.

”Hahaha…” Wanyan Hongsheng let out a loud laugh and said: ”A scholar is indeed a scholar. Since I’ve come to discuss a trade with you, I certainly won’t let you suffer a loss. Listening to my proposal won’t harm you in any way. If we can cooperate, it would be the best outcome for all of us.”

”State your case first,” said the Executioner Scholar impatiently. ”If you want to talk nonsense, go back and finish there, then come talk to us!”

Wanyan Hongsheng wasn’t the slightest bit angered by the Executioner Scholar’s words. With a faint smile, he said: ”The trade is simple: you cooperate with the Wanyan Family, and we help you extend your life.”

”Extend life?” The faces of the three with the Slaughter Venerable changed. They had secluded themselves for over thirty years, precisely to find a way to extend their lives. This proposal was highly tempting to them.

”Cooperate with you?” The Executioner Scholar focused more on the first part. ”What do you mean by cooperation? Do we have to obey everything you say, or just do a few things for you? The word ’cooperation’ can mean a lot or a little. Who knows what you’ll want us to do in the future?”

”Hahaha, a scholar is indeed a scholar, always considering things differently from others,” said Wanyan Hongsheng. ”Rest assured, cooperation means matters where both parties can have a say. There are indeed tasks we want your help with, but we’ll discuss them with you beforehand. If you’re willing, it’s all well and good. If not, we’ll find other ways, and certainly won’t force you.”

These words slightly eased the Executioner Scholar’s tense expression. He looked at Wanyan Hongsheng and asked, ”In that case, how much would we need to do for you to help extend our lives?”

Wanyan Hongsheng replied: ”There’s no fixed requirement. As long as you align with the Wanyan Family and become our ally, when we establish a nation in Fusang, you’ll have the opportunity for life extension!”

The Executioner Scholar looked at Wanyan Hongsheng for a while and said: ”This trade sounds like Wanyan Family would be at a disadvantage. Are you underestimating us? Such a thing dropping from the sky is rare. This sounds like you are at a disadvantage. Would you still do it?”

”Hahaha, I cannot understand what you mean by us being at a disadvantage?” Wanyan Hongsheng shook his head, ”For many, extending life seems like a dream, but to our Wanyan Family, it’s merely a means to prolong life. With this method, not only can we let you live longer, but we can extend the lives of everyone. Even if you gain extra years, it costs us nothing. However, having you as allies means more support for us. This trade only means no loss for us as long as you aid the Wanyan Family!”

The Executioner Scholar slowly nodded in agreement, reducing some of his suspicion toward Wanyan Hongsheng.

”So, just say it, what exactly do you want us to do?” The Executioner Scholar asked sternly.

”So, the four of you are ready to cooperate with us?” Wanyan Hongsheng smiled lightly, glancing at the Slaughter Venerable and the others. The agreement of just one Executioner Scholar wasn’t enough; all four had to consent.

In fact, the Slaughter Venerable and his group had no say. Since the Executioner Scholar agreed, they naturally wouldn’t object.

”If Fourth Brother agrees, then we three have no objections either!” The Slaughter Venerable said directly, ”But let me make things clear upfront. If you’re thinking of asking us to do something overly difficult, it’s best not to involve us.”

”Of course, we are well aware,” Wanyan Hongsheng laughed, ”Since everyone is willing to cooperate with us, I’ll be honest. The first priority of the Wanyan Family is to acquire the Buddha’s Relic.”

”I also desire the Buddha’s Relic!” said the Executioner Scholar coldly, ”On this, our aims conflict!”

”Not necessarily,” Wanyan Hongsheng smiled gently, ”We aim to obtain the Buddha’s Relic because we don’t want anyone to use it against us. Since you are our allies, having the Buddha’s Relic in your hands would not affect us. So, on this matter, our goals are aligned!”

”You’re saying the Wanyan Family will help us get the Buddha’s Relic?” The Executioner Scholar was somewhat surprised, feeling that something was off. Would the Wanyan Family be so generous?

”You could say that,” Wanyan Hongsheng nodded.

The Executioner Scholar stared at Wanyan Hongsheng for a while before saying: ”Alright then, let’s head to Shenchuan City now and kill those four people to seize the Buddha’s Relic!”

”No,” Wanyan Hongsheng shook his head.

”Why not?” The Executioner Scholar asked solemnly, ”You said you’d help us; together we’d definitely best those four. Why not take it tonight?”

Wanyan Hongsheng shook his head and said: ”If I were you, I wouldn’t forcefully seize it like that!”

”Why not?” The Slaughter Venerable was also puzzled, ”What’s the harm in taking it by force? They are just four people with mediocre abilities. With your brother’s help, it’s as easy as pie to defeat them!”

”Oh, really?” Wanyan Hongsheng smirked, ”Do you know how Xiaolin Temple fell?”

”Well... what does that have to do with it?” The Slaughter Venerable was uncertain, not knowing how Xiaolin Temple had been destroyed.

”Xiaolin Temple was wiped out by the Bloody Monk!” Wanyan Hongsheng looked at the three men, speaking solemnly: ”Years ago, the Bloody Monk single-handedly slaughtered the entire Xiaolin Temple. Hundreds within Xiaolin Temple were killed overnight without any survivors!”

”What!?” The Slaughter Venerable’s eyes widened in disbelief, he trembled: ”This... how is it possible? Xiaolin Temple had so many Peak Masters, countless Top-Level Masters, it was swarming with experts. Even when the Demon Sect invaded, Xiaolin Temple drove them back. How could the Bloody Monk do this alone?”

”When I fought the Bloody Monk just now, his prowess was strong but not overwhelmingly so,” the Executioner Scholar also stated solemnly, finding Wanyan Hongsheng’s words hard to believe.

”In his lucid state, the Bloody Monk is indeed just like that. However, his Heart Demon is exceedingly strong; if possessed, he transforms significantly. Even Peak Masters can’t rival him!” remarked Wanyan Hongsheng gravely, ”Why else do you think Shijia brought him into Xiaolin Temple? I suspect he harbors a demonic heart, and Shijia aimed to convert him, easing Buddha-Demon tensions!”

”Is there really such a thing?” The four of them exchanged glances, utterly shocked. Especially the Slaughter Venerable, who knew Xiaolin Temple’s strength well. For it to be completely slaughtered by one man seemed unbelievable to him.

”When you clashed with him earlier, he was still in a clear state, so his capabilities were ordinary, at most standing as a strong figure among Peak Masters. However, completely enraging him or awakening his demonic nature would make him uncontrollable,” Wanyan Hongsheng said sternly, ”I recall that the Corpse Ghost Dragon unleashed part of his demonic nature, leading him to kill one Peak Master of those sent by the Corpse Ghost Dragon. The remaining ones barely managed to escape; otherwise, they too would be dead. Even with your combined strength, meeting a fully possessed Bloody Monk spells certain death!”

”Is he really that formidable?” Snake Gentleman muttered under his breath.

”I would never provoke the Bloody Monk,” remarked Wanyan Hongsheng, ”Moreover, as allies between the Wanyan Family and you all, it’s necessary to inform you of this to avoid major losses. With the Bloody Monk’s presence in Shenchuan City, we best not storm in. Inciting the Bloody Monk is no laughing matter!”

”So, does your reasoning mean there’s no way for us to acquire the Buddha’s Relic?” The Executioner Scholar asked sternly, ”With the Bloody Monk guarding Shenchuan City, we can’t enter nor approach Ye Qing - how do we snatch the Buddha’s Relic?”

”Just because we can’t deal with Ye Qing under the Bloody Monk’s nose doesn’t mean there are no other options,” Wanyan Hongsheng chuckled, ”Ye Qing is a man of deep emotions. He has many friends and a woman he deeply loves. Perhaps, we can exploit these avenues. Our target is the Buddha’s Relic, not those in Shenchuan City. As long as we can threaten Ye Qing, the rest doesn’t matter!”