Urban Martial Saint

Since Helian Tiehua intended not to let them into the hall, both Ye Qing and Fu Qingping naturally did not forcibly enter. The two did not linger there for long either, and they left together, each returning to their own residence.

Ye Qing still stayed at the courtyard of Bai Li Xi. He returned to the courtyard and didn’t leave again, waiting there for roughly two hours before he finally saw Bai Li Xi come back, slightly weary. It was apparent that Bai Li Xi had a lengthy and exhausting task. It wasn’t clear who was injured, but it seemed like the injuries were not simple. Such injuries must have been dealt by a Peak Master; if it had been dealt by ordinary people, Bai Li Xi wouldn’t have had to exert so much effort.

Ye Qing still harbored doubts, so after Bai Li Xi returned, he approached and inquired, ”Mr. Bai Li, who was injured? Why were you busy for such a long time?”

”Oh, don’t mention it.” Bai Li Xi sighed and said, ”The condition of the injured is very troublesome. Treating the injury isn’t difficult, but preserving the person’s life is not easy. It’s similar to the situation when Slaughter Venerable injured that person last time, only this time, the injury is much more severe!”

”Oh?” Ye Qing was astonished, simultaneously growing more anxious. Could it be that this situation was also caused by his issues, thus implicating Helian Tiehua’s men?

”Who is the injured brother?” Ye Qing asked.

”I don’t recognize him either.” Bai Li Xi shrugged and said, ”There are so many subordinates around Helian Tiehua, how could I possibly know every one of them?”

Ye Qing looked at Bai Li Xi, understanding that his words were true. Although Bai Li Xi lived in the manor of the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance, he spent most of his time holed up in his courtyard experimenting with his drugs, seldom going out. Hence he didn’t know many people from the Seven Rudders.

”Who dealt such a heavy hand?” Ye Qing asked again.

”I don’t know either.” Bai Li Xi shook his head again and said, ”I’m just a doctor; I only concern myself with treating patients. Why bother about other things?”

Ye Qing was silent for a moment and then softly said, ”Isn’t it possible that this incident is happening because... because of me?”

”That’s not it.” Bai Li Xi shook his hands repeatedly and said, ”I asked, and it should be someone who had past grievances with the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, so it has nothing to do with you. Don’t overthink it.”

Ye Qing looked at Bai Li Xi, and for some reason, he felt that Bai Li Xi’s gaze was a bit evasive, unwilling to look him in the eye, as if he was feeling guilty. He couldn’t be sure whether Bai Li Xi’s words were true or just to comfort him. But he knew Helian Tiehua’s character, and Helian Tiehua preventing him from entering the hall had to have another reason, definitely not simply because he wasn’t a member of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance. Therefore, Ye Qing was more worried, suspecting that this matter might indeed be related to him, and that Helian Tiehua didn’t want him to be pressured by it and thus kept him out to prevent him from knowing the specific situation.

However, Ye Qing didn’t ask Bai Li Xi further, for he knew he wouldn’t get any information from him. He sighed softly and said, ”If it really was because of me that I’ve implicated the brothers of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, I’m truly beyond redemption!”

”Oh, you! Why do you have so many issues?” Bai Li Xi pursed his lips and said, ”Why do you relate everything to yourself? Doesn’t living like this wear you out? Everybody in the world is already troubled over the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates, how many people have the time to even think about your Buddha’s Relic? Stop overthinking. I’ve been trying to figure out a way these days, maybe I can help you reassemble your meridians within you. If that happens, you’ll be able to practice martial arts again.”

Ye Qing smiled, knowing that Bai Li Xi was also deeply concerned about his issues. However, the series of incidents in the past few days left him genuinely remorseful. And the more Bai Li Xi spoke in this manner, the more Ye Qing felt that this matter was probably inseparable from him!

After lunch, Bai Li Xi left the courtyard again, likely to continue treating the injured. Ye Qing knew that Helian Tiehua was deliberately hiding the matter from him, so he didn’t go to check. However, he had made up his mind to find out what was actually happening. If it was indeed due to him that members of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance were implicated, then he would have to think about the future and not stay with the Seven Rudders, causing further harm.

This time, Bai Li Xi was out for a few more hours, returning close to dusk. He was even more exhausted upon returning, resting for quite a while, and then went out again around nine at night.

This time, Ye Qing did not linger. He discreetly followed Bai Li Xi, intending to use the night to see what exactly was happening.

Bai Li Xi had lost his Inner Strength, so his alertness was inadequate. Moreover, he spent the whole day treating people and was exhausted, so even with Ye Qing following behind, he was unaware, walking all the way to a courtyard at the rear of the manor.

At the courtyard entrance, a few guards were securing the area tightly. As Bai Li Xi approached, the guards quickly opened the gate, allowing Bai Li Xi in while they continued guarding the entrance.

Ye Qing watched the courtyard situation from afar. If he had his former skills, entering this courtyard wouldn’t be challenging. However, now that he had lost his Inner Strength, those guards were as skilled as him. If he went forward now, he absolutely wouldn’t be able to get past them.

Sighing softly, Ye Qing turned away, having no solution, and wandered absentmindedly until he had passed several courtyards and found himself outside Fu Qingping’s courtyard.

Looking at Fu Qingping’s courtyard, a flash of inspiration struck Ye Qing. While he now lacked the ability to enter that courtyard, Fu Qingping could do so with ease.

Fu Qingping was Ye Qing’s martial grandfather, and recently, the two had engaged in delightful conversations, sharing a bond that transcended age. If Ye Qing sought his help, Fu Qingping wouldn’t refuse, right?

Determined to learn what had happened, Ye Qing didn’t deliberate much. After contemplating briefly outside Fu Qingping’s courtyard, he knocked on the door and explained his thoughts to Fu Qingping.

After hearing Ye Qing’s intentions, Fu Qingping paused momentarily in thought and said, ”Since Wise Nephew Helian doesn’t wish you to know what happened, he must have his reasons. Why pursue it fiercely?”

”Master, a man must stand firm in the world. To shy away and let others suffer due to me, what meaning is there in living?” Ye Qing said sincerely.

Fu Qingping sighed, ”And if someone was truly harmed because of you, what would you do?”

”Then I would leave the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, leave Shenchuan City!” Ye Qing decisively replied. ”I can’t let my issues continue to harm others!”

”Leave Shenchuan City, and where would you go?” Fu Qingping questioned, ”Ye Qing, do you realize how many are watching you now? Not to mention leaving Shenchuan City, even if you left the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, you’d instantly be captured!”

Ye Qing remained silent for a moment, not answering, just looking at Fu Qingping and saying, ”Master, I only wish to know what happened inside. General Helian doesn’t want me to know the truth, and Mr. Bai Li has been deceiving me; the situation is likely very serious. Master, please help me!”

Fu Qingping hesitated momentarily, finally sighed helplessly, and said, ”Alright, I’ll take you to have a look. But a word of advice: don’t blame yourself too much. The world is unjust to you; you haven’t wronged anyone!”

Fu Qingping’s words rendered Ye Qing silent. He’d never considered this perspective before, and hearing Fu Qingping say it brought an indescribable feeling of sorrow. He risked his life for the world against the Corpse Ghost Dragon, yet how many were grateful, and how many sought his life?

Fu Qingping personally took action, leading Ye Qing to the courtyard’s rear. The guards outside remained the same ones, but to Fu Qingping, they were utterly nonexistent. He took Ye Qing around to the back of the courtyard, grasped Ye Qing’s arm softly, and said, ”Stand firm.”

Ye Qing nodded, and at that moment, Fu Qingping led him to the courtyard wall. Without needing a run-up for momentum, he ascended the wall as if walking on flat ground. This vertical wall seemed as easy as a paved road under his feet, with no risk of falling as though his soles were nailed to its surface.

The wall was about three meters high, yet Fu Qingping crossed it in two steps, jumping directly into the courtyard with Ye Qing. Inside the courtyard, it was dark, except for the house ahead, brightly lit.

No guards were inside the courtyard, and Fu Qingping led Ye Qing directly to the house. Through the window, everything inside was visible.

It was a spacious room with three beds, each occupied by a person. Bai Li Xi was busily occupying himself, standing beside one bed, using a small knife to carefully scrape something off the person’s body. Upon closer inspection, Ye Qing saw that the person’s body was covered in poisonous sores, hideous and nauseating. Bai Li Xi was scraping these sores off.

Scraping such sores was akin to scraping flesh off the body with a blade, and the pain was imaginable. The person was quite resilient, not uttering cries, only occasionally sucking in cold air, a testament to the intense pain.