Urban Martial Saint

The words of the shadowy figure filled the three ninjas with excitement. One of them whispered, ”If that’s true, our Great Wa Empire will truly be able to restore its glory.”

”Yes, precisely, for so many years, the despicable Huaxia national martial artists and the so-called gods of the Church have taken advantage of their superior power, looking down on us, trying to trample us beneath their feet. This time, it’s finally our turn to hold our heads high!”

”These despicable individuals, what qualifications do they have to compare with the excellent lineage of our Great Wa Empire? This time, we must seize the items inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master and trample these despicable people underfoot!”

The three of them were brimming with excitement, their words full of arrogant pride. And that shadowy figure was even more agitated than the three of them, after all, he knew very well how many years the Wo Country’s ninja had devoted to the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, how much effort they had expended. This time, the opportunity had finally come; they could finally open the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, and their hearts were naturally exceedingly excited.

”Rest assured, to obtain the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, we have prepared for so many years and are determined to succeed; how could these despicable people possibly snatch it away?” The shadowy figure sneered, ”We’ve already arranged for enough masters at our base in Huaxia. Before noon tomorrow, our masters will arrive in Shenchuan City, absolutely getting there before the Cathedral Grand Master obtains the Gold Silk Armor. If he takes the Gold Silk Armor out of Shenchuan City, our people will immediately seize the armor. At that point, everything will be under our control!”

The three were overjoyed, and their faces became even more excited.

”By the way, Third Elder, Ye Qing has told Wen’er the method to find the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master. I estimate that we’ll have to find a way to force Wen’er to reveal this method.” One of them suddenly remembered this matter and hurriedly informed the shadowy figure.

”Wen’er?” The shadowy figure smiled coldly, a peculiar light flashing in his eyes. He said, ”Does it even require coercion for her to reveal the method? If she knows her own identity, she will help us find the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master without pressure!”

”Oh?” The three were all surprised, and one asked, ”What is Wen’er’s identity? Why would she help us?”

”That’s not something you need to know. What you need to do is keep an eye on Wen’er for me. If there is any movement, contact me immediately!” The shadowy figure said coldly, ”By noon tomorrow, our people will arrive, just keep your eyes on Wen’er!”

The three did not dare to ask more questions and quickly nodded in agreement. When they raised their heads again, the shadowy figure had already vanished, leaving nothing behind as if he had never appeared at all.

The three exchanged glances but did not linger in the area and separated, heading in different directions. Just as the Church had arranged intelligence operatives in Huaxia, the Wo Country also arranged intelligence operatives within Huaxia; these three were part of that network, just positioned in different places.

The Third Elder of the shadowy figure left the area shortly after and arrived at a roadside forest. He took off his black coat in the forest and changed into ordinary attire, emerging as a lean middle-aged man who appeared no different from an ordinary person. Who would imagine that this lean man was actually a ninja from Wo Country?

He had hidden a black car on the other side of the forest, and upon leaving the forest, drove away from the place. He followed the highway for about ten kilometers and arrived at a nearby small village. He parked the vehicle outside one of the courtyards and retrieved a key from his pocket to open the door and enter. This courtyard was the residence of the Third Elder while he lived in Huaxia. As a long-term intelligence operative within Huaxia, he had already integrated into the living environment there, residing in this village for seven or eight years. Who would have known that the villager living in this village was actually a ninja from Wo Country?

The courtyard was silent, and the Third Elder slowly walked toward the house. However, as he reached the middle of the courtyard, his expression suddenly changed, and he turned his head sharply to the side. There was a wall beside him, with no cover, but he stared directly at that wall as if there was something special about it.

The silence lasted for about ten seconds, and the Third Elder suddenly vanished in place, as if disappearing into thin air, and when he reappeared, he was beside the wall. In his right hand, there appeared a sharp short sword, and he swept it toward the wall, seemingly attempting to penetrate it.

Just as the short sword was about to sweep across the wall, an all-black shadow suddenly appeared near said wall. This individual appeared abruptly, as though he had been invisibly lurking nearby and was suddenly forced to reveal himself.

When this person appeared, he immediately kicked the wrist of the Third Elder, sending the short sword back. Simultaneously, he jumped agilely like a monkey, rushing toward the chest of the Third Elder.

The Third Elder didn’t dare to be careless, taking a step back instantly, disappearing in place as if he had never existed. Meanwhile, the man in black showed no panic, standing his ground, vigilantly scanning the surroundings as if searching for something. Moments later, he sprang into the air, and as he leaped up, a short sword appeared in the position where he had stood moments before. If he had hesitated for a fraction longer, the sword would have pierced his body.

The man in black evaded the sword and simultaneously grabbed its hilt, pulling someone out of the darkness—it was the Third Elder.

The Third Elder did not utter a sound. As the man in black grabbed him, his hands moved simultaneously, engaging in a rapid exchange of blows, executing more than ten moves. Both were extremely fast, their moves swift, demonstrating their abilities as peak masters.

After exchanging a few blows without either gaining an advantage, they stepped back two paces, standing off against each other. Following a brief silence, the man in black spoke first: ”Indeed, the Third Elder’s power has increased significantly since before!”

The Third Elder’s expression subtly changed as he glanced at the house nearby. The man in black noticed his concern and said in a low voice, ”Rest assured, everyone in the house is asleep; nobody knows I’ve come here.”

Only at this reassurance did the Third Elder relax, but he remained cautious, gesturing for the man in black to follow him outside. The man in black hesitated little, following the Third Elder to a secluded spot in the woods nearby.

”Seventh Elder, why have you come?” Only upon reaching this spot did the Third Elder finally dare to speak, revealing his evident prudence.

”The Lord tasked me with tracking the Wanyan Family, searching for Gold Silk Armor’s whereabouts. Despite infiltrating the Wanyan Family for so long, I found no trace of the armor; instead, I received word that the Gold Silk Armor is with Ye Qing. So, I decided not to waste more time at the Wanyan Family.” The man in black paused, smiled lightly, and said, ”Oh, I’ve received word that Third Elder, you’ve obtained news of Gold Silk Armor too—is it true?”

”So, you’re here for the Gold Silk Armor.” The Third Elder nodded, not concealing the matter, and said, ”Indeed, I just received news; the Gold Silk Armor is indeed in Shenchuan City with Ye Qing. Moreover, Ye Qing plans to use the armor to ransom his brother. Which means, by tomorrow afternoon, the Gold Silk Armor will be in the hands of the Cathedral Grand Master!”

”Oh?” A glint flashed in the Seventh Elder’s eyes, indicating his significant interest in the news.

The Third Elder did not hide details, sharing all events in Shenchuan City with the Seventh Elder. Although rather cautious and vigilant, the Seventh Elder was still on their side, and the Third Elder also needed assistance, so he didn’t hide anything, hoping that the Seventh Elder would remain to aid him.

He failed to notice the different gleam in the Seventh Elder’s eyes as he listened. Upon hearing the entire story, the Seventh Elder paused briefly before asking, ”So the Gold Silk Armor and the method for finding the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master have both emerged in Shenchuan City?”

”Indeed, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” The Third Elder said intensely, ”We from Iga-ryu have prepared for the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master all this while. For so many years, we’ve readied everything, just lacking the Gold Silk Armor and the method to locate the tomb. Now both have appeared—it is destiny that we acquire the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master!”

”So the Third Elder intends...” Seven Elder eyed the Third Elder, ”Should we go to Shenchuan City to seize the Gold Silk Armor?”

The Third Elder replied, ”Of course not from Shenchuan City; Shenchuan City has Fu Qingping stationed there, and he’s a difficult adversary. It’s easier to seize it from the Cathedral Grand Master than from Shenchuan City!”

”True.” The Seventh Elder nodded slowly, speaking lowly, ”That is indeed a solution; however, once we’ve seized the Gold Silk Armor, what should we do next?”

”Naturally, immediately open the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master and retrieve its contents!” The Third Elder replied animatedly, ”I’ve already informed the Great Elder—before tomorrow afternoon, the Great Elder will personally arrive here. Once we seize the Gold Silk Armor, the Great Elder will unveil our previously prepared famed instrument and head straight to open the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master. At that point, its contents will wholly belong to us!”

A trace of cunning flashed in the Seventh Elder’s eyes, unbeknownst to the Third Elder. The Seventh Elder nodded slowly and said, ”That sounds promising. Third Elder, is there anything you need my assistance with?”