Urban Martial Saint

If Ye Qing were here and heard the three words Sword Saint Sect, he would definitely have no idea what was going on. But if Fu Qingping were here, he would know what the Sword Saint Sect was.

In fact, Fu Qingping had already vaguely mentioned it to Ye Qing before. Fu Qingping had once told Ye Qing that back in their era, he, Li Changqing’s father, and another Peak Master were as close as brothers, and the three of them had once joined hands to besiege and kill Executioner Scholar and his two companions. As for this third Peak Master, Fu Qingping hadn’t given his name at the time, but Ye Qing could see from Fu Qingping’s eyes that he actually held this third man in great respect. And this third man came from the Sword Saint Sect.

In that era where Peak Masters were everywhere, these three could basically be said to be the strongest three Peak Masters of that time. As for Fu Qingping’s strength, that went without saying. For even him to admire someone, it showed just how terrifying that man’s strength was.

The Sword Saint Sect was a Sect that had been passed down for over five hundred years, founded personally by the Sword Saint. And this Sword Saint was actually a title for one man, and this man had also entered the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates.

The other people who had entered the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates would basically all become Supremes of their era. And those who became Supremes would more or less leave behind an inheritance or Sect, or perhaps a clan. For example, Divine Doctor An Shiping left behind two disciples, and his inheritance was later taken up by Lin Tianyou. The Doomsday Sect also left behind a legacy, but later everyone from the Doomsday Sect died out, so their inheritance was cut off. These Sects or clans left by the Supremes were all unable to recreate the glory of their ancestors, so most of them gradually died out as the generations passed.

But the Sword Saint Sect was different. The Sword Saint Sect had been passed down for over five hundred years, and in every generation there would appear an extremely powerful Peak Master. For example, that Peak Master from the same era as Fu Qingping and the others was the top figure of the Sword Saint Sect at that time. The Sword Saint Sect had been passed down for over five hundred years and rarely appeared in public, but whenever the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates opened, a successor of the Sword Saint Sect would show up. Because of this, people only vaguely knew a bit about the Sword Saint Sect.

The Nalan family’s influence was not small, so they had naturally heard the legends about the Sword Saint Sect and knew how powerful the Sword Saint Sect was. And now, with the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates about to open, it was completely normal for people from the Sword Saint Sect to appear. It was just that, who could have thought that when they made a move this time they would happen to run right into people from the Sword Saint Sect? Moreover, judging from Executioner Scholar’s expression, he seemed to have some kind of connection with the Sword Saint Sect. What in the world was going on?

When that man heard Executioner Scholar’s words, he only let out a cold laugh and said, ”Executioner Scholar, so you still remember our Sword Saint Sect. Since you know I’m from the Sword Saint Sect, do I even need to say more? This is something the Sect Leader wants. You dare snatch something that belongs to the Sect Leader?”

Executioner Scholar’s face clearly showed some shock, as if he had been stunned by these words. Seeing his shock, the man became even more complacent and laughed wildly. ”Executioner Scholar, back then Senior Brother showed mercy and didn’t kill you. But Senior Brother said that if you dared do something to betray our Sect, he would definitely kill you with his own hands. Hmph, don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten those words?”

Hearing this, Nalan Jingwei’s expression changed. This man kept bringing up ”Senior Brother” and talking about Executioner Scholar betraying the Sect. In that case, could Executioner Scholar actually be from the Sword Saint Sect?

On second thought, Nalan Jingwei’s heart also relaxed somewhat. Executioner Scholar’s background was strange; no one had ever known which Sect or inheritance he came from, but Executioner Scholar’s strength was greater than that of many Peak Masters. To say Executioner Scholar was self-taught was simply impossible. Now that someone said he was a successor of the Sword Saint Sect, that actually seemed quite plausible. It was just that, judging from this man’s tone, Executioner Scholar ought to be a traitor to the Sword Saint Sect!

Executioner Scholar’s face flickered between gloom and clarity. That Peak Master who had once been as close as a brother with Fu Qingping back then was the Sword Saint Sect’s Senior Brother. Because the Sword Saint Sect strictly forbade its disciples from setting foot in the Jianghu, and Executioner Scholar’s temperament could never bear being locked up in the Sword Saint Sect, he eventually betrayed the Sword Saint Sect. At that time the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates was just about to open, and the Sword Saint Sect sent Senior Brother out to purge the Sect’s traitor. That Senior Brother made a name for himself in the Jianghu, and even joined forces with Fu Qingping and Li Changqing’s father; the three of them encircled and attacked Executioner Scholar and his two companions, and Executioner Scholar ended up falling into Senior Brother’s hands. If Senior Brother hadn’t sparingly remembered their ties as fellow disciples and spared his life back then, Executioner Scholar would probably have been dead long ago. So when this man brought it up, Executioner Scholar couldn’t help but recall that narrow escape from death, and his heart grew all the more panicked.

Nalan Jingwei didn’t know exactly what had happened back then, but looking at Executioner Scholar’s expression, he could tell Executioner Scholar was almost scared stiff by this man. He hurriedly said, ”Executioner Scholar, why fear him? Kill this man and take the Gold Silk Armor, then we’ll have a chance to enter the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master. If we obtain the things inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, never mind the Sword Saint Sect, even if the Sword Saint from five hundred years ago personally came back to life, what could he do to you?”

These words instantly enraged the man; he roared furiously, ”Who are you, to dare insult the forefather of my Sword Saint Sect? Today I’ll tear you to pieces!”

As he spoke, the long blade in the man’s hand grew even fiercer, every strike chopping toward Nalan Jingwei without pause.

This man was actually a bit weaker than Nalan Jingwei. In a direct clash, Nalan Jingwei was of course not at a disadvantage at all. After fighting for a while, the man knew he was no match and shouted loudly, ”Executioner Scholar, help me kill him and count it as making a contribution to the Sword Saint Sect. When the time comes I’ll plead with the Sect Leader for you; maybe your crimes can be pardoned!”

These words made Nalan Jingwei’s face change involuntarily. Executioner Scholar’s strength was about the same as his. If Executioner Scholar really got scared by this man and joined hands with him to deal with Nalan Jingwei, then he would be in real danger this time.

”Executioner Scholar, don’t listen to his nonsense. Even if you kill me, the Sword Saint Sect won’t let you go!” Nalan Jingwei shouted, ”And even if they did let you go, then what? Do you think the people of the Sword Saint Sect would be willing to hand you the things inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master? Without getting what’s inside, you can’t extend your lifespan. When that time comes, even if the Sword Saint Sect doesn’t kill you, how much longer can you live? If you join hands with me, then you’ll have a chance to live—and even a chance to trample the Sword Saint Sect under your feet!”

”Executioner Scholar, don’t forget how the Sect Leader treats traitors. Senior Brother sparing your life back then doesn’t mean the Sect Leader no longer holds you accountable for what happened. If you don’t atone with merit, you know the rules of the Sect!” The man also shouted loudly; he knew that if he couldn’t talk Executioner Scholar over at this moment, then he would be in grave danger.

Nalan Jingwei had just opened his mouth when Executioner Scholar’s lips curved in a cold smile. ”Junior Brother, you’re absolutely right. This is a perfect chance to atone with merit!”

Hearing this, the man was overjoyed. It seemed Executioner Scholar was prepared to help him. This was truly a great thing; with the two of them joining forces, killing Nalan Jingwei would be much easier.

On Nalan Jingwei’s side, however, his face changed drastically. If Executioner Scholar joined hands with this man, then he would be in real danger. He wanted to run, but the man had anticipated his intent and was attacking with full force, not giving him a moment to catch his breath, much less a chance to escape.

”Executioner Scholar, hurry and come help me kill him!” While desperately attacking Nalan Jingwei, the man shouted at the top of his lungs, ”Kill him and I’ll plead with the Sect Leader for you!”

”Alright.” Executioner Scholar let out a chilling reply, then walked straight toward the two men locked in combat.

”Junior Brother, I’m here to help you!” Executioner Scholar flicked his right hand, and a Short Sword about a foot long appeared in his grip—that was Executioner Scholar’s weapon.

”Hurry!” the man shouted in excitement. ”Kill him!”

Nalan Jingwei’s expression turned utterly grim. He wanted to flee but had absolutely no chance. In that case, was his life really going to end here?

”Alright!” Executioner Scholar gave a soft shout in answer to the man and slowly raised the Short Sword in his hand.

Nalan Jingwei clenched his teeth. If Executioner Scholar entangled him, then he would completely lose any hope of escape. So he was already prepared to go all out— even if he had to take a hit, he would first break away and flee, or else he’d be leaving his life here.

But just as he was about to make his move to escape, Executioner Scholar moved first. Only, his target was not Nalan Jingwei, but the man who was throwing everything into attacking Nalan Jingwei. His Short Sword thrust silently toward the man’s back.

The man had never imagined Executioner Scholar would strike at him. In fact, he thought Executioner Scholar was about to help him. That was why he was going all out against Nalan Jingwei without any guard to his rear. When Executioner Scholar’s Short Sword pierced into his back, he already sensed something was wrong. He instinctively twisted to the side, but since Executioner Scholar was striking from behind in a sneak attack, he still couldn’t evade the blow—Executioner Scholar’s Short Sword pierced straight through his back and out his chest. If he hadn’t twisted enough to avoid his heart, that single thrust would probably have taken his life.

Even so, the man was gravely wounded—after all, he’d just been run clean through with a Short Sword. He knocked Nalan Jingwei back a step with a slash, then turned his head to stare fixedly at Executioner Scholar, and said in a trembling voice, ”Wh-why…”

”Why?” Executioner Scholar let out a cold laugh and spoke each word clearly, ”Because I not only want to live, I want to live with dignity.”

”Dignity…” The man ground his teeth, suddenly let out a hoarse roar, and swung his long blade at Executioner Scholar while shouting, ”You’re an outsider with a different surname—what right do you have to talk about dignity!”

”That’s exactly why I have to kill you.” Executioner Scholar drifted lightly aside, dodging the man’s long blade. With the man so badly wounded, he could no longer pose any threat to Executioner Scholar at all.