Urban Martial Saint

The Great Elder led the remaining Wo Country’s Ninja in the cave full of giants to block the Church members, preventing them from exiting the cave, thus creating a favorable opportunity for Ye Qing.

The reason the Great Elder did this was because he believed that by controlling Huangfu Ziyu, he essentially controlled Ye Qing, so he didn’t think too much about other things.

However, although the Great Elder didn’t ponder these matters, his lack of consideration didn’t mean others wouldn’t. Especially the Seventh Elder, who was also a spy planted by the Wanyan Family among the Wo Country’s Ninja. Thus, during the chaotic battle, he actually didn’t contribute much, quietly pondering other matters.

Based on the information Seventh Elder had previously, the Wanyan Family had already received the message and brought The Immortal Lord and the Corpse Ghost Dragon over, and the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master completely belonged to the Wanyan Family. So, he swaggered along with the Wo Country’s Ninja into the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, secretly leaving markers along the way, hoping the Wanyan Family would follow, deal with the Wo Country’s Ninja, and seize the items inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master.

However, after being inside for quite a while, not only did he not see the arrival of the Wanyan Family, but instead the Church members, which surprised him greatly. Of course, he didn’t know what exactly had happened outside, unaware that The Immortal Lord had been injured by the Church’s Secret Technique, nor did he know the Wanyan Family had given up on him and blocked the entrance to the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master from outside. In his mind, he believed the Wanyan Family was still on the way to the cave, just hadn’t arrived yet. In fact, when they first entered, they walked the Beidou Fumo Path for almost a day, so he only thought the Wanyan Family was still on that path, not considering other possibilities.

Unaware of the Wanyan Family’s actions, the Seventh Elder remained loyal to the Wanyan Family. Despite working with the Great Elder against the Church members, he was secretly pondering how to seize the items inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master and hand them over to the Wanyan Family.

The fight between the Wo Country’s Ninja and the Church members was something he could tell was Ye Qing’s deliberate provocation. But he did not intervene, as he also wanted the Wo Country’s Ninja and the Church to weaken each other, so the Wanyan Family could conveniently clean up the mess. However, during the confrontation with the Church, he didn’t exert much effort, mostly carrying a perfunctory attitude, primarily waiting for the Wanyan Family to come and assist.

But after waiting for a while without the arrival of the Wanyan Family, the situation inside the cave gradually deviated from his expectations, which started to worry him. Especially now, the Great Lord and Ye Qing rushed out at the same time, while the Wo Country’s Ninja and the Church members were still fighting in the cave, which made him very concerned. Although he didn’t know exactly what Ye Qing was thinking, he knew Ye Qing was clever and resourceful. Ye Qing going out alone, no one knew what might happen. Therefore, in his view, Ye Qing was safest under their watch. The further Ye Qing ran, the harder he was to control.

Of course, given the situation, he couldn’t rush out alone to follow Ye Qing. Doing that, he probably wouldn’t last until the Wanyan Family arrived. The Seventh Elder was also shrewd, knowing he couldn’t accomplish such a task alone, he could only have the Great Elder do it instead.

”Great Elder, there’s something suspicious about Ye Qing—we should follow him closely!” whispered the Seventh Elder.

The Great Elder smiled confidently, ”I know he’s suspicious, but whatever problem he has, it’s useless with Huangfu Ziyu in my grasp. He’ll have to obediently heed my words!”

”I wasn’t referring to that...” The Seventh Elder retorted, ”Ye Qing just mentioned that he, like the Great Lord, obtained part of the items inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, and what he got was only useful against werewolves, without enhancing his strength. Meaning, Ye Qing is not the Great Lord’s match, so how can he go out and stop the Great Lord?”

This remark changed the expression of the Great Elder, realizing he hadn’t thought that deeply. Hearing the Seventh Elder’s words, he indeed felt something was off.

”Even if he really deceived me, what of it?” The Great Elder said sternly, ”Huangfu Ziyu is in my grasp, does he dare harm me? Not only doesn’t he dare harm me, but he must do everything to ensure my safety. If I die, Huangfu Ziyu won’t live either; he should understand this principle!”

”I’m not afraid he’ll target us, surely he won’t. Just...” The Seventh Elder paused, lowering his voice, ”If he manipulates the items left by Guiguzi, won’t our efforts be wasted?”

The Seventh Elder’s words struck the Great Elder like thunder, his face suddenly changed, considering the possibility instantly. No one knew what items were hidden inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master. However, many believed the tomb contained the most top-level secret manuals of the Taoist Sect, stirring a massive competition. If it’s indeed a secret manual, and Ye Qing managed to tamper with it, it would be quite troublesome. Therefore, hearing the Seventh Elder’s words, a tension rose within the Great Elder.

”Everyone, follow me, we have to chase Ye Qing no matter what, understood?” The Great Elder shouted, repelling a Church member nearby and leading the charge outside the cave.

The remaining Wo Country’s Ninja followed suit without hesitation. Indeed, the Church members didn’t hinder them as they were keen to follow and witness the Great Lord’s current condition. Thus, both sides held a similar objective, simultaneously rushing out of the cave.

People emerged slightly late, by then Ye Qing had already entered the final gate that possibly concealed the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master. Unaware of the current situation, they didn’t know which cave to proceed into. But, as they searched, a shriek resounded from a nearby cave.

The scream was from the Great Lord, and that cave was precisely the Death Gate Ye Qing had long identified!

”Great Lord!” The Church members exclaimed in shock, rushing into the cave. Unaware of the Death Gate’s nature, they assumed Ye Qing ambushed the Great Lord inside and hurriedly attempted rescue.

Similarly clueless, the Wo Country’s Ninja, upon hearing the scream, discerned there was trouble within the cave, thus joined the Church in storming in.

Shortly after, more screams echoed from the cave, from those who had just entered. The Church members and the Wo Country’s Ninja simultaneously shrieked; within the Death Gate, unknown perils lurked, assuring that the entrants faced dire fate!

Meanwhile, Ye Qing remained within the final gate, dumbfounded, staring at an old man before him.

This cave resembled previous ones, boasting a sculpture and a golden orb emanating light. Yet, these didn’t startled Ye Qing; what truly shocked was the presence of a person—a traditionally dressed old man!

The presence mattered little, but remarkably, this old man was alive!

”Young man, I know you’re surprised, but I’m more surprised than you!” The old man stood beside the sculpture, one arm leaning on it, reclining casually onto the structure. Despite claiming surprise, no trace of astonishment could be detected from his face.

”You... you can speak?” Ye Qing’s brain faltered, instantly regretting his question—of course, a living person could speak.

The old man rubbed his face, ”Do I look like a mute?”

”No... I... I don’t mean that...” Ye Qing hastily shook his head, inhaling deeply to regain composure. Though observing the old man anew, there arose a vigilance in his gaze.

This elder appeared ordinary, yet his pointed moustache and rodent-like eyes precluded associating him with benevolence. Frankly, Ye Qing hadn’t understood the meaning of ’wily eyes and cunning brows’ until this encounter clarified it thoroughly. The old man’s face vividly exemplified that idiom!

”You didn’t mean that, so what do you mean?” The old man glared at Ye Qing, ”If I shouldn’t speak, should I pass gas instead?”

”I didn’t mean that...” Ye Qing scratched his head, struggling against an inexplicable urge to kick the old man—a sentiment familiar only previously evoked by Old Wang Ba Shijia. Why did this sentiment surge so dominantly upon seeing this old man?

”Then what exactly do you mean? Spit it out, why shouldn’t I speak?” The old man enriched his self-claimed status, styling himself as a grandfather outright.

Ye Qing felt helpless; if not for the old man’s age, he wouldn’t need civility. Yet, how to converse with a disrespectful, aged stranger asking provocatively, remained elusive.

Sighing deeply to calm his emotions, Ye Qing queried, ”I—I just want to ask, sir, who exactly are you?”