Urban Martial Saint

At six in the morning, Ye Qing woke up on time as usual. This was a habit he developed in the military, his biological clock was like this; no matter how late he slept at night, he would always wake up at this time in the morning. Moreover, according to the Acupoint Seeking Technique’s Breathing and Meditation method, he would meditate for a while, and the entire day he would feel energized, without any fatigue despite waking up early.

Wearing simple exercise clothes, Ye Qing walked onto the balcony, meditated for a while, and then went to the study room.

The study on the second floor was simply arranged without any antiques or similar decorations, as Ye Qing didn’t like those things. After many years in the military, he enjoyed things that were simple yet practical. So, on the shelves, there were all kinds of books, mainly ancient texts, which became the focus of Ye Qing’s later study.

For instance, on one of the shelves, there were books related to Taoist Formation. After learning the Stepping Technique of Heavenly Gangs and Northern Dipper, Ye Qing developed a strong interest in Taoist Formation and specifically sought out many such books for study. The other shelves mostly contained history books about Buddhism and Taoism.

In the center of the study was a table; Ye Qing walked to the table, picked up the pen and paper on it, but did not start writing immediately. He stood by the desk, carefully recalling the Taoist Incantations he had seen before, silently pondering these incantations in his mind.

Ye Qing had previously seen many incantations, but he didn’t really know the content of those incantations. Even though he had copied many, he couldn’t remember a single symbol. This was the peculiarity of Buddhist and Taoist texts, a kind of spiritual heritage; if one isn’t a high adept, they simply can’t remember the incantations. Even a simple symbol, written for decades, could not be engraved in one’s memory.

Previously, Ye Qing didn’t understand the incantations, so even though he saw and copied many, he couldn’t recall any specific incantation styles. But now things had changed. As long as he recalled, he could immediately think of the writing styles of those incantations from before, which made him more certain that he indeed could recognize Taoist Incantations now.

After carefully recalling the incantations he had seen before, Ye Qing took the pen and wrote down an incantation’s content on the paper. These were entirely fabricated by Ye Qing, although all were constructed using incantations. Even if taken outside and shown to someone who doesn’t recognize incantations, they wouldn’t know what the text was saying. However, this can also be used to make an impression, as it’s still an incantation; people unfamiliar with it would see this as a treasure, certainly not realizing Ye Qing fabricated it. After all, people who don’t recognize incantations simply can’t write them.

So far, only Fu Qingping knows of Ye Qing’s ability with incantations; others aren’t aware. Hence if Ye Qing uses this incantation to deceive the Seventh Elder, he will certainly succeed. Because if Ye Qing doesn’t know incantations, he couldn’t possibly have written this text. Thus, the Seventh Elder would only think Ye Qing copied the incantation, but never imagine it’s Ye Qing who fabricated it.

Ye Qing wrote the incantation with the intention to deceive the Seventh Elder. He wants to use the Seventh Elder to rescue Huangfu Ziyu. According to what was previously said to the Seventh Elder, he must hand over the items from the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master to the Seventh Elder to exchange them for Huangfu Ziyu. Therefore, by writing this incantation, Ye Qing would tell the Seventh Elder that he copied it from the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, and the Seventh Elder would certainly not doubt this.

This incantation Ye Qing wrote was based on his prior study of the Stepping Technique of Heavenly Gangs and Northern Dipper, and combined with some Taoist Secret Techniques, compiled into what seemed like a Secret Manual. Even if the Seventh Elder finds someone who understands incantations to translate this text, they wouldn’t see that it is fake. Because many Taoist phrases are within, but Ye Qing learned them through studying the Stepping Technique of Heavenly Gangs and Northern Dipper; who would suspect that it’s fake!

Having finished writing the incantation, Ye Qing took it downstairs. Upon reaching downstairs, he saw Old Chen sitting over by the kitchen, munching on a fried dough stick yet still slurping soup. This old fellow woke up quite early!

Zhao Chengshuang and Li Lianshan were also there, standing wide-eyed watching Old Chen eat. They both came early in the morning; having received the news of Ye Qing’s return last night, they initially wanted to come over then. But knowing Ye Qing and others drove back and were likely tired, they changed their visit to today so as not to disturb Ye Qing’s rest. Little did they know that when they arrived, they’d find Old Chen sitting in the kitchen eating. The two of them didn’t know the background of Old Chen just like the two juniors before, but seeing him staying in Ye Qing’s courtyard and eating there, it seemed he had a good relationship with Ye Qing. Hence, they showed him respect.

However, Old Chen possessed the kind of character where if you respect him, he’d push his limits further. Zhao Chengshuang and Li Lianshan treated him with respect, and this old fellow immediately started bossing them around, directing them to pour tea and water, serve dishes, and soup, making the Municipal Police Chief of Shenchuan City and the underground Emperor of Shenchuan City seem like his subordinates, tirelessly catering to him. After finally seeing him comfortably fed, Old Chen even demanded them to massage his legs. If Ye Qing hadn’t come down in time, Zhao Chengshuang and Li Lianshan probably really would have ended up massaging his legs.

Upon seeing Ye Qing coming downstairs, Old Chen immediately toned down, and quietened his manners while eating. As for Zhao Chengshuang and Li Lianshan, seeing Ye Qing naturally filled them with enthusiasm. They had heard about Ye Qing being trapped in the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master and were worried something might happen to him. Now that Ye Qing returned safely, naturally their hearts were filled with joy.

”Ye Zi, you’ve finally come back!” Li Lianshan hurried to Ye Qing, punched Ye Qing’s chest, and said, ”If you didn’t come back, I was ready to send people to dig up the whole Chatiang Peak to get you out!”

Ye Qing smiled lightly; Li Lianshan’s words were exaggerated, but he knew very well that while trapped at Chatiang Peak, Li Lianshan was certainly worried. In Shenchuan City, these two brothers of his were definitely people who cared deeply about him.

Zhao Chengshuang walked over too, sizing Ye Qing up and down, and asked, ”How are you, alright?”

”What could happen?” Ye Qing quipped, ”If you don’t believe it, try drinking a few cups?”

Zhao Chengshuang waved his hands quickly; drinking with Ye Qing was just asking to get wasted. Seeing Ye Qing like this surely meant he was fine, so naturally, he let out a breath of relief.

”Good to know you’re alright!” Zhao Chengshuang nodded. After becoming chief, he had clearly become more composed. But soon he pointed toward Old Chen in the kitchen and said, ”By the way, who is that old gentleman to you?”

”What kind of old gentleman, just a tomb robber!” Ye Qing replied irritably, ”He came out with us and now he’s staying here, not leaving!”

”Ah?” Li Lianshan and Zhao Chengshuang both stared in astonishment at Old Chen, who still leisurely sat in the kitchen, seemingly not having heard Ye Qing’s words.

”Damn, isn’t he your big brother?” Li Lianshan exclaimed.

”When did he become my big brother?” Ye Qing almost collapsed; this Old Chen was indeed shameless. Last night he fooled his two juniors with this claim, and today again was fooling Li Lianshan and Zhao Chengshuang with it.

”I swear, he said he was your big brother, you even showed him respect. Saying we two are your brothers, so also his brothers…” Li Lianshan cried, ”Just now in the kitchen, he worked me hard; had me serving soup and food, not to mention peeling his eggs, nearly chewed them up to feed him!”

Even though Zhao Chengshuang didn’t speak, he obviously held some disapproval toward Old Chen too.

Ye Qing was speechless, this Old Chen’s brazenness was even beyond that of Old Wang Ba, Shijia, and others. This old fellow was truly shameless, daring to fool and boss around anyone he met. The top figures of both the white and black factions of Shenchuan City, he had the gall to swindle - wasn’t he a daredevil defying death?

”This old fellow…” Li Lianshan shouted as he went to the kitchen to confront Old Chen but was quickly stopped by Ye Qing.

”That old fellow is very annoying, don’t fuss over such a trivial matter with him!” Ye Qing said, ”Just let it go.”

”How annoying could he be?” Li Lianshan expressed indifference, but since Ye Qing interrupted him, he didn’t go to the kitchen. Thus he didn’t experience Old Chen’s long-windedness, which could even make Fu Qingping break down a bit.

”Anyway, just don’t talk to him!” Ye Qing pulled Li Lianshan and Zhao Chengshuang out of the hall, and the three brothers chatted for a while in the courtyard. They casually had breakfast before Li Lianshan and Zhao Chengshuang left. They came over just to see how Ye Qing was doing, and now seeing him alright, naturally they felt at ease.

Zhao Chengshuang is now the Municipal Police Chief of Shenchuan City, and the youngest in Eastern Province’s history. His future is extremely bright. In the Zhao family nowadays, his status is nearly at the pinnacle, even the old master Zhao praises this grandson. After becoming chief, he is naturally busier than before, unable to linger at Ye Qing’s place for long.

As for Li Lianshan, though Shenchuan City isn’t under his control now, his ambitions are much broader, already extending to the whole Eastern Province. Originally under Huangfu Ziyu’s control, but she withdrew now; all her assets were said to be handed to Ye Qing, though total management requires time. Recently, Li Lianshan is busy with these matters; he wants to become the underground Emperor of Eastern Province!