Urban Martial Saint

Zhou Haoyang and the Bloody Monk were locked in combat, surrounded by onlookers who had no intention of stepping in to help.

In truth, Helian Tiehua desperately wanted to stop this fight, but he was helpless to intervene. If he were to act now, the Wolf Monk, watching from the sidelines with a predatory gaze, would undoubtedly step in to block him. In such a case, not only would he fail to stop the duel between Zhou Haoyang and the Bloody Monk, but he would also be forced into a confrontation with the Wolf Monk—which would truly be difficult to manage.

Thus, even though Helian Tiehua was reluctant to let these two continue their battle, he had no choice but to stand by and watch. He knew that if a winner wasn’t determined in this fight, the Bloody Monk would absolutely not rest. That was simply the Bloody Monk’s nature. Alas, Zhou Haoyang had unwisely chosen to provoke the Bloody Monk.

Actually, Zhou Haoyang was completely unaware of the Bloody Monk’s true capabilities. Had he known just how formidable the Bloody Monk was, he would never have challenged him in the first place. Now that the fight had begun, he was as trapped as a rider on a tiger’s back, fallen behind, yet forced to continue fighting—an unenviable predicament. Despite wanting to end the fight, with so many spectators around, he couldn’t simply concede without losing face altogether. His options were to admit defeat or be beaten by the Bloody Monk, but either way, his reputation was bound to suffer.

Bai Yonghui, watching from the side, was both amazed at the Bloody Monk’s prowess and quietly relieved. He had initially returned wanting to cause trouble for Ye Qing, and moments ago, when Zhou Haoyang dealt with Huangfu Zilong, he had considered intervening. Now, he realized it was fortunate he hadn’t acted, avoiding enmity with the Bloody Monk. If he had made a move, he would likely be facing the Bloody Monk now. Since his strength was similar to Zhou Haoyang’s, he would undoubtedly be bested by the Bloody Monk, leaving him humiliated as well. He took comfort in not confronting the Bloody Monk, and felt a touch of Schadenfreude watching Zhou Haoyang make a fool of himself.

The Zhou Family members, though not very strong, could see their elder being thoroughly outmatched and were terrified. Their arrogance from before was quickly tempered. When Zhou Haoyang first appeared, the Zhou Family was excessively arrogant, even boldly defying Helian Tiehua’s orders, believing Zhou Haoyang could support them. In retrospect, Zhou Haoyang wasn’t as capable as they had thought.

As the battle raged on, two figures in the crowd observed discreetly. One was the Executioner Scholar, but he had changed his appearance, so none recognized him. While he watched the duel, his attention was mostly focused on the Sword Saint Sect members. His heart raced with fear that they would see through his disguise and attack him.

The Executioner Scholar was an escaped traitor from the Sword Saint Sect, well-aware of their harsh treatments for traitors. If caught, his punishment wouldn’t simply be execution. The Sword Saint Sect’s methods were beyond imagination, worse than death.

The other figure was Wanyan Hongsheng in disguise. Upon hearing of the Chatiang Peak group’s return, he snuck in for a close look at the situation. He hoped to stir chaos favorable to the Wanyan Family.

The duel upon entering the manor had surprised him, not expecting a fight before even encountering Ye Qing. Like others, his desire was for the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance and Sha Men to exhaust each other’s strength.

Watching the Bloody Monk and Zhou Haoyang’s combat, Wanyan Hongsheng was gradually shocked. He had known the Bloody Monk was powerful, but not to what extent. Witnessing the duel firsthand gave him a direct understanding of the Bloody Monk’s prowess, which rivaled Du Canglang at his peak.

Wanyan Hongsheng was aware the Bloody Monk practiced Tranquil Heart Bodhi passed down from Patriarch Bodhidharma, though he didn’t know its full power. Seeing the Bloody Monk’s skills elevated the Monk to his primary adversary.

The duel lasted over half an hour, with the Bloody Monk growing more fierce, while Zhou Haoyang became increasingly apprehensive. Zhou Haoyang was left only able to defend, unable to counterattack; defeat was inevitable. He struggled to endure, but was powerless to reverse his fate.

In less than two more minutes, the Bloody Monk dodged one of Zhou Haoyang’s moves, then rushed to Zhou Haoyang, reaching for his chest.

Realizing the danger, Zhou Haoyang quickly attempted to block and sidestep, but the Bloody Monk was too close for avoidance. Although he managed to intercept the Monk’s hand, the Monk’s strength was overwhelming, and his palm struck Zhou Haoyang’s chest.

Despite having formidable skills, Zhou Haoyang grasped the Bloody Monk’s hand as it hit his chest, dispersing part of the impact. Although the Monk’s strike wasn’t completely intercepted, he reduced the blow to less than thirty percent of its power.

Still, Zhou Haoyang staggered back three steps, chest churning with blood, a sweet taste rising in his throat as blood threatened to spill. He fought to suppress the blood, fearing humiliation if it erupted. But the effort intensified his injuries, leaving him even more debilitated, his complexion wan.

As Zhou Haoyang was driven back by the Bloody Monk, the spectators were amazed. Zhou Haoyang, an experienced master, was older than the Bloody Monk, yet quickly defeated. They recalled the Bloody Monk’s past triumph at Chatiang Peak against a hidden expert, realizing the Monk’s strength was the cause, not the other’s weakness.

This time, though Zhou Haoyang didn’t vomit blood, observant viewers could see he suppressed it, saving face. However, in doing so, his injury worsened; his defeat was comprehensive.

With the successful attack, the Bloody Monk didn’t retreat, moving towards Zhou Haoyang, saying, ”Let’s continue; today, we settle this for life or death!”

Zhou Haoyang’s expression changed drastically; having suppressed the blood, his injuries grew severe, leaving him defenseless against the Bloody Monk. If the Monk aimed to kill him, he had no means of resistance. The Bloody Monk seemed unrestrained, intent on ending Zhou Haoyang’s life.

Seeing this, Helian Tiehua’s face shifted, hurriedly stepping forward, saying, ”Blood Robe Sect Leader, Elder Zhou has been defeated; you’ve already won this fight. Perhaps it’s best to stop.”

Speaking, Helian Tiehua moved in front of the Bloody Monk, but before he could block, a white shadow suddenly rushed at him, attacking. The shadow was none other than White-haired Ding San.

White-haired Ding San was the Bloody Monk’s creation, a mindless hand perfectly trained as a human-shaped Gu. Besides a killing instinct, he followed the Monk’s orders. Seeing Helian Tiehua approaching, he was commanded to stop him. The Monk wanted Zhou Haoyang dead.

White-haired Ding San possessed peak strength, with his Gu body immensely powerful, matching Helian Tiehua’s Thirteen Protectors’ Horizontal Golden Bell Shield, seemingly indestructible. Against a peak master, he had a significant advantage, forcing Helian Tiehua to defend attentively.

”Blood Robe Sect Leader, resolving enmities is better than creating them!” Helian Tiehua implored, ”Elder Zhou is part of our Seven Rudders of the Hong Alliance; please grant us this favor and end it here today!”

The Bloody Monk ignored Helian Tiehua as they had little affinities. Without Ye Qing’s association, he wouldn’t have come to the Seven Rudders of the Hong Alliance. He was grateful to Ye Qing, seeing Huangfu Zilong attacked, he planned to kill Zhou Haoyang as repayment.

Bai Yonghui had initially stopped Helian Tiehua, hoping Zhou Haoyang would deal with the Huangfu Household. But witnessing this, he knew he couldn’t idly stand by. Although he wanted Zhou Haoyang humiliated, this was the Seven Rudders of the Hong Alliance; as its member, allowing Zhou Haoyang’s death would be indefensible.

Thus, as the Bloody Monk neared Zhou Haoyang, he also stepped forward, saying, ”Blood Robe Sect Leader, leave some leeway for mercy!”