Urban Martial Saint

Ye Qing rushed to Zhou Yue’s military camp, which startled Zhou Yue.

Actually, Ye Qing had been in the mountains for nearly half a month without any news, and Zhou Yue thought Ye Qing was already dead in the mountains. He almost reported this to Su Kaicheng. Unexpectedly, Ye Qing had returned alive, which naturally shocked him greatly.

In fact, Zhou Yue knew clearly that every year several groups of people ventured into Xiliang Mountain, including armed soldiers. But none of them ever returned alive, showing just how dangerous Xiliang Mountain truly was. Originally, Zhou Yue wanted to dissuade Ye Qing and his group since he knew Xiliang Mountain was a one-way trip. However, after explaining the danger, Ye Qing still insisted on going, so he couldn’t prevent it and had mentally considered them dead.

Now that Ye Qing and his group returned, one can imagine Zhou Yue’s shock. Though fourteen people went, only six returned, with one not among the original group. Nonetheless, Ye Qing and his team came back. This is arguably the first time anyone entered the central area of Xiliang Mountain and returned alive since it became closed off.

”Mr. Ye, did you really... really not encounter that moving skeleton in the mountains?” This was the third time Zhou Yue asked this question. Although he outwardly claimed not to believe in the superstition, he was more curious than anyone. This legend had been spread so convincingly that he wanted to know if these things truly existed.

Of course, Ye Qing wouldn’t disclose the truth. If word got out about the moving skeleton, the commotion would be unimaginable. So naturally, Ye Qing firmly denied it, leaving Zhou Yue skeptical and wondering if the legend was fake.

Ye Qing and his group didn’t stay long at Zhou Yue’s place. After resting briefly, they boarded a plane the next morning. Even so, Shijia refused to fly. He took the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal and the red Heavenly Cluster Clouds along and had Zhou Yue arrange a car for him to go to Shenchuan City. This meant his travel was much slower than Ye Qing’s group.

Truth be told, Ye Qing couldn’t understand Shijia at all. He seemed very averse to flying by airplane. Was he afraid of heights? That was unlikely. A beyond peerless master avoiding aircraft due to acrophobia would surely be laughed at.

Ye Qing and his team boarded a plane and quickly returned to Shenchuan City. Before departing, Ye Qing contacted the World Alliance, who expected his return.

As soon as they disembarked, several cars awaited Ye Qing at the airport. Surprisingly, Shen Tianjun was among those greeting Ye Qing, which puzzled him.

Logically, Ye Qing’s return to Shenchuan City wasn’t a major event. Shen Tianjun, being an elder and overseeing the World Alliance affairs, wouldn’t normally greet Ye Qing personally. Had something significant happened in Shenchuan City?

Big Beard and others, witnessing such a scene for the first time, were startled upon landing. Fat Wang, however, was used to it, immediately leading Big Beard and others to find Li Lianshan post-arrival. He was a smart guy, cognizant that Li Lianshan ruled Shenchuan City and had cultivated a good relationship with him. Finding Li Lianshan meant a warm reception was assured. Without martial skills, he wouldn’t involve himself in World Alliance affairs.

Ye Qing and Shen Tianjun shared a car, while Old Chen took the seat at the back. Inside the car, Ye Qing was surprised to find the driver was Liu Mubai.

Apparently, Shen Tianjun had prearranged this personal welcome and instructed Liu Mubai to drive, indicating a major occurrence in Shenchuan City; otherwise, Shen Tianjun wouldn’t be this anxious.

Once the doors closed, Ye Qing bluntly asked, ”Uncle Shen, did something happen in Shenchuan City?”

”Alas!” Shen Tianjun sighed, his brow furrowed, confirming Ye Qing’s speculations.

”After you contacted us yesterday evening, an incident occurred at three in the morning!” Shen Tianjun sternly said. ”First, Twelve Green Halls was attacked. Two peak masters were killed, five others severely injured, and the Heaven, Earth, and Man Tri-Map guarded by Heavenly Master Lin Xuan Yue was stolen!”

”What!?” Ye Qing’s face changed instantly. This was a serious matter. Considering the strength of Twelve Green Halls, being ambushed, losing the Heaven, Earth, and Man Tri-Map, death of two peak masters, and severe injury to five others, how many attackers were involved? Didn’t Twelve Green Halls receive any warning beforehand?

Ye Qing’s shocked reaction was anticipated by Shen Tianjun. He glanced at Ye Qing and sternly said, ”Additionally, this person intended to seize Sha Men’s six weapons and the Sun Shooting Bow handled by Huangfu Ziyu from the World Alliance. However, my master discovered this and thwarted the attempt. Unfortunately, both Sha Men’s Wolf Monk and Zi Yu were injured.”

Ye Qing immediately slammed his fist against the seat. His face turned grim with anger. While previous events merely shocked him, Huangfu Ziyu’s injury left him unsettled. Furthermore, the other party wounded Wolf Monk, Ye Qing’s friend!

Taking a deep breath, Ye Qing furrowed his brows, saying sternly, ”Uncle Shen, you mentioned this was done by one individual. Just one person?”

”That’s precisely the issue!” Shen Tianjun sighed, saying, ”Indeed, the opponent was a single individual!”

”Just one person!?” Ye Qing’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Shen Tianjun, asking, ”Is it...”

”Correct, it’s a beyond peerless master!” Shen Tianjun nodded slowly.

”Is it The Immortal Lord or Corpse Ghost Dragon?” Ye Qing asked, thinking of the Wanyan Family members—the only possibilities.

Shen Tianjun shook his head, stating, ”Neither!”

”Then who is it?” Ye Qing urged. If another beyond peerless master was involved, it complicated matters. The worldly affairs gradually veered beyond their control.

”Currently unknown, but Taoist Wuji is heading to Shenchuan City. Once he arrives, perhaps he’ll uncover some clues.” Shen Tianjun looked at Ye Qing and said sternly, ”The crucial issue now is treating the injured five from the World Alliance, along with Zi Yu and Wolf Monk. Their injuries are difficult to cure!”

”Why?” Ye Qing looked at Shen Tianjun in surprise, asking, ”Isn’t Bai Li Xi part of the World Alliance? Can’t even he heal them?”

”Although Bai Li Xi’s medical skills are commendable, treating injuries below peak levels poses no difficulty. Injuries beyond peak level differ tremendously due to the distinct power of beyond peerless masters, which he’s never encountered!” Shen Tianjun said after taking a deep breath, ”Even Bai Li Xi can only temporarily preserve their lives without alleviating their injuries!”

Ye Qing furrowed his brows even more, asking, ”What about the medicine I left earlier?”

The medicine Ye Qing referred to was fragments of the Devouring Demon Flower he left behind. Very few were aware of this; disclosing would cause trouble for the Demon Hideout Cave. Thus, Ye Qing had kept this matter obscure. Yet, the Devouring Demon Flower was highly effective for treating injuries. Could it not heal wounds from a beyond peerless master?

”I wanted to use that medicine for treatment, but Heavenly Master Lin Xuan Yue stopped me.” Shen Tianjun said, ”Lin Xuan Yue claimed that despite healing power, the medicine would leave endless troubles, advising against reckless use.”

Ye Qing was puzzled by Lin Xuan Yue’s statement. However, Lin Xuan Yue was the sole disciple of Taoist Wuji with the moniker Heavenly Master and vast knowledge. His words weren’t usually false. If he said this, he must have his reasons. But what exactly did he mean? Could he perhaps recognize the Devouring Demon Flower?

Carrying these doubts, Ye Qing and his team soon arrived at the World Alliance. Without pause, Ye Qing headed directly to Bai Li Xi’s residence, where the injured were housed, relying on Bai Li Xi to keep them alive.

Ye Qing first visited Huangfu Ziyu, who shared a room with Yin Xianzi; both were injured by the same individual. Huangfu Ziyu’s injuries were lighter, likely due to her lesser strength, sparing her from heavy attacks. Yin Xianzi, however, was different. Engaging the attacker head-on, her life was nearly forfeited. If not for her swift evasion at a critical moment, she might have perished.

Seeing Huangfu Ziyu with a pale complexion, unconscious on the bed, Ye Qing’s fists clenched tightly. After a moment of silence and a deep breath, he left the room.

The other room housed Wolf Monk and four masters from Twelve Green Halls. Their injuries were more severe than Yin Xianzi’s, particularly Wolf Monk’s life-threatening situation. Luckily, Bloody Monk heard the commotion in time and intervened, countering a fatal blow. Though Bloody Monk coughed up blood, his condition was much better, considered only lightly injured. This indicated the improvement of his martial prowess, as he could survive a confrontation with a beyond peerless master. He, like Fu Qingping before him, was on the path toward becoming beyond peerless.