Urban Martial Saint

The crowd gathered together to discuss the confrontation with the Wanyan Family. The three major alliances discussed the specific strategies for battle and also decided on the location for the decisive battle.

This battle would be between the Wanyan Family’s Sword Saint Sect and the three major alliances on the Shenchuan City side. Not to mention beyond peerless masters, even a battle among peak masters would be astonishing enough. Moreover, both sides were sending many peak masters. If the fight broke out in the city, who knows what kind of consequences it would have. Therefore, the battle must be held in a deserted place.

The final battle location was set at the Mid-Mountain Canyon in Shenchuan City, though it is now called Swallow Sea Valley. Last time, when Ye Qing fought against the Corpse Ghost Dragon, he shattered the dragon’s body with the power of the Buddha’s Relic but also pierced through the giant rock in the canyon. Beyond that rock, one can reach the seaside. From afar, it looks like a mouth about to swallow the sea, hence the name Swallow Sea Valley.

Swallow Sea Valley is relatively remote and covers a vast area, making it the ideal place for a decisive battle. Even if beyond peerless masters fight here, it won’t cause much commotion and won’t be seen by anyone.

Of course, although the location for the decisive battle was chosen, only a few knew about it: Heavenly Master Lin Xuan Yue of the Twelve Green Halls, Helian Tiehua of the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance, Shen Tianjun of the World Alliance, and Ye Qing. The matter was kept secret to prevent the Wanyan Family from learning about it. The Wanyan Family was confident in their success, and everyone suspected they would use deceit, so naturally, they couldn’t be informed of the battle’s location to avoid giving them the opportunity to set a trap in advance.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye. On the morning of the fifth day, the Wanyan Family had already arrived in Shenchuan City, coming to the World Alliance’s estate.

Leading the Wanyan Family this time was Wanyan Second Master. This was quite rare since Wanyan Second Master usually stayed within the family, overseeing from there and leaving other matters to be handled by others. This time, he personally led the team, showing his absolute confidence in this battle and his preparation to completely take over the three major alliances in Shenchuan City.

Although the battle was imminent, Wanyan Second Master, following etiquette, visited the World Alliance first. Naturally, Ye Qing would not initiate a battle directly, as that would seem ill-mannered. Following etiquette, Ye Qing received Wanyan Second Master in the guest hall of the World Alliance.

Accompanying Ye Qing to meet Wanyan Second Master were also Shen Tianjun, Helian Tiehua, and a Supreme Elder from the Twelve Green Halls. This was essentially the first dialogue between the three major alliances and the Wanyan Family, so the key members of the three alliances had to be present.

When they arrived at the guest hall, Wanyan Second Master was already sitting there. Upon seeing Ye Qing and the others, Wanyan Second Master smiled faintly and stood up, saying, ”Alliance Leader Ye, General Helian, Elder Chu!”

The Supreme Elder from the Twelve Green Halls was indeed surnamed Chu, but he rarely showed himself and had been secluded for over fifty years. Yet, Wanyan Second Master recognized him at a glance, surprising Elder Chu greatly. It seemed the Wanyan Family was quite familiar with the Twelve Green Halls’ situation.

The three nodded and clasped their hands in respect towards Wanyan Second Master, and everyone sat down according to rank. Only then did Ye Qing address Wanyan Second Master, ”Mr. Wan Yan, you’ve traveled all the way to visit us, and I’m truly embarrassed to have not visited you first!”

”Alliance Leader Ye is too courteous!” Wanyan Second Master appraised Ye Qing and laughed, ”It’s said that Alliance Leader Ye is talented among the younger generation. Seeing you today, it indeed lives up to the reputation; you truly have a leader’s demeanor!”

Ye Qing knew Wanyan Second Master was just uttering nonsense. He pretended not to understand and casually exchanged pleasantries with Wanyan Second Master. He knew full well Wanyan Second Master didn’t come over just to offer compliments. The battle was set to occur that night; he wouldn’t come to just exchange niceties!

As expected, after a round of pleasantries, Wanyan Second Master sighed softly and said, ”In truth, I came this time to act as a mediator, hoping that conflict can be turned into amity, avoiding further casualties!”

Helian Tiehua coldly said, ”It was Mr. Wan Yan who declared war on us, we never intended to start a conflict!”

”Alas!” sighed Wanyan Second Master, ”I truly had no other choice. With chaos looming over the world, I merely wish to ally with you all to weather the impending troubles. However, you all continuously distrust my Wanyan Family, constantly treating us as enemies. If we don’t resist, won’t we just be trampled underfoot?”

”Mr. Wan Yan is truly humorous.” Ye Qing laughed, ”I don’t recall us ever being at odds with the Wanyan Family, but rather, it’s the Wanyan Family that has opposed us at every turn!”

Wanyan Second Master chuckled and shook his head, ”There’s no point dwelling on the past. I’ve come primarily for one thing: to hear from Alliance Leader Ye whether this battle is desired or not?”

Ye Qing frowned and replied, ”This question should be directed to you, Mr. Wan Yan!”

Wanyan Second Master said, ”My Wanyan Family never advocated for warfare as it inevitably brings casualties. We are all Huaxia people; why must we kill each other like this?”

Ye Qing and the other two exchanged glances, unsure of Wanyan Second Master’s true intentions. Could it be he genuinely came to mediate?

Of course, the three would never believe Wanyan Second Master. The Wanyan Family was inherently cunning, and his words wouldn’t be trusted.

”If you don’t wish to kill each other, that’s simple!” Helian Tiehua remarked, ”Mr. Wan Yan, withdraw the Wanyan Family from Shenchuan City and return the Heaven Earth Man Tri-Map and those Six Keys, then we can let bygones be bygones!”

”It seems there’s still mistrust among us!” Wanyan Second Master sighed, ”Now, the Church’s forces are ready to invade Huaxia at any time. At this moment, the Wanyan Family has entered Shenchuan City to unite with you against the Church. As for the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates, the Heaven Earth Man Tri-Map, and the Seven Keys have always been the main cause of unrest in Huaxia’s martial arts world. As long as they are out there, the world won’t find peace. The Wanyan Family took these things to ensure peace, not out of selfishness!”

”Saying so does speak to Mr. Wan Yan’s high sense of justice!” Helian Tiehua remarked sarcastically.

”Not necessarily high justice, but I came today primarily to discuss something with you three!” Wanyan Second Master took a deep breath, looking at the three before him, ”The Heaven Earth Man Three Gates, the Wanyan Family doesn’t want them; the three of you can divide them up instead!”

Upon hearing this, the three were all surprised—what was Wanyan Second Master up to? None of them responded, waiting for Wanyan Second Master to continue.

”However, before that, I hope you three can prioritize the bigger picture and join my Wanyan Family first to expel the Church’s forces!” Wanyan Second Master said solemnly, ”The Church is ambitious and deceitful; if we fight amongst ourselves and they seize the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates, what then?”

Wanyan Second Master’s words might sound pleasant, but Ye Qing and the other two weren’t fools. The Wanyan Family had done so much, how could they be so kind? He claimed it was to deal with the Church, but clearly, he wanted to use the Church to deplete the three major alliances’ strength, allowing the Wanyan Family to emerge dominant. Wanyan Second Master clearly came to try and pacify Ye Qing and the others into submission without fighting, bringing them under the Wanyan Family’s control. As for the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates afterward, if the three alliances’ strength was significantly reduced, who else could contend against the Wanyan Family? Would it not still end up theirs?

If Ye Qing and his allies were unaware of the Wanyan Family’s past actions, perhaps they might have been deceived. However, they were all well aware of the Wanyan Family’s deeds and naturally would not be fooled.

The three exchanged glances, and Ye Qing first smiled and said, ”Mr. Wan Yan’s words resonate with me; I, too, have the same thought!”

Wanyan Second Master couldn’t help but smile, ”In that case, this battle is unnecessary; let’s instead discuss cooperation first!”

”Cooperation is not an issue, but while we might agree, it’s not so simple to persuade the rest of the alliance!” Ye Qing looked troubled, addressing Wanyan Second Master, ”After all, you took the Heaven Earth Man Tri-Map and Six Keys, which greatly angered the alliance members. If the Wanyan Family could return those maps and keys to calm them down, discussing cooperation would be much easier!”

Ye Qing’s words were met with nodding approval from Helian Tiehua and Elder Chu. Ye Qing was using this opportunity to press Wanyan Second Master to hand over the Heaven Earth Man Tri-Map and Six Keys. If Wanyan Second Master did so, they still wouldn’t cooperate with the Wanyan Family, but recovering the items without bloodshed would be beneficial. However, if the Wanyan Family refused to return them, then there would be nothing to discuss. You claim not to want the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates but lack sincerity; what’s the point of talking about cooperation then?

Ye Qing effectively threw the problem back to Wanyan Second Master, observing how he would manage this situation.

Wanyan Second Master furrowed his brows slightly and looked at Ye Qing, ”I previously stated that the Wanyan Family took the Heaven Earth Man Tri-Map and Six Keys to prevent bloodshed over them. Once the Church issue is resolved, these items will be returned. Revealing them now, before resolving the Church matter, would only create internal chaos—it’s not appropriate!”