Urban Martial Saint

Old Wang Ba chuckled, then slowly shook his head, saying, ”I don’t know what secrets are hidden inside.”

”Then why did you bring it up?” Ye Qing said helplessly.

”I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking you to investigate and find out what’s going on!” Old Wang Ba took a deep breath and said, ”Besides, I suspect the Knife Saint isn’t dead yet; he might be hiding in the Sword Saint Sect, brewing up some big plan!”

”If you don’t know, why do you have such suspicions?” Ye Qingqi asked, puzzled.

”Isn’t that obvious?” Old Wang Ba said, ”The Sword Saint Sect has been hidden for nearly three hundred years. Previously, although heirs appeared occasionally, they rarely got involved in worldly affairs. People merely heard legends about the Sword Saint Sect; it has few connections with the outside world. But this time, not only did many people from the Sword Saint Sect appear, but such a big event happened, indicating they’re ready for a full-scale operation. Coincidentally, as the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates are opening, the Sword Saint Sect repeatedly insists they won’t compete for the Gates, yet they appear at this time. Don’t you find it suspicious? If they aren’t brewing some plan, I absolutely won’t believe it!”

Old Wang Ba’s words made Ye Qing ponder. This indeed seemed to be the case. People from the Sword Saint Sect repeatedly claimed they wouldn’t vie for the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates and consistently advised others against entering. This suggests they certainly know some secrets about the Gates. Coupled with their preparation to rally now, anyone would find it suspicious.

However, concerning the Knife Saint not being dead, Ye Qing wondered how Old Wang Ba conjectured that. Nonetheless, Old Wang Ba’s remarks piqued Ye Qing’s interest, prompting him to investigate and uncover the underlying secrets. Why did everyone attend, except the Knife Saint? And if the Knife Saint isn’t truly dead, could some secrets about the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates be discovered from him?

As he thought about this, Ye Qing took a deep breath and asked Old Wang Ba, ”Which path should I take?”

”You’re really going?” Huangfu Ziyu seemed anxious, grabbing Ye Qing hurriedly, saying, ”You currently have no inner strength. What if you encounter danger at the Sword Saint Sect? Besides whether the Knife Saint is dead or not, even if he truly isn’t dead and you can uncover the truth, he’s been through the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates and is over four hundred years old yet still alive. How strong must his prowess be? If you come across him, then...”

Huangfu Ziyu did not continue, but her worried expression was plainly evident.

”Fortune is sought amidst danger!” Old Wang Ba smacked his lips and said, ”Moreover, Ye Zi is blessed; nothing ominous will easily befall him!”

Huangfu Ziyu immediately retorted, ”You’re quite prosperous in appearance; why don’t you go investigate?”

”Cough, cough...” Old Wang Ba coughed twice and said, ”I’m the idea guy; if we were in ancient times, I’d be called a think tank. When have you seen Zhuge Liang out fighting battles?”

Huangfu Ziyu heartlessly retorted, ”At most, you’re a pig brother; you have nothing in common with Liang!”

”Let’s not talk about irrelevant things; let’s discuss this trip to the Sword Saint Sect!” Old Wang Ba looked at Ye Qing and said, ”What do you think about what I just proposed? If you agree, I’ll arrange for someone to accompany you!”

”Who will accompany me?” Ye Qing asked, surprised.

Old Wang Ba smiled and said, ”This person should be arriving shortly.”

As Old Wang Ba finished speaking, there was a sudden knock at the door outside. Ye Qing went to open the door and saw Helian Tiehua leading someone inside. This person was corpulent, carrying a backpack, none other than Fat Wang!

”So it’s you!” The sip of water Ye Qing just took almost sprayed out; it was Fat Wang again. Turning back, he wondered why Old Wang Ba seemed to particularly enjoy having Fat Wang work with him. Whenever investigating matters, if Old Wang Ba needed someone to accompany Ye Qing, it was always Fat Wang, without exception. Why did Old Wang Ba favor Fat Wang so much? Or possibly, what was special about Fat Wang that warranted Old Wang Ba always choosing him?

”What’s going on here? Why did I need someone to lead the way upon entering the premises, otherwise they wouldn’t let me in?” Fat Wang began shouting as soon as he entered, ”Luckily, Mr. Helian was nearby, otherwise I’d have to wait outside for you to come and get me!”

Judging by Fat Wang’s demeanor, he seemed unaware of the major upheaval in Shenchuan City or that the estate had been occupied by the Wanyan Family and later reclaimed by Ye Qing and the others. This fellow lived carefree, always carrying a bag, either traveling or grave robbing; no matter how fierce the world of martial artists battles might be, it seemed irrelevant to him.

”Some unexpected events occurred here recently, I’ll fill you in later.” Old Wang Ba waved his hand and said, ”Since General Helian is here, I’ve discussed previous plans with him. Once inside the Sword Saint Sect, don’t stir up trouble; if you can run, run. Don’t foolishly tag along with the Nalan Family to fight. Regardless of victory or defeat, no good outcome awaits you!”

”Not a problem.” Helian Tiehua nodded and looked at Ye Qing, saying, ”I’ll instruct the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance accordingly. However, regarding Sha Men and the Twelve Green Halls, you’ll have to talk to the Ye brothers!”

Judging by Old Wang Ba and Helian Tiehua’s conversation, Ye Qing suspected Old Wang Ba had already met Helian Tiehua. It appeared Old Wang Ba had instructed him and others to flee immediately when the battle commenced, refraining from confrontation. Such tactics might indeed safeguard Helian Tiehua and his crew, but they might also leave the Nalan Family stranded.

”Eighth Master, isn’t this a bit underhanded?” Ye Qing asked softly, taking a deep breath.

”What’s underhanded about it? You make it sound as if the Nalan Family is so kind to you!” Old Wang Ba pursed his lips and said, ”Let me tell you, the Nalan Family harbors ill intentions. Nalan Jingwei is even less generous than Wanyan Hongfeng. If the Nalan Family gains power, your situation might be more troublesome than it is now. So with such a family, you needn’t be courteous; if you can ruin them once, don’t give them the chance again!”

Ye Qing hadn’t anticipated Old Wang Ba’s extremely low regard for the Nalan Family. It seemed Old Wang Ba intended to thoroughly annihilate them this time. Reflecting on the Nalan Family’s actions, Ye Qing wouldn’t pity them either. Before the Wanyan Family launched an all-out campaign, it was always the Nalan Family stirring trouble. The Nalan Family’s ambition exceeded that of the Wanyan Family, truly posing a larger threat. Utilizing this opportunity, leveraging the Wanyan Family to eradicate the Nalan Family, is indeed a viable plan.

”Alright, that’s settled then. Ye Qing, go inform the folks at Sha Men and the Twelve Green Halls to prevent them from foolishly engaging in a face-off!” Old Wang Ba said.

Ye Qing nodded; Sha Men’s members would definitely obey him completely. As for the Twelve Green Halls, Ding Lianshun and Yin Xianzi were on good terms with Ye Qing, so conveying this matter to them would surely succeed.

”In that case, the plan is finalized. Let’s disperse to avoid the Nalan Family discovering us and potentially exposing the scheme!” Old Wang Ba waved his hand, addressing Ye Qing and Fat Wang: ”By the way, come with me, you two; I have some matters to discuss with you in detail!”

”Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Ye Qing said, frustrated.

”Nonsense!” Old Wang Ba glared and said, ”We’re departing tomorrow, what talk is there for tomorrow? Let’s talk through the night!”

Ye Qing reluctantly glanced at Huangfu Ziyu nearby, who sighed lightly and slowly released Ye Qing’s hand. Their personal affair had to be temporarily set aside considering the greater matters at hand.

Ye Qing felt slightly guilty towards Huangfu Ziyu, but there was no choice; he had to accompany Old Wang Ba and Fat Wang to an upstairs room to discuss further plans regarding the Sword Saint Sect.

Old Wang Ba seemed quite familiar with the situation concerning the Sword Saint Sect. Upon entering the room, he immediately produced a map and began explaining the Sword Saint Sect’s location to Ye Qing and Fat Wang.

Based on the information Executioner Scholar previously provided Ye Qing, the Sword Saint Sect was located by Thousand Dragon Lake. Yet, after reviewing the map Old Wang Ba laid out, Ye Qing realized that even if he went there, he wouldn’t be able to find the Sword Saint Sect. This was due to the sect’s ultra-secrecy, compounded by Qimen Dunjia concealing the entrance. Without knowledge of the location or possession of a map, entry to Thousand Dragon Lake was impossible.

No wonder the Wanyan Family never released Executioner Scholar, as his capability was secondary to his knowledge of the Sword Saint Sect’s location. To locate the sect, finding Executioner Scholar to lead the way was necessary!

Seeing the map produced by Old Wang Ba, Ye Qing was puzzled and said, ”Eighth Master, I’ve heard the Sword Saint Sect’s location is extremely secret, that no one can know. How do you have a map of it?”

Old Wang Ba said, ”Who says no one knows? Shijia and Wuji both know. This map was drawn by Shijia!”

”Shijia and Wuji actually know?” Ye Qing paused for a moment; if those two knew, it wasn’t unexpected, considering neither was an ordinary person.

Given Ye Qing’s tone, Old Wang Ba assumed Ye Qing harbored doubts, explaining, ”It’s nothing surprising; Shijia and Wuji even established an agreement with the Sword Saint Sect. How would they make an agreement without knowing its location?”