Urban Martial Saint

After much discussion, the group still couldn’t decide whether to confront the Wanyan Family. After all, the Wanyan Family’s Long-toothed Rat Swarm and the Minghong Knife’s Scabbard were enough to suppress them.

In his heart, Ye Qing wasn’t in favor of a direct confrontation with the Wanyan Family either. He was thinking about the Xuanyuan Sword. In eight days, they could enter the Yelu Family’s ancestral tomb. If they could find the Xuanyuan Sword, they would be able to suppress the Minghong Knife’s Scabbard, making the battle much easier.

As for the millions of Long-toothed Rats from the Wanyan Family, the Knife Saint always said that Long-toothed Rats had a natural enemy, and Ye Qing was pondering whether they could really find the natural enemy of the Long-toothed Rats.

If they could obtain the Xuanyuan Sword and find the natural enemy of the Long-toothed Rats, they would have no pressure in this battle. Confronting the Wanyan Family wouldn’t be such a difficult thing!

They debated all night but couldn’t reach a conclusion. However, through this night’s discussion, they realized something crucial — they couldn’t stay in the Capital for long. Wanyan Family must have received news about their activities in the Capital, and they might be coming to encircle them. Staying here would be troublesome if the Wanyan Family attacked.

Early the next morning, everyone packed up and left the Nalan Family’s estate in the Capital. Of course, they knew wandering like this wasn’t a solution; their numbers were large, and the Wanyan Family had spies everywhere. No matter where they went, they couldn’t escape the Wanyan Family’s eyes and would eventually be caught. They only wanted to delay time to find ways to deal with the Wanyan Family’s two trump cards before a final showdown.

In Ye Qing’s mind, the crucial issue was the Yelu Family’s ancestral tomb. Entering the tomb might lead them to the Xuanyuan Sword, and with the Xuanyuan Sword, they could battle the Minghong Knife’s Scabbard. So, he believed they needed at least eight more days. As long as they avoided a major encounter with the Wanyan Family in these eight days, they would be fine.

Fortunately, the intelligence officers from the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance and the Twelve Green Halls were fairly prompt, always reporting the Wanyan Family’s whereabouts, allowing Ye Qing’s group to narrowly avoid the Wanyan Family’s ambushes multiple times. Five days passed without major incident, though they did encounter Wanyan Family members a few times, always small squads from the Wanyan Family who ended up suffering losses.

After a few setbacks, the Wanyan Family became wise, no longer sending small teams to search but moving as a large force. In such a scenario, if Ye Qing’s group encountered the Wanyan Family, a big battle would be inevitable. However, they hadn’t crossed paths, and the battle never happened. As the eight-day deadline approached, Ye Qing felt more at ease. Once they found the Xuanyuan Sword, they wouldn’t have to fear the Wanyan Family anymore.

However, while Ye Qing’s group felt increasingly stable, Wanyan Second Master was growing more furious. For eight days, they had been tracking Ye Qing’s movements. According to Wanyan Second Master’s plans, they had set up several ambushes, waiting for Ye Qing to step into them. Yet, at the critical moment each time, Ye Qing seemed to sense the ambush and avoided it at the last step, ruining their plans and enraging Wanyan Second Master.

On the fifth night, Wanyan Second Master’s fourth ambush failed again; he finally couldn’t hold back his anger. He summoned his key members and lashed out at them.

With Wanyan Hongfeng not present, Wanyan Second Master acted as the acting Family Head. Reprimanded by Wanyan Second Master, no one dared to speak.

After scolding them, Wanyan Second Master’s anger subsided by half. He walked to the table, sat down, glanced at everyone, and said in a deep voice, ”We calculated the four ambushes perfectly, and they were about to fall into them, yet each time at the last moment, they veered away. What’s going on? Can anyone explain?”

The members exchanged looks, feeling even more frustrated than Wanyan Second Master. They had prepared, but each time it ended in failure. Anyone in their position would find it hard to accept.

After a moment of silence, someone spoke softly, ”There’s an Old Wang Ba with Ye Qing. Old Wang Ba is from the Iron Calculation Sect. It’s said he’s uniquely gifted with calculation skills, undetected by anything under the heavens. Could it be... could it be that Old Wang Ba calculated the danger in advance, so they dared not come?”

At these words, many chimed in. Wanyan Second Master frowned and angrily said, ”Nonsense. Even if Old Wang Ba had such skills, would he dare to pull off such a thing? Hmph, today’s battle involves not only Peak Masters but also beyond peerless masters. The Way of Divination is defying Heaven, inherently shortening one’s lifespan. Each change he makes could cost his life. Altering it four times in succession, how could he survive?”

Those in the room, all exceptional among Peak Masters, didn’t really understand fate, but they knew some aspects. Wanyan Second Master’s words were indeed accurate; the Way of Divination is certainly limited. This was why Old Wang Ba, despite being from the Iron Calculation Sect, rarely offered his calculations.

In truth, this was evident with Ye Qing. Old Wang Ba had suffered great misfortune once for helping Ye Qing alter his fate because destiny is immutable. Forcibly reversing it carried a heavy price.

”If not Old Wang Ba...” another elder whispered, ”then... how is it that Ye Qing knows our moves?”

The group discreetly glanced at Wanyan Second Master. They all had a thought but didn’t dare express it.

”Why are you looking at me? If you have something to say, just say it!” Wanyan Second Master commanded.

The group exchanged glances, and an older man slowly said, ”Brother, do you think there might be... a spy among us? Someone informing them, so our plans were exposed before they began!”

Everyone nodded; they all were considering it.

This time, Wanyan Second Master didn’t rebuke; after a brief silence, he seriously said, ”Your conjecture aligns with mine. It’s not a possibility but a certainty; there’s definitely a spy among us, passing them intelligence!”

Upon hearing Wanyan Second Master’s affirmation, the room erupted in agitation. An elder slammed the table, saying, ”Who exactly is this spy? Such audacity to oppose our Wanyan Family!”

”Regardless of who it is, once found, I’ll tear them limb from limb!”

”Killing alone won’t quell my anger; I’ll torture them mercilessly, make them taste the agony of living!”

The room roared, everyone clamoring to find the traitor and unleash torment upon them. Wanyan Second Master remained silent, furrowing his brow on the sofa; as the noise subsided, he gravely remarked, ”Your words now are nonsense, futile. This spy, obtaining our intelligence, surely holds a significant position here. Unmasking them won’t be easy. Besides, we haven’t the time to hunt this spy. During my brother’s seclusion, I wish for us to achieve something noteworthy for him!”

The group once more exchanged looks; someone timidly asked, ”Brother, are you suggesting...”

Wanyan Second Master said, ”Devise a method to ensnare Ye Qing and the Sword Saint Sect in one sweep!”

”This...” Silence reigned; naturally, they wanted to capture Ye Qing and the Wanyan Family in one net, yet they lacked the capability. They couldn’t even meet these people, let alone capture them in entirety.

Seeing their silence, Wanyan Second Master cleared his throat and coolly said, ”Since no one has thoughts, I’ll propose an idea; see if you find it suitable!”

Everyone promptly focused on Wanyan Second Master, eager to hear what plan he had.

Wanyan Second Master didn’t immediately reveal his idea but lightly clapped his hands, and a middle-aged man walked in from outside the room.

The man disregarded the curious looks from around and went directly to Wanyan Second Master, bowing, ”Second Master!”

Wanyan Second Master nodded towards him, asking, ”How goes the investigation I entrusted to you?”

”It’s been resolved!” The middle-aged man pulled out a notebook, stating, ”According to our traced clues, after the battle at Shenchuan City, Ye Qing departed with the Sun Shooting Bow. He has had it throughout the journey. But after entering Mount Wendao, he was never seen with the Sun Shooting Bow again. We reviewed surveillance around Mount Wendao, compared, and analyzed; it’s evident Ye Qing indeed entered the mountain with the bow and exited without it. Also, Ye Qing hasn’t visited that area since. Thus, we have reasons to believe Ye Qing hid the Sun Shooting Bow in Mount Wendao!”

Upon hearing this, the room turned uproarious. The Sun Shooting Bow hidden at Mount Wendao was staggering news. Everyone knew that now, the Wanyan Family needed just the Sun Shooting Bow to complete the keys and maps to open Heaven Earth Man Three Gates. It meant capturing the Sun Shooting Bow would allow them to open Heaven Earth Man Three Gates, a prospect that thrilled everyone.