Urban Martial Saint

Having stepped out of Shen Qingyi’s private courtyard, Ye Qing immediately felt that tonight’s Shen Family Manor was different from before.

Inside the Shen Family Manor, there were no longer as many patrolling guards as before. Although the courtyard was always brightly lit, at a glance, there was not a single person in sight, a clear sign of the current tense situation at Shen Family Manor. Evidently, the guards of the Shen Family were now mostly gathered together, primarily to deal with the members of the Killing Gate!

Ye Qing took out the Seven-Star Ancient Sword from his clothing and gripped the hilt tightly. Holding the sword exhilarated him. With the ancient sword in hand, Ye Qing’s confidence surged. Although a fierce battle was inevitable tonight, Ye Qing was prepared.

In fact, Ye Qing was very aware that tonight’s battle would not be simple. Even Old Madam Shen knew about it, which was why she had sent Shen Qingyi away from Shen Family Manor before the battle commenced. This meant that even Old Madam Shen was uncertain if Shen Family Manor could triumph this time, thus she had already made plans for Shen Qingyi’s departure.

Now, Ye Qing’s understanding of the Shen Family had deepened a lot, and his views on the Shen Family had changed considerably. Initially, he had entered just hoping to save Du Tianyi and Shen Qingyi. However, at this moment, he was determined to do his utmost to preserve the entire Shen Family!

With the Seven-Star Ancient Sword in hand, Ye Qing headed straight toward the main hall in front, which was where the Shen Family usually received guests. He guessed that the people from Killing Gate might also be there.

As Ye Qing had expected, there were indeed many people in the hall, and many were guards outside. Fortunately, Ye Qing was dressed as a guard, so no one paid him much attention, and naturally, nobody realized that he was an impostor.

Ye Qing reached the hall and blended in among the guards, slowly moving toward the door of the hall, from where he could see and hear what was inside.

Inside the hall, members of the Killing Gate were there, sitting opposite the people of the Shen Family, who were led by Shen Da.

On the side of Killing Gate, the Right Protector occupied the first seat, the leader among them. The Ghost-faced Judge Cui Yu sat in the second seat, which, evidently, had been decided by the Right Protector. Otherwise, many among the Killing Gate’s Seven Hidden wouldn’t accept the Ghost-faced Judge taking such a position. The focus the Right Protector placed on Cui Yu was undoubtedly due to the skills of Cui Yu’s younger brother, Cui Yulong!

Cui Yulong sat somewhat towards the back, not really concerned about these seating arrangements. He also held a narrow wooden box in his arms, which contained the fearsome Ink Pattern Black Gold Blade. Even sheathed, the mere sight of that box was enough to strike fear into many hearts.

The rest of the Killing Gate members just randomly took their seats. Several of them were strangers to Ye Qing, and he didn’t know if they were newcomers or helpers invited by the Killing Gate. Clearly, the Killing Gate had many capable fighters and elite members.

The Shen Family members, led by Shen Da and Shen Er, were all outstanding figures among the Shen Family’s Ten Outstanding Members. However, with Shen Ba and Shen Jiu dead in Shenchuan City, only eight remained. Although only eight were left, their aura was no less imposing. Any one of the Shen Family’s ten could stand their own ground, and together, the eight nearly represented the full strength of the Shen Family!

However, what surprised Ye Qing was that next to Elder Brother Shen, there was a monk in white robes and a bald head. The monk had an exceptionally handsome appearance, with rosy lips and white teeth, even more beautiful than the Netherworld Scholar. Despite being bald, his visage was still enough to captivate countless young girls. It was indeed surprising to see such a handsome man as a monk.

Moreover, his seating position was even more honorable than that of Elder Brother Shen, showing that the people of the Shen Family held him in high regard. What was the identity of this monk, and how did he get involved in the matter between the Shen Family and Killing Gate? And how did he come to hold such a position?

”Elder Brother Shen, let’s cut the nonsense!” the Right Protector slapped the table and said, ”It’s too late for apologies now for what happened back then, isn’t it? Moreover, whether your Shen Family killed our people from Killing Gate, you know very well in your hearts. I will not delve into that. We came here today because your family took the lead, making you our primary target for revenge. After dealing with your Shen Family, we will naturally go after those who took advantage of the chaos to attack us. In any case, those who owe lives to our Killing Gate will ultimately have to repay with blood!”

The words of the Right Protector angered many from the Shen Family, but after being reprimanded by Old Madam Shen just before, their anger wasn’t as intense as it used to be. Otherwise, given their previous temperaments, they might have exploded in fury upon hearing the Right Protector’s words.

Elder Brother Shen smiled faintly and said, ”As the saying goes, it is better to resolve enmity rather than deepen it. I also do not wish for you to continue seeking those involved in those past events. After all, the number of people you have killed isn’t that much fewer than theirs. So on this matter, my Shen Family is willing to apologize on behalf of those once involved, hoping to receive forgiveness from friends of the Killing Gate. In doing so, our Shen Family would be immensely grateful.”

”Don’t talk to me about being grateful, we Killing Gate make a living off taking lives for money, killing a few people here and there is nothing unusual. But let me ask you, Shen Family had no prior grievances with us, yet you led the attack against our Killing Gate back then, do you think the matter can be dismissed with just a few words?” the Right Protector sneered continuously, ”We didn’t come here today ready for idle chatter. Just say how you want it dealt with. Group fight or one-on-one, choose either!”

”Blood-Sealed Throat, don’t push us too far!” Shen San couldn’t hold it in anymore and said, ”My elder brother just apologized to you in goodwill, which was already giving you a lot of face. If you can’t accept, you could at least show some manners, what are you implying now? Do you really think our Shen Family is afraid of you?”

”Third Brother!” Elder Brother Shen hastily stopped Shen San and glared at him, his voice grave, ”Have you forgotten the words of Old Madam?”

Shen San had spoken out of desperation. At hearing this, his face turned immensely embarrassed, and he found himself unable to say the following words, only able to lower his head helplessly.

”I’ll tell you, you did indeed speak the truth!” The Right Protector sneered coldly, ”I think that the Shen Family is afraid of us, Killing Gate, which is why you dare not fight us. Ha! Remember how domineering the Shen Family was when you stormed into our Killing Gate, shouting ’no mercy’? What happened to the Shen Family today? Have you lost the boldness you had ten years ago? Shen Family? The Martial Arts Holy Land of the Southern Six Provinces? Ha! Even you have days you’re scared?”

Elder Brother Shen slightly furrowed his brows, having spoken kindly without effect as the Right Protector remained unmoved; it seemed they had no choice but to fight tonight.

”Right Protector, I truly hope that this grudge can be resolved!” Elder Brother Shen looked at the Right Protector and added, ”However, if you all truly believe this grudge can’t be resolved, then we, the Shen Family, will not insist. We do not dare claim to be the Martial Arts Holy Land of the Southern Six Provinces, but we will certainly not shy away from conflict!”

Elder Brother Shen’s words were neither servile nor overbearing, making clear his intention to resolve the grudge, while also stating the stance of the Shen Family. The Shen Family did not want more trouble, but they were certainly not afraid of it!

”Hahaha...” The Right Protector burst into laughter, stood up sharply, and declared, ”Then what is there to say, let’s fight!”

”Wait a moment!” Elder Brother Shen suddenly gestured with his hand, stopping the eager ones on both sides.

The Right Protector coldly said, ”What now? Scared because it’s time to fight?”

”Unable to resolve the deep-seated hatred in the hearts of those from Killing Gate, I, Mr. Shen, feel ashamed. It seems inevitable we will fight tonight,” Elder Brother Shen shook his head and continued, ”However, we, the Shen Family, wish not to make more enemies. Therefore, I hope we can discuss something. Can we limit tonight’s conflict to first blood, preventing unnecessary casualties?”

”Nonsense, why don’t you ask those from Killing Gate who were killed back then if they can still come back to life now?” The Right Protector coldly said, ”Ten years ago, when you were killing so many of our people, did you ever think about stopping at first blood? Yet today, you speak of stopping at first blood, what do you think?”

Elder Brother Shen sighed, his voice filled with resignation, ”It seems, Right Protector, you are determined to slaughter our people from the Shen Family tonight.”

”Obviously!” The Right Protector grabbed his Liuguang Sword and declared coldly, ”From today onward, the Shen Family will be completely erased from Huaxia!”

Shen Shi coldly said, ”That’s a big claim; do you really have the ability to back it up?”

”Whether I have the ability or not, just ask my Liuguang Sword!” The Right Protector sneered.

Elder Brother Shen looked at the Liuguang Sword in the Right Protector’s hand and couldn’t help but sigh again. This Liuguang Sword was acquired by Shen Jiu in Shenchuan City, and while Shen Jiu never returned, the sword had ended up in the hands of the Right Protector. Seeing this sword reminded him of those, including Shen Ba and Shen Jiu, who died in Shenchuan City, which stirred a sorrowful fury within him.

”Since that is the case, then let us abide by fate!” Elder Brother Shen let out a long cry, but instead of striking, he turned and looked at the handsome monk beside him, bowing slowly, ”Cui Yulong, I must trouble Master Wuhua!”

”Amitabha!” The handsome monk chanted a sutra softly, rose slowly, and walked directly in front of Cui Yulong, bowed and said, ”Patron Cui, would you dare accompany me on a journey?”

Cui Yulong furrowed his brows, looked at the monk, then looked at the people of the Shen Family, and said gravely, ”Monk, you and I have no grudges, and I do not wish to harm you. The grudge I have with the Shen Family, you best not get involved, as I do not wish to injure the innocent.”

”Hehe...” The handsome monk smiled faintly, brought his hands together in prayer, and said, ”Patron Cui is predestined with Buddha. Today, I have come here to guide Patron Cui. Patron Cui, the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back to the shore!”