Urban Martial Saint

Huangfu Ziyu stood at the doorstep, listening to the low murmurs of the people inside, and a wave of shock quietly stirred within her heart.

In fact, she was the heir of the Huangfu Household. It was precisely because of the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates that her family was annihilated. Their family heirloom, the Seven-Star Ancient Sword, appeared to be related to the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates, which brought great disaster upon her family. However, when the disaster struck, she was too young to know much, aware only that it was due to the Seven-Star Ancient Sword that the calamity had befallen her family. As to the specifics of why that was, she had no idea, and no one had told her. Now, hearing everyone’s discussion, her understanding gradually began to take shape.

The genuine Seven-Star Ancient Sword, although also counted among the Ten Famous Swords of Huaxia, certainly shouldn’t have brought such dire misfortune upon the Huangfu family. After all, to completely obliterate the Huangfu Household was by no means an easy feat. Ning Qianshu sacrificed so many people—if it were merely for the sake of seizing a Seven-Star Ancient Sword, then it would seem like a loss not worth the gain. It seemed that Ning Qianshu’s true objective was actually the Heaven Earth Man Three Gates!

”Zi Yu.” Just as Huangfu Ziyu was pondering this, Shen Tianjun’s voice reached her.

Huangfu Ziyu looked up to find the People of the Shen Family’s attention now upon her. Shen Tianjun waved to her and said, ”Come and sit.”

Old Madame Shen sitting beside Shen Tianjun also looked at Huangfu Ziyu with the same kindness. This woman who had managed the Shen Family for twenty years could finally put down the family burden and no longer had to be so dominant now that Shen Tianjun had returned. When she looked at Huangfu Ziyu, her eyes were filled with more guilt than anything else. When she had first taken control of the Shen Family, there were many things she had failed to manage properly, and Huangfu Ziyu’s situation had always been a heavy knot in her heart.

Huangfu Ziyu walked over to Shen Tianjun, joined there by Shen Qingyi and Shen Lingwei. Although Shen Lingwei could not see, she still smiled slightly in the direction of Huangfu Ziyu’s approach. As for Shen Qingyi, she was even warmer toward Huangfu Ziyu, personally getting up to move a chair for her, saying, ”Ms. Huangfu, please sit beside me!”

As it happened, Huangfu Ziyu had known Shen Qingyi since she was very young, and she held some affection for this girl who was adored by thousands. However, seeing Shen Qingyi invariably reminded her of Ye Qing, bringing an indescribable pain to her heart.

Huangfu Ziyu didn’t allow the pain to show and smiled at Shen Qingyi before sitting down next to her.

”Zi Yu, you’ve suffered much over these years!” Old Madame Shen said softly to Huangfu Ziyu, ”The matters of the past were my fault. For many years, I’ve wanted to send someone to the Eastern Province to bring you back to the Shen Family Manor, but I feared you wouldn’t want to return, so I’ve remained uncertain about what to do. Alas, it appears I’ve been too indecisive!”

Huangfu Ziyu’s perception of Old Madame Shen changed significantly after receiving the estate items left by Elder Shen from Shen Qi the night before. Hearing this statement, she quickly responded, ”Madame, it was also my impulsiveness that led me to make such a mistake back then; please do not blame yourself!”

”All of that is in the past now, let’s not bring up those old matters again,” Shen Tianjun intervened, looking at Huangfu Ziyu and continuing, ”Zi Yu, I know you’ve always wanted to revive the Huangfu family. However, there is something I want to tell you!”

”Master, please speak, Zi Yu will bear it in mind!” Huangfu Ziyu replied reverently.

”There is an old saying, ’A tall tree catches the wind,’” Shen Tianjun said, looking at the people of the Shen Family gathered in the hall. ”Although for twenty years the Shen Family has been deemed the Martial Arts Holy Land of the Southern Six Provinces, how many of these numerous people truly care for the Shen Family? Moreover, when Sha Men plotted to strike our Shen Family, the news spread widely, yet there was no one who came to our aid. Those who once had good rapport with our Shen Family also disappeared without a trace. Do you know why?”

Huangfu Ziyu glanced at the People of the Shen Family and shook her head slightly. In truth, she understood the reasons all too well. The Shen Family’s predicament was the result of its people’s stubborn pride and habit of making enemies everywhere. It was because of too many individuals like Shen Baichuan arising in the past twenty years that the Shen Family had fallen to this state. However, these were not words she could say in front of Shen Tianjun.

”I know you certainly have some thoughts on this,” Shen Tianjun continued. ”The arrogance of the Shen Family, bullying others with their power and making enemies everywhere, that is one of the reasons.”

Upon hearing Shen Tianjun’s words, the people of the Shen Family bowed their heads in embarrassment. Such behavior had occurred to almost every one of them. They had been so immersed in their own arrogance that they had not noticed. The incident with Sha Men invading the Shen Family was like a blunt blow to their heads, finally making them realize their previous mistakes.

”However, this is not the main reason!” Shen Tianjun said, ”The main reason, in fact, comes from the hearts of people. Twenty years ago, the battle I had with Brother Li San, the Northern Fist King, ended with my fortunate victory, which for a while made the Shen Family’s reputation echo through the Southern Six Provinces, and the Shen Family was also respected as the martial arts holy land of the Southern Six Provinces. However, those who pursue martial arts are mostly competitive. Even if they admire us on the surface, how many truly admire us in their hearts? Over these twenty years, the Shen Family has stood in this position. Though the reputation sounds good, there are already many who do not accept the Shen Family; they just haven’t acted against us. But if someone were to target our Shen Family, not only would these people not help us, they might even plot against us in secret. Ultimately, the cause of all this trouble is still those two words, reputation, which has brought misery to a family!”

Huangfu Ziyu looked at Shen Tianjun and said, ”Master, are you asking me to give up on reviving the Huangfu Household?”

”What to do is up to you; I’m just offering some advice,” Shen Tianjun looked at Huangfu Ziyu and continued, ”When the Huangfu Household existed, it was renowned, on par with my Shen Family. But such a grand family still fell overnight, which shows how terrifying your enemies were. As soon as you rebuild the Huangfu Household, you will certainly attract those enemies. It might be easy to revive the Huangfu Household, but keeping it alive will not be so simple. Furthermore, the Huangfu Household stood for so many years, it’s impossible to have no enemies. When you were alone, perhaps no one bothered you. But once you fly the banner of the Huangfu Household and proclaim it to the world, the result will be different. Those who bore grudges against the Huangfu Household will certainly come knocking one by one. Zi Yu, you must think this through!”

Huangfu Ziyu took a deep breath and stated, ”Master, I have been thinking about this for twenty years. I am the sole heir of the Huangfu Household, and I bear the responsibility of the entire family on my shoulders. Even if the whole world becomes my enemy, I will revive the Huangfu Household—unless I am dead, the Huangfu Household will not fall!”

Upon hearing this, the people of the Shen Family were also shaken. Huangfu Ziyu, though a woman, possessed a will stronger than men, with a determination that reached for the heavens. And how many men could match such a resolution? The people of the Shen Family had previously been resistant and dissatisfied with her, but after hearing Huangfu Ziyu’s words, everyone was moved by her unwavering determination!

Shen Tianjun slowly nodded and said, ”Zi Yu, since you’ve said so, I won’t persuade you further. But remember one thing, you came from Shen Family Manor, you are a disciple of I, Shen Tianjun. From now on, anyone who dares to be your enemy is also Shen Tianjun’s enemy!”

With these bold words from the Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun, it was as if he was announcing to the world. From this day forward, Shen Tianjun was Huangfu Ziyu’s greatest support!

Grateful and teary-eyed, Huangfu Ziyu knelt to the ground and respectfully said, ”Thank you, Master!”

”No need for such formalities!” Shen Tianjun said with a light smile and a shake of his head, ”Your grandfather was a close friend of mine, and your father was my junior. Back then, I arrived a step too late to save the Huangfu Household; only managing to save you filled me with great regret. If I can’t do something for the Huangfu Household, how could I face the Huangfu people when my time comes?”

Immensely grateful, Huangfu Ziyu’s eyes reddened upon hearing Shen Tianjun’s words.

”Quickly get up,” Old Madame Shen extended her hand to help Huangfu Ziyu rise and said with a faint smile, ”Don’t worry, the entire Shen Family will support you!”

”Thank you, Grandmistress!” said Huangfu Ziyu with gratitude.

The people of the Shen Family who had just been moved by Huangfu Ziyu’s words now also excitedly expressed their wish to help her revive the Huangfu Household. In the hall, only Shen Qianyue’s eyes flashed with a cold glint. He knew that Huangfu Ziyu was on very good terms with Ye Qing. With Huangfu Ziyu receiving so much support from the Shen Family, her strength was certain to surge, which also meant that Ye Qing would benefit. And this was something he could not accept in his heart.

”Oh, Zi Yu.” Shen Tianjun took out an ancient sword and said, ”This is the Seven-Star Ancient Sword of your Shen Family, but I don’t know why it ended up with Ye Qing. Moreover, I’ve noticed that the Seven-Star Ancient Sword has acknowledged Ye Qing. This is a bit troublesome. Once a famed instrument acknowledges its owner, changing its master is quite a difficult matter.”

Looking at the Seven-Star Ancient Sword, Huangfu Ziyu gave a small smile and responded, ”Master, if the Seven-Star Ancient Sword has a fate with Ye Qing, then I won’t covet it. Besides, I now have the Cold Moon Blade, which is not much different from the Seven-Star Ancient Sword. Let this Seven-Star Ancient Sword be a gift to Ye Qing!”

Shen Tianjun glanced at the Cold Moon Blade in Huangfu Ziyu’s hand and was silent for a moment, lost in thought. Eventually, he nodded and agreed, ”That’s good as well. The Cold Moon Blade recognizes you, which shows it has a destiny with you. With this blade in hand, your strength will increase significantly. There’s no need to swap it for the Seven-Star Ancient Sword now!”