Urban Martial Saint

Hearing this, Ye Qing slowly nodded, took a deep breath, and said, ”Senior Shen, everyone says that before the battle of the Kings of North-South Boxing, Third Master Li was poisoned, which is why he lost...”

As soon as these words were out, the expressions of the People of the Shen Family all changed, and even Shen Da couldn’t help but say, ”Mr. Ye, regarding the battle of that year, our Shen Family has already made things very clear. We had no knowledge of the poisoning and certainly never did such a thing!”

”Ye Qing, what do you mean by asking that? Are you suspecting someone from our Shen Family?” The people of the Shen Family, who had more volatile tempers, simply cried out.

Only now did the People of the Shen Family understand what Shen Tianjun meant by his words just now. It turned out that Ye Qing was asking about this issue. Everyone knew this was a very sensitive matter for the Shen Family. By asking such a question, it was almost certain to cause a fall-out with the Shen Family. Yet, Ye Qing still asked it unabashedly—no wonder Shen Tianjun spoke of Ye Qing’s integrity.

Although everyone admired Ye Qing’s integrity, this question was a minefield, and naturally, it did not sit well with the hearts of the Shen Family members.

Ye Qing did not speak but quietly looked at Shen Tianjun, waiting for his answer.

Shen Tianjun’s expression remained calm as he gently waved his hand to signal the People of the Shen Family to stop. His gaze swept across all the members of the Shen Family and then turned to Ye Qing, saying, ”Regarding the battle with Brother Li San that year, I indeed have a guilty conscience!”

At these words, the People of the Shen Family were all taken aback, and even Ye Qing furrowed his brows. Could it be that the poison really was administered by the Shen Family?

”However, my guilt does not stem from poisoning him, but from the fact that I still competed with him after Brother Li San was poisoned and even emerged victorious. That is the greatest guilt of my life!” Shen Tianjun sighed and continued, ”At that time, the competition between me and Brother Li San was for the Mysterious Book of Acupuncture Points left behind by Divine Doctor An Shiping. The Acupoint Seeking Technique contained the most divine medical arts in the world. At that time, Ling Wei was seriously injured, her life hanging by a thread, and I had to use the Acupoint Seeking Technique to save her. So, even though I knew Brother Li San lost to me because of the poison, I still took the Acupoint Seeking Technique. That is the action I am most guilty of in my life. I always believed that I led an upright life, but in that one instance, I was selfish. I will absolutely not deny it!”

Having said this, Shen Tianjun glanced at Ye Qing and said, ”However, regarding the matter of poisoning, I am not able to give you an answer. Without being entirely sure who was responsible for the poison that year, I cannot guarantee the Shen Family’s innocence. Nevertheless, I can swear on my life that the poison was not administered by me, nor did I instruct anyone to do so. As to who really poisoned him, I truly do not know!”

Hearing Shen Tianjun’s words, Ye Qing finally let out a sigh of relief, slowly nodded, and said, ”Senior Shen, your word is enough for me to believe you. You are a senior I respect. I only hope that you truly are innocent and mean nothing else by my question!”

Shen Tianjun nodded and said, ”For these twenty years, I have been investigating this matter. However, the person who administered the poison back then was extremely covert, and to this day, I have not been able to find out who it was.”

”Father, do you think it could have been Ning Qianshu who poisoned him?” Shen Da whispered, ”Back when Ling Wei was brought to our house, she was already gravely injured, and even you were helpless. In this world, apart from Ning Qianshu, who else could hurt someone to such extent, yet still keep them alive? Moreover, shortly after Ling Wei’s incident occurred, the Acupoint Seeking Technique appeared, leading to your battle with Brother Li San. It could be Ning Qianshu’s conspiracy!”

Shen Tianjun shook his head and said, ”I have also thought about this, but it should be impossible. While Brother Li San was alive, he was the only figure in the North who could contend with Helian Tiehua. When Ning Qianshu and his followers invaded the Southern Six Provinces, Helian Tiehua was far away in Meng District, unable to cross paths with Brother Li San and Prince Nalan and hence could not come to the rescue. Ning Qianshu would not plot to kill Brother Li San; without him, Helian Tiehua would lose someone who could keep him in check, which wouldn’t benefit Ning Qianshu at all. He wouldn’t do such a thing!”

”Then what exactly happened?” The People of the Shen Family all wore faces full of doubt. They too had been pursuing this matter for twenty years, all to prove the innocence of the Shen Family. But even after two decades, they had found nothing, and everyone wanted to clear up this matter and vindicate the Shen Family.

”No matter what, I will keep investigating this matter!” Shen Tianjun waved his hand and said to Ye Qing, ”Ye Qing, you are Brother Li San’s only successor, and his mantle has been passed on to you. I’ve heard about what you did in Shenchuan City, and you’ve done well. However, the situation in Shenchuan City has changed from before. Now, people from the Western Province and those from the Chen Family have all gathered in the Eastern Province, and the forces of Zi Yu in the Western Province are also preparing to withdraw. Next, the Eastern Province will become the main battlefield for people like Wang Tian’an and the Chen Family. Shenchuan City is the only territory not taken by Zi Yu, so in the eyes of those from the Western Province, Shenchuan City should be the easiest territory for them to take over. Therefore, they will definitely concentrate their forces to enter Shenchuan City. With so many businesses there, you will inevitably become the top target for Wang Tian’an and the others, so I suggest you sell your businesses in Shenchuan City for now. You can go back after they’ve finished fighting!”

Ye Qing had no idea that such major events had occurred during the three days he was unconscious. After a moment of silence, he looked up at Shen Tianjun and asked, ”Senior Shen, what’s the current situation in Shenchuan City? My brothers, have they suffered any losses?”

”There have been no losses for the time being,” Shen Tianjun replied. ”Originally, Wang Tian’an and his people were planning to enter Shenchuan City on the night they arrived in Xi Hang, but they were stopped by the Chen Family. Now, they are rallying their forces, and they have yet to enter the Eastern Province. However, I estimate it’s only a matter of time before they do. Wang Tian’an has been planning for twenty years, and Ning Qianshu has been preparing for so many years. Even though they’ve been defeated here in Xi Hang, they will definitely not give up!”

”As long as there’s no loss, that’s good,” Ye Qing nodded slowly, sitting up straighter and saying, ”In that case, I shouldn’t trouble the Shen Family Manor any longer. Could I trouble everyone here to take me into the city, and I’ll take a car back to Shenchuan City myself!”

Ye Qing’s words stunned everyone. Shen Tianjun was trying to convince him to temporarily let go of everything in Shenchuan City and stay in Xi Hang to avoid any danger. But after hearing Shen Tianjun’s words, Ye Qing had decided to return to Shenchuan City, which was unexpected to everyone. After all, Ye Qing had essentially disrupted Wang Tian’an’s plans, and Wang Tian’an certainly harbored deep resentment against Ye Qing. Wang Tian’an would not let Ye Qing off easily upon entering Shenchuan City. In such a situation, did Ye Qing really plan to return there without fear of Wang Tian’an’s retaliation?

Shen Tianjun looked at Ye Qing and said, ”Ye Qing, the Eastern Province is experiencing turbulent changes, and in the coming years, the entire Southern Six Provinces, and even the whole of Huaxia, will enter a period of turmoil. Shenchuan City will be the starting point and center of this turmoil. If you go back, you’ll inevitably get involved with these people. Once chaos erupts, I fear that your forces in Shenchuan City will be the first sacrifice. If you stay in Xi Hang, you can avoid being embroiled in the upheaval. Think carefully!”

”Senior Shen, thank you for your kindness. But, I must go back to Shenchuan City!” said Ye Qing, his gaze resolute. ”There are brothers and friends waiting for me in Shenchuan City. I can’t leave them to face danger alone. Many of them have entrusted their lives to me, how can I not be responsible for them?”

These words made Shen Tianjun nod continuously. ”A man should bear responsibility. Ye Qing, since you have made your decision, I won’t stop you. However, you did save our Shen Family this time, and although we can’t help you much with the matters of Shenchuan City, we are not ungrateful. How about this: stay in the Shen Family Manor for a few more days, and I will teach you a set of boxing techniques and a set of swordsmanship that can aid you in the upcoming battles!”

These words caused a stir among the Shen Family members. The Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun, one of the recognized top figures in the world, was offering to teach Ye Qing some martial arts—a chance so rare, many would not obtain such an opportunity in a lifetime of cultivation.

Naturally, Ye Qing was very excited. He immediately bowed with his fists clasped and said, ”Thank you so much, Senior Shen!”

”No need for politeness. Our Shen Family owes you too much, and we simply cannot repay it all at once. I can only do my best to make it up to you!” Shen Tianjun waved his hand and continued, ”Your body has not fully recovered, so rest here for today. When you can get out of bed tomorrow, come find me, and I will teach you. We won’t disturb you further; rest well. We’ll discuss the other matters tomorrow!”

After Shen Tianjun spoke, he led the People of the Shen Family away. At that moment, Shen Qingyi just happened to bring in a cup of water, coincidentally crossing paths with the departing Shen Family members.

Seeing Shen Qingyi like this, the People of the Shen Family couldn’t help but laugh lightly, and Shen Qingyi’s face turned slightly red. Among the crowd, only Shen Qianyue’s eyes flickered with jealous fury. The better Shen Qingyi treated Ye Qing, the more jealous and angry he felt inside. But with the Shen Family currently so grateful to Ye Qing, even if he felt hatred, he had to keep it hidden, not daring to show the slightest sign. Shen Baichuan was an example he did not wish to follow!

Shen Qianyue turned his head and stealthily glanced at Ye Qing on the hospital bed, his eyes glinting with ice-cold light as he clenched his fists and thought bitterly, ”Ye Qing, I won’t rest until you’re dead. One day, I will make sure you have no grave to be buried in!”