Urban Martial Saint

Xu Cunxiao rolled on the ground, wailing so miserably that everyone present turned pale with fright, wishing they could cover their ears to block out the chilling screams. For the screaming brought back memories of their own past pains, memories they were reluctant to even recall.

Wang Tian’an, however, wore a cold smirk on his face. He relished seeing the fear he inspired in these people. The more they feared him, the easier it was for him to control them. Therefore, now, whenever someone did something wrong or failed at a task, he would punish them like this in front of everybody. This way, no one dared to err or fail!

Wang Tian’an’s howl lasted about a minute before stopping, but for Xu Cunxiao it felt as long as a century. As Wang Tian’an’s howling ceased, Xu Cunxiao also gradually stopped rolling, laying limp and drained on the ground, claw marks covered his body and his mouth was torn to shreds, looking utterly wretched.

”You... just kill me, just kill me... please kill me...” Xu Cunxiao pleaded with a trembling voice, unable to endure the agony that felt worse than death itself.

”Kill you?” Wang Tian’an chuckled coldly, saying, ”Brother, what are you talking about? How could I bear to kill you? You’re the most resourceful person we have. I need you to help me take over the Eastern Province, to conquer the Southern Six Provinces. How could I kill you?”

Wang Tian’an reached out and patted Xu Cunxiao’s shoulder, chuckling, ”However, you have been a bit careless lately. This time, I’m just giving you a warning. I hope you won’t be as careless in the future. Do you understand what I mean?”

Xu Cunxiao’s body still trembled, and he dared not even respond, just lying facedown on the ground, not daring to raise his head.

”Ye Qing really is quite the tough nut to crack, huh!” Standing up, Wang Tian’an said, ”This man has ties with the Xihang Shen Family, the Northern Li Family, and Sha Men. Keeping him around is always a curse for us. Brother, I hope you can kill him. But this time, I don’t want any carelessness nor any accidents. Can you do that?”

Trembling, Xu Cunxiao managed to raise his head and took a glance at Wang Tian’an, stammering, ”I... I... I’m afraid I can’t kill him!”

”Brother, have some faith in yourself. You can definitely kill him!” Wang Tian’an said with a smile, ”I believe in you!”

Xu Cunxiao hung his head, knowing full well he could not escape Wang Tian’an’s clutches, resigned to carry out the task. Compared to Ye Qing, deep down he harbored more hatred for Wang Tian’an. The excruciating pain of the Heart-devouring Bug eating away at his innards made him want to kill Wang Tian’an with his own hands and then end his own life. But after much thought, he still lacked the courage to do so. If he failed to kill Wang Tian’an in one attempt, endless suffering would ensue. So, he had no choice but to be at Wang Tian’an’s mercy!

”Everyone, according to my estimation, Ye Qing should be able to break through this setup soon, and White Horse Chen San will probably seek collaboration with Ye Qing!” Turning to the crowd, Wang Tian’an said with a smile, ”White Horse Chen San has always been this way, just like his old man—only working with people he respects. So, now that he’s seen what Ye Qing is capable of, he will surely approach him for a partnership. This gives us an opportunity; tomorrow, we’ll strike first at the place where they meet to talk and wrap up everything at once, ending it all!”

”Great!” The crowd responded thunderously, their attitudes fervent. After all, who would dare to be negligent after witnessing Xu Cunxiao’s suffering?

”Brother, Ye Qing will be your responsibility tomorrow!” patting Xu Cunxiao’s shoulder, Wang Tian’an said with a smile, ”Once you deal with him, you’ll still have made a great contribution, and I’ll reward you!”

Xu Cunxiao shuddered. He knew that if he failed to kill Ye Qing tomorrow, the promised ’reward’ would turn into punishment—a punishment he dreaded even in his nightmares!

Ye Qing returned to Tian Sheng with the several subordinates of Xu Cunxiao, while Chen Jun was standing at the entrance. As soon as he saw Ye Qing, Chen Jun immediately came over with a mournful expression, ”Big Brother, someone’s waiting for you inside, in Room No. 8 upstairs.”

”Who?” Ye Qing asked in surprise, glancing at Chen Jun, ”What’s with that face? What happened?”

”Nothing... nothing...” Chen Jun awkwardly waved his hand, quickly turning his head away from Ye Qing’s gaze.

Without knowing what exactly had happened and seeing that Chen Jun was not forthcoming, Ye Qing didn’t press further to save Chen Jun further embarrassment. He ordered Hou San and the others to take down Xu Cunxiao’s men for interrogation regarding Wang Tian’an’s situation, and then proceeded to Room No. 8 with Black Bear and a few others.

Approaching the room’s entrance, Ye Qing noticed from afar four girls clad in tight clothes standing by the door. All four of them had attractive appearances and physiques, and any one of them would be considered a beauty. Unfortunately, their expressions seemed fierce, deterring anyone from coming close. Even the staff members of Tian Sheng kept their distance, indicating they had likely suffered at the hands of these girls.

Seeing these four girls, Ye Qing immediately knew who was in the private room. He had seen these four girls before; they were the close followers of Xikou Fire Butterfly Chen Si.

The four girls also saw Ye Qing and came over to greet him, with one of them saying, ”Boss Ye, you’re finally back!”

”Sorry to have kept Miss Chen waiting!” Ye Qing followed the four girls into the private room, where Chen Si was sitting on the sofa, leisurely sipping a glass of red wine. When she saw Ye Qing come in, there was no particular reaction; she simply poured a glass of wine and pushed it towards him.

Ye Qing took the wine, downed it in one gulp, and then poured another, saying, ”This glass is for Miss Chen. Thanks for the other day!”

The incident Ye Qing was referring to happened a few days ago in Xi Hang, when Li Lianshan was ambushed by people from the Western Province, and Chen Si and her group helped Li Lianshan drive away those people. Had it not been for Chen Si’s intervention, Li Lianshan certainly would not have been able to withstand the attack from the Western Province. After all, those people had been biding their time and gathering strength for twenty years, and were not a force that Li Lianshan, who had risen to power only recently, could contend with.

”I always make it clear about debts of gratitude and grudges in my dealings. Last time at the Southern Suburbs Dogfight Arena, I borrowed your turf to kill a few people, owing you a favor. This time I’ve repaid the favor, so we’re even now. Hence, you don’t need to toast me!” Chen Si also poured a glass and drank it.

Ye Qing slightly smiled and said, ”If Miss Chen insists on putting it that way, then I accept. But since the toast has been made, it wouldn’t be right to take it back. Let’s say this drink is an apology from my brother to Miss Chen. If they’ve offended you in any way just now, I hope you can forgive them!”

Chen Si’s eyebrows slightly furrowed as she looked at Ye Qing, ”What? Has your little brother been complaining to you about me?”

”Not at all,” Ye Qing shook his head, ”He must have done something wrong, so he’s too embarrassed to say it. But judging by his embarrassed expression, it’s very likely he disrespected Miss Chen somehow, and you’ve disciplined him on my behalf. So, this drink is my way of apologizing to Miss Chen for his behavior!”

Chen Si looked surprised; she hadn’t expected Ye Qing to be so observant and thoughtful. Chen Jun hadn’t said a word, but from just his expression, Ye Qing had deduced what had happened.

In fact, when Chen Si arrived here, Chen Jun, captivated by her beauty, made a few flirtatious remarks, resulting in her slapping him twice and knocking down all his men, making Chen Jun quiet down on the spot. But as the fault was originally Chen Jun’s, and being beaten up by a woman, he was too ashamed to mention it to Ye Qing. So when Ye Qing had asked him earlier, he just awkwardly glossed over the matter without realizing that, although he hadn’t said anything, Ye Qing had already guessed the truth when he saw Chen Si.

Even though Xikou Fire Butterfly Chen Si trained in the Iron Sand Palm, making her hands rough and tough, she still had the looks and figure of a top-notch beauty, and it was inevitable that men would be attracted to her. Knowing Chen Jun’s personality, Ye Qing had expected that he would be at a disadvantage interacting with Fire Butterfly, and it was within his expectations.

”You sure are meticulous in your thoughts!” Chen Si said, looking at Ye Qing, ”Since you’re so good at guessing, why don’t you try to guess why I’ve come to see you this time?”

Ye Qing slightly smiled and said, ”Miss Chen wouldn’t come to see me just to drink and catch up. Miss Chen and those people from the Western Province are sworn enemies, and now both parties have come to Shenchuan City, in a standoff. The imminent battle is about to erupt. At this time, Miss Chen, you come to my host territory, hehe, are you perhaps inviting me to dine with you?”

Chen Si gazed at Ye Qing for a long time and finally, a rare smile appeared on her frosty face. She nodded slowly, stood up, and said, ”Tomorrow night at eight o’clock, you pick the place!”

By saying this, Chen Si acknowledged that she indeed came to invite Ye Qing out to a meal. As for the purpose of the meal, it was self-evident, and both were well aware of it.

Ye Qing nodded and said, ”Li just opened a new hotel that has a good environment and location. If Miss Chen doesn’t mind, we can try the various regional cuisines there!”

”Very well!” Chen Si nodded and promptly left with the four girls. As she reached the door, she suddenly turned to glance at Ye Qing and said, ”Mr. Ye, someone bet me that you surely wouldn’t live through the night. It’s good to see you’re still alive.”

Ye Qing smiled faintly, and did not respond, while several people nearby were stunned; they did not understand the meaning behind Chen Si’s words.