Urban Martial Saint

Huang Yidao asked what everyone wanted to know, so as soon as he spoke, all eyes turned to Shen Tianjun.

Shen Tianjun had long expected someone would ask this. He maintained a calm expression and smiled faintly, saying, ”Thank you all for your concern. Nothing happened between Qingyi and Ye Qing. Otherwise, how could I let Qingyi come out for this marriage selection?”

Upon hearing Shen Tianjun’s words, the tense expressions of the crowd relaxed considerably. If someone else had said this, they definitely wouldn’t have believed it. However, coming from Shen Tianjun, they were certain because everyone knew very well Shen Tianjun’s character; he would never lie. Especially at this moment, with so many people here for the marriage selection, if Shen Tianjun were lying, how could he face the world later if exposed?

”Since that’s the case, everything will proceed as planned,” Helian Tiehua stood up and said aloud, ”Shen, you’re also tired today, so we won’t disturb you any longer.”

With Helian Tiehua taking his leave, others did not linger either, and they all got up and left the hall. The Shen Family had already prepared resting places for them, and they returned to rest, preparing for tomorrow’s marriage selection event.

Watching everyone leave, Shen Tianjun let out a long sigh of relief, afraid that people wouldn’t believe his words. Now that everyone believed him, he had passed this hurdle. Next was ensuring Ye Qing’s victory in this marriage selection, which was the most critical issue.

Upon returning to the backyard, Ye Qing had already awakened, and Old Madame Shen had explained Shen Tianjun’s plan to him. It was evident that Ye Qing was hesitating, as this marriage selection was no trivial matter, so he did not immediately agree.

Old Madame Shen was persuading Ye Qing and, noticing Shen Tianjun entering, she stood up and said, ”Forget it, I’ll let your master talk to you. It’s just a marriage selection; is it that difficult?”

Seeing Shen Tianjun walk in, Ye Qing quickly stood up and respectfully said, ”Senior Shen.”

Shen Tianjun gestured for Ye Qing to sit down and sat beside him, saying, ”Ye Qing, what are you hesitating over? The Old Madame and I have already discussed it. You enter the marriage selection primarily to prevent anyone else from marrying Qingyi. As for whether you’ll marry Qingyi or not, we won’t intervene, nor will it affect your matters with Zi Yu.”

”I understand.” Ye Qing nodded and, after a moment of silence, said in a low voice, ”Senior Shen, it’s not that I don’t want to help. It’s just that you also know it’s impossible between Qingyi and me. The closer I get to her, the harder it will be to part in the future. I left the Shen Family Manor this time to avoid this matter and to let Qingyi find her happiness. I didn’t expect this situation. If I do participate in the marriage selection and win but don’t marry Qingyi, isn’t that unfair to her? It’s a secondary harm to her. Additionally, if this spreads, it will damage Qingyi’s reputation.”

”If you don’t participate in this marriage selection, will it be any better for Qingyi?” Shen Tianjun asked. ”The selection is inevitable and unstoppable, even for me. No matter who wins will be the greatest harm to Qingyi. She certainly won’t marry, which will only lead her down a path to ruin. Ye Qing, can you really bear to see Qingyi walk this path?”

Ye Qing’s face showed a trace of melancholy. Shen Tianjun’s words were like daggers, stabbing incessantly at his heart. He hadn’t expected Shen Qingyi to be so attached to him, to the point of considering such tragic outcomes, which made him pity her even more. However, despite this pity, he couldn’t give up Huangfu Ziyu, who had risked her life several times for him. As a man, he had to bear that responsibility.

”Senior Shen, even if I participate in this marriage selection, it doesn’t mean I will win.” After a long contemplation, Ye Qing sighed, looking at Shen Tianjun, ”If I fail, Qingyi will still be in danger, right?”

Seeing Ye Qing relent, Shen Tianjun finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, ”As long as you participate, I will find a way to ensure your victory.”

”So, will you participate?” Old Madame Shen asked anxiously, looking at Ye Qing.

Ye Qing remained silent for a while, then slowly nodded, ”Senior Shen, I can participate in the marriage selection, but as you previously mentioned, I... I’m afraid I can’t marry Qingyi. I can’t let Zi Yu down...”

”I understand!” Shen Tianjun patted Ye Qing’s shoulder and said, ”Zi Yu is truly fortunate to have found you in this life.”

Ye Qing smiled wryly; being with Huangfu Ziyu for so long, he had done little but cause trouble for her—what kind of fortune was that? With no news of her now, Ye Qing couldn’t help worrying more.

”By the way, I also helped you retrieve your Gold Silk Armor and Mu Ling.” Shen Tianjun brought over a bag from behind him, containing the wooden box and Mu Ling of the Gold Silk Armor.

Earlier, Ye Qing placed Mu Ling in Shen Qingyi’s mouth to suppress the effects of the secret medicine. But later on, the Mu Ling fell from Shen Qingyi’s mouth into the cave, and it was Shen Tianjun who retrieved it from there.

These recent events have shown Ye Qing the power of Mu Ling. It can neutralize all poisons in the world, truly living up to its reputation. If it weren’t for having Mu Ling on hand, Li Bing’en might not have survived, and something inappropriate might have happened between Ye Qing and Shen Qingyi.

”It seems Ding Lianshun still doesn’t know about the Gold Silk Armor. Otherwise, it would have been snatched away by him long ago.” Shen Tianjun said, ”Ye Qing, you best not keep the Gold Silk Armor on you either; find someone to send it away as soon as possible. If you keep it in your hands, I’m afraid you’ll suffer because of it sooner or later.”

Ye Qing nodded, aware of the situation and contemplating how to send the Gold Silk Armor away. He certainly couldn’t give it to Prince Wan Yan because the prince surely knew the secrets within it. If he got hold of it, that would be disastrous.

Meanwhile, at the separate courtyard where Prince Wan Yan and his men were staying, they were sitting together discussing the events at Shen Family Manor today.

”I saw earlier that Shen Tianjun was holding something that seemed to be our Great Jin Kingdom’s Gold Silk Armor,” a man said in a low voice. ”It seems Ding Lianshun doesn’t know the secrets within the Gold Silk Armor, or he would have taken it long ago.”

”Not only does he not know, but how many in the world know the secrets within the Gold Silk Armor?” Prince Wan Yan said in a deep voice. ”Years ago, when our ancestor the Emperor unearthed the Gold Silk Armor, no one in the world knew about it. Then, changes occurred, and the ancestor forged a lock with Dragon Blood Wood to seal the Gold Silk Armor, ensuring this secret remained with the Wanyan Family forever. Moreover, since the Gold Silk Armor was buried with the ancestor Emperor, it has never seen daylight, and no one knows what secrets it holds. Not only does Ding Lianshun not know, but even those so-called experts in Shen Family Manor don’t either. Shen Tianjun, Helian Tiehua, and Prince Nalan—all are unaware of the immense secret hidden within the Gold Silk Armor.”

”So, we still have a great chance this time!” another man said softly. ”Since they don’t know the secrets of the Gold Silk Armor, they definitely won’t focus on it. This way, no one will be competing with us, and we can try to seize the Gold Silk Armor from Ye Qing’s hands. This trip won’t be in vain.”

”Though it’s easy to say, Shen Family is protecting Ye Qing. Snatching the Gold Silk Armor from his hand is not an easy task!” the previous man said in a deep voice.

”Humph, it’s not difficult either.” Prince Wan Yan sneered coldly and said in a deep voice, ”Shen Family is protecting Ye Qing, but how long can he stay here? Once he leaves Shen Family Manor, we will have the chance to take back the Gold Silk Armor. Even if he refuses to leave, we can think of a way to make him leave Shen Family Manor voluntarily.”

”How can we make him leave Shen Family Manor voluntarily?” a man asked curiously from beside.

Prince Wan Yan smiled triumphantly and slowly revealed a plan. After hearing the plan, everyone applauded him, clearly impressed by it.

”Time is of the essence, Wanyan He, you get started on this immediately.” Prince Wan Yan said in a deep voice, ”Before we leave Shen Family Manor, we must draw Ye Qing out of there! But remember, do not alarm the Northern Martial Zen. They are also watching Ye Qing, and if they catch wind of our plans, they will certainly suspect us. If they discover the Gold Silk Armor, it will be much harder for us to reclaim it.”

Everyone promptly said, ”Don’t worry, Big Brother. No one will leak this information, and Northern Martial Zen will have no chance of discovering it.”

While the Wanyan Family was wary of Northern Martial Zen, Northern Martial Zen was also holding a meeting with a few trusted subordinates in their guest room. His son Bei Shisan was there too, clearly subdued after today’s setback, far from his earlier arrogance.

”Father, Shen Qingyi is indeed quite beautiful.” Bei Shisan’s thoughts were concentrated on Shen Qingyi; from the first glance, he was amazed by her, and now he was very attentive to the marriage proposal.

”What does it matter if she’s beautiful?” Northern Martial Zen glared at him coldly, and said in a deep voice, ”I warn you, do not harbor intentions towards Shen Qingyi. Helian Tiehua and Prince Nalan are here, and this marriage proposal is beyond your chances.”

(Today and tomorrow Commander He is busy taking wedding photos, so updates will be fewer. I hope everyone understands. Once the wedding photos are done, we will catch up on the updates.)