Urban Martial Saint

Du Longwang was almost standing up, watching his grandson from the second floor with a furrowed brow. He could see how tense Du Feng was and knew what was on his mind, after all, this was his grandson.

Seeing Du Feng’s troubled and panicked expression, Du Longwang actually wanted to help him withdraw from the competition several times. However, he never spoke up because he still held a sliver of hope that, even if his grandson could just attempt it, it would bring some honor.

Yet, looking at Du Feng’s troubled face, wanting him to try seemed almost impossible. Du Longwang sighed forlornly and was about to announce for Du Feng when suddenly Du Feng took a deep breath, rolled up his right sleeve, bared his arm like Ye Qing did, and slowly reached into the box.

Du Longwang did not expect Du Feng to dare to reach into the box and immediately widened his eyes, filled with shock and excitement. Regardless of the outcome, at least this had cultivated courage in his grandson, and he wasn’t made a fool of. Naturally, he was very thrilled.

Du Feng’s movements were as slow as Ye Qing’s, and incredibly, the angle at which he reached in was exactly the same as Ye Qing’s. He slowly reached inside, grasped the steel needle, and pulled it out of the box. Throughout the process, the Five Poisons inside the box showed no reaction, as if they didn’t see him reach in at all.

Instantly, the people upstairs were in uproar. When Ye Qing used this method earlier, everyone thought it was just luck. Unexpectedly, Du Feng also used this method to retrieve the steel needle, proving it wasn’t just luck.

Du Feng held his breath, cautiously pulling the steel needle out. Even after his arm had left the box, he was still holding his breath carefully, because he was so focused that he didn’t even realize he had successfully retrieved the needle and kept cautiously raising his hand.

Shen Da, watching him from the side, walked over and announced loudly, ”Du Feng also passed this first test!”

Hearing this, Du Feng was like being struck by lightning, immediately looking down and realizing that his hand was far from the box. After a moment of silence, Du Feng suddenly looked up at Du Longwang upstairs, excitedly saying, ”Grandpa, I...I passed...I passed!”

Du Longwang’s eyes were slightly red, he vigorously nodded at Du Feng, laughing heartily, ”Good! Good! Good! Truly worthy of being my grandson!”

Du Feng’s passing the first test made Du Longwang far more excited than Du Feng. To know that in this round of eight people, three were eliminated. And those three were originally considered much stronger than Du Feng. Who would have thought they were eliminated while Du Feng passed? This time, he not only avoided disgrace but also regained some pride. How could he not be excited?

With Du Feng passing the first test, the first project was over. Naturally, that meant some were happy while others were worried. Especially the eliminated Huang Linxuan, Li Hongyi, and Bei Shisan, who were nearly driven mad upon learning Du Feng passed. To know, they never took Du Feng seriously at all.

After the first project ended, everyone gathered in the hall. Seeing Ye Qing and Li Qianqiu, Du Feng couldn’t help but be thrilled, hurriedly running over to thank them continuously. Especially Ye Qing, if it wasn’t for Ye Qing telling him the method, he really couldn’t have passed the first project.

”The first project has ended, and first of all, thank you all for participating.” Shen Tianjun sat at the main seat, announcing loudly, ”The second project will officially begin in the afternoon. Earlier, three people didn’t pass the first project, which means they have no fate with my Shen Family. However, guests are guests, and since you’ve come, Mr. Shen certainly won’t let you leave empty-handed. If there are things you want to learn, feel free to ask. As long as Mr. Shen knows, he won’t be stingy!”

Although Shen Tianjun said so, Huang Linxuan, Li Hongyi, and Bei Shisan couldn’t help feeling frustrated. Not passing the first test proved their lack of strength, and how could they be content?

”Senior Shen, I just want to ask a question.” Huang Linxuan shouted, ”I heard earlier that Ye Qing simply reached in to retrieve the steel needle. I did the same, so why did those five poisons bite me but not him? Did he cheat?”

Once he said this, everyone immediately looked at Ye Qing, since everyone was pondering this question. Earlier, everyone saw clearly how Ye Qing retrieved the steel needle, and frankly speaking, nobody could figure out how he did it.

”What do you mean by that?” Before Ye Qing could respond, Du Longwang said in a deep voice, ”My grandson retrieved the steel needle the same way. Are you suggesting my grandson cheated too?”

Although Du Longwang usually seemed amiable, he was very assertive when angry. Huang Yidao, knowing Du Longwang’s strength and realizing it’s unwise to make enemies with him, hurriedly stood up and said, ”Du, it’s a misunderstanding. We’re just curious why some got bitten by the Five Poisons, while others were unharmed. Surely there’s a reason, right?”

Huang Yidao said this while glancing at Ye Qing, indicating that Ye Qing should explain the matter.

”Amitabha!” Shijia intoned a Buddhist chant and said loudly, ”Buddha says, those fated with me won’t bite me. The Five Poisons are fated with Ye Qing, so they didn’t bite him, which is normal. If the Five Poisons bear grudges against your son and didn’t kill him, he’s just lucky!”

Shijia’s words nearly made everyone around spit out blood, wondering what kind of Buddhist saying this was. Which Buddha spoke so crudely?

Earlier, Huang Yidao had suffered from Joyous Monk’s hands and fully understood how deep and unfathomable these two monks were, so naturally, he dared not refute. He just pretended not to hear and looked at Shen Tianjun, awaiting his response.

Shen Tianjun smiled faintly, looked at Ye Qing, and said, ”Ye Qing, why don’t you explain it yourself?”

Ye Qing nodded, took a step forward, and announced loudly, ”Elder Huang, what do you think the main test of the first project was?”

”What do you mean the main test?” Huang Yidao replied unhappily, ”I asked you to explain, not to question me. Speak clearly and don’t change the subject.”

”Alright!” Ye Qing nodded and said, ”I wonder if everyone carefully observed the positions and postures of the five poisonous insects in the box earlier.”

”What’s with the positions and postures?” Huang Yidao said directly, ”Don’t bring up these irrelevant things, just answer my question.”

”Hey, why are you so talkative, won’t you let people speak?” Joyous Monk slapped the table and shouted.

”How am I not letting him speak?” Huang Yidao muttered, but ultimately didn’t dare interrupt Ye Qing again.

Others watched Ye Qing with intrigue, as they all wanted to know how Ye Qing did it. Intuition told them Ye Qing hadn’t cheated, meaning Ye Qing’s success must be related to these poisonous insects.

”I’m not sure how familiar you all are with snakes, but I grew up in the countryside, so I’ve seen quite a few.” Ye Qing said, ”The snakes I’ve seen share a common trait: when encountering danger, they curl up, raise their heads, ready to strike at any time. As for toads, when facing enemies, they inhale to expand their gills, always ready to spray venom. Nearby centipedes, lizards, and scorpions also pose defensive stances when threatened.”

Ye Qing paused here and continued, ”Earlier, Uncle Shen mentioned that the Five Poisons in the world are inherently interdependent yet mutually restraining. When they intercede, they become extremely poisonous, sealing the throat with blood. But when they contradict, poison nullifies. And to test if they intercede, the easiest way is to put the Five Poisons together and see if they attack each other. However, this method has a flaw. Just like the Five Poisons in the box earlier, though they didn’t attack each other, each poisonous insect adopted a defensive, enemy-facing stance. In other words, these five poisonous insects were mutually wary and vigilant.”

Upon hearing this, everyone took a deep breath. Many had already guessed the source of Ye Qing’s method earlier. Shocked as they were, they couldn’t help but be impressed by Ye Qing’s meticulous observation, careful thought, and ingenious strategy!

”Earlier, those five poisonous insects were in mutual standby, indicating antagonistic rather than interceding!” Ye Qing looked at everyone, ”Conflict should lead to fighting, yet those weren’t attacking one another. Hence, the poisons must neutralize one another, turning the mixed toxicity into harmlessness.”

”Really?” Huang Yidao stood dumbfounded, shocked as he turned to Shen Tianjun.

Shen Tianjun smiled slightly, not speaking, but looked at Ye Qing with increasing admiration.

”This is just my speculation, but in truth, the Five Poisons aren’t toxic at all.” Ye Qing said, ”Earlier, some were bitten, cried in pain, but their voices were full throughout, showing no poisoning signs. It suggests these Five Poisons’ toxins merely intimidate, creating psychological pressure.”

”Is that true?” Huang Yidao again looked toward Shen Tianjun.

”Hahaha...” Shen Tianjun couldn’t help but laugh heartily, standing and saying loudly, ”Ye Qing, your guess was spot on. These five poisonous insects indeed have no toxin. However, their teeth had medicine applied, causing intense pain upon biting, misleading people into thinking they were poisoned!”