Urban Martial Saint

”Fortune telling?” Everyone was stunned; Shijia’s method was completely unexpected.

”Master, Brother Shen is selecting a grandson-in-law, looking for someone with exceptional talent, not just someone with good fortune. If we’re truly picking based on life grids, then why are we even bothering with competitions? We could just have someone calculate their fate.” Prince Nalan chuckled, ”Besides, life grids aren’t that important. As they say, ’Fate, luck, feng shui, accumulated virtues, and education’. There are so many factors that decide one’s life. A good life grid doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll stand at the top. Life is about striving for oneself; you have to be strong to forge ahead. Nowadays, even with great fortune, it’s nothing compared to strong abilities!”

”Well said!” Huang Yidao clapped and laughed, ”Nalan’s insight is truly sharp, you’re right. If one’s abilities are lacking, it’s uncertain if they can even keep themselves safe, let alone talk about destiny.”

”You two sure have a lot to say, huh!” Shijia glanced at them and said, ”I wasn’t even finished speaking, and you both jumped in. Can I finish?”

Prince Nalan frowned slightly and said, ”I apologize, I thought you’d finished, seems I misunderstood you. Please, Master, continue.”

”The Heavenly Mechanism Chart not only can tell fortunes but also serves an important function—to test a person’s talent,” Shijia said. ”Iron Calculation Sect has always had few disciples, but each generation produces absolute masters of calculation, as I’m sure you’re all aware. The Way of Divination isn’t something just anyone can master; it requires significant talent. And Iron Calculation Sect selects disciples using this Heavenly Mechanism Chart to test their talent.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was astonished. They all knew of the Iron Calculation Sect, but they were unaware of its many secrets. According to Shijia, this Heavenly Mechanism Chart is truly extraordinary!

”Is this for real?” Huang Yidao said skeptically, ”Who did you hear this from? And if this thing is really that powerful, why haven’t we heard of it? The Iron Calculation Sect has been around so long; there’s no reason we wouldn’t know about it.”

”The Iron Calculation Sect has been passed down for a long time. Have you ever heard of the Heavenly Mechanism Chart?” Shijia replied. ”Old Wang Ba told me directly, and I’ve seen it before myself; it’s definitely not wrong.”

The mention of Old Wang Ba caused many present to slightly frown, especially Huang Yidao and Northern Martial Zen Wanyan King. They didn’t know Shijia well but were well aware of Old Wang Ba’s unreliable reputation. Out of ten things he said, believing even one was rare; could his words really be trusted?

Shen Tianjun, Helian Tiehua, and Prince Nalan didn’t show such expressions; they were well aware of Shijia’s identity and didn’t dare underestimate his words.

”So, what do you think?” Shijia looked at Shen Tianjun and said, ”Little Shen, and that Great General, what do you both think of my suggestion?”

One was Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun, the other Meng District’s Great General Helian Tiehua. Throughout the world, when people mentioned these two, it was with respect and reverence. Yet, in Shijia’s mouth, there was no respect at all. Surprisingly, neither of them seemed the least bit angry. Exchanging a glance, Helian Tiehua nodded slightly, appearing to agree with Shijia’s method.

Shen Tianjun knew Shijia was here to support Ye Qing, so regardless of the method Shijia proposed, he would definitely support it. Since Helian Tiehua agreed with this method, Shen Tianjun had no further questions.

”I think it’s great.” Shen Tianjun nodded, looking at Prince Nalan, ”What do you think, Nalan?”

Seeing Shen Tianjun and Helian Tiehua’s attitudes, Prince Nalan knew well that even if he disagreed, it wouldn’t change anything. After all, among the Five Unmatches of the World, since Shen Tianjun and Helian Tiehua agreed, him opposing would be a lone battle. As for Huang Yidao and the others, before the Five Unmatches, they held no real say; a few words to stir things up, perhaps, but no influence on the outcome. Moreover, with Helian Tiehua and Shen Tianjun’s agreement, disagreeing now would be foolishly making enemies—he had no wish to cross Shijia.

”I find no issues.” Prince Nalan smiled, ”Let’s go with General Helian’s opinion!”

Shen Tianjun looked to Helian Tiehua, who simply nodded and said, ”Good!”

”Then it’s decided!” Shen Tianjun laughed heartily, ”Master, we’ll test as you suggested. The one with the highest talent will become my Shen family’s son-in-law!”

With this decided, everyone returned to rest in preparation for the following day’s match-making. This third challenge would be the decisive one: whoever emerges victorious becomes the Shen family’s son-in-law—critically important.

However, by then, the previous excitement had dissipated. When they arrived, everyone had come with hopes of marrying into the Shen family, but at this stage, most were merely spectators. Even Prince Nalan had basically lost hope, being well aware of Nalan Tianyu’s qualifications.

The next morning, after breakfast, everyone reassembled in the Shen family hall. This time, Ye Qing, Li Qianqiu, and Nalan Tianyu appeared together, and everyone else was seated in the hall, gathering in a way that hadn’t happened in the previous rounds.

Upon arrival, Nalan Tianyu anxiously looked to Prince Nalan, hoping for a hint or signal. Yet Prince Nalan didn’t glance his way, no eye contact whatsoever, increasing Tianyu’s anxiety and bewilderment about Prince Nalan’s intentions.

After opening remarks, Shen Tianjun directly had Shijia bring out the Heavenly Mechanism Chart, placing it on a table in the center of the hall.

”For this third challenge, we’ll be straightforward: testing one’s talent,” Shijia stated candidly. ”This is the Iron Calculation Sect’s Heavenly Mechanism Chart, used for evaluating a person’s talent. The method is simple: just place your hand on the chart, feel the pattern, and draw it on a piece of paper. We’ll assess your talent based on that paper!”

”How does that work?” someone beside asked.

”It’s simple,” Shijia said. ”Only those with extraordinary talent can perceive the chart’s patterns. If one’s talent isn’t enough, they won’t sense anything and can’t draw anything accurate. The more talented one is, the more patterns they discern and reproduce—that’s our standard for evaluation!”

Stunned, Shen Tianjun frowned slightly, ”Master, by explaining this evaluation method directly, doesn’t it lose its purpose?”

”Indeed, even if they can’t sense anything, anyone can randomly draw something,” Huang Yidao laughed, ”Monk, you’re just talking nonsense. If judging a martial aspirant’s talent were this simple, why would so many sects have disappeared? It’s known that while taking a disciple is easy, choosing one who can inherit the mantle is incredibly difficult. Selecting for talent is the hardest task; using some turtle shell for evaluation—do you find that realistic?”

Shijia ignored him, speaking to Shen Tianjun, ”Random drawings and genuinely feeling the patterns are completely different; you’ll see. No one can cheat here!”

”Is that so?” Shen Tianjun was overjoyed, for if this test was truly fair, it would be perfect. Most importantly, he was confident in Ye Qing’s talent; he should be able to win.

Huang Yidao frowned deeply, remaining silent for a moment before saying, ”How do you know random scribbles and actual sensed patterns differ?”

”Old Wang Ba told me. Any doubts?” Shijia replied.

”Old Wang Ba is inherently untrustworthy; of course, I’d question his words,” Huang Yidao paused, adding, ”More crucially, only you know what’s different, while others won’t recognize the criteria. You’re sworn brothers with Ye Qing; what if he scribbles some nonsense and you declare him the winner? What meaning does this third challenge have then?”

”Nonsense! Do you think I’m a petty person like you?” Shijia said.

Huang Yidao: ”Whether you’re petty, I don’t know. But considering Miss Shen’s marriage is at stake, we shouldn’t be hasty. Big Monk, you either disclose the evaluation standards or switch to a different test method. Your approach feels flawed—are you colluding with Ye Qing?”

Shijia clasped his hands, ”Amitabha, a monk doesn’t lie.”

Huang Yidao: ”Quit the act—nothing about you screams ’monk’. You’re full of empty talk. ’A monk doesn’t lie’, do you not blush at that?”

”Amitabha! Amitabha!” Shijia chanted twice, suddenly turning to Huang Yidao and burst out, ”Rotten Mother of the Pear family, you turtle grandson—isn’t it time for a beating?”

”I…” Huang Yidao’s eyes widened. Shijia’s mix of southern and northern dialects with insults left him utterly stunned. What just happened? A moment ago, he was chanting Buddha’s name, then suddenly he was cursing?

”If you can listen, listen; if not, shut up. The three actually in the running for marriage haven’t spoken, where do you get off with so much nonsense?” Joyous Monk glared at Huang Yidao, ”If you really have nothing to do, why don’t we step outside for a spar, instead of letting you run your mouth unchecked here.”