Urban Martial Saint

The pill that Prince Nalan poured out of the medicine bottle was actually a genuine Ziyu Chenxiang Pill. You know, this kind of medicine is very precious, and aside from the people of the Shen Family Manor, outsiders would find it extremely difficult to obtain such a pill, let alone give it away casually. Prince Nalan directly giving a Ziyu Chenxiang Pill to Northern Martial Zen indeed demonstrated his sincerity.

Looking at Prince Nalan, Northern Martial Zen accepted the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill, but did not swallow it. Instead, he looked straight at Prince Nalan and said, ”Thank you, Prince. I wonder what you would like me to do?”

Prince Nalan smiled faintly and said, ”There’s no need to rush. Take this Ziyu Chenxiang Pill first; restoring your health is the key.”

”This... there’s no rush for that...” Northern Martial Zen held the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill in his hand and said, ”To be honest, I just took a Ziyu Chenxiang Pill a few days ago, and the medicinal effects are still lingering in my body. This Ziyu Chenxiang Pill won’t have much effect on me. Moreover, taking it now might even cause a clash of medicines and backfire!”

”Is that so?” Prince Nalan gave Northern Martial Zen a deep look and said, ”The Ziyu Chenxiang Pill, such a medicine, would need at least a dozen or a few dozen pills to possibly cause a clash of medicines. Besides, your inner strength is formidable. Even if you took a Ziyu Chenxiang Pill a few days ago, it’s still not enough to compensate your body; the medicinal power can hardly accumulate. So, taking this one now won’t have any impact. You should take it, or if any situation arises later, your body might be at risk!”

Northern Martial Zen hastily replied, ”I appreciate the Prince’s kind intentions, but it’s really that my body isn’t suitable for taking this Ziyu Chenxiang Pill right now.”

Upon hearing this, Prince Nalan suddenly chuckled and gave Northern Martial Zen a long look, saying, ”Could it be that the Northern Brother thinks my Ziyu Chenxiang Pill is poisoned?”

Northern Martial Zen remained silent for a moment and said, ”Prince, you saved my life, I am naturally very grateful. Whatever you want me to do, just say the word.”

Prince Nalan remarked coldly, ”Hmph, if you’re so guarded against me, how could I have the nerve to ask you to do anything for me?”

The implication was that if you don’t take this Ziyu Chenxiang Pill, it means you distrust me. If you distrust me, then you’re not one of us. And if you’re not one of us, then, Northern Martial Zen, you might not even be able to walk out of here alive today.

Northern Martial Zen was no fool; he could naturally hear the threat in Prince Nalan’s words. He sighed and said helplessly, ”Prince, I’m afraid there’s more to your Ziyu Chenxiang Pill than it appears!”

Prince Nalan stared at Northern Martial Zen for a while and suddenly burst into laughter, saying, ”Hahaha, your mind is indeed shrewd. How did you know there’s an issue with my Ziyu Chenxiang Pill?”

Northern Martial Zen did not answer; in truth, when Huang Yidao and the others saved him, Northern Martial Zen already sensed that this couldn’t be a good thing. Since Huang Yidao was not close to him, why would he risk offending Prince Wan Yan to save him? There must be something fishy about the whole situation. And when he met with Prince Nalan, it became clear to him that Prince Nalan must have orchestrated this.

Prince Nalan, what kind of person is he? Northern Martial Zen didn’t have much interaction with him but knew well that Prince Nalan harbored great ambitions. Although he had lain low in the Capital for decades, no one dared to underestimate him. Moreover, the fact that he could command someone as skilled as Huang Yidao—what method had he employed, and how long had he been plotting? Therefore, Northern Martial Zen was almost certain that Prince Nalan saved him this time just to recruit him under his command and have him work for Nalan.

Northern Martial Zen understood Huang Yidao’s character well. Huang Yidao was extremely arrogant and conceited, and would never serve anyone unless absolutely necessary. But now, Prince Nalan was treating him like a servant, which clearly indicated that Huang Yidao was under Prince Nalan’s control. As for how he was controlled, Northern Martial Zen had no clue. However, when Prince Nalan brought out the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill, Northern Martial Zen began to suspect that there was something wrong with this pill, and he was extremely wary of Prince Nalan.

And Northern Martial Zen’s refusal to consume the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill only provoked Prince Nalan to persuade him repeatedly to take it, further confirming Northern Martial Zen’s suspicions that there was something definitely wrong with the pill!

”Northern Martial Zen! Northern Martial Zen!” Prince Nalan laughed heartily, saying, ”No wonder you could rise from a mere Martial Artist to your current status step by step. It seems I had underestimated you before!”

Prince Nalan’s words made Northern Martial Zen feel slightly elated; after all, these words came from the mouth of one of the Five Unmatches of the World, which would make anyone proud.

”No matter how strong a certain Northerner is, he cannot compare to the Prince.” Northern Martial Zen said, ”If the Prince wants something done by a certain Northerner, he will certainly give it his all. As for this Ziyu Chenxiang Pill, I think it’s unnecessary!”

”Is that so?” Prince Nalan chuckled coldly, ”What if what I want you to do is to swallow this Ziyu Chenxiang Pill?”

Northern Martial Zen’s face changed, staring at Prince Nalan for a while, he said in a deep voice, ”Does the Prince insist on making things difficult for others?”

”Making things difficult for others?” Prince Nalan chuckled and suddenly his figure blurred, appearing in front of Northern Martial Zen. One hand grasped Northern Martial Zen’s cheeks, squeezing casually, causing Northern Martial Zen’s mouth to open involuntarily.

Prince Nalan deftly snatched the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill from Northern Martial Zen’s hand, directly stuffing it into Northern Martial Zen’s mouth, then covered Northern Martial Zen’s mouth with his hand, giving a light tap, causing Northern Martial Zen to involuntarily swallow the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill into his stomach.

The entire process happened in the blink of an eye. Before Northern Martial Zen had a chance to resist, the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill was already in his belly.

”Ugh…” Northern Martial Zen immediately ran to the side, trying hard to vomit, but aside from a bout of dry heaving, nothing else came out. Moreover, he could distinctly feel a warm flow rising slowly in his chest and abdomen, starting to spread throughout his body.

”You don’t have to be so afraid,” Prince Nalan said calmly with a grin beside him, ”What I gave you is a genuine Ziyu Chenxiang Pill, which is very effective for your injuries. Of course, I coated the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill with a layer of Heart-beckoning Powder. This is an exclusive secret recipe of the Nalan Family, which enhances one’s strength, making it very useful for martial artists. However, the Heart-beckoning Powder has one drawback, which is that after taking it once, you must take it regularly every month. Otherwise, the medicinal power will corrode your heart. Once the heart decays, even if a Daluo Golden Immortal descends, they cannot save you!”

Prince Nalan spoke these words so calmly, as if chatting idly. However, Northern Martial Zen was listening with shock and trepidation. He knew that the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill must have a problem, but he didn’t expect such poison to be hidden inside. No wonder Huang Yidao was so controlled by Prince Nalan. Without a doubt, he must have taken this Heart-beckoning Powder. Being required to take it every month means that all their lives are under Prince Nalan’s control. Who would dare to defy Prince Nalan?

The reason Northern Martial Zen previously didn’t want to take this Ziyu Chenxiang Pill was because of this concern, not wanting to be controlled by Prince Nalan. But, in front of Prince Nalan, how could he resist? Not to mention he now had no Inner Strength left in his body, even if he was in his prime, he was no match for Prince Nalan. For Prince Nalan to control him was as easy as flipping a hand; he simply had no right to resist!

”Of course, if you honestly work for me, I will not be stingy at all. Every month, not only will there be a supply of Heart-beckoning Powder, but I will also offer you many benefits!” Prince Nalan paused, looking at Northern Martial Zen, grinning with satisfaction, ”The great turmoil is about to begin, Northern Martial Zen. Relying on just your strength, in this world, you’re probably like a lone hand unable to make a sound. Forming an alliance with me is a good thing for you. At least, in this era, only the Five Unmatches of the World hold absolute power!”

Northern Martial Zen sat mournfully nearby. He couldn’t disagree with Prince Nalan’s words. He understood well that under the current circumstances, he had to have a master like one of the Five Unmatches of the World protecting him to have a chance to compete with the world’s heroes. But the key problem is that his relationship with Prince Nalan is not a collaboration at all. After taking the Heart-beckoning Powder, he becomes a subordinate or even a servant of Prince Nalan, not a partner!

But now, he has no other options. The Heart-beckoning Powder is already in his stomach, and landing in Prince Nalan’s hands this time, it’s clear Prince Nalan would get what he wants. Even if he hadn’t taken the Heart-beckoning Powder, even if he weren’t injured, Prince Nalan would personally force him to take the Heart-beckoning Powder. With his strength, he doesn’t have any voice in front of Prince Nalan!

Taking several deep breaths, Northern Martial Zen eventually accepted his fate, slowly adjusting his Internal Breath to distribute the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill’s medicinal effects throughout his body. There’s no denying the Ziyu Chenxiang Pill’s potency. Before long, his wounds began to scab, and his Inner Strength was largely restored, giving him a renewed spirit. If he hadn’t taken the Heart-beckoning Powder and felt so dispirited, he might be thrilled by now!

”Prince, since you’ve come to Humeng City and seem to have no hope for the Sun Shooting Bow, why do you continue to stay here?” Northern Martial Zen asked, looking at Prince Nalan, ”Or does the Prince have other plans?”

”Hahaha…” Prince Nalan laughed, saying, ”You’re indeed very astute. With your help, I expect my plans will go even more smoothly!”