Urban Martial Saint

Wanyan Hongsheng spoke with grand enthusiasm, seemingly taking all the responsibility upon himself. In truth, his constant mention of family plans actually shifted the blame entirely onto those plans. By doing this, if the ”Seventh Elder” held any grudges, it was implied that the ”Seventh Elder” would be in the wrong. To put it bluntly, he was trying to use the family to pressure the ”Seventh Elder” into feeling embarrassed about being angry.

In reality, however, this ”Seventh Elder” wasn’t actually the real Seventh Elder, and he had absolutely no idea what had happened. As for holding grudges, what enmity did he have to remember?

Yet, after listening to Wanyan Hongsheng speak, the ”Seventh Elder” felt a twitch in his heart. Wanyan Hongsheng’s words basically explained everything, revealing to him what was actually going on.

With Wanyan Hongsheng calling himself Third Brother and treating the Seventh Elder as a sibling, considering the Wanyan Family’s usual approach, the ”Seventh Elder” vaguely understood what was going on. Apparently, the real Seventh Elder should be a member of the Wanyan Family, and indeed, he was likely Wanyan Hongsheng’s brother; hence, the Wanyan people came to capture him with such an attitude.

This was a colossal secret. The Seventh Elder turned out to be a Wanyan Family member, and the real Seventh Elder was still held in the Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor. Perhaps, from this Seventh Elder, some secrets of the Wanyan Family could be uncovered!

Reflecting on what the Wanyan Family had done at Chatiang Peak, the ”Seventh Elder” understood why Wanyan Hongsheng wanted to apologize. Figuring out the situation, the ”Seventh Elder” naturally understood what attitude he should adopt towards the Wanyan Family.

”The past is the past. Let it be!”

The ”Seventh Elder” waved his hand theatrically, speaking in a hoarse voice. His voice was so hoarse that Wanyan Hongsheng couldn’t discern that it wasn’t his brother’s voice.

Hearing the ”Seventh Elder’s” words, Wanyan Hongsheng was overjoyed, thinking that this matter would be easier to handle.

”Yes, yes, the past is the past. Old Seven, you’ve done so much for the family; the family will never forget you!” Wanyan Hongsheng earnestly said, ”Speaking of contributions to the family, Old Seven, yours definitely surpasses Third Brother’s. If you aren’t sufficiently awarded in the future, I’ll be the first to oppose!”

Wanyan Hongsheng spared no effort to win over the ”Seventh Elder”, though there was no avoiding it given the extremes of their previous actions. Repairing relations at this point was no easy task.

In response to this, the ”Seventh Elder” merely smiled without saying anything. It wasn’t that he was unwilling to speak but rather unsure of what to say. He didn’t know the true relationship between the real Seventh Elder and the Wanyan Family, fearing that he might accidentally reveal something if he spoke.

Seeing the ”Seventh Elder’s” expression, Wanyan Hongsheng thought he was still somewhat displeased, thus he dared not rush things. He uttered several flattering remarks before feeling the ”Seventh Elder’s” attitude improved slightly, allowing him to finally inquire about the situation within the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master.

At this point, the ”Seventh Elder” understood what Wanyan Hongsheng was aiming for; he was circumspectly hinting towards the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master. He couldn’t help but snicker inwardly, wondering if the Wanyan Family would maintain such an attitude towards the Seventh Elder if not for the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master.

”The situation inside the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master is pretty much as Ye Qing mentioned before.” The Seventh Elder replied casually.

Seeing the ”Seventh Elder” respond this way, Wanyan Hongsheng became anxious. He broached the topic of the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master to hint at the ”Seventh Elder” to hand over the tomb’s contents, but the ”Seventh Elder” completely misaligned his response. Could it be that the ”Seventh Elder” still harbored resentment and therefore refused to hand over the tomb’s contents?

At this moment, Wanyan Hongsheng didn’t have the time to babble with the ”Seventh Elder”. He perceived the ”Seventh Elder’s” refusal as being due to internal resentment, thus unwilling to hand over the tomb’s contents. Having offered numerous apologies himself, he couldn’t possibly continue to humble himself more.

Taking a deep breath, Wanyan Hongsheng stared at the Seventh Elder and said, ”Old Seven, the family now desperately needs the objects from the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master. Moreover, last time you texted Second Brother, saying you had obtained the tomb’s contents. It’s Second Brother who sent us to assist you!”

He said this using Wanyan Second Master’s identity to pressure the ”Seventh Elder” to surrender the tomb’s contents. However, unbeknownst to him, the present ”Seventh Elder” was a fake, and his words directly revealed all the secrets to the ”Seventh Elder”, who finally understood Wanyan Hongsheng’s true intentions. It turned out that the real Seventh Elder had reached out to them before, promising to hand over the tomb’s contents. Clearly, the real Seventh Elder was deceiving them too—did he really possess the contents of the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master?

Yet, the ”Seventh Elder” maintained a calm expression, seemingly unaffected by Wanyan Hongsheng’s intimidating words. This situation made Wanyan Hongsheng even more anxious. If even Wanyan Second Master failed to intimidate the ”Seventh Elder,” what did he actually want in order to hand over the tomb’s contents?

Just as Wanyan Hongsheng worried intensely, the ”Seventh Elder” suddenly spoke, ”I know you want the objects from the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, but given my current situation, is it even possible for me to have hidden any objects from the tomb on me?”

These words made Wanyan Hongsheng overjoyed. He initially thought the ”Seventh Elder” didn’t intend to hand over the tomb’s contents, but he realized the ”Seventh Elder” was actually prepared to surrender them, they just weren’t currently on his person.

”Where exactly are the tomb’s objects? Let’s go retrieve them now!” Wanyan Hongsheng hurriedly suggested, having caused enough trouble, hoping to quickly reclaim the tomb’s contents to redeem himself.

”The objects from the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master are concealed within Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor!” The Seventh Elder responded.

”Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor?” Wanyan Hongsheng paused for a moment, looking puzzled at the ”Seventh Elder,” asking, ”Why are they still hidden there?”

”If not concealed in Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor, then where do you suggest they be hidden?” The Seventh Elder replied, ”After leaving the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master, we were immediately captured by Ye Qing’s people. Surviving until now is already a feat. They took us captive; do you think they wouldn’t search us? If I wasn’t quick-witted, concealing the tomb’s contents within Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor before they searched us, it would have been seized by Ye Qing and his group by now!”

The ”Seventh Elder’s” account seemed believable; having been caught by Ye Qing’s group for such a long period, avoiding a search was indeed improbable. If the ”Seventh Elder” had truly carried the tomb’s contents on him, Wanyan Hongsheng would have doubted their authenticity. Now, learning they were hidden in Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor, Wanyan Hongsheng was more inclined to believe it.

”Where exactly are the objects hidden within Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor?” Wanyan Hongsheng whispered, ”Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor is the heart of Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman territory; retrieving the objects won’t be easy.”

”Humph, it was difficult before, but now things are different.” The Seventh Elder said, ”With the Mount Tai battle, most of the experts from Hong Alliance Seven Rudders have gone to spectate. Now, only one or two peak masters remain, posing no threat. Going to retrieve the objects now is the most opportune moment. Miss this chance, and attempting to enter Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor again will be impossible!”

Previously, Wanyan Hongsheng suffered losses within Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor—twice, to be exact. The first was being injured, and the second was being falsely accused of killing the Young Master of Sword Saint Sect after accomplishing nothing inside. These two substantial losses made Wanyan Hongsheng detest Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor profoundly; he had no desire to return.

But now, hearing the ”Seventh Elder,” he realized entering Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor was necessary. To make amends with the Wanyan Family, he had to bring back the objects from the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master; failure to do so would leave him accountable. Thus, revisiting Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor was imperative.

Drawing a deep breath, Wanyan Hongsheng looked at the ”Seventh Elder,” speaking softly, ”You do have a point. Then… why don’t we head to Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor now?”

”No need to rush right now.” The Seventh Elder shook his head, ”Let’s wait a moment first!”

”Why wait?” Wanyan Hongsheng asked in a hushed voice.

”Ye Qing is currently preparing to deal with the Iga-ryu, so going now would be running into the fray.” The Seventh Elder explained, ”Let’s wait until the Iga-ryu and Ye Qing’s side have clashed, which will deplete their strength. Then, encountering resistance during our venture to Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor will be unlikely.”

Hearing this, Wanyan Hongsheng was elated, repeatedly offering his thumbs-up to the ”Seventh Elder,” saying, ”Old Seven, you truly are wise and resourceful. It seems that not only will we retrieve the tomb’s contents, but perhaps capture Ye Qing too!”

The ”Seventh Elder” merely smiled quietly, inwardly chuckling. He delayed the action not to proceed to Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor because its defenses were indeed sparse now, lacking many masters as they had left to rescue Huangfu Ziyu. By delaying slightly, once Huangfu Ziyu was saved and Hong Alliance Seven Helmsman Manor had regained strength, bringing the Wanyan members there would ensure they couldn’t escape!