Urban Martial Saint

"Yes, for this second challenge, we really did plot thoroughly!" Another elder said in a deep voice, "Before coming here, we first conducted an on-site investigation to confirm that location, letting Tianyu memorize it in advance. Then, we teamed up with that Huang Yidao to put pressure on Shen Tianjun, making him change the matchmaking event at the last minute, and then pushed this second challenge forward, basically deciding the outcome on this challenge. Tianyu grabbed the first wooden plaque, and they would definitely fight over the remaining two. Hopefully, Ye Qing and that Li Qianqiu would clash, thus eliminating a strong opponent for Tianyu. But who would have thought that this Ye didn't play by the rules, nearly ruining our plan!"

If Shen Tianjun were to hear of this here, he would surely be extremely shocked. Because no one would think that this second challenge was actually a premeditated project almost arranged by the Nalan family.

Before Prince Nalan brought Nalan Tianyu to participate in this matchmaking event, he already had a clear idea in his mind. Given the strength of his grandson Nalan Tianyu, winning in this matchmaking was basically impossible. Therefore, he intended to tamper with the competition projects. Before coming, he devised this second project, having Nalan Tianyu memorize that location in advance. Then, he teamed up with Huang Yidao, letting him publicly pressure Shen Tianjun to change the remaining two projects. At the same time, with a bit of manipulation, he incorporated the project he proposed. In this way, it was equivalent to cheating.

Moreover, Prince Nalan also intended to use this challenge to eliminate some strong contenders first, which is why he didn't set rules for this project, hoping to create internal conflicts. Who would have thought that despite cheating, Nalan Tianyu nearly lost to Ye Qing. He knew before that Ye Qing was not easy to deal with, but he didn't expect Ye Qing to be this difficult to handle. Now he finally understood why so many people wanted to eliminate Ye Qing as soon as possible.

"The most crucial thing is that pesky monk opposing us today!" The first elder looked at Prince Nalan and said gravely, "Big Brother, what should we do now? I'm afraid our planned third project might be useless, can Tianyu win?"

Prince Nalan remained calm and slowly shook his head.

"Ah?" Both of them were stunned and said anxiously, "What should we do? If Tianyu cannot win, won't the marriage alliance with the Shen family be impossible?"

"If the marriage falls through, in this chaos, we might find it very difficult to cope." The younger one said anxiously, "Big Brother, should we put more pressure on Shen Tianjun, insisting on using our third project no matter what?"

"No!" Prince Nalan slowly shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Shen Tianjun is not a fool. Can't you see it? He has already started to suspect, today he took several glances at Huang Yidao, he's already beginning to suspect him."

"Ah?" Both were shocked, and the elder said urgently, "Then... what should we do? If Shen Tianjun finds out that Huang Yidao colluded with us to pressure him deliberately, it will surely affect our relationship with the Shen family!"

"Don't worry, even if Shen Tianjun knows we did it, he absolutely won't break this veil." Prince Nalan said, "The Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates will open, and the world is about to fall into chaos. Even with the Shen Family Manor having Shen Tianjun, it's not necessarily absolutely safe. Shen Tianjun is no fool; he definitely won't make enemies at this time, so we needn't worry about him. The most crucial problem now is that Shijia, this person is very mysterious, and he's clearly here to help Ye Qing, who knows what his intentions are!"

"I've heard from my father before that this Shijia is extremely mysterious, urging our Nalan family to avoid provoking him." The older one paused slightly, then whispered, "Big Brother, this Shijia must not be provoked!"

"Hmph, whether we can provoke him or not, this matchmaking must not go according to his wishes!" Prince Nalan said in a deep voice, "Tianyu no longer has a chance in this matchmaking, no need to worry about this matter for him anymore."

"Ah?" Both were taken aback, the younger one said urgently, "Big Brother, we've worked tirelessly for so long, putting in so much effort, and now... now we're giving up, wouldn't everything we've done before be wasted?"

"So what?" Prince Nalan said, "In my opinion, with the devilish intelligence of this Ye Qing, even if the third challenge is the project we previously designed, Tianyu may not be his match. Moreover, this Shijia keeps meddling, we probably can't present our project. Rather than that, we might as well do a good turn!"

"A good turn?" Both immediately moved closer to Prince Nalan, the elder whispered, "Big Brother, what do you mean?"

Prince Nalan said calmly, "Our relationship with the Seven Rudders of the Hong Alliance has never been too good, perhaps we can take this opportunity to mend our relationship with the Seven Rudders of the Hong Alliance."

Both showed some confusion, and the elder curiously asked, "Big Brother, are you saying we support Li Qianqiu to win?"

"Exactly!" Prince Nalan nodded, saying solemnly, "In any case, we can't let that Ye win!"

"Why?" Both asked simultaneously, curiously.

"Isn't it obvious why?" Prince Nalan said, "Shijia is clearly opposing us; he's helping that Ye, who's to say he's not playing some trick. Letting him win would probably do us no good. But Helian Tiehua, he is now uniting all possible forces. At this time, if we offer an olive branch, he'll surely be very grateful, and in the future, we won't worry about him not working for us."

"I see!" Both suddenly realized, and the younger one remarked with admiration, "Big Brother, you really think long-term."

Upon hearing this, Prince Nalan showed no trace of pride, instead continuing to furrow his brows. His initial plan in coming here was to have Nalan Tianyu triumph, successfully marry Shen Qingyi, and take the opportunity to ally with the Shen Family. However, now it's clear that Nalan Tianyu won't be winning, forcing him to decide to aid Helian Tiehua out of necessity.

Even though he said as much, he was still uneasy inside. With Helian Tiehua's disposition, how could Qingyi possibly be at his disposal?

Not long after sitting in the room, Shen Da personally came over to invite Prince Nalan to join the others in discussing the third project. By the time Prince Nalan arrived, most others were already there, and Monk was holding something resembling a tortoise shell, speaking to the crowd. It was apparent that everyone's attention was fixed on the tortoise shell, their faces marked with curiosity, clearly captivated by Monk.

Prince Nalan was somewhat surprised. These individuals present were masters among masters, worldly-wise people. Especially Helian Tiehua and Shen Tianjun, both included in the Five Uniques, how could they be drawn in by such a tortoise shell?

Prince Nalan strolled into the hall, still unnoticed by anyone. It wasn't until he coughed lightly that his presence was acknowledged.

"Nalan, you've arrived!" Shen Tianjun greeted Prince Nalan with a smile, inviting him to sit.

Prince Nalan glanced at the tortoise shell in Monk's hands, saying, "We came here to discuss the third project, didn't we?"

"Indeed, that's what we are deliberating right now!" Monk shot him a glance, saying, "I was only halfway done talking when you arrived. Why didn't you wait until I finished?"

"I just received the news," Prince Nalan replied.

"Alright, alright, enough chatter," Monk said, "Let's do it this way—I'll explain again, so you won't feel left out if we make decisions here, okay?"

Prince Nalan surveyed the group and then looked at Monk, slightly surprised but nonetheless nodded in agreement.

"Look here," Monk raised the tortoise shell in his hand, saying, "Do you know what this is?"

Prince Nalan examined the tortoise shell closely. Indeed, it was a tortoise shell; yet, this one looked extremely ancient, its bones seemingly on the verge of weathering away, appearing to possess quite a history. Some lines adorned the shell, potentially carvings of something, yet too blurred to be discernible.

"What is this?" Prince Nalan asked in confusion, unable to fathom Monk's intent in presenting such a piece.

"This is called the Heavenly Mechanism Chart," Monk looked at Prince Nalan, saying, "Do you know what the Heavenly Mechanism Chart is?"

"No idea…" Prince Nalan shook his head, having never heard of it.

"I figured you hadn't heard of it, illiterate," Monk turned and elevated the tortoise shell, saying, "Don't underestimate this turtle shell; it is said to be the most important treasure with which Master Tianji, the founder of the Iron Calculation Sect, roamed the Jianghu. Master Tianji went from deceiving people on streets to founding a sect, largely thanks to this Heavenly Mechanism Chart."

"Really?" Prince Nalan frowned, closely examining the tortoise shell, his face gradually filled with doubt, "There's something like this?"

The name of Master Tianji was familiar to Prince Nalan, and the existence of the Iron Calculation Sect was real. After all, Old Wang Ba was a disciple of the Iron Calculation Sect. Whether the Heavenly Mechanism Chart was genuine, however, was unknown.

"Of course!" Monk affirmed, "I'd say you people are really ignorant, knowing so little. Not being familiar with the Heavenly Mechanism Chart, clinging to your Five Uniques persona, isn't that embarrassing?"

"Monk, I was asking about our third project for tomorrow. Why bring out this Heavenly Mechanism Chart; what does it mean?" Prince Nalan asked, "Could it be that we're competing in fortune-telling tomorrow?"

"Oh, now that's hitting the nail on the head!" Monk laughed aloud, "Indeed, tomorrow we are fortune-telling. However, it's not us doing the reading; we'll let the Heavenly Mechanism Chart do the fortune-telling!"