Urban Martial Saint

In response to Northern Martial Zen's doubts, Ye Qing maintained a calm expression and said, "I would like to snatch it myself, but look at the current situation with the Wan Yan Family. With my abilities, can I really snatch it? Also, you're right, I want you to deal with Prince Wan Yan. Don't forget, last time at the Shen Family Manor, Prince Wan Yan attempted to kill me multiple times. If I don't deal with him first, I'll eventually die at his hands. I need someone to help me deal with him. Strike first and gain the advantage, which is something you should understand better than me!"

At this point, Ye Qing glanced at Northern Martial Zen and said, "However, dealing with Prince Wan Yan isn't difficult for you at all. As long as you learn this stepping technique of mine, not just Prince Wan Yan, but even the Five Uniques, you will have the strength to fight them. Would you still fear a mere Prince Wan Yan?"

This made Northern Martial Zen's heart skip a beat. Indeed, learning Ye Qing's stepping technique would make dealing with Prince Wan Yan an easy task.

"Alright!" Northern Martial Zen clapped his hands and said, "As long as you teach me this stepping technique, I will immediately help you snatch the Dragon Blood Wood and deal with Wan Yan Zong for you!"

"No way!" Ye Qing shook his head directly and said, "Northern Martial Zen, you and I are not fools. Do you really think I would teach you this stepping technique first? It is my greatest asset. If I reveal it too early, I'm afraid I won't live to see the day Prince Wan Yan dies. Either you help me deal with Prince Wan Yan first, or we'll part ways. You can kill me if you have the ability, but don't expect me to teach you the stepping technique first!"

Ye Qing's attitude was firm; he had no intention of teaching Northern Martial Zen the stepping technique first. Northern Martial Zen frowned and stared at Ye Qing for a while, then nodded slowly, saying in a deep voice, "Alright, Ye Qing, I'm not forcing you. But you can't take advantage of me without giving anything in return. Let's each make a compromise; you teach me half of the stepping technique first, and I'll help you snatch the Dragon Blood Wood. Once you have the Dragon Blood Wood, you immediately teach me the remaining half, how about it?"

"Let me correct you," Ye Qing said, "It's not just taking the Dragon Blood Wood, but only when you help me deal with Prince Wan Yan will I teach you the remaining half!"

"Impossible!" Northern Martial Zen shouted angrily, "With only half of the stepping technique, dealing with Prince Wan Yan won't be easy. If you want to resolve this worry soon, you must teach me the entire stepping technique; otherwise, how can I deal with Prince Wan Yan?"

Ye Qing was silent for a moment, seemingly hesitating. After a while, he nodded, "Alright, let's agree on that. But, Northern Martial Zen, I hope you can keep your word. After learning this stepping technique, help me deal with Prince Wan Yan!"

Northern Martial Zen said loudly, "Rest assured, a certain Northerner swears upon my life. As long as you teach me this stepping technique, I will immediately help you kill Prince Wan Yan, are you satisfied now?"

Ye Qing nodded in satisfaction. Northern Martial Zen saw Ye Qing's demeanor and couldn't help but laugh secretly: Fool, I said I would help you deal with Prince Wan Yan, but I never said I would spare your life. Once I learn this stepping technique, killing Prince Wan Yan will be a breeze. Then, I'll absorb your Inner Strength, and who in this world could be my equal?

Having discussed this matter, they left the Thirteen Li Fortress and headed towards Tianzhao City.

On the mountain, Yelu Ying and the others were considered lucky. Northern Martial Zen, intending to frame Ye Qing, killed all the members of the Wan Yan Family. It eliminated a major threat for Yelu Ying and the others; otherwise, if the Wan Yan Family caught up with them, the outcome would have been grim.

Northern Martial Zen came to the Northern Desert quietly this time without bringing many of his followers. Alongside him were just his son, Bei Shisan, and two of his capable disciples.

The group drove a car straight towards Tianzhao City. On the way, Ye Qing explained the first half of the stepping technique to Northern Martial Zen.

Ye Qing, until now, had only learned three steps of the technique. He didn't understand Tai Chi Bagua Qimen Dunjia at all, so he couldn't proceed with the rest of the steps. However, he remembered the entire stepping technique clearly and teaching it to Northern Martial Zen posed no difficulty.

At Xihang Shen Family Manor, Bei Shisan suffered losses at Ye Qing's hands several times, and he harbored deep resentment towards Ye Qing. Upon seeing Ye Qing this time, he initially intended to strike, but Northern Martial Zen halted him directly, leaving him without a chance to confront Ye Qing, watching angrily beside him without being able to do anything.

In terms of expertise in Tai Chi Bagua Qimen Dunjia, Northern Martial Zen far surpassed Ye Qing. Therefore, with the first half of the stepping technique, he grasped it entirely after practicing two rounds, with no difficulties.

This progress excited Northern Martial Zen greatly. He specifically asked his two disciples and son, Bei Shisan, to spar with him, applying the stepping technique in practice, and the effect was very positive. This delighted Northern Martial Zen tremendously, truly believing Ye Qing hadn't deceived him because the stepping technique was indeed accurate.

Having mastered the stepping technique, Northern Martial Zen started teaching Bei Shisan immediately. However, Bei Shisan was not Northern Martial Zen; he had no understanding of Tai Chi Bagua Qimen Dunjia. After a long time, he could only proceed to the second step and couldn't go further, which made him very angry.

Upon reaching Tianzhao City, Ye Qing and his group went directly to Jin Village and found a secluded place to hide. Ye Qing and Northern Martial Zen observed the situation at Wan Yan Manor, while Northern Martial Zen continued teaching Bei Shisan the stepping technique. However, after practicing another full day here, Bei Shisan still made no progress, which finally made him unable to endure it.

"Dad, is there something wrong with this stepping technique?" Bei Shisan said angrily, "Why, after so long, can't I execute the third step? Ye, did you deliberately craft a fake stepping technique to deceive us?"

Ye Qing stood beside, listening to these words, and immediately said angrily, "Bei, your son's words sound uncomfortable to me. What do you mean by fake stepping technique? Bei, when you were practicing, did you have any problems? Do you yourself think there's an issue with this stepping technique?"

Ye Qing directly called Northern Martial Zen "Bei," elevating his own status and taking advantage of Bei Shisan. Bei Shisan heard this and became even more furious, roaring: "What did you say? How dare you address my father like that!"

As Bei Shisan spoke, he was ready to attack Ye Qing, but Northern Martial Zen quickly came over to stop him.

"There's definitely no problem with this stepping technique. It's just that you haven't understood the mysteries within." Northern Martial Zen patted Bei Shisan's shoulder and said: "You should practice more carefully, without rushing. You will certainly master it."

"Bei, you shouldn't say that." Ye Qing smiled faintly and said: "Learning martial arts depends on talent. This stepping technique is flawless; you mastered it after walking through twice, but your son took so long. Haha, I'm afraid your son's talent is simply not suitable for this stepping technique. I think forcing him to practice might lead to Qi Deviation!"

"Who are you calling low-talented?" Bei Shisan said angrily.

Ye Qing smiled faintly without speaking, while Bei Shisan was so angry his whole body trembled. He was about to explode, but Northern Martial Zen gave him a severe glare and said in a serious voice: "You better go back first. Don't practice this stepping technique for the next few days!"

"But…" Bei Shisan still wanted to speak, but Northern Martial Zen gave a sudden stern look and raised his voice, "I said, go back first!"

Seeing his father's tendency to get angry, Bei Shisan dared not say anything further and could only turn around and leave reluctantly.

There, Northern Martial Zen turned to Ye Qing and said seriously, "Ye Qing, let's get down to business quickly. You mentioned earlier that the Dragon Blood Wood is hidden in the last building, are you really sure?"

"Of course I'm sure!" Ye Qing nodded and said, "Before coming here, I observed for several days, there's absolutely no mistake!"

"Since that's the case, let's not wait any longer. Let's go in immediately, take the Dragon Blood Wood and settle this once and for all!" Northern Martial Zen said in a serious voice, "With Wan Yan Zong not yet back, and the Yan Family's defenses weak, we better grab the item first. Otherwise, if Prince Wan Yan comes back, it will be far more difficult to seize the Dragon Blood Wood!"

"I know!" Ye Qing said, "However, actions should wait for the right moment; now is not the best time."

"Then when is the best time?" Northern Martial Zen asked in a serious voice.

"When the time comes, I'll naturally let you know!" Ye Qing glanced at Northern Martial Zen and smiled, "Northern Martial Zen, Prince Wan Yan is still in Shen Family Manor; he hasn't left yet, no need to hurry. Even if he leaves Shen Family Manor now, it will take at least until tomorrow to return. And as for us, we should act tonight!"

"Really?" Northern Martial Zen looked at the Wan Yan Manor and asked seriously, "What do you mean by timing?"

Ye Qing smiled faintly and said, "Of course, it refers to when the Yan Family's defenses are most vulnerable!"

"Most vulnerable defenses?" Northern Martial Zen looked at Wan Yan Manor in surprise, "Judging by the Yan Family's situation, their defenses seem about the same all the time; when are they most vulnerable?"

"You'll know when the time comes." Ye Qing smiled faintly and said, "Are you guys still going to practice this stepping technique? If not, I'll go scout the area."

With Bei Shisan gone, there's no point for Northern Martial Zen to keep practicing. He slowly nodded, "I will go with you!"

"Bei, it's best not to accompany me." Ye Qing said, "Your name, Northern Martial Zen, is very well-known in the North. Can you guarantee no one in Tianzhao City recognizes you? If someone sees through your identity, I'm afraid the Yan Family would get alerted beforehand!"

This statement made Northern Martial Zen quite pleased. He glanced at Ye Qing and said, "But I can't let you go alone. If you run off, where would I find you?"