Chapter 19: Zhang Wenyue’s Request

“Big steamed bun?”

Zhang Wenyue glanced down, and her cheeks instantly flushed red. This strange uncle, how can he be so lewd!

“Hmph, even if I tell you, I bet you’ll just say the same thing as my grandpa—don’t meddle in things you shouldn’t. All you martial artists are the same!”

“Oh? And in your eyes, what are martial artists like?”

Ye Cheng looked curiously at the stunning beauty before him. Not only was her face extraordinarily lovely, but her figure was also unmatched in River City. Even compared to his own sister, Ye Mengxue, she was just as striking. But above all, it was the rich spiritual energy she exuded that truly drew Ye Cheng’s attention.

“You all have great strength, yet you refuse to lift a finger to help ordinary people who are bullied. Grandpa is like that, Brother Xiaoxian is like that, and what about you, strange uncle?”

“Me? I’m no different from them.”

Ye Cheng stood up with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhang Wenyue’s hope faded away, the light in her eyes gradually dimming. As expected, these people are all the same—none of them can be relied on.

Jingjing… I really have no way to help you.

Thinking of her best friend’s predicament, Zhang Wenyue was nearly in tears. Seeing her delicate, tear-stained face, Ye Cheng’s heart softened again.

Forget it, I’ll just do this one favor for the Ancient Medicine Sect.

“You have half an hour to tell me exactly what you want me to do.”

“Strange uncle, you’ll help me?!”

The young woman burst into tears of joy.

“Yes, but I have a condition too.”

“What condition?”

Zhang Wenyue scratched her head.

“After this matter is settled, you must train in martial arts with me.”

Ye Cheng spoke with uncharacteristic seriousness.

“But…”

“What is it?”

Seeing the conflicted look on Zhang Wenyue’s face, Ye Cheng paused.

“Is there something worrying you?”

“My grandpa once told me… I was born with a crippled body and can never practice martial arts!”

“What?”

Ye Cheng was incredulous.

This woman clearly had at least Earth-level strength; how could she have no trace of martial arts training? Such a promising talent—he was not about to give up on her.

“Well, actually, it’s not a big thing. My best friend, Xu Ruo Jing, is about to get married.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Ye Cheng was puzzled.

“No!” Zhang Wenyue lifted her head abruptly. “My best friend is only twenty-one, but her father is marrying her off to a man almost thirty, and that man is no good! I investigated him long ago!”

“So you want me to help your friend escape this misery?”

“Exactly!” Zhang Wenyue stared at Ye Cheng with wide, hopeful eyes.

“No problem.”

“Really, strange uncle? I love you!” Zhang Wenyue’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she leapt forward and threw her arms around Ye Cheng’s neck.

At that moment, Ye Cheng had only one thought: If I ever look for a partner, I must never choose someone this… exuberant.

Realizing how inappropriate her actions were, Zhang Wenyue blushed and quickly let go.

“Thank you, uncle, you really are a good man.”

“Is the man she’s marrying powerful?”

Zhang Wenyue nodded. “He’s no match for our Ancient Medicine Sect, but the Ouyang family is still influential in River City. That man’s name is Ouyang Duan—he’s the eldest son of the Ouyang family.”

Ouyang Duan?

Ye Cheng smiled. What a small world. Just yesterday, this arrogant ant had ridiculed him, and now a chance to put him in his place had come so quickly?

“I’ll help you. I have a personal grudge with that man as well. It’s time to settle it.”

Hearing that Ye Cheng also had a feud with Ouyang Duan, Zhang Wenyue leaned closer in curiosity.

“You—”

Beep, beep, beep! The phone rang. Ye Cheng glanced at his screen.

“Go back to your grandfather. I have things to do.”

“Oh, right. There’s one more thing I need your grandfather’s help with.”

In Ye Cheng’s mind flashed Wang Yongsheng’s arrogant face.

“Use some tricks to make Linjiang Group disappear from my sight.”

The killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable, making Zhang Wenyue shrink back in fright.

“I understand, strange uncle. I’ll tell my grandpa!”

Watching Zhang Wenyue leave, Ye Cheng turned and answered his phone, his expression instantly becoming as cold as a glacier.

“Hello.”

“Boss, it’s me! I’ve found the organization you asked about.”

“Speak.”

“But… Boss, are you sure you want to provoke these people?”

“Oh? They’re that strong?” Ye Cheng said with a hint of amusement.

“No, no, you’re definitely the strongest, Boss!” Zhao Wuji knew how to flatter—being Ye Cheng’s underling meant everything revolved around his boss.

“It’s just that this Dragon Tiger Hall hasn’t been peaceful lately. There’s trouble within their own ranks, and they’ve been colluding with some forces from outside the region—it won’t be easy to deal with them.”

“No matter. Have you found the locations of their division bases?”

“I’ve already sent them to your phone, Boss. The bases of the three divisions are close together, but I’ve never been able to pinpoint the fourth’s location. Their hall master is a rather notorious assassin—not an easy opponent.”

“Got it. Tonight, bring your fist manual to the usual place.”

After hanging up, Ye Cheng opened the map on his phone. The main bases were clearly marked in red by Zhao Wuji, each with notes on their leaders and overall strength—a thorough job.

“That old guy… not much in combat, but he’s got talent for intelligence work.”

Without wasting any more time, Ye Cheng leapt into the sky and disappeared into the clouds.

…

In the northern outskirts of River City, at the entrance to a summer villa, two men in security uniforms were whispering to each other.

“Sigh, unbelievable. I’m at least a Yellow-rank martial artist, yet the boss sticks me here at the gate. What a waste of talent!”

“Shh, keep your voice down! If the boss hears, we’re in for a beating for sure!”

“Hah, let him try! I’m already upset he demoted me to the fourth division for no reason. Who does he think he is—”

“That’s enough, just calm down. The higher-ups are already in a bad mood today. We just need to vent a little.”

“Yeah. Hey, who’s that?”

Both men peered into the distance. The sudden appearance of a figure instantly made them tense.

This was a remote part of River City—no one ever wandered here. The unexpected visitor set their nerves on edge.

“Did the hall master say we’d have guests today?”

The shorter man gripped his walkie-talkie tightly.

“No, who is that? Why’s he trespassing on our turf?”

As Ye Cheng drew closer, the two finally relaxed.

“Damn, turns out it’s just a lost beggar. Nearly scared me to death.”

The man put away his walkie-talkie and swaggered over to Ye Cheng.

“You filthy beggar! This isn’t the place for you. Get lost before I make you!”

But in the next instant, Ye Cheng’s hand closed firmly around his neck.