Chapter 1037: Chapter 1037

The shout from the Netherworld Scholar finally had an effect; there came a clattering sound from within the water tower, as if something was emerging from the water.

Ye Qing immediately tensed up, gripping the Seven-Star Ancient Sword tightly as he watched the water tower nervously. This water tower didn't have a door; it was filled entirely with water. Any normal person inside would have drowned. But now there was actually someone hiding in there, which raised suspicions that this person must be anything but ordinary!

The noise lasted for about half a minute, and suddenly, the top of the water tower was pushed open from the inside, and a man in yellow monk's robes jumped out. This man had not a single hair on his head, which explained why the Netherworld Scholar called him Baldie—he was clearly a monk.

This monk looked about forty or fifty years old, and his features were quite handsome; if he had hair, he'd definitely be as good-looking as the Netherworld Scholar. However, his eyes gleamed with a sinister light, making people feel inexplicably uncomfortable when he stared at them.

"Hahaha..." The monk burst into laughter as soon as he jumped out, landing right beside the Netherworld Scholar, and slapped him on the shoulder. Although the Netherworld Scholar was quite skilled, the monk's slap made him fall to the ground, completely unable to resist.

Ye Qing frowned; he could tell that this monk was definitely not simple. The Netherworld Scholar had come to him for help, indicating that this person was not easy to deal with!

The monk completely ignored Ye Qing, stepping on the Netherworld Scholar's face while laughing, saying, "Kid, I told you not to disturb me during my seclusion. Not only did you disturb me, but you also brought this person along. Do you think I can't bear to kill you?"

The Netherworld Scholar seemed very afraid of this monk. Upon hearing these words, he hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "No, no, it's this person who wants to kill me. I had no choice but to come to you for help. Master, save me!"

"Shut up!" the monk cursed angrily, "Did I say I'd take you as my disciple? What did you call me just now? What's this about Baldie? Who do you think you're calling little master? Are you looking to die?"

The Netherworld Scholar closed his mouth, realizing he had no other options earlier. If he hadn't called out like that, he might not have been able to provoke the monk into coming out. However, since the monk was already out, he was safe.

"What's up? Still trying to play deaf and dumb?" The monk kicked the Netherworld Scholar a few more times and, seemingly satisfied, finally glanced at Ye Qing and asked, "Hey, kid, what's your business?"

"Master..." The Netherworld Scholar just started to speak, but the monk kicked him again, angrily saying, "What did you call me?"

The Netherworld Scholar made a crying face and said softly, "Grandfather..."

"Hmph, next time you call me the wrong thing, I'll break your two legs!" The monk glared at him fiercely and said, "What do you want to say?"

The Netherworld Scholar immediately got excited, pointed at Ye Qing, and said urgently, "He...he is very familiar with Huangfu Ziyu and also with Shen Qingyi from the Shen Family Manor. And he knows many beauties in Shenchuan City, most of them virgins. As long as you kill him, those women will all be yours, Grandfather!"

"Huangfu Ziyu! Shen Qingyi!" The monk's eyes instantly flashed with an endless glint, staring at Ye Qing standing opposite, with undisguised jealousy in his eyes.

Ye Qing furrowed his brow tightly. The monks he had seen were nothing like those described in books. It was said that monks were supposed to be detached from worldly desires, but the last monk he met mastered both meat-eating and wine-drinking. And this monk seemed even more lustful; what kind of monk was this?

The monk stared at Ye Qing for a while and suddenly said, "Hey, kid, do you know who I am?"

Ye Qing shook his head, and the monk was quite pleased, saying, "It's good that you don't know. But you just need to understand one thing. If I wanted to kill you, my finger could crush you hundreds of times. However, I don't necessarily have to kill you. If you really don't want to die, I'll give you an opportunity. As long as you bring Huangfu Ziyu and Shen Qingyi to me, not only will Grandpa spare you, but I'll guarantee you a lifetime of peace, and no one will dare touch a hair on your head in this world!"

Ye Qing's face darkened; he looked at the monk coldly and said in a deep voice, "Let me tell you something too. If you dare lay a finger on either of them, I will kill you!"

"Oh, quite the temper!" The monk laughed loudly and said, "You've got personality; girls nowadays all like men with personality. No wonder you know so many beauties. That's nice, that's nice. But, kid, as a person, you should watch what you say. Not everything can be said freely. There's a saying that trouble comes from the mouth, and it's just for people like you!"

As soon as the monk finished speaking, he suddenly rushed forward, heading straight towards Ye Qing.

Ye Qing's expression changed; he hadn't expected the monk, who had been laughing earlier, to strike so quickly. Moreover, the monk was incredibly fast; Ye Qing didn't have time to dodge, and the monk was already in front of him. Ye Qing couldn't afford to be careless, and immediately used Wing Chun Fist techniques to block several of the monk's attacks.

"Wing Chun?" The monk was clearly a bit surprised and said, "Are you from Shen Family Manor? No wonder you're familiar with Shen Qingyi and Huangfu Ziyu, turns out you're also from the Shen family. But, the Shen family is already in decline now, aside from that old Shen Tianjun, what is left of the Shen family? Hmph, once the first Martial Arts Holy Land of the Southern Six Provinces, is now just a name, with no outstanding successors at all. I think, you have no future in the Shen family, it's better to come out and enjoy life with grandpa here!"

The monk kept muttering nonstop, but his movements did not slow down at all, his strikes were like a storm, very powerful. If it weren't for Ye Qing using Wing Chun, he might have been unable to withstand the monk's attacks.

Moreover, Ye Qing could clearly feel that this monk still retained most of his strength without going all out. Otherwise, Ye Qing would have already been defeated. Clearly, the monk wanted to experience Ye Qing's Wing Chun, so he didn't immediately defeat Ye Qing. However, given the current situation, Ye Qing's defeat seems inevitable.

Among the many experts Ye Qing has encountered, this monk might be the strongest among those who truly fought with him. Ye Qing could clearly feel that even a master like Cui Yulong might not be a match for this monk!

The Netherworld Scholar watched excitedly from the side, obviously noticing that the monk's strength surpassed Ye Qing's, and hoped to use the monk's hand to kill Ye Qing. This way, he would finally achieve revenge.

Ye Qing fought with the monk for a while, knowing that if he continued fighting , he would eventually be defeated. To resolve the predicament, Ye Qing had to exert his full strength.

After a few more moves with the monk, Ye Qing suddenly seized an opportunity and leaned sideways to crash into the monk. This was not a Wing Chun move but a Bajiquan technique, sharp and fierce.

The monk had assumed Ye Qing only knew Wing Chun and was completely unprepared for such a forceful move. Unable to react in time, he was pushed back two steps by Ye Qing and exclaimed, "You know Bajiquan too?"

"He's said to be the Closed-door Disciple of Northern Fist King Li Changqing!" Netherworld Scholar shouted loudly from the side.

"How is that possible?" The monk was even more surprised and said, "Li Changqing has been missing for over twenty years, reportedly dead, how could there be a Closed-door Disciple appearing? Besides, if he learned the North's Bajiquan, who taught him Wing Chun?"

The Netherworld Scholar shrugged helplessly, "He spent some time learning Wing Chun at Shen Family Manor with Shen Tianjun."

"Dammit!" The monk cursed, his eyes widened in shock as he looked at Ye Qing, "This lucky bastard, received teachings from the King of Southern and Northern Fist?"

The Netherworld Scholar shrugged helplessly, the King of Southern and Northern Fist are both top-level masters. Any opportunity to be taught a few moves by them is a tremendous fortune. Cui Yulong only studied for two years with the Western Frontier Purple Robe Lama and already achieved his current accomplishments. Ye Qing being personally taught martial arts by the King of Southern and Northern Fist is an opportunity that few can hear about without being shocked!

Ye Qing couldn't care less about all this now, having finally forced the monk to retreat, he immediately took out the wooden box he carried on his back and drew out the Seven-Star Ancient Sword inside.

"Seven-Star Ancient Sword?" The monk, with sharp eyes, immediately recognized the longsword in Ye Qing's hand, his eyes revealing a flash of greed.

"Unexpectedly, you can bring out this treasure from Shen Family Manor. Looks like my luck has really arrived, unstoppable." The monk laughed heartily, charging straight toward Ye Qing, ready to snatch the Seven-Star Ancient Sword from his hand.

Ye Qing was unreserved, raising his hand and slashing towards the monk with the sword. The monk did not dodge, seemingly very confident in himself.

"Careful!" The Netherworld Scholar urgently warned from the side, "The Seven-Star Ancient Sword has acknowledged him!"

The Netherworld Scholar's timely warning made the monk sense a sharp sword qi that grazed his wrist, leaving a cut. The monk reacted quickly, dodging sideways to avoid being cut in half by the Seven-Star Ancient Sword. However, his right hand was still grazed and left with a small wound.

"What a fine Seven-Star Ancient Sword!" Instead of being angry, the monk was delighted, staring intently at Ye Qing's Seven-Star Ancient Sword, saying, "I didn't expect that, it could even wound me, Buddha Master. Hahaha, with this sword, I can finally stand on par with those from the King of Southern and Northern Fist!"

The monk shouted excitedly, quickly rushing to Ye Qing's side, attempting to snatch the sword. Of course, Ye Qing wouldn't give him the chance, slashing back several times with the sword. However, the monk swiftly dodged all attacks, circling around Ye Qing and suddenly seizing the chance, he placed his hand on Ye Qing's elbow.

"Hand it over!" The monk shouted loudly and directly snatched the Seven-Star Ancient Sword from Ye Qing's hand, leaving Ye Qing without any opportunity to resist.