Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 110 Li Zhaoting will eventually have to go to jail!
In the common perception, the Liao, Jin, and Manchu dynasties were barbarians who would know nothing about honey traps.

In fact, the Liao Dynasty was not only adept at using beauties as a weapon, but there are also historical records showing that the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty each had an empress dowager, and the two empress dowagers were rivals.

Empress Dowager Liu had the Imperial City Guard and the Eastern Depot under her command.

Empress Xiao had a Pacification Office under her command.

The Pacification Commissioner was responsible for foreign intelligence work and was adept at bribery, infiltration, and exploiting others for personal gain.

Just because Fanlou wasn't a hideout for foreign spies doesn't mean it wasn't home to them. Foreign spies could use Li Shishi's fame to cover their tracks.

Li Shishi was the most beautiful woman in the capital, the queen of courtesans.

All the courtesans and courtesans would be overshadowed by Li Shishi, just like the stars in the night sky when the moon is bright but the stars are few and dim.

This is a good thing for ordinary courtesans, as they can make money by riding on Li Shishi's fame, or they can do some side jobs in private, using Li Shishi as a cover.

They thought they were being discreet, but they forgot that in a brothel, there were spies everywhere, and with so many people talking, their deception had already been discovered.

Even the unmarried courtesans could tell that some of the women in the brothel were acting suspiciously and secretly running underworld side businesses, mainly intelligence trading.

Last night, Li Zhaoting set up several traps, testing seven or eight courtesans with various questions, guessing that some of the prostitutes in Fanlou were above ordinary singers but below the top courtesans, barely scraping by to be ranked as the top courtesan. In fact, they were foreign spies, most of whom had connections with the Liao Kingdom.

A murderous glint flashed in Li Zhaoting's eyes, and a half-smile curved his lips, carrying a faint mockery, as if he were a cat playing with a mouse, watching the assassin with amusement.

The assassin was terrified and covered in cold sweat.

Li Zhaoting's expression was terrifying. He looked all smiles, but his aura was like that of a ghost or god, more oppressive than the Ten Kings of Hell, making people feel weak all over.

The murderous intent in her eyes made her feel like she had nowhere to escape, no matter where she went. The sneer at the corner of her mouth seemed to be mocking her for overestimating herself and daring to lie in front of Yama, the King of Hell!

“Listen, Raven, you have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to explain your mission and your superior. I can either spare your life or give you a quick death.”

What if I don't confess?

Have you seen my file?

"A charming rogue, with countless lovers!"

"Then you should know that I have a confidante who is the leader of the Five Poisons Sect. She can gather thousands of poisonous insects in half an hour and create a scorpion pit!"

"Despicable! Shameless! Demon!"

"Time is running out!"

"I won't let you go even if I'm a ghost!"

"Swearing counts as time too!"

Li Zhaoting gave Feng Suzhen a wink, and Feng Suzhen raised her palm like a knife and slashed at the railing.

Feng Suzhen possessed the Ice Silkworm Gu, and used the Ice Silkworm's cold energy to power the Blood Transformation Blade, whose power was no less than that of the Flame Blade. The air suddenly cooled down by more than ten degrees, and the railing was covered with a layer of ice. As the palm force fell, the railing turned into shattered ice.

"Want to try it?"

Feng Suzhen looked at the assassin with a sinister gaze.

This is what we practiced last night.

Terrified, Li Zhaoting begged for mercy loudly and composed a poem in seven steps.

Feng Suzhen pointed her fingertip at him, and feeling the icy chill, the assassin's heart quickly crumbled.

"Don't kill me! I'll confess! I'll confess!"

Since you've confessed, you should change your position.

Tongwen Guan has no shortage of empty rooms.

Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen went to interrogate the assassin.

Cui Guanghao and the princess knelt down softly on the ground.

The Seventh Prince suddenly said, "Minister Cui, I can help you solve your current troubles and help you two lovers be together in the end. In return, I need the Cui family's full support for me to become the Crown Prince. Minister Cui, we have no enmity between us and should cooperate."

"how do you want to do it?"

"First of all, this matter must not be leaked."

We are in the wrong, but the Song Dynasty needs our help to restrain the Manchus and the Liao Dynasty. As long as we give up enough benefits, there will be room for maneuver.

First, let's stall for time and get Father to send another princess, or even more princesses, in exchange for a princess.

Secondly, we promise a generous dowry and agree to the Song Dynasty's conditions, using our sincerity to shut them up.

Don't try to be two-faced or try to please everyone.

We don't have the right to be nice to everyone.

The Manchus were a fierce tiger, while the Liao Dynasty was a vicious wolf.

In comparison, the Song Dynasty was relatively mild.

The essence of marriage alliances is not based on affection, but on the diplomatic relations between the two countries. As long as both sides agree on the conditions, does it really matter which princess is married?
Minister Cui, we don't have much time left.

Li Zhaoting and Feng Shaomin's interrogation of the assassin was to give us a chance to discuss things privately. If we can't come up with a strategy before the interrogation is over, we'll all die.

He died at the hands of Liao assassins!

Minister Cui, make your choice!

You only have half an incense stick's time to consider!

As the saying goes, people are driven to their limits; when pushed to the limit, they can do anything except solve math problems!

The seventh prince has a gloomy personality, but in order to hide his incompetence in front of the crown prince, he always acts arrogantly and domineeringly, using the image of a brainless playboy to lower the crown prince's guard.

Now that the Crown Prince is dead, the Seventh Prince is only one step away from the throne, so of course he has to take a gamble.

These words are extremely damaging.

First, show sincerity and get straight to the point: I'm helping you for the sake of your family.

Secondly, it demonstrates wisdom by accurately analyzing the current situation and providing the best solution in a timely manner.

Third, demonstrate responsibility. Every plan needs someone to carry it out. The execution process is fraught with danger at every step. The slightest carelessness could lead to sudden illness or death at any time.

Finally, given the danger, the three had only a stick of incense's time to consider their options and had to make a quick decision: either pledge allegiance to the Seventh Prince or close their eyes and await death.

No one wants to die.

Especially people like Cui Guanghao.

He has a family, a lover, and responsibilities.

For the honor of his family, for the life of his beloved, and for the responsibility of the alliance between the two nations he bore, Choi Gwang-ho knelt on both knees: "Choi Gwang-ho pays respects to the Crown Prince."

The Seventh Prince helped Cui Guanghao up with both hands.

"Rise, my dear subject. Leave the rest to me. I will handle this matter properly."

"Your Highness, what should we do with Li Zhaoting?"

"Promising huge profits to bribe and win over."

"What can we use to win over Li Zhaoting?"

“Li Zhaoting is obsessed with beautiful women and loves martial arts, so the honey trap will obviously not work. Give him a martial arts manual. I have a sword manual here, which should be able to sway him.”

"A sword manual? Could it be..."

"Do I have a choice?"

The seventh prince took out an ancient book from his bosom.

This is a sword manual that has been passed down in Goguryeo for hundreds of years.

During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the most dazzling figure in the Goguryeo martial arts world was Fu Cailin, but he did not enjoy the glory alone. In that era, the most dazzling figure was the Yangzhou Twin Dragons.

Fu Cailin's eldest disciple, Fu Junzhuo, took good care of the Twin Dragons when they were in danger. The Twin Dragons recognized Fu Junzhuo as their godmother. After the Twin Dragons mastered their martial arts, they went to Goguryeo to repay their kindness, each leaving behind a secret manual. The manual left by Xu Ziling was lost over time, while the Eight Methods of the Well left by Kou Zhong was preserved intact, but no one could master it.

The Twin Dragons' martial arts skills rely partly on fortuitous encounters and partly on innate talent and enlightenment. In other words, the Twin Dragons' martial arts skills are not suitable for sect inheritance, but only for teaching to certain top geniuses. Ordinary people simply cannot understand them. Even if they are lucky enough to understand them, without the Twin Dragons' state of mind and sufficient inner understanding, they are just empty shells.

In particular, Kou Zhong's Eight Methods of the Well require not only the mental state of "the moon in the well," but also an understanding of military strategy, and the courage to fight to the death and become stronger with each battle.

Where in Goguryeo could you find talent of this caliber?

As it was passed around, the scroll was no longer considered a secret manual, but rather an antique with high collectible value.

The value of this gift is the most difficult to describe.

It can be an invaluable treasure.

It could be a worthless, tattered old book.

If he could exchange an antique book for Li Zhaoting's help, the Seventh Prince would certainly not be stingy.

In a life-or-death situation, how could one be stingy?

The three quickly came up with a plan.

Just as the discussion was finished, Li Zhaoting had just completed interrogating the Liao assassin, and the Eighth Prince returned from the palace.

The seventh prince straightened his clothes, mustered his courage, and went to meet the eighth prince, offering a huge amount of compensation.

The Eighth Prince smiled but did not express his opinion.

The Seventh Prince flattered Li Zhaoting a couple of times, and taking the opportunity of toasting him, he tugged at his sleeve and handed him the secret manual. Li Zhaoting accepted the manual and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Upon seeing this, the Eighth Prince finally spoke up to discuss the matter.

The Eighth Prince didn't make exorbitant demands; instead, he smiled and offered various suggestions. The Seventh Prince's face turned green, thinking to himself, "Why not just give me a quick death? Even robbery wouldn't be this ruthless!"
Do you think I'm a sucker?

The Eighth Prince certainly wouldn't treat him like a sucker; what kind of sucker would be so easy to take? In order not to anger the Seventh Prince to death, the Eighth Prince gave the Seventh Prince an absolutely irresistible condition: to help him become the Crown Prince!
Choi Kwang-ho's support is one thing.

The support of the Eighth Prince is another matter.

Given the Eighth Prince's position in the Song Dynasty court, if he were to write a few kind words to the Seventh Prince in his reply to Goguryeo, the position of Crown Prince of Goguryeo would be a sure thing.

They both laughed knowingly.

The seventh prince immediately wrote back to his father, saying that his elder brother was a bastard who had ruined the marriage alliance, and that he begged the Eighth Prince for help. Finally, the matter was resolved.

The conditions proposed by the Eighth Prince were...

If you don't agree, I'm doomed!

If you don't believe me, Cui Guanghao and the princess can testify for me that the Crown Prince, with his beastly nature, has caused a great disaster. His personal eunuch's daily records of the Crown Prince's daily life detail all sorts of absurd things.

The Goguryeo guards, carrying the letter and accompanied by the crown prince's personal eunuch, rode swiftly back to Goguryeo.

……

"Pah! You son of a bitch! You bastard! I'm busy drinking, listening to music, and admiring beautiful women. I don't have time to assassinate those idiots from Goguryeo!"

Yelü Juncai kicked the table over!
He was wronged.

His secret was to bribe court officials; the assassination of the Goguryeo crown prince was someone else's task, not his.

Unexpectedly, Li Zhaoting came to inquire, speaking very rudely and with sharp tongue, leaving Yelü Juncai speechless. After losing, Yelü Yancai was so angry that he fell ill in bed and had no strength to receive guests.

Yelü Juncai was left to face Li Zhaoting alone.

He tried to fight, but was knocked down in one move.

He was being scolded, and he was so frustrated by the scolding that he scratched his head in frustration.

Aside from flipping the table, all I can do is rage in a state of impotence.

"Li Zhaoting, what exactly do you want to do? Do you want to start a war? Let me tell you, my Liao Dynasty has 500,000 strong soldiers who are sharpening their weapons and preparing to march south at any time."

"Five hundred thousand elite troops?"

"Be afraid!"

"Yelü Juncai, if I remember correctly, you are a fierce general who leads troops into battle. You should understand the importance of intelligence better than a weak scholar like me who only talks about war on paper."

"You...what do you want to say?"

"In military campaigns, composure is paramount. Your performance was far too exaggerated. You're not a spoiled brat; you're a seasoned general from the ranks. You couldn't possibly reveal the state of the military camp just because I provoked you a couple of times. My friend, your acting is lacking!"

"Li Zhaoting, I'm going to kill you!"

"Why don't you kill Yelü Yancai first?"

"You want to sow discord?"

"What I mean is, have you ever considered that, in this scheme to turn the tables on you, you are the cannon fodder placed in the open to attract attention, and that you are Yelü Yancai!"

Li Zhaoting patted Yelü Juncai on the shoulder and left without looking back. Yelü Juncai stood there in a daze until Li Zhaoting was far away before he sat back down in his chair.

Yelü Yancai lifted the curtain and said in a deep voice, "The Song Dynasty is indeed full of talented people and should not be underestimated."

"Brother, how did he find out?"

"Just a wild guess!"

"What's the point?"

"Your expression tells him that his wild guesses are correct, and that he has discovered me."

What should we do next?

“Do nothing! He has no evidence. We are envoys. Let alone Li Zhaoting, even if the Eighth Prince came to question us, he would have no right to control us.”

"Big brother...you...sigh!"

"Speak directly!"

“You’re wrong, terribly wrong. You should say the opposite: the Eighth Prince is a prince and can’t do anything to us, while Li Zhaoting is a chivalrous knight-errant.”

"so what?"

"A common man's rage can spill blood five steps away! He has infiltrated Duting Post Station to launch an assassination attempt; who among us can stop him?"

"Isn't Li Zhaoting afraid of death?"

"At worst, we can just sail out to sea. But in the vast ocean, who can find him? And even if we do find him, what then? We'll both be killed anyway. Let's go to the underworld and cry for justice!"

Yelü Yancai was far more learned than Yelü Juncai, but he was, after all, a scholar who did not understand the intricacies of the martial world. When he angered the martial artists, he drew his sword and attacked them on the spot.

"Do you have any idea?"

"Ask Grand Tutor Pang for help."

Will Grand Tutor Pang help us?

"Pang Tong will definitely agree."

"why?"

"I have what Pang Tong needs!"

Yelü Juncai took out a map from his bosom.

The chaos surrounding the Goguryeo mission has come to an end.

The Eighth Prince achieved a satisfactory result.

The seventh prince obtained the throne of crown prince.

Both sides maintained a dignified demeanor.

Without the Eighth Prince's order, Li Zhaoting had no authority to investigate the case at the Tongwen Academy and focused on teaching his disciples at home. Just two days later, shouts came from Duting Post Station.

An envoy from the Liao Dynasty was assassinated.

Yelü Yancai and Yelü Juncai both died.

The cause of death was a fatal sword wound to the throat.

The murderer possessed exceptional martial arts skills and extraordinary swordsmanship. It seemed that only Li Zhaoting in the capital had such swordsmanship and had clashed with the delegation, making Li Zhaoting a suspect.

"Wow!"

A large group of yamen runners surrounded the Li residence.

Leading the group was Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Blooded Marquis.

Decades ago, Zhao Guangyi suffered a crushing defeat at Gaoliang River, leaving him with severe psychological trauma. Fearing assassination, he recruited martial arts masters to form the "Dragon Protector Clan".

The Baolong clan is divided into three groups.

The four-person team specifically responsible for protecting the emperor, codenamed "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Wishing you prosperity), consists of three members, except for Ling Ling Fa, who stay by the emperor's side at all times and cannot leave his side for even a moment.

The twelve people specifically responsible for protecting the imperial city are codenamed after the twelve zodiac animals. They include men and women, Buddhists and Taoists, some are skilled in mechanics, and others are skilled in medicine preparation.

The Dragon Guard Manor, responsible for maintaining balance in the martial arts world, has four secret agents under its command: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. These four agents hold the official positions of sword-wielding guards, but they do not concern themselves with affairs of the imperial city.

There are over a hundred experts from all walks of life in the imperial city.

Many masters have not appeared in the martial arts world for decades.

For example: the Azure Sky Sword, the Four Great Swordsmen...

Zhu Wushi is the current owner of the Dragon Guard Manor.

Twenty years ago, Zhu ignored the arrest of the notorious villain Gu Santong, who was causing chaos in the world, and was dubbed the Iron-Blooded Marquis. For more than twenty years, he has never made a single mistake in handling cases.

In the eyes of the martial arts world, Zhu Wushi was more intimidating than Guo Bujing. Guo Bujing was good at showing compassion, while Zhu Wushi was always ruthless and merciless.

"Li Zhaoting, come with me."

"Can I ask why?"

"The Liao envoy has been killed."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"You are the prime suspect."

"Is there any evidence?"

"You'll see the evidence later."

"Can I change my clothes?"

"can!"

Zhu Wushi nodded.

Li Zhaoting went back to his room to change his clothes: "Wife, go find Lu Xiaofeng for help. Whatever you do, don't go and try to become the top scholar."

How can I contact Lu Xiaofeng?

"Send the message out, he'll hear it!"

(End of this chapter)