Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 139 I received three sword strikes from Li Zhaoting and was unharmed!

Zhao Yuanyan handed a bunch of keys to Tianxiang.

"Tianxiang, you little devil, you know better than I what treasures I have in my mansion. Here's the key. If you want something, just go to the storeroom and get it yourself."

Li Zhaoting could sense that Zhao Yuanyan's affection for Tianxiang was genuine. The reason was simple: royal offspring were too few, especially lacking in lively and healthy ones.

Tianxiang is the biggest outlier in the royal family.

She was neither sickly nor bookish; she was lively and active, and in excellent health. Almost every member of the royal family wanted a daughter like her.

To put it bluntly, the royal family can't afford to die!
The royal family members seem to be cursed, dying one after another before their time, and the imperial physicians are helpless.

In the north, the Manchu imperial family was in the same situation.

The Qing emperors were very prolific, but most of their princes and princesses had short lifespans, with an average lifespan that was very short.

For example, the famous Consort Hua gave birth to four children, all of whom died in infancy.

Royal families are different from ordinary families. Royal families have a throne to inherit, so they must have many sons.

To ensure the health of the princes and princesses, the Song Dynasty, which valued literature over martial arts, encouraged its children to practice martial arts, not to become martial arts masters, but simply to maintain good health.

Taking advantage of this trend, Zhao Yuanran adopted the posture of Lord Mengchang supporting three thousand retainers and recruited martial arts masters. Although there was some criticism in the court, it was quickly suppressed.

What are the problems with recruiting martial arts practitioners?
Can we really rebel based on these people?

What a joke!
These people would be sniped by Yuan Shisanxian as soon as they arrived at the palace gate, and they would be targeted one by one from a distance, not to mention the supreme leader of the Heavenly Gang in the harem.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Yuanyan warmly welcomed Li Zhaoting into the Prince's residence and instructed the steward to lead Li Zhaoting on a stroll to see what loopholes still existed in the Prince's residence's security system.

Li Zhaoting memorized the layout of the Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Yuanyan ordered the head chef to use all his skills to prepare a banquet for Li Zhaoting. Ye Gucheng was not at the palace; he went to the Daxiangguo Temple to discuss Buddhism and swordsmanship with Master Yanhui.

Accompanying him was Ling Luzi from the Hainan Sword Sect.

The Hainan Sword Sect is one of the seven major sword sects. It specializes in unorthodox sword techniques, and its swordsmanship is ruthless and vicious. In order to calm the killing intent of its swordsmanship, most of its disciples practice Buddhism and Taoism.

This caused a split within the Hainan Sword Sect.

The Buddhist sect, represented by the monk Haiyun, defected to the Manchu Qing dynasty during the Yongzheng era and is currently a member of the Imperial Guard.

Five years ago, Daozong joined Zhao Yuanyan's forces and, with Zhao Yuanyan's support, rapidly expanded his power in the Song Dynasty.

With swordsmen as companions, a swordsmanship contest is of course inevitable.

Ling Luzi spoke first: "I have long heard of Young Master Li's extraordinary swordsmanship, as graceful as willow branches and as fierce as a waterfall, comparable to the Bashan Sword Sect's Returning Wind and Dancing Willow Swordsmanship. May I ask which school Young Master Li belongs to? What are your insights into swordsmanship?"

Li Zhaoting said, "My master is a madman, his mind is not quite right. Today he is Laozi, tomorrow he is Bodhidharma, I don't even know who he is."

What are your hobbies, Master?

"To force someone to do something against their will only breed resentment everywhere."

"Whose grudge did you incur?"

"Of course it's my family's. My master likes to cause trouble everywhere under my name. The Demonic Sect's Holy Maiden Li Shengnan came to the Central Plains for training, and it was my master who caused the trouble."

"Uh... Your master is an extraordinary person!"

Lingluzi thought to herself, "What the hell is this?"

Is your master mentally ill?
Oh!
He's definitely sick!

Li Zhaoting personally confirmed this.

I'm crazy, and I'm proud of it.

If you're so capable, why don't you become a lunatic too!

Lingluzi was speechless after being rebuked.

Tianxiang retorted, "Stop pretending. You just want to test Brother Li's martial arts skills, right? I advise you to give up on that idea. The gap between you two is too big."

Lingluzi sighed, "As a swordsman, even if you know you are no match, you must still draw your sword."

Li Zhaoting said, "I am very interested in the Thirteen Forms of the Heavenly Cripple of the Hainan Sword School. Do you know a few moves, Daoist?"

"Only knows four moves..."

At this point, Lingluzi's face was full of bitterness.

The Thirteen Forms of Heavenly Cripples is the direct lineage of the Hainan Sword School, which has taken unorthodox sword techniques to the extreme. Unfortunately, due to the split between Buddhism and Taoism that year, coupled with the machinations of traitors, the ancestral sword manual was destroyed, leaving only four sword techniques.

If it weren't for its location in Hainan, free from competitors, and the revenue from pearls and maritime trade, it might have been squeezed out of the rankings once the Songshan and Huanhua Sword Sects rose to prominence.

Ling Luzi composed herself, thinking to herself that with Li Zhaoting's reputation, as long as she could exchange four blows with him, she would be guaranteed to make a profit. Today was a banquet at the Prince's residence; Li Zhaoting should give her face, right? Let's take a gamble! Let's go for it!
Lingluzi said in a deep voice, "Young Master Li, I challenge you with four moves of the Heavenly Cripple Thirteen Styles."

"Sure, go ahead and do it!"

Li Zhaoting did not draw his sword, but instead pulled out a jade flute from his waist, signaling Ling Luzi to make the first move. Ling Luzi drew his sword and thrust it at Li Zhaoting, but halfway through the thrust, he deliberately lay down, and the sword tip went from bottom to top, stabbing at Li Zhaoting's left rib.

Hainan swordsmanship is unconventional, with each move surprising the opponent. It attacks from the most unexpected angles, making it impossible to defend against, and achieving victory within three or two moves.

Li Zhaoting lightly tapped his jade flute, sending a wisp of sword energy towards Ling Luzi's shoulder. If Ling Luzi continued to thrust the sword upwards, his shoulder would surely be pierced.

Ling Luzi gritted her teeth, twisted her waist and ribs, and spun around like a washing machine. Three sword beams swirled around the sword in her hand, and she thrust it toward Li Zhaoting.

Li Zhaoting once again chose the jade flute.

The sword energy pierced straight into the core of the vortex, and the sword energy storm surrounding the three sword beams collapsed with a roar. Ling Luzi staggered and tilted, like a performer twirling a long-spouted teapot in a teahouse or tavern, as the precious sword stabbed diagonally from above.

Li Zhaoting used the same move, lightly tapping the surface.

Lingluzi stopped.

There are no more than three things.

Lingluzi was no longer able to launch an attack.

Li Zhaoting's jade flute blocked his path; moving forward would result in being struck in the armpit, retreating would cause him to collapse, moving left would trip him up, moving right would result in being struck in the left shoulder, jumping up would result in hitting the ceiling, and lying down would result in being hit on the head.

There was nowhere to escape—front, back, left, right, up, down.

What shocked Ling Luzi even more was that Li Zhaoting only made one move from beginning to end, without moving an inch, and with a light tap of his hand, he gradually forced him into a desperate situation.

In other words, Li Zhaoting had already planned everything before the war even started, just waiting for him to walk right into his trap.

Is this what a master swordsman is like?

The difference was like an insurmountable chasm. Lingluzi sat down, utterly dejected.

Zhao Yuanyan laughed and said, "Young Master Li is a prodigy from a prestigious family, and he is destined to compete for the title of Sword Master. Daoist Master, you were able to exchange three moves with Young Master Li, so you can be considered a first-rate expert!"

Lingluzi thought to herself, "What kind of tricks am I going to use? If Li Zhaoting had any murderous intent, his arms would have been cut off long ago."

Since he was just eating at the Prince's mansion, he absolutely couldn't say those words out loud. He could only smile awkwardly. When Li Zhaoting achieved fame and success, he could indeed boast: "I withstood three swords from Li Zhaoting and was unharmed!"
The dishes and cups were scattered everywhere, but the guests and hosts were having a great time.

Before leaving, Li Zhaoting said, "Your Highness, tonight I will do everything I can to sneak into the Prince's Treasury. Please be on high alert. I'm going to imitate the Green Bamboo Thief."

Zhao Yuanyan clapped his hands: "That's easy. I will set up the most secure formation to welcome Young Hero Li."

Tianxiang originally wanted to go home, but upon hearing this, she immediately said she would stay and watch the excitement. She had a room in the Prince's mansion, which was cleaned on time every day, so there was no need for any other arrangements.

Zhao Yuanyan returned to his study and instructed, "Have Mr. Ye return as soon as possible. I am very curious to know whether Li Zhaoting's swordsmanship can withstand the celestial being's attack."

The housekeeper immediately made arrangements.

There's no need to go through so many complicated procedures.

As long as Ye Gucheng is told that Li Zhaoting will come to challenge him to a sword duel tonight, even if knives rain down from the sky, Ye Gucheng will stand guard outside the treasure vault and wait for Li Zhaoting.

Master swordsmen all share similar hobbies.

Swordsmanship is paramount.

There are many ascetics.

Ye Gucheng is a representative of ascetic practitioners. He dislikes any luxurious enjoyment and only likes to comprehend the way of the sword.

Of course, ascetic training doesn't mean they don't need to be served. When Ye Gucheng goes out, he needs maids to sprinkle flowers. When Ximen Chuixue goes out, he needs courtesans to bathe him, scrub his back, and trim his nails. They just have lower desires. They eat plain water and noodles, don't like women, and don't drink alcohol. The only thing that can shake their sword hearts is... the web of love!
……

When Li Zhaoting returned home, Feng Suzhen had already returned from the palace. Jiang Yuyan, dressed in a maid's uniform, was waiting at the door: "Young master, you're back."

"Is Madam angry?"

"When I went to add tea and water for the lady while she was reading in the study, I did not see an angry expression."

"Alright, go back to sleep!"

"Yes!"

After traveling continuously, Jiang Yuyan was quite tired. After returning to her room, she soon began to snore softly.

Li Zhaoting carefully pushed open the door.

The dim light made her features appear even more exquisite.

When she lowers her eyes, her eyelashes cast fine shadows, like ink spreading across water, and butterfly wings flutter gently, stirring the heart.

When I looked up, a pool of candlelight shimmered in my eyes, like the ripples on an autumn lake, a breathtaking sight.

"Suzhen, I'm home."

"Sir, you've worked hard while handling the case."

Feng Suzhen put down her book, gently removed Li Zhaoting's outer robe, and poured him a cup of tea.

"What does the Empress Dowager want with you?"

"The Great Bamboo Thief".

"Why would the Empress Dowager pay attention to a bandit? Does she have so much free time? Or is she trying to protect me?"

"My lord is truly presumptuous! The Empress Dowager is worried that someone might imitate the crime, or that someone might embezzle funds. In particular, the theft at the Prince's residence is shrouded in mystery. If the Green Bamboo Thief only stole one pearl, and the Prince's residence claims that eighteen pearls were stolen, where are the remaining pearls? All the unusual accounts in the capital can be attributed to the Green Bamboo Thief!"

The Green Bamboo Bandit is the best scapegoat.

His attire and identity are shrouded in mystery; no one knows his true identity. Therefore, anyone can become the Green Bamboo Thief and steal gold and silver treasures.

You're saying I have a deficit of 50,000 taels in my account?

How could there be a deficit?
It was clearly the notorious bandit Cuizhu who broke in late at night, stealing 100,000 taels of silver and injuring the warehouse guards. The one I had a grudge against was killed by Cuizhu!
Empress Liu E didn't care about bandits and outlaws; she was only worried that someone might use the "Green Bamboo Bandit" as an excuse to clear up all the bad debts, which would cause a lot of chaos.

Since this matter is related to Li Zhaoting, it was decided to let Feng Suzhen investigate, thus avoiding troubling two people with the same task.

Feng Suzhen wasn't looking at a storybook, but at case files: "My lord, look here. There are loopholes in the Prince's mansion's expenditures, and the holes are terrifyingly large."

Li Zhaoting held Feng Suzhen in his arms, gently inhaling her fragrance, and explained, "There are often conflicts between royal uncles and nephews. If you say that the Eighth Prince doesn't want to be emperor, who do you think would believe you?"

"The Eighth Prince wants to rebel?"

"He had to at least have a way to save his life. If the emperor wanted to kill him one day, he could escape in time. The Eighth Prince liked to recruit martial arts masters and spent a lot of money on it, just to use these skilled masters to save his life."

"Royal affairs are truly complicated!"

"Once you enter the gates of a noble family, it's like entering a deep sea. If even a noble family's residence has so many twists and turns, what about a prince's mansion? As for the imperial palace, it's even more unfathomable."

"Has your lord found any clues?"

"I suspect it was Jin Jiuling who did it."

"why?"

"Because Ye Gucheng happened to be away from the palace on the day the palace was robbed, Jin Jiuling used the excuse of 'sword appraisal' to get Ye Gucheng to leave, and he is the prime suspect."

"anything else?"

“The Prince’s mansion is heavily guarded. Thieves must know all the visible and hidden sentries in the mansion. As far as I know, since Jiang Chongwei went blind, Jin Jiuling has taken his place.”

“I understand. The position of chief steward of the Prince’s Palace could not have been decided hastily. Jin Jiuling and the Eighth Prince had been in contact for a long time, and he was very familiar with the structure of the Prince’s Palace.”

"I will go to the Prince's residence tonight to check."

"what?"

"Now we need to conserve our energy and build up our strength."

"Ok?"

"First, you need to let your temper cool down."

Li Zhaoting waved his hand and unleashed the Five Luo Light Smoke Palm.

Five ribbons fluttered in the air, and wisps of blue smoke rose from them.

(End of this chapter)