Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 168 Lu Xiaofeng: How to ask Li Zhaoting for help?

"Master, something terrible has happened!"

Mei Zhu rushed into the study in a panic.

Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen were discussing martial arts when they saw Mei Zhu's flustered appearance. They were startled. This little girl was knowledgeable and experienced. What could possibly frighten her?

"What happened?"

"Several assassination attempts have occurred in the martial arts world targeting martial arts masters and powerful figures. Just the night before last, Shen Yumen, the leader of the Jingxiang martial arts alliance, was killed by a honey trap."

"Shen Yumen is dead?"

"This servant has confirmed it three times!"

"What's the big deal? This guy is high-profile and lustful, he never knows how to restrain himself. He'll die on a woman's belly sooner or later, what's so surprising about that?"

"According to the Beggars' Sect, the mastermind behind these cases is the Green Robe Tower. Master, you have some conflicts with the Green Robe Tower. Will they try to assassinate you?"

"The Green Robe Pavilion? Hiss..."

Li Zhaoting gasped!
Shen Yumen is such an unlucky kid.

Lan Fenghuang killed Chen Shiyuan, but Shen Yumen still couldn't escape the trap set by Qingyi Tower and died from a honey trap.

This is normal. Jingxiang is a treasure land that connects nine provinces and is accessible from all directions. How could it be occupied by one force?
Even a powerful force like the Angry Dragon Gang wouldn't dare to monopolize the benefits; they would have to relinquish some of them. How much more so would Shen Yumen?
The 108th floor of Qingyi Tower has businesses all over the world, and it pays the most attention to transportation hubs and waterways. It is likely that they have already made assassination plans.

Feng Suzhen frowned: "My lord, the Green Robe Pavilion has been going crazy lately, I'm afraid something bad has happened."

"What happened?"

"The Green Robe Pavilion might be short of money!"

Feng Suzhen came to the most unbelievable conclusion.

Who is the head of the Green Robe Pavilion?

Hosh!

He often competes with Wan Sanqian for the title of richest man.

There is still no definitive answer as to who is richer between the two.

How could Huo Xiu possibly be short of money?

In the original storyline, there was no accurate figure for Huo Xiu's family fortune, only some glimpses of his ostentatious wealth. It wasn't until the last two volumes that a huge fortune was revealed.

Because the wealth was so enormous, it was suspected to be property seized after Horthy's death.

How much money is this?
Thirty-five million taels of gold!

Even Heshen would tremble at the sight of this sum of money!
Zhao Gongming carried the God of Wealth Temple away overnight!
How could Huo Xiu be short of money when he's rolling in wealth?

Of course, Hosh is not short of money.

However, the Green Robe Pavilion is short of money, extremely short of money.

The Qingyi Tower is extremely loosely managed. No one knows who the tower owner is. Orders are usually sent by carrier pigeon, resulting in very poor internal cohesion.

Most importantly, the 108 floors of Qingyi Tower are like 108 sweet cakes, and countless underworld heroes are eyeing the juicy flesh and blood of Qingyi Tower.

With Chen Shiyuan killed by Lan Fenghuang, three buildings of Qingyi Tower were lost. The tiger was injured, and the hyenas swarmed at the wounded and bleeding tiger.

Hyenas are no match for tigers.

However, when the hyenas charge, many other predators will be watching them menacingly from the sidelines.

The Green Robe Tower has recently been carrying out a series of assassinations, including using a honey trap to kill Shen Yumen, all in an effort to establish its authority and, incidentally, open up several trade routes and create more avenues for profit.

If it cannot regain its prestige, it will probably take only two or three months for gangs such as the Angry Dragon Gang, the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion, and the Six and a Half Hall to swarm in and tear the Green Robe 108 Tower to shreds, leaving only a handful of members.

In fact, a large underworld force launched an attack on Qingyi Tower, namely the Power Gang.

The assassination attempt in Dali was not a baseless and risky endeavor; the Power Gang had to sacrifice four of their most powerful members and two of their trump cards, which impacted their business.

Liu Suifeng is not good at business.

If he had to do business, Liu Suifeng would not hesitate to choose "businesses that require no capital".

Liu Suifeng turned his gaze toward the Green Robe Pavilion.

In the eyes of Liu Suifeng, the king of spies, Qingyi Tower was full of loopholes. Liu Suifeng even narrowed down the identities of the top leaders of Qingyi Tower to three names.

Liu Suifeng employed a three-pronged approach: taking advantage of the situation, using others to do his dirty work, and stabbing them in the back. In a short period of time, he easily destroyed ten branches of the Green Robe Pavilion, accurately located the branch responsible for finance and storage, and robbed a huge amount of gold and silver jewelry.

The Green Robe Tower's sphere of influence is too large. Last year's income and expenditure accounts have not yet been sorted out. All the gold, silver, jewels, elixirs, and magical weapons earned last year are stored in several branch offices responsible for warehousing. Liu Suifeng's move has taken away 50% to 60% of the Green Robe Tower's income last year.

Feng Suzhen's analysis was very accurate.

The most fundamental and core reason for Qingyilou's recent series of actions, especially the assassinations targeting martial arts figures, is their lack of money; they need to make up for their losses.

As everyone knows, the head of the Qingyi Tower is a greedy creature that only takes in money and never lets it out. He has an insatiable and deep-seated greed for wealth, and once he has it, he will never let go.

The Qingyi Tower branch may be short of money.

The headquarters of Qingyi Tower cannot afford to lose a single penny.

Money is the core foundation of the Qingyi Pavilion.

Li Zhaoting rubbed his chin: "Qingyi Tower shouldn't be targeting me, right? Unless they're tired of living!"

……

Miao territory, the headquarters of the Five Poisons Sect!

A bright and adorable girl of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in purple, knelt respectfully before the old master of the Blue Sect: "Disciple A Zi greets Master!"

Previously, during the internal strife at Moon Mountain, Xiao Feng ruthlessly killed Ding Chunqiu, and all the disciples of the Starry Sky Sect were captured. The old leader of the Lan Sect showed no mercy to these people, searching their bodies for poisons and hidden weapons, and making them build bridges and roads.

Azi mingled among the disciples of the Xingxiu Sect.

Dark under the lamp!
The most dangerous place is the safest place!
Ding Chunqiu was unable to capture Azi because Azi was right beside him, disguised as an ordinary disciple with mediocre talent and appearance using a disguise technique.

Realizing that the Five Poisons Sect wanted them to do hard labor, Azi was extremely unwilling. But she was at their mercy and had no power to resist. She gritted her teeth and handed over the Divine Wood King Cauldron and the incantation for the Dissolving Power Technique, expressing her admiration for the Five Poisons Sect's reputation and her desire to become the disciple of Elder Lan.

Since A Zi has presented such a precious gift for becoming a disciple, Elder Lan cannot refuse. A Zi has good aptitude, especially in poison skills, so it would be fine to accept her as a disciple.

The Five Poisons Sect has no need for the Dissolving Power Technique.

However, the Divine Wood King Cauldron is too precious.

As long as incense is lit inside the Divine Wood Cauldron, it will emit a unique fragrance that attracts poisonous insects and beasts within a ten-mile radius, greatly aiding in the refining of poisons and gu (poisonous insects).

Even the rare and wondrous ice silkworm could not resist the fragrance of the Divine Wood King Cauldron. In the Miao region, where poisonous insects and beasts abound, the Divine Wood King Cauldron was considered a supreme sacred artifact.

The old master Lan said softly, "Azi, I'm entrusting those captured Xingxiu Sect disciples to your management. I want to see a wide mountain road in three months."

"Please rest assured, Master, your disciple will definitely complete the task within two months and build another stone bridge!"

"Azi, don't let people overwork themselves!"

"Master is kind, your disciple admires you!"

Azi skillfully flattered him.

"The backlash from the Dissolving Power Technique is too severe and not suitable for a young girl like you. Once you complete your mission, I will teach you the Five Poisons Divine Palm, which will increase your combat power tenfold."

"Thank you, Master!"

A glint of light flashed in A Zi's eyes.

While the Huagong Dafa (Dissolving Power Technique) is undeniably powerful, its backlash is also extremely severe. Every seven days, one must apply potent poison to the palms of one's hands to suppress the old poison with new one, stabilizing the poisonous essence within the body. Otherwise, the poisonous essence will erupt like boiling water, penetrating deep into the internal organs, causing the person to writhe in agony for months before finally dying. Back then, the most talented and fortunate senior disciple of the Xingxiu Sect, having received the Huagong Dafa, believed himself to be able to defeat Ding Chunqiu and frequently provoked him.

Ding Chunqiu subdued the man without inflicting any torture; he simply locked his hands and feet, threw him into an empty stone chamber, and forbade him from committing suicide.

Without any new toxins to replenish his body, the senior disciple's internal toxins exploded, causing him to suffer from pain and itching all over his body. He was tormented for three or four months, until he was completely exhausted and died in a grotesque state.

This story is widely circulated within the Xingxiu School.

One reason was to demonstrate Ding Chunqiu's power and influence.

Secondly, it was to prevent disciples from secretly learning martial arts techniques.

Azi stole the Divine Wood King Cauldron, making it a hundred times more difficult for Ding Chunqiu to capture poisonous insects and beasts. This hit Ding Chunqiu where it hurt, ultimately leading to his death in Dali.

When there are no better options, Azi will definitely practice the Dissolving Power Technique. If there are better options, she should at least choose a poisonous technique that will not backfire.

Holding the token of Elder Lan, A Zi triumphantly went to command the Xingxiu disciples: "You've been chasing me for so long, now it's time to drink my foot bath water!"

Lion's Roar: These days are too hard to bear!
Tianlangzi: Junior Sister is ruthless and vicious. I must do everything I can to please her, or I'll be tortured to death sooner or later.

Chuchenzi: That sounds nice, but we have nothing but these clothes on us. How are we going to please our junior sister? Are we going to use our good looks to seduce Azi?
Tianlangzi: Junior Sister betrayed her sect to join the Five Poisons Sect. She has a shallow foundation and no support. She is now a worthless traitor and will soon be discarded after she has served her purpose.

Lion's Roar: The Five Poisons Cult is full of poison. Once the influence of this matter gradually fades, we can make Azi suffer from acclimatization problems or die suddenly from illness!

Chuchenzi: Understood. We are the most suitable subordinates for Junior Sister. We are her foundation!

Tianlangzi: You don't know anything! Can you still call her Junior Sister? She's our Senior Sister!

As expected of a disciple of the Star Constellation Sect, he changed his tune very quickly!
To survive, people will do anything!
One by one, the disciples of the Starry Constellation Sect were persuaded by the three men.

Tianlangzi, who had proposed the plan to join forces with Azi, secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "The method taught by Steward Liu Wu is indeed useful. This can be considered as putting down roots in Miao territory!"

Undercover tactics are impossible to defend against!
Liu Wu's undercover agents have always been incredibly pervasive!
……

Dusk, at the Grand View Garden.

Lu Xiaofeng was lying in bed drinking.

How can you drink alcohol while lying in bed?

Lu Xiaofeng happens to have the ability to drink while lying down.

He placed the wine glass on his chest, inhaled sharply, and drank the wine in one gulp. Then, with a gentle blow, the glass returned to his chest.

The process was smooth and effortless, without spilling a single drop of wine. Usually at this time, a stunningly beautiful woman would pour him wine, but today was different.

The man who poured him the wine was a decrepit old man.

With its round head and thin body, it looks timid and shrinking. Just based on this appearance, everyone who sees this thing will burst out with a vulgar curse.

That vulgar curse is his name.

—You little bastard!

This is a brothel. If you're broke, you're a coward; if you're rich, you're a master. Cowards spend money like water, and they're often broke, but they call themselves the cowardly masters of the Yihong Courtyard, which is quite a source of amusement for them.

A man like Gui Sunzi, who has managed to frequent brothels for ten years, clearly has some real skills.

That brat is good at... finding people!
—Find two extraordinary figures from the martial arts world.

Datong: He is knowledgeable about everything from astronomy to geography, and knows a little about all the rumors and stories of the past and present. He is like a know-it-all in the martial arts world.

Great wisdom: exceptionally intelligent and resourceful, able to find a solution to even the strangest situations. If he cannot find a solution, it means there is no way to resolve the matter.

Da Zhi Da Tong was born a recluse who preferred to live in dark caves and brick kilns. He never saw outsiders, and only the turtle grandson could find him. Therefore, the turtle grandson could freely run up debts in brothels. Anyone who wanted Da Zhi Da Tong's help had to redeem the turtle grandson first.

In addition, there is an extra charge for asking questions to Dazhi Datong, which is fifty taels per question. Dazhi Datong only accepts cash and never accepts banknotes or jewelry.

Many people speculate that the shrewd and wise Master Gui is actually wise and insightful, but he sees through things but doesn't say it. For fifty taels, he can learn a story from the martial arts world and solve a problem. It's too convenient. Why would he want to flip the table and court death?
If you can't kill that bastard in one blow, and he retaliates, not many people can withstand it.

Lu Xiaofeng came to ask that bastard for help.

To redeem this guy from the brothel, Lu Xiaofeng spent eight thousand taels of silver and had to go to a money exchange to exchange for some silver ingots before heading to the outskirts of the city with the silver ingots.

There is an abandoned brick kiln in the suburbs.

That's the brick kiln where Li Qingming got his barbecue!

The grandson of the turtle crawled into the hole.

A short while later, a sound came from inside.

"Lu Xiaofeng, what's wrong with you?"

"A brief introduction to the Golden Roc Kingdom."

"The Golden Roc Kingdom is a small country in the south. It is rich in gold sand and jade, and is prosperous and wealthy. They have unique customs, such as marriage between people with the same surname, and the royal family all have the compound surname Shangguan."

About fifty years ago, a foreign tribe invaded, the Golden Roc Kingdom was destroyed, and several ministers fled to the Central Plains.

If these people were still alive, the youngest would be seventy years old, all elderly people nearing the end of their lives.

Their system is similar to that of the Tang Dynasty…

"Who was the minister who escaped?"

"General Ping Duhe;
Shangguan Mu, Minister of Revenue;
Yan Liben, the chief steward of the internal treasury;
"Imperial Uncle Shangguan Jin!"

"If I have a problem and need Ximen Chuixue's help, how should I persuade him?"

"If you challenge him to a sword duel and he survives, Ximen Chuixue will definitely help you. I don't recommend doing that!"

Dazhi offered a solution in a sarcastic and unsettling tone.

Lu Xiaofeng was so angry that he blew his beard and glared at his opponent.

Can this be called a "solution"?
This is no way to scam money!

Of course, Dazhi is not a scammer.

He did offer a solution, after all.

Lu Xiaofeng asked, "I have a troublesome matter and would like to ask Li Zhaoting for help. What method should I use? This guy just took a concubine and is now surrounded by women at home. If I bring fruit to his door, he will definitely throw me out."

"No way!"

Dazhi's voice came from the brick kiln.

Lu Xiaofeng:!!!∑(Дノ)ノ

Are you speaking human language?
What kind of solution is "no other way"?
Do you think I have a very good temper?
Who is Li Zhaoting's master?

"a lot of!"

"His master who taught him swordsmanship."

"A dead man!"

Datong's voice slowly faded away.

Dazhi Datong quietly left the brick kiln.

The grandson of the turtle crawled out, clutching the silver ingot.

This money should last at least five days!

(End of this chapter)