Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 175 Li Shengnan: Li Zhaoting, you know too much.

"No one is good for a thousand days, and no flower blooms for a hundred days."

As Jinpeng Manor grew poorer and poorer, the little prince continued to spend money extravagantly without restraint. Shangguan Jin's patience finally ran out, and she grew increasingly resentful of the little prince.

When the regents parted ways, the young prince, not wanting to be troubled by the matter of restoring his kingdom, vowed never to see the three regents again, nor to take their treasures.

However, treasure is not unlimited.

When the money ran out, the little prince refused to give in and could only ask Shangguan Jin to ask Jin Peng's former officials for money. His target was Shangguan Mu, who was actually the super-rich Huo Xiu.

Huo Xiu was extremely fond of money and was very unwilling to accept this, which led to many arguments between the two.

A year ago, Shangguan Jin couldn't hold back any longer. He ambushed and subdued Shangguan Mu, using the Withered Wood Zen Technique to steal his power and successfully replaced Shangguan Mu as the leader of the Green Robe Pavilion.

There's no way I'd stop doing something like this.

To put his mind at ease, Shangguan Jin devised a plan to eliminate the old ministers of Jinpeng. His granddaughter, Shangguan Feiyan, was the most important part of the plan, playing two roles.

Shangguan Jin can impersonate Huo Xiu without any problem, and he can also impersonate the Green Robe Pavilion Master without any problem.

Unfortunately, Shangguan Jin underestimated the Azure Dragon Society.

Huo Xiu is one of the twelve Azure Dragons of the Azure Dragon Society.

After Shangguan Jin killed Huo Xiu, he outwardly complied with the orders of the Azure Dragon Society but inwardly defied them, which was discovered by the Azure Dragon Society.

The Azure Dragon Society decided to eliminate Shangguan Jin.

The Azure Dragon Society's modus operandi is to use others' strength against them. They don't send out too many experts, only three or four people. These people secretly guide the target to kill each other.

If I'm not mistaken, the person the Azure Dragon Society sent to carry out the mission was Shangguan Danfeng. After the Great Golden Roc King died suddenly from illness, she was the most embarrassed person in the family.

She had nothing but the title of princess.

Shangguan Danfeng wasn't stupid; she could definitely sense that Shangguan Jin's attitude towards her was becoming increasingly cold, and that Shangguan Feiyan's resentment towards her was deepening.

To strike first is to be strong, but to strike later is to suffer disaster.

Shangguan Danfeng pretended to know nothing, pretended to be assassinated by Shangguan Feiyan, and waited for Shangguan Jin to carry out his plan to kill with a borrowed knife, waiting to see him bring about his own destruction.

This is what happened.

If I'm not mistaken, if we failed to find Shangguan Danfeng's body, someone must have guided us to it; that person was the 'gardener'.

Even in a state of apparent death, one still needs to breathe.

If a creature is buried underground for too long, it is likely to suffocate and be easily eaten by snakes, insects, rodents, and ants. If a centipede or spider crawls into its ear, the feigned death will turn into a real death.

Shangguan Danfeng needs someone to take care of her.

This person must be her absolute confidant!

I suspect it's... Shangguan Xue'er!

Li Zhaoting continuously reasoned and analyzed, and clues collided fiercely in his mind, piecing together many chaotic events.

"Is the Azure Dragon Society the mastermind behind this?"

Lu Xiaofeng stroked his beard. After a series of intense runs, his beard, which had been trimmed to resemble eyebrows, had become somewhat messy, and Lu Xiaofeng's thoughts were even more chaotic.

"It's most likely the Azure Dragon Society."

Li Zhaoting added briefly: "There may be other forces involved, but the main body of the case is the Green Dragon Society."

"Why did Shangguan Xue'er help Shangguan Danfeng? She and Shangguan Feiyan are biological sisters. Even if there are some personal grudges between the sisters, they are closer than Shangguan Danfeng."

"Why did Shangguan Feiyan kill Shangguan Danfeng? Why did Shangguan Xue'er want to deal with Shangguan Feiyan? In this manor, Shangguan Xue'er is invisible. Few people pay attention to her, and no one treats her like a young lady. Shangguan Jin complains at home. Does that only affect Shangguan Feiyan? Shangguan Xue'er is unknowingly affected."

"How will Shangguan Danfeng confirm the direction of the case? She's been buried in the ground the whole time, how can she execute the plan?"

"First, we need to provoke Shangguan Jin. Shangguan Jin has been feeling stifled for decades and is already at his breaking point. Once such a person is in a high position, he will inevitably become even more ruthless."

"Is there a 'secondary' one?"

“If I’m not mistaken, if we’ve been misled by Shangguan Jin and fallen into a trap of using someone else to kill us, someone will jump out halfway through to provide us with clues, such as digging up the body in the garden or mentioning that someone was born with six toes.”

Li Zhaoting and Lu Xiaofeng quickly sorted out the events in a question-and-answer session. Hua Manlou then asked, "You've overlooked one issue: who provoked Shangguan Jin?"

"What do you mean?"

"Shangguan Jin's descent into darkness was gradual; his inner resentment and anger accumulated over time. Someone must have been manipulating his anger, leading him to erupt. This process will continue for many years, just like the Iron-Shoeed Thief..."

No one understands darkness better than Hua Manlou.

When Li Zhaoting and Lu Xiaofeng analyzed the case, they only mentioned Shangguan Jin's descent into darkness, without mentioning the catalyst.

Who is behind this?

Who caused Shangguan Jin to completely erupt?
Is it the Green Dragon Society?
Not too possible.

Huo Xiu is one of the Twelve Azure Dragons, and he would never allow himself to be attacked. He would be eager to stay away from Shangguan Jin.

However, it is not absolutely impossible.

Li Zhaoting had a vague idea.

Perhaps when Huo Xiu and Shangguan Jin met, other branches of the Azure Dragon Society noticed and followed the clues to find out about the former officials of the Golden Roc. Based on this, they devised a plan: first, to incite Shangguan Jin to erupt, then to take the opportunity to kill Shangguan Mu, making Shangguan Jin the Huo Xiu, and then to inform the Azure Dragon Society so that they could eliminate Shangguan Jin and kill "Huo Xiu".

In this way, Huo Xiu will surely die, and the Green Robe Tower will be disbanded. Both Huo Xiu's shops and the 108th floor of the Green Robe Tower will be sweet cakes on the table, and all underworld forces will take the opportunity to seize the benefits. The person behind the scenes is perfectly hidden among these underworld tycoons, wantonly plundering the benefits.

Those who knew the truth were all silenced by the Green Dragon Society.

The entire martial arts world benefits from this.

No matter how you search, it can be perfectly hidden!

Furthermore, with Huo Xiu dead, the Twelve Azure Dragons need a replacement. Who will become the new Master of the April Hall? This position is extremely lucrative, and there will be much competition for it.

"Screw it! I'm not analyzing anymore! Screw whoever it is, I just want a drink!"

Lu Xiaofeng kicked the table over!
Once you enter the gates of a powerful family, it's like entering a deep, uncharted sea!

The deposed prince, the deposed princess, and the dilapidated Golden Roc Manor—so many despicable people were hiding there. Lu Xiaofeng felt disgusted and didn't want to stay a moment longer.

Whether it's the Green Dragon Society or underworld giants, they're all just a bunch of flies chasing fame and fortune, buzzing around a cesspool and stirring up countless stenches.

The more prestigious and powerful a family is, the more likely it is to have disagreements.

A happy and fulfilling family life is a luxury.

The Hua family, with its seven sons who are united and loving, is truly unique in the martial arts world.

"Do some good deeds before you leave!"

Li Zhaoting took out a small bottle, poured out a few drops of crystal-clear liquid, and dripped it onto the corpse. This was Crystal Heartbreak Powder, from the underground palace of Mount Emei.

Ouyang Ting and Fang Lingji died from this poison.

Their bodies do not decompose after death and can remain intact for decades.

"Li Zhaoting, where did you find such precious poison? Are you the mastermind behind this?"

"You believe I found it on the street?"

"I believe you, you big-headed devil!"

Lu Xiaofeng glared at Li Zhaoting with annoyance.

Li Zhaoting prepared the body for preservation, bought four coffins from the town's coffin shop, buried the body, and then set fire to the Jinpeng Manor, burning it to the ground. Let all the decades of grudges and grievances go with the wind!
Looking at the raging fire before him, Li Zhaoting suddenly realized that he seemed to have forgotten something.

never mind!

It's not important anyway.

Just forget about it!
……

night!
Li Zhaoting and Li Shengnan sat in a tree drinking.

This is Li Shengnan's hobby. Every time she appears, she is either sitting on a treetop, washing her feet by the river, or sitting on a treetop by the river to wash her feet.

He always carries a gourd filled with mediocre wine brewed by the leader of the demonic sect.

The drinks are never-ending. Every time they're finished, someone brings more right away.

This is a kind of spiritual practice performed by the saintess.

They were even more tired than the chickens and dogs in the Pixiang Palace.

"How's the case review going?"

"It made me, Lu Xiaofeng, and Hua Manlou feel disgusted and wanted to vomit. There were too many dirty and rotten things. How could a poor, begging family have so many rotten things?"

"I encountered the Twelve Azure Dragons."

"I encountered one too, and even killed one. This is his mask. Miss Li, you have to work hard, otherwise you'll never have a chance to complete the mission in this lifetime!"

"You killed Huo Xiu?"

"Killed with a single sword strike."

"What martial arts skills does Huo Xiu excel at?"

"Boyhood Skill, Indestructible Vajra Body Divine Skill!"

"You can pierce through the Vajra Body Protection with a single sword strike?"

“You can ask Hua Manlou. Lu Xiaofeng might be lying, but Hua Manlou never lies.”

"It seems you are indeed stronger than me. I encountered the Twelfth Moon Hall Master, who is an assassin who practices the martial arts of the Heaven-Mending Pavilion. His swordsmanship is fast, and he can run even faster!"

"How many moves did it take you to defeat him?"

"one move!"

Li Shengnan proudly curled her nose.

The assassin used a fast sword.

In a swift sword fight, there is always only one move.

One move decides the outcome.

Whoever is faster, more ruthless, and more accurate will win!
Li Shengnan's sword was not as fast as her opponent's, but it was more accurate and ruthless. She injured her opponent with a single strike, but her opponent's lightness skill was superb, and he escaped using the Illusionary Demon Movement Technique.

"Li Zhaoting, if you were facing an assassin who was proficient in the Illusionary Demon Movement Technique, how would you deal with him? You are fighting an encounter battle, and the surrounding area is all barren mountains."

"Slow down."

"Slow down? Great tactic! Impressive!"

Li Shengnan clapped her hands in delight.

A sword strike isn't always better the faster it is. Sometimes, deliberately slowing down and leaving room for maneuver can be more effective, especially when dealing with assassins.

Assassins are known for their ability to strike once and then flee a thousand miles away. A true assassin only uses one move, either to kill the target or to escape quickly. However, the opponent is clearly not an ordinary assassin; the opponent is one of the Twelve Azure Dragons!

This kind of person is unlikely to use only one move.

As long as she sees an opportunity to win, she will definitely try to counterattack. As long as the opponent doesn't run away, Li Shengnan has a chance to kill him. The reason why Li Shengnan didn't catch the opponent is because she went all out in the battle. The opponent couldn't see any chance to win and fled without hesitation.

Li Shengnan admired Li Zhaoting somewhat.

This guy always has unexpected methods.

"Li Zhaoting, I feel like your master is incredibly wise and insightful. Do you even know that bastard?"

"Turtle Grandson? I've heard of him. It's said that he studied martial arts at Shaolin Temple when he was young, practiced Iron Head Kung Fu, and was quite skilled in Cuju (ancient Chinese football). I've also heard that Turtle Grandson is related to Ye Gucheng, the Lord of Baiyun City."

Li Zhaoting made up lies without any restraint.

Li Shengnan was so angry that she wanted to kick Li Zhaoting off the stage.

Even when you're making up a lie, you need to use logic!
You said that grandson of a turtle practiced Iron Head Kung Fu, and this guy has a very big head, so there's some credibility to that. You said he's related to Ye Gucheng, but is God blind?

Ye Gucheng has exquisite features and is handsome and dashing. He is a masterpiece created by Nuwa. A bastard standing at the entrance of a brothel is a bastard!

"What? You don't believe me? In a few decades, Ximen Chuixue might go bald, Lu Xiaofeng might get overweight, and Ye Gucheng might have plasters on his face—all of that is possible!"

"What will you do?"

"Of course I'm still handsome!"

"roll!"

Li Shengnan could no longer stand Li Zhaoting's narcissism.

"Can I ask you a question before I leave?"

"Just ask!"

Is Shangguan Xue'er a disciple of the Demonic Sect?

"You...how did you know?"

"If you didn't have an inside man, how could you know so much about the affairs of the Golden Roc Kingdom? Dealing with the Green Robe Tower was not a coincidence, but the result of years of planning by the Demonic Sect."

You want me to kill you to silence you?

"Hiss~ Shall we talk about terms?"

"What conditions?"

"Shangguan Xue'er is still young. There is a chance to correct her mindset and find a good teacher to guide her."

"I never expected you to be so kind."

"Do you think I'm cold-blooded and heartless?"

"She is Zhao Ji's person. Zhao Ji is skilled at playing the pipa. Learning more musical instruments might cultivate one's character."

"I remember Cai Zhaoji was skilled at playing the hujia (a type of reed pipe instrument)."

"Would you like to hear the Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute?"

"Shengnan, do you know that the Eighteen Songs of the Nomad Flute is actually a martial arts masterpiece with boundless power, comparable to the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms of the Beggars' Sect, capable of turning a person into a meat patty."

Where did you get this unofficial history from?

"Cai Wenji told me!"

In a thriving card game set in the Three Kingdoms period, Cai Wenji has multiple avatars, one of whom is skilled in music and is named "Music Cai".

What is "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute"? It means slapping eighteen "kill" notes on the enemy's face at once.

"What other unofficial historical anecdotes do you know?"

"The direct descendant of Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong, was neither Sun Ce nor Sun Quan, but Xu Sheng. Only Xu Sheng could bring the Ancient Ding Blade to its full potential..."

Li Zhaoting performed a jumping chop.

Li Shengnan: o(≧口≦)o
Where the hell did you get this anecdotal history from?
……

The following morning, Li Zhaoting and his group packed up and headed to Shanxi to keep their appointment with Boss Yan Tieshan.

Yan Tieshan prepared fine wine and even sent someone to Emei to invite Dugu Yihe. The whole trip took more than ten days. Since it was a drinking session, Li Zhaoting naturally had to find a large wine vat to liven up the atmosphere.

The more lively the banquet, the better.

The Yan family lacks everything except money.

Yan Tieshan wanted to hold a ten-day banquet, but Huo Tianqing persuaded him to give up, saying it wasn't necessary at this time!
The Jewel Pavilion!
Yan Tieshan raised his glass of wine: "I won't say anything more, it's all in the wine!"

Fine wine aged for over 130 years.

There is also the King of Wine, a tradition that has been passed down from the Tang Dynasty to the present day.

Everyone picked up their wine bowls and drank them down in one gulp.

After several rounds of drinks, Dugu Yihe said, "I have a favor to ask of Young Hero Li. It concerns the Buddhist sect, and Junior Sister Miejue is too embarrassed to ask. Ten years ago, at the martial arts tournament on Wangpan Island, Xie Xun carried out a massacre..."

Dugu Yihe rambled on for a few moments, then said, "I've overheard some merchants in the maritime trade saying that Zhang Cuishan doesn't seem to be dead. I'd like to ask Young Hero Li to investigate!"

(End of this chapter)