Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 214 For the sake of the Yan Kingdom's great cause, use Wang Yuyan to win over Li Zhaoting!

The Twelve Azure Dragons are essentially a form of "Werewolf".

Whether they are from the underworld or the legitimate world, from the imperial court or the martial arts world, whether they are living people or ghosts, once their true identities are exposed, the consequence will inevitably be death.

The martial arts world is searching for the Twelve Azure Dragons, and the Twelve Azure Dragons are also searching for the Twelve Azure Dragons. They check and balance each other, scheme against each other, investigate each other, and stab each other in the back.

Doesn't the big boss know about these things?

of course I know!

However, the composition of the Azure Dragon Society makes it impossible for it to be a monolithic entity, which is an inherent disadvantage that no one has been able to solve.

The major players can only maintain relationships through shared interests.

They set a high reward to lure Zhu Xiawu into dealing with Li Zhaoting, and had Lao Daobazi persuade Yan Longyuan.

Regardless of whether the twelve Azure Dragons appreciated it or not, the head dragon did what he could and seized enough benefits. For the sake of his great cause, he could endure all of this.

The identity of the Great Dragon Head is very special. Even the Twelve Azure Dragons do not know the true identity of the Great Dragon Head. No matter how they deduce, they cannot find the answer.

Ninety-nine percent of the information revealed by the big boss is a disguise, and every piece of information is misleading.

For example, this time, by helping Yan Longyuan, people subconsciously feel that Da Longtou is Yan Longyuan's relative or elder, but this is by no means the case.

This was deliberately exposed to Old Knife Handle!
If Lao Dao Ba Zi follows this line of thought and investigates the true identity of Da Longtou, the consequence will be that he will be led astray by Da Longtou and die by banging his head against a wall.

Does Lao Daobazi know about the misleading information from Da Longtou?
know!

I've known this for a long time!
The evidence is Yan Longyuan's internal injuries.

If the Great Dragon Head truly cared about Yan Longyuan, with his unparalleled martial arts cultivation, he couldn't possibly be unable to resolve the internal injuries, yet he simply let it be.

Yanlongyuan is the tool of the Great Dragon Head.

Tools for disguising one's identity!
A tool for deceiving the heavens and secretly carrying out a plan!

Old Knife Handle is the smartest person in the world.

He wouldn't bother thinking about these things at all. Whether it was Yan Longyuan's grand cause or the Great Dragon Head's grand cause, in Lao Daobazi's eyes, the Azure Dragon Society was a mercenary bar. You issue missions, I complete missions. The relationship between the two sides was purely business-like, with neither loyalty nor enmity.

—Give me money, I'll do things for you; if you shortchange me even a penny, I'll sell you out right now!
That's just the style of the old knife wielder.

Yan Longyuan enjoyed cooperating with Lao Daobazi because Lao Daobazi only cared about money and didn't like messing around, but Lao Daobazi's tone was truly unpleasant.

In particular, Lao Daobazi's evaluation of Li Zhaoting and Yan Longyuan trampled on Yan Longyuan's self-esteem.

"Li Zhaoting was better than you when he debuted!"

"If you two fight to the death, Li Zhaoting will definitely be the victor. You have no will to die!"

“Your internal injuries are too severe to fight a protracted battle with Li Zhaoting. If you delay until your internal injuries flare up, Li Zhaoting can take your head in the blink of an eye.”

"If you drag it out, you will surely lose. If you fight quickly and fight to the death, you will still lose. Why do you have to be enemies with Li Zhaoting? Are you in such a hurry to be reborn?"

These words were like sharp blades, piercing deeply into Yan Longyuan's heart. Yan Longyuan gritted his teeth in anger, his hands and feet trembling uncontrollably. In a daze, he felt a pain like thousands of needles piercing his three acupoints: Yangbai, Lianquan, and Fengfu.

Yan Longyuan hurriedly used acupressure to relieve the pain, took out a bottle of pills from his pocket, poured them into his mouth, and rolled around on the ground for almost half an hour.

"Win them over...what can we use to win them over..."

"Old Knife Handle, who exactly are you?"

"A grand ambition... I must endure..."

Yan Longyuan muttered to himself, becoming increasingly frantic.

……

Chu Liuxiang held off Zhu Xiawu, and Lao Daobazi not only refrained from making a move but also persuaded Yan Longyuan to stay. Zhu Xiawu's meticulously planned scheme of the Twelve Azure Dragons to ambush Li Zhaoting was stalled from the very beginning. In fact, the plan was ingenious, but unfortunately, there were too many variables.

The plan began at Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday banquet.

Zhu Xiawu collaborated with the Manchu and Mongol dynasties, using the water fortress to cover the Manchu and Mongol experts, deliberately leaving some clues to guide Li Zhaoting to find the water fortress.

Subsequently, using the iron rod as a troublemaker, he created a problem for Gongsun Ce, preventing Gongsun Ce from eliminating the water bandits through normal means, and forcing him to ask Li Zhaoting for help.

Third, deliberately sending out river bandits to plunder, deliberately letting the three evil men and Miao Sha expose their identities, and telling Li Zhaoting the location of the water stronghold—there was no conspiracy in any of these processes, and every word was true. Only the truth can fool people.

Fourth, Li Zhaoting led his troops to suppress the bandits. While Li Zhaoting was fighting Zhu Shunshui, he gathered several bandit leaders and launched a surprise attack, completing the assassination as quickly as possible.

This plan is very meticulous.

Even Gongsun Ce was outmaneuvered by Zhu Xiawu.

As the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes.

Yan Longyuan was more trouble than he was worth.

The true identity of Lao Daobazi determines that he cannot help Zhu Xiawu in this matter.

Chu Liuxiang was best at being a troublemaker. He used his unparalleled lightness skill to hold off Zhu Xiawu. By the time Zhu Xiawu broke free from Chu Liuxiang's entanglement, Zhu Shunshui had already been smashed to pieces.

Oh no, I've become a stand-in!
"King Zhu" was blasted into dust by the sword's edge.

The twelve interconnected docks of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River were reduced to ashes.

What else could Zhu Xiawu say?
Complaining about Da Longtou, Li Zhaoting, and Chu Liuxiang?

As an ambitious underworld tycoon, Zhu Xiawu's greatest strength is patience. He could endure for twenty years in the Six Doors, and he can continue to endure for another twenty years.

Complaining is pointless.

Complaining and blaming others will only waste time.

Zhu Xiawu needs to get to the Twelve Linked Forts as soon as possible to consolidate his forces. At the very least, he should preserve Elders Zhang Canjin and Wan Suiyu. Talented individuals are rare, and experts of this caliber should not be wasted.

……

"Crack!"

Li Zhaoting snapped the neck of the last high-ranking official in the water stronghold, and all the henchmen surrendered.

The prisoners were handed over to Gongsun Ce for disposal.

Whether they are imprisoned or forced to do hard labor, it is Gongsun Ce's business. Dealing with prisoners, repairing river channels, and clearing silt are all technical tasks. Professional tasks should be left to professionals, and laymen should not speak up.

Li Zhaoting's specialty is killing bandit leaders.

What followed was merely theoretical; lacking practical experience, it was clearly inferior to Gongsun Ce's approach.

Gongsun Ce was overjoyed as he led his constables to clear the water strongholds in the turbulent rapids. In the following days, Li Zhaoting and his men launched a series of attacks, thoroughly traversing all the turbulent rapids in Jiangling. The water bandits either surrendered voluntarily or were killed by Li Zhaoting. This was not like harvesting leeks; it was like plowing the field with a tractor, uprooting them completely.

Not all the water villages belong to the Blackwater Road; some are fortified villages, and the rest belong to Yanlongyuan.

Yan Longyuan had painstakingly built up his fortune over more than twenty years, but it was all ruined by Zhu Xiawu. Li Zhaoting didn't care who owned these water strongholds; either the bandits would open the gates themselves, or he would use the Tathagata's Divine Light to open them.

Yan Longyuan trembled with rage.

Gongsun Ce's initial excitement turned to terror, not because of the sheer number of bandit strongholds, but because these people were not ordinary bandits. Several of the strongholds contained large quantities of weapons, armor, provisions, medicine, bows, and arrows. Was this the kind of stuff bandits should be storing?

It's obvious that someone wants to rebel.

At the same time, Chu Liuxiang handed over the account books and letters he found in the Jiangling Water Village to Gongsun Ce. Gongsun Ce examined them overnight, and the results surprised him greatly.

A mysterious schemer, taking advantage of Jiangling's convenient transportation, hoarded large quantities of grain and weapons. The ledgers recorded enough grain and weapons to sustain 5,000 naval troops for six or seven years, and could even build eight warships.

This number far exceeds the amount of seized supplies.

Where is the surplus grain?
Who is plotting a rebellion?

Previously, when bandits robbed salt-carrying ships, Li Zhaoting said that someone wanted to rebel. Gongsun Ce thought Li Zhaoting was joking, but unexpectedly, his words came true.

"Ling Tuisi deserves to die!"

Gongsun Ce slammed his hand on the table.

Ling Tuisi served as the prefect of Jingzhou for several years. How could he not know about such a huge loophole?

How could Ling Tuisi not know?
Where did the money used to bribe officials come from?
It was all protection money he received from bandits and outlaws!

Gongsun Ce wrote down every detail of what happened in Jiangling in a memorial, which was half a foot thick. He also wrapped it up in a large bundle with account books and other evidence and asked Li Zhaoting to send it to Zhuge Zhengwo by fast horse.

Li Zhaoting had no objection to sending the message, but with such a big event happening, he was worried that the Azure Dragon Society would take its anger out on Gongsun Ce. He waited in Jiangling for two days and finally received help from the Wudang Sect.

Yu Lianzhou, Zhang Songxi, Yin Liting, and three younger members: Zhuo Yihang, Yun Feiyang, and Yang Yuqian.

The person in charge of keeping order was Hua Manlou.

Mu Daoren was drinking and playing chess at the county government office.

Mu Daoren was known as being the best at drinking, second best at chess, and third best at swordsmanship, but in reality, he was a terrible chess player.

A powerful figure in the underworld is not necessarily a skilled chess player.

Mu Daoren was a powerful figure in the underworld, with unparalleled strategic acumen, but he truly lacked talent in Go.

Who says a schemer must be good at playing chess?
What is the connection between playing chess and intrigue?
The Demon Sword Clan has played chess for five hundred years and been terrible at it for five hundred years. Their skill level is roughly equivalent to that of an eight-year-old beginner. Does anyone dare to say a word more?
They inherited the chess style of the Great Han Chess Saint.

Anyone who dares to defeat me, I'll draw my sword and chop them down!
The Wood Taoist will not kill his opponent; instead, he will keep harassing him in the game until the opponent can no longer bear it and deliberately makes a losing move, allowing the Wood Taoist to win decisively.

Why are there so many Taoist priests everywhere?

Li Zhaoting rubbed his chin!
With Daoist Mu here, even if the twelve Azure Dragons of the Azure Dragon Society launch a surprise attack, they still won't be able to kill Gongsun Ce, right?

This is a slap in the face to "Wood Taoist"!
"The Wood Taoist" cares most about his reputation!
Li Zhaoting rushed to the capital and delivered the memorial to Zhuge Zhengwo and the Eighth Prince. Zhuge Zhengwo studied it for a day and a night and immediately dispatched the Four Great Constables.

Iron Hand and Chasing Life are investigating a case in Guanzhong.

This case was handed over to Ruthless and Cold-Blooded.

The Six Doors dispatched more than a dozen constables to assist.

Because it involved rebellion and riot, both the Imperial City Guard and the Dragon Guard Manor sent people to investigate. The Imperial City Guard had a bad reputation and always acted alone. The Dragon Guard Manor sent Gui Hai Yi Dao and Shangguan Hai Tang.

As more and more experts rushed to Jiangling, the pitfalls that Ling Tuisi had dug over the years were found one by one by these experts, and they were filled in as quickly as possible.

……

Suzhou, also known as Huanshi Water Pavilion.

Murong Bo, disguised as Yan Longyuan, secretly infiltrated the Murong ancestral home and found Murong Fu: "My arrangements in Jiangling have been discovered by the court, resulting in heavy losses."

"The imperial court actually has such power!"

"I've said it countless times: don't underestimate the imperial court. If this official is a friend of Li Zhaoting, you should be even more wary of him. I suffered a terrible defeat this time."

"Li Zhaoting? Why is he everywhere?"

"The cause of this matter is... never mind! There's no use talking about it. Fu'er, I remember you've met Li Zhaoting a few times. Can you find a way to win him over?"

Do I have any leverage to win him over?

Murong Fu gave a bitter, helpless smile.

During the martial arts contest to find a husband, Murong Fu intended to defeat Li Zhaoting and then take the opportunity to recruit him. However, he was knocked off the stage by Li Zhaoting with three sword strikes. The next time they met was when they were hunting down Gu Jianhun. Murong Fu was beaten so badly that he was running away in a panic. Li Zhaoting came to his rescue and captured Gu Jianhun alive.

Every time they met, Murong Fu was the one who suffered.

The two of them exchanged no more than fifteen sentences.

What kind of relationship could there be?
Even if the two had a relationship, what did Murong Fu use to win over Li Zhaoting? What bargaining chips did Murong Fu have?
money?

The Hua family, the Yan family, and Li Zhaoting were close friends.

The Hua family owns countless gardens in Jiangnan, and the Yan family owns mountains of jewels. As long as Li Zhaoting asks, he can have money and land at will.

martial arts?

Li Zhaoting possessed exceptional martial arts skills and divine swordsmanship. He was on good terms with the Wudang Sect. Zhang Sanfeng, who had been in seclusion and comprehending sword techniques, did not pass them on to the Seven Heroes of Wudang, but instead taught them to Li Zhaoting first.

Could the martial arts secrets passed down by the Murong family compare to Zhang Sanfeng's hands-on guidance?
Official position?

During his time in the capital, Li Zhaoting befriended powerful figures such as the Eighth Prince and Zhuge Zhengwo. Even the emperor and empress dowager treated him differently. If Li Zhaoting wanted to become an official, he only needed to tell the Eighth Prince, and he could take office at any time.

reputation?

Li Zhaoting's reputation far surpasses that of Murong of Gusu; the two are not even in the same league. When Tianji Pavilion and Baixiaosheng rank the martial arts world's most influential figures, Li Zhaoting stands out at the top.

Fame and fortune, martial arts manuals, divine weapons, and miraculous elixirs—Li Zhaoting lacks nothing. Even if Li Zhaoting has needs, if he needs money, he can find Hua Manlou; if he hits a bottleneck in his martial arts, he can find Zhang Sanfeng; if he needs official titles or ranks, he can find the emperor; and if he needs fame in the martial arts world, he can find Lu Xiaofeng. What can Murong of Gusu do?
As the saying goes, jade that is not carved cannot become a useful object.

The continuous setbacks made Murong Fu give up his idea that the Murong family of Gusu was the best in the world and that he was an unparalleled descendant of the Great Yan royal family. He honestly reviewed his performance, pondered his gains and losses, and actually figured out some truths.

Listening to Murong Fu's analysis, Murong Bo felt both gratified and burdened by pressure.

The trials and tribulations of the Yan Kingdom over the past six hundred years have weighed heavily on Murong Bo's shoulders, a burden even heavier than that of a weightlifting champion in the Ming Dynasty, leaving him breathless.

Murong Bo said in a deep voice, "Li Zhaoting is by no means an immortal who does not eat the food of mortals. This man is greedy for women and does not refuse any beautiful woman who comes his way. This is the opportunity."

Murong Fu looked at Murong Bo in surprise, thinking to himself, "Could it be that you secretly gave birth to 'Murong Jiuxiu'?"
Murong Bo sighed, "Do you know? A'Zhu is the Princess of Zhennan of Dali. Some time ago, A'Zhu and Xiao Feng got engaged in Dali. Your mother made a brilliant move by deciding to treat A'Zhu well and not as a maid, but as her own daughter. With this bond between them, A'Zhu will definitely help us."

Murong Fu was still completely bewildered.

Murong Bo said in a deep voice, "Xiao Feng and Li Zhaoting are sworn brothers, and A'Zhu is Li Zhaoting's sister-in-law. If you ask A'Zhu to help mediate and invite Li Zhaoting to the banquet, Li Zhaoting will definitely not refuse. During the banquet, you can form a marriage alliance with Li Zhaoting and win him over."

"Dad! We don't have any daughters!"

"Wang Yuyan!"

"Cousin? How can that be?"

Murong Fu's feelings for Wang Yuyan weren't particularly deep, but in his heart, Wang Yuyan was his fiancée, his woman. How could he give his woman to Li Zhaoting? Absolutely not!

Murong Bo sneered: "Cousin? Who told you Wang Yuyan is your cousin? Bah! When Li Qingluo married into the Wang family, she was pregnant. Who knew Wang Yuyan was some bastard's child!"

(End of this chapter)