Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 263 The Double Ninth Festival, the Shaolin Heroes' Gathering

"A major event has occurred in the martial arts world!"

Wang An wiped away his sweat, his face full of anxiety.

"Someone has broken through the void?"

"no!"

"Mongol experts are heading south to challenge?"

"nor!"

"A top official in the court has been killed?"

"of course not!"

"This isn't it, that isn't it either. What major event could possibly occur in the martial world? Even if there really is a major event, what does it have to do with me? Can't the Empress Dowager be replaced?"

"My goodness, Master Li! We servants dare not question the Empress Dowager's orders. However, this is indeed a major event, and a great battle may ensue."

"A major battle? Was it intense?"

"It's no less grand than Zhang Zhenren's 100th birthday celebration."

“I understand. Please lead the way. May I bring my family? They would like to visit the palace. Would you please do me the favor and let them go to the Imperial Garden?”

"Hiss~~ This~~ Of course!"

Wang An quietly accepted the silver note.

There are very few things in the world that money can't buy.

Especially when dealing with eunuchs.

Eunuchs valued two things the most.

One is money, the other is offspring.

Take a stroll through the Imperial Garden, it's no big deal!
Given Li Zhaoting's connections in the court, even if an imperial censor were to impeach him, the matter would be suppressed.

……

"See the Queen Mother!"

"Li Zhaoting, aren't you quite free? Something big has happened in the martial arts world, and it has something to do with you."

"What does Shaolin's business have to do with me? I don't really like monks, there are too many rules! I can barely tolerate not drinking alcohol, but not eating meat is absolutely unacceptable, and I can't marry and have children. I'd rather die on the spot!"

"It's related to your elder brother Xiao Feng, and also somewhat related to Chu Xiangyu. The martial arts world is lawless; they think they're heroes, but they don't realize that afterwards, the imperial court will have to risk their lives to clean up their mess!"

"Empress Dowager, is there any inside story?"

"According to the information found by the Imperial City Guard, the person in charge of this matter is Murong from Gusu. He hopes to hold a martial arts conference on the Double Ninth Festival. The Azure Dragon Society, Tubo, and Mongol Yuan took the opportunity to stir up trouble. With Murong's reputation, people who would normally be impossible to recruit all accepted the invitation."

"Is the imperial court going?"

"The imperial court cannot directly intervene in the martial arts world; it can only offer some assistance. Li Zhaoting, your mission is: if you encounter alien spies, do not let them leave!"

"I am not a member of the imperial court."

"This is my personal mission."

"And the payment?"

“Recall your father.”

“My father doesn’t want to go back to the capital.”

“I’ll write him a letter, and he’ll be willing.”

"You're not planning to settle scores later, are you?"

"I am not that petty."

What official position did my father hold after he returned?

"How about the position of Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial?"

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

The imperial court had nine ministries: the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Court of Imperial Guards, the Court of Imperial Stud, the Court of Judicial Review, the Court of State Ceremonies, the Court of Agriculture, and the Court of Imperial Treasury. Most of these were honorary or sinecure positions.

The Dali Temple wielded relatively great power.

Many people have created rhymes about Jiusi.

The Taifu Temple had numerous affairs to attend to, earning him the nickname "Busy Minister";
The Minister of Agriculture was in charge of the warehouses and was known as the "Walking Minister";
The Guanglu Temple was in charge of sacrificial rites and was known as the "Baoqing" (饱卿).
The Court of State Ceremonial was in charge of tribute and was known as the "Sleeping Minister";
Comparatively speaking, the Court of State Ceremonial is more comfortable. After returning, I can grind my reputation for a few months, and then take Li Zhaoting's achievements into account during the year-end assessment, so I can give my father a top rating.

The powers of the Court of State Ceremonies and the Ministry of Rites overlap somewhat. In two or three years, he might be able to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

……

The imperial court's attitude towards the martial arts world was very awkward.

It requires both chivalrous heroes to maintain stability and regular suppression of gangs to prevent them from growing too powerful. There is a distance between them, and no one can cross the line.

The imperial court can destroy any sect, but they can run away. If they can't run away, they can unleash their power without restraint and slaughter people indiscriminately within the city.

The imperial court's suppression of the martial arts world is the right thing to do, to prevent martial arts practitioners from becoming too lawless and unrestrained.

However, it should not be excessive.

Everything in the universe needs to be in balance.

Balance exists between heaven and earth and all things.

For example, in this incident targeting Shaolin, it was ostensibly led by Murong Bo of Gusu. Murong Bo, who had lost all his wealth, used up his last bit of connections to mobilize the power of the Azure Dragon Society in order to boost Murong Fu's reputation.

The spies and secret agents of Tibet, the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, and the Western Xia Dynasty went along with the trend, while underworld sects such as the Power Gang and the Money Gang either took advantage of the situation or reaped the benefits.

The imperial court was already aware of such a large commotion.

The imperial court pretended not to know.

All six members of the Six Doors were out on missions.

Guo Bujing, the God of Catchers, has a daughter who runs away from home and is detained by a shady inn. She is forced to do hard labor for twenty years to pay off her debts.

Guo Bujing went to Guanzhong to rescue his daughter.

Can anyone say more?
It was perfectly reasonable for Guo Bujing to lead all the detectives from the Six Doors to Guanzhong to wipe out the black shop after his only daughter was detained there, and no one could find fault with it.

The Heroes' Gathering is a Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) event.

Jianghu matters, Jianghu matter.

The Zhenlong Chess Puzzle was solved on August 19th. I had spent a few days in the capital, and there were only two days left until the Double Ninth Festival.

Li Zhaoting, accompanied by his confidante, hurried to Shaolin Temple. Along the way, he encountered many martial arts practitioners. Some greeted him, some covered their faces and left, and others secretly sent carrier pigeons.

Before an army can move, intelligence is paramount.

Intelligence is of paramount importance!
Especially information about top-tier experts.

……

The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is the Double Ninth Festival.

The Shaolin Temple rang its bronze bell, gathering the monks.

As the number one sect in the martial arts world, and undoubtedly the leading figure, Xuan Ci had already learned about this matter and knew the other party's purpose. He even knew that Murong of Gusu had only started the process, creating an opportunity to kick someone when they were down.

Xuan Ci was not afraid of this.

Having served as the abbot of Shaolin Temple for thirty years, Xuanci had experienced countless trials and tribulations. Those fellow disciples who had once been resentful and disrespectful towards him were now completely convinced of his superiority.

He has prepared what needs to be done.

Let's see how Murong of Gusu makes his move.

Xuan Ci knew that the main person would not arrive in advance, but he did not expect that the first to arrive at Shaolin was Shenshan.

Shenshan was the abbot of Qingliang Temple on Mount Wutai. He wanted to become a disciple of Shaolin Temple to learn martial arts, but Master Lingmen, who was in charge of recruiting students, saw that he was fond of martial arts and eager for fame and fortune, so he refused Shenshan. Shenshan could only seek refuge with Qingliang Temple.

Shenshan quickly mastered all the martial arts of Qingliang Temple and became the abbot of Qingliang Temple. He also made many revisions and improvements to the temple's martial arts manuals. However, compared with the Seventy-Two Arts of Shaolin, Qingliang Temple's foundation was too shallow, and the two were far inferior.

I came to Shaolin Temple to seek revenge.

You turned me away back then, and now I'm here to challenge the Shaolin skills. I wonder if you can accept the challenge.

To bolster their prestige, Shenshan invited Master Daoqing from Pudu Temple, Master Juexian from Donglin Temple, Master Rongzhi from Jingying Temple, and their own junior brother Shenyin.

"Shaolin Temple is a magnificent and solemn place that I have long admired. Sixty years ago, I came to seek ordination, but was refused entry. Now, sixty years later, I return. The walls and tiles remain the same, but the people and things have changed. Sixty years have passed. How joyful and sorrowful it is!"

Xuan Ci sensed the provocation but did not get angry. He gently defused the hostility: "So it turns out that you once came to Shaolin to become a monk. All temples in the world are one family. Today, you preside over Qingliang Temple, and all Buddhist disciples admire you."

Back then, Shaolin dared not accept me, offending my senior brother. I respectfully apologize, but because of this, my senior brother created his own world, spreading the Dharma and saving all beings, making great contributions to Buddhism. What happened back then may have been a cause for our future. I hope my senior brother can understand.

Amitabha Buddha, excellent, excellent!

Xuan Ci bowed deeply.

The sacred mountain returned the greeting.

He came here today to challenge the Shaolin's ultimate skills, how could he leave after just a few words? After exchanging a few probing questions, Shenshan couldn't hold back any longer and said sternly, "Xuanci, we are equally famous in the martial arts world. Today, taking advantage of the Heroes' Gathering, let's see who is the Dragon Subduer and who is the Tiger Tamer. Buddhist disciples should not compete for victory, but martial monks are martial artists after all!"

"Which unique skill would you like to learn from, senior brother?"

"I've heard that Shaolin has seventy-two unique skills. As the abbot of Shaolin, you must have mastered them all!" "Amitabha, how could I dare?"

Although our temple has seventy-two unique skills, each skill is extremely difficult to learn. Even those with exceptional talent would find it difficult to master even two or three of them, let alone all of them.
The Seventy-Two Arts have both hard and soft techniques, yin and yang, and some of their techniques conflict with each other, making it easy for one's internal energy to go astray. If one is greedy for martial arts skills, one will most likely suffer from qi deviation and become possessed.

Throughout history, the most talented monks have only mastered twenty-three techniques. In the last two hundred years, only Junior Brother Xuancheng has mastered thirteen of them. Unfortunately, he was too eager for quick success and went astray, and his meridians were severed overnight.

We Buddhist disciples should prioritize Buddhist practice and consider martial arts as secondary. How can we be greedy for winning in martial arts?

This is unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable!

Xuan Ci subtly mocked the sacred mountain.

Shenshan sneered: "Abbot, you are mistaken. Without the Seventy-Two Arts, how could Shaolin have its current prestige? We must not forget the well-digger when we drink the water. Abbot, you say that cultivating Buddhism is the main focus, but when people in the martial arts world mention Shaolin, who talks about Buddhism?"

Upon hearing this, Xuanci was speechless.

Shaolin's current status is due to its unparalleled martial arts and its strongest fists.

In the martial arts world, when it comes to Buddhism, one can go to the Xiangguo Temple in Kaifeng, the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, or the Pudu Temple, Donglin Temple, Jingying Temple, and Wenshu Monastery. But no one comes to Shaolin to discuss Buddhism. Those who come to Shaolin are either there to fight or to learn martial arts. They can't even exchange three or five words before they start fighting and discussing the Dao.

But then again.

Shaolin martial arts originated from Buddhism.

The malevolent energy in martial arts needs to be neutralized by Buddhism.

Buddhism is indeed the foundation of the Seventy-Two Arts.

"The gathering of esteemed monks at Shaolin to discuss martial arts is truly a grand event in the martial world. I wonder if I might have the honor of being an uninvited guest and listening attentively to the insightful opinions of both sides?"

Kumārajīva's voice came from afar.

For martial artists, transmitting sound over long distances is not difficult; anyone with sufficient skill can do it. But how can one hear the debates of others when the distance is so great?
Even Hua Manlou didn't have such hearing.

Kumārajīva had neither the ability to hear the heavens nor the talent to hear the wind; he was simply showing off out of habit.

Kumārajīva came with the sacred mountain. He hid outside and listened to people talking. Then he ran to the mountain gate and silently calculated when the other party would make a move. He called out "This humble monk is here!" at the right time, as if he had super hearing.

He deliberately drew out his words, so that the last word fell just as he reached the main hall.

He had a broad face and large ears, and a dignified and solemn appearance.

It instantly makes people like you more.

Most film and television portrayals of Kumārajīva do not conform to the original novel's description; the actor who best fits the role should be...
—Tang Sanzang!
"This humble monk, Kumārajīva, greets all my fellow disciples."

Kumārajīva respectfully bowed.

This was Kumārajīva's hobby.

The more arrogant and pretentious one is, the more humble and modest one appears. Using extreme humility to express extreme arrogance and provocation, one achieves the ultimate act of showing off.

—So it was the Tibetan Great Wheel King!

—This Tibetan monk is not to be trifled with!

Two thoughts arose in the minds of the monks.

Xuanci invited Kumārajīva to take a seat.

Kumārajīva sat arrogantly in the upper position.

"I just heard my senior brother say that the 72 Shaolin skills cannot be practiced together. This is a big mistake."

Let alone practicing more than a dozen unique skills together, what difficulty would it be to master all seventy-two unique skills at the same time?
Senior Brother Xuancheng suffered a qi deviation because his internal energy foundation was not deep enough and his talent was not keen enough.

If there is a person with a solid foundation, excellent aptitude, and extraordinary comprehension, then the mere seventy-two unique skills are not a difficult task. Please take back your words, senior brother.

Otherwise, this humble monk would like to seek guidance from my senior brother.

"Oh? According to the Imperial Advisor, could there be someone in the world who is proficient in all seventy-two unique skills? That's truly amazing!"

"It's not mystical! It's not mystical!"

"Who is this great hero?"

"I am unworthy of such a title!"

"The Imperial Advisor has quite the arrogance!"

"How dare this humble monk speak nonsense in front of you all?"

Kumārajīva slowly stood up and unleashed a palm strike at the large cauldron in the center of the Mahavira Hall. The cauldron crashed towards the roof with a thunderous roar. Kumārajīva slumped down from his horse and threw a punch upwards, striking the bottom of the cauldron. The cauldron flew upwards, but lost its momentum upon hitting the roof and plummeted to the ground.

Kumārajīva seized the opportunity, waved his kasaya, and the cauldron spun rapidly, gradually dissipating its power, and finally landed lightly on the ground without breaking a single tile.

"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk truly has no talent for the three ultimate techniques: Prajna Palm, Vajra Fist, and Kasaya Subduing Demon Skill. I can only make a fool of myself!"

"Is the Imperial Preceptor proficient in the 'flower-picking' finger technique?"

Master Xuandu stepped forward voluntarily.

"Slight progress has been made."

"This old monk would like to learn a few moves from you."

"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother Xuandu."

Upon hearing this, the monks were once again taken aback.

Xuan Du appeared earlier without announcing his Dharma name, but Kumārajīva recognized him at a glance, clearly demonstrating his thorough understanding of Shaolin masters. Today's matter is unlikely to end well.

……

"Uncle Xiao, is your injury any better?"

After arriving at Mount Song, Li Zhaoting did not go up the mountain, but went to the Qiao family to meet up with Xiao Yuanshan. After the battle at Xingzilin, Qiao Sanhuai and his wife had been escorted by Duan Yu to Dali to live out their retirement, and their house had long been empty.

After not seeing him for more than half a year, Xiao Yuanshan looked much better and no longer had the sinister aura he had before.

"Xue Muhua is quite capable! It wasn't in vain that my son chased Ding Chunqiu to the ends of the earth!"

Xiao Yuanshan picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

The Xiao family has a long-standing tradition of enjoying alcohol.

Xiao Yuanshan was also a heavy drinker in his youth.

"Who told you to practice Shaolin martial arts without proper knowledge?"

"That's because the Central Plains warriors framed me. They said I wanted to steal Shaolin's secret techniques, and they killed my whole family without even asking what happened. I can't stand being wronged more than anything in my life! Those bastards, not a single one of them is any good..."

Xiao Yuanshan slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"The bustling crowds are all driven by the pursuit of fame and fortune."

"To hell with fame and fortune, those are personal interests. To kill innocent people for one's own selfish gain, and to show no remorse afterward, such bastards deserve to die!"

At this point, Xiao Yuanshan let out a long sigh.

Xiao Yuanshan inherited the will of Sanhe Yishi and used the Xiao family's influence in the Liao Kingdom to advocate the benefits of peace, reduce the raiding of grain, and prevent harm to the border people.

What was the result?
What happened to those who ambushed him?
Thinking of this, Xiao Yuanshan gave a silent, bitter smile.

……

Mahavira Hall.

Xuan Ci's face was ashen.

A dozen or so eminent monks of the Xuan generation were defeated in a series of battles by Kumārajīva. Kumārajīva then unleashed forty Shaolin martial arts techniques, all of which he had mastered to perfection. There were slight differences in the details, but considering that Kumārajīva came from the Tantric school and his foundation was Tantric Buddhism, it would be strange if there were no differences.

"This humble monk came to the Central Plains alone, hoping to witness the grandeur of the most prestigious sects in the Central Plains and see what kind of solemn and magnificent atmosphere this ancient temple, known as the number one martial arts sect in the Central Plains, would have. Now, I am truly disappointed!"

"Amitabha Buddha, this old monk has come to learn from you."

"May I ask your Dharma name, senior brother?"

"Old monk, Fang Zheng!"

Fang Zheng, the head of the Arhat Hall, is the only Shaolin monk who is proficient in the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic). He is also proficient in eleven Shaolin martial arts techniques, and is especially skilled in the Lion's Roar.

A loud shout, a wake-up call.

All the monks were awakened.

Kumārajīva's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"So it's Senior Brother Fangzheng. I've long heard that you're proficient in the Yi Jin Jing, the supreme martial art of Shaolin. Why are you relegated to the position of head of the Arhat Hall? Could it be that someone is jealous of your talent?"

"This is a private matter of Shaolin, and the Imperial Preceptor has no right to interfere. This humble monk is only curious about one thing: the Imperial Preceptor is said to be proficient in the Seventy-Two Arts. I wonder if the Imperial Preceptor knows the Yi Jin Jing?"

"The Yi Jin Jing is profound and extensive. How could I, with my insignificant foundation, be qualified to comprehend it? It would be my greatest honor if you could give me a few pointers, senior brother."

"In that case, take this!"

Fang Zheng stomped his feet hard on the ground, his whole body shrouded in a layer of black aura, two battle runes running through his cheeks, his cultivation level had reached the second level of the Black Rank Floating Pagoda, which was a whole level higher than the legendary third level of the Black Rank.

The Yi Jin Jing does not have so many levels of distinction.

There are only three levels of actual realm:

Beginner, Before Black Level, After Black Level.

The Black-level Floating Pagoda is the highest realm. The reason for dividing it into different ranges is to control the profound power.

With each advancement in skill level, your power will increase several times over!
(End of this chapter)