Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 407 Wei Xiaobao: You're even more annoying than I was when I was young!
"Wang Xizhi wrote the Tao Te Ching by hand, and used it to exchange for a unique move in order to find a way to break a hook technique."

For people in the martial arts world, buying things with money is not necessarily the best solution; bartering is the norm.

Wang Xizhi's original works are already priceless, let alone this scroll which has the story of "exchanging a white goose for a completed book," its value is at least quadrupled, making it priceless and unavailable for sale.

Buying with money is rather pointless.

No matter how much money they are given, they feel they are being taken advantage of.

Fortunately, the seller didn't ask for an exorbitant price; he only wanted a martial arts technique. Li Zhaoting took out a wooden plaque, engraved with a sword mark, and gestured to the maid guarding the spot to hand the plaque to the seller and have him come out to see him.

The seller arrived shortly afterward.

This man was called Tie Jindao. He was a man of bold character and had a good reputation in the martial arts world. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a dignified appearance. He was about sixty years old, with some white hairs at the corners of his eyebrows and temples.

Tie Jindao traded calligraphy for martial arts techniques, hoping to find a way to counter a unique move. However, all those who came recently were mediocre and none of them could satisfy him.

Just as Tie Jindao was feeling disheartened, a maid brought him a wooden plaque engraved with sword marks. With just one glance, he knew that this person's martial arts skills were far beyond his imagination.

Tie Jindao was overjoyed and hurriedly came to pay his respects.

"May I ask your name, young hero?"

Tie Jindao politely cupped his hands in greeting.

"Li Zhaoting!"

"Hmm? So it's Master Li in person! To be able to meet Master Li in person is truly an honor I will never forget!"

Tie Jindao thought to himself, "Once the transaction is complete, I will leave Tongchi Island immediately and not stay for even a moment."

Staying for even a second longer could mean being cursed to death!
Jiang Yuyan asked, "Mr. Tie, what move do you want to counter? To what extent do you want to counter it? Do you want to dismantle the move and make peace, or find a weakness to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, or even kill the opponent with a single strike?"

Tie Jindao sighed, "This is a long story. Seventy years ago, my Huangzhou Crouching Tiger Knife and Xinyang Panlong Hook established their sects at the same time. The two sects were brother sects."

The Crouching Tiger and Coiled Dragon, with their peerless swords and hooks, were once renowned throughout the martial arts world. Seventeen years ago, Han Yigou became the leader of the Coiled Dragon Sect, changed the order of their titles, placing Coiled Dragon before Crouching Tiger, and challenged my Crouching Tiger Golden Saber.

This concerns the honor and disgrace of our sect, so I dare not be careless.

I led my men to Panlongmen and fought Han Yigou on the arena. I was defeated after 720 moves.

A year later, I challenged him again. I had the upper hand for the first 700 moves, but I was still no match for his unexpected moves.

This time I was more seriously injured and more cautious. Five years later, I challenged Han Yigou and invited many martial arts practitioners to witness the challenge, but I was still no match for Han Yigou's unexpected moves.

I practiced diligently at home for seven years, and invited dozens of fellow martial artists to study my moves. I remember every variation and every movement of Han Yi Gou's hook technique, but as long as he uses his unconventional move, my Golden Blade will inevitably be defeated.

After four years of arduous training, we are about to engage in our fifth duel, but I have absolutely no confidence.

With my aptitude and comprehension, I fear I would never be able to defeat Han Yigou's extraordinary moves in this lifetime. I can only resort to my family's heirloom and ask a martial arts master for help. It is truly shameful to fight to this extent for the sake of a momentary grievance. I dare not seek advice from martial arts masters in the Central Plains, so I can only try my luck on Tongchi Island.

Crouching Tiger suppressed Coiled Dragon for over fifty years, and Coiled Dragon suppressed Crouching Tiger for over a decade. We have already benefited from this. We are two small families, so we must help each other in our daily lives.

One must not kill or cause death, thus creating a blood feud.

All I want is to break this move and relieve the frustration of being defeated for over a decade. Whether I become a dragon in the mountains or a tiger in the mountains, it doesn't matter what my friends in the martial arts world call me!

It's just a name; it won't cost you anything.

Why waste more than a decade on this?

Tie Jindao stroked his white beard. When he first fought Han Yigou, he was in his forties, a strong and vigorous man in his prime. In the last ten years or so, he had been either recuperating from injuries or studying martial arts, exhausting himself to the point that his hair and beard had turned completely white. If he could not achieve his goal, he would surely die of depression.

Jiang Yuyan laughed and said, "That's not true! If Han Yigou hadn't been blocking Mr. Tie's way, Mr. Tie wouldn't have devoted himself to studying martial arts. If Mr. Tie hadn't been chasing after him, Han Yigou would probably have retired from martial arts long ago and been enjoying his grandchildren. That would be a great story in the martial arts world."

Li Zhaoting said, "After so many defeats, you still want the two families to be on good terms. Mr. Tie, you have such a magnanimous spirit. Show me your hook technique, and I'll teach you how to maintain harmony!"

Tie Jindao didn't hold back either, attacking Li Zhaoting with a wooden hook. Li Zhaoting raised his palm into a knife and used the most widely circulated "Bagua Knife" to slash at Tie Jindao.

Tie Jindao had studied hook techniques for over ten years, becoming familiar with all aspects of their variations. He countered by striking Li Zhaoting's throat, but Li Zhaoting drew an arc with his palm and gently flicked from below, completely blocking the hook's follow-up attack, which also came to an end.

"I see! I see! Thank you for your guidance, Master Li. May I ask what this move is called?"

"This move is solely for the purpose of reconciliation between the two parties. It is executed without any intention of killing. Reconciliation is a win-win situation, so let's call it 'Win-Win'!"

"A happy ending for all! A happy ending for all! With Master Li's four words of guidance, I, Tie, have no regrets in this life!"

Tie Jindao handed the Tao Te Ching to Li Zhaoting and left Tongchi Island as quickly as possible. Li Zhaoting told Jiang Yuyan to put away the Tao Te Ching, a genuine work by Wang Xizhi, which was enough to be a family heirloom and let his father use it to brag.

Li Zhaoting and his companions continued to wander around, witnessing all sorts of bizarre transactions: some hiring murderers, some wanting to become apprentices to learn martial arts, and some seeking certain items.

Wei Xiaobao's management of "barter" was extremely lax. As long as both parties were willing to reach a transaction, and as long as there was no forced buying or selling or bullying, the transaction was considered complete, and only a small venue fee was charged.

"Husband, let's go take a look over there!"

Li Shengnan noticed a cluster of colorful plants that looked like seaweed. Li Zhaoting asked curiously, "Is this rainbow kelp? Can it be used in cold dishes?"

Li Shengnan retorted, "This is called Seven-Colored Algae, a top-grade auxiliary agent for making wooden divine weapons. What kind of look is that? Are there few wooden divine weapons in the world? The arrows left behind by Master Qiao were made of wood."

Wooden weapons were certainly not few in number.

Bows and crossbows, spear shafts, arrow shafts, and ash wood shafts.

It can also be used to make armor, such as... rattan armor!
Taking the making of a spear shaft as an example, the toughest wood needs to be selected, cut into thin bamboo strips, woven into a spear shaft, soaked in tung oil and a secret medicine, and then steamed and dried nine times. It takes two to three years to make one spear shaft.

What is the "secret medicine"?
Different craftsmen have different recipes, but the best material recognized by craftsmen from different regions is the seven-colored algae.

It can be understood as "rare earth elements" in plants.

The jade bow left behind by Qiao Beiming was a divine weapon, but unfortunately it only had three arrows. After repeatedly opening and closing the door, the shaft of the arrow was partially damaged, and only the three arrowheads remained intact.

Upon returning to the Central Plains, we need to find skilled craftsmen to transform the forked arrows into triangular arrows, and equip them with suitable wooden shafts, which will require the use of seven-colored algae.

The group quickly walked to the stall.

The seller was a man with a pale, ashen face.

"What do you want to change?"

"Banana wood that has been deposited on the seabed for thousands of years!"

What do you need this for?

"This is none of your business."

The gray-faced man was very cold and was about to kick the man out with a few words when Lan Fenghuang stepped forward: "You are poisoned. Do you want to ask for the antidote?"

"Do you have the ability to cure the poison?"

"What if it can be solved? What if it can't be solved?"

"If you can cure the poison in my body, not only will the seven-colored algae be yours, but you will also receive fifty catties of coral gold as a bonus. If you cannot cure the poison, please leave this place for the time being!"

What is coral gold?

"A mixture of several special metals from coral, formed over millions of years on the seabed, can cut iron like tofu and strike stone like cotton, making it the perfect material for crafting divine weapons."

"make a deal!"

Lan Fenghuang pressed down on the man twice, then unleashed a palm strike. Poisonous energy enveloped the man's body, absorbing the toxins within him. The Golden Silkworm Gu lay on the man's pulse points, sucking forcefully. With the combined efforts of the man and the worm, the toxins were drained in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, leaving the man covered in sweat.

When his body was enveloped by the poison, the man felt he was doomed and closed his eyes to await death, hoping that Wei Xiaobao would avenge him in order to uphold the rules of the island.

Even after all the toxins in her body were cleared, she still felt like she was dreaming. After a long while, the man sighed and said, "Fairy, your martial arts are unparalleled. I was offended by my words earlier. Please don't take offense. This is your reward."

The man pushed two large boxes over.

A box of seven-colored algae, a box of coral gold.

Li Zhaoting had some impression of coral gold; Granny Jin Hua's cane was made of coral gold, and it was cut off by the sheath of the Heaven Sword when she fought with Abbess Miejue.

The Yitian Sword is characterized by its sharpness, capable of exchanging blows with its scabbard. It is considered a top-grade material, slightly insufficient for making weapons, but more than enough for arrow shafts.

The four of them went around several times and had a great haul.

In addition to treasures such as the seven-colored algae, coral gold, and Wang Xizhi's authentic calligraphy, they also obtained a unique palm technique.

This method is called "Eagle Wing Skill".

Using the hand as a knife is a palm-knife technique that can concentrate the blade's energy on the arm, with serrated edges. With a single palm strike, an iron shirt can instantly turn into tattered clothes.

Ninety-nine percent of the external martial arts techniques in the martial arts world are like paper in front of Eagle Wings Skill. Even the strongest techniques like Golden Bell Cover and Innate Qi will be easily shattered if one's skill is not up to par and they are recklessly bombarded and cut by Eagle Wings Skill.

This method is of great reference value to Lan Fenghuang, Jiang Yuyan, and Li Shengnan, especially Lan Fenghuang. By layering the Blood-Transforming Blade, it becomes the Eagle Wing Poison Blade, using the highly poisonous blade light to shatter the enemy's protective aura and then directly penetrate their center. Even if their power is ten times greater, they will be reduced to pus and blood.

Eagle Wing Technique is not a normal combat palm technique, but a life-or-death struggle. It is used to break through the enemy's protective aura in the nick of time, exchanging blows for damage. One was clad in armor, the other in tattered clothes; the two swung their swords at each other, and the outcome was obvious.

Just as they were enjoying their stroll, two beautiful maids bowed gracefully before them and said, "Master Li, our master has long admired your name and wishes to meet you."

"Who is your master?"

"Take over all the island owners!"

"Sigh~"

Li Zhaoting gasped.

Wei Xiaobao extended a warm invitation, and Li Zhaoting was determined to meet this extraordinary man from the secular world. Wei Xiaobao could not be simply judged as good or bad. In Li Zhaoting's view, the fairest evaluation was that he was an extraordinary man from the secular world, who had connections in both the legitimate and criminal worlds, had money and beauty in his heart, and managed to withdraw unscathed from the turbulent world and the struggle for fame and fortune, ultimately achieving enlightenment!
In the martial arts world, and in the imperial court.

In the Central Plains, and overseas.

In the underworld, in the legitimate world.

In the business world, in the realm of romance, and in the political arena.

Wei Xiaobao is an "extraordinary person in the mundane world" wherever he is.

I've experienced it all, the hustle and bustle of life.

I've tried everything – money, power, beauty, and sex.

He once held the highest position in the government, but he also faced certain death.

He was once a monk, a rebel, a high-ranking member of the evil faction, and a pillar of the righteous path.

You say Wei Xiaobao is bad, and Wei Xiaobao admits it.

You say Wei Xiaobao is good, and Wei Xiaobao agrees.

Good people and bad people, underworld and legitimate people, the highest levels of government and the farthest reaches of the martial world, those who are worldly and those who are detached from worldly affairs—he is them all.

If someone has Wei Xiaobao's experiences, they can ultimately uphold their principles, abandon fame, fortune, and glory. Even if they don't know any martial arts, they can still achieve profound enlightenment and reach the pinnacle of the martial arts world in terms of spiritual realm. They are qualified to use the method of refining the spirit to reverse the process of cultivating qi and obtain a profound level of cultivation. While others mostly progress from the outside in, they progress from the inside out.

Moreover, Wei Xiaobao already knew martial arts.

When he was the White Dragon Envoy on Dragon Island, he was taught the "God-Slaying Technique of Heaven and Earth" by the Dragon Cult Leader, and received the lifelong power of the Dragon Cult's Holy Maiden, Long'er. Furthermore, through his experiences in the mortal world, he comprehended the Buddhist ultimate technique, the Anao Blade.

Shen Yumen's Anao knife is arrogant and domineering.

Wei Xiaobao's Ananda Knife: A Thought of Buddha and Demon.

Wei Xiaobao and Anao Dao are like extraordinary people from the mundane world meeting extraordinary fates; their compatibility is unparalleled.

Wei Xiaobao achieved all the fame and fortune that ordinary people pursue in their entire lives by the age of twenty. He was richer than a country, held a high-ranking official position in the imperial court, had a formidable reputation in the underworld, and had connections throughout the world in the legitimate world. He gave it all up overnight. Such an extraordinary experience is truly rare throughout history.

……

open the door.

Li Zhaoting met Wei Xiaobao.

As Emperor Kangxi's childhood friend, Wei Xiaobao was old and frail, with a white beard and a shaved head.

Time may have taken away Wei Xiaobao's youthful vitality, but it could not take away his personality. Instead, it made him more mature and steady, with a kind of wisdom that seemed foolish. When he saw Li Zhaoting come in, Wei Xiaobao raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Kid, I really hate seeing you!"

"Does this junior look particularly irritating?"

"You will remind me of my youth, and then of my old age, my lost youth, making me feel the fleeting nature of time, the fading beauty of youth, and the waning of heroes!"
What kind of look is that?

Was Wei Xiaobao always illiterate?
Can't I learn a few idioms?
You little rascal, your gaze is too presumptuous!

Believe it or not, I'll stab you!

I'll sever your wicked roots and make you a monk!

I think you are very suitable to become a high monk.

You may inherit my Dharma name!
Still watching! Still watching! Believe me or not, I'll beat you up!

The more I look at you, the more I hate you.

I now finally understand how my enemies in my youth viewed me—like they saw a plague god, someone who would be killed if they got too close. They thought they could avoid it if they couldn't afford to offend it, but the plague god came knocking on their door, so they couldn't afford to offend it or avoid it.

Can you look at me differently?

I've made a lot of progress over the years!
Do you want to hear about 'bird and fish soup'?

Li Zhaoting didn't say a word, and Wei Xiaobao was so anxious that he jumped up and down. Li Zhaoting's eyes were so mischievous that Wei Xiaobao suddenly understood Liu Yizhou and Zheng Keshuang. They probably felt the same way about him.

How can people be so annoying?
I really want to blast this thing to smithereens with the Divine Cannon!
Li Zhaoting smiled and said, "How should I address you? Lord Wei, Master Wei, Senior Wei? Which one do you prefer?"

"you guess!"

"If you can't guess, then just call me senior! Senior, I didn't say a word just now! You were the one talking the whole time, how can you blame me for this?"

Your eyes say it all!

"My eyes can't speak."

"Your expressions are more entertaining than a storyteller's!"

"Do you intend to tell me a story?"

"I want to give you a palm strike that makes even the Bodhisattvas of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths shake their heads in fear. This is the peerless martial art that my master passed down to me. With one strike, all the people, animals, shrimp, crabs, and fleas within a radius of several dozen feet will turn to ashes."

"You have a Bodhisattva, I have a Buddha. Want to see the Buddha's palm strike? One palm strike can shatter a giant whale!"

"What's so great about Buddha? I never saw Buddha when I was a monk at Shaolin."

"The Buddha has never come."

"speak English!"

"Haven't you read Buddhist scriptures?"

"I couldn't read back then."

"You can use idioms now!"

"I read a few books when I had nothing else to do!"

Wei Xiaobao pursed his lips. In fact, Wei Xiaobao used to be able to speak idioms. He liked to listen to storytelling and had learned some Jianghu allusions. He didn't understand complicated idioms, but he was already proficient in common Jianghu slang by the age of thirteen.

The reason for deliberately pretending to be illiterate is that there are advantages to being illiterate. As an emperor, would you rather hear a top scholar use three hundred allusions to praise you as Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang, or would you rather hear an illiterate person sincerely praise you as a bird-born fish soup?
The top scholar praised me for his official rank and title.

An illiterate man praised me, saying he was so stupid and knew nothing. This must be the truth. I am Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang!

The top scholar recited 406 allusions, using wise rulers from ancient and modern times to praise Emperor Kangxi, but it was still not as good as Wei Xiaobao's single sentence, "Bird and fish soup." This is called satisfying the emperor's emotional value. A later person imitated this approach and indeed rose to the highest position in the court. The later person's name was... Li Wei!
I am illiterate, I am barbarian, I may not understand etiquette and throw a tantrum, don't try to reason with me, I don't understand reason, I can only argue and make trouble.

What appears to be a scorned clown can actually bring immense benefits, provided, of course, that it provides the emperor with sufficient emotional value.

To put it bluntly... he's a favored courtier!
When two philanderers meet, even if one of them is an old man, after a few words, the topic will naturally shift to women. Wei Xiaobao has seven beautiful wives and concubines, and his descendants are more numerous than the Jin family.

Most of these people were sent back to the Central Plains.

Wei Xiaobao gave them money so they could live in anonymity and start their own businesses. Some of them were really useless, so he kept them by his side to prevent them from dying a violent death in the martial world.

The most regrettable case is Shen Yumen.

The successors who are most like Wei Xiaobao, whether in appearance or in their flirtatious personality, including Anao Dao, all follow the path of Wei Xiaobao. However, their personalities are too arrogant. They can be motivated to fight when things are going against them, but when things are going well, they keep making terrible mistakes.

Good luck can turn a favorable wind into a headwind, and a desperate situation can be turned around.

Bad luck can turn a favorable situation into a dead end.

Besides Shen Yumen, there are several other outstanding younger generations.

Wei Xiaobao didn't have many sons; most of his wives and concubines had daughters. He didn't have many grandsons either; most of his granddaughters were granddaughters. He shared a similar fate with Duan Zhengchun.

Some married into the Feng and Han families, while others married into the Shen and Kong families, and some already have great-granddaughters.

Wei Xiaobao sighed, "My good fortune in my youth was too great, and it has affected my descendants. Everyone says that children and grandchildren have their own blessings, but how many can truly let go of them?"

"Heroes and chivalry, love and affection—but matters of love and affection are too far removed from the younger generation. Let's talk about heroes and chivalry! Have you ever been to Xia Ke Island? Do you have a nautical chart?"

(End of this chapter)