Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 537 A Deadly Gamble, Swordsmanship Comparable to "Peacock Feather"
The martial arts world is classified according to the three religions, nine schools of thought, five trades and eight professions, with escort agencies often ranking at the bottom.

They endured wind and rain, bloodshed and violence, risking their lives to earn a meager living, only to end up either physically disabled or suffering from chronic illnesses.

However, the martial arts world cannot function without escort agencies.

Escort services are often filled with talented individuals, a veritable den of hidden masters.

Having traveled all over the country and witnessed the local customs and traditions, these veteran bodyguards, with over a decade of experience, are all well-informed and knowledgeable.

A shrewd and perceptive person, able to read between the lines, knowing when to yield and when to stand firm, even a block of wood can become a cunning old fox after a few years.

Those who survive countless battles and live on the edge are all masters. They may not have profound and mysterious inheritances, but most of them are good at fighting to the death.

A group of cunning old foxes with martial arts skills, experience, knowledge, and discernment are clearly not to be trifled with. While the bodyguards themselves are of low status, the chief bodyguard holds an extremely high position.

Looking at the entire escort agency industry, apart from the outlier Wang Shenglan, the one with the highest martial arts skills is obviously Long Fangxiao, the chief escort of Fengyun Escort Agency, who is said to be on par with Mr. Zhuge.

The one with the highest reputation is Baili Changqing.

Deng Dinghou, Ximen Sheng, Sima Chaoqun, Wang Zhaoxing and others are all sincerely convinced of Baili Changqing's abilities. Wen Liangong is too sentimental, and Guo Xu is now a hidden dragon in the abyss.

In other words, if all the镖局 (escort agencies) in the world were to form an alliance, Baili Changqing would undoubtedly be the leader.

However, if all the escort agencies formed an alliance and controlled the transportation routes of goods throughout the country, how could the imperial court possibly sit idly by? A super-large alliance was definitely impossible.

When Deng Dinghou, Ximen Sheng, and Baili Changqing planned to form a security escort alliance, it was disrupted by the Qinglong Society. On Li Zhaoting's advice, they formed an alliance based on regions.

The escort agencies in Guanzhong formed the Guanzhong Alliance.

In the Jiangnan region, security escort agencies formed smaller alliances such as the Jianghuai Alliance and the Liangguang Alliance. A large security escort agency would take the lead in unifying the smaller agencies and consolidating their strength.

After years of development, there were probably six or seven escort agency alliances in the world, similar to express delivery companies like SF Express, YTO Express, and STO Express in later generations, each with its own advantages.

The most famous, most prestigious, and most capable chief镖头 (chief镖师) is undoubtedly Baili Changqing.

When the various escort agencies formed an alliance, the disagreements and conflicts between them were resolved by Baili Changqing, and with the help of Deng Dinghou, the escort agency business flourished.

The alliance of escort agencies established by Baili Changqing is full of experts and talents, and its profound foundation is comparable to that of major sects such as Emei, Tianshan, and Kunlun.

The business was greatly affected by highway robbery by outlaws and gangsters who double-crossed each other.

These people knew that most of the local security escort alliances had only been established for two or three years. The difficulties in the early stages of their businesses inevitably led to internal conflicts, which were resolved entirely by Baili Changqing's mediation.

If Baili Changqing is killed, at least half of the local escort agency alliances will disband. Baili Changqing's business is mainly in Liaodong, so it would have been difficult to deal with him.

Until the last two months.

Baili Changqing received a huge order and personally led his bodyguards on a long journey to the Western Regions, taking his two old brothers, Deng Dinghou and Ximen Sheng, along the way.

This is the perfect opportunity for assassination.

Many bandit strongholds that had suffered heavy losses pooled together a huge sum of money and offered a bounty on the black market for Baili Changqing.

Tang Shiwu accepted the business.

More than a month ago, Tang Shiwu was lured away from his post by Old Madam Tang, who used him as a tool to kill him and undermine his cause. All his subordinates died, leaving him in a more wretched state than a stray dog.

Taking advantage of the situation, the leader of the Azure Dragon Society recruited Tang Shiwu and appointed him as the head of the Twelve Months Branch of the Azure Dragon Society. The Twelve Months Branch was an assassin organization that specialized in shady dealings.

As the saying goes, there are three fires for new officials to take office.

Tang Shiwu needs to make a name for himself.

Otherwise, even if the leader trusts him, the assassins of the Green Dragon Society will definitely outwardly comply but inwardly defy him. If the leader cannot win over the masses, it means that a new leader is needed.

The martial arts world lacks everything, but it never lacks assassins.

Tang Shiwu had been planning this for a long time.

Six days ago, Xiao Wu and his accomplices changed their identities and infiltrated the area. They had practiced hundreds of times and were able to take the head of their target within fifteen seconds.

Just as Baili Changqing was about to reach his destination and everyone's hearts were in their throats, Li Zhaoting quietly arrived, diluting the murderous aura around them.

Without saying or doing anything, he simply found a tea stall, drank some hot tea, and merely made an appearance. The murderous aura that the assassins had accumulated over six days completely dissipated.

Ding Gan stopped peeling walnuts.

The whip almost fell under the carriage.

Yuno was so startled that he fell flat on his face.

Gao Li was nearly killed by the silver spear—his short spear was hidden under his Taoist robe, and due to his extreme excitement, his body twitched involuntarily, causing the spear tip to cut his skin.

Only Xiao Wu was able to remain calm.

In fact, Xiao Wu's heart was in turmoil.

It wasn't that he was worried about being killed by Li Zhaoting, but rather because of a rumor circulating in the martial arts world. There were countless strange tales about Li Zhaoting, especially his romantic affairs, enough to fill a novel of over two million words. The strange tale that Xiao Wu had come across was the most insignificant of all.

—The peacock feather is in Li Zhaoting's hands.

Although it is revered as the master of hidden weapons and the trump card of Peacock Manor that has stood the test of time for three hundred years, Peacock Feather is insignificant compared to the Supreme Heavenly Sword.

Apart from Xiao Wu, nobody cared about this rumor.

Why does Xiao Wu care?

Because Xiao Wu is the current owner of Peacock Manor.

Twenty years ago, Qiu Yifeng, the owner of Peacock Manor, fought a fierce battle with Jin Kaijia, the world's number one axe master known as "Great Thunder God," atop Mount Tai. The battle was so intense that the sky darkened.

The two went from sparring to a fierce duel, which escalated into a life-or-death battle. In the end, Jin Kaijia was defeated and his left arm was severed by Qiu Yifeng. Qiu Yifeng won the battle, but accidentally lost the Peacock Feather and died of depression.

The fame of the peacock feather needs no further explanation.

If outsiders were to find out about this, Peacock Manor would be in grave danger, if not in dire straits.

Xiao Wu is Qiu Yifeng's son. His real name is Qiu Fengwu. He mistakenly believed that the Peacock Feather had been stolen by the Azure Dragon Society, so he changed his name to Xiao Wu and infiltrated the Azure Dragon Society to investigate.

Things took a turn for the better last year.

When Japanese pirates invaded the border, Li Zhaoting led his troops to quell the invasion. During the fierce battle, Lan Fenghuang used a surprising move, shooting and killing the Japanese ninja "Haga Hanzo" with a peacock feather.

This was seen by thousands of people.

They didn't recognize the Peacock Feather, but they saw an incomparably brilliant and dazzling hidden weapon. With a flash of golden light, the entire Fire-type ninja army was wiped out. What other hidden weapon besides the Peacock Feather could achieve such power?
Xiao Wu wanted to ask Li Zhaoting for it, but he had no connection with Li Zhaoting. Li Zhaoting liked to travel around the martial arts world, sometimes in the east, sometimes in the west.

Today in Mangshan, tomorrow in Guandong, the day after tomorrow in the Western Regions, the day after that in Dali, and the day after that, Li Zhaoting sailed out to sea, but couldn't find a trace of anyone.

For the sake of the Peacock Manor's legacy, and for the lives of the Qiu family, young and old, Xiao Wu gritted his teeth, mustered his courage, walked towards Li Zhaoting, sat down in the chair opposite him, picked up the large teapot, and poured a full bowl of hot tea.

"My name is Xiao Wu. I enjoy drinking, but unfortunately there is no wine here. I can only offer tea instead. I would like to offer three large bowls of tea to Master Li. Please hear me out."

"Xiao Wu? Which Xiao Wu?"

Are there many Xiao Wus in the world?

"Xiao Wu, you must have a surname, right? Xiao Wu's surname could be Wu, or it could be Ma..."

"If the surname is Wang, then it's Xiao Wang; if the surname is Li, then it's Xiao Li; if the surname is Wu, then it's Xiao Wu. How could the surname be Ma?"

"Because... a horse's heart is unpredictable!"

Li Zhaoting casually told a joke.

"Storm Riders" is the most famous and widely circulated martial arts comic in Hong Kong. In the whole story, the character with the most adventures and the best treatment is the author's favorite son, Xiao Wu.

He was jokingly called "Ma Xiaowu" by readers.

However, no matter how powerful a son is, he can never compare to his father. Xiao Wu, who possesses all the world's unique skills and has unparalleled potential, can only obediently taste the bitterness of the Cloud-Dispelling Palm when he encounters his "father" Bu Jingyun.

Xiao Wu didn't understand Li Zhaoting's joke, but he secretly wrote down the name, intending to find it later. He reached out and took out a token: "My name is Qiu Fengwu."

"The owner of Peacock Manor?"

"Exactly!"

"You want to ask me for the peacock feather?"

"I would be eternally grateful if you, Master Li, would return the Qiu family's ancestral treasure. I am willing to repay your kindness in the end."

“I don’t really like using hidden weapons. The peacock feather is of no value to me, so I can return it to you. But the way you were acting just now seemed like a premeditated assassination.”

"Master Li, do you want to stop us?"

"I know this is a scheme by the Azure Dragon Society, and I know their target is Baili Changqing. How about this? Let's use the Peacock Feather as the stake and assassination as the wager."

Without my intervention, could the Azure Dragon Society kill Baili Changqing? Rest assured, I won't play dirty word games. I myself won't take action, nor will anyone connected to me, nor will I offer any warnings.

I am just an ordinary tea drinker and observer.

The five of you are just cannon fodder anyway, so even if I reduce your killing intent, it won't have much of an impact.

Let's gamble with this assassination.

I bet you'll fail!

Qiu Fengwu, are you willing to bet?

Qiu Fengwu asked, "Master Li, why is it you who lost the bet, and why can't I lose?"

Li Zhaoting laughed and said, "Because it's far too easy for you to make this assassination plan fail. As long as you deliberately cause trouble and reveal even the slightest, fleeting flaw, Baili Changqing can break through."

Qiu Fengwu smiled and asked, "Master Li has no grudge against Baili Changqing, so why did you set up this scheme?" Li Zhaoting replied, "It was just a coincidence."

Qiu Fengwu said, "Do you want to hear the truth?"

Li Zhaoting's face darkened: "Do you think I want to use someone else to do my dirty work, kill Baili Changqing, get rid of this incomparably prestigious old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), and let Wang Shenglan take the opportunity to become the head of the镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency)?"

Qiu Fengwu nodded seriously.

This is the work of the Qinglong Society analyst.

Their analysis of Li Zhaoting's behavior led them to a horrifying conclusion: Li Zhaoting possessed divine insight, enabling him to keenly detect lies, deception, and disguises. Even if he had never met someone, he could discern the truth from falsehood simply by hearing their name.

Therefore, when communicating with Li Zhaoting, you must never lie or engage in cross-cutting montage.

Every word must be the truth.

Only the truth can earn trust.

Even if this truth might anger Li Zhaoting.

Note: The biggest contrast in Li Zhaoting's reputation in the underworld is not the "peaks and troughs" of his fame, but the fact that his temperament is completely different from what is rumored in the underworld.

Note: Rumors in the martial arts world say that Li Zhaoting is narrow-minded and fond of killing. In reality, he has an extremely good temper and will not take it to heart even if someone insults him to his face.

Qiu Fengwu chose to believe the notes and annotations.

Fortunately, he made the right bet.

Li Zhaoting is broad-minded, generous, and magnanimous. Although he has the handsome looks of Pan An and Song Yu, he is actually a generous and tragic hero from Yan and Zhao, and his nature is extremely heroic.

If Li Zhaoting had a bad temper, those special contributors to Tianji Pavilion who spread rumors and fabricated conspiracy theories all day long would have been killed by him long ago.

Xiao Wu left with a gloomy face.

Tell your four companions that "Li Zhaoting will not take action." If they don't believe you, use conspiracy theories to fool them, saying that Li Zhaoting wants Wang Shenglan to become the head of the escort agency, and that Baili Changqing is a thorn in Li Zhaoting's side, someone he wishes he could kill.

However, for the sake of his own reputation and to squeeze every last drop of value from Baili Changqing, Li Zhaoting chose to use the Qinglong Society to kill someone, and then, under the guise of avenging Baili Changqing, he annexed Changqing Escort Agency and Lianying Escort Agency.

The Green Dragon Society is known for its various conspiracy theories.

Xiao Wu's words persuaded at least three people.

Tangye, Dinggan, Mabian.

He gripped the whip tightly in his hand.

What's the next step after using someone else to do the dirty work?
Of course, it's—to kill them to silence them!
When the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden.

The cunning rabbit dies, the running dog cooks.

Just as they killed Baili Changqing, Li Zhaoting arrived at the perfect moment, a step too late. Holding the blood-stained corpse, he raised his hand and blasted the Qinglong Society assassin to death.

What a perfect plan!
What a terrifying character!
Gao Li scoffed at this!

What the hell is this?
Who is Li Zhaoting? If he wanted to kill someone, would he need to use such methods? After so many years as an assassin, he hasn't improved at all. He'll never become a gang leader in this lifetime!
As time passed, suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar, followed by the weak and feeble cry of "He Wu" from someone who had been shouting for a long time.

We've arrived at Baili Changqing!

This man had phoenix eyes, long eyebrows, and gray hair and beard. He wore a sky-blue long robe with a dark blue ribbon tied around his neck. He gently tapped the saddle with a sword sheath made of sharkskin.

There were seven fine horses in total.

On either side of Baili Changqing were his old friends: Deng Dinghou, the Little Zhuge Liang of Divine Fist; Ximen Sheng, the top expert of the Lianying Escort Agency, who was skilled in using the Judge's Pen; and behind him were four burly men as strong as iron towers, collectively known as the "Four Dragons of Liaodong," who were proficient in external martial arts and were the best choice to protect the escorts.

The assassins proceeded according to plan.

Ding Gan was the first to make a move.

He used a hidden weapon to wound Baili Changqing's mount.

The horse was startled and instinctively ran forward. The whip spurred the cart across the road, separating Baili Changqing from his six companions. Tang Ye drew his horse-slaying sword and slashed at the horse's leg. Xiao Wu and Gao Li, the most skilled martial artists, attacked from both sides, and Ding Gan finished off the horse with a final blow.

Ding Gan is skilled in curved swords and hidden weapons. He is proficient in the Soul-Chasing Moon Blade given to him by Mo San, which allows him to make the curved sword spin like a boomerang and launch a sneak attack on Baili Changqing from behind.

They had practiced countless times before!

They were confident they could dismember Baili Changqing in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Knowing that Li Zhaoting was watching them closely, they were even more ruthless when they made their move.

A flash of cold light, and blood splattered out.

The one lying on the ground was not Baili Changqing.

It was Ding Gan and Tang Ye.

It was Gao Li who assassinated Tang Ye.

Baili Changqing had done Gao Li a favor, and Gao Li would not allow Baili Changqing to die at the hands of the Qinglong Society assassins. He stabbed Tang Ye in the back with his gun. The Qinglong Society had long known about the feud between Gao Li and Baili Changqing and had devised a two-stage plan: if Gao Li rebelled, they would have Ding Gan kill him with a flying knife.

Gao Li pierced Tang Ye with his spear, but the force was too great, leaving Tang Ye with no defenses behind him. Ding Gan swung his sword at Gao Li, and in a split second, Xiao Wu swung his sword at Ding Gan.

This was a sword strike that came entirely from the heart.

In the instant he drew his sword, Xiao Wu was no longer Qiu Fengwu, who bore the glory of Peacock Manor, nor the top assassin of the Azure Dragon Society, but a passionate and fiery swordsman.

Gao Li is my friend, and I want to save him!

There are no conspiracies or underhanded schemes, no petty scheming, only pure brotherhood and the heroic spirit of a warrior felt when drawing the sword—I don't need the Peacock Feather; with my sword alone, I can still protect Peacock Manor!

The change happened so fast that before Ma Bian could react, Gao Li and Xiao Wu had already run away.

Looking closely, Baili Changqing, Ximen Sheng, and Deng Dinghou surrounded him. Two judge's pens, a green-edged sword, and a pair of Shaolin divine fists slammed into the horsewhip. With a scream, the horsewhip was reduced to pieces.

The three remained vigilant, weapons in hand, calmly surveying their surroundings to guard against a sneak attack from the assassins.

The Azure Dragon Society's actions are always meticulously planned and executed.

How could there only be one wave of assassinations?

……

Gao Li's lightness skill was very peculiar. He was good at using two short guns. His flying method was to use these two short guns instead of his legs. He would lightly poke the ground and then forcefully swing them, like a skier, and ski forward seven or eight zhang.

Qiu Fengwu possessed superb lightness skills; with his arms outstretched, he resembled a peacock, and was three points faster than Gao Li.

The two ran one after the other for forty or fifty miles before stopping to rest. There was a small tea stall ahead, and Li Zhaoting was sitting inside.

Li Zhaoting beckoned Qiu Fengwu over.

"Xiao Wu, it seems you've lost your bet!"

"That's right, I lost the bet. I destroyed my own hopes of victory. I want to take the heirloom home, but I won't betray my friends! Master Li, please leave!"

"Xiao Wu, you both lost and won the bet. You only lost to me, not to Lu Xiaofeng!"

"Lu Xiaofeng?"

"Your precious child is in Lu Xiaofeng's hands."

After the fierce battle with the Japanese pirates, Li Zhaoting and Li Shengnan set sail. Before leaving, Li Zhaoting was worried that Lu Xiaofeng would be tricked by Gong Jiu, so he left the peacock feather for Lu Xiaofeng to protect himself. Li Zhaoting had very little need for hidden weapons and had long forgotten about this.

If Qiu Fengwu hadn't asked, Li Zhaoting would never have remembered that Qiu Fengwu's appearance was six or seven parts similar to Zhan Zhao. Li Zhaoting looked at Qiu Fengwu with the same feeling he had towards Zhan Zhao and the Five Rats. To put it bluntly, he really wanted to show off and act like a senior figure in the martial arts world.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Fengwu suddenly understood.

If he insisted on assassinating Baili Changqing, he might win the bet, but he would never know where the Peacock Feather was. By upholding his loyalty, he gained Li Zhaoting's approval and successfully received the second mission.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Li."

When did I ever give you any pointers?

"My……"

"Since you want me to instruct you, fine! Draw your sword, you have thirteen chances to strike."

Li Zhaoting signaled Qiu Fengwu to attack.

The Peacock Manor has stood strong in the martial arts world for three hundred years, and this is not solely due to the Peacock Feather. It should be noted that the Peacock Feather has always been kept in the Qiu family ancestral hall. Before its use, an ancestral worship ceremony must be held. If the enemy launches a surprise attack, dozens of assassins will swarm in, and only swordsmanship can defeat the enemy.

This is not some kind of "disease of a large family".

Peacock Feather, Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, Heaven-Destroying and Earth-Shattering Bone-Piercing Heart-Piercing Needle, and Nine Heavens, Ten Earths, and Nineteen Divine Needles are all extremely deadly weapons, their malevolent aura too heavy.

The masters of the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle throughout history, from its founder to its current owner, have all had tragic pasts and none of them met a good end, because this weapon is stained with blood every time it is used, and ordinary people simply cannot suppress its murderous aura.

Hidden weapons like the Heaven-Slaying, Earth-Destroying, Bone-Piercing, Heart-Piercing Needles, and the Nine Heavens, Ten Earths, and Nineteen Divine Needles, will bring misfortune to both the user and the maker, resulting in the extinction of their entire family.

Peacock Manor alone has stood for three hundred years.

It is because they understand "moderation" that they do not over-rely on the peacock feather, do not think about copying, do not indiscriminately kill innocent people, and do not expand recklessly.

Although it is called an ancestral worship ceremony, it is actually a way to teach younger generations to be careful with their words and actions and not to start trouble without reason.

In addition, the Qiu family's ancestral sword technique is unfathomable. When mastered to its highest level, it emits countless golden rays and radiates brilliance. Its brilliance is in no way inferior to that of the Peacock Feather Sword.

The Peacock King Spreading Wings Sword, also known as the Peacock King Spreading Wings Thirteen Forms, normally takes a year to master one form. One begins to learn martial arts at the age of four, begins foundation building at the age of five, begins sword practice at the age of seven, and reaches mastery around the age of twenty, when family arranges a marriage, and one marries and has children.

This is how each generation has passed down the tradition.

Neither strong nor weak, carefree and at ease.

(End of this chapter)