Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 71 I am Li Buyi, nicknamed the Commoner Divine Physician
"Brother Hua, how many river lanterns do you think there are?"

I think there are 1,800!

Let me count them for you!

"One lamp, two lamps, three lamps..."

Lu Xiaofeng counted the river lanterns with great interest.

Hua Manlou listened quietly to the laughter and joy.

Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen made a river lantern and let it float downstream. Then they bought fireworks and set them off on the riverbank to dispel the gloom of the night.

"My lord, you're always so clever. Why don't you tell me how many river lanterns there are? There's a reward for guessing correctly!"

"I guess there are 1,801 lamps!"

"Has the official counted them?"

"Lu Xiaofeng said there were 1,800 lamps, and we just put one down, taking advantage of him a little."

"Sir, aren't you going to count them?"

"I think at times like this, we should play a duet. Wouldn't that be a joyful tune for my wife?"

"Joy needs to come from genuine feelings."

"I've come up with a beautiful melody."

What melody?

"My lady, listen to me..."

Li Zhaoting used a folding fan to keep time, and a melody that didn't belong to this era rose from the riverbank with a cheerful tune, soaring all the way to the Milky Way.

A pair of birds, flying apart across the vast sky and sea.
A glass of wine~ Each of us is from different corners of the world~
Two pairs of legs~ have traversed thousands of mountains and rivers~
Never tired~
Even if we don't return, our paths will still cross in a foreign land.
Who are you, bathed in the gentle glow of the sun and moon?
Who am I? I've drunk the waters of the Milky Way!
A gust of wind blows, and the legends of the world shatter in the blink of an eye.
No retreating! We'll do our best!
The melody doesn't conform to the usual tune or melody pattern, yet it contains an indescribable sense of freedom and joy. There is no melody in the world that better suits the joy of this moment.

Unbeknownst to them, Lu Xiaofeng was infected by the song and joined in singing. They sang from the bridge to the tree, and from the tree to the tea stall, until dawn broke. Only then did everyone fall asleep, tipsy. Mei Zhu arrived with Lao Jiu, who carried two people at a time, transporting them back in two trips. It wasn't that they couldn't use a horse-drawn carriage, but Lao Jiu was unwilling to.

Good horses have spirits; they all have their own temperaments!
If Lao Jiu is by his side, but Li Zhaoting is riding a different mount, Lao Jiu will feel his dignity has been damaged, and he will fight the horse and ignore Li Zhaoting for several days.

The only exception is the crescent moon.

Feng Suzhen's mount.

The finest breed of horse in the world.

Red Hare is the most famous breed of horse.

Most importantly, Crescent Moon is a mare.

A steed follows its master; how can one resist the temptation of fine wine?
After the birthday banquet, Li Zhaoting went home to recuperate, preparing for his water duel with Li Shengnan a month later.

After just two days of peace, news came from the Beggars' Sect that Young Master Zhu of Wan Jintang had mysteriously left his home, accompanied only by a bodyguard and without any maids or attendants.

Young Master Zhu was even more prosperous than Tang Zhuquan, his body as round as a ball, and he couldn't do without maids to serve him.

Normally, he would be out of breath after walking just a few steps, but now he quietly left home with only one bodyguard, clearly indicating that he has a secret business to run.

According to intelligence provided by the Beggars' Sect disciples, Young Master Zhu's martial arts skills far surpass those of his bodyguards. He brings bodyguards because he is a wealthy young master and needs them as attendants.

Tracking down Young Master Zhu is an easy task.

Just follow the deepest tire tracks.

It wouldn't take too long to challenge Bai Yujing to a duel; he could return home in two or three days. There was no need to bring too many people. Li Zhaoting rode his old wine horse and went to track him down alone.

……

dusk.

At the end of the street, four large red lanterns hang from a thick flagpole, their flickering lights highlighting four large, dark characters: Fengyun Inn.

The lanterns are the signboard of Fengyun Inn. Behind the signboard is a dark building, which is naturally Fengyun Inn. The inn's door is tightly closed, and the exterior walls are inlaid with...

—A white horse!
How could a horse be embedded in a wall?
Because a martial arts master lifted the white horse high and rammed its hooves against the wall.

These are the rules of Fengyun Inn.

Anyone who wants to do business at Fengyun Inn must demonstrate their skills to prove they are qualified to stay, which also serves as a deterrent to other competitors.

There were three groups of guests who came this time.

A group of people left behind white horses.

One batch left behind a gold ring.

Eight gleaming steel knives were left behind.

The clouds grew darker and darker. A middle-aged scholar in a blue shirt and white socks, with a refined and elegant appearance, walked over leisurely. He looked at the marks on the wall and seemed slightly surprised.

The middle-aged scholar, named Gongsun Jing, was the head manager of Fengyun Inn. He was about to make a big deal and sent out thirteen invitations, but only three showed up.

Gongsun Jing frowned, then suddenly raised her hand behind her back, her long sleeves billowing as she lowered the white horse nailed to the wall, letting it go find its master.

The white horse, sensing something, spread its four hooves and galloped away.

Gongsun Jing smiled slightly and was about to put away the gold ring and steel knife when the sound of horses' hooves came from the street.

An ugly horse, yellowish-brown with curly hair and spots all over its body, lazily ran from the intersection.

He was about eighteen or nineteen years old, handsome as Song Yu, dashing and gentle as jade.

The handsome young man held the reins in one hand and a four-foot-long bamboo cane in the other. He had a jade flute at his waist and a banner with a couplet on it hanging behind him.

First line: A smile at worldly affairs;

Second line: None other than myself is a god;

Horizontal inscription: Nine out of ten divinations are inaccurate;

The ugly horse sniffed, raised its front hooves, neighed, and stopped at the entrance of the inn.

"Could you please book me a room?"

"May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

"My name is Li Buyi!"

Li Zhaoting pointed to the coarse linen clothes he was wearing.

"Is Young Master Li a fortune teller?"

"The family fortunes have declined, and we are barely making ends meet."

"If nine out of ten divinations are inaccurate, how can one make a living?"

"Nine out of ten divinations are inaccurate, and one is lost to the world. We are all fellow sufferers, so please do me a favor, shopkeeper."

"That's an interesting point. I'll treat you to the food and drinks, Mr. Li. Now, I'll trouble you to tell my fortune."

"What kind of?"

"Let's calculate my fortune for today."

"I'll do you a favor, boss!"

"can!"

"Sigh~~"

Li Zhaoting looked at Gongsun Jing seriously, gasped, and couldn't help but take two steps back.

How is my fortune?

"Sir, your forehead is dark and your eyes are fierce. You are destined for disasters such as fire and water, and bloodshed. It is not advisable to do anything." "Young Master Li, nine out of ten divinations are inaccurate. The divination results are all the opposite. Since that is the case, everything is auspicious for me tonight. Someone, prepare a superior room."

Before he finished speaking, a waiter came over, deftly took the reins from Li Zhaoting, and was about to lead the horse to the stable when Li Zhaoting grabbed his sleeve.

"Brother Er, my mount is unruly, greedy and lazy. It eats a lot and poops a lot. It drinks twenty catties of strong liquor every day and eats a stone of fine feed."

Li Zhaoting looked at Gongsun Jing with a smirk.

Gongsun Jing waved her hand magnanimously.

Tonight, he's going to do a big deal worth hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. People who do big deals are often generous, so Gongsun Jing decided to be generous this time.

Of course, safety comes first when navigating the world.

When Li Zhaoting examined Gongsun Jing's face, Gongsun Jing was also observing Li Zhaoting. Li Zhaoting showed no trace of true qi and did not seem like a charlatan.

If Li Zhaoting had any schemes, Gongsun Jing was confident she could kill him ten times over in the blink of an eye.

……

night.

The Fengyun Inn was quiet.

The guest who left the mark earlier has arrived.

Miao Shaotian, the leader of the Red Hair Gang, known as the "Flame God".

Taihang Knife Stronghold, Thirty-Three Chieftain Zhao Yidao.

The leader of the White Horse Gang is known as "White Horse Zhang San".

There's also a big, fleshy ball of meat.

Young Master Zhu of Wanjintang in Suzhou.

Gongsun Jing sent out thirteen invitations, but only four people went to do business with him, because the others had all died.

This deal is just too tempting.

Gongsun Jing wants to sell... the blueprints for peacock feathers!
Peacock Feather, the undisputed master of concealed weapons.

As long as the blueprints are obtained, mass production can be achieved. With the divine power of the Peacock Feather, one can become a regional overlord. Even if only one piece can be made, it can still maintain the family's legacy.

What has enabled Peacock Manor to stand tall in the martial arts world for three hundred years? Is it their family's secret swordsmanship?

Of course, it's peacock feathers!
Everyone wanted to buy the blueprints.

However, they couldn't buy it.

Because the goods had already been stolen.

The carefully sealed room contained only a note.

Thank you, you're such a kind person.

Looking at the empty box and the provocative note, Gongsun Jing nearly fainted.

Just then, he thought of Li Zhaoting.

He thought of the divination Li Zhaoting had performed for him.

Disasters of water and fire, bloodshed and calamity; all things are inadvisable.

Could it be that "Li Buyi" stole the blueprints?

Gongsun Jing led her men to the guest room, and seeing the composed Li Zhaoting, she flew into a rage: "Li Buyi, who are you? Who stole the blueprints?"

"What blueprints?"

Li Zhaoting looked completely bewildered.

How do you know the deal will fail?

Gongsun Jing changed the question.

Li Zhaoting shrugged: "Because I saw someone on my way here and did a fortune telling for him. I found that he has great luck recently, with both wealth and romantic opportunities!"

"Who is he?"

"Bai Yujing!"

Li Zhaoting uttered three words calmly.

"Where is he?"

Miao Shaotian glared fiercely at Li Zhaoting.

Miao Shaotian dared not offend Bai Yujing, but since it concerned the peacock feather blueprints, he was determined to fight to the death.

"Drinking at an inn."

"Fortune teller! Are you looking for death?"

"The innkeeper is a one-armed man!"

The most perplexing problem in Gu Long's world is undoubtedly the bizarre and strange "geographical issues".

Fortunately, these strange maps at least have a special name or unique symbols.

The inn where Bai Yujing was staying was just like that.

The innkeeper's name was Fang Longxiang, a man whose right hand had been severed at the wrist and fitted with an iron hook.

Fang Longxiang is a very kind person.

Anyone can stay at his inn.

As long as he doesn't cause trouble or owe money, Fang Longxiang won't ask a single question even if they live together forever.

Curiosity is the biggest taboo when running a guesthouse.

Because of a rumor that has been circulating in the martial arts world for a century.

It's unclear when it started, perhaps five hundred years ago or eight hundred years ago, but a rumor circulated in the martial arts world: the world's strongest intelligence organizations are the inns in various places.

The inn is the strongest intelligence force.

The waiter is the best intelligence agent.

You can get any information from anyone you pay me.

From then on, inns run by martial arts practitioners tended to attract more attention, and travelers would be more cautious when checking into them.

Sensing being watched, immediately take action and strike!

After some time, the martial arts practitioners who ran the inn and the travelers reached a balance again. Some chose to believe the rumors circulating in the martial arts world, while others continued to remain cautious.

There's nothing wrong with that!
The world is a dangerous place; safety comes first.

It is essential to remain cautious.

You must not provoke the elderly or children, monks or nuns, or beautiful women. You must also never get drunk by a woman and lie on the dinner table like a dead pig.

Bai Yujing clearly did not comply with the last rule.

He was plied with alcohol by a woman until he was completely drunk and unconscious.

When Li Zhaoting and the others arrived at the inn, Bai Yujing was fast asleep, slumped over the table. His spotless white robe reeked of alcohol, forming layers of mist.

If it weren't for the fact that the person in front of him was a handsome, dashing swordsman dressed in white, Li Zhaoting might have thought that this guy was Tang Zhuquan in disguise, otherwise how could he be so drunk?
(End of this chapter)