Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 88 Let me show you the "Four Great Evil Arts"

Li Zhaoting's influence is very useful.

Lei Sun did not continue to provoke.

Su Mengzhen did not continue to provoke Lei Sun.

The ceremony was successfully completed.

To celebrate the ceremony, Daxiangguo Temple held a five-day trade fair for all people. During these five days, stall fees were waived, and people from the capital were free to set up stalls.

It was mainly for the convenience of scholars and intellectuals.

Impoverished scholars consigned their paintings and calligraphy to sell, earning fame and a living through their excellent skills. For a scholar, this was a considerable income, so of course they would seize the opportunity.

Bao Zheng didn't want to freeload at the Xiangguo Temple for long, fearing he would bring misfortune to all the monks there. He wanted to start a calligraphy and painting business, but unfortunately, he lacked the necessary skills.

With the imperial examinations approaching, scholars gathered in droves.

Even those bastards who are proficient in the three great skills of the Starry Sky Sect and who are extremely obsequious and sycophantic are still academic geniuses who have been corrupted by the system and are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

Bao Zheng was not particularly outstanding in calligraphy and painting.

Of course, if Li Zhaoting had a time-travel system, he could bring the paintings and calligraphy back to the modern world. As long as they had Bao Zheng's seal on them, they would be worth at least a thousand taels of silver.

Unfortunately, Li Zhaoting lacked a system. If he tried to buy the painting with a thousand taels of silver, Bao Zheng would mistakenly believe that Li Zhaoting was giving him charity, and Bao Zheng would certainly refuse him sternly.

Lan Fenghuang asked, "Brother Li, can you draw? Can you draw me a picture?"

"Let's find a scenic spot."

"why?"

"I feel more comfortable when I'm painting."

In terms of painting and calligraphy skills, Li Zhaoting's paintings were slightly better than Zhao Zhen's, and could sell for two taels of silver.

However, if the two set up their stalls at the same time, Li Zhaoting's stall would definitely be packed with customers, with countless young women and wives holding silver coins, asking Li Zhaoting to paint for them.

Li Zhaoting has no skills, only evil magic.

"Evil magic" from the 21st century.

—The power of Photoshop!

When Li Zhaoting paints portraits, especially portraits, he refines them based on external conditions such as light and shadow and body posture.

Everyone has flaws in their appearance.

Handsome as Li Zhaoting, gentle as Hua Manlou, charming as Lan Fenghuang, and stunning as Li Shengnan, all have their flaws; everything in the world has its imperfections.

Li Zhaoting will consciously correct the flaws.

Others paint impressionistically, Li Zhaoting paints realistically.

Others paint realistically, Li Zhaoting edits the photos.

The transformation is completely unmodified; judging from the drawing, it clearly corresponds to the character, making her even more beautiful—several times more beautiful than the most exquisite makeup.

With a camera-like eye, Li Zhaoting captured the most perfect pose and quickly sketched it.

In terms of artistic conception and calligraphy and painting techniques, Li Zhaoting cannot compare with those great talents. Compared with a peerless genius like Tang Bohu, it is no exaggeration to say that they are worlds apart.

However, Li Zhaoting's painting is "more beautiful".

Li Zhaoting's paintings are more suited to "doing business".

On a whim, Li Zhaoting found a beautiful spot with clear waters and lush mountains, had Lan Fenghuang pose, and adjusted her posture little by little until she was in the best condition. Then he quickly painted a portrait, and a portrait was completed in no time.

Blue Phoenix was so shocked that her mouth dropped open.

Is the beauty in the painting me?

How did you draw it so beautifully?

Is it possible that beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

Lan Fenghuang blushed slightly, lowered her head shyly, and the silver ornaments on her head hung down, forming a perfect angle with her forehead. Li Zhaoting captured the moment with his eyes.

"Swipe!"

Fresh works are being produced again.

Lan Fenghuang happily put it away and sang and danced on the mountaintop, fully displaying her girlish charm. Li Zhaoting took photos at every opportunity and quickly drew more than a dozen pictures.

Mei Zhu stared longingly at Li Zhaoting.

Li Zhaoting naturally wouldn't refuse. He picked up his brush and, with a few quick strokes, Teacher Meizhu appeared on the paper.

Feng Suzhen could tell that Li Zhaoting's skills were mediocre and that he had used a trick, but she didn't know how he did it.

What technique is this?
Could it be that you, sir, have pioneered a brand new school of thought?
impossible!
Which of the founders of a school of painting wasn't a master with superb skills? Li Zhaoting's painting skills were only slightly better than those of an ordinary scholar, so how could he have created his own school?
"My lord, paint a few portraits for me as well."

"I've been prepared for this for a long time."

Li Zhaoting recalled Feng Suzhen's posture in his mind, and with a wave of his hand, a masterpiece was revealed before his eyes.

Feng Suzhen, dressed in her wedding gown, awaits her wedding.

Feng Suzhen, who vowed to be forever united in heart and drink the nuptial wine.

Feng Suzhen, dancing with her sword under the moon, is filled with tender feelings for her lover.

Feng Suzhen played the qin and xiao together, her music harmonious and melodious.

Some were charming, some were dashing, some were gentle, some were handsome, some were witty, and some were bright. Feng Suzhen painted a picture of all kinds of postures.

Feng Suzhen watched with great interest.

Lan Fenghuang felt the painting in her hand was no longer appealing, so she shook Li Zhaoting with both hands, trying to make him dizzy.

Li Zhaoting comforted her, saying, "Phoenix, once the ancestral home in Jinling is renovated, I will go to Moon Mountain to propose marriage, marry you at the ancestral home, and paint thirty-six paintings for you."

"That's pretty much it!"

Lan Fenghuang temporarily let Li Zhaoting go.

With five rats around him, staying at an inn was clearly not suitable, so Li Zhaoting rented a mansion.

Mei and Zhu taught the five rats to read and write.

Li Zhaoting taught the Five Rats basic martial arts.

Eight-Section Brocade, Luohan Fist, and Taizu Long Fist.

The biggest taboo in learning martial arts is forcing growth.

The most important thing for children is to build a solid foundation.

Students should be taught according to their individual needs.

Each of the five rats has its own strengths.

Lu Fang, nicknamed "Sky Rat," was agile and skilled at climbing. Li Zhaoting taught him light-footed skills, swimming, and lassoing. Han Zhang, nicknamed "Earth Rat," was strong and had bright eyes. Li Zhaoting taught him boxing, dart throwing, and mechanisms.

Xu Qing, nicknamed "Pangolin," is alert and agile. Li Zhaoting taught him body techniques, claw techniques, and close combat.

"River Rat" Jiang Ping is like the reincarnation of the Dragon King. He can see in water and teaches the Emei Dagger of Water Dividing.

Bai Yutang, nicknamed "White-haired Rat," is exceptionally talented, the most gifted among the Five Rats. He dislikes using swords and prefers using knives, so Li Zhaoting taught him some knife techniques.

In fact, the Five Rats' usual weapon is a knife.

Li Zhaoting went to the Daxiangguo Temple and exchanged several sword manuals with Jieyi, which he then passed on to the Five Rats.

Li Zhaoting exchanged his swordsmanship for Zhan Zhao's teachings. More than ten years later, the apprentices grew up, and a fierce battle ensued between the Five Rats and the Imperial Cat.

That day, Li Zhaoting was instructing his disciples when Meizhu rushed in, panicking: "Master! Master! Something has happened at the Imperial Academy! A candidate has been murdered!"

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce went to investigate the case."

"Then let them investigate!"

"Sir, aren't you going to take a look?"

"None of my business!"

A murder case at the Imperial College is indeed a very serious matter. The emperor personally intervened and set a deadline for solving the case. No matter how serious it is, does it have anything to do with Li Zhaoting?
What's more fun than teaching apprentices?
Let Bao Heitan investigate!
Most likely, they were killed by the black charcoal!

Bao Zheng originally ate at the Xiangguo Temple, but later, not wanting to continue doing so, he went to the Imperial Academy. With his reputation for solving cases, he gained the appreciation of the Eighth Prince.

Tuition fees were reduced or waived, and dormitories were arranged. If Bao Zheng hadn't been so dark-skinned, he might have even taken in a son-in-law.

The Eighth Prince went to great lengths to marry off Princess Tianxiang, sending people to keep an eye on the candidates every day, and having his steward write down the names of those who were handsome.

Bao Zheng is good in every way, except he's too ruthless.

It can become invisible in the dark.

Gongsun Ce is quite good; he has a clean background, is young and handsome, learned and talented, and upright. Unfortunately, Gongsun Ce's father had already arranged a marriage for him.

What could the Eighth Prince do?
Keep looking!

……

"Sir, someone has delivered a letter."

"Who sent it?"

"Waiter at Zuixianlou Restaurant."

"Who gave it to the waiter?"

"The waiter said you'll understand once you've seen it."

"So mysterious, could it be ghosts or monsters?"

Li Zhaoting opened the envelope and found a sincere invitation from Kumārajīva, inviting him to a banquet at Bodhi Zhai the next day at noon.

Bodhi Restaurant is a restaurant run by monks, specializing in various vegetarian dishes. The head chefs come from the canteens of Shaolin Temple and Daxiangguo Temple, and the vegetarian dishes they make are very delicious.

Although he can't compare to culinary masters like Master Bitter Gourd or the Venerable Monk Wuhua, the head of the kitchen at Bodhi Restaurant is definitely qualified to be a top-level chef.

Things are rare.

Vegetarian meals are often more expensive than meat-based banquets.

The most luxurious vegetarian meal at Bodhi Pavilion is even more expensive than the delicacies at Zuixianlou. Some people think it's great value for money, while others think the taste is too bland.

Lan Fenghuang had no interest in vegetarian food.

Mei and Zhu were to teach the Five Rats.

Feng Suzhen accompanied Li Zhaoting to the banquet.

Li Zhaoting already knew everything about Bao Zheng's reasoning at the Xiangguo Temple. He guessed that the man in black next to Kumārajīva was Murong Bo, and that Qiu Batian might be Murong Bo's subordinate. He also knew that the two were probably now in cahoots, and that if he went to the banquet rashly, he would likely be besieged by Kumārajīva and Murong Bo. He needed to make some preparations.

Li Zhaoting instructed, "Meizhu, go to Bodhi Zhai and reserve a table for a meal, and arrange Buddhist music and elegant accompaniment."

Mei Zhu asked, "Under what pretext?"

"Invite Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce to dinner."

Why was the meal for them vegetarian?

“These two evil stars bring death wherever they go. Even Buddha and Confucius couldn’t suppress their evil aura. I invited them to eat vegetarian food in the hope that they would cultivate their character.”

Li Zhaoting casually made a couple of comments.

Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce, one black and one white, perfectly form the Black and White Impermanence duo. However, this is incorrect. In mythology, Bao Zheng is "Yama," the King of Hell.

The King of Hell in the Ten Kings of Hell is Bao Zheng.

Wenquxing (the God of Literature), Wuquxing (the God of War), Yama (the King of Hell)!

What terrifying malevolent energy this is!

Eat some vegetarian food to cultivate your mind and body, and calm your spirit!

This excuse is flawless.

Even though Kumārajīva was as cunning as a demon, he couldn't detect any problem, and he didn't know that the meal was just a pretense. Li Zhaoting's real arrangement was to have Buddhist music and elegant chants during the meal.

Other instruments don't matter.

You must have a guqin.

With just the zither, the two of them could fight their way out.

To be precise, if it were only Kumārajīva and Murong Bo, and if the other side dared to make a move, Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen, husband and wife, could have turned the tables and killed them.

Kumārajīva and Murong Bo's weaknesses are too obvious.

Murong Bo, in particular, suffered from severe internal injuries, which seriously affected his performance. Although his stats seemed high and he was proficient in a bunch of skills, with each skill having its skill points maxed out.

In reality, with a weak foundation and suffering damage from both internal and external sources, the player is constantly losing health while fighting, making it easy to collapse and die.

……

Bodhi Studio, private room.

Kumārajīva waited patiently in the private room for a long time.

Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen entered together. Seeing the two of them entering and leaving together, Kumārajīva smiled slightly, stood up and bowed: "This humble monk greets Young Hero Li."

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Li Zhaoting returned the greeting.

(End of this chapter)