Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 29: Affirmation from the Five Luo Green Smoke Ancestor...

"Brother Li, are you here in Dali for sightseeing?"

"After traveling for several months, I returned home to visit my family."

"Is Brother Li from Dali?"

"I'm from Nanjing, but I moved to Dali five years ago."

How did you block me just now?

"Your footsteps land in accordance with the Bagua directions. As long as you calculate according to the directions, you can determine the landing point."

The two chatted idly for a while.

Zhu Danchen and the others did not stop him; they understood Duan Yu's character well, in short, one word:

—Foolish!

Once someone becomes obsessed with something, they will study it day and night. After a while, this obsession will gradually fade, and they will become obsessed with other things.

In the past two years, Duan Yu has become obsessed with planting flowers, the I Ching, playing chess, and Buddhist scriptures, but he has shown no interest in martial arts whatsoever, which has given Duan Zhengchun a great headache.

Mu Wanqing glared at Li Zhaoting.

Mu Wanqing grew up in the valley and knew nothing about human relationships. When Li Zhaoting caught her arrow, she felt embarrassed and wanted to find an opportunity to shoot another arrow.

We can't let Li Zhaoting take "Duan Lang" away.

Anyone who dares to take "Duan Lang" away will be killed!

Li Zhaoting exchanged pleasantries with everyone familiarly.

"Let me introduce you. This is my wife, the beloved daughter of the Prefect of Hangzhou. My wife, this is Duan Yu, the heir of the Prince of Zhennan of Dali. They are the Four Guards of Dali."

"I've met all the seniors."

Feng Suzhen bowed and gave a salute.

Zhu Danchen and the others immediately returned the greeting.

On the one hand, the father-in-law's official position is impressive enough.

On one hand, they saw the small wooden plaque and learned that Li Zhaoting had killed Ye Erniang, Yue Laosan, and Yun Zhonghe.

Ye Erniang was extremely wicked and stole children in many places in Dali. When the fishermen, woodcutters, farmers, and scholars were searching for Duan Yu, they heard about Ye Erniang's evil deeds and repeatedly surrounded and killed her.

The two sides have clashed several times.

Even if the fishermen, woodcutters, farmers, and scholars all fought together, they could at most fight Ye Erniang and Yue Laosan to a draw. In a one-on-one fight, they would undoubtedly lose. Yun Zhonghe's ghostly lightness skill nearly killed them.

Each time, they had to have the yamen runners surround them, or even mobilize the surrounding garrison troops, using a human wave tactic, to force the three back. But they could only force them back; they couldn't harm them in the slightest.

How did Li Zhaoting kill the three villains?
Zhu Danchen couldn't imagine the process, but he could smell the blood and knew it wasn't nonsense.

Such experts are not to be offended.

The woods were not a place for idle chatter, so the group headed to the nearest town and found an inn to rest.

The old wine snorted.

Li Zhaoting loudly ordered, "Waiter, prepare a stone of fine feed and twenty catties of strong liquor for my precious horse. Make sure it's strong liquor; this is your reward."

The waiter had never seen a horse that drank alcohol, let alone a horse uglier than Lao Jiu. Looking back, he saw Feng Suzhen's crescent moon and thought to himself, "This is a fine steed!"
Feng Suzhen said, "Waiter, my precious horse also needs a stone of fine ingredients, so there's no need to prepare strong liquor."

"Young master, madam, just you wait and see! I'll prepare the best fodder and even brush the fur..."

"No need! My horse is quite spirited. It won't let anyone brush its mane except my wife and me. Just prepare some clean water, and you'll be well rewarded."

"Okay~ Okay~"

The waiter led the horse to the stable.

Another waiter quickly came out to greet them.

Duan Yu asked in a low voice, "Brother Li, why is your mount so strange? Its appearance is really..."

Zhu Danchen explained, "Your Highness, this fine steed does not have mange, but rather curly hair, a characteristic of the Qilin breed, making it one of the finest steeds in the world."

"Is your mount Red Hare?"

"These two horses are purebred Red Hare, priceless steeds. If they were sent to a large horse farm, they could fetch at least 20,000 taels of gold."

"So valuable?"

Mu Wanqing also owned a fine horse. When she heard Zhu Danchen and Duan Yu discussing horses, she was initially somewhat unconvinced, but when she heard the price of 20,000 taels of gold, she was immediately stunned.

Li Zhaoting explained: "Old wine is like a foal, which can be used for breeding. Under the training of horse trainers, more than a dozen fine horses can be born, and they can be passed down from generation to generation."

Duan Yu had no interest in taming or judging horses, but the unique beauty of Lao Jiu Chou and the striking contrast between Yue Ya'er, who was as handsome as a celestial horse, piqued his interest.

"Brother Li, are you brushing the horse's mane yourself?"

"A good horse has a spirit, which helps to cultivate a tacit understanding. Even if someone wants to steal the horse, they can't."

"Wow, you can really drink that much liquor!"

"Han Yu once said, 'A horse that can travel a thousand miles a day may consume a bushel of millet in one meal. Only by feeding and watering a horse can it travel a thousand miles a day; otherwise, it is no better than a donkey!'"

"Not as good as a donkey?"

"When you score livestock based on various criteria, horses score very low. They eat well and live well, but they lose weight easily if things don't go their way. They are far inferior to donkeys."

What has the highest rating?

"Old ox! It eats grass, produces milk, and diligently pulls carts and plows fields. If it accidentally slips and breaks its leg, you can sell its beef and hide..."

Li Zhaoting's flowery and deceptive claims were full of lies.

"Why did you trip and break your leg?"

"Because cattle are very precious assets and cannot be slaughtered at will, otherwise they will be punished. But some people want to eat beef and are willing to pay a high price for it!"

So the ox slipped and broke its leg, unable to work anymore, and had to be slaughtered for meat; every part, from top to bottom and inside out, could be cooked.

"Brother Li, do you like to eat beef?"

"eat!"

"A cow with a broken leg?"

"That's what the shop owner said."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Fu Sigui tugged at Zhu Danchen's sleeve, indicating that Li Zhaoting's nonsense might corrupt the Crown Prince.
Zhu Danchen gave him a reassuring look.

Li Zhaoting's words may seem absurd, but every sentence is actually quite meaningful and requires careful reading. When Duan Yu ascends the throne as emperor, he will understand the broken-legged ox even better.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. Duan Yu tried to escape in the middle of the night but was caught by Zhu Danchen.

Duan Yu chuckled twice, completely resigning himself to his fate.

Because Mu Wanqing disagreed with running away with him.

If it weren't for Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen, Mu Wanqing would obviously be willing. However, Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen had an arranged marriage and a proper wedding ceremony. How could Mu Wanqing fall behind?

Don't try to guess what a woman is thinking!

Mu Wanqing, who dreamed of eloping yesterday, became even more determined than Zhu Danchen after just one night.

You absolutely must visit Dali Royal City.

We must meet "Duan Lang's" parents.

Fearing further complications, Zhu Danchen hired a carriage as quickly as possible and returned to the capital of Dali.

Fu Sigui hurried back to deliver the message.

First, instruct Duan Zhengchun to make preparations for receiving the guest.

Second, investigate Li Zhaoting's background.

Li Zhaoting's background is... spotless!
Everything was laid out clearly in front of everyone.

Li Nanxing is a jade merchant.

The main source of revenue is selling jade items to tourists.

He was skilled at selling a five-cash ornament for fifteen taels of silver.

This is considered a conscientious jade merchant in Dali.

Most jade merchants would price it at fifty taels.

……

Dali Imperial City.

Twenty or thirty li away from Dali City, Prince Duan Zhengchun of Zhennan had already come out to greet them with his guards.

Duan Zhengchun was in his forties, with a square face and a dignified air about him, befitting a future emperor. However, he was very different from the frivolous young man one might imagine.

Duan Zhengchun, as one of the most famous romantic princes in the myriad realms, is known for his womanizing ways. Even if he produces genetic test results, no one in the martial arts world would believe him if he said, "I am your father."

This is a golden brand that transcends science.

In the world of martial arts, there are very few romantic figures with a stronger reputation than Duan Zhengchun. Logically speaking, he should be a handsome young man, similar to Li Zhaoting or Dongfang Sheng.

In fact, he doesn't have a gigolo!
Seeing the Five Luo Ancestor riding over on horseback, Li Zhaoting felt a little embarrassed. Back then, in order to learn the Five Luo Light Smoke Palm, the "Number One Divine Skill in Jin Yong's Novels," he had been jumping up and down begging his master for help. His master went to the capital and taught him the palm technique after returning. Li Zhaoting had no idea what happened in between, but it shouldn't have been a case of him spying on him in the middle of the night!
Firstly, Duan Zhengchun and Princess Dao Baifeng had a falling out and had been separated for a long time, so they couldn't see anything by spying on each other in the middle of the night.

Secondly, when his master was of sound mind, he acted quite uprightly and was not a scoundrel. He would often secretly test Duan Zhengchun's martial arts skills.

I'll repay the favor later!
Other favors don't need to be repaid!

The favor owed by the Five Luo Ancestor must be repaid!
Seeing Li Zhaoting's face turn from pale to red, his expression shifting between embarrassment and determination, Feng Suzhen asked, "What are you thinking about, my lord? Do you know the Prince of Zhennan?"

Li Zhaoting transmitted his voice secretly: "My wife, what I'm about to say might be a bit shocking to you."

Feng Suzhen's eyes widened, and her pupils contracted.

Don't you have the surname Li, but Duan?
Are you perhaps a prince of Dali?

"He created the Five Luo Light Smoke Palm."

"Ah? What did you say?"

"The Five Luo Light Smoke Palm is..."

"I am going to kill you!"

Feng Suzhen's face turned pale, and she gritted her teeth, but she dared not be impolite. She could only suppress her shame and anger, and stretched out her index and middle fingers to pinch Li Zhaoting's lower back hard.

The two used a secret method of transmitting sound, so Duan Yu and the others had no sense of it. Duan Zhengchun, being a womanizer, saw at a glance that Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen were flirting.

She blinked and gave Li Zhaoting a look.

What's the big deal about pinching soft flesh a couple of times?
Back when Duan Zhengchun was flirting with girls, he said with deep affection: "To die under the Asura's blade is to die a romantic death!"

Qin Hongmian, wielding the "Shura Blade," was caught off guard and could not withstand Duan Zhengchun's Five Luo Light Smoke Palm. Ten months later, when Mu Wanqing was born, Duan Zhengchun was flirting with someone else.

He's flirting with Gan Baobao, Qin Hongmian's junior sister!

Qin Hongmian: (「▼皿▼)
How can I repay this debt of love?

It’s really hard to guess!
After a few brief pleasantries, Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen went into the city to find their father. Duan Zhengchun chuckled and sighed, "It's so good to be young. I was just like that when I was young."

Dao Baifeng glared fiercely at Duan Zhengchun.

In a tea stall in the distance, a cripple with an ugly face stared fiercely at Duan Zhengchun, clenching his fists as if he wanted to devour Duan Zhengchun alive.

……

"Sir, please take a look. This is a jade product of Dali. People nurture jade, and jade nurtures people. Wearing this peace buckle will protect you for a lifetime!"

"Take a look at this one, a gold-painted Pixiu. Pixiu only takes in and never gives out, so it's the best at attracting wealth. This Pixiu, carved from pure natural yellow jade, is even more effective than the God of Wealth!"

"I also have tree leaves here, symbolizing branching out and numerous offspring! This is a bamboo joint, representing continuous advancement and soaring to great heights. There are also lotus root joints, beans, and a ruyi (a symbol of good fortune)."

You don't like any of them?

You're an expert, please take a look at this.

Imperial Concubine Bracelet.

This is the style that Yang Guifei wore…

Li Nanxing promoted jade with a cheerful and joking manner.

I sold two peace buckles and three Pixiu.

Influenced by Madam Tang, Li Zhaoting believed that his father was a mysterious big boss who had gone into seclusion in Dali in order to make a comeback one day. He appeared to be a businessman, but in reality, he was a ruthless and cunning demon with superb martial arts skills who would start a massacre as soon as he got the chance.

Looking back now, I was overthinking it!

Li Nanxing is Li Nanxing.

He used to be an upright and honest scholar.

Now he's a cunning businessman spouting complete nonsense.

I know absolutely no martial arts!
He is even more obviously not skilled in martial arts than Dog Brother.

Why suspect that your father is the boss?
He must have lost his mind!

(End of this chapter)