Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 79 Once you enter the gate of freedom, you'll sleep alone for life.
night.

Zhao Zhen was handling state affairs in his study.

There are limitations to the empress dowager's regency. The biggest limitation is the emperor's age. When the emperor is young, the empress dowager holds power, but when he grows up, she has to relinquish it.

Liu E was exceptionally good at this.

He possessed the talent of Lü Wu, but not his wickedness.

The process of handing over power was somewhat complicated, but not as ruthless as Lü Wu's killings. The vast majority of power was transferred smoothly without large-scale bloodshed.

Zhao Zhen was in his early twenties, with a youthful spirit. He felt great when he first gained power, but after working overtime and staying up late repeatedly, he longed for a long vacation.

Just as I finished reviewing the memorials, the Grand Eunuch Yuan Shisanxian delivered information on Li Zhaoting and others.

Yuan Shisanxian is a disciple of the Zizai Sect and Zhuge Zhengwo's junior brother. His real name is Yuan Xian. He is exceptionally talented, has a strong learning ability, and is also very good at creating his own martial arts.

It is said that Yuan Shisanxian was proficient in seventy-two unique martial arts techniques, thirteen of which were extremely powerful. Therefore, he added the number thirteen to his name and changed it to Yuan Shisanxian.

Yuan Shisanxian and Zhuge Zhengwo had a very poor relationship, almost to the point of irreconcilable enmity, but they were both loyal to the emperor, especially Yuan Shisanxian.

Yuan Shisanxian is an extreme person.

If you treat me badly, I will do everything in my power to harm you.

If you treat me well and promote me, whether you are good or bad, kind or evil, I will be loyal to you until death.

When Zhao Zhen first ascended the throne, he only had Grand Tutor Zhuge Zhengwo by his side, and was weak and alone. He quickly promoted Yuan Shisanxian to Grand Eunuch to protect the safety of the imperial city.

The kindness shown to me is something I could never repay, even if I died ten thousand times.

Yuan Shisanxian was utterly loyal to Zhao Zhen.

Anyone who wants to harm Zhao Zhen must first get past Yuan Shisanxian; anyone who wants to deal with Yuan Shisanxian must endure the unparalleled "Heartbreak Arrow".

The techniques of concealed weapons are divided into "mind, skill, and weapon." The Heartbreak Arrow is the pinnacle of "mind," with every arrow wounding the heart. Even someone as strong as Zhuge Zhengye could not avoid being pierced by an arrow.

Zhao Zhen asked Yuan Shisanxian to investigate Li Zhaoting, and Yuan Shisanxian quickly sent over detailed information about Li Zhaoting.

Name: Li Zhaoting;

Father: Li Nanxing;

Madam: Feng Suzhen;

Concubine: Plum and Bamboo;
Lovers: Many, too numerous to count;

Friends: Tang Zhuquan, Lu Xiaofeng;

Jinlan: Xiao Feng and Duan Yu;
Martial Arts: Grandmaster of the Heavenly Gang Ranking;
Hobbies: Food, scenery, and beautiful women;
Special skills: Divination, solving cases, sharp tongue;
Experiences: Luzhou Case, Iron Shoe Thief Case, Beggars' Gang Internal Strife Case, Green Dragon Society Fake Peacock Pattern...

Yuan Shisanxian had many disciples, including a group called "Liuhe Qinglong" who were skilled in poetry, calligraphy, music, and chess. One of the disciples had a particularly fluent writing style, and all of Yuan Shisanxian's memorials to the throne were written by the disciple on his behalf.

Zizaimen is very strict in its education.

The disciples included both good and bad, officials and bandits, ladies and gentlemen, but there were absolutely no illiterate ones.

The case-solving process was described in a convoluted and bizarre way, which Zhao Zhen found fascinating. Suddenly, he discovered a suspicious point.

“Minister Yuan, when Li Nanxing was exiled, he bribed the yamen runners to escape to Dali. It’s obvious that Li Nanxing is not a stubborn and inflexible person. How could he have done that back then…”

"I suspect that this was instigated by Li Zhaoting."

"Minister Yuan, if I were to give Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen an exam paper, how many points would they get?"

"do not know!"

"Just guessing randomly because I have nothing better to do."

"It could be a perfect score, or it could be a zero score."

“That’s too general.”

"Li Zhaoting is unconventional and has a high chance of getting zero points, while Feng Suzhen is talented in poetry and has a high chance of getting full marks. She has the talent of a top scholar."

"Who said this?"

"It is said that a fortune teller named Li Buyi passed by the Feng family and gave divination for the Feng family. Feng Suzhen disguised herself as a man and asked him to read her face. Li Buyi exclaimed that if this young man were a woman, he would surely pass the imperial examination with flying colors."

Who is Li Buyi?

"Li Zhaoting, courtesy name Buyi."

Yuan Shisanxian told lame jokes with a blank expression.

Zhao Zhen's face darkened, but he then burst into laughter.

The story Yuan Shisanxian just told is clearly a reference to Yuan Tiangang. Legend has it that Yuan Tiangang told the fortunes of the Wu family. Wu Zetian disguised herself as a boy and asked Yuan Tiangang to read her face. Yuan Tiangang said that if she was a girl, she would definitely ascend the throne as empress in the future.

This is clearly a fabricated rumor.

Before Wu Zetian ascended the throne, she did many things that involved feigning supernatural powers, such as claiming to be the reincarnation of Maitreya and the miraculous stone tablet in the Luo River, in which Yuan Tiangang was involved in many things.

Just as Wu Zetian was thinking of killing her after she was done with her, Yuan Tiangang said, "I have a plan. I will exchange a secret for ten years of my life. You can kill me after ten years."

Empress Wu Zetian secretly imprisoned Yuan Tiangang.

Yuan Tiangang's student, Xiao Qingfang, inherited his work and carried forward the Snake Spirit School founded by Yuan Tiangang. However, he was eventually defeated by Di Renjie, and his lofty ambitions turned to dust.

When Zhao Zhen was a child, he was extremely bored and read many novels and stories, becoming very familiar with gossip and rumors.

"With the potential to be a top scholar, you absolutely must give it a try!"

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing."

"what's up?"

"Princess Tianxiang has reached marriageable age, and the Eighth Prince has submitted a memorial requesting that she find a worthy scholar..."

"Want to marry the top scholar?"

"I believe that the title of Martial Arts Champion is more suitable."

A look of horror flashed in Yuan Shisanxian's eyes.

As the most feared figure in the capital, Princess Tianxiang was unparalleled in power. Hearing that Yuan Shisanxian was skilled in seventy-two martial arts techniques, she pestered him to become her disciple.

Yuan Shisanxian first stated that the rules of the Zizai Sect are extremely strict. Once a martial art is passed down from master to disciple, the master cannot use it, otherwise he will suffer a backlash.

Tianxiang still insists on learning martial arts.

Yuan Shisanxian helplessly explained that the founding ancestor of the Zizai Sect was cursed with a love curse, and that all disciples of the Zizai Sect were unhappy in their relationships. Once they entered the Zizai Sect, they would sleep alone for life. All three generations of disciples of the Zizai Sect were still single.

Tianxiang still refused to give up.

Yuan Shisanxian taught Tianxiang a few moves.

Then, Tianxiang was unable to get married.

Because of this, the Eighth Prince would glare at Yuan Shisanxian whenever he saw him, and would say every now and then: You should train an excellent disciple and give him to me as my son-in-law.

Yuan Shisanxian: What the hell did I do to deserve this?!
Yuan Shisanxian looked at the memorial and thought the Eighth Prince's suggestion was very good. He could go around and find a handsome candidate with a clean background to marry.

Several candidates this year were exceptionally handsome. The most handsome of them all was Li Xunhuan.

Next is Gongsun Ce.

Then there's Liu Changying.

Liu Changying immediately ruled out the proposal, arguing that it was impossible for the Eighth Prince to marry the Prime Minister, so the suggestion had to be rejected.

Gongsun Ce and Li Xunhuan are both very good.

Young and handsome, learned and talented, with a clean background.

Yuan Shisanxian rubbed his chin.

We must keep a close eye on this imperial examination.

We must find a handsome prince consort for Tianxiang.

Zhao Zhen thought so too.

……

There are many places to visit in Beijing.

The entertainment district was bustling with activity.

In some places, there are even "female sumo wrestlers".

It is said that Emperor Zhao Zhen secretly watched female sumo wrestling, which was discovered by his court officials, who berated him so severely that he almost became depressed.

When sumo wrestling is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the Japanese fat man who is three times rounder than Tang Zhuquan, and the Japanese girls who are passionately chasing after these super fat men.

Why do Japanese girls like obese sumo wrestlers?
Sumo wrestlers are paid well but have short lifespans.

Sumo wrestling in Central China differs from that in Japan.

Especially in the capital city.

Besides the burly sumo wrestlers, there are also agile and versatile sumo wrestlers. In literary works, the most famous sumo wrestler should be "The Prodigal Son" Yan Qing.

Even in the Dharma-ending Age, when martial artists can no longer cultivate internal energy and can only fight with their blood and qi, Yanqing Fist remains a famous martial art renowned throughout the world.

Li Zhaoting and his entourage wandered around the capital.

Enjoy local snacks, watch variety shows, and admire the beautiful scenery.

After playing for seven or eight days, Li Zhaoting went to visit the Daxiangguo Temple. He wanted to see if there were any big willow trees in the temple's vegetable garden. Suddenly, he saw two familiar figures, called out to them, and said hello.

"Masters, it's been so long!"

"Hmm? Greetings, Benefactor Li."

The two senior lamas bowed deeply in respect.

One is Bodhidharma, and the other is Kumārajīva.

The two visited the Daxiangguo Temple together, discussed Buddhist teachings with the eminent monks, and incidentally stole some secret manuals.

Li Zhaoting didn't expect that after parting ways in Dali and wandering around for so long, these two lamas still hadn't made a move.

The two senior lamas never expected that, while trying to take advantage of the imperial examination to steal the Mahavairocana Mantra, they would actually encounter Li Zhaoting at this very moment.

Weren't you exiled to Lingnan?

Wasn't your academic title revoked?

What brings you to the capital?
Are they here to take the imperial examination?
Kumārajīva felt like he had eaten dog shit.

The two most notorious troublemakers in the martial arts world are Chu Liuxiang, the master thief, and Lu Xiaofeng, the four-browed villain. They may not be able to accomplish anything, but they are sure to cause trouble.

Even someone as powerful as Feng Yihan wouldn't dare provoke Lu Xiaofeng.

As Li Zhaoting's reputation soared, he handled several major cases, and his fame rivaled that of Lu Xiaofeng, even surpassing Lu Xiaofeng's in some respects.

Lu Xiaofeng only causes trouble, he doesn't kill people. At most, he eliminates the ringleaders, and he almost never harms the innocent.

Li Zhaoting not only caused trouble but also killed people, leaving a trail of death wherever he went, causing rivers of blood to flow.

In the Luzhou case, the academy's top officials were wiped out, the entire Jilelou were arrested, and the Yunjian Temple's martial monks were all killed.

The Beggars' Gang case has yet to completely clear away the corpses;
The Green Dragon Society Case: A Wuxia Version - No One Survived;

Kumārajīva really didn't want to provoke Li Zhaoting.

He was afraid that Li Zhaoting would bring him bad luck and death.

Kumārajīva had been a vegetarian and chanted Buddhist scriptures since childhood, and originally did not believe in these things, but now he had no choice but to believe.

Bodhidharma was even more terrified than Kumārajīva.

During the fierce battle in Dali, Kumārajīva and Li Zhaoting fought to a standstill, with Kumārajīva being captured alive. Li Zhaoting used a grappling technique to seal his pressure points.

They were manipulated from beginning to end.

How could Bodhidharma not be afraid?
Fortunately, Li Zhaoting did not receive an invitation.

Kumārajīva and Bodhidharma entered through the main gate.

Li Zhaoting entered through the side door.

Kumārajīva and Bodhidharma went to the Mahavira Hall.

Li Zhaoting went to the vegetable garden in the backyard.

What's so interesting about a vegetable garden?

Kumārajīva thought Li Zhaoting was mentally ill.

However, for time travelers, the most famous building in Daxiangguo Temple is the vegetable garden in the backyard.

The vegetable garden is located outside the Suanzao Gate, with neatly arranged squares planted with seasonal fruits and vegetables. A large willow tree stands by the wall, with thousands of willow branches hanging down.

Li Zhaoting touched the big willow tree and thought to himself that it was not difficult to cut down the big willow tree with a sword, nor was it difficult to split it into firewood, but to pull it up with his own strength would require the power of a Vajra.

All martial arts under heaven primarily focus on cultivating internal energy.

There are very few methods for body tempering.

There are very few methods that can refine one's qi and blood.

To reach the level of Lu Zhishen, one needs not only divine skills and secret techniques, but also talent and good fortune. Throughout history, those who have succeeded are extremely rare.

The Daxiangguo Temple didn't have many guards over its vegetable gardens. Often, ruffians who lost money gambling would steal vegetables to sell, and some street beggars would pick vegetables and fruits to fill their stomachs.

Master Jiekong was in charge of managing the vegetable garden.

The monks of the "Jie" generation are the backbone of the group.

The eldest senior brother Jieyi, the second senior brother Jiechen, the third senior brother Jiexian, and the fourth senior brother Jiekong are all masters. The rest are slightly weaker in martial arts. The youngest junior brother of the Jie generation will have the greatest future achievements, the greatest fame, and the most handsome appearance.

My junior disciple's Buddhist name is... Abstinence from Lust!
Junior Brother's secular name is... Zhan Zhao!
(End of this chapter)