Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 82 The Murder at Daxiangguo Temple

Damo Zhi felt like a mouse entering a cat's den.

Not only was there a cat bed, but the bed was also filled with menacing tabby cats, grinding their teeth and sucking blood, waiting to boil him into a pot of thick soup, with each cat sharing a spoonful.

Bodhidharma secretly resented Kumārajīva.

They agreed to first engage in a war of words to suppress the imposing manner of the Xiangguo Temple, and then to have a martial arts contest to discuss the Dao, using exquisite moves to defeat several monks and become famous in the capital.

What the hell is going on now?

The debate inexplicably turned into a physical fight.

He ran away immediately after losing a fight.

Where is your invincible Flaming Blade? Where are your exquisite Shaolin skills? Are they all useless now?
Kumārajīva also had his own unspeakable suffering.

His ambition was aroused by Murong Bo. He coveted the profound secret manuals of the Central Plains, and was confident that his exceptional intelligence would enable him to master all kinds of divine skills. He wanted all kinds of secret manuals.

Esoteric Buddhist foundations, Taoist mental cultivation methods, and Zen martial arts.

It would be strange if there weren't conflicts.

If Kumārajīva had focused on the esoteric arts of Tantra, even if Śīlabhadra had been able to win, it wouldn't have been so easy, and even if he had ultimately failed, he wouldn't have fled in such a sorry state.

Of course, Murong Bo cannot be entirely blamed.

Kumārajīva's self-cultivation was inadequate; he was greedy for profound teachings and fame. Buddhism has three poisons: greed, anger, and ignorance, which Kumārajīva accepted without question, and they had long since seeped into his very being.

The Sweeping Monk once said that for monks, even if their physical body is poisoned, or even if they suffer from qi deviation and severed meridians, there is still medicine to cure them, and their hearts can achieve transcendence.

Greed, anger, and ignorance are poisons of the mind, and there is no cure for them.

Even in the monster-filled world of "Storm Riders," the strongest sword of the era, the "Peerless Sword," is still tempered with the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance, demonstrating the power of these three poisons.

In some ways, Kumārajīva and Ren Woxing were in similar situations: the more courageous and diligent they were in their practice, and the more advanced their martial arts became, the greater the harm to themselves.

You can teach disciples and compete in martial arts, but you cannot overexert yourself. Once your true energy is depleted or you become too excited, it can easily trigger a backlash.

Kumārajīva's martial arts skills far surpass those of Bodhidharma, but his physical condition is far inferior, making it all the more remarkable that he has managed to hold on until now.

How could Bodhidharma know about these causes and effects?

He chuckled and looked at the monks around him.

Jie Xian returned to his seat.

Avoid idleness, anger, and empty desires.

Li Zhaoting watched the spectacle with great excitement. The two exchanged glances out of the corner of their eyes, and Li Zhaoting encouraged Damozhi.

"Go, Master Bodhidharma!"

"At worst, we'll fight these bald monks to the death!"

Damo Zhi: Is there any possibility that I'm also a bald monk? Can you speak a few human words?

Damo Zhi felt chest tightness and shortness of breath, and the thought of Li Zhaoting's reputation made him break out in a cold sweat.

I hope he won't verbally kill me.

Vairocana Buddha, I want to return to Tantric Buddhism!

The Central Plains are too dangerous, I need to return to the Tantric sect!

The series of unexpected events had left Damo Zhi in a state of extreme shock, trembling like a quail. In this state, let alone fighting Jieyi and Jiechen, even Zhan Zhao could easily defeat him.

At this time, Zhan Zhao was still a child, far from being able to fight against gods and demons with a mortal body. His martial arts skills were slightly better than the Five Rats combined, but his foundation was far inferior to that of Bodhidharma.

Again.

Martial arts competitions require the right timing, location, and people.

Simply comparing numerical values ​​is meaningless.

Which renowned martial arts master hasn't had the experience of turning defeat into victory despite being at a numerical disadvantage?

No matter how high the stats or how ingenious the moves, this state of being paranoid and seeing threats everywhere makes you useless.

It was clear that the duel was no longer going to work.

Bodhidharma trembled and admitted defeat. Master Yan Hui very politely arranged a guest room for him. Bodhidharma meditated in the guest room and did not even show up for meals.

Li Zhaoting and others ate at Xiangji Restaurant.

The fat on my body didn't come for nothing.

The vegetarian cooking skills are truly excellent.

Because of his culinary skills, Jiekong was very popular at Daxiangguo Temple, especially among his younger fellow disciples. The children were quite greedy and loved the dishes Jiekong made.

Master Yanhui is getting old, and the Daxiangguo Temple is about to hold an election for abbot, choosing one from the "Jie" generation to become abbot. Jiekong is a popular candidate.

Bai Yutang was quite unconvinced upon hearing this: "What's so good about that big fat pig? What makes him qualified to be the abbot?"

Lan Fenghuang chimed in, "Jiekong is currently in charge of the kitchen, and cooking is his responsibility. But when Jiekong becomes the abbot, will he still be cooking every day?"

Bai Yutang, being quite perceptive, flattered her profusely: "Master's wife is right. Master's wife is more knowledgeable than the monk."

"Not bad, not bad! I knew you were right. I'll teach you a few tricks in a couple of days so you won't get bullied."

"What martial arts is your master's wife skilled in?"

"Poison."

Green smoke flashed from Blue Phoenix's fingertips.

Bai Yutang was so frightened that his face turned green.

How could someone as beautiful as my master's wife poison someone?

Isn't poisoning a trick that old witch excels at?
The five rats were all orphans who worked as beggars on the streets. They liked to lie outside the teahouse and bask in the sun, partly to save their energy and partly to listen to the storyteller.

In the stories Bai Yutang heard, those who liked to poison were all demonic figures from the Demonic Sect, all old witches.

Could it be that Master's wife is an old witch in disguise?

Bai Yutang looked at Lan Fenghuang cautiously.

Blue Phoenix revealed a sinister smile, stretched out its eerie green claws, and ruffled Bai Yutang's hair.

Bai Yutang: Master, save me! Master, save me!
"Phoenix, stop fooling around."

Li Zhaoting patted Lan Fenghuang on the shoulder.

Lan Fenghuang snorted: "Teasing him, Brother Li's disciple must be an extremely audacious person."

Feng Suzhen gently advised, "Yutang, don't listen to your second master's wife. Boldness doesn't come with being reckless; it comes with being meticulous. Boldness and meticulousness are the right path."

"Master, which mistress is right?"

"I will give you four words of truth."

"What truth?"

"If you can't win, run!"

"So cowardly?"

"This isn't cowardice, this is tactical."

"Does Master like to use this tactic?"

"That's how your great-grandfather taught me."

"Master, how did you become my disciple?"

"Your great-master waved his hand and unleashed a sword aura that leveled the mountaintop by three feet, asking me if I wanted to become his disciple."

"and then?"

"A neck is definitely not as hard as a mountain."

"What are your hobbies, Grand Master?"

"He enjoys forcing others to do things against their will and makes enemies everywhere."

"Master, there's a young monk at Daxiangguo Temple who keeps causing me trouble. How can I defeat him?"

"Read books, learn to read, and practice martial arts."

"how much time is required?"

"It depends on your temperament, opportunities, and fortune."

“What a hassle!”

"Martial arts training is never easy, hurry up and eat!"

Li Zhaoting picked up a piece of grilled tofu.

Lan Fenghuang asked, "Brother Li, I've heard that the best tofu dish in Sichuan is Mapo Tofu. Have you ever tried Mapo Tofu? What does it taste like?"

"I almost ate it."

"Who can stop you from eating?"

"I really wanted to eat Mapo Tofu, but unfortunately, Mapo's husband didn't want to, so he complained to my dad."

Li Zhaoting looked regretful.

There's a fantastic Sichuan restaurant in Nanjing, supposedly a branch of Juxialou, the top restaurant in Sichuan. Li Zhaoting ate there twice as a child, and the taste remains unforgettable. Lan Fenghuang: Σ(⊙▽⊙“a
Feng Suzhen: You bastard! You're corrupting the children!

After dinner, the group did not leave.

The Great Xiangguo Temple is holding a grand assembly to elect a new abbot. Li Zhaoting has been invited to serve as a notary and is temporarily staying at the Great Xiangguo Temple, residing in the east wing.

The residential area of ​​Daxiangguo Temple is divided into three parts.

Part of it resembles a high school dormitory, where thousands of outer disciples live, surrounded by teaching and meditation halls.

The internal residence is divided into east and west wing rooms.

The west wing was inhabited by inner disciples.

The east wing was used to entertain distinguished guests from outside the area.

The east and west wing rooms are separated by a high wall. The key is held by the monk Master Wudao. Wudao and Yanhui are of the same generation, both of whom have the character "Wu" in their names. However, Yanhui made a big mistake when he was young. When he returned to the temple, he took the initiative to admit his mistake to his master and reflected on it in meditation. During this process, he had an epiphany about Buddhism and changed his name to "Yanhui".

Just as I put my luggage in the east wing, I saw a young monk leading a few acquaintances over. There was a piece of charcoal as black as the bottom of a pot and a piece of warm, mellow white jade.

Bao Zheng!

Gongsun Ce!
There was a young girl beside Bao Zheng.

Gongsun Ce had a handsome young man by his side.

The young monk was dashing and showed great promise for martial arts. If Li Zhaoting had met him two years earlier, he would never have missed the opportunity and would have taken him on as a disciple on the spot.

"Old Bao, weren't you preparing for an exam? What are you doing at Daxiangguo Temple? May I ask your Dharma name, young monk?"

Li Zhaoting started with a three-question barrage.

The little monk rubbed his bald head dejectedly.

Bao Zheng gave a brief explanation.

The young monk is none other than the famous Zhan Zhao, the future Southern Hero and Imperial Cat, and Bai Yutang's lifelong enemy.

Three candidates from Tianhong Academy passed the autumn imperial examination: Bao Zheng, Gongsun Ce, and Zhan Jun. Zhan Zhao, Zhan Jun's younger brother, went to Luzhou to visit his brother. On the way, Bao Zheng triggered a passive ability, and the group worked together on several cases. They traveled to the capital, where Zhan Jun rented a house to prepare for the exam, while Bao Zheng, with limited living expenses, stayed at the Daxiangguo Temple.

Gongsun Ce and Bao Zheng were inseparable. Although he had plenty of money, he still came to the Xiangguo Temple to freeload meals and kept a close eye on Bao Zheng day and night to prevent him from standing out.

The girl's name is Ling Chuchu.

When Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce were on their way to the capital for the imperial examination, they passed through a mysterious village called Yinyi Village.

Ling Chuchu is the daughter of the village chief, Ling Laoda.

Bao Zheng first triggered the detective passive skill, and a series of murders occurred in the secluded village. Then, Bao Zheng triggered the young Bao Santian passive skill, and solved the case in three days.

With his extensive knowledge and superb reasoning skills, he won the heart of a young girl, adding another member to his team.

The handsome young man's name is Wang Chao.

Wang Chao had a good brother named Ma Han, who was framed as a womanizer. Wang Chao wanted to break him out of prison, but he happened to meet Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce, who helped Ma Han clear his name.

The two men were completely convinced of Bao Zheng's abilities.

Ma Han had a seriously ill elderly mother at home and had to stay home to take care of her, while Wang Chao followed Bao Zheng to the capital.

Bai Yutang listened with great interest.

He was very interested in crime-solving stories.

Bai Yutang greatly admired Bao Zheng's uprightness, impartiality, and pursuit of the truth.

Bao Zheng was also a "succubus".

Succubi specifically targeting martial arts heroes.

In the original story, countless heroes of the martial arts world were inspired by Lord Bao's personal charm, abandoned evil and turned to good, and fought against evil forces in order to uphold the righteous path.

Why was Bao Zheng not afraid of assassins?
Because upon hearing the name Bao Zheng, an assassin might immediately prostrate himself in worship, exclaiming, "Heavens! How could I, who dared to assassinate Bao Zheng, have the face to live in this world..."

Most chivalrous heroes with kind hearts will be close to Bao Zheng, while those treacherous and vicious ones will either die under the swords of the Three Heroes and Five Gallants or be beheaded.

Zhan Zhao looked at Bai Yutang and wondered how the Five Rats had turned into this state. What happened?

Bai Yutang puffed out his chest smugly: "I have a master now, and I'll defeat you sooner or later."

Zhan Zhao was full of confidence: "Impossible! Even if all five of you come at me together, I'm not afraid of you!"

Bai Yutang angrily said, "Abstain from lust! You wait, I will beat you sooner or later. My master is invincible."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Zhao's momentum vanished completely.

Bao Zheng and the others were taken aback at first, then burst into laughter. No wonder no matter how they asked, Zhan Zhao never mentioned his Buddhist name; it turned out his Buddhist name was Jie Se (戒色).

I'm really sorry about this Buddhist name.

Zhan Zhao argued, "Stop laughing! My concept of 'form' is 'form is emptiness, emptiness is form'..."

"Form is emptiness, so you call yourself Jiekong!"

"Jiekong is the fourth senior brother."

"All phenomena in the world are form, and even the practice of precepts is acceptable!"

“The one who observes the precepts is the ninth senior brother.”

Zhan Zhao vigorously rubbed the little bald head.

I started learning Buddhism too late; my senior brother had already taken my Dharma name.

Li Zhaoting thought of a fantasy world where forming a mercenary team required naming them, and the names could not be the same. Over the years, the difficulty of naming such a team had become as difficult as climbing to the sky.

The main characters wanted to form a mercenary team, but all the names—normal, bizarre, and silly—had already been taken. In a fit of anger, they cursed, "All the good names have been taken by dogs," and luckily, no one had used them yet.

And so, by a twist of fate, the mercenary team "All the good names have been taken by dogs" was officially established.

The team quickly distinguished themselves and received commendations.

This name subsequently became famous throughout the world.

Having high talent is not always an advantage.

Talented youngsters are highly sought after and personally taught by martial arts masters. They are of very high seniority and have many peers and fellow disciples. All the best names are given to them by their senior brothers.

Even Zhan Zhao couldn't do anything about it!
Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao are locked in a standoff.

Several women found a pavilion to drink tea.

Li Zhaoting reminisces with Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce.

Li Zhaoting took out a mirror, looked at himself, then at Bao Zheng, then at Gongsun Ce, and finally at the Buddha in the Great Hall of the Buddha. For the first time in his life, he sincerely offered three sticks of incense to the Buddha, asking the Buddha to show mercy.

Gongsun Ce asked, "Commoner, I've heard that martial arts masters only believe in swords. Why are you burning incense?"

"Daxiangguo Temple is a pure Buddhist sanctuary."

"I know."

“Once someone dies, things will not be peaceful.”

"Who will die?"

"I don't know, but someone must have died!"

"why?"

"Because we live in the Great Xiangguo Temple."

Li Zhaoting looked up at the sky speechlessly.

Bao Zheng awkwardly took two steps back.

Gongsun Ce said, "I have done nothing wrong. The murder is not my fault. I am not a jinx."

It turns out.

Cramming at the last minute is useless.

As the saying goes:
The temple doors are wide open, but no incense is burned.
When the time comes, promise pigs and sheep;
No matter how hard you try, make sure your head breaks.
Since ancient times, people have been busy, but the gods have never been busy.

The next morning, a scream shattered the morning mist.

The young novice monk, responsible for serving tea and water, sat on the ground with a look of terror on his face, the room covered in blood.

Bodhidharma died with his head severed from his body, his eyes wide open in disbelief.

Overwhelmed with surprise and terror, his facial expression was completely distorted, contorting him into a grotesque, demonic shape.

Li Zhaoting sighed, "We're doomed!"

"What's over?"

Gongsun Ce was sharp-witted and exceptionally perceptive.

"My reputation is completely ruined!"

Li Zhaoting clenched his fists, mimicking the Super Saiyan's powerful pose, clearly eager to get into a fight.

Jie Kong came to watch the excitement, but when he thought of his encounter with Li Zhaoting the day before yesterday, his legs went weak and he fell on his butt!

　Thank you to readers Arrietty, Water Emperor Tianhe, I Love Pancakes, Ulawala, Shao Banxian, and reader 20210707002910801 for their generous donations.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)