Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 104: An All-Around Crushing Strike from the Top Scholar

A five-on-one match is incredibly stupid.

Especially for the Imperial College, winning was not glorious, but losing would ruin an entire generation.

If the opponent in a five-on-one match were a renowned scholar with countless disciples, it would be barely acceptable. But was Yelü Yan a renowned scholar? He was a Khitan barbarian!

This kind of game format is absolutely unacceptable.

Agreeing to such an extremely unfair match indicates cowardice on one's part, meaning one has already lost three points before the game even begins.

With each loss, the pressure increases by five points.

If Yelü Yancai wins the first two games, he will be in high spirits and, with his winning streak, defeat all his opponents and easily take a 5-0 lead.

Of course, the order of the matches is problematic.

If Li Zhaoting were to arrange the games, he would definitely put the music, Go, painting, and other activities that require a high level of mental focus last, and start with a contest of pure mental ability.

Thinking too much indicates a lack of confidence.

Mental activities require a very high level of mental focus.

An unstable mindset can easily lead to a complete collapse.

It's not that tactics can't be used, but rather that shameless methods can't be used, as they damage our own morale.

If we're going to compare, we should compare one-on-one.

You pose the question, and I'll respond accordingly.

This is the real way to fight.

This is the youthful vigor that students of the Imperial Academy should possess.

Feng Suzhen stepped forward, holding a folding fan, and looked at Yelü Yancai with an elegant demeanor: "You have already fought three rounds today, and your energy and spirit are severely depleted. I will give you two days to recover your strength and prepare for the exam. As guests from afar, the Imperial Academy, as the host, has no reason to make things difficult for its guests!"

"You think you can make me leave with just a few words?"

"How about you give me a small problem as a prize for today's competition? If I can't solve your problem within seven steps, I'll consider myself to have lost a round in advance."

"Feng Shaomin, you have a lot of nerve!"

"It's not courage, it's confidence!"

"Rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics are the six arts of a gentleman. I have done well in the other aspects, but I really have no talent in numerology and have encountered many difficulties."

"Please, Mr. Yelü, give us the question."

"May I ask, Young Master Feng, how should we arrange the numbers one through nine into three columns, so that the sum of every three numbers, regardless of whether they are in the vertical, horizontal, or diagonal directions, is fifteen?"

"It's just a simple Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams!"

The meaning of the Nine Palaces is based on the divine tortoise.

Two and four form the shoulders, and six and eight form the feet.

Three on the left, seven on the right, nine on the head, one on the feet.

The answer can be found by placing five in the center!

Feng Suzhen recited the verses off the top of her head.

When Li Zhaoting had nothing to do, he made a garment that could be used to draw a Cartesian coordinate system and record acupoints using grid coordinates, which he used to amuse himself with his wife.

During this time, we talked about many interesting mathematical anecdotes.

This technique of arranging numbers is a variation of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams formation. As long as one is proficient in the nine palaces, it is easy to deduce, and there are already verses and formulas passed down through generations.

This is considered basic knowledge in many major schools of thought.

For example: Zizai Gate, Peach Blossom Island.

Tianyi Jushi Xu Xiaoyi and Dongxie Huang Yaoshi are both experts in this field. Those who listen attentively to the lectures can learn this knowledge, while those who are addicted to early romance become illiterate.

"I have another math problem here, which cannot be solved within seven steps. I will give you an abacus and counting rods, and you can find the answer within three hours."

Yelü Yan then posed another question.

This question is very difficult.

Find the cube root of 34012224.

This number is so large that if it were written in the standard way, it would be considered a padding number.

Finding the cube root of such a large number would indeed take a very long time without a simple algorithm. Feng Suzhen picked up the counting rods and began to calculate the answer.

The students craned their necks to watch.

Li Zhaoting calmly admired the beautiful scene of Feng Suzhen completely absorbed in doing her homework. To be honest, Feng Suzhen in this state was even more charming than when she was wearing a red wedding dress. Her appearance and figure were not the best in the world, but her unparalleled temperament was something that even if Shi Feixuan were reincarnated or Shi Qingxuan were reborn, they would not have such a unique temperament.

Throughout history, fairies have come in all shapes and sizes: some are aloof and elegant, untouched by the mortal world; some are high above, cold as ice; some are passionate and fiery, daring to love and hate; some are heroic and chivalrous; some are deeply sentimental; some are skilled in playing musical instruments; and some have unparalleled culinary skills. However, none have ever been as exceptional as Feng Suzhen, a super-achiever who excels in both academics and martial arts.

In the original story, Feng Suzhen was a woman of exceptional talent, capable of achieving the highest rank in the imperial examinations. She was also unmatched in martial arts, possessing the legendary demon-slaying zither. She could bring peace to the world with her pen and conquer the world on horseback.

It's perfectly normal for Princess Tianxiang to fall in love with Feng Suzhen, because she is truly exceptional.

She is so outstanding that those around her feel inferior.

Li Zhaoting was an exception, because Li Zhaoting was a womanizer.

Mei Zhu was an exception, because Mei Zhu was a maid.

Lan Fenghuang was an exception, because she was a poor student.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Yelü Yancai was secretly anxious.

Feng Suzhen calculated too quickly.

Before long, Feng Suzhen calculated the answer.

Three hundred and twenty-four!
Yelü Yancai said, "Excellent skill! This is the kind of opponent I've been waiting for. To show my respect, I will go into seclusion for two days to allow my body to recover to its best condition."

"I will respectfully bid farewell to you, sir, with a piece of music."

Feng Suzhen lit sandalwood incense and lightly flicked it with her delicate hand.

Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank

The autumn sky is clear and the air is crisp; the wind is still and the sand is flat.

The journey stretches for thousands of miles, soaring and singing across the sky.

The feeling of looking back and forth, the state of being in opposition to each other.

It symbolizes soaring and then gathering, and the spirit that rises again in surprise.

Borrowing the lofty aspirations of the swan, we express the heart and mind of the recluse.

It is said that the author is Chen Zi'ang, a poet from the Tang Dynasty, who wrote "I see no ancients before me, nor any successors after me; I contemplate the vastness of heaven and earth, and weep alone in sorrow." His poems are very famous and are perfect for reciting to show off.

The first note reads: Wild geese arrive as guests, soaring high into the clouds. They fly in formation, their calls echoing, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden, sometimes appearing, sometimes going, sometimes coming. They fly silently, circling the island three times before finally landing.

Firstly, it expresses the crisp autumn air; secondly, it congratulates the envoys from the Three Kingdoms; and thirdly, it wishes the examinees success in their exams. If we consider the harmony of the music, "Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank" should be the best.

Yelü Yancai's face was ashen.

Feng Suzhen did not display much talent, but in mathematics and music, Yelü Yancai was no match for her.

Playing the tune "Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank" may seem polite, but it's actually a homophone of the name; if it can bring down wild geese, it can also bring down swallows. Name clashes are a kind of mystical art.

Many people like to seek good fortune in this regard.

The Purple-Robed Dragon King challenged the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun to a duel. Xie Xun declared that his treasured sword was the Dragon-Slaying Saber, to which the Purple-Robed Dragon King retorted that his walking stick was called the Lion-Slaying Staff.

There are also stories like Phoenix Chick dying at Falling Phoenix Slope, the Yang family generals dying at Two Wolves Mountain, and Wen Zhong dying at Dragon-Slaying Ridge.

This kind of thing works if you believe in it, and the more you believe in it, the more effective it becomes.

It is impolite to receive without giving back.

Yelü Yancai set a test for Feng Suzhen, and Feng Suzhen also set a test for him, testing whether he could adjust his emotions within two days and whether he would avoid music when setting the question. This was a psychological tactic.

The fact that Yelü Yancai did not compare himself to a musician shows that he was timid.

In a contest of musical skill, Yelü Yancai would undoubtedly lose.

The more you weigh the pros and cons, the easier it is to get stuck on a single point.

This matter has caused a huge uproar.

Even Emperor Zhao Zhen knew about it.

Zhao Zhen ordered Yuan Shisan to investigate and learned that the scholar "Feng Shaomin" who was going to fight had come with Li Zhaoting. He had Zhao Zhen's painting and persuaded Grand Tutor Pang to stay.

"Minister Yuan, according to your deduction, Feng Shaomin is Feng Suzhen. Is she capable of winning?"

"Your Majesty, I do not know!"

"Does Minister Yuan also have something difficult to do?"

“If it were a contest of martial arts, Li Zhaoting could easily defeat the Liao delegation. But when it comes to literary talent, I am not very good at it. Your Majesty may consult the Grand Tutor.”

"Have the delegation members investigated thoroughly?"

The envoys from the three countries were received by different people.

The Izumo Kingdom delegation is managed by the Dragon Guardian Manor. The Dragon Guardian Clan will investigate the situation in Izumo Kingdom. Rishu is known as the most beautiful woman in Izumo, so she must be a woman of unparalleled beauty.

The Goguryeo delegation was led by the Eighth King, and it was said that the accompanying guards were disciples of the Yijian Sect, a sect with a history spanning hundreds of years. However, the Goguryeo Yijian Sect had long since lost its glory.

The Liao delegation was headed by Grand Tutor Pang, whose son, General Pang Tong, had frequent contact with the Liao Kingdom and maintained a balance of power for more than ten years, making him the most knowledgeable about the Liao Kingdom.

Your Majesty, I feel that, apart from the Liao delegation, the Izumo and Goguryeo delegations have all acted suspiciously. They've been in the capital for a whole day and haven't even bothered to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

Yuan Shisanxian's words were not meant to sow discord, but rather to follow normal etiquette. Both Izumo and Goguryeo were there for marriage alliances, and the princesses and noblewomen sent for these alliances had to visit the Empress Dowager in the inner palace, where they would receive certain rewards.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites must have told them.

There's something fishy going on if they don't go!

Of course they wouldn't dare go.

Both delegations were more suspicious than the other.

How dare you face the top of the Heavenly Spirits Ranking?

Most importantly, this leader of the Heavenly Gang is a disciple of the Yin Gui Sect. Princess Li Xiu's secret and the secret of the Goguryeo princess will be seen through by Liu E at a glance. At that time, all that awaits them is utter annihilation.

Emperor Zhao Zhen was kind and benevolent, and would not kill people indiscriminately.

Going back will surely mean certain death.

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "The literary contest will be held in two days. I will personally observe the competition. Do you have any suggestions, my dear minister?"

"Your Majesty, please allow me to accompany you and protect you."

"Is someone planning to assassinate the emperor?"

"I do not trust the Khitan, Izumo, or Goguryeo, especially Izumo, which always acts suspiciously."

"Is there a problem with the Khitan?"

"A month ago, an internal strife broke out in the Beggars' Sect. It was discovered that the sect leader, Qiao Feng, was a Khitan, and his father was Xiao Yuanshan, who was ambushed and killed thirty years ago!"

Who did this?

"A bunch of martial arts practitioners with screws in their heads!"

"Sigh~ What's so good about all this fighting and killing!"

"Your Majesty, please allow me to accompany you and protect you."

Yuan Shisanxian once again requested personal protection.

Zhao Zhen agreed to his request.

Zhao Zhen originally wanted to give Yuan Shisanxian a few days off, but unexpectedly, Yuan Shisanxian's loyalty was at its peak, and he had no interest in taking a vacation or anything like that. He insisted on accompanying the emperor.

Having the protection of the Thirteen Emperors of the Yuan Dynasty makes one feel very secure.

A heartbreaking arrow, piercing the heart.

This is the nightmare of all killers and assassins.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

This competition became the biggest hot topic in the capital.

All casinos have offered odds.

Yelü Yancai has relatively high odds.

Feng Shaomin is unknown and has no official name; his odds are relatively low.

The Imperial College was packed with people.

The current emperor, Zhao Zhen, personally attended the ceremony.

With Zhuge Zhengwo, Grand Tutor Hua, Grand Tutor Pang, and the other envoys from the three kingdoms serving as witnesses, the competition will be completely impartial; a win is a win, and a loss is a loss.

Yelü Yan had just recovered to her strongest state.

Feng Suzhen remained calm and composed, showing no signs of distress.

"Mr. Yelü, how are you feeling?"

"This is the happiest day of my life."

"I will not let Mr. Yelü down."

"Let's compete in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. I'll concede defeat in the musical instrument round. Young Master Feng's skills are superb, and his musical skills are unparalleled. I am no match for him."

"Mr. Yelü is too modest."

"Among poetry, books, rites, and the Book of Changes, poetry should be compared first."

"Please, Mr. Yelü, give us the question."

"I've heard that when scholars gather, they like to compose and recite poems in the form of a 'flying flower order' game. Let's compose poems in the same way, and whoever can't keep up loses."

"Okay, please give me a question!"

"Use 'Autumn' as the title, but the rhyme must end with the character 'Summer.' When composing the poem, you need to use allusions from the Later Han and Three Kingdoms periods, with the time frame limited to the period from Dong Zhuo's tyranny to the unification of the three kingdoms under the Jin Dynasty. Otherwise, you'll lose!"

(End of this chapter)