Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 208 Gongsun Ce: Quickly go and invite Li Zhaoting...

Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday banquet had a profound impact.

On the one hand, it directly affected the martial arts world's structure. Several of the most powerful figures in the martial arts world, including the saints, Buddhas, and demons, were eliminated in this battle, and no one has been able to fill in their names to this day.

On the other hand, there is the issue of undercover agents. The alien race has countless undercover agents in the Central Plains, and this battle exposed some of them. When tracing the origins of the assassins, most of them can be found out.

Only a small portion is rather mysterious.

The assassins attacked the martial arts sects by waterway, and were connected to several secret water fortresses located in the dangerous shoals of Jiangling, which were disguised as the Lianghu Longsha Gang.

When the Liancheng Treasure incident occurred, martial arts practitioners were focused on the treasure itself, and Li Zhaoting was concerned about the Lianghu Longsha Gang. They really didn't have time to investigate other water strongholds.

Jingxiang is a precious land that connects nine provinces.

Water and land transportation are exceptionally convenient.

Everywhere there are rapids and dangerous shoals. If you find a dangerous shoal with lush reeds and reefs, you can build a water fortress there and it will be almost impossible for anyone to notice.

As the saying goes, live by the mountain, eat by the mountain; live by the water, eat by the water.

Most of the water-based forces in the martial arts world are related to rivers, lakes, and seas. The most powerful is the Canal Gang, the strongest is the Angry Dragon Gang, and the most mysterious is the Twelve Linked Docks Waterway of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, also known as the "Black Waterway".

The master of the Blackwater Road is surnamed Zhu, named Zhu Shunshui, and is known as the Great Heavenly King Zhu. He has many talented people under his command, including two gods, three evils, four sticks, five swords, six palms, and seven elders. Some of them are just there to make up the numbers, while others are top-notch masters.

Zhu Datianwang rarely takes action personally. The last time he did was when he besieged Yan Kuangtu in Wuyi Mountain. That battle was bloody, and most of the seven elders perished.

What martial arts Zhu Datianwang was good at, what level his martial arts reached, and what his physical characteristics were, no one knows to this day. There are very few records about Zhu Datianwang in the martial arts world, only that he disliked weapons.

Other than that, no more!
There is no record of his origins or background.

Upon hearing the phrase "hidden water fortress," Li Zhaoting instinctively suspected Zhu Shunshui, even though the Blackwater Road headquarters was located in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and consisted of twelve interconnected fortresses.

So what?
Haven't you studied Li Bai's poems?

In the courtesy of Baidi Caiyun, Qianling Jiangling returned one day.

The apes on both sides of the strait couldn't help, and Qingzhou had passed the Ten Thousand Mountains.

The Three Gorges stretch from Baidi City in the west to Nanjin Pass in the east, consisting of the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge from west to east.

Traveling downstream from Baidi City along the Yangtze River, the journey is smooth and easy, leading to Jiangling. If Li Zhaoting were Zhu Shunshui, he would definitely have built several hidden water fortresses in Jiangling as transit points for shipping.

Since it is a hidden water stronghold, and it is tucked behind the Lianghu Longsha Gang, using the Lianghu Longsha Gang as a cover, this style of doing things is very much in line with Zhu Shunshui's behavior. The Black Waterway's style of doing things is like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, stabbing someone in the back.

Blackwater rarely takes action himself; he usually instigates others to do so. Once the others have fought off most of the enemies, Blackwater launches a surprise attack and wipes them all out.

As a time traveler, Li Zhaoting understood that even Zhu Shunshui was a fake. The real leader of the Blackwater Gang was indeed Zhu Datianwang, but this Zhu Datianwang was actually Zhu Xiawu, the Divine Constable of the Six Doors.

Zhu Xiawu was ambitious. He used the pretext of arresting thieves by constables to arrest outcasts and traitors from various sects, interrogating them of martial arts secrets, while secretly practicing martial arts diligently.

When Zhu Xiawu besieged Yan Kuangtu, he obtained Yan Kuangtu's training notes and found the idea of ​​combining Shaolin and Wudang mental techniques. Based on the martial arts secrets he obtained through interrogation, he created the "Shaolin Martial Arts Manual".

Shaolin is the "lesser" school, Wudang is the "more" school.

The Shaolin martial arts technique has been simplified into a single punch.

The Wudang martial arts technique has been simplified into a single palm strike.

One punch, one palm strike, one move to kill the enemy.

In terms of actual combat record, Zhu Xiawu's record can be described as the best in the Wen faction. He made three moves: once he killed Yan Kuangtu, once he killed Li Chenzhou, and once he severely injured Xiao Qiushui, leaving Xiao Qiushui with no will to fight back.

It wasn't until the final episodes of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" that Xiao Qiushui, after a series of incredible feats, regained his fighting spirit and swung his sword to kill Zhu Xiawu.

The ancient sword "Changge," which had accompanied Xiao Qiushui in battles for many years and fought against countless masters, could not withstand the terrifying pressure of this battle and finally broke into two pieces.

Zhu Xiawu's strength is self-evident.

If we were to name the number one assassin in the martial arts world, most people would vote for the Red Sun Dharma King of the Tantric sect.

As a time traveler, Li Zhaoting would not hesitate to vote for Zhu Xiawu. In terms of sneak attacks, people like Hongri Fawang and Shi Zhixuan were easily crushed by Zhu Xiawu, and people like Zhongyuan Yidianhong, Pinggu Yidianhong, and Yijian Piaohong were no match for him.

Dealing with people like that is exhilarating.

The Blackwater Passage is very well hidden.

Unfortunately, their opponent was Gongsun Ce.

Gongsun Ce used the pretext of dredging the silted river channels and issuing protection wages to the boatmen to conduct a covert investigation, secretly marking the locations of the water fortresses and finding three hidden water fortresses.

These water fortresses had many martial arts masters, far surpassing the county constables. Gongsun Ce acted decisively, sending a message to Li Zhaoting, asking him to lend a hand. After receiving the message, Li Zhaoting handed it over to Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang agreed to help without hesitation.

One reason is for moral reasons, and the other is for the thrill.

Chu Liuxiang enjoys excitement.

Speed ​​is a thrill.

Investigating cases can be exciting too.

The two often overlap.

The conspiracy, meticulously planned for ten years, was ruined by Chu Liuxiang, this troublemaker. The other party will definitely do everything in their power to hunt him down. In this way, Chu Liuxiang can enjoy the thrill of life and death in the process of investigating the case.

Chu Liuxiang and Li Zhaoting split up into two groups.

Chu Liuxiang returned home to search for clues. He had three female confidantes, one of whom was named Li Hongxiu.

Li Hongxiu is knowledgeable and has a prodigious memory, almost like a know-it-all. She knows a little bit about all the stories and anecdotes of the martial arts world throughout history. Not only that, Li Hongxiu is also very good at creating aliases based on these stories and anecdotes.

Everyone says that Chu Liuxiang is invincible, but few know how much preparation he made to achieve this.

Chu Liuxiang traveled the martial arts world, transforming into countless avatars. These avatars played an indispensable role in his journey. All of them were genuine and had corresponding allusions, making them difficult for ordinary people to detect.

The best way to deal with clandestine forces is to investigate cases under a false identity, which can reduce a lot of trouble.

Li Zhaoting went directly to Jiangling.

The reasons given were visiting old friends and eliminating bandits.

Suppressing bandits is a very "convenient" political achievement.

Gongsun Ce, now in office, inspected the river, cared for the people, and his last task was to suppress bandits.

Suppressing bandits requires the help of experts.

Especially someone like Li Zhaoting, a ruthless and demonic star.

This reason makes sense.

No one can find fault with it.

Jiang Yuyan was punished for "ineffective work" and failing to keep an eye on Li Zhaoting, and was confined to her home.

Feng Suzhen personally went to investigate the case.

Engage the enemy in a mixed doubles match between husband and wife.

……

Ling Tuisi was truly lucky. When he became the prefect of Jingzhou, the country was at peace. After great chaos comes great order. Even if he did nothing, Jingzhou could still recover its prosperity. Not to mention that in order to find treasure and develop the Lianghu Longsha Gang, he carried out completely opposite renovations on the nearby waterways, which was both laughable and lamentable.

The wide, flat river channel was extensively cleared of silt and reefs, and more than a dozen wharves were built.

The narrow and cramped waterways were not only left unrepaired, but were instead largely damaged, allowing the Lianghu Longsha Gang to hide within them and facilitate their activities as river bandits.

However, when outsiders arrived in Jingxiang, the first thing they saw was the wide waterways and bustling docks. He consistently received top marks in performance evaluations by the Ministry of Personnel. Those unaware of the situation might have thought Ling Tuisi was some kind of incorruptible official, until Gongsun Ce arrived in Jiangling and learned how many traps Ling Tuisi had dug during his years as prefect.

Big pits contain smaller pits, and small pits contain old pits.

Gongsun Ce was in the prime of his life, eager to make a name for himself, and full of passion and enthusiasm. When he saw these interconnected pits, he turned pale with fright!

Putting everything else aside, clearing out the river bandits was a major headache for Gongsun Ce. With the help of the government officials and the nearby garrison, they probably couldn't even find the river stronghold.

He wanted to gather martial arts practitioners to help, but the martial arts world in Jingxiang consisted of small, insignificant groups, each fighting their own battles and focusing on their own little corner of the land. They shouted slogans loudly, but when asked to help suppress the bandits, they immediately felt dizzy, lightheaded, and incontinent.

You forced me to do this!
I really don't want to invite this gentleman to Jiangling!

Gongsun Ce put down his pen.

"Deliver the letter to the Li family in Jinling."

"My lord, which Li family in Jinling?"

"Of course, it's Li Zhaoting's Li residence."

Gongsun Ce revealed a ruthless glint in his eyes.

You won't listen to me when I say nice things, huh!
You don't want the benefits we offer, huh?
You think you'll just go to sleep if I try to reason with you?
Do you think I'm easy to bully?
I'm easy to bully, but my friends aren't!

I've brought you a delicate, pretty boy.

You guys hurry up and bully him!
Male Gobi!

You shameless bastard!
……

A group of salt-carrying boats sailed on the river.

Ahead were the lead seagull ships, and behind them were large salt-carrying barges, totaling eight ships. Elite soldiers stood on the ships, some of whom were equipped with bows and crossbows.

These are salt transport boats belonging to the Grand Canal Transport Office. They first transported salt to Jiangling, and then transported it in batches to other places. It's not easy to tell which Grand Canal Transport Office it was.

What would a bandit in the martial world care about identifying such things?
All they knew was that there was a huge amount of salt on board.

Two or three years ago, the bandit leader saw a huge business opportunity with a hundredfold profit in an ancient book left from the Tang Dynasty. If handled properly, it could generate huge profits in a very short time, with annual profits of tens of millions of taels of silver.

This business is... salt!
It's quite a coincidence that the business was run by a fortified village back then, and this bandit gang was also based in a fortified village. All the members were relatives, so there couldn't possibly be an undercover agent.

They had been river bandits in Jingxiang for several years, building several warehouses on dangerous river shoals to store salt. After waiting for so long, they finally saw the salt transport ships.

The bandit leader waved his hand.

Dozens of water ghosts approached the salt ship from underwater.

Their task was to sink the ships.

They had a wonderful idea, but they seemed to have forgotten one thing: the case that happened in the Tang Dynasty was more than 300 years ago. In all those years, shipbuilding technology had advanced by leaps and bounds, especially the large ships of the imperial court.

Zhu Ting had participated in the design of transport ships.

Zhu Ting didn't want to steal other people's jobs, nor did he want to be busy designing transport ships all day. So, he had a brilliant idea and made an early warning device to prevent water monsters from destroying the ship.

To make matters worse, all of these salt-carrying ships were equipped with early warning devices. The moment the water ghosts started dredging the ship, they were discovered by the soldiers, who then opened the hull mechanism.

"Whoosh whoosh!"

Harpoons were shot into the water.

In this state, it's impossible to aim; you can only try your luck. At the same time, a large amount of barbed wire is thrown from the bottom of the ship, restricting the water ghost's movement.

Blood was quickly visible on the surface of the water.

The soldiers drew their weapons, ready for battle.

The bandit leader roared, "Damn it! These good-for-nothings actually had some defenses! Charge! Let these cowards of the imperial court see the might of the heroes of Jingxiang!"

Hundreds of bandits roared and charged out.

The bandit leader took the lead.

The river was soon filled with blood.

This band of river pirates was no ordinary bandit group, but a fortified village, a clan force, all of them related by blood. After casualties, they would not retreat, but would instead become frenzied due to hatred, charging and killing even more fiercely.

Some things cannot be erased by the will to fight.

For example... bows and crossbows!
Rows of arrows shot at the bandits. No matter how brave and fearless they were, they fell into the water one by one, crying out in pain as they faced the barrage of arrows.

If martial arts masters attempted a surprise attack, they would either be shot dead by crossbows or captured by nets. The disparity in equipment and numbers was too great, and they would lose the advantage of a surprise attack. Unable to sink the ships underwater, they were simply no match for the enemy.

After a fierce battle lasting half an hour, the bandits had lost more than half of their members. Seeing that they could not capture the salt transport ship, the bandit leader issued a retreat order in a fit of rage: "You wait! I will definitely take revenge! I will definitely kill you all!"

……

A painted boat slowly approached the dock.

This is an exquisitely luxurious painted boat. Several maids and seven or eight servants stand at the bow, and the sound of a zither can be heard coming from the cabin. It is clearly a wealthy family.

The burly man hiding in the reeds stared blankly.

This group of river bandits numbered about twenty. The leaders were three strong men, one wielding double axes, another a long spear, and the most ferocious of them all, holding a pair of machetes.

"Damn it, ever since the Heavenly King ordered us to develop our influence in Jingzhou, we haven't eaten meat for years!"

"This pleasure boat looks like it was chartered by a wealthy young master for pleasure. There must be courtesans on board. Let's be discreet and enjoy ourselves properly."

"That pretty boy Gongsun Ce is still thinking of going against us. He's a fucking idiot. I'll chop his head off tonight and send him to the underworld!"

"Old Xue, this is such a waste! It's such a shame to just kill that fair-skinned young man!"

"All I know how to do is kill, nothing else!"

"Do you know how to play with women?"

"I'm not interested in women."

"It's not that you don't like women, it's that you're impotent!"

"You damned bastard, you're asking for it!"

"Stop talking and get down to business!"

The burly man leading the group, known as "Double-Swordsman" Fu Yongxiang, stopped the two men who were about to fight each other. As the pleasure boat came within attack range, he leaped onto the deck of the pleasure boat.

"Whizzing!"

Two ghost-headed swords slashed at the maids and servants!

The maids and servants showed no panic whatsoever.

Instead of panicking, he showed a curious expression as if watching a spectacle. Fu Yongxiang was startled, knowing that there must be a master on the ship. He subconsciously wanted to jump ship and run away. His reaction was incredibly fast, but he couldn't outrun the sound.

"Zheng!"

The song "Ambush from Ten Sides" began playing inside the ship's cabin!
Fu Yongxiang felt as if he had been hit on the chest with a sledgehammer seventeen or eighteen times, and then trampled by an elephant dozens of times. His internal organs were all dislocated, and blood flowed from his seven orifices.

"puff!"

Fu Yongxiang coughed up blood, and his body fell to the ground.

　After a series of high-intensity updates, my body is starting to give out. These are the last two chapters I have saved up; I need to rest for a day...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)