Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 319 Duan Yu: My sister! My sister! They're all my sisters!

Duan Zhengming's abdication is not far off.

After Li Zhaoting's duel with Tang Ao, he invited Cheng Huaixiu to attend Duan Zhengming's abdication ceremony, which was also Duan Zhengchun's succession ceremony. They also took the opportunity to travel around and see the famous scenic spots of Dali, including the four landscapes of wind, flowers, snow, and moon.

Some people think that Dali is located in Yunnan, where it is warm and spring-like all year round, and even in winter, the average temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius, so most people have never seen snow.

(PS: That person is me!)

No snow doesn't mean you've never seen snow!

The most famous scenery in Dali includes snow.

To be precise, it's "Snow on Cangshan Mountain".

The nineteen peaks of Cangshan Mountain are all over 3,500 meters above sea level, with the highest exceeding 4,000 meters. They are covered in snow all year round, resembling jade dragons hanging on a mirror-like terrace.

Although the Dali Duan family was a royal family, they did not have as many rules as those in the Central Plains and were relatively lax. To put it bluntly, they liked to lie low and were at the mercy of the emperor and monks.

Once you've had your fill of being an emperor, become a monk!
Being an emperor means dealing with endless memorials, border disputes, matters of national importance, and the drama of concubines in the palace. It's exhausting, leaving you with a sore back and aching waist.

Being a monk only requires chanting scriptures.

From the perspective of the Dali Duan family alone, being a monk is more comfortable than being an emperor, except for Duan Zhengchun, who had too many romantic entanglements and Tianlong Temple wouldn't accept him.

We must not defile this sacred Buddhist site!
To avoid the situation where Kumārajīva comes to Tianlong Temple to discuss Buddhism one day and makes another prophecy, which would make him a laughing stock.

Cheng Huaixiu was the leader of the Sichuan Salt Gang and also the Fairy of Jingzhai. She had many collaborations with Dali. Even without Li Zhaoting's invitation, Duan Zhengchun would have sent Cheng Huaixiu an invitation letter as a matter of courtesy. However, Duan Zhengchun was very knowledgeable about matters between men and women. When he learned that Li Zhaoting was traveling in Sichuan recently, he simply put the invitation letter aside.

Cheng Huaixiu was not a shy, demure young lady from a prominent family; she was a chivalrous woman from the martial arts world. She accepted the invitation with great generosity, even more so than Miss Wang. Lan Fenghuang was so angry that she immediately changed into Miao attire, determined to fight Cheng Huaixiu to the bitter end.

In terms of temperament, they usually can't compete!
The Fairy of Jingzhai possesses the most refined elegance in the world!

However, the Blue Phoenix can achieve victory through surprise.

Li Zhaoting likes Miao ethnic clothing.

Lan Fenghuang is the most authentic Miao girl.

Cheng Huaixiu: Who says a fairy can't be a Miao girl? The Miao people also have holy women, and even descendants of Nuwa!
This is the story Li Zhaoting told her last night!
Cheng Huaixiu said that apart from "The Legend of the White Snake", all snake spirits are bad people. Tell me a completely new story about a kind snake spirit with a snake tail!
Li Zhaoting talked about "The Legend of Sword and Fairy".

Cheng Huaixiu looked at Li Zhaoting with a puzzled expression.

Li Xiaoyao's surname is Li.

Li Nanxing also shares the surname Li.

Li Xiaoyao raised his child all by himself.

Li Nanxing raised her child alone.

Cheng Huaixiu had no other associations. She just felt that Li Zhaoting had edited and added some mythological elements to his parents' story, combined with his favorite swordsmanship, and made up the story on the spot. She marveled at Li Zhaoting's extensive knowledge and ability to speak eloquently. Even if he didn't know martial arts, he would be a first-rate storyteller in teahouses and taverns.

Cheng Huaixiu secretly tried to figure it out, but found it awkward no matter how she thought about it. She secretly quarreled with Li Zhaoting and unleashed the innate abilities of the Sichuan-Chongqing Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Li Zhaoting: I'm just telling a story, what's there to associate it with? With my dad's abilities, he could at most play Liu Jinyuan, but Li Xiaoyao is impossible!
There are five routes from Sichuan to Dali.

A salt transport route used exclusively by salt caravans.

The escort routes established by the bodyguards.

Two wide and flat official roads.

There are also organized crime groups specifically dedicated to smuggling.

The group was traveling the salt transport route. Lan Fenghuang chattered on and on, saying, "I know this road well. My father used to take me here to wait for the Central Plains caravans to deliver salt. Salt was so expensive, even more expensive than ginseng and lingzhi!"

Miss Wang explained, "Salt isn't expensive; what's expensive is the loss along the way, especially the need to guard against bandits. For this kind of transport route, the minimum cost is eight hundred taels of silver."

Cheng Huaixiu said, "Salt is indeed not expensive, but there are too many losses along the way. The escorts need to eat, the tens of thousands of brothers of the Salt Gang need to eat, and we also need to bribe officials. No matter how high the selling price is, we will ultimately break even. What we earn is not the money from the salt, but the barter system, selling Miao specialty products at ten times the price."

Jiang Yuyan asked curiously, "Chief Cheng, I remember the Salt Gang sells smuggled salt. Doesn't the imperial court care?"

Cheng Huaixiu shook his head: "During the war, the Salt Gang sold smuggled salt. Now that the world is at peace, the Salt Gang sells official salt. There are hundreds of thousands of Salt Gang members and millions of people who make a living from salt. Everyone says that salt merchants are rich. I wish I could split every penny in half to spend. If the imperial court is willing to take over the million salt workers in Sichuan, I will immediately abdicate and give way to a worthy successor."

Lan Fenghuang asked, "Li Lang, why are there five roads leading from Sichuan to Dali? I've heard that Sichuan is also known as Sichuan Province, so there should be four roads. I've also heard of the Five Ding Opening the Mountains. Could this be related to the Five Ding Opening the Mountains?"

Even Cheng Huaixiu, a native of Sichuan, didn't know how to answer this question!
This is a very counterintuitive rule.

Locals don't understand the area as well as outsiders.

It can be explained in just four words... travel guide!
To make the most of their trip, tourists often create detailed travel plans beforehand, searching online for the most unique sights. Many hidden gems and back alleys are virtually unknown to locals.

These are all shared among tourists from other places.

Li Zhaoting smiled and said, "The name Sichuan originated during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong. The court divided the Sichuan-Xia Road into Yizhou Road, Zizhou Road, Lizhou Road, and Kuizhou Road."

Collectively known as the Four Routes of Sichuan and the Three Gorges, or simply Sichuan.

The story of the Five Ding Opening the Mountain originated in the pre-Qin period.

Legend has it that in order to conquer the Shu Kingdom, King Hui of Qin commissioned the creation of a massive bronze ox, with a large pile of gold and silver jewels placed behind it. The King of Shu mistakenly believed it to be a divine ox capable of excreting gold, and ordered five strong men to drag it back to the palace. The bronze ox then drew a path on the ground, which became the route for the Qin army to enter Shu, but this path was far too narrow.

In order to widen the road, King Hui of Qin pretended to send a beautiful woman to the King of Shu, who then ordered five strong men to receive her.

Halfway there, a colossal python appeared.

The five warriors fought fiercely against the giant python, and perished together.

This battle was so fierce that it caused mountains to collapse and the road to Sichuan was opened. Li Bai once wrote a poem to praise it.

Geez!
How perilous and lofty!

Shu Road is difficult, and it is difficult to ascend to the sky.

Cancong and Yufu, how vague their founding of the nation was!

For forty-eight thousand years, it has not had any contact with the Qin region.

There is a bird path leading to Taibai Mountain in the west, which can traverse the summit of Mount Emei.

The earth collapsed and the mountains crumbled, and brave men died; then the heavenly ladders and stone steps were linked together.

Do you remember the road to Sichuan?
The last line of this poem describes Jianmen Pass.

The Jianmen Pass is majestic and towering.

One man can guard the gate, but ten thousand men cannot open it.

Those who guard the land may be unkind, and they will turn into wolves and jackals.

In the morning, avoid fierce tigers; in the evening, avoid long snakes.

Grinding its teeth and sucking blood, it kills without hesitation.

I'm only curious about one thing.

Could Li Bai's immortal swordsmanship, capable of riding the wind on a sword, split a mountain with a single strike and make the Shu Road no longer so arduous?

This is something to look forward to!

Li Zhaoting casually demonstrated a sword technique.

When martial arts reach the level of Li Zhaoting, one is well-versed in the fundamental principles of martial arts. Reading, writing, composing poems, and painting are all effortless skills that can be used to create ultimate moves.

If Li Zhaoting wanted to, he could easily create a set of Shu Road Difficult Sword Techniques. He could also create the Wuhou Sword Techniques by visiting the Wuhou Temple and appreciating the style of Zhuge Liang.

Did Zhuge Liang know swordsmanship?

unimportant!
Zhuge Liang wouldn't, but Xu Shu definitely would. Even if Xu Shu wouldn't, Zhao Zilong of Changshan definitely would!

The sky is high and far, how can everything be confined to it? I wish to use the long sword in my hand to sweep away all the demons and monsters under heaven.

Li Zhaoting's thoughts wandered freely. Based on the story of Xu Shu as a wandering knight, he casually demonstrated sword techniques.

The journey was uneventful.

The group traveled all the way to Dali.

Duan Zhengchun was busy preparing for the ceremony.

Duan Yu led his four retainers out of the city to greet them.

"Second brother, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for so long! Being the crown prince is so tiring, I'm so tired I can't even straighten my back, I really need your comfort."

Duan Yu hugged Li Zhaoting tightly, like a bullied child crying and begging for comfort from an elder.

"Because my third brother wants to be a good emperor. If he wanted to be a tyrant, indulging in endless riches and glory every day, how could he be so tired that he couldn't straighten his back?"

"A life of debauchery and debauchery? Absolutely not!"

Duan Yu waved his hand in fright, as if wolves and tigers were following him, and he was covered in sweat with fear.

Li Zhaoting thought to himself, "It can't be that bad!"
Duan Zhengchun was incredibly capable.

Didn't they teach Duan Yu the Five Luo Light Smoke Palm technique?

Li Zhaoting reached out to take Duan Yu's pulse.

Duan Yu possessed profound internal energy and was in good health, but his yang energy was weak, which, to put it bluntly, was due to excessive indulgence in sexual activity!

This time, Li Zhaoting was filled with shock!
Could it be that the Holy Maiden of Destiny has married into the Duan family of Dali?

How did Duan Yu end up like this?

The Duan family of Dali couldn't afford deer blood wine?
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two headed to the Prince of Zhennan's residence.

Duan Yu explained the matter in detail.

The incident dates back to two years ago when the Izumo delegation went to the capital for a marriage alliance, only to be discovered to be assassins whose purpose was to extinguish the ancestral line of the Song Dynasty. The Eighth Prince was furious.

The entire court quickly pushed forward the "talent selection."

The Eighth Prince, Yuan Shisanxian, and Zhuge Zhengwo took turns overseeing the selection of dozens of beautiful women in the fairest and most impartial way, allowing Zhao Zhen to indulge in revelry every night.

After more than a year of hard work, five or six concubines became pregnant. The Eighth Prince was relieved and granted Zhao Zhen a leave of absence. The affairs of the imperial palace have always been a topic of conversation in teahouses and taverns, and the news quickly spread throughout the country.

Dali was even more anxious than the Song Dynasty.

Duan Zhengming had no children.

Duan Zhengchun had countless lovers, but only his daughter.

The responsibility of continuing the family line fell to Duan Yu.

Duan Zhengming hastily selected young girls from the Gao family, the Yang family, and surrounding tribes to be Duan Yu's concubines. Duan Yu put up a slight resistance, but was overwhelmed by Duan Zhengchun. Even the high monks of Tianlong Temple were happy to see this happen.

Duan Yu was extremely frustrated, so he went to Tianlong Temple to play chess with Master Benwu. Master Benwu was Duan Yanqing. Now he had no worries, and he was free from worldly concerns. He was a man of great skill and lofty mind.

Duan Yu was magnanimous and didn't care at all about Duan Yanqing's schemes against him. He often asked Duan Yanqing to play chess with him.

“Master Benwu, my father has gone too far. He found me seven or eight concubines. How can I stand it? He even said that I have no offspring and that the Duan family line will end!”

How could I possibly cut off the Duan family line?
However, matters of marriage and love are inevitably...

I really have no other choice!
"Godfather, do you have a way?"

The useless brush pen wrote: "You're not married? You have no children? Which families did Duan Zhengchun find for you as wives? Tell me all of them!"

“There are girls from the Gao family, girls from the Yang family, and daughters of chieftains from several surrounding tribes. Two of them were personally selected by my mother. Their looks, talents, character, and personality are all excellent, but I have never seen them!”

"I understand! Here, take this!"

Ben Wu pulled out two bottles of medicine from his pocket.

"what is this?"

"Yin-Yang Harmony Powder and Deer Blood Pills can make you revel every night. I'll also teach you a secret technique to treat your kidneys with One-Finger Divine Skill, so you'll be full of energy every night!"

A smile flashed in Benwu's eyes.

One-Finger Divine Skill can indeed strengthen the kidneys and lower back.

It should be noted that when Duan Yanqing was conceiving Duan Yu, he was severely injured, suffering from various ailments, and was on the verge of death, unable to move his entire body.

Even so, stimulated by Dao Baifeng, it actually managed to become erect with the help of the One-Finger Divine Skill.

Duan Zhengchun was a libertine with countless lovers. While his good looks and talent certainly played a part, his ability to indulge in womanizing for two or three decades was largely due to the One-Finger Divine Skill.

Duan Yu hurriedly ran away.

The Prince of Zhennan is different from the Crown Prince of Dali.

The Crown Prince of Zhennan can elope.

The Crown Prince of Dali must shoulder the responsibility for the nation and the world.

Putting everything else aside, Duan Yu had to marry the Gao family's daughter. Once he married one, he would have to marry another. Since he had already gotten his shoes wet, why not take a bath? Under the constant persuasion of Duan Zhengchun and Duan Yanqing, Duan Yu married these beauties and hadn't had a moment's rest these past few days.

Li Zhaoting keenly sensed that something was amiss.

"Third brother, you're hiding something! Why didn't you invite me to your wedding? What happened?"

"Second brother, I...I..."

"To be honest, it's no problem!"

“I haven’t married the Gao family girl yet. My father wants me to go to Western Xia to propose marriage and form an alliance with Western Xia. If I marry the Western Xia princess, she will definitely become my principal wife.”

"Did you hear the rumors that I was sent to the Western Regions to unite the various kingdoms there against the Western Xia, and you're worried about creating a rift between us, which is why you're hesitant to speak frankly?"

"Second Brother, your eyes are sharp! I admire you!"

"Uncle Duan is really clueless! No matter how good the Princess of Xixia is, how much influence can her family bring with her?"
The Gao family will always be the most important family in Dali!

If I'm not mistaken, you and the Gao family's daughter must have been childhood sweethearts, studying and learning to read together since they were young.

I guessed right!

Have you known each other since childhood?

"That's right...we've known each other since childhood...but we've never done anything out of line, never!"

"You two were childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree. The Gao family has placed their hopes on you. It would be unwise to betray the Gao family's good intentions for the sake of the so-called Western Xia princess."

"My father has come up with a reason. He has decided to grant the marriage at the registration ceremony, so that he will not lose face or anything."

"Third brother, I have always believed that matters of the heart should not be forced, but should be left to nature. However, once you enter the gates of a noble family, it is like entering a deep sea, let alone matters of the royal family."

"Alas! At this time two years ago, I mustered up the courage to leave home and met several beauties. But Ling'er is my sister, Wanqing is my sister. When I arrived at the Mantuo Manor in Suzhou, I met Wang Yuyan, who was exactly the same as the jade statue I saw in Wuliang Mountain. I was deeply infatuated with her every smile and frown. In the end, she was also my sister!"

Second brother, why am I so unlucky!

Why is everyone in the world my sister?

No wonder everyone is wary of my dad!
We definitely need to be wary of him!

Duan Yu lay helplessly on the table, looking like a worm, exuding a sense of dejection and resignation.

(End of this chapter)