Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 325 The Abdication Ceremony: One Sentence Eliminates the Traitor
The purpose of seclusion is to achieve inner peace.

With Li Zhaoting's arrival, Wang Yuyan's composure was shattered. She could no longer maintain her serene and unperturbed state. With a helpless sigh, she ended her secluded life.

With a troubled mind and a multitude of distracting thoughts, continuing to live in seclusion would only be "forcing oneself to write new poems to express sorrow." It would be better to leave Wuliang Valley and pursue one's own destiny.

There was nothing unusual about the secluded place at the bottom of the valley.

After a long search, Li Zhaoting found only a small jade vein at the foot of the mountain. The most precious jade was mined by Wu Yazi and carved into a jade statue.

The mystery of Changchun Valley remains completely unknown.

Miss Wang found the Eternal Youth and Longevity Technique in the Jade Linglong. Li Zhaoting had studied the incantation and found it to be a top-tier internal energy cultivation method with strong health benefits. However, the method was also impatient and focused on quick results, somewhat reminiscent of the Demonic Sect.

Take the Heavenly Child Granny as an example.

Although it was Li Qiushui who broke his cultivation, causing him to go into a state of demonic possession and leaving him with sequelae, the sequelae were still too severe. He had to dissipate his cultivation every thirty years and needed to absorb blood to practice. His physical condition was solidified, and he maintained his immortality by going mad.

Whether it's the "elixir of immortality" or the Qi cultivation method to prolong life, the essence is to enhance one's own essence, Qi, and blood, so as to maintain a healthy state of body.

Even the "Seven Injury Fist" is essentially about using the power of the five elements to temper the internal organs and enhance their vitality.

The principle of the Longevity and Immortality Exercise is to solidify the body at a certain stage. If one starts practicing this method at the age of six or seven, the body will always be in a childlike state. During this process, the body's instinctive growth and development ability conflicts with the internal energy cultivation method, accumulating hidden injuries within the body.

The hidden injury erupts every thirty years, causing the power to dissipate completely. One must absorb blood to practice, doing so for a day or a year, in order to restore the power and achieve the complete cycle.

Theoretically speaking, it is indeed possible to "live forever".

The Heavenly Child Granny lived to be over ninety years old. If Li Qiushui hadn't fought her to the death, she might have lived to be one hundred and twenty-six. She was an absolute old monster.

The drawback is that the body is solidified by the mental technique, resulting in incomplete physical development and defects in the meridians and acupoints. Once a limb is injured, it will inevitably affect the circulation of Qi.

If Li Zhaoting had to choose, he would choose the Lesser Formless Skill without hesitation. The Lesser Formless Skill is the orthodox cultivation method of the Xuanmen sect, and it follows the righteous path.

Small and without form, without shape or appearance, leaving no trace.

The "Eternal Youth and Longevity" exercise is a heretical practice.

No matter how you look at it, it resembles a demonic martial arts manual, seemingly extracted from a certain volume of demonic martial arts techniques.

Most of the profound martial arts techniques of the two sects and six paths of the Demonic Path have the effect of preserving youth, creating many old monsters whose bodies are seventy or eighty years old but whose faces are twenty or thirty, such as Pang Ban.

Xiaoyaozi had never practiced the Everlasting Spring Skill; he had only recorded the mental techniques in the Jade Linglong. When he asked Wang Yuyan about it, she said she had only seen a few fragments of the record.

However, Wang Yuyan was very fond of techniques for preserving youth and prolonging life. She wrote down the formulas so that when she noticed her appearance aging and her hair turning white, she could use the Everlasting Youth Technique to preserve her youth and avoid becoming an old woman.

After exploring the valley, Li Zhaoting leaped up and returned along the same path, indicating that there was nothing unusual at the bottom of the valley. At dusk, he returned to the bottom of the valley and danced with Wang Yuyan under the moon. Their shadows were projected onto the stone wall, forming the image of immortals passing on their swords.

Xin Shuangqing and Zuo Zimu quickly recorded the moves.

Whether they were charlatans or reclusive masters, the two didn't care. They only knew one thing: the swordsmanship that Shadow displayed far surpassed their family's tradition.

Since that's the case, just focus on recording the sword moves; why worry about anything else? The legend of the Boundless Jade Wall is a fundamental event for the Boundless Cave.

Whether it's true or false, it has to be true!

The next morning, the group returned to Dali.

Wang Yuyan's desire to live in seclusion was shattered by Li Zhaoting, and she no longer wanted to remain in seclusion, so she decided to go to Dali to take a look.

With four days to go before the coronation ceremony, the group hurried back to inform Tenryu-ji Temple of the event.

Although Dali was a remote and small country, that was in comparison to the Central Plains dynasties. Compared to the surrounding countries, Dali was known as the mighty ruler of southern China, a truly colossal entity.

If the entire Dali Kingdom can't even handle this small matter, they might as well all become monks.

Duan Zhengming had anticipated this, so he invited a high-ranking monk from Tianlong Temple to witness the ceremony. At the same time, he invited high-ranking figures from Miao and Tubo to attend. With the help of experts like Li Zhaoting and Xiao Feng, even if the Tang Clan, the Wen Family, and the traitors within Dali all rushed at him, Duan Zhengming was able to deal with them in time and eliminate all the traitors.

The rain is coming from the wind!
The atmosphere in the city grew increasingly oppressive.

Even Duan Yu felt the pressure.

Duan Yu disliked this atmosphere, but it was his daily routine for the next few decades. He wanted to be a wise ruler, so he was under constant pressure and rarely had any leisure time.

High-ranking monks from Tianlong Temple have taken up residence in the Imperial Palace.

There were not only six monks in their seventies, but also seventy-two sword-wielding monks. Each monk was proficient in a lineage of divine swordsmanship, and each monk was proficient in a lineage of sword techniques.

When Kumārajīva wreaked havoc at Tianlong Temple, he reminded the high monks of the temple that the Six Meridians Divine Sword did not require one person to use all six meridians at the same time; mastering just one meridian was sufficient.

Even if one cannot master a single sword technique, one can still use a precious sword to perform sword moves and form an array.

After a year and a half of research, Tianlong Temple created the Six Meridians Divine Sword Formation, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Sword Formation, and the Seventy-Two Subduing Demon Sword Formation. If it weren't for the small number of its disciples, it could even form a super formation with 360 people.

To put it simply, it's based on "six" and involves continuously adding multiples. Adding "two" adds the method of the Yin-Yang Array, and adding "three" creates the Three Powers Array.

The twelve-person formation is the Yin-Yang Six Meridians Sword Formation;

The eighteen-person formation is the Three Talents and Six Meridians Sword Formation;

The seventy-two-person formation is a Yin-Yang formation with both positive and negative aspects;
Don't think that "formation" is mysterious and unpredictable.

Simply put, it's about factorization, breaking down numbers into two, three, four, five, and six, which is the foundation of swordsmanship.

The real challenge lies in coordination, in ensuring that the martial artists obey orders and fully utilize their numerical advantage.

What is the most ingenious battle formation?
—A thousand troops and ten thousand arrows fired simultaneously!

……

End of June.

It is an auspicious day, suitable for all activities.

An abdication ceremony is being held at the Dali Royal Palace.

The civil and military officials, as well as the guests, sat quietly to watch the ceremony.

There was no coercion or violence, but rather a sense of relief in passing the buck. Duan Zhengming thought to himself, being an emperor is nothing compared to being a monk. Every day when he opened his eyes, it was either about state affairs, Duan Zhengchun's infidelity causing discord in his family, or Duan Yu running away.

Being an emperor means having to care about everything.

As a monk, all I need to do is chant scriptures and recite Buddhist mantras.

As for delicacies, fine silks, and extravagant pleasures, Duan Zhengming had enjoyed them for decades. Simple meals and a Buddhist temple were what he truly sought!

Duan Zhengming burned incense to worship Heaven and recited the imperial edict.

"I have been blessed by Heaven and ruled for twenty years. Now I have come to understand the true nature of things through the workings of nature and look up to the Buddha's light to illuminate the mortal world."

In the past, the Buddha left his kingdom and set sail on the Prajna boat.

The ancestor of the Miaoxiang lineage passed on the torch, and the snow cleared in Diancang.

I have inherited the foundation of nine generations of the family line and uphold the teachings of the Three Jewels.

He was always vigilant and fearful of Heaven's favor, and diligent in his duties even at night.

The Dharma drum gradually dispels worldly thoughts, and the temple bell occasionally tolls, obscuring the mind.

Prince Zhengchun is of noble character and virtuous conduct, worthy of the Mandate of Heaven to ascend the throne. He should revere Heaven and follow the example of his ancestors, be lenient with punishments and reduce taxes, diligently promote agriculture and sericulture, and carefully govern the six Zhao states.

Do not fail the divine blessings of Cangshan Mountain, nor disobey the spiritual spirit of the Buddhist kingdom.

Now I depart from the ninefold palace to don the robes of a monk, and cast off my crown to seek the Dharma. I offer my golden body to the heavenly dragon, and ignite the torch of wisdom to illuminate the eons. If the Bodhi flower withers and the tides of Erhai Lake rise, I will still pray for the eternal life of Dali at the ancient Buddha's place with its green lamp.

After reading the imperial edict, Duan Zhengming burned his Nine Dragon Crown, washed his hair with Erhai water, and asked Zen Master Kurong to shave his head. Zen Master Kurong took a razor and shaved Duan Zhengming's head completely bald.

From then on, there was no more Emperor Duan Zhengming of Baoding, only the eminent monk "Benchen" of Tianlong Temple.

Duan Zhengming abdicated, and Duan Zhengchun ascended the throne.

Duan Zhengchun burned incense and prayed, reciting the imperial edict.

"I, by the grace of Heaven and the succession of my ancestors, respectfully receive the imperial edict from my elder brother and ascend to the throne on the auspicious day of the Buddha's bathing ceremony in the Buddhist calendar year 1574."

The rise of the dragon in Cang'er marked the beginning of the nine leaves shining anew.

The phoenix rises over the Buddhist land, and the true Dharma of the Three Vehicles flourishes.

I, with my meager abilities, am constantly vigilant and cautious...

I held the jade tablet and presented it to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, then burned incense and prayed to the gods:

One guards the wondrously fragrant Buddha land;
The two secure six edicts and the golden cup;

The Duan family bloodline continues three times;
These three oaths are witnessed by the gods!

Gao Shengtai brought over the emperor's crown, and Duan Zhengchun was about to put it on his head when a loud shout came from afar.

"Wait, you're not worthy!"

Before he could finish speaking, Duan Zhengchun had already put on his crown!

Who the hell is playing the "wait and see" trick on you?
You say "wait a minute" and then you just say "wait a minute"?
Duan Zhengchun was no fool. Knowing that someone was causing trouble at the coronation ceremony, how could he remain indifferent?
The crown is on, the ceremony is complete!
Duan Zhengchun was recognized as an emperor by both civil and military officials.

Even if the other side brought out the founding emperor of Dali and all his ancestors, Duan Zhengchun was not afraid and exiled them all to Tianlong Temple to become monks.

Tenryu-ji Temple was truly a great innovation.

Not only did it provide military protection for the royal family, it also greatly reduced internal strife within the royal family, preventing bloodshed. If they succeeded, they became emperors; if they failed, they became monks. Monks lived a few more years and could see the victors sitting on the dragon throne, chanting scriptures with them in the Buddhist hall.

No matter how ambitious one is, after chanting sutras at Tianlong Temple for twenty or thirty years, it will all be worn away. When one reaches sixty or seventy years old, who would still want to usurp power?
Duan Zhengchun shouted, "Today is the day I ascend the throne as emperor! Who is making such a racket here?"

"Duan Zhengchun, you traitorous scoundrel, you are not worthy to be the emperor of Dali! My master is the rightful heir!"

Dozens of onlookers jumped out and surrounded a middle-aged man in his fifties. He was a handsome and refined gentleman.

The middle-aged man sneered: "Duan Zhengchun, you usurped the throne back then, now it's time to return it to me!"

"May I ask your esteemed name?"

"Duan Yanqing!"

The middle-aged man looked coldly at Duan Zhengchun: "You insidious and vicious villains, you found some so-called Four Evils of Western Xia and had him impersonate my name!"

The Duan family of Dali has been practicing Buddhism for generations, and their righteousness is awe-inspiring. How could there be such despicable scoundrels as the Four Evils, who are incomplete in character and commit countless evils? You usurped the throne first, and then insulted my reputation. Today, I will not spare you!

Duan Zhengchun!
Today is about the Duan family's affairs.

Do you dare to challenge me to a duel with the One-Finger Divine Skill?

Let me show you who the true masters are!

The middle-aged man spoke with righteous indignation and confidence.

It seems he really is "Duan Yanqing".

Duan Zhengchun sneered: "Back then, when the rebels rebelled, Crown Prince Yanqing went missing in the chaos of war. Over the years, countless people have impersonated Crown Prince Yanqing to swindle and deceive!"

You traitor, you are the most foolish!
Why didn't you verify their identity before you started swindling them?
'Yanqing' is an honorific title, not his real name!
You claim to be the Crown Prince of Yanqing!

What is your real name?
In front of all the civil and military officials of Dali, and in front of Zen Master Kurong, please state your name!
You can't explain it, can you?

"Guards, seize the traitor!"

Duan Zhengchun's words are absolutely correct.

"Yanqing" is indeed an official title.

Duan Yanqing kept his real name very well hidden.

In the original storyline, during the Wanjie Valley arc, Duan Yanqing and Duan Zhengming recognized each other. Duan Yanqing first revealed his One-Finger Divine Skill, and then secretly told Duan Zhengming his real name via telepathy, without revealing a single detail.

Throughout the entire capital city of Dali, only a handful of people, including Zen Master Kurong, Duan Zhengming, Duan Zhengchun, and Gao Shengtai, knew Duan Yanqing's real name. These were all high-ranking officials in Dali.

These people are unlikely to leak information.

Deducing a name from the rules will not work.

In the Central Plains, naming children emphasizes generational characters.

Li Zhaoting belongs to the "Zhao" generation.

Tang Zhuquan belongs to the "Zhu" generation.

Some also require adherence to taboos.

This isn't the custom in Dali.

Take Duan Yu as an example.

Duan Yu's real name is "Duan Zhengyan," which is the name recorded in the Duan family genealogy of Dali. Duan Yu is his code name in the martial arts world. If you don't know the relationships between the characters and only look at the three names, you will think that Duan Yu, Duan Zhengchun, and Duan Zhengming are of the same generation, and the same is true for their descendants.

Duan Yu's son is named Duan Zhengxing.

Duan Zhengxing also had a Buddhist name, Duan Yichang, which means "Yichang Guanyin Bodhisattva". He had two sons who inherited Duan Zhengxing's Buddhist name, one named Duan Yichangsheng and the other named Duan Yichangxing.

Duan Zhengxing has a son named Duan Zhixing!
Duan Zhixing's son is "Duan Zhilian".

The emperors of Dali throughout history did not adhere to seniority or any taboos. After reading the genealogy of the Dali emperors, one would feel as if struck by lightning, as it is impossible to analyze the succession of the Dali throne using the seniority and ethical relationships of the Central Plains.

What is the relationship between Duan Zhengxing and Duan Zhengchun?
A: Grandfather and grandson!

The names recorded in the Duan family genealogy are equivalent to "real names" in fantasy novels. Even Xiao Feng did not know that Duan Yu's real name was Duan Zhengyan. Duan Yu had never used this name and even he felt it was unfamiliar!
However, if someone tries to impersonate Duan Yu, Duan Zhengchun only needs to produce an official document and have the other person sign it to easily distinguish between the real and fake.

Outsiders would have no way of knowing such things.

The middle-aged man impersonating Duan Yanqing turned ashen-faced. He had imagined Gao Shengtai stopping him, Tianlong Temple forcing him to become a monk, and experts like Li Zhaoting, Xiao Feng, and Cheng Huaixiu swarming him. He never expected the Duan family to have such a method of identification. Who the hell could have imagined this?
This is a hidden perk for the Duan family heir.

The elder who defected to the Sunflower Sect, a collateral branch of the Duan family, knew nothing about this. Even if he did know, he had never seen the family genealogy and did not know Duan Yanqing's real name.

Thinking of this, the middle-aged man shouted angrily: "You treacherous villain, stop with your sweet talk! Look at this martial arts move!"

The middle-aged man raised his hand and pointed with his fingers.

The authentic One-Finger Divine Skill of the Dali Duan Family!

Upright and honest, masterful and skillful, absolutely genuine.

This person actually mastered the One-Finger Divine Skill to the upper third grade, which is as smooth and lustrous as jade. This is much higher than the sixty or seventy-year-old monks of Tianlong Temple. Among the senior monks of the Ben generation, only Benwu, who had given up everything, achieved a breakthrough. Most of the others were at the fourth grade, and even Duan Zhengming was no exception.

They really went all out!

(End of this chapter)