Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 409 Washing Flowers, Washing Swords, The Man in White

"Do you feel a lot of pressure?"

I can see right through all their little schemes. It's like they're naked in front of me; they can't hide anything.

Do you really want to bite me to death?

Li Zhaoting whispered devilish words in Jiang Yuyan's ear, making her tremble with fear.

Jiang Yuyan retorted, "Master! If you're full of anger and have nowhere to vent it, you can find a master to fight with. What kind of skill is it to bully a concubine? Yuyan is your concubine, how dare I resist? I can only let you bully me!"

"They're not telling the truth! They're getting worse and worse!"

"How could I be as wicked as you, Master!" Jiang Yuyan nestled obediently in Li Zhaoting's arms. "Master, both the Purple and Green Swords are divine swords that ward off evil and uphold righteousness. That man in white came seeking the Dao. Can the divine swords unleash their power?"

"of course can!"

"why?"

"This is the dignity of the swordsman and the sword!"

"The master's dignity is so powerful!"

"No matter how strong he is, he was still beaten to the point of collapse and weakness by Yu Yan. Yu Yan, your Divine Foot Technique is really amazing. Your combat power is about to surpass Sheng Lan's!"

Li Zhaoting was not joking when he said this.

Wang Shenglan relied on her physical talent.

Jiang Yuyan relied on the Divine Foot Scripture. She practiced the "Desire Divine Foot" among the Four Divine Foot Techniques, using desire as a demon to lure the demon into her body, eliminate inner demons, and dispel evil spirits.

The stronger the desire, the stronger the fighting power that can be unleashed.

The two flirted and teased each other in the room, and before they knew it, it was afternoon. The man in white got up and went to the North District, not to the martial arts arena, but to the North District beach.

Countless tourists followed behind.

They were very interested in the man in white.

Some hoped the man in white would kill Li Zhaoting, some wanted to learn a few kung fu moves, some were just there for the spectacle, and others wanted to satisfy their inner desires by belittling the man in white.

That last type of person is the most common in the martial arts world.

They are cowardly, timid, gloomy, and despicable, yet they pretend to be brave, bold, righteous, and dignified, wearing a gorgeous exterior while inside they are full of filth and stench.

When others do things that they themselves dare not do, their selfishness and cowardice are laid bare. They then loudly mock and curse from behind, as if this allows them to regain their moral high ground, making themselves appear wise and others appear foolish, thus satisfying their self-esteem.

Little did they know that those who mustered the courage to act would not even glance at them; they were noisy clowns, worthless and insignificant.

The man in white never glanced at them, nor did he listen to the clamor. He devoted all his energy to martial arts, and cared about nothing but martial arts, including his own life.

Li Zhaoting is his opponent.

Whether it was life or death, victory or defeat, the man in white had never thought about it. He had only heard that Li Zhaoting had easily killed the Grandmaster of Shuiyue, and that with just his own aura, he had prevented Wada Takeo from drawing his sword, demonstrating that his swordsmanship was unparalleled.

Fame, fortune, life and death, honor and disgrace are far less important than a thrilling battle, a hearty meal, half a day of rest, and physical strength restored to its peak.

Whether Li Zhaoting had recovered his strength or not, the man in white didn't care much. He was about to have a life-or-death duel, yet he was wasting his energy on other things, indulging in lust and women. Such a person deserved to die; he was responsible for his own life.

The man in white walked step by step to the seaside.

Each step was a full 1.7 feet, so precise it was as if it had been measured with a ruler. From beginning to end, the man in white maintained the same posture without the slightest sway.

This guy isn't human.

It is a precious sword that can split mountains and divide waters.

Li Zhaoting waited by the water for a long time.

To kill time, I cast my line twice.

When the man in white reached the shore, Li Zhaoting was fishing upright and composed, his aura as unified as a reef, seemingly still and steadfast, yet possessing a hidden spiritual energy that could unleash the power of heaven and earth at any moment.

It shook heaven and earth, moved ghosts and gods to tears, and shattered the heavens.

Aside from not catching any fish, everything else seemed perfect. But ultimate perfection is imperfection, and flawed people are what make us real, living beings.

No one could have imagined that not catching any fish would become an advantage at this moment, and even more unexpected was the kind of excuse that the air force angler would come up with to save face.

The man in white said, "Li Zhaoting, I'm not here to watch you fish. I hope you're prepared."

Li Zhaoting gently put down the fishing rod: "There was a big fish that took the bait, but it was scared away by your murderous aura. There are so many beautiful things in the world, why fight and kill?"

The man in white said, “I picked up a sword when I was five years old. From that moment on, my flesh and blood, my life, belonged entirely to the way of the sword. Money, beauty, fame and fortune are no different from dog shit in my eyes. You think beautiful wives and concubines are the most wonderful, but I think martial arts are the most wonderful. Practicing martial arts is my hobby and my lifelong pursuit.”

"Can your sword cut through the ocean waves?"

"Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't!"

"Then what makes you think you can cut me off?"

"Because you are not a wave, but a real, flesh-and-blood person, this question is meaningless. If you want to dampen my fighting spirit, you've miscalculated!"

The man in white was not Japanese, but Han Chinese.

His father was an unparalleled genius, knowledgeable in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, astronomy, geography, medicine, divination, and astrology, and skilled in martial arts from various schools, able to master them with ease.

A first-rate martial artist would be defeated in just a few moves if he fought his father. However, if a grandmaster who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts fought him, he would fall into the awkward situation of Murong of Gusu, who was mediocre and lacked a systematic approach.

Those weaker than him can be defeated in just a few moves.

Those stronger than him will be defeated in just a few moves.

In middle age, one often finds oneself in a state of repeated defeats.

Left with no other choice, he took his child to Japan and made him focus on martial arts training from a young age, devoting his life's work to the path of martial arts, considering anything external a burden.

Even the "name" is a burden.

He doesn't need a name.

All that's needed is the code name "Man in White".

"The heavens are dark and the earth is heartless."

My ambitions are hard to fulfill, and my anger is hard to quell.
Alone, I wield my lone sword and roam the desolate seas…

The man in white felt something and began to sing the ballad his father had composed before his death. Sword intent surged from within him, and the sea cracked open, stretching for several feet, as if by divine intervention.

Those who had previously mocked the man in white dared not utter a word, utterly stunned.

Li Shengnan narrowed her eyes slightly. She sensed the aura of a kindred spirit from the man in white. The man in white was more resolute, more ruthless, and more determined to win than she was.

Li Shengnan had something in mind.

The man in white had nothing to do with martial arts.

Jiang Yuyan was even worse than Li Shengnan. Her mind was too complicated and chaotic. Just as Li Zhaoting said, she often suspected that Li Zhaoting was deliberately wasting her talent.

Only now, seeing the white-clad man's unparalleled swordsmanship and focused swordsmanship, did I realize how petty my previous thoughts and ideas had been.

Of the three women, Lan Fenghuang is the most devoted, a true romantic at heart.

"Love-obsessed" is not a good term and often carries a negative connotation. However, when martial arts skills reach a certain level, they can become very idealistic. Being love-obsessed can effectively reduce overthinking and prevent one from being troubled by inner demons.

Li Shengnan felt that the Jade Rakshasa harbored evil intentions.

Jiang Yuyan felt that Li Zhaoting was unfathomable.

Lan Fenghuang alone is neither prone to wild thoughts nor to reckless internal strife. In terms of spiritual realm, she is tied for first place with Wang Shenglan, and her mental state is the most comfortable.

To be honest, even if someone reaches the highest level of martial arts, Feng Suzhen, Li Shengnan, and Cheng Huaixiu might be troubled by inner demons. Only Lan Fenghuang and Wang Shenglan feel that a gentle breeze can turn their inner demons into a dish!

Don't ask, the answer is simply that I'm love-struck, oblivious to everything else, powered by love, defeating the demon king, and saving the world.

Li Zhaoting stood lightly on the sea surface: "How's your lightness skill? Can you withstand the turbulence of the wind and waves?"

The man in white said, "I have been practicing swordsmanship at sea since I was a child. The wind and waves are the perfect war drums for me."

Li Zhaoting gestured invitingly: "Let's fight on the sea, it's too boring here!"

"You don't want people to watch the fight?"

I don't want to cause trouble for innocent bystanders.

"can!"

The two walked on the sea.

Li Zhaoting glides idly across the water, each step a lotus blossom.

The man in white walked steadily and at a uniform pace.

The two walked forward for a full mile. Most people could only see two small black dots, but only martial arts masters with keen eyesight and hearing could see the gleaming sword light.

"Qiang!"

The purple and green swords flew into Li Zhaoting's palm.

"laugh!"

A three-foot-long azure light slashed towards the man in white, enveloping an area of ​​several feet in sword energy. This was a vast ocean, with no foothold to gain leverage. Even if Chu Liuxiang were here, he could only leap seven or eight feet at most, not ten.

The man in white revealed an expression of excitement. This was the opponent he had been waiting for his entire life.

He traveled all over Japan, challenging various masters. Masters such as Nemuri Kyoshiro, Sasaki Kojiro, and Hattori Hanzo were defeated by him one after another. Yagyu Munenori was so frightened by him that he avoided fighting, refusing to fight under the pretext of seclusion, which almost ruined the reputation of the Yagyu family. Those masters who held high positions and had prominent official titles refused to duel because of their power.

Feeling bored, the man in white left Japan, determined to find a martial arts master from the Central Plains to discuss combat. Halfway through the journey, someone delivered a message to the crew, informing them of Li Zhaoting's location.

Upon hearing of Li Zhaoting's name, the man in white immediately ordered his crew to chase after him, eager to duel him. However, they encountered a shipwreck halfway there, delaying them for two or three days.

"As expected of the leader of the Heavenly Gang, the opponent I've been dreaming of is right before my eyes. My blood is boiling. I thank the heavens for blessing me with the opportunity to meet Li Zhaoting!"

The spiritual world is a thousand years in a second.

The man in white instantly abandoned all distracting thoughts, and his purest sword light soared into the sky, forcefully breaking through the blockade of the green sword light. With a seemingly casual sword strike, he appeared capable of severing all things, splitting mountains and rivers, and cleaving across seas.

The man in white devoted himself wholeheartedly to the way of the sword, using it to nourish himself and cultivate a pure and profound internal strength from the outside in. After the ship capsized, he was able to walk step by step from the seabed to the shore, which shows his profound skill.

The sword thrust out with unstoppable force.

The reefs weathered by wind and rain for millions of years, the formless, colorless, and materialless flowing wind and white clouds, and the sword light piercing the vital points of the body were all split in two by the sword energy.

There's no need to spend time cultivating protective qi. As long as you have a sword in your hand, a sword in your heart, and a clear mind, you can break through external forces by slashing with your sword, forming a sword with your fingers, or even using your gaze as a sword.

Offense is the best form of defense.

Offense is the best form of defense.

Even amidst torrential rain, raging waves, and towering waterfalls, a sword strike can create an open space outside the body. The martial arts master's inability to add even a feather is due to his superb internal strength, while the man in white relies on sword energy.

Just like the Surging Wave Palm, when encountering external force, one instinctively strikes back. Even a mosquito landing on one's body would be killed by the internal energy, let alone external force.

The Purple Rose Soft Sword traced hundreds of arcs, merging with the flowing water, and with a wave of its hand, it stirred up waves three zhang high.

The Purple Rose Soft Sword seemed to come alive, transforming from a lifeless object made of steel into a vivid dragon that stretched across the sky, churning rivers and seas, a flying dragon soaring in the heavens.

The man in white had never seen such a mysterious and vivid sword technique. He thrust his sword straight at the opponent, but the Purple Rose Soft Sword naturally dodged it with exquisite and smooth movements. Li Zhaoting attacked from above and below with his right hand on the Green Rope Sword, focusing his mind on the Green Rope Sword. The Purple Rose Soft Sword's changes in technique were actually driven by the flow of energy and changed on its own. How could this not be shocking?

Li Zhaoting explained, “My sword is not an inanimate object made of steel and iron. My sword techniques are alive. You can block deadly moves and their counterattacks, but life will find its own way out. Why should I waste any effort?”

"Excellent swordsmanship! Excellent swordsmanship! Whether it's a living sword or a dead sword, it's all about power and speed in the end."

The white-clad man's sword was six feet long, far exceeding the length of the purple and green twin swords. It could be used as a cane, a short spear, or other weapons. Although he only had one sword, it was able to block the attacks of the twin swords. The sword swirled, and the robe slashed diagonally.

There are no dazzling displays, no complicated variations, only the purest and most refined sword energy, sword intent, and sword techniques. The white-robed man's father suffered greatly from the harm of "being jacks-of-all-trades but mastery of none," and when teaching the white-robed man, he emphasized the importance of being pure and refined.

Having practiced martial arts in Japan since childhood, the white-clad man's swordsmanship is mainly based on slashing and chopping. Although it is called swordsmanship, it is actually more like a knife technique, neither knife nor sword, yet both.

It's not a fusion of swords and sabers from the Zhanjing Hall or the Zizai Sect, nor is it some kind of "One Thousand and One Styles of Wind and Frost Swords," but rather a unique move that the man in white has summarized from his martial arts training since childhood.

The seemingly ordinary kasaya slashed diagonally, yet it was able to split Li Zhaoting's magnificent water dragon in two, and the waves immediately returned to calm, possessing the power to suppress the sea and subdue the waves.

In the blink of an eye, the Green Chain Sword arrived.

The advantage of the person in white is their distance.

The advantage of the Purple and Green Twin Swords lies in their combined attack.

The two exchanged only three moves, but the residual power was transmitted to the shore along the waves. The waves crashed against the shore, and the rocks, which were as hard as metal, were shattered by the water containing sword energy. Cracks appeared in the sand. Jiang Yuyan's eyes widened. She had been practicing the Divine Foot Scripture for more than a year and had gained a lot of experience points from Li Zhaoting. She thought she was a top expert in the martial arts world.

Especially when facing Japanese masters, Jiang Yuyan felt she had an absolute advantage. But when she saw the white-clad man's simple yet sharp swordsmanship, she realized she was far inferior.

There is an insurmountable gap between the two.

Lan Fenghuang cheered Li Zhaoting on. Ever since Li Zhaoting saved her from the Five Poisons Sect, Lan Fenghuang firmly believed that Li Zhaoting was an invincible war god.

She is a divine attendant offering a wreath to the God of War, a red flower and green tree adorning a majestic mountain, a vine encircling a towering tree. She does not seek to advance alongside him, but only to adorn the beauty, and her heart is the clearest and purest.

Li Shengnan clenched her fists. The man in white did not have a profound lineage or abundant resources, but Li Shengnan admitted that his martial arts foundation was inferior to his.

Human energy is limited.

Unless one is an unparalleled genius who has shaken the world, to acquire profound combat power, one must either rely on good fortune or cultivate diligently, and must not be hindered by external factors.

It's easier said than done.

In this life, amidst the hustle and bustle of the world, with its daily necessities, the comforts of a wife, children, and a warm bed, who can give them up?
The white-clad man, a dedicated swordsman, is a rare breed in the entire martial arts world, numbering no more than a handful.

The man in white finds joy in arduous training. The more he trains and struggles on the brink of life and death, the more exhilarating it becomes. Martial arts are his sole pursuit.

How many normal people could stand this?

Li Zhaoting definitely couldn't stand it.

The person in white pursues "simplicity".

Li Zhaoting pursues "adaptation".

Li Zhaoting possesses unparalleled adaptability.

Realizing he had transmigrated to a martial arts world, he subconsciously wanted to learn martial arts. However, upon discovering that his meridians were blocked by qi, he immediately changed his mindset, studied diligently, and took the imperial examinations. When his father committed a crime and was exiled to Lingnan, he immediately thought of the Beiming Divine Skill hidden in Wuliang Mountain in Dali. If the problem of qi blockage was not resolved, he might try to seize the Dugu Nine Swords.

If martial arts don't work, try taking the imperial examinations; if that doesn't work, learn mechanical arts and create the most powerful mechanisms.

Peacock Feather, Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, Heaven-Shattering and Earth-Destroying Bone-Piercing Heart-Piercing Needle, Beauty, and Cloud-Leaning were all made by skilled craftsmen. Among them, Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, Beauty, and Cloud-Leaning were the works of skilled craftsmen who were born with weak constitutions. If others could do it, Li Zhaoting believed that he could too.

The road ahead can never be completely blocked.

Setbacks could not diminish Li Zhaoting's spirit.

Change is constant, and constant is the key to all changes.

The Purple Rose Soft Sword in his left hand is ever-changing, capable of generating ingenious moves at will, while the Green Rope Sword in his right hand is simple, sharp, and decisive, with its blade generating a powerful airflow.

The man in white suddenly realized that Li Zhaoting was analyzing, deducing, learning, and adapting to his sword energy, and the life-or-death risk had silently dissipated.

The purple and green swords came to life.

With white clouds as swords, with sea breezes as swords, with the vast ocean as swords, all things in heaven and earth are sword energy.

The man in white could cleave the waves, calm the sea, cut off the sea breeze, and sever the flowing clouds; water could not penetrate him. But when faced with the boundless ocean, he seemed insignificant.

People on the shore could no longer see the battle, not even Li Shengnan and Lan Fenghuang. They could only see the waves soaring through the air, the rolling currents coming from a mile away, the rocks being blasted to pieces, the three water dragons sweeping through the air, the waterspouts that blotted out the sky, and the aura that swept across the mountains and rivers and reached the heavens.

"Waaaaaahhhhhh~~"

A mournful cry echoed from the sea, like a siren wailing at the bottom of the ocean. This was followed by howling winds, towering white waves, and turbid waves that surged into the sky. The divine power of nature was awe-inspiring. Dark clouds covered the sky, and the powerful forces clashed, their auras clashing. Muffled thunder rumbled through the air.

Thunder roared, its sound carrying for dozens of miles.

Both sides in the conflict have long since disappeared.

The two fought from the sea surface to mid-air, and then from mid-air to the seabed, their sword energies clashing and their sword moves ever-changing. Having fought to this extent, their spirit and energy had reached their peak.

"Is this achievable by human power?"

"Is this the strength of the leader of the Heavenly Gang?"

"Rumor has it that Master Li killed hundreds of Japanese pirates with a single sword strike and overturned their fleet. I originally thought it was just a storyteller exaggerating. I was truly ignorant!"

"Having witnessed such a magnificent duel today, I would be willing to die, and have no regrets in this life!"

"I wonder if Li Zhaoting accepts disciples. If I could become his apprentice and learn even a move or two, I could roam the martial arts world with impunity!"

"Boom!"

A series of thunderclaps followed.

It was as if heavenly soldiers and generals were beating the war drums of the Kui Niu.

Looking down from mid-air, two winding, colliding currents form on the sea surface, one shaped like a sword and the other like a mighty celestial river, surging and crashing down.

Snowflakes sprinkled and sprayed, their sounds were deafening, and the colors were vibrant, dazzling and magnificent.

"boom!"

With a deafening, earth-shattering explosion, the clouds parted, the wind subsided, and all was quiet.

Everyone looked into the distance.

"Who's winning!"

"Who really won!"

"I see him! It's Master Li!"

"Hero Li is back!"

"Hero Li has achieved final victory!"

"I said it long ago, that man in white was overestimating himself and challenging Master Li. This person should... ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Shengnan slapped him, knocking out half of his teeth. Li Shengnan sneered, "You can't even withstand half a move from the man in white, yet you dare to bark like that!"

Lan Fenghuang sneered: "If you dare to spout nonsense again, I will go to heaven and earth and make sure your whole family never has peace!"

Those around instinctively kept their distance from the fool to avoid being mistaken for an accomplice. The white-clad man and Li Zhaoting were fighting to such an extent that they were going to the heavens and the seas, stirring up the might of the heavens. The white-clad man was overestimating himself. And who was Li Zhaoting?
To denigrate the man in white is to denigrate Li Zhaoting.

This idiot deserves to be beaten!
He's lucky his ancestors were kind enough not to kill him!

(End of this chapter)