Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 448 Marquis Xiaoyun, an irresistible scheme!
Tang Mansion.

Tang Family Escort Agency is a medium-sized agency, neither luxurious nor dilapidated. It is a mainstay in the escort industry, with nearly a hundred escorts and porters.

When the eldest daughter of the Tang family celebrated her twentieth birthday, all the merchants who were on good terms with the Tang family came to offer their congratulations. Chief镖头 Tang emptied his private treasury and hosted a lavish banquet.

Anyone can attend the banquet. If you can't afford expensive gifts, saying auspicious words is enough to celebrate.

Wang Shenglan mingled among a group of nuns, who were Tang Ruoxuan's fellow nuns and were all Buddhist monks. The meal on the table was vegetarian, and the dishes were quite exquisite.

Amidst a group of bald heads, a dazzlingly beautiful noblewoman stood out, an eyesore no matter how you looked at her.

Wang Shenglan's beauty needs no further explanation. Tang Ruoxuan took a liking to her at first sight and took the initiative to come over: "Sister, you are so beautiful! May I ask your name?"

“My surname is Wang, and my husband’s surname is Li. My family mainly runs a security escort business. My husband is not very available, so he asked me to come and offer my birthday wishes. This is a gift for you.”

Wang Shenglan took out a brocade box containing an exquisite necklace: "You're twenty, it's time to get married. Are you betrothed yet? Let me help you find someone!"

The necklace is a standard gold chain, set with a South China Sea black pearl the size of a pigeon's egg.

Wang Shenglan's words were not offensive.

Today is not only Tang Ruoxuan's birthday, but also her engagement banquet. She and Gu Hanyang, a disciple of Qingcheng, have been betrothed since childhood and agreed to officially get engaged today.

Unfortunately, Gu Hanyang was too fond of having fun and was delayed on the way, so he hasn't arrived yet.

Punctuality is a very important quality.

Chief镖头 Tang was quite dissatisfied, feeling that Gu Hanyang did not value Tang Ruoxuan. He thought to himself that since Gu Hanyang had not made it to the Tang family by the end of the banquet, the marriage was directly canceled.

This matter is not a secret.

The guests coming and going had already been discussing it extensively.

The problem is that Wang Shenglan is neither a relative or friend of the Tang family, nor a fellow disciple of Tang Ruoxuan.

Chief镖头 Tang pondered to himself, "Li" is a common surname, but in the镖局 (镖局 is a type of security escort agency) all over the country, he had never heard of a "Chief镖头 Li" who was known for his generosity.

Who exactly is this woman?

Just for a meal, you'd give such an extravagant gift to a stranger? Do you have too much money to burn?
Escort agencies earn their money through hard work. Despite the impressive scale of the escort agency alliance, even figures like Deng Dinghou and Baili Changqing couldn't afford such extravagance.

Are they here to provoke us?
If someone comes to provoke you, just take action. Why use a gold necklace worth a fortune as a challenge letter?

Chief镖头 Tang clasped his hands in a salute: "Madam Li, I am deeply grateful for your kindness, but my daughter is truly unworthy of such a luxurious gift."

Wang Shenglan narrowed her eyes into slits: "Just based on the title 'Madam Li,' your daughter is worthy of it."

Today is your daughter's birthday. Being suspicious will spoil the festive atmosphere. Chief镖头 Tang, we're both in the镖局 (escort agency) business. I think I have a connection with this young lady.

Let's consider this a way to build a good connection!

Chief镖师 Tang thought to himself, "You're talking nonsense. This black pearl on the necklace could buy the Tang Family Escort Agency."

Wang Shenglan shrugged: "What? You think my gifts aren't good enough? Here are more! Yan Tieshan forced them on me, little sister, just pick a few."

Wang Shenglan untied the brocade pouch at her waist, which was bulging with jewelry—seventeen or eighteen pieces in total. Each piece of jewelry could buy the Tang Family Escort Agency; it was extremely luxurious.

When an ordinary person takes out gold and silver jewelry in this tone and manner, it is obviously a display of wealth. However, Wang Shenglan gives people the feeling of being relaxed and casual, as if she were eating and drinking.

Only rare items are worth showing off!

Would you boast about having hands and feet?
Chief镖头 Tang was increasingly shocked. Clearly, for Wang Shenglan, the fact that the world's number one jeweler was rushing to give her gifts was just an ordinary, mundane matter.

Tang Ruoxuan could see the predicament of Chief Escort Tang. Experienced people must be careful in their words and actions and not offend anyone, while young people can speak without restraint and be straightforward.

Many questions that Chief Escort Tang couldn't ask himself, he would have his daughter ask, and she would often get the most appropriate answers.

"Does your sister know Yan Tieshan?"

“My husband has dealt with him.”

"May I ask where your brother-in-law's family is from?"

"He is... Marquis Xiaoyun!"

After Li Zhaoting returned from Guandong, Zhao Zhen promoted him by one rank. According to their previous agreement, he changed from Earl of Wuyi to Marquis of Xiaoyun, making his title equal to his father's.

Clearly, in Zhao Zhen's view, the achievement of killing Fukang'an far exceeded that of killing Li Chenzhou.

Li Chenzhou is an ambitious and ruthless tycoon.

Fukang'an was a fierce general who led troops into battle.

For the imperial court, the value was worlds apart!
Not wanting to spoil the lively atmosphere, Wang Shenglan didn't mention Li Zhaoting's name, but casually mentioned his title.

Hearing this, Chief Escort Tang was slightly relieved.

Although it is unknown which royal family Xiaoyun Hou belongs to, since he is a marquis, a member of the imperial family, and holds a high position and great power, it is perfectly reasonable for Yan Tieshan to send him gifts.

The Marquis dislikes matters of the martial world, but his wife, who comes from a martial arts background, came specifically to attend the banquet…

Ok?
Chief镖头 Tang suddenly felt that something was wrong!
It's impossible for the Marquis to run a security escort business. The one who runs the security escort agency is his wife, whose surname is Wang. There seems to be a large security escort agency called Da Wang Security Escort Agency in the Guanzhong area!
The Wang family's daughter married...

Tang, the chief镖头 (bodyguard), broke out in a cold sweat. He glanced at Wang Shenglan out of the corner of his eye and, not seeing the Wang family's ancestral Overlord Spear, felt slightly relieved and asked Tang Ruoxuan to stay and entertain the guests.

Tang Ruoxuan smiled and said, "Sister Wang! You should quickly put these jewels away to avoid attracting covetous eyes."

Wang Shenglan stretched and said, "Hurry up! I've been so bored lately, I really want to find someone to fight."

"When you're out in the world, harmony is the most important thing."

"These are mostly things that others say to me."

"My sister is charming and gentle, she looks like a virtuous wife, why would she pick a fight?"

"Actually, I have a pretty short temper."

"Sister is joking."

"That's how strange the world is. When I tell the truth, few people believe me, but when I lie, people often believe me without a doubt. Come closer to me!"

"Sister, what's wrong?"

“Someone’s coming. I sense their hostility. They’re up to no good. If a fight breaks out, just stay behind me and don’t stick your head out.”

"My father is very skilled in martial arts."

"hehe!"

Wang Shenglan suddenly reached out and grabbed Tang Ruoxuan, gently pressing her down onto the chair next to her.

Tang Ruoxuan looked at Wang Shenglan in horror.

She practiced swordsmanship diligently for ten years. In martial arts competitions among her peers, Tang Ruoxuan ranked first. Facing Wang Shenglan, she was like a chick under the claws of a golden eagle, utterly powerless to resist.

Wang Shenglan is tall, a full head taller than the petite Tang Ruoxuan. With her long arms and legs, a gentle grab from her would look just like an eagle catching a chick.

"My sister's martial arts skills are amazing!"

"Want to learn? I'll teach you in a bit!"

Wang Shenglan looked outside the wall, and just as she turned around, she saw several fierce-looking experts flying in.

The two leading figures, dressed in black robes, were none other than the two great protectors of the Blood Moon Cult: Judge Lan Chou and Hei Qiling.

When Abiro, the leader of the Blood Moon Cult, learned that the Tang family were descendants of the Five Heavenly Swords, he ordered Chief Escort Tang to hand over the Five Heavenly Swords, or else he would exterminate the entire Tang family.

Chief镖头 Tang was unwilling to hand over his family heirloom and did not want to deal with the Blood Moon Cult. He thought the Blood Moon Cult would not dare to wipe out an entire family in broad daylight, but he did not expect the enemy to arrive so quickly. Without any verbal probing, the two guardians attacked at the same time, and their internal energy soared in an instant.

Compared to the Blood Moon Cult, the Tang family was nothing more than a small, insignificant clan. Judge Lan Chou alone could wipe out the entire Tang family, not to mention Hei Qiling. After only three moves, Chief Escort Tang was injured and coughed up blood.

"You surnamed Tang, hand over the Heavenly Sword and Five Dukes!"

Judge Lan Chou sneered, "You have ten seconds to think, or I'll wipe out your entire family! You're so tough you're not afraid of death, but isn't your daughter afraid of death too?"

"Your question is too redundant. Even if you give him a hundred years to think, Chief Escort Tang still won't be able to produce any Heavenly Sword Five Nobles. He doesn't have Heavenly Sword Five Nobles."

Wang Shenglan sneered: "Of course, even if you obtain the Five Heavenly Swords today, it will be meaningless. There are five Heavenly Swords, and you can only find three at most."

Hei Qiling shouted, "You surnamed Tang, no wonder you're so fearless. It turns out you have a powerful backer. May I ask your name, young lady, and why you've gotten involved in this mess?"

Wang Shenglan said, "I'd love to!"

Hei Qiling was furious, but Wang Shenglan's aura was too terrifying, so Hei Qiling dared not be careless.

"Does the young lady dare not reveal her identity because she is hiding a secret of the martial world, or does she look down on my Blood Moon Cult?"
Young lady, your martial arts skills are superb, I admire you. But even if the Heavenly King himself were here, he couldn't just tell me to leave with a single word. There's no such rule in the martial world!
Please show us your skills, young lady!
Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!

Wang Shenglan sneered, "The rules of the martial arts world? You dare to talk about the rules of the martial arts world? Let me show you my skills. Who do you think you are? Can you withstand my attack?"

Judge Lan Chou flew into a rage: "Damn it! You're asking for it! Who do you think you are!"

Wang Shenglan slowly got up, gently patted Tang Ruoxuan's shoulder, and comforted the terrified Tang Ruoxuan.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Wang Shenglan swung her palm towards Judge Lan Chou. Her palm technique was dreamlike and ethereal, more beautiful than any song or dance, with each move displaying her elegance.

Judge Lan Chou instinctively launched a counterattack, thinking that Wang Shenglan was good at gentle moves and wanted to use force to overcome skill. Unexpectedly, when their palms collided, he felt a terrifying surge of true energy, like a giant wave in the Milky Way, rushing towards him. Then, a cracking sound was heard, and his arm bones were shattered.

Wang Shenglan struck with a single blow, her left hand lightly forming a delicate orchid finger gesture as she brushed against the vital area on Judge Lan Chou's chest. Judge Lan Chou's eyes widened, and blood flowed from his seven orifices as his internal organs were shattered by the single strike.

"Whoosh!"

Wang Shenglan sat back down gracefully.

One palm strike, one claw strike, one life.

No one could have imagined that the fierce and powerful Judge Lan Chou, who had taken down Chief Escort Tang in three moves, would be killed by Marquis Xiaoyun's wife in just two moves, dying so easily and casually, like swatting a fly or crushing an ant.

Hei Qiling trembled all over, looking at Wang Shenglan in disbelief. He and Judge Lan Chou were evenly matched. Even if he was fully prepared and only defended, he could only withstand five or six moves against Wang Shenglan's exquisite moves.

This is Hei Qiling's delusion.

If he were to defend himself and not attack, carefully guarding his own defenses, Wang Shenglan would shatter his protective inner energy with a single punch and crush his internal organs with a single palm strike.

Wang Shenglan's favorite thing to do is "smash turtles"!
Even those with innate inner strength, indestructible golden Buddha body, Heavenly Gang Child Skill, or pure Yang inner strength would be utterly destroyed by Wang Shenglan's Overlord Spear. Wang Shenglan was using a "contrast tactic."

The moves appear light, delicate, and exquisite, seemingly using the opponent's force against them, but in reality they are extremely yang, fierce, powerful, overwhelming, and indestructible.

“Hei Qiling, go back and tell King Abiro that I have two of the five fragments of the Heavenly Sword.”

"What do you mean, girl?"

Are you genuinely stupid or just putting on an act?
The Heavenly Sword Five Fragments must be collected to function. In other words, if King Abiro wants to collect the Heavenly Sword fragments, he will encounter me sooner or later.

If you can't beat me, it's all a waste of your energy.

Those who can defeat me are qualified to continue collecting.

I waited for him for three days in the desolate mountains outside the city.

King Abhira, surely you won't be too afraid to come?
I'll give him a reason why he absolutely has to come!

Wang Shenglan grabbed something from the table, picked up a wine pot, crushed it, and spilled the wine into her palm. She then channeled her Northern Darkness True Qi, turning the wine into several ice shards.

Hei Qiling didn't know what this was, but she knew she absolutely couldn't bear it. Just as she was about to run away, Wang Shenglan flicked out a life-and-death talisman, and a rain of flowers filled the sky, penetrating every nook and cranny.

"Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!"

Three life-and-death talismans were implanted into Hei Qiling's body.

Pain, numbness, and itching spread throughout her body. Hei Qiling used the Blood Moon Cult's secret technique to suppress the pain, took out seven or eight bottles of medicine, and drank them all at once. With her last bit of strength, Hei Qiling escaped to the Blood Moon branch.

The Blood Moon Cult disciples retreated swiftly.

They arrived quickly!
Walk faster!

A corpse was lying on the ground.

Wang Shenglan said apologetically, "Little sister, I'm sorry for disturbing your birthday party!"

Tang Ruoxuan quickly said, "If it weren't for your righteous help, my whole family would have been killed. You saved my life, how could I not appreciate it?"

Things had come to this point, and the banquet could not proceed.

Madam Tang apologized to all the guests.

Chief镖头 Tang invited Wang Shenglan to his study.

"May I ask for Madam Li's name?"

"You are the chief镖头 (chief镖头 is a term for a bodyguard/escort), and I am also the chief镖头. We are both chief镖头, so there's no need to be so polite."

"Chief Escort Wang... Chief Wang..."

Chief镖头 Tang instinctively shuddered.

No wonder calling out "Madam Li" could make such a master so happy that he would spend a fortune.

No wonder a super-rich man like Yan Tieshan would rush to give gifts to people, practically forcing them on them.

No wonder her husband didn't come to the banquet. Chief镖头 Wang is a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), and he values ​​harmony and making money. He only needs one person to die. But her husband, who is a 甲子太岁 (a type of person in Chinese astrology), can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at a time, much more efficiently than harvesting leeks.

"Has the Marquis arrived at Tongguan?"

"Ok!"

"What instructions does Your Excellency have?"

"Heavenly Sword Fifth Rank".

"This...this is the Tang family..."

"This is the root cause of the Tang family's annihilation. I follow the rules of the martial world, but the Blood Moon Cult does not. There are some things that are inconvenient to say, but you should understand very well."

Wang Shenglan took out a small bundle.

The bundle contained two letters and a secret manual.

"This is Yan Tieshan's calling card. You can take 10% of the business of escorting jewelry for the Yan family. The Tang family's escort agency is short-handed, so 10% is your limit."

This is a pass for the prefectures near Guanzhong, stamped with my husband's seal. It gives me some influence wherever I go and prevents me from getting into trouble with the authorities.

The Tang family's martial arts are mainly based on swordsmanship. This is a sword technique that my husband improved. With Tang Ruoxuan's aptitude, she should be able to become a Grandmaster of the Earthly Fiends by the age of twenty-five.

As the saying goes, "Courtesy first, then force."

Chief镖师 Tang, I've said everything I needed to say!
I don't like beating around the bush or haggling back and forth; we need to reach a conclusion today.

Please make your choice.

Wang Shenglan handed the bundle to Chief Escort Tang.

Chief镖头 Tang asked, "Madam Li, if I don't agree to hand over the Heavenly Sword and Five Jewels, will you directly seize the treasure by force, or wait for the Blood Moon Cult to wipe out my entire family before taking it from them? What do you intend to do?"

Wang Shenglan rolled her eyes: "What bodyguards hate most is bandits. Why would I rob someone? At most, I'd hire a few master thieves to steal the goods."

"Does the Marquis desire the Heavenly Sword?"

“This piece of junk is too unlucky. My husband doesn’t need this damn thing. He was just doing this for someone else.”

"According to the records left by our ancestors, the Heavenly Sword was forged to suppress the fate of the Qin Kingdom. It is a treasure of destiny, so how can it be considered unlucky? Isn't there some misunderstanding?"

"A sword is a weapon of violence, and it naturally carries evil energy. If you want to suppress fate, wouldn't it be more appropriate to use the He Shi Bi jade?"
When the Heavenly Sword was forged, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang launched their uprising.

The day the Heavenly Sword was forged was the day the First Emperor died. Heroes vied for power, and great figures rose up. The dynasty lasted only two generations.

Could you read a few more books?
It's a family that has been passed down for thousands of years, from the Qin Dynasty to the present day. Have you never read the history of the Qin Dynasty?

If you correlate the time of forging the Heavenly Sword with the uprisings of Chen Sheng, Emperor Gaozu of Han, and Xiang Yu, then if the Heavenly Sword can truly suppress destiny, there is only one explanation: this is not the Heavenly Sword, this is the Crimson Sky Sword!

I don't believe that claim.

My husband scoffed at this.

He wouldn't bother going out if his elders hadn't asked him to.

Having discussed the Qin Dynasty, let's now talk about five swordsmiths.

Which of the five families' descendants benefited from this?
The descendants of the Wu family are beggars.

The descendants of the Xiao family have gone blind.

The descendants of the Huang family have not been found to this day.

The descendants of the Zhang family made a living by brewing and selling wine.

The descendants of the Tang family were nearly wiped out by the Blood Moon Cult.

Forging auspicious and divine weapons will surely bring blessings to future generations.

Did you get any benefits?
This family of swordsmiths has a history spanning thousands of years. I wonder who among you knows how to forge iron? Who has inherited the craft?
I've also heard another explanation.

During the Qin Dynasty, the most powerful families in mechanical engineering and casting were the Mohists and the Gongshu family. The Mohists' non-aggressive mechanical engineering and the Gongshu family's domineering mechanical engineering each had their own unique and wonderful aspects.

The Mohists were the ancestors of chivalrous heroes.

The descendants of Gongshu established the Luban Divine Axe School.

"I wonder which branch of the Tang family they are descendants of?"

Today is a very lucky day for the women of the Li family. Jiang Yuyan can despise Ke Baisui on a moral level, and Wang Shenglan can despise Chief Escort Tang on an academic level.

This is all due to Li Zhaoting's influence.

He taught Jiang Yuyan the bottom line through words and deeds, and told Wang Shenglan stories, tailoring his teaching to her individual needs. Wang Shenglan couldn't remember classical Chinese texts, but she loved fables.

Li Zhaoting is very good at this.

He first talked about a few volumes of "Qin's Moon".

Since I couldn't continue writing the story, I had to use a teleportation technique to explain "The Legend of the Emperor".

They tell stories while promoting their ideas.

A treasure of auspiciousness should bring blessings to future generations. However, it was shattered into pieces and fought over by heroes as soon as it was completed. Unless the Heavenly Sword is renamed "Crimson Sky", it is clearly an ominous weapon that will damage the dynasty's fortune.

The evil influence lingered for generations, and the descendants of the five swordsmiths all suffered tragic fates, with most meeting untimely ends.

Chief镖头 Tang had read the records left by his ancestors and originally firmly believed that the Heavenly Sword was an auspicious omen. He was unwilling to hand it over to the Blood Moon Cult entirely because of the distinction between good and evil.

Now it seems that the Heavenly Sword is...

Wang Shenglan's words make a lot of sense.

"Thank you for your guidance, Madam Li. Your words have been like the sun breaking through the clouds, and I have suddenly understood everything. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity, and I would like to offer you the Heavenly Sword and the Five Dukes."

Chief镖头 Tang took out a necklace.

Originally intended to be passed on to Tang Ruoxuan as a token of engagement between the two families, Gu Hanyang has arrived too late. The Tang family has just faced a crisis of annihilation, and there is no room for error.

The betrothal between the Tang and Gu families can be discussed.

The Five Lords of Heavenly Sword must get rid of their burdens as soon as possible.

Li Zhaoting is a very good choice.

Wang Shenglan made things very clear: as long as Li Zhaoting possessed one of the Five Heavenly Swords, the Blood Moon Cult would never be able to gather them all. Sooner or later, the Blood Moon Cult would definitely confront Li Zhaoting, with no room for reconciliation.

This is Piccolo's method.

After swallowing the two Dragon Balls, no matter how hard Master Roshi works, in the final stage, he must fight Piccolo to the death to collect all the Dragon Balls.

Li Zhaoting: The biggest drawback of collecting opportunities is that you have to collect all the parts. As long as I have one of the parts, I don't have to do anything. Those who want to collect the parts will come to me on their own!

Li Zhaoting: King Abhiro, I'm waiting for you!
(End of this chapter)