Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 506 Xiao Qiushui: The Daily Life of a Human Koi!
The power faction only had three educated managers.

Zhao Shirong and Liu Suifeng are in Dali. Who is the mastermind behind deceiving Li Chenzhou? The answer is obvious. Besides Ju Xiushan, who else could deceive Li Chenzhou?

Liu Suifeng suddenly felt cold; the cold air rushed from his spine to the top of his head, and his whole body felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

This whole thing was a calculated scheme from the very beginning.

He instigated Li Chenzhou to use Dali as a springboard, sending Liu Suifeng and Zhao Shirong to Dali to command the secret agents. It seemed that they had achieved many victories, but in reality, he was taking the opportunity to transfer them away.

If Liu Suifeng were in the Power Gang, he could see through Ju Xiushan's schemes; if Zhao Shirong were in the Power Gang, she could appease Li Chenzhou when he made a foolish move.

Now, both of them have been transferred. Under Ju Xiushan's instigation, Li Chenzhou made many plans that seemed to be very profitable but were actually useless, resulting in heavy losses.

Even Liu Suifeng was led by the nose!
In order to force Xiao Feng to use the Vajra Transformation, they wasted the Miao Jiang spy and three Tantric masters.

In an attempt to test Li Zhaoting's strength, Yan Kuangtu was killed, and the Power Gang lost its strongest trump card.

In order to deal with the eminent monks of Tianlong Temple, Liu Suifeng's Twin Wings killed five phoenixes, sacrificing half of them.

Did we achieve any results?

Of course!
Gao Shengtai was seriously injured, Master Kurong died, half of the senior monks of the Ben generation were injured, Xiao Feng could not transform, and Li Zhaoting was seriously injured and would need to recuperate for at least half a month.

Are these victories meaningful?

Meaningless.

Dali remains Dali. The Miao and Baiyi tribes continue to annex each other, and the power faction has not made any progress, has not occupied any prefectures, and has not gained any benefits.

What they offered was gold, silver, jewels, and martial arts masters.

What they gained was empty fame and infamy, utterly worthless.

The gap between effort and reward is too large.

Liu Suifeng never dreamed that he would be involved in this kind of business. He only realized he had fallen into a deep pit when he got deeper and deeper into the swamp, which was up to his nose.

Liu Suifeng looked at Zhao Shirong with worry.

Zhao Shirong smiled and said, "Fifth brother, the situation hasn't reached a critical juncture. Sooner or later, a turning point will appear."

Liu Suifeng smiled bitterly: "There's no turning back now. My elder brother agreed to Ju Xiushan's plan and sent two Heavenly Kings and two Dharma Protectors to participate in the assassination. They're not coming back."

Zhao Shirong frowned upon hearing this.

Liu Suifeng continued, "The Snake King cannot escape the internal purge in Miao territory. If Zhao Qiuxi and Qu Hanshan die in the Dali Palace, only one of the Eight Heavenly Kings will remain."

Only two of the four guardians remain. If the two of them die in Dali, the position of guardian will be vacant.

In other words, once the plan is launched, the eldest brother will be left all alone, with no one else available except for the Five Swords of Changtian, Lion King and Tiger Queen.

Juxiu Mountain!
What a deep scheming!
What a vicious method!

Zhao Shirong's face paled: "Fifth Brother, you must have a solution, you can definitely solve this problem, you're the best, you always manage to solve problems!"

A ruthless glint flashed in Liu Suifeng's eyes: "There's only one path left, Sister Shirong, I'm begging you!"

Zhao Shirong asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"of course……"

Liu Suifeng stepped forward and made the whispering gesture often used by strategists. Zhao Shirong trusted Liu Suifeng completely and waited to hear the plan. Unexpectedly, she felt a pain in her neck, followed by a numbness and weakness throughout her body, and she collapsed limply.

Liu Suifeng's face was full of bitterness: "Sister Shirong, this is my solution. I can die in Dali, even if it costs me my life, I will protect your safety."

Liu Suifeng instructed the three phoenixes to protect Zhao Shirong while he personally went to find Zhao Qiuxi and Qu Hanshan, asking them to take Zhao Shirong south or to Japan.

Run far away and never come back.

Qu Hanshan was loyal to the death, and Zhao Qiuxi was a man of his word, willing to die for his promise. Liu Suifeng trusted them the most. In the previous fierce battle with Xiao Qiushui, Liu Suifeng deliberately spared their lives, intending to have them serve as trusted ministers to protect Zhao Shirong's safety.

"My two good brothers, this is my life's treasured gold and silver jewelry, elixirs, and martial arts manuals. You must leave quickly, tonight is your last chance!"

"Grand Steward, aren't you leaving?"

“If I leave, you will all die without a doubt. Li Zhaoting is not one to kill indiscriminately and will not go so far as to exterminate everyone. If you leave, he will not care. If I escape, he will turn Miao Jiang Dali upside down. On Li Zhaoting’s kill list, I am higher than my elder brother.”

Liu Suifeng was well aware of his reputation in the martial arts world.

Power helps the higher-ups manage affairs, and anyone can live, but Liu Suifeng must die; there is absolutely no chance of survival.

Liu Suifeng is not afraid of death and is very willing to live and die with Li Chenzhou, but he cannot let Zhao Shirong die.

Zhao Shirong is Liu Suifeng's white moonlight and the greatest good thought in his heart. If one day Zhao Shirong is murdered, Liu Suifeng will definitely become the most terrifying demon, causing far more harm than Li Chenzhou.

If Liu Suifeng had the ability to see beyond the heavens and knew the original ending of Zhao Shirong's story, he would probably have killed Li Chenzhou immediately.

There is one more point that needs to be emphasized.

Liu Suifeng was not some innocent young man.

"One Killer with Two Wings" refers to a martial arts master who infiltrates a prestigious sect, while "Five Phoenixes" refers to five stunningly beautiful women, all of whom are Liu Suifeng's lovers.

To be precise, they weren't even lovers; they were merely tools for Liu Suifeng to vent his desires.

Why did it turn into three phoenixes?
Two of them were personally eliminated by Liu Suifeng.

Liu Suifeng's kindness was 80% for Zhao Shirong and 20% for Li Chenzhou. He didn't care about the rest. As long as there was benefit, he was willing to sacrifice them at any time.

Qu Hanshan and Zhao Qiuxi, along with Zhao Shirong, fled south overnight. They then took a boat to Hainan Island, made a large detour by boat, and finally entered the Kingdom of Bagan, where they settled down.

This is something for later, let’s not mention it for now.

After seeing Zhao Shirong off, Liu Suifeng had no more worries. With his hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot, he declared, "No matter what your purpose is, I will definitely kill you!"

Originally intending to assassinate Xiao Feng, Liu Suifeng had used a barrage of poisons and hidden weapons, but now that was unnecessary. He turned his attention to Ju Xiushan, wanting to see just who this mastermind behind the power struggle was.

Liu Suifeng was driven to a mental breakdown by Ju Xiushan, while Li Zhaoting and Xiao Feng were having a heated drinking contest.

Drinking with just two people isn't very interesting.

There were three people participating in the drinking contest.

The extra person is—Xiao Qiushui!

How could Xiao Qiushui be absent from dealing with the Power Gang? Even if Xiao Qiushui was willing, Li Zhaoting was not. The strongest cheat in the Wen faction, who cultivated immortality while others practiced martial arts, Li Zhaoting had long admired him.

When Xiao Qiushui was in the Huanhua Sword Sect, he was just a relatively outstanding young master. His martial arts skills were even worse than Li Qingming's, and he couldn't last more than two rounds.

It wasn't until Li Chenzhou attacked the Huanhua Sword Sect that Xiao Qiushui fled in a sorry state. From then on, the seal was broken, and with unparalleled good fortune, her martial arts progressed by leaps and bounds.

Looking up, a secret manual falls from the sky; looking down, a thousand-year-old ginseng pricks your feet. Forced to jump off a cliff, below the cliff, there is either an old man passing on his skills or the tomb of a master, where the inheritance is hidden, which just happens to fit Xiao Qiushui.

In the past two years, Xiao Qiushui has unearthed the traditions left by the elders of Lingnan and Guangdong, especially those that had been hidden for decades or even hundreds of years.

The strongest legacy comes from Zhang Danfeng.

The profound secrets of martial arts and the nameless sword technique give Xiao Qiushui unlimited power, making her stronger when facing stronger opponents. Even if someone's skill far surpasses Xiao Qiushui's, she can still have a sudden enlightenment and turn the tables in battle.

Using a familiar analogy of the metal element, the two sets of ultimate skills are equivalent to: Nine Yang Divine Skill + Dugu Nine Swords!

Secondly, there is Xie Xuan's Nine Shao Sound-Setting Sword from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Song Que's Nine Heavenly Questions Blades and Nine Songs Divine Blade from the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Kou Zhong's Well Moon, and Xu Ziling's Nine True Words...

Besides martial arts manuals, Xiao Qiushui also encountered Wudang Iron Cavalry Master Yinping, Zizaimen Master Lancan, Shaolin Master Kugua, and Emei Dugu Yihe, forming good relationships with each of them and receiving guidance each time.

In just two and a half years, Xiao Qiushui transformed from a dissolute young master of the Huanhua Sword Sect into a renowned swordsman, wreaking havoc on the Power Gang. His fortuitous encounters and insights, while perhaps not unprecedented, are certainly among the best of his time.

After more than two years of seclusion and killing, Xiao Qiushui was no longer naive, immature, or innocent. Every move he made revealed his chivalrous demeanor. The only thing that showed his romantic and chivalrous nature was his love of composing poems.

Xiao Qiushui loved to compose poems.

He and Li Zhaoting were kindred spirits.

A swordsman feels something is missing if he doesn't compose poetry.

If you don't recite poetry while drawing your sword, even the most exquisite moves will feel somewhat incomplete and lack a certain elegance.

Swordsmen are either as cold as ice and as frigid as snow, like Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng, or they are elegant and unrestrained, skilled in sword dancing and reciting poetry, with each poem accompanied by a set of sword techniques.

"Master Li, Master Xiao, I have long admired your names. It is truly an honor to meet you both today!"

"Brother Xiao, there's no need to be so polite. It's fate that we've met. Besides, all of us are dealing with the Power Gang, so we should cooperate sincerely."

Li Zhaoting poured Xiao Qiushui a glass of wine.

He also took advantage of Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng also had the surname Xiao.

"Brother Xiao" refers to two people.

The form of address is indeed a problem.

Since the two share the same surname, it would feel awkward for Xiao Feng to address Xiao Qiushui by her surname, so it would be better to just call her by her first name.

Xiao Feng laughed and said, "Qiu Shui, you've dealt with the Power Gang for many years and are familiar with their methods. Who else in the Power Gang has expertise? Who is the most troublesome one?"

Xiao Qiushui sighed, "The most troublesome one is naturally the Grand Steward Liu Suifeng, who is full of ingenious schemes and treacherous and ruthless. Apart from him, there are many hidden masters, such as Yan Kuangtu, who was killed by Brother Li. Who would have thought that Yan Kuangtu, who had been in seclusion for more than ten years, would reappear in the martial world and become an accomplice of the Power Gang? This is truly perplexing..."

Li Zhaoting explained softly, "That's not true. Yan Kuangtu is neither an accomplice nor a henchman. He is Li Chenzhou's biological father and he's here to help his son!"

"Isn't Li Chenzhou surnamed Li?"

"When traveling the martial world, who doesn't have an alias? Yan Kuangtu has a notorious reputation. If you go out under his name, you'll probably be surrounded and killed by people from the martial world as soon as you show your face."

"I see! Brother Li, when you killed Yan the Madman, did you find the Limitless Immortal Pill?"

"The Limitless Immortal Pill? Couldn't find it! It was most likely left to Li Chenzhou. Once martial arts reach a certain level, the effect of accumulating internal energy is not significant. Even a transcendent elixir like the Limitless Immortal Pill wouldn't provide much of an improvement." Among the pills in the martial world that enhance internal energy, the Limitless Immortal Pill ranks first, and it firmly holds that position.

Where does the Limitless Elixir come from?

Of course, it comes from—Ying Zheng!
As long as it's alchemy, Ying Zheng can be blamed.

The Wuji Immortal Pill was a miraculous elixir for prolonging life and achieving immortality, refined by alchemists during the Qin Dynasty. However, the formula had problems, and those who took it died on the spot. It wasn't until the Sui and Tang Dynasties that Sun Simiao improved the formula and modified the drug ratios. With the support of the Tang Dynasty royal family, he refined sixteen Wuji Immortal Pills.

Taking the Wuji Immortal Pill can increase one's cultivation level by sixty years.

However, the Wuji Immortal Pill is divided into Yin-Yang Pills. It is necessary to take Yin-Yang Pills and Yang-Yang Pills at the same time, along with a special medicinal material to refine the pills and transform them from poisonous pills into spiritual pills, which puts a great burden on the body.

Those who can withstand it don't need the Limitless Immortal Pill.

Those who cannot endure it will commit suicide by taking the elixir.

After many twists and turns, twelve Limitless Immortal Pills have been passed down to the present day, and all of them have been obtained by Yan Kuangtu. Yan Kuangtu consumed four of them and collected the rest.

In Li Zhaoting's memory, this was one of Xiao Qiushui's extraordinary encounters, neither particularly important nor unimportant. In fact, the combined effects of the Limitless Immortal Pill were enough to cause a qualitative change from a quantitative one.

When Li Zhaoting buried Yan Kuangtu, he discovered that Yan had no elixirs on him, which must have been left for Li Chenzhou.

Or perhaps it was stolen by Shao Liulei.

Who is Shao Liulei?

Shao Liulei was originally a protector of the Blackwater Path. When they were besieging Yan Kuangtu, Zhu Datianwang used him as a human shield and took the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on Yan Kuangtu. Yan Kuangtu was seriously injured and ran away with Shao Liulei. He gave Shao Liulei a pill, which made Shao Liulei suffer from the poison day and night. Only Yan Kuangtu could cure this poison, so he had no choice but to work for Yan Kuangtu.

Shao Liulei pretended to be obedient and gradually gained Yan Kuangtu's trust, waiting for an opportunity to steal the Wuji Immortal Pill, partly to detoxify himself and partly for revenge.

Revenge on King Zhu!

In the original storyline, Shao Liulei wanted to give the fake pills and real poison pills to Zhu Datianwang. To be precise, he wanted to use poison instead of real medicine so that Zhu Datianwang could take them away.

The world changes, times change.

The Blackwater Channel was destroyed many years ago.

Zhu Datianwang has been reincarnated for several years.

Who can Shao Liulei seek revenge against?
When the topic turned to the Limitless Elixir and True Essence Qi and Blood, the three of them unconsciously started talking about martial arts, engaging in a lively discussion.

Unbeknownst to them, they simultaneously entered a state of sudden enlightenment.

……

Dali Palace.

Duan Zhengchun is planning a celebration to commemorate the victorious return of Li Zhaoting and Xiao Feng. He intends to hold a grand celebration to appease the people.

According to the customs of Dali, the emperor led civil and military officials to welcome the meritorious officials, and the crown prince led officials from the Ministry of Rites to pray for everyone in the Buddhist hall, which continued until the evening banquet.

During the prayer period, there were only three high-ranking monks around.

Benyin, Duan Yanqing, Duan Zhengming!

This was the perfect opportunity for assassination.

Find the right opportunity and strike decisively.

"laugh!"

A sword light pierced towards Benyin.

"laugh!"

A sword light pierced towards Duan Zhengming.

The two sword lights came from the two protectors of the Power Gang.

Lan Fangqing, nicknamed "Eastern Sword".

Bai Danshu, also known as "Xi Yi Jian".

The two had a grudge against Yin Ping, the Iron Cavalry of Wudang.

Lan Fangqing and Bai Danshu took an unconventional approach, being ruthless and fierce in the early stages, capable of unleashing several times their combat power. However, they lacked staying power in the later stages and were no match for Tieqi Yinping.

The two joined the Power Gang and, under Li Chenzhou's protection, diligently practiced swordsmanship. On this unorthodox path of swordsmanship, they may not have reached the pinnacle, but they were certainly halfway up the mountain.

Their martial arts skills and swordsmanship were only slightly inferior to those of Yin Ping, the Iron Cavalry of Wudang.

The difference was roughly equivalent to one punch from Li Chenzhou.

This means that as long as Li Chenzhou delivers a powerful blow to Tieqi Yinping, the strength of both sides will be even, and they will eventually fight to the death, with Li Chenzhou receiving a power transfer before he dies.

The two swordsmen, Dong and Xi, are no match for Tieqi and Yinping, but they are more than capable of defeating Benyin and Duan Zhengming. As long as the two of them use their fast swords to block Benyin and Duan Zhengming, Duan Yanqing can take Duan Yu away under the pretext of protecting the emperor, and then launch a sneak attack to assassinate him.

In this way, all three of them would have a chance to escape.

This is the plan devised by Ju Xiushan.

The two felt there was at least a 50% chance of success.

Without an omniscient perspective and unaware of the relationship between Duan Yanqing and Duan Yu, most people would assume that Duan Yanqing and Duan Yu were enemies and that Duan Yanqing would inevitably seek revenge given the opportunity.

Killing Duan Yu would cause chaos, and then Duan Zhengming could be killed in the process. After that, Duan Zhengchun could be assassinated, and perhaps an opportunity could be found to assassinate the Song Dynasty envoy Li Xunhuan.

This plan is highly profitable.

It was so high that Li Chenzhou was blinded by greed.

The cry of "Protect the Emperor!" echoed throughout the palace.

Following closely behind were the imperial guards clad in armor and wielding spears, and thirty-six sword-wielding monks. Each of these monks was proficient in a form of the Six Meridians Divine Sword, and under Li Zhaoting's guidance, they had mastered the Heavenly Gang Sword Formation, making them most skilled at subduing demons and monsters.

"Amitabha, well said, well said! Dali has no grudges against the Power Gang, yet the Power Gang has schemed against us repeatedly. What is the reason for this? Do you think Dali has no one to rely on?"

The abbot glared angrily at the two swords, one in the east and one in the west.

The two swordsmen glared angrily at Duan Yanqing.

Duan Yanqing's eyes were full of sarcasm as he used ventriloquism to transmit his voice secretly: "Assassination is not an easy task. Have you ever heard of a young master offering his head? Have you ever heard of the dagger being revealed when the map is unrolled? How can you get the opportunity to assassinate someone without offering your head? Liu Suifeng sold you to me. Don't hate me, hate Liu Wu!"

Duan Yanqing is truly cunning and wicked.

Even in this situation, he still spouts nonsense.

Unfortunately, Duan Yanqing was expressionless, and the two swordsmen could only see the sarcasm in his eyes, but they couldn't tell where the sarcasm came from, so they mistakenly thought that they had been betrayed by Liu Suifeng.

Liu Suifeng had done this kind of thing many times.

The two have every reason to "trust outsiders"!
Duan Zhengming said loudly, "Gentlemen, Heaven cherishes life. This humble monk has no desire to resort to violence. As long as you lay down your weapons, kneel down and surrender, and hand over all the spies of the Power Gang, this humble monk guarantees that he will not harm you!"

Duan Yu quickly added, "Gentlemen, this is my uncle. He is the one I spoke to. You have no grudge against me, so why the need for fighting?"

The two swordsmen sneered, "Kneel down and surrender? I'm not even afraid of the Wudang Sect, why would I be afraid of you? My head is right here, come and chop it off if you dare!"

"Unruly and stubborn, have you not heard that Buddha has anger, that Vajra has wrathful eyes, and that demons and monsters are subdued!"

Benyin shouted, and the thirty-six warrior monks quickly set up the Heavenly Gang Sword Formation, surrounding the two of them in groups of six, with the Six Meridians Divine Sword circulating repeatedly.

The Six Meridian Divine Sword is not only an invisible sword energy, but also has accompanying moves. With the internal strength of these martial monks, they cannot master the invisible sword energy, but they can master the sword moves.

Since there is no invisible sword energy, an iron sword will be used instead.

The sword blades whistled and crackled, unleashing a torrent of sword energy.

Benyin and Duan Zhengming each led a formation, dividing the thirty-six people into six groups of six. Benyin led three groups of warrior monks to form the Three Talents Formation, while Duan Zhengming led the remaining people to form the Reverse Three Talents Formation. Using two, three, and six as the basis of the formation, they arranged and combined the groups in an orderly manner.

As Li Zhaoting analyzed, the essence of multi-person formations is permutation and combination, and factorization, dividing a relatively large number into several smaller numbers.

Each group cannot have more than nine people.

The maximum number of people in a normal formation is seven.

Nine people can form three sets of Three Talents Formation, and eight people can form Eight Trigrams Formation or two sets of Four Symbols Formation.

Only seven people could not be further subdivided.

Prime number advantage.

Unless it's split into 3+4!

The thirteen-person formation can be transformed into a 5+8 formation!

The so-called Heavenly Gang Sword Formation is actually the Positive and Negative Three Powers Six Meridians Sword Formation, with the six meridians as the foundation and yin and yang as the variations.

The two swordsmen specialize in unorthodox sword techniques, capable of killing a martial monk with a single strike and defeating Duan Zhengming within three or four moves. However, when faced with the Heavenly Gang Sword Formation and the thirty-six precious swords, they can only barely defend themselves.

Seeing that the two men's defenses were becoming increasingly ineffective, Duan Yanqing suddenly leaped up. The two men's eyes lit up with surprise. They thought that Duan Yanqing was going to sneak attack Duan Zhengming and then kill Duan Yu with a cane. However, their excitement lasted only half a second. Their ribs suddenly stiffened, and they had obviously been hit by two fingers.

Duan Yanqing looked at the two of them with disdain.

The Power Gang's penchant for assassinations makes it perfectly reasonable that they're now being used against them. Before the two swordsmen could even curse, layers of sword light slashed down.

A flash of cold light, and blood stained the Buddhist hall.

The two swordsmen, East and West, lay dead on the ground, their eyes wide open in disbelief.

Duan Yanqing sighed, "What a pity! We only managed to hook two protectors from the Power Gang, but not the Heavenly King, let alone Liu Suifeng. That guy is really cunning!"

(End of this chapter)