Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 56 The Manchus, Western Xia, and Japan: The Storm Begins
Not long after, Bai Shijing and the others arrived.

They were drugged and imprisoned on a small boat filled with gunpowder, where they would be blown to pieces if they made any move.

It's true that Bai Shijing was seduced by Kang Min, but otherwise he was impeccable. He was extremely loyal to Qiao Feng and would rather die than betray him, making him one of the toughest nuts to crack.

Zhu Laoliu was living a muddled life, and the reason he was able to become a Transmission Elder was because he was originally a Seven-Bag Elder of the Beggars' Sect before becoming an Imperial Guard.

Zhu Laoliu made great contributions in his youth and became an imperial bodyguard, where he learned the twelve moves of the Dragon Subduing Palm. After returning to the Beggars' Clan, Ren Ci helped him conceal his identity, made him a Dharma Transmission Elder, and gave him a place to stay.

Zhu Laoliu doesn't concern himself with any of the gang's internal affairs.

However, Zhu Laoliu would absolutely not allow anyone to start a rebellion. Also, the experience of being tied to the boat had triggered his psychological trauma.

Zhu Laoliu's psychological trauma was neither the relentless pursuit to eliminate his enemies nor the revenge from his adversaries, but rather the burning of Tang Er's entire family to prevent leaks.

Burning his sworn brothers to death and turning their entire families into mummies, the tragic scene under the firelight and the incomplete mummies became a source of deep sorrow for Zhu Laoliu.

Zhu Laoliu is not afraid of poison, not afraid of death, but afraid of fire!

The flames would trigger his psychological trauma, reminding him of the scene of his second brother's entire family being burned to death, and of the mummified corpses in the abandoned brick kiln. Zhu Laoliu was driven to madness by rage.

Therefore, when the elders returned, the first one to erupt was not the law enforcement elder Bai Shijing, but Zhu Laoliu, who was furious and gathered powerful true energy in his palm.

The Seven Eagles of Chongqing are all top figures in the martial arts world.

Either possess exceptional martial arts skills or have unique abilities.

In the original story, Zhu Laoliu, in a state of madness and fear, was able to defeat the young Zhan Zhao with a single, random palm strike, demonstrating his extraordinary martial arts skills.

Li Si and Ling Da, who are ranked above Zhu Laoliu, are even more skilled among masters. Ling Da, in particular, was able to blast away half of the attacking pear blossom needles when facing a barrage of needles.

You should know that even someone as strong as Chu Liuxiang could only run away from the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles, or use lies to bluff, or use Yan Shuangying's method of betting bullets to scare Li Yuhan.

Ling Da confronted the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles head-on. Half of them were blasted away by his palm strike, while the other half remained embedded in his body. He used his inner energy to suppress the poison and forcibly endured the attack for half a month.

Zhu Laoliu's martial arts skills were already unfathomable. Having served as an elder for many years, his skills were highly proficient. With Chen Guyan's martial arts, he would definitely not be able to stop Zhu Laoliu.

"Quan Guanqing, Chen Guyan, and those surnamed Wu, Xi, and Song, all of you get out here! You've all committed insubordination, come here and receive the Beggars' Sect's magic sword!"

Zhu Laoliu glared fiercely at the five people.

The Beggars' Sect rules state that rebels will die.

If they commit suicide, they can cleanse themselves of their sins, have a grand funeral after death, and have their past wiped clean.

If they resist stubbornly, they will be stabbed to death by the law enforcement elders with a magic knife, three cuts and six holes, blood dripping everywhere, and their bodies will be left to rot in the wilderness, with no one to collect them.

Zhu Laoliu didn't want to give them a way out.

Twenty years of psychological trauma were completely triggered by these bastards, and Zhu Laoliu was on the verge of madness.

Who can persuade a madman with superb martial arts skills?
Qiao Feng is good!

Qiao Feng advised, "Elder Zhu, let them explain why they rebelled. Perhaps I have made mistakes, but if it benefits the gang, I will correct them."

Upon hearing this, Azhu's beautiful eyes became mesmerized.

Zhu Laoliu sighed deeply.

"Chief, I have always admired you. You are benevolent, righteous, brave and invincible. You are not greedy for power or lustful. You are full of virtues."

However, you have one flaw that you can't change.

You are too kind and righteous in your dealings with people!
Benevolence and righteousness are principles for chivalrous heroes.

These traitors are plotting rebellion in secret, their crimes are heinous. If we are kind to them, they will only take advantage of us. I'm talking about you, Chen Guyan, why are you hiding?
Am I wrong?

Of all the elders who participated in the rebellion, you have the closest relationship with the gang leader. The gang leader saved your life three times and helped you complete missions five times. How much credit did you get for this?
The gang leader has been incredibly kind to you, and this is how you repay him? Are you even human?!

And you, surnamed Xi!
You specialize in external martial arts and are skilled in staff techniques. The gang leader has given you guidance many times, at least seventeen or eighteen times, based on what I've seen. Have you forgotten all of that?
You old bastard surnamed Song, get the hell out of here!
Wu Changfeng, you... idiot!
You're the biggest idiot in the world!

Zhu Laoliu's angry scolding, full of disappointment and frustration.

Chen Guyan and Elder Song both had their own desires.

Elder Xi was coerced.

Wu Changfeng was utterly foolish. After being provoked by Quan Guanqing, he impulsively chose to rebel.

Is Wu Changfeng a bad person?
of course not!

He's a brainless idiot!

Zhu Laoliu had served as a bodyguard in the imperial palace, and his ability to read people was superb. During his years of seclusion in the Beggars' Sect, he had a clear understanding of the temperaments of the sect's elders.

No one can escape his eyes, whether they are loyal or treacherous.

Unfortunately, Zhu Laoliu, in order to conceal his identity and live a life of mediocrity, did not expose these things.

The less trouble, the better.

If their identities are exposed, the killings will be even more brutal!
The Hengshan School serves as a cautionary tale.

Li Zhaoting quietly watched the changes in the Beggars' Sect, his left hand constantly calculating with his five fingers, feeling that something was amiss.

Time passed second by second, and the heroes of the martial arts world invited by Quan Guanqing arrived one after another. There were experts who participated in the battle of Yanmen Pass, famous knights of the martial arts world, the Supreme Elder Xu Chongxiao, and Kang Min, the widow of Ma Dayuan. Among the crowd of people, there were several experts who hid their identities and disguised themselves as maids, servants and servants.

Those who can be directly identified include: Xu Chongxiao's coachman is a eunuch, Kang Min's maid is a ninja, and among Xu Chongxiao's entourage are thirty or forty Japanese samurai.

Lan Fenghuang whispered, "Brother Li, there's a pale-faced young man over there with a Cantonese accent. He's carrying several poisonous snakes. I remember he's..."

"White Jade Demon!"

A murderous glint flashed in Li Zhaoting's eyes.

Bai Yumo's skin was as white as jade, even whiter than Kang Min's. He was handsome, but his personality was sinister, vicious, greedy, lustful, cruel, and violent.

Fifteen years ago, Bai Yumo went berserk and killed seven virgins. Ren Ci, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, ordered six elders to hunt him down. Bai Yumo was quite shrewd and managed to escape the encirclement by circling around in the mountains. He fled all the way to Lingnan, where he raised poisonous snakes in the mountains, hoping to use them to regroup and regain his position as an elder.

The White Jade Demon deserves no regrets in death.

Quan Guanqing released the pressure points and spoke eloquently, revealing Qiao Feng's background. He stated that Qiao Feng's real name was Xiao Feng, and he was a relative of the Xiao family of the Liao Kingdom. He also mentioned that Ma Dayuan was silenced by him.

The Beggars' Sect's structure is that each leader is paired with a deputy leader. Ren Ci's deputy leader is named Wang Jiantong, who participated in the Battle of Yanmen Pass. Before his death, he wrote a will for Qiao Feng's deputy, Ma Dayuan, which detailed Qiao Feng's background and said that if Qiao Feng wanted revenge, he should strike first and that Ma Dayuan could follow Ma Dai's example.

Ma Dayuan was loyal to Qiao Feng and hid the will. One day, Kang Min and Ma Dayuan had a fight and accidentally found the will.

In some ways, Kang Min and Yan Ying are similar; both want to use their beauty to gain wealth and status.

She submitted to Duan Zhengchun because she wanted to become a princess.

Unexpectedly, Duan Zhengchun pulled up his pants and left.

Kang Min married Ma Dayuan hoping he would become the deputy leader of the Beggars' Sect and eventually the leader. However, Ma Dayuan lacked ambition, which greatly angered Kang Min.

—I only want to be the wife of the Beggars' Sect leader. I certainly don't care who the Beggars' Sect leader is!
Kang Min wanted to become the leader's wife, but Qiao Feng didn't!
Qiao Feng enjoys honing his skills and doesn't love his sister-in-law!
This matter touched a nerve with Kang Min.

Kang Min is confident in her unparalleled beauty, claiming that any man would fall at her feet. "If you dare to ignore me, I will ruin your reputation and make you wish you were dead!"
In retaliation for Qiao Feng's "ignorance," Kang Min first seduced Bai Shijing, then Quan Guanqing, and then Xu Chongxiao, successfully setting up a murder plot.

At this very moment, the deadly trap is set.

Eyewitnesses recount Qiao Feng's life story.

Kang Min took out Wang Jiantong's suicide note.

Qiao Feng had assumed the other party was after power, money, women, or the throne of the martial arts alliance, but he never expected them to possess such a trump card. Even if he had a thousand mouths, he couldn't explain himself.

Master Zhiguang of Tiantai Mountain said in a deep voice: "I was deceived and ambushed Xiao Yuanshan, which was a grave mistake. If you want to kill me for revenge today, you may do so at will."

“Master Zhiguang, I have three questions.”

Li Zhaoting suddenly interrupted.

"What right do you have to ask questions?"

Quan Guanqing looked at Li Zhaoting with a cold smile.

Li Zhaoting pointed at Zhu Laoliu: "Elder Zhu, I think I am qualified. What do you think, Elder Zhu?"

A voice transmission came through Zhu Laoliu's ear: "Ling Datang, Tang Er, Zhang San, Li Si, Yang Wu, Zhu Liu, Zhuo Qi, Zhuo Laoqi's granddaughter is in my house, and Madam Tang's weapon is in my hands. Please, Uncle Zhu, for the sake of these two, put in a good word for me. This request is not too much, is it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Laoliu's face turned pale.

Li Zhaoting brought up Madam Tang, how could he dare to refuse?

The destructive power of "Madam Tang's weapon is in my hands" was terrifying. Zhu Laoliu thought of the fire, the mummified corpse, and the nightmare of the past twenty years.

I dare not refuse.

I absolutely dare not utter a single extra word!
Zhu Laoliu coughed twice: "Young Master Li is someone I invited to solve the case, so of course he has the right to ask questions!"

Li Zhaoting held up one finger: "I remember the original purpose of the Xingzilin Gathering was to find out the murderer, not Qiao Feng's background. I want to ask you all, after saying so much, do you have any direct evidence?"

Kang Min took out a folding fan from her bosom.

As the saying goes, a woman should be beautiful even in mourning.

Kang Min was already charming and beautiful. Dressed in mourning clothes and without makeup, she looked pitiful and evoked pity in people, attracting most of their attention.

Kang Min was secretly pleased with herself.

A second later, Kang Min was furious.

Because Li Zhaoting and Duan Yu didn't look at her.

Of the men present, the most imposing was Qiao Feng, and the most handsome were Li Zhaoting and Duan Yu. Yet none of the three of them even glanced at her. How could she not be furious?
Even if there were a hundred Bai Shijings or a thousand Xu Chongxiaos who were obsessed with Kang Min, they would still be nothing more than old beggars and lecherous old men. How could they compare to Li Zhaoting even a fraction of him?

A crane standing out from the crowd!

The three cranes looked down on Kang Min. What was the point of having a thousand chickens around her?
The folding fan that Kang Min took out belonged to Qiao Feng.

This is a gift from Wang Jiantong to Qiao Feng.

Kang Min said calmly, "This was found at the scene of my husband's death and can be used as evidence."

Xu Chongxiao went through the verification process in a very serious manner.

Li Zhaoting swiftly opened his portable folding fan, fanned himself twice, and then tossed the fan to Qiao Feng. Qiao Feng opened the fan as if a bear were breaking off corn cobs.

Qiao Feng was tall and strong, even more robust than a bear, a true hero of Yan and Zhao. Such a person would likely carry a long spear, halberd, mace, steel whip, bronze mace, or iron hammer.

What use would Qiao Feng have for a folding fan?

Used to fan oneself in the summer?

Qiao Feng possessed superb internal strength, making him impervious to both heat and cold.

Used as a seasoning when grilling meat?

The folding fan is spotless and free of oil stains.

Anyone with a brain could see that if Kang Min hadn't taken out the folding fan, Qiao Feng would indeed be a suspect. From the moment she took out the folding fan, it proved that this was a setup.

Who would frame Qiao Feng?
The most likely suspect is... the murderer!
Li Zhaoting glanced at Zhu Laoliu.

Zhu Laoliu sneered coldly: "Frame-up, such a low-level tactic is laughable. If that's all you've got, you might as well just accept your execution!"

Li Zhaoting extended another finger.

"Next question: the Shan brothers, Tan Gong and Tan Po, Zhao Qiansun, and Master Zhiguang, you are either renowned heroes or senior figures in the martial arts world. I really don't understand why a group of impartial and highly respected senior figures in the martial arts world would associate with Bai Yumo?"

Before he finished speaking, Li Zhaoting soared into the sky.

With his right index and middle fingers joined together to form a sword, a purple sword beam descended from the sky. Caught off guard, the White Jade Demon had no time to dodge and could only throw out seven or eight poisonous snakes.

Li Zhaoting was surrounded by sharp sword energy. Before the venomous snake could even get close to his body, it was cut into pieces by the sword light. The sword energy split in two and pierced through the white jade demon's collarbone!

"Ah~~"

The white jade demon was writhing on the ground in pain.

The collarbone is the core of maintaining the strength of the arms. If the collarbone is pierced, eighty percent of one's martial arts skills will be rendered useless.

Seeing the white jade demon lying on the ground groaning in pain, the Shan brothers, Tan Gong and Tan Po, and even the compassionate Master Zhiguang all took a few steps back.

Nobody wants to be associated with this kind of person!
"One last question for you all: why are there Manchu eunuchs among your maids and servants? Why are there Japanese ninjas? Who is harboring malicious intentions?"

The Purple Rose Soft Sword flicked into his palm.

Li Zhaoting's voice was like thunder, and the evil spirits retreated.

The eunuch driving Xu Chongxiao's carriage, the maid supporting Kang Min, and the maids and servants who followed were all aroused and subconsciously drew their swords.

In an instant, the apricot grove was filled with murderous intent.

"If I'm not mistaken, Quan Guanqing, your true identity is a Manchu spy. Your surname is Feng, and you are a descendant of Feng Jizhong, the chief steward of the Sticky Pole Office during the Kangxi era!"

"You...how did you..."

"If you don't want others to know, don't do it yourself!"

Li Zhaoting drew his sword and charged towards the Japanese ninja.

Any rebuttal is pointless.

Manchu secret agents were real.

Japanese ninjas were real.

Whether Qiao Feng was a Khitan or not is irrelevant.

The important thing is to extricate yourself from this situation as soon as possible.

Just then, smoke appeared in the distance.

A burst of red!
A yellow hue!
The red smoke came from the Western Xia Yipintang.

The leader's name was Helian Tieshu.

The yellow smoke came from the Manchu stick-stick office.

The leader was named Senggelinqin.

The poisonous smoke of the Western Xia Dynasty was called... Red Flower Fragrant Mist!
The Manchu Qing dynasty's poisonous smoke was called... Qilin Smoke!

(End of this chapter)