Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

"Fake death to escape; a dead person commits the crime."

I've seen far too many cases like this.

No one would doubt the dead. Death is the most perfect disguise in the world, especially for those who are determined to die. If they are not even afraid of death, what else is there to fear?

Without fear, there will be no weaknesses revealed.

If there are no flaws, it is difficult for someone to break through.

except me!
Your method of faking your death is very clever; it can fool most people, but it can't fool a master like me with keen spiritual insight and unparalleled skill. Can you tell me why?
Relax a bit.

I isolated this world with my domain.

No one can hear our conversation.

Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce were reviewing the account books. Tang Yin and Li Xunhuan had no interest in investigating the case and wished they were all dead. Pang Tong went to find the Xiling tribe.

No one will come here within an hour.

You can speak freely.

I am an excellent listener.

Li Zhaoting moved a chair for Liu Yi.

Having played the role of a dead body for so long, coupled with the burns from the raging fire, Liu Yi was exhausted and slumped into a chair, panting heavily.

Liu Yi smiled wryly and said, "Master Li, which is better, my reputation or dog shit?"

"I think it's dog shit!"

"What a coincidence, I think so too! I'm not even worth dog shit! I should have gone to the deepest hell long ago!"

"You actually started to reflect on your own actions?"

"Because I was punished."

Master Li, you may not believe it, but when I was young and impetuous, I had many grievances against the court and the current situation, and I wanted to restore peace and order to the world.

I found three like-minded friends. Since their names happened to contain the characters '甲乙丙丁', we felt it was fate and became sworn brothers at the Sanyi Temple.

You should be able to guess who it is.

Eldest brother Gao Jia, second brother Liu Yi, third brother Qian Bing, fourth brother Ding Han, we were all arrogant back then and wanted to overthrow Grand Tutor Pang, so we secretly formed a force.

This power is called the 'Western Dynasty'.

The consequence of forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices is moral decay.

Our passion was completely defeated by gold, silver, jewels, money, power, and beauty. Unknowingly, we degenerated to a level we could never have imagined, and put on masks.

One mask after another.

I've even forgotten who I am.

The ideals of my youth and the passion of my younger days are now impossible. When I close my eyes, I dream that someone is holding a knife and trying to kill me. Do you know who the killer is?

It's Liu Yi.

Liu Yi was full of vigor and in his prime.

From that day on, I found my health deteriorating. After being examined by Dr. Mei, I was diagnosed with a terminal illness and had only three or four months to live.

This is God's retribution for me.

I realized it.

I don't want to die in a daze.

At least, before I die, I will eliminate all threats. I calculated the date of Bao Zheng's arrival, planned to fake my death and escape, and devised a plan to assassinate Qian Bing and others.

I didn't kill Qian.

I also killed Gao Jia.

Only Ding Han remains…

Liu Yi looked at Li Zhaoting with a pleading expression: "I don't ask for forgiveness from you, Master Li. I have already committed unforgivable sins. I only want to atone for my sins."

Li Zhaoting shook his head: "If you want to atone for your sins, don't cause trouble for others. The dossier on resurrection is too difficult to write, and if it gets out, it will affect the court."

What kind of imperial envoy, investigating a case, discovers that a corpse has been resurrected and is murdering his sworn brothers? If this gets out to the common people, what will they think?
Will the censor impeach Bao Zheng?
Did Bao Zheng offend you?
Why increase his workload?

Working overtime is one thing, since this guy has a dark face and you can't see his dark circles, but instead of getting overtime pay, he also gets covered in shit.

Who could Bao Zheng turn to for justice?
You have done what you were supposed to do.

I'll help you with the rest.

Li Zhaoting conjured a ball of flame in his left hand.

Vulcan's Wrath - Little Purple Sun Hand!
This palm technique, simplified from the Demonic Cult's "Heaven-Destroying Purple Sun Hand," combined with the essence of Yan Kuangtu's Mysterious Black Gold Palm, can burn a person to charcoal with a single strike.

Liu Yi guessed Li Zhaoting's intentions, made no resistance, closed his eyes, and awaited death.

"Snapped!"

Liu Yi returned to the coffin.

Even if Song Ci were to perform an autopsy, the final result would be that he died from burning in flames, and no one would be able to find anything wrong with it.

Li Zhaoting waved his hand, unleashing a gentle palm strike that erased all traces, and then floated away from the mourning hall.

Li Zhaoting recalled Di Renjie's teachings to his students during the Wu Zhou period: case handling should be concise and efficient, and case files should be written neatly and cleanly, not in a messy or disorganized manner.

The emperor was completely bewildered by the stories of resurrection, life and death, and the real and fake Xue Qinglin.

There is only one murderer in this case.

Whoever survives to the end is the murderer.

Uh……

I always feel like I'm setting myself up for disaster.

Will Bao Zheng find out?
A thought popped into Li Zhaoting's mind.

—Later, flaws were discovered in the case, and the emperor, enraged, imprisoned Li Zhaoting, who was personally interrogated by Bao Zheng. Feng Suzhen, in an attempt to save her husband…

Probably not?
Why would the emperor get angry over such a trivial matter? Even if he were to be imprisoned, he should have done something else.

"Sigh~~"

Li Zhaoting had a bad feeling.

A major event is about to happen in the capital.

It seems I'm about to be locked up... I might as well go to the Heavenly Prison to find Guan Qi and chat about things like Imperial Jade Liquor, odd changes and even remains unchanged, and Heavenly King covers the Earth Tiger.

……

The Liu residence, the mourning hall.

Ding Han put on the mask of the King of Xiling.

The next moment, a furious roar came from the Liu residence.

Ding Han rampaged through Liu's mansion, but this time he failed to reach the edge of the cliff. Tang Yin delivered a flying kick, knocking Ding Han over, and Li Xunhuan removed his mask.

Ding Han's face was like that of a madman, full of murderous intent. No matter how much pressure points were struck, sealed, or he was bound with ropes, Ding Han continued to dance wildly, shouting and yelling, his eyes bloodshot.

What's even more surprising is that Ding Han, who knows absolutely no martial arts, actually managed to break through Li Xunhuan's acupoints and snap the thumb-thick hemp rope.

Zhan Zhao stepped forward to stop him, but was sent flying three or four zhang by Ding Han's savage charge. Just as he was about to make a serious move, Ding Han lifted a three-hundred-jin stone lock from the backyard.

Zhan Zhao exclaimed in surprise, "This thing has become a spirit!"

Ding Han roared, "Liu Yi, Gao Jia, Qian Bing, I will kill you all! I will slaughter you all! All the wealth of the Western Dynasty is mine, all the treasures are mine..."

Ding Han twisted his head haphazardly and happened to see Madam Liu, who was dressed in mourning clothes: "You wretch! You and Liu Yi colluded to embezzle my money! Die!"

"boom!"

The large stone lock crashed down heavily on Madam Liu.

"Snapped!"

Pang Tong flew over, blasting Shi Suo away with one hand and protecting Lady Liu with the other. Shi Suo flew backward and crashed into the wall, causing half of the wall to collapse.

Ding Hanwen was a weak scholar who indulged in wine and women, and his body had long been weakened. He was first hit by a stone lock and then buried under bricks and stones. He would probably be smashed into a pulp.

Unexpectedly, with a crash, Ding Han burst out from the ruins, seemingly oblivious to the pain of broken bones, and swung a large stone lock at Pang Tong.

Pang Tong sneered, "You bastard! So you devoured the Heavenly Light! Die!"

Pang Tong flicked his finger, unleashing a burst of sword energy.

The phoenix spread its wings, flames swirling, and Ding Han was surrounded by raging fire, quickly turning into a charred corpse.

Zhan Zhao roared, "Pang Tong! You could have captured Ding Han alive, why did you kill him! Could it be... I know something! Pang Tong! You killed him to silence him!"

Pang Tong sneered: "Little Zhan Zhao, go ask Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce if I killed someone to cover it up? Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce are unlikely to speak up for me, are they?"

Zhan Zhao turned around and looked at Bao Zheng.

Bao Zheng nodded: "Zhan Zhao! Regardless of whether General Pang intended to kill him or not, Ding Han will definitely die!"

Gongsun Ce said, "The secret of the King of Xiling is the Heavenly Mandate passed down from the Qin Dynasty. I see. Let's go to the mourning hall and solve all the mysteries."

Everyone rushed to the mourning hall.

Bao Zheng analyzes the case.

Gongsun Ce recorded the case file.

Tang Yin and Li Xunhuan were responsible for supplementing the information.

Li Zhaoting, Li Shengnan, and Cheng Huaixiu, acting as notaries in the case in their capacity as Dukes of Zhenguo.

Pang Tong, Lady Liu, and Zhan Zhao were listening in.

There's also Miss Tianwen. So much has happened in the last two days that no one has paid attention to her. She came uninvited, saying she was repaying Liu Yi's kindness.

—The kindness shown to us is something we must repay!

Bao Zheng recounted the details of the case, including the history of Zhang Ben, the Prince of Xiling, and the ideals and downfall of the four brothers, Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding. The more he spoke, the more regretful he felt… “During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, a minor earthquake occurred near Chang’an, which unearthed a site containing bronze artifacts, which happened to be—Tianmang!”
From the Qin Dynasty to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, a crack appeared on the bronze container, about the thickness of a copper plate.

The gap is very thin, and the container is very thick, making it impossible to remove the Heavenly Mang Secret Medicine. However, if it is not properly sealed and preserved, the medicinal power of the Heavenly Mang will continue to evaporate.

Zhang Ben came up with a solution!
Dissolve it with spring water.

There was a clear spring in the Xiling tribe's territory. Zhang Ben threw a bronze vessel into the spring and made the Xiling warriors drink the water to activate the medicinal power of the Heavenly Light.

After consuming the Heavenly Mang, the Xiling warriors transformed into fearless weapons, each one resembling a demon, for about three days, after which they were exhausted and died.

The Xiling warriors were fearless, but their opponents were well-equipped, battle-hardened cavalry, commanded by the highly decorated and resourceful Cheng Zhijie.

Cheng Zhijie quickly discovered Tianmang's weakness and used a kite-flying tactic to buy time. He also took advantage of the cavalry's high mobility to unleash a barrage of arrows, constantly harassing the enemy.

The Xiling tribe suffered a rapid defeat.

Buyi, there's something you're wrong about.

The Xiling clan elders betrayed Zhang Ben not because they were afraid of death, but because Zhang Ben wanted to transform all the Xiling people into demons and perish together with the Tang army.

Ultimately, Zhang Ben died. Some of the Xiling tribesmen surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, while others hid in the deep mountains and forests. Those who surrendered to the Tang Dynasty were known as the 'Demon Sealing Tribe'.

Zhang Ben's mask can drive people mad and grant them several times the power because it contains the power of heaven.

Because of the long period of time that the medicine has been passed down, the medicinal power of the Heavenly Mang has gradually dissipated. As long as one does not consume a large amount of the Heavenly Mang, one can wake up and replenish one's vital energy with ginseng and lingzhi.

Of course, this drug is extremely harmful.

Long-term use will lead to the complete deterioration of all the internal organs.

In other words, Liu Yi already had a terminal illness.

Liu Yi committed suicide!

His goal was to kill his three brothers!

A glint of inspiration flashed in Bao Zheng's eyes: "The terminal illness made Liu Yi feel that he had been punished, and he wanted to make up for his mistakes before he died, so he devised this murder plot."

First, time it perfectly to coincide with the arrival of the imperial envoy, stage a scene of sudden death to attract attention. If I take a look, I'll definitely spot the flaw.

Liu Yi's reputation, the people's resentment, and Lady Liu's willingness to offer all her wealth to ask me to let Liu Yi pass the seventh day of mourning in peace—all of these were Liu Yi's schemes.

As long as I pay attention to this matter, I will realize that Liu Yi is in cahoots with Gao Jia, Qian Bing, and Ding Han. If I follow this clue, I will find out the truth sooner or later.

In an attempt to prevent me from uncovering the truth, Gao Jia and his two companions panicked, turned on each other, and killed one another to silence him.

Before Liu Yi died, he created a mechanism by leaving an opening in the mouth area of ​​the mask. As long as someone puts on the mask, the hidden celestial light inside the mask will enter their abdomen.

Ever since he obtained the mask of the King of Xiling, Liu Yi has been studying the Heavenly Light. In recent years, dozens of hermits from Zhongnan Mountain have died unexpectedly, all of them from the Heavenly Light.

Liu Yi failed to deduce the prescription for Tianmang, but he developed a catalytic drug that caused Tianmang's medicinal power to explode tenfold or a hundredfold, leaving people instantly exhausted.

Why did the three Gao Jias want the mask?
Because Liu Yi said before he died:

—Zhang Ben is inside the mask.

This statement has two meanings. First, the Heavenly Light left by Zhang Ben has completely permeated the mask.

Secondly, his speech was unclear. Liu Yi was not referring to Zhang Ben, the King of Xiling, but rather to the ledger that recorded correspondence and information about the treasury, which was hidden inside the mask.

The purpose of Gao Jia and his two companions was simple.

Steal the mask, find the ledger, hide in the deep mountains and forests for a few years, wait until things have calmed down, then dig up Liu Yi's hidden treasure and become a wealthy man.

Then, they all fell into the trap.

Bao Zheng's eyes were fixed on Pang Tong.

Pang Tong asked, "Bao Zheng, you say that Liu Yi did all this on purpose, what evidence do you have? How did Gao Jia and the other two know that the account book was hidden inside the mask?"

Bao Zheng said, "An undercover agent has informed us that Miss Tianwen is an undercover agent planted by Gao Jia next to Liu Yi."

The reason she knew Liu Yi's private affairs, his ambitions in his youth, and his thoughts was because Gao Jia told her all of this.

So-called spiritualism is just magic tricks.

Miss Tianwen and Master Feng had known each other for a long time.

They had already discussed it beforehand.

As for the mind-reading technique used against Gongsun Ce, it exploited Gongsun Ce's rebellious nature. After appreciating those paintings and calligraphy works, Gongsun Ce memorized the numbers on them.

The missing numbers are exactly four and seven.

Gao Jia was unaware that Liu Yi had a terminal illness and was filled with remorse. Tianwen Girl couldn't 'read' Liu Yi's thoughts of self-destruction, so she was clearly a fraud.

Liu Yi used the Heavenly Question Girl to scheme against Gao Jia.

Miss Tianwen, all the information you painstakingly gathered about Liu Yi was leaked by him. I have a good friend who also enjoys doing this kind of thing.

His maid often took his intelligence to the Green Dragon Society to sell for money. He took 70% commission, which helped him support his family. It was a very lucrative business.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Li Zhaoting.

Li Zhaoting smiled awkwardly: "The food, clothing, housing and transportation for dozens of people in my family are used up in three days by the meager salary given by the imperial court. I need to earn some extra money."

Pang Tong sneered: "Li Buyi, you are the Duke of Zhenguo, with a fief of ten thousand households. You say you can't support your family? If you can't, who in the world can?"

Li Zhaoting retorted: "I have a lot of people in my family! Every time I go out, a few more people are added to my family, and a few more will be added every two months. My four wives are in confinement."

The fief is not distributed once a month.

I can only try to earn some extra money on the side.

The money from the Green Dragon Society is too good to pass up!
If you're so capable, wipe out the Azure Dragon Society's branch!

I have no objection!

I'll have Mei and Zhu guide you.

The two exchanged a few words. Being a womanizer was not a good reputation, but for aristocratic families, a large and prosperous family was the foundation of their existence.

One of the reasons for the conflict between Pang Tong and Grand Tutor Pang was that Pang Tong was obsessed with astrology and divination, as well as physical training, and had two relationships, each of which ended in heartbreak.

Pang Tong had neither married nor had children, and didn't even have a concubine. Grand Tutor Pang was so worried that he was losing his hair, and he was just short of putting love charms in Pang Tong's food.

When it comes to matters of the heart, Pang Tong both envied the Li family's large and prosperous household and despised Li Zhaoting as a scumbag, saying that by the time he was in his thirties, he would probably be eating goji berries with rice every day.

Bao Zheng coughed twice, interrupting their conversation about everyday matters: "I asked the Xiling tribe, and there was a member of the Xiling tribe who left the tribe a few years ago."

This person traveled to the capital and befriended a high-ranking official, after which he disappeared without a trace. Who was this clansman?

Of course it's you—Mrs. Liu!

You are a member of the Xiling tribe!

He was also the mastermind behind Liu Yi's death!

As for that high-ranking official you've befriended...

Pang Tong, what do you have to say?

Pang Tong sighed, “The whole world knows that I have suffered heartbreak twice, and this is one of them.”

Bao Zheng sneered: "I'm sure this heartbreak is mainly your fault. You knew someone wanted to harm the Pang family, so you had Madam Liu infiltrate Liu Yi's circle. After several months of getting along, Madam Liu was impressed by Liu Yi's magnanimity and vengeance, and she fell completely in love with him."

Pang Tong scoffed, "If that's the case, why do you say that Lady Liu was the mastermind behind Liu Yi's murder?"

Bao Zheng said seriously, "Because Liu Yi has turned from a generous and heroic warrior into a wicked dragon, Lady Liu loves the Liu Yi of yesteryear, not the Liu Yi who is tyrannical and wicked. The Xiling tribe has a very special drug that can reveal a person's true nature."

Madam Liu gave Liu Yi that medicine.

Liu Yi saw his past self in the illusion.

I remember Buyi telling me a story.

Legend has it that in his later years, Cao Mengde was attacked one night by a man wielding a knife. The man shouted that he was eliminating a traitor for the country and beheaded Cao Mengde, hanging his head at the city gate to appease the world.

Upon closer inspection, the assassin was none other than Captain Cao, who had stabbed Dong Zhuo with a knife decades ago.

This is probably the story of Liu Yi!
Mrs. Liu, do you admit it?

Madam Liu nodded, her face streaked with tears.

Pang Tong looked coldly at Bao Zheng: "I thought the impartial and incorruptible Bao Qingtian was a brilliant detective with keen insight and divine reasoning, but I never expected him to be so muddle-headed."

It was indeed Liu Yi who killed these people!

Liu Yi is alive!
"Liu Yi, get up now!"

Pang Tong picked up Liu Yi.

A look of horror flashed in Madam Liu's eyes, and she rushed towards Pang Tong without thinking: "Pang Tong! What happened back then, I'm the one who wronged you, why did you have to do this..."

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that Liu Yi, who was supposed to be "pretending to be dead," was slumped over and showed no signs of life.

Gongsun Ce angrily said, "Pang Tong! Liu Yi was an enemy of the Pang family back then, but the dead should be respected. Now that Liu Yi has become a charred corpse, you still won't let him go!"

Pang Tong was stunned. He looked at Liu Yi's corpse and sighed deeply: "Li Zhaoting, impressive!"

Having said that, he put down the body and turned to leave.

Tang Yin asked jokingly, "Commoner, why did Pang Tong say you were so great? I think I'm even more great!"

Li Zhaoting: "He's jealous of my good looks! He's jealous of my many wives and concubines, my many children and grandchildren, and he's jealous of how fast I can go, leaving him only with impotent rage."

Li Xunhuan said, "That's true."

The two looked at each other, understanding each other tacitly.

Pang Tong came to Xianyang with two purposes: first, to kill Liu Yi and his three companions and seize the treasure of the "Western Dynasty"; and second, to obtain the Heavenly Mandate. However, he failed in both attempts.

Liu Yi and his three companions died fighting amongst themselves, but the wealth they had collected over the years was either seized by the imperial guards in time or sealed away in advance. The treasure map for finding the treasure was inside the mask of the King of Xiling.

The Heavenly Manpower was used up as early as the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and even if it hadn't been used up, it wouldn't have had any practical value.

Pang Tong originally thought that the Heavenly Light was a spiritual medicine similar to the Limitless Immortal Pill, but he never expected it to be a deadly drug.

A pill version of the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique.

Using the Heavenly Power to strengthen the army will not only directly result in the loss of a large number of young and strong men, but also make them easy to kill. Just like Cheng Yaojin did back then, by using the kite tactic to delay until the medicine runs out, victory can be easily achieved.

In this day and age, armies are heavily equipped with crossbows and artillery. A volley of arrows can annihilate any enhanced warriors; let my shells talk! (End of Chapter)