Martial Arts Showdown: My Wife Asked Me to Be the Champion

Chapter 37 The power of the first wife comes from her brains!

Dongfang Qingmu is slow-witted in other areas, but as a martial arts master, he is very insightful in martial arts.

Xu Qingya's state was too tempting, and for Dongfang Qingmu, it was an unparalleled allure.

If Dongfang Qingmu is a gourmand, then Xu Qingya is a state banquet; if Dongfang Qingmu is an alcoholic, then Xu Qingya is a century-old vintage wine. How could he possibly resist?

A martial arts master, imprisoned for many years with no hope of ever seeing the light of day again, encounters a gifted and well-established junior in his twilight years.

This junior has just completed the "Foundation Building" stage, and the opportunity to advance further is precisely his unique skill. He is simply a martial arts successor sent to him by the heavens.

For people in the martial arts world, life and death are things they have long since become indifferent to. For someone like Dongfang Qingmu, death is the least fearful thing; death is actually a kind of liberation.

However, it is absolutely unacceptable if one cannot pass on all the knowledge one has learned in one's lifetime before death, and if a family skill passed down for hundreds of years is lost.

This kind of thing happens in every industry.

Your knowledge and skills, no matter who you pass them on to, at least... at least they have been passed down and your name will be left in the vast sea of ​​historical records.

If there are no successors, the lineage will be completely cut off, and you will not even be a ripple in the torrent of history.

The more skilled a person is, the stronger their desire for "inheritance" becomes. In some extreme cases, they may even pass on their skills to their "enemy" to avoid taking them to their grave.

If a suitable successor cannot be found, a mausoleum will be built before death to leave behind a lifelong legacy, attracting future generations to explore, and a successor will be sought every few hundred years.

Even someone like Shi Zhixuan would build a tomb for the Evil King before he dies, rather than simply passing away peacefully.

In the world of martial arts, there are countless examples like this.

Where did Feng Qingyang find the Dugu Nine Swords?

The "Kings" of both the legitimate and criminal factions of the Liang family all left behind tombs and legacies before their deaths. Three hundred years later, they found suitable successors to pass on their martial arts skills.

Of course, in this world, Dugu Qiubai would most likely be repairing shoes on the street, Qiao Beiming would be in his prime, and Zhang Danfeng would be the leader of the Tianshan Sect and the "Sword Master" of the time.

Many opportunities with definite locations are not worth fantasizing about for now, since these predecessors are still alive.

Xu Qingya is not an "enemy".

Xu Qingya is a true-blue "disciple".

Dongfang Qingmu thought to himself, "I'll test you a bit. If you're a decent person, I'll pass on my martial arts to you."

Xu Qingya didn't expect Dongfang Qingmu to teach him the "East Wind Mystic Art" so soon after they met. That was a privilege Xiao Qiushui received, with seniors bestowing upon her the power of the art.

The two discussed martial arts for more than an hour before Guo Jiucheng said that time was up and he could not renew his subscription for the day.

Xu Qingya got up and left, handing Guo Jiucheng a money pouch before he left: "Old Guo, find someone to send Senior Dongfang a bathtub and a set of clean clothes."

Guo Jiucheng, always greedy for money, grinned like a cunning old fox: "Brother Xu, I offer full-service packages here, you can get a special deal!"

"What kind of set meal?"

"Bathing, back scrubbing, haircut, and clothing—a complete service. We guarantee that when you visit tomorrow, you'll be greeted by a master of martial arts, a true grandmaster!"

"The prison offers this kind of service?"

Xu Qingya stared wide-eyed, completely dumbfounded.

Guo Jiucheng shrugged: "Young Master Xu, those locked on the first six floors are the prisoners, while those locked on the last three floors are not considered prisoners as long as someone visits them."

Guo Jiucheng had left out the second half of his sentence.

Xu Qingya could guess what he wanted to say.

—When the late emperor was in power, even the position of prime minister could be auctioned off in court. Compared with the late emperor's business, Guo Jiucheng's little business is nothing but a drop in the ocean.

Snakes have their paths, rats have theirs; even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. People say a set meal is more cost-effective, so whether it's cost-effective or not, I'll still order the complete set meal.

Xu Qingya sighed, "Old Guo, if I visit every day for the next month, could I get a monthly subscription and a discount?"

Guo Jiucheng gave a thumbs up: "Young Master Xu truly lives up to his reputation as a legendary figure in the martial world. Not only is he handsome, but he also has a filial heart. To express my gratitude for your kindness, I'll risk my life to accompany you and offer you a generous discount!"

Xu Qingya took out his money bag.

Not only did he spend the bounty money from the Twin Serpents of the Azure Blood, but he also spent half of Tian Boguang's bounty money. Looking at his empty money bag, he really wanted to sell himself.

I wonder if Yang Yan offered a higher price or Yin Susu offered a higher price. It should be Yin Susu, that rich woman, who never treats money as "money".

It's impossible for Liu Qingci to make a bid.

Liu Qingci would directly take action and snatch it.

Guo Jiucheng counted the money with a smile, while Xu Qingya left the cell with a pained expression. As soon as he stepped out of the gate, he saw Qin Nanqin and Beitang Xin'er, who had been waiting for a long time.

Beitang Xin'er hugged Xu Qingya's left arm: "How is Uncle Dongfang? Senior Brother, I heard that the Heavenly Prison imprisons martial arts masters with 'iron chains through the bones,' it's so cruel, so cruel, I'm so scared I can't sleep."

Qin Nanqin wiped the dust off Xu Qingya's head and straightened his clothes, saying gently, "Miss is waiting for you at Tingxue Pavilion. Young Master, the entrance to the prison is not a good place to talk. Home is the most convenient place."

Xu Qingya looked at Beitang Xin'er.

"Wherever my senior brother goes, I'll go!"

Beitang Xin'er seems to have become attached to Xu Qingya, even more so than Doubao'er.

Qin Nanqin smiled dismissively.

This method is outdated.

She's just a "non-fellow disciple"!

Even though we're fellow disciples, you're still my little sister!

……

Listening to Snow Pavilion.

Yang Yan stood gently by the window. When she saw Xu Qingya arrive, her eyes lit up. She went up to him familiarly, took off Xu Qingya's coat, and hung it on the coat rack.

As an aside, the history of "clothes hangers" can be traced back to the pre-Qin period. It is said that the "head ornaments" of the Yin-Yang School leader Donghuang Taiyi's usual attire were made of very standard clothes hangers, which gradually spread to the common people.

"You must be tired. Have a cup of hot tea first! When the Xue family delivered the silk, they also sent some of the freshest Longjing tea. I learned some tea-making skills from Madam Lu of East Street a couple of days ago, but I'm not very good at it, so please don't laugh at me!"

"On the eve of Qingming Festival, before the rains, Longjing tea is worth its weight in gold; my brother is truly blessed."

Xu Qingya picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then drank it all in one gulp. He revealed a comfortable and relaxed expression, flipped his arms and legs back, and slumped onto the soft couch.

Beitang Xin'er was not intimidated. Except when she was with Xu Qingya, she always showed a domineering side that was hard to describe.

This kind of "domineering" nature is hard to capture.

Because as long as Xu Qingya looks at her with his eyes, listens with his ears, and senses with his spiritual senses, Beitang Xin'er can instantly and seamlessly switch into the lively junior sister.

Beitang Xin'er took a sip of tea and smiled, "As expected of a legendary delicacy, it's absolutely delicious!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yan frowned slightly.

Yang Yan worked through the night to gather information on the Four Directions Sect. The section about Beitang Xin'er was very brief. She grew up in the Western Regions and learned martial arts from Ximen Changhai. Her family inherited the Northern Electric Mystic Skill, and her best weapon was a knife.

How could a girl who grew up in the Western Regions and learned martial arts from people in Liaodong have a Sichuan accent?

Beitang Xin'er seemed to sense something and subtly changed the subject: "Senior brother, how is Uncle Dongfang? Has he been bullied by the jailers?"

Xu Qingya smiled wryly: "Bully? Senior Dongfang can take a bath, get a massage, get a haircut, change clothes, and enjoy fine wine and food. He lives like an immortal."

"Are there immortals in the Heavenly Prison?"

"That deity whose wealth can move mountains!"

Xu Qingya made a money-counting gesture: "As long as you're willing to pay, even Erlang Shen can be summoned to the mortal realm!"

"What do you need Erlang Shen for?"

Beitang Xin'er always had a knack for accurately grasping the meaningless parts of conversations and asking them subconsciously.

"Because Erlang Shen is the god of justice, he is usually impartial and incorruptible, but when it comes to his own family, he often bends the law for personal gain. But let's not get into that! There are gods watching over us; I'm afraid Li Xunhuan will come after me and chop me up!"

"What does this have to do with Li Xunhuan?"

"Erlang Shen and Li Xunhuan both use knives and are skilled with ranged weapons, so they may be related."

Xu Qingya started making things up, and the conversation went further and further off track.

Yang Yan said softly, "Are you two here to discuss how to rescue Senior Dongfang, or to chat about myths? Dongfang Qingmu is your senior uncle, not mine. Why am I the one who values ​​him the most?"

Xu Qingya shrank back and asked, "How do we save Senior Dongfang? Are we going to break him out of prison?"

Yang Yan said irritably, "Why don't you just go and ask the Queen? It's just a matter of a word! Isn't she going to establish the Dragon Guard Manor and the Dragon Protection Clan? The Four Directions Sect has been guards for generations, they're perfect for that!"

Beitang Xin'er sneered, "If Her Majesty could release my master with a single word, how could he have been imprisoned for over ten years? My master is the bodyguard of the rebel leader, a traitor who rebelled and caused chaos. What are you dreaming of?"

Yang Yan sneered: "Traitor? Whose rebellion is Dongfang Qingmu rebelling against? From the late emperor's perspective, His Majesty the present is also a traitor! Besides, the rebel leader has been dead for twenty years, and the rebel army has long since disintegrated. How much trouble can a mere guard like Dongfang Qingmu stir up?"

Beitang Xin'er: "If the imperial court could release Master Dongfang so easily, why would he have been imprisoned for so long?"

Yang Yan held up three fingers: "His Majesty has only been on the throne for three years. Three years ago, the one who controlled the court was the late emperor, whose mind was filled with thoughts of elixirs of immortality! How could that brain, which had been dulled by the poison of the pills, have thought of such things?"

"Even His Majesty didn't expect this!"

"Are you out of your mind? When His Majesty ascended the throne, chaos reigned, and the empire was on the verge of collapse. There were countless things more important than Dongfang Qingmu. His Majesty was busy handling state affairs; how could he possibly have the time to care about a prisoner confined to the bottom of the imperial jail? What are you thinking?"

"It's that simple?"

"You think the Four Directions Sect is that important? Is the Four Directions Sect richer than the Money Gang, has more disciples than the Six and a Half Hall, or is more domineering than the Power Gang? Li Chenzhou claims to rule the world, but has His Majesty dealt with him?"

Yang Yan left Beitang Xin'er speechless!

After a pause, Yang Yan smiled and said, "Qingya, you should talk to the Queen on her behalf and persuade Senior Dongfang. In five or six days at most, the matter will be resolved."

Xu Qingya said, "So fast?"

Yang Yan joked, "The Liu family has a secret recipe! This is called 'Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage'! In six days, you spent three days persuading Dongfang Qingmu and three days persuading the Queen. You've visited each family three times, enough to persuade even Zhuge Liang to come out of seclusion!"

Beitang Xin'er pouted: "No way! The way the Queen looked at Senior Brother seemed to want to devour him! Senior Brother doesn't have much flesh on him; in three days, the Queen will probably have him completely eaten up, leaving not even a bone!"

Yang Yan gasped, "Why do I feel like you didn't want to save Dongfang Qingmu at all? I was the one who devised the plan to save him, and Qingya was the one who carried it out. You didn't do anything, and you even spent all your travel money!"

Beitang Xin'er gave an awkward smile.

Xu Qingya: Senior sister! You're amazing!

Doubao glanced at everyone with boredom, then lay down at Qin Nanqin's feet, waiting for Qin Nanqin to feed him.