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

Chapter 12 Remnants of Yin and Yang, Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Flowers

Zhuge Zhengwo, courtesy name "Xiaohua", some say it is his real name Xiaohua, courtesy name "Zhengwo".

His surname, given name, and courtesy name perfectly correspond to Zhuge Zhengwo's destiny, personality, and preferences.

Zhuge Liang devoted himself to the cause until his death.

I am upright, honest, and righteous.

Small flowers, gentle breeze and bright moon, fragrance fills the air.

In the imperial court, he was the Grand Tutor, the chief instructor of the 100,000 Imperial Guards in the capital, the commander of the Imperial Guards, the Six-Five Divine Marquis, a general who served as both a general and a prime minister, and the emperor's most trusted minister.

In the martial arts world, he was one of the first Four Great Constables, the master of spear techniques, and a master of both internal and external skills, reaching the pinnacle of skill. Even his enemies dared not speak ill of him in the slightest.

Zhuge Zhengwo can be described in twelve words: a sage in the martial arts world, a sage in the literary world, and a teacher of chivalry.

Ling Tuisi was usually aloof, not forming cliques, not seeking personal gain, and focusing solely on his studies. However, upon hearing that Zhuge Zhengwo had come to admire the flowers, he still dared not be the slightest bit negligent.

As everyone knows, Zhuge Zhengwo's greatest hobby was appreciating flowers, and everyone in the capital knew that the Ling Mansion Garden was more elegant than the Emperor's Imperial Garden.

It wasn't that Ling Tuisi was arrogant and extravagant, but rather that he had a wife who was skilled at growing and cultivating flowers.

Ling Tuisi bowed respectfully, his smile gentle and refined. He was dressed in a simple blue robe, and his manners were impeccable and meticulous.

"Your Excellency, the Grand Tutor, have truly graced my humble abode with your presence. Your timing is perfect; my wife was tending to her flowers and plants in her spare time, and a few chrysanthemums have blossomed."

Zhuge Zhengwo nodded and smiled, his eyes sharp. He picked up his teacup and tasted the chrysanthemum tea, a specialty of the Ling family. The tea leaves were personally processed by Madam Ling and were comparable to tribute tea.

"Scholar Ling is too modest. Who in the capital does not know that your garden is the most beautiful in the city? Madam Ling is virtuous and capable of picking flower petals to make this exquisite chrysanthemum tea."

Ling Tuisi bowed slightly and led Zhuge Zhengwo to the flower stand, where he presented two large pots of chrysanthemums.

Not only is it the most precious "green chrysanthemum", but it is also a rare variety of green chrysanthemum. One type is called Spring Waves and Green Water, and the other is called Green Jade Ruyi. Both of them bloom in the cold.

It should be noted that chrysanthemums mostly bloom in autumn. To make chrysanthemums bloom in spring is already a marvel of craftsmanship, let alone the fact that the blooming ones are rare and exquisite among green chrysanthemums.

Even with Zhuge Zhengwo's knowledge, he couldn't help but marvel, his eyes fixed on the two potted plants.

Ling Tuisi smiled smugly, thinking to himself, "What's so great about Zhuge Zhengwo? As long as I cater to his tastes, even if he has the wisdom of Zhuge Liang, he won't be able to use it at all."

Chrysanthemums are proud and noble. Even in the harsh autumn frost, they bloom proudly, just like a gentleman who is aloof and self-disciplined, just like us scholars who uphold our original intentions and integrity.

Throughout my life, I have loved chrysanthemums the most.

My wife knows my preferences and went to great lengths to obtain a touch of green. With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for? My entire life's destiny rests on your shoulders.

Zhuge Zhengwo bent down to examine the painting closely, a faint smile on his face, and said softly, "Scholar, your words are wonderful. Your wife's abilities surpass even those of the gardeners in the Imperial Garden."

Zhuge Zhengwo didn't say much, but quietly admired the flowers and commented on the flowers in the Ling residence. Ling Tuisi's forehead was covered in sweat, and the pressure was getting greater and greater.

Ling Tuisi didn't know why he was nervous. He only knew that as Zhuge Zhengwo appraised the flowers and the bright moon climbed into the night sky, the chill in his heart grew heavier and heavier.

If Zhuge Zhengwo used his power to oppress others, Ling Tuisi, as a Hanlin scholar of noble birth, could have been "righteous and stern in his words," but Zhuge Zhengwo simply enjoyed appreciating flowers, drinking tea, and composing poems.

This was originally the hobby of literati and scholars, not to mention that Ling Tuisi claimed to love poetry and especially classical poetry in order to find the "Liancheng Treasure".

Zhuge Zhengwo used "chrysanthemum" as the theme to play a game of "flying flower" with Ling Tuisi. How could Ling Tuisi dare to refuse?

The circle of literati in Beijing was not very large.

A Hanlin scholar who entered officialdom through the imperial examinations, if he plays the "Flying Flowers" game poorly and ultimately "can't afford to play," his reputation will be ruined within three hours at most.

What frustrated Ling Tuisi the most was that Zhuge Zhengwo arrived right at dinner time. The Grand Tutor of the court came to the Hanlin Academy to admire the flowers, so he couldn't just not serve him a meal, could he?

Eating, sipping tea, admiring flowers, reciting poetry...

With all these procedures going on, who knows how long it will take? Zhuge Zheng wasn't in a hurry, but Madam Ling, hidden in the inner quarters, was trembling with anxiety...

—The backlash from the cultivation technique is imminent; the internal energy is like raging lava, ready to erupt at any moment!

With Zhuge Zhengwo's unparalleled martial arts skills, if Madam Ling were to reveal even the slightest hint of her aura, Zhuge Zhengwo would surely notice and thus recognize Madam Ling's background.

Madam Ling gritted her teeth, quickly changed into a set of night clothes, and left the Ling residence under the cover of night, claiming that she had caught a cold and was unable to receive guests...

Zhuge Zhengwo did not force the issue, and casually enjoyed tea, flowers, and poetry with Ling Tuisi... Ling Tuisi kept wiping away sweat, gradually unable to suppress his fear.

……

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Madam Ling, carrying two small children, swiftly flew over rooftops, trying to find a quiet place.

Suddenly!

A faint whistling sound came from behind.

Looking back, one could see Zhui Ming following behind like a ghost in a hanging boot, his movements as light as the wind, making it difficult to find a way to escape even if one searched the highest heavens and the deepest hells.

It turned out that when Zhui Ming was patrolling the night market, he learned that someone had lost a child. He immediately went to look for clues and quickly analyzed the path based on the traces left at the scene.

How was it discovered?

First, based on the two families whose children went missing, we determined their approximate movement routes. Then, we searched for traces in the shops along the road, the most obvious of which was oil stains!

One of the places on Madam Ling's route is a newly opened pharmacy. When the pharmacy is boiling camphor oil, it leaves oil stains on the roof, which can be used to make footprints.

In older pharmacies, grease would mix with bricks and mud, piling up thickly to form mud and tiles. Only newly opened pharmacies would leave grease stains and footprints.

"Tracking techniques" are not supernatural powers, but rather the result of years of experience, meticulous and rigorous analysis, keen observation skills, and unwavering perseverance.

Madam Ling was not afraid of fighting alone, but this was the capital. If Zhui Ming roared loudly, the imperial guards would surround her. How could Madam Ling possibly fight them?

"Zhuiming, if you dare to shout, I'll crush them both to death right now! You want to catch me? Come on, then! I'll be waiting for you up ahead!"

A fierce glint flashed in Madam Ling's eyes.

Zhui Ming sneered, "Traitor! Even if you can run to the heavens, Old Cui won't let you go!"

The two chased and fled at great speed, and before they knew it, they had run into a dark forest.

Madam Ling waved her hand and threw the child toward Zhui Ming. Immediately afterwards, she formed a hand seal, and the surrounding trees trembled. Vines coiled around Zhui Ming's waist and ribs like venomous snakes.

Zhuiming caught the child with both hands, nimbly touched the ground with his feet, and soared into the sky as if he had the ability to fly, easily dodging the killing move.

Zhuiming suffered severe internal injuries in his childhood, which made it difficult for him to exert force in his upper body. Holding the child in his arms was not a loss for him, as he was skilled in leg techniques.

However… Madam Ling’s tactics…

Zhui Ming looked up and saw that Madam Ling was like a swimming fish, wandering among the flowers, trees and vines, branches, leaves and flowers, all of which "obeyed her control".

Tree vines wove together into a vast, inescapable net!

Leaves spun like swift, flying blades!

Branches shot out like a barrage of arrows.

Flowers fluttered in the air, creating a sea of ​​blossoms.

This stance... this move...

This is actually—the Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Flower Stream!

During the pre-Qin period, the various schools of thought discussed the Dao, and one school, known as the "Yin-Yang School," specialized in the study of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. With its unique martial arts skills, it became the state religion of the Qin state.

Relying on the invincible cavalry of the Qin state, the Yin-Yang School was powerful for two or three decades. However, at the end of the Qin Dynasty, when the rebel army captured Xianyang, the Yin-Yang School suffered a heavy blow.

The sect leader, "Donghuang Taiyi," was killed by Xiang Yu, and the high-ranking members scattered and fled, each establishing their own sect. Some merged into orthodox sects, while others fell into unorthodox sects.

After going through many twists and turns, only three or five families have been able to pass it down.

The most famous of them all is the Encounter Immortals Gang!

More than 20 years ago, the leader of the Yuxian Gang used his alchemy skills to bewitch the late emperor and became the imperial advisor. Everyone who made a living in the capital suffered at their hands.

It wasn't until Liu Dinghuan and Liu Qingci had mastered their skills and joined forces to besiege and kill the Yuxian Gang, thus easing the situation in the capital, that the situation improved. However, they only managed to kill the gang leader.

The five direct disciples of the Yuxian Gang fled when their leader was defeated and died, and went into hiding in various parts of the capital.

Each of the five is skilled in one of the five elements' techniques. Madam Ling uses the "wood" element, which explains her expertise in planting flowers—it turns out that's her family's special ability!

Other unorthodox methods might allow one to make a living in the capital and offer opportunities to surrender, but the Immortal Gang offers absolutely no chance; if they see someone there, they must be killed on the spot.

Zhui Ming roared, "Mu Qingxia, tonight is the day you are beheaded! You'd better give me your life!"

Mu Qingxia was Madam Ling's name. Since the fall of the Yuxian Gang, no one had called her that for a long time. Upon hearing Zhui Ming's words, Mu Qingxia's face was filled with hostility.

"Zhuiming, I have no grudge against you, why are you being so aggressive? Since you want to die, even if I have to go to the eighteenth level of hell, I'll drag you down with me!"

"Pah! Pah! When we get to the underworld, I, Old Cui, am Judge Cui. I'll sentence you to climb mountains of knives and plunge into boiling oil, and cast you into the deepest hell to find your old, bastard master!"

Mu Qingxia knew that the aftermath of the battle would soon be felt by others, and she had to finish the fight quickly. However, she had not replenished her qi and blood for three days and could not suppress the backlash from her internal energy cultivation technique.

The more moves you make, the more severe the backlash will be.

Seeing that Zhui Ming's attacks were becoming increasingly swift, with leg shadows appearing from all directions, and knowing that victory was unlikely, Mu Qingxia unleashed her true energy, causing the surrounding trees to explode.

The wooden blocks scattered randomly.

Zhuiming, holding the two children, retreated repeatedly.

When the smoke and dust cleared, Mu Qingxia had already disappeared into the night sky. Zhui Ming sneered, flicked his toe, and a delicate black face mask floated into his palm.

Run! Run! Run fast! If you don't run, how will Old Cui wipe out the remaining members of the Yuxian Gang?

Zhuiming carried the child back to the city, had the patrolling constables take the child back, and then went to find Xu Qingya.

With this face mask on, even if Mu Qingxia had the ability to travel a thousand miles a day, she still couldn't outrun a dog's nose.

Brother Xu, it's your turn to make a move.

wrong!

It should be: Doubao, it's your turn to make a move!

Should I get a dog too?

A dog's nose is much more convenient than tracking techniques!

Is Doubao a male or female?

When will they mate and have offspring?

Brother Xu shouldn't be stingy, right?