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

Chapter 53 Token, Diary, A Kiss That Seals the Deal

"Sister, the questions Zhuge Liang asked us are too difficult! Is this to protect the country, or to make things difficult for future generations?"

Liu Qingci complained with a look of utter disappointment, "I've worked so hard for so long, and all I've gained is the recognition of the Qilin Bow and the Silver Lion Helmet. Where am I supposed to find a successor to the Five Tigers?"

After a pause, Liu Qingci continued to complain, "Finding the successors of the Five Tigers is difficult, but finding the Four Prime Ministers is even more so. What happened back then? Why is it all so mysterious!"

Liu Dinghuan said, "Of course it's a world-shaking, earth-shattering event! Qingci, those incredible stories you've seen might actually be true!"

Liu Qingci pursed his lips: "What does it matter if it's true or not? What does it matter what treasures are hidden in the secret treasure? What impact will it have on the world?"

What protects the country and its people is not divine weapons, martial arts masters, or even "divine artifacts," but the well-being of all the people. Even I can understand this simple truth, so why can't you understand it, sister?

My elder sister has been on the throne for more than three years. She has been diligent in her duties and has never slackened for a single day. The people's hearts are gradually at ease, and talented people are emerging in the court and among the people. Auspicious omens have appeared frequently.

I wouldn't dare say our family is now an impregnable fortress, but we're not at a life-or-death crisis either. The answer to the secret treasure left by Zhuge Liang might lie in the riddle itself.

The secret is not important!

"In the process of unlocking the secret treasure, the most important thing for my sister is the talent she has gathered through her great wisdom and strategy. With five tigers and four ministers under her command, how can she not conquer the world?"

No one would have expected that Liu Qingci, known for her big breasts and lack of brains, would say such a thing, which is truly shocking.

In fact, this is nothing unusual.

As the second most important figure in the palace coup and Liu Dinghuan's right-hand woman during his ascension to the throne, how could Liu Qingci be a brute? She just didn't like studying and would get sleepy when she saw books, but she was the most insightful person in the world.

People of exceptional intelligence like Liu Dinghuan and Zhuge Zhengwo belong to the category of: "The body is a Bodhi tree, the mind a clear mirror; constantly wipe it clean, lest it be covered with dust!"

Liu Qingci's poem reads: "Bodhi has no tree, the bright mirror is not a stand; originally there is nothing, so where can dust alight?"

As for his past reckless behavior, firstly, it was because he enjoyed life that way, and secondly, "recklessness" was the best disguise, which could make the enemy lower their guard.

Liu Dinghuan could easily understand the reasons Liu Qingci gave, but before launching the palace coup, he accidentally learned some of the secrets.

An erased history... a jumbled and chaotic record... a historical text written in the style of a storyteller... and one of the treasures left behind by Zhuge Liang!

When formulating the palace coup plan, Liu Dinghuan made thorough arrangements for the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Bodyguards, but he had no way to deal with the former Grand Eunuch Yuan Shisanxian.

Yuan Shisanxian is stubborn and never surrenders. However, he is skilled in archery, and his arrows always pierce the heart. He can launch a "decapitation tactic" at any time and place.

Even someone as powerful as Zhuge Zhengwo could only withstand Yuan Shisanxian's arrows; he had no way to dodge them.

With only second- or third-rate internal strength and mediocre martial arts skills, Liu Dinghuan's heart meridian would be severed by the internal force of an arrow, even if he wore golden silk armor.

It was with this treasure that Liu Dinghuan, whose martial arts skills were average and who seemed "easily defeated," managed to withstand Yuan Shisanxian's unparalleled "Heartbreak Arrow."

Yuan Shisanxian never dreamed that Liu Dinghuan, who was shot in the heart by an arrow, would be completely unharmed.

Taking advantage of Yuan Shisanxian's inability to replenish his true energy and the shock to his mind, Liu Qingci destroyed his crossbow with an arrow, breaking through the last barrier protecting the imperial city!

Liu Dinghuan explained to the public that it was a black iron heart-protecting mirror.

Judging from its appearance, that treasure really does resemble a breastplate; it cannot be damaged in the slightest by knives or axes.

Only Liu Dinghuan knew that this treasure came from the secret collection of Zhuge Liang and was essentially a "token".

The front is engraved with mountains, rivers, and the Yangtze River!

The back is engraved with the character "传" in small seal script!

Liu Dinghuan sighed deeply, not objecting to Liu Qingci's words, but following up on the topic, he said, "I need a victory to expand the territory, in order to establish the authority of the court. I need someone to fight for me, and I need auspicious omens to shut up the censors and officials."

"Alright! For the sake of my sister's impregnable empire, I have no choice but to sacrifice my looks and recruit Xu Qingya!"

"You little brat, you're asking for it!"

"Is my sister going to take action herself?"

"Get back to your place and be confined for three months!"

"Three months, isn't that too long? My sister can't leave the palace, and I can't go out for three months. What if Xu Qingya gets lured away by that demonic cult witch? Especially that Yin Susu, her eyes are always gleaming with lust!"

"Three days of confinement, no discussion!"

"Sister...I really feel..."

"Copy the Four Books again!"

"Copying books? Why don't you give him a beating instead?"

"No discussion! You must copy it by hand. If I find out you had someone else write it for you, I will bestow a marriage upon Xu Qingya and Yang Yan, and you will be their witness!"

"I'm going home and locking myself in jail right now!"

Liu Qingci carried Liu Dinghuan back to the palace, then ran home and buried himself in copying the Four Books.

Why carry Liu Dinghuan back to the palace?

Because the two entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple through a secret passage, the journey was too long. Liu Dinghuan was relatively weak, and Liu Qingci was worried about tiring her sister, so she had to carry her back.

These matters were unknown not only to Xu Qingya, but even to Huang Shang. He needed to travel the world himself, peruse the books of various families, and search for relevant clues.

After leaving the palace, Xu Qingya went straight to Tingxue Pavilion to find Yang Yan, wanting to review these events with her.

Yang Yan was scolded by Qin Nanqin. Thinking of the scene where Xu Qingya was being exploited by the Queen and the Empress and his pale face, she was depressed and lost her appetite. When she saw Xu Qingya come home, she subconsciously rubbed her eyes, thinking that she had seen wrong, and then rushed over to hug him.

"Qingya, you're back! Did Liu Qingci give you any trouble? What did Liu Dinghuan say?"

Yang Yan used to address him as "Your Highness" or "Your Majesty" to avoid saying the wrong thing and giving petty people something to say. But now, in her haste, she couldn't care less about such formalities.

Xu Qingya said softly, "It's alright! Her Majesty said I am the successor of the Martial Saint and gave me an official position. She wants me to be a guard for the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in half a month."

"What does the worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple have to do with you?"

"According to His Majesty, the Five Tigers' successors hold a very high position, equivalent to the Ministers of the Six Ministries."

"Are you really the successor of the Martial Saint?"

"We need to wait for Mr. Zhuge to return to the capital so he can do another verification. Yan'er, can you help me analyze this? I feel something's strange about it!"

"Um... what did you just call me?"

"Yan'er? Do you like that name?"

"You little thief, how dare you have such disrespect! I'm several years older than you, and you dare to do this in front of me..."

"Cough cough!!!"

Qin Nanqin coughed heavily a few times.

Yang Yan's words were muffled by a cough.

Qin Nanqin smiled and said, "Young Master! My young lady really likes this title, you don't need to change it! Just call her that from now on, she's very happy about it!"

Yang Yan: I... am really happy!

Xu Qingya left the palace, not to go home, not to find Beitang Xin'er, not to find Yin Susu, but to come to Tingxue Pavilion to discuss a solution. What is this called? Trust!

Yang Yan leaned gently against Xu Qingya's chest, her mind racing. She listened to Xu Qingya's words and analyzed the gains and losses from multiple perspectives.

"Qingya, I think... the emperor probably wants something from you, most likely related to the Spring and Autumn Sword Technique! I've heard a secret: Zhuge Liang left behind a hidden treasure; whoever obtains it will gain the world, but to unlock it, one needs to gather the five tiger disciples and undergo eight trials!"

"How did such a secret fall into the hands of the common people?"

"Don't forget, my ancestors were legendary healers who specialized in treating high-ranking officials and nobles. My ancestors kept records of many palace secrets that have been lost to the tides of history. In the circle of legendary healers, the most difficult thing is to keep secrets!"

"What do you mean?"

"When the divine doctor treats people, he often comes into contact with certain secrets. There are palace secrets that he occasionally hears, love stories between infatuated men and women, a playboy who contracted a venereal disease in a brothel, and a young lady who became pregnant out of wedlock."

These secrets cannot be revealed, or they could lead to death. But knowing so many secrets and being unable to confide in others can be very depressing. To relieve this depression, there are two ways to de-stress.

One method is to find a remote, desolate mountain forest, find a tree, dig a large pit, pour out your secrets into the pit, and then bury the pit after you've finished speaking.

The downside is that you might encounter laborers who are chopping wood, hunting, or gathering herbs, which could potentially lead to the secret being leaked.

One way is to write these secrets down, look at them from time to time, and confide in yourself.

Commonly known as: writing a diary!

The legendary doctor keeps a daily record of his medical practice; writing a diary is a routine habit. However, the drawback is obvious: if the diary is stolen, the consequences are unpredictable.

My ancestors liked to keep diaries.

He secretly recorded many palace secrets.

Times have changed, a century has passed, and those involved are all long gone. There's no need to expose the dead; what's worth remembering for posterity is only the secret treasures of Zhuge Liang.

What Yang Yan said sounded mysterious, but it was actually very logical. The miracle doctor faced joys and sorrows, life and death every day, and it was easy for him to become indifferent. He needed to maintain his humanity in various ways and tell himself, "I am a person, I am human, not a madman!"

This also explains a peculiar phenomenon.

Why does the waiter know so many secrets?

Because in many cases, the waiter will become a listener. Find a prefecture where no one knows you, buy the waiter a couple of drinks after the inn closes, pour out your heart while drinking, and leave the next morning!

That's how Linglong Pavilion got its intelligence!

Most of the secret agents of Linglong Pavilion are taciturn, but they are excellent listeners who inspire people to confide in them, and they unintentionally reveal things that can and cannot be said.

"So, I'm a 'rare commodity' now?"

To be precise, you are an "auspicious omen"!

"Yan'er, do you have any suggestions?"

"Observe the situation calmly and remain steadfast amidst change. Don't let these things disrupt your rhythm. Even if you're not a martial arts master's successor, you're still a grandmaster. You'll make a name for yourself sooner or later. Why overthink things?"

"Yan'er is right! I've learned a lot!"

"My martial arts skills are inferior to yours, and my fortune is not as good as yours. I can only offer you some advice. Otherwise, after you meet a few more girls, you'll forget about me."

"What are you saying, Yan'er? Martial arts and wisdom are inherently intertwined, inseparable. Throughout history, which master could defeat Xiang Yu? What was Xiang Yu's fate? In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, which general could defeat Lü Bu? What was Lü Bu's fate?"

"So, I'm your brain?"

"You are my... haven!"

Xu Qingya hugged Yang Yan and kissed her.

Qin Nanqin, holding Doubao'er in her left hand and Tangdun'er on her right shoulder, quickly left, closing the door tightly behind her. She was closed for the day and would not see any outsiders, especially those surnamed Yin and Beitang, who were simply kicked out.

……

noon.

Qin Nanqin glared angrily at Yang Yan.

Yang Yan nodded and said nothing more.

"Miss, why are you such a coward!"

"Qingya said that if you took me like this, it would be disrespectful to me. We've already sealed our love with a kiss, and what follows will be natural, not something that needs to be rushed!"

Why do you listen to him in everything?

"This is called... a woman obeying her husband after marriage!"

A blush crept across Yang Yan's cheeks.

Qin Nanqin suddenly remembered something. In wealthy families, before a marriage, a personal maid would be sent to test the future husband to see if there were any problems with him.

So, could she...?

Yang Yan sneered, "Don't even think about it! Qingya's body is perfectly normal; I've tested it myself!"

Qin Nanqin: How did you become so smart?

Yang Yan: The kiss was so passionate, it opened all seven orifices!