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

Chapter 90 Every time disaster strikes, there's always a demon stirring up trouble!

Chapter 90 Every time disaster strikes, there's always a demon stirring up trouble!

"Qingya, what time is it now?"

Yang Yan woke up groggily, feeling the warm embrace beside her, and comfortably squinted her eyes.

Xu Qingya laughed and said, "I don't know! I just woke up myself. My wife worked hard last night!"

Yang Yan was initially delighted, but then her joy turned to sorrow.

The good news is that the way he's addressed has changed, but the bad news is that Yin Susu was right: Xu Qingya's body is too strong, and his accumulated anger is too intense, making it difficult for ordinary people to bear.

Yang Yan has practiced martial arts since childhood and possesses superb lightness skills. She is known as the "Fairy of the Startling Swan" in the martial arts world. Although she is not a Grandmaster of the Heavenly Gang, she at least has a healthy and well-proportioned physique.

Yang Yan sighed, "Qingya, I was a little jealous at first, but not anymore. Hurry up and bring a few sisters into the house, or you'll drive me crazy sooner or later!"

"Slap! Slap!"

Yang Yan was hit twice on the Mid-Autumn Festival!

Xu Qingya feigned anger: "You made two mistakes. First, you addressed me incorrectly, and second, you used unlucky words on an auspicious day. Shouldn't you be punished according to family rules?"

Yang Yan's eyes were alluring: "My lord, I know I was wrong. Please punish me as you see fit—"

"Is it really permissible to punish people arbitrarily?"

Xu Qingya's lips curled up like the crooked-mouthed Dragon King.

Yang Yan's eyes and brows became even more alluring. Yin Susu was right again. After being suppressed for so many years, Yang Yan had also accumulated a lot of fire. She looked like a gentle kitten, but in reality, she was a fierce tiger with glaring eyes and a white forehead, baring her teeth and claws. No matter how strong the hunter was, she could swallow him whole.

Qin Nanqin stood guard at the door, her face flushed.

She came to help Yang Yan change her clothes, but as soon as she arrived at the door, she heard a sound that made her blush and her heart race, and her whole body go weak. She wanted to push the door open, but Doubao'er faithfully guarded the door and blocked it with her body.

No matter how Qin Nanqin tempted him, Doubao'er refused to give way, not even caring about the big bone!

Doubao has been completely won over by Yang Yan!

If you let someone in, they can only eat one bone.

They won't let anyone in; they'll eat big bones every meal.

It can tell the difference between being full at one meal and being full at every other meal!

Qin Nanqin waited until noon before a voice came from inside the house: "Is that Nanqin? Come in! Doubao, don't block the way, go play in the yard!"

Doubao wagged its tail and went out to play.

Qin Nanqin pushed open the door and entered. Yang Yan, wearing a loose nightgown, was dressing Xu Qingya. Qin Nanqin stepped forward and said, "Madam, let me do it! I am the Marquis's maid, and it is my duty to serve him!"

Yang Yan joked, "You little rascal, you switch jobs faster than a steamed bun! But! The advice you gave me was really important, so you deserve some credit!"

Qin Nanqin shrugged, thinking to herself, "If you had listened to me earlier, I could be eating meat now too—my mistress is so useless, I can only make the maids work harder!"

Yang Yan pulled a red envelope from under her pillow: "Your way of addressing me was very nice, I liked it!"

Xu Qingya laughed and said, "Nanqin, don't be so reserved in front of me. Whether it's the chivalrous Xu Qingya or the Marquis of Jing'an Xu Qingya, I am still Xu Qingya."

Qin Nanqin: I'm not being shy at all! I'm just lusting after you! I'm practically drooling!

After getting dressed and washing up, Chef Chen brought lunch, which was all nourishing food. Just looking at it made me feel hot and energized, and my whole body was churning with energy.

Yang Yan was quite tired and not fit to go out shopping, so Xu Qingya stayed with her in the room.

The two sat cross-legged, meditating and practicing their breathing techniques.

Yang Yan's constitution is "water" attribute. In addition to the Guantao Pavilion mental cultivation method, she also has a unique skill that Guantao Pavilion Master Leiyin accidentally obtained during her training. This method is called "Weak Water Three Thousand". Only virgins with innate water attribute can cultivate it. It has special effects.

According to the manual, this "miraculous effect" was extremely beneficial to martial artists. Unfortunately, the later parts of the manual were burned by flames, so the benefits are unknown. Yang Yan has not noticed anything unusual in her cultivation so far.

In terms of power, it's not particularly powerful. It's comparable to the "Purple Cloud Divine Skill" of the Huashan Sect, and its performance in all aspects is rather lukewarm. It's also countered by the Ice Jade Blade.

To say it's not powerful wouldn't be right. Since mastering this technique, Yang Yan has been free from all illnesses and has seen a significant improvement in her lightness skill. Yang Miaozhen commented that the concept behind this unique skill is absolutely a "top-grade secret manual."

Yang Yan has been diligently practicing, but has gained nothing.

Until last night, Yang Yan's Weak Water True Qi and Xu Qingya's Wood True Qi nourished each other, forming a Water-Wood pattern. Water and Wood complement each other, each containing the other, inseparable.

In other words, Yang Yan's main cultivation method is not very useful in combat, but it is the most outstanding auxiliary cultivation method in the world. It can resolve anger, violence, and even the poison caused by pills. The Weak Water True Qi turns into a torrent to wash away Xu Qingya's eight extraordinary meridians and five internal organs.

Xu Qingya did not know the "dual cultivation method," but he was able to naturally cooperate with Yang Yan, using Yang Yan's true energy to cleanse his marrow and strengthen his physique.

Yang Yan, on the other hand, used Xu Qingya's Yi Wood True Qi to enhance her power and solidify her foundation. This feeling was like a stream flowing in the forest, where the stream water nourishes the trees and the trees prevent soil erosion.

"Water and Wood" are considered anomalies in the Five Elements.

Other elements in the Five Elements generating relationships, such as wood generating fire, directly burning into embers, and fire generating earth, burning into ash, are unidirectional. Only "water generating wood" has a bidirectional promoting effect, requiring no active control, naturally forming a balance and achieving harmony between heaven and man.

Practicing martial arts in seclusion will cause one to lose the sense of time.

Especially when one is completely absorbed in a moment of enlightenment.

Fortunately, it's a martial arts world. No matter how high your martial arts skills are, you're still just a mortal body that needs to eat and drink. When you get so hungry that you can't stand it anymore, you'll wake up from your epiphany.

It was three days later when they returned to the Marquis's residence.

Xu Qingya remained calm and composed, his face beaming with pride.

Yang Yan's eyes were alluring, and she radiated beauty.

The Marquis's residence was thrown into chaos.

Some complained that Yang Yan was hogging the food.

Some complained that Xu Qingya hadn't treated everyone equally.

Some wanted to simply take action and rob it.

Cheng Lingsu was the most intelligent and perceptive. She examined Xu Qingya and Yang Yan and found that they were both healthy and had no deficiencies. On the contrary, they were getting healthier and healthier. Their previous fiery temper had been relieved by at least 50% or 60%.

Xu Qingya still harbored some anger.

Yang Yan was no longer angry at all.

Upon hearing this, Yin Susu and Liu Qingci's eyes gleamed with greed, wishing they could devour Xu Qingya whole.

Just as Xu Qingya was about to be turned into "Xu Qingya in One Piece" by the women, Mi Cangqiong arrived in time, rescuing Xu Qingya from the mountains and rivers, and pulled him up: "Marquis Jing'an, His Majesty is waiting for you in the Imperial Study! Where have you been these past few days?"

Xu Qingya asked curiously, "Old Mi, what exactly happened? Are you sending me to lead troops into battle? Even leading troops into battle doesn't happen so urgently! Could it be a rebellion?"

Mi Cangqiong whispered, "This matter—Her Majesty is furious, but doesn't know who to vent her anger on. Her Majesty is in a very bad mood; she really wants to kill someone!"

"What happened? Why is it such a big fuss?"

"The dikes have been in disrepair for years, and this year the Yellow River has risen particularly quickly, breaching some of them. Nearly a million people have been affected, and the imperial court urgently needs disaster relief and aid. If this is not handled properly, the whole country may be engulfed in flames of war!"

"Distant from repair? I'm fucking—"

Xu Qingya said, "What the hell can I say?"

Another huge pit left behind by the late emperor!

Which states were affected by the disaster?

"Bianliang!"

"Old Mi, are you kidding me? Bianliang is less than 500 li from the capital. If Bianliang were to experience a serious flood, why is the capital only finding out now? I remember the Ministry of Water Resources is required to monitor water levels at all times!"

"This is why His Majesty is angry. It's not just a natural disaster, but also a man-made one. The Ministry of Water Resources has neglected its duties, the dikes have fallen into disrepair, officials have failed to supervise effectively, and there's all sorts of other messy things going on. His Majesty is about to go crazy!"

"How much supplies can the imperial court mobilize?"

"How would I know any of this! Today's court session was almost chaotic! With Grand Tutor Zhuge in Jingzhou, it seems that the only minister the emperor trusts most is the Marquis."

"Now that things have come to this, it's our duty!"

The Marquis's residence was very close to the palace, and there was even a secret passage leading directly to the inner palace. In just a few words, the two arrived at the Imperial Study. Liu Dinghuan looked exhausted and waved to Xu Qingya, indicating that he did not need to stand on ceremony and should find a place to sit.

Xu Qingya cut to the chase: "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve as the Minister of Disaster Relief and provide aid to the victims, but I request that Your Majesty promise me three things before I can carry out my disaster relief work with peace of mind!"

"explain!"

"First, we must ensure sufficient funds, provisions, and supplies. We need to prepare food, clothing, and medicine. I will be leading a group of imperial physicians to the disaster area, no fewer than thirty people!"

"Your Majesty's permission is granted!"

"Secondly, we must mobilize troops and restore order. When people are starving, they are capable of anything. Those ambitious individuals who like to stir up trouble will also take advantage of the situation. In certain critical moments, I must raise my sword to establish my authority!"

"Your Majesty's permission is granted!"

"Thirdly, the imperial authority grants permission to act first and report later. I need someone of sufficiently high status to accompany me as an imperial envoy. There are certain powerful families that I cannot handle; she can handle them on my behalf!"

"Do you want Qingci to go to the disaster area with you?"

"Your Highness's safety will be guaranteed!"

"You have made three requests to me, and I have three questions for you, Minister Xu. Do you know how to provide relief to disaster victims? From which aspects should we begin?"

"The key is to ensure people are well-fed and clothed. Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are basic human needs. Once they are well-fed, the disaster victims will gradually settle down. They are mostly able-bodied young people, and we can mobilize some of them to do what they can!"

"It's that simple?"

"Of course not. First, we need to build a simple isolation zone in the disaster area. This will serve two purposes: first, to settle the disaster victims, and second, to select those who are infected, as there will inevitably be an epidemic after the flood. We need to gather them together for treatment to prevent the spread of the epidemic."

"An isolation zone? Interesting! The imperial court recently acquired the Liancheng Treasure Trove and has ample funds, but is short of food and medicine. In the event of a major disaster, merchants often hoard goods and drive up prices. How do you plan to deal with them?"

"Bring in a batch, crack down on a batch, and kill a batch! First, have the imperial merchants offer grain, cloth, and medicine to ensure sufficient basic supplies. Then, I will go and talk to the merchants, pick out a few troublemakers, and use them as examples to scare others!"

"Minister Xu's statement is too general!"

"What I just said was the general direction, but I didn't mention the specific implementation methods. Please, Your Majesty, provide me with pen and ink so I can write down the methods for Your Majesty to review!"

"Alright! Granted!"

Liu Dinghuan had someone prepare writing brushes, ink, and a desk.

Mi Cangqiong was somewhat anxious. Xu Qingya was a Jianghu person who had lived in the mountains for a long time. How could he understand the art of governing a country?

Liu Dinghuan was furious. She needed a down-to-earth, pragmatic person, not a boastful, incompetent good-for-nothing. If Xu Qingya were to be arrogant and incompetent, and anger the Emperor, then—

Xu Qingya remained calm and composed.

Even if you've never eaten pork, you've at least seen a pig run, right?

I come from the most responsible and safety-guaranteeing country in the 21st century. How could I not understand disaster relief?

How should we handle flood relief?

Dikes — Isolation — Rape —

Xu Qingya quickly wrote down methods one by one. These were just thoughts and had not been compiled into a book. Liu Dinghuan and Mi Cangqiong watched from the side and became more and more shocked as they read.

Is Xu Qingya really a member of the martial arts world?

Who among the martial arts world knows so much about disaster relief?

Even Liu Dinghuan was shocked!

Xu Qingya's records are incredibly detailed, his thinking is broad, his execution is cautious, his compassion for disaster victims is strong, his ruthlessness towards unscrupulous merchants is severe, and his early warnings of emergencies are remarkable. While it may not be said that he covered every single detail, no other water conservancy book in history, from ancient times to the present, has ever been this detailed!

Where did Xu Qingya learn all this knowledge?

Could it be that Ximen Changhai's nickname is Mr. Water Mirror?

"Good! Good! Good! Minister Xu, you are truly my blessed star. With a talent like Minister Xu, how can the Han Dynasty not prosper?"

"Eunuch Mi, convey the imperial decree: the Prince of Yizi Qijian is hereby appointed Imperial Commissioner to conduct disaster relief in Bianliang. He is granted the Imperial Sword, and is authorized to act as if I were personally present!"

The matter of providing disaster relief was too important for anyone to relax for a moment. Xu Qingya quickly recorded what he knew and thought, returned to the Marquis's residence, asked Cheng Lingsu to select an imperial physician, and then took Yang Yan and Yin Susu to Huaman Pawnshop to discuss business with Hua Baifeng.

Hua Baifeng is a member of a collateral branch of the Hua family, whose main business is the sale of medicinal herbs, with over 300 acres of medicinal herb fields.

The Hua family are imperial merchants, and they have an inescapable responsibility to help with the Yellow River floods; they will definitely donate money and supplies.

In that case, let's start by collecting medicinal herbs!

Three days later, the swelling on the back of Hua Baifeng's head had long since subsided. Upon learning that Xu Qingya had come to discuss business, Hua Baifeng's eyes lit up, and she invited Xu Qingya to a private room to discuss matters.

"Mr. Hua! Time is of the essence, please forgive my rudeness, but I'll get straight to the point: how many medicinal herbs does the Hua family currently have in stock? I want all of these herbs, as long as they're available in the warehouse!"

Xu Qingya handed over several prescriptions.

This is a prescription written by Cheng Lingsu for treating common post-disaster ailments such as colds, diarrhea, and dysentery. It uses common medicinal herbs and can be cooked directly in a large pot.

Hua Baifeng was stumped by the question.

Yang Yan said softly, "Boss Hua, the dikes near Bianliang have breached, causing immense suffering to countless people. The imperial court has ordered the Marquis of Jing'an to provide disaster relief. Whether he goes or not is irrelevant; the medicinal herbs must be delivered. Please do us a favor, Boss Hua. We will purchase these herbs at the original price; this is the deposit!"

Yang Yan took out a silver note and handed it over.

Hua Baifeng chuckled, "Since it's disaster relief, why bother with such formalities? Please wait a moment, I'll have someone count the medicinal herbs, then contact the major pharmaceutical merchants to clear their inventories and donate all the herbs!"

Xu Qingya narrowed his eyes: "Boss Hua, tell your competitors, those who supply medicinal herbs, I, Xu Qingya, owe them a favor. Those who kick someone when they're down, those who want to make a fortune by taking advantage of the situation, may make the money, but they won't live to spend it!"

Yin Susu smiled and said, "Boss Hua, this is called laying out the unpleasant truth upfront, not a threat! Please don't misunderstand, Boss Hua. There's one more thing: if anyone tries to hide the medicinal herbs and I find them, they won't be considered merchandise, but stolen goods, and will be confiscated!"

Hua Baifeng is an undercover agent of the Demonic Sect. She doesn't care much about the family business. She casually shrugs her shoulders, tells someone to bring the account book, and lets Xu Qingya choose the medicinal herbs.

Hua Baifeng said gently, "Young Master Xu, your character is too upright and your chivalry too strong. If you encounter those greedy and unscrupulous merchants, you might not be able to close a deal and could even end up fighting. How about this? I'll personally escort a batch of medicinal herbs to the disaster area and help you persuade the merchants!"

"The disaster area is dangerous. Boss Hua isn't an official, why should you risk your life with us? You really don't need to!"

"Young Master Xu, please don't look down on me! Although I am a woman, I have a heart full of passion. Do you think only you can save people, and I can't?"

"I'm sorry, I was presumptuous! I welcome Boss Hua to join me. I swear on my life I won't let you get hurt. I owe you a favor!"

Xu Qingya stood up and bowed.

Xu Qingya then instructed the two women: "Yan'er, Susu, you two stay in the capital. First, help me allocate supplies; second, deal with grain and medicine merchants; and third, pass on intelligence. If anything happens, use Tangdun'er to contact us!"

Only when I entrust my back to you can I feel at ease!

"Go ahead and don't worry! I'll take care of everything!"

Yang Yan nodded firmly.