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

Chapter 1: Steeds, Swift Blades, and Young Men

In late spring, in March, the grass grows and the orioles fly.

This is the time when the misty rain in Jiangnan is at its most gentle, and even the winds in the north become gentle in this season.

Willow catkins filled the streets, a white expanse like a late-arriving snowflake, landing on the eaves, on the shoulders of passersby, and swirling in the moat.

It was amidst this swirling catkins that Xu Qingya entered Luoyang, the capital city where the spirits of dragons and tigers from all over the world converge.

In the afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, making the two stone lions outside the North Gate seem to be dozing off.

Wang Laosan leaned against the wall, squinting as he watched the pedestrians coming and going through the city gate, pondering which stall he would go to after the shift change to get half a pound of braised meat and a jug of cheap liquor.

Just then, he heard the sound of hooves.

De, de, de.

Unhurried and steady, as if stepping on some unseen rhythm, a handsome young man leading a horse walked towards the end of the official road.

The person is extremely conspicuous.

Wang Laosan had guarded the city gate for over thirty years. He usually boasted of his extensive knowledge and experience. After a few drinks, he dared to comment on any official, nobleman, or江湖豪客 (jianghu haoke, a term referring to chivalrous figures in the martial arts world).

The bright and handsome young man before him made his dim old eyes light up for a moment.

The boy was around twenty years old, tall and slender, wearing a slightly worn but still stylish blue shirt with neatly tied cuffs, and shoes with the layered soles common in the north.

Dusty and travel-worn, with mud splattered on his shoes, he couldn't conceal the crisp, clean energy that emanated from his very being.

The most striking feature was the boy's eyes and eyebrows.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, slightly tinged with dark blue; her eyes were strikingly bright, yet frighteningly still, as if the two cleanest stars of the coldest winter month had been embedded in her eye sockets.

With a straight nose and lips that appear somewhat hard and cold when pressed together, the combination of eyebrows and eyes is undeniably beautiful, with a subtle hint of sharpness.

Wang Laosan shifted his gaze back to the horse the boy was leading, and the slight admiration he had just felt for the handsome young man instantly turned into astonishment.

This...this is a horse?

It had a tall frame, but its body was so thin that it was just a skeleton. It had long, yellowish-brown hair that clung to its body in clumps.

The horse's head drooped limply, and with each step it took, its skeleton swayed three or five times, snorting out a pungent smell of strong liquor.

A yellow dog followed at the boy's feet.

The yellow dog's fur was soft and shiny, like ears of wheat basking in the autumn sun. It obediently followed at the boy's feet, its dark, moist nose twitching occasionally.

Ugly horse, yellow dog, handsome young master.

This combination was bizarre enough, but what really caught the eye of the old soldier Wang Laosan was the long sword on the boy's back and the blood-dripping sack on the horse's back.

The knife was too long, with the scabbard measuring five feet in length. The dark, sharkskin scabbard hung straight on his back.

Such a long sword must be difficult to draw, and it would be a burden to travel the world. Even if one were to indulge in a refined pursuit, such a long sword would seem somewhat out of place.

However, the slender shape of the blade, combined with Xu Qingya's upright and solitary figure, gave people a sense of imposing grandeur, like the cold wind during midnight duty.

A burlap sack was carried across the horse's back, its opening tied tightly with hemp rope, from which blood dripped slowly.

Wang Laosan straightened his hunched back, held his peeling red-tasseled spear across his body, and blocked the young man's horse.

"Where are you from? What brings you into the city?"

Xu Qingya took out his identity document and casually tossed a small money pouch into Wang Laosan's sleeve.

"Xu Qingya comes from the north. He is going into the city to collect his reward from the Six Doors. I would like to trouble you to help me with the way."

"To claim the reward?"

Old Wang frowned, looking Xu Qingya up and down: "Young man, what's in the sack?"

Xu Qingya pulled out a wanted poster, then opened the sack, revealing a greasy, sallow-faced figure with a scruffy beard: "Wanli Duxing, Tian Boguang!"

Upon hearing this, a lieutenant who had just been relieved and was resting against the wall suddenly perked up his ears, his face changed instantly, and he strode over.

The city gate suddenly fell silent. The man selling steamed buns froze, his oily hands churning. The blind fortune teller knocked down his flagpole, and the divination sticks clattered to the ground, scattering the worst possible fortune sticks all over the floor.

All eyes were glued to the sack, as if a venomous snake might suddenly leap out of it.

Tian Boguang, known as "The Lone Ranger," is a notorious womanizer who is swift in and out of action, committing numerous crimes. The Six Doors (the government) have offered a bounty on his head for eight years, but haven't been able to catch him.

No one would have imagined that Tian Boguang would be carried into the capital in a sack by a twenty-year-old boy, like a cargo, looking pitiful.

The lieutenant knew that the young man before him must be a martial arts master who could move with great skill. Not daring to offend him, he swallowed hard and pointed to the south of the city.

"Young hero, please enter the city first, go straight, pass five intersections, turn east, and keep going until you see two particularly fierce stone lions. That is the Six Doors."

Thank you!

Xu Qingya thanked him and led his horse into the city.

Three seconds later, a loud noise erupted, and the news of Tian Boguang's arrest spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys.

……

The Six Doors was originally a collective name for the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate. Later, it became independent and was specifically responsible for dealing with the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world), with its leader known as the "God of Catchers".

The "God of Catchers" is a big name and cannot be easily targeted. Normally, the "Four Great Catchers" take turns on duty at the yamen, rotating among themselves year-round.

Today's duty officer is the third of the Four Great Constables, whose real name is Cui Lueshang and nickname is "Chasing Life". With his pair of Chasing Life Divine Legs, he has kicked countless notorious bandits to death.

Before Xu Qingya even reached the Six Doors, he heard Zhui Ming's cynical voice: "Hey, did the sun rise in the west today? Or am I still half asleep?"

Could it be that even Tian Boguang, that slippery eel, could have fallen into the net? Could it be that he had nowhere else to turn but himself in to avoid jail time? What a pity!

Old Cui's food and drinks are for people, but you bastard, you deserve to be slashed!

Before he could finish speaking, Zhui Ming appeared at the door.

The Four Great Constables are arranged in order of their entry into the sect. Zhui Ming is the third oldest, but he is the oldest, around forty years old, and has a large gourd of wine tied around his waist.

Constables are prohibited from drinking alcohol while handling cases, except for Zhui Ming. Everyone in the martial arts world knows that alcohol is Zhui Ming's magic potion; every sip increases his speed.

Having traveled all over the country for many years, Zhui Ming had excellent eyesight. With just a glance, he saw through Xu Qingya and was secretly amazed—how could there be such a handsome person?

Since the Empress ascended the throne three years ago, more and more handsome young men have come to the capital to try their luck, but none as handsome as Zhui Ming has ever seen in his life.

The next second, Zhui Ming recognized the five-foot-long sword behind Xu Qingya. It was not a common two-handed longsword such as a broadsword, a Miao sword, or a horse-slaying sword, but a magpie sword.

The weapon created by Ximen Changhai, the founder of the Magpie Blade Sect and a master of swordsmanship from beyond the Great Wall, made Zhui Ming narrow his eyes, recalling a rumor from the martial arts world that had surfaced more than three months ago...

A flurry of thoughts crossed his mind, and Zhui Ming asked with a smile, "Young man, you look unfamiliar. What's your name? Are you from beyond the Great Wall?"

"Your younger brother, Xu Qingya, greets Third Brother."

"Xu, Qing, Ya..." Cui Lueshang slowly read the name, seemingly savoring the taste of the words on his tongue, before abruptly changing the subject.

"That scoundrel Tian Boguang is mediocre in other skills, but his lightness skill and swift sword are the most troublesome. How did you manage to catch him, Brother Xu? Let me broaden my horizons!"

The question was posed, and all the constables in the courtyard pricked up their ears, ready to hear a thrilling fight, which they would then tell their neighbors about over drinks when they got home that night.

Xu Qingya pulled over his sullen, dejected horse "Lao Jiu" and smiled, "My old buddy of mine runs faster than the wind!"

Then, Xu Qingya picked up his beloved dog "Doubao'er," whose fur was pure white and who was extremely intelligent, and laughed, "My little buddy of mine has a nose that can track things from a thousand miles away!"

Finally, Xu Qingya touched the knife on his back.

"My blade is faster than Tian Boguang's!"

"Hahaha... Let's drink a big toast!"

Zhuiming laughed loudly, picked up the wine gourd, took a big gulp, and handed it to Xu Qingya: "Brother Xu, it will take about three days for the Six Doors to issue the bounty."

You can come and collect it yourself when the time comes, or you can leave a safe place to stay and we'll send someone to deliver it.

Xu Qingya bowed respectfully: "Third Brother Cui, I plan to stay in the capital for a while, but I'm new here and unfamiliar with the place. I don't know where to rent a place."

"That's easy! Old Zhao, take Brother Xu to see Granny Cai later. Damn it, I'll introduce her to a business deal so she won't bother me anymore!"

Brother Xu, this is the capital, a place of great importance, right under the emperor's nose. It's a place of great prosperity, but the waters run deep, and people's hearts run even deeper.

My brother is a chivalrous young man with superb martial arts skills and such a handsome appearance. You must be extra careful when you travel.

If you encounter any difficulties, or if anyone dares to cause trouble, feel free to come to the Six Doors and find me, Old Cui. In the capital, Old Cui still has some influence!

Especially...especially...

Zhuiming pondered for a moment, then patted Xu Qingya on the shoulder and glanced at the long sword behind Xu Qingya. The two nodded to each other without saying a word.

Xu Qingya followed Constable Zhao to the document room.

The procedures were quite complicated, involving inquiries about place of origin, background, arrest process, identity verification, and signing. By the time the whole process was completed, the sun was already starting to set.

As we left the Six Doors, Lao Jiu and Doubao cast long, warm shadows on the courtyard wall.

"Grandma Cai" is an extraordinary person.

The Four Great Constables couldn't afford to offend her, and neither could Constable Zhao, who was even more cunning than a fox. He casually pointed out the way and immediately made his escape.

Xu Qingya, holding Lao Jiu and Doubao'er's hands, wandered aimlessly through the streets, admiring the night market of the capital while pondering his master's drunken instructions before he set off.

"Qingya, you are exceptionally gifted. I have taught you everything I can. Liaodong is too small to nurture a true dragon. The Central Plains is the stage for you to wreak havoc."

Before parting, I have three pieces of advice for you.

First, be wise in dealing with matters and think thrice before acting;

Second, wield chivalry as a weapon and subdue evil with righteousness;

Third, your looks are really... Don't be like me, who didn't know how to restrain himself when he was young, and ended up with a bunch of romantic entanglements, leaving him only able to hide in the deep mountains and forests...

If you encounter any masters from the Hengshan Sect, Emei Sect, Hanshan Sect, or Ancient Tomb Sect, especially female seniors... please don't mention my name, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it...

Cough!

That's all I have to say. Go and explore!

"A real man shouldn't be crying and behaving like a little girl. Do you not want to part with your teacher?"

Looking at his master's long, grimacing face, Xu Qingya was full of complaints: "Master, are all the female warriors in the Central Plains blind? Would they like a shoehorn?"

"What shoehorn? Bah! Bah! This is a genuine pig kidney face! Get lost! Every day I spend with a little bastard like you shortens my lifespan by three years!"

"Master, rest assured, when I go to the Central Plains, I will surely punish the wicked and uphold justice, and I will take three wives, four concubines, five maids, and six maids. By the New Year..."

"Get out! Get out! Get out! Damn it, my last bit of money for my funeral is hidden in the Six Doors prison. Go find it if you dare! Consider it a test from me."

"Your disciple will definitely... Ouch!"

A bamboo pole landed at Xu Qingya's feet, interrupting his reverie. Looking up, he saw a stunningly beautiful woman standing by the second-floor window.

Xu Qingya: My master's surname is Ximen. Is this way of greeting me a bit unlucky?