Chapter 104

PS: 4400 characters

Return Cloud Manor, inside the secret room.

Lu Chengfeng held his teacup, gently blowing on the clear tea, then looked at his son Lu Guan Ying before him; his eyes flickered, and he remained silent.

When he saw the enemy strong and us weak at night, he decisively entrusted his son to Withered Wood Master, letting him hide in the manor's secret room.

After the crisis was resolved, what he didn't expect was that the ruthless senior sister Mei Chaofeng would actually find him and convey Shi Potian's orders.

"Guan Ying, what do you think?" After setting down his teacup, Lu Chengfeng asked softly.

Although this kid is only thirteen, he's quite mature in handling affairs; the Taihu Water Stronghold was originally meant to be his foundation, and I had planned to retire behind the scenes in two years, but I didn't expect outsiders to swoop in tonight.

"Han Jie, can I touch you?"

"Nonsense!" Lu Chengfeng's face flushed slightly angry; he wanted to scold a couple sentences, but seeing his son's still childish face, after thinking he could only let it go.

Hearing his son's words, Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but stare at Lu Guan Ying in surprise.

"The Sun Moon Divine Sect is flourishing and about to be established,"

……

I didn't expect this kid to say such things; it truly exceeded his expectations, and he immediately spoke:

Although he apprenticed under the Withered Wood Monk of the Immortal Cloud Sect, it's merely a branch of the Shaolin Temple, and even he finds that martial skill somewhat lacking.

After returning to the courtyard, Han Xiao Ying and Miss Huang seemed to have already gotten up, while the guest rooms on both sides were tightly locked.

After rising, Han Xiao Ying whispered, glancing toward the door, seeing no one else, then looked at Niu Dingtian with puzzlement.

The next morning,

The sky was dimly bright.

He gave a faint reply, and Niu Dingtian clasped his hands behind his back, following that person.

"Lead the way."

As for Daoist Sun waking up and seeing the two women next door, let her imagine things slowly; after all, she's also experienced. Niu Dingtian thought wickedly.

They'd even accept such characters into the Sun Moon Divine Sect; their future reputation might not be great, Guan Ying...

Upon seeing Miss Huang's face, Han Xiao Ying sincerely praised her, a flash of astonishment flickering in her eyes.

Just now his father had explained his sect to him; he never expected it to be the Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi among the Five Top Martial Arts of the World, and he felt a little excited.

Also seeing Miss Huang droop her head, he pinched her small hand and said, "Rong'er, this is the Han Jie I just told you about; Rong'er can call her Han Jie or Xiao Ying Jie."

Niu Dingtian stood at the doorway and softly called inside; the earlier opening was too quiet, so Sister Han might have been thinking of me and didn't hear.

Seeing Niu Dingtian refuse, Lu Chengfeng seemed somewhat regretful and said, "I don't know if your sect plans to recruit; what are the conditions? I intend to let Guan Ying join your sect to gain some experience."

This meditative cultivation rest method seems more comfortable than lying alone in bed; I'll have to try it more often in the future.

"Father, how would it be for me to join the Sun Moon Divine Sect?" Lu Guan Ying's eyes lit up, and he suddenly asked the silent Lu Chengfeng.

I originally wanted to find a side room to make do for the night, but after thinking I decided against it, took a cotton mat, placed it in the corner to sit and meditate; I seem to haven't seriously trained in a long time, and this martial skill is about to go to waste.

"Rong'er, come in quickly!"

Lu Chengfeng startled, then furrowed his brows, silent, his fingertips continuously tapping the armrest, his face seeming torn.

Seeing his father finally bring up his matter, Lu Guan Ying felt excited, hurried forward and bowed to Niu Dingtian, saying:

"Lu Guan Ying has met Venerable Stone!"

Lu Chengfeng saw this, sighed, and softly said, "Never mind; tomorrow I'll ask Venerable Stone to do you a favor."

Seeing this scene, Niu Dingtian felt a bit guilty, thinking, "Am I really not a person?" But that thought just popped up and immediately retreated; I just want to give them a home, is that wrong?

Hearing such straightforward praise, Miss Huang's face felt a bit embarrassed, yet her heart was delighted; she glanced smugly at Niu Dingtian, then giggled at Han Xiao Ying.

Seeing Miss Huang's thievish demeanor, Niu Dingtian felt amused; ultimately he's too young, and he has developed feelings for her—otherwise, in a few years, wanting to enjoy her blessings in her presence would be hard to achieve.

Seeing Miss Huang enter the courtyard with a shy, fidgety manner, Niu Dingtian stepped close and whispered teasingly into her ear:

"Rong'er's earlier kick was truly powerful; I estimate it scared the old Daoist nun next door quite badly."

"Xiao Ying Jie~~"

After getting down to business, Lu Chengfeng's expression turned solemn, and he clasped his fists toward Niu Dingtian, saying, "To be esteemed by Venerable Stone and your sect is an honor for Lu."

"Han Jie, are you asleep?"

Lu Guan Ying blinked, "Isn't it about joining the sect? Why do we need to bow as disciples?" After realizing, he was overjoyed, suppressing his excitement, and gazed eagerly at that ghostly face.

This is just a thought that just arose, but once it appears it's hard to dispel; when his father earlier described Venerable Stone's scene of rewarding good and punishing evil, intimidating the heroes, he listened with fervent passion, his mind yearning.

I'm afraid they'll kill a chicken to scare the monkeys at that time to establish authority; if because of this matter it adds trouble to your grandmaster, how can I, as father, be at peace?

"Xiao Ying Jie, this is Miss Huang, called Huang Rong, daughter of the Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi; Xiao Ying Jie can call her Rong'er."

Not long after entering meditation, after a series of whispered words on the bed, the two seemed to have gradually become familiar, and Miss Huang had become even fiercer.

He quietly walked to the door, saw the crack in the door, Niu Dingtian knew Sister Han had left it open for him, and a light push opened it.

"Thank you, father!!"

Lu Chengfeng remained silent; he understood some of his son's thoughts, struggled in his heart for half a day, then finally looked at Lu Guan Ying and spoke softly:

"Han Jie, why are you older than Rong'er?"

After finishing his practice, Niu Dingtian exhaled a mouthful of turbid air and slowly opened his eyes.

"Taking on disciples isn't necessary; the Venerable accepts disciples based on affinity," Niu Dingtian immediately refused without thinking, "Taking on disciples? I haven't even taken my two nephews, let alone your son—impossible!"

However, that remark seemed too harsh, after all he's one of our own; after a brief ponder, he continued, "If there is affinity in the future, it's not impossible."

Thinking of this, his heart continued to bleed.

"……"

The temperament of Miss Huang shouldn't be this weak, but whenever I think that I not only stole someone's man, but also kicked open someone's door and looked at someone's body, I inexplicably feel a surge of guilt.

"Sister Xiao Ying."

Gazing over, I saw Han Xiao Ying already risen from bed, sitting at the table, one hand supporting her fragrant cheek, the other stroking her precious sword, dazed in the lamplight.

Hearing the sporadic rustle of clothes being taken off inside, Niu Dingtian had no further ill thoughts; he was already very pleased with how the night had turned out, and without Sister Han's reminder he knew it wasn't appropriate.

As he walked, he thought: Lu Chengfeng having men posted here to guard him this early indicates he's already made a satisfactory choice; being aware of the situation is good, and it saves him some trouble.

"Hehe~ Sister Han is also pretty."

After taking the young lady Huang's hand, Niu Dingtian pulled the hiding Huang lady from beside the door into the room, shut the door, walked up to Han Xiaoying, gave her an apologetic look, and said softly:

He thought, after all, there is a master-disciple bond; he couldn't just stand by and let outsiders bully her, and the reputation of the Five Absolutes demands some respect—this is also the worldly wisdom his father taught him from childhood.

"Stone Venerable, rest assured, just tell me what you need!" Lu Chengfeng readily agreed, then pointed to Lu Guan Ying behind him and said to Niu Dingtian with a smile: "Stone Venerable, this is my son Guan Ying; Guan Ying, hurry and pay your respects to the Stone Venerable!"

Having pretty much guessed Lu Chengfeng's choice, Niu Dingtian's attitude improved considerably.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Han Xiaoying snapped to attention, turned her head and saw Niu Dingtian at the doorway; she instinctively wanted to speak, but then thought of something and hastily covered her mouth.

She then pulled down the bed curtains, sealing them tight, no longer paying attention to that person outside; after tossing all night, if she didn't rest now, it would soon be dawn.

Not long after,

The two wound their way to a reception hall, not the same as last night's, and Lu Chengfeng and Lu Guan Ying seemed to have been waiting inside for quite a while.

Miss Huang's pretty face flushed slightly; she couldn't help but glare at him, then suddenly recalled the scene she had seen earlier, and involuntarily glanced at Niu Dingtian's lower body, her face turning bright red.

Since Lu has already given you this much face, bringing up a few small requests later would only seem natural.

After all, this is the female guests' courtyard; making a little noise is forgivable, but if someone were to catch you in the act, the impression would surely be bad.

After making a round and exiting the male guests' quarters under the pretense of something, he saw someone standing guard outside the courtyard.

This is very much like the vow he made since childhood to punish evil, promote good, and roam the jianghu; now that he has a chance to meet such a person, he certainly doesn't want to let it slip.

Seeing the two on the bed still asleep, Niu Dingtian got up, took his mask, and quietly left the room.

Upon seeing Niu Dingtian enter, Lu Chengfeng's smile was like a spring breeze; he clasped his fists and said, "My humble manor is simple; did the Stone Venerable rest comfortably last night?"

After all, he didn't want his son to end up mediocre, and since the martial arts of Peach Blossom Island cannot be passed without a master's permission, he dared not teach them on his own.

"……"

Niu Dingtian rarely clasped his fist toward Lu Chengfeng and said with a smile, "Thank you, Manor Lord Lu; I formally invite you to attend the ceremony on the eighth day of the eighth month next year at Jiugong Mountain, and if any trouble arises thereafter, my Divine Sect will certainly not be vague!"

"Where is the person?"

"From now on, the Taihu Lake water stronghold will be placed under your sect's management; if you need anything from me, just a word from your sect and I will not delay!"

Seeing Miss Huang's shy manner, Han Xiaoying assumed she had a gentle disposition and could hardly imagine her kicking in the door that night, so she openly stepped forward, took her hand, and said gently:

"Rong'er, don't be restrained; if you don't mind, just call me Xiao Ying Sister, or Sister Han is fine."

After exchanging a few more words with Lu Chengfeng, Niu Dingtian made an excuse to leave; here it only needed someone sent over to handle things, and it was about time to set off for Dali.

Seeing his father still deliberating, Lu Guan Ying didn't interrupt; not knowing what else had occurred to him, his gaze grew brighter and he suddenly said:

"I'm no longer a child and also want to go out and make my mark; those few strongholds may bring some silver and gold, but they're ultimately hard to elevate to high status. If I can use the opportunity to present the strongholds to gain importance in the sect, I think that would be worthwhile as well."

The female Daoist in the next room was already displeased; just as this brat had stepped out, she began pounding the table next door, and Han Xiaoying felt a bit guilty, not daring to disturb her again.

"In a few days I will send people to take over the water stronghold; by then I'll still need Manor Lord Lu's assistance."

"You also know how notorious my sworn sister Mei Chaofeng's reputation is in the jianghu; since the Stone Venerable has allowed Father to settle her, he surely intends to bring her under his command,"

Seeing Han Xiaoying's gentleness, Miss Huang softly called out, then slowly lifted her head and began to curiously size up the Han sister before her.

These words held no hint of flattery; the girl before her was indeed the most stunning woman she had ever seen, and looking at her youthful, energetic figure, Han Xiaoying couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

Seeing this, Lu Chengfeng felt relieved; after a moment's thought, he clasped his fists toward Niu Dingtian and said, "Stone Venerable, what do you think of Guan Ying? If he could catch your eye, I dare to ask you to accept him as your disciple."

Lu Guan Ying thought for a moment and said, "Actually Father also knows that many discerning people in the jianghu are aware that our Guiyun Manor is the leader of the water bandits on Taihu Lake,"

Hearing this, Niu Dingtian startled, then realized, his gaze involuntarily fixing on Lu Chengfeng—"Damn old fox! He's actually trying to get five hundred mouths from me for a thousand!"

But this time he didn't refuse, and readily said, "Since Manor Lord Lu has spoken, there's naturally no problem; after I go to Jiugong Mountain next year, I will make the arrangements myself, so Manor Lord Lu can rest easy."

Seeing his father still seeming to want to advise, Lu Guan Ying dropped to his knees, clenched his fists tightly, and fixed his gaze with determination.

"Back already?"

After sizing her up, she began to feel a little pleased: apart from having a larger bust than this girl, she seemed inferior in every other way, hehe~~

"Rong'er is truly beautiful."

"Father, if you are unwilling, then…" Lu Guan Ying's face showed some hesitation, "…it wouldn't hurt to send a letter to Grandmaster Elder; after all, Father is also… they will surely give the Grandmaster face."

When Niu Dingtian returned to the courtyard again, Han Xiaoying's room was still lit, while the rooms on either side were already dark.

After taking Miss Huang to his side, Han Xiaoying glanced at Niu Dingtian and said softly, "It's not early; hurry up and rest, Rong'er will sleep with me."

"I beg Father to grant this!!"

Though called a chivalrous bandit, his reputation isn't much better; it's only out of regard for our righteousness and generosity that we give him face!"

If one could join the Divine Sect at its inception and gain importance, future achievements would not be too shabby either.

The Divine Sect originally planned to recruit, but the threshold is absolutely not low; now that someone with connections has come forward, Niu Dingtian naturally won't refuse.

"Manor Lord Lu is being courteous," Niu Dingtian chuckled and said, "You had people summon me this early; it seems you've already given it thought."

Although he said that with his mouth, he himself understood that his master Huang Lao Xie might not care about this useless disciple of his.

Moreover, the bloody lesson of the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong is still before his eyes; if doing this were to bring danger to his master, he would absolutely not want it. Yet sending away a golden goose that lays eggs leaves him feeling somewhat unwilling.

"Guan Ying you"

Upon finally seeing Niu Dingtian appear, that person hurried forward respectfully and said, "Stone Venerable, our manor lord summons you."

"Stone Venerable!"

Those words truly gave Niu Dingtian face, but this is also Lu Chengfeng's usual style; since he has already agreed, he might as well make things even more splendid.

"What's wrong with Rong'er?"

Niu Dingtian was somewhat surprised, seeing the old man get excited over what? He didn't dwell on it, just smiled and nodded; the kid is really not bad.

"Did the old Daoist nun leave?"

"Why didn't we run into anyone on the road?"

Niu Dingtian felt puzzled, having listened all night at the wall corner, just to have them leave like that?

(This chapter ends)