Chapter 115

This can't be the absorbed essence and qi, can it?

Looking at Qiu Qianren's withered corpse, Niu Dingtian's heart was far from calm; he had studied the North Darkness Divine Skill for so many years, yet he hadn't discovered that it had this ability?

Essence and qi are substance; wandering souls are transformation; Yin essence and Yang qi are the body's primordial qi and the source of life.

He knows this.

Merely absorbing others' internal strength is tolerable enough; if one could also absorb others' essence and qi for one's own use, how would that differ from demons and monsters? Once leaked, would there still be a place for oneself in the world?

Alienated from kin and friends?

Damn! Seeing no one around, Niu Dingtian kicked Qiu Qianren's desiccated corpse off the cliff with a single foot.

It's better that few people see this thing!

Afterwards he stood at the cliff's edge, staring at the endless abyss below, his heart still unable to calm for a long time.

At this moment the high moon hung, all sounds ceased, all around was eerily quiet; occasionally a cold wind blew, making the eerie wails at the cliff's base sound, truly chilling.

After a long while, gradually coming to his senses, Niu Dingtian let out a deep sigh; a lingering gloom still lingered in his eyes.

Sigh... I won't think about it for now!

Having made up his mind, he decided to set it aside for the time being.

After returning, I'll find that brat Yang Kang and also confirm with Sister-in-law Chen Jin'er; if they also cultivate this skill the same way as I do, then this martial art... must absolutely not be known to a third person! Thinking of this, Niu Dingtian leapt over the cliff and rushed straight to the temple.

There's still a despicable person waiting there for him to return and deal with; even if Master Yideng pleads for mercy, there's no room for negotiation.

If it weren't for her colluding with others and leaking the news of my arrival at Peach Blossom Spring, Qiu Qianren couldn't have found out so quickly.

As for the other mastermind, no need to think—aside from Ouyang Feng that old toad, there won't be anyone else! Old Poison can't stand anyone competing with him for supremacy under heaven; after I crippled Hong Qi Gong, upon hearing the news he probably already regarded me as a thorn in his side and a splinter in his flesh.

That guy could scheme with Ying Gu to poison Duan Zhixing and cripple his cultivation; naturally he would also scheme to get rid of me ahead of time.

Moreover, there's also the humiliation I inflicted on Ouyang Ke; the claim that he was either nephew or son, once I exposed it, would surely spread throughout the jianghu.

Since he has already moved against me, I need not stand on ceremony; the eighth day of the eighth month next year will be his death day, and it's perfect to borrow his head to establish the Divine Sect's prestige in the jianghu!

Upon arriving at the temple, the entire bamboo grove was in disarray, broken bamboo and withered stalks everywhere; even those few stone houses had suffered considerable damage, showing how fierce the earlier battle between the two had been.

At this point, Yideng, Zhu Ziliu, and Ying Gu had disappeared; only Huang girl and Han Xiao Ying remained in their original spots, anxiously waiting.

"Brother Niu!"

When Niu Dingtian appeared with disheveled hair and his robe open, both of their faces shifted from worry to joy; Huang girl lunged straight into his embrace, delighted, saying, "Brother Niu, are you alright?"

Thinking of something, her face turned annoyed: "Brother Niu, that old monk is utterly hateful—he actually let Ying Gu go! I wanted to capture her to vent my anger for you, but he stopped me."

Han Xiao Ying, somewhat restrained in front of others, hurried to Niu Dingtian's side, her eyes brimming with worry and care, she urgently asked, "Are you alright?"

Niu Dingtian shook his head, gave both a comforting glance, and smiled at Huang girl's accusation; this little girl no longer calls him Uncle Duan.

Seeing Han Xiao Ying still holding a sword in her hand, he knew the blade was broken; thinking back to how she had fearlessly lunged at Qiu Qianren that night, he felt deep self-reproach.

After gently drawing Han Xiao Ying into his embrace, he whispered, "I'll get you a better sword later."

Han Xiao Ying blinked, then realized this counted as a love token from him; she usually cherished it greatly.

She hadn't expected it to break tonight; she tightened her grip on the sword, feeling heartbroken, then softly hummed an "mm".

Suddenly feeling Huang girl's hand movements, Niu Dingtian knew the little girl was dissatisfied, so he hastily said, "Rong'er also gets one, one each!"

He had made up his mind; after returning to Xiangyang, he would make a trip to the Sword Tomb and take out all those precious swords.

If that fails, he'll melt down that heavy black-iron sword and recast it; anyway, that giant eagle can't beat him, and if provoked he'll simply chain it up to serve as the mountain's guardian beast.

"You two go back to rest first; I have some matters to discuss with Master Yideng." Niu Dingtian said to Huang girl and Han Xiao Ying.

He intended to find Yideng and make things clear—damn it, he had attacked him, and he wasn't a Buddhist believer.

After the two left, Niu Dingtian asked a young novice monk; upon learning that Yideng was healing his wounds and asking for his quarters, he hurried over.

Inside a meditation chamber,

The four walls were bare, only a small table had a lit censer of sandalwood, and wispy smoke curled within the room.

At this moment, Master Yideng had lost his former dignified bearing; his face was pallid as he sat cross-legged on a futon, circulating his qi to heal his wounds.

After he finished his practice, his disciple Zhu Ziliu stepped forward and whispered, "Master, Young Hero Niu is waiting outside."

"Please let him in." Yideng commanded with closed eyes, and he couldn't help but sigh.

He knew Niu Dingtian might be coming to confront him and demand answers, but he still couldn't get past that hurdle in his heart—how could he bear to watch him strike?

"Yes!"

Zhu Ziliu responded and left the room.

As Niu Dingtian entered the meditation chamber, he saw Yideng sitting cross-legged on the futon, his left shoulder bound with gauze—the very spot where Ying Gu had stabbed him; his pallid complexion had improved somewhat, but his brow bore evident sorrow.

After finding a futon to sit on, the two fell silent for a moment; Niu Dingtian then bluntly asked, "Master, do you know why I've come?"

Yideng hesitated, unable to find words for a moment; finally he could only wear a guilty expression, turning his prayer beads and sighing.

Niu Dingtian was at a loss for words, then gently advised, "Master, since you have resolved to renounce the world and seek a higher realm, why bother yourself with these mundane affairs?"

After witnessing Yideng's strength, he had originally wanted to sigh that his Dao was not lonely, but seeing the man's character today, he thought even attaining the heavenly-human realm was out of the question—breaking through the innate realm would already be impressive.

He's just an ungrateful wretch—capable of tormenting me like this? Damn it, he's even cuckolded me!

One has a reason to seek vengeance, the other actually has a reason to feel guilty—both seem perfectly natural to you; what kind of twisted logic is this?

"What the layman Niu says, I understand," the monk said, his face full of turmoil.

"Enough!"

Niu Dingtian interrupted: "I know Ying Gu is still on this mountain; since I owe Master Yideng a favor, today, out of respect for him, I'll temporarily let it go."

"But the next time I meet her, I will naturally settle this score properly; if Master Yideng still tries to stop me then…" He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear: the only way down the mountain is that path, and since I just came from there without seeing Ying Gu, she must still be hiding on the mountain.

However, tonight I just received a great favor from Yideng; this man is truly kind, unlike those monks from Shaolin Temple—if I were to disregard his kindness and turn against him outright, I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"The monk thanks you, Layman Niu." Yideng exhaled, then placed his palms together in thanks.

As for speaking of wiping the slate clean, Layman Niu wouldn't dare hope for that; from tonight's desperate struggle against that black-clad man, he knows this is someone who repays grudges to the letter—he's satisfied with the current outcome and doesn't want to complicate things further.

Only then did he notice Niu Dingtian's disheveled attire, and he couldn't help but ask, "Layman Niu, did you manage to catch that person?"

"Dead!" Niu Dingtian said lightly, thinking of that old Taoist priest, he still felt some anger in his heart.

"The opponent is……" Yideng's face showed some reluctance; the Buddha is merciful, after all it is a human life.

Iron Palm Gang chief Qiu Qianren!

Seeing Yideng stunned, Niu Dingtian explained: "Yinggu and Qiu Qianren, together with Western Poison Ouyang Feng, conspired to harm us; the mastermind behind it is Ouyang Feng, Master, you should know why he did this."

Yideng remained silent, after a moment he sighed lightly: "Layman Niu, is being number one under heaven really that important?"

Upon hearing Niu Dingtian mention Ouyang Feng, he roughly understood; having come to this place ostensibly to seek the legendary realm, he also inevitably wanted to avoid the other's harassment.

His own One Yang Finger is the nemesis of his Toad Skill; after receiving Wang Chongyang's innate skill, it is even regarded by him as the greatest obstacle on the path to being number one under heaven.

Back then, for the title of number one under heaven and a copy of the Nine Yin Classic, how many storms were stirred in the martial world? I never expected that after all these years, that Layman Ouyang still refuses to let go.

However, Niu Dingtian really did not want to discuss this with Yideng; the question is truly too profound—arguing whether it's important or not can spawn a pile of reasoning, and it's ultimately meaningless.

After thinking, he said softly: "I, Niu, do not need to be number one under heaven, nor do I care about it; I only need to be invincible wherever I go."

"Invincible wherever I go?" Yideng blinked, unable to help looking at Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian gave a slight nod; it's merely a less-than-or-equal relationship. He then rose directly and said: "Master, don't dwell on it; you still have injuries, rest early; we can talk about anything tomorrow."

Having said that, he walked out.

Please stay, Layman Niu!

Just as Niu Dingtian was about to step out of the meditation room, Yideng suddenly spoke.

"Is there anything else, Master?" Niu Dingtian did not turn back.

Yideng hesitated a bit, then after mulling it over, he advised softly: "That North Darkness Divine Skill ultimately draws others' power; it is indeed harmful to heavenly harmony. Layman Niu, you…had better use it less."

Niu Dingtian didn't turn back, after a moment of silence he said softly: "When your grandfather practiced this skill, Master, did you ever try to dissuade him?"

Yideng: "……"

Niu Dingtian: "……"

"I appreciate your kind intentions, Master; I will pay attention from now on. It's getting late, you should rest early; farewell!"

After leaving those words, Niu Dingtian directly stepped out of the meditation room.

He admonishes me face-to-face for absorbing others' inner power; if he knew I also absorb people's essence, I don't know what this master would think.

Returning to his room and locking the door, Niu Dingtian didn't even bother to tidy his clothes; he fetched paper and brush, and after recalling from memory, he directly transcribed the Nine Yin Classic stored in his mind.

Except for the incomprehensible Sanskrit outline resembling demonic talismans, which he did not copy, there are seven sections on fists, palms, claws, and whips, each containing profound martial arts.

Great Demon-Subduing Fist, Heart-Shattering Palm, Great Demon-Subduing Hand Seal, Godly Claw That Shatters Solidity, White Python Whip Technique, Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Chapter, Internal Energy Heart Method, Ghost Prison Yin Wind Howl, Hand-Waving Five Strings, Acupoint Striking, Acupoint Releasing, Breath Holding, Sinew-Contracting and Bone-Shrinking Method, Great Soul-Transference Method, Fluff-Floating Energy, Healing Wounds Chapter, Spiral Nine Shadows, Serpentine Shapeshifting Flip.

Although there are many techniques, after transcribing them he merely studied the contents of the Breath Holding chapter, precisely to prepare for later exploring the underwater cavern.

He hadn't originally planned to rush the collation of the Nine Yin Classic, but after tonight's events he decided to first pass the Nine Yin Classic to Han Xiao Ying as her primary martial art.

A woman willing to sacrifice herself for him deserves to possess this profound martial art.

Most importantly, Han Xiao Ying currently has nothing else to show aside from the Lotus Microstep; he does not wish to spread the North Darkness Divine Skill further, and the Nine Yang Divine Skill and Arhat Subduing Demon Skill are unsuitable, leaving only this Nine Yin Classic.

Moreover, the Divine Sect is about to be founded, and he greatly needs reliable experts; later, when the Divine Sect grows powerful, it may very well have to confront the imperial court.

Thinking of that level of expert like the old eunuch, he already feels time is pressing; should he meet that old eunuch again, even if he is no match, he would pile on to kill him!

As for Miss Huang, frankly they have only just begun, and he himself is still a bit dazed.

They have not yet had deep interaction; he currently cannot fully grasp things, and even if she is clever, she is still a child with an undeveloped mind—let's wait a while before saying more.

Next morning, "dong dong dong~"

At the break of dawn, Niu Dingtian quietly knocked on Han Xiao Ying's door.

Fortunately, Han Xiao Ying rose early; as soon as he knocked, footsteps sounded, saving him the trouble of picking the lock.

"How did you come here?"

Upon seeing Niu Dingtian, Han Xiao Ying was somewhat surprised.

This person before him had bloodshot eyes and disheveled hair, his outer garment hanging open—clearly he hadn't slept all night; he couldn't help feeling pity and asked: "Didn't you rest last night?"

Niu Dingtian smiled, said nothing, walked into the room, closed the door, and directly produced the Nine Yin Classic from his bosom and handed it over.

"What is this?"

Han Xiao Ying felt doubtful; after taking it and slowly unfolding the paper, she saw that several sheets were densely filled with characters—several thousand of them.

"The Nine Yin Classic." Niu Dingtian smiled.

"The Nine Yin Classic?" Han Xiao Ying's face changed slightly; she abruptly lifted her head to look at Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian nodded and said softly: "Xiao Ying Sister, from now on you should cultivate this martial art; memorize the content well these days, and if anything in the verses is unclear, ask me."

"The Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging chapter is the introductory practice of the Nine Yin Classic; it can transform the tendons and cleanse the marrow to temper the body—you should start with this. And furthermore…"

"Don't tell Rong'er about this for now; I have my own arrangements for her side."

After Niu Dingtian finished speaking, Han Xiao Ying lowered her head silently, merely staring blankly at the few sheets in her hands.

(End of chapter)