Chapter 116

"You need to increase your strength as soon as possible; it might get dangerous later." Niu Dingtian said softly

"Moreover, the martial path in this world is far broader than what you and I can see; I hope you all can continue walking with me in the future."

Han Xiao Ying felt a bit bewildered; she could understand the future danger, but as for the visible and invisible martial path, she found it confusing.

But her nature determined that she wouldn't press Niu Dingtian for details; after calming her emotions, she tightly gripped the corner of the paper, solemnly nodded, and whispered:

"Just..."

"It's just that this secret manual is too precious."

In her view, the Nine Yin Classic is the most precious martial arts secret in the current jianghu, something even the likes of the Five Absolutes would fight desperately for.

Seeing Yi Deng so casually handling it, Niu Dingtian didn't want to say more; today he not only thoroughly disgusted Wu Santong, but also picked up a little wife for free, and his mood was actually not bad.

"Disciple takes leave!"

He glanced, intentionally or not, at Wu Santong, seeing the latter's face turn ashen and his eyes gradually reddening, thinking to himself that this old monk might really be sending him a little wife.

Sure enough, as soon as Niu Dingtian finished speaking, Yi Deng laughed and said: "Yesterday, layman Niu expressed interest in our Yuanjun and even entered into a verbal marriage agreement with this humble monk,

"Today I invited layman Niu over precisely to discuss this marriage agreement."

"Then this matter is settled," Yi Deng said after a moment's thought: "As for... as for you, Santong, your offense of rudeness today, I, as your master, will punish you to face the wall in the Buddha hall for three months, hoping you will take it as a warning."

After thinking, he asked: "Regarding Yuanjun's marriage, Santong, do you perhaps have someone else in mind?"

"If Ouyang Feng is sensible, we'll wait until August eighth next year and settle things with him through martial discourse; if the old poisonous one isn't sensible, I think his son Ouyang Ke would be fine—this time when we go to White Camel Mountain we'll just replace him as the manor lord."

After raising his head, seeing his master's eyes seemed somewhat disappointed, he hurriedly said: "Disciple dare not."

After leaving the room,

As he followed the little novice monk to the meditation room, he saw four people standing behind Yi Deng: Zhu Ziliu, Wu Santong, Dangang Fisherman Hermit, and another person who should be the woodcutter he had never met.

As for Miss Huang next door, she remained completely still the whole time, perhaps because everyone had stayed up too late the previous night, and this morning she slept in again.

He then got up, got out of bed, and replied: "Thank you for the trouble, little monk."

"Santong, you may go first," Yi Deng said, looking at Wu Santong.

—

"Master! I disagree!"

At this moment, Niu Dingtian simply handed it over to her hands, and she truly felt somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

"Don't— Rong'er is next door!"

Zhu Ziliu and the woodcutter also had extremely unpleasant expressions, but out of respect for outsiders they remained silent, all turning their gazes to Master Yi Deng.

Yi Deng was also somewhat taken aback,

When he served as a ruler, he observed the rites of sovereign and minister with his four disciples; after retiring, he maintained a teacher-student bond with them. The four had always been extra respectful toward him, obeying his every command, so he never expected the third disciple to lash out at him today.

Saying that, she grabbed Niu Dingtian's robe with both hands, intending to retie his open blue garment; in this pure Buddhist place, she dared not let him continue to cause a ruckus.

He then changed the subject, clasped his hands, and said: "I have come this time specifically to invite Master Yi Deng to come to Mount Jiugong in Xiangyang on the eighth day of the eighth month next year to participate in our sect's founding ceremony."

After Yi Deng regained his composure, his face showed no trace of anger, which surprised Niu Dingtian opposite him, making him think to himself, "This old monk really seems to be made of dough, doesn't he?"

He also noticed this disciple's abnormal behavior today; no matter what, how could he feel at ease entrusting Yuanjun's marriage to him to decide? He then softly asked:

"Then, Master, would you be willing to betroth Yuanjun to layman Niu?"

…

Since today's plan backfired and made He Yuanjun his own, he couldn't feel at ease leaving her staying in Wu Santong's house, for who knows when she might meet a violent end, at which point he'd have nowhere to cry.

Upon hearing this, Wu Santong's face changed, yet he still knelt there with his head lowered, though no one saw that his eyes were already filled with a fierce, brutal glare.

Over the next three days, Niu Dingtian hid in his room, rarely coming out.

Wu Santong's face stiffened as he stood there, stammering speechlessly; he had no one else in mind—could he possibly be telling his master that he favors himself?

Then, suddenly realizing his earlier rudeness, he involuntarily exclaimed in panic: "Disciple is disrespectful! Please, Master, forgive me!"

"Thank... thank you, Master!" Wu Santong said weakly, his head bowed as if he had lost his soul.

He himself was also a person who revered his teacher and valued the Dao, and had always been especially respectful toward his master, but just this morning, upon hearing Junior Brother Zhu mention the foster daughter's marriage agreement, he was truly let that demonic obstacle cloud his mind.

He spent his time trying to blend the various true qi within his body, while studying the breath‑holding chapter of the Nine Yin Classic, occasionally offering pointers to Xiao Ying's Nine Yin Classic training and to Miss Huang's Lotus‑Step Micro‑step.

If we don't give him a little color to see, who knows how many jianghu folks might turn this into a laughingstock once it gets out.

"The White Camel Mountain in the Kunlun of the Western Regions." Niu Dingtian said lightly.

On the morning of the fourth day,

Niu Dingtian, who was sitting cross‑legged on the bed meditating and cultivating, slowly opened his eyes after sensing footsteps gradually approaching from afar.

At this moment, he truly felt disappointment toward this disciple; he usually didn't care about minor etiquette, but lacking the courage to uphold even his own principles genuinely disappointed him.

He had originally intended to detain the other party for a few days to exchange martial insights, but since time was indeed pressing, he asked: "May I ask where layman Niu plans to go next?"

After all, he couldn't bring himself to impose a harsh punishment, but with Niu Dingtian standing right there, not punishing him would be hard to justify, so he could only settle for a mild reprimand.

"If I don't interject, are you expecting me to?" Wu Santong thought resentfully.

Before Niu Dingtian could even speak, Wu Santong glared and shouted angrily, an act that immediately plunged the meditation chamber into dead silence.

Under the gaze of his several senior brothers, his face flushed with shame and anger, turning red then white, yet in front of his master he dared not lash out.

After glancing at Wu Santong, Niu Dingtian smiled and said: "Master Yi Deng's Buddhist teachings are profound; I deeply admire them, and I hope to bring Miss Yuanjun to your side to listen to the Dharma, so you may personally instruct her."

Niu Dingtian suddenly realized, this old monk seemed somewhat worried that he and Old Poisonous One might get mixed up together, and he chuckled lightly: "This time he has schemed against me; sooner or later I'll have to settle the score with him."

But as soon as one hand barely touched his collar, Niu Dingtian reached out, grabbed it, and pulled him straight into his embrace: "Just fixing your hair isn't enough! Xiao Ying sister, you can't favor one and neglect the other!"

He was the eldest senior brother among them; seeing his third junior brother act so rebelliously naturally made him furious, and moreover, in front of an outsider like Niu Dingtian, if this got out, wouldn't it become a laughingstock?

Han Xiao Ying was deeply moved; she wasn't good at expressing emotions, but when her feelings ran deep she couldn't help but throw her arms around Niu Dingtian, pressing tightly against his body.

"I don't know what the master seeks me for," Niu Dingtian asked,

Yi Deng obviously already knew about this, had no hesitation, and smiled: "Layman Niu, rest assured; this humble monk will naturally go to Xiangyang when the time comes."

Moreover, she had something this precious while Miss Huang did not, which made her feel sweet inside, yet also a bit uneasy.

If it were that simple, I'd pardon you, but if this matter spreads today, where will Niu Dingtian's reputation go?

After those words, a silence fell in the room; Yideng twirled his prayer beads, a hint of melancholy on his face, the Zhu Ziliu brothers looked at Wu Santong with mixed expressions, and Niu Dingtian watched with a cold eye.

In the end, he could not help but bow his head and kneel, saying, "I am an unfilial disciple! Please, Master, punish me!"

He knew that staying here another moment would be torment for this disciple, and his heart felt a bit of compassion.

"Pardon?" Niu Dingtian chuckled lightly.

Saying outwardly that he was in seclusion to heal saved Yideng a lot of interruptions.

Seeing Wu Santong glare at him with angry eyes, Niu Dingtian sneered inwardly, and with a smiling face said, "I have been busy healing these past few days; please excuse any neglect, Master Yideng."

If it were someone else who came, he would probably never get involved in such mundane affairs again, but Niu Dingtian is different; perhaps he will be the guide for his future.

"No…nothing." Wu Santong hesitated, then answered honestly,

"Junior brother! You are being presumptuous!"

Soon after, a soft knock was heard, and a junior monk outside said, "Patron Niu, Master Yideng requests your presence."

Yideng couldn't help but sigh again.

The people in the room felt a chill upon hearing it; Yideng paused, then mused, "Ouyang Feng's poison technique is extremely formidable, and his methods are even more insidious; Niu should be very careful dealing with him."

"Dong dong dong~"

As for future dry‑father or non‑father matters, whoever wants to shout, let them shout; even calling him 'grandson' feels awkward.

"Then do you have objections to Niu?" Yideng asked again.

In his view, dealing with this Niu would make them practically family, and he felt a bit more affection now.

Here it comes again!

Niu Dingtian was speechless; the old monk had already sent someone that morning to invite him, but he had turned it down with the excuse of convalescence.

"Before you became a monk, Master was a ruler of a nation; what you just did, Wu Santong, is no different from deceiving a sovereign. Now Master is your benefactor; what you just did is akin to betraying a teacher and annihilating his ancestors."

Yideng said with a cheerful smile, "Niu's injuries are serious."

Niu Dingtian smiled lightly, said little more; he had already been a troublesome guest, after all he remained an outsider.

He hadn't originally entertained such thoughts, was planning to find an excuse to get out, but it was Wu's fault for not knowing how to be gracious; the damn guy slapped him in the face the moment he entered.

Niu Dingtian shrugged and said, "It's just a martial arts manual; Sister Han Xiao Ying, as long as you like it, that's fine."

But thinking of Wu Santong's character, he felt a bit uneasy, and immediately bowed to Yideng, saying, "Master, I have a request to make!"

Smelling the alluring scent in his bosom, Niu Dingtian's mind began to wander, and his two hands grew restless.

But his tightly clenched fists made Zhu Ziliu and Qiaozi frown; after exchanging a glance, both sensed something unusual.

Yideng sighed; he truly hadn't been angry with the disciple, originally only intending to ask the reason, but after Niu Dingtian said that, it was hard to brush the matter aside directly.

"Publicly, the Master's status allows him to arrange marriages; privately, once the Master is a teacher, he is a father for life—so where does that give you the right to meddle in the marriage?"

Niu Dingtian naturally understood the power of the three principles and five constants in this era; though they didn't intimidate him, labeling this rebellious troublemaker was quite appropriate.

He probably also knew that Yideng was eager to ask him about the so‑called matter; since he had originally raised it, it wasn't good to keep avoiding it, so it was better to clarify early.

But the injury couldn't stay bad forever; the others had been stabbed and drained, and now they were almost recovered, while he, who wasn't stabbed, continuing to convalesce would be unreasonable.

Half an hour later, Niu Dingtian left the room satisfied, and Han Xiao Ying went back to a nap.

Wu Santong remained silent; it wasn't just a grievance—he wanted to kill him! Yet he dared not say that in front of the Master.

Late night, the hour of the rat, moonless and windy.

Wu Santong frowned, lowered his head and replied, "Disciple… the disciple leaves all decisions to the Master!"

After Wu Santong left the meditation room, Yideng sighed, "Santong wasn't originally like this; I, a poor monk, have been lax in discipline these years, making Niu look embarrassed."

Feeling the wandering hands behind her, Han Xiao Ying shivered all over, hurriedly broke free, flushed and scolded, "Stop it, you… you sit down, I'll fix your hair first."

Yideng said cheerfully, "Niu, no need to be formal, but it doesn't hurt to say so."

"It's fine, let's keep our voices low."

"Time is short now; I plan to set out in a couple of days to visit other places, so Master, please consider it carefully."

"Of course," Yideng said with a smile, turning to Zhu Ziliu behind him, "Ziliu, tomorrow go to Dali, fetch that child of Yuan Jun,"

"It's been a long time since I've seen the Master; let the child stay here from now on, and he can keep you senior uncles company and relieve boredom."

"Yes, Master!" Zhu Ziliu bowed and replied, though his mind seemed elsewhere; when he looked at the kneeling senior brother Wu, his face showed some complexity.

Dian Cangyu Yin shouted angrily, lifted his foot and strode out.

"However, the martial arts in the Nine Yin Classic encompass everything—there are no oddities lacking among fists, palms, grabs, and whips; as long as you practice diligently, your future achievements will certainly not be inferior to the current Five Absolutes."

Without waiting for Yideng to speak, he stepped forward, expressionless, and said, "I know Master Yideng is benevolent and kind, but that is no excuse for you, Wu Santong, to act presumptively!"

After a moment of contemplation, Yideng looked at Wu Santong and in unison said, "Santong has already taken a liking to someone else; regarding Yuan Jun's marriage, if you have already set your heart on another, speak it to the Master first."

He seemed to have not had an in‑depth conversation with Sister Han for several days; that wouldn't do.

With everything prepared, Niu Dingtian, after the breathing in both meditation rooms grew deep, quietly left the room, and, by the faint moonlight, made his way toward the fountain at the foot of the mountain.

Tonight the moonlight was weak and the night wind strong; following the long vines down from the summit, after a few steps he heard a continuous hissing spray ahead.

(End of Chapter)