Chapter 135: Conspiring Over Xiangyang, Does the Foolish Aunt Recover?

Song dynasty, Jiading year 4, April,

The world suddenly roiled with turmoil.

The Mani Sect, unseen in the jianghu for over fifty years, suddenly appeared in Shandong, taking advantage of the Mongol army's siege of Zhongdu, and allied with the defected Jin general Yang An'er to rebel, raising a banner of resistance against Jin.

Yang An'er rose to become one of the Five Buddhas of the Mani Sect, the Great Saint Ciji World‑Honored Mani Light Buddha.

May,

In just a month, the Mani Sect's Red Cloak Army successively captured Yidu and Laiyang, fielding a hundred thousand mercenaries with great momentum.

But the good times were short; as the Red Cloak Army pressed on to seize Dengzhou, a sudden internal strife erupted among the Mani Sect's leadership.

After a night of fierce fighting between the old and new factions, senior elders of the sect seized the "Fourth Lady" Yang Miao Zhen and fled to Shandong, while Yang An'er proclaimed himself "Ming Zun".

June, Niu Dingtian arrived at Xiangyang.

One afternoon,

inside a residence somewhere in the city,

"Leader, we've uncovered it!"

Niu Kui's expression was solemn as he hurried to report.

Last night, Niu Dingtian had just arrived in Xiangyang and had not yet gone to see his sister‑in‑law Chen Jin'er; his first task was to come to this stronghold.

He also ordered Niu Kui to investigate the Mani Sect's influence within Xiangyang.

Since the Sun‑Moon Divine Sect intends to establish a foothold in Xiangyang, no one may slumber beside the bedchamber!

Now the Mani Sect's uprising in Shandong has been thwarted and faces the risk of fragmentation, and this is precisely the once‑in‑a‑millennium opportunity for him, the Great Leader Niu, to seize.

Heaven grants nothing, yet the blame falls back.

If we do not seize the chance to bring the city's sect members under our command, by the time that woman Fen Tian returns, the daylilies may already be wilted.

After reviewing the intelligence, Niu Dingtian's mouth twitched into a slight smile as he ordered, "Go gather all the responsible persons within Xiangyang for a council!"

"Understood!"

When Niu Kui left, Niu Dingtian closed his eyes and began to contemplate.

The information surprised him; he hadn't expected the Mani Sect, hidden for decades, to have already extended its tendrils into Xiangyang's garrison.

Now the Xiangyang garrison is divided into Southern and Northern forces: the Southern troops are native Great Song soldiers, while the Northern troops are largely descendants of foreign soldiers from Liao State who surrendered after Jin State's conquest.

Although they jointly endured the Xiangyang Defense War a few years ago, the animosity between the two armies has long been entrenched, and even Governor Zhao Fang, the Imperial Commissioner of Jinghu and Xiangyang Prefect, finds it hard to reconcile.

Because the Northern troops are often marginalized, many junior and even mid‑high ranking officers have been covertly recruited into the Mani Sect.

And tonight, a secret gathering happens to be scheduled.

In a quarter of an hour,

Niu Kui had already assembled the people; more than twenty upright figures stood before Niu Dingtian, including Liu Fengchun, the former Beggar Sect leader who joined last year.

Scanning the crowd, Niu Dingtian said calmly, "All of you present are my trusted confidants, and henceforth the absolute backbone of the Sun‑Moon Divine Sect!"

"The Divine Sect is on the verge of being established, yet the northern Mongols rise, Jin State rebellions persist, and Lin'an City remains isolated and complacent. If we wish to secure our foothold in Xiangyang, the battlefield of the four wars, we must employ special measures."

Though his voice was soft, it thundered into the ears of everyone present.

The Leader's martial skill has further refined!

The crowd's faces turned resolute as they clasped fists and shouted in unison, "Serve the Leader!!"

Although the Sun‑Moon Divine Sect has not yet been formally established, whether in private or in public, everyone has already changed how they address each other.

Compared with the term "Villa Master", shouting "Leader" feels different, and the proper protocols should now be in place.

"Does the Mani Sect have a venue for tonight's gathering?" Niu Dingtian asked, fixing his gaze on a person in the crowd.

The person quickly stepped forward, clasping fists, and said, "Respectfully, Leader, the incident was sudden, and the exact location has not yet been identified."

"However, we can confirm that Shopkeeper Xu of the Drunken Immortal Hall is a Mani Sect member; our surveillance has long shown his status is considerable, and if we follow him tonight we should locate the place."

The speaker was Niu Xun, also the head of the Sun‑Moon Villa in Xiangyang, currently overseeing the garrison on Jiugong Mountain.

In recent years he has been gathering intelligence around Xiangyang as instructed, which allowed Niu Kui to obtain detailed Mani Sect information so quickly today.

"Good. Tonight I will personally go to observe the situation; what you must do now is, at any cost, infiltrate the Xiangyang garrison and the officials' ranks for me!"

Niu Dingtian's eyes burned as he said, "Whether through bribery, intimidation, or ordinary recruitment, I want the Sun‑Moon Divine Sect's influence in Xiangyang by next August to be more effective than even the Zhao family's emperor!"

"Do it boldly! If you encounter an unsolvable problem, eliminate the one who caused it; if you meet an unmanageable person, I, the Leader, will handle them personally!"

"Of course, everything must be carried out in secret!"

"Understood?"

"Understood!!!"

Suddenly recalling something, Niu Dingtian's mind stirred; he gestured to Niu Kui, who stepped close, and Niu Dingtian whispered a few words into his ear.

……

He gave further instructions, and the group dispersed.

Niu Dingtian, leading Miss Huang and Han Xiao Ying, followed Niu Kui to a massive residence in the eastern part of the city.

It was the temporary garrison of the Sun‑Moon Villa after its relocation, where Chen Jin'er and others now reside.

"Niu Kui, go find a crate and transport that old turtle here; don't let anyone outside see it."

At the doorway, Niu Dingtian suddenly halted, telling Niu Kui behind him, "Remember to tell it in advance that it's my order, otherwise that old thing will bite people."

Under the cover of night last night, he easily slipped the old turtle into the city.

But if it appeared in broad daylight on the main street, it could cause unnecessary unrest.

To the common folk, such a massive old turtle would be a divine relic; to the emperor, it would be a heavenly omen.

Now, even though we no longer dread the forces inside Lin'an Imperial City, it's still prudent to bide the moment when we can.

"Yes!" Niu Kui took his orders and left,

Niu Dingtian, alone with the two women, walked toward the inner courtyard; Han Xiao Ying and Miss Huang followed step by step, one on each side, slightly nervous.

The three said nothing on the road, each seeming lost in thought, silently walking; when a guard tried to call out, Niu Dingtian raised his hand to stop him.

Compared with the two women's slight nervousness, his concern was whether the spirit spring water in his arms was effective for his sister's foolish ailment.

Perhaps today he will meet a newly reborn "Sha Gu".

After passing through two moon‑gate doors,

The three arrived at a courtyard; after a turn, the two figures in the pavilion came into Niu Dingtian's view.

They were Chen Jin'er and Bao Xiruo.

The two sat opposite each other, heads bowed and brows furrowed, silently handling a thick stack of ledgers on the table.

It was midsummer now, the afternoon heat sweltering; besides the weak chirping of cicadas, even the courtyard's flowers and grasses had wilted, let alone the women untrained in martial arts.

Therefore,

Both were dressed rather lightly.

"Sister‑in‑law, senior sister," Niu Dingtian called softly, leading Miss Huang and Han Xiao Ying over.

The two in the pavilion heard him, froze their movements, turned quickly to see the newcomers, and could not hide their surprise.

"This is…"

But when she saw the two beside Niu Dingtian, Chen Jin'er's eyes grew hesitant; somehow, she felt as if a sudden pressure had settled in her chest.

She had thought the boy's words before he left last year were just an excuse, but it turned out they were true—and more than one.

"Why do I feel uneasy inside? No, no, I'm only feeling uneasy on behalf of Huai Xi's sister!"

Chen Jin'er could only comfort herself in this way.

"Sister‑in‑law, senior sister, this is Rong'er and Xiao Ying," Niu Dingtian said softly: "Huang Rong, Han Xiao Ying."

"Rong'er, Xiao Ying, this is my sister‑in‑law Chen Jin'er, senior sister Bao Xiruo."

"Sister‑in‑law, senior sister," Miss Huang said, a little restrained, her address sounding somewhat hurried.

After regaining her composure, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she hurriedly corrected herself: "No, no! Sister Chen! Sister Bao!"

Chen Jin'er smiled faintly, and her previously gloomy mood seemed much improved.

But when it came to Han Xiao Ying, she hesitated to speak; she realized she wasn't much younger than the other's sister‑in‑law and senior sister, and didn't know how to address them.

She couldn't help but look at Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian smiled and said, "My sister‑in‑law is ten years older than me, senior sister eight years older, and Xiao Ying nine years older; just address us according to age."

Thus, the three's forms of address were settled that way.

"Sister‑in‑law, how about the sister? Have the symptoms improved?" Niu Dingtian asked Chen Jin'er.

With matters urgent, thinking that his sister would soon recover, his heart couldn't help but race.

"With Huai Xi's sister," Chen Jin'er laughed, "thanks to her care over the past half‑year, daily acupuncture has helped, and she's a bit better than last year."

"Sister‑in‑law, first arrange lodging for Rong'er and Xiao Ying," Niu Dingtian said without further delay, pulling a bottle of spirit spring water from his bosom, then looking at Bao Xiruo: "Senior sister, hurry and take me to see the sister!"

Speaking so, he quickly grabbed Bao Xiruo's arm and, under the startled gazes of the others, stepped out of the pavilion.

It felt soft as if boneless, slightly warm and slick, separated only by a thin silk sleeve, giving an excellent sensation.

But he wasn't trying to take advantage; his heart was indeed impatient, especially since the two had often pulled each other when they were children.

After leaving the pavilion, wandering a bit, the guards were not far ahead.

Seeing the boy hadn't let go, Bao Xiruo's cheeks flushed slightly, and she tugged his arm, shouting urgently, "Someone's ahead, you… you still won't let go!"

Niu Dingtian felt a bit embarrassed; after releasing his grip, Bao Xiruo glared with her reddened cheeks, then hurried forward with quick, small steps, leading the way.

"Heaven and Earth, Mysterious Yellow, the Universe, Great Wilderness"

"He… Earth… Mysterious… Yellow…"

"Uni… verse… Great… Wilderness…"

"Sun and Moon wax and wane, Stars and constellations align"

"Sun… Moon… Wax… Wane…"

"Star… Constellation… Align…"

………………………

The two walked into a corridor, and Niu Dingtian faintly heard voices from afar, growing louder and clearer as they approached.

The first part of the voice belonged to Yan Huai Xi,

clear, pleasant, and earnest.

The latter part was the sister Sha Gu's; though fragmented and vague, it was also earnest!

At least she's no longer shouting "I killed the tiger," Niu Dingtian sighed inwardly:

"But this Huai Xi's sister truly has ability; how could she have abducted such a kind‑hearted, beautiful girl in the first place?"

Bastard!

"Over there, Huai Xi's sister is teaching the Thousand‑Character Classic,"

"Bro… brother!"

As soon as Bao Xiruo finished speaking, Sha Gu's slightly dazed, cute face suddenly broke into a smile.

She happened to be sitting in the pavilion opposite, and a glance from her reading caught sight of the newcomers.

"Your brother won't return until next year," Yan Huai Xi cooed, smiling indulgently and patting the little head opposite, assuming the foolish sister had slipped into her condition again.

She was seated with her back to them, unaware of anyone on this side.

"Miss Huai Xi, thank you for your hard work."

But when a warm, familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her, her smile froze instantly.

"Bro… brother, hehe~"

Niu Dingtian flashed in, entered the pavilion, and Sha Gu joyfully leapt into his arms, laughing foolishly and wobbling about.

Niu Dingtian couldn't help rubbing her head: "You haven't come back in a long time, little sister, have you missed big brother?"

Sha Gu happily giggled: "Miss! Miss! Hehe~"

Yan Huixi stood up and turned around.

Indeed, seeing that person standing right before her, she felt a little excited in her heart, and also a bit embarrassed, she softly called out: "Niu... Niu Dage."

"These past six months have been hard on Miss Huixi," Niu Dingtian said softly: "Indeed, I was indeed at fault towards Miss Huixi and your father."

Now he truly feels grateful towards this good young lady before him, and at the same time, he still feels some guilt in his heart.

Not to mention repaying resentment with virtue, they have long since treated this silly little sister of theirs as family and taken care of her.

"No... no problem, living here is not bad, and Father isn't as weary as before," Yan Huixi said softly.

When mentioning this, she seemed a bit restrained, after composing herself, she asked: "Niu Dage, did you come over for something else?"

Niu Dingtian nodded, taking out the porcelain bottle from his hand: "This time, little sister might fully recover; later, please ask Miss Huixi to give her another treatment."

Yan Huixi stared at the porcelain bottle, brows slightly furrowed, she said solemnly: "No matter who prescribed the medicine, Brother Niu, you had better not casually give medicine to the little sister; medicine always has three parts poison."

"Moreover, taking medicine requires long-term consumption, which is ultimately not good for the little sister's body; for now, I use acupuncture and meridian guiding daily, which has improved a lot compared to before, and she should recover soon."

"No problem," Niu Dingtian laughed: "It's not medicine, just something that clears the mind and refreshes the brain."

Immediately with a "bang", the wooden stopper sealing the bottle's mouth was pulled out.

Gradually, a strange floral fragrance began to fill the pavilion, and as Sha Gu, leaning to one side, smelled it, her eyes visibly gained a spark of spirit.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but feel delighted, and immediately hurriedly brought the porcelain bottle to her lips: "Little sister, drink up quickly!"

The little girl didn't hesitate, giggling foolishly as she took it and gulped it down in one go; she instinctively felt that the taste made her spirits lift, clearing some of her foggy-mindedness.

"How is it?" Niu Dingtian asked anxiously: "Do you feel anything... special?"

Yan Huixi also leaned in nervously.

Sha Gu stared blankly without speaking, her eyes quickly becoming dazed, and suddenly she said weakly: "Sleepy... sleepy... want... want to sleep."

As she said,

she then collapsed headfirst into Niu Dingtian's arms. (End of chapter)