Chapter 165: Matchmaking Tournament

When the crowd gradually left, seeing Miss Huang still clutching her father's arm tightly, Niu Dingtian moved to the side and waved at Niu Kui in the distance.

"Leader!" Niu Kui came forward, clasped his fists in salute, and waited for Niu Dingtian's orders.

Niu Dingtian turned toward the bamboo grove, fell silent, and after a moment whispered:

"In a while, have people gather the iron pieces, ashes, and other cinders from the forest, then go to the bamboo house to find a garment that Mr. Zhang wore before and place them together to erect a burial mound."

"As for the location… put it where the old sword furnace stood, and also repair those two bamboo houses; when I'm gone, you must send someone each year to perform the rites in my stead."

"Understood!" Niu Kui replied in a deep voice, then summoned a squad of soldiers to surge into the bamboo grove.

Regarding the death of that crippled old man, Niu Kui felt that saying his heart wasn't heavy would be false, after all they'd spent a considerable amount of time together day and night.

As for the task of collecting the ashes, to be honest, it's very difficult.

Under such intense heat and after being struck by thunder, it's likely impossible to distinguish bone ash from charcoal ash, which is why Niu Dingtian wants the other cinders collected together as well.

After Niu Kui left,

Niu Dingtian temporarily set aside Miss Huang, who was flirting with her father, picked up the Dragon‑Slaying Saber and the Heaven‑Relying Sword, and together with Chen Jin'er and Han Xiao Ying approached Ke Zhen'e.

"Uncle Niu!!"

Guo Jing's naive face could not hide his excitement, and he quickly performed a respectful bow.

"Uncle Niu!" Yang Kang also stepped forward properly to salute, then stood honestly aside, looking like a well‑behaved disciple ready to listen.

"Not bad, you two have improved quite quickly," Niu Dingtian said after sizing up Guo Jing and Yang Kang a few glances, smiling in praise.

Indeed, in this world, as long as one's skills are compatible, there are no dull people; in just three years, their martial arts have already neared top‑tier level, a rate rarely seen in the jianghu.

Then Niu Dingtian casually thrust the Dragon‑Slaying Saber and the Heaven‑Relying Sword before the two.

"Take them."

Yang Kang's eyes suddenly brightened, exclaiming in surprise, "Uncle Niu, are these a gift to us?"

Saying that, he quickly gripped the hilt and pulled the Heaven‑Relying Sword out.

Niu Dingtian, seeing this, narrowed his eyes and slapped Yang Kang's head, irritated, "You keep it!"

"Oh~" Yang Kang pulled his head back, replying listlessly, then curiously examined the sword in his hand.

So heavy!!

After Guo Jing drew the Dragon‑Slaying Saber with both hands, he felt the blade weighed at least a hundred jin of force; even swinging it was difficult, how could he fight with it?

"Brother Niu, long time no see."

Zhu Cong, holding an iron fan, glanced at the weapons in Guo Jing and Yang Kang's hands, then clasped his fists and laughed to Niu Dingtian, "Haven't seen you for two years; I didn't expect Brother Niu's skills to have further improved, congratulations."

"Zhu, no need for flattery," Niu Dingtian returned the clasped‑fist salute.

Then he turned to the beaming Han Baoju and the aloof Ke Zhen'e, greeting, "Brother Han, Hero Ke, long time no see."

Although Ke Zhen'e did not hold him in high regard and found his temperament unpleasant, he still had to consider Han Xiao Ying's face.

Come to think of it, if not for their first meeting years ago, Ke Zhen'e's attitude would have been colder; because of Han Xiao Ying, he still calls him 'Brother Ke' to some extent.

But he's never the type to chase a cold shoulder with a warm face; missed is missed. Even though his temperament is much better now than before, calling him 'brother' feels a bit awkward.

"Niu Leader, hope you're well," Ke Zhen'e calmly replied, his attitude neither good nor bad.

Compared to him, Han Baoju beside him was overly enthusiastic, grinning broadly as he said:

"After all that trouble, I didn't expect it was you, Brother Niu, inside. I kept wondering why such a bustling affair for days never showed your presence."

Then Han Baoju gave the foolish disciple Guo Jing two hard pats on the shoulder, laughing:

"I originally came to see if there was a chance to find a suitable weapon for Jing'er, but that chance is gone now. Still, I'll entrust this matter to you, Brother Niu!"

"Weapons, huh..." Niu Dingtian mused, glancing at the Dragon‑Slaying Saber and Heaven‑Relying Sword in Guo Jing and Yang Kang's hands.

He knew Han Baoju certainly wasn't after those two blades.

However, the Xuan‑iron refined gold and other alchemical materials previously gathered were exhausted, and in the short term they truly couldn't forge any weapon worth admiring.

Chen Jin'er glared at Guo Jing and Yang Kang, then looked at Niu Dingtian and softly said, "Those two, in order to steal a weapon for your senior uncle, almost got caught by that old eunuch and taken into the palace; Uncle, you should at least acknowledge it."

"But for now dealing with the court and Shaolin Temple's troubles is more urgent; let's just note it for now and discuss when we have leisure."

Niu Dingtian was speechless after hearing that; he didn't need to think to know it was Yang Kang's idea.

Otherwise, given Guo Jing's honest and simple nature, even if someone handed him a stolen weapon for no reason, he might not even accept it.

"Then we'll talk about it later," Niu Dingtian said, looking at Chen Jin'er, "Sister-in-law, go ahead and prepare to return to Jiugong Mountain; I'll first go check on Rong'er."

Having said that, after nodding respectfully to Zhu Cong and Han Baoju, he turned and walked toward Huang Lao Xie and his daughter by the bamboo grove.

Here,

Miss Huang had been coquettishly flirting for a good while, and Huang Lao Xie finally couldn't help but start to loosen up.

Seeing Niu Dingtian walking this way, Miss Huang quickly winked playfully and gave a hand signal.

Hehe~ Got it!

Niu Dingtian understood, approached Huang Lao Xie, clasped his fists in a salute, and said solemnly:

"Uncle, let's return to Jiugong Mountain together first; Master Yideng should be arriving soon. After we get back, I have very important matters to discuss with you and Master Yideng."

Huang Lao Xie's expression remained indifferent; he slowly nodded at the words without speaking.

With such a bewitching daughter, he could only grit his teeth and endure.

However, seeing the brash, unrestrained Niu Dingtian standing before him so respectfully, he somehow felt a slight pleasure.

But when he saw his daughter flirt with the boy as if no one were there, a nameless anger rose in his heart.

I can't beat him, I can't get rid of the irritation; I can't just leave!

Thinking of this, Huang Lao Xie said coldly, "I don't enjoy crowds; you and Rong'er go back first. I will come over later on my own time."

Having said that, without waiting for Miss Huang or Niu Dingtian to reply, he tapped his toes a few times, and a blue silhouette swiftly vanished from their sight.

"Brother Niu, Father doesn't oppose me being with you; Rong'er is really happy."

After Huang Lao Xie left, Miss Huang spread her supple, almost boneless arms, tightly hugging one of Niu Dingtian's arms, lifted her head and smiled like a blossoming flower at him, her eyes full of affectionate glances.

Don't be fooled by her seeming coquettish willfulness about this, apparently indifferent to Huang Lao Xie's opposition, but no girl doesn't wish that she and her beloved are supported by their parents.

The soft light in the girl's eyes at this moment could melt a heart as hard as iron; Niu Dingtian couldn't help but pat her head and teasingly said:

"If I and my uncle both fell into the sea, and only Rong'er can swim, which one does Rong'er plan to save first?"

"Rong'er will rescue Niu brother first!" Huang girl answered without hesitation.

Niu Dingtian let out a muted laugh, as clever as she is, can she still escape the love‑struck brain?

But when he met Huang girl's incredibly serious gaze, Niu Dingtian felt as if his whole heart was violently yanked.

Huang girl whispered, "I know Niu brother, even though he has me and Sister Han, is still not content, his mind still wanders to other women; you can see it in Sister Jin'er's and Senior Sister Bao's gazes, and Rong'er can see it too."

"But Rong'er only knows that she's happy now; she doesn't have the strength to think about the future. If one day she finds that Niu brother dislikes her, Rong'er will quietly leave Niu brother, so that you can never find her again."

At this moment,

Niu Dingtian's thoughts drifted aimlessly, then he felt wave after wave of utter embarrassment, for the first time feeling somewhat unworthy of the girl before him.

Facing Huang girl's unblinking large eyes, Niu Dingtian's gaze wavered a bit, and awkwardly said, "Ahem— ahem— Rong'er, how did you notice? Is Niu brother that obvious?"

Hum— admit it.

Huang girl glanced, lightly humming, "Your meaning is practically written on your face; who else can't see it?"

Niu Dingtian sighed, didn't deny, and said softly, "No matter who comes later, Rong'er will always be the most important one. But from now on, you must not mention leaving Niu brother again."

"If ever a day comes when Niu brother inadvertently treats Rong'er harshly, you must not go; if he harshly treats you even once, you will snap Niu brother's leg, and Niu brother vows never to retaliate."

Speaking thus, Niu Dingtian solemnly raised his right hand.

Huang girl's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning, her pretty face changing expression in an instant, she laughed and said:

"This is what you said; I'll go tell Sister Han and have her bear witness, so you can't later make excuses to this girl!"

Having said that, Huang girl gleefully swung her arm away and ran happily toward the nearby Han Xiao Ying.

…

Inside the village,

Niu Ben shoved the immobile old man Li Gonggong into the back of the carriage, and led the two of them to return to the courtyard to pack their luggage.

Just as they were about to knock on the courtyard gate, a "creak" sounded; the gate had already been opened from inside.

It was Mu Yi, holding the iron spear he had before, with Mu Nianci trailing behind, carrying a pack.

"Uncle Mu, are you preparing to leave?" Niu Ben asked in surprise.

"This courtyard was rented for a month; we'll be leaving soon. If Uncle Mu doesn't mind, you may continue staying here for now."

When first meeting this father‑daughter pair yesterday, Niu Ben already sensed that their circumstances weren't very good.

After they leave later, the place will just be empty; since fate brought us together, a little help is merely a trivial effort.

Hearing this, Mu Yi's face showed a trace of bitterness; leaning the iron spear against his chest, he clasped his fists and said, "Young Hero Niu, I can never forget your kindness in sheltering me; how could I speak of any dislike?"

"However, my father and I came this time to see Quanzhen Sect's Master Qiu, and we didn't expect that after a night's commotion, we just discovered that most of the martial folk in the village have already left."

"Coincidentally, there's a grand gathering in Xiangyang tomorrow; I plan to take my daughter to the city of Xiangyang first to try our luck, to see if we can find any news about our relatives."

Niu Ben was startled for a moment, then recalled that they were looking for Qiu Chuji, that "bull‑nosed" one.

Last night we were first busy searching for Guo Jing and Yang Kang, then busy blocking the bamboo forest and fighting a night‑long interception battle, and completely forgot about this matter.

Otherwise, if we had mentioned it casually earlier, it would have saved this father‑daughter pair from endless back‑and‑forth.

"In that case, I won't force Uncle Mu and Miss Mu to stay," Niu Ben said with a clasped‑fist smile:

"Tomorrow's Xiangyang gathering is indeed on Jiugong Mountain, but the visitors' lodging is inside Xiangyang city; if Uncle Niu can't find anyone in the city, he may go to the mountain tomorrow."

"Thank you, Young Hero Niu, for the information. May we meet again if fate allows. Farewell!" Mu Yi clasped his fists, thanked solemnly, then picked up his iron spear and walked toward the courtyard exit.

"Farewell!" Mu Nianci clasped her fists, bowed, and quickly followed.

The two left the courtyard, and after a short while, they had already reached the village entrance.

Because earlier in the day, a large group of martial‑folk from the village had already left first; at this moment, only a few passersby appeared on the small path by chance.

As they walked, for some unknown reason, Mu Yi's weathered face began to show signs of hesitation.

Finally, after lingering a few yards, he stopped, looked at his daughter beside him, and in a serious tone said, "Nianci, do you still remember the agreement between the Guo and Yang families that Father told you?"

Mu Nianci was startled by the words.

The next moment, as if recalling something, her eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly, "Father said it was brotherhood among same sex, and marriage between opposite sexes?"

Mu Yi, hearing this, slowly nodded; a nostalgic expression rose on his weathered face, and he sighed lightly, "That's right; Father also doesn't know how much longer he'll have to search to find your foster mother and your Guo aunt."

"Father plans to hold a martial‑match matchmaking in Xiangyang for you today; if this time we can find a descendant of the Guo family, Father will betroth you to him; if we still cannot find one…"

At this point, Mu Yi looked at his daughter, guilt flashing in his eyes, and said softly:

"Good child, you are already fourteen this year; Father can no longer let you keep suffering. If we still cannot find one, we will arrange a marriage for you now, which is better than a life of endless wandering."

Mu Nianci, after hearing this, sighed inwardly, clearly unwilling.

It's not that she dislikes this blind‑box feeling; it's just that father and daughter have relied on each other for over ten years, and she feels reluctant to suddenly part from Father.

But she has always been a sensible child; after a moment of silence, she whispered, "Daughter leaves the decision entirely to Father."

…

After Niu Ben finished packing, the soldiers' crossbow carts assembled, and a winding column began advancing along the mountain path toward Xiangyang city.

Niu Dingtian rode his horse at the front of the formation, surrounded by Guo Jing, Yang Kang, Chen Jin'er, Huang girl and others riding alongside.

"Uncle Niu, why does your complexion stay so pale?" Yang Kang, standing in the middle, idly teased and struck up a conversation with Uncle Niu.

"My mother's broth is delicious; when I get back I'll have my mother make you a bowl of chicken soup to replenish you!"

Chicken soup?

Niu Dingtian pursed his lips, "Your mother can't even bring herself to kill a chicken yet still makes chicken soup?"

But when he thought of Senior Sister Bao, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but sigh. Since that stormy night, she had been keeping a low profile and rarely appearing.

Clearly she was avoiding him.

As the clatter of horse hooves rang on and the troops advanced swiftly, two silhouettes—a man and a woman—gradually came into view on the road ahead, drawing nearer into everyone's sight.

Perhaps having heard the horse hooves behind them, the pair hurriedly halted at the roadside, then slowly turned back.

Niu Dingtian glanced ahead and saw a long‑faced man wielding a spear and a delicate young woman. (End of chapter)