Chapter 168: Thin Gift

PS: Sorry, I caught a fever and cold and lay in bed for two days; if there are any typos, please remind me. Thanks for the monthly tickets from readers; I'll try to release another chapter tonight.

Fen Tian nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian slowly withdrew his gaze, and a smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.

That Sun Popo could travel a thousand li from Xi'an to Xiangyang just to bring him several jars of honey truly gave him quite a surprise.

Given Lin Shinv's aloof nature, even a greeting would be hard; this idea was probably Sun Popo's, it's just a pity nobody else came.

By my reckoning, he hasn't seen Li Mochou and Xiao Long'er for two years either; the little tyke should now be toddling along behind his senior sister.

Thinking of this, Niu Dingtian planned to first go see Sun Popo and, by the way, ask about Xiao Long'er's condition.

Thus he turned his gaze back to Fen Tian and asked, "Where does Sun Popo live now? Have you made all the arrangements?"

Fen Tian pointed to the guest register on the table and replied, "Just like the other guests who have presented gifts, they're all arranged in several Drunken Immortal Pavilions in Xiangyang City."

"The Drunken Immortal Pavilion has been completely closed since yesterday, reserved exclusively for receiving distinguished guests; food, drink, and lodging are all provided, and shuttle carriages run back and forth to Nine Palaces Mountain during this period."

"Not even up the mountain?" Niu Dingtian frowned upon hearing this.

"Everyone's bringing gifts, yet you're putting them all in town—what kind of talk is that? No matter how good the reception, it's still two li away."

"And you mean to ignore those who didn't bring gifts? As the Sect Leader, I intend to use this occasion to recruit more followers!"

Immediately dissatisfied, he said, "I recall several guest lodges were built on the west side; with such a large place, there's no reason to drive the guests out."

"Besides, those who didn't bring gifts can't be ignored either; whatever needs arranging, whether there's resentment or not, should all be arranged."

"For example, the Beggars Gang, the Shaolin Temple, and Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen Sect—on our joyous day you must display the proper demeanor, and whether they accept or not is up to them."

Before he finished speaking, Fen Tian, who had been holding back for a long time, snapped, "This was your sister-in-law's decision! If you want to scold someone, scold her first."

After saying that, seemingly still displeased, she turned her head slightly and couldn't be bothered to look at Niu Dingtian again.

"After all this, I've worked myself to death, busting my ass for half a year just for you, and not a single thing meets your approval?"

"If you keep giving me faces, I'm not putting up with it anymore!"

Seeing that woman suddenly fly into a rage, Niu Dingtian instinctively glanced at the hall door; the next moment, he was speechless.

"I may be your leader, after all—how dare you speak to a leader like that? I think you want to eat the Three Corpses Brain Divine Pill!"

But afterwards, for some reason, his dissatisfied gaze involuntarily fell on the prominent side peak before him.

At the same time, a thought rose in his mind: As a vice sect leader, shouldn't he set an example by changing into the uniform?

Just like that,

The two suddenly fell silent, and the hall began to sink into an eerie stillness.

After a while,

Fen Tian seemed unable to bear the stifling atmosphere; after a slight internal struggle, he exhaled a turbid breath amidst the rising and falling ridges, then slowly turned his head.

Seeing Niu Dingtian's eyes flash, she didn't understand why, but still prepared to patiently explain—after all, she was a head shorter than him.

"Because the construction period was too short, these palaces were rushed to completion, and even now fewer than half the guest rooms are fit for lodging."

"I originally thought these would be enough, but I didn't expect that not only the Kunlun, Kongtong, and Qingcheng sects—those low‑profile schools—would come, but also the Canal and Salt gangs, plus many oddly named individuals bringing gifts; relying solely on the guest lodges would definitely not suffice."

"Fortunately, the few Drunken Immortal Pavilions in Xiangyang City, after renovation, are large enough; moreover, to avoid gossip about preferential treatment, your sister-in-law said we might as well put everyone in those pavilions."

At the end of her speech, Fen Tian's eyes flickered, she suddenly locked gazes with Niu Dingtian, and said earnestly, "After all, that's your sister-in-law; I'm also afraid of later being given small shoes to wear, so I dare not disagree."

She still remembers what he said: in the Sun Moon Divine Sect, she ranks only below him.

Although Chen Jin'er casually mentioned it, perhaps just a suggestion, and she actually agreed with it.

But today, for some reason, she just feels unhappy inside.

"Cough cough… indeed, I haven't thought this through." Niu Dingtian gave a light cough and said somewhat guiltily.

"These damned eyeballs just now actually refused to obey!"

Again seeing Fen Tian's eyes begin to doubt, Niu Dingtian hastily sat upright and spoke solemnly:

"Like this, you convey my order: first take out the rooms reserved for the sect's disciples; if insufficient, let the Black Cloth Guard temporarily vacate the mountain encampments."

"Reserved rooms?"

Fen Tian furrowed his brows.

"That's right."

Niu Dingtian gave a slight nod.

The rooms he spoke of are not guest quarters but are meant to be kept for future core disciples of the sect; altogether on the mountain they amount to over a thousand.

That number is definitely enough.

But in these days, guest rooms are guest rooms and one's own room is one's own room.

Any household with a bit of means wouldn't think of using their own rooms as guest lodgings to entertain others.

After saying that, Niu Dingtian's eyes dimmed slightly, his brows knit tightly, as if he were thinking seriously.

After a moment, he mused, "First we'll move the guests from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion up to the mountain; afterward, anyone who has presented a gift, no matter how many, will all be brought over."

"If there are still vacant rooms, we'll accommodate any martial‑arts person who is in need and comes with sincerity, regardless of how weak their kung fu or how lowly their status and wealth."

"If still necessary, even renting rooms from other inns would be acceptable."

"Besides!" Niu Dingtian raised a hand to stop the brow‑furrowing Fen Tian who was about to speak.

He continued, "Starting tomorrow, for the duration of the assembly we'll set up buffet feasts on Nine Palaces Mountain and in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion."

"It doesn't need to be overly refined; I only ask that the food be tasty and that there be enough meat and wine."

"How can you be so wasteful!" Fen Tian finally couldn't help but glare and snap at the Sect Leader Niu Dingtian.

The moment those words left her mouth, all her dissatisfaction with that hands‑off manager surged up.

Unconsciously pressing her ample bosom closer to Niu Dingtian, she complained somewhat angrily,

"What good is it to entertain a bunch of irrelevant people?"

"This time we have both a celebratory gathering and a martial‑arts ranking; the six Drunken Immortal Pavilions will have to close for at least half a month, and the losses aren't just the out‑of‑pocket expenses—the forgone profits are already huge!"

You should know that setting up a banquet is far more than just feeding these few people; it's wine and meat, not porridge, and it's not something that can be done in a day or two.

But we need to keep tone. Let's produce: "You should know that laying out a flowing-water banquet is far more than just these few people present; it's wine and meat! Not gruel! And it's not something that can be done in a day or two!"

Make sure it's one line.

You, who hold Xiangyang and constantly warn that the Jin forces are about to attack, should also realize how much grain and supplies these funds could buy. If Xiangyang falls, neither of us could remain on this mountain.

Translate: "You occupy Xiangyang and constantly shout that the Jin forces are about to attack; you should also know how much grain, fodder, and equipment these expenses could procure! If Xiangyang falls, neither of us will be able to stay on this mountain!"

"Xiangyang under attack? The sect leader is almost being defeated by you!" Niu Dingtian glanced at the approaching figure, his face showing surprise as he asked.

Translate: "Xiangyang under attack? The sect master is almost being defeated by you!" Niu Dingtian glanced slightly at the approaching figure, his face showing surprise as he asked:

We need to keep the quotation marks? The Chinese line includes a quotation before the dialogue: "Xiangyang under attack? The sect leader is almost being defeated by you!" Niu Dingtian glanced at the approaching figure, his face showing surprise as he asked. It seems the quotation is part of the spoken line. Then the next line is the dialogue. So line 63 is the narration before the dialogue. We'll translate as narration.

"Isn't there enough silver?"

Translate: "Isn't the silver enough?"

Over the years, he's mostly just spent money without worrying about earning it; he really doesn't care about money.

Translate: "These past years he mostly only spent money, never earned any, and really has no feeling for money."

Only after living two lifetimes did he finally experience what Boss Ma had felt.

Translate: "Only after living two lifetimes did he finally experience the feeling that Boss Ma had experienced."

Hearing that, Huan Tian's face froze; the silver is sufficient, but no matter how much you have, you can't stop spending it like that.

Translate: "Upon hearing that, Fen Tian's face froze slightly; the silver is sufficient, but no matter how sufficient, it can't withstand your scattering it like this."

Only as the head of the household does she realize how expensive firewood, rice, oil, and salt are; she doesn't just plan for today, but also for the future.

Translate: "Only as the household manager does one know how costly firewood, rice, oil, and salt are; she not only has to calculate today's expenses, but also future ones."

After silently tallying the costs, she couldn't help but continue complaining.

Translate: "After silently tallying up in her mind, she couldn't help but continue complaining:"

"It's enough for now, but don't forget we'll need to recruit many disciples later."

Translate: "It's sufficient now, but don't forget that in a while we need to recruit a large number of disciples."

"By then, not only will food, clothing, and daily expenses cost money, but also the disciples' stipends, training medicines, and the Xiangyang garrison, which is constantly recruiting and preparing for war—everywhere costs money. At this rate, we're already almost stretched thin."

Translate: "By then, not only will food, clothing, and daily expenses require money, but also the disciples' stipends, martial training herbs, and the Xiangyang garrison, which is constantly recruiting and preparing for war—everywhere costs money; calculated now, we're already rather strapped."

"Really, no silver left?" Niu Dingtian's face tightened as he sat up straight.

Translate: "Really no silver left?" Niu Dingtian's expression slightly tightened as he sat upright.

Huan Tian slowly nodded; after such a sudden calculation, the silver in her pocket—uh, the sect's funds—really is somewhat lacking.

Translate: "Fen Tian nodded slowly; after such a sudden calculation, the silver in her… uh… the sect's coffers really is somewhat lacking."

"Sect leader! Vice sect leader!"

Translate: "Sect Master! Vice Sect Master!"

At that moment, the Xuanwei guards who had retreated from the hall suddenly entered, performed their salute, and then bowed their fists to Niu Dingtian.

Translate: "At that moment, the Black-Clothed Guards who had previously withdrawn from the hall suddenly entered, performed their salute, and then bowed their fists to Niu Dingtian, saying:"

"Sect leader, Master Yideng has arrived at the mountain's base! After meeting with his lady and her entourage at the foot of the mountain, they are now heading up together."

Translate: "Sect Master, Master Yideng has arrived at the mountain's base! After meeting with Madam and her party at the foot of the mountain, they are now heading up together."

Niu Dingtian nodded upon hearing that.

Translate: "Niu Dingtian nodded upon hearing that."

After dismissing the Xuanwei guards, he patiently explained to Huan Tian: "I'm not doing this just for show; don't underestimate those unknown young martial artists these days. Remember, thirty years east, thirty years west—fortunes can reverse."

Translate: "After dismissing the Black-Clothed Guards, he patiently explained to Fen Tian: 'I'm not merely doing this for show; you shouldn't look down on those currently obscure young martial artists, for one must know that thirty years east of the river, thirty years west.'"

"Moreover, destitute martial artists are mostly full of passion, valuing clear gratitude and grudges, repaying any hatred. If you treat them like brothers, they'll treat you like confidants; even if your martial arts are superb, if you treat them like dirt, they'll treat you like enemies."

Translate: "Furthermore, down-and-out martial artists are mostly full of passion, valuing clear gratitude and grudges, repaying vengeance. If you treat them as brothers, they will treat you as confidants; even if your martial prowess is high, if you regard them as dirt, they will regard you as enemies."

"Right now we lack neither martial arts manuals nor renowned masters, but a newly established sect lacks such principled young people! Regardless of anything else, I want that after August, anyone outside who mentions how the Sun Moon God Sect treats people will give a thumbs-up."

Translate: "Now we lack neither martial arts manuals nor renowned masters, but a newly established sect lacks such steadfast young people! Regardless of other matters, I want that after August, whenever anyone outside mentions the conduct of the Divine Sect, they will give a thumbs-up."

"With such a reputation, plus my own renowned martial prowess abroad, how could we possibly lack young people coming to join?"

Translate: "With such a reputation, plus my own famed martial prowess abroad, how could we lack young people coming to join?"

"Since we hold Xiangyang, we can expand revenue through civil affairs—for example, by promoting and benefiting merchants, and temporarily encouraging commercial development; as long as merchants prosper, we will naturally prosper as well."

Translate: "Since we hold Xiangyang, we can expand revenue from civil administration—for example, promoting commerce, benefiting merchants, temporarily encouraging commercial development; as long as merchants grow wealthy, we will naturally grow wealthy as well."

"You're planning to first……"

Translate: "You're planning to first……"

After hearing that, Huan Tian unconsciously nodded repeatedly, but upon hearing the end, she suddenly hesitated, as if unsure how to speak.

Translate: "Upon hearing that, Fen Tian unconsciously nodded repeatedly, but upon hearing the end she didn't know what she thought of, her face suddenly became hesitant, as if finding it hard to speak."

After hesitating for a while, she eventually looked at Niu Dingtian and said uncertainly:

Translate: "After hesitating for a long while, she finally looked at Niu Dingtian and said somewhat uncertainly:"

"Are you planning to first fatten them up and then……kill them?"

Translate: "You're planning to first fatten them up and then…… kill them?"

It's no wonder she'd ask that; this is also a method the Manichaean sect has used for centuries, the difference being they seem to have skipped a step, never having raised them before.

Translate: "No wonder she would ask so; this is also a method the Manichaean Sect has used for centuries, the difference being they seem to have skipped a step, never having raised them."

In previous years, the Manichaean sect would select high-quality merchants, offer them protection, and attract them to join the faith.

Translate: "In past years, the Manichaean Sect would select high-quality merchants, give them protection, and attract them into the sect."

Once they were fattened and became one of their own, they would find an excuse and then slaughter them outright.

Translate: "Once fattened and made one of their own, they would then find some pretext and directly slaughter them."

Thus, the wealth of those rich merchants naturally became assets of the sect.

Translate: "Thus, the wealth of those rich merchants naturally became assets of the sect."

Yet this method was originally learned from the imperial court.

Translate: "This method, however, was originally learned from the imperial court."

In their view, those who are not one of them will never truly be one of them.

Translate: "In their view, those who are not one of their own will never truly be one of their own."

Upon hearing Huan Tian's words, Niu Dingtian stared in disbelief, as if saying, "Old man, I told you to raise chickens for eggs, not to kill them for meat!"

Translate: "Hearing Fen Tian's words, Niu Dingtian stared blankly, then exclaimed: 'Old Master is letting you raise chickens to lay eggs, and you go kill them to eat meat?'"

He then glared at this big-breasted, brainless woman and snapped:

Translate: "He then glared at this big-breasted, brainless woman and snapped:"

"You can only get a few bites out of killing them?"

Translate: "\"How many bites can you get from killing them? \""

"Xiangyang lies on the border, connecting north and south, and controls the middle reaches of the Yangtze River—it's a rare strategic location."

Translate: "\"Xiangyang lies on the frontier, connecting north and south, and tightly controls the middle reaches of the Yangtze; it is a rare strategic location. \""

"If we relax trade policies, give merchants various protections, and turn Xiangyang into a major commercial hub, the annual tax revenue alone would be enough to feed you!"

Translate: "\"If we liberalize trade policies, give merchants various protections, and turn Xiangyang into a commercial metropolis, the annual tax revenue alone would be enough to fill your belly! \""

"When did I ever say I wanted to kill them!"

Translate: "\"When did I ever say I wanted to kill them?! \""

Huan Tian instantly felt wronged, unable to bear the other's disdainful gaze.

Translate: "Fen Tian instantly felt wronged, unable to bear the other's disdainful gaze."

Just as she was about to offer a brief defense, Niu Dingtian rose, waved his hand, and said:

Translate: "Just as she was preparing to offer a brief defense, Niu Dingtian had already risen, waved his hand, and said:"

"Alright, this is settled—let's go greet Master Yideng together!"

Translate: "\"Alright, this is settled; let's go greet Master Yideng together! \""

Having said that, Niu Dingtian strode out of the hall, and Huan Tian could only grit her teeth and follow.

Translate: "Having said that, Niu Dingtian strode toward the hall's exit; Fen Tian, seeing this, could only grit her teeth and chase after him."

…… (ellipsis) We need to translate as "……" maybe keep as "……". The line is just "……". We'll output "【103】 ……"

At the mountain gate.

Translate: "At the mountain gate."

The wind had already dispersed the morning mist.

Translate: "The wind had already dispersed the morning mist."

Although it was the hot August weather, the mountain breeze made the banners on Jiugong Mountain flutter, making it unusually cool.

Translate: "Although it was the scorching heat of August, under the mountain breeze the banners on Nine Palaces Mountain fluttered, making it unusually cool."

Led by Niu Dingtian, with Huan Tian, Qu Xiu'er, Yan Huai xi, Yan the physician, and the twenty-plus Xuanwei guards behind them, they waited quietly at the mountain gate.

Translate: "Led by Niu Dingtian, with Fen Tian, Qu Xiu'er, Yan Huixi, Yan the physician, and more than twenty Black-Clothed Guards behind them, they waited quietly at the mountain gate."

Qu Xiu'er and Yan Huai xi were naturally overjoyed by Niu Dingtian's sudden appearance.

Translate: "Qu Xiu'er and Yan Huixi were naturally overjoyed at Niu Dingtian's sudden appearance."

But before they could exchange a few words, Niu Dingtian pulled them over.

Translate: "But before they could utter a few words, Niu Dingtian pulled them over."

They are both martial arts youths; here with him, there's no talk of staying secluded in a boudoir or anything improper.

Translate: "They are both martial world youths; here with him there is no talk of staying secluded in the boudoir that would be improper."

As for Yan the physician, over the past two years his daughter has switched to martial arts and progressed rapidly, so he no longer regards Niu Dingtian the way he used to, finding fault with everything.

Translate: "As for Yan the physician, with his daughter having switched to martial cultivation these past two years and progressing rapidly, he no longer regards Niu Dingtian as before, finding fault with everything."

He now feels that his daughter finally has the means to secure her safety and livelihood, rather than before, when he wholly pinned his hopes on life and death on this unreliable fellow before him.

Translate: "He feels that only now does his daughter have the means to secure her livelihood and life; unlike before, when he wholly pinned his hopes of life and death on this unreliable fellow before him."

Not long after, when the figures of Monk Yideng in robes and Chen Jin'er and others gradually appeared on the mountain path.

Translate: "Not long after, when the figures of the monk Yideng in robes and Chen Jin'er and a few others gradually appeared on the mountain path."

Niu Dingtian's spirit was shaken, and he stood in the distance, smiling faintly, composing himself and gathering his vigor.

Translate: "Niu Dingtian's spirit was shaken; he then stood afar with a bright smile, composing himself and gathering his vigor."

After all, he is now the head of a sect; formally opening the doors to guests can no longer be as casual as when he was alone before.

Translate: "After all, he is now the head of a sect; formally opening the door to receive guests can no longer be as casual as when he was alone."

Behind Master Yideng are his four disciples—fisherman, woodcutter, farmer, and scholar—and beside him is a young woman wearing a veil.

Translate: "Behind Master Yideng are his four disciples of fishing, woodcutting, farming, and studying, and beside him stands a young woman wearing a veil."

When the group reached a distance of ten zhang from the mountain gate, Niu Dingtian smiled and led everyone forward to greet them.

Translate: "When the party reached a distance of ten zhang from the mountain gate, Niu Dingtian smiled and led everyone forward to greet them."

As they drew near, before Master Yideng could speak, Niu Dingtian already clasped his fists and laughed:

Translate: "When they drew near, before Master Yideng could speak, Niu Dingtian already clasped his fists and smiled:"

"Welcome, Master Yideng! Your presence brings glory to the humble abode of Jiugong Mountain."

Translate: "\"Welcome, Master Yideng! Your arrival brings glory to our humble abode on Nine Palaces Mountain. \""

As for Yideng personally, to be honest, he is genuinely respected; this can be considered his guide at crucial moments.

Afterwards, Niu Dingtian seemed to realize something, his face full of surprise, and then he again cupped his fists with a smile and said:

Junior congratulates Grand Master on your further progress in cultivation! You are one step closer to the Innate realm!

At this moment, he had already realized that Grand Master Yi Deng's martial arts had broken through; the faint aura emanating from his body was actually not inferior to that of Murong An the other day, his progress being nothing short of rapid.

Hearing this, Yi Deng Grand Master, with kind eyes and benevolent brows, pressed his palms together and chuckled:

"Niu Dingtian Layman, you're too polite; it's merely a lucky breakthrough after years of accumulation. I, the poor monk, congratulate you on establishing your sect."

Saying this, Yi Deng Grand Master turned and nodded at his disciple Zhu Zi behind him.

Seeing this, Zhu Ziliu, amidst his senior brother Wu Santong's faintly angry gaze, waved his hand toward the rear.

Next, one saw thirty-odd people intermittently step forward from the crowd, together carrying nearly twenty boxes.

Afterward, Zhu Ziliu stepped forward with a smile, took out a book from his bosom, held it toward Niu Dingtian, and said with a smile:

"Sect Leader Niu Dingtian, this is a modest gift prepared by my master; please accept it with a smile." (End of chapter)