Chapter 170

Uncle and Master Yideng are not outsiders; I won't hide it from you two—I actually left a hidden trick on this sword and blade.

After pondering in his heart, Niu Dingtian grasped the Heaven-Reliant Sword, joined his two fingers, and slowly wiped along the blade amidst the humming vibration.

After examining it carefully for a few glances, Niu Dingtian still revealed this secret in front of the two of them.

There's nothing to be done about it now.

Since realizing that the world hides many mysterious experts like hidden tigers and coiled dragons, he also couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't meet with an accident someday.

According to his original plan, after a couple of years he would hide this matter and the secret of the Peach Blossom Spring in a silk pouch, then leave it to a few close people.

But now, in his view, the Heaven-Reliant Sword and Dragon-Slaying Saber have become hot potatoes, sources of disaster.

Upon hearing Niu Dingtian's words, Huang Lao Xie and Master Yideng both showed surprise, then both turned their gazes to the sword and blade before them.

After a while,

Perhaps thinking of some possibility, Master Yideng and Huang Lao Xie exchanged a glance, then hesitated and said:

"Young friend, could you be saying……"

Seeming to understand Master Yideng's meaning, Niu Dingtian shook his head and gave a wry smile, saying: "It's just the two sets of techniques I left behind, plus a few special things, "

"As for those so-called experts of the Heaven-Man realm, they're truly of no use at all."

He naturally couldn't reveal at this moment what the concrete thing is and how to obtain it; whether it's useful, how special it is—only he himself knows.

Given his current cultivation, when encountering some life-and-death crises, he will faintly sense some vague premonitions in the dark.

For example, incessant heart palpitations, or twitching eyelids—these are also a special feeling that gradually arose after he cultivated the Yin power.

There's no harm in waiting until then to speak.

Seeing that the two seemed both disappointed and relieved, Niu Dingtian looked at Huang Lao Xie and said solemnly:

"Uncle Huang, do you still remember what you said when we were on Peach Blossom Island and I spoke of founding the Sun and Moon Divine Sect?"

Huang Lao Xie heard this, slightly startled, then glanced at Niu Dingtian, crossed his arms behind his back, turned sideways, and let out a soft hum.

"Sun and moon make brightness," old man, what's wrong with me saying you dislike the darkness of this world and the court?

"Now that you occupy Xiangyang, do I still need to spell out what you're plotting?"

As soon as those words fell, before Niu Dingtian could speak, Master Yideng across from him furrowed his long brows, looked over in surprise, and hesitated:

"Young friend, what is this……"

Evidently, this was the first time he had heard such news; he thought to himself, no wonder when going up the mountain he actually saw quite a few soldiers and encampments.

After all, he is someone who once was an emperor; although he has now retreated into monastic life, Master Yideng instinctively feels some aversion to such matters.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian did not explain; instead, with a calm expression he walked to the table, picked up a thick piece of silk from the edge, and slowly unfurled it on the desk.

It was a map.

The Song State, Jin State, Mongolia, Western Xia, Tubo, Dali, Western Liao, and some countries in the far west were all listed, and the map was drawn in considerable detail.

Under the doubtful gazes of Huang Lao Xie and Master Yideng, Niu Dingtian raised his hand and pointed to a spot in the north.

"Mongolia?"

"Not bad."

Niu Dingtian slowly nodded, replied softly, then his eyes flickered as he looked at the two before him with an inscrutable meaning, and said:

"How do you two seniors feel when you see Mongolia on this map?"

"How?"

"Obviously, it's huge!"

"The territory visible to the eye actually appears far larger than the combined lands of the Song and Jin states."

"Although Huang Lao Xie and Master Yideng both know this region is mostly grassland, such a direct comparison inevitably causes some alarm."

"How could the Mongols have risen so swiftly?"

Seeing that both found it hard to hide their astonishment, Niu Dingtian smiled, extended a finger to draw a circle within the Mongolia region, and then his leisurely voice sounded in the empty hall:

"In the second year of Kaixi, the Mongol tribe's Temujin unified the Mongolian steppes and founded the Great Mongol State; at that time, their territory was only this big."

"That same year, Temujin convened a kurultai at the source of the Onon River; with the support of all the tribes of the steppe, he took the title Genghis Khan. It was then that he set in motion the endless wheel of outward conquest and expansion, and in just two short years he seized vast territories of the Western Liao, Western Xia, and the Jin State."

"In the second year of Jiading, the king of the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom, seeing the might of the Mongol State, killed the Western Liao officials and then had his whole nation submit to Temujin, incorporating their lands into Mongol territory."

"In the fourth month of the fourth year of Jiading—that is, the year before last—Temujin personally led a 90,000-strong army to attack the Jin State, annihilating over 500,000 of its main forces at Huihe Fort."

"That same August, Temujin commanded a 100,000-strong army and again defeated 500,000 elite troops of the Jin State at Yehu Ridge."

"……"

"From then on——"

"The Jin State's vitality is greatly wounded!"

Having said that, Niu Dingtian cut off his voice, and the side hall instantly fell into dead silence.

After a while,

Huang Lao Xie and Master Yideng slowly came to their senses, both wearing complex expressions as they stared at the map on the table, remaining silent for a long time.

Both men are exceptionally perceptive; after Niu Dingtian's explanation before and after, they naturally understand what it signifies.

The chaos of the Five Barbarians and the Jingkang humiliation are still fresh before our eyes!

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian said lightly:

"This very year, the Mongol army will directly cut off the northern and southern territories of the Jin State, once again besieging Zhongdu. Given the current situation, Zhongdu's fall is merely a matter of time."

"According to the information I have obtained, within the next few years the Jin State will surely relocate its capital to Bianjing and continue southward invasions to seek living space. Meanwhile, Temujin is also preparing his western campaign, readying to lead a great army to conquer some countries in the far west."

"What do you two seniors think? Given how hard-pressed the present Song court and army are just to resist the Jin forces, how long could they hold out against the Mongol cavalry, and what foolish moves might they make?"

"Foolish moves?"

Huang Lao Xie heard this, suddenly stunned, as if he had grasped something.

The next moment——

Seemingly thinking of something, his expression suddenly changed, and afterward he gave Niu Dingtian an ugly look:

You mean the Song court would still ally with the Mongols to destroy the Jin? How dare they even entertain such a foolish idea?

No wonder he reacted that way; his ancestors had suffered greatly from the Jingkang catastrophe, so Huang Lao Xie has long loathed those foolish enough to ally with the strong to destroy the weak and cut off their own arms.

Otherwise he wouldn't have, in his youth, shouted the lofty ambition to kill the emperor and rebel.

Only after hearing the earlier account did he realize how similar the present Mongols and Jin are to the Jin and Khitan of old.

Even the Mongols' wolfish ambitions far surpass those of the previous villains!

After hearing Huang Lao Xie's words, Niu Dingtian was not surprised either; glancing at Yideng, he chuckled, "They all come from the same ancestor, so it's no surprise they share similar thoughts."

This time, Temujin sent people to give me many gifts; between the lines they clearly seek to win me over. Now that I hold the strategic stronghold of Xiangyang, it's obvious they've long had their eyes on this fat piece of land to the south.

You two seniors need only monitor the Mongols' western campaign results over the next few years to know whether the Song and Dali can escape disaster.

Yideng listened to this point, palms together in silence, his compassionate face now even more troubled.

After a long while, he hesitated before speaking: "Since you, young friend, have determined that the Jin will surely invade south and the Mongols will also move south, why let them reap the benefits? In this situation, you might as well send a letter to Lin'an; I, the poor monk, can also vouch for you, and then……"

Absolutely impossible!

Before Yideng could finish speaking, Niu Dingtian raised his hand to interrupt, his face expressionless as he said, "One does not keep company with pigs; in a life-or-death moment, how could one leave one's back to those who only know how to manipulate power, mere wine sacks and rice bags?"

Yideng's face showed astonishment upon hearing those words.

In an age where imperial authority reigns supreme, this master had never before seen anyone refer to his own emperor as a pig.

He couldn't help but shift his gaze to the side, where stood Brother Yao, who had always been arrogant and unrestrained, scorning ritual propriety.

Perhaps feeling his words were too harsh, Niu Dingtian eased his tone and spoke in a low voice:

"With my martial prowess, where could I not live freely and happily? Even if I went to the Mongols, I might become a national preceptor; why then bother to struggle between north and south for no reward?"

"It is precisely because this wretched court is not worth entrusting that I have risen here to forge a new path, training warriors into a strong army. If I held Xiangyang merely to oppose the Zhao Song court, I would already have raised my banner and marched on Lin'an City!"

"Uncle Huang likewise scorns worldly rites, but I know you also harbor a sense of national righteousness. If one day you see the Central Plains sink, the Han people reduced to livestock, and the tragedy of the Five Barbarians' chaos replayed, could you still remain at ease, idling away on Peach Blossom Island?"

"The Mongols are by nature brutally cruel, a hundred times worse than the Jin; where their iron hooves tread, not one in ten of the foreign peoples survives. Master Yideng, do you think that if the Song falls, your Dali people would still have any reason to live?"

Is there still any reason to live?

Upon hearing those words, Yideng conjured a grim scene of slaughter in his mind; he could not help but slowly close his eyes, palms together, softly chanting a Buddhist invocation.

Amitabha…

Huang Lao Xie merely remained silent.

After a moment, he suddenly turned his head and glared at Niu Dingtian, speaking in a low voice: "You brat, you've been talking half the day without stating your purpose—speak plainly! Don't keep beating around the bush like an old woman!"

Well, the atmosphere I had painstakingly built up is now ruined by you.

Niu Dingtian thought to himself, though his face showed no embarrassment; only then did he notice that, at some point, a book had appeared in his hand.

The Nine Yin Classic?

Amitabha,

I never expected you, young friend, to actually possess this book…

Upon hearing that, Niu Dingtian gave a light smile, casually tossed the Nine Yin Classic onto the table, and said, "No matter how powerful the Nine Yin Classic is, it actually cannot help the two of you reach the innate realm."

His utterly nonchalant demeanor made Huang Lao Xie and Yideng opposite him twitch their eyelids.

During your stay in Xiangyang, you two may freely peruse the Nine Yin Classic; if anything is unclear, you may come to me for discussion." Niu Dingtian continued.

What do you mean by that, young friend?

Upon hearing that, Yideng's face showed a slight hesitation; he believed that even with great prestige, it was impossible to receive such a supreme martial treasure for no reason or merit.

Huang Lao Xie felt the same.

Although this lad is likely eighty or ninety percent his son-in-law, the notion that sect techniques are passed down exclusively in a single lineage has long been ingrained; even among close relatives, few would transmit them so openly.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian's expression gradually grew solemn; his eyes gleamed as he swept them over the two, then he spoke in a deep voice:

I have already contacted other grandmaster-level experts; I want the two of you, after repelling the southern Jin invasion at Xiangyang, to join me in marching north to assassinate Temujin!

Not only you two, but during this martial arts gathering's discussion of combat, I will secretly meet with the heads of various sects, inviting all who wish to join. Anyone willing to go who takes Temujin's head will receive the Nine Yin Classic!

Having said that, Niu Dingtian paused, then, under the two's piercing gazes, pointed to the Heaven Reliant Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber on the table and continued:

If one day I meet with an accident, I need the two of you, to the extent of your ability, to guard this pair of sword and saber, later handing them over to my descendants.

Of course, if there are no heirs, you two may find a destined person to entrust them to; as for the secrecy, the true destined one will naturally know.

And as repayment…

When speaking of repayment, Niu Dingtian lowered his gaze and fell into contemplation.

Afterward, he fixed a blazing gaze on Huang Lao Xie and Yideng, and slowly uttered a few words:

I will help you two break through to the innate realm!

—

Half an hour later,

Niu Dingtian left the side hall alone.

As for the outcome of that communication, aside from the three of them, no one else knew.

Just as his footsteps stepped out of the hall doors, Niu Dingtian saw in the distance many unfamiliar martial folk, led by the deputy chief, heading to the reception area.

Hey~ having a secretary sure is convenient.

Niu Dingtian thought to himself; just as he was about to go see Granny Sun, he saw Niu Ben hurrying toward him.

Sect Leader!

That old eunuch wants to see you!

Old eunuch?

Upon hearing that, Niu Dingtian was slightly startled; not mentioning that old fellow, there was still something he almost forgot.

Immediately, he produced a roll of yellow silk from his bosom, handed it to Niu Ben, and whispered his instructions:

Go find a reliable seal engraver and, according to the great seal inside, carve a seal.

Then find someone to figure out how to dissolve the writing inside; after that, go find Miss Huang and, imitating the handwriting, rewrite a copy, saying it's what I instructed, and she'll naturally understand.

Niu Ben listened and nodded repeatedly.

After he unfolded the yellow silk and saw clearly what was inside, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

You can still do it like this?

Seize the time!

Niu Dingtian, seeing this, directly punched Niu Ben's shoulder, urging: "It must be finished by tomorrow morning!"

These days, the hardest part of forging an imperial edict is the material; something like this special silk fabric right here really can't be made in a short time.

However, some special potions can dissolve recently written text; professional matters still need to be left to professionals.

Yes!

After Niu Ben left, Niu Dingtian stood still in front of the hall, thought for a while, and still decided to first go see Eunuch Li.

After all, for some things, we still have to rely on this guy's honest cooperation.

Thinking of this, Niu Dingtian then went to a tranquil courtyard. (End of chapter)