Chapter 176: From Now On, Only This Outfit Is Allowed!

Stepping on the solid ground, she finally felt she was truly Mu Nianci, a respectable daughter who had followed her father selling street performances for over ten years.

Mu Nianci lowered her head slightly and did not look at Niu Dingtian, fearing she might again fail to recognize herself as she had just moments ago in his arms.

"I'm leaving," Mu Nianci whispered, biting her lower lip.

Niu Dingtian fell silent at the sight, feeling a pang of regret that his earlier reaction had still wounded the girl.

She was a good girl who simply wanted to find a worthy man to entrust her life to.

Both hearts willing: you seek none of my power or wealth, I crave none of your beauty; we share hardships, then part ways from the jianghu.

Perhaps those words were what truly moved her just now, and gave her the resolve, despite a daughter's shyness, to reveal her feelings.

After a moment of silence, seeing Mu Nianci lower her head again, Niu Dingtian gently suggested, "How about I take you up the mountain? There's a banquet tonight, and there should be fireworks after the feast."

Mu Nianci shook her head: "I still have to go back and look after my father."

Then, as if recalling something, she hesitated and whispered, "I'm not sure what the situation between you and my father is; he's worked hard all these years—don't ever lay a hand on him again."

Finishing, Mu Nianci finally lifted her head to look at Niu Dingtian, her eyes slightly reddened yet filled with stubbornness.

Meeting her gaze, Niu Dingtian smiled, "If I were to strike again, Miss Mu, would you keep fighting me?"

Hearing that, Mu Nianci's cheeks flushed; she bit her lower lip and gave no reply.

Niu Dingtian laughed, "Of course I won't strike again; even if I give no one face, I must give you, Miss Mu, some face."

Mu Nianci heard this, a flash of joy crossing her eyes; after a moment of silent bowing, she whispered, "I'm leaving, take care."

After speaking, without waiting for Niu Dingtian's reply, she dragged her red figure swiftly toward the foot of the mountain, like a red cloud, gradually disappearing into the forest.

"Wait!"

Watching Mu Nianci depart, as the last streak of red was about to vanish, Niu Dingtian instinctively felt a fluttering heart, shouted loudly, and his figure darted out in a rush.

Three breaths later, when Niu Dingtian gazed at the rain‑kissed pear‑blossom face before him, those bright red eyes, his heart involuntarily twitched sharply.

Damned soft‑heart disease!

"You… how did you… come…?"

Staring at the person who suddenly appeared, Mu Nianci was stunned; after regaining composure, she hurriedly turned her head away and, hoarsely, asked.

Niu Dingtian did not step forward; had it been another girl, he would have already pulled her into his arms and comforted her forcefully.

After what happened at the mountain foot, it was clear this girl's opinions were fierce, stubborn, traditional, even "silly".

The more sensible a person, the easier to coax verbally, yet the harder to soothe inside.

Just like before Mu Nianci left, her words were placated but her heart wasn't, all in vain.

If I hadn't rushed over just now, who knows if we'd ever meet again.

When Mu Nianci's emotions had slightly settled, Niu Dingtian whispered,

"I've already said I can't stand seeing a pretty young lady shed tears; Miss Mu, if you cry again, I won't give you any face."

"Not give me face?" Mu Nianci, eyes brimming with tears, stared at Niu Dingtian, then, realizing, glared fiercely.

That bastard is truly despicable! He even uses her father to threaten her!

He had earlier said he'd spare her father to give her face; now refusing her face means he'll strike again, right? Seeing Mu Nianci's mood ease a bit, Niu Dingtian smiled and said,

"So? Miss Mu, after giving me that glare, are you feeling better?"

"Not at all!" Mu Nianci's cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly denied.

But after processing, she realized the words didn't quite fit no matter how she said them.

Just as she was about to explain, Niu Dingtian chuckled, "Then let's give each other some face."

"Tomorrow is the joyous day I establish my sect, and as we part, Miss Mu, aren't you going to give me something?"

"What would you like me to give?" Mu Nianci was momentarily stunned, her crimson eyes again fixed on Niu Dingtian.

Then, subconsciously, she thought about what valuable thing she still possessed.

But a wandering performer has nothing of value; even the most precious person on her is likely uninterested. Thinking this, Mu Nianci grew melancholy.

"Any hair strand or handkerchief will do; a light gift, but the sentiment is heavy," Niu Dingtian said with a smile.

"Hair strand? Handkerchief?"

Mu Nianci's cheeks reddened instantly, and her hands instinctively reached for the hanging hair on her chest.

A strand of black hair, a strand of soul, may the lord not disappoint a sincere heart. No woman would be unaware of the meaning behind gifting a man a hair strand.

Likewise, a handkerchief, as a woman's intimate item, is also a token of love.

"But is he truly serious, or…"

When she met Niu Dingtian's gaze, Mu Nianci suddenly hesitated.

After the earlier events, Niu Dingtian suddenly gave her an extremely unreal feeling, leaving her uncertain of her true thoughts.

She feared that this person, from start to now, was merely playing games.

Her heart was uneasy.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian did not press, merely smiled and waited for her to decide.

After a long silence,

Mu Nianci, still under Niu Dingtian's gaze, flushed, drew a dagger from her bosom, cut a strand of her chest‑hanging hair, tied it, then took out a close‑fitting camellia handkerchief, wrapped it gently, and finally, trembling, handed it over.

"If he toys with me, I won't live on!" Mu Nianci thought silently.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian felt a sudden relief, thinking she was finally his, even his old father Yang Tiexin couldn't change! He smiled, reached out, and as his eyes flashed, he suddenly grasped the hand she was about to withdraw.

"This is mine."

Niu Dingtian whispered, taking an object from his chest and placing it into Mu Nianci's hand.

It was an iron token.

The iron token was simple and serene, engraved with mountains, rivers, sun, moon and the character "Heaven," exuding a faint chill.

"If I were present, should you encounter trouble or danger, go to the Drunken Immortal Tower or a Sun Moon Divine Sect outpost and flash it."

After softly giving his instructions, Niu Dingtian reluctantly let go.

Before he knew it, the western sky had already flushed rosy like drunkenness, being gradually eaten away by the deepening twilight. He had to go back.

Upon hearing this, Mu Nianci gave a soft "hmm", her slightly red eyes gazing deeply at Niu Dingtian before turning and leaving without a word.

Not long after, her fiery silhouette gradually faded into the evening clouds on the horizon.

Nine Palaces Mountain, mountaintop.

A green-clad figure suddenly appeared, swiftly darting into a palace amidst the astonished gazes from afar.

He finally made it back before dark…… Niu Dingtian secretly let out a breath of relief, then strode toward Fen Tian's quarters.

"You finally bothered to come back..."

"I heard that on the streets of Xiangyang City today, someone was being chased by a girl—given Sect Leader Niu's speed, he shouldn't have trouble shaking her off."

Seeing Niu Dingtian walk toward her, Fen Tian let out a cold laugh and added another sarcastic remark.

At this moment she had just come out from inside, dressed head-to-toe in purple combat attire, full of heroic spirit; the deep-purple outer robe she wore was embroidered with cloud patterns, and the jade belt at her waist both accentuated her slender figure and added an extra air of solemnity.

Seeing this outfit, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but glance a few more times, then said indifferently:

"With you here, Vice Sect Leader, I can rest easy about my duties as Sect Leader."

"You even manage to please me with this outfit; it seems I'll have to keep giving you more responsibilities."

Fen Tian glanced at him sideways upon hearing this, there's no time to listen to his nonsense right now; she pointed to the brand-new clothes and boots on the table and said, "These were sent by your sister-in-law—hurry up and change into them. The guests are almost all gathered; if you don't show up for the banquet, people will start gossiping."

Indeed,

Niu Dingtian gave a slight nod, then walked up to Fen Tian and opened his arms.

Seeing this, Fen Tian couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and huffed, "I'm not your maid, nor any of your wives—do it yourself."

"Who said only wives can help undress?" Niu Dingtian said righteously.

"If you don't lend a hand, I can't manage on my own—hurry up, everyone outside is waiting; worst case, I'll help you next time."

"You'll help me?" Upon hearing this, Fen Tian's breath hitched, then she shot him a glare.

After hesitating a moment, she still walked forward with her ears slightly warm, and began to help Niu Dingtian take off his outer robe.

As she said, in this era, only a wife or a maid could attend to undressing and untying the sash of a man of the opposite sex.

Otherwise, even someone as jianghu-savvy as her would find it extremely difficult to do so.

"This is……"

Just as the green robe was removed, Fen Tian felt something inside the clothing.

It was a handkerchief embroidered with camellia flowers.

Just seeing the slight bulge of the handkerchief, Fen Tian knew something was wrapped inside; without waiting for Niu Dingtian to speak, she rubbed it lightly with her slender fingers, and her expression instantly darkened.

"Do it yourself! I'll go receive the guests first."

After tossing the handkerchief aside, Fen Tian turned and was about to stride away.

"Just after fooling around with another woman outside, you turn around and have me undress you?"

"What the hell does this bastard think I am?"

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian hurriedly grabbed Fen Tian's arm, saying, "Vice Sect Leader, how can there be a rule of only taking off but not putting on? You can't leave! You have to take responsibility to the end!"

Fen Tian tried to break free with force, but his grip only tightened; seeing him act like a rascal, she glared and snapped:

"Let go! You're someone of status now—if others see this, I can't afford to lose face!"

"Not letting go!"

"Let go!"

"Not letting go!"

……

After a stalemate, Fen Tian glared angrily at Niu Dingtian, then turned and began busying herself with the new clothes.

"As Sect Leader, I only act like this with you, Vice Sect Leader—don't mistake my kindness for weakness."

Niu Dingtian stood with arms open, head held high, feeling the occasional brush of her slender white hands against his body, then suddenly hummed and said:

"Drop dead!"

Upon hearing this, Fen Tian's face flushed with anger, regardless of who was senior or junior, she lifted her leg and kicked at Niu Dingtian's shin.

Feeling the gust of wind aimed at his ankle, Niu Dingtian, who was holding his head high and arms outstretched, couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

He then dodged with his left leg, instantly recoiled, reached out with his right arm, and in a series of swift motions directly pulled the off-balance Fen Tian into his embrace.

"What crime does it constitute for a Vice Sect Leader to overstep her superiors?" Niu Dingtian hummed.

He wore a stern face as he looked at the person in his arms, appearing to handle affairs impartially.

"Let go!"

Fen Tian's face flushed red; she still didn't understand his twisted taste, glanced outside, then glared with her beautiful eyes and snapped, "Are you still going to establish the sect or not? If you don't want to, hurry up and send the guests away—let everyone disperse early!"

"You dare to incite disbanding? Vice Sect Leader, your crime is increased by one degree!" Niu Dingtian said with a sideways glance and a light hum.

"She actually dared to talk back!"

"But right now the important thing is at hand; we can only wait to punish her properly later. After sizing up Fen Tian a few times, Niu Dingtian said with a stern face:"

"In consideration of your hard work and merits, I'll punish you by allowing you to wear only this outfit from now on—any objections?"

"Only this outfit?"

Upon hearing this, Fen Tian instantly flared with shame and anger, thinking, "He's clearly just trying to satisfy this guy's petty desires! No wonder he kept staring at her the moment he walked in—he never looked at her like that before."

"Turns out he even has this fetish!"

Meeting Niu Dingtian's gaze and thinking of her current outfit, a sudden inexplicable sense of shame welled up in Fen Tian's heart.

"No way!"

She refused, her cheeks flushed crimson.

(End of chapter)