Chapter 190: Lovely Huang Rong, Returning Cloud Arrives

Niu Dingtian's slanted sword eyebrows, flying into his temples, twitched; immediately he swept Huang Gu Niang into one arm and Fen Tian into the other, and the three rose into the air, darting to the side with a swift yet floating posture.

Holding her soft, delicate body in his arms, a faint fragrance wafted; Niu Dingtian's heart involuntarily felt an inexplicable joy, and then he raised his head and shouted: "All right, Brother Eagle, give me some face and spare him this once."

Hearing the sound from below, the divine eagle finally desisted, folding its massive wings, planting its talons on the ground, and steadily landing on Huang Gu Niang's other side.

"Still not letting go!"

Seeing the gazes of the crowd gathering, a faint blush rose between Fen Tian's smooth cheeks and neck; after a low rebuke, he forced himself to stay calm and broke free from the embrace.

Niu Dingtian wore a gentle smile, seemingly unaware, released Huang Gu Niang, clasped his fists toward the crowd, and said with a slight smile: "Sorry for the disturbance, everyone."

"It's fine, it's fine—Cult Leader Niu has opened our eyes."

"What Sect Master Qinglingzi said is correct—I never imagined there could be such a strange bird in the world!"

Facing the crowd's astonished greetings, Niu Dingtian said no more, smiling and nodding in acknowledgment, then gestured to Yi Deng and Huang Lao Xie, inviting them forward.

"This is not the place to talk."

In the rear courtyard, Zhou Botong was no longer on the path; after catching sight of Yi Deng, he had slipped away as if fleeing.

Yi Deng responded with a wry smile, shook his head, sighed, and said nothing more.

The group walked and chatted; when asked about the divine eagle's origin, Niu Dingtian did not conceal it.

After a brief explanation, Niu Dingtian lifted his gaze to Yi Deng and Huang Lao Xie and asked curiously: "Uncle and Master Yi Deng, have you not taken the medicine yet?"

As for their strength, he could tell at a glance, and at the moment there was clearly no change.

Huang Lao Xie heard this, his stern face slightly stiffening, and said lightly: "I rarely leave the island once; among the Eastern Heretic, Western Poison, Southern Emperor, and Northern Beggar, who is truly stronger will be decided in a contest these two days. Relying on external objects makes victory somewhat unmartial."

Niu Dingtian: "……"

Yi Deng took up the conversation, chuckling: "Even if it's just one day later, taking the medicine after the martial discussion will bring greater insight and be of some benefit to a breakthrough."

Niu Dingtian fell into a moment of silence.

Since the two had made up their minds, he saw no point in urging them further; both were renowned figures of the jianghu, and peers among them are exceedingly proud.

After thinking, he reminded: "This pill of mine is no ordinary tonic; even if destroyed, it must not fall into others' hands."

While speaking, he again fixed his gaze on Fen Tian and asked: "Have you found any trace of Jue Xing outside?"

Fen Tian replied: "He's probably no longer in Xiangyang; Commandant Hu has searched house to house several times and found no trace. Nevertheless, orders have been sent out everywhere to report any news immediately."

Niu Dingtian gave a slight nod, his eyes deepening: "Have someone watch the movements of the Shaolin Temple monks, especially the elders. If any trace of Jue Xing appears in the Xiangfan region, send out a signal at once—I will personally go to settle him."

"Also, have the Firearms Bureau increase gunpowder output and swiftly boost the power of the gunpowder packs. After this conclave, immediately take control of Fan Cheng, Ezhou, and Jiangling; not only must we spread our doctrine in the army, but we must also continue recruiting troops, buying horses, and training for war."

"Young friend, could you really…"

Yi Deng and Huang Lao Xie exchanged a glance, both eyes betraying undisguised shock.

Earlier we only heard that Niu Dingtian held Xiangyang to resist the Jin forces' southern advance, but now he actually intends to seize directly the major strongholds of most of the Jinghu region.

"How is this any different from rebellion?"

Niu Dingtian snorted: "Zhao Kuo has sent men to kill right at my doorstep—why should I still be courteous to him? I'm merely collecting interest."

"However, rebellion is out of the question; today I will receive the imperial edict with gratitude—ultimately I remain a subject of the Song, fulfilling my duty to defend Zhao's territory."

Upon hearing this, Huang Lao Xie recalled the edict he himself had penned on that yellow silk, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

"As one of the Five Greats, pure and noble afterward, I would actually alter an imperial edict under my daughter's coercion—once it gets out, my face will be utterly ruined."

Huang Gu Niang linked arms intimately with Niu Dingtian, noticed her father's resentful gaze, and playfully stuck out her tongue.

"This was originally Niu Dingtian's task for her, but being young, her traced copy reveals an immature brushstroke; she can only act coquettish and willful, clinging to her father."

Recalling that edict, Huang Gu Niang's beautiful eyes shifted, her gaze suddenly brightening, and she exclaimed in a sweet voice: "Brother Niu, you said last night's formidable foe was the palace's venerable guardian, whom the emperor obeys in everything?"

Hearing this, Niu Dingtian frowned slightly, nodded, and said: "Exactly—one who can openly claim to ennoble me as marquis or king and abduct princesses and consorts must be arrogant and accustomed to it."

"Moreover, with such strength and being a eunuch by origin, even if the emperor is not a puppet, he would certainly rely heavily on him."

Huang Gu Niang giggled: "Now that he's lost an arm and fled back, no matter how it's explained, the emperor will surely think that eunuch is no match for Brother Niu—what do you think the emperor fears most now?"

"Naturally, he fears death."

Niu Dingtian said without hesitation.

Huang Gu Niang laughed: "Exactly, the emperor now probably worries most that Brother Niu will likewise march on Lin'an City, so he will surely seek ways to appease Brother Niu."

"If Gu Niang's guess is right, in a few days Lin'an City will certainly receive another imperial edict, which will grant Brother Niu great titles and lavish rewards on the pretext of his ancestral merit."

"This is also the consistent practice of emperors throughout history toward border commanders who hold troops and rely on their own strength; moreover, now he is in the open while Brother Niu is in the dark—no one would sleep soundly in either position."

As these words fell, the quiet path was left with only the rustling of magnolia leaves, becoming so still that even a dropped pin could be heard.

After a moment, Yi Deng came to, pressed his palms together, and softly sighed: "Medicine Brother truly has raised a fine daughter."

Huang Lao Xie laughed heartily and said modestly: "My daughter's wild words have made Brother Duan laugh at me."

Although he said so, the pride in his brows could not be concealed.

"It's just a bargain for this brat." He glanced at Niu Dingtian and sighed silently.

Gazing at Huang Gu Niang's sparkling eyes and her lovely face that outshone flowers, Niu Dingtian drifted into a reverie.

Originally he saw the beauty merely as a greenhorn girl—after all, she's only sixteen or seventeen, what could she be? But now he sees she truly hides wisdom behind her smile, a peerless beauty, deserving the epithet "Lovely Huang Rong."

Meeting Niu Dingtian's gaze, Huang Gu Niang felt inner joy mixed with a hint of shyness, and couldn't help but quietly extend her jade finger to give his waist a light poke.

"With so many people watching."

Niu Dingtian came to, chuckled softly, and asked in a low voice: "Then Gu Niang, what do you think of our…"

"... roll of Western goods—should we take it out or not? Although he didn't finish the sentence, Huang Gu Niang already understood his meaning."

She giggled coquettishly: "Brother Niu has already done it all, and with no one to verify, when the real thing arrives, the fake will naturally be real as well."

Niu Dingtian laughed: "That's true, then……"

Just as they were chatting freely, a stalwart guard in dark robes hurried up, clasped his fists, and said: "Cult Leader, the Manor Lord of Guiyun Manor has arrived and is waiting outside the courtyard."

Upon hearing this, the several people in the path showed varied expressions; Huang Lao Xie's faint smile vanished, and he slightly narrowed his eyes.

After a glance, Niu Dingtian nodded and said gently: "Please, come in quickly."

……

PS: Thanks to the readers for the recommendation votes, I'm late coming back so I've put together a short chapter for you to read; the rest will be combined into tomorrow's chapter. In the last ten days we are still fifty thousand words short, averaging five thousand per day. (End of chapter)