Chapter 199: Borrowed Permit

No!

The beauty was indeed very defiant, pursing her lips, holding back rapid breaths at her nose, directly closing her beautiful eyes and turning her snow‑white neck.

The two really hadn't been this intimate for over half a year, and future chances might be even fewer, so she quite enjoyed this brief moment in her heart.

Niu Dingtian raised an eyebrow at the sight, pinched a soft object in his hand, and hummed, "Our sect leader just loves Sister Han the heroine's defiant look—will you accept my invitation?"

Sss—

Han Xiao Ying flinched instantly, hurriedly begging, "Stop! Stop! Rong'er said it! Rong'er said it!"

Niu Dingtian heard that, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes; his fingers released the object, he continued to toy with the soft ball, and asked softly, "How did Rong'er know?"

In speaking, he essentially admitted that he had indeed been intimate with someone this morning.

That's the benefit of a close sister—gentle and considerate, never getting jealous.

Han Xiao Ying steadied her breathing, slipped her left arm around Niu Dingtian, slowly closed her eyes and pressed against his chest, her delicate jade‑like face showing a hint of flush and tenderness.

She said softly, "Rong'er is really clever; she got those two lines out of that girl Yunling's mouth. If she asks you, you mustn't lie to her, or she'll truly get angry."

"Sister Han is really nice, let me, your husband, give you a kiss," Niu Dingtian felt warmth in his heart and leaned in to plant a kiss on that bright face.

In this way, the two would sometimes be intimate on the corridor eaves, and sometimes watch the situation below.

After a while, Niu Dingtian satisfied his urge, and facing the lady's affection, he decisively let go.

Having two women at once is indeed absurd; Han Xiao Ying was right—men should prioritize their careers and not always linger in the land of tenderness.

Let this ignited flame gradually die out on its own.

At the hour of Shenyou, the gathering below was already nearing its end.

The Quanzhen Sect's death of Qiu Chuji caused some to mourn, some to be angry, and even some to rejoice.

The angry one, Yin Zhiping, after Master Yideng was powerless, for reasons unknown, challenged Guo Jing on the spot.

Guo Jing had just been vaguely sent back from the side hall by two masters; not knowing whether the Grand Master was dead or alive, his heart was both sad and angry.

Facing the sudden challenge, he naturally accepted without hesitation, treating it as revenge for his Grand Master.

Originally, the people around were not interested in children of thirteen or fourteen versus fifteen or sixteen fighting.

But as soon as the two clashed, they were amazed by Yin Zhiping's fierce footwork and sword technique, and even more shocked by Guo Jing's whirling palm and fist power.

The two exchanged nearly a hundred moves; Yin Zhiping, using the Quanzhen Sword Technique, ultimately fell to Guo Jing's mighty palm force.

In an instant, that simple‑looking lad became, in everyone's words, a rising star of the martial world—a future giant of the jianghu.

"This kid's talent is truly impressive; every move opens and closes grandly, as if the power could be stacked, really fitting for the Beggar Sect's Dragon Subduing 18 Palms."

After watching the duel, Hong Qi Gong on the stage felt uneasy, took out a wine gourd, poured a mouthful of wine, and the thought kept surfacing in his mind.

Seeing Guo Jing attract such attention, Yang Kang had been itching for a fight. As soon as Guo Jing stepped down, he swiftly leapt onto the high platform and called for battle.

But despite his shouting for a long time, no one answered.

When he let out two curses, Fentian decisively pushed him off the stage: "Today is not a day for dueling!"

Finally, Fentian announced that starting tomorrow, rankings would be divided by age into Heaven and Earth lists, opponents selected by lot, and rankings determined. With that, today's gathering was declared over.

As evening fell and twilight deepened, the setting sun blazed like fire; under its afterglow, the entire summit of Nine Palaces Mountain was draped in a layer of red mist.

It had been over half an hour since the Quanzhen Sect members carried Qiu Chuji's corpse down the mountain; although night had not yet arrived, countless fire basins were already set up on the spacious plaza, with more than a hundred tables arranged.

For such arrangements, the group of wandering heroes from all corners of the world were naturally extremely satisfied, even grateful.

You give me respect and courtesy, unlike those unnoticed floating duckweeds of the jianghu; I will remember your kindness and sing your beautiful name throughout the jianghu.

This is the heart of most wandering heroes.

Compared with those belonging to sects and schools, who fight mainly for their own interests, their chivalry may be purer.

With dishes aligned and wine full, the sky grew darker; under the bright moonlight, lanterns cast flickering shadows, the sounds of rock‑paper‑scissors and clinking cups rose and fell, lively as a New Year celebration.

"Tell me, who won the match between the Northern Beggar and the Western Venom?"

"Hey, I'd say Elder Hong won; though the two fought evenly, the Western Venom's moves always ended with his internal power collapsing to the ground, losing to the aura of a true master."

Pff—

Hearing the distant chatter, a sip of wine that Yang Kang had just taken sprayed directly onto a whole table of dishes.

"You…!" Ouyang Ke glared angrily, clenched his fist tightly, ready to strike.

Damn, he already felt a bit resentful toward the kid at that table, and now this little bastard splashed half his face with wine foam.

"Ke'er, you must not be rude!" Ouyang Feng's dissatisfied scolding rang out.

Yin Yi's shadowed gaze withdrew from the distant man, and when it fell on the nearby unruly child, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

At such an age to have this profound aura, compared to peers, he outshone his family's Ke'er by ten streets.

Yang Kang curled his lip, muttering discontentedly, "I'm not doing it on purpose, you just dislike a damn eggball."

Seeing Ouyang Ke's resentful yet helpless expression, Yang Kang's eyes flickered, and he looked at Guo Jing, asking, "Brother, I only clean my teeth once every half month; Guo Jing, do you dislike me?"

Guo Jing was startled, quickly waved his hand, and said, "How could I dislike Brother Kang? I don't often clean my teeth on the grasslands either." Yang Kang then turned to Lu Guanying on the right, chuckling, "Brother Lu, do you dislike me?"

Lu Guanying: "..."

After a moment of inner conflict, he forced himself to say, "Brother also only cleans his teeth every few days; how could I dislike Brother Yang?"

Yang Kang, hearing this, placed his right foot on the chair, grabbed a chicken leg and shoved it into his mouth, giving Ouyang Ke a provocative glance.

"Niu, the sect leader, is…"

Ouyang Feng saw this, a surge of anger rose in his heart but he dared not act; he merely regarded it as child's play, smiling as he looked toward the crowned‑clad youth opposite.

Niu Dingtian set down the wine cup, and with a disdainful face said, "I don't know you, where did this brat come from? Ouyang nephew, go ahead and scold him."

You want to marry my mother as my step‑father and then tell me you don't know me? Yang Kang wanted to mutter in discontent, but a sidelong glance caught his uncle's stare, so he reluctantly lifted his right foot.

Ouyang Feng's mouth twitched.

He silently recited the word 'endure' in his heart, then calmly said, "Our sect leader previously said one could exchange another school's skill for the Nine Yin Classic; I wonder how my Toad Technique fares? After three years of refinement, it is certainly not inferior to the Dragon Subduing 18 Palms."

As he spoke, a fervent gleam pressed in his eyes. The meaning was clear: the Toad Technique now was a far cry from its former self, far beyond what you snatched three years ago could compare to.

Niu Dingtian shook his head and lightly laughed, saying, "The power is indeed fierce and overbearing, not inferior to the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms of the Beggar Gang leader nowadays. But cultivating it should be to seek fierceness through risk; it harms the meridians greatly and easily leads to deviation into demonic practice."

Wait until the day Mr. Ouyang can perfect the internal energy part to the point of yin-yang mutual aid, only then will it have value equal to the Nine Yin Classic. Anyway, if you want to exchange, you can only exchange for my half volume.

Ouyang Feng felt unconvinced, gave Hong Qigong a sideways glance, and snorted: "If the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms are mightier than my Toad Skill, how could the old beggar not defeat me?"

"Naturally, it's not yet perfected." Niu Dingtian gave the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms a boost, then fixed his gaze on Hong Qigong, asking: "How is your consideration, Chief Hong?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Qigong furrowed his snowy brows, took a gulp of wine, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his ruddy face.

Niu Dingtian's lustrous eyes sparkled, and he transmitted his voice without changing expression: "I know that the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms passed down to Chief Hong now consist of only fifteen palms, and I also know that the final three palms were created by you based on your predecessors' experience."

"Guo Jing is honest and loyal; Chief Hong teaching him the fifteen palms means outsiders could never obtain them. I also only want the fifteen palms, but Chief Hong must promise to help me unleash full force once, which will certainly not violate righteousness."

Between the lines, he also seemed to look down on the final three palms.

Hong Qigong's brow twitched; he realized this indeed was him taking advantage. After raising his cup and slowly drinking a sip, he chuckled: "Old beggar agrees."

Niu Dingtian turned his head to look at Ouyang Feng.

Ouyang Feng's eyes flickered slightly; as old rivals of several decades, he did not believe the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms could be stronger than his Toad Skill.

He thought, at worst he'd find another chance to stab this old beggar; thinking that, he clenched his teeth and said in a low voice: "I, too, agree!"

Since the goal had been achieved, under Niu Dingtian's lead, everyone naturally drank heartily.

According to his true thoughts, he indeed looked down on Hong Qigong's final three palms.

However, these fifteen palms were a reduced and improved version discussed by Xiao Feng and Xu Zhu; how far one can practice them varies by person, and what Niu Dingtian truly values is Xiao the Hero's martial principles and Hong Qigong's promise to act.

At the hour of Xu-Hai, guests gradually dispersed; supported by Fen Tian, Niu Dingtian staggered to the deputy leader's quarters.

"You said earlier there was an important matter to discuss privately with me tonight; what is it? Speak."

Fen Tian helped the crowned youth into the side room; the two sat at the table, and the animal-head incense burner on the table exhaled wisp after wisp of fragrance.

Seeing he didn't seem to be feigning drunkenness, her almond eyes involuntarily showed a touch of concern; she poured him a cup of tea and handed it over, saying softly: "Drink some water to clear your head."

Niu Dingtian took the cup and drained it in one gulp, then propped his chin, and through the curling incense smoke carefully examined the beautiful face opposite him.

"Truly beautiful!"

Niu Dingtian gave a lovely compliment; under the beauty's annoyed gaze, he took out three tokens of different sizes from his bosom and placed them on the table.

"Buddha's token?"

Fen Tian's willow brows twitched, then her pretty face changed slightly, and she exclaimed anxiously: "Where did you get these three?"

"Originally we seized four from Murong An, returning three to her; Murong An's token was swallowed by this person privately, so he should only have two left."

Fen Tian hastily felt her waist.

"Still there!"

Niu Dingtian looked speechless; you don't mind how hard this thing is?

After pondering, he then gave a condensed account of the scripture guardian he met three years ago in the Sutra Pavilion of Shaolin Temple.

"Buddha, it must be him." Fen Tian murmured: "He's been missing for twenty years; I never expected he'd die in Shaolin Temple."

Having said that, she seemed to think of something, raised her willow brows, fixed her beautiful eyes on the crowned youth before her, and demanded: "Why are you only saying this now?"

Niu Dingtian replied righteously: "We weren't familiar before, then I forgot, and only recently remembered."

The beauty fell silent upon hearing this.

Seeing her state, Niu Dingtian used his empty cup to pour her a tea and offered tentatively: "If you have no use for this, may I borrow it to study for a few days?"

Having said that, seeing the beauty remain motionless, he then took Rou Yi's hand and placed the cup in it.

Upon contact, it was smooth and warm like jade, with a slight coolness and an indescribable warmth; Niu Dingtian couldn't help but become immersed, somewhat reluctant to let go. (End of chapter)