Chapter 21: with translation of chapter title

By the building, green scholar trees echo with wild birds' cries,

Before the gate, green willows tether flower-patterned horses.

Embracing a beautiful woman, Niu Dingtian lifts his steps and slowly strides into the building.

Although it is early morning, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion is already bustling with crowds, extraordinarily lively; guests on the first and second floors surge up and down, an endless stream.

Seeing a person holding a woman suddenly enter the doorway, the guests inside were somewhat startled, but only for a moment's surprise, then they returned to bustling over the breakfast on their own tables—the breakfast at this Drunken Immortal Pavilion is hard to come by.

Before Niu Dingtian could speak, the young manager in fine clothes at the counter, upon seeing Niu Dingtian's appearance, paused, immediately stopped what he was doing, confirmed he hadn't mistaken, then, suppressing his excitement, hurried over to Niu Dingtian.

Upon arriving before him, that person bowed, raised his hand, and called out to the inside:

Young master, please go to the top floor!

Niu Dingtian saw this, gave a slight nod, then followed behind him up to the top floor.

Upon reaching the top floor, one could see carved eaves reflecting the sun, painted beams with flying clouds, jade railings low and meeting the latticed windows, green curtains high above the doors and windows; everywhere one looked was luxurious.

Find the best bedroom, a ladies' chamber.

Summon the best physician in the city.

Also prepare some famous Jiaxing breakfast items.

Niu Dingtian was not at all polite, directly instructing the manager before him:

Yes, Master.

The manager, having bowed and accepted the order, quickly led Niu Dingtian to a room.

After entering the room, Niu Dingtian gently laid the unconscious Han Xiao Ying on the carved wooden bed, covered her with a brocade quilt, lit the incense burner, and softly left the room.

Master,

Since the master disappeared a few days ago, the mistress has been worried about his safety, ordering all the tavern's informants to search everywhere for news of the master, and to report any news immediately.

Master, do you think I should now directly reply with the news?

After leaving the room, the manager began to respectfully report the situation to Niu Dingtian.

Don't rush; first go handle what I just instructed. When I have a letter, you can also send someone to deliver it back to the manor.

Niu Dingtian furrowed his sword brows, pondered for a moment, made a decision, then gave another order:

Yes, Master! I will take my leave first!

The manager, hearing Niu Dingtian's words, bowed and withdrew.

Seeing the manager withdraw, Niu Dingtian walked slowly to the balcony, leaned on the railing, gazed afar at the Luo River, his thoughts rising and falling.

This Drunken Immortal Pavilion is that Drunken Immortal Pavilion, yet also not that Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Six years ago, when the Sun and Moon Mountain Villa's 'Immortal's Drink' became a craze in both the Jin and Song states, the existing popularity was not to be wasted, so Niu Dingtian planned to establish in major cities integrated inns and taverns called the 'Drunken Immortal Pavilion'.

One aspect was to gain an additional source of income; more importantly, it was to establish his own intelligence network across the north and south for future use.

Immortal's Drink and Drunken Immortal Pavilion are one entity; thinking about it feels quite beautiful.

But when Niu Dingtian thought that Jiaxing already had a Drunken Immortal Pavilion, his mood was no longer so beautiful.

Purchase attempt, rejected.

Even with an overprice offer, it was still rejected.

Cutting off liquor supply, overprice purchase,

In the end, Jiaxing's Drunken Immortal Pavilion became an asset of the Sun and Moon Mountain Villa.

Moreover, relying on the unlimited exclusive supply of Immortal's Drink, it quickly opened markets in the southern and northern regions of Song and Jin, becoming one of the most upscale and popular taverns today.

The manager just now downstairs is a retainer of the Sun and Moon Mountain Villa; although young, his martial arts were personally transmitted by Niu Dingtian and are quite impressive. Not only does he manage the Drunken Immortal Pavilion business in Luoyang City, he also oversees the intelligence network in the Luoyang area.

Not only him; the managers of Drunken Immortal Pavilions everywhere are personnel who, after strict layered selection and special training at the Sun and Moon Mountain Villa, have been retained. They can be said to be Niu Dingtian's most important force at present—civilly they can gather wealth from various places, militarily they can wield blades to gather and charge.

Not long after,

Then one saw the young manager Niu Ben leading a roughly sixty-year-old person carrying a hundred-treasure box hurriedly upstairs.

That's correct; the young manager is called Niu Ben. Like the villa's guard chief Niu Kui, they both bear the surname Niu following Niu Dingtian.

Not only them; all trusted aides trained at the Sun and Moon Mountain Villa share this surname, so they themselves call themselves the 'Niu Clan Army'.

Originally they were all orphans fleeing south, on the brink of death; Niu Dingtian's arrival in their despair was like giving them a second chance at life and teaching them skills, so naturally they are all loyal and grateful, especially after undergoing rigorous trials and selection.

Young master, Doctor Liu's ancestors were once imperial physicians of Bianliang City, and he is now the best physician in Luoyang City.

Niu Ben approached Niu Dingtian's side, clasped his fists and bowed, though in front of outsiders he avoided using certain terms of address.

Hmm, you've worked hard; go downstairs first. If there's anything, I'll call on you. Also, don't neglect your martial arts; I'll be staying here for a few days, so if you have any questions, come find me.

Pleasure to meet you, Doctor Liu! Please come this way!

After Niu Dingtian finished instructing Niu Ben, he politely cupped his hands toward Doctor Liu and then led him to Han Xiao Ying's room.

Yes, Young master!

After hearing Niu Dingtian's words, Niu Ben's excitement was beyond words; he suppressed his already flushed, agitated face, performed a respectful salute, then turned and withdrew.

No wonder Niu Ben is excited; during previous skill training, everyone gathered together, treated equally, yet each harbored an urgent desire to excel, everyone wanting to stay by the master's side like Niu Kui.

As the saying goes, 'those near the water get the moon first'; they have all personally witnessed Niu Dingtian's unfathomable martial arts, and an opportunity like today's private instruction is a rare chance.

Amidst his surging emotions, Niu Ben seemed to already see the scene of pressing that brat Niu Kui under his feet.

'Doctor Liu, how is it?' Seeing Doctor Liu finish taking the pulse, his brows still furrowed and his face grim, Niu Dingtian could not help but urgently ask.

From the pulse, Lady's condition is sometimes strong, sometimes weak, and she cannot summon even a trace of internal energy; logically, if she had been struck by an ordinary martial artist's palm, while still alive she would not show this phenomenon.

Although I have not yet examined the wound, if it truly is as the young hero said, the striker practices Iron Palm skill; whether or not I look at the wound is now irrelevant, and to cure such symptoms is truly beyond my ability.

However.

Doctor Liu did not know their identities, merely assuming they were husband and wife; after diagnosis, he realized this condition was not something he could resolve.

However, what then? Doctor Liu!

After hearing Doctor Liu's words, Niu Dingtian gazed at the still unconscious Han Xiao Ying, his heart growing heavier, thinking he might truly have to go to Dali Kingdom to find the Southern Emperor among the Five Absolutes.

He left that bastard; now he might not be willing to save! Defeat him and force him to save? Even more impossible! At this moment, hearing there was another turn, he couldn't wait and urgently asked.

However, the assailant's palm power likely hasn't yet formed the proper heat, the palm toxin is relatively small, currently there is no danger to life; for now I can only first prescribe a dose of medicine to prevent the spread of the toxic fire inside your wife's body.

But we also cannot delay too long; if we want a cure, we must still go find someone with deep inner strength and versed in medical arts.

Doctor Liu, seeing the other party's urgency, no longer hesitated and directly stated the countermeasure.

Thank you so much, Doctor Liu; as for the consultation fee, Niu Dingtian will present it later.

Seeing that the other party could not effect a cure but pointed out a way, Niu Dingtian felt somewhat relieved and immediately raised his hand in thanks.

No problem, this is the prescription; young hero, please keep it well, I will take my leave first.

Doctor Liu picked up his pen to leave the prescription, without lingering, he then left the room.

Niu Dingtian stood by the bedside, glanced at the frail beauty on the bed, and felt another pang of pity.

Afterward, as if recalling something, he immediately turned and came to the table.

If there are any typos or garbled sentences, please let me know, thanks.

(End of chapter)