Chapter 232: Girl, Grass Hut

The waves stretch boundless, the willows droop; in the lonely village fragrant grass extends far, and at sunset apricot blossoms scatter. Spring's end in South of the River breaks one's heart—duckweed fills the islets, yet the wanderer has not returned.

South of the River, Great Lake—

After a spring rain, red apricots line the path, green willows drape over the lake; a gentle, fragrant spring breeze blows in waves upon the face, leaving one refreshed and delighted, almost intoxicated.

At this moment, the lake's misty waves stretch boundless, the distant water meets the sky, like ten thousand acres of rippling jade-green.

Only the sound of oars rang out; a small green boat drifted over the green waves, a girl in green robes holding twin sculls, rowing slowly as she hummed a little tune.

Lotus fragrance spreads over ten hectares of pond; the young girl lingers, playing while picking lotus.

Come evening, playing with water wets the boat's prow; she even takes off her red skirt to wrap the duckling.

Her voice was tender and innocent, joyful and stirring, blending with the gentle water sounds, gradually waking Niu Dingtian from his dream.

Upon waking, he felt excruciating pain throughout his body, as if his meridians were severed, and he could not help but groan and moan.

The sound of oars and rowing suddenly stopped.

Then came the patter of footsteps on the boat, a waft of maiden's fragrance, and Niu Dingtian saw a clear, beautiful oval face, hazily coming into view.

Young master, have you awakened?

The girl spoke with utmost clarity and sweetness, her tone full of surprise; hearing it brought an indescribable comfort.

Niu Dingtian struggled to open his eyes; the girl appeared about sixteen or seventeen, her face full of gentleness, her whole being exuding delicacy.

Where is this?

Niu Dingtian asked weakly.

This is the Great Lake; how did you faint on the lakeshore, young master?" the girl said with a Wu dialect, smiling sweetly.

Seeing Niu Dingtian's chapped lips, she went to the cabin, took a bowl of clear water, and carefully fed it to him.

Niu Dingtian gulped down the water cleanly, and his pain eased somewhat.

Many thanks, Miss...

He looked at the girl and thanked her softly.

Young master, would you like more?

The girl asked gently.

Niu Dingtian shook his head, pressing the urgency in his heart, and asked: 'May I know your name, miss? And which emperor reigns now?'

Having survived the chaotic flow of the void, the first order of business is to ascertain where I am.

After hearing this, the girl smiled sweetly and said: 'I am A Bi, a servant girl who attends to my young master's zither and flute; young master, please do not stand on ceremony—just call me A Bi.'

As for the current emperor, I heard from my young master that his personal name is Zhao Xu; he is only ten years old this year, and the Grand Empress Dowager Gao holds regency behind the curtain.

Although Niu Dingtian's robes were torn, his skin was fair and his features refined, not resembling a commoner; regarding why he would ask such common knowledge, A Bi assumed he was muddled from his wounds, and thus answered patiently.

Moreover, because she did not know her young master's great ambitions, her tone when mentioning the emperor's name also showed respect.

A Bi?

Zhao Xu?

Niu Dingtian stared.

Just then, a few swallows skimmed past the boat's prow, swiftly drifting westward.

Niu Dingtian pondered slightly, his heart stirred, and he asked softly: 'Miss A Bi, do you know who currently has the highest martial arts in the world?'

A Bi glanced at Niu Dingtian, smiled, and said: 'I really don't know that.'

The jianghu rumors say 'Bei Qiaofeng, Nan Murong,' but my young master has never crossed hands with Hero Qiao; as to who is stronger or weaker, that's beyond a little servant girl like me to guess.

Bei Qiaofeng, Nan Murong...

Niu Dingtian remained silent.

Enduring the intense pain, he tried to mobilize his inner power, only to discover that his dantian was completely empty, and even the breathing technique in his sea of consciousness had no response.

Start over? Niu Dingtian couldn't help but furrow his brows.

A Bi thought it was due to his wounds, and asked with concern: 'How do you feel, young master? If you need to go ashore for treatment, I can row the boat over—would that be alright?'

Her 'would that be alright?' was an earnest inquiry, a gentle suggestion that was hard to refuse, making Niu Dingtian's heart warm.

Many thanks, A Bi, for your rescue; my injuries are not serious, just a few days of rest will do.

As he spoke, Niu Dingtian braced his hands against the boat's bottom, trying to rise; A Bi hurried over to support him, but his weakened body could only end up leaning against the gunwale.

A Bi asked: 'Do you have any relatives nearby the Great Lake? I was originally going into town to buy rose glutinous rice dumpling candy; if you have relatives, I can row the boat over to see them—would that be alright?'

Relatives...

Hearing that word, he thought of his wife and sister separated by time and space, unsure if they would ever meet again, and Niu Dingtian's heart suddenly felt empty.

After sighing, he said softly: 'Now I am alone; please excuse me, Miss A Bi.'

A Bi froze upon hearing this; she saw that Niu Dingtian's expression was rather composed, his skin fair and delicate, evidently not much older than her, and not wanting to be like her, he too was a lonely orphan.

After thinking, she spoke gently: 'Your injuries are too serious; I ought to have taken you back to the manor to rest, but I am merely a servant girl and cannot make such decisions.'

The place where my young master provides me lodging is not far from here; I must return to discuss with Older Sister A Zhu, then have a servant summon a doctor to see you—would that be alright?

She had originally intended to bring Niu Dingtian back to the manor, but seeing his utterly ruined state, unable even to stand, she abandoned the idea.

Lessons from the past...

The Murong clan of Ancient Suzhou widely welcomes talents, yet they are not burdened by such youthful wounded casualties. Brother Bao Three constantly says: 'No facial hair, unreliable in deeds—what use could there be?'

If one were to rashly bring him back, they would surely face another round of reprimand.

Niu Dingtian seemed to understand, eased his breath, and said: 'Please trouble Miss A Bi to find a place to settle by the lakeside, just set me down there—no need for fuss.'

This...

A Bi showed hesitation.

Niu Dingtian smiled and said: 'I know there are some grass huts where fishermen settle among the reeds; Miss A Bi, could you find one for me?'

If the Melody Abode only has A Zhu and A Bi, he would not mind imposing a bit.

But once this appearance fades, should he meet Murong Fu, unlike that motormouth Bao, he would not only bring trouble to the girl, but might even suffer humiliation.

In a sorry state, with no strength to truss a chicken, even if he sought refuge with the Beggars' Sect they'd likely spurn him; should any mishap occur, he does not wish his life and death to be in another's hands.

For now, the most important thing is to find a safe place, use the Greater Yin Divine Art to heal his meridians, and then quickly cultivate his internal energy.

Murong Bo, Xiao Yuanshan, the Tian Shan Tong Lao, Li Qiu Shui… and that old monk who may or may not have taken up residence in Shaolin Temple—there are plenty of ruthless bosses in this world who take lives for no reason.

Thinking of this, he looked at the troubled girl before him and said, "Miss A Bi, rest assured—I know my own condition; after a few days of rest I will surely recover."

A Bi felt somewhat relieved hearing that, took a few pieces of candied lotus root from the cabin, placed them beside Niu Dingtian, and smiled, "Sir, try this—please forgive my negligence; let me treat you to candied lotus root."

Niu Dingtian was now in pain all over, devoid of any strength; he barely lifted his hand, picked up a piece, and saw that the candied lotus root was slightly translucent, dusted with sugar frost and rose petals.

Slowly sending it into his mouth, he instantly felt a sweet, fragrant crispness, extraordinarily refreshing.

"How is it?"

A Bi blinked her eyes and asked.

Seeing the girl's charming smile and innocent liveliness, Niu Dingtian's spirits lifted, feeling as if even his wounds had improved considerably.

Perhaps recalling something, his gaze paused slightly, he looked at A Bi and smiled, "The taste is light yet not cloying, just like the little song you just sang, Miss A Bi."

A Bi's face flushed slightly as she laughed, "Comparing my song to candied lotus root—I've never heard that before today; thank you, sir!"

Having said that, the girl sprang to the stern, took up the oar and gently punted; the boat glided across the lake, made a few turns, and entered a lotus pond.

As far as the eye could see, the water was covered with lotus leaves; in the clear ripples, the green leaves formed a canopy, exceedingly lovely.

Beholding this beautiful scene, Niu Dingtian chewed the candied lotus root, listened to the gentle water sounds, inhaled the lake's fresh fragrance, and his heart gradually calmed.

He watched A Bi at the stern rowing with her wooden oar, her fair arms like jade set against the clear waves, her green robe fluttering in the wind.

When weariness became unbearable, he set down the candied lotus root, lay flat in the boat's bottom, gazed up at the azure sky, and pondered where his future lay.

At this moment, aside from the sound of the oars, aside from the lotus leaves and the hull parting softly, the only noise was an occasional rustle; all around was silent, only an occasional breeze brushing past, carrying a faint floral scent.

……

"Sir, we have arrived……"

After an unknown amount of time, Niu Dingtian heard a soft, gentle voice at his ear.

Opening his weary eyes, with A Bi supporting him he slowly rose, and saw at the edge of the lotus pond, on a small muddy bank where reeds grew in disorder, a ramshackle thatched hut about ten feet high.

A Bi pointed to the hut and smiled, "This is where lake fishermen spend the night, though it has lain deserted for the past two years; sir, see how it is—if it won't do, I'll find you another."

"This will do,"

"Thank you, Miss A Bi."

Niu Dingtian saw the reeds thick on the shore, knew few came here, felt quite pleased, and glanced at the girl's profile to thank her softly.

A Bi pursed her lips in a smile, helped Niu Dingtian sit, took up the wooden oar, and punted the small boat toward the reeds; when they drew near, she saw a wooden ladder made of branches, lowered to reach the water.

After securing the boat, A Bi assisted Niu Dingtian ashore.

Perhaps because the two made too much commotion, suddenly a flurry of sound rang out—several water birds and wild ducks cried 'ga-ga' and 'gu-gu' as they burst from the reeds and flew toward the lake.

After half‑carrying, half‑dragging Niu Dingtian into the hut, whether from fatigue or embarrassment, A Bi's cheeks were already faintly red.

"Sir, rest now; I must hurry back. I've left some food and drink—help yourself whenever you need."

"Remember, if you encounter a flower‑decorated big ship on the lake, under no circumstances show yourself."

She placed the remaining candied lotus root and clear water from the cabin, together with a box of snacks, beside Niu Dingtian, gave two more earnest admonitions with a slight smile, then left the hut, untied the boat rope, shook the wooden paddle, and punted the small boat slowly away.

At this moment, the setting sun had already slanted westward; the lake's clear ripples swayed, glittering with rosy light.

The girl rowed and punted, her figure gradually receding into the depths of the lotus pond until she vanished from sight.

Niu Dingtian lay with his head toward the hut's door on a pile of straw, slowly withdrew his gaze, and could not help but feel a surge of emotion.

In the deep clear waters, lotus flowers reflect the sun; the soft speech of Wu sings a little lyric. 'Ask not of joy and sorrow in years—he is mad, I am obsessed.'

This is A Bi's life.

Gentle and lovely, a jade‑like maiden of the household, this waterside village girl who speaks in tender whispers—who could fail to like her, to pity her? Of course, except for Murong Fu……

As he thought, the dusk deepened outside, night had fallen.

Niu Dingtian took a piece of candied lotus root, stuffed it into his mouth, slowly crawled to the wooden ladder outside the door, flipped over and lay spread‑eagled.

Gazing at the bright, round moon in the starry sky, he circulated his cultivation method; strand by strand of lunar essence began to flow into his body, slowly repairing his damaged meridians.

(End of chapter)