Chapter 240: Murong Fu's Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage (Part 1)

Canghe Manor, situated on a small island in the western part of Tai Lake, is shaded by verdant foliage, elegant and refined.

After a lively yet composed conversation on the boat with Niu Dingtian, Murong Fu switched to a small boat in the waters near Canghe Manor.

Upon arriving at the island, Deng BaiChuan, Gong Ye Qian, Bao BuTong, Feng Bo'e, together with A Zhu and A Bi, had already been waiting on the shore for a while.

Young Master!

Deng BaiChuan, Gong Ye Qian, Bao BuTong, and Feng Bo'e stepped forward, clasped their fists in salute.

A Zhu and A Bi felt somewhat guilty and uneasy; the two exchanged a furtive glance, then stepped forward together and whispered:

Young Master.

Murong Fu gave a faint 'hmm', his gaze falling on the four chief retainers, and he smiled lightly: 'We are all our own brothers; no need for formalities. Let's return to the manor first and talk.'

Having said that, he led the way toward Canghe Manor.

Several people followed behind, entered the manor, and went straight to the reception hall.

After A Zhu and A Bi served the tea, they stood with downcast eyes below the hall, awaiting judgment.

Actually, it was originally a matter that could be big or small; the Murong Family's maidservant acted righteously to save people, helping the endangered and relieving the distressed. If this were spread abroad and slightly embellished, it would not be an unsuitable tale of jianghu beauty.

But yesterday Bao BuTong had his boat seized, rowed until exhausted before returning to Canghe Manor, causing everyone in the manor to know, thus involving the face of the Gusu Murong clan.

People of the jianghu value reputation; jianghu aristocratic families value it even more.

Thus, Murong Fu on the hall lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and remained silent for a long time without speaking.

Seeing the atmosphere extremely oppressive, Feng Bo'e beside him could no longer bear it.

His expression stiffened slightly; he was about to speak to mediate, when Murong Fu suddenly said in a deep voice:

You two are my trusted maidservants; I naturally trust you, but the jianghu is perilous, so henceforth we cannot let our guard down.

A Bi, you first recount the entire sequence of events, making sure not to omit a single word.

A Zhu and A Bi breathed a sigh of relief.

Thus, one after the other, they detailed everything that had happened over the past three months, and regarding matters involving Niu Dingtian, neither dared to conceal anything in the slightest.

Having heard that, Murong Fu fell into silent contemplation, while Feng Bo'e could not help but chuckle coldly:

This person isn't afraid of biting his tongue; can he manage any task?

I suspect he's taken a liking to A Bi's cute appearance and harbors improper intentions.

A Bi lowered her head, her cheeks involuntarily flushing; normally she would have given him an angry glance, but now she dared not speak further.

The token is on your person?

Murong Fu raised his eyes to look at A Bi.

Compared to a maiden's shyness, that extremely hard token obviously drew his attention more.

A Bi nodded, took out the token from her bosom, and presented it with both hands on the table.

Murong Fu picked it up; the feeling of its substantial weight upon contact made his gaze reluctant to move away.

After quietly examining it for a while, Murong Fu couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.

Thereafter, he passed the token to Deng BaiChuan and Gong Ye Qian beside him, smiling: 'Elder Brother Deng and Second Brother Gong, you are well-versed and knowledgeable; perhaps you can tell what it is forged from.'

The former is the master of Qingyun Manor, chief of the Murong Family's four chief retainers; the latter is the master of Chixia Manor, famed for his Palm Technique as 'second in Jiangnan' (naturally, the first is Murong Fu).

Compared to Bao BuTong and Feng Bo'e, they manage most of the Murong Family's enterprises and are responsible for networking with various people; to say they are well-versed and knowledgeable is not an exaggeration.

Deng BaiChuan was the first to receive it, examined it briefly, then passed it to Gong Ye Qian beside him.

After Gong Ye Qian examined it for a long time, he suddenly said: 'Your lordship's sword is forged from refined hundred-times steel, naturally extremely sharp; you might try giving it a full-powered chop to test.'

Still chop?

A Bi raised her head.

Hesitating to remind that it belonged to someone else, she was subtly tugged on her sleeve by A Zhu beside her, and thus closed her mouth.

Murong Fu glanced at the sword in his hand, showed no hesitation, placed the token on the sandalwood table edge, drew his sword, exerted full strength, and with a fierce strike chopped downward.

Bang!

A clear ringing sound resonated continuously in the hall; looking again at Murong Fu's sword in his hand, it had actually snapped cleanly into two pieces.

Shock!! Seeing the token deeply embedded in the sandalwood yet bearing not a trace of a chop mark, Murong Fu and the four chief retainers were all shocked.

You know, the sword used by the esteemed Southern Murong is not forged of ordinary iron; it shattered outright, leaving not even a trace of a cut.

After regaining his composure, Gong Ye Qian could hardly hide his delight, clasped his fists toward Murong Fu and laughed: 'Congratulations, Young Master! To have such weight and hardness, as far as I know, only legendary black iron and fine gold possess such qualities.'

Whether it's black iron or fine gold, such materials have always been priceless since ancient times. If just a little is melted into steel, the forged blades will surely be able to cut hair and slice iron like mud!

As he said this, Deng BaiChuan's eyes flashed, and he suddenly took up the conversation, speaking in a deep voice:

But such an excellent material for refining weapons, yet used to forge a mere token, thereby revealing the token's true substance.

Since the other party could so easily send out a token, their identity must certainly not be simple; the promise given to A Bi may not be mere boasting.

Speaking thus, Deng BaiChuan glanced at A Bi standing with bowed head below the hall, a faint smile appearing on his face, clasped his fists toward Murong Fu and said: 'Now that we have this promise in hand, Young Master, wouldn't your great undertaking gain a mighty aid? Therefore, A Bi is not only blameless, but actually meritorious!'

A Zhu and A Bi are our own people; Elder Brother Deng, what merit or fault is there to discuss?

Hearing this, Murong Fu could no longer suppress his smile, laughing as he retorted:

He strove to keep himself calm, looked down at A Bi below the hall, and smiled faintly: 'A Bi, your martial arts are weak; keeping the token on your person truly worries me.'

Since that young lord will come to retrieve it later, this matter concerns the Murong Family's reputation; let me keep the token for safekeeping.

Regarding Niu Dingtian's name, A Bi didn't think to mention it, and Murong Fu didn't think to ask; if they had brought it up slightly, who knows what feelings would arise.

Having heard Murong Fu's decision, A Bi lowered her head and gave a muffled 'hmm' in response.

At this moment, she felt somewhat guilty in her heart, guilty toward Niu Dingtian.

Originally she had planned to return it directly when the time came, but who would have thought it would still leave someone bearing a promise.

After all, she is merely a servant; before her master she has no weight to interject.

Seeing that Murong Fu had no intention to inquire further, A Zhu whispered: 'Young Master, if there are no further orders, I and A Bi will return first.'

Murong Fu nodded slightly.

After the two left, Murong Fu looked at Bao Bu Tong, who had been silent beside them for a while, his eyes flickering slightly, and said in a low voice:

"Please, Brother Bao San, tell me in detail what happened yesterday—exactly what martial arts moves did that person use?"

Having said that, he broke the token out of the sandalwood and slipped it into his bosom.

For some reason, looking at Bao Bu Tong now, he inexplicably felt a twinge of displeasure.

After learning the general situation from a pigeon message, he hurried back from Wu Xi Cheng.

But who would have thought his subordinates would act so rashly, not only losing face for the Murong Family but also offending a big shot. Thus, Murong Fu jumped to conclusions and slapped the label of "big shot" onto Niu Dingtian.

Beside him, Bao Bu Tong couldn't help but blush slightly upon hearing that.

After all, being forced helplessly by someone wielding a kitchen knife is nothing to be proud of.

After he recounted the events of yesterday morning in detail, Murong Fu's face couldn't help but change slightly.

After a moment of silence, Murong Fu said in a low voice: "Brother Bao San indeed acted rashly in this matter, which only makes people look down on the breadth of our Murong Family."

Saying that, he then pondered: "Later, you will follow me to scout the situation; then you'll have to wrong Brother Bao San a bit."

The four heard this, Deng Bai Chuan, Gong Ye Qian, and Feng Bo E exchanged glances, then all looked at Bao Bu Tong.

Bao Bu Tong's face flushed red; he suppressed the urge to retort with "no," clenched his teeth, and said:

"Young master, rest assured!"

……

Meanwhile, Niu Dingtian watched Murong Fu disembark, then the large ship sailed over ten li across the lake and arrived at a small island densely covered with camellias.

Last night the rain poured down so heavily that one could not see one's hand in front of one's face; he had not actually gotten a clear look at what the Mandara Mountain Villa looked like.

At this moment, he couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for such a secluded and tranquil place.

Having docked and disembarked, while the servant prepared breakfast, Li Qing Luo leisurely approached Niu Dingtian, who was admiring the camellias.

"Are you of the Dali Duan clan, young master?"

Li Qing Luo's voice was gentle, a complete change from her earlier domineering demeanor on the boat.

Seeing Niu Dingtian smile without speaking, merely admiring the camellias, her almond eyes flickered slightly, she bit her silver teeth, drew a little closer, and said softly:

"Young master, you surely master the Duan clan's One Yang Finger; you must be from the Dali imperial family—may I ask you about someone, sir?"

Niu Dingtian did not answer immediately; instead, he lifted a pot of peach-red camellias, examined it for a long while, then said: "Madam, may I have this pot of 'Hate Heaven Tall'?"

"Hate Heaven Tall?" Li Qing Luo started, then her eyes brightened as she drew closer, her tone urgent: "Young master, do you know the name of this flower?"

Niu Dingtian nodded, slightly increasing the distance between them, the fragrant scent at the tip of his nose fading a bit, and said:

"It is also called 'Han Red Chrysanthemum Petal,' native to Dali, a precious variety among Yunnan camellias."

"However, this flower prefers less sun exposure; it's best kept in a cool, shaded spot."

"Have you also grown camellias, young master?" Li Qing Luo asked curiously.

Niu Dingtian fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.

It wasn't that he studied flowers; rather, he had often seen this variety in He Yuanjun's courtyard in his previous life and had heard her describe it.

Seeing it again just now stirred in him a faint sense of longing for the past.

Unexpectedly, Li Qing Luo had imagined many things on her own and smiled alluringly.

"If you want it, young master, just take it—I still have two more plants."

Having said that, she gazed at Niu Dingtian with eager eyes.

"Thank you, madam." Niu Dingtian held the flower pot to his chest, turned, and smiled: "I am Niu Dingtian; though I am not of the Dali imperial family, I know quite a few people—madam, if you wish to inquire about someone, feel free to say so."

"Niu Dingtian?" Li Qing Luo's smile froze instantly, her whole face turning murderous as she gritted her teeth:

"You're playing me!"

"I've given you the chance, madam; if you don't ask now, you'll miss this opportunity." Niu Dingtian idly fiddled with the flower branches and said leisurely.

"Pah! Shameless!" Li Qing Luo cursed bitterly, though she dared not act.

"Niu Dingtian? Pah! Even 'Niu Tanhai' would be a better name than this! She couldn't believe that a hairless outsider could know someone of such stature in the Dali Kingdom—second only to the ruler and above ten thousand people."

After composing herself, Li Qing Luo straightened her clothes, lifted her chest proudly, and said lightly: "I'll give you the flower, but later you must take me to see Yan'er."

"No problem."

Niu Dingtian readily agreed.

"You aren't planning to detain me too, are you?" Li Qing Luo's eyes grew suspicious.

Niu Dingtian: "……"

He couldn't be bothered to deal with this silly woman.

Just then, a maid hurried over carrying a food box.

Niu Dingtian took it in his hand, opened it, and saw that it contained fried buns and wontons.

"If madam isn't leaving, I'll be on my way."

He glanced at Li Qing Luo, said lightly, then, holding the flower pot and carrying the food box, headed straight for the small boat by the shore.

One must admit, though this woman is silly, her figure is striking enough to invite imagination, making one glance at her twice.

Li Qing Luo hesitated for a long while; just as the small boat was about to set off, she gritted her teeth, lifted her skirt, and hurried after it.

As the boat glided across the lake, Niu Dingtian leisurely rowed at the stern, heading west.

An hour later.

Seeing Li Qing Luo seated under the canopy, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, her expression constantly shifting, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but smile slightly:

"What are you thinking about, madam? There's no need to stare at me like that."

Li Qing Luo froze for a moment, her face involuntarily flushing red, and she shot him a fierce glare.

"This brat is really no good!"

But not long after, she fell into thought, her gaze involuntarily drifting over again.

After sizing her up for a while, she suddenly said: "I ask you, what do you think of my Yuyan?"

Niu Dingtian blinked slightly, answering truthfully: "A peerless beauty."

"Sure enough, all men are the same, they all like my type." Li Qingluo secretly gloated.

"Madam, any business?"

Niu Dingtian asked.

Li Qingluo smiled faintly, a hint of allure in her tone, saying: "You little brat, your qualifications aren't bad either; at the very least, your martial arts are not much inferior to Fu Guan's."

"If you can guarantee to sincerely treat my Yuyan in the future, as long as you help me accomplish one thing, I will marry Yuyan to you, how about that?"

After speaking, her clear, beautiful eyes sparkled, and she quietly gazed at Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian involuntarily stopped rowing, looking at Li Qingluo with surprise.

"Marry Wang Yuyan to me? (End of chapter)"