Chapter 40: Thousand-Handed Human Butcher?

Niu Dingtian had learned to ride horse long ago, but he rarely rode one.

When alone, compared to riding a horse, he even preferred to ride an ox; if in a hurry, he would rather himself tread the waves.

From five li outside Dengfeng City, after galloping on horseback for less than half an hour, he let up his speed and leisurely started making waves.

As for the reason, there is only one.

My butt hurts!

After all, he is still just a novice at horsemanship.

Even if he possessed peerless martial arts, he had never seen anyone who constantly guarded that place.

Today, if not for accompanying Han Xiao Ying on that few-li ride, he would absolutely not choose to ride a horse to hurry.

Having ridden out of the city, after shouting that, and then being excited to gallop, there was no reason to change this horse.

Thus, with stops and starts along the way, his horsemanship gradually became skilled.

Two days later, Niu Dingtian successfully rode into Hebei territory.

Eastern foothills of Taihang Mountain.

Upon reaching this place, the travelers on the mountain path suddenly dwindled, until there was no trace of people, utterly unlike the mountain roads he had passed before.

Upon passing a stream, Niu Dingtian swung his leg off the horse, let the steed that had been tired for a long time rest, and went to eat some aquatic plants.

Surveying the mountains, the trees were withered and yellow, no sign of human habitation; besides the solemn mountain wind, only occasional birdcalls could be heard.

Since ancient times, Taihang has been home to many great bandits.

This mountain route, I fear, will still have plenty of fun; Niu Dingtian's mind involuntarily conjured up such a thought.

Half an hour,

After the horse had drunk its fill and eaten its fill, Niu Dingtian mounted up and continued on his way.

Having run less than half an hour, ahead finally appeared an old man carrying firewood.

"Sir, may I ask if there is a shortcut downhill nearby?"

Upon passing this old man, Niu Dingtian felt a sense of familiarity, and suddenly wanted to find a shortcut to go around to the foot of the mountain, so he cupped his hands and politely asked.

This main road winds and turns; even before nightfall, it may not be possible to exit the Taihang Range.

That old man looked to be about eighty, of an age like Old Master Niu Five, yet he was still busy all day with two bundles of dry firewood.

After hearing Niu Dingtian's question, the old man saw that Niu Dingtian rode a fine horse and was dressed extraordinarily, and his face showed some hesitation.

After thinking, he again said in a sorrowful tone:

"Sir, you had better change your route; on Taihang Mountain there is a stronghold of a band of bandits, who have plundered the entire surrounding area of Taihang who knows how many times."

"It's fine, sir; you only need to tell me where there is a shortcut so I can get down the mountain as quickly as possible."

Having said that, Niu Dingtian again handed over a piece of broken silver.

The old man saw that this person was obstinate, and also did not want to continue persuading; after shaking his head, he did not take the silver, but pointed ahead and said:

"Sir, continue forward along the mountain path; after the third bend, there will be a small road; follow that small road all the way down, and you will reach the foot of the mountain before dark. However, that area is also where those bandits often lurk; sir, please be extremely careful."

"Thank you, sir; please keep this silver, it's just a small token of my respect."

After hearing, Niu Dingtian cupped his hands in thanks, then shoved the silver into the old man's firewood, lifted the horse, and galloped forward.

A piece of broken silver is nothing to him nowadays, just at hand; but for that old man, even if he chopped firewood until death, he could not earn it.

He believed that honest, simple people should not have to endure such hardship.

Niu Dingtian spurred his horse along the mountain road, and before long, two bends were left behind.

Just as the third bend came into view, Niu Dingtian sensed the presence ahead on the slope.

Immediately, the shadowy figures in the thicket also came into sight.

"Whoosh"

Before the horse even approached, two sharp arrows suddenly shot toward him.

Only their aim and strength were far too lacking.

Niu Dingtian silently muttered, this band of bandits truly could only be bandits.

With a slight dodge, he evaded the incoming arrows, then reined his horse to a stop ahead.

Having encountered them, those who ought to be eliminated must be eliminated.

Taihang Mountain, with its high peaks and deep valleys, lying in the heart of Jin State, is truly an excellent place; it should not be wasted on a band of bandits who dare only to plunder ordinary mountain folk and merchants.

Just then, a bold idea flashed in Niu Dingtian's mind.

"Huh! Surround them!"

At that moment, the bandits who had been hiding earlier came rushing forward in a dark mass.

Each wielded blades, shouting wildly, they surrounded Niu Dingtian, numbering over a hundred.

After surrounding him, they did not press forward; instead, each stared with glowing eyes at the horse Niu Dingtian rode.

"Chief! There's a fine thing!"

One of them shouted loudly, then stepped aside to make a way.

Niu Dingtian, still seated on his horse without dismounting, saw a short-statured middle-aged man walk over.

He held an iron judge's pen, his eyes like lightning, not resembling an ordinary mountain bandit.

"Hehe, kid, you're remarkably calm."

That man, having just seen Niu Dingtian dodge the two arrows, thought it merely a matter of his subordinates' skill, and he was well aware of the caliber of these lackeys.

At this moment, seeing Niu Dingtian still without a trace of panic, seated upright on his horse, his two gazes pressed straight over, and he coldly laughed:

Niu Dingtian laughed but did not reply.

Seeing that, the man spun his iron pen, brought it behind his back, and slowly walked two steps closer.

He glanced at Niu Dingtian's fine steed, his face quite satisfied, then went on to praise:

Sizzle. This horse is really not bad!

Of course!

Niu Dingtian sat upright on the horse, smiling narrowly as he replied.

This horse is definitely good; otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered to send the Heroine Han.

If it were a poor horse, it should have been discarded long ago when he first suffered the pain in his buttocks.

Not bad, little fellow, you've got guts.

The man stood with his hands behind his back, holding a pen, tilted his head, glanced sideways, gave Niu Dingtian another look, and coldly said.

You flatter me! May I ask your name, Chief?

Niu Dingtian sat astride the horse, still smiling narrowly as he asked.

Seeing Niu Dingtian still chuckling, the man's face flashed with anger as he gradually gritted his teeth and said.

Remember this, kid! I'm Grandfather Peng Lianhu! My nickname.

Nickname: Thousand-Hand Human Butcher?

As soon as Niu Dingtian heard the three words 'Peng Lianhu', a gleam flashed in his eyes.

Is it him?

Before the other could finish, he grew curious, studied the man's face closely, and asked with a smile.

The man heard this and was stunned.

"My nickname is that well-known?"

Even scholars know it?

Then, noticing Niu Dingtian's smug smile, he couldn't help but fly into a rage.

Laugh at your mother!

With a shout of anger, he leapt forward, thrusting his iron pen at Niu Dingtian.

The iron pen had just reached his chest when it suddenly stopped.

Only to see Niu Dingtian firmly pinch the iron pen with two fingers; the pen couldn't advance an inch, and then came a crack as the iron pen snapped.

Peng Lianhu was terrified to the core, his pupils constricting, and then he saw Niu Dingtian turn his fingers into a palm and strike straight at him.

The palm strike was too fast to dodge.

Pfft.

A spurt of blood burst from his mouth, and then with a boom, his whole body flew backward.

(End of chapter)