Chapter 55: You say, should he be killed?

Seeing Yang Kang's appearance, Niu Dingtian was about to open his mouth to joke a couple of times when his eyelids suddenly started twitching wildly.

Hiss~

How could it twitch so badly!

Could it be that my sister-in-law and younger sister are missing me?

Or

Have those monks from the Shaolin Temple started to bear a grudge?

Looks like I should head back sooner.

In an instant, he abandoned the thought of joking and said to Bao Xiruo outside the door:

"Senior Sister, come in and change Kang'er's clothes; I'll impart his cultivation later."

Bao Xiruo had just heard the voice but didn't dare enter without permission; upon hearing the agreement, she pushed open the door, her eyes red, and rushed over.

Seeing her precious son's listless state, her heart ached wave after wave; she was about to embrace him to comfort him, but suddenly felt it improper, quickly withdrew her hands, her pretty face somewhat embarrassed, and softly spoke to Niu Dingtian beside her:

"Junior Brother... I... I just can't help myself"

Just a few days ago on the way back, I had solemnly promised not to feel heartache again, but not long after, I slapped myself repeatedly.

Niu Dingtian found this unsurprising—this was simply his senior sister's nature—so he gave a light laugh and said to Senior Sister Bao:

"Senior Sister, stay with Kang'er for now; I'll have someone bring some clothes."

Having said that, he lifted his foot and left the room, leaving mother and son some time.

This senior sister's nature really is just as my master said—extremely kind and weak; if I were to make the decision for her directly, given her exceedingly soft and weak personality, the result would likely be mere compliance.

He summoned the people of the stronghold, had them find a few suitable garments, sent them to Senior Sister Bao, and then Niu Dingtian began to wander around the stronghold.

"Chief!"

"Chief!"

Wherever he passed, the people around offered greetings, and Chief Niu nodded in acknowledgment.

At this time, Woniu Zhai was gradually changing its appearance; outside, rows of dilapidated old houses were being renovated, and the stronghold's perimeter was encircled by a high wall built of stacked logs, with a watchtower at regular intervals.

Outside the stronghold lay expanses of wasteland fields, nearly all reclaimed, awaiting only the sowing of seeds to sit and wait for the autumn harvest.

Easy to sally forth, easy to defend—this is the proper stronghold of a Taihang great bandit. The former chief Peng Zhaizhu, known as the Thousand-Handed Human Butcher, besides being cruel and ruthless, his followers seemed more like a gang of mountain ruffians.

Chief Niu felt contempt in his heart.

I wonder how the construction of Jiugong Mountain is progressing?

Looking at the thriving scene before him, Chief Niu couldn't help but think of the future stronghold—the Jiugong Mountain base.

But then, upon further thought, his heart filled with sweet satisfaction:

This, too, is a corner of my realm!

"Uncle Master! Uncle Master! Can we begin?"

The great nephew's shout shattered Niu Dingtian's beautiful dream.

Chief Niu felt slightly displeased, furrowed his brows and looked over—Great Nephew Yang Kang had already changed into the attire of a farm boy, matching what he himself wore when leaving the village years ago.

This is my first disciple to inherit my mantle—excellent! In the future, he will walk the martial world on my behalf.

"Kang'er, why don't you stay a bit longer with your mother?"

Niu Dingtian slightly assumed the air of a master, clasped his hands behind his back, lowered his gaze, and asked Yang Kang:

Although he is only sixteen or seventeen, due to his martial training his vigor is exuberant and he is fast approaching eight chi in height; bending to look at Yang Kang, whose waist just reaches his own, from the side he looks much like a father gazing at his son.

Given his good senior sister's nature, after seeing what Yang Kang endured today, she probably wants even more to cling to this precious son for a while.

"Uncle Master! Mother is so troublesome! She kept pulling me just now, telling me to come back later—but I'm not in pain anymore."

Yang Kang spoke with earnest conviction, directing a face full of accusation at his Uncle Master Niu.

Well! This cheap great nephew will probably cling to me in the future, and I don't know whether that good senior sister will resent me for stealing her son.

Thinking of the senior sister's resentful gaze, Chief Niu felt a bit worried.

Seeing Yang Kang's eager little gaze, Niu Dingtian set aside his thoughts, crouched down, and waved at Yang Kang.

After Yang Kang approached, Niu Dingtian reached out to pat the back of his head, pondered for a moment, and spoke softly:

"Kang'er, have you ever heard your mother speak of your origins?"

Niu Dingtian intended to first communicate properly with this disciple; although they lack the formal master-disciple title, the substance of such a relationship is about to become irrevocable.

Upon hearing this, Yang Kang's originally excited eyes suddenly darkened, and he lowered his head into silence. Evidently, he already understood some things.

After a moment of silence, he slightly lifted his head to look at his Uncle Master Niu and spoke softly:

"My mother says the Wang Mansion is not my home, and to call Wanyan Honglie my father is wrong—he is the murderer who brought ruin upon our family."

Yang Kang's young heart was filled with complexity; intimidated by his mother's recent strictness, he no longer dared to utter the words "father".

Yet he remembers that person doting on him since childhood, granting every request—this has long planted a deep seed in his heart. He has never experienced hatred, only indulgence; what should he do? He feels torn.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian felt a sudden pang of pity in his heart. He could at any time strike down that old scoundrel Wanyan with a single palm, but he does not really wish to see Yang Kang become estranged from him over this, and also wants to plant a seed early.

He glanced aside, thought for a moment, and then spoke softly again:

"Kang'er, you must remember: because your mother loves you most, Wanyan Honglie's fondness for you is merely to win her over—to possess her! He not only killed your birth father, but also deceived your mother, saddling her with infamy!"

"Kang'er, you promised Uncle Master you wouldn't let your mother be sad—so tell me, should he be killed?"

As he finished speaking, a flash of killing intent flickered in the depths of his eyes.

Yang Kang suddenly felt a bit afraid of this uncle master, instinctively wanting to step back a few paces, but Niu Dingtian had already restored his gentle smile and spoke softly:

"Kang'er, Uncle Master doesn't want you to face difficulties later; you're still young, this matter doesn't concern you, but you must not let your mother be sad—if Uncle Master were to kill Wanyan Honglie to avenge your mother in the future, you must not blame Uncle Master, alright?"

After hearing the first part, Yang Kang's expression relaxed slightly; upon hearing the latter part, he tensed again, his face twisted in anguish for a while, and finally he managed to speak:

"I I understand, Uncle Master—I won't let my mother be sad!"

But as he finished speaking, his gaze gradually became resolute.

Niu Dingtian saw it, his heart eased a little, then he collected his emotions, smiling as he spoke to Yang Kang:

"Come! Kang'er, tell me which masters you paid respects to while at the Wang Mansion, and what martial arts you learned from them, tell me as well."

"Uncle-master, here I have three supreme martial arts; you may freely choose one!"

"Please point out any typos or garbled sentences, thank you."

"(End of chapter)"