Chapter 60: Liu Fengchun's Sudden Visit

Ahem. Young master.

You must remember. Must remember. You have a blood feud with the Zhao‑Song royal family! Never reveal your identity! Ahem, if there's a chance. If there's a chance, you just…

After speaking, Old Niu's eyes flashed with hatred, but he could no longer utter a word.

Niu Dingtian knew what Old Niu was thinking, leaned close, and whispered softly:

"Old Niu, rest assured, if there's a chance, I will make the Zhao‑Song kingdom repay!"

He said it with unusual firmness, not merely to reassure Old Niu.

Haha… uh.

Old Niu heard this and smiled broadly; in his clouded eyes a flash of nostalgia appeared, his face turned sweet, just like that time ten years ago.

Then he swallowed his last breath.

The room fell dead silent, sorrow spreading. Apart from the withered corpse before them, only the strong smell of medicine filled the house, the only trace Old Niu left in the world.

Yet this elder left a permanent ripple in Niu Dingtian's heart; that period would be his lifelong memory.

Uncle.

After a long while, Chen Jin'er behind him called softly.

Coming to his senses, Niu Dingtian turned slowly and saw Chen Jin'er's eyes already reddened.

Sister‑in‑law, no need to be sad.

Old Niu was happy, he left with a smile; just bury him near Fire Cloud Cave.

Niu Dingtian thought it over and still chose that spot for Old Niu.

That place was probably where Old Niu most wished to go in his life; he had many reservations while alive, but after death he could finally reunite there.

That night

Sun and Moon Villa set up a memorial hall and hung white banners.

After seven days of mourning, they finally buried Old Niu near Qi Xia Ridge and Purple Cloud Cave.

Beside Purple Cloud Cave, at a mountain‑by‑road spot, after glancing from afar at the stone tablet of "Marquis of Song Fu Wen Niu Gao's Tomb" standing before a grave, Niu Dingtian left.

Time flew like a white horse through a crack; half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

After emerging from the sect, the heavy atmosphere gradually dissipated for Niu Dingtian.

Evening

In the backyard of Sun and Moon Villa, inside Chen Jin'er's room.

How about…

From now on, call me sister.

Looking at Niu Dingtian beside her, Chen Jin'er suddenly thought of something, fell silent for a moment, then hesitantly spoke.

Based on the information Old Niu revealed before his death, she no longer considered herself the other's sister‑in‑law, her heart tangled for half a day, trying to test the waters.

Sister? Jin'er sister?

Niu Dingtian was startled, then asked back.

Realizing quickly, before Chen Jin'er could answer, he hurriedly shook his head repeatedly, grinned and said:

No, no, no! Just call me sister‑in‑law; it's more comfortable for me to be called sister‑in‑law.

Chen Jin'er was slightly startled, the hand pouring water paused, then she stared and handed over a cup of water, saying irritably:

How comfortable can it be? After all, it's not…

When she thought of somewhere, her eyes dimmed a bit, she let out a sigh, the sudden shift in status left her unable to describe her feelings.

After having lived together since childhood for so many years, she could no longer discern what kind of relationship they had.

By the way, sister‑in‑law, how's the situation in Xiangyang, when will it be completed?

Taking the tea Chen Jin'er handed him, he took a sip and looked up to ask.

Now he's somewhat concerned about the progress there, hoping to relocate early.

Within Lin'an City, under the emperor's foot, it should be the safest place, yet he feels as if pricked by thorns, with no sense of safety; after thinking, it's better to leave this trouble‑filled land early.

There are still a few days before the lunar month begins; at best it could be finished by next year, but moving in may still take another two months.

Chen Jin'er thought for a moment and gave a simple timeline; now many affairs inside and outside the manor are under her charge, she's a thorough housekeeper.

Alright, after early next year, sister‑in‑law, you and the people of the manor can gradually go over; after a while I'll have to be away for a period to prepare for things two years from now; if you all keep staying here, I'm uneasy.

Niu Dingtian deliberated for a while and finally made a decision.

It's better to leave early; the situation in the palace is unclear, and the Beggar Sect watches hungrily nearby. If ordinary martial artists came to steal the house, the manor's people could fend them off, but top masters are the real worry.

Seeing Chen Jin'er nod lightly, Niu Dingtian suddenly thought of Sha Gu and asked:

Sister‑in‑law, how's your younger sister's condition? Has there been any improvement?

These past few days he's been busy handling Old Niu's funeral, then directly closed off to practice, and after returning hasn't properly checked the manor's situation.

The younger sister has improved a bit; usually Huai Xi sister is with her.

But now the younger sister is even closer to Huai Xi sister than to me.

Thinking of sister Sha Gu, Chen Jin'er showed a hint of indulgence.

But after Old Niu fell, she has been handling affairs inside and outside the manor, leaving little time to accompany her sister, and she feels some lingering guilt.

Just after speaking, Chen Jin'er suddenly thought of something, staring at Niu Dingtian without stopping.

Niu Zhaizhu was so startled his hair stood on end, and cautiously asked:

Sister‑in‑law, just tell me what you need, how could I refuse?

Chen Jin'er fell silent, and after a while spoke softly:

Uncle, you're almost seventeen, what do you think of Huai Xi sister?

Huai Xi girl? She's fine, beautiful and skillful, and

Huh? Sister-in-law, what do you mean? Can we still be okay?

After reacting, Niu Dingtian was somewhat caught off guard; sister-in-law, this is about to...

He had wanted to give a good scolding in two sentences, but seeing Chen Jin'er's gaze dark and fixed on him, he immediately shut his mouth, and after a moment's thought, he spoke solemnly:

"Sister-in-law, actually"

"Actually, on this trip out, I ran into someone."

"Someone about the same age as you, sister-in-law."

"Knock knock~"

"Manor lord, it's me, there's an urgent matter outside the courtyard."

Chen Jin'er was about to speak when suddenly a knocking sound came.

"Come in."

The person who came was Xiao Qing, Chen Jin'er's personal guard.

"Manor lord, someone outside the manor seeks an audience with you, and that person is seriously injured."

"Quickly take me there! Sister-in-law, rest early; if there's anything, we can talk about it tomorrow."

Niu Dingtian was anxiously lacking an excuse to leave; seeing the situation, he hurriedly got up, quickly briefed Chen Jin'er, and then directly followed Xiao Qing out of the room.

Hurrying to the outer courtyard, Niu Dingtian saw a rather unexpected person.

Liu Fengchun

At this time, his whole body was covered with many wounds.

"Manor Lord Niu, I hope you've been well!"

"Cough cough, Manor Lord Niu, I have an urgent matter to tell you!"

Liu Fengchun was seriously injured, his face also somewhat anxious; without waiting for Niu Dingtian to ask, he directly spoke.

"Chief Liu, could it be that you were actually dealt with by the Beggar Sect?"

Niu Dingtian thought back to his own earlier deception; seeing this person's appearance, he slightly frowned and couldn't help asking.

Liu Fengchun had no time to respond to that; seeing his anxious face, he endured the pain and quickly said:

"Manor Lord Niu! A few days ago, our gang's elders went to the great desert to seek Miss Han for questioning, and another one died there!"

"Now our Hong Clan Chief has already rushed to the great desert!"

(End of chapter)