Chapter 61: See you again in Xiangyang next time

Niu Dingtian heard these words, his face slightly changed, suppressing his urgency, he asked calmly:

"How is Chief Liu's injury? What exactly happened?"

He wouldn't simply believe the other side's one-sided words; someone like Liu Fengchun regards righteousness as greater than heaven, so he wouldn't harbor any ill intentions—he just feared being deceived and lured away.

However, the other side's injury is not light either; he immediately waved his hand and said:

"Xiao Qing, quickly go invite Mr. Yan over, saying there are some external injuries."

"Yes, Manor Lord!"

After Xiao Qing received the order and left, Liu Fengchun couldn't help but show a wry smile, lowered his head to glance at the wound on his chest, and self-mockingly said:

"It's just some superficial wounds, but it has made Manor Lord Niu laugh; after I returned that day, the elders in the gang, just as you said, were indeed unwilling to tolerate me."

"Cough cough. The two elders of the Pure Cloth Sect, in order to cover up the scandal, after pressing me for the whereabouts of the murderer to no avail, actually tried to secretly kill me; I had no choice but to flee."

Liu Fengchun is indeed a down-to-earth person; although he had thought of some possibility, he still refused to give up, not willing to hit a wall and turn back. But once such a person acknowledges someone, in a critical moment he is definitely the type who would say, 'Big brother, you go first! I'll hold the rear!'

He took a rough breath, couldn't help but again press his hand on a wound, and Liu Fengchun's face showed some pain:

"Later I received news that the gang had found something on Miss Han's person and wanted to go question her; unexpectedly, when I returned, Elder Jian had also died. Coincidentally, Chief Hong appeared at the Jun Mountain Main Altar at that time, asked about the reason, and then directly went to the Great Desert."

Although he had been persecuted by his own people, he still had feelings for the Beggars' Sect. The gang brothers only knew that Chief Hong was one of the Five Top Martial Arts of the World, but he had witnessed Niu Dingtian's strength—a hidden dragon, absolutely strong, not weak—and he was unwilling to forge a deadly feud over a few parasites, sacrificing his life in vain.

Niu Dingtian hearing this, although he had expected it, still couldn't help but feel a surge of anger:

Damn the Five Top Martial Arts!

Damn it! Sure enough, when the grandson can't beat the old man, he'll come out sneaking. Sooner or later I'll make him change his ways up north!

Anger is anger, fire is fire, but right now we must hurry over. As long as we don't clash head-on with that old beggar, there should be no danger to life; what I fear is that iron-headed Ke Zhen'e, whose words are merciless.

Even if he dies, it's fine; Han Xiao Ying is the future mother of the child, and any injury to her would cause heartache.

"Manor Lord, Mr. Yan has arrived."

Xiao Qing led an old man in plain clothes over.

An old friend has arrived; Niu Dingtian seeing him, hurriedly clasped his hands and greeted:

"Mr. Yan, thank you for your trouble."

"Hmph!"

Yan Fangyu, however, did not give Manor Lord Niu a good look.

Originally freedom was already gone, and now his precious daughter seems about to fly away as well.

A few days ago, Chen Jin'er had subtly mentioned some things to him, just probing the wind; he didn't speak up, but that precious daughter of his was quite affectionate toward them, even more so than toward her own father.

Niu Dingtian didn't take it to heart; the old man is stubborn yet soft-hearted, having already wronged that father and daughter, he doesn't mind minor details.

"All right, apply the medicinal powder once daily, and it will heal in half a month."

After bandaging up, Yan Fangyu left behind several bottles of medicinal powder.

Afterwards, not knowing what came to mind, he seized Liu Fengchun and gave him a lecture:

"A fine young man, not doing some decent livelihood, just knows how to idle away on the blade's edge, hmph!"

Having said that, he also glanced at Niu Dingtian, then turned and left with his hands behind his back.

"Manor Lord Niu"

Liu Fengchun felt a bit embarrassed, not knowing what to say for a moment.

The old man seems to be right; I'm young, after all, just drifting through the martial world.

"Divine Doctor Yan has a temperamental disposition; please forgive any offense, Chief Liu."

Niu Dingtian also felt a bit embarrassed inside; Yan Fangyu's words seemed to have a hidden meaning, but he was thick-skinned and didn't care, immediately clasping his hands to Liu Fengchun in apology.

Then, as if something else occurred to him, his expression turned solemn; after a moment's thought, he clasped his hands to Liu Fengchun and spoke solemnly:

"Liu Brother, now you regard him as a brother, while he regards you as an enemy; such a gang is better left! If you don't disdain it, I sincerely invite you to join my manor; in two years, when the Divine Sect is established, we will all be brothers!"

Regarding this brother who could stab through his ribs for him, he had long harbored designs, and directly addressed him as Liu Brother.

In the martial world, there is never a shortage of highly skilled martial artists, but those who are not only competent in martial arts but also possess loyal hearts and righteous gall are few and far between.

Liu Fengchun's martial arts, compared to him, compared to the Five Top Martial Arts of the World, are surely worlds apart; yet placed in any martial arts sect, he would be capable of standing on his own.

Hearing Niu Dingtian's words, Liu Fengchun's heart felt slightly stirred.

Before, regarding the Beggars' Sect, he still held hope, but now this situation truly leaves him disheartened.

Earlier he had been somewhat reluctant to bring trouble to Niu Dingtian, but since he intends to wander the martial world, who fears trouble? Now Niu Dingtian's sincere invitation again hits the mark of his intentions.

Passionate enthusiasm, they hit it off immediately; immediately enduring the pain, he clasped his fists and said without hesitation:

"If Manor Lord does not disdain me, I, Liu Fengchun, am willing to be at your disposal from now on!"

To serve under a person like one of the Five Top Martial Arts of the World, and still be personally invited, is no disgrace.

"Good! Liu Brother, just recuperate your wounds for now; I'll go ahead first, after finishing my arrangements I'll set off for the Great Desert, and when we later move to Xiangyang, you can follow along."

"Xiao Qing, arrange lodging for Liu Brother; don't neglect our own brothers."

"Yes, Manor Lord!"

After settling Liu Fengchun, Niu Dingtian again came to Chen Jin'er's room.

After giving detailed instructions in person, he suddenly thought of something, his expression turned solemn and he said:

"Sister-in-law, do you still remember the North Darkness Divine Skill?"

Chen Jin'er hearing this, slightly startled, then nodded; she of course knows the North Darkness Divine Skill, and has even practiced it, but so far she is unwilling to absorb others' inner energy, her meridians and dantian remain empty.

"Sister-in-law, remember this well! If you encounter danger in the future, use it when needed; absolutely must not have womanly compassion."

Saying this, seeing the killing intent in Chen Jin'er's eyes, Niu Dingtian hastily corrected himself and continued:

"Absolutely must not have the slightest bit of mercy!"

Before waiting for her reply, he paused, then spoke again softly and slowly:

"Sister-in-law, if you suffer even the slightest harm, I will feel heartbroken."

As he spoke later on, he stared intently at Chen Jin'er's ink‑black pupils, his voice soft as water.

"I understand."

Chen Jin'er felt ill at ease under the stare, her gaze shifting slightly; she only murmured a reply, her voice like a mosquito's.

"Take care, sister‑in‑law; please convey my regards to the younger sister and the senior sisters—this parting may be lengthy, and we'll meet again in Xiangyang next time."

After thinking, he added another warm reminder.

"Sister‑in‑law, I'm leaving."

Though reluctant in his heart, Niu Dingtian still left swiftly.

The room fell silent; watching his disappearing figure outside the courtyard, Chen Jin'er stared blankly.

(End of chapter)