Chapter 67: Your family's old house, I used to often go take a look when I was a child

PS: Chapter 65 has passed review.

"Are you called Guo Jing?"

Niu Dingtian looked at the dark‑skinned child before him; he could not quite articulate his feelings, but after a moment of contemplation he smiled at Guo Jing and asked in a gentle voice.

"Hmm."

Guo Jing felt a little nervous, tugged at his fur robe, gave a simple grin, and finally nodded earnestly.

Han Xiao Ying saw Guo Jing's restraint, crouched down, held her treasured sword in her left hand, and affectionately patted Guo Jing's head with her right, softly saying, "Jing'er, no need to be formal; this is."

But as she continued, a slight hesitation appeared on her pretty face.

"Just call him Uncle Niu!"

Niu Dingtian showed no hesitation and quickly took up the words.

He already had a big nephew and didn't mind adding another. Strictly speaking, he, Guo Jing, and Yang Kang were half old‑townsfolk; the three were outsiders in Niu Clan Village.

"Hello, Uncle Niu!"

Guo Jing relaxed his expression and, with due respect, performed a bow.

In this regard, no one could find a flaw; of course, the diligent teachings of his mother Li Ping and several masters since childhood were indispensable.

Regardless of his martial skill, when it came to temperament and conduct, Guo Jing at this moment displayed a rare character.

"Uncle Niu! Jing'er will go back first and have my mother prepare lamb!"

Seemingly recalling something, Guo Jing's eyes brightened, he gave a simple grin and called out to Niu Dingtian, and without waiting for a reply hurried home.

Watching the figure recede, Niu Dingtian felt a bit dazed.

A great hero serves the nation and the people; he seemed like a mirror, reflecting himself, yet far beyond, and in some respects he made Niu Dingtian feel inferior.

Since today's exhilarating duel with Hong Qi Gong, after personally destroying a legendary figure of the jianghu, he seemed to sense a shift in his mindset, perhaps now a bit more mature than before.

After Guo Jing left, the others walked forward at a leisurely pace.

After a few steps, Zhu Cong noticed the silence, halted, held an iron fan in his right hand, and with a bow and smile said to Niu Dingtian, "Brother Niu, forgive my presumption; may I ask where Brother Niu's master lineage is? To have such remarkable martial skill at this age!"

"Moreover, I have never heard the name Brother Niu in the jianghu before."

In the end, he could not hold back and voiced the long‑suppressed doubt.

Not only himself, but also in the hearts of the eldest brother and third brother, the same thought surely existed.

Only after seeing Seventh Sister's demeanor today, she surely knows something, but if she were willing to speak, she would have already done so.

These brothers, seasoned wanderers of the jianghu, have never heard of such a young prodigy; they can only conclude in their hearts that Niu Dingtian comes from a famous lineage, surpassing his teachers.

After Zhu Cong asked that, Han Xiao Ying couldn't help glancing at the man beside her; she already knew some stories, shared between them in the past, and without his nod she would not have spoken them casually.

Ke Zhen'e and Han Baiju, upon hearing, also halted; their expressions shifted slightly, and though silent, their ears were already perked, awaiting Niu Dingtian's reply.

Niu Dingtian stopped in his tracks at the words, yet did not answer immediately.

Perhaps noticing Han Xiao Ying's gaze, he turned his head, saw the cold wind reddening her pretty cheeks, then extended his large hand, firmly grasped her small hand, which was soft as if boneless, and then channeled a flow of inner power, slowly transmitting it.

Only then did he turn his head again, and after a moment of contemplation, he uttered with a hint of self‑mockery:

"Not to hide from Brother Zhu, I was previously of the same standing as Brother Zhu."

Both were scholars, both had abandoned studies midway to take up martial arts, a thought he held.

"Oh?"

The three were surprised; Zhu Cong seemed to recall something, his expression vague, and before he could ask, Niu Dingtian continued:

"Ten years ago I was also a scholar, preparing for the juvenile imperial examination; by a twist of fate I then embarked on the path of abandoning literature for martial arts."

"As for my master lineage..."

At this point he paused again, contemplated briefly, and went on:

"As for a master lineage, there is none; I merely explored on my own." He had no master; even the meridian points in his body he discovered by consulting books, probing one by one.

If one insists on a source, Peach Blossom Island in the East Sea counts, though whether Huang Lao Xie acknowledges him is uncertain.

What? The martial arts of Peach Blossom Island cannot be passed outward?

Niu Dingtian thought of this, forced himself not to sneer, yet he remained indifferent at heart.

The external transmission also comes from Sha Gu, his father, that Qu Lingfeng transmission; go find him, and if you have the ability, Huang Lao Xie, reclaim my martial arts.

Having strength makes one so bold; without strength, today Hong Qi Gong would meet his fate.

Ke Zhen'e did not understand Niu Dingtian's thoughts at that moment, but after hearing that plain statement, he couldn't help gulping a breath.

"Self‑exploration?"

Listening, it didn't seem a joke, and he couldn't help pulling his outstretched neck back.

"First Master, Second Master, Third Master! Seventh Master! Uncle Niu! My mother asks me to call you all back for a meal!"

Zhu Cong and Han Baiju had not yet recovered when Guo Jing's call rang out again.

Returning so quickly, they must have arrived just in time for the meal.

"Let's go, Jing'er, lead the way!"

Regaining his composure, Zhu Cong steadied his emotions and instructed his disciple Guo Jing.

"Hmm!"

Under Guo Jing's lead, after a short walk the group arrived at a tent. Beside the tent a pony was tied; when it saw Guo Jing, it instantly became joyous.

Lifting the tent flap and entering, Niu Dingtian felt much warmer, looked into the main tent where a large pot simmered lamb, a woman was handling cheese by the table, and there seemed to be a vat of aged wine; the aroma felt familiar.

Hearing the movement at the entrance, the woman turned, seeing a pair of coarse hands and large feet, an unremarkable appearance, yet her face bore marks of boldness and resilience.

This was Guo Jing's mother, Li Ping; though she was in the prime of her years, in this desert she already looked middle‑aged.

When Li Ping first saw Niu Dingtian's appearance, she was slightly surprised; after hearing Jing'er say that his Seventh Master had brought an Uncle Niu back, she hadn't expected him to be so young.

But once she recovered, she showed no hesitation, walking over graciously and warmly saying, "Young Master Niu, please come in and sit; the house is modest, forgive any neglect."

Later, noticing Niu Dingtian's distinguished attire, she became a bit uneasy, fearing he might find the hospitality lacking.

「Big Sister Li, you're being polite! 」

Niu Dingtian truly admired the woman before him, his face showing no trace of contempt; he replied gently, then pulled Han Xiao Ying to sit at the table.

「Great Hero Ke, please sit down too! 」

「Jing'er, quickly pour wine for your Martial Uncle Niu and the several masters! 」

After Ke Zhen'e and the others also took their seats, Li Ping hurriedly called Guo Jing over to pour wine for everyone.

Oh!

Guo Jing hurriedly lifted the seal, picked up the wine jar and walked over; with a 'hiss', the bowl in front of his Martial Uncle Niu was already full.

Sure enough, it was the familiar taste!

Smelling the rich wine aroma, Niu Dingtian's spirit stirred slightly; he glanced at the wine jar—this must be the earliest batch.

He looked up at Li Ping, who was warmly attending beside the table, his expression somewhat complex; after a moment's thought, he finally spoke with a smile:

「Big Sister Li, do you still remember Fifth Lord Niu? 」

「That old house of yours—I often went to take a look when I was young. 」

Thanks for the votes, everyone! Just one chapter today! Don't wait—tomorrow we'll resume normal updates! Going out to break up at night, there's no turning back; in a few days, the four-week period ends and we prepare for release—women will only affect the word count of the burst updates.

(End of chapter)