Chapter 93: If our teaching were to rise in the Jin state, Qiu Chuji and the Quanzhen Sect would be a grave internal threat!

Midnight

The ship's cabin had three decks, lights blazing.

After washing up, the fishy smell on his body had dissipated, Niu Dingtian felt a refreshing comfort all over, and after changing into a new set of clothes, he followed the man at the door toward the dining area.

"Young Master Niu, please come inside!"

Arriving outside a room, the man raised his hand to greet, then turned and left.

Before he even pushed the door open, Niu Dingtian felt a warmth seeping from the crack; he slowly pushed the door, looked up, and saw several fire basins burning around the room, the flames roaring, lighting the interior brightly.

In the center of the room, a table of food and drink had already been set; the few who had previously clashed were all seated, the purple-robed woman took the highest seat, the Bright Emissary elder next, and the remaining five had not yet taken their seats.

"Little brother, please come this way!"

Seeing the host enter, the Bright Emissary elder laughed and rose to his feet, the kindness on his face unclear whether genuine or feigned; he quickly stepped forward, raised his hand, and guided Niu Dingtian to the seat to the right of the Venerable One.

"Thank you, sir!"

This seat was fragrant to the side; Niu Dingtian did not decline, thanked him, and then sat down openly.

Seeing him seated, the elder glanced at the purple-robed woman, seemingly seeking her approval; seeing her slight nod, he rose, looked at Niu Dingtian, and said with a smile: "Since this is our first meeting, let me, old man, introduce the friends at the table to Brother Niu."

"I am Su Lushe, the Bright Emissary of Manichaeism; the others are the Dharma Protector Kings of my teaching."

Having said that, he pointed to the white-robed elder beside him and said to Niu Dingtian:

"This is the Conduct Dharma King of Manichaeism, Jin Buhuan."

Looking over, this man had an upright countenance, not prone to smiles; Niu Dingtian gave a slight nod, and Jin Buhuan also returned the nod.

Then Su Lushe pointed to the blue-robed middle-aged man beside Niu Dingtian and said:

"This is the Speech Dharma King of my teaching, Li Muhe."

This man had a somewhat gentle expression; after glancing at the person seated below, he first smiled at Niu Dingtian, who returned the smile.

However, judging from this, Li Muhe seems to have some discord with the person seated below; could they be the two who argued last night?

Then Su Lushe pointed to the second black-robed middle-aged man on his left and said:

"This is the Numeration Dharma King of my teaching, Yu Qingyang."

His expression was indifferent, neither cold nor hot; he also gave a slight nod.

After Niu Dingtian withdrew his gaze, Su Lushe pointed to the second red-robed elder on Niu Dingtian's right and said:

"This is the Closure Dharma King, Yan Hongshou."

This elder, like that old Su, appeared kind, though it was unclear whether genuine or feigned; after the introduction, Yan Hongshou glanced at the purple-robed woman, then directly smiled at Niu Dingtian and said:

"I admire Brother Niu's martial arts; if the chance arises, I hope to exchange pointers with Brother Niu."

"Elder Yan, you flatter me!"

"If the opportunity arises, I will certainly accompany you!"

Yan Hongshou's aura was somewhat robust, but these few seemed either intentionally or unintentionally avoiding sparring with me tonight; instead, that woman is like a tigress.

As he thought, Niu Dingtian's peripheral glance involuntarily swept toward the purple-clad woman; unsure whether she was a girl or woman, he sometimes saw her as a woman, sometimes as a girl.

The purple-clad woman sensed it; seeing his gaze somewhat wanton, her calm eyes began to turn cold.

"Cough cough."

Su Lushe suddenly cleared his throat,

After Niu Dingtian regained his composure, he finally pointed to the remaining brown-robed middle-aged man and said:

"This is the Binding Dharma King, Zhu Tiancheng."

This man had a flicker of gloom in his eyes; after glancing at Niu Dingtian, he said nothing, turned his head away—indeed, he was the one from whom Niu Dingtian had earlier sucked a wave of internal energy.

After a faint glance, Niu Dingtian curled his lip, withdrew his gaze, and did not even bother him; however, he regretted having absorbed too little, even though it had been somewhat uncomfortable.

After everyone had been introduced, Su Lushe turned his gaze to the purple-clad woman and continued: "This is the Manichaeism's Venerable Highness, called... called..."

At the end, Su Lushe's voice suddenly trailed off, as if pondering how to speak.

"Burn Heaven!"

The purple-clad woman beside him suddenly spoke, taking over Su Lushe's words; her gaze remained as calm as ever, her tone unusually flat.

"Huh? Burn Heaven?"

"I'm still Top Heaven!"

Hearing this name even more arrogant than his own, Niu Dingtian's first reaction was that this woman lacked sincerity, and her ample bosom wasn't open enough.

"No! Burn Heaven? It seemed to remind him of something; his eyes flickered slightly, then quickly hid, and he smiled at the purple-clad woman, saying: 'Sister, we seem to have fate; I am called Ding Tian, you are called Burn Heaven—does your name have any origin?'"

"Indeed there is fate; just hearing these two names, they both seem not to be law-abiding types."

"But after hearing this, Burn Heaven glanced over with a faint look, and merely said lightly:"

"'Burn Heaven is Burn Heaven; what origin could there be? Brother Niu is called Ding Tian—could there be any special origin?'"

"'Er'"

"These words left Niu Dingtian slightly startled; just as he was about to have a good discussion with this sister, Su Lushe across from him raised his cup to change the topic: 'Brother Niu, come! Drink first! Drink first! This immortal's intoxication is a fine thing—let's all down it!'"

"'Exactly! Exactly! Drink first!'"

"'Drink drink!'"

"Niu Dingtian could only raise his cup in agreement."

"After the wine went down his throat and the cup was just set down, Su Lushe's gaze swept over everyone, then his expression suddenly turned serious as he addressed Niu Dingtian across from him:"

"'Brother Niu, you previously said you were interested in the Venerable position of my Manichaeism; are you serious?'"

"Huh? Upon hearing this, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but startle, and the chopsticks he was about to use to pick up food also withdrew."

"Are these rebels playing for real? Looking at the others at the table, some lowered their gaze slightly, some raised their cups to sip wine; only Zhu Tiancheng's face showed hard-to-conceal resentment, yet he also did not speak. Evidently they had already communicated beforehand."

"At this moment, he found it somewhat hard to decide; the Manichaeism's chair came too suddenly."

"After all, he is destined to become the sect leader; coming to serve as a second-in-command really feels like a downgrade, and moreover, these people before him may not wholeheartedly accept him."

However, this group's strength also made him a bit envious; if placed openly, they would definitely be a top-tier force in the martial world, and outright refusal now would make future plans less justified.

After a moment of thought, Niu Dingtian said:

Not to hide it from you all, I, Niu, am already preparing to establish a sect on the eighth day of the eighth month next year, founding the Sun-Moon Divine Sect, and moreover

Sun-Moon Divine Sect?

The opposing Vajra King Jin Buhuan suddenly spoke up, cutting him off; after the others reacted, their faces all showed a hint of strange color.

Niu Dingtian heard and nodded slightly; seeing this, Jin Buhuan's eyes lit up, and he then asked, 'Does your sect have any teachings?' Hearing this, Niu Dingtian's heart stirred, and he immediately kept his composure and said:

Sun and moon make brightness; naturally it is to dispel the court's darkness! To dispel the world's darkness! Let light shine everywhere!

Good!

Jin Buhuan praised loudly, his face breaking into a smile, and then laughing said, 'Your sect's teachings coincidentally match ours; it seems Brother Niu also harbors a heart for light!'

Brother Jin said that well!

The red-clothed elder, the Vajra King of Holding and Closing Yan Hongshou, suddenly took up the conversation, with a kind and benevolent look, saying, 'Brother Niu, to have such thoughts shows you also have a great love; since we are like-minded friends, we might as well exchange more—come, come, come, let me first offer Brother Niu a cup!'

Having said that, he raised his cup in a distant toast, then drained it in one gulp.

The praise from the two made Niu Dingtian inevitably become a bit reserved; after raising his cup and drinking, he modestly said, 'Cough~ You two elders overpraise; everyone here are seniors with rich experience—let's exchange more in the future! Definitely more exchange!'

Isn't it just exchanging rebellion plans? Exchange will definitely happen, but studying is another matter—after centuries of rebellion, none have succeeded, so what is there for me, Niu, to learn? Seeing the conversation going well, Niu Dingtian was about to invite a few to go to Nine Palaces Mountain next year, but after thinking, he gave up.

They are indeed a bona fide rebel organization; my own assets are still relatively clean, and I am a bona fide loyal subject of the Great Song. To avoid trouble, it's best to keep surface contact minimal.

After two cups of wine, Niu Dingtian also became more talkative; suddenly thinking of something, his eyes flickered slightly, and he said to Su Lusupport without changing expression:

Does your sect plan to rise in Shandong?

Just as his words fell, the table suddenly went silent; the smiles on Jin Buhuan and Yan Hongshou's faces vanished, and Yu Qingyang and Lyu Mu slowly lowered their cups, while Chu Tiancheng's gloomy gaze swept over again.

By contrast, the tiger woman beside him remained calm-eyed, while Su Lusupport opposite still wore a kind expression.

Damn it! Acting like a whore and still wanting to set up a memorial arch!

Even something everyone knows, you still try to cover it up with a bluff!

Niu Dingtian cursed silently, but his smile gradually faded, and he said lightly:

How? Is this what you two elders called like-minded? How then can my sect's brothers later learn from yours?

Having said that, he raised his hand, drank the cup, then lowered his gaze and sat there silently.

Those at the table exchanged glances, finally settling on the face of the woman named Burning Heaven; Burning Heaven lightly nodded, Su Lusupport understood, then looked at Niu Dingtian and broke the silence with a dry laugh:

'Cough~ Brother Niu misunderstood; after all, it's a matter of great importance, and Brother Niu has not yet'

Misunderstanding, damn it! Niu Dingtian no longer paid attention, directly put on airs, put on a face, as if saying 'keep doing my thing'.

The mood follows you guys,

Where am I supposed to put my face?

'How do you consider the position of World Honored One of my Manichaean Sect, Brother Niu?'

Burning Heaven beside him suddenly spoke, moving closer a bit, his eyes glancing toward Niu Dingtian, as if awaiting a reply.

After that tone and fragrance suddenly came, Niu Dingtian's spirit jolted, he steadied himself, then also leaned in a bit, spoke without changing expression:

Sister, do you mind if I set up another stove?

My Sun-Moon Divine Sect will certainly not become a subsidiary sect of another!

This must be made clear; for the great cause we can cooperate, I, Niu, can also join the Manichaean Sect in my personal name, but my things must remain mine; as for who will launch the counter-revolution first, we'll see whose fist is stronger when the time comes.

Burning Heaven did not hesitate, focused his gaze, then said:

Naturally it's possible; as long as Brother Niu keeps my Manichaean Sect in your heart, and is willing to act when needed, how about that?

Bang!

He slammed the table hard, startling everyone into a jerk, and Niu Dingtian then laughed loudly: 'Haha~ This is excellent!!'

Afterwards he again filled his own cup, raised it with a smiling face, and said: 'Come, come, come! I, Niu Dingtian, offer a cup to all you brothers! From now on we're all our own people! No need to be formal! Drink up, drink up!'

Exactly! Brother Niu is right; from now on we're our own people! Drink up, drink up!

Since we're our own people,

In the blink of an eye, the table became lively again, only Chu Tiancheng remained with gloomy eyes, drinking alone.

Burp~

When the wine was at its height, Niu Dingtian suddenly stood up, let out a burp, swayed, and loudly said: 'Since we're brothers now, I, Niu, must also fulfill my brotherly duty!'

Oh? Everyone seeing this understood at once, and then heard Niu Dingtian say: 'If your sect wants to... uh.'

If our sect wants to rise in Shandong, Qiu Chuji and the Quanzhen Sect are grave threats! Qiu Chuji had long been a guest of Prince Zhao Wanyan Honglie of the Jin State; please, brothers, be careful!

That's it for today!

Continue drinking tomorrow!

Having said that, he swayed as if to rise; after finishing his drink, he seemed already drunk, never expecting to be able to drink his own family's wine out on this vast sea.

Brother Niu, let this old man see you off!

Su Lusupport opposite hurriedly rose, his eyes bleary from drink, and helped Niu Dingtian out to the door.

After seeing Niu Dingtian out the door, Su Lusupport turned and returned indoors; his old face showed no trace of drunkenness—indeed, the elderly are all skilled at acting.

After returning to his seat, he pondered a moment, then said to Burning Heaven:

World Honored One, are you really planning to give this brat a World Honored One's position?

Burning Heaven heard this, did not immediately speak, slightly furrowed his brows, as if also struggling; after a while, his brows relaxed, and he said:

Since an exception has already been made once, why bother about a second?

Right now our sect lacks masters, and a major event is imminent—precisely the time to use people; this person's martial prowess is not inferior to the sect leader's, and if he can sincerely join our Manichaean Sect, he will naturally become a great aid.

Moreover, moreover, this lad doesn't look like a law-abiding person; he'd make a fine counterbalance to that person in Shandong.

Having heard these words, Su Lusupport stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, finally sighing: 'World Honored One truly has far-sighted vision; I, the old man, am impressed!'

Speaking of Niu Dingtian, although he was staggering on his way back to the room, as soon as he entered the door his face suddenly became sober, showing no sign of drunkenness at all.

After locking the door, he didn't take off his clothes; he just kicked off his boots and lay straight down on the bed.

He stared at the ceiling, as if thinking about something; after a while, he muttered to himself:

"Not bad either."

"I've heard the Mani Teaching has five Buddhas, that is, five World Honored Ones; since the Bright Honored One is vacant, the five Buddhas hold the highest position."

"The Buddha seems to be a World Honored One as well, but he has been missing for years; currently there is still a World Honored One in Shandong."

"If I were to become a World Honored One, as long as I conquer that woman and settle matters in Shandong, afterwards wouldn't the Mani Teaching be up to me?"

PS: There should be sensitive words, it got reviewed (end of chapter).