Chapter 28: Demonstrating Loyalty

Chapter 28: Demonstrating Loyalty

The spring rain ceased, and the apricot blossoms adorned the branches.

Riding on a donkey cart, they returned to the Medicine Estate. Nie Yinian first had Wolf One's corpse moved to an empty room, then went to check on Black Sheep and White Sheep. Seeing that they were unharmed, he finally felt relieved.

The Medicine Estate had already prepared hot water, and Nie Yinian and Meng Yuan each soaked in a bathtub, both feeling refreshed and content.

"In this life, I don't have any grand aspirations. As long as I have meat to eat and hot baths to soak in, I'm content," Nie Yinian said, a rare expression of sentiment.

Meng Yuan also remained silent, simply soaking in the bath with his eyes closed, while replaying his battle with Wolf One in his mind.

Although he had a bow and arrow and a long knife, his combat techniques were still too singular.

He had won this battle because he dared to fight with his life, but also because Wolf One was originally a monster, and his mind worked a bit slower, not knowing how to conserve his strength, so he was eventually worn down.

However, if the opponent was an enemy of the same rank, it would be a different story.

Moreover, before they set off, Master Nie had said that the two stone bow was enough. But Meng Yuan felt that Master Nie had been overconfident. During the battle, he had shot Wolf One with the two stone bow, but it didn't cause any harm. If he had brought the five stone bow, it would have surely been effective.

After finishing their baths, they put on the clean clothes prepared by the Estate Manager.

Meng Yuan's inner garment was torn with holes and stained with blood, but he couldn't bear to throw it away. He carefully wrapped it up and put it aside, planning to wash and mend it when he returned.

As for the tattered outer garment, he simply discarded it.

Nie Yinian saw this and couldn't help but comment, "It's all torn like this, and you still treat it as a treasure. Look at how stingy you are!"

"It was sewn by my family, stitch by stitch," Meng Yuan explained.

Upon hearing this, Nie Yinian didn't say anything more.

After the bath, they felt even hungrier, so they quickly went to eat.

The mutton stew was tender, without any gamey taste, smooth and delicious. Paired with fresh wild chives, it immediately washed away the chill from the spring rain, warming their bodies, and their strength returned.

"Master Nie," Meng Yuan said as he happily ate the mutton, feeling satisfied, and curiously asked, "Where should we go to find the spirit herbs and precious medicines?"

"Most of them are in the deep mountains. You'll know later," Nie Yinian obviously didn't want to say more.

Just after finishing their meal and washing their hands, they heard the sound of horse hooves outside.

It was Ren Debiao, who had brought three people with him. The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties, very refined, and the two followers were young men.

"Old Zhang!"

"Old Nie!"

This middle-aged man was very familiar with Nie Yinian. When they met, they didn't exchange pleasantries but went directly to the room where Black Sheep and White Sheep were being held.

White Sheep's injuries were not bandaged, and at this moment, she was barely breathing.

The middle-aged man picked up the bundle that had been found in the underground passage, and after carefully examining the scattered Buddhist beads and Bodhimanda, he finally asked Nie Yinian about the recent events.

Nie Yinian didn't answer but instead lifted his chin towards Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan understood that Nie Yinian was nurturing him, so he took the initiative to speak on behalf of Nie Yinian. He started by explaining the theft of medicine and the capture of Black Sheep and White Sheep, then followed the trail to take the lives of Great Tail Venerable and Wolf One.

Of course, the most important part was the method of cutting off greed taught by Great Tail Venerable and his final Dharmic verses, which Meng Yuan recited word for word.

"It was a demon monk!" The middle-aged man made a judgment, showing no signs of panic. He then turned to Nie Yinian and asked, "The Great Tail Venerable is a seventh-rank demon monk. How powerful is he?"

"He should have just broken through the mirror not long ago, and the six supernatural abilities are not yet fully realized. However, his Vajra Seal is quite proficient," Nie Yinian said with a dismissive smile, "In fact, his knowledge and skills are all half-baked."

"You were still overconfident. You shouldn't have brought the children with you," the middle-aged man smiled and looked at Meng Yuan, asking, "Was it you who killed Wolf One alone?"

"Yes," Meng Yuan replied.

"How did you kill it? Tell me in detail," the middle-aged man said.

Meng Yuan didn't hide anything and recounted everything, even the risky move that led to the kill.

"Well done," the middle-aged man praised, patted Meng Yuan's shoulder, saying, "You have courage and strategy. When did you enter the rank, and how long did it take?"

Meng Yuan didn't answer but looked at Nie Yinian.

Nie Yinian stepped forward, smiling with pride, "I entered the rank before the end of the first month."

Upon hearing these words, the middle-aged man examined Meng Yuan up and down, and the other two young men also showed surprise.

"Old Nie, this lad is a promising talent!" The middle-aged man was very interested in Meng Yuan, "You've taught another good disciple!"

"Hey, it's all the kid's hard work, I didn't teach him much!" Although Nie Yanian said this, he couldn't hide his pride and burst into laughter, patting Meng Yuan on the neck, "This is Zhang Guinian, the Hundred Household Commander, call him Uncle Zhang!"

"Uncle Zhang!" Meng Yuan immediately responded.

"Good lad." Zhang Guinian nodded slightly, then curiously asked, "Old Nie, I see that this kid speaks with reason and has ambition. His appearance and talent are not bad either. Is he intended for your Qing Qing?"

Upon hearing this, Nie Yanian, who had been patting Meng Yuan's neck, released his hand as if in disgust and said irritably, "He already has a child bride!"

"That's perfect!" Zhang Guinian clapped his hands and said seriously, "Just let Qing Qing be his maid!"

Nie Yanian became furious and said, "Why don't you make your own daughter a maid?"

Zhang Guinian spread his hands and laughed, "My daughter hasn't killed three husbands in a row."

Nie Yanian seemed to have been struck in a sore spot, his face turning dark with anger, and he said nothing.

Zhang Guinian became even more pleased, lifting his chin towards Meng Yuan as if in encouragement.

Meng Yuan thought of the beautiful lady from Intoxicating Moon Tower and couldn't help but sneak a glance at Nie Shi. But seeing that Nie Shi, who had just been giving him pointers, was now glaring at him, he quickly lowered his head and remained silent.

"Alright, leave this matter to us. We won't delay your fortune, Old Nie. Come find me in a couple of days to record the case files!" Zhang Guinian called out to the two young men who had accompanied him. They moved the black and white sheep, along with Wolf One's corpse, onto the carriage, covered it with black cloth, and then took their leave.

"Let's go too." Nie Yanian's enthusiasm waned. He gestured to Ren Debiao and said, "The demon's wild nature remains unchanged, and it loves to take revenge. Stay here for a few days and ensure thorough patrols at night. Don't let any mishaps happen. When we return, I'll recommend you for a merit reward!"

"Yes!" Ren Debiao glanced at Meng Yuan, noticing that Nie Yanian hadn't mentioned Meng Yuan's name, clearly indicating that only he was to stay.

Nie Yanian didn't say more and, together with Meng Yuan, rode their horses back towards the city.

"Master Nie, Uncle Zhang was just joking. I don't have any ideas," Meng Yuan clarified.

"I was young once too. Who knows what you young folks think about all day?" Nie Yanian said irritably.

Seeing himself being treated as a lecherous character, Meng Yuan's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't understood. He simply said, "Master Nie, I've earned some merit by following you. Can I bring my family back to the city this time?"

"Yes. Go find Xun Mei and tell her. There's also a reward of three hundred taels of silver," Nie Yanian said.

Meng Yuan's eyes lit up at the mention of money and immediately smiled, bowing, "It's all thanks to Master Nie's support!"

"But to receive the silver, you'll need to be more mindful," Nie Yanian glanced at Meng Yuan.

"What do you mean?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

Nie Yanian smiled but didn't elaborate.

Meng Yuan pondered for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Do I need to show some loyalty?"

"Your mother is truly a talent!" Nie Yanian couldn't help but laugh, saying, "You must remember that you currently belong to the Empress Dowager."

Meng Yuan understood. Currently, he was weak and needed the protection of the Empress Dowager. But if his realm improved in the future, the situation might change.

However, was the Empress Dowager truly that capable? Meng Yuan had castrated and fought demons for her, but he still didn't know her well.

"Learning from Master Nie, one's whole life wouldn't be enough!" Meng Yuan praised, then asked quietly, "Master Nie, I noticed that the Empress Dowager's Tranquil Garden is in the southwest, while the Prince's residence is in the northeast, as if they've separated households. Are our Empress Dowager and Prince not on good terms?"

"Just remember that you belong to the Empress Dowager. Don't inquire about other matters!" Nie Yanian hummed twice but didn't say more.

The spring rain had just stopped, and the ground was as soft as butter. Riding on the horse, Meng Yuan struggled to find a topic for conversation, but Nie Yanian was cold and distant, not very willing to talk.

The two of them seemed like a son-in-law meeting his father-in-law for the first time.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end