At the beginning of Niujia Village, my sister-in-law and I depended on each other.

At noon, the sky is high and the clouds are light.

It was the moment when the sun was high in the sky. The autumn wind blew over the mountain tops and blew towards the square, causing rows of flags to flutter in the air, bringing bursts of freshness to the bustling competition venue.

After watching a round of competition among the five great masters, Niu Dingtian left the stands with the divorce document in his pocket and hurried to the courtyard where Grandma Sun and the other two lived.

As soon as I stepped into the yard, I saw a petite figure standing next to the well under the shade of a tree. She had rolled up her sleeves and was swinging clothes in a basin.

The sunlight shines through the branches and leaves, sprinkling into the basin in patches. The well water ripples and sways on the beautiful woman's pretty face.

"Haven't we arranged for servants? Why do you have to do it yourself?" Niu Dingtian walked over quickly. Although he understood the situation, he still couldn't help but blame him.

When his sister-in-law Jin'er suddenly moved to Lin'an City from Niujia Village, it took them half a year to slowly change.

"You're here?" Mu Nianci turned her head in surprise. After seeing the person coming, she raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead and smiled brightly at Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian smiled and nodded, then he pulled Roudi in his hand, squeezed her, glanced at the closed door in the distance, and whispered, "Is your father okay?"

"Hmm," Mu Nianci struggled slightly but failed to break free. She lowered her head with a red face and hummed softly, her voice as soft as a mosquito.

"The most gentle thing is that she lowered her head, just like the shyness of a water lotus in the cool breeze." Seeing this, Niu Dingtian felt warm in his heart and couldn't help but whispered to her.

Mu Nianci's crystal clear ears turned red in an instant.

Niu Dingtian resisted the urge to embrace the little beauty in his arms, took out a porcelain bottle and stuffed it into her hand, whispering, "I'm going to be away for a while, maybe a year or so. Keep this for you to take while you practice, and don't let anyone else know."

"You're leaving?" Mu Nianci raised her head in surprise, with a look of helplessness in her beautiful eyes.

Then, a hint of hesitation appeared on that jade face, and she whispered, "Then I'll go with Daddy, I'm not used to staying here."

"No!" Niu Dingtian flatly refused, then seemed to feel that his tone was too harsh, so he slowed down and said softly:
"The war is about to start. It's very dangerous outside. I'm worried about you going out. Practice hard in the mountains."

After saying that, he stretched out a finger and scratched the little beauty's cold palm.

A hint of shame flashed across Mu Nianci's eyes, and she finally nodded with a blushing face.

"Nianci! What are you doing!?"

Just as the two were being affectionate with each other, a low growl, which sounded like someone trying hard to suppress anger, came from not far away.

Mu Nianci subconsciously broke free and turned her head hurriedly. It was her own father, Yang Tiexin, who was glaring at the two of them with an angry look on his face.

"Uncle Yang, Ci'er and I truly love each other." Niu Dingtian paused and said seriously to Yang Tiexin.

"Ci'er?" Yang Tiexin was stunned.

"What do you want to do!!"

When he realized what was happening, he yelled angrily and directly picked up the porcelain cup in his hand and smashed it at him.

"Crack~"

The porcelain cup shattered to the ground, but Niu Dingtian held Mu Nianci and dodged it.

"Hey, what's wrong? Why are you so angry? Brother Yang, you just got well, you don't want to lose your temper!"

Hearing the noise, Granny Sun hurried out of the house. After seeing the broken porcelain slag on the ground, she quickly reached out and snatched the remaining cup lid from Yang Tiexin's hand, scolding him a few words.

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Yang Tiexin's face.

After calming down, he looked at Mu Nianci with a serious face and said in a deep voice: "Go and call Kang'er back, we will pack our bags and go down the mountain now!"

Leaving now?
Granny Sun looked at Yang Tiexin in surprise, then turned her head to look at the calm Niu Dingtian and the panic-stricken Mu Nianci, and opened her mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"Uncle Yang, can we talk alone?" Niu Dingtian took out the divorce papers from his arms, showed them to Yang Tiexin, and said lightly.

Yang Tiexin stared at the piece of paper in Niu Dingtian's hand. His heart felt as if pricked by a needle and his cheeks couldn't help but twitch violently.

"There's nothing to talk about!" His face was as dark as iron, and he said coldly, "Kang'er has been taken care of by you over the years, and he has learned advanced martial arts. Although he is not a kind person, he has not embarked on a path of great evil."

"From now on, we will go our separate ways and owe nothing to each other. But if you have any evil thoughts towards Nianci again, I will splatter your blood even if I die!"

"Grandma, how about...?" Niu Dingtian looked at Grandma Sun with some embarrassment on his face.

"You guys keep chatting, grandma and girl Mu will go take a look outside." Grandma Sun glanced at Yang Tiexin, walked over with a smile and pulled Mu Nianci up.

The little girl bit her lip, and under the gaze of Grandma Sun, the two of them left the yard.

"I was going to ask, but now there's no need." Niu Dingtian said with a smile.

Seeing Yang Tiexin's reaction just now, he was sure in his heart that the divorce letter was written by the other party himself. Although he didn't know what method Yang Kang used, it was written, and it was voluntary.

Yang Tiexin closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried his best to suppress the anger in his heart. He slowly opened his eyes and said calmly: "Kang'er is right. In my eyes, Yang Tiexin, some things are more important than Xi Ruo. I have let her down over the years."

"Since she is living a good and happy life now, I have no right to let her suffer with me. But please put away your evil thoughts, stay away from Nianci, and don't disturb our family's life anymore!"

Niu Dingtian was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Ci'er and I are truly in love, please help us, Uncle Yang."

True love? You stole my wife, and now you want to steal my daughter! You tell me you are truly in love?
Yang Tiexin was so angry that veins popped out on his neck. He clenched his fists and said angrily, "Do you really want to kill me? Either you kill me with one palm strike, or I will take Nianci and Yang Kang down the mountain!"

Looking at the posture, it doesn't seem like a joke.

Niu Dingtian raised his sword-like eyebrows, not daring to provoke this fellow again. He hesitated for a moment and said, "You can go down the mountain, but you have to wait until I come back this time."

“Impossible!” Yang Tiexin flatly refused and turned back to the house. He didn’t want to stay in this place for a moment.

"There will be a war outside soon. The Jin people are heading south. It will be dangerous wherever you go. Besides, you are registered with the government. The Song Dynasty is not safe either." Niu Dingtian slowly followed into the house, stared at Yang Tiexin, and whispered:
"Also, have you forgotten the evil monk that night? He can turn you into a fool with just a few words. He has set his sights on you and Ci'er. Do you have the heart to take her on this adventure?"

When Yang Tiexin heard this, his eyes flashed and he suddenly stopped packing his bag.

Niu Dingtian sighed and patiently advised: "If you were captured by him, or by the Jin people, I would have to risk saving you for Ci'er, Yang Kang, or my senior sister. Why would you put them in danger just for a moment of anger?"

"Think about it."

After saying that, Niu Dingtian turned around and left the house.

I have said what I need to say. No matter whether you can listen to it or not, you will not be allowed to leave.

After leaving the house and walking outside the yard, Niu Dingtian saw Granny Sun saying something to Mu Nianci under a locust tree not far away.

The little girl's eyebrows were slightly lowered, and she nodded from time to time. A faint blush could be seen on her bright and plump face.

Hearing footsteps, she raised her head, with the dizziness still on her cheeks. She blinked and looked at Niu Dingtian nervously.

Niu Dingtian smiled slightly and said, "He probably won't leave. But Ci'er, you also know the old monk that night. Your father can't let this happen. If he wants to sneak down the mountain, you have to notify the guards in time, understand?"

Mu Nianci breathed a sigh of relief, and suddenly remembered the affectionate name used by the man in front of her. She felt quite uncomfortable with the sudden change, but she was worried about a conflict between the two and didn't notice it.

Seeing Granny Sun looking at her with a smile, she felt embarrassed and said with a red face, "The clothes are not washed yet, Granny, you guys go chat, I'll go back first."

After saying this, he hurried into the yard.

Granny Sun smiled, and as if she suddenly remembered something, a hint of hesitation appeared on her face.

Niu Dingtian smiled and said, "Mother-in-law, if you have anything to say, just tell me. There's no need to be so formal with me."

"This is something Mochou asked me to bring to you. If it's convenient for you, please write back. I'll take it back today." Granny Sun looked around, took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it over.

A hint of surprise flashed in Niu Dingtian's eyes. After taking the envelope, he opened it in front of Grandma Sun without hesitation.

There was a faint floral scent in the envelope, which seemed to be the scent of mountain flowers outside the ancient tomb. The letter paper was folded into a butterfly shape, and he took a lot of effort to open it:

"Brother Niu, it's nice to see you."

"Do you still remember the little girl who had just entered the world two years ago? At that time, Mochou was innocent and naive, and she was unaware of the world. When she met you for the first time, she felt happier than ever before. Since then, Brother Niu has taken root in Mochou's heart."

"In the past two years, the mountain flowers outside the ancient tomb have withered twice, but Mochou's longing for you has never stopped. Your smile, your words, and the scene of you secretly teaching Mochou martial arts in the ancient tomb that night often appear in Mochou's mind and can never be shaken off."

"Mo Chou wanted to go down the mountain to look for you countless times, but was afraid that her abruptness would disturb you. However, her longing for you was as turbulent as the tide, and Mo Chou finally couldn't suppress her inner desire and took action, but she didn't expect to be discovered by her master and punished.

"Mo Chou has no regrets, because you must know my feelings for you. Brother Niu, I love you. I hope you can hear my heart, and I hope we can meet again one day. I don't know what the future will be like, but I know that you are the only one in my heart at this moment."

"Looking forward to your reply, Li Mochou."

After reading a letter expressing heartfelt feelings, Niu Dingtian felt quite uneasy.

The Red Snake Fairy has fallen in love early, but there is no place for Lu Zhanyuan. Will she still have the terrifying name of "The Red Snake Fairy" in the future?

Niu Dingtian folded the letter carefully, put it into an envelope, and put it close to his body.

The girl's words were full of true feelings, and it would be a lie to say that he was not moved. If it were usual, he would definitely plan to take time to go and take a look, but now that there is a crisis, he doesn't want to bring risks to others.

Niu Dingtian thought for a moment, looked at Granny Sun, and said seriously, "I'll send you the reply letter later, but you must keep an eye on Miss Mochou when you go back, and don't let her sneak out."

"I will be in a lot of trouble in the future. You should all stay in the ancient tomb and try not to go out."

Seeing that Niu Dingtian was not joking, Granny Sun nodded and didn't ask any more questions. What this kid considered troublesome was definitely not something the ancient tomb could help with.

The two men exchanged a few words of advice under the tree, and then Niu Dingtian said goodbye and returned to his residence.

Afternoon
The competition among the five supreme masters continued, and after three fierce battles, Yideng, relying on his profound Xiantian Gong, beat the other three by half a move and ranked first on the Heavenly Ranking. Huang Yaoshi ranked second, and Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong were evenly matched.

Niu Dingtian did not refuse Hong Qigong's proposal of a four-on-one duel. Without relying on his innate inner strength, he completely defeated the four men in thirty moves, which impressed everyone.

Because one must be over 40 years old to be on the Heavenly Ranking, and the Earthly Ranking sounded too cheap, it was suggested by Yideng that Niu Dingtian be given the title of the leader of the Heavenly Ranking.

The next day, the competition on the mountain was still in full swing. Even Fentian, Suluzhi, Yan Hongshou and the three guardians Jin Buhuan also came out one after another.

During this period, perhaps to get rid of Yinggu's entanglement, Zhou Botong suddenly appeared again.

After learning that Qiu Chuji was dead, he disdained to attack Han Xiaoying, so with the intention of seeking revenge three parts and looking for a place to fight, he challenged the Sun and Moon Sect on the spot, but due to the conspiracy of the three guardians, he did not gain any advantage.

From beginning to end, the young man in the crown on the stands never appeared again. (End of this chapter)