Chapter 103: The Mysterious Figure

After severing ties with the Tian family, Tian Dabao appeared somewhat downcast. He couldn’t understand why, despite being the legitimate son of his parents, they always treated him with disdain. Not only had they disowned him years ago, stripping him of all rights, but now they had come to force him to sign a document severing family ties. Was it because of his lame leg that they despised him so much?

Xiao Ding paid no mind to Tian Dabao’s feelings. He continued to vigorously oversee the construction work according to the original plan.

By now, the mountain path on the small hill had been nearly completed—a winding trail paved with stones that led straight to the summit. The spring inside the stone cave at the top had been cleared, and its water was indeed abundant.

Xiao Ding decided to divert a stream to the mid-mountain, where he planned to dig a reservoir in the forest to provide drinking water for the animals on the hill. Another stream would be channeled directly down one side of the vertical cliff from the summit, with a smaller reservoir dug at the foot of the mountain for the household’s water needs.

Thus, the warm spring water flowing from the cave at the summit was directed along two separate paths. Because it was thermal spring water, Xiao Ding also had workers build a bathing pool inside the cave for future hot spring baths.

At one point, Xiao Ding suspected that the thermal spring atop the hill might share the same underground water source as the hot springs in the snake cave on Luoxia Peak, but he could not confirm this—just a conjecture.

The soil excavated from the reservoir at the mid-mountain was carefully collected and placed into wooden boxes inside the greenhouse. Xiao Ding appointed Zhao Hu and others to manage vegetable planting inside the greenhouse.

They scattered vegetable seeds in the boxes and watered them, confident that soon they would be able to harvest fresh vegetables.

Zhao Hu and his companions came from humble backgrounds and were experienced in farming—more so than Xiao Ding himself.

Recently, Zhao Laixi had been working with several carpenters making furniture. The house was completed, but they still lacked many everyday pieces inside.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion; the quiet days seemed to make one forget the passage of time.

As winter approached and the air grew colder, one evening Xiao Ding was pondering the recent progress and planning the next steps. He stayed up later than usual. Just as he was about to extinguish the lamp and rest, he suddenly spotted a shadow flicker outside the window.

Startled, Xiao Ding was on high alert. Normally, if a stranger came near, the little wolf Grey would be the first to sense it. But that night, Grey was silent.

Grabbing a large broadsword he had previously taken from mountain bandits, Xiao Ding stepped outside. He saw Fan Sanpang also opening his door and coming out.

“Brother Xiao Ding, did you notice anything? I felt like someone was lurking near the house just now,” Fan Sanpang said. Though not skilled in martial arts, his senses were keen; he, too, sensed something amiss.

“I saw a shadow dart past the window, but I don’t know where it fled,” Xiao Ding replied truthfully.

They circled the house once but found no sign of the mysterious figure or where it had gone. They then returned to their rooms.

Despite the fruitless search, Xiao Ding heightened his vigilance. Whoever had fled so swiftly must be a martial world figure. He was certain he hadn’t offended anyone in the martial world; the few people he had killed on Luoxia Mountain were unseen by others.

The only possibility was that the mysterious figure was after the Ou siblings. Xiao Ding knew the Ou family’s Sword Master Villa had been wiped out, and there must be secret reasons behind it. Those who had killed the Ous likely hadn’t obtained what they wanted and were still searching for the survivors.

It seemed best to be extra cautious and keep the Ou siblings hidden.

In the following days, Xiao Ding instructed Fan Sanpang, Zhao Hu and the others, as well as the Ou siblings, to stay alert to strangers. Even at night, they were to remain vigilant and keep doors and windows securely locked.

Fortunately, after that one sighting, the mysterious figure never appeared again.

Over half a month passed, and the first batch of vegetables in the greenhouse had grown large enough to harvest.

It was late October, officially winter, and the weather was bitterly cold. Winters in the northern region of this era were far harsher than those in later times.

The Tian family had long since donned the cotton-padded jackets and pants they had prepared, so none were frostbitten.

Xiao Ding ordered Zhao Hu and others to pick the mature vegetables and pack them into baskets. He sent Zhao Laixi to borrow the ox cart from Village Chief He’s household, hitching it to a sturdy horse raised in the back mountain. The vegetable baskets were loaded onto the cart, then covered with quilts and straw mats to prevent freezing during the journey.

He also caught two wild rabbits and two pheasants on the hill, adding them to the load.

Xiao Ding decided to personally deliver the goods to the Xiangmanlou establishment in the county town.

Having traded there twice before, he was considered a familiar customer.

With preparations complete, Zhao Laixi drove the cart while Xiao Ding followed on foot as they headed toward the county town.

Luoxia County was still bustling and lively, with throngs of people on the streets.

As they passed in front of a jewelry shop in the East District, they suddenly noticed a large crowd gathered, with voices of dispute rising from within.

Curious, Xiao Ding quickened his pace to the edge of the crowd. Tall and imposing, he could see several individuals inside.

At the jewelry shop’s entrance, a few ruffians were roughly grabbing a beautiful young girl. She appeared about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a yellow silk dress, delicate and charming. Two young maids stood beside her, trying to push the ruffians away, but their strength was insufficient—they were restrained instead.

Seeing the girl, Xiao Ding thought, How fortuitous! This is none other than Han Lu’er, the youngest daughter of Manager Han from Xiangmanlou. He was on his way there, and now unexpectedly encountered this scene.

The ruffians wore fine silk and brocade—obviously sons of wealthy families. The leader was somewhat stout, his neck nearly as thick as his head. He had a missing front tooth and spoke with a slight lisp.

Xiao Ding recognized the leader immediately. He wondered why this person was in the county town. This was none other than Xue Qinshou, the notorious bully of Luoxia Town, son of landlord Xue, known behind his back as “Xue the Beast.”

Xue shamelessly shouted, “Listen, young lady, just come with me. My family’s got plenty of silver; whatever jewelry you want, just say the word, and I’ll buy it for you. This jewelry shop belongs to my brother; I’ll make sure you get the finest jewels.”

Beside him, a pale-faced youth dressed in brocade chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, if you come with Big Brother Xue, you won’t be treated unfairly. Pick whatever jewels you want.”

Han Lu’er was near tears, her arm tightly gripped by Xue Qinshou. The two maids were held by the other ruffians, unable to break free to seek help.

Poor young lady, daughter of the Xiangmanlou manager, helplessly cornered by a few thugs.

“You insolent ruffians, let her go at once! Do you know who I am? My brother-in-law is Hu, the county magistrate of Luoxia. If you don’t release me, I’ll have my brother-in-law lock you all up!” Han Lu’er cried out in desperation.

Xue the Beast and the pale-faced youth froze momentarily, then burst into laughter. “Who are you trying to scare? I was just saying my brother-in-law is the governor of Yongzhou. Do you believe that? Ha ha ha!”

From the crowd’s edge, Xiao Ding heard this and knew well they didn’t believe Han Lu’er’s words. It seemed the moment had come for him to play the hero and rescue the beauty.