Chapter 105: The Abduction of Mulin

"Thank you for coming to my rescue earlier, Brother Ding. I truly wouldn't have known what to do otherwise!" Han Lu'er said with a grateful smile.

"It was just a coincidence, a small favor, don't give it another thought, Miss Han," Ding replied politely.

"Did you bring any more game to my Fragrant Mansion this time?" Han Lu'er asked, glancing at the cart Zhao Laixi was driving.

"Mostly fresh vegetables this time," Ding answered truthfully.

"Vegetables? In such cold weather, you have fresh vegetables?" Han Lu'er asked, sounding incredulous.

"Yes, they are grown in the greenhouse at my home; they are exceptionally fresh," Ding explained.

"A greenhouse? What is a greenhouse?" Han Lu'er asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"A greenhouse is a shed I built for growing vegetables. I can light a fire inside to keep it warm, so the vegetables don't freeze," Ding clarified.

"You are so clever! To think of such a great way to grow vegetables in winter!" Han Lu'er praised.

The two chatted as they walked and soon arrived at the Fragrant Mansion. Han Lu'er ordered her maid, Xiaohong, to call for the waiter, Wang Er, and they drove the cart directly to the kitchen entrance. When Ding lifted the straw mats and cotton quilts covering the baskets, Han Lu'er, Wang Er, and the head chef, Liu, all stared in amazement. In such freezing weather, they had never seen such crisp, lush, and tender green vegetables.

Including two pheasants and two wild rabbits, Han Lu'er had thirty taels of silver brought out for Ding. This trip had yielded even more than when he sold the wolf. Chef Liu repeatedly urged Ding, "In the future, bring as many vegetables, pheasants, and rabbits as you have directly here; the Fragrant Mansion will take them all." He knew full well that with off-season vegetables, the business of the Fragrant Mansion would reach new heights.

Ding agreed to everything. He introduced Zhao Laixi to Wang Er and Chef Liu, mentioning that he might not be able to deliver the produce personally every time and might send someone else instead.

After leaving the Fragrant Mansion, Ding decided to go to a carriage dealer to buy a large cart, as it would be more convenient for selling vegetables in the future. He couldn't keep borrowing the ox cart from Village Chief He.

In this era, there were two main types of carriages: open carts for hauling cargo and box-style carriages with covers for passengers. Wealthy families usually kept the latter for travel convenience. The box carriage was enclosed, providing shelter from wind and cold in winter and protection from the sun and rain in summer. Open cargo carts lacked these enclosures to maximize space for goods.

For a rural farmer, an open cart would have been more economical and practical. However, Ding wanted the enclosed box carriage to better protect the vegetables from the cold during transport. Thus, he and Zhao Laixi selected a large, covered box carriage at the dealer. At the same time, he planned to have Tian Dabao weave more square baskets upon their return to make loading easier.

On the street, the two bought some daily necessities they were lacking, grabbed a quick bite, and began the journey home. The trip was uneventful, and they returned home before dark.

As soon as they arrived in front of the new house, little Zhuer came running over, panting. Upon seeing Ding, she cried out, "Brother Fool, Brother Fool, something terrible has happened! Sister Mulin has been snatched away..."

"What happened? Tell me slowly," Ding asked, startled and anxious.

"Sister Mulin and I were playing over there when a man in black suddenly appeared, grabbed her, tucked her under his arm, and ran toward the woods. Uncle Fan and Uncle Zhao have already gone after them," Zhuer said, pointing toward the mountain forest to the west.

Hearing this, Ding told Zhao Laixi to unload the cart himself, while he turned and dashed in the direction Zhuer had pointed. After chasing for about two or three miles, he spotted several figures in the mountain forest. He quickened his pace and reached them.

Fan Sanpang was brandishing a broadsword, and he, along with Zhao Hu and the others, had surrounded a man in black. Zhao Hu and the others held axes, wood-chopping knives, shovels, and pickaxes. The man in the center was covered in black, wearing a black mask and hood, making his face indistinguishable. He was of medium build, holding a short blade in his right hand while clutching Ou Mulin with his left, warily eyeing the group.

"Who exactly are you? Let her go, or you won't be leaving this place today!" Fan Sanpang threatened.

"You think you few can hold me? I don't even consider you a threat," the man in black said arrogantly.

"That remains to be seen!" Ding replied as he arrived at the edge of the circle. He slowly drew his dagger from his waist. He had kept the habit of carrying it since his days in the military. It was the exceptionally sharp blade he had obtained on Mount Luoxia.

"Don't move, or I'll kill her first!" Seeing another person join the circle, the man in black pressed his short blade against Ou Mulin.

Ding and the others, fearing for Ou Mulin's safety, dared not act rashly.

"Let Mulin go. She has no grudge against you; why hurt her?" Ding asked, his brow furrowed as his mind raced for a solution.

"Let me go, or I really will kill her!" the man in black continued to threaten.

"Release Mulin first, and we will let you go!" Ding countered.

"That won't do. I'm taking her with me!" the man in black refused flatly.

"Can you tell me why you kidnapped Mulin?" Ding asked, trying to stall.

"Because I found out she is from the Ou family of the Sword Pavilion Manor," the man replied.

"Why are you looking for someone from the Sword Pavilion Manor? And who are you?" Ding pressed.

"I can't tell you that. It won't do you any good to know," the man in black said coldly.

Ding understood that in the world of martial arts, it was best not to pry. Often, the fewer secrets one knew, the safer one was. Knowing the hidden secrets of a sect could invite death. However, the mystery of the massacre of the Ou family at Sword Pavilion Manor still troubled him. Who had destroyed the family? Why? What were they after? These questions had always haunted him.

It seemed this man in black was also here because of the Ou family. He hadn't harmed Ou Mulin yet, likely because he wanted to extract information from her.

Just as Ding was contemplating how to rescue her, a fuzzy, soft caterpillar fell from a tree and landed right on the back of the man's right hand. He was startled and nearly dropped his short blade, shaking his hand to dislodge the insect.

In that split second, Ou Mulin grabbed the man's left arm and bit down hard. She twisted her body and broke free from his grip.

The man in black, stunned by the pain in his arm, subconsciously loosened his hold. Just as he stepped forward to recapture her, Ding lunged with his dagger toward the man's chest. At the same time, Fan Sanpang, standing behind him, swung his broadsword toward the man's back.