Chapter 869: Chapter 869: The Black Barbarians

In Bianliang, young ladies typically have engagement talks by thirteen or fourteen, and can marry by the age of fifteen. A ten-year-old girl is already considered mature.

Zhao Die’er is already ten, not yet fully grown, but showing the initial signs of beauty.

TODAY, Zhao Die’er is dressed in a silk jacket, her petite body wrapped under a furry fox coat, her little face clean and radiant.

This year, Bianliang has no snow. It is the first time Ning Fan has met Zhao Die’er without snow.

Ten years have passed. Ning Fan’s appearance is now like that of a thirty-year-old man, his gaze deeper. Yet upon seeing Zhao Die’er, his eyes softened, and he smiled.

“Oh, isn’t this Die’er?”

“Die’er greets Uncle Ning. Is Uncle Ning going to the Bian River to enjoy the scenery again? It’s a pity that there’s no snow this year and the plum blossoms haven’t bloomed. Without the company of plums, Uncle’s wine must be a bit lonely…”

Zhao Die’er shyly smiles, lowers her head, her waterfall-like black hair cascading down, her voice soft and sweet like glutinous rice.

At ten, Zhao Die’er is more aware of etiquette. No longer does she cling to Ning Fan to build snowmen.

At ten, Zhao Die’er already harbors some girlish thoughts… Ning Fan was already handsome, and due to years of cultivation, he possessed an ethereal quality.

Even though he deliberately aged his appearance slightly, it still made the newly acquainted Zhao Die’er feel a bit flushed and her heart flutter.

Behind Zhao Die’er stand two maidservants from the Zhao Residence, both around eighteen or nineteen, with fairly charming appearances.

Having long served at the Zhao Residence, the two maids have seen many Bianliang talents, some with outstanding looks and scholarship, but someone like Ning Fan, with such ethereal qualities, is rare…

Thus, not only Zhao Die’er blushes, but the two maidservants also flush, occasionally stealing glances at Ning Fan…

“Indeed, there’s no snow this year in Bianliang and the plum blossoms haven’t bloomed. The wine does feel lonely… How is Brother Boyang’s illness?”

Ning Fan shifts the conversation, inquiring.

He has been in Bianliang for ten years and has known Zhao Boyang for ten years; they’re considered old friends.

In the recent month, Zhao Boyang hasn’t come to Yunzhong Academy to give lessons, reportedly due to a severe relapse of an old ailment…

“Father’s leg ailment flares up every year, but this year it’s worse. He cannot get out of bed and must have someone to attend to him bedside. We’ve invited numerous renowned physicians, but none saw improvement, even the Barbarian Monk Master’s medicine had no effect…”

Thinking of her father’s illness, Zhao Die’er feels a sting at her nose and tears quickly well up in her eyes.

“Is it a leg ailment… Don’t cry, follow me.”

Ning Fan pats Zhao Die’er’s black hair, and then he opens the door to return to his residence. This unconscious act makes Zhao Die’er forget to cry, her face turning an intense shade of shame.

She’s already ten, already a big girl, with many clans in the Bianliang seeking her hand… Yet Ning Fan still treats her like a child, casually touching her head…

Such a rude gesture, yet Zhao Die’er seems not to reject this feeling…

Leaving the two maids outside, Zhao Die’er enters Ning Fan’s courtyard alone. Though all the plum blossoms in Bianliang are yet to bloom, a plum tree in the courtyard is in full blossom.

“Eh? Uncle’s plum tree is strange, quite different from those in Bianliang city…” Zhao Die’er remarks in surprise.

“Of course, it is different, it is not an ordinary plum tree…”

Ning Fan smiles and plucks two plum blossoms from the tree. One with weaker Spiritual Energy is worn in Zhao Die’er’s hair, the other is placed into a brocade box like a magic trick, and handed to Zhao Die’er.

“Take the plum blossom in the box and give it to your father; his leg ailment will naturally heal… Do not spread this in Bianliang, and do not tell your father that the plum blossom was gifted by me.”

Zhao Die’er’s little mind is muddled, failing to comprehend what Ning Fan said, she instinctively takes the jade box and lowers her head like an ostrich.

Her mind is fixated on one thing: she was teased by Uncle Ning!

In Bianliang, men and women aren’t supposed to touch easily, yet Ning Fan touched her hair and adorned her with a flower…

Her face felt as if half of it was burning, her heart pounding, only the sound of her racing heartbeat filled her ears…

“Learned to blush, have we? Die’er has truly grown up, while Uncle’s actions have been too forward…”

Ning Fan chuckles and shakes his head. His bone age is already a thousand years; in front of him, Zhao Die’er will always be a child. He hasn’t considered the boundaries between man and woman until now, realizing the need for caution.

After reiterating his earlier instructions and thoroughly advising Zhao Die’er, Ning Fan allows her to leave.

Even upon stepping outside Ning Fan’s gate, Zhao Die’er’s face remains flushed. It takes her a while to calm her heart and look at the brocade box in her hand, filled with surprise.

“Why did Uncle give me a plum blossom? And he said this plum blossom could heal father’s leg… Die’er has read many medical books but has never heard that plum blossoms could treat leg ailments…”

Not believing the plum blossom could heal the leg ailment, Zhao Die’er still carries the idea of trying, takes the plum blossom back home, and gives it to her father.

Strangely enough, Zhao Boyang’s leg ailment seemed untreatable by any medicine, yet after taking that plum blossom, his leg ailment improved day by day.

Zhao Boyang questions incessantly about the origin of that plum blossom. Zhao Die’er remembers Ning Fan’s instructions and doesn’t speak carelessly, yet the matter spreads throughout Bianliang City.

No one knows exactly what kind of plum blossom could cure Zhao Daru’s chronic leg disease.

The only one who knows the truth is Zhao Die’er. At the age of ten, she first witnessed Ning Fan’s astonishing abilities.

When she returned to the Ning Clan to express her gratitude for Ning Fan’s kindness with the plum, she found that Ning Fan was not home; only his ’wife and daughter’ were there…

After making inquiries with ’Aunt’ Liu Yan and ’Sister’ Xian Luoli, Zhao Die’er learned that Ning Fan was currently painting by the banks of the Bian River.

“Uncle Ning is painting by the Bian River?” Zhao Die’er was quite surprised. In her impression, Ning Fan seemed to only know how to drink wine and admire plum blossoms.

When she arrived at the Bian River bank and found Ning Fan, she indeed saw him standing beside a half-person-high flat blue stone, gazing at an ancient painting.

Ten years of transformation, all in the pursuit of truth, Ning Fan was finally beginning to comprehend truth. True understanding cannot be conveyed by words alone, so Ning Fan infused his realization of truth into his paintings, creating scrolls to grasp truth through this medium.

The ancient painting Ning Fan was looking at was one he obtained from Luo Yun Tribe’s Honorable Demon General, Lu Daochen, during his time with the Lu Clan’s nine divisions.

The content of the painting depicts the scene of the ancient Heavenly Court’s demon general Lu Wu setting out on an expedition in his carriage.

This painting, done by a painter of the ancient Heavenly Court, can turn illusion into reality. Just by stimulating mana, the figures in the painting can materialize.

This painting contains the painter’s insight into the truth…

Ning Fan observed the ancient painting for a long time before putting it away, retrieving paper, ink, brush, and inkstone, placing them upon the blue stone, and began to paint.

He knew Zhao Die’er had already arrived, standing by his side, but at this moment, he was focused on his painting and did not acknowledge her. Zhao Die’er did not disturb him either.

Ning Fan’s painting skills could only be considered average; far from the highest level in technique. But his paintings contained profound intent, akin to the Dao. In ink wash painting, the most important aspect is the intent.

He painted the landscapes of Bianliang City. Every blade of grass, every tree, had already woven deeply into his heart over the past ten years.

However, he could paint the streets and shops of Bianliang City, but could not convey their bustling noise.

He could paint the Bian River’s water but could not make it flow.

He could paint the withered plum trees on both banks but could not make the blossoms bloom…

“Still not enough…”

Ning Fan sighed softly, put down his brush, and gazed silently at the river.

He was still dissatisfied with the painting because he hadn’t achieved the incorporation of true essence into it.

Zhao Die’er’s beautiful eyes sparkled with surprise as she looked at Ning Fan’s paintings.

She naturally did not understand the concepts of true essence, but in her view, Ning Fan’s landscape painting skill had undoubtedly reached an extremely high level. Every blade of grass and tree possessed its meaning…

She did not understand why Ning Fan, having painted such an extraordinary masterpiece, would sigh…

“Uncle, are you not satisfied with this painting?” Zhao Die’er didn’t address him as Uncle Ning; her tone seemed once again intimate, as it had when she was a child.

“You noticed as well?” Ning Fan smiled.

“Hehe, Uncle, your brows are almost knit together. How could Die’er not notice?”

Zhao Die’er smiled sweetly, suddenly had an idea. Her face blushed as she lowered her head, pleading with Ning Fan,

“Uncle, could you teach Die’er to paint? Die’er wants to learn…”

“Isn’t your aspiration to become a Barbarian Monk? Why not study the Barbarian Sutra, and instead, you come to me to learn painting. Don’t you want to become a Barbarian Monk anymore?” Ning Fan said with a smile.

“No, Die’er’s aspiration is still to be a Barbarian Monk, and Die’er has already promised Master Manchi…”

Zhao Die’er stopped halfway, sighed softly, and did not continue.

Ning Fan did not press the matter, just looked at Zhao Die’er with interest, untying the wine gourd at his waist, and took a swig.

“Will Uncle teach Die’er to paint? Just five years, Die’er will only bother Uncle for five years, after which Die’er will leave…”

Zhao Die’er’s dark eyes gazed at Ning Fan, carrying a hint of earnestness. Her expression also revealed a trace of innocent emotions.

“Alright.”

Ning Fan nodded, his gaze passing over the plum blossom at Zhao Die’er’s temple, which made him sigh.

Days had passed, and that plum blossom had already withered, yet Zhao Die’er still wore it on her head.

Grown up, have you…

From this day onward, whenever Zhao Die’er had free time, she would come to Ning Fan to learn painting.

By the blue stone beside the Bian River, Ning Fan was sure to be there, sometimes splashing ink, sometimes silently pondering.

In the eleventh year, Ning Fan finally painted a flowing river.

Year twelve, on the barren plum branches painted by Ning Fan, a few red plums unexpectedly bloomed.

Year thirteen, in Ning Fan’s painting of the marketplace, a faint sound of clamor started to emerge.

Year fourteen, Ning Fan began painting flying dragons, strange beasts, and various creatures amidst mountains and seas.

Year fifteen, Ning Fan started painting people.

In his paintings, there were many people, including beloved faces, relatives, and enemies.

All memories were infused into the Dao by Ning Fan, painted onto paper without deliberately seeking truth, yet gradually, true Dao resonance emerged in the paintings.

It had been fifteen years since arriving in Bianliang, the Seven-Colored Arrow Spirit had already been refined by Ning Fan twice.

The mist on the True Bridge could no longer obscure Ning Fan’s sight. For the first time in fifteen years, Ning Fan felt the call of the Zhenhuan River.

That night, Ning Fan sat cross-legged in meditation in his room.

His physical body remained at home, but his Spirit suddenly rose with a storage pouch, soaring into the night sky of Bianliang.

Only to see the figure of the Spirit flicker, actually tearing open a gap in the night sky, stepping in and vanishing into the night of Bianliang.

Any Master breaking through the bottleneck of Enlightenment requires their Spirit to depart the body and enter the Inner Heavenly Dao.

At this moment, Ning Fan’s Spirit was inside the Inner Heavenly Dao, and before his eyes lay a river that seemed to blur between reality and illusion.

Ning Fan stood on the southern bank of the river, where it was barren. The northern bank was lush with green grass; crossing to the northern bank would achieve success in breaking through the Crossing Truth Realm.

The river was called the Zhenhuan River, shrouded in mist that seemed real and illusory. Now, Ning Fan’s gaze could pierce through parts of the mist.

The True Bridge over the Zhenhuan River was not just one but countless. With his current true progress, he could see three thousand True Bridges among the river’s mist.

These three thousand True Bridges lacked a suitable True Bridge for the Execution Path crossing…

“The True Bridges over the Zhenhuan River have existed since the formation of the Heavenly Dao… Zhenhuan River cannot support even a feather, impossible to fly over, swim across, or sail. Only by stepping onto a bridge can one cross the river… Reaching the northern bank means successful enlightening. Whatever great journey one cultivates, they must cross its corresponding bridge…”

“Now, I can see three thousand True Bridges over the Zhenhuan River; these encompass most of the Four Heavens’ major paths, yet, they lack the True Bridge of the Execution Path…”

“No cultivator entering the Inner Heavenly Dao to enlighten will be disturbed from outside, but it’s extremely difficult to access the Inner Heavenly Dao. I spent fifteen years in transformation before entering once…”

“Any cultivator has only nine opportunities to cross bridges… Now, I can’t see the existence of the True Bridge of the Execution Path, fearing I cannot enlighten…”

“A pity…”

As night passed, Ning Fan’s Spirit exited the Inner Heavenly Dao and returned to his body. Attempting to enter the Inner Heavenly Dao was now impossible.

The next morning, Zhao Die’er came looking for Ning Fan to learn painting. She was already fifteen, with her coming-of-age ceremony only three days away.

She came not only to learn painting but also to inform Ning Fan that she was about to come of age.

For an ordinary girl, coming of age means reaching adulthood and the prospect of marriage soon.

But for Zhao Die’er, coming of age meant a lifetime accompanying the lamplight, forever leaving Bianliang City.

She did not wish to marry, her dream was to become a Barbarian Monk to protect vulnerable Stone Warriors harmed by Barbarian Beasts.

In Bianliang City, many noble families sought her hand, but Zhao Boyang refused them all.

Zhao Boyang was not an ordinary person, understanding his daughter’s great aspirations, and naturally supported her wholeheartedly.

The only difficulty was, to become a Barbarian Monk, she must travel to a city with flourishing Barbarian Temples to learn Barbarian Techniques. Bianliang City had just one Barbarian Monk, whose cultivation level was weak, unable to help disciples perceive the Barbarian Technique Incense Flame…

“Uncle, Die’er is about to come of age and soon leave Bianliang… Will you miss Die’er…”

Zhao Die’er stood beside Ning Fan, looking at the snowy landscape, and softly asked.

In the fifteenth year, small snowflakes fell upon Bianliang, and the red plums bloomed in the snow.

Ning Fan drank wine and painted in the snow, as he deliberately altered his appearance, his temples were touched by frost.

Zhao Die’er watched the familiar silhouette, gazed at the familiar Bian River scene, her heart felt slightly sour, tinged with reluctance.

She had grown up, but uncle was beginning to age…

She had finally come of age and was set to leave her hometown and strive to become a Barbarian Monk, yet she felt a touch of reluctance…

“Not at all. Die’er leaves without worry, Uncle won’t miss you.” Ning Fan smiled.

“Liar! I don’t believe it!”

Zhao Die’er stuck out her tongue, refusing to believe Ning Fan would not miss her.

“…Uncle, if Die’er becomes a Barbarian Monk, she can never marry in this lifetime. Uncle, could you grant Die’er a small wish…” Zhao Die’er cautiously asked.

“What wish?”

“Uncle, can you accompany Die’er to wear wedding clothes once, eat wedding cake once, sit in a wedding boat once, and release a wedding lantern once… Consider it fulfilling Die’er’s little wish before she leaves…”

“No.”

“Why… Uncle never refuses Die’er’s requests, why refuse this time…” Zhao Die’er sighed in disappointment.

Ning Fan did not answer, only took a sip of spiritual wine, put down the lake brush, and gazed intently at a tree of red plum blossoms.

“You’re stingy…” Zhao Die’er muttered softly, her cheeks suddenly flushed, full of redness.

It was because Ning Fan picked a red plum blossom, gently placed it on her temple, and smiled, “This plum blossom will be your coming-of-age gift. I have matters to attend to these days and probably won’t make it to your coming-of-age ceremony…”

“Uncle won’t attend Die’er’s coming-of-age ceremony…” As soon as Ning Fan spoke, Zhao Die’er, who was initially a little shy, immediately became disappointed.

“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. After all, the remains of the Sui Nian Barbarian Beast are not so easy to find…” Ning Fan smiled helplessly.

“Sui Nian Barbarian Beast… What kind of barbarian beast is that…” Zhao Die’er’s beautiful eyes were full of confusion.

“I’ll tell you in the future…”

During those three days, Ning Fan was not at home but had left the city. Zhao Die’er tried to find Ning Fan but couldn’t. Upon hearing that Ning Fan had left the city, she couldn’t help but be full of worry.

The Bian Liang Barbarians know how to make Barbaric God Jade Pendants, and those leaving the city can reduce the chances of being attacked by barbarian beasts by wearing these pendants, but it doesn’t guarantee absolute safety.

Zhao Die’er didn’t know what Ning Fan went out of the city to do, nor if he took a Barbaric God Jade Pendant with him. She was very worried…

Three days passed, and Ning Fan still had not returned. Today was Zhao Die’er’s coming-of-age ceremony.

As the daughter of Zhao Daru, Zhao Die’er’s coming-of-age ceremony was naturally very grand, with countless prominent families from Bian Liang attending.

Not only that, even the only Barbarian Monk of Bian Liang, Master Manchi, made an exception to attend Zhao Die’er’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Ordinarily, Manchi would not attend the coming-of-age of a common family’s daughter, but Zhao Die’er was different. She once sought out Manchi, who evaluated that she had exceptional talent and, with the guidance of a famous monk, would certainly become a renowned monk, benefiting the barbarian wildlands.

Knowing he was not qualified to be Zhao Die’er’s teacher, Manchi recommended Zhao Die’er to go to Tianman City to study barbarian techniques.

Tianman City, looking across the whole Barbarian Wilderness Ancient Domain, is one of the top ten cities!

The barbarian monks there are numerous, and their strength is enough to withstand the attack of any barbarian beast.

“I have used barbarian techniques to inform several friends in Tianman City. The barbarian temple there is also very interested in Zhao Die’er, this naturally talented one… It is even said that this time, people from the Heavenly Barbarian Temple will be sent to Bian Liang to escort her to Tianman City, demonstrating the temple’s emphasis on her…” Manchi thought to himself.

The coming-of-age ceremony should have been happy, but Zhao Die’er couldn’t be happy as she was still worried about Ning Fan’s safety.

She looked dreamily at the guests arriving to congratulate, but among the many, there was not the one she most wanted to see…

“Uncle, where have you gone… Are the things you are doing more important than Die’er’s coming-of-age ceremony… Am I not important to you…”

Zhao Die’er sighed softly and suddenly, incredibly, looked up, seemingly sensing something.

After her, Manchi also raised his head, sensing something, looked outside of Zhao Residence, with a trace of fear in his expression.

Outside Zhao Residence, amid the wind and snow, twelve black-framed horses approached through the snow, each mounted by a black-robed monk.

“Hand over Zhao Die’er, or no one inside this residence will survive!”

The guests who came to pay respects quickly sent out servants to find out who dared to make such noise outside Zhao Residence.

But the servants sent to inquire were, without exception, all killed by the twelve black monks, blood splattering in the snow!

“It’s the Black Barbarian Monks! The Black Barbarian Monks, who kill without a second thought! Why have they come here!”

Some knowledgeable guests immediately showed expressions of horror.

Among the barbarians, there’s a special kind that can harness the power of incense flames to protect all beings, known as Barbarian Monks.

The vast majority of Barbarian Monks take the protection of all beings as their mission, but a few are intent on killing, opposing all beings!

They are the Black Barbarian Monks!

They somehow heard about Zhao Die’er’s extraordinary talent and came here today to capture her, forcing her to join the Black Barbarian!

“I will count to ten, and if Zhao Residence doesn’t hand over Zhao Die’er by then, I’ll lead people inside to kill!”

Among the twelve black monks, the leader, an obscene old man, cackled sinisterly.

However, they did not see in the shadows, a silver-haired little girl was also chuckling mischievously.

Xian Luoli was delighted, it seemed there was another fight coming up! (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian.com, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep