Chapter Seventy: Resolved Misunderstandings

When Ding stepped forward to save Sun Dasheng from the murderous intent of the Twin Demons of the Northern Desert, he unleashed a torrent of bewildering nonsense, leaving the pair shrouded in confusion, unable to fathom his true nature. After Ding recited his feigned “incantation,” the Twin Demons followed his gesture, turning to look behind them. But when they did, nothing met their gaze.

Suspicion flickered in their minds, and in an instant, they realized they had been tricked by Ding. Yet, it was already too late. The two felt a slight sting in several places on their bodies, then a numbness, and in the next moment, all sensation was gone.

With two dull thuds, both collapsed to the ground. In the blink of an eye, their faces turned a deep shade of purplish-black.

Sun Dasheng, lying not far away, was struck dumb with shock, as if his mind had short-circuited. Ding, meanwhile, calmly tucked a bamboo tube into his pocket, thinking to himself, “This hidden weapon is quite handy!”

This bamboo tube was precisely the one Tang Yunzhi had given him before his departure, loaded with poisoned needles.

“The Soul-Stealing Tube! Are you from the Tang Clan?” Suddenly, Madam Luo, still lying on the ground and bare-bottomed, spoke up.

Soul-Stealing Tube? So that's what this hidden weapon is called! Ding had not known its name—Tang Yunzhi had only taught him how to use it, never mentioning what it was called.

“I’m not from the Tang Clan. How did you recognize the Soul-Stealing Tube?” Ding asked curiously.

“The Soul-Stealing Tube is one of the Tang Clan’s most formidable hidden weapons. Within a short range, it kills without a trace—how could I not know of it!” Luo Dafeng replied. Being from Sichuan, she naturally knew more about the Tang Clan than most.

So this hidden weapon was so potent! Ding silently thanked Tang Yunzhi for her kindness. No doubt she had kept the Soul-Stealing Tube for self-defense, yet before his journey, she had entrusted it to him.

Tonight, it was this very weapon that had saved him; otherwise, he never would have bested the Twin Demons. Before emerging from the cave, he had already hidden the bamboo tube in his sleeve. When he tricked the two villains into turning around, he swiftly pressed the mechanism and fired several needles at them, fearing that a single shot might not suffice to kill them.

In truth, the poison on the needles was a Tang Clan secret concoction—just one hit was deadly.

Suddenly, Ding recalled the night he was chased by the giant bear. Why hadn't he thought to use the bamboo tube on it?

But thinking it over, it probably would have been futile. The bear’s hide was thick, covered with shaggy brown fur and a layer of mud. A needle so small would hardly penetrate its flesh.

Ding looked down at the three lying on the ground, all their pressure points sealed. Yet he had no idea how to release them.

He first approached Sun Dasheng, grinning, “Second Chief Sun, are you alright?”

Sun Dasheng replied guardedly, “What are you planning?”

“I plan nothing, only wish to offer some advice. In the world, there are countless trades—why become a bandit? With your martial skills, you could do so much good. Why harm others and yourself, committing deeds against heaven and reason? I see you’re an upright man, not the scheming sort, daring to stand up for justice. That’s why I saved you tonight. Had I arrived a moment later, you wouldn’t be here talking to me now,” Ding said earnestly.

“Ah… I actually… I had no choice…” Sun Dasheng sighed deeply, shame coloring his face.

Ding stood up, leaving him be, and turned to Madam Luo and the young nun.

Madam Luo, remembering Ding’s earlier words with the Twin Demons about demanding herself and the nun, eyed him warily, “You—you—what are you going to do?”

Seeing her suspicious yet timid demeanor, Ding couldn’t help but chuckle, teasing, “Oh my, madam, why do you enjoy having your bottom bare?”

“I—I—was victimized by those villains…” Luo Dafeng was so mortified she forgot to defend herself.

Ignoring her, Ding went straight to the young nun. Her clothes had been torn by the Twin Demons, exposing her undergarments and some of her snow-white skin. When Ding approached, she blushed, speaking in a low voice, “Thank you, sir, for your timely rescue. I am deeply grateful. Might you help me unseal my pressure points?”

“Ah, well, actually, I know nothing of martial arts. I happened upon this hidden weapon from a friend and, by sheer luck, killed those two fiends…” Ding replied apologetically—he truly did not know how to unseal the points.

“Then, sir, could you… could you help me… tidy my clothes?” The nun’s face was crimson, her voice growing ever softer.

Ding glanced at her disheveled clothing, then at Madam Luo. It was true—their pressure points might not be released for some time; they couldn’t remain so exposed.

He helped the young nun wrap her torn garments around herself, then went to the cave where Madam Luo had lost her pants, retrieved them, and helped her put them on. She did not protest, for she didn’t wish to remain bare. Her cheeks flushed, she stayed silent.

It was already past midnight. Ding surveyed the surrounding woods, thinking that the night was fraught with danger. If beasts appeared, he could escape, but the three on the ground would be helpless prey.

If more villains like the Twin Demons arrived, he might not prevail, and the three would fare no better.

Thus, Ding decided it was best to hide them in the caves.

Near his own hiding place, he cleared two smaller caves, placing Madam Luo and the young nun in one, Sun Dasheng in another, and blocked both entrances with large stones.

Having settled them, Ding used the Twin Demons’ weapons to dig a pit at the forest’s edge, dragged their bodies in, and buried them—to avoid attracting wild animals.

Once all was done, Ding returned to his cave, found the two children still sleeping soundly, blocked the entrance, and finally lay down to rest.

At dawn, Ding rose early to practice his exercises. Hearing movement from the next cave, he emerged, moved the stone blocking the entrance, and found the young nun and Madam Luo, their pressure points now released, stretching their numbed limbs.

“May I ask your esteemed name, sir? I am Yue Yurou of Jade Purity Sect, and I thank you for saving my life!” The young nun, Yue Yurou, clasped her hands in gratitude as Ding opened the entrance.

“Luo Dafeng of Sichuan also thanks you, sir, for saving my life!” Madam Luo, still somewhat embarrassed, understood that Ding had rescued her.

“No need for thanks. My name is Tian Xiaoding—everyone calls me Xiaoding, or Tian the Fool…” he gave his usual self-introduction.

No sooner had Ding finished than a thunderous voice echoed from the adjacent cave, “I, Sun Dasheng, thank you, Young Master Tian, for saving my life! I have offended you before; I hope you bear no grudge. My pressure points are still sealed, so I cannot bow to you yet!”

Ding smiled to himself—this man had finally let go of any ill will.

It was just as the saying goes:

Flowers do not bloom for a hundred days, nor does the moon stay full for a hundred nights;
In this world, love and hate hinge on a single moment of thought.