108: An Encounter During the Spring Outing

I have to admit, although the ancient world can be quite jarring for a modern person to adapt to, some of its scenic spots are truly far superior to those of the modern era.

While the modern Yangzhou River is decent, the pollution from industry and a massive population means it can hardly be called clear. Yet, as Ming Tian went boating for the first time, he discovered that the Yangzhou River was as clear as a mirror. Looking down into the water, one might even feel that the boat wasn't resting on the surface, but suspended in mid-air. In Ming Tian’s own time, rivers of such pristine clarity were few and far between.

However, even in such beauty, there was an element of disharmony.

*Plop.*

As An Luo, the last to board, stepped onto the small wooden skiff, it sank by over ten centimeters. The boat, which had been spacious enough for the three of them, instantly became cramped.

"Big brother, how much do you actually weigh? I feel like you're well over two hundred pounds, aren't you? Could you please get off? We came here to enjoy the spring, not to feed the fish!"

Once An Luo was on board, his face—which could rival Zhu Bajie’s in ugliness—wore a smile that looked like a piece of avant-garde performance art as he stared incessantly at Yin Chan. Poor Yin Chan, who was never one for many words, felt so creeped out by his gaze that even Ming Tian, sitting opposite, could see the goosebumps rising on the back of her hands.

"My Lord, here."

Beside him, Xiao Xinzhu, dressed in her armor, had thoughtfully prepared some wine and handed a cup to Ming Tian. Although he couldn't see her expression behind the armor, the mere sound of her soft voice made Ming Tian feel as though his bones were turning to jelly.

*Ah, no, I must find a chance to win over my Princess lady. If this keeps on, I’m going to die from sheer arousal.*

As Ming Tian drank, the wine poured by Xinzhu tasted exceptionally good, even stirring a physical reaction in his trousers. *Well, getting turned on by a suit of armor—I really am a total pervert... but it doesn't matter. What man isn't a pervert? A man's perversion is justice!*

On the other side, An Luo bared his thirty-two yellow teeth, fawning over Yin Chan as he offered her wine. Poor Yin Chan leaned so far out of the boat to escape him that she looked at Ming Tian with a desperate plea for help.

*Not my problem.*

Ming Tian watched the strange pairing of Yin Chan and An Luo with a dark sense of humor. He had no intention of helping Yin Chan; instead, he found the scene rather amusing. Combined with the pleasant breeze and bright weather, he felt perfectly at ease.

And so, as the little boat drifted along, time passed quickly. For the first time since his transmigration, Ming Tian felt truly comfortable.

"Miss Yin Chan, *mwah, mwah*..."

Perhaps having had too much to drink, An Luo was tipsy. His mouth was pursed like a sphincter, and he was emboldened by the alcohol to demand a kiss. When Yin Chan saw this, it wasn't just goosebumps; even her silky hair stood on end as if she had been electrocuted.

"Go to hell!!!"

With a punch, a kick, a gouge to the eyes, a strike to the nose, and a kick to his nether regions, she unleashed a three-hit combo that bent An Luo into the shape of a giant lobster before sending him flying into the water.

Terrified and pale, Yin Chan rowed with such intensity that she reached a speed of five or six knots. Poor An Luo was left crying and shouting to be let back on board, but he couldn't catch up no matter how hard he tried.

"Hey, hey, isn't An Luo going to drown?"

"Let him drown." Yin Chan’s face was as sour as a frost-bitten eggplant; clearly, the image of An Luo’s puckered lips had left deep psychological trauma.

They played until the afternoon, the sun turning a golden yellow around three or four o'clock, and prepared to head back. It was while turning the boat around that Ming Tian made an unexpected discovery.

"Yes, that’s right. Use both arms; you must put your whole body into the swing."

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

In the distance, about five or six hundred meters away on an open grassy field, Ming Tian caught sight of Mo'er and Feng Mowang. The thin and slight Mo'er was gripping a wooden sword far too heavy for her frame, sweating profusely as she practiced her downward slashes. Feng Mowang stood by like a little master, arms crossed, overseeing her practice. Because they were so far away, the two children clearly hadn't noticed the four people on the river.

Ming Tian was startled. *No wonder Mo'er was staring at Mowang's room the night before last. I hadn't seen either of them all day yesterday or today—I never expected them to be practicing martial arts here.*

*Wait, why is Mo'er the one practicing? That little girl is malnourished; she hasn't even recovered yet, has she?*

Filled with curiosity, Ming Tian continued to watch.

"Huff..." After a few swings, the physically exhausted Mo'er collapsed to her knees, gasping for air. Ming Tian couldn't see her expression—he didn't have x-ray vision—but from start to finish, she never let go of the wooden sword.

"Mo'er, take a rest." The environment was tranquil, so even from this distance, Ming Tian could hear Mowang's words of concern clearly.

But Mo'er shook her head.

"No, I can't stop."

Trembling, her small body leaned on the sword to stand up once more. Mo'er stubbornly gave it her all and swung the sword again. Though her technique was utterly amateur, it was clear that she was putting every ounce of her strength into every single strike.

"I... I need to be useful quickly. I want to help Master... I... I can't be a burden to Master... I must also... kill the enemy... and repay Master!"

She was so exhausted she could barely speak clearly, yet Mo'er kept swinging the wooden sword without a moment's pause. These words tugged at Ming Tian's heartstrings.

"Mo'er..." Watching her clumsy, earnest practice, Ming Tian felt a lump in his throat. He was moved, of course. The greatest joy in this life was seeing a child he had saved working tirelessly to repay him. As an elder, watching his ward show such initiative, Ming Tian felt the girl was worth saving.

"Ah..." Exhausted, Mo'er fell again. Mowang looked on with a pained expression and quickly rushed over to support her, offering her water from a bamboo tube.

"Mo'er, please, rest." Mowang’s voice was filled with heartbreak.

An Mo took the water, drank a few sips, but still shook her head, showing no intention of resting as she rose to continue.

"You’ve picked up a good child." Xinzhu’s voice was light and melodious, filled with genuine warmth.

Ming Tian smiled slightly, offering no reply, just a nod.

"Huff... *phew*..." Having finally caught up to the boat, An Luo spat out a mouthful of water. Looking at the two small figures on the shore, he couldn't help but say curiously, "Brother Ming Tian, do you think those two kids might be a pair? How about we host their wedding when we get back? What do you think?"

Ming Tian’s mouth twitched.

"Don't corrupt the children."

He lifted his leg and kicked An Luo right in the face.

"Ugh!" Before he could even scream, the poor man was kicked back into the water before he could board the boat.

"Don't disturb them, let's go." Yin Chan watched for a while and said as much. She was a woman of few words, but it was clear she was quite fond of these two children.

Indeed, it would be wrong to disturb them. Ming Tian smiled and said nothing, picking up his oar to leave. But at that very second, a jarring sound shattered the peace.

"General Getuo, look, two pigs out here in the middle of nowhere."

"Indeed... wait? Isn't that little girl one of the two-legged sheep that escaped us?"

Looking toward the sound, two muscular men, each as burly as An Luo, emerged from the nearby woods. With their broad backs and thick waists, and the necklaces of human finger bones hanging around their necks, they were unmistakably Jie tribesmen!

The two Jie immediately recognized An Mo and began sprinting toward them!

"Damn it! It's the Jie!" Ming Tian gasped in horror.