Grasping the Evil-Chapter 868: Snowmen

"Marry me? Haha, do you even know what it means to get married?" Ning Fan was taken aback, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

In his life, he had never been confessed to by a child barely three years old, and he found it amusing.

"Of course I know! Getting married means being like Sister Siya, wearing a beautiful wedding coat, eating lots and lots of wedding cakes, sitting on a wedding boat, and lighting wedding lanterns! Die’er dreams of getting married!" Zhao Die’er replied in her childish voice, her tiny face full of envy.

She was too young to understand the meaning of marriage. For her, getting married meant delicious food and fun activities...

"Sister Siya? Who’s that?" Ning Fan squatted down, gently patting Zhao Die’er’s little head, his expression softening.

"Sister Siya is the maid my mother chose for me. She treats me really well. But it’s strange, ever since Sister Siya got married, she stopped taking care of me... Uncle, uncle, please help me pick some plum blossoms..." The little girl pursed her lips, seemingly unhappy about being patted on the head, as she believed it would stop her from growing taller.

"Alright, I’ll help you pick them. How many plum blossoms does Die’er want?"

"A lot, a whole lot!"

"Then how many is a lot?"

"I don’t know... just a whole bunch!"

Ning Fan shook his head with a smile, picking two plum blossoms, placing one on the head of the Little Snow Cow, and one on Zhao Die’er’s head.

"Not enough, not enough, Die’er wants more plum blossoms! Die’er wants to weave a big flower crown!" The little girl complained with a pout.

"Some things aren’t better just because there’s more of them. The beauty of plum blossoms lies in their solitude and proud elegance. Wearing just one is the most beautiful... They’re not meant to be woven into crowns..."

"I don’t understand... Uncle, I don’t get a single word you’re saying..." The little girl looked at Ning Fan in confusion, not understanding why he wouldn’t pick more plum blossoms for her.

But she didn’t mind much, as she was already quite happy with a plum blossom on the Little Snow Cow’s head and one on her own, and she began to hop around the Little Snow Cow, humming a primitive tune.

"Little Barbarian Ox, don’t look back, fighting the heavens for freedom. Not seeing the Yellow River, not giving up, yet the Yellow River’s water is unclear. Water unclear, catching Barbarian Fish, Barbarian Fish leaps three thousand miles. Fighting the heavens for immortality, yet caught by a cat..."

The song was a tune passed down among the barbarian folk.

The rough meaning of the tune was the Barbarian Ox fighting for freedom, only to halt at the Yellow River... The Barbarian Fish fights for immortality, only to lose its life to a cat.

The song advises the barbarians that man cannot win against heaven, that one must accept destiny and not go against it...

"This tune, it’s rather harsh..." Ning Fan frowned slightly.

But seeing the little girl singing joyfully, he chose not to interrupt.

The little girl built a Little Snow Cow, then pleaded with Ning Fan to help her build a big snowman.

After finishing one, she wanted another, until Ning Fan ended up helping the little girl build five snowmen in total.

Four big ones and one small one.

"This is Daddy, this is Mommy, this is Sister Siya, this is Die’er, this is Uncle. We’ll live happily together, joyfully and carefree..." The little girl decided on identities for the five snowmen all by herself.

Ning Fan smiled, watching the little girl with her innocent and lively spirit, as his heart started to truly embrace life in Bianliang.

Four burly men came rushing over. They were guards from the Zhao Residence.

The four guards had come searching for Zhao Die’er, and seeing she was unharmed, their hearts eased.

Three of them looked at Ning Fan with hints of hostility in their eyes. They were new recruits by Zhao Boyang after arriving in Bianliang.

Among them, the most burly man stepped forward to block Ning Fan’s path, glaring at him fiercely,

"Who are you? How dare you abduct our Zhao family’s eldest daughter here, with malicious intent!"

This man spoke with such unpleasantness that Ning Fan’s eyes flashed with coldness, yet he did not move against him.

Ning Fan felt disdain in acting against mere mortals, only looking at the man coldly.

With just a cold gaze, devoid of exerting any extra pressure, he caused the burly man’s face to change dramatically, cold sweat pouring down his whole body!

"Master! This person is definitely a master! Since when did Bianliang’s martial world have such a young master appear!" The burly man nearly collapsed from fright, when suddenly the leader among the four sharply rebuked him.

"Wang Li, you are too rude! This gentleman is a friend of the master and a distinguished guest of our Zhao family. How dare you speak to him like that!"

The one reprimanding the burly man was surprisingly Zhao San, a guard from the Zhao family.

Ning Fan had once repelled Barbarian Beasts and saved his life, so he naturally recognized Ning Fan and always maintained a degree of respect towards him.

Zhao San glared fiercely at the other guards and had his hand already on his waist knife, ready to draw blood and kill anyone who dared to disrespect Ning Fan again!

"What! This gentleman is actually friends with the master!"

The eyes of the other three people looking at Ning Fan immediately filled with respect, no longer daring to offend.

Zhao San after understanding the reason from Ning Fan’s mouth, thanked Ning Fan for taking care of Zhao Die’er, but took Zhao Die’er back to Yunzhong Academy.

Zhao Die’er hadn’t played enough, really didn’t want to go back, but was afraid that if she went back too late, her father would smack her hand, so she left anyway.

Yet with every few steps she took, she would turn around and reluctantly glance at Ning Fan.

After she had walked some distance, she suddenly turned back and ran towards Ning Fan, saying very seriously, "Uncle, make snowmen for Die’er. When Die’er grows up, I will definitely marry Uncle, so he can make snowmen for me every day!"

Having said that, amidst the stunned expressions of Zhao San and others, she skipped and jumped towards the academy.

"Marry me, just you, a little child..."

Ning Fan smiled faintly, indifferent, turned his head, and continued to look at a tree full of red plum blossoms.

This was his second meeting with Zhao Die’er, but it was definitely not the last.

The snow in Bianliang had not stopped, and the Bian River gradually froze, no painting boats sailing through the snow.

Zhao Die’er urged Zhao San to find Ning Fan’s house, which was just beside Yunzhong Academy, separated by a wall.

So every few days, Zhao Die’er would come to find Ning Fan to play, urging him to make snowmen for her.

Why did she seek out Ning Fan?

Firstly, because Ning Fan was gentle with children, rarely scolding them. Secondly, occasionally he would give her some strange candies, very sweet and delicious, and after eating them she’d feel warm and not afraid of the cold snow.

Thirdly, because Zhao Die’er found Ning Fan very idle... All her maids and guards had lots of tasks to do.

The people of Bianliang City, except the elderly and children, all had countless work to do.

Only Ning Fan was very free... Idly all day, stepping on snow, appreciating plum blossoms, drinking wine...

"Uncle, why does everyone have work to do, yet you are this idle. Mama said, this behavior is called lazy and gluttonous. Girls when they grow up cannot marry lazy and gluttonous men... Die’er suddenly feels she doesn’t want to marry you anymore..."

"...Then why do you come to my house..." Ning Fan replied speechlessly.

"Because the snowmen you make are beautiful, ah! When the snow stops, and there is no snow to make snowmen, Die’er will not come looking for you anymore, Die’er will go to find Xiaowu Brother to learn martial arts! Teehee, when Die’er grows up, she wants to become a Barbarian Monk and save all living beings!"

"...What an ambition, it’s the first time I’ve heard a little girl want to grow up and become a nun..." Ning Fan was speechless.

The snow continued to fall until the end of the first lunar month before it stopped, and after the snow melted, Zhao Die’er indeed did not come to bother Ning Fan anymore.

To her, Ning Fan perhaps really only meant as much as making snowmen.

Instead, Zhao Die’er’s father, Zhao Boyang, came more frequently to the Ning Clan. Every time he came, he would drink with Ning Fan and discuss Dao, a joyous life.

Ning Fan’s cultivation to this day, with deep Dao enlightenment, even without studying Confucian classics, his words were enough for Zhao Boyang to consider them as classics.

In Zhao Boyang’s heart, he has already regarded Ning Fan as a confidant, not merely as a benefactor.

Seeing Ning Fan seemingly quite caring for his daughter, once inebriated, Zhao Boyang half-jokingly said to Ning Fan,

"Junior Brother Ning, neither of us are ordinary people. If you truly fancy Die’er, I am willing to make the decision to betroth her to you. Die’er is still young; we could first establish a marriage agreement. When she comes of age, we can seek a matchmaker and arrange a marriage. How about it? I know you already have a wife, so Die’er would most likely be just a concubine, but with your character, I think you wouldn’t treat Die’er badly."

These drunken words, Ning Fan naturally could not accept; he certainly wouldn’t be attracted to a three-year-old child.

Zhao Boyang still intended to invite Ning Fan to join the Yunzhong Academy, although every time he extended the invitation, Ning Fan gently declined.

He increasingly immersed himself in the identity of a mortal, enjoying the rare peace of Bianliang City.

The number of flames of war grew little by little, the cultivation of War Yin and Yang progressed bit by bit, the Seven-Colored Arrow Spirit was refined piece by piece.

Every day, Liu Yan would warm the wine for him, and Xian Luoli would seek him for ’practice’.

The snow melted, and Xian Luoli enjoyed running recklessly in Bianliang. This was her third year in Bianliang, and she was undefeated everywhere she went.

Now in Bianliang, who didn’t know Xian Luoli’s name. It was said this girl had consumed some kind of immortal herb, allowing her forever to remain in the form of a young girl, never growing up.

It was said her martial arts were extraordinary, defeating three hundred Bianliang soldiers alone, and there were few martial artists in Bianliang willing to fight her.

Ning Fan wouldn’t allow her to leave the city to hunt Barbarian Beasts, so the bored Xian Luoli could only seek Ning Fan to spar daily.

She naturally could not use Divine Skills, and Ning Fan did not use Divine Skills either.

Others couldn’t defeat Xian Luoli; Ning Fan naturally wouldn’t lose to her, but he wouldn’t bully Xian Luoli, merely acting as a practice partner.

Gradually, word spread in Bianliang City that Ning Qian was a hidden master of the martial arts in Jianghu, and this news didn’t cause much surprise.

In the eyes of the world, Ning Fan is the ’father’ of Xian Luoli; is it strange that he possesses unparalleled martial arts...

In the fourth year, Bianliang was snowless, and the plum blossoms did not bloom.

In the fifth year, Bianliang was snowless.

In the sixth year, snow returned to Bianliang, and once again Ning Fan walked on snowy paths, admired plum blossoms, and coincidentally met Zhao Die’er by the Bian River.

Now, Zhao Die’er was six years old, much taller and more mature than before, much more composed.

Upon meeting Ning Fan again, she recognized him instantly, still insisting that Ning Fan help her build a snowman, though she was shyer than before, and no longer uttered any childish talk about ’marrying Ning Fan.’

After all, she was the daughter of Zhao Boyang, a great Confucian scholar, raised with strict education, and now understood the meaning of marriage.

Ning Fan had been in Bianliang for six years; he deliberately altered his appearance and did not maintain the perpetual youth like Xian Luoli.

When he first arrived in Bianliang, he appeared twenty-something, but now he looked much more mature.

"Uncle, can you help Die’er build a snowman?"

"Of course."

"Uncle, Die’er wants a plum blossom."

"Sure, I’ll pick one for you."

Compared to back then, Zhao Die’er was undoubtedly much more polite, but there was also a bit less closeness...

Nowadays, Zhao Die’er viewed Ning Fan only as an uncle figure, naturally showing proper manners.

Gradually, she heard from her mother that Ning Fan was not only her father’s friend, but also saved their family’s lives from Barbarian Beasts back then, and further helped to cure her of poison.

In her heart, she held gratitude for Ning Fan, but it was devoid of any naive romantic feelings.

"Die’er has grown up..."

Ning Fan, just like before, gently touched Zhao Die’er’s silky black hair.

Zhao Die’er sweetly smiled, not resisting; after all, it’s normal for elders to pat the heads of juniors.

"Die’er still wants to marry Uncle?" Ning Fan jokingly asked.

"Uncle, please don’t tease Die’er. I was too young and ignorant then; it was just childish talk, please don’t mind..." Zhao Die’er’s face blushed as she recalled her past embarrassment.

"Haha, Die’er has really grown up; Brother Boyang indeed raised her strictly, a child of six already so sensible..."

Ning Fan withdrew his hand indifferently, turned to gaze at a tree of red plums, lifted his bottle gourd, and gulped down some spiritual wine.

Though he was looking at the plum blossoms, Zhao Die’er perceptively noticed that Ning Fan’s gaze wasn’t truly on the blossoms...

"Uncle is looking at the plum blossoms, but what he thinks of isn’t the plums." The little girl stated with certainty.

"Oh? How do you know I’m not thinking of the blossoms?" Ning Fan asked with a smile.

"Whenever Mother misses her home in Qufu, she looks at the old clothes and ornaments she brought along... Uncle’s eyes look just like hers. Uncle must be missing someone... But Die’er is a little puzzled; Uncle has a wife and daughter, and his home is here in Bianliang, so who is he missing?" The little girl curiously asked.

"Uncle is thinking of family members who are far, far away... Uncle’s hometown is a place where the wind and snow never stop, and the plum blossoms never wither..." Ning Fan said with longing.

"Is Uncle’s home in a faraway Barbarian City, a place he cannot return to, just like Qufu City that was destroyed by Barbarian Beasts?"

"No, Uncle’s home still exists, and he can return."

"Then, when Die’er grows up, can she accompany Uncle back home? Die’er also wants to see what a snowy Barbarian City all year round looks like." Zhao Die’er said with a yearning tone.

"You, cannot go..."

Ning Fan sighed slightly.

Zhao Die’er is a Barbarian; Barbarians and Barbarian Beasts cannot leave the Barbarian Wilderness Ancient Domain, nor can they be stored in the Cauldron Ring.

Barbarians, Immortal World cultivators, and demon race belong to different cycles of life.

The primitive and wild and the Four Heavens, and the Land of Demons in the upper realm, belong to separate worlds.

Outsiders can come to the wild lands, but Barbarians cannot ever venture out into other worlds...

"Why? Is it because there are many Barbarian Beasts on the way?" Zhao Die’er asked disappointedly.

"No... you simply cannot go."

"Oh..."

Zhao Die’er lowered her head in disappointment, and to cheer up this little girl, Ning Fan built several snowmen for her.

Not human figures, but beasts.

Not Barbarian Beasts, but various beings not recorded in the Barbarian’s books.

If a cultivator from the Rain Immortal World were here, they would surely notice that Ning Fan was sculpting beasts unique to the Rain World.

These Wild Beasts aren’t particularly strong; Ning Fan had slain many of them in the past, and gazing at them now, nostalgia lingered in his eyes.

"Eh? Aren’t beasts the enemies of Barbarians? Why does Uncle seem nostalgic looking at these beasts?" The little girl curiously asked.

"In Uncle’s homeland, beasts aren’t necessarily enemies of humans... Yet these beasts were once foes to Uncle."

"Eh? Are there Barbarian Beasts in the world that don’t harass humans? Die’er has decided. When Die’er becomes a Barbarian Monk, she will carve a Barbarian Ancestor chariot, and visit Uncle’s homeland. No matter how many Barbarian Beasts block the path, nothing will stop the chariot!"

"You genuinely cannot go there... But I hadn’t expected you still aspire to become a Barbarian Monk..." Ning Fan expressed with subtle sentiment.

It seems Zhao Die’er is set on becoming a Barbarian Monk. This resolve probably won’t fade with age.

On the next day, Zhao Die’er didn’t come to the Bian River to play in the snow; she officially entered Yunzhong Academy and didn’t have time to pester Ning Fan.

That day’s snow was somewhat sparse.

In the seventh year, Bianliang received snow.

In the eighth year, Bianliang received snow.

In the ninth year, Bianliang received snow.

In the tenth year, Bianliang was snowless.

Having been in Bianliang for ten years, Ning Fan’s Life-bound Battle Fire count had reached 9999, reaching the limit, unable to increase further.

The cultivation technique of the War God Art allows only this many flames to be cultivated, no more can be attained.

The count of 9999 battle flames was sufficient to accomplish the War God Fourth Transformation, but Ning Fan was still unable to achieve it.

The number of flames was adequate, but no one anticipated that achieving the Battle Art Fourth Transformation would require a second condition...

The cultivator must at least possess the Initial Stage of Crossing Truth realm cultivation to break through the bottleneck of the Fourth Transformation...

After the Wang Xiao, no one in the Luo Family succeeded in mastering the Battle Art Fourth Transformation, no one knew that achieving the Fourth Transformation requires having Truth-Transcending Cultivation Level.

"If my cultivation hasn’t reached Truth-Transcending, I cannot break through the Fourth Transformation bottleneck? Who knew there was such a complication, but fortunately, breaking through to the Crossing Truth Realm should only be a matter of time..."

Ning Fan smiled indifferently.

Of the seven paths of the Seven-Colored Spirit Arrows he consumed that day, he had refined one and a half.

Ning Fan could feel he was growing closer to the period of breaking through to Truth-Transcending; once he thoroughly consumed the seven paths of arrows, he should be able to gather sufficient True Illusion Force, see through all fog, and step onto the True Bridge.

Once Crossing Truth is achieved, the Fourth Transformation will naturally be mastered without any worry.

Despite reaching a bottleneck with War God Art cultivation, Ning Fan continued quietly condensing Fierce Origin Crystal for consumption.

His progress in cultivating War Yin and Yang had reached eighty-two percent, and likely within twenty years, he could preliminarily succeed akin to Rain Yin Yang.

"Brother Wu should have returned to the Eastern Heaven by now... Ten years have passed; the demon race’s pursuit of me seems less frenzied than before..."

Ning Fan lifted his gaze, watching the skies over Barbarian City, there, a demon cultivator with Void Fragmentation realm flew over the city.

That demon cultivator did not discover Ning Fan’s presence; throughout these ten years, occasionally demon cultivators flew past this city, but none detected Ning Fan.

Gradually, fewer and fewer demon cultivators searched all around.

The immense reputation Ning Fan built ten years ago was slowly being overshadowed by the Barbarian Wilderness cultivators...

"Transforming and seeking Truth... I spent ten years to let my state of mind completely transform into a mortal; now it’s time to pursue truth."

Ning Fan gazed at the barren plum tree before him; his eyes flickered as he returned home.

Outside the home, he again accidentally encountered Zhao Die’er; this year, Zhao Die’er was ten years old. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)