Chapter 64: Good and Evil as One, Karma is Never Empty

“Dad’s dad is Grandpa, Dad’s mom is Grandma, Dad’s older brother is Elder Uncle.”

“Husband, why are you singing?”

“Uh… anyway, if you meet someone a year or two older, call them Elder Brother; if they are older than that, call them Uncle or Elder Uncle. If you aren’t sure whether they are older or younger than your father, just call them Elder Uncle across the board. Calling them older shows respect.”

“Mmm~”

Inside the bedroom, Zhao Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, lifting her small head to look at Ding Suian with a face full of reverence.

As if she had learned some profound knowledge.

Ding Suian continued, “If you meet a woman, call one a year or two older Elder Sister; if she is older than that, call her Aunt or Elder Aunt; and if she is even older, call her Granny.”

“Husband, with so many titles, is there any difference?”

“No difference, they are just forms of address.”

“Mmm.”

“Cough, cough~”

Just as the two were talking, two slightly deliberate coughs suddenly sounded outside the house.

“You should sleep early, I’m going out for a moment.”

Ding Suian stood up and took a step, but felt a slight resistance behind him. He looked back to see Zhao Yan pulling at his clothes corner, lifting her delicate, charming face and fluttering her long, curled eyelashes, “Husband, are you not sleeping with Nunu tonight?”

Can’t resist!

Next door, two bedrolls had already been laid out on Lao Ding’s bed.

This was already a clear hint.

At first, the father and son washed their feet without much conversation. It wasn’t until the lamp was extinguished and they were tucked into bed that Lao Ding finally couldn’t help but ask, “Where did you trick a little girl from? Do her parents know?”

“Zhao Yan’s parents died young, and she has always lived in the mountains. On the fifteenth day of the third month, our Wu Army was utterly defeated, and I fled into the mountains, where Zhao Yan saved me.”

In the darkness, Ding Suian spent fifteen minutes telling Lao Ding about his experiences over the past ten-plus days, naturally omitting the part where he killed Sun Zhirao and the Cultivator of the State Religion.

In his narration, Zhao Yan was an orphan girl from deep in the mountains. This way, he could explain her lack of etiquette, ignorance of customs, and the occasional ‘non-human’ thoughts and reactions she exhibited.

After listening to Ding Suian, Lao Ding couldn’t help but sigh, “Now you know how dangerous the battlefield is, right? You won’t be thinking about making a name for yourself anymore, will you? Son, you joined the army last January, and it’s been a full year now. You’ve done your part for the country. According to the national decree, only one person in a military household needs to be registered. I’ll find someone to remove your name from the roster. Go find a different way to make a living.”

“…”

“Son?”

“Dad, I want to do something.”

“What else do you need to do? If you mean for the world and the country, your dad has already done his share!”

Lao Ding was a little agitated.

“Dad, not for the world, not for the country…” Ding Suian didn’t want to think about it, yet that pair of shriveled breasts outside Huaifeng Prefecture seemed imprinted on his mind. “I want to do things, simply for my own satisfaction.”

“You—alas!”

The father and son both rested their right arms behind their heads, staring up at the dark ceiling. Just when Ding Suian thought the conversation was about to end,

Lao Ding suddenly spoke again in a serious and earnest tone, “Then let me say a few final words to you.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, people must ponder human nature to understand that good and evil are one body; when dealing with matters, you must understand Karma so that Karma is never empty. Only those who possess both good and evil can go far. Remember your father’s words: without the means of a Vajra, do not possess the heart of a Bodhisattva. Treat good people with compassion, and crush evil people with the means of thunder. Meet good with greater good, and meet evil with greater evil. Only by being decisive in killing can one become a true hero.”

“…Lao Ding, I feel like you have quite a story!”

“Your maternal uncle has a story. Go to sleep!”

“Can I go sleep in my own room?”

“No!”

“May Heaven strike them dead! Which bastard son of a turtle stole the chicken that was laying eggs for my family!”

“Don’t be a coward! Whoever did it, step out! See if this old woman doesn’t chop off your cock and squeeze your balls!”

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Ding Suian woke up amidst a torrent of flowery curses.

“…”

Hearing the content of the cursing clearly, Ding Suian jolted and sat up.

He threw on his clothes, went out, and peeked around.

Aunt Hu stood in front of her house, hands on her hips, cursing vigorously.

Ding Suian retreated back into the small courtyard and directly pushed open the bedroom where Zhao Yan was temporarily staying.

Inside, there was a smell of blood.

Chicken feathers and internal organs were still on the floor.

On the bed, a completely naked Zhao Yan was sleeping soundly, hugging her large tail.

“Zhao Yan~”

Woken up by Ding Suian, Zhao Yan looked sleepy, but after recognizing the person, she couldn’t help but flash a brilliant smile, raising her arms high to stretch, “Husband~”

The action of spreading her arms back naturally highlighted her figure, coupled with that small, newly awakened, innocent yet seductive face.

“Why did you steal and eat someone else’s hen?”

“…”

Zhao Yan blinked, staring blankly at Ding Suian, as if the question were stupid, “It was right there. Why couldn’t I eat it?”

“This is not a mountain forest where prey is taken freely. The hen has an owner.”

“Mmm.”

“Next time you want to eat one, tell me, and I’ll buy it for you.”

“Mmm.”

Zhao Yan seemed half-understanding. She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then, having thought of something, she changed from sitting to lying on her stomach, crawling on her knees to the edge of the bed. Her bushy tail hung down obediently behind her hips. She rubbed her head against Ding Suian and looked up, saying, “Husband, even the hen has an owner. Does that mean Husband is Nunu’s owner?”

“…”

His nostrils felt hot. Here we go again.

If this keeps up, he’ll bleed to death eventually—

Bloody nose, shameful nose, absolutely useless!

That day, exactly at 7-9 am.

Ding Suian cleaned up the traces of Zhao Yan’s crime and went to the Lin Manor in Xingping Ward. He handed the warhorse over to Lin Dafu, asking him to help return it, and took the Mythical Beast that had been boarded there.

Upon learning that he intended to return to the City today, Lin Dafu tried to persuade him for a long time.

He mentioned that Chen Fuchen had scheduled a gathering for today, which was a good opportunity, and so on.

But Ding Suian was resolute.

First, Chilao Alley, with its dense population and cramped living environment, was very unsuitable for Zhao Yan; she might expose herself any day.

Second, seeing Lin Hansu earlier and telling her about Zhao Yan himself was better than having Lao Lin relay the message.

After traveling all day, they finally entered Lanyang Prefecture at dusk.

Chest Hair, who was on duty at the Prefecture gates, saw Ding Suian and immediately let out a cry before running inside the manor.

“The Boss is fine!”

“The Boss returned safely!”

That shout immediately alerted the entire Prince’s Manor.

Wansu, who received the news first, ran all the way back to Ji Pavilion.

Just as she reached downstairs, Lin Hansu had already quickly descended the stairs.

Since the news of the Wu Army’s great defeat had spread, Lin Hansu had lost weight in just a few days.

She, who always paid attention to her appearance, had slightly swollen Phoenix eyes and somewhat messy hair, adding a touch of haggardness.

“Niangniang~ Squad Leader Ding.”

“I already heard.”

Lin Hansu hurried out of Ji Pavilion, suddenly raising her hand to touch her hair bun. Realizing her appearance was lacking, she turned and said, “Bring a comb.”

Wansu jogged into Ji Pavilion and returned a moment later.

Lin Hansu took the comb, her steps already resuming, while simultaneously tidying her hair bun, smoothing stray strands and tucking them behind her ears.

At first, she was merely walking quickly, with short, rapid steps.

Before long, she tossed the comb aside, lifted her skirt with both hands, and began to jog.

By the time she passed through the three or four layers of ornamental gates, she was running faster and faster.

In the twilight, that familiar, tall figure was surrounded by the excited members of the An Squad, just as before.

For some reason, Lin Hansu clearly felt a sense of relief and ease in her heart.

Yet, the moment she saw Ding Suian, joy and sorrow mingled intensely.

Her Phoenix eyes heated up, and two streams of hot tears fell.

“…?”

But the next moment, Lin Hansu suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.

Just now, the crowd had obstructed her view, but as she got closer, she realized that a beautiful young woman was following behind Ding Suian.

Extending her small hand, she was tightly clutching the corner of his clothing.

The rich expression on Lin Hansu’s face instantly disappeared. She quickly but elegantly wiped away her tears and stood still.

Her soft bosom rose and fell from running, but her face gradually transformed into one of dignified, authoritative coldness.

“Tsk~”

Chest Hair, who had been crying, pinched his nose and blew out two large globs of snot, rudely wiping his hand on the side of his shoe. He turned and saw Lin Hansu standing nearby, and quickly whispered, “Boss! The Princess Consort is here!”

The crowd, who had been crying or laughing, instantly fell silent.

Ding Suian looked past the crowd and through the twilight, then stepped forward proactively.

For Zhao Yan, this beautiful garden was completely foreign, so she naturally held onto Ding Suian’s hem and followed him.

Upon approaching, Ding Suian clasped his fists, “Greetings, Princess Consort.”

After all, there were still many people present.

When it was time to put on an act, he had to put on an act.

“Squad Leader Ding has returned safely. This is cause for celebration.”

Lin Hansu, whose breathing had evened out, stood tall, her hands tucked into her sleeves, her Phoenix eyes slightly lowered, and she spoke faintly.

Only then, as if she had just noticed Zhao Yan, did she look down, sizing her up, “And who is this?”

Zhao Yan was inexplicably a little scared and instinctively shrank behind Ding Suian, leaving only a pair of seductive eyes to observe Lin Hansu with a heavily guarded look.

This intimate posture instantly made Lin Hansu’s hard-won steady breathing catch sharply.

Although she currently appeared reserved and dignified, Ding Suian knew that Elder Sister was about to explode.

He quickly turned his head and said, “Zhao Yan, greet her.”

No matter what, polite children are always more likable.

Under Ding Suian’s encouraging gaze, Zhao Yan finally peeked half her body out from behind him and whispered, “Hello, Aunt.”

Lin Hansu: “…”

Ji Pavilion maidservants: “…”

Everyone in the An Squad: “…”

Damn. Did she think things weren’t exciting enough?

Ding Suian quickly said, “Don’t call her that! What did I teach you last night?”

“Mmm,” Zhao Yan thought for a moment, then struggled to force a smile toward the angry-looking woman in front of her, “Hello, Granny.”

Ding Suian: “…”

Just destroy me. I’m tired.

Thanks for the tip from: Zhou Yi Bing Meishi~

And the tip from: Ergou Zzr~

And the tip from: Gu Yue oooo~

The second chapter is still being rushed; it will take about thirty more minutes.