Chapter 1021

Hu Xiaotian was certain no one was following, so he stopped the carriage, lifted Weisa and jumped off, and the Princess Xue Lingjun gazed at him with a smile and said, "Are you really just going to let me go like that?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian was sure no one was following, so he stopped the carriage, picked up Weisa and jumped off. The Princess Xue Lingjun smiled and looked at him, saying: "You intend to just let me go like that?"

We need to keep tone. Ensure we don't add extra. Let's produce: Hu Xiaotian felt certain no one was tailing him, so he halted the carriage, lifted Weisa and leapt off. The Princess Xue Lingjun gazed at him with a smile and said, "You plan to just let me go like that?"

The Princess Xue Lingjun gazed at him with a smile and said

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Do you still want me to kill you to keep you quiet?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Do you still want me to kill you to silence you?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded. "Do you still want me to kill you to silence you?"

Xue Lingjun's alluring gaze drifted toward Hu Xiaotian as she said, "Aren't you afraid I'll expose your identity?"

Translation: Xue Lingjun's alluring eyes flicked toward Hu Xiaotian as she said, "Aren't you afraid I'll expose your identity?"

Xue Lingjun's alluring gaze drifted toward Hu Xiaotian as she said

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Whatever you like!" He had no intention of lingering, lifted Weisa, and quickly disappeared into the night.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Whatever you like!" Not wanting to linger, he grabbed Weisa and swiftly vanished into the night.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Whatever you like!"

By the time Hu Xiaotian met his companions on Yangyang Street, it was already the third watch of the night. The Tianlong Mountain bandits' hideout lay among a row of ordinary houses, unremarkable at first glance, but upon entering he discovered it was composed of four adjoining mansions, each with secret passages connecting their basements, and even Liang Yinghao, the tunnel expert, couldn't help but praise its architecture.

Translation: By the time Hu Xiaotian reached Sun-facing Street to meet his companions, it was already the third watch of the night. This hideout of the Heavenly Wolf Mountain bandits was situated among ordinary homes; at first glance it seemed unremarkable, but upon entering he discovered it was formed from four adjoining residences, each with underground passages linking them—so much so that even Liang Yinghao, the tunneling expert, couldn't help but marvel at the architecture.

We need to keep all info. Let's produce: Hu Xiaotian arrived at Sun-facing Street to meet his companions; it was already the third watch of the night. This hideout of the Heavenly Wolf Mountain bandits lay among civilian homes; at a glance it seemed unremarkable, but upon entering he found it comprised four adjoining residences, each with underground passages connecting them—so much that even Liang Yinghao, the tunneling expert, couldn't help but praise the structure.

couldn't help but praise

Seeing Hu Xiaotian return, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Liang Yinghao and Hu Xiaotian had parted earlier, clearly seeing him leave alone, but now he returned with an exotic beauty by his side. They couldn't help but sigh, thinking the lord was too amorous, risking his life to rescue a woman while tensions outside ran high, unable to weigh priorities, and others shared the same thought. Hu Xiaotian settled Weisa, then went to Yang Lingqi's room.

Translation: Seeing Hu Xiaotian return, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Liang Yinghao and Hu Xiaotian had parted earlier, clearly seeing him leave alone, but now he came back with an exotic beauty at his side, and they secretly sighed, thinking this lord was too sentimental—despite the tense situation outside, he'd risked his life to rescue this woman, unable to weigh priorities; indeed the others thought the same. Hu Xiaotian settled Weisa down, then went to Yang Lingqi's room.

We need to keep all. Let's produce: Seeing Hu Xiaotian return, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Liang Yinghao and Hu Xiaotian had separated earlier, clearly seeing him leave alone, but now he returned with an exotic beauty beside him, and they secretly sighed, thinking this lord was too sentimental—despite the tight situation outside, he'd dared to go save this woman, unable to weigh what mattered more; indeed the others thought the same. Hu Xiaotian settled Weisa, then went to Yang Lingqi's room.

Everyone was still waiting for him here. Hu Xiaotian saw that Yan Boguang and his sister were not among them, and he whispered, "Where are Yan Boguang and his sister?"

Translation: Everyone was still waiting for him here. Hu Xiaotian noticed that Yan Boguang and his sister were absent, and he whispered, "Where are Yan Boguang and his group?"

Everyone was still waiting for him here. Hu Xiaotian saw that Yan Boguang and his sister were not among them, and he whispered, "Where are Yan Boguang and his sister?"

Xiong Tianba said, "They're in the neighboring courtyard; today they've made contact with many allies."

Translation: Xiong Tianba said, "In the neighboring courtyard, today they've made contact with many comrades."

Xiong Tianba said

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brow; this was another of Tianlong Mountain's strongholds in the city, and it was only natural for someone from Tianlong Mountain to come looking for them.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brow. This was another of the Heavenly Wolf Mountain's hideouts inside the city, so it was normal for someone from the mountain to come looking.

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brow

Yang Lingqi asked, "Lord, where did you just go?"

Translation: Yang Lingqi asked, "Lord, where did you just go?"

Yang Lingqi asked, "Lord, where did you just go?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I went around the Da Yong envoy's quarters."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I went around the Da Yong envoy's quarters."

I went around the Da Yong envoy's quarters

The few exchanged glances, all feeling a bit uneasy. Hu Xiaotian was truly bold, daring to go there alone at such a time. Yang Lingqi, however, remembered that Hu Xiaotian and Prince Yan were sworn brothers through the eight bows, and perhaps Hu Xiaotian went there to seek help.

Translation: The few exchanged glances, all feeling a bit uneasy; Hu Xiaotian was truly bold, daring to go there alone at such a time. Yang Lingqi, however, remembered that Hu Xiaotian and Prince Yan were sworn brothers through the eight bows, so perhaps Hu Xiaotian went there to seek help.

The few exchanged glances, all feeling a bit uneasy

Yang Lingqi asked, "Would Prince Yan be willing to help the lord?"

Translation: Yang Lingqi asked, "Would Prince Yan be willing to help the lord?"

Yang Lingqi asked, "Would Prince Yan be willing to help the lord?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "I haven't seen him." He then turned to the others and said, "You all go rest first. I have some matters to discuss with Mr. Yang."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "I didn't see him." He turned to the others and said, "You all go rest first. I have some matters to discuss with Mr. Yang."

Mr. Yang

After the others left, Hu Xiaotian quietly told Yang Lingqi what he had seen and heard at the relay station; because his chest hurt, he had to pause several times, resting before he could continue.

Translation: After the others left, Hu Xiaotian then quietly told Yang Lingqi what he had seen and heard at the relay station; because his chest hurt, he had to pause several times, only able to continue after resting.

relay station

Only then did Yang Lingqi learn that Hu Xiaotian had been injured at Prince Yan's place, and he asked with concern, "Lord, is your injury serious?"

Translation: Only then did Yang Lingqi learn that Hu Xiaotian had been injured at Prince Yan's place, and he asked with concern, "Lord, is your injury serious?"

Only then did Yang Lingqi learn that Hu Xiaotian had been injured at Prince Yan's place, and he asked with concern, "Lord, is your injury serious?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "It's fine. Just two broken ribs; I'll need to rest before I can recover."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "It's fine. Just two broken ribs; I'll need to rest before I can recover."

Just two broken ribs; I'll need to rest before I can recover.

Yang Lingqi said, "Shajia has secretly allied with Da Yong; if this truly succeeds, the situation across the world will surely undergo a major change."

Translation: Yang Lingqi said, "Shajia has secretly allied with Da Yong; if this truly succeeds, the situation across the world will inevitably undergo a major change."

Shajia, Da Yong

Hu Xiaotian said, "None of this is good. The Emperor sent me to Xichuan on a mission, but it was really a trap designed to lure me in. The assassination of Li Tianheng was his scheme, placing me here. He intends to use Li Tianheng's hand to kill me, ruin Li Tianheng's reputation, and have him condemned by all—killing two birds with one stone, a heart deserving of punishment."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "None of them are any good. The Emperor sent me to Xichuan on a mission, but it was really a trap he set for me to fall into—having Li Tianheng assassinated was his design, placing me here. He hoped to use Li Tianheng's hand to kill me, make Li Tianheng lose morality, be condemned by all, achieving two goals with one stone; his heart deserves damnation."

Emperor, Xichuan, Li Tianheng

Yang Lingqi nodded and said, "Li Tianheng saw through his plot. He then turned the tables, planning an assassination at a birthday feast. Now everyone knows the Emperor designed the assassination to eliminate Li Tianheng, and by using this incident he has rallied the shifting loyalties in Xichuan to his side."

Translation: Yang Lingqi nodded. "Li Tianheng saw through his plot. So he turned the tables, planning an assassination at a birthday banquet. Now everyone knows the Emperor designed the assassination to eliminate him, and he has used this incident to rally the shifting hearts of Xichuan back to his side."

Li Tianheng, Emperor, Xichuan

Hu Xiaotian sneered, "You certainly didn't expect that even Prince Zhou is a fake. He had someone impersonate Prince Zhou to accuse Hong Beimo of monopolizing the court, while the Emperor is merely his puppet."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sneered, "You certainly wouldn't expect that even Prince Zhou is a fake. He had someone impersonate Prince Zhou to publicly accuse Hong Beimo of monopolizing the court, while the Emperor is merely his puppet."

Prince Zhou, Hong Beimo, Emperor

Yang Lingqi asked, "Lord, what do you plan to do?"

Translation: Yang Lingqi asked, "Lord, what do you plan to do?"

Lord

Hu Xiaotian said, "For now, the best plan is to return to Dakang first. Although the old emperor harmed me behind the scenes, he won't openly target me, whereas Xichuan is fraught with danger. It's no longer suitable to stay here."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "For now, the plan is still to return to Dakang first. Although the old emperor harmed me, it's only behind-the-scenes tactics; outwardly he won't openly target me, but this Xichuan is fraught with danger. It's no longer suitable to stay."

old emperor, Dakang, Xichuan

Yang Lingqi nodded, thought for a moment, and whispered, "Actually, the lord poses little threat to Li Tianheng; perhaps he won't pursue you to the death."

Translation: Yang Lingqi nodded, thought for a moment, and whispered, "Actually, the lord poses little threat to Li Tianheng; perhaps he won't go after you to exterminate you."

lord, Li Tianheng

Hu Xiaotian said, "Who knows what's really on his mind? We still can't determine Li Tianheng's true condition."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "People's hearts are hidden; who knows his true thoughts? We still can't make out Li Tianheng's actual condition."

Li Tianheng

Yang Lingqi smiled and said, "Lord, it's best if you're unharmed; please rest now, and we can discuss anything else tomorrow."

Translation: Yang Lingqi smiled. "It's best if the lord is unharmed; you should go rest now, and we can discuss anything tomorrow."

lord, you

Hu Xiaotian nodded, left Yang Lingqi's room, intending to visit Weisa's resting place, but on the way he encountered Yan Nujiao, who smiled and greeted him, "Miss Yan, aren't you asleep yet this late?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, left Yang Lingqi's room, intending to visit where Weisa was resting, but on the way he met Yan Nujiao, smiling as he approached and said, "Miss Yan, aren't you asleep yet this late?"

Everyone was still waiting for him here. Hu Xiaotian saw that Yan Boguang and his sister were not among them, and he whispered, "Where are Yan Boguang and his sister?"

Yan Nujiao said, "I was just about to go to sleep, but I didn't expect to meet you here…" She herself felt the excuse was weak; in fact, she had come upon hearing of Hu Xiaotian's return, but couldn't voice her feelings. Her face flushed as she silently wondered, "What connection do I have with him? Why should I care about his life or death?" To her, Hu Xiaotian had been merely a stranger, yet because of the Seven-Degree Peach Blossom Rain, they became linked; whether she admits it or not, Hu Xiaotian is her first man.

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "I was just about to go to sleep, never expecting to run into you here…" She herself felt the excuse was flimsy; in truth, she'd come over upon hearing Hu Xiaotian had returned, but she couldn't voice her feelings, her face flushed as she silently asked herself, What relation do I have with him? Why should I care about his life or death? To her, Hu Xiaotian had originally been just a stranger, yet because of the Seven-Degree Peach Blossom Rain, they became linked; whether she admits it or not, Hu Xiaotian is her first man.

Seven-Degree Peach Blossom Rain

Yan Nujiao was about to take her leave when Yang Lingqi stepped out and said to Hu Xiaotian, "Lord, I have a bottle of Golden Trauma Medicine left by Mr. Meng; please take it and use it."

Translation: As Yan Nujiao was about to take her leave, Yang Lingqi stepped out and said to Hu Xiaotian, "Lord, I have a bottle of Golden Trauma Medicine left by Mr. Meng; please take it."

Mr. Meng, Golden Trauma Medicine, Lord

Yan Nujiao heard this, startled, and asked anxiously, "You're injured?"

Translation: Yan Nujiao startled at the words, concerned, "You're injured?"

concerned

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Just some minor injuries, nothing to worry about."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded. "Just some minor injuries, no need to worry."

Just some minor injuries

Yan Nujiao said, "Let me take a look; I know a bit of medicine." Her concern was evident.

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "Let me have a look; I know a bit of medicine." Her concern showed plainly.

I know a bit of medicine

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and together with Yan Nujiao went to his room, took off his outer shirt, revealing his fit muscles; Yan Nujiao's cheeks flushed, she bit her lip and whispered softly, "Where are you hurt?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, and together with Yan Nujiao went to his room, took off his outer shirt, revealing his fit muscles; Yan Nujiao's cheeks flushed, she bit her lip and whispered, "Where is the injury?"

took off his outer shirt, revealing his fit muscles

Hu Xiaotian pointed to his right rib; Yan Nujiao saw the bruise on his skin and realized his injury was serious. She said, "Wait a moment!" Then she turned and left, soon returning with a plaster, which she carefully applied to Hu Xiaotian. As he gazed at her face up close, a warm feeling rose in his chest. Noticing his stare, she grew flustered, pressed a little harder, and Hu Xiaotian winced in pain, crying out.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian pointed to his right rib; Yan Nujiao saw the bruise on his skin and realized his injury was serious. She said, "Wait a moment!" Then she went out and soon returned with a plaster, carefully applying it for Hu Xiaotian. Gazing at her close-up face, a warm feeling welled up in him; noticing his stare, she grew flustered, pressed a little harder, and Hu Xiaotian winced and cried out in pain.

cried out in pain

Yan Nujiao blamed herself, saying, "Sorry, sorry, it was my carelessness."

Translation: Yan Nujiao blamed herself, "Sorry, sorry, it was my carelessness."

blamed herself

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "What's there to be sorry about? I'm grateful beyond words for your help."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "There's nothing to apologize for; I'm grateful beyond words for your help."

I'm grateful beyond words for your help

Yan Nujiao whispered, "You've helped me too."

Translation: Yan Nujiao whispered, "You've helped me too."

whispered

Seeing her shy expression, Hu Xiaotian's heart stirred: "But you've given me even more."

Translation: Seeing her bashful look, Hu Xiaotian's heart stirred: "But you've given me even more."

his heart stirred

Yan Nujiao's face flushed to her ears; "This rascal is truly troublesome," she thought, "the more I try not to mention him, the more I end up saying so."

Translation: Yan Nujiao's face flushed to her ears; this rascal is truly troublesome—the more she tries not to mention him, the more she ends up saying his name.

this rascal is truly troublesome

Sensing her embarrassment, Hu Xiaotian quickly changed the subject, asking, "Who taught you your medical skills?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sensed her embarrassment and hastily changed the subject: "Who taught you your medical skills?"

sensed her embarrassment

Yan Nujiao replied, "My medical skills aren't great; I only learned a few detox methods. These plasters were left by Mr. Meng; they work wonders on bone injuries, easing pain from ordinary fractures the same day and basically healing them within three days."

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "My medical skills aren't great; I only learned a few detox methods. These plasters were left by Mr. Meng; they work wonders on bone injuries, easing pain from ordinary fractures the same day and basically healing them within three days."

My medical skills aren't great; I only learned a few detox methods. These plasters were left by Mr. Meng. They work wonders on bone injuries, easing pain from ordinary fractures the same day and basically healing them within three days.

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed, noting how unlike his own era this was—people's self-healing abilities were extraordinarily strong. Although the treatment could greatly shorten recovery time, it could not prevent disease from occurring.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed, "This is vastly different from my former era; people's self-healing ability is too strong. Although the treatment course can be greatly shortened, it cannot prevent diseases from occurring."

secretly sighed

Yan Nujiao asked, "Have you heard that someone tried to assassinate Li Tianheng?" Her eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian, clearly suspecting his involvement.

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "I heard someone assassinated Li Tianheng?" Her eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian, clearly suspecting he was involved.

Li Tianheng

Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't know the details either, but this matter has nothing to do with me." He glanced at Yan Nujiao and added, "Do you believe me?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't know the details either, but this matter has nothing to do with me." He glanced at Yan Nujiao and added, "Do you believe me?"

I don't know the details either, but this matter has nothing to do with me. He glanced at Yan Nujiao and added, "Do you believe me?"

Yan Nujiao bit her lip and, surprisingly, nodded.

Translation: Yan Nujiao bit her lip and, surprisingly, nodded.

bit her lip and, surprisingly, nodded

Hu Xiaotian asked, "I heard you've had quite a few companions come looking for you?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "I heard you've had quite a few companions come looking for you?"

I heard you've had quite a few companions come looking for you?

Yan Nujiao replied, "A few have come, but these past two days the situation is too tense; we'd best stay hidden here and not go out, reconsidering leaving once things calm down."

Translation: Yan Nujiao replied, "A few have come, but these past two days the situation is too tense; we'd best stay hidden here and not go out, reconsidering leaving once things calm down."

A few have come, but these past two days the situation is too tense; we'd best stay hidden here and not go out, reconsidering leaving once things calm down.

Hu Xiaotian nodded; just then a woman's scream came from the next room, he recognized it as Weisa's, and he sprang up and rushed over.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded; just then a woman's scream came from the next room, he recognized it as Weisa's, and he sprang up and rushed over.

just then a woman's scream came from the next room; he recognized it as Weisa's and sprang up and rushed over

Yan Nujiao followed close behind, equally curious, unaware that Hu Xiaotian had brought back a woman.

Translation: Yan Nujiao followed closely behind him, also full of curiosity, unaware that Hu Xiaotian had brought back a woman.

unaware that Hu Xiaotian had brought back a woman

Xiong Tianba, tasked with guarding Weisa, stood helplessly outside the door, shards of broken pottery littering his feet—Weisa had just hurled a vase at him. Seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, he exhaled in relief and said, "Third Uncle, she suddenly woke up and then went mad!"

Translation: Xiong Tianba, tasked with guarding Weisa, stood helplessly outside the door, shards of broken pottery littering his feet—Weisa had just hurled a vase at him. Seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, he exhaled in relief and said, "Third Uncle, she suddenly woke up and then went mad!"

Xiong Tianba, tasked with guarding Weisa, had shards of broken pottery littering his feet after Weisa hurled a vase at him; seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, he exhaled in relief. Third Uncle, she suddenly woke up and then went mad!

Hu Xiaotian nodded, seeing Weisa standing in the corner, terrified, clutching a vase, and said, "Don't come near, don't come near…"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, seeing Weisa standing in the corner, terrified, clutching a vase, pleading, "Don't come over, don't come over……"

seeing Weisa standing in the corner, terrified, clutching a vase

Hu Xiaotian smiled, raised both hands to show he meant no harm, and said softly, "Weisa, don't you recognize me?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled, raised both hands to show he meant no harm, and softly said, "Weisa, don't you recognize me?"

smiled, raised both hands to show he meant no harm

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian call her name, Weisa's gaze grew more bewildered; he took a step forward, and she hastily raised the vase, shouting, "Don't you dare come over!"

Translation: Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian call her name, Weisa's gaze grew more bewildered; he took a step forward and she hastily raised the vase, shouting, "Don't you dare come over!"

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian call her name, Weisa's gaze grew more bewildered; he took a step forward, and she hastily raised the vase, shouting, "Don't you dare come over!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Do you remember Qingyun? Do you remember me? I am Hu Xiaotian; do you recall ever having a master?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Do you remember Qingyun? Do you remember me? I am Hu Xiaotian—don't you recall ever having a master?"

Qingyun

Weisa gritted her teeth and said, "Demon… you are a demon…"

Translation: Weisa gritted her teeth, "Demon…… you are a demon……"

Weisa gritted her teeth

At that moment a figure flashed behind Weisa—it was Yan Nujiao, who, while Hu Xiaotian distracted her, slipped around to her back, tapped her acupoint, causing her body to go limp and collapse. Yan Nujiao caught her in an embrace, and Hu Xiaotian lunged forward to catch the falling vase.

Translation: At that moment a figure flashed behind Weisa—it was Yan Nujiao, who, while Hu Xiaotian distracted her, slipped around to her back, tapped her acupoint, causing her body to go limp and collapse; Yan Nujiao caught her in an embrace, and Hu Xiaotian lunged forward to catch the falling vase.

At that moment a figure flashed behind Weisa; it was Yan Nujiao, who, while Hu Xiaotian distracted her, slipped around to her back and tapped her acupoint, causing her body to go limp and collapse. Yan Nujiao caught her in an embrace, and Hu Xiaotian lunged forward to catch the falling vase.

The two helped Weisa back onto the bed, and Hu Xiaotian said, "She might be under someone's control, her mind temporarily clouded."

Translation: The two helped Weisa back onto the bed, and Hu Xiaotian said, "She might be under someone's control, her mind temporarily clouded."

She might be under someone's control, her mind temporarily clouded.

Yan Nujiao said, "It should be a soul-capturing technique; Shajia has many soul-capturing adepts who excel at controlling others' minds. Once controlled, a person becomes their puppet, but this technique doesn't last long—resting for a while or using golden-needle acupuncture can dispel the control."

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "It should be a soul-capturing technique; Shajia has many soul-capturing adepts who excel at controlling others' minds—once controlled, they become puppets—but this kind of soul-capturing doesn't last long; resting a while or using golden-needle acupuncture can dispel the control."

soul-capturing technique, Shajia, soul-capturing adepts, golden-needle acupuncture

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Can you dispel the soul-capturing control?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian asked, "Can you dispel the soul-capturing control?"

soul-capturing control

Yan Nujiao nodded and said, "My master once taught me some methods, though I have never tried them." Her beautiful eyes fell on Weisa's face, and she softly said, "If you trust me, I can actually try."

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