Chapter 1051

After Yang Lingqi left, Liang Yinghao came over to report to Hu Xiaotian the recent status of the underground project. Following Hu Xiaotian's orders, he led his brothers in digging a network of tunnels crisscrossing beneath Fengyi Shan Zhuang. To keep it secret, he adopted a segmented digging method, and only he and two core members knew the true underground structure. Liang Yinghao believed Hu Xiaotian's purpose in digging the tunnels was to be prepared for emergencies; if one day they were besieged at the manor, they could escape calmly via the underground passage.

Liang Yinghao also brought a map, pointing out to Hu Xiaotian the three exits he had reserved, one by one.

Hu Xiaotian nodded, expressing appreciation for Liang Yinghao and his brothers' abilities. Having them dig tunnels at Fengyi Shan Zhuang served two purposes: first, as a precaution for the future; second, it was a test of the capabilities of Liang Yinghao-led Hunshui Bang. With this subterranean excavation team, it would greatly aid his plans later.

Hu Xiaotian put the map away and told Liang Yinghao, "Besides you and me, no one must be informed of this."

Liang Yinghao nodded and said, "Sir, rest assured; I have strictly ordered my men. Even if someone learns that we have a tunnel beneath Fengyi Shan Zhuang, they won't know its exact location. The only map is this one, and I also have it memorized."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Once dug, we will seal all entrances and exits, and we will not use the tunnel unless absolutely necessary."

Liang Yinghao respectfully replied, "Understood!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Yinghao, if I had you dig a hundred-li long underground passage, would it be possible?"

Liang Yinghao was startled by the words: "What?" His first thought was that Hu Xiaotian wanted to dig an underground passage from here to Kangdu. Though interesting, implementing it would be extremely difficult, requiring massive manpower and resources.

Hu Xiaotian said, "There are already many outposts thirty li from here, and another thirty li ahead enters the guarded zone of the imperial mausoleum. Is it possible to sneak past their eyes and ears from here and dig an underground tunnel straight to the heart of the mausoleum?"

Liang Yinghao nodded and said, "In theory it's possible, but the underground conditions from here to the imperial mausoleum are extremely complex, with many hills and mountains; most of the subsurface is rock, unlike the soil beneath the manor. Digging a hundred li would take at least thirty years, even under favorable conditions, and the same would apply to reaching Kangdu."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian realized his idea was impractical; given the era's lack of modern machinery, breaking through layers of rock would require manual axe and chisel work. Even if finances and materials were no issue, the time required would be prohibitive, so his notion was rather wishful thinking.

Liang Yinghao asked, "Sir, do you truly intend to sneak into the imperial mausoleum?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Just a casual question. To be frank, the Emperor has mobilized massive forces to build this mausoleum; who knows how much wealth lies hidden in the underground palace? Just thinking about it is quite tempting."

Liang Yinghao said, "I've heard that after the last laborer riot, the Emperor deployed an additional thirty thousand elite troops to guard the mausoleum's perimeter. Even if one could breach the defenses, the underground palace is said to have been designed by the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets' Hong Beimo, filled with countless mechanisms; without the blueprints one cannot enter, and even if one stumbled in by accident, they'd likely never make it out alive."

Hu Xiaotian patted Liang Yinghao's shoulder and said, "Just forget I said anything."

Hu Xiaotian walked out the door; Weisa saw him about to leave again and felt surprised, since today the Yongyang Princess had come to pay respects and already torn down the grass hut Hu Xiaotian used to keep watch over his mother's grave. She whispered, "Master, where are you headed?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Up the mountain. I once said I would keep a five-seven vigil at my mother's grave; tonight is the final night, and I couldn't bear to leave her alone there."

Weisa said, "But the grass hut is gone; where will you stay tonight?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "No problem; I'm very sturdy."

Hu Xiaotian went out alone, but after walking only a short distance he saw lights following him from afar. Turning, he saw Weisa carrying a lantern and coming after him, also holding a fur-lined greatcoat.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and could only stop to wait for her. Weisa hurried up to him, her face flushed from rushing, and said, "Master, the night wind is strong; you should wear more, lest you catch a chill."

Hu Xiaotian gave a slight smile, reached out and took the greatcoat: "All right, you may go back now."

Weisa bit her cherry lip and said, "Weisa wants to stay with you, Master."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "No need; I want to keep my mother company alone. We won't be staying at the manor much longer."

Weisa asked, "Master, are you returning to Kangdu?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's not that I want to go back; you saw what happened today—the Yongyang Princess tore down my grass hut, and in a few days she might even demolish the entire Fengyi Shan Zhuang."

Weisa chuckled softly, "The Princess is just saying that; I can see she treats you very well."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "I don't feel that at all."

Weisa said, "She is your fiancée, Master!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Go back now; the wind is picking up."

Weisa nodded, turned and walked toward the manor, took a few steps then turned back, seeing Hu Xiaotian still standing far away; it turned out he was uneasy about her walking alone, so he watched her until she entered the manor's main gate before leaving.

Hu Xiaotian alone returned to his mother's grave; the grass hut had been completely torn down by the attendants Qiqi brought, and the grass mat he had been sleeping on for over a month was also cleared away. He shook his head; actually he had planned to return to the manor tomorrow, but he hadn't expected Qiqi to be so eager.

He sat before his mother's tombstone, draped the fur greatcoat over himself, and looked down toward Fengyi Shan Zhuang; a few lights still glowed within the manor, but he wondered whether one of them belonged to Weisa.

Hu Xiaotian suddenly realized something; his back straightened involuntarily and his muscles tensed instantly. He sensed someone had appeared behind him—few in the world could approach him soundlessly. He mentally screened possibilities, and after a moment he softly said, "Senior, since you've come, why not show yourself?"

No answer came from behind; Hu Xiaotian then said, "Master Xu!"

From behind came a low sigh: "How did you know it was me?"

Hu Xiaotian slowly turned around and indeed saw the old beggar dressed in tattered black cotton clothing, hands tucked into his sleeves, his face clearly bearing unspoken sorrow; as he spoke, his gaze fixed on Xu Fengyi's grave.

Hu Xiaotian said, "To approach me this closely without my noticing, one must be among the handful of top experts in the world; among such experts, only one would willingly come to pay respects at my mother's grave." He was obviously referring to the old beggar.

The old beggar pursed his lips, came to Hu Xiaotian's side, silently gazed at Xu Fengyi's tombstone for a while, then said, "Did she pass away peacefully?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Not bad, at least I was by her side."

The old beggar pursed his lips and asked, "What did she say?"

At this point Hu Xiaotian was certain beyond doubt that the old beggar was his maternal grandfather Xu Lingkong; otherwise he wouldn't have come specially to Xu Fengyi's grave to pay respects. He did not directly answer the question, but whispered, "I thought you would have come earlier; I never expected to wait until today."

Xu Lingkong spoke gloomily, "I shouldn't have come; whether I come or not doesn't change what has happened, it only adds to the sorrow." He crouched, reached out, and gently stroked the name Xu Fengyi on the tombstone; his deep eyes revealed an indescribable grief.

Hu Xiaotian silently regarded him; Xu Lingkong should know of the familial tragedy between his parents; if Xu's grandmother had wanted revenge, she would surely have told him this secret. Even with peerless martial arts, Xu Lingkong could not alter the tragic fate of his children; at this moment his heart must be filled with extreme guilt.

Xu Lingkong asked, "What unfinished wish did she have?"

Hu Xiaotian whispered, "My mother said my father would not return, and that before her death she wished to see her own parents." The latter part was purely Hu Xiaotian's fabrication.

Xu Lingkong's chest felt as if struck by a heavy blow; he could barely breathe, and after a while he finally caught his breath, exhaling deeply and said, "Your grandmother never came?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "I have no relation to the Xu clan of Jinling!" That single statement already showed his resolve to sever ties with the Xu family.

Xu Lingkong said, "Your father is in Tianxiang State!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart shuddered violently; since Xu Lingkong said so, it must be true—his father had indeed used this overseas expedition as an opportunity to slip into Tianxiang State, departing with fifty warships, ten thousand elite naval marines, plus his friends and beloved confidantes. Recalling this, Hu Xiaotian felt a sharp pang; his father's callousness left his heart chilled to the bone. Moreover, there was another matter that made him even more anguished, something he dared not even think about.

"Why Tianxiang State?"

Xu Lingkong said, "Why don't you leave? You now have no ties left; why remain in Dakang? With your martial prowess, no one could stop you."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "If martial arts could solve everything, why couldn't you save my mother's life? Why did you watch your own daughter die without lifting a finger?"

Xu Lingkong's face drained of color; his breathing grew ever more labored, and he could not even bring himself to meet Hu Xiaotian's eyes: "You don't understand..." Some secrets weigh upon his heart like mountains, keeping him crushed under guilt and shame, causing his latter days to be spent in regret and self-blame. He wishes to change but knows not how. Hu Xiaotian is right—some things martial arts cannot resolve; not only martial arts, but his affairs cannot be settled by anyone.

Second update uploaded, please vote for Monthly Ticket! (To be continued~^~)