Chapter 1128

Xue Lingjun said, "Hu Xiaotian can treat the virtuous with courtesy and employ the capable; I can likewise come in person. Mr. Yu, you need not think too much—I came here only to make friends with Mr. Yu, with no other intention."

Yu Tianxing said, "Was what my father just said also at the Princess's behest?"

Xue Lingjun laughed, "Perhaps the old man misunderstood my meaning; I merely told him that your two elder brothers are doing well in Yongdu, and I will also have people look after them even more in the future."

"I don't know what the Princess means by 'look after'."

"Then it depends on what you want me to do," Xue Lingjun's words soft yet firm, full of threatening implication.

Yu Tianxing said, "Indeed, the illustrious Princess of Da Yong conducts herself with openness and integrity." His words were full of sarcasm.

Xue Lingjun said, "Mr. Yu's style of deploying troops and forming arrays is unfathomably deceptive, achieving goals by any means."

Yu Tianxing stood his ground, saying, "Does the Princess think such means can make me submit and change my loyalty to my lord?"

Xue Lingjun sighed softly, "As far as I know, Hu Xiaotian has done nothing great for you; it shouldn't drive you to sacrifice everything for him. Whatever he can give you, I can give you too; whatever he cannot give you, I can also satisfy!" Saying this, Xue Lingjun gave Yu Tianxing an alluring glance.

Yu Tianxing smiled, "After all, the Princess is just a woman!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Lingjun's pretty face turned cold instantly: "Mr. Yu, what do you mean by that?"

Yu Tianxing said, "The Princess probably does not understand what it means for a scholar to die for one who knows him, that a lifetime is like a single season of grass, and though life may be long or short, it eventually ends, yet the righteousness in one's heart endures like the sun and moon between heaven and earth. If the Princess thinks she can change my will by using my relatives, consider how someone who can easily shift his stance could be worthy of your heavy reliance? Today you threaten me with my brothers' lives; tomorrow someone will use my parents' safety as leverage. It is not that I, Yu Tianxing, disregard familial affection, but anciently loyalty and filial piety are hard to have both. I, Yu Tianxing, will not alter my inner convictions for anyone. Today I swear before you: if you dare harm even a finger of my family, I will repay you double!" He spoke these words firmly and without hesitation.

Xue Lingjun flared up in anger, "You dare threaten me? As long as I wish, I can take your life anytime!"

A cold voice came from afar: "Princess, if you have the guts, go ahead—I'll shoot out your eyes first!" Zhan Peng, hidden in the treetops far away, had drawn his bow to the full, the icy arrowhead glinting coldly in the canopy. How could Hu Xiaotian overlook protecting Yu Tianxing?

The anger in Xue Lingjun's eyes finally softened. She let out a tinkling, silver-bell-like laugh: "Indeed you were prepared—never mind! I'll spare you for now; go settle accounts with Hu Xiaotian!"

Hu Xiaotian actually came to admire Xue Lingjun a bit—though she had done wrong, she dared to come knocking with righteous indignation. Before Xue Lingjun arrived, Hu Xiaotian had also received the latest news from Kangdu; it seemed Li Shen Zhou's mission this time was not going smoothly, and the old emperor should have seen through his intentions. He had not rushed to reply to Da Yong's conditions. In fact, Long Xuan'en's final attitude was no longer that important to Hu Xiaotian; orders issued abroad need not be obeyed. At worst, we would openly raise the banner and go it alone—what could Long Xuan'en do to me?

Xue Lingjun appeared before Hu Xiaotian, furious, and demanded, "You actually had someone follow me?"

Hu Xiaotian remained calm, not only failing to invite the Da Yong Princess to sit, he didn't even give her a proper glance, and said lightly, "If the Princess understands it that way, there's nothing I can do."

Xue Lingjun noticed Hu Xiaotian suddenly changed his address, no longer calling her "junior sister" but "Princess"; this shift in tone surely didn't mean he wanted to deal with her purely on official business, discarding private feelings? She asked, "How do you find my proposal?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "I thought you came this time with sincere intent, but I didn't expect you already had two preparations; since you've already sent Li Shen Zhou to Kangdu to pressure me through the emperor, why bother coming here just to pass time with me?"

Xue Lingjun sighed, "The emperor has his own plans; if I didn't cherish our old affection, why would I make this long journey?"

Hu Xiaotian did not believe they had any past affection; everything Xue Lingjun did served her own purpose. This woman appears alluring and affectionate, but inside she is sinister and cold—must not be bewitched by her. Hu Xiaotian said, "The Princess truly shows deep affection and righteousness toward me—here she negotiates peace with me, there she holds Yu Tianxing's family hostage to lure him to Da Yong; truly consistent inside and out, her methods are exquisite!"

Xue Lingjun smiled charmingly, "I'm merely curious—just what kind of formidable person is Yu Tianxing, that you value him so highly? I wanted to learn about him and make friends."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Making friends through threats—I've never heard of that before."

Xue Lingjun felt no guilt at all, still smiling brightly, "Actually you should thank me; if I hadn't helped you test him, how would you know Yu Tianxing's loyalty to you is unwavering?"

Hu Xiaotian was truly impressed by this woman—clearly she had done something despicable and shameful behind his back, yet she spoke of it so candidly, as if she had truly helped him. Hu Xiaotian said, "You really intend to strike at Yu Tianxing's family?"

Xue Lingjun smiled without speaking, sensing from Hu Xiaotian's eyes a hitherto unseen coldness; her heart trembled involuntarily, secretly wondering, could he have murderous intent toward me?

Hu Xiaotian said, "Yu Tianxing's family is like my own; if the Princess truly harbors such thoughts, I advise you to dispel them as soon as possible."

Xue Lingjun refused to yield, "Are you threatening me?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled lightly, "You and I have known each other for a while; you should know I rarely threaten others, and even less often provoke them—but that doesn't mean I'm cowardly. Otherwise, when Tang Bohsi led thirty thousand naval troops to press the border, I would have fled the city. I may usually grin, but my temper is foul; if someone angers me, I will fight to the death no matter the cost. Even if I must sacrifice this life, I will make the other side wish they were dead."

Although Xue Lingjun knew Hu Xiaotian was threatening her, she couldn't help but start to fear—this kid, back in Xizhou, could break through layers of protection and sneak into her room; if he truly meant her harm, few could stop him. She forced composure, saying, "How can you suddenly say such things, with no decorum at all."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "One should reciprocate courtesy; if others respect me a foot, I respect them ten feet. The Princess comes under the banner of peace, yet behind the scenes she does these shady dealings—truly disappointing to the utmost. Since there is no sincerity, we need not talk further; whatever means you have, use them all—I can only guarantee that I will repay tenfold whatever you do!"

The smile on Xue Lingjun's face had completely faded; she believed Hu Xiaotian's words were no joke. She fixed her gaze on his eyes and nodded slowly, saying, "Words are easy to say, but some things depend on strength to decide."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Perhaps I cannot topple Da Yong right now, but if I want to eliminate a person, I need not trouble others to act. Princess, you may prepare to return. I can answer your proposal now: I will not submit to Da Yong."

Xue Lingjun said, "You'd better think twice before acting, lest you bring disaster upon yourself."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Hasn't Li Shen Zhou already gone to Kangdu? Since he's confident he can persuade the emperor, just wait for the imperial order. Let me return the Eastern Luo Storehouse and Dongliang Jun to you."

From Hu Xiaotian's tone, Xue Lingjun heard that even if the Dakang Emperor Long Xuan'en issued an edict ordering him to return the Jiangbei lands, Hu Xiaotian would still not comply. She sighed softly, "Actually, why must you act on impulse? This will ultimately do you no good."

Hu Xiaotian said coldly, "Whether good or bad, it's my own choice; no need for the Princess to worry."

Having reached this point, there was no need to continue talking; she rose to leave, Guo Zhenhai following closely behind, when he heard Hu Xiaotian call from behind, "Hold it!"

Xue Lingjun stopped in her tracks, thinking Hu Xiaotian had something to say to her.

Hu Xiaotian's eyes, full of killing intent, fixed on Guo Zhenhai, and he said coldly, "It seems I and you still have an unsettled score."

Guo Zhenhai blinked in confusion, not knowing what Hu Xiaotian meant.

Hu Xiaotian said no more, taking a single stride and rushing at Guo Zhenhai; Guo Zhenhai saw Hu Xiaotian's harsh words toward Xue Lingjun just now, feared he might harm the Princess, hastily stepped forward to meet him, shouting, "Princess, hurry away!"

Hu Xiaotian swung his right fist to strike Guo Zhenhai in the chest; his punch was powerful but not fast. Guo Zhenhai planted his stance and threw a meeting punch; their right fists collided with a boom! —an explosive sound. Hu Xiaotian's body didn't budge, while Guo Zhenhai swayed slightly. Guo Zhenhai secretly sighed, never expecting Hu Xiaotian's inner strength to be so formidable.

A cold smile curled Hu Xiaotian's lips: "Try another punch!" This time he put all his strength into it; Guo Zhenhai met it head‑on, and the explosive sound rang out again. A wave‑like qi radiated from the two bodies outward; Xue Lingjun, standing nearby, had her clothes blown back by the gust, her face draining of color, wondering why Hu Xiaotian had suddenly struck out.

When Guo Zhenhai and Hu Xiaotian clashed again face‑to‑face, they realized Hu Xiaotian's first punch had concealed his strength; it was now too late to regret. The punch sent Guo Zhenhai stumbling back step by step, chest wracked with pain, a sweet taste rising from his abdomen—yet it was Hu Xiaotian's blow that caused internal bleeding. He forced himself to swallow the hot blood, looking at Hu Xiaotian with some alarm; it turned out Hu Xiaotian's true power was terrifying.

Xue Lingjun shouted, "Stop! Hu Xiaotian, you're going too far!"

Hu Xiaotian gave a slight smile, did not continue attacking Guo Zhenhai, and said softly, "This punch is my compensation for Guo Brother's sneak attack on me in Xizhou."

Guo Zhenhai stared wide‑eyed, truly unable to recall when he had sneak‑attacked Hu Xiaotian in Xizhou.

In the early morning I send a First Update, a token of sincerity, and incidentally grab some Monthly Tickets! Brothers and sisters, hand over the Monthly Tickets in your pockets—I'll update again tomorrow morning! (To be continued~^~)