Chapter 1196

Yan Tianlu reappeared, the truth came to light, Python Flood Island naturally won the hearts of all, just as he had previously said, the true master of Python Flood Island is only himself. Previously, everyone having followed Lu Qingyuan as island chief was merely being deceived, aside from the six heads known to all, Yan Tianlu also had on the island an unknown force; after parting with Hu Xiaotian, he went to organize these people to eradicate rebels for him and regain the island chief position. In just a short day, the island's winds and clouds shifted, the island chief position changed twice, and returned once more to Yan Tianlu's hands.

After the typhoon passed, clear skies for ten thousand li, the blazing sun high. Yan Tianlu stood on the high tower opposite Python Flood Island's prison, looking toward the prison's direction; the prison had already been completely controlled by Hu Zhongyang and others, two thousand fully armed pirates guarded the prison's gate, awaiting the island chief's disposition.

Yang Zongtong came to Yan Tianlu's side to report, saying: "Hu Xiaotian has come; he wishes to see you."

Yan Tianlu lowered his gaze and looked down, seeing Hu Xiaotian standing at the base of the high tower, raising his head to look upward; because the sunlight was too glaring, this fellow placed both hands on his forehead, using this method to block the sunlight, and beside him followed his niece Yan Nujiao.

Yan Tianlu whispered: "Let him come up alone!"

Hu Xiaotian walked up to the lookout tower; standing on the tower he could clearly see the situation inside the prison; Hu Zhongyang and others were unaware of the true situation outside, still creating disturbances inside the prison to attract the pirates' attention.

Yan Tianlu gripped the railing with both hands and whispered: "As soon as I give the order, my hundreds of catapults will level this prison to the ground, and your soldiers will all become minced meat."

Hu Xiaotian smiled dismissively: "Old man, you seem to have forgotten our agreement."

Yan Tianlu looked at him with contempt and said: "Promises are just fart! I'll kill you. Then no one will know we ever had any promises."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Since I dare come here alone, I'm not afraid you'll kill me." He paused and added: "Actually, you can't kill me either!"

Yan Tianlu burst into laughter, shook his head, his eyes showing admiration; Hu Xiaotian's rise like a comet in the Yongjiang River basin is no coincidence—this kid not only possesses formidable martial arts, but also extraordinary courage and a calm mind, truly a formidable opponent not to be underestimated.

Yan Tianlu said: "Just now I received intelligence that multiple stranded warships were found at the lagoon eighty li southeast of Python Flood Island. Surely those are your troops?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a noncommittal nod and said: "Yes! Without hiding it from Island Chief Yan, I came to you seeking help."

Yan Tianlu said: "Why should I help you? Don't think that because you once helped me I must repay you; while there are indeed people who repay kindness, there are far more who repay kindness with enmity!" Saying this, he couldn't help but recall his two brothers who had betrayed him, his hands unconsciously gripping the railing, his fingers digging deep into it.

Hu Xiaotian said: "If the island chief helps me overcome this crisis, I can promise that for the rest of my life I will never attack Python Flood Island."

Yan Tianlu abruptly turned, locked eyes with Hu Xiaotian, then suddenly burst into laughter; Hu Xiaotian also laughed, their auras evenly matched.

Yan Tianlu said: "Do you think you can wipe out my Python Flood Island?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "The island chief's situation is not as glorious as it appears on the surface; even a mere Lu Qingyuan can make the island chief flee in disgrace. Luoji Palace's Tang Jiu Cheng has already mastered the technique of condensing qi into arrows; the island chief has offended so many formidable enemies—could he truly not care about adding another?"

Yan Tianlu silently gazed at Hu Xiaotian, after a long while he said: "If it weren't for this typhoon, your fleet might have already launched an attack on Python Flood Island."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I rarely compromise or negotiate with others; it was the island chief who provoked first. Otherwise I wouldn't muster forces to attack a small island in the vast ocean."

Yan Tianlu said: "I can help you, but. You must help me rescue someone!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Who? Island chief, please tell me!"

Yan Tianlu said: "The Dakang Hai Zhou magistrate Yan Xuanming's family has been charged with corruption, already escorted to Kangdu, scheduled for execution in five days; help me rescue his entire family."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows: "What is your relation to Yan Xuanming?"

Yan Tianlu sighed: "He is my eldest son!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; he never expected Yan Tianlu's biological son to be an official in Dakang, and even appointed as Hai Zhou magistrate.

Yan Tianlu raised the document in his hand: "Lu Qingyuan has long plotted against me; he not only rebelled on Python Flood Island, but also uncovered where my relatives are; Yan Xuanming's identity has always been a secret, even he himself doesn't know it; I never intended for him to inherit my mantle, only wishing him a safe life—yet they discovered this as well."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Execution in five days?" He had no idea about Yan Xuanming's situation, nor whether he could make it in time.

Yan Tianlu nodded: "The extraordinary talent under your command who defeated Luo Qianfu should be capable of covering a thousand li a day; given your position in the Dakang court, perhaps you could persuade the Dakang Emperor to change his mind."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I will do my best, but the ruler's will is unfathomable, and I have no full confidence."

Yan Tianlu said: "If I cannot save my son's life, your thousands of troops will await to be buried with him!" He exerted a little force with both hands, and with a crack, the thigh-thick railing snapped cleanly.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Old man, there's no need to remind you—I never fear threats; those thousands of troops mean far less to me than Yan Xuanming does to you; if you intend to use this to threaten me, go ahead and try!"

Yan Tianlu glared angrily, but after meeting Hu Xiaotian's fearless gaze he had to relent; Hu Xiaotian had grasped his weakness— in Yan Tianlu's heart, even the lives of all his subordinates on Python Flood Island might not outweigh his son's; thinking thus, he naturally assumed Hu Xiaotian also deemed the troops' lives insignificant, and slowly nodded: "Kid, I'll help you rescue the fleet; you help me save my son's family—this deal is clearly more advantageous for you."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian extend his hand to Yan Tianlu: "Deal!"

The two firmly clasped hands.

Inside the Yongyang Prince's Mansion, Quan De'an hurried to the study's door and respectfully said: "Your Highness!"

From within the study came Qiqi's voice: "Come in!"

Quan De'an pushed the door open and entered; Qiqi set down the book in her hands and asked: "What's the matter?"

Quan De'an said: "Hu Xiaotian sent a secret envoy to see the Princess; Yang Lingqi brought him here."

Qiqi said: "Just let him in!"

After accepting Hu Xiaotian's commission, Xia Zhangming immediately set off from Python Flood Island with the secret letter, flying day and night to reach the outskirts of Kangdu; he first went to Fengyi Shan Zhuang, contacted Yang Lingqi through the manor, and then Yang Lingqi personally guided him to the Yongyang Prince's Mansion to see the Princess.

Xia Zhangming respectfully paid his respects: "This humble one, Xia Zhangming, pays respects to the Princess, Thousand Years, Thousand Thousand Years!"

Qiqi indifferently said: "I don't recall ever having seen you before."

Xia Zhangming smiled: "This humble one has only recently followed Sir Hu."

Qiqi said: "He has recently gathered quite a few talents." Her beautiful eyes examined Xia Zhangming and she asked: "What's the matter?"

Xia Zhangming presented the secret letter in his hand.

Qiqi opened the secret letter, after reading it her brows slightly furrowed, and she softly said: "Mr. Yang, first take Mr. Xia outside to rest; I have something to say to Eunuch Quan."

Yang Lingqi, having received the order, took Xia Zhangming out.

Quan De'an also didn't know what was written in the letter; Qiqi handed him the letter, and Quan De'an laughed: "I dare not look at the private correspondence between Sir Hu and the Princess."

Qiqi glared at him and said: "Just look if you're allowed to; what's all this fuss about?"

Quan De'an then took the letter, examined it from start to finish, and exclaimed in surprise: "He actually went to Python Flood Island?"

Qiqi gave a cold snort: "I knew he wouldn't stay put; claiming illness was just an excuse to avoid coming to the capital. Sure enough, he took this opportunity to go to Python Flood Island, hoping to expand the sea route, but didn't expect to run into trouble." Hu Xiaotian in the letter hadn't concealed much, laying out the facts clearly, and hadn't hidden the fact that he was on Python Flood Island.

Qiqi felt a surge of anger; if not for having something to ask, she would still be kept in the dark by this fellow. What does Hu Xiaotian think of himself? Does he only remember her when he runs into trouble?

Quan De'an said: "Regarding Yan Xuanming's case, I've heard as much—allegedly corrupt, much silver was found in his home; the Emperor has recently been cracking down on corruption cases, and has declared that no one may plead for corrupt officials."

Qiqi said: "Did I say I would definitely help him rescue someone?"

Quan De'an said: "Your Highness, you really won't rescue?"

Qiqi said: "Yan Xuanming is actually the son of Python Flood Island's chief Yan Tianlu—his concealment is truly deep." She rose, took two steps to the window, and said: "Prepare the carriage; I will personally go to the Ministry of Punishments."

Quan De'an inwardly sighed; Qiqi would indeed go to rescue Yan Xuanming; this young lady, though she seemed dissatisfied with Hu Xiaotian on the surface, ultimately still cared about his affairs. Quan De'an reminded her: "Yan Xuanming's case was personally decided by the Emperor; if the Princess wants to save someone, she must first obtain the Emperor's approval."

Qiqi laughed: "If I were to go see him first, there's a nine out of ten chance this wouldn't succeed; in that case, better to act first and report later—he publicly said he would entrust state affairs to me to handle, and I still haven't had my authority taken back, so I can still decide on such minor matters."

Quan De'an secretly startled; Qiqi's current actions are essentially provoking the Emperor; he whispered: "Please, Your Highness, think carefully before acting." (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to come.)