Chapter 1217

Li Chen Zhou said: "Prince Yan this time is surprisingly calm, showing no movement at all."

Xue Daohong coldly laughed: "The more so, the more it proves he has something on his mind."

Li Chen Zhou said: "I think Prince Yan cannot possibly be idle; perhaps he has already sent people to act in Bohai State."

Xue Daohong said: "The Grand Princess should already have arrived in Bohai State."

Li Chen Zhou said: "Probably arrived."

Xue Daohong said: "Chen Zhou, I owe much to you by my side; if not for you, I would not have thought of this strategy to kill two birds with one stone."

Li Chen Zhou whispered: "According to my humble view, the Grand Princess and Prince Yan likely have no alliance; sending her on this mission to Bohai State is mainly to confirm that."

Xue Daohong said: "She had better not have allied with Prince Yan!"

Hu Xiaotian's departure from Dongliang Jun was likewise not made public, because previously there had been the precedent of Su Yuchi forcefully breaking into the manor; Hu Xiaotian naturally took full precautions this time, specifically summoning the blockhead Xiong Tianba to await orders, this fellow is absolutely meticulous in carrying out commands. In fact, even if Xiong Tianba does not return, nowadays no one dares to repeat Su Yuchi's mistake.

This time going to Bohai State, Hu Xiaotian only took Xia Zhangming along; currently only the two of them have the ability to command flying birds. Although Hu Xiaotian has successfully tamed the Snow Eagle, this creature does not know how to discern direction and needs Xia Zhangming to guide and navigate for him.

After obtaining the Snow Eagle, they not only gained the ability to travel a thousand miles in a day, but more importantly, even if something happens in Dongliang Jun, they can return within a day and night.

Wei Sa, hearing that Hu Xiaotian had just returned and was about to leave again, naturally felt some disappointment in her heart; she silently packed his luggage, a misty veil appearing in her ice-blue beautiful eyes.

Hu Xiaotian saw her sorrow, smiled and said: "Just going out for a few days to handle some small matters. Why are you so disappointed?"

Wei Sa whispered: "Master refuses to take me along; I am truly useless."

Hu Xiaotian laughed loudly: "It's not that I won't bring you; it's just that the Snow Eagle has a strange nature and, besides me, refuses to let anyone else ride on its back."

Wei Sa blinked her beautiful eyes and said: "I have never yet seen what that Snow Eagle looks like; Master, when will you let me see it?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Its temperament is unruly; although it is nearby, I also do not know exactly where it is now. However, Xia Zhangming gave me a method that should be able to summon it back. Since there are many people here, I will wait until I and Zhangming go to the outskirts before calling it to come."

Wei Sa prepared the parcel and the long sword and handed them to Hu Xiaotian, then recalled something and whispered: "Inside this parcel is the mask that Sister Yutong gave you. Carry it with you for emergencies."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; although after returning this time he had seen Qin Yutong a few times, they never had much opportunity to talk. Qin Yutong thought he suspected her, so her attitude toward him was rather cold. Hu Xiaotian had wanted to explain properly, but now it seems he can only wait until he returns from Bohai State to do so.

Hu Xiaotian instructed Wei Sa: "During the time I am away, you must practice soul-capturing technique diligently; last time that Yang Fanxu was extremely formidable."

Wei Sa said: "I am useless; lately I have made no progress at all. Listening to Sister Yutong, it may be because my internal strength foundation is too shallow."

Hu Xiaotian felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this. He suddenly thought that if he used the Sun-Shooting True Classic to transmit some internal energy to the little girl, it could kill two birds with one stone, perhaps helping her accomplish her soul-capturing great art; Wei Sa is so obedient, she would surely not refuse any request he might have. However, such a matter is ultimately hard to bring up; he cannot possibly use his master's status to directly make the request.

Wei Sa saw Hu Xiaotian's eyes suddenly turn burning hot, and instantly realized something in her heart; she blushed and lowered her head: "Master, what are you thinking again?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Just feel that this time I'm leaving, I'll have a few days without seeing my obedient Wei Sa, and I feel somewhat reluctant."

Really?

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Truer than true."

Wei Sa said in a coquettish voice: "Wei Sa can hear the master say this, my heart……my heart is very happy." A pair of beautiful eyes full of tender affection, so gentle they seemed about to drip water.

Hu Xiaotian pursed his lips: "I'm leaving now; are you going to leave me a deep memory?"

Wei Sa, feeling a bit embarrassed, said: "Master……what do you want from me?"

How about a hug?

Wei Sa nodded; Hu Xiaotian opened his arms, she closed her eyes and threw herself into his embrace. Hu Xiaotian held her warm jade and fragrant body, inevitably causing his heart to sway; he lowered his head and lightly kissed her pretty face, feeling the heat of her skin at this moment.

Wei Sa clung tightly to Hu Xiaotian: "Truly reluctant to let the master……leave."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When I return this time, I will teach you a very powerful martial art."

What martial art?

Uh……the Sun-Shooting True Classic!

Hu Xiaotian sat upon the Snow Eagle; although the moon flew and the wind was high, with cold wind constantly blowing in his face, his inner self was a ball of heat—no wonder in history there occurred the phenomenon of emperors no longer attending court early; this tender affection truly makes it hard to part. Sometimes I think, braving the bone-chilling cold wind, running east and west, what am I doing it for? Honestly holding my beauty close, diving into a warm blanket—how wonderful that feels—but such thoughts are fleeting; a person alive must do something. In my previous life I died pointlessly; this life I have finally obtained a chance to start anew, and I must learn to cherish it.

With Xia Zhangming's help, Hu Xiaotian's communication with the Snow Eagle also advanced by leaps and bounds; he gave a soft call, and the Snow Eagle flapped its wings, accelerating to catch up with Xia Zhangming ahead. The two Snow Eagles have now grown accustomed to this ferocious huge companion, the Snow Eagle, and no longer fear it as before. They fly left and right on either side of the Snow Eagle.

Hu Xiaotian called out: "Zhangming, where do you say they usually hide?"

Xia Zhangming laughed: "Actually, the self-protection instinct of flying creatures is far stronger than ours; these two Snow Eagles can look after each other. As for the Snow Eagle, it spends most of its time flying, and while flying it can rest; because of its flight altitude, few people can spot it, and no aerial raptor can match it, so it usually encounters no danger."

Hu Xiaotian thought of Luo Qianfu; even if the Snow Eagle is mighty and brave, what use is it if one encounters a Luo Qianfu—such a vicious, sinister, unscrupulous Beast Tamer—then it would merely be at the mercy of others; humanity is the strongest tier in the food chain.

Hu Xiaotian gently stroked the Snow Eagle's neck; these days, the part of its neck that he had plucked bare has already grown a fair amount of down, feeling very soft to the touch. He sighed: "I don't know whether it still has companions in the world; otherwise wouldn't it be destined to spend its life alone?"

Xia Zhangming said: "I used to think the Snow Eagle had already vanished from this world; I never expected to find two on Mang Jiao Island, perhaps there are still others of its kind hidden in unknown corners of this world."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If we have the chance to meet them, I will certainly help it find a mate; if such fine genes cannot be passed on, what a regret that would be."

"Genes?" Xia Zhangming heard this and was completely bewildered.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "It's a hometown saying; you wouldn't understand!"

Xia Zhangming said: "Sir, regarding our journey to Bohai State, your preliminary plan is……"

Hu Xiaotian said: "First go to Wanghai City to scout the situation; I estimate that in these few days Yan Tianlu, Hu Zhongyang and those people will also arrive one after another. We should first get a clear picture of the situation, so as to decide what to do next—whether to join forces with them or not."

Xia Zhangming said: "I have never been to Bohai State before."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I haven't been there either; I've heard Bohai State isn't large, but its products are abundant and its people prosperous. This time we come as merchants—what special products does Bohai State have?"

Xia Zhangming said: "Coral, bright pearls, crystal, beautiful jade."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That means we are jewel merchants; Zhangming, let's head straight for Wanghai City!"

Wanghai City is the capital of Bohai State; although named Wanghai City, the city lies in the center of Bohai State, the place nearest the sea being over a hundred li away; even if one stands on the highest Cangqiong Peak of Wanghai City, all one can see is a rolling sea of clouds, let alone the vast ocean surrounding Bohai State, which is completely invisible.

Bohai State, due to its special island geography, has also caused its people to be unworldly and content with the status quo, one land one people; even the Bohai King shares this nature. The current Bohai King Yan Dongsheng enjoys literature and ink, loves wind, flowers, snow, and moon, but his preferences have nothing at all to do with governing and strengthening the military, so Bohai State has not grown strong under his hand—it remains a small state with few people. Yan Dongsheng believes that a country with few people must first value its people.

The common folk are not to be used as labor, nor to be armed for war; one must make the common people cherish their own lives, so they will not leave their homeland, nor migrate far away. Even if there are boats and carriages, no one needs to ride them; even if there are armor and weapons, no one uses them for war or to consume them. Let the common people regain their innocent, good, simple nature. The country becomes rich and the people strong, reaching its prosperous age. Everyone is tranquil and free of desire, giving the people sweet tasty food, splendid clothing, comfortable dwellings, and joyous customs.

Yan Dongsheng's greatest worry is Mang Jiao Island; although he worries about this uncle far from the country, he is unwilling to raise troops to attack him, instead thinking of borrowing the power of Da Yong to eliminate this great scourge. In Hu Xiaotian's view, such an idea is simply utter foolishness, extreme pedantry—only a bookish idiot would conceive such an idealistic notion.

In the same season, Bohai State's weather is much warmer than that of Dongliang Jun; Hu Xiaotian and Xia Zhangming descended outside Wanghai City, their feet stepping on lush green grass, suddenly feeling as if transitioning from winter to spring.

The weather was misty and overcast, without sunshine but also without the sea-island's characteristic damp chill; this is because Wanghai City's unique geography features mountains all around its outskirts, the ranges encircling Wanghai City blocking all the ocean's damp chill from outside. (To be continued~^~)