Chapter 1248

Yan Dongsheng nodded; Fu Yanshou's words coincided with Hu Dafu's.

Yan Dongsheng nodded; Fu Yanshou's words coincided with Hu Dafu's.

Yan Dongsheng nodded; Fu Yanshou's words coincided with Hu Dafu's.

We must not add extra info. That's fine.

Fu Yanshou stepped closer to him and whispered, "Your Majesty, beware of inviting a wolf into the house!"

Translation: "Fu Yanshou stepped closer to him and whispered, 'Your Majesty, beware of inviting a wolf into the house!'"

Yan Dongsheng's eyes lit up as he stared into Fu Yanshou's eyes; Fu Yanshou misunderstood his meaning, hurriedly knelt and said, "This servant deserves death ten thousand times!"

Yan Dongsheng's eyes lit up as he stared into Fu Yanshou's eyes; Fu Yanshou misunderstood his meaning, hurriedly knelt and said, "This servant deserves death ten thousand times!"

Translation: "Yan Dongsheng's eyes lit up as he fixed his gaze on Fu Yanshou's eyes; Fu Yanshou misunderstood his meaning and hurriedly knelt, saying, 'This servant deserves death ten thousand times!'"

Yan Dongsheng's eyes lit up as he stared into Fu Yanshou's eyes; Fu Yanshou misunderstood his meaning, hurriedly knelt and said, "This servant deserves death ten thousand times!"

Yan Dongsheng said, "I haven't blamed you! Get up!"

Translation: "Yan Dongsheng said, 'I haven't blamed you! Get up!'"

Fu Yanshou rose to his feet, but then heard Yan Dongsheng sigh and say, "I am truly indecisive!"

Translation: "Fu Yanshou rose to his feet, but heard Yan Dongsheng sigh and say, 'I really am indecisive!'"

Fu Yanshou said, "Since you're undecided, why not just stay on the sidelines? Your Majesty, there's no need for you to personally intervene."

Translation: "Fu Yanshou said, 'Since you're indecisive, why not just stay on the sidelines? Your Majesty, why must you personally intervene?'"

Yan Dongsheng gave a wry smile and said, "I've already been drawn in; now wanting to withdraw and stay out of it is easier said than done."

Translation: "Yan Dongsheng gave a wry smile and said, 'I've already been drawn in; now wanting to withdraw and stay out of it is hardly easy.'"

Fu Yanshou said, "First Li Changxing was assassinated, then Kou Zisheng was killed; Your Majesty, who do you plan to send next to investigate Yuan Tianzhao's case?"

Translation: "Fu Yanshou said, 'First Li Changxing was assassinated, then Kou Zisheng was killed; Your Majesty, whom do you plan to send next to investigate Yuan Tianzhao's case?'"

Yan Dongsheng said, "Now the ministers are all panicking; it seems that whoever I send is as good as announcing that person will be sentenced to death."

Translation: "Yan Dongsheng said, 'Now the officials are all in fear for themselves; it seems that whoever I send is tantamount to announcing that person's death.'"

Fu Yanshou said, "Although this incident occurred in Bohai, it is actually caused by a struggle for the imperial power of the Great Yong."

Translation: "Fu Yanshou said, 'Although this incident occurred in the Bo Sea, it actually arose from a struggle for the Da Yong imperial throne.'"

Yan Dongsheng was now in a predicament like riding a tiger, and staying on the sidelines was no easy feat; he gritted his teeth and said, "My current situation is entirely due to that scoundrel Zou Yong; if I don't kill him, I will never rest."

Translation: "Yan Dongsheng was now in a predicament where riding a tiger is hard to dismount; staying on the sidelines is hardly easy. He gritted his teeth and said, 'My current situation is entirely due to that scoundrel Zhou Yong; if I don't kill him, I will never rest!'"

Riding a tiger is hard to dismount; staying on the sidelines is hardly easy.

Just then, a report came from outside: "The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Translation: "Just then, a report came from outside: 'The Empress Dowager has arrived!'"

Yan Dongsheng and Fu Yanshou exchanged a glance; the Empress Dowager's arrival at this moment must be urgent, Yan Dongsheng furrowed his brows, a flash of disgust crossing his eyes.

Translation: "Yan Dongsheng and Fu Yanshou exchanged a glance; the Empress Dowager's arrival at this time must be urgent. Yan Dongsheng furrowed his brows, a flash of disgust crossing his eyes."

"What did you say?" Li Chen Zhou looked at Tang Jingyu with some astonishment, clearly shocked by the news he brought.

Translation: "'What did you say?' Li Chenzhou stared at Tang Jingyu in astonishment, clearly shocked by the news he brought."

Tang Jingyu whispered, repeating, "Hu Dafu is Hu Xiaotian!"

Translation: "Tang Jingyu whispered repeatedly, 'Hu Dafu is Hu Xiaotian!'"

Li Chen Zhou's brows knitted together; usually unflappable, he showed such astonishment for the first time in front of others. After a long silence, he said, "How could he possibly reach Wanghai City in such a short time?"

Translation: "Li Chenzhou's brows knitted together; usually unflappable, he displayed such astonishment before others for the first time. After a long silence, he said, 'How could he possibly reach Hope Sea City in such a short time?'"

Tang Jingyu said, "Traveling by boat is naturally impossible, but if he is skilled in beast taming, that's another matter."

Translation: "Tang Jingyu said, 'Traveling by boat is naturally impossible, but if he is skilled in beast taming, then it's another matter.'"

Li Chen Zhou felt a bit regretful; had he known that the person causing trouble in the royal city tonight was Hu Xiaotian, he should have confronted him directly. If what Tang Jingyu said is true, Hu Xiaotian is indeed remarkably bold.

Translation: "Li Chenzhou felt a bit regretful; had he known that the person causing trouble at the royal capital tonight was Hu Xiaotian, he should have gone to confront him directly. If what Tang Jingyu said is true, Hu Xiaotian truly possesses extraordinary courage and daring."

Tang Jingyu said, "The disappearance of Xue Lingjun must have been orchestrated by them."

Translation: "Tang Jingyu said, 'The disappearance of Xue Lingjun was surely orchestrated by them.'"

Li Chen Zhou rose, walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, and said softly, "Xue Lingjun should be fine, but Yan Dongqing is in trouble."

Translation: "Li Chenzhou rose, clasped his hands behind his back, took a few slow steps, and said softly, 'Xue Lingjun should be fine, but Yan Dongqing is in trouble.'"

Yan Dongqing

Tang Jingyu said, "Their purpose in plotting this incident is simply to exchange Yan Dongqing for Yan Bolight."

Translation: "Tang Jingyu said, 'Their purpose in plotting this incident is to exchange Yan Dongqing for Yan Boguang.'"

A faint cold smile curled Li Chen Zhou's lips; while Yan Dongqing's life might be very important to the Bohai royal family, to him it was utterly worthless.

Translation: "A cold smile curled Li Chenzhou's lips; while Yan Dongqing's life might be very important to the Bo Sea royal family, it is worthless to him."

Tang Jingyu said, "General Li, they are now directing all their hostility toward Zou Yong."

Translation: "Tang Jingyu said, 'General Li, they are now directing all their hostility toward Zhou Yong.'"

Li Chen Zhou said, "So what? Does the Bohai king dare to move against him?" He understood Yan Dongsheng's temperament very well and knew the power distribution within the Bohai court like the back of his hand; the Bohai king had never had any fondness for Zou Yong, but with the Queen Dowager present, he still dared not act rashly, and Yan Dongsheng lacked the mettle to be a king.

Translation: "Li Chenzhou said, 'So what? Would the Bo Sea king dare to act against him?' He understood Yan Dongsheng's temperament very well and was fully aware of the power distribution within the Bo Sea court; the Bo Sea king had never held any fondness for Zhou Yong, but with the Queen Dowager present, he still dared not act rashly. Yan Dongsheng simply lacks the mettle to be a king."

Li Chen Zhou said, "So what? Does the Bohai king dare to move against him?" He understood Yan Dongsheng's temperament very well and knew the power distribution within the Bohai court like the back of his hand; the Bohai king had never had any fondness for Zou Yong, but with the Queen Dowager present, he still dared not act rashly, and Yan Dongsheng lacked the mettle to be a king.

Tang Jingyu said, "How should we handle this?"

Translation: "Tang Jingyu asked, 'How should we handle this matter?'"

Li Chen Zhou said, "No matter what waves they want to stir up, we just need to sit firm at the fishing terrace; Yan Bolight must die, Yan Dongqing must die, and since Hu Xiaotian can point his spear at Zou Yong, we can likewise point ours at him. Yan Dongsheng is merely a good-for-nothing, not worth worrying about; if they dare to propose exchanging Yan Dongqing for Yan Bolight, we don't mind sending them both on their way."

Translation: "Li Chenzhou said, 'No matter what waves they want to stir up, we only need to sit firmly at the fishing terrace. Yan Boguang must die, Yan Dongqing must die, and since Hu Xiaotian can point his spear at Zhou Yong, we can likewise point ours at him. Yan Dongsheng is merely a good-for-nothing, not worth worrying about; if they dare to propose exchanging Yan Dongqing for Yan Boguang, we don't mind sending them both on their way.'"

Li Chen Zhou said, "No matter what waves they want to stir up, we just need to sit firm at the fishing terrace; Yan Bolight must die, Yan Dongqing must die, and since Hu Xiaotian can point his spear at Zou Yong, we can likewise point ours at him. Yan Dongsheng is merely a good-for-nothing, not worth worrying about; if they dare to propose exchanging Yan Dongqing for Yan Bolight, we don't mind sending them both on their way."

Tang Jingyu nodded.

Translation: "Tang Jingyu nodded."

Li Chen Zhou also said, "Beize Lao Guai's four disciples all died at Hu Xiaotian's hands. If he learns that Hu Xiaotian has come to Bohai, this old gentleman will certainly not remain indifferent."

Translation: "Li Chenzhou added, 'The Old Monster of the Northern Swamp has four disciples who all died at Hu Xiaotian's hands. If he learns that Hu Xiaotian has come to Bo Sea, this old gentleman will certainly not remain indifferent.'"

Li Chen Zhou also said, "Beize Lao Guai's four disciples all died at Hu Xiaotian's hands. If he learns that Hu Xiaotian has come to Bohai, this old gentleman will certainly not remain indifferent."

Human relationships are mostly about using and being used; this holds true for both men and women. Xue Lingjun sat in a luxurious, warm cabin, wearing a bright and comfortable brocade robe, while across from her sat a woman equally alluring and charming. A small table stood between them, holding a few dishes and a pot of fine wine.

Translation: "Relationships between people are mostly about using and being used. This holds true for men and women alike. Xue Lingjun sat in a luxurious, warm cabin, wearing a bright and comfortable brocade robe. Across from her sat a woman equally alluring and charming. A small table stood between them, holding a few small dishes and a pot of fine wine."

Yan Nujiao seemed a little drunk, her beautiful eyes soft as silk, she whispered, "Your Highness the Grand Princess, how long have you known him?"

Translation: "Yan Nujiao seemed somewhat drunk, her beautiful eyes soft and silky as she whispered, 'Grand Princess, how long have you known him?'"

Xue Lingjun naturally understood that 'he' referred to Hu Xiaotian, and she softly said, "It's neither long nor short."

Translation: "Xue Lingjun naturally understood that 'he' referred to Hu Xiaotian, and she softly said, 'It's neither long nor short.'"

"Are you friends?" Yan Nujiao's question carried a hidden meaning—either friends or lovers.

Translation: "'Are you friends?' Yan Nujiao's question carried a hidden meaning—either friends or lovers."

Xue Lingjun laughed, "We're not really friends; I don't like making friends with overly shrewd people. Being with him, I'm constantly on guard, never knowing when he'll trip me up." She was stating a fact.

Translation: "Xue Lingjun laughed, 'I wouldn't call us friends; I don't like befriending overly shrewd people. Being with him, I'm constantly on guard, never knowing when he'll betray me.' She was stating a fact."

Yan Nujiao laughed, "He's a good person!"

Translation: "Yan Nujiao laughed, 'He's a good person!'"

Xue Lingjun let out a soft sigh, lifted the cup before her and drank it all in one gulp: "Perhaps to you he's a good person."

Translation: "Xue Lingjun let out a faint sigh, lifted the cup before her, and drained it in one gulp, saying, 'Perhaps to you he's a good person.'"

Yan Nujiao also drank the cup before her, then said softly, "He's an upright and honorable person."

Translation: "Yan Nujiao also drank the cup before her, then whispered, 'He's an upright and honorable person.'"

Xue Lingjun couldn't help but giggle, her laughter making her sway; even Yan Nujiao felt a bit unnatural, she bit her cherry lip and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Translation: "Xue Lingjun couldn't help but giggle, laughing until her whole body trembled, making Yan Nujiao feel a bit unnatural as she bit her cherry lips and asked, 'What are you laughing at?'"

Xue Lingjun said, "It's clear you like him; who wouldn't like such an outstanding man?" As she said this, she secretly wondered whether she had ever liked him—she herself didn't even know the answer.

Translation: "Xue Lingjun said, 'It's clear you like him; who wouldn't like such an outstanding man?' As she spoke, she secretly wondered whether she had ever liked him—she herself didn't even know the answer."

Yan Nujiao said, "He's also been good to you; even though you harmed him in Xichuan, this time he helped you without holding a grudge."

Translation: "Yan Nujiao said, 'He's also been good to you; even though you harmed him in Xichuan, he's helped you this time without holding a grudge.'"

Xue Lingjun said, "He's only helping himself!"

Translation: "Xue Lingjun said, 'He's helping himself!'"

Yan Nujiao's smile vanished instantly at those words.

Translation: "Yan Nujiao's smile vanished instantly at her words."

Xue Lingjun smiled, "Women, you know, it's often better to be a little foolish."

Translation: "Xue Lingjun smiled, 'Women—sometimes it's better to be a little foolish.'"

Yan Nujiao said, "Even the most elaborate schemes aren't necessarily a good thing."

Translation: "Yan Nujiao said, 'Even the most elaborate schemes aren't necessarily a good thing.'"

Xue Lingjun nodded, rose and walked toward the cabin door, and before leaving said softly, "Happiness is never given by others; it's you who thinks you're happy and thus are happy. If your mind is clear enough, you'll realize that so-called happiness is merely self-deception."

Translation: "Xue Lingjun nodded, rose, and walked toward the cabin door, whispering before leaving, 'Happiness is never given by others; it's you thinking you're happy that makes you happy. If your mind is clear enough, you'll know that so-called happiness is merely self-deception.'"

Yan Nujiao shook her head, "Thank goodness I don't have your clever mind; I feel quite happy right now."

Translation: "Yan Nujiao shook her head, 'Good thing I don't have your clever mind; I feel quite happy right now.'"

Xue Lingjun was about to retort, saying she was self-deceiving, but she immediately changed her mind; a dark thought clouded her heart, and she whispered, "No wonder he would risk everything for you; I hope this time he succeeds in rescuing Yan Bolight from the execution ground."

Translation: "Xue Lingjun had wanted to retort, accusing her of self-deception, but she immediately changed her mind; a dark thought clouded her heart, and she whispered, 'No wonder he would risk everything for you—I hope this time he succeeds in rescuing Yan Boguang from the execution ground.'"

"What?"

Translation: "'What?'"

Both grand princesses have been missing for two full days, with only one day left before Yan Bolight's scheduled execution; Bohai King Yan Dongsheng has yet to retract his order, suggesting that Hu Xiaotian's arguments haven't had much effect on him.

Translation: "The two Grand Princesses have been missing for two full days, with only one day left until Yan Boguang's execution date; Bo Sea King Yan Dongsheng has still not recalled his order, suggesting that Hu Xiaotian's reasoning hasn't had much effect on him."

Hu Xiaotian handed the map drawn by Xia Changming to Yan Tianlu, who stared at it in astonishment and said, "What?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian handed the map drawn by Xia Zhangming to Yan Tianlu, who stared at it in astonishment and said, 'What?'"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's a bird's-eye view of the Tianxing Garden."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'A bird's-eye view of the Heavenly Star Garden.'"

Yan Tianlu had little interest in the Tianxing Garden; he didn't even bother to glance at the map, and said softly, "What are we to do about Bolight?"

Translation: "Yan Tianlu had little interest in the Heavenly Star Garden; he couldn't even be bothered to glance at the map, and said softly, 'What are we to do about Boguang's situation?'"

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's time to present them with terms: exchange the grand princess for Yan Bolight."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'It's time to present our terms and exchange the Grand Princess for Yan Boguang.'"

Yan Tianlu said without hesitation, "Although we hold two trump cards, after all this is in Bohai; we worry they might resort to deceit."

Translation: "Yan Tianlu said without hesitation, 'Although we hold two trump cards in our hands, after all this is in Bo Sea, and we worry they might resort to deceit.'"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "It's not just possible, it's certain! Tang Jiucheng should have recognized my identity from my martial arts; Zou Yong is almost certainly his son, I've already threatened Zou Yong's safety, so Tang Jiucheng won't stand by idly."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'Not possibly, but certainly! Tang Jiu cheng should have seen through my identity from his martial prowess; Zhou Yong is almost certainly his son, and I have already threatened Zhou Yong's safety—Tang Jiu cheng will not stand idly by.'"

Yan Tianlu sucked in a breath of cold air: "That would be quite a problem."

Translation: "Yan Tianlu sucked in a breath of cold air and said, 'That would be troublesome, wouldn't it?'"

Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly, "Indeed it's troublesome; Tang Jiucheng's side will surely leak this news to the Banlan Sect, using the hand of Beize Lao Guai to eliminate me, after all the four disciples of Beize Lao Guai who died are all connected to me, and Beize Lao Guai has long hated me to the core."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly, 'Indeed it's troublesome; Tang Jiu cheng's side will surely leak this news to the Variegated Gate, using the Old Monster of the Northern Swamp as a pretext to eliminate me—after all, the deaths of the Old Monster's four disciples are all linked to me, and he has long borne a deep hatred for me.'"

Yan Tianlu furrowed his brows: whoever provokes Beize Lao Guai invites a huge trouble; even in one-on-one combat, Yan Tianlu fears no Beize Lao Guai, but the Banlan Sect and the Five Immortals Sect are the two most poisonous sects in the world, and Beize Lao Guai is a top-tier master of poison. Even a single Tang Jiucheng would be hard to deal with, let alone adding an unscrupulous Beize Lao Guai. This time they are effectively enemies of both the Banlan Sect and the Luoying Palace; although the Mangjiao Island has many numbers, only he himself counts as a true top-tier master, and with Hu Xiaotian, the two of them may still not be able to overcome Tang Jiucheng and Beize Lao Guai.

Translation: "Yan Tianlu furrowed his brows; whoever provokes the Old Monster of the Northern Swamp invites a great disaster. Even in single combat, Yan Tianlu fears nothing from the Old Monster, but the Variegated Gate and the Wuxian Sect are the two foremost sects in the world for poisoncraft, and the Old Monster is a peak master of poison. Even a single Tang Jiu cheng would be hard to deal with, let alone adding an unscrupulous Old Monster of the Northern Swamp. This time they are effectively enemies of both the Variegated Gate and the Falling Cherry Palace; although Python Flood Island numbers many, only he himself counts as a true top-tier expert, and with Hu Xiaotian added, the two of them may still not be able to withstand Tang Jiu cheng and the Old Monster of the Northern Swamp."

Thinking this over, Yan Tianlu said, "Our chances of victory are not great."

Translation: "Thinking this over, Yan Tianlu said, 'Our chances of victory are not great.'"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "It's not about going head-to-head with them; why must we decide a winner right away?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'It's not about going head-to-head with them; why must we decide a winner on the spot?'"

Yan Tianlu heard from his tone of voice that he definitely had another plan, and said in a low voice: "What do you have in mind?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "We propose exchanging the two eldest princesses for Yan Boguang; when the time comes, we won't go, we'll just have Xue Lingjun appear."

Yan Tianlu exclaimed in shock, "You mean releasing Xue Lingjun?" After saying that, he immediately felt it was wrong, for Xue Lingjun had never been a hostage they captured, but rather an ally who had joined forces with them.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Having Xue Lingjun appear publicly is to help us deal with Li Chen Zhou; besides, Yan Dongqing is still in our hands, so they shouldn't dare to harm Yan Boguang."

Yan Tianlu nodded; Hu Xiaotian was right, as long as the other side believes Yan Boguang still has value to them, Yan Boguang will temporarily be safe.

Hu Xiaotian said, "According to my estimate, they will surely take advantage of this hostage-exchange opportunity, concentrate their forces to try to wipe us out in one sweep; we need not clash head-on with them, but when they head to the agreed location, we can in one fell swoop annihilate the Variegated Gate's stronghold in Hope Sea City."

Yan Tianlu said, "Destroy the Heavenly Star Garden?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Although the Northern Marsh Old Monster's poison is formidable, he cannot do without the poisonous creatures he raises; destroying the Heavenly Star Garden is like cutting off one of his arms, and if we happen to kill a few of his disciples, it's like giving him another stab."

Yan Tianlu burst out laughing; this brat Hu Xiaotian is indeed cunning enough, fortunately I am not his enemy, otherwise I wouldn't know how much of a headache he'd cause.

Hu Xiaotian said, "They think we are anxious to go rescue Yan Boguang, but we will instead do the unexpected."

Yan Tianlu said, "As long as we destroy the Heavenly Star Garden, we will have the opportunity to eradicate the Northern Marsh Old Monster."

With the month-end approaching, everyone must have saved up quite a few Monthly Tickets; we earnestly ask you to vote for the Medical Union, so our ranking can rise a little. (To be continued~^~)