Chapter 1274

Qin Yutong said: "The Old Monster of Beize fed this five-colored spider king with all kinds of poisons from the world; this inner elixir should be what he himself wanted to consume. Everyone's body is different, and their tolerance varies; the same thing that benefits you might be harmful to others."

Hu Xiaotian expressed agreement; the Old Monster of Bei Ze spent so many years cultivating the Five-Colored Spider King, and he will surely adjust it according to his own conditions. The Old Monster of Bei Ze is a poisonous old creature full of strange toxins; this inner pellet is beneficial to him, but it might be harmful to oneself.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian expressed agreement; the Bei Ze old monster spent so many years raising this five-colored spider king, and will surely adjust it according to his own conditions. The Bei Ze old monster is an old poisonous creature full of strange poison; this inner elixir benefits him, but may be harmful to me.

It might be harmful to me.

Qin Yutong said, "Let me take your pulse!"

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "Let me take your pulse!"

Hu Xiaotian placed his wrist flat on the table, and Qin Yutong's slender fingers rested on his pulse point. This time, taking his pulse took unusually long—over half an hour—before Qin Yutong finally released his wrist and whispered, "Strange, your meridians seem to have changed."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian extended his wrist and laid it flat on the table; Qin Yutong's spring-onion-like fingers rested on his pulse point. This pulse diagnosis took unusually long—over half an hour—before Qin Yutong released his wrist and whispered: "Strange, your meridians seem to have changed."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "What kind of change?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "What change?"

Qin Yutong said, "Let me give you an analogy: previously, if your meridians were just a small stream, now this channel seems to have been widened considerably."

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "Let me give you an analogy: previously, if your meridians were just a small stream, now this riverbed seems to have been widened considerably."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "That means it has become a great river!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "That means it has become a great river!"

Qin Yutong shook her head and said, "No, it should be like a great river, and your meridians are probably much stronger than before. I can't tell whether this is due to your cultivation or because you took the Five-Colored Spider King's inner pellet."

Translation: Qin Yutong shook her head and said: "It should be becoming a great river, and your meridians should be much sturdier than before; I can't tell whether it's due to your cultivation or due to taking the five-colored spider king's inner elixir."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian felt delighted. His greatest worry had been his weak meridians, which couldn't withstand the impact of his strong internal energy. Now his meridians have widened and become sturdy, meaning his ability to endure internal force impacts is far greater than before—surely a good thing for him.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian felt delighted; his greatest trouble before was his weak meridians, unable to withstand the impact of his strong internal force. Now his meridians have widened and become sturdy, meaning his ability to withstand internal force impact is greater than before—this should be good for him.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Have I been poisoned?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Am I poisoned?"

Qin Yutong said, "There are no signs of poisoning, but we can't conclude just from the pulse; I need to take some of your blood for a thorough examination."

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "There are no signs of poisoning, but I cannot determine that just from the pulse; I need to take some of your blood for a careful examination."

Hu Xiaotian generously replied, "No problem—take as much as you need."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian generously said: "No problem; take as much as you need."

Qin Yutong said, "For now, it seems there is no threat to your life."

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "For now, it seems there is no threat to your life."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Although my life is not in danger, each bout of itching makes me feel worse than dead. I must jump into cold water to stimulate the internal energy within my body, letting it circulate through the meridians; only then does this strange itch gradually fade. At first, it would occur every two hours, but today it had only happened once—I had thought it wouldn't happen again until tomorrow, yet it came earlier."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Although my life is without worry, each time the itching flares up I feel worse than dead; I must jump into cold water to stimulate the internal qi to circulate through my meridians, after which this strange itch gradually fades. At first it occurred every two hours; today it only flared once, and I thought it would not happen until tomorrow, but unexpectedly it came earlier."

Qin Yutong said, "If what you say is true, then the cold jade bed seems to have some effect on you."

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "If what you say is true, then the chilled jade bed should have some effect on you."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Could it be the same bed that Xiao Longnu slept on?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian thought: "Could it be the bed that Xiao Longnu slept on?"

Qin Yutong said, "It's just that cold jade is rare and hard to find at the moment. Fortunately, there is an alternative."

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "It's just that chilled jade is rare and cannot be found quickly; fortunately there is a substitute."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Worst case, I'll just jump into the water!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Worst case, I'll just jump into the water!"

Qin Yutong said, "You don't necessarily have to jump into water; there is an ice cellar in the back hall of the Tong Ren Tang, filled with plenty of ice blocks. Practicing your breathing exercises there would work just as well."

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "You don't necessarily have to jump into water; there is an ice cellar in the backyard of Tong Ren Tang, storing plenty of ice blocks; practicing breath regulation there works just as well."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Then I'll stay here for now."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I'll stay here for now!"

Strangely, Hu Xiaotian's itching had not recurred since its outbreak at the Tong Ren Tang; for several days it did not happen again, likely because he had been practicing in the ice cellar every day. Due to his strange condition, upon arriving in Dongliang Prefecture, he kept a low profile for the first three days, with only Weisa and Qin Yutong aware of it.

Translation: Strangely speaking, Hu Xiaotian's itching has not recurred since it first occurred at Tong Ren Tang; several days have passed without another flare-up, possibly because he goes to the ice cellar each day to cultivate. Because of his bodily ailment, Hu Xiaotian, upon arriving at Dongliang Jun, kept a low profile for the first three days; only Wesa and Qin Yutong knew.

Each day, aside from staying informed of recent events, he went to the ice cellar to train. During the time he traveled to Bohai State, the first shipment of grain from the Great Yong had already arrived in Kangdu. Naturally it was expensive; although Great Kang paid a considerable price, thanks to this grain from Great Yong they barely managed to get through that harsh winter. Since Su Yuchi's previous visit to Dongliang Prefecture, he has not caused them any trouble; in fact, Su Yuchi suffered a hidden loss, and Hu Xiaotian did not make things difficult for him because of that, still allocating one hundred thousand dan of grain for Su Yuchi's use.

Translation: Each day, aside from understanding the recent situation, he just went to the ice cellar to cultivate. During his trip to Bohai State, the first shipment of grain from Da Yong had already arrived at Kangdu. Naturally it was expensive; although Dakang paid a considerable price, relying on Da Yong's grain they barely got through this harshest winter. Since Su Yuchi's previous visit to Dongliang Jun, he has not bothered them again; in fact Su Yuchi suffered a secret loss, and Hu Xiaotian did not make things difficult for him because of that, still allocating 100,000 dan of military grain for his use.

After Su Yuchi took up defense of Xiangyang, Guo Guangbi of Xingzhou repeatedly sent men to harass and encroach, but each time Su Yuchi defeated them. Su Yuchi's current strategy is to hold Xiangyang, seek development, and avoid large-scale actions; consequently, the northern regions of Great Kang have gradually become peaceful lately.

Translation: After Su Yuchi garrisoned Yunyang, Guo Guangbi of Xingzhou repeatedly sent people to harass and invade, but each time was defeated by Su Yuchi. Su Yuchi's current strategy is to hold Yunyang, seek development, and has not undertaken any major actions; the northern region of Dakang has gradually become peaceful in recent times.

Hu Xiaotian sat cross-legged in the ice cellar wearing only a pair of trousers, with a ring of ice blocks placed around his body and a narrow entrance at the front for entry and exit. He had already spent an afternoon in the ice cellar when he heard light footsteps and deduced that Weisa had entered.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian sat cross-legged in the ice cellar wearing only a pair of trousers, with a ring of ice blocks placed around his body; there was a narrow exit at the front for entry and exit. He had already stayed in the ice cellar for an afternoon when he heard light footsteps and deduced that Wesa had entered.

Hu Xiaotian slowly opened his eyes to see Weisa, dressed in a white fur coat, tiptoeing in, worried about disturbing his practice. Seeing Hu Xiaotian gazing at her, her pretty face flushed, and she whispered, "It seems the master has finished his training!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian slowly opened his eyes, only to see Wesa wearing a white fur coat, tiptoeing in; Wesa was worried about disturbing his practice, and upon seeing Hu Xiaotian looking at her, her pretty face flushed, and she whispered: "It turns out the master has finished practicing!"

Hu Xiaotian rose, went outside, put on his outer robe, and laughed, "These past two days I've basically been staying in this ice cellar—I'm bored to death."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian rose, went outside, put on his outer robe, and laughed: "These past two days I've basically been spending in this ice cellar; I'm bored to death."

Weisa said, "Sister Qin Yutong sent me to check if you've finished your practice; if so, we can go up together to eat."

Translation: Wesa said: "Qin Yutong sister sent me to check if you've finished your practice; if so, we can go up together to eat."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've been eating only vegetarian these two days; I'm about to be fed into a horse by her!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "These days we've been eating only vegetarian; I'm about to be fed into a horse by her!"

Weisa couldn't help laughing; Qin Yutong is naturally vegetarian, and you won't find any meat or fish in the Tong Ren Tang. She said gently, "Aren't you sick? When you get better, I'll accompany you for a big feast."

Translation: Wesa couldn't help laughing; Qin Yutong originally eats vegetarian, and in Tong Ren Tang one sees no meat or fish; she softly said: "Aren't you ill? When you recover, I'll accompany you for a big feast."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "I'm fine now! I don't itch at all."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I'm fine now! I don't itch at all!"

"Really?"

Translation: "Really?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, then furrowed his brow and said, "Still a little itchy."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, then furrowed his brow and said: "Still a bit itchy!"

Weisa asked concernedly, "Where does it itch?"

Translation: Wesa asked concernedly: "Where does it itch?"

Hu Xiaotian took her small hand and placed it on his chest, saying, "I wasn't itchy before, but seeing my cute Weisa makes my heart start to tingle, feel numb, and go all fluttery."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian took her little hand and placed it on his chest, saying: "It wasn't itchy before, but seeing my obedient Wesa makes my heart start to tingle, feel numb, and feel crisp."

Weisa blushed slightly and wrinkled her nose; Hu Xiaotian said, "Why don't you help me stop the itching?"

Translation: Wesa somewhat embarrassed wrinkled her nose; Hu Xiaotian said: "Why don't you help me stop the itch?"

"I wouldn't know how..."

Translation: "I don't know how..."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'll teach you."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I'll teach you."

"No..." Weisa, blushing, tried to get away.

Translation: "No way..." Wesa, blushing, wanted to flee.

Hu Xiaotian, however, pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, and whispered near her ear, "Have you missed me?"

Translation: Yet Hu Xiaotian pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly, and whispered by her ear: "Have you missed me?"

Weisa leaned against his chest, both excited and shy, unable to look at him, merely nodding, then she remembered something and said, "Let's go quickly; Sister Qin Yutong is still waiting outside."

Translation: Wesa leaned in his embrace, both excited and shy, daring not to look at him, merely nodded, then recalled: "Let's go quickly, Qin Yutong sister is still waiting outside."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "What's the harm in letting her wait a little longer?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "What's wrong with letting her wait a moment longer?"

Although he said that, Hu Xiaotian still felt a bit wary of Qin Yutong. He and Weisa went outside, where they saw Qin Yutong indeed waiting for them outside the ice cellar. Weisa felt guilty, her eyes darting as she avoided Qin Yutong's gaze. Qin Yutong, seeing Weisa's still-flushed face, could guess that Hu Xiaotian hadn't been up to anything good in the ice cellar, and she coldly glared at him, saying, "The food is going to get cold."

Translation: Although he said that, Hu Xiaotian still felt some apprehension toward Qin Yutong. Going outside with Wesa, they saw Qin Yutong indeed waiting for them outside the ice cellar; Wesa felt guilty, her eyes darting to avoid Qin Yutong's gaze; Qin Yutong, seeing her flushed face not yet faded, could guess that Hu Xiaotian had done nothing good in the ice cellar just now, and coldly glared at him, saying: "The food will get cold."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Then let's go out to eat!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Then let's go out to eat!"

Qin Yutong furrowed her brows and asked, "You're willing to show yourself to people now?"

Translation: Qin Yutong furrowed her brows: "You're willing to show yourself now?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm a grown man—I can't stay hidden in the ice cellar all day. Come on, let's go to the Nan Guo Xiao Chu restaurant and have a proper meal."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "As a grown man I can't stay hidden in the ice cellar all day; let's go! Let's head to the Nan Guo Xiao Chu restaurant for a good meal."

Qin Yutong softly said, "You go ahead; I won't join in the fun." She turned and drifted away.

Translation: Qin Yutong softly said: "You go ahead; I won't join this bustle!" She turned and floated away.

Weisa gazed at her retreating back and whispered, "Sister Qin Yutong is angry; she put so much effort into preparing the meal, yet you're not eating it."

Translation: Wesa gazed at her back and whispered: "Qin Yutong sister is angry; she put so much effort into preparing the meal, yet you won't eat it."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Let her be angry; otherwise I wouldn't know she still has feelings."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Her anger is fine; otherwise I wouldn't know she still has feelings."

Weisa said, "She just doesn't show it easily; actually I can tell that Sister Qin Yutong is still quite nervous about you."

Translation: Wesa said: "She just doesn't easily show it; actually I can see that Qin Yutong sister is still quite nervous about you."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "What are we having to eat tonight?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "What shall we eat tonight?"

Weisa was interrupted by him; her icy-blue eyes blinked, and she snorted, "You're just deliberately trying to anger Sister Qin Yutong."

Translation: Wesa was interrupted by him; her pair of ice-blue beautiful eyes blinked, and she snorted: "You're deliberately trying to anger Qin Yutong sister on purpose."

Hu Xiaotian reached out and gently patted her cheek, saying, "You don't need to worry about anything else; just think about how to treat me well."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian reached out and gently patted her cheek, saying: "You don't need to worry about other things; just think about how to treat me well."

That evening, Hu Xiaotian was in high spirits; he sent Weisa to invite Mr. and Mrs. Zhu Ge Guan Qi, while he himself went to the Nan Guo Xiao Chu restaurant to reserve a seat. As soon as Hu Xiaotian appeared, the restaurant naturally shone with brilliance; although all seats were taken, the owner specially offered the back-room where he kept his rare stones for their use.

Translation: That evening Hu Xiaotian was in high spirits; he had Wesa invite Mr. and Mrs. Zhu Ge Guan Qi, while he himself went to Nan Guo Xiao Chu to reserve a seat. Upon his appearance, the restaurant naturally shone; although all seats were taken, the boss specially offered the back-room he used to store rare stones.

When the food and drinks arrived, Mr. and Mrs. Zhu Ge Guan Qi also arrived. Hu Xiaotian rose to greet them, clasping his hands and smiling, "I hope Brother Guan Qi and his wife won't take offense at my abrupt invitation."

Translation: When the food and drinks arrived, the Zhu Ge Guan Qi couple also arrived; Hu Xiaotian rose to greet them, clasping his hands and smiling: "I hope Brother Zhu Ge and sister-in-law won't take offense at my abrupt invitation."

Zhu Ge Guan Qi laughed, "If the lord returns and doesn't come to talk to me, then I'd be offended!"

Translation: Zhu Ge Guan Qi laughed: "If the lord returns and doesn't come talk to me, then I'd be offended!"

Weisa chimed in from the side, "Hurry up and sit down; the master hasn't had meat or wine in days!"

Translation: Wesa beside them laughed: "Hurry and sit down; the master hasn't seen meat and wine in many days!"

Everyone laughed as they took their seats. After sharing a drink, Hu Xiaotian recounted his entire experience traveling to Bohai State. Zhu Ge Guan Qi listened attentively, hearing that Hu Xiaotian had already formed an alliance with Bohai State and the Serpent Dragon Island. He felt happy for Hu Xiaotian, believing that a peaceful resolution would be ideal. For now, however, all three parties are too weak; only by uniting can they protect themselves. Although he had originally intended for Hu Xiaotian to seize Serpent Dragon Island and Bohai State, first achieving dominance over the seas, that goal cannot be realized in the short term.

Translation: Everyone laughed and took their seats; after drinking together, Hu Xiaotian recounted his entire experience traveling to Bohai State. Zhu Ge Guan Qi listened attentively, hearing that Hu Xiaotian had already formed an alliance with Bohai State and Mang Jiao Island; he also felt happy for Hu Xiaotian, as peacefully resolving this matter would be best. Currently, however, the three forces are all too weak; only union can serve as self-defense. Although he originally planned for Hu Xiaotian to seize Mang Jiao Island and Bohai State, first to dominate the seas, that cannot be achieved in the short term.

Zhu Ge Guan Qi said, "In that case, the King of Bohai is certainly no fool—a wise ruler."

Translation: Zhu Ge Guan Qi said: "In that case, the King of Bohai is certainly a wise ruler."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "He sees the situation more clearly than I expected; after the Yuan Tianzhao case, Yan Dongsheng saw through the true nature of the Great Yong emperor."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "He perceives the situation more clearly than I expected; after the Yuan Tianzhao case, Yan Dongsheng saw through the true nature of the Da Yong emperor."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "If he insists on going his own way, the inevitable result will be to invite the wolf into the house; not only will Bohai State be unable to hold, but likely even Mangjiao Island will be lost, and in the end the entire East Sea waters will fall under Da Yong's control."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If that's really the case, then the most troublesome thing is actually me."

Zhuge Guanqi laughed and said: "My lord, this trip to Bohai just happened to resolve this crisis; I think Da Yong won't have the energy to attend to maritime matters for a while."

Hu Xiaotian blinked his eyes, and from Zhuge Guanqi's words he sensed some changes in the situation.

Zhuge Guanqi said: "According to the latest information we've received, the Black Hu people have already begun gathering troops in Da Yong's Bei Jiang; a major war is inevitable. Regardless of who wins or loses this war, Da Yong won't be able to attend to other matters in the short term, which is why they've temporarily let up on Dakang."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Taking advantage of Dakang's continuous natural disasters, Da Yong selling grain at high prices is essentially extorting Dakang." (To be continued~^~)