Chapter 1347

The Flying Eagle and Snow Eagle both let out vigilant cries, their voices shaking the cloudy peaks; the black giant eagle hesitated to land, likely out of fear of the Flying Eagle. Hu Xiaotian had Xia Zhangming stop the Flying Eagle and Snow Eagle, and only then did the black giant eagle slowly descend. On its back rode a Lan-clad person whom Hu Xiaotian had seen before in Yongdu, though then the person wore a golden mask; now they appeared before him in their true visage. This person was tall and graceful, extraordinarily handsome, and without glancing at anyone else strode straight to Xi Yan, speaking softly: "Junior sister, my master sent me to fetch you."

Xi Yan nodded, her beautiful eyes gazing at Hu Xiaotian, showing reluctance.

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought that Xi Yan's master must be the leader of the Wuxian Sect, and this Lan-clad youth was likely her senior brother. Out of respect for Xi Yan's face, Hu Xiaotian also showed considerable courtesy to the Lan-clad person, clasping his fists and saying: "I am Hu Xiaotian; may I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

The Lan-clad person gave him a cold glance, expression aloof and indifferent, actually ignoring Hu Xiaotian's friendly gesture, and said softly: "Junior sister, let's just leave."

Hu Xiaotian said: "She's injured!"

The Lan-clad person said: "If you don't want to harm her, don't speak further."

Seeing the Lan-clad person so rude, Zhan Peng couldn't help but flare up, angrily saying: "You are incredibly rude!"

Hu Xiaotian reached out to stop Zhan Peng; there was no need for a pointless argument at this time.

Xi Yan sighed and said: "Senior brother, wait aside; I have a few words to speak privately with Lord Hu."

The Lan-clad person nodded, gave Hu Xiaotian a cold glance, then silently walked away into the distance.

Zhan Peng and the others also sensibly stepped aside; Hu Xiaotian approached Xi Yan, she reached out to grasp his big hand, and he cradled her delicate hand in his palm, speaking softly: "As long as you wish to stay, no one can stop you."

Xi Yan shook her head, a hint of helpless smile at her lips: "Ren Tianqing has planted a Poison Needle in my body; if I stay, I will surely die."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian's face involuntarily showed extreme worry; Xi Yan spoke gently: "You needn't worry; my master can help me recover fully."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why don't I accompany you? I can also meet your master along the way."

Xi Yan's cheeks flushed as she said: "What would you do there? My master has an eccentric temperament, dislikes seeing outsiders, and if displeased might even kill you."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Is she really that formidable?"

Xi Yan softly sighed: "In any case, you needn't worry for me; with my senior brother escorting me back, there will be no risk."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at the Lan-clad person in the distance and remarked: "Your senior brother is actually quite presentable."

Xi Yan couldn't help but want to laugh, knowing what he was thinking, and she whispered: "Actually, you should be the one to be careful. Long Qiqi will not let you off easily."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I and she have severed all ties; from now on there will be nothing between us."

Xi Yan said: "There's no need to hide three hundred taels of silver here; I haven't said anything about you, so why are you rushing to declare your feelings?"

Hu Xiaotian gripped her hand tighter: "I'm afraid you'll misunderstand."

Xi Yan fixed her gaze on his eyes and said wistfully: "How could I not know what kind of person you are? You chase the new and discard the old, flirt everywhere. You philander, with a wolf's heart and dog's lungs."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "To err is human; knowing one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. You must give me a chance to reform. After all, we still have a Marriage Pact."

Xi Yan said: "That Marriage Pact no longer exists."

"That's all a misunderstanding; besides, back then I didn't even know your true identity."

Xi Yan said: "Hu Xiaotian, not everything in this world is up to you to decide. You think I'm easy to bully, that you can engage or break off an engagement whenever you like. Now you've been cast aside by Long Qiqi, turning back to think of me—do you think I'll treasure what others reject?"

Hu Xiaotian widened his eyes: "Are you kidding? It's me who doesn't want her..."

Xi Yan smiled, wrenched free of his hand, and staggered to her feet: "What others don't want, I don't want either."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Oh, I'm not an object!"

Although Xi Yan had her back to him, she couldn't help but laugh; yet this laugh tugged at her wound, she covered her chest, brows slightly furrowed, and said: "You got that right at least."

Hu Xiaotian raised his voice: "When will we be able to meet again?"

Xi Yan did not answer, merely waved her hand.

Watching Xi Yan, under the escort of the Lan-clad person, mount the black giant eagle, Hu Xiaotian felt boundless longing and shouted: "I will miss you; don't make me wait too long."

The black giant eagle flapped its wings and soared into the sky; Xi Yan looked down at Hu Xiaotian below, tears shimmering in her beautiful eyes, while the Lan-clad person ahead said: "You and he will have no future!"

Xi Yan's pent-up resentment turned to anger, and she snapped: "My affairs need no interference from you!"

Although humans are emotional creatures, a life cannot be lived solely for feelings; Hu Xiaotian, though reluctant to see Xi Yan leave, also knew that matters ahead could not be delayed. Soon after Xi Yan's departure, he and Xia Zhangming immediately returned to Yunze, where their side had already received news of his mishap in Kangdu.

Zhao Wusheng led thirty thousand elite marines, sharpening their weapons and feeding their horses, preparing to attack Yuyang Cheng to pressure the court; Hu Xiaotian's arrival timely halted the impending war.

Hu Xiaotian ordered the Yongjiang marines to gradually return along the Wangchun River to Wuxing Jun, leaving only five thousand marines stationed in Yunze.

In Baichun Cheng, Hu Xiaotian left ten thousand troops to garrison; such a deployment was barely sufficient for self-defense.

Three days later, Hu Xiaotian had already appeared in Dongliang Jun, while rumors spread far and wide about his collusion with Li Tianheng to poison the Yongyang Princess and his collusion with Long Tingzhen to plot rebellion and seize the throne. Over the past two days, all of Hu Xiaotian's subordinate commanders also gathered in Dongliang Jun; the purpose of this meeting, however, was to discuss how they would respond to the current situation and plan future development.

As the morning sun rose, a golden glow seemed to envelop heaven and earth; Hu Xiaotian stood quietly in the courtyard, admiring the blossoming flowers in the garden. The morning breeze in Wuxing Jun was much cooler than in Kangdu. Gazing at the dew drop on a petal, it sparkled in the morning light, then, as the petal shrank in the wind, it slipped away silently, as if falling into the depths of Hu Xiaotian's heart, where an inexplicable sorrow welled up, and he let out a soft sigh.

Weisa stepped lightly behind him and draped a blue cloak over his shoulders.

Hu Xiaotian seized her hand, turned to behold Weisa's lovely face, brighter than the morning glow, which made Weisa slightly embarrassed, lowering her head as she murmured: "What are you looking at? It's not like I haven't been seen before."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What are you referring to?"

Weisa clenched her pink fist and punched his solid chest, coquettishly shouting: "Annoying!" Hu Xiaotian gave a gentle tug, pulling her soft, delicate form into his embrace.

Weisa pressed her lovely face against his chest and whispered softly: "I'm really glad you came..."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "I came back last night already too late, so I didn't wake you; you won't blame me, will you?"

Weisa shook her head: "Just coming back is fine; I'm too happy to even keep up."

Hu Xiaotian lifted her soft, curvaceous chin and kissed her cherry lips, saying: "I ought to go; everyone should have arrived by now."

Weisa said: "Master, what would you like to eat for lunch?"

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Weisa's gorgeous, alluring face, smiled meaningfully, and whispered: "Eat you!"

Weisa pouted her cherry lips, seeming both pleased and annoyed, and said in a coquettish tone: "I'm speaking seriously."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Then let's go eat at Mister Zhuge's place; since he isn't attending the conference, I'll go to him." Although Zhuge Guanqi had decided to follow Hu Xiaotian, he was unwilling to appear publicly, also to avoid suspicion.

Weisa chuckled: "Then I'll go prepare first."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, then also headed out toward the conference hall.

Yu Tianxing, Zhao Wusheng, Xiong Tianba, Zu Dacheng, Li Mingcheng, Yan Xuanming, Gao Yuan and the others were all waiting in the conference hall; seeing Hu Xiaotian enter, they all bowed to him, and he smiled: "Sorry I'm late."

Xiong Tianba hehehed: "My lord, how can you say that? It's us who arrived early; the agreed-upon si hour hasn't even arrived yet."

Hu Xiaotian greeted everyone to sit, scanned the surroundings, and noted that Li Yongfu was still guarding Bixin Mountain in Yunze, unable to return for this meeting; Chang Fanqi had gone to Kangdu to escort the dowry and hadn't come back either; Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but worry, asking: "Have Chang Fanqi and Liang Da Zhuang already received the news?"

Yu Tianxing rose respectfully and replied: "Reporting to my lord, we have already sent word; they too have received the news and are now on their way back."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and smiled, saying, "Everyone should have heard about what happened in Kangdu, right?"

Everyone nodded in unison; although they all knew something had happened in Kangdu, the details were still unclear.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Now I have become a treacherous minister who rebels against the state."

Xiong Tianba was the first to shout, "Rebellion is rebellion, so what? I've long disliked that old emperor. My lord, why bother with him? As long as you give the order, I'll immediately lead my brothers to Kangdu, drag that old emperor off his throne, and support you as king."

Hu Xiaotian knew this fellow was always foolish, and laughing, he rebuked, "Don't talk nonsense; I asked you to come help with ideas, not to cause trouble."

Zhao Wusheng laughed and said, "The bear kid's words are rough but reasonable. I think the throne should go to the virtuous. Since the Emperor is foolish and useless, incapable of governing Dakang, it would not be wrong for my lord to take his place." Upon saying this, everyone responded in agreement, even Li Mingcheng, who is usually steady, chimed in.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "This matter must not be mentioned again. My greatest wish is to stabilize Dakang's northern frontier and bring peace and prosperity to the people; I have never thought of seizing the throne, nor have I desired wealth and power. Yet my wholehearted loyalty has only earned me suspicion from all sides, and now I am even falsely accused of rebellion." (To be continued~^~)