Chapter 1358

Yang Longyue was already able to get out of bed and move about the next day; the inn where he stayed had been placed under special protection. Although it was done with his best interests in mind, such tight security made him feel as if he were being imprisoned. The next day at dusk, Hu Xiaotian came over to check on his condition.

Yang Longyue first expressed his gratitude to Hu Xiaotian for yesterday's incident.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Prince Fu, there's no need to be so polite; the more you are like this, the more uneasy I feel, after all, it was our security lapse that allowed this to happen."

Yang Longyue said, "Sir Hu, the assassin was targeting me and has nothing to do with you. In fact, ever since I left Tianxiang State and entered Dakang territory, the assassin has been tailing me all the way; I took every precaution, yet in the end, a single oversight let the assassin succeed."

Hu Xiaotian examined Yang Longyue's wound, saw that his recovery was going well, and smiled, saying, "Tomorrow I should be able to remove your stitches, Your Highness." After coming to this world, he discovered that people's self-healing ability was far greater than in the world he previously lived in.

Yang Longyue asked, "Remove the stitches?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "It means taking out the sutures from the body."

Yang Longyue said, "I had only heard that Sir Hu was both wise and brave; I didn't know you were also a master of medicine."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I've studied a bit of medicine, but I'm hardly an expert."

Yang Longyue said, "Sir Hu, my visit has caused you a lot of trouble; I intend to leave as soon as my injury heals."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Prince Fu, there's no need to rush off; this is the best season along both banks of the Yongjiang River, so why not stay a few more days to enjoy the scenery?"

Yang Longyue sighed and said, "Who has the heart for that!" His expression showed some dejection.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Prince Fu, are you in a hurry to return home?"

Yang Longyue nodded and said, "Yes, no matter what, I cannot stand by and let our ancestral estate fall into outsiders' hands." According to what he currently knows, the true identity of the present king of Tianxiang State, Yang Longjing, is that he is the illegitimate son of Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao and Hu Buwei, and he has no blood relation whatsoever to the Tianxiang Yang clan. More accurately, he should be Hu Xiaotian's half‑brother, and he has traveled a thousand miles, enduring dust and toil, to arrive at Dongliang Jun, believing that this matter could stir Hu Xiaotian to join forces against a common enemy—but Hu Xiaotian does not seem enthusiastic enough about this and has never shown a clear attitude toward cooperation. Consequently, Yang Longyue's mood has also sunk; he feels that in others' eyes he has little worth, and perhaps Hu Xiaotian has never considered him an ideal partner.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Going back isn't bad either."

Upon hearing those words, Yang Longyue felt even heavier‑hearted; Hu Xiaotian was effectively telling him indirectly that he would not cooperate. Yang Longyue had wanted to summon the courage to bring up cooperation again, but when the words reached his lips he changed his mind—he had already worn himself out talking and even resorted to self‑sacrifice to stir the other's sense of shared enmity, yet the other side still showed no intention to cooperate. Even saying more would probably be useless; why invite ridicule? Yang Longyue clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Sir Hu, during this time."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Prince Fu, although we have only known each other a short time, after meeting we feel a strong rapport; I would like to become sworn brothers of different surnames with you. I wonder if you would deem me worthy?"

It was truly a case of "when the mountains run out and the rivers seem to block the way, doubt that there is no path; then willows darken, flowers brighten, and another village appears." Yang Longyue had thought this trip would be in vain, his heart nearly despairing. He never expected Hu Xiaotian to voluntarily propose becoming sworn brothers of different surnames; Yang Longyue certainly would not think Hu Xiaotian was merely attracted by his personal charm. Believing in such talk of rapport, Hu Xiaotian must stand to gain from him, so he chose to cooperate, and the sworn brotherhood is merely a bond to strengthen that cooperation. Yang Longyue beamed with delight and said, "I couldn't ask for more! I couldn't ask for more!"

Hu Xiaotian had people set up an incense burner, and he and Yang Longyue swore brotherhood by drinking each other's blood. Although their sworn brotherhood was motivated by interest, once this relationship was established their feelings instantly grew closer. Hu Xiaotian had prepared in advance, and after the ceremony Xiong Tianba had people bring food and drink.

After Hu Xiaotian and Yang Longyue sat down, they looked at each other and burst out laughing. Yang Longyue raised his cup and said, "Brother, my good brother, from now on I, Yang Longyue, will never do anything that lets down a brother; if I break this oath, may heaven strike me with thunder and lightning, may ten thousand arrows pierce my heart!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Big brother, you already said that just now; no need to repeat it—I'll drink to you!"

The two drained the cup together; Hu Xiaotian set his cup down and let out a long sigh.

Seeing him suddenly sigh, Yang Longyue asked, somewhat puzzled, "Brother, why are you sighing?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Today, after becoming sworn brothers with my elder brother, I suddenly recalled that when I once served as an official in Xichuan Qingyun Xian, I had sworn brotherhood with two men there—one named Zhou Mo, the other Xiao Tianmu."

Yang Longyue found those two names somewhat unfamiliar and did not rush to respond.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Later I learned that both of them had been placed at my side by my father."

Yang Longyue asked, "Was it to protect you?"

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile: "Perhaps, but later they both betrayed me and abducted the woman I loved." As he said this, he gripped his hand tightly, and the wine cup in his palm cracked with a sharp sound under the great pressure.

Yang Longyue hurriedly grabbed his hand and looked; fortunately, Hu Xiaotian's palm had not been pierced by the shards.

After replacing the wine cup, Hu Xiaotian apologetically said, "Brother, please excuse me—it was Long Xi Yue whom they abducted. Not only did they take her, they also fabricated the appearance that she had betrayed me, causing me to misunderstand her feelings toward me." As he said this, Hu Xiaotian truly felt a pang of distress; for the past two years he had known that Long Xi Yue was in Tianxiang State, but for the sake of the larger picture he had never gone to rescue her promptly, and deep down he felt indebted to her.

Yang Longyue said, "These two are worse than swine and dogs!" He understood clearly that Hu Xiaotian was not merely using him as a sounding board; he was also warning him never to betray him the way Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu had.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Perhaps they never regarded me as a brother from the start; the original sworn brotherhood was merely to use me, and their loyalty was solely to my father." Thinking of his father made Hu Xiaotian feel even worse. Hu Buwei had abandoned his wife and child, never considering the fate of him and his mother; now Hu Buwei resides in Tianxiang State with his old lover and his own biological son, living a life of carefree ease, while Hu Xiaotian silently vowed: "I will never let you continue to enjoy yourself unchecked; you must answer for the evil you have sown."

Yang Longyue said, "The brother you spoke of must be Princess Yingyue, right? As far as I know, she now resides in the Green Shadow Pavilion of the Fragrant Capital City, the capital of Tianxiang State; the Empress Dowager has taken her as an adopted daughter, and this time the kingdom's wide‑spread call for husbands‑to‑be is being made under her banner."

Hu Xiaotian drained his cup in one gulp and said, "No one can harm her—not even her biological aunt."

Yang Longyue shared the drink with Hu Xiaotian, and from Hu Xiaotian's excited expression he could already tell that a conflict between Hu Xiaotian and Tianxiang State was inevitable.

Hu Xiaotian looked at Yang Longyue and said, "Elder brother, would you be willing to lend me your strength?"

Yang Longyue nodded and said, "I can accompany you through mountains of knives and seas of fire—let alone Tianxiang State; although I have not achieved much there, it does not mean I lack any ability to resist." Over the years he has kept a low profile, endured silently, and at the same time quietly built up his strength; there still exists a faction of senior officials in the Tianxiang court who support him, and if he can successfully remove the Empress Dowager and Hu Buwei, he may well have a chance to ascend the throne.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Elder brother, help me become the prince consort of Tianxiang State, and I will help you reclaim the throne that rightfully belongs to you."

Yang Longyue's eyes lit up involuntarily.

Hu Xiaotian said, "However, elder brother, you must promise me one thing."

"Brother, please speak!"

"If elder brother, after successfully ascending the throne, you must never lead troops into the Central Plains."

Yang Longyue chuckled and smiled: "Brother, I harbor no ambitions of expansion; I merely wish to reclaim what is rightfully mine. Although Tianxiang State's national strength has grown in recent years, launching a campaign into the Central Plains would still be overreaching—that is just Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao's blind arrogance. If she really dared to send troops out, it would be tantamount to self‑destruction. Brother, I'm not just flattering you—the destiny of the Central Plains will sooner or later be yours. Whenever you need me, I will surely give you my full support in the future."

Hu Xiaotian reached out his hand, and the two brothers clasped theirs firmly together.

Yang Longyue is undoubtedly a wise person; he can see reality clearly and understands the principle that modest wealth brings contentment. The reason Tianxiang State has been able to exist in peace and pass down its legacy since its founding is due to its unique geographical location, and also because the people of Tianxiang State love peace and despise war. Yang Longyue himself dislikes warfare, but he is not one to submit passively; he cannot stand by and watch his ancestral estate be taken by others.

After Hu Xiaotian and Yang Longyue finally reached an alliance understanding, Yang Longyue no longer had any need to linger; the supposed trip to Shaoyuan to visit his master was merely a pretext. Hu Xiaotian suggested he return to Tianxiang State by water route and sent out Zhan Peng and Liang Yinghao to escort him—officially an escort, but in reality also to serve as a vanguard, since the news that Tianxiang State is seeking a prince consort has already spread throughout the world, and this time the marriage‑seeking invitation is not limited to princes and royal grandsons of various states but has been opened to heroes from all over. It is foreseeable that in three months Tianxiang State's Fragrant Capital City will inevitably become the focus of worldwide attention. Having Yang Longyue as an insider amounts to holding an advantageous position, yet one cannot rely solely on his help; sending Zhan Peng and Liang Yinghao ahead to Fragrant Capital City aims to gather intelligence, preferably learning the movements of Hu Buwei and his associates. Besides Long Xi Yue, there is another person who constantly occupies Hu Xiaotian's thoughts and dreams—she is Murong Feiyan.

Yesterday there was no update because I got stuck—not for any other reason; I rested for a day, then jumped back in, and the First Update is now up! There will be another update tonight. (To be continued... ^~^)