Chapter 1379

Hu Xiaotian thought, "You're much older than me; I can't be sure your age isn't greater than mine—calling you brother makes me feel a bit embarrassed." Since we're acquaintances, Hu Xiaotian hurriedly invited Herdan to sit. Although Hegge is sly and deceitful, having tricked him more than once, after all everyone is here for the power struggle, so superficial courtesy must be observed. Moreover, he and Hegge are sworn brothers; they might also have another tie: Hegge is Li Tianheng's son-in-law, and he himself might become Li Tianheng's son-in-law, making them not only sworn brothers but also brothers-in-law. Facing his brothers, he must not lose propriety.

Herdan is clearly a straightforward and open-minded person; he gave an order to his accompanying warriors, leaving them in the east hall to talk with him. In fact, Herdan is two years older than Hu Xiaotian, but Hu Xiaotian is the sworn brother of his elder brother; by their custom that makes him the elder brother, so Herdan must treat him with the respect due an elder brother.

Xu Mubai, by nature aloof and proud, did not wish to mingle with these Shajia people; he ate a little, made an excuse, and returned to his room.

Herdan again sent someone to fetch his sister; Mengya must be angry, and the warrior couldn't persuade her to come. Herdan laughed to Zhao Wusheng: "Brother Zhao, please don't take offense at her; she's my nineteenth sister, usually spoiled by us brothers, with a willful temperament, often causing trouble in Shajia; this time she insisted on coming with me to see the excitement, and along the way she's given me no end of trouble."

Zhao Wusheng laughed: "Everyone has a temper; I broke her sword, so it's no wonder she's angry." But he thought to himself, "This barbarian girl is indeed a troublemaker."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Herdan, what brings you to Tianxiang State this time?"

Herdan laughed: "Tianxiang State is openly recruiting princes-consort from all under heaven, so my father the khan sent me to give it a try, and also to take a look at the prosperity of the Central Plains."

Hu Xiaotian had actually guessed that was his purpose; this time Tianxiang State has really made a big splash, with royalty and nobility from all states practically rushing over. Moreover, they deliberately expanded the scope to include heroes from all under heaven, and who knows how many outstanding figures have come. Thinking of Long Xuanjiao actually making a big deal out of her niece, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed.

Herdan lowered his voice: "Big Brother Hu, you're also here for this matter, right?"

Hu Xiaotian saw no need to hide it: "Exactly!"

Herdan said: "This recruitment of princes-consort by Tianxiang State has truly shaken the world; I wonder where Princess Yingyue will finally end up."

Hu Xiaotian deliberately said: "I'm just here to join the fun; I never thought I had to compete for a princes-consort."

Herdan said: "Princess Yingyue is of heavenly beauty and unparalleled grace; if she were to take a fancy to me, it would be a blessing from heaven." His expression showed a dreamy longing.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't resist pouring cold water on him: "Although Tianxiang State portrays Princess Yingyue as the number one beauty under heaven, who has actually seen her true appearance? She might well be an ugly girl."

Herdan laughed: "How could that be? I've seen the princess's portrait." Having said that, he glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Once we arrive at Piaoxiang City, we become rivals."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Although competition is possible, we're not opponents; tens of thousands have come to apply for the princes-consort position. We might not even pass the initial screening."

Herdan burst out laughing: "Big Brother is right; having competition doesn't make us opponents. We are good friends, good brothers—we must absolutely not let this matter harm our harmony."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "That's natural. Come, let's have another drink."

Herdan cheerfully raised his wine bowl and drank it dry with Hu Xiaotian. At that moment, the burly warrior who had just been lectured by Zhao Wusheng in the hall came over to ask Herdan to return. Herdan introduced him to Hu Xiaotian: "This is my warrior Daharu." Then he said to Daharu: "You haven't yet met Lord Hu."

Daharu, though hot-tempered, is also honest and sincere, and especially respectful toward Herdan. He hurried forward to pay his respects.

Hu Xiaotian also recommended Zhao Wusheng to him; although Daharu had lost to Zhao Wusheng, he deeply admired Zhao Wusheng's martial skill. He sought out Herdan, apparently having something to discuss. After speaking at length in his tribal language, Herdan rose to take his leave, and Hu Xiaotian did not try to detain him.

After Herdan left, Zhao Wusheng said to Hu Xiaotian: "My lord, it seems your competitors this time are indeed numerous."

Hu Xiaotian laughed at Zhao Wusheng's remark: "Compete? Do I need to compete?" He thought to himself, "Xiyue is naturally mine; who dares to compete with me? Who could possibly beat me?"

Herdan was taken back by Daharu, but it was the idea of that monk. Knowing there was nothing serious, Herdan couldn't help complaining: "National Teacher, I was drinking with Big Brother Hu and having a pleasant talk; why interrupt me if you have no business?"

That monk was the Shajia National Teacher, Jia Luo; his deep gray-blue eyes fixed on Herdan as he said: "Your Highness, don't you know why Hu Xiaotian has come?"

Herdan said: "Naturally, it's the matter of Tianxiang State selecting a princes-consort."

Jia Luo said: "Since Your Highness knows, you should guard against him more."

Herdan laughed: "This Tianxiang State princes-consort selection has spread throughout the world; who knows how many heroes have come to join the fun—what use is it to guard against just him? Big Brother Hu is also open-hearted; between friends, why resort to underhanded tactics?"

Jia Luo said: "People of the Central Plains are by nature deceitful; although Prince Hegge is his sworn brother, it's not out of righteousness—he was merely a minor magistrate of Xichuan, and he went to great lengths to become sworn brothers with the prince, which was certainly ulterior."

Herdan said: "No matter how you put it, you can't deny he's a heroic figure; my twelfth brother also holds him in high esteem." Not wanting to continue with Jia Luo, he said calmly: "I'm going to see my sister."

Jia Luo watched Herdan's retreating back and silently shook his head; he summoned one of his disciples and, lowering his voice, said: "Kangtu, you must pay close attention to their movements."

Jia Luo's vigilance toward Hu Xiaotian's group is not only because Hu Xiaotian and Herdan are rivals; there is a more important reason: his junior disciple DuoJi accompanied Hegge to Xichuan to celebrate a birthday and met with disaster; according to Hegge, DuoJi very likely died at Hu Xiaotian's hands, and Jia Luo has always regarded Hu Xiaotian as an enemy. Although his purpose in coming to Tianxiang State this time is not to seek revenge on Hu Xiaotian, encountering him here has caused his hatred to unknowingly spread and grow.

When Hu Xiaotian returned to his room, he saw that Xu Mubai's light was still on, knowing he hadn't slept yet; he originally intended to walk past the door, but as he passed, Xu Mubai heard his footsteps and came out, smiling: "Cousin, are you going to sleep?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I was just about to go back."

Xu Mubai said: "I have some things I want to say to you."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and followed him inside. Xu Mubai poured him a cup of tea; the two brothers sat at the table, and Xu Mubai said: "Tomorrow I have some matters to attend to, so I probably won't be able to go with you."

Hu Xiaotian actually wished to part ways, for after arriving in Piaoxiang City he still had many of his own matters to attend to; if Xu Mubai insisted on sticking with him, it would be inconvenient. He nodded and said: "If the form has business, just go ahead; after all, we still have a chance to meet in Piaoxiang City."

Xu Mubai said: "Tomorrow is the tenth day of the eighth month; there are five days until Mid-Autumn. Let us tentatively agree that on this year's Mid-Autumn night we brothers will meet at the Moon-Collecting Tower in Piaoxiang City to admire the moon—how does that sound?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded repeatedly: "That would be best; better than spending the festival alone in a foreign land."

Xu Mubai said: "That group of Shajia people is rather strange, especially that monk who follows Herdan; he is highly skilled in martial arts, and I have secretly observed his gaze—it often lingers on you, and it is not friendly."

Hu Xiaotian had indeed noticed this situation; Xu Mubai's willingness to say it to his face shows he still cares about this relative of his. Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Rest assured, Brother Xu, I will be extra careful."

Xu Mubai said: "Our Xu family also has property in Piaoxiang City; if you encounter any difficulty, you can first go to Yubaobao Manor to seek help." He handed Hu Xiaotian a red-wood carved fish-dragon token, saying: "Take this with you, and no one will doubt your identity."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought that he had never relied on the Xu family in the slightest; even if he ran into an insoluble problem, the Jinling Xu family might not be able to help him, and even if they were willing, he would not accept it. He did not take the token, smiling: "Thank you, Brother Xu, for your kindness; but I, as a brother, will not invite trouble. If you truly wish to help me, I have a request."

Xu Mubai nodded: "Just speak up, Younger Brother; if I can do it, I will certainly exert myself fully."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Do you know the whereabouts of my father?"

Xu Mubai was startled by Hu Xiaotian's question, then sighed: "Younger Brother, I have no knowledge of this matter."

Hu Xiaotian said: "My father's decision back then to go overseas to Luosong to open up grain sources for Dakang was prompted by a personal letter from my grandmother." He almost could determine that Hu Buwei and the Xu family had never broken contact.

Xu Mubai said: "I have never heard these matters mentioned by my grandmother, nor by anyone in the Xu family."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Brother Xu doesn't know, then forget it; if he ever gets a chance to see my grandmother, I will ask her myself."

Xu Mubai nodded: "There will certainly be an opportunity."

Hu Xiaotian's purpose in saying all this was not to obtain any information from Xu Mubai, who, as a junior member of the Jinling Xu family, is unlikely to be told the core secrets by the old matriarch; his intention was to use Xu Mubai's mouth to convey a message to the Xu family, a matter he would not easily drop. Once the Xu family shows any reaction, his opportunity will arise.

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