Chapter 1399

Two people arrived one after another at the Empty Seal Pavilion. The Empty Seal Pavilion is built on a platform protruding from a cliff. Normally this place is where the nuns of the Pure Mystery Temple cultivate in seclusion. At this moment there is no one. Arriving here also means reaching the place where the two will part ways. Ji Feihua glanced at Hu Xiaotian, preparing to leave, but Hu Xiaotian softly called out to him and handed over the light sword.

Translate:

Two people came one after the other to Empty Seal Pavilion. Empty Seal Pavilion is built on a platform protruding from a cliff. Usually this place is where the nuns of Pure Mystery Temple cultivate in seclusion. At this moment there is no one. Arriving here also means the place where the two part ways. Ji Feihua glanced at Hu Xiaotian, preparing to leave, but Hu Xiaotian softly called out to him and handed over the light sword.

We need to keep it as one line.

Two people came one after the other to Empty Seal Pavilion.

Empty Seal Pavilion is built on a platform protruding from a cliff.

Usually this place is where the nuns of Pure Mystery Temple cultivate in seclusion.

At this moment there is no one.

Arriving here also means the place where the two part ways.

Ji Feihua glanced at Hu Xiaotian, preparing to leave.

but Hu Xiaotian softly called out to him and handed over the light sword.

Ji Feihua was slightly taken aback, and Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "You'd better keep it; I'm worried I won't be able to resist showing it off."

Translate: Ji Feihua was slightly startled. Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Better you keep it; I'm afraid I won't be able to resist showing it off."

You'd better keep it; I'm afraid I won't be able to resist showing it off.

Ji Feihua blinked slightly, Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "You keep it; I'm worried I won't be able to resist taking it out to show off."

Ji Feihua felt a surge of emotion; he knew Hu Xiaotian was just making an excuse. Hu Xiaotian clearly still lacked confidence in his own martial arts, worried about his safety, and gave him the light sword for self-defense. Such a precious item would never be lightly given to others, and Hu Xiaotian's action showed he had not the slightest doubt about him. Ji Feihua had seen the vicissitudes of life, tasted both cold and warmth, experienced great ups and downs, and had never encountered any storm he hadn't weathered. He even thought there was no trustworthy person left in the world, yet Hu Xiaotian trusted him so completely—how could this trust not move him?

Translate: Ji Feihua felt a surge of emotion. He knew Hu Xiaotian was just making an excuse; Hu Xiaotian clearly still lacked confidence in his own martial arts, worried about his safety, and gave him the light sword for self-defense. Such a precious item would never be lightly given to others. Hu Xiaotian's action showed he had not the slightest doubt about him. Ji Feihua had seen the vicissitudes of life, tasted both cold and warmth, experienced great ups and downs, and had never encountered any storm he hadn't weathered. He even thought there was no trustworthy person left in the world, yet Hu Xiaotian trusted him so completely—how could this trust not move him?

He knew Hu Xiaotian was just making an excuse.

Hu Xiaotian clearly still lacked confidence in his own martial arts, worried about his safety, and gave him the light sword for self-defense.

Such a precious item would never be lightly given to others.

Hu Xiaotian's action showed he had not the slightest doubt about him.

Ji Feihua had seen the vicissitudes of life, tasted both cold and warmth, experienced great ups and downs, and had never encountered any storm he hadn't weathered.

He even thought there was no trustworthy person left in the world.

yet Hu Xiaotian trusted him so completely—how could this trust not move him?

Ji Feihua was not good at expressing his feelings, and he did not refuse Hu Xiaotian's kindness. He kept the light sword safe, nodded, and said softly, "Take care too!" Then he put on a silver mask.

Translate: Ji Feihua was not good at expressing feelings, and he did not refuse Hu Xiaotian's kindness. He kept the light sword safe, nodded, and said softly, "Take care too!" He then put on a silver mask.

He kept the light sword safe.

He nodded.

He said softly, "Take care too!"

He then put on a silver mask.

Hu Xiaotian watched Ji Feihua's figure disappear into the night, took out a black mask and put it on—this was double insurance. Ji Feihua's remark was not wrong; he still had to become the prince consort of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and his identity must not be easily exposed. Therefore he not only used a disguise to change his appearance but also added a mask, ensuring absolute safety.

Translate: Hu Xiaotian watched Ji Feihua's figure disappear into the night, then took out a black mask and put it on—this was double insurance. Ji Feihua's remark was not wrong; he still had to become the prince consort of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and his identity must not be easily exposed. Therefore he not only used a disguise to change his appearance but also added a mask, ensuring absolute safety.

took out a black mask and put it on

this was double insurance

Ji Feihua's remark was not wrong

he still had to become the prince consort of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom

his identity must not be easily exposed

Therefore he not only used a disguise to change his appearance but also added a mask, ensuring absolute safety.

Night provides natural cover, and many things happen silently in the darkness.

Translate: Night is a natural cover; many things proceed silently in the darkness.

A carriage entered the Abundant Blessings Treasure Manor in the night; the driver, familiar with the road, went straight to the inner court. Someone was already waiting in the courtyard. Xu Mubai, dressed in white, stood out conspicuously in the night. When the person inside the carriage stepped out, he respectfully said, "Xu Mubai pays respects to his adoptive father!"

Translate: A carriage entered the Abundant Blessings Treasure Manor in the night; the driver, familiar with the road, went straight to the inner court. Someone was already waiting in the courtyard. Xu Mubai, dressed in white, stood out conspicuously in the night. When the person inside the carriage stepped out, he respectfully said, "Xu Mubai pays respects to his adoptive father!"

Abundant Blessings Treasure Manor

the driver, familiar with the road

went straight to the inner court

Someone was already waiting in the courtyard

Xu Mubai, dressed in white, stood out conspicuously in the night

When the person inside the carriage stepped out, he respectfully said, "Xu Mubai pays respects to his adoptive father!"

It turned out that the person in the carriage was Hu Buwei.

Translate: It turned out the person in the carriage was Hu Buwei.

Hu Buwei nodded slowly and said nothing.

Translate: Hu Buwei nodded slowly. Without speaking, he stepped toward the lit flower hall, clearly not his first time here.

he stepped toward the lit flower hall

clearly not his first time here

Xu Mubai followed Hu Buwei's steps and said softly:

Translate: Xu Mubai followed Hu Buwei's steps and said softly, "Mr. Xiao has already arrived."

Mr. Xiao

Hu Buwei grunted, came to the flower hall's door, paused, and said, "You wait outside."

Translate: Hu Buwei grunted, came to the flower hall's door, paused, and said, "Wait outside."

grunted

came to the flower hall's door, paused, and said

Xu Mubai clasped his fists and stopped advancing.

Translate: Xu Mubai clasped his fists and stopped advancing.

clasped his fists

stopped advancing

Hu Buwei entered the flower hall.

Translate: Hu Buwei entered the flower hall. On the eastern side sat a young man in a master's chair, wearing a faint smile. He heard Hu Buwei's footsteps, his ears twitched slightly, and his face turned toward Hu Buwei, though his eyes remained dull and lifeless. This was Xiao Tianmu, who had fled Dakang together with Hu Buwei.

On the eastern side sat a young man in a master's chair

a young man sat there, wearing a faint smile

He heard Hu Buwei's footsteps, his ears twitched slightly, and his face turned toward Hu Buwei, though his eyes remained dull and lifeless.

This was Xiao Tianmu, who had fled Dakang together with Hu Buwei.

"Has my adoptive father arrived?" Xiao Tianmu's words carried respect.

Translate: "Has my adoptive father arrived?" Xiao Tianmu's words carried respect.

Has my adoptive father arrived?

Xiao Tianmu's words carried respect.

Hu Buwei nodded and sat down beside Xiao Tianmu.

Translate: Hu Buwei nodded, sat beside Xiao Tianmu, reached out and lightly patted the back of his hand—as a greeting—and said softly, "Have you been here long?"

reached out and lightly patted the back of his hand—as a greeting

and said softly, "Have you been here long?"

Xiao Tianmu said, "I arrived this afternoon; just now I chatted with Mubai for a while."

Translate: Xiao Tianmu said, "I arrived this afternoon; just now I chatted with Mubai for a while."

I arrived this afternoon

just now I chatted with Mubai for a while

"What are they talking about?"

Translate: "What did you talk about?"

"It's about Hu Xiaotian!"

Translate: "About Hu Xiaotian!"

Hu Buwei smiled faintly; even if Xiao Tianmu hadn't spoken, he would have guessed it.

Translate: Hu Buwei smiled faintly; even if Xiao Tianmu hadn't spoken, he would have guessed it.

Hu Buwei smiled faintly

even if Xiao Tianmu hadn't spoken, he would have guessed it

Xiao Tianmu asked, "Is removing Hu Xiaotian's name the Empress Dowager's idea?"

Translate: Xiao Tianmu asked, "Is removing Hu Xiaotian's name the Empress Dowager's idea?"

removing Hu Xiaotian's name

is the Empress Dowager's idea?

Hu Buwei said:

Translate: Hu Buwei replied, "Do you doubt me?"

Xiao Tianmu lowered his head and said:

Translate: Xiao Tianmu lowered his head and said, "I dare not!"

Hu Buwei stood up, walked a few steps, and said:

Translate: Hu Buwei stood, walked a few steps, and said, "We summoned prince consorts from all over the world. Over ten thousand responded, from which we would select just one to serve as prince consort. Though a good plan, unfortunately the Empress Dowager should have already seen through your intention; accelerating eliminations and shortening the selection process is her countermeasure."

We summoned prince consorts from all over the world

Over ten thousand responded

from which we would select just one to serve as prince consort

Though a good plan

unfortunately the Empress Dowager should have already seen through your intention

accelerating eliminations and shortening the selection process is her countermeasure.

Xiao Tianmu said:

Translate: Xiao Tianmu said, "I underestimated the Empress Dowager's wit."

Hu Buwei laughed and said:

Translate: Hu Buwei smiled and said, "You also meant well. This plan is indeed good, just not perfect; even now it cannot be called a failure. The remaining candidates are the essence. Looking back, broadcasting the call worldwide and attracting so many people was somewhat overkill."

You also meant well

This plan is indeed good, just not perfect

even now it cannot be called a failure

The remaining candidates are the essence

Looking back, broadcasting the call worldwide and attracting so many people was somewhat overkill.

Xiao Tianmu said:

Translate: Xiao Tianmu said, "My consideration was lacking; I only wanted to create a greater stir and maximize influence as much as possible."

Hu Buwei said:

Translate: Hu Buwei said, "If these people encounter trouble and all blame is pointed at Dakang, Dakang will surely face a situation where everyone attacks it. Xiao Tianmu, your plan is good, but unfortunately the Empress Dowager, being a woman, has a narrow view, worries ahead and behind, fears this affair will cause a fire at the city gate that harms the fish in the moat, and dreads that the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom will be dragged in."

If these people encounter trouble and all blame is pointed at Dakang

Dakang will surely face a situation where everyone attacks it

Xiao Tianmu, your plan is good

but unfortunately the Empress Dowager, being a woman, has a narrow view, worries ahead and behind

fears this affair will cause a fire at the city gate that harms the fish in the moat

and dreads that the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom will be dragged in

Xiao Tianmu said:

Translate: Xiao Tianmu asked, "Does my adoptive father intend to halt this plan?"

Hu Buwei shook his head and said:

Translate: Hu Buwei shook his head and said, "Why halt it? Even if they all died in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, no one would suspect us; all responsibility would fall on Dakang."

Xiao Tianmu said:

Translate: Xiao Tianmu said, "I just don't understand why we would remove Hu Xiaotian's name."

Hu Buwei said:

Translate: Hu Buwei said, "Removing his name is reasonable; he had a marriage pact with the Yongyang Princess. If the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom summoned him as prince consort, that would be tantamount to openly declaring opposition to Dakang. As the Empress Dowager is herself a member of the Dakang royal family, she cannot help but be concerned." He paused and added, "You need not think too much about this."

Removing his name is reasonable

he had a marriage pact with the Yongyang Princess

If the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom summoned him as prince consort, that would be tantamount to openly declaring opposition to Dakang

As the Empress Dowager is herself a member of the Dakang royal family, she cannot help but be concerned.

He paused and added, "You need not think too much about this."

Xiao Tianmu nodded and said softly:

Translate: Xiao Tianmu nodded and said softly, "Mubai has confirmed that the old master is indeed under the Beggar Sect's control, and Shangguan Tianhuo has requested to see the old lady."

old master

is indeed under the Beggar Sect's control

Shangguan Tianhuo has requested to see the old lady

Hu Buwei

Translate: Hu Buwei snorted, "Shangguan Tianhuo is nothing but a petty man. Who helped him become gang leader? Who helped him survive the crisis? Now that he's secure in his position, he immediately demands conditions—nothing more than trying to extract more benefits from the Xu family."

snorted

Shangguan Tianhuo is nothing but a petty man

Who helped him become gang leader?

Who helped him survive the crisis?

Now that he's secure in his position, he immediately demands conditions

nothing more than trying to extract more benefits from the Xu family

Xiao Tianmu said:

Translate: Xiao Tianmu asked, "Will the old master reveal the Xu family's secrets to him?"

Hu Buwei shook his head and said: "What does he know? These years he hasn't even returned to the Xu family!" He paced a few steps slowly and said: "As for the Beggars' Sect matter, it's not convenient for us to intervene; let Mu Bai pass the news to Hu Xiaotian, and have him handle it— that would be best."

Xiao Tianmu said: "You mean rescue the old master?"

Hu Buwei returned to sit beside him, lowering his voice: "There's only one way to deal with those who don't listen."

A muscle twitched at the corner of Xiao Tianmu's mouth: "You mean..."

Hu Buwei furrowed his brows: "Shangguan Tianhuo must die, but the Beggars' Sect is too powerful; I don't want them to hold this debt against the Xu family."

Understood!

Hu Xiaotian climbed up the narrow ledge that was only one chi wide on the cliffside, and although his lightness skill was superb, he now exercised utmost caution; the mountain wind howled in his ears, and he carefully made his way onto the three‑chi beam. The so‑called three‑chi beam is actually a stone slab laid between two cliffs, about five zhang long and about three chi wide, but this three chi is its widest point—often the width is less than one chi. Hu Xiaotian surveyed his surroundings: everything was pitch black, only the occasional chirp of autumn insects broke the silence, aside from the mountain wind. Concluding that no one was around, he tip‑toed onto the beam, and upon reaching its midpoint he realized the beam was a wind tunnel, with a strong gust blowing through the gap between the cliffs. Tonight was not a particularly windy night; if the wind were stronger, one could easily be blown off and plunge into the endless abyss below.

After crossing the three‑chi beam and going past the huge rock ahead, the view suddenly opened up; a crescent moon peeked out from the far mountain ridge, its silver light instantly filling heaven and earth. By its light, Hu Xiaotian saw the Flowing Moon Pavilion not far away.

Moonlight poured over the winding mountain stream; from afar it looked like a coiling silver serpent. The stream babbled, and following its water upstream revealed the entrance to the Flowing Moon Pavilion.

Hu Xiaotian employed the Art of Soaring to fly straight to the cave entrance, only to see several large characters carved on the rock wall outside: "Sacred Ground of the Dao—Unauthorized Entry Prohibited!"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but smirk inwardly—what use is carving a few characters here? Who genuinely intending to steal would be deterred by a couple of words? According to the map Hu Buwei provided, this place should be the Pure Mystery Temple's scripture repository, equivalent to the Heavenly Dragon Temple's Sutra Pavilion; however, the scales of Pure Mystery Temple and Heavenly Dragon Temple are naturally incomparable—Pure Mystery Temple has at most thirty Daoist nuns, most of whom reside in the front, and Hu Xiaotian's location is in the rear courtyard of Pure Mystery Temple, where he has yet to encounter a single nun.

Hu Xiaotian tip‑toed into the Flowing Moon Pavilion, took a few steps, then heard voices from inside. He panicked, leapt up, jammed his hands into cracks in the rock, held his breath and concealed his form. Not long after, two Daoist nuns emerged carrying lanterns, both about twenty years old. One said, "Senior Sister, will the master be leaving seclusion in these two days?"

The other replied, "Probably within these two days. I heard Junior Sister Rong say that the empress dowager also wants to invite the master down the mountain to help choose a prince consort."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought that Junior Sister Rong must be referring to Murong Feiyan; he didn't know what trick Su Yujin had played on her, but she actually didn't recognize him, and this made him feel a grudge toward Su Yujin.

The two Daoist nuns stopped right beneath Hu Xiaotian's position, and the junior sister said, "Senior Sister, the master dotes on Junior Sister Rong so much that even the sect's secret Spirit‑Heart Method has been passed to her—something you don't even have the fortune to receive."

The senior sister glanced around, obviously worried about being overheard, and whispered sharply, "Don't spout nonsense—if the master hears this, it'll be terrible, and you know as well as I do that he despises sect members envying each other."

The junior sister pouted and said, "I'm just complaining for your sake; besides, the master is in seclusion, so how could she possibly know what we say?"

The senior sister said, "Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know—junior sister, you'd better not gossip about this behind backs." They left the Flowing Moon Pavilion while talking.

Hu Xiaotian watched the two figures recede, silently chuckling—the senior sister was right: "Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know," and you all spoke ill of Feiyan, which I heard completely. After they departed, Hu Xiaotian quietly jumped down to the ground, walked along this path for a stretch, and saw that the Flowing Moon Pavilion was built inside this natural stone cavern; the entrance ahead opened up to reveal a natural stone platform within, on which the pavilion stands. The pavilion isn't large—five zhang by five zhang—and a faint candlelight glimmers inside.

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