Chapter 1449

Hu Xiaotian said: "We'll split up; if we get any news, contact immediately."

Murong Feiyan is extremely important to both of them; the shared crisis lets two hostile individuals temporarily set aside their mutual antagonism and choose cooperation. In fact, Hu Xiaotian even suspected that this might have been orchestrated by Su Yujin herself, after all she has always suspected that he stole the skull from Qingxuan Temple, using Murong Feiyan as a hostage to force him to retrieve the skull. But judging from the current situation, Su Yujin's anxiety should not be feigned, and she has made no threatening moves toward him.

One person could abduct Murong Feiyan from the heavily guarded Green Shadow Pavilion right under Su Yujin's nose; the kidnapper's martial prowess is easy to imagine. Hu Xiaotian truly felt the taste of ice and fire, as the saying goes, extreme joy begets sorrow. After enduring countless hardships to reunite with Long Xi Yue, he never expected that Murong Feiyan would encounter trouble here—truly a case of fate playing tricks.

Although Hu Xiaotian hasn't been in Dakang long, he has made many enemies, let alone the fact that he has just been selected as prince consort, becoming a guest attendant for Princess Yingyue. Outstanding timber invites wind's destruction; many wish him harm. Yet few know his relationship with Murong Feiyan; even if they act, they should target Long Xi Yue rather than Murong Feiyan. If this matter indeed stems from him, then the perpetrator must certainly understand his relationship with Murong Feiyan.

Considering this, the circle of suspicion narrows considerably; the most suspicious persons are Hu Buwei and the Jinling Xu family, for only they understand him so well and only they could think of using Murong Feiyan to blackmail him.

Hu Xiaotian of course knows that the proper course now is to respond to motion with stillness; if the other side intends to use Murong Feiyan to blackmail him, they will soon come knocking, yet he cannot wait—he already owes Murong Feiyan so much, how could he let her wait in panic? He must exert all his effort to rescue her.

Upon arriving at Jing Shan Xiao Zhu, he found Hu Buwei packing his luggage, preparing to depart.

As if anticipating Hu Xiaotian's arrival, Hu Buwei smiled: "You come at just the right time; I heard you have become the ultimate victor—I haven't yet had a chance to congratulate you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even good things come with difficulties; I came here to give you some good news."

Hu Buwei produced a jewelry box he had prepared earlier and placed it before Hu Xiaotian: "This set of jewelry is a gift I specially prepared for you. When you marry Princess Yingyue, I estimate I won't be able to attend, so consider this my token of heart."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I came to ask you for a favor."

Hu Buwei calmly said: "What favor?"

"Help me find Murong Feiyan's whereabouts." While speaking, Hu Xiaotian observed Hu Buwei's facial expression changes.

Hu Buwei showed no abnormal expression: "Murong Feiyan? I have no connection with her; she is now Su Yujin's disciple. Even if you seek help, you shouldn't be looking for me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Just now, during my examination at the Green Shadow Pavilion, someone broke in and abducted Murong Feiyan."

Hu Buwei gave an "oh", his face showing some displeasure: "So you suspect me?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not suspecting you; I merely think you have many informants and well-informed ears, perhaps you could help me gather some news."

Hu Buwei chuckled. He sat down in the chair, smiling narrowly at Hu Xiaotian: "Help you? What can you offer me in return?"

His words made Hu Xiaotian increasingly suspicious; Hu Buwei was clearly hinting at something.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What do you want?"

Hu Buwei said: "Did you tamper with something in the Empress Dowager's quarters?" He pointed to his own head with his finger, although he also knew this possibility was minuscule. It should be that Long Xuanjiao, stimulated by this ordeal, began to doubt her feelings for him.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "You abandoned us mother and son to come to Dakang, rekindled your old romance with Yuan Meng, reunited the family—anyone would be satisfied, yet you insist on stirring up trouble. Truly puzzling—does one Dakang not satisfy you, must you truly seek to dominate the world?"

Hu Buwei smiled: "A person in this world must have some pursuit; you are not content with merely a corner of Dongliang Jun, these years you have constantly expanded your influence, have you not?"

Hu Xiaotian meaningfully said: "I see you want more than just ruling the world; you probably also aspire to fly to the heavens and control the stars as well."

Hu Buwei's smile suddenly froze, his eyes turning grim and terrifying: "Those who are too clever often do not live long."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If one fears others' threats and lives in constant trepidation, such a life has little meaning."

Hu Buwei said: "Don't think that becoming Dakang's prince consort gives you the right to stand equal with me; the king's affairs were entirely your own scheming."

Hu Xiaotian stood firm: "Dealing with Shangguan Yun Chong was also your idea; you told me where my grandfather was imprisoned, not otherwise wanting to use me to eliminate Shangguan Tianhuo and his son? Unfortunately things did not go as you imagined; you only wanted to kill those two, yet you didn't expect this to implicate the Beggar Sect, turning them into street rats in Dakang, everyone shouting to beat them—you too have a lapse in your meticulous plans."

Hu Buwei angrily said: "You finally admit this matter concerns you?"

Hu Xiaotian spread his hands, wearing an innocent expression: "I said nothing."

Hu Buwei coldly said: "Fine, I will help you rescue Murong Feiyan, but you must bring me the heads of Shangguan Tianhuo and his son!" Only by killing Shangguan Tianhuo and his son can the impact on the Beggar Sect be swiftly eliminated.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You finally admit that Murong Feiyan's matter concerns you as well?"

Hu Buwei narrowed his eyes at him: "I have no grudge against her; why would I do this? I merely know who is targeting her. Don't look at me like that; if you want to save her, just follow my instructions."

Hu Xiaotian however shook his head: "I give you a choice: within three hours, release Murong Feiyan, otherwise you will surely regret it."

Hu Buwei sneered: "Why would I regret?" He believed the situation was firmly under his control, gazing at Hu Xiaotian fearlessly.

Hu Xiaotian calmly said: "If the Empress Dowager learns that you have no relation whatsoever with Yang Longjing, what do you think her reaction would be?"

Hu Buwei's expression froze like ice.

Hu Xiaotian said: "There is something I cannot fathom: man is not grass or wood, who can be without feeling? One day as husband, a hundred days of gratitude; even if you do not love my mother in your heart, after living together so many years, why would you be so heartless? Even if you discovered I am not as you expected, even if you do not regard me as your son, you should not treat her thus. I always thought you harbored another affection, but after coming here I found your attitude toward Long Xuanjiao is merely utilitarian; as for Yang Longjing, you seem indifferent to his life or death."

Hu Buwei could no longer contain himself: "You're talking nonsense!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Given my mother's character, she would never betray you; the Empress Dowager, though arrogant, is also a person of purity and propriety, moreover, you are so scheming—what could possibly escape your eyes?"

Hu Buwei, somewhat nervous, gripped the armrest of his chair and whispered: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang Longjing shares no blood relation with you, just as I do; do you remember when I asked you to help with a blood transfusion? Your blood type does not match Yang Longjing's at all; I just now compared our blood types out of curiosity."

Hu Buwei gave a hollow chuckle; at this moment he could only use laughter to mask his inner unease.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You have no offspring! Perhaps you are a celestial eunuch, or perhaps you simply lack the ability to procreate, which is why you resort to shady means to make these two poor women mistakenly believe they carry your flesh and blood, thereby firmly controlling them in your hands."

Hu Xiaotian's gaze was sharp as a knife, fixed unblinkingly on Hu Buwei's eyes, trying to see through his heart.

At this moment Hu Buwei suddenly calmed down.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You need not worry; I originally had little interest in your affairs, but you ought not to provoke me."

Hu Buwei said: "The phrase 'wild fantasy' fits you perfectly; you think anyone would believe your nonsense?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If you don't believe, why not give it a try?"

Hu Buwei fell silent again.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I know what you want; between us things should not have come to this pass. I will not meddle in your affairs, but you must not harm my interests, nor move against my people."

Hu Buwei said: "Is that all?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's all!"

Hu Buwei's eyes fell on the jewelry box on the table; he said softly: "Take the jewelry box with you; trust that the person you seek will find favor with heaven!"

Murong Feiyan's appearance and disappearance were equally sudden; she never saw clearly who attacked her, her vision went black and she fainted. When she awoke she found herself outside the gate of Qingxuan Temple, surrounded by fellow junior sisters. She remembers nothing of the ordeal; after asking her peers she learned she had been missing for nearly three hours.

Upon learning Murong Feiyan had returned, Hu Xiaotian finally relaxed; as long as Murong Feiyan is unharmed, everything else is secondary. This incident can be determined to be Hu Buwei's doing; originally Hu Buwei intended to use Murong Feiyan to blackmail him, but his own revealed secret forced Hu Buwei to reconsider his approach, ultimately choosing to yield.

Hu Xiaotian could almost certainly conclude that his mother had been deceived by Hu Buwei; she is not some illegitimate child born of empty air, nor is she Hu Buwei's half‑brother from a different mother. Hu Buwei likely married her to gain proximity to the Xu family; Xu Fengyi is actually his stepping stone.

Long Xuanjiao was likewise used by Hu Buwei; he exploited her feelings to smuggle the Lan-colored transparent skull out of Dakang, preserving it to this day, and even spared no national resources to aid Hu Buwei in realizing his ambition.

Just returned to the guesthouse, sending the second update! Sorry for the wait. (To be continued~^~)