Chapter 1494

Zhan Peng let out a faint sound, he woke from his slumber, Hu Xiaotian heard the movement and immediately came to his side, softly calling Zhan Peng's name, Zhan Peng slowly opened his eyes, seeing Hu Xiaotian's face full of concern, the corner of his mouth struggled to reveal a hint of a smile: "My lord... your subordinate is useless..."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, suppressing his inner excitement: "Zhan Peng, you did well, don't overthink it, Fang Fang is still waiting for you to return."

Hearing Fang Fang's name, Zhan Peng's face showed a hint of a smile, he somewhat wearily closed his eyes, weakly said: "It seems... I... I can still hold on..."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, Zhan Peng possessed an iron will, this brush with death might for him bring about a metamorphosis.

Shadow Granny quietly slipped out, came to the doorway, saw Yan Nujiao's expression instantly turn grim, Yan Nujiao timidly stepped forward: "Master!"

Shadow Granny said: "How is that wicked one?"

Yan Nujiao said: "Senior sister neither eats nor drinks, her condition is very worrying."

Shadow Granny gave a cold snort, her eyes fiercely fixed on Yan Nujiao, causing her to lower her head, nervously clutching her lapel.

Shadow Granny said: "When did you and him happen?"

Yan Nujiao's pretty face flushed crimson, she whispered: "I don't know what you're asking, Master."

Shadow Granny coldly said: "Don't play dumb with me, look at you—you're no longer intact, I'm truly foolish, how did I raise two such wicked disciples!"

Yan Nujiao had nothing to say, she could only lower her head further.

Shadow Granny scolded her, her anger eased a bit, she softened her tone: "That lad is too philandering; I fear you lack the ability to hold onto him. Why don't I teach you a method so he will be wholly devoted to you?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Nujiao's pretty face instantly drained of color, she trembled: "Master, absolutely not!"

Shadow Granny gave her a sinister look and said: "Why not? Don't you know he is now the prince consort of Fragrant Heaven Kingdom? With his flirtatious nature, who knows how many women are outside; would you really be willing to be his concubine? Don't you want him to be wholly devoted to you? You are my disciple, I certainly cannot let you suffer injustice, or else... I could help you kill the princess, how about that?"

Yan Nujiao knew her master's temperament was always unpredictable, always saying what she would do, her knees went weak and she knelt, tears in her voice: "Master, I have never sought any title, nor ever thought of monopolizing anything; whether he treats me well or not is his affair. Liking someone does not necessarily mean possessing everything about them."

Shadow Granny silently gazed at Yan Nujiao, seeing her genuine emotion, she inwardly sighed, this child is also a love‑obsessed one, she sighed: "You are ultimately not of my clan. I don't know whether you are clever or foolish; forget it, I'm too lazy to bother with your trivial matters." She stepped away to check on her senior disciple Tong Yun.

Shadow Granny had always thought her two disciples were obedient and well‑behaved, only today did she realize they were both equally undisciplined. Yan Nujiao was still tolerable, but as the high priestess Tong Yun disappointed her even more.

Tong Yun knelt silently on the ground, eyes tightly shut, as if already entered meditation.

Shadow Granny's voice sounded from behind: "Isn't it too late to repent now?"

Tong Yun said: "I, the disciple, know my sins are grave, I willingly accept any punishment!"

Shadow Granny said: "Not eating or drinking, using fasting to oppose. I don't see that you have realized your mistake."

Tong Yun opened her eyes, sighed, and said: "Now, the only way for me to apologize to the heavens is death."

Shadow Granny said: "Do you think dying will compensate for your fault? Do you know who shot Ba He'er? Who seriously wounded Zhan Peng?"

Tong Yun said nothing, she closed her eyes again.

Shadow Granny said: "You abandoned your faith and betrayed your tribe for him, yet he, knowing you were in the Butterfly Garden, disregarded your life—could there be even a trace of love for you in his heart?"

Two crystal‑clear tears slid slowly down Tong Yun's cheeks; she knew everything her master said was true. At that time Hu Xiaotian had basically controlled the situation, it was precisely that arrow that killed Ba He'er that sparked the bloody clash between the sides, only one person had motive to do this, Tong Yun suddenly realized she was merely a tool used by Shangguan Yun Chong, he held no feeling for her, this discovery left her heart cold and made her feel life was not worth living.

Shadow Granny said: "Based on your illicit affair, death is not enough to atone, but now the Spirit Maiden is still young, after Ba He'er's death Fire Tree City has fallen into a leaderless state; if you die again, our people will surely fall into chaos—perhaps the heavens intend to give you a chance to redeem yourself through merit."

Tong Yun shook her head firmly and said: "I, the disciple, have no face to meet the heavens."

Shadow Granny said: "You naturally cannot face the heavens, yet you must make up for your fault; you need to steady your people's hearts and let them see hope again."

Tong Yun said: "There is no hope; Ba He'er is dead, the Red Barbarian tribe has no one capable of governing Fire Tree City."

At that moment a soft voice came from outside: "Shadow Granny, High Priestess, may I come in?" The voice belonged to the city lord's lady Ga Nuo arriving.

After receiving Shadow Granny's assent, Ga Nuo entered supported by her maid; her spirits had improved considerably, Shadow Granny worried she was weak after her injury and urged her to sit down quickly.

After Ga Nuo sat down, she said: "I came here to discuss something with the High Priestess."

Tong Yun nodded and said: "Lady, please speak freely."

Ga Nuo sighed and said: "High Priestess, just now Chiang Shao Yang admitted that back then Ba He'er sent people to kill my husband; Jia Ou narrowly escaped, poor her, at such a young age she has had to wander alone abroad for over two years." Saying this she couldn't help but tear up, those tears holding remorse and self‑blame.

Tong Yun said: "This ordeal is not necessarily a bad thing for the Spirit Maiden; after hardship comes sweetness, I suppose it is a test from the heavens for her."

Ga Nuo said: "Here is a letter left by Ba Ge when he departed Fire Tree City for Fragrant Heaven Kingdom in the past; please, High Priestess, have a look."

Tong Yun took the letter she handed over, examined it carefully by candlelight, pondered for a long time before saying: "It turns out City Lord Ba Ge had already decided to submit to Fragrant Heaven Kingdom."

Ga Nuo nodded and said: "Red Wood River is surrounded by powerful rivals; though the Red Barbarian people are united, they lack the strength to dominate and resist the surrounding powers. Ba Ge believed that if we continued to oppose them thus, our tribe would eventually face extinction, so he made this decision."

Tong Yun said: "Does your meaning imply preparing to follow City Lord Ba Ge's dying wish?"

Ga Nuo said: "Actually Red Wood River does not belong to the Red Barbarian tribe alone; many tribes live here, they have been warring for years, the root cause is the lack of a figure who can earn all tribes' allegiance. If left as is, Red Wood River will either split or be enslaved by others. Fragrant Heaven Kingdom is giving Red Wood River to Princess Yingyue as a dowry; I see Princess Yingyue is kind and virtuous, Lord Hu is both wise and brave. If Red Wood River can follow their guidance, I believe it can prosper; moreover, thanks to Princess Yingyue, Fragrant Heaven Kingdom will become our backing, and we will no longer fear bullying from neighboring powers."

Tong Yun said: "Lady, have you not considered that if they lead us, our Red Barbarian tribe would become their slaves?"

Ga Nuo said: "No, Lord Hu and the princess are not such people; fortunately they rescued Jia Ou, otherwise our Red Barbarian tribe would this time face a catastrophe of utter destruction."

Tong Yun was momentarily speechless; what Ga Nuo said was indeed true—actually she is merely a high priestess, she does not care who becomes city lord or who rules Red Wood River; she only cares whether the people can live in peace and contentment there.

Shadow Granny, who had been silent, said: "Actually who leads Red Wood River really matters; Ba Ge's earlier worries were not without reason—leaning on a big tree brings shade. Our Red Barbarian people harbor no ambition to dominate the world, nor do we have such strength, yet we do not wish to invade others while others covet our land. Ba He'er lacked talent and virtue; during his over two years ruling Fire Tree City, the surrounding territories of Red Wood River have been seized by many. I know Hu Xiaotian somewhat; he once managed to hold his ground between the two great powers Da Yong and Dakang by his own strength, a feat as hard as snatching food from a tiger's mouth. If he were to govern Red Wood River, he should be able to stabilize this land. Lady, you said well: if he had not retrieved the Spirit Maiden, our Red Barbarian tribe would likely have scattered. Remembering kindness brings blessings for a thousand years; whether you acknowledge it or not, he is our Red Barbarian tribe's great benefactor."

Ga Nuo nodded and said: "As a widow and orphan I truly lack the ability to rule Fire Tree City; in that case it would be better to yield to the worthy. As long as Lord Hu can safeguard our land and give our Red Barbarian people a peaceful, free life, who governs Red Wood River makes no difference."

High Priestess Tong Yun, hearing this, had her heart moved; she nodded. In fact, when she originally aided Shangguan Yun Chong, it was also to control Red Wood River, but his recent actions have left her utterly heartbroken.

Hu Xiaotian stepped outside, saw Yan Nujiao still kneeling there, felt a pang of sympathy, hurried over, spread his arms to embrace her shoulders intending to lift her up, but Yan Nujiao said: "Don't bother, hurry up and leave, don't let anyone see."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why are you kneeling here?"

Yan Nujiao said: "Master hasn't allowed me to rise."

Hu Xiaotian was both laughing and crying, vaguely guessing Yan Nujiao's kneeling might be related to him, he angrily said: "I'll go confront her about this."

Yan Nujiao said: "No, you must absolutely not provoke her!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "She is your master, not mine; you fear her, I do not..." Before he finished speaking, Shadow Granny and Ga Nuo came out together, Shadow Granny glared at Hu Xiaotian and snapped: "What are you doing? Dare to flirt with my disciple!"

Posting two updates, the third update will be tonight, keep striving, keep asking for votes! (To be continued~^~)