Chapter 1510

Tong Yun's delicate body trembled; Hu Xiaotian's words were full of wisdom. Although she knew she had erred and her master had punished her severely, she could not escape her inner turmoil, still longing for Shangguan Yun Chong in her heart and even blaming Hu Xiaotian for her plight—until Hu Xiaotian's remark awakened her like a single word that startles a dreamer. Tong Yun was originally extraordinarily wise, otherwise she would not have become the Grand Priest revered by all of the Red Barbarian Tribe, yet even the wisest can act foolishly, and she too fell for the word "emotion".

Hu Xiaotian's words made her suddenly understand a principle: ultimately, one's own fate is decided by oneself, and Shangguan Yun Chong is the same—whether he lives or dies is not for Hu Xiaotian to decide. Once a person grasps the truth, it is like crossing an unbridgeable chasm; Tong Yun instantly felt relieved, and although only a moment passed, her longing for Shangguan Yun Chong diminished greatly, and his image faded in her heart.

The poison in her body finally subsided; Tong Yun slowly rose to her feet, looking at Hu Xiaotian she even showed a faint smile: "Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Hu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't mention it; everyone has moments of foolishness."

About two hundred li north of Fire Tree City the terrain turns into layered, overlapping mountains; deep autumn has arrived, and the further north one goes, the lower the temperature. Upon entering Xichuan they had already encountered successive frosts. Although the journey was arduous, having Long Xi Yue by Hu Xiaotian's side made it feel like the happiest, freest time of their lives.

Frost-tinted leaves redder than February blossoms; walking the rugged mountain path, the forests were fully colored, all mountains bathed in red, autumn winds blew in gusts, the chill carrying the faint scent of mountain flowers. Xia Zhangming rode ahead at the front of the column. Two brightly colored birds flew before him, leading the way, darting up and down and occasionally letting out clear calls.

Behind them, Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue rode side by side, chatting and occasionally laughing. Hearing their cheerful exchange, Xia Zhangming couldn't help but think of Xiao Rou, a sense of loss welling up. The feelings he had invested were gone without return, and perhaps he would never see her again.

Up ahead the forest grew denser and the slopes steeper, so they could no longer ride forward; they all dismounted, and Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue handed their horses to the soldiers behind them. When they left Fragrant Kingdom they had brought twenty soldiers as escort, but they were attacked by Li Honghan along the way. Only eight soldiers remained, and upon reaching Fire Tree City three more fell, leaving just five—yet these few had been hardened by repeated battles, their martial skill and experience undergoing a fundamental transformation.

Xia Zhangming turned to Hu Xiaotian and said: "My lord! It's almost dark; there's a small stream ahead—let's camp there for the night!"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "All right." He told Long Xi Yue: "You direct the few of them to set up camp; I'll go scout the surroundings with Zhangming."

Long Xi Yue nodded and said: "There are plenty of wild fruits around; I'll pick some later for us to eat tonight."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help laughing: "We eat nothing but vegetables every day—Xi Yue, I'm about to run out of fat in my belly." Speaking of this really left him helpless. Long Xi Yue eats vegetarian and avoids meat, while Xia Zhangming won't touch poultry, forcing Hu Xiaotian to respect their wishes; since leaving Fire Tree City he hasn't had a single meaty meal.

Long Xi Yue smiled charmingly: "I'm not stopping you—just eat your meat far from me; out of sight, out of mind."

Xia Zhangming also laughed, and he and Hu Xiaotian walked around the campsite, then climbed onto a high rock. From there they gazed over the mountains: the setting sun dyed the peaks rose-red while the slopes turned deep purple, night falling.

Xia Zhangming checked the map, pointed ahead, and said: "Tomorrow we will enter the territory of Heavenly Wolf Mountain."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and the image of Yan Nujiao involuntarily surfaced in his mind. Yan Nujiao had left Fire Tree City without greeting him, and even before departing she showed no sign at all. According to Grand Priest Tong Yun, she should have left together with Ying Popo, but he didn't know whether she had already returned to Heavenly Wolf Mountain.

Long Xi Yue behaved very magnanimously about this, even saying that when they passed through Heavenly Wolf Mountain she would like to meet Yan Nujiao.

Xia Zhangming whispered: "My lord, should we go up to Heavenly Wolf Mountain?"

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes at Xia Zhangming, his expression rather odd.

Xia Zhangming laughed: "I have no other intention."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Do you want the truth or a lie?"

Xia Zhangming smirked: "I'll listen to whatever my lord says!"

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing, took a step forward, and said: "We're not going!"

Xia Zhangming deliberately said: "Miss Yan is in Heavenly Wolf Mountain."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then we won't go either!" This wasn't him playing favorites; even if he longed to see Yan Nujiao, his first concern was the safety of Long Xi Yue and his men. Heavenly Wolf Mountain harbors not only Yan Nujiao but also Yan Kui and a band of vicious mountain bandits—Yan Kui has held sway over the southwest border for so long that he is undoubtedly a formidable warlord. Moreover, he once belonged to the Bohai royal family and is fiercely ambitious. Hu Xiaotian had no desire to court danger at such a time.

Xia Zhangming breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart; in fact he also didn't want Hu Xiaotian to go to Heavenly Wolf Mountain, and now that Hu Xiaotian had abandoned the idea, it was perfect.

Hu Xiaotian patted Xia Zhangming's shoulder and said: "Rustle up something tasty; tonight we'll give the brothers a feast."

Xia Zhangming said: "There are fish in the stream; I'll go catch them."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Looks like traveling with Zhangming means we won't be eating any poultry on this road."

After nightfall everyone sat around the bonfire eating grilled fish; Xia Zhangming didn't even need to catch the fish himself—just a call and the birds would dive into the water, bring up the fish, and toss them ashore.

Long Xi Yue, practicing "out of sight, out of mind," retired early to her tent to rest.

Hu Xiaotian, having eaten and drunk his fill, went to the stream to wash up, rinsing his mouth repeatedly until the fishy smell faded. As he rose to look for Long Xi Yue, he saw her approaching slowly, wrapped in a cloak.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "I was just about to look for you, and here you come."

Long Xi Yue said: "Seeing you and the brothers so happy, I didn't want to disturb you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm here rinsing my mouth—I was worried the wine smell would reach you."

Long Xi Yue's cheeks flushed, and she whispered: "Then just stay farther away from me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I can't bear to."

Not far from the camp, they also couldn't afford to be overly affectionate.

Long Xi Yue suggested they walk upstream, and the two proceeded side by side along the grassy streambank. She said: "We'll reach Heavenly Wolf Mountain tomorrow, right?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Long Xi Yue stopped and said: "I'd like to go visit Miss Yan."

Hu Xiaotian laughed.

Long Xi Yue gave him a sideways glance and said: "What are you laughing at?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Better not go; if fate wills it, we'll meet sooner or later."

Long Xi Yue asked: "Are you worried that the people of Heavenly Wolf Mountain will be hostile toward us?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Li Tianheng has garrisoned Xichuan for years, yet even he cannot eradicate Yan Kui; we're merely passing through, so why provoke this trouble?"

Long Xi Yue said: "Aren't you afraid Yan Nujiao will be hurt?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "She understands."

Long Xi Yue linked her arm with his, rested her forehead on his shoulder, and whispered softly: "The feeling of waiting is not pleasant."

Hu Xiaotian recalled how she had endured loneliness and solitude for his sake these past years; a pang of guilt rose in his heart, he opened his arms and embraced her, murmuring: "Tomorrow we'll detour east via Black Cool Mountain."

Long Xi Yue obediently nodded; she always respected Hu Xiaotian's opinion.

At this moment, bird calls came from the forest; a bird flapped its wings and flew up from the woods. Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue simultaneously raised their heads, looking at the bird in the sky, their brows furrowing with doubt. Hu Xiaotian took Long Xi Yue's hand, and the two rushed together toward where the bird had taken off, wanting to see what had happened in the forest.

However, they saw a black shadow leaping and jumping on the tree branches, fleeing like lightning deep into the distant thicket. Hu Xiaotian's sharp eyes had already caught its silhouette, and he whispered, "Monkey!"

Long Xi Yue did not see it clearly.

Xia Zhangming also heard the news and rushed over; Hu Xiaotian told him what he had just seen. Xia Zhangming imitated bird calls, summoning the mountain birds. Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue, meanwhile, observed nearby for any abnormalities. After they regrouped, Xia Zhangming said: "The situation seems off, my lord; this place is not suitable for a long stay; we may have to set out at night." Although he could not determine whether enemies would attack, judging from the panicked reaction of the mountain birds, this place is not safe.

Hu Xiaotian had complete faith in Xia Zhangming's intuition and immediately ordered the warriors to break camp and set out.

They tried to walk through areas where the trees were sparse, because such places are unfavorable for hiding and concealment; if someone attacked, they could detect it promptly.

By dawn they had already entered the territory of Black Cool Mountain. Worried about an ambush, they did not close their eyes all night, marching nonstop. Yet along the way they encountered no danger. When the red sun rose in the east, several warriors finally let out a breath of relief. Hu Xiaotian glanced at them; all five warriors looked exhausted. He then looked at Long Xi Yue, who also wore a weary expression. That night they had been running through the mountains and forests, unable to rely on the strength of horses. This princess, accustomed to comfort and privilege, had never endured such hardship, yet she silently accompanied Hu Xiaotian the whole night without a single complaint.

Hu Xiaotian felt moved in his heart and asked Xia Zhangming for his opinion: "Let's rest a bit!"

Xia Zhangming nodded; the fatigue from running all night was secondary, for everyone's spirits had remained in a state of high tension, and all were utterly exhausted in mind and body—it was time to rest. (To be continued~^~)