Chapter 1539

The grasslands of Jiangnan remained a mix of green and yellow, but Jiangbei had already been covered with white frost; every tough blade of grass shivered and trembled in the cold wind, a layer of milky‑white chill spread within a foot of the ground, the chill drifted slowly in the wind, making one feel as if time itself had slowed, suddenly the rhythm of the white chill's flow changed, scattering like a startled hare, the frost‑covered grass swayed more violently, amid the withered grass a foraging fawn shuddered, its ears pricked up, then it bolted desperately into the distance.

A giant war eagle descended from the heavens, its talons could easily rend tigers and wolves, it landed steadily on the ground, a pair of sharp eyes vigilantly watching the surroundings; with a loud laugh, Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue jumped down one after another, behind them two white lights fell in succession—it was Xia Zhangming arriving on his tamed snow eagle.

Hu Xiaotian said, not without pride: 'Are you convinced?'

Xia Zhangming chuckled: 'I willingly admit defeat; this war eagle's endurance and speed are beyond what a snow eagle can match—I see nothing under heaven that could rival it.' His words were no mere flattery; the war eagle carried two people on its back, while he himself rode the two snow eagles, switching them back and forth, barely keeping up with the war eagle's speed.

Ahead they could already see the walls of Dongliang Jun; it was time to part. Xia Zhangming would first go to Snow Eagle Valley for a few days to settle some matters, the war eagle and snow eagles accompanying him. These three beloved beasts were huge in size; even staying near the Yongjiang they could only hide in the forests. Although Hu Xiaotian had already marked out an area for them to rest, their proud nature would not allow them to be confined to a small space. When dealing with such animals, one must not treat them as mounts or slaves, but as friends, equals.

Hu Xiaotian's return set the whole of Dongliang Jun cheering. This time he went to Tianxiang State to compete for the consortship, not only did he win the beauty's hand, he also gained the lands of Redwood Creek; to ordinary folk Redwood Creek was still too distant, many had never even heard of the place, but to the soldiers. The strategic importance of Redwood Creek was far from ordinary, and they had also heard that this Princess Yingyue was the new chief of the world's number one gang, the Beggars' Sect; invisibly their strength had doubled, and many on this land had already begun discussing breaking away from Dakang to found a state.

Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue arrived at the city gate; hearing the news, Huo Shengnan had already led the daughters' corps to welcome her, she in golden helmet and armor, spirited and heroic, riding Little Gray ahead. Seeing their master return, Little Gray from afar let out a joyful 'nee‑nee'.

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, Huo Shengnan dismounted, seeing Hu Xiaotian beside Long Xi Yue, the urge to throw herself into his arms had to be suppressed. Long Xi Yue gave Hu Xiaotian a push; he laughed and walked over, embracing Huo Shengnan before everyone's eyes; Huo Shengnan felt both shy and delighted. She was shy because he showed no restraint before so many people; she was delighted because this husband of hers had not let her down, and it seemed her status had also gained Princess Anping's approval.

Little Gray had wanted to come closer, but with the two embraced there was no chance for it to keep up, so it approached Long Xi Yue instead. It recognized Long Xi Yue, drooping its long ears, its horse‑like face stretching forward to show affection. Long Xi Yue smiled and stroked its ears; Little Gray cried out proudly.

Its cry finally drew Hu Xiaotian's attention; he went over, grabbed its big ears, and said: 'Just looking for a sense of existence, huh?'

Little Gray let out a loud snort; Hu Xiaotian, unable to dodge, got sprayed with a lot of saliva, and he laughed and scolded: 'You thing, three days without a beating and you'll tear off the roof!' He put one arm around Huo Shengnan and the other around Long Xi Yue: 'Home!'

Home is the warmest, most solid place; Weisa had already prepared everything, just waiting for their arrival. Huo Shengnan and Long Xi Yue got along splendidly, chatting nonstop along the way, completely leaving Hu Xiaotian, the absolute male lead, to the side.

Hu Xiaotian also understood that, at this moment, hoping for a romantic shared bath was obviously impossible; so he returned home and, quite honestly, went to wash alone, soaking in the warm pool to cleanse the dust from his body; his fingers unintentionally touched the half‑jade pendant hanging at his neck, and he thought of Xumi Tian, feeling her behavior this time was very strange—much gentler than before, more feminine; that former demoness had become so tolerant and considerate—what could have changed her? Moreover, at their parting, her words always left him feeling odd.

Hu Xiaotian sighed, forget it; some women are born not to be men's dependents, refusing to stay home and tend husband and children; Xumi Tian might be just such a person.

A pair of gentle small hands covered his eyes from behind; Hu Xiaotian didn't need to look to know it was Weisa, and he laughed: 'How come? I thought no one would come in to help me scrub my back.'

Weisa released his eyes, lightly kissed his cheek, but Hu Xiaotian grabbed her and pulled her into the bath; the water soaked her whole body, her graceful figure fully revealed, Weisa exclaimed coquettishly: 'You're bad! You got me all wet.'

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: 'It's not like I haven't been wet before.'

Weisa warned him: 'Don't fool around, the Princess and General Huo are here.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Here, I'm not afraid…'

Outside, Huo Shengnan's voice suddenly called: 'Master! Are you done?'

Hu Xiaotian's scalp tightened, he hurriedly replied: 'Done!'

Weisa, however, laughed, twining around him in the water like ivy, her eyes seductive: 'You said you weren't afraid?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'I'm not afraid, just a little embarrassed.'

Weisa whispered near his ear: 'Master… I want…'

Hu Xiaotian bit his lip, feeling his blood surge, he steeled himself, not fearing a trifle, with a beauty in his arms he posed as one ready for the taking; if he remained unmoved he would disappoint her, so he reached out to undo Weisa's clothes.

Weisa, however, laughed and slipped away: 'I'm leaving!' She scrambled up first, having prepared a robe for Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian finally realized he was being teased by this girl, **** climbed up in the middle of burning ground, Weisa glanced at his lower body, her face reddening further, she draped a robe over Hu Xiaotian and whispered softly: 'I'll be waiting for you in my room tonight.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded, wishing it were already night.

The reason Huo Shengnan called Hu Xiaotian was that many subordinates had heard of his arrival and came to pay their respects—Yu Tianxing, Chang Fanqi, Li Mingcheng all came over; they are all currently in Dongliang Jun, so they naturally got the news first, and tomorrow there will surely be more subordinates arriving from elsewhere.

Hu Xiaotian came to the hall; everyone was waiting there. Seeing him appear, they all hurriedly rose to salute: 'Greetings, Lord! Congratulations, Lord!' That last sentence obviously congratulated Hu Xiaotian on becoming the consort of Tianxiang State, and of course also congratulated him on gaining Redwood Creek.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'Sit, all sit down, no need for ceremony among brothers.'

After tea was served, Yu Tianxing said: 'My lord, we have come this time to pay respects to the princess.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'How come? You only want to see her, not me?'

Yu Tianxing laughed: 'Not that.'

As they spoke, Long Xi Yue entered the hall accompanied by Weisa; Yu Tianxing and the others hurriedly rose again to pay respects, they also understood that Long Xi Yue remained the mistress of the household, beyond doubt.

Long Xi Yue smiled gently: 'Generals, please don't stand on ceremony; I have just arrived in Dongliang Jun and will still need your continued care—if there are any oversights, I beg your indulgence.' She is affable, her speech and conduct magnanimous and graceful, putting everyone at ease; in fact these people really feared that Hu Xiaotian would marry someone like Qiqi.

Although Huo Shengnan and Weisa had not spent much time with Long Xi Yue, seeing her conduct they also secretly admired her; in battlefield prowess she might not match Huo Shengnan, in attending and serving she could not compare to Weisa, but the innate grace and nobility she possessed was beyond both of them—different backgrounds determined different temperaments.

Spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums each excel in their own season; if women were all the same with one face, what flavor would there be? Hu Xiaotian naturally likes a hundred flowers blooming, myriad forms, and he likes every one of them.

After a few pleasantries, Long Xi Yue said: 'Generals and young master, if you are discussing important matters, we won't disturb you; Weisa, please take me to tour the garden.'

Weisa nodded and accompanied her.

Huo Shengnan had wanted to follow, but Hu Xiaotian asked her to stay; she is not only his woman but also an indispensable commander in the army.

Hu Xiaotian asked: 'During my absence, what movements have there been nearby?'

Yu Tianxing said: 'Nothing special, except that recently Da Yong suffered two defeats in Bei Jiang; I hear that Yonglan Pass has been broken by the Black Hu.'

Upon hearing this, Huo Shengnan's expression darkened; she had formerly been a Da Yong general, the Da Yong commander‑in‑chief Weichi Chong being her adoptive father, now he is fighting bloody battles in Bei Jiang, and the war there constantly tugs at her heart.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'The Black Hu are indeed formidable.'

Yu Tianxing said: 'However, with winter approaching, the Black Hu's offensive should pause for a while; launching an attack in deep winter is not a wise choice.'

Huo Shengnan said: 'Since Yonglan Pass has fallen to them, they now have a foothold in Bei Jiang, which is highly disadvantageous for Da Yong.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Yu Tianxing added: 'Dakang has seen no movement either, merely increasing garrisons along the Ying River, as if they have altogether abandoned the idea of attacking us. On the Yunze front the navy is developing smoothly; Wang Boxi truly is a talent, the Bixin Mountain Water Stronghold has been repaired and rebuilt, its scale now surpassing former days.'

Hu Xiaotian rarely hears Yu Tianxing praise others; hearing him so laud Wang Boxi shows the latter's talent is indeed outstanding, already earning his recognition; from this we can also see that after the battle at Heishui Fortress Yu Tianxing has undergone considerable change—his former frivolity and confidence have diminished considerably, he has become steady and inward‑looking; a person grows through adversity, only by being ever more courageous in setbacks can one achieve continual transformation.

Because the vote‑soliciting chapters posted last night in the VIP section were repeatedly 404‑ed, I can only post them at the end of the main text; there are only twelve hours left, let us give it our all, the second update will follow later, if it is possible to release a single chapter, Zhangyu will explain separately! (To be continued~^~)