Chapter 1545

Hu Xiaotian first thought of the assassination operation in Red Valley; at the time he did not exterminate the assassins who were with Feng Xianlin, and perhaps it was precisely that negligence that led to the Sword Palace's revenge, but this reason seems somewhat far-fetched—after all, the Sword Palace at most hates him, so why take it out on the Beggar Gang? Could it be that they know revenge on him is hopeless, so they turned to the Beggar Gang?

Tang Qingxuan stayed overnight at Hu Xiaotian's residence that night, and she and Long Xi Yue talked all night long; the two sisters, not having seen each other for so long, had endless things to say, and Vesa also joined their circle. Vesa, though of a different race, is intelligent, good at reading people's expressions and tones, and besides, she herself is a master skilled in soul-capturing arts, able to fathom human psychology very thoroughly, and her actions are well liked by others.

Hu Xiaotian instead found himself neglected, and he couldn't help but recall a movie he had seen before: although Tang Bohu had many wives, they each did their own thing—some chatted, some played mahjong—and in a polygamous household, the man actually loses his status; such a thing probably wouldn't happen to him.

Huo Shengnan only returned when it was nearly dark, and seeing Hu Xiaotian alone in the room, she couldn't help but laugh: "Why is no one keeping you company?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Have you ever heard the story of the three monks?"

Huo Shengnan said: "No, go ahead and tell it."

Hu Xiaotian said: "One monk fetches water to eat, two monks carry water to eat, three monks have no water to eat."

Huo Shengnan couldn't help but laugh: "You monk are really pitiful."

Hu Xiaotian reached out and pulled her to his side, saying: "I'm not pitiful; my little monk is pitiful. I'm so thirsty, won't you let me fetch water to eat?"

Huo Shengnan blushed and said: "Then do as you please!"

Although Hu Xiaotian went to sleep alone, he wasn't idle that night; fetching water to eat doesn't count. In the middle of the night he secretly went to Vesa's room to carry water to eat; he is not a monk, but these lovely confidantes are the monks, and in the future he wants them all to have water to eat, so he not only must be diligent but also strengthen his body; after all, his physique is indeed robust. Only when it was near dawn did he return to his own room and fall asleep, feeling satisfied.

When he woke up, he saw Vesa tidying up in his room; he sat up and waved at Vesa, whose face was flushed, still immersed in last night's intimate tenderness, tiptoeing over to his side. She whispered: "Princess and General Huo are outside; they want you to sleep a little longer."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not tired either; are you tired?"

Vesa pursed her cherry lips, nodded, and whispered: "How could you not be tired after letting you toss and turn all night?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Go rest then."

Vesa shook her head, came over to help him put on his clothes, then squatted down to help him put on his boots. Although Hu Xiaotian originally didn't let her do such things, Vesa, although she and he have become husband and wife in fact, still regards herself as a female slave.

After washing up, he went outside. Seeing Long Xi Yue and Huo Shengnan drinking tea in the Warm Jade Pavilion, he walked in. Without ceremony, he kissed each of them on the forehead. Although Long Xi Yue and Huo Shengnan were clear about their relationship with each other, Hu Xiaotian's such open conduct still made both of their faces blush.

Hu Xiaotian, however, sat down without a care, smiling narrowly: "It's already this early?"

Huo Shengnan said: "The commanders from Wu Xing Jun are coming over today, so we're early."

Vesa brought breakfast, and Hu Xiaotian, while eating, said: "Vesa, how are the banquet arrangements coming along?"

Vesa said: "It has already been entrusted to Sir Li to prepare, set for tonight."

Long Xi Yue said: "I've agreed with Tang Qingxuan to go together tomorrow to the Tang family's horse farm to have a look; we might stay a few days."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's fine; after today there won't be much else. You go with Miss Tang and have a good time there; once I've finished handling everything here, I'll come find you."

Long Xi Yue nodded and smiled: "Sure!"

After breakfast, Hu Xiaotian brought gifts and together with Long Xi Yue personally went to Chang Fanqi's home to pay a visit. Old Lady Chang, having heard that Hu Xiaotian and the Princess would come to visit her today, got up early and waited in the courtyard. Upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian was coming, Old Lady Chang, supported by Yang Yingqiong, walked over, overcome with emotion, saying: "My lord has come, my lord has come; the old lady pays her respects…" Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue stepped forward to support her.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Auntie, are you trying to kill me like this? In my heart I've always regarded you as my own mother; please don't stand on ceremony with me, and I won't with you either. Well, I've brought my wife today to see you."

Long Xi Yue's face turned bright red from shyness, after all she hasn't yet passed the doorway—she's still a fiancée, isn't she?

The old lady seized Long Xi Yue's hand and repeatedly said: "Good! Good! Good! Although I cannot see with my eyes, I can feel it in my heart, and only a Princess such as you, gentle and kind, is worthy of this youthful hero."

Yang Yingqiong laughed: "You old-timer, speaking like that, aren't you afraid of offending me?" She is the niece of Li Mingcheng, the governor of Dongliang Jun, with an open and straightforward nature, and she is already engaged to Chang Fanqi, to be married at year's end.

Everyone laughed at her words.

Chang Fanqi, seeing Hu Xiaotian treat his old mother with such respect, felt even more moved. Over time, one sees a person's heart. Initially he had been forced to take refuge with Hu Xiaotian, not willingly, and even thought he would never serve Hu Xiaotian in this lifetime. But as his contact with Hu Xiaotian grew longer, he discovered that Hu Xiaotian is a true hero, and what's more rare is that Hu Xiaotian looks up to him and considers his feelings.

That afternoon, the commanders of Wu Xing Jun arrived one after another, including Governor Yan Xuanming, Commander Zhao Wusheng of Yongjiang Water Forces, Deputy Commander Li Yongfu, and Xiong Tianba, among others, also coming along. Old friends meeting naturally is especially cordial; Zhao Wusheng, in fact, had only just arrived not long ago, and hearing of Hu Xiaotian's tortuous experiences along the way, he too felt deep longing, wishing he could have accompanied Hu Xiaotian overland at that time. Moreover, hearing of Zeng Xiaorou's betrayal, he couldn't help but sigh: "Back then I already felt something was off; it's just that her hollow-flesh stratagem was performed too realistically—what could make a woman make such a sacrifice? If not forced, her inner resolve must be extraordinarily strong."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's just a pity about Changming; this matter is a considerable blow to him." He couldn't help but think of Princess Mongya of Shajia State; he wondered how Zhao Wusheng's future with Mongya would turn out. However, human feelings lie in tribulation; without tribulation there is no depth.

Xiong Tianba, having become much darker and sturdier lately, strode up to Hu Xiaotian and shouted loudly: "Third Uncle!" Although Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu have already betrayed him, he still habitually calls Hu Xiaotian "Third Uncle."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What good stuff have you been eating lately, kid? Your build has gotten so burly."

Xiong Tianba said: "I haven't eaten anything special; it's just about the same as what Da Guai, Er Guai, and Xiao Guai eat."

Hu Xiaotian blinked, not knowing who Da Guai, Er Guai, and Xiao Guai were; among his subordinates there seemed to be no commander by those names—could they be new recruits?

Seeing his bewildered expression, Zhao Wusheng couldn't help but laugh: "It's just those three bears he's raising."

Upon saying that, Hu Xiaotian then recalled that when he had once rescued Li Chang'an, he had picked up three little bear cubs, and later handed them over to Xiong Tianba to raise; after that he had never seen them again, and Xiong Tianba's mention made him think: "How are those three little bears doing?"

As soon as Xiong Tianba mentioned those three little bears, he immediately became spirited, his vigor soaring: "Third Uncle, they're not little bears anymore; they've grown taller than me—damn, they're really strong! Every day when I'm idle, I wrestle with them, and they wear me out completely."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but smile, imagining the scene of that silly fellow wrestling with bears; however, looking at his now burly physique, he also resembles a black bear, and this fellow is indeed a bona fide fierce general.

Xiong Tianba said: "Third Uncle, another day I'll bring them over for you to see; if you're interested, I'll have them wrestle with you."

Zhao Wusheng scolded: "Nonsense."

Xiong Tianba gave a hehe laugh: "You guys talk about serious matters; I'm going to drink."

Zhao Wusheng looked at that fellow's back, helplessly shaking his head; after Xiong Tianba left, he said to Hu Xiaotian: "My lord, there is a matter that still needs to be reported to you. Recently, many water bandits have appeared along the Wangchun River; they rob passing vessels, and their methods are extremely vicious—killing and looting, sinking ships and destroying boats, and there is no regular pattern at all."

Hu Xiaotian blinked slightly; the eastern bank of Wangchun River is within their control, and in the past they had never heard of water bandits appearing there—how could this suddenly happen?

Zhao Wusheng said: "Because this gang of water bandits is very cunning, and their actions are utterly without pattern; after looting they destroy all evidence, basically leaving no trace. Although we have also dispatched water patrols, the effect has been minimal. After all, the western bank of Wangchun River is currently under the control of Su Yuchi of Yunyang, and if we want to completely eradicate these water bandits, we must cooperate with both sides."

Hu Xiaotian said: "In your view, is this incidental or intentional?"

Zhao Wusheng said: "Over the past three months there have already been eight incidents, so it shouldn't be accidental. Currently there are several points of suspicion: first, it could be the doing of Yunyang; second, water bandits could be passing through the Xiongyong River into Yongjiang, and then from Yongjiang into Wangchun River."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; the Xiongyong River is also not under their control, likewise belonging to Su Yuchi, so it seems that to resolve this matter they must negotiate with Su Yuchi.

Zhao Wusheng said: "If we don't respond in time, such incidents will definitely happen again in the future."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Alright, have someone contact Yunyang and arrange a meeting with Su Yuchi this month."

Zhao Wusheng nodded.

At this moment, Yan Xuanming came over to pay his respects; his true identity is the biological son of Yantianlu of Mangjiao Island. Since joining Hu Xiaotian, his talent for domestic affairs has been able to shine, and Hu Xiaotian has also entrusted him with important responsibilities, appointing him governor of Wu Xing Jun. Although his tenure hasn't been long, he has already displayed his outstanding administrative abilities. Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Xuanming, this time as I passed through Tianlang Mountain, I met your uncle; he is very concerned about you."

After posting this First Update, he boarded the train; today is March 1st, and as usual they're still asking for the Guaranteed Monthly Ticket—don't forget to cast your Guaranteed Monthly Ticket for the Medical Union. Zhangyu will, as always, diligently repay the brothers' support! (To be continued~^~)