Chapter 1548

Regarding Grandma Xu, Hu Xiaotian always felt she was overly mysterious; because of the Xu family of Jinling's ruthlessness, he felt strong aversion toward Grandma Xu and even the whole Xu family, but during this trip to the Fragrant Heaven Kingdom, after contacting Xu Mubai, Xu Fengwu, and Xu Fengmei, Hu Xiaotian began to suspect something: perhaps the head of the Xu family had long ceased to be Grandma Xu, perhaps she had already been controlled, or perhaps she was already dead—none of which could be known for sure.

As for Liang Da Zhuang, Hu Xiaotian had long suspected him; he had once ordered Weisa to use soul‑capturing technique, but it had absolutely no effect on Liang Da Zhuang—this person's will is extremely firm, Hu Xiaotian even thought Liang Da Zhuang already knew he was suspected, yet on the surface he showed no trace of panic or fear; this guy's mental fortitude is truly extraordinary.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Da Zhuang, when was the last time you saw Grandma?"

Liang Da Zhuang made a show of deep thought, pondered for a while, then said: "Seven years ago… no! Eight years! Eight years ago, when I was still following the lady back to Jinling, I saw Grandma—her hair wasn't completely white then, but now it's totally white." Saying this, Liang Da Zhuang sighed, looking quite sentimental.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I don't even remember what she looked like."

Liang Da Zhuang said: "Grandma Xu only went to Kangdu once over a decade ago; back then the young master was still an idiot…" Realizing he had misspoken, he slapped himself: "Young master, I deserve to die—look at this rotten mouth of mine, I just can't speak properly."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You, you're just a rotten‑mouth, but you spoke the truth—I was still an idiot then; how could I remember what happened back then?"

Liang Da Zhuang said carefully: "Young master, do you blame me?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You've followed me for so many years—no merit, but hard work; how could I blame you? By the way, what did Grandma tell you?"

Liang Da Zhuang said: "Grandma didn't say much; she just asked about the young master, and I told her whatever I could. She was very pleased for the young master and said she would definitely come see him if she got the chance."

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "I have nothing left to do with the Xu family."

Liang Da Zhuang said: "There's one more thing—on that day the Yongyang Princess also went to sweep the grave for the lady, but I didn't dare approach her when she went; I think she must have met Grandma."

This news made Hu Xiaotian very attentive; if what Liang Da Zhuang said is true, Qiqi probably still harbors lingering feelings for him. But what does her meeting with Grandma Xu signify? Could they have formed an alliance? No, Grandma Xu ought to be helping Hu Buwei, and both Qiqi and Hu Buwei want the Skull in each other's hands—how could Grandma Xu easily side with Qiqi's camp? This matter is truly baffling.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian lost in thought, Liang Da Zhuang dared not disturb him; after a while, with no word from him, he finally couldn't help but cough.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Da Zhuang, go rest first—take two days off—and help me deliver a letter to the Xu family in Jinling."

Liang Da Zhuang nodded. Having just returned, he now had to prepare to set out again.

As winter deepened, Dongliang Jun grew colder by the day. The common folk began actively preparing for winter; Long Xi Yue and Tang Qingxuan went together to Shazhou Ranch, while Hu Xiaotian set out for Bai Lang Dui with Huo Shengnan to have a secret meeting with the Yunyang commander, Su Yuchi.

This meeting was proposed by Su Yuchi himself. He had sensed the impending crisis he faced; his cooperation with Hu Xiaotian was not the first time, and given the current situation, he could not help but consider a second meeting with Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian lay in the warm cabin, Huo Shengnan clinging to him naked, her breathing visibly still somewhat violent—evidently she had not yet fully recovered from the earlier intense battle.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your inner strength seems to be getting stronger and stronger."

Huo Shengnan blushed and said: "Heaven knows what kind of weird cultivation this is; I only worry that the Sun‑Shooting True Classic will harm your body."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't worry, the inner power I've given you isn't even a tenth of what I have; if I didn't use this method to vent my inner power, I'd probably burst from holding it in."

Huo Shengnan laughed softly: "Even though I haven't been by your side for so long, you're still perfectly fine."

Hu Xiaotian said: "There's always a solution."

Huo Shengnan's long legs locked tightly around him: "Annoying, I knew you were a philandering big carrot."

Hu Xiaotian suddenly flipped over, pressing her beneath him, about to have his shoes touch the ground, when Huo Shengnan gasped: "No, it's almost dawn."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It won't make a difference."

……

Bai Lang Dui lay ahead; actually this place used to be called Bai Lang Dui (White Wave Pile), but later someone spread the rumor that white wolves were seen here, so it was renamed Bai Lang Dui (White Wolf Pile). Because of this legend, as more people learned of it, the name naturally changed.

Hu Xiaotian stood at the prow, heroic and vigorous; his sturdy physique, bathed in morning light, was tinged with a golden halo, making his silhouette appear taller and even somewhat mysterious, inspiring reverence from the heart.

After washing and dressing, Huo Shengnan donned her armor and appeared beside Hu Xiaotian, vigorous and spirited. Their eyes met, and a hint of indescribable allure rippled in her clear, water‑like eyes, warming her heart. Though usually formidable in public, only before Hu Xiaotian did she feel a gentle, bird‑like dependence, setting aside her strength and stubbornness, willing to become a petite woman writhing beneath him in pleasure.

"What are you looking at? Is there anything you haven't seen?" Huo Shengnan muttered, annoyed.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Still not enough to look at."

"You're lying!"

Hu Xiaotian's gaze was drawn to the troops on the shore; at Bai Lang Dui dock there was already a force of about a hundred men waiting to receive them. Bai Lang Dui lies within Yunyang territory, geographically situated at the junction of the Yong River and the Wang Chun River, just across the river from Hu Xiaotian's domain. Su Yuchi's choice of this place for the meeting was the result of careful consideration, and of course there was a certain personal motive involved, but Hu Xiaotian didn't mind such details and didn't insist that Su Yuchi come to his own turf. On the banks of the Wang Chun River, six warships lay ready for battle, dispatched by the Yong River navy under the personal command of Li Yongfu—this was to ensure Hu Xiaotian's safety on this trip; although he wasn't afraid of Su Yuchi playing tricks, he still had to make every possible preparation.

Huo Shengnan said: "Su Yuchi won't pull any tricks on his side, will he?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "Shouldn't be; his situation is dire now—Xichuan's Li Tianheng and Xingzhou's Guo Guangbi are joining forces to deal with him, and if he offends me again he'll find himself in an awkward three‑front predicament; his over fifty thousand troops will then be wiped out like dumplings in a pot."

Huo Shengnan said: "Su Yuchi is no simpleton."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even the strongest have flaws." At that moment a lone goose's mournful cry came from above; both looked up at the solitary bird flying south alone, and Huo Shengnan said: "It's fallen behind."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and for some reason suddenly thought of Zhan Peng; Xia Zhangming had already taken Fang Fang to Redwood River, and I could say I'd sent a big gift to Zhan Peng—having Fang Fang by his side providing attentive care, I'm sure his recovery will be even faster. Hu Xiaotian said: "Fang Fang should have reached Redwood River by now."

Huo Shengnan chuckled: "I've handed over the tasks you assigned me to her; I've made Fang Fang memorize the essentials of the Falling Cherry Palace's archery technique, and I'll relay them to Zhan Peng later."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Did you teach her the Sun‑Shooting True Classic?"

Huo Shengnan's cheeks flushed; she reached out and twisted Hu Xiaotian's arm hard, whispering angrily: "You're going to get yourself killed." In fact, the Sun‑Shooting True Classic is something only Hu Xiaotian is qualified to cultivate; if anyone else tried, they'd likely exhaust themselves to death, for it is a bizarre art that drains a man's inner power to supplement a woman's. Without a strong inner‑power foundation, the only outcome is a dead end.

The warship Hu Xiaotian was aboard arrived at the dock; the sailors lowered the gangway, and Hu Xiaotian stepped down slowly. Seeing Su Yuchi already personally waiting at the dock showed how much he valued this meeting.

As Hu Xiaotian just set foot on Bai Lang Dui's soil, Su Yuchi was already smiling and coming forward; they walked toward each other, then clasped fists, and Su Yuchi laughed: "Master Hu, I hope you've been well."

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing: "Thanks to your favor, General Su, I've been getting by all right lately."

Su Yuchi nodded with a smile, then greeted Huo Shengnan. Hu Xiaotian also smiled at Yuan Qing Shan behind Su Yuchi; Yuan Qing Shan is a trusted aide of Su Yuchi, and this meeting was precisely what he had arranged when he went to Dongliang Jun.

Su Yuchi invited Hu Xiaotian to proceed.

The talks took place in a granary at Bai Lang Dui dock; previously it was a temporary storage for goods and grain, but now it has been completely emptied, cleaned, and furnished with tables and chairs, with six blazing braziers inside, making the interior warm as spring.

Hu Xiaotian took off his outer robe and handed it to his attendant; after sitting down, Su Yuchi's attendant presented fragrant tea, which Hu Xiaotian received, lifted the lidded bowl, smelled the aroma, and sipped the tea.

Su Yuchi said: "Master Hu, please rest a moment; I've had food and drink prepared, and we'll enjoy a proper feast at noon."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Su, you didn't summon me just for a drink, did you? I've been swamped with affairs lately and really can't afford to linger; let's skip the banquet—we've known each other long enough—if you have something to say, General Su, just speak plainly."

Su Yuchi's purpose was certainly not to invite Hu Xiaotian for a drink; since the other party had been so frank, there was no need for him to beat around the bush either. Su Yuchi nodded and said: "Master Hu, you're indeed a straightforward man. Well then, I too will speak plainly." He gave Yuan Qing Shan a glance.

Immediately, four sturdy soldiers carried over a sand table the size of an Eight‑Immortal table and placed it before them.

I got up at 6:30 a. m. to type, and before class I'm sending the First Update—today's lesson is 'Cultivating Core Values and Cultural Thinking'—is it lofty enough? Is it positive enough? Please follow Zhangyu's WeChat public account stonesquid; there will be a lottery soon. Also, at the start of the month, everyone please cast your Guaranteed Monthly Ticket for me!

Su Yuchi made an inviting gesture, rose, and said: "Master Hu, please look!" (To be continued~^~)