Chapter 1558

Long Xi Yue gazed at Qin Yutong with a hint of sadness, not understanding why such a rift had appeared between them.

Qin Yutong lowered her eyelids and said softly, "Hu Xiaotian's nature is unruly and untamed; it's time someone disciplined him properly. Your Highness, why don't you marry him?"

Speaking of marriage, Long Xi Yue's pretty face flushed instantly. In fact, she had thought of it too, but she had once publicly declared in the Fragrant Heaven Kingdom to Empress Dowager Long Xuanjiao that she would observe three years of mourning for her father the emperor.

Qin Yutong said, "Everyone in the world is selfish; the Princess's kindness and gentleness might become an excuse for others to indulge themselves."

Long Xi Yue shook her head. "No, Xiaotian won't, he won't let me down."

Qin Yutong sighed helplessly. "Forget it; some things aren't for me to say, and some matters aren't for me to interfere with."

Long Xi Yue blinked her beautiful eyes and whispered to Qin Yutong, "Why can't we return to how things were before?"

Qin Yutong said, "Because we are no longer those people!"

Hu Xiaotian felt the pressure growing, for not only did Da Yong keep reinforcing troops at the Nanyang Water Fort, but Dakang also began to move; while they strengthened defenses in the seven cities surrounding Yunze, they also dispatched a ten‑thousand‑strong force to Yangquan, the city nearest to Baiquan City, and rumors that Dakang and Da Yong had formed an alliance to jointly exterminate Hu Xiaotian spread like spring shoots after rain.

Hu Xiaotian, while sending people to closely monitor the enemy's situation, also issued orders for all troops to heighten vigilance and watch out for one another; on the other hand, following Zhuge Guanqi's advice, he began stationing troops at the East Luo Depot.

For Hu Xiaotian, it wasn't just bad news either; Xue Zhenhai, following the list he gave, swiftly reorganized the Beggars' Sect's Jiangbei Branch, rounding up all those involved in the rebellion in one sweep; Lu Sanfan was also captured alive, and the six core members who had participated in the attack on Shajiao Town were all escorted to Dongliang Jun.

Given Long Xi Yue's kind and gentle nature, she originally could not bear to be harsh with these people, so Hu Xiaotian had her leave the matter entirely to Xue Zhenhai to handle.

Having seen much of the world, Xue Zhenhai understood the rebellion clearly and distinctly, and he specifically came to Hu Xiaotian for advice on how to deal with the implicated individuals.

After Hu Xiaotian heard him finish recounting the conspiracy's details, he said in a low voice, "You mean Qin Yangming was beguiled by the Da Yong side?"

Xue Zhenhai nodded and said, "According to Lu Sanfan's confession, Qin Yangming was on intimate terms with Li Chenzhou, the Da Yong Navy Commander, who promised to secretly support the Beggars' Sect, help Qin Yangming's Jiangbei Branch and the Beggars' Sect draw clear boundaries, and after independence Qin Yangming would become the head of the Beggars' Sect."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows. Li Chenzhou was truly no simpleton; back in the Bohai Kingdom he had plotted a scheme to capture both Princess Xue Lingjun and Prince Yan Xue Shengjing in one net, contacting many martial arts sects then, with the Sword Palace and Falling Cherry Palace having intricate ties to him—who would have thought he would now extend his influence to the Beggars' Sect.

Xue Zhenhai said, "I have preliminarily ascertained that the original plot to assassinate me and several other Beggars' Sect elders was also their idea; the Sword Palace and Falling Cherry Palace should have been involved, with Li Chenzhou as the mastermind behind it."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Thank you for your trouble, Elder Xue."

Xue Zhenhai said, "It's no hardship; as for the Beggars' Sect's affairs, I will devote myself utterly until death. However, most of the brothers in the Jiangbei Branch are loyal to the Beggars' Sect, merely deceived by that treacherous Qin Yangming. These days I have arrested all the core members suspected of participating in the rebellion, basically purged the rebels, newly appointed a batch of leaders, and I can ensure that such problems will not recur."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Xue Zhenhai said, "I have a matter I'd like to consult you on, Young Master. How should those few who participated in the rebellion be dealt with?"

Hu Xiaotian replied calmly, "This is your Beggars' Sect's own affair; if I interfered, it might not be appropriate, would it?"

Xue Zhenhai gave a wry smile. "Actually I know I shouldn't ask you about this, but I consulted the Princess, and she said to spare their lives. Please forgive my frankness: although these people had previously rendered service to the Beggars' Sect, this time they have committed a grave error; according to sect law they should be executed and displayed publicly."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, Xue Zhenhai obviously dared not make the decision on his own; Long Xi Yue is soft‑hearted and would naturally not order these traitors to be slaughtered without mercy; his consulting me is not merely out of respect—behind it lies his reluctance to bear the responsibility of killing fellow sect members. According to my view, we should certainly execute all those who participated in the rebellion to eliminate future trouble, but if I really issued such an order, outsiders would interpret it as me excessively meddling in the Beggars' Sect's internal affairs.

Hu Xiaotian pondered and then said to Xue Zhenhai, "Abolish their martial arts, imprison them temporarily, and give them a chance to reform." In his heart he had already made up his mind; once this matter blew over, he would execute them one by one.

Xue Zhenhai nodded, took his leave, and Hu Xiaotian saw him out. After Xue Zhenhai departed, Hu Xiaotian turned around abruptly and saw a tall figure standing in a distant corner—none other than the former Transmission Elder of the Beggars' Sect, Long Xi Yue's mentor Qiao Fangzheng.

Qiao Fangzheng praised in a low voice, "Master Hu's perceptiveness is truly astonishing."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled helplessly; although his residence was heavily guarded, before an expert like Qiao Fangzheng it was still as good as nonexistent—he could come and go freely. Yet Qiao Fangzheng's appearance still brought Hu Xiaotian considerable joy; while the Jiangbei Branch affair had been quelled, latent dangers could not be said to be fully eradicated by this operation, and the Beggars' Sect needed a strong figure to hold the fort—Qiao Fangzheng was undoubtedly the ideal choice.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I had thought the senior had already left."

Qiao Fangzheng sighed, "I actually wanted to leave, but I couldn't rest easy about my disciple, fearing you might bully her, so I came back."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily.

Qiao Fangzheng said, "Shangguan Tianhuo and his son won't give up easily; they may well make a comeback soon."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'll call Xi Yue over."

Qiao Fangzheng shook his head, "Why?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "What why?"

Qiao Fangzheng said, "Why spare their lives?"

Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize he was referring to this matter; he sighed softly, "Xi Yue is kind‑hearted; she does not want to create more slaughter."

Qiao Fangzheng said, "If you fail to cut when you should, you will invite chaos; those who dared to rebel alongside Qin Yangming have already resolved to die, and if such a grave fault is not eradicated, it will only make some in the Jiangbei Branch more reckless. Such people must be rooted out one by one; womanly benevolence will only leave endless trouble."

Hu Xiaotian did not reveal his true thoughts to Qiao Fangzheng; in fact he agreed with the elder's attitude, but his position made it inconvenient to act that way.

Qiao Fangzheng sighed, "Since none of you want to be the villain, I must take on the role."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Senior, your current position seems hardly suitable for appearing publicly." At the Red Sea Conference, Shangguan Tianhuo publicly exposed the secret that Qiao Fangzheng had an illicit affair with the former sect leader's wife and fathered a son; at the time Qiao Fangzheng admitted it without denial. Although Shangguan Tianhuo and his son became public enemies of the Beggars' Sect due to their usurpation, Qiao Fangzheng's situation was no better—just the charge of seducing his brother's wife alone would keep him unable to lift his head for life.

Qiao Fangzheng said, "I've had many friends in the sect over the years; I hardly need to show my face."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of joy; indeed, Qiao Fangzheng's influence in the Beggars' Sect remained—he had formerly been the Transmission Elder, his personally transmitted disciples were spread throughout the sect, countless members had benefited from his aid, and as long as he wished to help, resolving these matters would pose no difficulty.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Senior Qiao, are you really intending to stay?"

Qiao Fangzheng's hollow eye sockets turned toward Hu Xiaotian, and he said coldly, "Do you dare to take me in?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "I'll have Xia Zhangming pick out a fine hound for you."

Xia Zhangming had sent Fang Fang to Redwood River, and she had now returned safely; upon his return he immediately sought out Hu Xiaotian, and along the way he happened to encounter a Dakang convoy transporting military supplies to Yunyang. Judging from the current situation, a major battle is unavoidable.

Upon hearing Xia Zhangming's report of what he had seen on the road, Hu Xiaotian could not help but frown tightly.

Xia Zhangming said, "My lord, I have heard many rumors along the way; it is said that Da Yong and Dakang have already confirmed they will join forces."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Rumors aren't necessarily reliable; even if they truly allied, I wouldn't be afraid." Yet deep down he believed the rumor's intimidation factor toward himself was greater. Although Dakang did not want him to obtain Yunyang, they also did not want Da Yong to get it; perhaps their real aim was simply to pressure him and disturb his judgment.

Xia Zhangming said, "Wind does not rise from a hole for no reason."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "What's happening over in Xichuan?"

Xia Zhangming said, "The Xichuan army is massing toward Yunyang, but its march is advancing slowly." He found this puzzling; although Xia Zhangming was not a master of military strategy, he understood that speed is essential in warfare. Since Xichuan had decided to attack Yunyang, it should launch a swift assault before Yunyang was fully prepared, rather than crawling along as it is now, waiting until Yunyang's military supplies are fully in place before speaking.

After pondering for a moment, Hu Xiaotian said softly, "They ought to be making moves on the Prosperous Prefecture front."

Xia Zhangming asked, "You mean Xichuan and Prosperous Prefecture have not yet reached an tacit understanding?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Prosperous Prefecture lacks grain; although the Xichuan Li clan has grain, they cannot transport it. Only by taking Yunyang can both sides achieve mutual supply; until then, Guo Guangbi of Prosperous Prefecture can rely only on himself."

Xia Zhangming said, "In that case, their assault on Yunyang is not promising."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "On the surface it appears to be a pincer attack, but the Prosperous Prefecture side is willing yet weak; they lack sufficient grain to sustain the fight, and once hostilities begin, logistical support will become a huge problem—unless……"

"Unless what?"

Hu Xiaotian's eyes lit up: "Unless someone is secretly aiding Prosperous Prefecture!"

Before class, let's do a First Update first, look how hard I'm working! (To be continued~^~)