Chapter 1560: [Recommendation of the Worthy] (Part 1)

Huo Shengnan reported the latest news she had received to Hu Xiaotian, which included Huang Xincheng's visit to East Luo Granary to meet Chang Fanqi. She said softly: "According to what I've heard, Huang Xincheng's main purpose in going to East Luo Granary this time is to persuade surrender."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly.

Huo Shengnan said: "Aren't you worried?"

Hu Xiaotian countered: "Why should I be worried?"

Huo Shengnan said: "Chang Fanqi is after all a surrendering general of Da Yong, and he has always been on good terms with Huang Xincheng."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Employ without suspicion, suspect and you won't employ. You are also a Da Yong surrendering general; have I ever doubted you?"

Huo Shengnan laughed, truly admiring Hu Xiaotian's magnanimity; no wonder these generals are so devoted to him. She said softly: "Still, your breadth of mind is ample."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at her chest and smiled: "Yours isn't small either."

Huo Shengnan glared at him; this guy has this habit—when others talk serious matters, he always goes off on a tangent. Huo Shengnan said quietly: "You and I are different; you are inner." This remark clearly admits that she herself is not small either.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at the increasingly charming General Huo, his heart involuntarily heating up, his gaze turning scorching.

Huo Shengnan laughed: "I can't stand your eyes, getting sneakier and lewder." She lowered her voice: "There's something I've never asked you—did you help with Miss Tang's injury?" She asked very slyly, her purpose clear.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "I dare not take credit; it's all thanks to Qin Yutong's efforts." Saying this, he felt a bit guilty, for Qin Yutong did have merit, but the one who truly played the key role was himself—he was the medicine that healed Tang Qingxuan.

Huo Shengnan smiled faintly, seemingly offhand: "Tang Qingxuan's martial arts seem to have improved a lot lately." Women's thoughts are meticulous; from subtle clues she had already noticed something unusual.

Hu Xiaotian finally realized that paper can't wrap fire. Moreover, Huo Shengnan was the first to accompany him in cultivating the Sun-Shooting True Classic; it would be hard to hide it from her eyes. But since the matter hasn't been caught red-handed, he can't readily admit it.

Just then, Long Xi Yue and Tang Qingxuan returned together; Huo Shengnan greeted them both and went out to arrange matters.

Upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, Tang Qingxuan's pretty face involuntarily flushed red. She had intended to pretend nothing had happened, but facing Hu Xiaotian she still appeared unnatural.

Hu Xiaotian was far more open than she; strictly speaking, his psychological resilience was better, his skin thicker. He smiled: "Miss Tang, your body is recovering quickly! Qin Yutong's medical skill is indeed superb." Actually he knew full well. This had nothing to do with Qin Yutong's medicine; it all relied on the Sun-Shooting True Classic. Though this art is not fit for refined company, its power is not small. Setting aside the fact that this time he saved Tang Qingxuan's life, without the Sun-Shooting True Classic, the internal force he inhaled via the Void Great Law would have no outlet, and perhaps his meridians would have burst and killed him long ago.

Tang Qingxuan said: "I have come this time to bid farewell to my lord; my father has come to take me home to recuperate. This time I am greatly indebted to your rescue..."

Long Xi Yue said: "Sis, why stand on ceremony? Him helping you is only right. It's just sucking a few mouthfuls of his blood, then making up for it and returning."

Tang Qingxuan's face grew ever redder; she secretly thought, it's not that simple to just suck blood. After that incident, she continually felt indebted to Long Xi Yue, asking herself if she could be like Hu Xiaotian, as if nothing had happened at all, or best to return to the horse farm as soon as possible.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What Xi Yue says is right; we're all our own people, so why stand on ceremony?"

Tang Qingxuan said: "I won't keep you; my father is waiting outside."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "I'll see you off."

Tang Qingxuan shook her head: "No need, really no need; you and the princess talk." She hurriedly slipped away.

Long Xi Yue wanted to call her again, but she had already left. She glanced at Hu Xiaotian with a hint of annoyance: "It's all you who scared her."

Hu Xiaotian laughed helplessly: "I didn't say anything!" He inwardly sighed; with Tang Qingxuan's demeanor, anyone could tell something was off. Fortunately Long Xi Yue didn't press further; she took his arm and said: "My master wants to see you."

Since Qiao Fangzheng arrived in Dongliang Jun, he has kept a low profile, though he has met Xue Zhenhai and others; he has never appeared publicly, merely pulling strings behind the scenes to reorganize the Beggar's Sect's North River Branch. His arrival has eased much of Long Xi Yue's pressure.

Before even entering Qiao Fangzheng's small courtyard, one could hear barking. Hu Xiaotian already guessed it was Qiao Fangzheng's guide dog, which Zhang Ming had just delivered to Qiao Fangzheng; Qiao Fangzheng is still getting used to it, presently building affection with the guide dog.

Zhang Ming was also here, teaching Qiao Fangzheng how to communicate with the guide dog; this time Qiao Fangzheng showed no resistance as he had in Fire Tree City. Seeing Hu Xiaotian and Long Xi Yue approach, Zhang Ming smiled, patted the black dog, which ceased barking and lay down obediently.

Qiao Fangzheng said: "Zhang Ming, take Xiaohei out for a walk." Xiaohei refers to this dog; the old beggar couldn't think of any refined, otherworldly name, hearing it was a black dog, he simply called it Xiaohei.

Zhang Ming knew he was being sent off; he gave Hu Xiaotian a look, then took the dog and left the courtyard.

Qiao Fangzheng rose leaning on his dog-beating stick, respectfully saying: "Old man cannot see; please forgive any impropriety, Chief." He is far more courteous to Long Xi Yue than to Hu Xiaotian.

Long Xi Yue said: "Master, please don't say that; I ought to pay my respects to you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Senior, what urgent matter do you have for me?"

Qiao Fangzheng said: "I heard there's going to be a war?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "It's none of our concern; it's Yunyang that might see fighting."

Qiao Fangzheng said: "The Beggar's Sect has influence distributed in every city; perhaps in open combat our troops aren't as well-trained as your soldiers, but when it comes to gathering military intelligence, assassination, and logistical support, we have considerable advantage. If you have need, just speak up; the Beggar's Sect will surely spare no effort, giving its all."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Thank you for your goodwill, Senior." Since Qiao Fangzheng dared say that, it shows he has basically purged the Beggar's Sect's North River Branch internally and regained control of the situation.

Qiao Fangzheng said: "You needn't thank me; for the Chief, the Beggar's Sect will certainly share weal and woe with the young master, bound as one."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Long Xi Yue; she smiled gently, took his big hand, and said softly: "I don't understand sect affairs either; if it weren't for Master coming to help me, I'm afraid I couldn't handle all this."

Qiao Fangzheng said: "After Qin Yangming's death, the chief of the Beggar's Sect's North River Branch has remained vacant; we must quickly select a new branch leader."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Aren't you the right person for the job, Senior?"

Qiao Fangzheng shook his head: "I can't; I can't appear openly in the Beggar's Sect, and besides I have no eyes—how could I manage so many affairs?"

Long Xi Yue said: "What about Elder Xue Zhenhai?"

Qiao Fangzheng said: "He won't do either; he is the Beggar's Sect's Enforcement Elder, and he is not from the North River Branch. If he were to step forward, first it would violate sect rules, and second the North River Branch members might not accept him."

Long Xi Yue said: "Master, although I am the Chief of the Beggar's Sect, you should know I'm merely a nominal figure; I don't understand the sect's internal structure, and I truly don't know who would be fit to serve as this branch leader—please, you decide."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly: "Senior, it seems you already have a suitable candidate in mind; why not tell us?"

Qiao Fangzheng said: "You little rascal are indeed sharp; truly nothing escapes you. In the Beggar's Sect's North River Branch there is a four-bag disciple named An Zhai; this person, whether in martial ability or wisdom, can be called outstanding among the sect's youth."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Good; since your recommended candidate is surely correct, let him serve as the branch leader of the Beggar's Sect's North River Branch."

Qiao Fangzheng said: "But he is only a four-bag disciple; normally one holding such an important post should be at least a seven-bag disciple. I worry that appointing him directly would cause many to object."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: The North River Branch has just undergone reorganization; Qiao Fangzheng is directing from behind the scenes, Xue Zhenhai has publicly punished a large batch of internal rebels, so now nobody would dare to speak out of turn. Qiao Fangzheng's remarks are probably meant for the two of them. What is the relationship between An Zhai and Qiao Fangzheng? Why does he esteem him so highly? Hu Xiaotian said: "Selecting the worthy and capable isn't about age or seniority; I trust your judgment, Senior."

An offhand remark inadvertently touched Qiao Fangzheng's taboo; he replied coldly: "Old man has no eyes—what insight could I have?"

Long Xi Yue glanced at Hu Xiaotian with annoyance, evidently blaming him for speaking without restraint.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Senior, please don't take offense; I didn't mean that. May I boldly ask—what is the relationship between An Zhai and you, Senior?"

Qiao Fangzheng said: "He is another of my disciples!"

Hu Xiaotian thought: Indeed so; the old beggar does recommend the worthy without avoiding kin—actually that's normal, for no one would sponsor a total stranger for no reason.

Qiao Fangzheng said: "Although he is my disciple, I initially misunderstood him and never knew his whereabouts; only now, having come here, did I learn he has affiliated with the North River Branch, and still remains only a four-bag disciple—given his ability he should long since have become a seven-bag disciple."

Hu Xiaotian said: "How does An Zhai's martial skill compare to Shangguan Yun Chong's?" Actually Hu Xiaotian also knows he's asking needlessly; Shangguan Yun Chong is a rare genius the Beggar's Sect has seen in a century, having also received internal energy from three transmission elders—such fortune is not common.

Qiao Fangzheng slammed his dog-beating stick heavily on the ground, his expression grim: "If it weren't for my delay back then, with his talent he might not have fallen short of Shangguan Yun Chong."

Because today I have to go to South Open University to attend an exchange event, there will likely be only this update; I hope everyone understands. (To be continued~^~)