Chapter 1572

If it weren't that he had no choice, Qin Yutong would not have come to find him; Hu Xiaotian, after hearing Qin Yutong finish speaking, immediately agreed. Liu Changsheng and his son share a deep bond with him—even if Qin Yutong didn't say anything, he would not stand by idly. He reassured Qin Yutong that he would promptly send people to Yongdu to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

When he went to see Long Xi Yue, he discovered that Qiao Fangzheng and Xue Zhenhai had both come for a discussion. Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian did not disturb them; he quietly beckoned to Weisa, who came over to his side. Hu Xiaotian whispered, "What happened?"

Weisa glanced at the meeting hall and said softly, "I'm not entirely sure either, but from their expressions they seem very tense; something important must have happened."

While they were speaking, seeing Long Xi Yue see them off, Hu Xiaotian did not show himself; only after the few people had left did he approach Long Xi Yue's side.

Long Xi Yue saw him, grabbed his arm, and said, "Xiaotian, something has happened to the Beggar Sect."

Hu Xiaotian started slightly, wondering if misfortunes never come singly. He comforted Long Xi Yue: "Don't panic; just tell me what happened slowly."

Long Xi Yue let out a faint sigh and explained the whole situation: as it turned out, something had happened to the Jiangbei branch of the Beggar Sect. Since Qin Yangming's death, the internal situation of the Jiangbei branch has remained unstable; although talents like An Zhai have emerged, many have also harbored thoughts of defection due to Qin Yangming's death. The former sect leader, Shangguan Tianhuo, somehow made his way to Da Yong, where he has gained the court's support, united the Beggar Sect disciples within Da Yong's borders, split off the Da Yong Beggar Sect, and declared himself the legitimate sect leader. By doing this, Shangguan Tianhuo has in fact split the Beggar Sect into northern and southern factions—a first since the sect's founding, and the greatest crisis Long Xi Yue has faced since succeeding as sect leader. Moreover, the twentieth day of the twelfth month is when the Jiangbei branch will finalize its selection, and yet, with just a month left, this problem has arisen.

Hu Xiaotian also felt his heart sink upon hearing this; the Beggar Sect is an extremely important part of his power base, and he certainly does not want it to split.

Long Xi Yue said, "Xiaotian, Elder Xue and the others have proposed eliminating Shangguan Tianhuo, and someone from the sect has already gone to Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, rose, and walked a few steps before saying, "Perhaps I should go myself."

Long Xi Yue exclaimed in surprise, "What are you going to Yongdu for?"

Hu Xiaotian then recounted to her what Qin Yutong had just told him. Long Xi Yue said, "Then I'll go with you."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Stay in Dongliang Jun; don't forget that the twentieth of the twelfth month is when you hold your conference. If you go with me to Yongdu, who will preside over the meeting?"

Hearing this, Long Xi Yue could only give up the idea of following him.

Hu Xiaotian put his arm around her shoulders and said, "You don't need to worry about me; I'll ride the flying eagle there and back quickly, and settle these matters as soon as possible."

Long Xi Yue bit her cherry lip and urged, "You must go quickly and return quickly."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly and embraced her.

When Prince Yan Xue Shengjing passed by Ju Bao Zhai, he ordered the coachman to stop and lifted the carriage curtain. His small eyes surveyed the sign of Ju Bao Zhai, filled with resentment and hatred. All Ju Bao Zhai establishments across the world had originally been his property; even when his imperial elder brother was alive, no one had dared to tamper with his assets. However, not long after Xue Daohong ascended the throne, he moved against him. The last time, starting from Bohai State, he had almost found evidence of his guilt—if it weren't for Hu Xiaotian's timely help in putting out the fire, he would have been driven to desperation by Xue Daohong.

Even so, he still paid a considerable price, presenting Ju Bao Zhai to Xue Daohong without compensation; each time he thought of this, his heart bled. He did not believe Xue Daohong had sufficient scheming to oppose him; the real effectiveness came from Li Chen Zhou beside Xue Daohong.

Li Chen Zhou and the forces behind him contributed greatly to Xue Daohong's cause; although the turmoil in Bohai State has temporarily subsided, Li Chen Zhou has not ceased his steps toward centralizing power, heavily suppressing a group of imperial relatives and clansmen, driving them gradually away from the center of power—this approach maximally guarantees the stability of Xue Daohong's throne, yet at the same time it has offended more than half of the imperial clan. Nevertheless, Xue Daohong has consistently placed full trust in Li Chen Zhou, which is what enables Li Chen Zhou to fully exert his abilities.

Xue Shengjing waved his hand, indicating for the carriage to move on, but not long after, his carriage was blocked. His attendant went to check the situation, and shortly afterward delivered an envelope, saying it was for him to open personally. Xue Shengjing tore it open and saw inside an invincible vajra set made from shark fin; upon seeing it, he immediately thought of Hu Xiaotian. The envelope also contained a letter addressed to the Contentment Pavilion of the Hall of Hundred Flavors.

Xue Shengjing showed no reaction, and had the coachman change course toward the Hall of Hundred Flavors.

Walking alone into the Contentment Pavilion, he saw a tall figure standing by the window gazing out. From the back alone, Xue Shengjing was certain it was Hu Xiaotian, and he couldn't help but chuckle, "Brother, you truly are remarkably bold!"

Hu Xiaotian slowly turned around, smiled faintly, his spirit radiant; even Xue Shengjing could not help but acknowledge his handsomeness—no wonder his daughter liked him so much. Thinking of Hu Xiaotian's feelings for his daughter and their sworn brotherhood, Xue Shengjing felt a strange sensation: if Hu Xiaotian and his daughter were to become a couple, how should he relate to him? Should he call him son-in-law? Or should he address him as brother? Even with his thick skin, Xue Shengjing felt a bit embarrassed.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Elder brother, long time no see."

The utterance "elder brother" brought Xue Shengjing back to reality; Hu Xiaotian must have already known his exact relationship with Huo Xiaoru, since he had previously hinted at it. However, after the Bohai State turmoil, Huo Xiaoru chose to leave, and Xue Shengjing lost track of her.

Xue Shengjing said, "You are truly audacious; if others found out you were here, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, made an inviting gesture, and they sat opposite each other. Compared to when they had met in Xizhou before, Xue Shengjing had lost some weight; his small eyes were narrowed, making him look listless and spiritless, his whole bearing somewhat decadent. Hu Xiaotian did not believe this appearance; he thought Xue Shengjing was hiding his ambition this way, accumulating strength and lying low, waiting for the moment to strike back.

Hu Xiaotian picked up the wine jug and filled Xue Shengjing's cup before him, then said softly, "Elder brother, how have you been lately?"

Xue Shengjing's small eyes twitched once, he sighed, and without answering the question, he lifted the cup before him, clinked it against Hu Xiaotian's, drank it down in one gulp, and then gently set the empty cup down. Hu Xiaotian refilled his cup again. This is not merely because of their sworn brotherhood; various signs indicate that Huo Xiaoru should be his daughter, and this sworn elder brother is likely to become his father-in-law. Huo Xiaoru is also an independent‑spirited person; her avoiding him in Bohai State fully proves this. Hu Xiaotian has tried every means to inquire about her whereabouts, but to no avail, like a stone sunk in the sea. Perhaps Xue Shengjing knows where she is, yet Hu Xiaotian, being reasonably patient, has not taken the initiative to ask.

Xue Shengjing sighed, "Not good!" His words were brief and to the point, without evasion. Since Xue Daohong took the throne, he has been targeted everywhere; the Bohai State incident involving Ju Bao Zhai nearly got him killed, and if it weren't for Hu Xiaotian's intervention, he would likely already be imprisoned.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I often think that our fates are remarkably similar; although we harbor no ambition for hegemony, others regard you as a thorn in their flesh, a splinter in their eye, and would love to eliminate you at once."

Xue Shengjing said, "Once a person attains a high position, they become suspicious and paranoid, doubting everything around them, plagued by gain‑and‑loss anxiety, constantly worrying that someone will take away their power."

Hu Xiaotian replied meaningfully, "Position changes a person; perhaps once you reach such a station, you will become even more extreme."

Xue Shengjing nodded, "Yes, once a person reaches that position they become so altered they don't even recognize themselves. When I was young, I only wanted to live a peaceful, uneventful life, free of conflict, even if mediocre, seeking only comfort and enjoyment, not fame in history." He paused, his small eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian, and asked, "You don't believe me?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "Whether I believe you or not, what does it matter? I too once had the same thought." When he first arrived in this era, he had also imagined drifting through life comfortably, but nothing turned out as he had hoped.

Xue Shengjing said, "Later I realized I have constantly been pushed by fate; although I harbor no ambition for contention, others believe I do, and no matter how much I yield, they still see me as a roadblock and a stumbling stone, employing every means to break my will, ruin my life, and plot against my kin…" As he spoke, his round, puffy face twisted, and his small eyes gleamed with deep‑seated hatred.

Hu Xiaotian nodded; although he did not know the exact details, he believed everything Xue Shengjing said was true.

Xue Shengjing said, "Back when my father the emperor was alive, he had already designated my imperial elder brother as crown prince; I had no objection to this, for since childhood I have viewed my elder brother as extraordinarily talented and outstanding in every respect, far surpassing me. I only wished to be his brother in peace, a carefree prince. My father actually favored me more, but being young at the time, I never imagined that his affection would draw others' schemes against me."

The update the day after tomorrow will restore normal service; the formal conclusion will be tomorrow. Thank you all for your patience and support this month; I am currently running a promotion.

Everyone, add my public WeChat account stonesquid (to be continued~^~)