Chapter 1611

Hu Xiaotian rapidly circulated his true qi through his meridians to dispel the bone‑chilling cold inside him. Seeing Gangbalu waving his arms wildly, he rushed forward and punched that bastard square in the face. Because of the water's resistance, the punch's force was naturally reduced compared to normal. Nevertheless, Gangbalu was driven underwater by that blow. Hu Xiaotian followed up with a kick, mercilessly beating the fallen dog; he would not be satisfied until he had given that monk a thorough thrashing to ease the hatred in his heart.

Gangbalu's body continued sinking underwater. Hu Xiaotian had wanted to keep pursuing, but he felt a sudden vibration above his head. He looked up and heard the sound of a beak striking the ice—it must be the flying eagle, seeing him fall into the ice lake, coming to rescue without hesitation. Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of emotion. He lowered his head to look for Gangbalu again, but that rascal had already vanished from his sight. Hu Xiaotian also gave up the idea of continuing to hunt the monk. He swiftly swam upward, found the ice hole he had just made, and because the weather was bitterly cold, the hole had already iced over with a thin layer. He punched through the thin ice and clambered, soaked, onto the ice surface.

The flying eagle and the Snow Eagle had already landed on the lake surface. The flying eagle was pecking hard at the ice, trying to locate its master's whereabouts. Xia Zhangming was the first to spot Hu Xiaotian's figure; he shouted with joy and hurried over.

Hu Xiaotian coughed and said, "I'm fine! Let's get out of here quickly."

Hu Xiaotian climbed onto the flying eagle's back, and the flying eagle was delighted to see its master return safely.

When the group of Black Hu experts made their way around to the small lake at the base of the cliff, the flying eagle and the Snow Eagle were already carrying their respective masters into the sky. The Black Hu experts stared at the lake now blanketed in ice and snow, exchanging bewildered glances; none of them knew whether Gangbalu was dead or alive.

Just as everyone was worrying, a loud "Boom!" rang out—a huge chunk of ice flew sideways from a distance. Immediately, a drenched, disheveled figure scrambled out of the small lake onto the ice: it was the Black Hu National Preceptor, Gangbalu. In the water he had been pummeled and kicked by Hu Xiaotian, but he dared not retaliate, fearing that provoking Hu Xiaotian's ferocity would get him killed. His combat ability in the water was less than thirty percent of his normal strength. To truly fight Hu Xiaotian underwater meant certain death. Fortunately, Hu Xiaotian did not pursue him to the end. Gangbalu, who could not swim, held his breath and sank to the bottom, then found a stone on the lake floor and, clutching it, felt his way upward step by step. Luckily the lake was not large, so he soon reached the edge. Gangbalu punched through the ice and climbed out from below—it was as if he had made a detour past the gates of hell.

The crowd gathered around, asking after his cold and warmth, but Gangbalu remained silent. He lifted his head. Gazing at the night sky filled with flying snow, his expression was as frozen as ice—cold and hard.

By the time Gangbalu freed himself, Hu Xiaotian was already riding the flying eagle, soaring through the snowy night. He used his inner energy to dry his clothes, which made him feel a bit better. Recalling the perilous battle with that monk still left him uneasy. Gangbalu had clutched him as they fell off the Bone‑Shattering Cliff; Gangbalu surely did not intend to die together with him, so the only reason was that even if he fell from the cliff he might not die. Hu Xiaotian had never before encountered an opponent whose external skill was so formidable. If the flying eagle had not sacrificed itself to save him, he would likely have been in grave danger. He reached out to stroke the eagle's back, feeling deeply moved, and said, "Brother Eagle, thank you!"

The flying eagle let out a low groan, its voice much calmer now; it had also suffered minor injuries, but thanks to its robust constitution it should be fine.

Xia Zhangming rode the Snow Eagle alongside Hu Xiaotian, calling out loudly, "My lord, how do you feel?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Quite well!" As he spoke, he felt a sour pain in his nose; he reached up and touched it, finding it much swollen—no doubt from being struck by the monk's head, leaving his face bruised and his nose bleeding considerably.

Xia Zhangming asked, "What should we do?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Since we're here, let's escort the Grand Marshal safely back to Yongdu before we decide anything else!" Originally, after rescuing Weichi Chong he had planned to leave directly, but tonight's encounter with Gangbalu changed his mind. This monk's martial arts are both strange and formidable; even in his fight with him Hu Xiaotian gained no advantage. If it were anyone else, the trouble would be even greater. Moreover, these Black Hu people bear a deep grudge against Weichi Chong; their infiltration of Da Yong this time is likely aimed at him. They might even try to kill him en route, sending the Buddha westward. To be safe, it's best to secretly protect Weichi Chong, especially since Yongdu is not far away and a couple of days' delay matters little.

The snow had just begun to clear, and a red sun rose above Yongdu. Although the royal funeral was nominally a state funeral, the ceremony was not grand; it was clear the court had deliberately chosen a low‑key approach, even forbidding civilians from lining the streets for the procession, supposedly for safety reasons. This shows that beneath Yongdu's apparent calm, undercurrents are stirring.

After the funeral, Li Chen Zhou went to visit the residence of the Grand Princess Xue Lingjun. Although rumors about his relationship with her were now rampant, Li Chen Zhou evidently did not take them to heart; he remained as before, with no avoidance.

Li Chen Zhou was utterly frank with outsiders, constantly saying "the clear will clear themselves," but in truth only he and Xue Lingjun truly know what their relationship is like.

Xue Lingjun wore a black robe, her head adorned with a small white flower, and no other ornaments, yet she displayed an unprecedented elegance—pure and clean like a lotus emerging from clear water. Li Chen Zhou entered her tea room; Xue Lingjun knelt before the tea table, the water already boiled. She quietly washed the tea utensils, her plain, slender hands arranging the crystal‑jade pieces in an orderly, staggered fashion on the tea mat.

Li Chen Zhou also took off his boots, stepped onto the warm floor mat in his snow‑white cotton socks, and knelt opposite her.

From the moment he entered the room, Xue Lingjun never once lifted her eyes to look at him; she said offhandedly, "Have you finished everything?"

Li Chenzhou nodded, quietly gazing at Xue Lingjun's hands, and softly said: "Speaking precisely, it should be considered concluded; the Grand Empress Dowager, the late emperor, and Consort Shu have all been laid to rest." He picked up the lingering-fragrance cup, smelled the tea aroma, closed his eyes, his expression showing some intoxication; during this time he exhausted his energy and thought, daily expending all his thoughts on court affairs, indeed he was very tired, and only now does he have a feeling of relaxing both body and mind.

Xue Lingjun filled the tea, holding a cup with both hands and presenting it before him, and softly said: "You have become much thinner."

Li Chenzhou slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile at the corners of his mouth, and said: "All kinds of matters entangle me, my thoughts are too heavy!" Before Xue Lingjun he did not deliberately conceal anything.

Xue Lingjun lifted the Chazan, brought it near her alluring cherry lips, took a light sip, and softly said: "What are you worried about?"

Li Chenzhou did not speak, merely slowly lifted that cup of tea, staring at the green hue within the Chazan, his gaze profound and inscrutable.

Xue Lingjun said: "Are you worried about the Emperor or Weichi Chong?"

Li Chenzhou drained that cup of tea in one gulp, as bold as drinking liquor, yet he still did not make a choice between the two options Xue Lingjun had given.

Xue Lingjun again filled his Chazan, then softly said: "My imperial older brother?" Actually, she had known from the beginning that Li Chenzhou's true worry was Xue Shengjing; since Xue Shengjing fled Cien Garden, he had vanished like a stone sunk in the sea, with no clear sign that he had escaped Yongdu; if Xue Shengjing were to establish himself and rebel somewhere in Da Yong, Li Chenzhou would actually feel more relieved, at least the target would be clear, and he wouldn't have to worry about Xue Shengjing scheming in the dark.

Li Chenzhou whispered: "The calmer it is, the more frightening; I dare assert he is hiding somewhere in Yongdu, brewing a world-shaking counterattack."

Xue Lingjun said: "He has always acted discreetly; over these years he has been silently building his power, and my imperial older brother has always turned a blind eye."

Li Chenzhou said: "The late emperor ultimately underestimated him, thinking that every move of Prince Yan was under his control, yet he did not expect that Prince Yan could still build such a formidable force under his surveillance."

Xue Lingjun gave a slight smile: "Isn't the Treasure Hoard Pavilion already under your control? The Prince Yan's mansion has already been searched by you; what do you still have to fear?"

Li Chenzhou shook his head, sighed, and said: "The calmer it is, the more unusual; how could there suddenly be no news?"

Xue Lingjun said: "Why must you worry about him so? Now the situation in Da Yong is settled; the urgent task is to stabilize the people's hearts."

Li Chenzhou said: "The best way to stabilize people's hearts is to reduce taxes and lighten levies; I have already presented the plan to the Emperor."

Xue Lingjun said: "What did he say?"

Li Chenzhou smiled indifferently: "So far he has shown no stance; the Emperor's favorite thing to do now is to procrastinate." Li Chenzhou somewhat understands Xue Daoming's attitude; Xue Daoming is unwilling to be a puppet emperor manipulated by others, yet he dares not openly confront him, so in handling matters he mostly adopts a passive stance, delaying for a while but not forever; Li Chenzhou does not think Xue Daoming has the ability to overturn heaven and earth; although Xue Daoming is the most capable among the many princes, he lacks the domineering aura and vision of Xue Shengkang, and ultimately lacks the talent to become a hegemon of an age.

Xue Lingjun immediately understood Li Chenzhou's meaning; he would not say these things for no reason; handling imperial affairs personally is most appropriate; although Li Chenzhou holds great power, due to his position it is still inconvenient for him to interfere too much in imperial affairs, so she is the best choice; Xue Lingjun softly said: "I will go to the Emperor to persuade him."

Li Chenzhou's eyes lit up; Xue Lingjun is truly extraordinarily wise, having understood his meaning even before he spoke. He whispered: "The Emperor is not young either; he should know what is more important."

Xue Lingjun gave a slight smile, then poured another cup of tea for Li Chenzhou: "Once a person sits in that position, they will lose sight of themselves; moreover, Daoming has just become the lord of Da Yong, and he still needs a period of adaptation." (To be continued~^~)