Chapter 1669: [Boundless Great Love] (Part 1)

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For the people of Yongdu, this night was like a nightmare; the rats that usually hide when they see people suddenly ran rampant through Yongdu, injuring many residents with bites, and at the same time bats frenziedly attacked passersby and livestock. Only at dawn did the situation gradually subside, but the matter did not end just because the rats and bats stopped attacking.

The disease began to spread in Yongdu; within a morning, all the major clinics in Yongdu were overcrowded.

After Hu Xiaotian and Ji Feihua broke up, they returned to Yongdu, seeing the streets deserted and passersby covering their mouths and noses with cloth, each hurrying along.

Returning to Pingyan Alley, Qin Yutong and Xia Zhangming were in the temporary refuge where Jian Rongxin was hiding. Seeing everyone unharmed, he finally relaxed, but he didn't have a chance to mention what he'd seen last night; he first brought up the chaos in the city, lowering his voice: "I heard something big happened in Yongdu last night."

Xia Zhangming nodded and said: "Indeed, last night many residents were bitten by rats and bats; it's said over a hundred people have died."

Qin Yutong said: "Just now when I came over, I heard that all clinics in Yongdu, big and small, are overcrowded; even the sealed-off Shennong Society's gate has many people waiting to see a doctor." She put her mask back on, deliberately concealing her peerless appearance.

Jian Rongxin said: "New Year is just around the corner—how could this happen? The common folk always bear the suffering."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When a nation is about to perish, monsters and villains abound!"

Xia Zhangming said: "It shouldn't be monsters; I noticed these abnormalities last night, and it should be the work of a Beast Tamer." He was extremely familiar with the way of beast taming, so he could already see the clue from the method.

Hu Xiaotian nodded, then recounted everything he had seen the previous night when he went to Dog Head Mountain. When mentioning Li Chenzhou, he furtively observed Jian Rongxin's expression; although her expression changed slightly, it was no longer as intense as before, indicating that Li Chenzhou's place in her heart had grown lighter. Hu Xiaotian secretly rejoiced. He still needed to strive, taking a shortcut to make Jian Rongxin's trust completely turn to him.

After hearing this, Xia Zhangming couldn't help but sigh: "This Beast Tamer is truly not simple."

Hu Xiaotian said: "To simultaneously drive birds and beasts—there probably aren't many in the world who can do that."

Xia Zhangming said: "Or perhaps it wasn't done by a single person; maybe several people cooperated, dividing the labor."

Qin Yutong said: "What exactly is the purpose of their driving these poisonous creatures?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I previously thought that the Black Hu Beast Tamer was driving rats and bats merely to drive away Li Chenzhou's people, but now it seems their purpose is not limited to that." He paused, then looked around at everyone and asked: "Have you noticed that this might conceal a huge conspiracy?"

All three looked at him, their eyes full of anticipation, but the one with the greatest admiration was Jian Rongxin.

Hu Xiaotian whispered: "I have a premonition that the number of sick people will keep increasing, and the disease will spread rapidly through Yongdu. It may even reach the entire Da Yong." He said to Xia Zhangming: "Zhangming, get ready—we need to leave as soon as possible."

Xia Zhangming nodded.

Jian Rongxin wanted to say something, but seeing Hu Xiaotian's gaze, she swallowed her words again. Hu Xiaotian had already promised to help her find her brother. After calming down, Jian Rongxin also realized that nothing should be rushed; seeing Hu Xiaotian's stern expression, it seemed this was no trivial matter.

Qin Yutong said to Hu Xiaotian: "I have some things I want to ask you privately."

Hu Xiaotian nodded. Jian Rongxin said: "I'll go pack!"

Xia Zhangming also made an excuse to go prepare for departure, leaving them two a private space to talk.

Qin Yutong's intelligent eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian as she asked: "Have you discovered something?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly and said: "With your medical skill, you shouldn't need to ask me."

Qin Yutong furrowed her brows, obviously dissatisfied with his answer.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I suspect the Black Hu people are spreading plague through these rats and bats in Yongdu, and judging from the current situation, it's likely that some people have already been infected."

Qin Yutong sighed and said: "It seems likely, but the Da Yong side appears not to have given this enough attention; there are rumors saying it's plague, and people have even been arrested for saying so, as if they are deliberately suppressing the news." A deep gloom settled over her beautiful eyes.

Hu Xiaotian said: "If it really is plague, the situation will likely soon become uncontrollable, and staying here poses great danger." His first thought was still the safety of those around him.

Qin Yutong bit her lip, a flicker of disappointment rising in her heart: "You're leaving?" Then she immediately thought, he definitely would be leaving; an outbreak of plague in Yongdu would be a good thing for Hu Xiaotian, weakening Da Yong's strength, allowing him to seize the opportunity to grow stronger.

Before Hu Xiaotian could answer, Xia Zhangming hurried in, not intending to disturb the two, and cupped his fists: "Report, Young Master, the Beggars' Gang has met with trouble—because of last night's rat disturbance, many Beggars' Gang disciples caught and ate rats with great relish; fifteen have already died last night, and the situation is still worsening."

Hu Xiaotian sighed; this bunch of beggars has always been greedy, and these rats and snakes that make ordinary people turn pale at the mention become delicacies in their eyes—actually rats aren't inedible, but disease-ridden rats are best avoided.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Plague rarely occurs in winter; although I know some preventive and treatment methods, I don't know if they'll work. Zhangming, take Miss Jian and leave Yongdu immediately—also take Yuchi Pingting and Liu Yucheng—ensure their safety, enter Dongliang Jun territory and first go to the Sha Zhou Horse Farm to find a secluded place to settle."

Xia Zhangming said: "Zhangming receives the order; once I have safely delivered Miss Jian and the others to their destination, I will return immediately."

Hu Xiaotian, however, shook his head and said: "You still need to make a trip to Dongliang Jun, meet General Huo and the Military Advisor, and have them immediately tighten border controls, not allowing any Da Yong civilians to enter without permission, and carefully inspect all major checkpoints and ports—this is no trivial matter; if the epidemic cannot be contained, it will soon spread to us as well."

At this moment, Xia Zhangming finally realized the urgency of the situation, and he solemnly accepted the command.

Upon learning she would have to leave Yongdu, Jian Rongxin naturally did not want to—after all, in this world besides Hu Xiaotian she had no one she could trust; although she and Hu Xiaotian had just become of one mind, she now faced separation. However, after learning of Yongdu's dire situation, she also did not want to distract Hu Xiaotian, and raised no objection.

When Hu Xiaotian entered the room, he saw Jian Rongxin had already packed her belongings, and he spoke gently: "Rongxin, if it weren't for the urgent situation, I wouldn't let you leave first."

Jian Rongxin smiled faintly and said softly: "No need to say anything, I understand." She handed Hu Xiaotian a neatly wrapped sachet.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What?"

"Inside are the things my father left me; to me they are already the most important things in the world—please keep them safe for me."

Hu Xiaotian felt a surge of emotion, pressed his lips, grasped Jian Rongxin's delicate hand, and whispered low: "To me, the most important thing is you."

Jian Rongxin's pretty face flushed slightly, and she whispered: "Promise me one thing."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

"'The common folk are all innocent; if this plague is man-made, can you do your utmost to help them?' Jian Rongxin's beautiful eyes sparkled with crystalline light. She came from a scholarly family, her father being one of the foremost scholars of Da Yong, so her insight was extraordinary. She knew Hu Xiaotian was also a politician of great ambition and aspiration; precisely because of this, the sudden disaster befalling Da Yong might, in Hu Xiaotian's view, be a rare opportunity. According to ordinary thinking, not kicking someone when they're down would already be commendable, let alone lending a hand."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "I chose to stay precisely to help these common folk; although my medical skill is not exceptional, I can at least contribute my modest effort."

Jian Rongxin's heart swelled with relief; she couldn't help but think that if it were Li Chenzhou, he would certainly not do this. Compared to him, Hu Xiaotian's moral radiance stood out. Jian Rongxin bit her lip and whispered: "Thank you."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "What's there to thank? For us to say this, doesn't it sound a bit distant?"

Jian Rongxin, blushing, said: "What is our relationship?"

Hu Xiaotian took both of her hands, gazing deeply into her beautiful eyes, and said earnestly: "You are my lover, or my wife."

Jian Rongxin, embarrassed, lowered her head and shyly looked at her own toes, saying: "I thought you wouldn't agree."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I may not be well-versed, but I still understand the concept of boundless great love."

The four words "boundless great love" deeply moved Jian Rongxin; she lifted her head, her starry eyes flashing, filled with admiration as she looked at Hu Xiaotian—a man with a broad mind is more likely to win the affection of the opposite sex, and this is always the case.

Jian Rongxin whispered softly: "Be careful."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, leaned close to Jian Rongxin's ear, and said: "Don't look at me like that—it's too tempting, I can't help but think of… uh…"

Jian Rongxin raised her dainty fist and struck his chest twice, then actively hooked her arms around his neck and offered a fragrant kiss.

Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected the reserved Jian Rongxin to be so proactive; naturally he wouldn't miss the opportunity, his hands roaming, making Jian Rongxin pant and gasp, and only with difficulty did he manage to seize her hateful big hand, saying: "Miss Qin is still outside; I… I should also be leaving…"

Hu Xiaotian, still wanting more, held her tightly in his embrace; Jian Rongxin, bashful, whispered softly: "There will be plenty of chances in the future."

Hu Xiaotian's heart swelled with joy; from just this sentence of Jian Rongxin he knew she had gradually emerged from her past sorrow, and it really seemed he ought to thank Zhang Ailing, thank you for teaching me how to quickly conquer a woman's heart.

Jian Rongxin broke free from Hu Xiaotian's embrace, then took out a letter from the package and handed it to Hu Xiaotian, saying: "If you get the chance, help me send this letter to Li Chen Zhou."

Hu Xiaotian felt a chill in his heart again; just now he had felt victorious, but in a moment he doused himself with a bucket of cold water—could this letter be representing Lingering Feelings?

【May 15 is coming up soon; I hope we can continue to hit the 515 Red Envelope ranking, and on May 15 the red envelope rain will reward readers and also promote the work. Together it's also love—definitely will update well!】(To be continued~^~)