Chapter 1717

Old Lady Xu said: "If I hadn't wanted to investigate back then, perhaps things wouldn't have become so bad now."

Hu Xiaotian said: "There is an extraterrestrial visitor's starship hidden in the imperial mausoleum; Hong Beimo is currently busy repairing that starship."

Old Lady Xu said: "If he repairs the starship and masters all its technology, he will gain the ability to leap through time and space, and the consequences will be unimaginable."

Hu Xiaotian said: "How could he gain the trust of those people?"

"Perhaps he is being controlled, perhaps he deceived those extraterrestrials, but no matter what, his existence is a tremendous threat."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why tell me all these secrets?"

Old Lady Xu said: "My days are numbered; after thinking it over, these secrets must be known by someone, and you are the only choice."

"Why?"

"You're different from them! Your character has no flaws!"

Hu Xiaotian had a private talk with Old Lady Xu in her room for an hour and a half; when he left the room, night had already fallen, Xu Fengmei had been standing at the courtyard gate, and she smiled slightly at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Prince, have you finished chatting with the old lady?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Auntie, my grandmother's health is poor; please take good care of her."

Seeing his politeness, Xu Fengmei guessed that his lengthy talk with the old lady must have been very pleasant; she smiled gently and said: "It's already mealtime; have dinner before you leave."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'd love to stay, but I have too many things to handle; I'll come another day—I promised my grandmother I would definitely share a meal with her."

Xu Fengmei didn't insist either, calling out: "Mubai! See your cousin off!"

Xu Mubai stepped out in white robes, graceful and aloof as ever; Hu Xiaotian felt no fondness for him, and if it weren't for his own wedding, he would surely settle scores with him. Xu Mubai acted as if nothing had happened, accompanying Hu Xiaotian to the outer compound.

Hu Xiaotian stopped and said: "Let's part here, cousin."

Xu Mubai said: "I haven't yet had the chance to congratulate you on your marriage."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Thanks to you, cousin, for escorting me all the way through Tianxiang State; I still haven't thanked you."

Xu Mubai's smile looked a bit awkward; he coughed and said: "Cousin, don't blame me; grandmother entrusted me with a task I must carry out, and please believe I bear you no ill will."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You speak so sincerely that I almost believe you, but words aren't proof—how about you give me a gift instead?"

Xu Mubai smiled: "Tell me what gift you want; if I can do it, I'll spare no effort." He seized the opportunity to show goodwill to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Zeng Xiaorou is yours, isn't she? Send her to me; the princess has always regarded her as a sister." Initially Xu Mubai used the suffering ploy to let Zeng Xiaorou infiltrate his own unit; Long Xi Yue pitied her background and cared for her in every way, yet she ultimately still suffered betrayal. What makes Hu Xiaotian unable to let go is that Zhangming Xia developed feelings for Zeng Xiaorou, and to this day the wound remains unhealed. Hu Xiaotian's demand for Zeng Xiaorou is not necessarily to take revenge, but to learn her whereabouts, thereby giving Zhangming Xia a chance to put his heart to rest.

Xu Mubai apologetically said: "Since we parted at Nan Jin Island, I have never seen her again."

Hu Xiaotian knew this fellow wouldn't easily tell the truth; he smiled and nodded: "Cousin ought not to deceive me, otherwise what relatives are left to deal with! What favors remain to discuss?" His words were soft on the surface but firm underneath, hiding a sharp edge.

Xu Mubai clearly knew Hu Xiaotian was threatening him, yet he could only force a smile.

Hu Xiaotian cupped his fists at him, turned and left, silently cursing, "What a cousin!" Old Lady Xu's earlier words had already proved that these people share no blood relation at all,

Now the six lodges have each been taken by their masters: Yongyang Princess Qiqi, Old Lady Xu, the Great King of Black Hu North Lodge Wanyan Liexin, the Eldest Princess of Bohai State, the Empress Dowager of Tianxiang State, and the Eldest Princess of Da Yong, Xue Lingjun, each have one lodge; however Qiqi has not yet come ashore, and Xue Lingjun of Da Yong has not yet arrived, so two lodges remain vacant.

If it weren't for the observation teams from Mangjiao Island and Shajia voluntarily offering to set up camp outside, Hu Xiaotian would indeed find it hard to arrange. He must admit that many guests' arrivals were beyond his expectations. From another angle, this is directly related to his growing influence in the Central Plains.

Riding along White Sand Bay, under the moon the bay resembled a winding snowy plain; cool breezes blew in gusts, bringing the sound of waves lapping the shore. Hu Xiaotian let his horse go at will, galloping across the sand, leaving his escorting guards far behind.

Xiong Tianba gestured for everyone not to follow too closely.

Hu Xiaotian suddenly reined in his horse in the distance, only to see a lone boat beneath the willows ahead, an old man hunched over sitting still in the boat; the waves rose and fell, the willow tips swayed, yet the silhouette of the boat and the old man remained utterly still.

Hu Xiaotian made a gesture signaling everyone to disperse; he went to the shore, dismounted, and from the forlorn figure before him he deduced it must be Xu Lingkong without doubt. Seeing Xu Lingkong appear here aroused no curiosity in him; he lightly leapt onto the small boat, which showed no rocking from his weight. Hu Xiaotian secretly admired him, convinced Xu Lingkong ranks among today's top masters.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Grandfather, I guessed you would come!"

Xu Lingkong didn't turn his head; seeing no movement in his body, the boat had already started, shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow toward the deep waters.

Hu Xiaotian turned around, saw Xiong Tianba and the others rushing to the shore out of worry, and waved his hand to tell them not to worry.

The boat vanished into the night mist, suddenly losing power, drifting on the surface; waves kept striking it, yet it could not move an inch.

Xu Lingkong whispered: "Did you see her?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "I saw her, we chatted casually; no matter what, she is still my grandmother!"

Xu Lingkong slowly turned, his face grave as never before: "Did she come this time just to attend your wedding?"

Hu Xiaotian sat in the boat: "Why don't you go ask her yourself?"

Xu Lingkong shook his head: "I will never see her again! Xiaotian, I came this time only to congratulate you on your wedding; this is my gift to you." He handed an iron ring to Hu Xiaotian, who felt it extremely heavy in hand, yet it looked unremarkable; he wondered what value the iron ring held.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at the iron ring, suddenly recalling that its material should be the same as the iron rice bowl held by Long Xi Yue; knowing the iron rice bowl is one of the two treasures of the Beggars' Sect, he and Long Xi Yue had studied its secret many times—aside from being a bit heavier, they could see nothing special about the bowl; perhaps the iron ring Xu Lingkong gave him is the key to unlocking that secret.

Hu Xiaotian carefully put away the iron ring and softly said: "The day after tomorrow is my wedding; can you attend, Grandfather?" Actually he held no hope that Xu Lingkong would come to his wedding.

Xu Lingkong said: "My feelings have been conveyed; some things are better left undone if possible. Xiaotian, I am both your grandfather and your master; I wish to entrust you with a matter—are you willing to do it for me?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded firmly: "Grandfather, just say it." He still held great respect for Xu Lingkong.

Xu Lingkong said: "Help me look after the Beggars' Sect well!"

Hu Xiaotian heard the implication of departure in his words and readily replied: "Grandfather, rest assured, I will certainly not disappoint you."

Xu Lingkong nodded with relief: "No matter what, she is ultimately your grandmother; even if she has offended you, for the sake of your deceased mother, do not be utterly heartless."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: It seems Xu Lingkong truly has deep feelings for Old Lady Xu, though he doesn't know her secret. Hu Xiaotian said: "This time she came, she also showed much remorse; her health is not good either, it seems her days are numbered."

Xu Lingkong's expression showed slight surprise; in his memory, her coldness and ruthlessness could never be associated with regret.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually, you might as well go see her."

Xu Lingkong chuckled, his gaze turned to the night sky as clouds veiled the moon, his eyes growing dim. He said solemnly: "Let me give you a piece of advice: never believe her words."

Qiqi stood at the prow, wrapped tightly in a black cloak that left only her eyes visible, her back straight; she had maintained this posture in place for half an hour. Quan De'an watched her from afar, not daring to approach, yet worried about the young lady's mood. Although he was a eunuch who had lived most of his life and had seen much of the world, he could not believe that Qiqi felt nothing for Hu Xiaotian. Yet this topic was a sensitive area he dared not touch; anyone bringing it up would provoke Qiqi's anger.

Hong Beimo carried a lantern and walked slowly this way; although there were many warriors on the ship, he still insisted on personally patrolling at night, coming to Quan De'an's side, where they exchanged a glance.

Qiqi then suddenly turned, coldly saying: "Are you surveilling me, Your Highness?"

Quan De'an lowered his head; Hong Beimo laughed: "Your Highness, you misunderstand! We servants have only concern for you, with no other intent."

Qiqi said: "One's heart is hidden behind the belly; even if you had other thoughts, I, the palace, could not see them."

Hong Beimo smiled faintly, feeling no embarrassment, nor choosing to retreat; instead he slowly walked toward Qiqi.

Qiqi's delicate brows furrowed slightly, clearly displeased by his interruption.

Hong Beimo came behind her and whispered: "Today the King of Zhenhai went to Old Lady Xu's place; they talked for nearly two hours."

Qiqi said: "They were originally relatives; relatives meeting, spending a bit more time exchanging pleasantries is also human nature."

Hong Beimo lowered his voice and said: "That other Skull is very likely in the Xu family's hands."

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