Chapter 1742

Xiao Tianmu said: "Dakang's troop buildup on the border is just a show of strength; they haven't recovered their vitality and aren't yet capable of swallowing Xichuan in one bite. Hu Xiaotian took advantage of Xichuan's crisis to seize much territory, and Dakang can do nothing about it—since they can't move against him, they can only choose to temporarily cooperate with him and keep him in check."

Zhou Mo said: "We ultimately still let him down; facing him this time, I don't know how to face him."

Xiao Tianmu said: "He is no longer the naive boy of the past! Over these years, although we haven't met him, we have always kept track of his actions. Hu Xiaotian's achievements today are no accident—how could someone without sufficient breadth and vision stand out in this chaotic world? Elder brother, why must you continually feel guilty about this?"

Zhou Mo sighed and said: "I don't know why, but I still regard him as my brother..." Saying this, he felt overwhelming guilt. Yet he had already realized that the three brothers could never return to the past.

Xiao Tianmu coughed and said: "Feelings are the most extravagant thing in this world; the more you give, the more you lose. Elder brother, don't forget—this whole matter has been the adoptive father's plan from the start."

Zhou Mo said: "If one day we have to fight him to the death, what would you do?"

Xiao Tianmu said: "I will show no mercy, for Hu Xiaotian would do the same!"

Zhou Mo sighed again, and after a long while asked: "Do you know what the adoptive father really wants?" Xiao Tianmu turned toward the window; although he could see nothing, he could hear the wind, the gentle breeze rustling the leaves. This sound gave his repressed heart a hint of lightness, as if he saw clouds drifting in the sky, and his thoughts floated like those clouds, elusive and unfathomable.

Long Xuanjiao coldly stared at Hu Buwei: "What did you say?"

Hu Buwei said: "Cancel the agreement with Hu Xiaotian."

Long Xuanjiao's brows furrowed: "I really can't understand why you hate Hu Xiaotian so much; I'm not giving him grain for free—he buys it at ten percent above market price, so this deal doesn't lose Heavenly Scent Kingdom anything."

Hu Buwei said: "You just want to help Hu Xiaotian get through this crisis!"

Long Xuanjiao nodded: "Since we have allied, we ought to watch over and assist each other."

Hu Buwei chuckled: "A woman's view—you will never understand the principle that raising a tiger invites disaster!"

Long Xuanjiao flared up, slammed the tea table hard, rose abruptly, and snapped: "Even if Hu Xiaotian is a fierce tiger, he's one you raised! At least now I see no threat from him to me."

Hu Buwei said: "If you help him get through this, he will be the one who destroys Heavenly Scent Kingdom later."

Long Xuanjiao coldly stared at Hu Buwei: "Don't you think you're meddling in too many things?"

Hu Buwei said: "I'm not doing this for your sake as mother and son?"

Long Xuanjiao said: "I don't feel that way." She composed herself, sat back down, and whispered: "Don't think you can hide from me what you've done behind the scenes—you've mobilized troops and gathered forces in South Yang Bay; have you ever reported this to me?"

Hu Buwei smiled: "I was just about to tell you about this."

Long Xuanjiao said: "Speak!"

Hu Buwei said: "The purpose of gathering troops is to seize Red Wood River!"

Long Xuanjiao was shocked by his words, glared at Hu Buwei and snapped: "What do you mean? Did I ever say I wanted to take Red Wood River?"

Hu Buwei said: "Shajia invades Southern Yue; the small Southern Yue state is in peril, its destruction by Shajia is only a matter of time. Once Shajia takes Southern Yue, their next target will be Red Wood River. If they control both Southern Yue and Red Wood River, they will form a pincer against Xichuan."

Long Xuanjiao snapped: "What does Xichuan have to do with us?"

Hu Buwei said: "When Li Tianheng was alive, he might not have concerned us, but now that Li Tianheng is dead, Xichuan is leaderless!"

Long Xuanjiao said: "It's not leaderless; it's succession. Don't you realize Li Honghan has already been elected as Xichuan's new leader?"

Hu Buwei smiled: "He's just a puppet; as long as I wish, I can chop off his head anytime!"

Long Xuanjiao was shocked by his words, her phoenix eyes wide open; knowing Hu Buwei, she knew he never boasted lightly—since he said it, he could do it. Looking at the confident, resolute Hu Buwei, she seemed to grasp something and whispered: "Was Li Tianheng's death your doing?"

Hu Buwei did not directly answer her question, but said softly: "Back then I and Li Tianheng made an oath; although I fell into hardship due to court turmoil, I never blamed him. After I escaped, I intended to bring up the alliance again, but who would have thought he would betray trust and abandon righteousness!" A chill killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Long Xuanjiao sneered: "Times change; back then you were merely a fugitive who hijacked a Dakang fleet. As the lord of Xichuan, why would he cooperate with you? Besides me, this foolish woman, who else would give you shelter?"

Hu Buwei said: "Li Tianheng has always been indecisive; he occupies such a fertile Xichuan and even controls the Prince Zhou, yet he doesn't know how to make use of it, letting a golden opportunity slip."

Long Xuanjiao scoffed: "Not everyone in this world has your ambition."

Hu Buwei said: "Everyone has ambition, but not everyone has the courage! In this chaotic age, standing still and hesitating only leads to slaughter. Li Tianheng's subordinate Zhang Ziqian is indeed a capable man; although he respects Zhang Ziqian enough, he always hesitates over his suggestions, which is why Xichuan is in this predicament."

Long Xuanjiao asked: "Did you kill Li Tianheng?"

Hu Buwei smiled: "Have you ever thought that if we brought both Xichuan and Red Wood River into our territory, how the world's pattern would change?"

Long Xuanjiao coldly said: "I don't have the energy to accompany you in madness; I will absolutely not allow an advance on Red Wood River."

Hu Buwei sighed: "Isn't it a bit late for you to say this now?"

Long Xuanjiao haughtily stared at Hu Buwei: "Don't forget who is the empress dowager of Heavenly Scent Kingdom, and don't forget that Long Yue is the emperor of Heavenly Scent Kingdom!"

Hu Buwei said: "Don't you realize that everything I've done is for Long Yue?"

Long Xuanjiao gazed at Hu Buwei, as if seeing him anew, and slowly shook her head: "Are you deceiving me? Or are you even deceiving yourself? From the start you've only been thinking of yourself; I now finally understand why Hu Xiaotian broke with you—you are the most cold-hearted, ruthless person in this world. There's no trace of feeling in your words; you care only for your own profit."

Hu Buwei's smile froze on his face.

Long Xuanjiao said: "Don't even think about moving a single soldier of Heavenly Scent Kingdom as long as I still draw breath."

Hu Buwei said: "Why do you still not know how to stay in your place and obey the rules?"

Long Xuanjiao glared at Hu Buwei: "Impudent! As soon as I give an order, you and all your followers must get out of Heavenly Scent Kingdom! I will now have someone take over South Yang Bay; you are forbidden to meddle in any political affairs!"

Hu Buwei slowly lowered his head, then suddenly raised his hand and slapped Long Xuanjiao hard across the face; the slap rang out loudly, Long Xuanjiao caught off guard, lost her balance and fell to the ground; she could scarcely believe what had happened, gazing at Hu Buwei's ferocious face, she shouted: "You're courting death!"

Hu Buwei seized her throat with such force that Long Xuanjiao could barely breathe,

Long Xuanjiao felt a surge of panic; for the first time she sensed death so close, she wanted to cry out but could make no sound, thinking she was surely doomed, when Hu Buwei loosened his grip.

Long Xuanjiao clutched her neck, coughing violently; as soon as she recovered a little, she screamed: "Someone come!"

Hu Buwei looked at her full of mockery.

Long Xuanjiao called repeatedly, yet not a single palace servant dared to enter.

Hu Buwei said: "You are testing my patience; Long Yue ascended the throne not because you have any extraordinary talent, but because of me. Without my protection, you mother and son would never see tomorrow's sun! I can control Xichuan, and likewise I can control Heavenly Scent Kingdom; you had better obey me, or I will let you watch your son die before your eyes!"

Long Xuanjiao involuntarily shivered, she bit her lip hard: "Hu Buwei, don't forget—he is also your son..."

Hu Buwei sneered: "Would an ambitious, self‑serving person care about his son's life? I can sacrifice Hu Xiaotian without hesitation, and I would have no qualms about doing it again!"

Long Xuanjiao felt a heavy blow to her heart; she felt her breathing grow difficult. Hu Buwei is certainly not just threatening—he is capable of anything.

Hu Buwei reached out; Long Xuanjiao instinctively stepped back, but this time he did not strike her—his large hand landed on her shoulder, and he said softly: "Many in the palace are my confidants; whatever you plan, you cannot hide it from my eyes, so you had better obey me, or I will become angry."

Long Xuanjiao glumly said: "You might as well just kill me!"

Hu Buwei said: "You have done so many things that let me down; I really ought to kill you, but I still cherish old feelings—today's affair had best not be let known to Su Yujin, or I will not forgive you." His smile was warm and affectionate, yet in Long Xuanjiao's eyes this face was indescribably ferocious and terrifying.

Long Xuanjiao gathered her courage and said: "Do you think I would fear you?"

Hu Buwei said: "You're not afraid, but you fear Long Yue will come to harm; in this life you'll never be a good wife, nor a good lover, but you will always be a good mother." He raised his hand and gently stroked Long Xuanjiao's face, swollen from his slap; she twisted her face away in disgust.

Hu Buwei said softly: "Rest assured as your empress dowager; you need not think too much about other matters." (To be continued~^~)