Chapter 1898

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After all lines, output ===TITLE=== then translation of chapter title: Chapter 844 【Early Plans】 (Part 1)

Then

Weichi Chong still didn't speak.

Huo Shengnan said: "Defending home and country, these soldiers have shed blood and fought for Da Yong, guarding the borders, while their families suffer hunger and starvation in the rear, and many have already starved or died of illness."

Weichi Chong said in a low voice: "You needn't say more."

Huo Shengnan said: "Father, I'm not saying this to persuade you to change course; a war with no hope of victory offers no chance of winning! How can you bear to keep these brothers who fought bloody battles beside you locked in endless combat, never dying, never resting? Even if you win honor, who will care for their families, who will look after their children?"

Weichi Chong pressed his lips tightly, fell silent for a moment, then said softly: "You should go back." Having spoken, he spurred his horse and whipped it down the slope, charging toward the camp without looking back.

Huo Shengnan watched Weichi Chong's retreating figure, her eyes filled with pity; she seemed to see her foster father's future fate.

Returning to the camp, she took off her armor, Huo Shengnan stretched her waist, but then felt something odd behind her. She suddenly turned around—no one was there. Just as she wondered, she felt a light breath on her neck. Huo Shengnan's heart jumped; with her current martial skill, someone could silently lurk beside her and toy with her—this person must be a top‑tier master of the age. Her hand went to her sword hilt, she drew her blade and twisted her body to strike backward, but before she could pull the sword free, a large hand pressed the drawn blade back into its sheath, while a strong arm embraced her and flung her onto the thick wool rug.

Huo Shengnan was about to cry out when she saw the smiling, sunlit face—clearly Hu Xiaotian, whom she had day‑and‑night longed for. Joy surged to its peak, yet a thousand emotions welled up, and in the end she could not utter a word; two crystal tears slid slowly down her cheeks.

Hu Xiaotian saw Huo Shengnan's appearance, feeling both pity and affection, and said softly: "It's my fault; only after so long did I come to find you."

Huo Shengnan shook her head, reached out and embraced Hu Xiaotian, actively offering her lips. Hu Xiaotian lowered his head, but seeing her eight‑character moustache, he couldn't help laughing. Huo Shengnan, angry, twisted his waist: "You dare laugh at me…" Before she finished, Hu Xiaotian pressed his lips to hers…

Outside the tent the wind was bitter, inside it was spring‑like. Huo Shengnan wrapped herself in a blanket and rose; her eight‑character moustache, now askew from Hu Xiaotian's doing, made her chuckle as she looked at herself in the bronze mirror.

Hu Xiaotian, tidying his clothes, grinned and came behind Huo Shengnan, brushing his lips to her flawless fragrant shoulder: "Long time no see, General Huo—your martial skill is still as sharp as ever."

Huo Shengnan flushed and spat: "Get lost! What a damn prince, totally shameless."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You like this about me, don't you?" He opened his arms and pulled Huo Shengnan into his embrace: "This tent is really secluded—no one within twenty zhang."

Huo Shengnan said: "I only wanted to avoid others seeing through my identity, yet I didn't expect you, this lecherous bold rascal, to find an opening."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "In the whole world, only I dare to find a loophole in General Huo's defenses."

Huo Shengnan twisted his ear behind her back: "Still spouting shameless, vulgar talk—believe it or not, I'll rip your ear off."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I believe it; no matter how you treat me, I still love you as I did at first."

Huo Shengnan felt a soft rush in her heart; this annoying fellow's words always stir her. She realized she had been poisoned by him for life, with no cure. She released his ear and whispered: "How did you suddenly come? Just a few days ago I heard you went to Kangdu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's a long story." He then told Huo Shengnan the full background of his coming to Bei Jiang. After listening, she finally learned of the many twists, and that Hu Xiaotian was about to go to the Black Hu Fan Yin Si to seek the skull. She couldn't help worrying: "What importance does that skull have? Why must it be retrieved? Is it worth risking one's life for two skulls?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not a reckless adventure; this time my going to Fan Yin Si is a decision made after careful thought. Those two skulls concern the future fate of all states—they cannot be lost."

Huo Shengnan said: "I'll go with you."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "Actually, you are needed here more. From what I know, Da Yong's internal power struggle hasn't eased—it's intensified. Although the Bei Jiang front has gone into winter lull, Da Yong's internal strife will only heat up. The Grand Marshal may preserve himself, but being mired in the mud, how can he truly stay unstained?"

Huo Shengnan said: "Foster Father won't return to Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Under heaven, all is storm and turmoil; do you really think staying in Bei Jiang can let you escape this tempest?"

Huo Shengnan sighed: "Foster Father also has unavoidable difficulties; why don't you go persuade him?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm afraid he might not listen."

Huo Shengnan said: "With your three‑inch tongue that never fails, what can't be done?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Grand Marshal is a man of firm resolve; I fear he has already made up his mind, as solid as rock, hard to sway."

Although it was late at night, Weichi Chong's tent still had lights on; he held a map in both hands, but his gaze was fixed on the flickering candle flame, looking quite lost.

Outside came the sentry's report—it was Huo Shengnan arriving. Weichi Chong felt it odd; he hadn't expected this girl to come so late, wondering if it was about the daytime matter.

After receiving permission, Huo Shengnan lifted the tent flap and entered; accompanying her was Hu Xiaotian dressed as a guard.

Weichi Chong looked at Huo Shengnan, puzzled why she'd bring a guard; the guard bowed with fists clasped: "Grand Marshal, I hope you've been well!"

Hearing that familiar voice, Weichi Chong immediately recognized Hu Xiaotian's identity; he gaped, mouth wide open, and exclaimed: "You… you have such gall!"

Huo Shengnan laughed: "He's always been bold as heaven; you two talk, I'll stand guard outside." She turned and left the tent.

Weichi Chong rose from the tiger‑skin chair, clasped his hands in salute: "With your current status, daring to come here alone—truly heroic tiger's courage, boundless ambition—but doing so is somewhat risky; aren't you afraid I might act against you?"

Hu Xiaotian thought: Naturally not afraid—you have your daughter and son‑in‑law in my hands, and I once saved your life; you, Weichi Chong, are a man who distinguishes gratitude from grudges, so you wouldn't stoop to such a thing. He said aloud: "I hadn't planned to see the Grand Marshal; I only wanted to quietly visit Shengnan and leave, but she insisted I come pay respects to my father‑in‑law. By reason and sentiment I should still come, and I believe Father‑in‑law will never do anything to hurt his daughter."

He kept saying "father‑in‑law" on the left and right so affectionately that Weichi Chong's expression softened; he gestured: "Please sit and talk."

Hu Xiaotian sat opposite Weichi Chong, his eyes catching the map on the desk, and he sighed: "Father‑in‑law, even this late you still exhaust yourself for Da Yong's realm—such loyalty and righteousness, I wonder if the court knows?"

Weichi Chong said: "Your words have hidden meaning; for now don't call me father‑in‑law—my Huo Shengnan, you haven't formally married her yet."

That remark made Hu Xiaotian feel a bit embarrassed; indeed he had neglected Shengnan in this regard. After this affair ends, he will surely find a chance to consult Long Xi Yue about giving other beloved confidantes a wedding, even if simple—after all, women care about a ceremony.

Weichi Chong also didn't want Hu Xiaotian embarrassed, smiling: "Just call me Uncle."

Hu Xiaotian gave a dry cough, still thick‑skinned: "Father‑in‑law, rest assured—I will never fail Shengnan, and I will surely give her happiness."

Weichi Chong, helpless, could only accept this thick‑skinned brat's promise of father‑in‑law; seeing Shengnan's happiness, he knew this lad must be her true love, and Hu Xiaotian's ability is beyond doubt. He asked: "Did you come this time just to visit Shengnan?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yes, and I also wanted to check on you, old sir."

Weichi Chong was amused by his frankness: "You are indeed blunt, but I always sense you have another motive."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's just that I fear you'll suspect my motives."

Weichi Chong said: "Then tell me, what exactly is your motive?"

Hu Xiaotian inwardly sighed—Weichi Chong, after all a veteran commander, truly crafty, basically doubting him. He smiled: "Actually, Father‑in‑law, you must have heard something about Dakang's situation; I, Hu Xiaotian, have no other motive this time—just to visit Shengnan, to visit you, and to deliver a family letter from your niece Weichi Qiu Ting on behalf of her." He presented the letter written by Weichi Qiu Ting with both hands.

Weichi Chong inwardly sighed: "He claims no motive, yet he's pulling the family‑sentiment card. Still, I haven't seen my daughter; I can't help missing her." He eagerly took the letter from Hu Xiaotian, apologetically smiling: "I'll read it now—don't blame me for neglecting you."

Hu Xiaotian gave a faint smile, sat quietly aside and drank tea.

Weichi Chong, after reading it, couldn't help letting out a sigh.

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Father‑in‑law, why are you sighing?"

Weichi Chong said: "Both my daughters urge me to return to our native land, yet they don't know the difficulties in my heart."

"Father‑in‑law, what other difficulties do you have?"

Weichi Chong glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said: "You wouldn't know?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "I and Father‑in‑law view problems from different angles; perhaps the difficulties he sees amount to nothing for me!" (To be continued~^~)