Chapter 262

Shi Xuedong showed great interest in Hu Xiaotian's romantic history; he had once given Hu Xiaotian an erotic painting, a spring palace painting, and a large bottle of Three-Penis Pills. I don't know how many places Hu Xiaotian has visited on his way to Xichuan. Although Shi Xuedong's original intention in giving those things was extremely malicious, hoping that this bastard would go astray, exhaust himself to death, or contract a venereal disease, now the two have long since let bygones be bygones with a smile, becoming grasshoppers on the same rope, brothers who share weal and woe. Shi Xuedong has asked more than once: "Brother, tell me, how many young ladies have you been with?" Hu Xiaotian simply ignored him.

Shi Xuedong has in his bones the particular obstinacy of a spoiled young master; he sometimes changes the topic of that sentence to singing girls, dancing girls, courtesans, respectable women, mature women, widows—in short, he will list everything he can think of, and the topic never leaves women. Hu Xiaotian's reaction is to be indifferent, and Shi Xuedong is used to talking to himself. But gradually, as his internal male hormone levels drop, he becomes somewhat bland; although he still talks about women, he has obviously lost his former vigor. He begins to lose interest in women, and his voice grows increasingly thin and high-pitched. Unbeknownst to them, they have been inside the palace for a month already; autumn has arrived, and the eunuchs in the cattle and sheep quarters have acquired an extra task: every day before dawn they must rise to sweep the fallen leaves in the courtyard. Hu Xiaotian, as usual, does not need to get up early, for the overseer eunuchs never rise that early, so he need not worry about being reprimanded.

When the sun rose, Xiao Zhuo had already prepared Hu Xiaotian's washing supplies, adjusted the water temperature, then came to the easternmost side of the communal bunk, where a seven-foot-wide space had been specially cleared as Hu Xiaotian's private sleeping area. The greater one's ability, the larger the territory one occupies. After shouting "Tian ge!" three times, Hu Xiaotian lazily got up, washed up clean. Xiao Zhuo accompanied him with a smiling face and whispered softly: "Tian ge, just now Dong ge beat Lin Bingqing again."

Lin Bingqing is that pockmarked eunuch. Ever since Hu Xiaotian knocked him senseless with a brick, his status among the eunuchs has plummeted. Shi Xuedong bears a grudge because this fellow whipped him with a belt when he first entered the palace; whenever he gets a chance, he rains heavy punches on Lin Bingqing. Beating Lin Bingqing is no longer anything novel. With Hu Xiaotian backing Shi Xuedong up, this fellow's arrogance grows day by day. Hu Xiaotian has also warned him that, as newcomers, they need to keep a low profile, after all they are the sons of condemned officials. But later they discovered that most of these eunuchs are bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong, so fighting evil with evil is not a bad tactic. Hu Xiaotian grunted. Having tidied his clothes, he came to the cattle and sheep quarters; the routine hauling work was nearly finished. Shi Xuedong was on site directing; seeing Hu Xiaotian come out, he hurried forward, grinning and saying: "Brother, you're up?" The reality of sharing the same boat made Shi Xuedong's feelings for this younger brother grow day by day; of course, this is not just friendship, but mixed with more of a desire to curry favor. Shi Xuedong has seen how formidable this brother is and wants to establish himself in the palace. To live well, he needs a powerful backer, and currently Hu Xiaotian is his only realistic option.

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Shi Xuedong leaned close to his ear and whispered softly: "I've just saved a few pieces of the best beef; later I'll have them prepare it. Let's have a good meal together, the two of us."

Hu Xiaotian saw Lin Bingqing carrying a fat sheep past them; this fellow had one eye bruised and purple, obviously just beaten. As Lin Bingqing passed, he glared at the two with resentment. Shi Xuedong shouted angrily: "What are you looking at? Believe it or not, I'll gouge your eyes out!"

Lin Bingqing lowered his head, enduring the insult in silence, and walked past. Shi Xuedong watched his retreating back and cursed: "Despicable wretch, really can't go a day without a beating."…

Hu Xiaotian said: "Killing someone is nothing more than a nod to the ground; we've been here a month, and you've beaten him at least twenty times—even a cornered dog will jump over a wall."

"If he dares to jump, I'll break his dog legs." Shi Xuedong's words were full of vigor.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian show no reaction, he immediately added: "Brother, you got up late today; just now I saw a palace maid. Her face and figure—absolutely stunning—made my heart burn with desire."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Everything's gone; do you still have that longing?"

Shi Xuedong sighed, his face solemn: "All I have left is this longing; it's the last shred of dignity we men have."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Shi Xuedong: "We're squatting to pee now—what's the point of talking about useless things?" As soon as this crucial point was mentioned, Shi Xuedong wilted instantly; what manly dignity? It's just self-deception—without his essential manhood, he's not even worthy of being called a man.

At that moment, the splendidly dressed Zhang Fuquan slowly entered the courtyard of the cattle and sheep quarters. Shi Xuedong quickly gave Hu Xiaotian a look, then hurried to the mule cart to help move things. Hu Xiaotian was not in a hurry; he walked slowly toward the cart.

Zhang Fuquan shouted: "Little whiskers, stop!"

Hu Xiaotian felt annoyed; being called "Little Whiskers" as a eunuch is really odd—glancing around the inner palace, he's the only eunuch who can grow a beard. Still, he pays close attention to this detail, secretly shaving his face every day; because he is careful, he has so far shown no sign of it.

Hu Xiaotian greeted him with a beaming smile: "Greetings, Elder Zhang!"

Zhang Fuquan grunted, narrowed his eyes to size up Hu Xiaotian, and said: "Come with me!"

Hu Xiaotian followed Zhang Fuquan out of the cattle and sheep quarters and entered a small room east of the Imperial Kitchen. Upon entering, he saw Quan De'an sitting there drinking tea; he was the only person in the room. Zhang Fuquan led Hu Xiaotian in, then greeted Quan De'an respectfully and withdrew. This, from another angle, confirms that he is Quan De'an's trusted aide, which is why Hu Xiaotian was brought to the Bureau of Imperial Cuisine on his first day in the palace, thereby avoiding the verification of his true identity.

After Zhang Fuquan left, Quan De'an said calmly: "Please have a seat."

Hu Xiaotian remained standing opposite him and said: "I dare not sit before Eunuch Quan."

Quan De'an did not insist; he lifted his teacup with his right hand, sipped tea slowly, and asked: "Have you been getting used to the past month?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Nothing but some heavy manual labor; it's been tiring, but at least it strengthens the muscles and bones."

"Are you blaming the Miscellaneous School for assigning you a hard job?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I dare not; I'm just speaking the truth—I would never dare to deceive Eunuch Quan."

Quan De'an nodded: "The palace is huge; one must gradually adapt. Some palace servants spend their entire lives in a single courtyard and may never get a chance to leave until they die of old age."

Hu Xiaotian knew that what Quan De'an said was true, and he said quietly: "Eunuch Quan, have you come this time to take me away?" In his view, Quan De'an surely had an important task to entrust to him; the reason nothing has been hinted at so far is simply that the timing is not yet ripe.

Quan De'an said: "How is your kung fu training coming along?"

Mentioning this, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed; although he has practiced the Yin-Yang Contraction technique for a long time, he has made no progress at all and cannot achieve the free control that Quan De'an spoke of. However, because he has stayed in the palace for over a month without anyone coming to verify his true identity, his urge to cultivate this skill has waned; in such a huge palace with tens of thousands of eunuchs, who would notice him?

Quan De'an saw his expression and already understood that Hu Xiaotian must have made no progress; he shook his head with some disappointment and said: "Your aptitude in this regard is truly lacking."…

Hu Xiaotian said: "Why don't you teach me some other skills, Eunuch Quan?"

Quan De'an said: "Although the Miscellaneous School previously transmitted ten years' worth of martial power to you, you have the power but don't know how to use it, so I still need to pass on a method of regulating breath and circulating qi, enabling you to make that power your own; otherwise, that power will sooner or later be like a wild horse that has broken its reins, lacking control, and could easily go berserk."

Upon hearing the four words "go berserk," Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; Quan De'an really wasn't so kind—this old fellow forcing martial arts into his body is likely more harmful than beneficial. In other words, if he doesn't listen to Quan De'an's instructions and act accordingly, then once he goes berserk, the old man will surely stand by and watch. Thinking of this, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Quan De'an said with a sinister tone: "You should understand the stakes; memorize the formula for regulating qi, and diligently practice thereafter. If all goes well, you will achieve minor accomplishment in three months."

Hu Xiaotian listened obediently as Quan De'an taught him the formula; Quan De'an patiently instructed him for an hour, and before departing, he said to Hu Xiaotian: "The Miscellaneous School will seldom come to the palace from now on; if anything else comes up, we'll meet outside the palace."

Hu Xiaotian blinked; "Meet outside the palace?" The palace interior is heavily guarded, with layer upon layer of checkpoints—how could the outside be so easy to leave?

Quan De'an said: "The Miscellaneous School has already made arrangements for you; before long, you will be transferred to the Bureau of Gardens, responsible for purchasing vegetables and fruits outside the palace—once you're out, it will be easy."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian's heart leapt with joy; since entering the palace, he has felt like he's been locked up in a prison. Although he has been getting along well in the cattle and sheep quarters, his freedom is restricted, and he has no chance to go out. If he could be put in charge of purchasing vegetables and fruits outside, it would mean he could stride freely out of the palace and have a chance to escape the capital.

Quan De'an said: "You'd better not think of running away; without my help, the foreign true qi inside you will soon lose control. Once you can't suppress this alien true qi, you will go berserk, your meridians will be completely severed and you will die. The Miscellaneous School is not threatening you; although the world is vast, there is no place for you to hide. I could save your Hu family, and I could just as easily plunge them back into the abyss of eternal ruin. Even if you get the chance to leave the palace, without my orders you must never take the initiative to contact anyone."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; he knew Quan De'an was certainly not speaking empty threats. This old eunuch, having painstakingly arranged all these things, was certainly not targeting him personally, but laying out a grand scheme—the next move is a major game.