Chapter 500

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang brother, can you let me see your hand?"

Yang Lingqi hesitated a moment after hearing his request, then still passed over his right hand. Hu Xiaotian supported his right hand and examined it; Yang Lingqi's right hand resembled a bird's claw, unable to fully straighten. From the knife scar on the back of his hand, it can be inferred that he had blocked a blow with his right hand at the time; the cut was deep, severing the tendons of his middle and index fingers. After the injury he did not receive timely treatment, thus leaving him disabled. If surgery could be performed followed by postoperative functional rehabilitation training, I believe the function of his right hand should improve.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang brother, your right hand should still have a chance to recover."

Yang Lingqi's eyes lit up at his words, but then immediately dimmed again. He had once been extraordinarily talented, peerless in calligraphy and painting; he cherished these hands to the utmost. He had lost his left hand, and his right hand had become disabled; at the time he was in agony, even contemplating ending his own life. Yet thinking of his parents' unresolved grievance, even death would bring no face to meet them; it was precisely the desire for vengeance that kept him alive. Yang Lingqi had also sought medical help before, but all doctors were helpless with this hand; he had long resigned himself to fate. Hearing Hu Xiaotian say this, he took it as mere self‑comfort, shaking his head and saying: "There's no chance left; the injury is too old, and whether or not he received timely treatment—at least I can still write and paint."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang brother, I'm not just saying empty words to comfort you; you should have heard of the reputation of Xuantian Guan." Actually he had originally wanted to say he would help heal Yang Lingqi's hand, but saying that outright Yang Lingqi would surely not believe him, so he brought out the signboard of Xuantian Guan, at least to spark hope in Yang Lingqi.

As expected, when Yang Lingqi heard the three words "Xuantian Guan" his spirit visibly shook, but then his expression darkened again; he laughed and shook his head, saying: "The threshold of Xuantian Guan is extremely high. Those they treat are either rich or noble—how could they bother to treat me? In fact I have long since resigned myself to fate; if this is my destiny, why force it?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang brother, don't you want to avenge your parents? Can you really bear to let their grievance sink into oblivion, never to be cleared?"

Yang Lingqi exclaimed excitedly: "How could I not want to? I, Yang Lingqi, have clung to life until now solely for the purpose of avenging my parents; I will personally kill that traitor Xu Qinglian to comfort my parents' spirits in heaven."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang brother, I am willing to help you!"

Yang Lingqi quietly gazed at Hu Xiaotian, his look rational and calm; after a while he said: "We are mere strangers meeting by chance. Why would you help me?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I like to meddle in others' affairs, to draw my sword when I see injustice—is that reason sufficient enough?"

Yang Lingqi said: "Young Master Hu, what do you want me to do for you?" After saying that he sighed again: "Actually I really can't do anything for you now; this hand of mine can't even hold a brush."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I said your hand still has a chance to recover; if Yang brother thinks I have some ulterior motive, then once your right hand heals in the future, I want to be able to ask you for a painting at any time, and you may not refuse."

Yang Lingqi nodded and said: "That sounds fair enough." Actually he understood in his heart that Hu Xiaotian had given him a great favor; people were worried his self‑esteem was too strong, unwilling to accept help, so he said it that way.

Hu Xiaotian said: "This trip to Da Yong there and back may take several months; when I return, Yang brother, you should accompany me to the capital. I will take responsibility for healing your injury."

Yang Lingqi nodded, wanting to speak but holding back.

Hu Xiaotian sensed something, smiled and said: "Yang brother, if you have something to say, go ahead and speak plainly."

Yang Lingqi said: "Young Master Hu, have you made a sufficient assessment of the risks involved in this journey to Da Yong?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've already considered it; the Li clan of Xichuan surely does not want Dakang and Da Yong to ally by marriage. Eight or nine out of ten they will cause trouble along the way." Actually this matter had basically been confirmed for him after he saw Xi Yan the previous night.

Yang Lingqi said: "Since Young Master Hu treats me as a friend, I will voice some of the thoughts in my heart."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm all ears."

The two drank a cup together, then Yang Lingqi said: "Marriage alliances are merely superficial; from ancient times to the present, the true substance of every such alliance has been political purpose. Before Li Tianheng declared independence, Dakang had intended to ally by marriage with Shajia to stabilize the southwest border and thereby resist Da Yong's growing pressure. Later, because Li Tianheng declared independence, the plan was abandoned; Li Tianheng likewise could not avoid the custom, betrothing his eldest daughter Mo Chou to the twelfth prince of Shajia, Hegge. In this situation Dakang, to avoid being surrounded on all sides, chose to ally by marriage with Da Yong—a helpless move."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; he was well aware of this. When he had escorted Hegge to Xizhou earlier, he had even sworn brotherhood with that Shajia prince.

Yang Lingqi said: "Actually, over these years the world situation has already changed; even without turmoil in Xichuan, the strengths of Dakang and Da Yong have reversed, and now Da Yong's national power exceeds Dakang's by a considerable margin. This marriage alliance was proposed by Dakang, and Da Yong agreed, but at that time Da Yong was facing an invasion from the northern Black Hu state, and just a few days earlier the two states had begun negotiations at Shenyan City."

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; he had not expected Yang Lingqi to understand the current situation so well.

Yang Lingqi said: "In my view, the Black Hu and Da Yong will certainly form an alliance; if that happens, Young Master Hu, do you think Emperor Xue Shengkang of Da Yong will still value this marriage alliance?"

Hu Xiaotian sucked in a breath of cold air; if everything develops as Yang Lingqi said, this marriage alliance would likely appear insignificant in the eyes of the Da Yong emperor.

Yang Lingqi said: "Emperor Xue Shengkang is ambitious; his greatest ambition in life is to lead troops southward to unify the Central Plains. I have heard that he once swore before the ancestral tablets in Da Yong's imperial temple that, in his lifetime, he would destroy Dakang. Recently I have heard that several of Da Yong's princes are openly and covertly contending for the succession, and there are rumors that Emperor Xue Shengkang suffers from a strange illness, which is why he is eager to designate a crown prince. Among them, the most favored are the eldest prince Xue Chuandao and the seventh prince Xue Chuanming."

Yang Lingqi said: "Princess Anping marrying Prince Xue Chuanming would undoubtedly add luster to him; I think Prince Xue Chuandao may not be willing to let this proceed smoothly at this time." He sighed: "Young Master Hu, this journey of yours is likely fraught with great danger."

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed; Yang Lingqi, based solely on his grasp of the situation, had already inferred the current state of Da Yong and its internal contradictions, and from that also deduced the difficulty of his own journey; this man is absolutely a rare talent.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Yang brother, how do you view the present situation?"

Yang Lingqi said: "When the mountain rain is about to come, the wind fills the tower; the present calm is only temporary, once the balance is broken it will surely bring great chaos to the world,"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Princess Anping encounters mishap along the way, how then should I face the emperor?"

Yang Lingqi said: "If Princess Anping meets misfortune in Dakang, Hu Xiaotian will surely die; if it happens in Da Yong, if Hu Xiaotian manages to leave Da Yong alive and return to Dakang, he might perhaps escape disaster."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Hearing you say that, Da Yong is indeed a land of tigers and wolves."

Yang Lingqi said: "In Da Yong, literature has Li Xuanfei, martial arts has Weichi Chong; these two are talents capable of governing the state and bringing peace to the nation. After Li Xuanfei's death, his grandson Li Chenghou is versed in both literature and martial arts; it is said his talent has already surpassed that of his grandfather, and he enjoys the deep favor of Da Yong Emperor Xue Shengkang. When you go to Da Yong, Young Master Hu, you should pay attention to these two individuals."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; a thought suddenly arose in his mind: Yang Lingqi is exceptionally wise and unusually alert; if he could obtain his assistance, this trip to Da Yong would surely be twice as effective with half the effort. After pondering a moment, he finally decided to make the request: "Yang brother, I have a favor to ask; would you be willing to accompany me to Da Yong?"

Yang Lingqi said: "Unwilling!"

Hu Xiaotian did not expect him to refuse so bluntly; he couldn't help but laugh helplessly.

Yang Lingqi said: "It's not that I am unwilling to accompany you, Young Master, on this adventure; rather, I am willing but lack the ability. However, I can offer you an idea to ensure your journey remains safe."

Hu Xiaotian said solemnly: "Yang brother, please instruct me."

Yang Lingqi said: "Knowing there are tigers in the mountain, why go straight toward the tiger's lair? Young Master Hu can choose to turn back. Feigning illness is not a bad plan; withdrawing early can keep you clear of trouble."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but wryly smile; it's not that he doesn't want to withdraw, but he cannot. Setting aside the task Ji Feihua entrusted to him, simply his promise to Long Xi Yue means he must rescue this lovely and pitiful princess no matter what. Hu Xiaotian frankly said: "I cannot withdraw; I must accompany the princess all the way to Yongdu."

Yang Lingqi said: "Discarding the retreat route, Young Master Hu, your journey will certainly bear other heavy responsibilities."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Not bad!"

Yang Lingqi fixed his gaze on Hu Xiaotian's eyes, as if trying to see into his heart; after a moment he whispered: "For public or for private?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; Yang Lingqi's ability to pose such a question proves he has perceived some hints from him, further showing his cleverness. Hu Xiaotian's expression remained calm and breezy: "For the public—how? For the private—how?"

Yang Lingqi bluntly said: "For the public it is utterly foolish; for the private it is also to sacrifice one's life without hesitation."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "According to your view, my journey is nine deaths to one life?"

Yang Lingqi said: "Although I, Lingqi, do not know what private matters you have in going to Da Yong, I have one piece of advice: at all times, avoid letting emotions dictate your actions; life outweighs heaven, and at moments of life and death you must remember that nothing is more important than your own life."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Thank you, Yang brother, for your advice."

Yang Lingqi finished the cup before him, rose, and clasped his hands toward Hu Xiaotian, saying: "Today's talk ends here; if Young Master Hu can return safely, I will set out a modest feast here to welcome and cleanse you." (To be continued~^~)