Chapter 522

Hu Xiaotian returned like a victorious hero, amid the crowd's cheers, and came before Princess Anping, kneeling on one knee and saying: "Your subordinate has worried the Princess again, truly deserving of ten thousand deaths!"

Princess Anping looked at him, seeing he said nothing, merely sighed and turned back to her tent.

Hu Xiaotian also didn't expect Princess Anping's reaction; his mind turned and he understood the reason: earlier in Tianbo City, because of the embroidered ball incident, the Princess had worried for him, and this time the matter grew larger, it seemed Princess Anping hadn't slept all night, only worrying for him, and for a moment he felt a little moved.

Wen Boyuan coldly stared at Hu Xiaotian; seeing this rascal return safely, he felt no relief, instead feeling some annoyance—why wasn't this bastard killed? Turn him into a desiccated corpse, an ice block, anything, just don't let him come back alive.

Wu Jing Shan said: "Lord Hu, it's good you're back; quickly rise and speak."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "What gives you, this old thing, the right to tell me to rise? I kneel for the Princess, not for you." He stood, flicked his sleeves to brush dust from his knees, and smiled sheepishly: "Ashamed, ashamed, again causing everyone to worry for me."

Wen Boyuan asked: "Lord Hu, what exactly happened? What did you do all night?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "This story is long, uh, I'm both thirsty and hungry now, gentlemen, I'll excuse myself for a moment to get something to eat; we can talk later."

At that moment, Zi Juan walked over and softly said: "Lord Hu, the Princess summons you to her tent for questioning."

Hu Xiaotian happened to have an excuse to slip away, arriving at Princess Anping's tent, only to find Long Xi Yue had already prepared snacks and hot porridge.

Zi Juan brought in a basin of hot water and smiled at him.

Hu Xiaotian felt Zi Juan seemed to have sensed the affection between him and the Princess, but she hadn't exposed it; as the Princess's personal maid, she didn't fear her gossiping, and besides, she didn't know his true identity.

"Wash your face," the Princess said softly.

Hu Xiaotian answered, went to the bronze basin, washed his face well, then took the cotton towel Zi Juan offered and dried his visage.

Zi Juan carried the bronze basin out.

Princess Anping asked: "You haven't eaten yet?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm starving!" Without waiting for Long Xi Yue's greeting, he went to the small table, sat down, and began eating heartily.

Seeing him wolf down his food, Long Xi Yue's lips curled with a knowing smile, and she whispered: "I really am a bit afraid, worried you might not return."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I've told you many times, my life is tough."

Long Xi Yue nodded: "What happened?"

Hu Xiaotian, fearing she'd worry, laughed and said: "To be honest. I'm still muddled, dragged confusedly into an underground cell, then a black-clad masked person appeared before me; I thought I was done for, but suddenly recalled I still had Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needles in my hand. So I aimed and fired at her, hitting her in one shot..." He paused here; he had indeed hit her, but not with the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle. Not only did he hit her, he fired five times, then felt his throat dry. He lifted the hot porridge and gulped it down, having lost much fluid, needing timely replenishment.

Long Xi Yue asked: "Is that person dead?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He escaped! I pursued him, but the underground passages were labyrinthine; I hadn't gone far before losing my way. Still, although I didn't catch that mysterious person, I found Tang Qingxuan, which wasn't a wasted trip."

Long Xi Yue exclaimed: "I almost forgot; I'll go visit Qingxuan later."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing her say that, felt his heart grow sweeter; indeed, in Long Xi Yue's heart he was most important, even causing her to forget the sworn sister she had just befriended.

Hu Xiaotian, having eaten and drunk his fill, returned to outside the tent, where Zhan Peng waited; seeing Hu Xiaotian emerge, Zhan Peng greeted him with a long blade—this was the black-gold sword Hu Xiaotian had lost when he fell into the underground cell, which Zhan Peng and his men had found while digging and returned to him.

Hu Xiaotian took the sword in hand, drew half the blade from its sheath, then slipped it back, and said lowly: "Did Wen Boyuan send you to watch me?"

Zhan Peng said nothing, but the corner of his mouth twitched into a smile.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then guard the Princess well."

Hu Xiaotian walked to the side of the tent, where Zhou Mo was preparing the cart and horses; he leaned against the cart and smiled at Zhou Mo.

Zhou Mo checked the cart's pole, straightened up, and sent a mental whisper: "All right?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, lay on the cart, and whispered: "It's Xu Mi Tian's doing."

Hearing the name Xu Mi Tian, Zhou Mo's expression involuntarily tightened. Though Xu Mi Tian cannot be called the world's top expert, his reputation as the number one poison master still carries great deterrence; no matter how high one's martial skill, in a fair contest Zhou Mo wouldn't fear, but facing a poison expert is another matter. However, since Hu Xiaotian returned safely, it proves he has found a solution.

Hu Xiaotian said: "No need to worry; she and I have reached an agreement, for now she won't harm us." Speaking of this, Hu Xiaotian felt a bit embarrassed; if Zhou Mo asked what exactly they had agreed upon, he couldn't answer, lest he admit trading his beauty for peace. Fortunately Zhou Mo didn't press, and Hu Xiaotian certainly wouldn't volunteer the details.

At this moment, Wu Jing Shan again sent someone to find Hu Xiaotian, to discuss continuing the journey; since last night's successive tragedies, most people regarded Lu Jia Village as an ill-omened place and no one wished to stay.

Originally Princess Anping didn't want to leave because she hadn't found Hu Xiaotian; now Hu Xiaotian and Tang Qingxuan have both returned safely, so there's no reason to stay. Hu Xiaotian had no objection and agreed to break camp immediately.

After enduring a night of intense battle, Hu Xiaotian also felt somewhat fatigued; he chose to ride in the cart, entered the carriage, immediately sat cross-legged to regulate his breath, silently cultivating the Formless Divine Skill, drawing internal energy from his Dantian Qi Sea, which flowed incessantly through his meridians. He had thought his internal strength might diminish, but after practicing, he found his inner force not only hadn't weakened in the slightest, but had grown considerably stronger than before—could it be that his encounter with Xu Mi Tian, rather than harming him, was actually beneficial? Recalling last night's events, Hu Xiaotian's feeling was unpleasant; beneath Xu Mi Tian's flower-like beauty lay a sinister, vicious soul.

Five times! I didn't even move a finger, completely abused; I can't think further, it just brings tears. Speaking of which, I'm also useless—why did I have to cooperate with her? It's absolutely not because I, Hu Xiaotian, am lustful, but because Xu Mi Tian's virility drug is simply too potent.

Hu Xiaotian drew a long breath, slowly opened his eyes; the carriage interior was dark, yet he could clearly see every detail around him. He moved his arms, feeling his body refilled with strength. He lifted the carriage curtain; outside, the snow-light was blinding, and he instinctively narrowed his eyes, after a while growing accustomed to the glare.

Zhan Peng rode alongside his carriage, bowed and said: "Lord Hu, any orders?"

Hu Xiaotian asked: "What time is it?"

"It's the Wei hour!"

Hu Xiaotian asked: "How far have we left Lu Jia Village?"

Zhan Peng replied: "About fifty li."

Hu Xiaotian had Zhan Peng bring his horse, left the carriage, climbed onto Xiao Hui's back, and Xiao Hui let out a cheerful neigh and galloped lightly.

Hu Xiaotian quickly reached the front of the procession, seeing Wen Boyuan and Wu Jing Shan there; after leaving Lu Jia Village, the scenery along the way was fine. Though Wu Jing Shan was old, he was still an old literary youth who loved wind, flowers, snow, moon, and calligraphy; faced with this scene, his refined interest flared, he abandoned the carriage for horseback to admire the beautiful views along the road.

Upon seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, Wu Jing Shan couldn't help but laugh: "Lord Hu, you're awake!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Last night I was too tired, so I rested a bit."

Wu Jing Shan said: "Lord Hu, you were frightened!"

Hu Xiaotian stared blankly for a moment, then came to his senses—this alarm was not about essence, just his overthinking. He hehe laughed: "I've been inseminated, indeed I have."

If Wu Jing Shan knew his wording, he'd likely be shocked enough to fall from his horse, and would surely curse this eunuch for having no shame.

Wen Boyuan gloomily asked: "Lord Hu, what happened underground last night?"

Hu Xiaotian yawned lazily: "No matter what happened, I don't want to pursue it further; just coming back safe and sound is enough."

Wen Boyuan frowned: "What do you mean by that?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even before entering Da Yong's territory we've already suffered two ambushes; as for the Black Pine Forest incident, everyone knows what it was about, and I'd say this time is likely nine out of ten the same as before."

Wen Boyuan snapped: "You're talking nonsense!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Wen, your remark is off; you haven't even caught the culprit, so how do you know I'm talking nonsense? And how do you know these two incidents aren't the work of the same group? Have you already uncovered the truth?"

"You..." Wen Boyuan glared at Hu Xiaotian, unable to contain his anger; the Black Pine Forest ambush had indeed been his own scheme, intending to eliminate Hu Xiaotian, this thorn in his side, as soon as possible, but he hadn't expected Hu Xiaotian to thwart his plan, and even backfire, causing Wen Boyuan to lose troops and generals. For the upcoming stretch, it's not that he doesn't want to strike at Hu Xiaotian, but he hasn't found a suitable opportunity; moreover, last night's events in Lu Jia Village had nothing to do with him, and not only that, he pointlessly lost six subordinates, and in the end never even saw the assassin's face.

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "You really have no sense of humor at all, taking everything seriously; traveling with you is truly boring, helpless, and tedious!" (To be continued~^~)