Chapter 535

Xu Mitian said: "It's not me, Hu Xiaotian—I never imagined you would use public office for private gain, outwardly escorting the princess to Da Yong for marriage, but secretly carrying on with her. If this gets out, I fear your life won't be safe."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What nonsense are you spouting? I'm open and aboveboard, with a clear conscience; in this life, aside from you, I've never done that kind of thing with any other woman."

Xu Mitian's pretty face flushed; although Hu Xiaotian's words were rather coarse, hearing them made her feel very comfortable inside. She whispered lowly: "Come clean—what exactly are you scheming?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Do you think everyone is like you? What I'm most concerned about right now is how to get out of this Peak Forest Gorge smoothly and without trouble; I haven't even thought about anything else."

Xu Mitian said: "Why don't you ask me for help? Anyway, I still owe you two favors."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You're in such a hurry to repay debts? Your eagerness makes me suspect your motives—could today's series of events not be your doing?"

"Kindness met with a donkey's liver and lungs—you don't appreciate it, and I'm too lazy to serve you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Doesn't it feel awful to have a hot face pressed against a cold butt? If you have nothing else, I'm busy." Xu Mitian saw him say he was leaving and could only call out: "I'll come find you tonight."

Hu Xiaotian was both laughing and crying; Xu Mitian's demands were endless. It seemed she had found pleasure in this, even becoming tireless. Ever since they broke that layer of window paper in Lujia Village, they'd been almost nightly nonstop. He had thought they could take a night off today, but unexpectedly she made another request—really treating him like a human juicer.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm afraid it wouldn't be convenient—there are so many people guarding around the camp; any slight movement would surely be noticed."

Xu Mitian said: "Have you seen that earthen platform over there?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Xu Mitian said: "Just have someone pitch the camp over there, and I'll come find you myself tonight."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Whatever you like!" He inwardly sighed, Xu Mitian was really a wanton woman; although he didn't resist such things, thinking of being used as a practice tool made that bit of pleasure vanish entirely, leaving him feeling dejected. Conquering the flesh was merely a lowly act; conquering the heart was lofty enough to satisfy a man's vanity and fulfillment. Perhaps that's why he and Long Xi Yue, when together Tan tianshuodi||? (maybe term), feel more pleasure than the raw physicality with Xu Mitian. From this he concluded he was still rather noble, still pursuing a spiritual realm. Though unwilling in his heart, Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to follow Xu Mitian's instructions; yet he remained curious—tonight so many people were gathered here. He didn't know how Xu Mitian could sneak into his tent without being detected, and this left him with a faint anticipation; thinking about it, he felt quite conflicted.

Hu Xiaotian, thinking as he walked with his head down, nearly bumped into Zhou Mo walking toward him. Only when he was face to face did he realize, and he hurriedly stopped.

Zhou Mo laughed: "Sir Hu, what are you thinking about?"

Hu Xiaotian glanced around, then laughed: "Nothing much—just wondering how to get out of Peak Forest Gorge."

Zhou Mo said: "I just discussed with Zhan Peng that to leave Peak Forest Gorge we must first eradicate these bandits lurking underground."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I think the same. Only by eliminating these bandits can we leave calmly. Moreover, the two lost wagons of dowry need to be recovered."

Zhou Mo said: "But the Muddy Water Gang's bandits are extremely cunning; they know the terrain inside out, and Peak Forest Gorge is riddled with underground caves—forcing them out is no easy task."…

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not completely without a solution—find the entrance, light a fire and fill it with smoke. I just don't believe we can't smoke them out."

Zhou Mo said: "Using smoke is a good idea, but these caves are labyrinthine; how would we know that the place we smoke connects to the caves where they hide?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Anyway, we're not in a rush to leave; we'll surely think of a way."

Night fell early in Peak Forest Gorge. Because they had suffered an ambush during the day, casualties were heavy, and everyone's hearts were shrouded in gloom. The warriors Wen Boyuan had sent to scout the road also returned safely before dark; they had not encountered any obstruction from the Muddy Water Gang, which naturally meant they found no trace of the bandits.

Wu Jingshan, as the chief marriage envoy of this bridal procession, had to do certain things; after comforting the wounded soldiers, he summoned Hu Xiaotian and Wen Boyuan to his tent to discuss strategy. Since leaving Kangdu, he has consistently played the role of mediator, and facts prove he hasn't been useless in this expedition—he still has some presence. If he hadn't come, Hu Xiaotian and Wen Boyuan would likely have already fallen into irreconcilable conflict.

Wu Jingshan, after all, is the current dynasty's Minister of Rites, a genuine third-rank official. Relying on his seniority, these youngsters ought to give him some face. Wu Jingshan gazed at the two young men before him, sighed, and said: "General Wen, Sir Hu, I've summoned you two here not just for small talk—I have a few words to say to you both. I wonder if you'd be willing to grant this old man a little face?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Sir Wu, your virtue is high and your prestige great; you win people over with morality, and I privately hold you in great respect."

Wen Boyuan said: "Uncle Wu, please speak." He seemed to have also put away some of his arrogance,

Wu Jingshan said: "Having been favored by the Emperor, who appointed me to oversee this marriage mission, I am already in my twilight years, old and frail, willing but lacking strength. I had wanted to resign to the Emperor, but he said, for this mission there is General Wen on the martial side and Sir Hu on the civil side, so I need not personally handle everything. The reason he let me serve as this marriage envoy is simply because I am older and more experienced, able to offer you two some advice at critical moments. This is not a lack of trust in you two—you are both from distinguished families, outstanding figures of the younger generation."

Wen Boyuan, upon hearing this, deliberately glanced at Hu Xiaotian with a sneer, clearly despising him, secretly scoffing—how could the son of a condemned minister claim to be from a noble lineage? As a eunuch, he's even less worthy of being called outstanding. Old Wu lumping himself together with Hu Xiaotian is nothing short of an insult to him.

Wu Jingshan said: "From Kangdu all the way here, I've clearly seen your hard work and sacrifice. Over these days, brother after brother has fallen dead or wounded; you feel awful, and I feel the same. But we must not let these events throw us into disarray, nor should we view each other as enemies—know that the more chaos within, the more opportunity the enemy has. In this predicament, only unity can see us safely through; don't you agree?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I follow Sir Wu's lead—Zajia has always been about judging matters, not people; public is public, private is private."

Wen Boyuan said: "Sir Wu is overthinking; I have always placed the princess's safety first—how could I let other things weigh on my mind?"

Wu Jingshan sighed inwardly, thinking the discord between the two was probably irreconcilable; he nodded and said: "Hearing you two say this puts my mind at ease. Since we've chosen this path and come this far, there's no turning back—I wonder what lofty ideas you two have? How can we swiftly get out of this Peak Forest Gorge?"

Wen Boyuan said: "Sir Wu, rest assured—the scouts I sent out to check the road have already returned; they've found the route out of Peak Forest Gorge, and we can set off early tomorrow morning."…

Wu Jingshan, hearing this, was overjoyed: "That's excellent!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Finding the road is easy, but leaving may not be—if the Muddy Water Gang's bandits set an ambush along the way, reenacting today's attack on us, does General Wen have confidence to handle it?"

Wen Boyuan said: "The mere Hunshui Gang is nothing but a rabble; if they dare to attack again, we will surely slaughter them all, leaving none."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said: "Anyone can talk, but putting things into practice is not that easy; if it were really as simple as General Wen said, today wouldn't have resulted in such heavy casualties."

Wen Boyuan's face flushed hot, his hatred for Hu Xiaotian deepened to the bone; given a suitable opportunity, he would not let this scoundrel live another day. However, he also understood that Hu Xiaotian was crafty and clever; dealing with him might not be so easy. He then suppressed his anger and said: "So you, Lord Hu, have a better idea."

Wu Jing Shan gazed at Hu Xiaotian, his eyes full of anticipation, hoping Hu Xiaotian could propose a better plan.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I haven't yet thought of a good solution, but after today's events, morale has been greatly affected and the princess also suffered a considerable fright. Rather than blindly marching outward, it's better to first steady our position, so that the wounded brothers can get temporary adjustment and rest."

Wen Boyuan said: "Lord Hu, don't forget that Fenglin Valley is the Hunshui Gang's lair; letting the princess stay here one more day adds an extra degree of danger."

Wu Jing Shan nodded; he didn't want to stay in Fenglin Valley even a moment longer, and on this point he agreed with Wen Boyuan's decision.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I certainly remember that Fenglin Valley is the Hunshui Gang's lair, and I also remember that it was General Wen who insisted on choosing this route."

Wen Boyuan said: "Lord Hu, are you blaming me by saying that?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Not at all, not at all; General Wen is wise and martial, decisive in battle, making the jianghu rats tremble at the wind. However, the Zajia feels that after suffering such a great setback in Fenglin Valley, there's no reason not to regain our face; moreover, two bridal carriages' dowry have gone missing. If we just leave like this, it would be hard to explain. Those who know might think we put the princess's safety first, while those who don't will think we are as timid as mice, scared by the Hunshui Gang's rabble into losing bladder and bowels, fleeing with heads between legs."

Wen Boyuan's face turned ashen, yet he could not find a reason to refute Hu Xiaotian.

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