Chapter 551

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and whispered: "I won't leave; since I promised you, I'll definitely get you out."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian shook his head and sent a mental transmission: "I will never leave; since I promised you, I will definitely bring you away."

We need to keep the quotes? Probably yes. Use natural English.

Long Xi Yue's eyes widened; Hu Xiaotian's words sounded loud to her, and she feared outsiders might hear, anxiously pointing outside. Hu Xiaotian covered her lips and said, "Don't worry—I just learned a voice‑transmission skill. What I say now only you can hear; no one outside can make it out."

Translation: Long Xi Yue's beautiful eyes widened; to her, Hu Xiaotian's words sounded quite loud, and she feared outsiders might hear, so she anxiously pointed outside. Hu Xiaotian covered her lips and said: "Don't be afraid; I just learned a voice-transmission technique, so now only you can hear what I say, and no one outside can hear it clearly."

Long Xi Yue nodded, a look of joy appearing in her eyes.

Translation: Long Xi Yue nodded, a look of joy appearing in her beautiful eyes.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've laid out a meticulous plan that will ensure success—just follow my instructions and we'll get out of this predicament unharmed."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I have already arranged a meticulous plan that will be foolproof; you need not worry, as long as you follow my arrangements, we can escape the predicament safely."

Long Xi Yue looked half‑believing, half‑doubting. Once inside Da Yong, her guards would only tighten, making escape even harder—and if she left Dayang, what would become of her? Though her imperial brother is ruthless, this marriage isn't just her personal matter; fleeing could bring disaster upon Dayang's people. She whispered, "Heaven's will is hard to defy; why do you still not grasp this?"

Translation: Long Xi Yue's expression was half-believing, half-doubting. After entering Da Yong, the protection around her would only become stricter; trying to flee would be even more difficult. Moreover, if she left, what would become of Dakang? Although her imperial brother is heartless, this marriage is not merely her personal affair; if she were to run away, it might bring an undeserved disaster upon Dakang's people. She whispered: "Heaven's will is hard to defy; why do you still not understand this?"

Hu Xiaotian locked eyes with her and whispered, "I only have one question: if I offered you a chance to stay with me for life, would you be willing to give up your princess title?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian stared into her beautiful eyes and whispered: "I only ask you: if I gave you a chance to stay with me for life, would you be willing to give up your princess status?"

Long Xi Yue didn't hesitate—she nodded firmly.

Translation: Long Xi Yue didn't even consider it; she nodded firmly.

Hu Xiaotian pressed his lips together, then burst into a sunny smile—her words made even braving blades and flames seem worthwhile.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian pressed his lips, then broke into a bright, sunny smile; for her words, even braving knives and fire would be worth it.

Long Xi Yue asked, "Why haven't I seen Zijuan?"

Translation: Long Xi Yue asked: "Why haven't I seen Zi Juan?"

Hu Xiaotian didn't conceal anything, telling her about Zijuan's suspicious actions and urging Long Xi Yue to stay alert. Long Xi Yue was skeptical—Zijuan had been by her side since childhood, one of her most trusted confidantes, and had even volunteered to accompany her to Da Yong for the marriage. How could she betray herself? Seeing her doubt, Hu Xiaotian whispered, "Better safe than sorry."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian didn't hide it from her, telling her of Zi Juan's suspicious behavior and urging Long Xi Yue to be more careful. Long Xi Yue, however, doubted this deeply—Zi Juan had been by her side since childhood, one of her most trusted confidants, and had even volunteered to accompany her to Da Yong for the marriage. How could she betray herself? Seeing her disbelief, Hu Xiaotian whispered: "In any case, being extra cautious is never a bad thing."

That night Hu Xiaotian had expected Sumitian to cause trouble, but the night passed uneventfully. The next morning Long Xi Yue's condition had improved markedly, so the group decided to press on, and the journey to Qinglong Bay proceeded without any further incidents.

Translation: That night Hu Xiaotian had expected Xu Mi Tian to come harass him, but instead nothing happened all night. The next morning, Long Xi Yue's condition had improved considerably, so everyone decided to continue on their way, and on the road to Qinglong Bay they encountered no further trouble.

Qinglong Bay is a small harbor in northern Dayang, under Wuxing County's Cangmu County. Once merely an ordinary dock handling river‑crossing merchants and travelers on the Yong River, it gained strategic importance as Da Yong's forces pressed southward, Dayang weakened, and the river became a de facto border. Skirmishes between the two states persisted. To bolster its northern defenses, Dayang expanded its navy, and Wuxing County emerged as the north's premier military stronghold.

Translation: Qinglong Bay is a small harbor in the north of Dakang, belonging to Cangmu County of Wuxing Commandery. Originally just an ordinary dock, it mainly handled transporting merchants and travelers across the Yong River. Later, Da Yong's forces gradually encroached southward, expanding their territory while Dakang waned, eventually forming a standoff with the river as the border, each side governing its own bank. Consequently, the strategic importance of this small harbor naturally came to the fore. Hostilities large and small continued between the two states. To consolidate the northern defenses, Dakang these years actively developed its naval forces, and Wuxing Commandery thus rose to become the foremost military stronghold in the north.

In recent years Dayang has been plagued by constant natural disasters, its economy sinking into depression. Repeated floods along the Yong River have left the people destitute and fields fallow; even the garrison troops on the northern frontier have gone months without pay. The recent uprising in Wuxing County boils down to the populace's struggle to survive—food is paramount. If even the basic need to fill one's stomach goes unmet, public sentiment will inevitably turn.

Translation: However, in recent years Dakang has suffered constant natural disasters, its economy mired in a quagmire. The Yong River basin, plagued by repeated floods, has left the people unable to make a living, fields lying fallow. Even the troops stationed on the northern frontier have gone months without pay. The recent unrest in Wuxing Commandery ultimately stems from the people's struggle for livelihood, for food is heaven. If even the most basic need of filling one's stomach cannot be guaranteed, popular sentiment will inevitably shift.

As their party reached Cangmu County seat at dusk, with the sun about to set, long shadows stretched behind each person, casting a desolate, heavy mood. Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes to the northwest, and the town's outline came into clear view.

Translation: When their party arrived at Cangmu County seat, it was dusk, the sun about to set. It stretched every person's shadow long, and this light and shadow cast a feeling of desolate heaviness in the heart. Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes toward the northwest; the outline of Cangmu County seat came clearly into view.

The county town is small, its walls far from imposing. Facing the deep, wide Yong River moat, there's little need to bolster the defenses, yet the walls are badly deteriorated—mottled patches of green moss, brown earth, and dark‑gray brick, with dark‑red stains that are the blood of soldiers who once fought to defend the city.

Translation: The county seat is small, its walls not as towering and broad as one might imagine. Facing the deep, wide moat of the Yong River, there is indeed no need to lavish effort on the walls, yet they are overly dilapidated. The exterior walls show a mottled mix of green, brown, and dark gray—green from moss, brown from earth, dark gray from bricks. Up close one can still see dark red stains on the walls, the blood left by soldiers who once defended the city, fighting to the death for home and country.

The town is aged, its guards listless—a mood echoed throughout Dayang, where the whole nation feels like this dim twilight, heavy with impending night.

Translation: The city is antiquated, and its guards appear listless; in fact, this same expression can be seen elsewhere in Dakang, the whole nation now like this twilight, gloomy and dark, night approaching.

The local officials offered no grand welcome—indeed, nobody came out to meet them. The gate guards stared at the sizable contingent, their eyes bewildered and vacant. This small county seat hadn't seen such a procession in ages. Coming from the south, they clearly weren't enemies; Da Yong's troops couldn't easily cross the Yong River; the well‑equipped, brightly bannered force couldn't be local soldiers or rebels—there was only one explanation left.

Translation: The local officials did not put on a grand welcome, not even sending anyone out to greet them. The gatekeepers, seeing this sizable procession, looked on with bewildered, numb, vacant stares. This small county seat had not seen such a spectacle in a long time. Those coming from the south were not enemies; Da Yong's troops could not easily cross the Yong River. This force, with its neat equipment and bright banners, should not be local troops, nor could it be rebels—there remained only one possibility.

Word was sent quickly, yet the gate stayed shut and the drawbridge remained up. Even Wen Boyuan wondered—had the commandant not heard that Princess Anping was to embark here?

Translation: Soon someone went to report, yet the gate remained closed and the drawbridge raised. Even Wen Boyuan felt a bit puzzled: could it be that the garrison commander here had not heard that Princess Anping was to embark from here?

Less than half a li from the gate, the drawbridge creaked down and the doors flung open. A troop surged out, led by a dark, thin youth in faded brown leather armor, his shoulder cloak washed bare, gripping a heavy mountain‑axe; his scrawny, long‑haired black horse labored along, out of breath. Behind him trailed twenty‑plus men—elderly, weak, or wounded soldiers—already panting after crossing the gate and bridge.

Translation: When they were less than half a li from the gate, the drawbridge finally lowered slowly and the gate swung open. From within rushed a troop, led by a dark, thin youth wearing worn brown leather armor, his shoulder cloak long faded by washing, gripping an opening-mountain axe in his hand. His black steed was also lanky and long-haired, running with little vigor. Behind him followed twenty-odd men, all elderly, weak, or injured soldiers, already out of breath from running from the gate across the bridge.

Wen Boyuan frowned, thinking, "When did Dayang's northern troops become such a sorry bunch? Calling them misshapen melons and cracked dates isn't an exaggeration."

Translation: Wen Boyuan frowned at the sight, thinking: when did Dakang's northern troops become such a sorry lot? Saying they are misshapen melons and cracked dates is no exaggeration.

The dark, thin youth hoisted his pitch‑black mountain‑axe—apparently forged from fine steel and weighing at least fifty catties—yet he lifted it with ease and shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?"

Translation: The dark, thin youth raised his axe; the pitch-black opening-mountain axe looked forged of fine steel, weighing at least fifty catties, yet he lifted it as if effortless. He shouted loudly: "Who goes there!"

Wen Boyuan glanced at Zhan Peng beside him—a petty county commander who saw no need to speak with the opponent. Seeing Wen Boyuan's expression, Hu Xiaotian smirked inwardly; the man thought highly of himself, still believing he was superior to others.

Translation: Wen Boyuan gave a glance to Zhan Peng beside him, a petty county commander, whom he deemed unworthy of speaking to. Seeing Wen Boyuan's expression, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but chuckle inwardly; this fellow thinks himself superior, still believing he is nobler than others.

Zhan Peng spurred his horse forward and proclaimed, "We carry the emperor's order to escort Princess Anping to Yongdu for her wedding—surely you've heard of us passing through here?"

Translation: Zhan Peng spurred his horse forward and declared loudly: "We act under the present Emperor's edict, escorting Princess Anping to Yongdu for her marriage. Passing through here, have you not heard of it?"

The dark, thin youth blinked and stammered, "What? A… princess?"

Translation: The dark, thin youth blinked his eyes: "What? A... princess?"

Zhan Peng nodded.

Translation: Zhan Peng nodded.

The dark, thin youth asked, "Where is the imperial edict? How can I know you're not tricking me?"

Translation: The dark, thin youth added: "Where is the imperial edict? How can I know you're not deceiving me?"

Zhan Peng snapped, "You bold rascal—Princess Anping herself is here, and you dare be disrespectful? Aren't you afraid the emperor will punish you?"

Translation: Zhan Peng snapped: "Bold madman, Princess Anping graces us with her presence, yet you dare be rude—do you not fear the Emperor's punishment?"

The dark, thin youth replied, "You need some proof—no one told me the princess was coming. If I just let you in and Lord Xiong gets punished, I'd be the one to suffer."

Translation: The dark, thin youth replied: "But you need some token; no one notified me that the princess would come here. If I simply let you in, and Lord Xiong were to punish me, wouldn't I be left unable to even wrap myself up?"

Wen Boyuan, seeing even a low‑rank officer dare to block their way, flared with anger and snapped, "Zhan Peng, no need to waste words—if he dares again to block the princess's entry, kill him on the spot."

Translation: Seeing even a low-ranking officer dare block their path, Wen Boyuan's anger flared: "Zhan Peng, no need to waste words—if he dares again to obstruct the princess's entry into the city, kill him on sight!"

Hearing the words "kill without mercy," the dark, thin youth's eyes widened; he lifted his axe at Wen Boyuan and shouted, "Hey, what did you say? Kill me? I'm not afraid of you! Come, let's fight three hundred rounds—see who falls first."

Translation: Hearing the words "kill without mercy," the dark, thin youth's eyes widened; he raised his axe and pointed it at Wen Boyuan, saying: "Hey, what did you say? Kill me? As if I'd fear you! Come, let's fight three hundred rounds and see who dies first."

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing at this.

Wen Boyuan, hearing Hu Xiaotian laugh, redirected his fury at him, thinking grimly, "Hu Xiaotian, I'll never let you return alive to Dayang."

Translation: Wen Boyuan, hearing Hu Xiaotian laugh, redirected all his fury toward him, inwardly vowing: Hu Xiaotian, I will never let you return alive to Dakang.

The dark, thin youth, drawn by Hu Xiaotian's laughter, looked at him and asked, "Hey, who are you laughing at?"

Translation: The dark, thin youth, drawn by Hu Xiaotian's laughter, looked at him and said: "Hey, who are you laughing at?"

Hu Xiaotian nudged his mount forward; the dark youth was drawn to the sight of Xiao Hui's long ears and couldn't help laughing, "You're quite the character—why are you riding a donkey?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian urged his mount forward slowly; the dark youth was captivated by the appearance of Xiao Hui, seeing its two long ears, and couldn't help laughing: "You're quite interesting—why are you riding a mule?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Young man, we have the imperial decree, but only your Cangmu County guards can read it—is Lord Liang here?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Young brother, we have the imperial edict, but only the garrison of Cangmu County may view it. Is Lord Liang present?"

The dark, thin youth asked, "How do you know our lord's surname is Xiong?" He's really dense—just a moment ago he himself said it, now he's forgotten it completely.

Translation: The dark, thin youth replied: "How do you know our lord's surname is Xiong?" This kid is also quite dense—just now he himself said it, yet now he's forgotten it completely.

Hu Xiaotian replied, "I not only know your lord's surname is Xiong—I'm also good friends with him."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I not only know your lord's surname is Xiong, I am also his good friend."

The dark, thin youth exclaimed, "Really? But I never heard my father mention it."

Translation: The dark, thin youth exclaimed in surprise: "Really? But I never heard my father mention it."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You also bear the surname Xiong, correct?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "You also bear the surname Xiong, right?"

The dark, thin youth nodded, rubbed the back of his head, and asked, "How do you know?"

Translation: The dark, thin youth nodded, scratched the back of his head, and asked: "How do you know?"

Those behind Hu Xiaotian struggled not to laugh—this kid was clearly a simpleton, the commandant's son, utterly clueless, having given away all the information himself and now growing confused.

Translation: The people behind Hu Xiaotian struggled not to laugh, realizing this youth was a fool—turns out he is the garrison commander's son, truly clueless, having given his own name to others, and now he's feeling muddled.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Of course I know—I also know you're the son of the commandant, Lord Xiong."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Of course I know; I also know you are the son of Garrison Lord Xiong."

The dark, thin youth slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "Wow, you really know my father! Are you a fortune‑teller?"

Translation: The dark, thin youth slapped his own forehead: "Goodness, you really know my father! Are you a fortune-teller?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled silently; the kid clearly had a few screws loose.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled without speaking; this youth's mind really has a problem.

Wen Boyuan coldly said, "Lord Hu, why waste words on a fool? Seize him!"

Translation: Wen Boyuan said coldly: "Lord Hu, why waste words on a fool? Seize him!"

Yet the dark, thin youth, spurred by Wen Boyuan's remark, suddenly reacted: "Uh… wait—you only know what I told you; you're bluffing me!" Though a beat slow, he eventually caught on.

Translation: The dark, thin youth, however, reacted to Wen Boyuan's words: "Uh… wrong, it seems everything you know is what I told you—you're bluffing me!" Though slow on the uptake, he finally realized it.

Hu Xiaotian had meant to coax the youth, but Wen Boyuan's interruption snapped the dark youth back to awareness, prompting Hu Xiaotian to silently curse Wen Boyuan for meddling. Then Sumitian's voice rang in his ears: "He's Xiong Tianba, nicknamed "Xiong Child," son of Cangmu County magistrate Xiong Anmin—blessed with immense strength but lacking a bit of sense."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian had originally intended to pacify the youth, but Wen Boyuan's interruption caused the dark youth to snap back to awareness, and Hu Xiaotian silently cursed Wen Boyuan for meddling. Just then, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear: Xu Mi Tian said: "He is Xiong Tianba, nicknamed Xiong Hai Zi, son of County Magistrate Xiong Anmin of Cangmu County, endowed with immense strength but lacking a bit of sense."

Hu Xiaotian felt a secret delight and shouted, "Why would I deceive you? You, this "Xiong child," dare be rude to your elders—wait till your father returns and I'll make him give you a good thrashing."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian felt secretly pleased and shouted: "What do I gain by deceiving you? You, this Xiong Hai Zi, dare be rude to your elders—wait till your father returns and I won't let him give you a sound thrashing."

The dark youth froze, astonished, "You actually know my nickname?"

Translation: The dark youth stared, astonished: "You actually know my nickname?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Not just your nickname—your given name Tianba, did I give it to you?" He said it with utter seriousness.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Not only your nickname—your given name Tianba was also given by me." Hu Xiaotian said this with utter seriousness.

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