Chapter 568

Although Hu Xiaotian had never mentioned any concrete plan to him, Zhou Mo could also realize that this brother of his would certainly not stand by and let his beloved be given away to another as a wife. However, Long Xi Yue was no ordinary person; as a princess of Dakang, if she were to flee, it would surely cause a great uproar. Hu Xiaotian's parents were still in the capital, and if he and Long Xi Yue were to run away together, how could the Dakang Emperor possibly spare his parents? Zhou Mo truly could not imagine any perfect solution, but Hu Xiaotian was always resourceful and clever; perhaps he already had a plan in mind, and Zhou Mo had considerable confidence in his sworn brother.

Hu Xiaotian, however, did not return immediately to see Princess Anping; he had Xiong Tianba come to deliver news, but on the way he was summoned by Wu Jing Shan, who said there were important matters to discuss.

Wu Jing Shan was also very pleased to see Hu Xiaotian return safely. Although he had had a few disagreements with Hu Xiaotian in Dakang earlier, after all they were minor matters. Along the way, without Hu Xiaotian, it would be hard to say they could have arrived here smoothly. The journey was only halfway; although they had agreed upon entering Da Yong that Da Yong's army would take charge of security, after all it was a foreign land, and they still did not know what changes might occur ahead. Wen Boyuan was proud and arrogant; although his reputation was widespread, when faced with a real test his character flaws were exposed. Through several successive incidents, Wu Jing Shan had come to see him ever more clearly. Upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian had been seized by Li Chang'an, Wu Jing Shan also slept poorly that night; the future was uncertain, and if something happened to Hu Xiaotian, who would then shield him from wind and rain? Seeing Hu Xiaotian enter, Wu Jing Shan joyfully went up to him, took hold of his wrist, and said: "Ah, Sir Hu, you've finally returned! I said you'd be fine— a virtuous person enjoys heavenly favor. Indeed, a virtuous person enjoys heavenly favor!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Sorry, sorry! I've caused Sir Wu extra worry; it's truly embarrassing that I've had everyone running around looking for me all night."

Wu Jing Shan pulled him to sit and said: "Sir Hu, we've shared wind and rain together, and soon we'll share the same boat; among our own there's no need for polite words. Wu Kui! Bring the tea!" After saying that, he suddenly remembered something: "Sir Hu, have you eaten yet?"

Hu Xiaotian was starving. He then shook his head.

Wu Jing Shan then ordered that Hu Xiaotian be given food right away; for this trip he had even brought a cook from home for convenience, and soon a steaming bowl of plain noodle soup was brought up. Hu Xiaotian didn't stand on ceremony, took the large bowl and wolfed down the noodles. This night had taken a lot out of him; thinking of the hundreds of millions of seeds he had sent to Xu Mitian, in the end he still couldn't escape having his vitality destroyed by her internal energy— all his hard work last night had been for nothing. He felt a bit regretful.

Wu Jing Shan saw Hu Xiaotian's manner of eating, then looked at his attire, and guessed that Hu Xiaotian must have endured great hardship this night; yet he never imagined that, although Hu Xiaotian had suffered, in fact he was indulging in sensual pleasures, enjoying himself immensely. After finishing the plain noodle soup, he lifted his Chazan, took a comfortable sip of fragrant tea. Hu Xiaotian now felt much more at ease, smiling narrowly and said: "These noodles are really delicious."

Wu Jing Shan laughed and said: "Sir Hu, you must have suffered greatly last night, right?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Hard. Hard!"

"Tired or not?"

"Tired, but I feel great!" Hu Xiaotian's answer was off the question; at this moment his mind was still wandering, and having a bed buddy like Xu Mitian in life was quite enjoyable— knowing there are tigers in the mountain, he still goes toward the tiger's lair, for the old man plays just for the thrill.

Wu Jing Shan said: "Sir Hu, how did you manage to escape?"

Hu Xiaotian had already thought of Yingdui de ce. He sighed and said: "Sir Wu, to be frank, tonight I truly died and was reborn, narrowly escaped death, nine deaths and one life!"

Wu Jing Shan showed a face full of sympathy.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I was suddenly attacked in the City God Temple. That so-called Feather Demon is the very one we encountered in Peak Forest Gorge, the one whom Wen Boyuan treated with great courtesy."

Wu Jing Shan heard Wen Boyuan's name and his heart skipped a beat; could this matter also be related to Wen Boyuan?

Hu Xiaotian said: "I originally thought he was looking for me to have me hand over something related to Xu Mitian, and I was preparing to explain to him that I didn't even know what Xu Mitian was, but before I could utter a word he attacked me; I was momentarily off guard and he sealed my pressure points, then dragged me onto that large white bird."

"Snow Eagle!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Right, Snow Eagle! He abducted me onto the Snow Eagle, and just then Wen Boyuan appeared— guess what he did?"

Wu Jing Shan said: "What did he do?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "This bastard actually led the charge in shooting arrows at me; on the surface it seemed he was saving me, but in fact he was setting me up!"

Wu Jing Shan exclaimed in astonishment: "How could he possibly do that? Perhaps he was anxious to save someone and his aim wasn't necessarily on you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir Wu, don't speak for him. At that time the Snow Eagle rose to a height of over ten zhang; even if he hadn't intended to shoot me, just think— if he had brought down the Snow Eagle, I would have fallen from that height, wouldn't I have been smashed to pieces? This bastard is simply using the opportunity to torment me to death."

Wu Jing Shan said: "Sir Hu, please calm down; I will certainly get to the bottom of this matter."

Hu Xiaotian said: "There's nothing to ask; you just asked how I escaped. The Feather Demon Li Chang'an possesses formidable martial arts; with my skills I could not possibly break free of his control. I originally thought I was surely doomed this time, but I never expected even Li Chang'an to find it intolerable. Wen Boyuan's order to shoot arrows was fundamentally intended to kill me, even at the cost of taking him down as well. Li Chang'an thus grew angry; he set me down in the Blue Gauze Marsh and told me that his reason for coming to seize me was Wen Boyuan's instruction."

Wu Jing Shan was half-believing, half-doubting; although Wen Boyuan was on bad terms with Hu Xiaotian, colluding with foreign enemies so openly to do away with Hu Xiaotian— that took considerable gall.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What comes next is even more chilling."

Wu Jing Shan said: "What matter?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Last night I was about to leave the Blue Gauze Marsh when I saw the firelight and thought someone had come to rescue me, so I shouted for help; I never imagined they would actually use fire arrows to ignite the Blue Gauze Marsh, intending to burn me alive in the reed beds."

Wu Jing Shan drew a sharp breath of cold air; he had also heard about the fire in the Blue Gauze Marsh last night, but the details were unclear. Now hearing Hu Xiaotian's account, he finally understood the whole story. If it were indeed all orchestrated by Wen Boyuan behind the scenes, this fellow's heart would be even more cruel and vicious. Wu Jing Shan said: "But he has no reason to do such a thing."

Hu Xiaotian sneered: "I too initially thought he had no motive, Sir Wu, do you still remember what happened in the Black Pine Forest?"

Wu Jing Shan nodded.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Emperor commissioned the three of us to escort the princess to Da Yong for her marriage; you are in charge of overall coordination, I handle internal affairs attending to the princess's food, drink, and lodging, while Wen Boyuan is responsible for safety along the route. Sir, have you considered that along this journey you've had no trouble, I've made no mistakes, and all the problems have fallen on whose shoulders?"

Wu Jing Shan's face grew solemn; even if Hu Xiaotian did not state the answer, he knew it was Wen Boyuan.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir, think carefully: when we were ambushed in the Black Pine Forest, the princess was unharmed, and someone wanted to get rid of me. I claimed that Zhao Zhihe wanted to offend Tang Qingxuan, but that was merely an excuse; the real reason was that this scoundrel had colluded with the bandits of the Black Pine Forest. After I saw through it, he resisted desperately, and I accidentally killed him. In Lu Family Village, when we encountered danger, it was again Wen Boyuan who wanted to abandon me. In Peak Forest Gorge, our losses were heavy, yet if one paid a little attention it would be clear that the casualties mostly fell upon the cart drivers and porters responsible for the convoy. I painstakingly recovered the dowry and found a way out, yet this vile wretch, the moment he escaped, immediately smeared me and accused me of colluding with the bandits of the Hunshui Gang."

Wu Jing Shan did not speak, but now he also felt that something was not quite right.

Hu Xiaotian said: "He thinks the Tang brothers are my men, so he took the opportunity to let them leave the unit, thereby weakening my strength and boosting his own prestige. Sir Wu, do you still not see through this person's true colors?"

Wu Jing Shan sighed and said: "I have heard that the Wen family has always blamed the accident involving the Talented Person on you."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said: "Sir Wu thinks that everything Wen Boyuan has done is merely to take revenge on me, but that's mistaken."

Wu Jing Shan furrowed his brows, lowered his voice, and said: "Could there be some other hidden motive?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir Wu, do you know whether Wen Boyuan has long lusted after the princess's beauty and harbored improper designs on her?"

Wu Jing Shan drew a sharp breath of cold air, glanced around, and fortunately the attendants were discreet and not nearby. He lowered his voice and said: "Sir Hu, some things must not be spoken rashly."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir Wu, do you really think he's only seeking revenge for his adoptive sister? Would he restrain himself after doing away with me?" He shook his head and said: "Wen Boyuan is narrow-minded, holds grudges, and since he failed to kill me this time, he will surely devise other vicious schemes."

Wu Jing Shan said: "Sir Hu, although many things have happened along the way, we cannot definitively conclude that it was all Wen Boyuan's doing; in any case, I promise you that I will pay close attention to his movements from now on, and if he dares to act against you, I will certainly not stand idly by."

Hu Xiaotian secretly sneered; Wu Jing Shan was ultimately just a fence-sitter, not daring to offend the Wen family. However, Hu Xiaotian was not trying to force him to take a stand, nor did he want him to firmly side with him. Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir Wu, Xiao Tian is merely offering a friendly reminder; he could treat me this way today, and perhaps tomorrow he'll treat you the same. I see this person harbors ill intentions, and I would never entrust the princess's safety to him." He finally got to the point in his speech.

Wu Jing Shan was at a loss and said: "But the Emperor personally appointed him to guard the princess's safety along the route; how could we get the Emperor to withdraw his order?"

If the Monthly Ticket Ranking can break into the top four today, I'll bring you three more updates tonight!

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