Chapter 687

Xiao Tianmu said: "Those who wanted to kill Lin Bautao were not only the Black Hu people but also the then emperor of Da Yong. After Lin Bautao mysteriously disappeared, some said he perished together with a Black Hu master, others said he hid in the mountains, forsaking the martial world, until one night a year after his disappearance, someone sneaked into the Da Yong imperial palace and with one sword cut half of the emperor's study away—what a terrifying spectacle."

Zhou Mo said: "Could it be that the Sword Demon Dongfang Wuwo came to seek revenge for his disciple?"

Xiao Tianmu said: "Many say that, but no one saw what that person looked like. Shortly after that night, the Da Yong emperor rebuilt the Sword Palace, recalled the dispersed disciples, and cast a bronze statue of Lin Bautao inside the Sword Palace, honoring him as Sword God, with the posthumous title Guardian of the State Grand Master."

Zhou Mo lowered his head to look at that Slay-Heaven Sword, then said softly: "I never expected this sword to end up in Third Brother's hands."

Hu Xiaotian said: "In that case, this sword is still quite a trouble."

Xiao Tianmu nodded and said: "This sword must never be easily exposed; if the Sword Palace people find out, they will surely come to demand it back. Returning it wouldn't be a big deal, but fear they won't let up and will keep pestering you about the sword's origin, leading to endless trouble."

Hu Xiaotian pressed his lips, he already had enough matters and didn't want more trouble. He said to Xiao Tianmu: "Please, Second Brother, help me keep this sword."

Xiao Tianmu smiled: "Then I'll keep it for you first, and return it when you go back to Dakang." Baofeng Hall currently does the water-land trade between Da Yong and Dakang, with several ships of goods each month; transporting a sword is indeed simplicity itself.

Xiao Tianmu said: "The purple python you encountered last night is very likely the Violet Lightning Giant Python; I too once thought such a creature existed only in legend."

Hu Xiaotian was extremely curious about the giant python and immediately sought details.

Xiao Tianmu said: "I once heard my teacher say that the Violet Lightning Giant Python hides in Beiwu Mountain. This creature is highly spiritual, can live up to five hundred years, ferocious and domineering, bloodthirsty by nature, yet proud and never eats carrion. Its sense of smell is extremely keen, able to distinguish thousands of medicinal herbs; where the Violet Lightning Giant Python is found, there often grows the Wind-Cloud Fruit."

"Wind-Cloud Fruit?"

Xiao Tianmu whispered: "Gold-scaled fish are not pond creatures; once they meet wind and cloud they become dragons! Legend says that after the Violet Lightning Giant Python swallows the Wind-Cloud Fruit, it grows twin horns, transforms into a flood dragon, shedding its python skin to escape the dark abyss, soaring the heavens and commanding wind and cloud."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: although what Xiao Tianmu said was legend, it completely matched what he had seen in the deep pool. Although he had told them his experience, he had not mentioned eating the strange fruit. It wasn't that Hu Xiaotian was scheming; he simply habitually held back. Hu Xiaotian said: "Legends may not be true; if it really is a Violet Lightning Giant Python capable of turning into a dragon, how could I easily kill it?"

Xiao Tianmu said: "In this world, many things depend on fate and opportunity; Third Brother, you are always blessed with great fortune. Not to mention that the Violet Lightning Giant Python hasn't yet transformed into a flood dragon; even if it had become a flood dragon, perhaps it would still be a dead end."

Zhou Mo smiled: "Not bad, the Violet Lightning Giant Python is a mere grass dragon. Perhaps my third brother is a true dragon."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing this, couldn't help but feel embarrassed: "Big brother, please don't mock me; I killed that giant python purely by blind luck."

Xiao Tianmu said: "Every part of the Violet Lightning Giant Python is a treasure; do you still remember where you threw its corpse? Don't waste this opportunity."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "I had thought of that too, but the python was simply too huge, and I lacked the tools to skin it. After settling matters with Tang Tiehan, I plan to dive into the pool with the elder brother."

Zhou Mo laughed: "Good!"

Xiao Tianmu said: "You just said the Black Hu people captured the Tang siblings for the Precious Steed Marvelous Record?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I heard them say that."

Xiao Tianmu said: "The Precious Steed Marvelous Record was compiled five hundred years ago by the horse-divination master Bo Chongxi; it can be called the foremost divine book on horse appraisal, of great significance, yet that book is said to have been lost long ago—could it truly have fallen into the Tang family's hands?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not entirely clear on this either."

Zhou Mo, who still knew Tang Tiehan somewhat, sighed: "I still understand Tang Tiehan's temperament—after three drinks he brags bigger than the sky; if he truly possessed the Precious Steed Marvelous Record, he would already be the world's foremost horse appraiser, why would he linger in Kangdu's horse market as a bullying horse dealer?"

Xiao Tianmu said: "Whether true or false, you'll know by asking Tang Qingxuan; as I see it, the Black Hu people won't yet harm Tang Tiehan—they want the Precious Steed Marvelous Record, not lives. Third Brother, go find Tang Qingxuan to settle this."

Hu Xiaotian clasped his hands and turned to leave.

Zhou Mo volunteered: "I'll go with you."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "No need! No one recognizes me in this state."

Zhou Mo looked at Hu Xiaotian's face; he was right—his face was black as a charcoal ball; without speaking, even I, his elder brother, couldn't recognize him, let alone others.

Upon returning to the Divine Farm Society again, Liu Yucheng had already come back from the Princess's mansion; at first glance he didn't recognize this dark-faced lad as Hu Xiaotian, but after confirming his identity, he seized Hu Xiaotian's arm and lamented: "Hu Brother, you've stirred up big trouble now—the Princess is furious over your broken promise and is searching the world for you."

Hu Xiaotian had no time to worry about Xue Lingjun's feelings; he laughed: "Let her look for him—has Tang Qingxuan woken up?"

Liu Yucheng shook his head, pointing at Hu Xiaotian's face: "What is smeared on your face?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not sure either; after being stung by the New Moon Water Jellyfish last night, I turned out like this, resembling an Indian."

Liu Yucheng didn't understand what "Indian A San" meant, but kindly advised: "Go wash up; maybe soaking in hot water will help."

Hu Xiaotian said: "No rush!" Having undergone life-and-death trials, he now cared less about his appearance.

At that moment, Fan Ling'er suddenly came running over, overjoyed: "Uncle Master, Tang Miss has awakened, Tang Miss has awakened!"

Hu Xiaotian and Liu Yucheng exchanged a glance, both showing delight.

Hu Xiaotian entered the room where Tang Qingxuan was recuperating; seeing her awake, lying in bed, her pale pretty face still bore many red spots, though the color was no longer as bright as before, gradually fading.

Tang Qingxuan, upon seeing Hu Xiaotian enter, was first startled; hearing his voice, she then recognized him, tears in her eyes calling "Hu Big Brother..." before bursting into tears.

Hu Xiaotian thought: this girl calls me "big brother" so naturally, but I'm not her big brother—I'm only seventeen, younger than her; yet if you count both lifetimes, calling me uncle would still be ample. He softly comforted Tang Qingxuan: "It's fine; we've finally escaped."

Tang Qingxuan, wiping tears, asked: "What about my big brother?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He was taken by those Black Hu people; I just led people to search the manor, but the manor has already been burned down—likely the Black Hu feared we'd return to seek them, so they moved their base ahead of time."

Tang Qingxuan anxiously said: "Isn't my big brother in danger?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's not necessarily so; after all, the Black Hu people want the Precious Steed Marvelous Record; as long as they haven't gotten the book in a day, they shouldn't harm your big brother's life."

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian say that, Tang Qingxuan felt somewhat relieved; she frowned slightly: "But my big brother doesn't even have the Precious Steed Marvelous Record; I only heard my father mention its name, and he never even saw it—how could we produce such a book for them?"

Hu Xiaotian saw Tang Qingxuan wasn't deceiving him; he thought: "Our plan now must be to make the Black Hu believe the Precious Steed Marvelous Record is in our hands, using it as a bargaining chip to exchange for your big brother's life."

Tang Qingxuan, having no other recourse, only followed Hu Xiaotian's arrangements; she nodded: "How did you become like this? Is it because you saved me?" She suddenly recalled her naked self from last night, her pretty face flushed, unaware of what transpired between them while she was unconscious; she wondered if she might have done something shameless; if so, she would never dare show her face again in this lifetime.

From Tang Qingxuan's embarrassed expression, Hu Xiaotian guessed her thoughts; naturally he said nothing about last night's events, smiling: "This is just a disguise, Tang Miss; stay at the Divine Farm Society and rest assured, leave everything else to me—I will surely rescue your big brother."

Tang Qingxuan gazed at Hu Xiaotian's sincere eyes; her heart was moved to the utmost, she silently thought: if you can save my big brother, I'll do whatever you ask; yet this thought made her feel embarrassed, she lowered her head, her jade-white neck already tinged with a blush.

Hu Xiaotian left the room; Liu Yucheng waited outside, stepping forward to ask: "How is it?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Liu, I must first return to the Qichen Palace; please take good care of Tang Miss here."

Liu Yucheng said: "But the Princess wants to see you; I'll bring you there right away."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have other matters; we'll discuss her later." As he was about to leave, Liu Yucheng pointed at his face, his expression showing astonishment.

Hu Xiaotian felt his face itch, so he scratched it.

Liu Yucheng said: "Your face..."

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