Chapter 854: [Unceasing Flow] (Part 2)

Hu Xiaotian said: "When a person's luck comes, nothing can stop it; even I don't know why I was able to defeat those three."

Qin Yutong said meaningfully: "The mask I gave you should have come in handy." Although her words were few, every sentence hit the key point.

Hu Xiaotian even thought Qin Yutong had guessed that he used the method of stealing the dragon and replacing the phoenix to rescue Long Xi Yue, but she had no evidence and probably wouldn't pursue it. Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Speaking of this matter, this time I returned to Kangdu and also wanted to learn some disguise techniques from Miss Qin."

Qin Yutong said: "Are you interested?"

"Not just interested, I'm extremely extremely interested!" Hu Xiaotian had a sly smile on his face.

Qin Yutong said: "Greed is never satisfied!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Miss Qin, don't think I only want to take advantage of you; I'll teach you some knowledge of human anatomy, we'll exchange, and neither will lose out."

Qin Yutong furrowed her brows slightly: "No interest!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Really no interest?" Knowing Qin Yutong's dedication to medicine, her thirst for knowledge was extreme; before leaving Kangdu she had repeatedly expressed wanting to exchange medical skills with him.

Qin Yutong changed the subject: "Did you meet Mr. Liu of the Shen Nong Society when you went to Yongdu?"

Hu Xiaotian gave Qin Yutong a deep bow.

Seeing him suddenly perform a great salute toward her, Qin Yutong couldn't help but smile: "Why such a grand ceremony?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Thanks to Miss Qin pointing out a clear path for me, when I was at a loss in Yongdu, fortunately Mr. Liu helped me; it wasn't just because of Miss Qin's face, but I, Xiao Tian, naturally want to thank Miss Qin for her deep affection toward me."

Qin Yutong furrowed her brows; this guy always talks like that. "Deep affection" seems not quite the right description.

Hu Xiaotian explained, trying to cover up: "Miss Qin, don't misunderstand; I mean friendship, nothing else."

Qin Yutong said: "There's no misunderstanding; between us we can't even call it friendship."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, although Qin Yutong mercilessly slapped him in the face. Yet his psychological resilience could withstand such a blow; shamelessly he said: "Please consider carefully what I just discussed with Miss Qin."

Qin Yutong said: "I heard you performed double-eyelid surgery on the Empress Dowager of Da Yong in Yongdu?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Just a minor procedure, Miss Qin. Your eyes are naturally beautiful and you already have native double eyelids, so there's no need for double-eyelid surgery."

Qin Yutong said: "Regarding what you just proposed, I'm now somewhat interested."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Miss Qin, ask me anything you want to know; I will tell you everything without reservation."

Qin Yutong said: "I came today first to greet you, second to warn you of something." She gazed into Hu Xiaotian's eyes and said: "The Northern Swamp Old Monster of the Bananmen Sect is naturally cruel and brutal, yet toward his disciples he is extremely protective. You killed his three personally transmitted disciples; this has spread throughout the world, and the Northern Swamp Old Monster will certainly not let you go."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If he dares to come find me, I'll send him to meet his three short-lived disciples."

Qin Yutong said: "The Bananmen Sect and the Wuxian Sect are alike; their great fame in the martial world is not due to superior martial arts. It's because their poison techniques are highly sophisticated. The Wuxian Sect still has some scruples in poison use, but the Bananmen Sect has no bottom line whatsoever; to achieve their goals they can employ any means."

Actually Qin Yutong is not the first person to remind him. Regarding the Bananmen incident, Hu Xiaotian actually took the blame for Xi Yan, but this cannot be told to anyone. It can only be said to be the inevitable price paid for rescuing Long Xi Yue.

Hu Xiaotian smiled at Qin Yutong and said: "Thank you, Miss Qin, for your concern."

Qin Yutong said: "If you encounter any mishap, your extraordinary medical skills would be lost from then on, which would be a considerable loss to the entire medical community."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize they were concerned about his medical skills; he found it both laughable and exasperating.

Qin Yutong said: "Do those words you spoke before your departure still count?"

"What words?"

"You said you would write down all your medical insights and disseminate them widely?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Of course it counts, but I'm afraid I won't have time lately; His Majesty appointed me as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, and I'm afraid after finishing household matters these two days I'll become busy. Still, I will find time to organize my medical insights and hand them all over to Miss Qin for safekeeping."

Qin Yutong said: "I fear I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility."

"Besides Miss Qin, I really can't think of anyone else worthy of such trust from me."

Qin Yutong said: "I really can't understand; since your medical skills are so superb, why not personally do this—healing the sick and saving the people, benefiting all beings—doesn't that mean more than you wandering through officialdom?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "The top physician heals the state, next treats individuals; don't you see my ambitions are grand, wanting to save all the people under heaven?"

Qin Yutong said: "Lofty ideals are just thoughts in the mind; Dakang's entrenched ills are as solid as three feet of ice, not formed in a day—do you think you can change them with just your personal ability?" She paused and then said: "You might not like to hear this, but from you I see no lofty righteousness of taking it upon oneself to save all the people; you seem more like someone preparing to profit from muddy waters, an opportunistic trader."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled; he liked Qin Yutong's evaluation of him, and in such chaotic times, being an opportunistic trader who fishes in troubled waters is what allows one to survive.

Qin Yutong said: "What are you laughing at? What's funny?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Back when you went to Xichuan, what was your true purpose? Was it to save the Prince of Zhou?"

Qin Yutong said: "Hu Xiaotian, the situation in Dakang is far more complex than you imagine; don't think that just because you've been lingering in the palace for a while you have the ability to survive in the cracks. The reason Dakang's state hasn't collapsed is because someone still doesn't want it to perish now. You are a smart person; you've finally got a chance to escape trouble—why not cherish this opportunity, rechoose your life, why get involved in the palace's deceitful struggles?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Miss Qin seems to see the current situation very clearly."

Qin Yutong said: "Those in power are confused, while onlookers see clearly! I have no interest in power, so I see things more clearly than those filled with greed." The person full of greed she referred to was obviously Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've noticed Miss Qin hasn't changed at all."

Qin Yutong furrowed her brows, not understanding what he meant by that.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You remain self-admiring, aloof from everything, as if everyone else is muddled while only you are clear-headed. You pose as an onlooker, but have you considered that you're actually in the situation as well? Saying you heal the sick and save all beings, in my view it's just self-deception—how can there be intact eggs under a overturned nest? If Dakang's state collapses, as a Dakang citizen could you really remain unscathed?" Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "I don't think you can! Even if you could escape, what about your family?"

Qin Yutong angrily said: "I have no family!" Usually calm, she was provoked by Hu Xiaotian's aggressive words; she immediately realized her lapse, took a deep breath, and her tumultuous heart instantly returned to a state of stillness like calm water.

Hu Xiaotian realized that every time he faced Qin Yutong he couldn't help wanting to provoke her, to crush her aloofness and tear apart her pride; even he himself felt he was going too far.

Qin Yutong's eyes had returned to their former stillness like an ancient well, calmly gazing at Hu Xiaotian she said: "I've finished speaking; may I leave?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Miss Qin, you just arrived and haven't even had a chance to sip tea."

"Another day, I still have things to do." She turned and walked away, but after a few steps stopped and said: "Here, take this!" A small cloth bundle hidden in her sleeve was thrown to Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian caught it in one hand, watched Qin Yutong's figure disappear outside the gate, then unfolded the cloth bundle—inside were two human-skin masks. He was both surprised and delighted; although Qin Yutong is aloof and cold, she understood his thoughts well, knew what he needed, and immediately sent these items.

Hu Xiaotian happily returned to Bohua Building; Huo Shengnan had been watching from upstairs his movements downstairs. Seeing Hu Xiaotian return, she couldn't help but smile: "Looks like your connections in the capital are good; just after returning you already have many visitors coming to congratulate you—have you received any gifts?"

Hu Xiaotian handed her one of the human-skin masks, smiling: "Now you can go wherever you like without worrying about exposing your identity."

Huo Shengnan said: "Thanks, and by the way, I plan to leave Kangdu tomorrow."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't rush; I've just returned, and although the court granted me the title of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, it's nominal with no real authority, I have no aides around, and moreover I just received news that the Bananmen Sect may soon come to seek revenge against me."

Upon hearing the three words "Bananmen Sect," Huo Shengnan's heart jumped: "You mean the Old Monster of the Northern Swamp?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "It's said this old monster repays grudges, is by nature protective of his own, and his three disciples all died at my hands; he certainly won't let it rest."

Huo Shengnan said: "Perfect timing; I was just about to find him to ask clearly who hired them to assassinate Princess Anping." The Da Yong court had pushed all blame onto her, claiming she acted out of jealousy and hatred, colluding with the Bananmen Sect to plot Princess Anping's death; this matter has always weighed on Huo Shengnan's mind.

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian secretly rejoiced; it seemed the only way to keep Huo Shengnan was to use this method. He leaned on the railing, overlooking the manor that had returned to his embrace, and suddenly said: "Let me ask you something."

Hmm! Speak!

"Do you actually have a secret crush on Seventh Prince Xue Daoming?"

Huo Shengnan, hearing this, was made angry by him till her pretty face flushed red; she gritted her teeth and said, "You dare say that again!"

In the early morning I sent an update; for the new week, I'm asking for recommendation votes! As long as everyone casts their recommendation vote, the Medical Union can appear on the homepage weekly recommendation list; please use your recommendation vote to affirm Zhangyu's efforts! (To be continued~^~)