Chapter 961

Why?

Hu Xiaotian said: "Not hiding from the Emperor, I previously had a marriage pact with Li Wuyou, daughter of the Li family, and I was also implicated due to the Li family of Xichuan declaring independence; I thought I was not suitable to be the envoy to Xichuan."

Long Xuan'en said: "I know this matter; the Li family of Xichuan initially declared independence in order to raise troops to support the emperor; Li Tianheng has always been loyal and steadfast, how could he be willing to become a traitor despised by people?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If so, why does he still refuse to return to Dakang now?"

Long Xuan'en smiled and said: "Only because he harbors doubts, fearing that I will investigate his past responsibility for carving out Xichuan." He took out a letter from his sleeve, waved it in front of Hu Xiaotian and said: "I have decided to send you on this mission because I received his secret letter; Li Tianheng clearly stated in the letter his willingness to submit to Dakang."

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start; he had never heard of this, yet Li Tianheng actually took the initiative to send a letter expressing his willingness to submit.

Long Xuan'en said: "Looking over all the officials, truly those I can trust are few; this mission to Xichuan is of great importance, enfeoffing Li Tianheng as king requires a person of suitable status; after thinking it over, only you from before are suitable."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "I'd believe you? Who knows if that letter in your hand is genuine?"

Long Xuan'en said: "Xichuan is not only Dakang's southwestern gateway, but also an important granary; securing Xichuan would ease Dakang's famine. Hu Xiaotian, are you willing to serve Dakang, are you willing to be loyal to me?"

Hu Xiaotian spoke loudly: "I, your subject, am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, ten thousand deaths notwithstanding!"

Long Xuan'en's face lit up with joy, he stroked his beard and said: "I knew you would not disappoint me."

After leaving Laohuangdi, Hu Xiaotian went straight to the Cangshuge, wanting to gather some news from Li Yuncong; this Senior Eunuch's relationship with Laohuangdi is not ordinary, perhaps from him one could learn Long Xuan'en's true purpose.

Li Yuncong's complexion had obviously improved compared to before. However, due to losing an eye, his expression was no longer as kind as before, appearing somewhat fierce; seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, Li Yuncong gave a sinister smile and said: "So it's the future prince consort; I don't know what wind blew you here today."

Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly and said: "You old man are just mocking me!"

Li Yuncong said: "Not at all, not at all. Zajia is merely a servant in the palace; Hu, the commander, now holds the noble position of prince consort of the current dynasty; how could Zajia dare to mock the future prince consort?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Who knows what the future holds? Just as one does not know when one will fall ill or when one will die."

Li Yuncong's single eye flashed with an extremely complex light: "Your words sound rather pessimistic."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Others may not know, but you old man surely do; I have only half a year left to live, even if I am engaged to the Yongyang Princess, I may not have the fortune to live until the day I marry her and bring her home." He paused and said: "All of this is entirely thanks to you, old man."

Li Yuncong sighed and said: "I never thought you still harbored resentment toward me."

Hu Xiaotian said: "My fate is miserable, I cannot blame others; Xiao Tian came here this time specifically to bid farewell to Senior Eunuch Li."

Li Yuncong exclaimed in surprise: "You're leaving?"

Hu Xiaotian saw that his expression was not feigned; he likely did not know that the Emperor had sent him on a mission to Xichuan. He nodded and said: "The Emperor has sent me to Xichuan to congratulate Li Tianheng on his 50th birthday, and incidentally to enfeoff him as king; how is it that Senior Eunuch Li is unaware?"

Li Yuncong furrowed his brows and said: "The Emperor has been back on the throne for several days already, yet Li Tianheng not only failed to lead his troops to submit, but hasn't even shown the slightest sign. How is it that this time the Emperor himself wants to confer the title of king upon him? And still send you to congratulate him on his birthday?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I also don't understand; the Emperor said Li Tianheng has already sent someone with a letter expressing his willingness to submit to Dakang, meaning to reincorporate Xichuan into Dakang's territory, which is why he sent me."

Li Yuncong shook his head and said: "Zajia does not understand political matters and never involves himself in them." He also guessed that Hu Xiaotian's purpose in coming was to gather information from him.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Senior Eunuch Li's loyalty to the Emperor is unwavering; if it were not for his self-sacrifice, the Emperor would not have regained the throne."

Li Yuncong said: "Zajia dare not claim credit; the Emperor's current fortune is due to his own great luck."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The ruler's heart is unfathomable; whether this mission to Xichuan sent by the Emperor is a blessing or a calamity is still hard to say."

Li Yuncong looked at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Do you suspect the Emperor will act against you?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not that I'm overthinking; I fear that the Emperor may overthink, worrying that he will take out his anger on our Hu family because the Xu family of Jinling refused to lend grain."

Li Yuncong said: "Whether it's blessing or calamity, if calamity comes it cannot be avoided; if the Emperor truly becomes angry, Zajia is also powerless to help."

Hu Xiaotian suddenly asked: "Does Senior Eunuch Li know whether the Emperor once became sworn brothers with Chu Fufeng?"

Li Yuncong, hearing this, was startled: "What?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I heard this from a blind monk at the Tianlong Temple."

Li Yuncong's face darkened and he said: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Senior Eunuch Li also never explained his true intention in letting me infiltrate the Tianlong Temple; to want others to be sincere, one must first show sincerity oneself, don't you think?"

Li Yuncong gave a cold snort and said nothing, but inwardly he understood that this brat must have discovered some secrets in the Tianlong Temple; certainly many things are being hidden from him.

Hu Xiaotian said: "That monk's Buddhist name is Bu Wu; he is the eccentric I mentioned to you. After asking about the loss of three secret manuals from the Tianlong Temple's Sutra Pavilion years ago, he killed the false emperor and left; it was he who told me these things, and he also said that besides the Emperor, there was another sworn brother named Xu Lingkong."

Li Yuncong said: "Zajia has never heard of these things."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Is the Qiankun Kaiwu truly that miraculous? The Emperor and Hong Beimo have expended such great effort to seek it; could the missing Dingzhen chapter truly record the path to immortality? Otherwise, why would they have searched for forty straight years?"

Li Yuncong coldly said: "What else have you heard?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Bu Wu's martial arts are superb; he nearly killed me, for he discovered that I cultivated the Void Great Law rather than the Formless Divine Skill."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuncong's face flushed with anger, and he whispered: "What else did he say?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He said that his being trapped in the Tianlong Temple for thirty years was entirely due to his own blood brother; years ago, that brother killed his family, deceived him into entering the Tianlong Temple, causing him to be confined by the monks, while his brother took the opportunity to steal several secret manuals from the Tianlong Temple." By now Hu Xiaotian could completely confirm that Li Yuncong is the person who harmed Bu Wu back then; he is Bu Wu's blood brother.

Li Yuncong's single eye flashed with lethal intent, full of killing intent as he stared at Hu Xiaotian and said: "What else have you said?"

Hu Xiaotian's face showed no fear, he smiled narrowly and said: "He told me his brother's name is Mu Yuming, and asked if I had ever seen this person; but at that time he still did not know exactly what secret manuals the Tianlong Temple had lost, nor did he know that among them was the Void Great Law; otherwise I probably would not have been able to leave the Tianlong Temple alive."

Li Yuncong said: "Very well……"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Mu plus child makes Li; rain from cloud gives birth; exceptionally bright—if he were truly intelligent he would not have chosen such a simple name, allowing one to ponder a little and guess his true identity."

Li Yuncong clenched his teeth and gave a cold smile.

Hu Xiaotian said: "He also said that his brother's nether parts were extraordinarily large; trying to hide such an obvious thing would surely be difficult, but if one wishes to preserve one's life, anything can be done—perhaps he would castrate himself with a blade and be done with it; Senior Eunuch Li, you say it's not so?"

Li Yuncong squeezed out two words from between his teeth: "Not bad!" He already understood that Hu Xiaotian had fully grasped his identity.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Are you now itching to kill me to silence me?"

Li Yuncong nodded and said: "Very much so; it's an extreme desire."

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "It's a pity you were wounded by Ji Feihua, becoming a one-eyed dragon and having your martial arts greatly diminished; although I have only half a year left to live, I went to the Tianlong Temple and by chance my internal energy increased manifold; as the saying goes, fists fear the young and strong—if you want to kill someone who fears no death, you must first fear no death yourself." He then shook his head and said: "If you truly fear no death, why would you endure humiliation and remain in this palace for thirty years?"

Li Yuncong laughed harshly and said: "You forget one thing: thirty years can change many things; perhaps Zajia once feared death, but now he fears nothing."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Rivers and mountains can be easily changed, but nature is hard to alter; however, you need not fear, although you have schemed against me and harmed me, I will ultimately repay evil with virtue; when Bu Wu asked me where I learned the Void Great Law, I told him……"

Upon hearing the crucial point, Li Yuncong suddenly broke off; his expression instantly turned urgent, his breathing became hurried—this is truly unbecoming of his cultivation.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "I said it was Hong Beimo!"

Li Yuncong whispered: "Really?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If I were to speak your name aloud, do you think you could still live freely to this day? Bu Wu can come and go as he pleases among the myriad experts of the Tianlong Temple; even this petty imperial palace could not stop him."

Li Yuncong fell silent; the secret he had concealed for thirty years was actually exposed face‑to‑face by a boy; at this moment his inner feelings were a mixture of all five flavors. Hu Xiaotian's remark was not wrong; given his current condition, even if he wanted to kill Hu Xiaotian to silence him, he would be willing but unable. Hu Xiaotian understood the art of attacking the heart—only by holding the secret in his hand could it become a weapon to threaten the other party; he did not make this matter public, in fact Li Yuncong's secret was of no consequence to him.

Li Yuncong pondered for a long time; the killing intent on his body had already vanished invisibly, he let out a long sigh and said: "In that case, the Zajia owes you a favor."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Not just one—you really owe me a lot." (To be continued~^~)