Chapter 94

Hu Xiaotian and his companions hurriedly left the Huancai Pavilion. They had just walked out of the main gate when they heard someone calling from behind, “Brother Hu, please wait a moment!”

The three of them turned around together and saw Xiang Qin hurrying over. Murong Feiyi thought she had changed her mind and regretted her decision, so she gripped the hilt of her sword with caution, ready for any eventuality.

Hu Xiaotian, with his naturally smiling face, said with a grin, “Sister Qin, what else do you need from me?”

Xiang Qin laughed and said, “Since you called me sister, I naturally have to give you something. The journey to Qingyun Mountain is long and arduous. I just checked your luggage and found not a single copper coin left. I see that the three of you have nothing much on you. Since you’re going to take up your post in Qingyun, you can’t beg all the way there. I have fifty taels of silver here; take it as travel expenses.” She handed a small package to him.

Hu Xiaotian was truly at a loss. Just a moment ago, she had forced him to write an IOU for a thousand taels, and now she was generously offering money. Could it be that this plump sister really has a crush on me?

Murong Feiyi looked at Hu Xiaotian. If she were in his place, she would definitely refuse. Even a ninth-rank official has dignity and principles. How can one accept charity from a woman?

However, Hu Xiaotian clearly lacked the integrity Murong Feiyi expected. He accepted the money with a grin. Hu Xiaotian had his own philosophy of life. In any era, no one would refuse money. A hero can be brought down by a single coin, and without money, one cannot take a single step. This wasn’t a matter of principle, and besides, he had already signed an IOU for a thousand taels. What difference would fifty more make? As the saying goes, the more lice, the less it itches; the more debts, the less one worries. Even if you gave me a thousand taels, I would still take it.

Of course, Hu Xiaotian didn’t believe Xiang Qin’s motives were so simple. He smiled and said, “Sister Qin, do you want me to write another IOU?”

Xiang Qin shook her head and said, “No need, I trust you.” As she said this, her eyes showed no sincerity at all, as if she was saying, “I don’t believe you for a second.”

Hu Xiaotian took the silver, made a promise, and watched Xiang Qin return to the Huancai Pavilion before leaving with Murong Feiyi and the others.

Regarding Hu Xiaotian accepting someone’s favor, Murong Feiyi naturally had another intense debate with him. However, she had to admit that without the fifty taels, they would have had to go to a pawnshop. With the fifty taels, they could at least have a good meal and find a clean and comfortable inn to rest and regain their strength before setting off again.

It took four more days to travel from Xiezhou to Qingyun County. The journey was arduous, involving crossing mountains and rivers, but they didn’t encounter any significant risks. With the fifty taels of silver from Xiang Qin as a guarantee, they didn’t have to worry about food and lodging.

As they crossed the last mountain ridge, the city walls of Qingyun County were in sight. Liang Dazhuang’s facial scars were mostly healed. These days, he had been more subdued, knowing he was at fault and had caused Hu Xiaotian a lot of trouble. He was always prepared for a storm of punches from Hu Xiaotian, but the beating never came. Hu Xiaotian didn’t hold it against him, acting as if nothing had happened. The more this was the case, the more uneasy Liang Dazhuang felt, always feeling a heavy hammer hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment. This feeling was worse than being beaten. Eventually, Liang Dazhuang couldn’t bear it and cautiously approached Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian was sitting there, checking his pulse. Through these days of observation, he had confirmed that Qi Qi had indeed given him the antidote for the Seven-Day Soul-Cutting Needle. The remaining toxins in his body should be completely cleared. Moreover, seven days had passed since the poisoning, and he felt no abnormalities, indicating that his luck was good, and he had survived this ordeal.

Liang Dazhuang handed the water pouch to Hu Xiaotian with enthusiasm, “Young Master, have some water!”

Hu Xiaotian waved his hand and squinted his eyes, looking at the large river ahead. Murong Feiyi had already gone downstream to find a boat to cross the river.

Liang Dazhuang coughed uneasily and said, “Young Master, I have wronged you.”

Hu Xiaotian finally glanced at him and said casually, “Why are you suddenly talking about this?”

Liang Dazhuang said, “That day in Pengyin Mountain, when we encountered the wolf pack, I lost my composure. I shouldn’t have abandoned you and fled alone.”

Hu Xiaotian said, “What use would it have been if you had stayed? The end result would just have been one more person for the wolves to eat.”

Liang Dazhuang’s face turned red, “Young Master, you really don’t blame me?”

“Your survival proves that you are strong enough to live. Heaven didn’t intend to take you, so why should I blame you?”

“Uh... This...”

Hu Xiaotian said, “I’m just curious, how did you escape from the wolf pack?”

Liang Dazhuang said somewhat embarrassedly, “When I saw the wolves, I was terrified and threw the two large packages I was carrying. Then I rolled down the hill, thinking that even if I died from the fall, it would be better than being eaten by the wolves. By the grace of heaven, I rolled all the way down and fainted. When I woke up, I found myself at the foot of the mountain. Not far from me was one of the packages. I picked it up and tried to find the other one, but I couldn’t. I wanted to go back and save you, but I heard the wolves howling on the mountain, and...” At this point, Liang Dazhuang fell to his knees, raised his hands, and slapped himself on both cheeks, sobbing, “Young Master, punish me! Even if you beat me to death, I won’t say a word against it.”

Hu Xiaotian patted his fleshy shoulder and said, “I’m not blaming you, so why would I beat you to death? You managed to escape and even found my official seal and documents. That’s a great achievement. I should reward you, not blame you.”

Liang Dazhuang was half-believing, half-doubting. Since escaping from Pengyin Mountain, he had felt guilty and uneasy, fearing the worst. He had come to Xiezhou because he still harbored a glimmer of hope that Hu Xiaotian would survive. If Hu Xiaotian had died, he wouldn’t dare return to the capital, choosing instead to live in hiding, hoping not to be found by Hu Buwei, who would surely kill him to avenge Hu Xiaotian. So, Hu Xiaotian’s survival meant that Liang Dazhuang had also escaped a great calamity. Despite his unease, he was secretly overjoyed.

Liang Dazhuang said with tears in his eyes, “Young Master, I, Liang Dazhuang, swear to the heavens that I will never hesitate to face any danger for you. I will dedicate my life to protecting your safety.”

Hu Xiaotian knew that although Liang Dazhuang’s words were emotional, they were just words. He had abandoned Hu Xiaotian in times of danger before and would likely do so again. However, Hu Xiaotian was not too concerned about this. No one is fearless, including himself. Liang Dazhuang was just a servant; one cannot expect him to be fearless like a hero. Not everyone can be a hero.

Hu Xiaotian patted his shoulder and said, “Get up, big man. Crying like a woman isn’t becoming. Stay by my side and work hard, and I won’t let you down.”

Liang Dazhuang nodded with tears in his eyes, feeling that his young master’s heart seemed broader than before.

Murong Feiyi searched for a long time but found no bridge. Just as she was about to give up, she saw an old fisherman with white hair singing as he rowed upstream. Murong Feiyi was overjoyed and waved to the old man from a distance, shouting, “Old sir, can you take us across the river?”

Hu Xiaotian and Liang Dazhuang, hearing the commotion, also got up and walked over.

The old man had white hair and a very ruddy complexion, giving him a somewhat immortal appearance. He rowed closer and called out, “Where are the guests headed?”

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, “Old sir, we want to go to Qingyun County. We’re almost there, but this big river has blocked our way. We’ve been searching for a bridge for a long time but found none.”

The old man said, “There is a bridge, but it’s five li upstream. There’s a Qingyun Bridge.”

Upon hearing that there was a bridge five li upstream, Hu Xiaotian thanked the old man. Five li wasn’t far, and walking over the bridge would be safer than taking a boat, especially since the small boat the old man was rowing might not be able to carry all three of them.

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