Hu Xiaotian said, "Big Brother, I know which matters weigh more. You and Brat should go meet up with Zhan Peng and the others first. Don't wait for me. Return straight to Great Kang by sea."
Zhou Mo asked, "When will you leave?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Unless something unexpected happens, I'll take the princess's ashes back overland in seven days. After everything that's happened lately, Great Yong will probably pull out all the stops on ceremony. They're sure to send escorts along the way."
Zhou Mo asked, "Dong Tianjiang?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Whoever it is, there's no need to worry about safety on the journey."
Zhou Mo smiled. "Even if you went back alone, there'd be no need to worry. Your martial arts haven't reached perfection yet, but even I can't match your skill at running for your life."
Hu Xiaotian laughed. "Why do I get the feeling you're making fun of me?"
"I'm not. I've always spoken the truth."
Although clouds of sorrow hung over Qichen Palace, Hu Xiaotian's heart was filled with brilliant sunshine. He had weathered countless twists and turns since leaving Kang Capital, and only now were his troubles more or less resolved. He had eliminated Wen Boyuan on the Yong River, successfully completing the task Ji Feihua had assigned him, then used Substitute the Plum for the Peach to let Long Xiyue escape without a hitch. Now the final problem had been solved as well: Xi Yan had once again feigned death to deceive heaven and cross the sea. What pleased Hu Xiaotian most was that all of this had happened in Yong Capital, so he would not have to shoulder too much responsibility.
Xi Yan had not appeared again since the bloody battle at the Red Mountain Guildhall. Following Hu Xiaotian's wishes, Zhou Mo