Chapter 1020

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed the two shameless people, tiptoed to the rear of the small building, employed Golden Spider Eight Steps to climb up, reached the lit second floor, silently flipped onto the corridor, and began searching room by room along the corridor. Coming to the third lit room, he peered through the window and saw Weisa sitting dazedly on the bed, her eyes fixed on the candlelight, unknown what she was thinking. Hu Xiaotian reached out and gently pushed the door; the door opened with a sound.

Weisa raised her head, she had thought it was Prince Yan arriving, but before she could make out the situation, Hu Xiaotian rushed at her like a gust of wind, covered her mouth with one hand, made a silencing gesture, and whispered: "It's me, Hu Xiaotian!"

Weisa's eyes were full of bewilderment, Hu Xiaotian whispered: "Did you forget me?" Remembering that in Qingyun Weisa spoke nothing but English, Hu Xiaotian switched to English when speaking to her.

The fear in Weisa's icy-blue eyes gradually faded, Hu Xiaotian said: "I'll take you away; absolutely do not make a sound, lest we alert the warriors outside." He released Weisa's cherry lips.

Weisa continued to stare at him silently, as if still not recognizing him.

Hu Xiaotian pointed at his own face and said: "I'm wearing a mask!"

Weisa nodded.

Hu Xiaotian bowed before her, letting Weisa climb onto his back; Weisa obediently clambered onto his back, her arms around his neck. Hu Xiaotian had originally planned to retreat the same way, but before he even reached the door he heard footsteps, hastily opened the window and leapt out. Just as he arrived on the flying eaves, he heard Weisa suddenly let out a scream: "Save me!"

Hu Xiaotian was dazed by Weisa's scream—could this girl have lost her mind? I rescued her from the pit of fire, why is she shouting for help? There's no time to think now. Weisa's scream had already alerted the Jinying guards inside the inn; the first to react were the two warriors tasked with guarding the small building, who simultaneously drew their crossbows. Aiming at Hu Xiaotian on the eaves, they repeatedly pulled the triggers, volley after volley of crossbow bolts tipped with a green light streaking like meteors toward him. The two warriors clearly gave no thought to Weisa's safety.

Hu Xiaotian, carrying Weisa on his back, tapped his toes on the eaves and leapt up, dodging two volleys of crossbow bolts; the bolts missed their mark. One after another they struck the eaves, producing a tinkling sound of shattering tiles.

Hu Xiaotian dared not linger; in midair he employed the Art of Soaring, swooping down like a great bird, eager to leave the courtyard as quickly as possible.

A black shadow rose from the ground and crossed paths with Hu Xiaotian in midair. Hu Xiaotian looked up. He saw the other's pair of blue eyes fixed on him, their glow eerie; just one glance made him dizzy. This person was the warrior who had come with Huo Ge. Hu Xiaotian muttered inwardly, "Strange." He felt unable to draw breath, and actually fell from midair.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, a strong gust swept in from the side; Hu Xiaotian raised his fist to block. Yet he felt his inner energy could not flow smoothly, his mind filled entirely with the eerie blue eyes. He forced himself to retain his composure, certain that the opponent had used some hypnotic skill to affect his consciousness, causing him to lose control of his inner energy in a short time.

A heavy staff swept across Hu Xiaotian's chest, blackening his vision. He nearly fainted, but it was Guo Zhenhai who struck him with a blow while his consciousness was hazy. As deputy commander of the Jinying Guard, Guo Zhenhai's martial prowess was no trifle. Unable to mobilize his inner energy, with only the blue eyes swirling in his mind, Hu Xiaotian did not dodge the blow and took it full force. The strike severely injured him, breaking two ribs on his right side. The pain snapped his consciousness back to clarity, shattering the visions of those eerie eyes in his mind. Hu Xiaotian swallowed a mouthful of blood, employed Dog-Dodging Eighteen Steps to evade Guo Zhenhai's second staff aimed at his head, and, gritting his teeth, fled forward.

The Shajia warrior followed like a shadow; Hu Xiaotian dared not meet his gaze, secretly drawing a breath of qi from his dantian, he leapt up again, breaking through the loose encirclement of a few warriors and charging into the courtyard ahead.

Guo Zhenhai roared: "Guard the Princess!"

The compound Hu Xiaotian had infiltrated was actually the residence of Princess Xue Lingjun; had he not heard Guo Zhenhai's shout, he would not have realized this. He had been severely wounded by Guo Zhenhai, and worse, the enemy still possessed a master of mind control, making escape difficult in this situation, especially with Weisa at his side.

Weisa remained dazed, murmuring, "Save me… save me…" From her behavior Hu Xiaotian inferred that she, too, was likely under someone's mental control.

Two figures moved to block Hu Xiaotian, but they were the Jinying Guard tasked with protecting the Princess. Hu Xiaotian's footwork was uncanny, flashing like lightning; he slipped through the gap between them and kicked open the door of Princess Xue Lingjun's room.

Princess Xue Lingjun was not asleep; she was still resentful over Hu Xiaotian's earlier humiliation, yet she saw this scoundrel rush in.

Princess Xue Lingjun had in fact long heard the shouts outside; seeing Hu Xiaotian's state, she already knew what had happened. Surprisingly unafraid, she walked over to him and whispered: "I will be your hostage; help me escape."

Hu Xiaotian had originally intended to coerce her by force, but he did not expect Xue Lingjun to be so forthcoming. He thought to himself, "Xue Lingjun is quite clever; she must have seen that the situation is unfavorable. Whether she resists or not, she will end up as my hostage. Better to take the initiative than be passive." Taking the initiative could also win him a little favor from Hu Xiaotian; since you've asked, I see no need to stand on ceremony.

Hu Xiaotian pressed a dagger to Xue Lingjun's back and whispered: "Outside there is a Shajia warrior with a very strange gaze; you must absolutely not look into his eyes."

Xue Lingjun nodded, feigning panic as she screamed: "Save me! Save me!"

When Xue Lingjun cried "Save me!", Weisa joined in shouting the same. Hu Xiaotian swung his hand and struck her neck with a palm, knocking Weisa unconscious. Xue Lingjun's gaze swept over Weisa's blossom-like beautiful face, and she whispered: "Is it worth going to such lengths for a woman?"

Hu Xiaotian whispered: "Cut the talk, get me out."

Xue Lingjun sighed: "How pitiful, you've even coughed up blood." Her eyes fell on the bloodstain at the corner of Hu Xiaotian's mouth, and a look of pity crossed her face. Guo Zhenhai's blow earlier was no light matter; it had left Hu Xiaotian's chest feeling heavy, and even a slight movement at his broken ribs caused sharp pain. Hu Xiaotian hardened his resolve, vowing that if he ever got a chance to meet Guo Zhenhai again, he would surely repay today's blow.

Xue Shengjing and Huo Ge both rushed over, seeing Hu Xiaotian carrying Weisa on his shoulder, his right hand pressing a dagger to Xue Lingjun's back as he stepped out.

Xue Shengjing snapped: "Scoundrel, how dare you hold my imperial sister hostage! Even if you flee the inn, you cannot escape the pursuit of my men. Surrender now, and I will grant you a chance to live."

Hu Xiaotian sneered: "If you utter another word, I'll pierce your sister with seven transparent holes right here. Prepare a carriage for me at once; any delay and I'll kill her now."

Although Xue Shengjing threatened Hu Xiaotian in words, he dared not delay; he hurriedly had people prepare a carriage.

Hu Xiaotian never dared to confront the Shajia warrior beside Huo Ge head-on; that man's soul‑capturing technique is formidable, able to control one's consciousness through eye contact. Had it not been for Guo Zhenhai's blow that revived him earlier, the trouble would have been far worse.

Xue Lingjun pretended to be terrified out of her wits, her voice trembling as she said, "Imperial brother, save me……"

Xue Shengjing said: "Imperial sister, rest assured; if he dares to hurt even a single hair of yours, I will turn Xizhou city upside down to find him." He was wary of hurting the hostage, seeing his younger sister held by Hu Xiaotian; even though his subordinates were many as clouds, he dared not order an attack.

The Shajia warrior kept looking for a chance to meet Hu Xiaotian's gaze, but Hu Xiaotian, having learned from his mistake, simply avoided eye contact. Hogge quietly watched Hu Xiaotian; this person had apparently come for the slave girl Wasa, and in his memory there were hardly any who would try to rescue Wasa—could it be…? He thought of something, but the other's expression quickly dashed his speculation.

Xue Shengjing's men quickly readied a carriage, and Hu Xiaotian escorted Xue Lingjun aboard. At that moment, the Xichuan troops who had rushed over upon hearing the news had already sealed off the surroundings watertight.

Hu Xiaotian coldly said, "Your Highness, you had better clear a path for them; if I discover anyone daring to follow me, don't blame me for being rude to the Imperial Princess."

Xue Shengjing helplessly could only wave his hand, signaling everyone to clear a road.

Hu Xiaotian said to Xue Lingjun, "Trouble the Imperial Princess to give me a ride further!" He drove the carriage off into the distance. Guo Zhenhai led his subordinates, the Golden Scale Guard, preparing to give chase, but Xue Shengjing raised his hand: "No need to pursue; be careful not to provoke him into harming my imperial sister."

Hogge blinked slightly; Xue Shengjing's abandonment of the pursuit was surely not just fear that the other might kill him in anger—it seemed he did not overly care about the life or death of his own sister.

At this moment, Xue Shengjing turned to Hogge and asked, "Just what is the identity of this slave girl?"

Hogge, hearing his words, only then realized that Xue Shengjing was pushing the blame for tonight's incident onto him, but he had nothing to say in his defense—if it weren't for this slave girl, this trouble would not have arisen. Hogge said, "She is a slave girl captured from the Kingdom of Faya in the past; I saw her outstanding beauty, alluring and charming, so I brought her to present to my elder brother."

Xue Shengjing gave a cold snort, his displeasure plainly visible.

Hogge, also feeling rather embarrassed, apologetically said, "Elder brother, don't worry; this matter started because of me, I will take full responsibility—I will return immediately and mobilize every possible force to search and rescue the Imperial Princess."

First update posted; it's mid-month, please cast a few monthly tickets! I'll try to update as many chapters as possible today—there are still three chapters owed, Zhangyu, remember! (To be continued~^~)