Chapter 1233

Li Chenzhou said: "Now is not the time; Yan Tianlu is merely a jumping clown, getting rid of him is only a matter of time. Since Yan Dongsheng is determined to take his life, we will help him achieve this wish at the appropriate moment, but everything must be done reasonably and without leaving any loopholes."

Zou Yong said: "Today I went to the Garden of Knowing Spring to pay respects to Hu Dafu, he showed interest in profiting from Treasure Gathering Hall and wanted me to make introductions; I find this person very suspicious."

Li Chenzhou said: "Then give him some sweetener, let him reveal a bigger flaw."

When Hu Xiaotian left the Sea God Temple, it started to rain; the coachman brought an umbrella, Hu Xiaotian held the umbrella and sent Xue Lingjun into the carriage. He originally intended to send Xue Lingjun back, but Xue Lingjun proposed going to the Garden of Knowing Spring to have a look. Hu Xiaotian secretly smiled: his wife had left home angrily, while the Princess Imperial had come to the door voluntarily; if this got out, it would surely be a shocking scandal, but he had nothing to worry about.

Xue Lingjun laughed: "No need to busy yourself with preparations; I merely came over to sit awhile, to see this renowned garden. Tonight we'll go to the Sea Rhythm Pavilion to eat; I have already had someone reserve a seat there."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing that she had already arranged things, could only acquiesce; thus he took Xue Lingjun for a stroll in the Garden of Knowing Spring, walking amid the rain in the garden, with a beautiful lady beside him, which was indeed a delightful experience.

After strolling around the Garden of Knowing Spring, night had unknowingly fallen over the whole world; Xue Lingjun suggested they go to the Sea Rhythm Pavilion for a meal. As Hu Xiaotian prepared to leave, the steward quietly approached him and whispered, "Sir, I have something to report."

Hu Xiaotian nodded. He and the steward stepped aside; that steward was one of the confidants of Yan Tianlu of Python Flood Island, who had long been lurking in Bohai State responsible for intelligence gathering, bearing the title Wan Li Chase Wind Xiao Lizhi, which not only describes his swift footsteps but also specifically indicates his well-informed nature.

Xiao Lizhi lowered his voice: "Today, while tailing Guo Zhenhai, I discovered he went to Jinge Terrace." He paused. The following half-sentence startled Hu Xiaotian: "Li Chenzhou is waiting for him there!"

Hu Xiaotian had always thought Guo Zhenhai was a trustworthy person beside Xue Lingjun, but from this incident it appears Guo Zhenhai is likely a pawn planted by Li Chenzhou beside Xue Lingjun; from this we can infer that Xue Lingjun's situation in Bohai State is becoming increasingly perilous. Hu Xiaotian remained composed and asked: "Have you continued to tail Li Chenzhou?"

Xiao Lizhi shook his head: "I only found out his residence; there are many experts around him. We dare not follow too closely."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Does the island lord know?"

Xiao Lizhi said: "I have already reported to the island lord."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I know Li Chenzhou very well; he is highly skilled in martial arts and very vigilant. You had better not approach him, lest you startle the snake."

Yes!

From afar came Xue Lingjun's urging voice; Hu Xiaotian responded. Then he said to Xiao Lizhi: "Please contact the island lord for me; if possible, I want to meet him as soon as possible."

Xiao Lizhi laughed: "The island lord means the same; tonight at midnight he will come to meet you." He glanced at the carriage not far away and said meaningfully: "Sir, don't forget to return early."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh at his words, wondering if Xiao Lizhi was worried that he would follow Xue Lingjun and spend a wonderful night together, never to return.

Back in the carriage, Xue Lingjun, a little impatient, said: "Why did you take so long?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Just some matters!"

The carriage headed toward the Sea Rhythm Pavilion; Hu Xiaotian seemingly casually asked: "Elder Sister, how well do you know Guo Zhenhai?"

Xue Lingjun startled at the words, immediately understood Hu Xiaotian's meaning: "He is the deputy commander of the Jinyu Guard. He should be trustworthy." Having said that, she immediately asked: "Do you suspect him?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "He went to see Li Chenzhou today."

Xue Lingjun fell silent, lightly biting her cherry lips; the light in her beautiful eyes flickered, and from her reaction at this moment her inner turmoil is not hard to see. Although Xue Lingjun has decided to cooperate with Hu Xiaotian, this does not mean she trusts him completely; her trust in Guo Zhenhai was built only after experiencing many things, and relying solely on Hu Xiaotian's one-sided words, she cannot fully believe.

Hu Xiaotian saw Xue Lingjun's hesitation: "Forgive my frankness, although things are still peaceful now, Elder Sister, you have reached the most critical juncture; any hesitation could lead to an irretrievable failure."

Xue Lingjun looked at Hu Xiaotian and whispered: "Are you advising me to eliminate him?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If he is Li Chenzhou's man, then your every move is under his surveillance; as soon as Li Chenzhou gives an order, he will act against you at any time. With him by your side, Elder Sister, can you rest easy?"

Xue Lingjun took a deep breath and closed her eyes; her heart surged with turmoil, yet she still could not make a decision. Although she is not an indecisive person, she cannot be certain that what Hu Xiaotian said is true. What if Hu Xiaotian has other motives? What if he wants to use this to kill two birds with one stone, not only strike Li Chenzhou but also deal with herself? Xue Lingjun suddenly realized she had never truly trusted Hu Xiaotian. The reason she chose to cooperate with him is entirely because the current situation forces her. There is one thing she can be certain: the new ruler Xue Daohong will surely take advantage of this opportunity to eliminate her. Perhaps she truly has no way back. Prince Yan Xue Shengjing is in Da Yong, now he can barely protect himself; even if he were willing to join forces with her to face the current situation, his reach would fall short, unable to attend to the situation in Bohai.

Left with only Hu Xiaotian before her, and only him before her eyes; although his motives are not pure, yet to overcome the immediate crisis she could only choose to cooperate with him. Thinking this, Xue Lingjun slowly opened her eyes: "What's the point of getting rid of him? Besides, you have no solid evidence."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Strike first; there's no need for Elder Sister to lift a finger. Kill him, and Elder Sister can then use this as a pretext to mobilize troops against Bohai State. Since the situation is already turbulent, we might as well be the first to stir up waves."

At this moment the carriage stopped; they had arrived at the Sea Rhythm Pavilion.

Xue Lingjun had already lost the mood to eat; Hu Xiaotian stepped down from the carriage first, opened his umbrella, and saw that five Jinyu Guard were already waiting in front of the Sea Rhythm Pavilion—Guo Zhenhai and the others, knowing that Princess Imperial Xue Lingjun would come here to eat tonight, had arrived early to welcome her.

Xue Lingjun got out of the carriage, saw Guo Zhenhai and the others, and involuntarily furrowed her brows. She suddenly said: "I suddenly don't want to eat, Hu Caidong, I'm leaving first!" She stepped toward Guo Zhenhai's direction, boarded the carriage prepared for her, and without saying another word, had the carriage drive away.

Guo Zhenhai mounted his horse, turned on horseback to give Hu Xiaotian a cold glance, his eyes full of hostility.

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed; no matter how formidable Xue Lingjun is, she is still a woman, and indecision brings chaos. Guo Zhenhai is fundamentally a pawn planted by Li Chenzhou beside her; if not eradicated soon, he will surely cause great harm.

Hu Xiaotian was unexpectedly stood up by Xue Lingjun, pondering whether he should return, when he heard a voice from afar: "Hu Caidong, what a coincidence!"

Hu Xiaotian followed the sound and saw Li Mingju stepping down from a nearby carriage; he too had come to the banquet at a friend's invitation, never expecting to meet Hu Xiaotian here. The last time Hu Xiaotian posed as a doctor and went to the Ministry of Household, he had once treated Li Mingju's father for a dislocation; Li Mingju returned the favor, not exposing Hu Xiaotian's false identity on the spot. Since then they had not met, and of course Hu Xiaotian later had someone send medicinal ointment to the Li residence, thereby letting Li Mingju owe him another favor.

Seeing Li Mingju walk over with a smile, Hu Xiaotian also smiled and went to meet him; just then Hu Xiaotian's face suddenly changed and he shouted sternly: "Get down!"

In the dark night, a deep flash, like chasing wind and lightning, shot straight toward Li Mingju's throat.

Li Mingju was still unaware of the impending deadly threat; Hu Xiaotian darted out like a leopard, and as he rushed out he drew his waist-worn sword—this blade, taken casually from the private armory of Mangjiao Island's lord Yan Tianlu, he had named Zhanfeng. With Hu Xiaotian's current sword-drawing speed he could completely cut through a cold wind, yet facing this arrow of chasing wind and lightning he still lacked full confidence. His inner breath spiraled and gathered in the Dantian Qi Sea, gathering to a peak and surging forth mightily with his sword swing; the icy, domineering sword qi was like an invisible shield sealing Li Mingju's front position.

The arrowhead arrived next; the arrowhead struck the invisible shield formed by the sword qi, with a "po!" sound. The arrow, imbued with great inner force, collided with the sword qi, producing a deafening explosive blast. After the blast, the center of the shield formed by the sword qi showed a gap; the arrow actually broke through the invisible shield and continued forward, striking Li Mingju's throat.

Hu Xiaotian's eyes nearly burst; he dared to conclude that this arrow, condensed with inner breath, must have been fired by a master of the Luoying Palace; his reaction came too late, and he actually could not save Li Mingju's life. Looking again at Li Mingju, he stood there unharmed, the whole person stunned. Although the arrow hit him, the arrowhead, when breaking through the sword qi shield, was shattered into powder; the opponent used the arrow to carry qi, and the great inner force condensed on the arrow shaft was completely neutralized by Hu Xiaotian's sword qi, so although the arrow fortunately broke through the shield, it had already lost its force, merely grazing Li Mingju's throat skin, causing him no serious injury.

Hu Xiaotian had already rushed to Li Mingju's side, grabbed him and together they charged into the gate of the Sea Rhythm Pavilion; xiu! xiu! two more arrows shot from behind, both missing the target, deeply embedded in the gate of the Sea Rhythm Pavilion, the feathered tails of the arrows still trembling in the lamplight. (To be continued~^~)