Chapter 1394: Facing the Enemy Head-On (Part 2)

Hu Xiaotian knew his actions today would inevitably provoke the Beggar Sect; he had always been someone who didn't shy away from trouble, and this time the Beggar Sect had first provoked him, not only plotting to frame him, but from Tong Tie Jin's words it seemed they even controlled Xu Lingkong.

Although Xie Tianqiong had received some martial arts instruction from Tong Tie Jin, he was not a member of the Beggar Sect; after Hu Xiaotian clarified the situation, he untied Xie Tianqiong's acupoints, letting him leave on his own.

Xie Tianqiong was also a person who respected his teacher and valued righteousness; although Tong Tie Jin wanted to harm him, he still pleaded with Hu Xiaotian to spare Tong Tie Jin's life.

Actually, Hu Xiaotian never intended to kill Tong Tie Jin; for now this lead is still useful to him, and based on Tong Tie Jin's whereabouts he might find his maternal grandfather. However, Hu Xiaotian also understood that the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom is currently the headquarters of the Beggar Sect, and the Sect's power here cannot be underestimated; although Tong Tie Jin framed him first, Hu Xiaotian had cut off his both ears and severed his tendons, and this man was not an ordinary sect member but one of the Six Great Transmission Elders, ending up in such a miserable state, which amounted to openly declaring enmity with the Beggar Sect.

Fragrant Drift City had become peaceful these past two days; Hu Xiaotian originally wanted to wait peacefully until the ninth day of the ninth month, keep a low profile, and watch developments, but he never expected the Beggar Sect to jump out now and provoke him. He had already anticipated that Tong Tie Jin would return soon, after which the Beggar Sect would come to question him; Hu Xiaotian always lived by the principle of not offending others if they did not offend him, but the Beggar Sect first sent Zhu Ba under his grandfather's banner to persuade him to give up the consort candidacy, and then had Tong Tie Jin, one of the Six Great Transmission Elders, plot to frame him. Since they had provoked him first, he saw no need to be courteous.

The harsh words Tong Tie Jin let out made Hu Xiaotian inevitably worry; hearing his tone, it seemed his maternal grandfather Xu Lingkong had encountered danger, and although Xu Lingkong's martial arts were peerless, a blatant spear is easy to dodge while hidden arrows are hard to guard against, judging by the underhanded tactics Tong Tie Jin used today. Now these Beggar Sect people are capable of any deed. Considering another angle, if his grandfather were unharmed, he would not allow the Beggar Sect to deal with him. Thinking of Zhu Ba's earlier advice, Hu Xiaotian's mood grew increasingly solemn.

That evening, Zhu Ba arrived at Cui Garden.

Hu Xiaotian was not surprised by this; although he had crippled Tong Tie Jin, after all Tong Tie Jin had schemed against him first, the Beggar Sect had no justification, so coming with courtesy before force was quite normal.

Zhu Ba came alone, and upon seeing Hu Xiaotian he couldn't help but sigh and say, "Young Master Hu, you've stirred up big trouble."

Hu Xiaotian calmly replied, "Mr. Zhu, your timing is perfect; I happen to have some things I wanted to ask you in person."

The matter had already happened; Zhu Ba could only accept reality. He shook his head and sat down beside Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Where is my grandfather?"

Zhu Ba said, "The old master has already set aside all sect affairs; he always acts like a dragon that shows its head but not its tail, so how would he tell me where he went?"

Hu Xiaotian coldly stared at Zhu Ba; if it were the past, perhaps he would have believed Zhu Ba's words. But today Tong Tie Jin blurted out using his grandfather's life as a threat, which naturally aroused suspicion. Hu Xiaotian said, "Tong Tie Jin today threatened me with my grandfather's life; Mr. Zhu, tell me honestly. Has my grandfather encountered trouble? Has he been framed by members of the Beggar Sect?"

Zhu Ba replied, "Young Master Hu, you worry too much; with the old master's martial arts, who in the world could harm him? Tong Tie Jin is just talking nonsense; how could you believe him?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Alright, I'll tentatively believe this; I have no grudge against you Beggar Sect. Why then did you scheme to frame me?"

Zhu Ba said, "Young Master, you misunderstand; today's affair was entirely Tong Tie Jin's own idea, with no participation from other Beggar Sect members. He solely wished to help the Young Sect Leader become the consort of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, so he went astray and wanted to eliminate all other competitors."

Hu Xiaotian replied half-believing, half-doubting, "Is it really that simple?"

Zhu Ba nodded and said, "Exactly that simple; I came here today precisely to resolve this matter."

Hu Xiaotian sneered, "Mr. Zhu, how do you intend to resolve it?"

Zhu Ba said, "That Tong Tie Jin, after all, is one of the Beggar Sect's Six Great Transmission Elders; although he plotted against you, he had no intention to harm you, merely wanting to detain you so you would miss the opportunity to apply for the consort position on the ninth day of the ninth month; once our Young Sect Leader is smoothly elected, he would naturally release you. But you struck too harshly today—not only cutting off both his ears, but also severing his hand and foot tendons."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "If I had fallen into his hands, he would likely have treated me even more cruelly."

Zhu Ba said, "Young Master, you must give our Beggar Sect an explanation." Although he and Hu Xiaotian had once been friends, now their positions are opposed, so he can only set aside their past affection.

"What explanation does the Beggar Sect demand?"

Zhu Ba said, "Young Master, your medical skills are superb; if you are willing to reattach Elder Tong's hand and foot tendons and also hand over the technique of the God-Demon Annihilation Fist, this matter can be dropped; otherwise……"

"Otherwise, how?" Hu Xiaotian stared at Zhu Ba with blazing eyes.

Zhu Ba said, "Otherwise the Beggar Sect will make you pay blood for blood, demanding tenfold compensation!" These words were clearly not his own intention, but a relay of orders from above.

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, then sighed and said, "Zhu Ba, out of consideration for your past help, I will not make things difficult for you; today's trouble originated from the Beggar Sect, and sparing Tong Tie Jin's life is already the utmost of my benevolence and righteousness. Go back and tell your sect leader that if you wish to resolve this, have the old master come see me; as long as you prove he is safe and sound, everything can be discussed. The technique of the God-Demon Annihilation Fist was personally taught to me by my grandfather; without his permission I will not pass it on to anyone."

Zhu Ba sighed and said, "Young Master Hu, Elder Tong is the maternal uncle of our Young Sect Leader; this Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom is the headquarters of our Beggar Sect, this is not Yongjiang, so please think carefully before acting."

Hu Xiaotian stood firm, saying, "Tell your sect leader that if any of my people so much as injure a single hair, I will demand ten lives from your Beggar Sect; if he dares to take a single life of mine, I will see to it that he dies without issue!"

Zhu Ba sucked in a breath of cold air; this kid really is ruthless.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Before the ninth day of the ninth month, if I cannot see my grandfather, I don't mind taking action against your Beggar Sect."

Having said that, Zhu Ba saw no need to further persuade; he clasped his fists and bade farewell, saying, "Young Master, take care!"

Hu Xiaotian calmly replied, "Say that to your Young Sect Leader!"

Before the storm arrived, Hu Xiaotian had Xia Zhangming go to the Abundant Celebration Treasure Pavilion to inform Xu Mucheng of Xu Lingkong's situation; this was Hu Xiaotian's deliberate intention, for although Xu Lingkong and Old Lady Xu had long been estranged, they still held the nominal title of husband and wife, and if the Beggar Sect dared to act against Xu Lingkong, the Xu family would by rights not stand idly by.

As expected, after receiving the news, the Xu family had Xu Muchai rush to Cui Garden without delay.

Hu Xiaotian recounted his entire experience today to Xu Muchai; after listening, Xu Muchai furrowed his brows and said, "Based solely on Tong Tie Jin's words, it's hard to determine whether grandfather has encountered trouble."

Hu Xiaotian said, "These years he has been hiding within the Beggar Sect; if he were unharmed, Tong Tie Jin would not dare utter such words, nor would he dare to use such underhanded means to scheme against me."

Xu Muchai said, "Younger cousin, rest assured, I will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly; as for your safety, there's no need to worry—although the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom is the Beggar Sect's headquarters, none of our Xu family would dare act rashly; I will go to them and make things clear—whoever dares to move against you is making an enemy of our Xu family."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly; revealing this to Xu Muchai was not to seek protection, but to use the Xu family's influence in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom to inquire about his grandfather's whereabouts. As for the few people currently around him, even if they cannot match the Beggar Sect, relying on their abilities, self-defense should pose no problem.

Xu Muchai's understanding in this regard was clearly biased; he said solicitously, "Younger cousin, why not move to the Abundant Celebration Treasure Pavilion for a temporary stay? That is our Xu family's territory, so we brothers can look out for each other."

Hu Xiaotian felt a deep aversion to the four words "our Xu family"; he smiled and said, "Elder brother, rest assured, although the Beggar Sect is powerful, I am not afraid of them; if they dare to take any adverse action against me, I will retaliate."

Xu Muchai secretly thought, "Words are easy, but offending the Beggar Sect, which claims to be the number one gang under heaven, likely brings no good fruit." Since Hu Xiaotian insisted on staying, he saw no point in further urging; he nodded and said, "Alright, younger cousin, if you encounter any trouble, don't forget to have someone promptly inform the Abundant Celebration Treasure Pavilion."

"Understood!"

The saying "a strong dragon does not overwhelm the local snake" is understood by all; although the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom is the Beggar Sect's headquarters, they cannot truly be called the local snake, the true holder of that title is the royal family of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and Hu Xiaotian has no reason not to use the excellent card of Prince Fu.

In response to Hu Xiaotian's request, Prince Fu Yang Longyue readily agreed to cooperate; the day after Hu Xiaotian's private meeting with him, Prince Fu launched a citywide crackdown on beggars and street vagrants in Fragrant Drift City under the pretext of maintaining public order and eliminating hidden dangers—actually this was originally one of the tasks assigned by the Empress Dowager, and Yang Longyue slightly tightened the scope, immediately forming an operation targeting the Beggar Sect.

Perhaps Hu Xiaotian's ruthless tactics had the effect of shaking the mountain to startle the tiger, or perhaps the Beggar Sect decided to endure the anger temporarily; after Zhu Ba laid his cards before Hu Xiaotian, the Beggar Sect did not unleash a torrential revenge, yet this surface calm clearly concealed undercurrents.

According to news from Xu Muchai's side, the Xu family sent people to contact the Beggar Sect to inquire about Xu Lingkong, but the Beggar Sect flatly denied it, even refusing to acknowledge that Xu Lingkong had hidden within the Beggar Sect for many years.

Originally, the remaining one thousand candidates were to have the Empress Dowager personally set the examination papers for the palace test, from which another one hundred would be selected; the scheduled date for the open palace examination was the first day of the ninth month, but on the day before the exam, Prince Fu Yang Longyue personally came to Cui Garden to inform Hu Xiaotian that the Empress Dowager had struck his name from the examination list, meaning Hu Xiaotian had lost his eligibility to compete for the consort position—a result that clearly exceeded everyone's expectations. (To be continued~^~)