Chapter 1528

Hu Xiaotian said: "This fire, do you want to start burning from the inside?"

Meng Guangxiong nodded.

Hu Xiaotian stood up, paced slowly a few steps in the courtyard, and asked: "Have you thought about how to withdraw?"

Meng Guangxiong said: "Young master, don't worry, the White Dragon River is the escape route; once the fire starts burning, seeing that firefighting is insufficient, everyone will head to the White Dragon River, and then who can tell friend from foe?" He clasped his fists and said: "I have already laid out all the plan; I don't know if the young master has any further arrangements?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "You cut off their supply lines, I'll take down their commander!"

Meng Guangxiong laughed and said: "I knew the young master wanted me to investigate the headquarters for this purpose."

Hu Xiaotian hehe laughed and said: "You're very shrewd!"

Meng Guangxiong's old face flushed, and he respectfully said: "Even if you're shrewd, you can't compare to one in ten thousand of the young master."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't, I just realized you're an old slippery fellow; I'm afraid later you'll sell me out and still have me help you check the money."

"Even if you killed me, I wouldn't dare; you are the future husband of our gang leader, how could I have that gall?"

Hu Xiaotian hearing this, however, found it somewhat unpleasant to the ear: "What do you mean? Are you saying I'm eating soft rice?"

Now not only Meng Guangxiong, but even Xia Zhangming laughed.

Meng Guangxiong said: "Young master, I must remind you that the headquarters inside and out is heavily guarded; according to the information I received, the external guards are all martial arts experts, and they seem to be skilled in formations."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "That Yang Daoyuan is indeed a formation expert, and his swordsmanship has long joined the ranks of top-tier experts."

Meng Guangxiong, as the chief of the Xiezhou branch of the Beggar Gang, knew quite a bit about Yang Daoyuan, but despite that he also didn't know Yang Daoyuan knew martial arts; hearing Hu Xiaotian describe Yang Daoyuan as a formation expert plus a swordsmanship master, Meng Guangxiong almost thought he had misheard, he thought the information Hu Xiaotian received was not reliable. He said in a low voice: "Young master, Yang Daoyuan's subordinates indeed have a swordsmanship expert; that person is his son's master, Feng Xianlin. Feng Xianlin comes from the Sword Palace, so his swordsmanship is naturally formidable, but his left arm was recently broken."

Hu Xiaotian gave a faint smile; Feng Xianlin's arm was indeed cut off by him. He certainly knew this best; he told Meng Guangxiong the truth about it. Although Meng Guangxiong had heard that Hu Xiaotian's martial arts were not weak, he never expected him to be this strong, actually able to defeat Feng Xianlin and break the Sword Palace sword formation; no wonder he would come up with such a bold idea. Actually to assassinate Yang Daoyuan under the protection of many formation experts.

In their plan, the part Hu Xiaotian was responsible for was the most perilous; he not only had to deal with Yang Daoyuan, but also assassinate Zhang Ziqian, which required him to rush to two places in a short time. Without the assistance of the Flying Eagle, it would be impossible to accomplish.

Everything is ready, only missing the east wind; actually, for those of the Beggar Gang responsible for burning the enemy's grain depot, the hardest thing to gauge is the wind direction. The wind direction on the night of the operation can determine the extent of damage to the grain depot; if Heaven does not cooperate, perhaps this cannot be accomplished.

At night, Hu Xiaotian tossed and turned; it was already the fourth night since arriving in Red Valley County. Up to now, the Flying Eagle still hadn't come, from the bottom of his heart. Hu Xiaotian did not hold much hope that the Black Kiss Bird could smoothly find the Flying Eagle and bring it here; as time passed, the hope in his heart grew ever slimmer; he had already prepared for the worst, and if the Flying Eagle could not arrive on time, he would still carry out this plan, infiltrating the headquarters with his own martial arts to assassinate Yang Daoyuan, which might not be without hope.

Coming to the courtyard, he saw a person standing outside, head raised, silently gazing at the night sky—it was Xia Zhangming. Actually, Xia Zhangming's inner state was also unsettled; according to the estimated time, he could have arrived last night, but for some reason he still hasn't come. Unlike Hu Xiaotian, he has great confidence in the Black Kiss Bird's ability, believing it can find the Snow Eagles and bring them here; yet why has it been delayed until now? Could something have gone wrong on the way?

Hu Xiaotian's voice sounded from behind him: "Nothing can be forced; even if they don't come, I can still succeed."

Xia Zhangming said: "If they don't come, you cannot possibly assassinate two people at once in a short time."

"Then it's either one or the other!" Hu Xiaotian thought for a moment and then said: "I'll kill Yang Daoyuan first."

Xia Zhangming shook his head, then suddenly delighted, said: "They're here!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start; with his eyesight far superior to Xia Zhangming's, why hadn't he seen it yet, yet he already concluded they had arrived?

Hu Xiaotian widened his eyes and stared at the night sky; after a while he finally saw two white streaks of light flashing like lightning toward the courtyard where they were, and between the two white streaks there was an extremely inconspicuous black streak of light; that black streak, while in the air, kept pace with the two white streaks, but as soon as it began its dive downward, it immediately pulled away, swooping down at astonishing speed; in the air above the small courtyard it suddenly slowed, as if time had stopped, the Flying Eagle spread its wings like a floating island and slowly descended before Hu Xiaotian; from its feathers the Black Kiss Bird poked its head out, chirping as it flew toward Xia Zhangming; it turned out that on its return journey it had been riding the wind all the way.

The Flying Eagle stood proudly; when its eyes were about to meet Hu Xiaotian's, it suddenly shifted from fierce to gentle; Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily as he approached the giant bird, the Flying Eagle lowered its proud head, and only toward Hu Xiaotian would it show a docile side, gently rubbing its massive head against Hu Xiaotian's arm; Hu Xiaotian reached out to touch the feathers on its neck, the Flying Eagle startled and immediately pulled its head back—Hu Xiaotian had once plucked all the feathers from its neck, a memory still fresh, so it had formed a conditioned reflex.

"Brother Eagle, Brother Eagle, you judge a gentleman's belly with a petty heart; how could I possibly pluck your feathers again?"

Hu Xiaotian affectionately stroked the Flying Eagle's head.

At this moment, the two Snow Eagles also circled around Xia Zhangming's side; long separated, reunited, they were naturally very affectionate.

Long Xi Yue was also awakened by the commotion outside, she put on her clothes and came out; seeing the scene before her, she couldn't help but be startled; the Flying Eagle was extremely alert, upon hearing someone come out, it immediately turned its head toward Long Xi Yue, its eyes fierce, fixed on the direction of the arrival.

Long Xi Yue jumped in fright; Hu Xiaotian hurriedly stopped the Flying Eagle: "Don't cause trouble, she's my wife, your sister-in-law!"

The Flying Eagle seemed to understand Hu Xiaotian's words, and immediately lowered its head again. Hu Xiaotian, fearing he had frightened Long Xi Yue, came to her side, put his arm around her fragrant shoulders, and said: "Don't be afraid, this is the Flying Eagle I often mentioned to you, my Brother Eagle!"

Long Xi Yue gazed at the enormous creature before her, her heart still somewhat afraid. Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Brother Eagle, upon seeing my lady of the house, shouldn't you give a greeting?"

The Flying Eagle stretched its beak forward; Hu Xiaotian blinked his eyes, "What the heck does this mean? Is it trying to kiss me? Why has it never done this to me before? This Flying Eagle is quite lecherous."

Long Xi Yue gathered her courage, reached out and lightly touched the Flying Eagle's icy, hard beak; the Flying Eagle, perhaps worried she would be frightened, closed its fierce eyes.

Seeing the Flying Eagle so cooperative, Long Xi Yue's heart settled.

Over there, Xia Zhangming had already mounted the Snow Eagle's back, laughing: "My lord, I'll go for a stroll with them; you do as you please." As he spoke, the Snow Eagle had already taken Xia Zhangming into the night sky. Another Snow Eagle and the Black Kiss Bird also chased after their silhouettes and soon departed.

The Flying Eagle crouched before Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian took hold of Long Xi Yue's hand, and laughed: "Do you want to go to the night sky to see the stars?"

Long Xi Yue gazed at Hu Xiaotian, her beautiful eyes becoming as bright as stars. Then she nodded with unusual delight.

Hu Xiaotian lifted her onto the Flying Eagle's back, not yet waiting for himself to mount. The Flying Eagle unexpectedly rose to its feet; Long Xi Yue let out a startled cry, and Hu Xiaotian also jumped in surprise—it turned out the Flying Eagle was deliberately teasing him. Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, leapt into the air onto the Flying Eagle's back, and from behind embraced Long Xi Yue's soft, tender body, patting the Flying Eagle's spine and saying: "Don't frighten my lady; try to fly as gently as possible."

In Long Xi Yue's soft cries, the Flying Eagle soared into the night sky, spreading its wings toward the moon above; Long Xi Yue had never experienced such flight before, at first she was still a little fearful, but soon novelty and excitement replaced that fear. The Flying Eagle was very considerate of this beautiful female passenger aboard, always flying slowly and smoothly, without the former rapid ascents and descents, and even without displaying its lightning-fast speed.

Hu Xiaotian held Long Xi Yue from behind, pressing close to her cheek; Long Xi Yue gazed at the bright stars filling the sky, happiness nearly making her intoxicated, she whispered: "How beautiful! I have never seen the stars so close before."

Hu Xiaotian said: "When the opportunity arises in the future, I'll take you to see the stars up there."

Long Xi Yue hummed in agreement.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Isn't tonight very romantic?"

Long Xi Yue nodded.

"Isn't this unforgettable for a lifetime?"

Long Xi Yue nodded again.

Hu Xiaotian leaned close to her ear and whispered: "Why don't we just go to the bridal chamber now?"

Long Xi Yue gasped, opening her cherry lips wide; this guy is truly shameless, actually thinking of the bridal chamber at such a romantic moment—what a mood killer, and besides, there's a third party present; she blushed and said: "Aren't you afraid it will hear?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It doesn't understand!"

The Flying Eagle, however, suddenly dove downward without warning; Long Xi Yue let out a startled cry and hastily grabbed the feathers on the Flying Eagle's neck; Hu Xiaotian had not yet had time to put a saddle on the Flying Eagle, and Long Xi Yue's firm pull caused the Flying Eagle pain; Jiang Ang let out a shout, like a muffled thunder.

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly held onto Long Xi Yue, but the Flying Eagle then made a sudden turn and steeply climbed upward into the sky. Long Xi Yue's cries continued, and Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "Brother Eagle, Brother Eagle! If you dare to play tricks again, I'll start plucking your feathers!"

Originally, given my current state, I couldn't write the third update, but I forced myself to forget all unhappiness; I am an amateur writer, yet I am more dedicated than many professionals. No matter what unpleasant things I encounter, I must not let this negative emotion affect my creation, nor influence my readers; I have achieved this, and I think it is a great breakthrough for me.

To me, readers are friends, brothers, and sisters; to the website, they may merely be users, but brothers and users are forever different concepts. This month we have experienced too much emotion, too much fervent passion; it is the most unforgettable month since Zhangyu began writing, and it will also let me never forget! The recent slump certainly does not mean giving up; I will strive! Strive for this breath, strive for this principle! Regardless of victory or defeat! To us, victory or defeat is merely the result; to us, we are bound to be victors! We are already victors! I and my brothers and sisters can face any doubt with heads held high; any achievement is what we deserve! Monthly Ticket does not mean anything, but we will use the Monthly Ticket to let everyone witness our strength! We will launch the ultimate showdown, for rules and righteousness, to reclaim the dignity that belongs to us! I only want dignity! For dignity I can spare no cost! Tonight is just the beginning! (To be continued~^~)