Chapter 176

Hu Xiaotian

Liu Kuohai

Murong Feiyan said: "I've also heard that the Black Miao people are skilled at using gu poison; it's said there is also a Wuxian Sect that venerates five kinds of poisonous insects, refining various poisons from them; it's said that the one called 'Supreme Poison Master of the World', Sumeru Heaven, is a Black Miao person."

Hu Xiaotian said: "In this world, both poisons and medicines have mutual restraint and promotion; masters who use poison are often experts in detoxification and healing."

Sir

Master

Steward

Hu Xiaotian was used to her teasing, didn't bother to argue with her, gave a slight smile; if they really started a verbal sparring, Murong Feiyan this girl wouldn't be his match, but with a great enemy at hand, now is the time to unite against the foe; later we'll still need her protection, so I dare not offend her with words.

Murong Feiyan saw Hu Xiaotian unusually tolerating her attacks, and felt bored; verbal sparring is only fun when both sides participate, one side has already completely given up resistance, and there's no need for her to press the advantage; she turned around and saw a convoy of carriages and horses far behind them, and softly reminded Hu Xiaotian: "That convoy behind has been following us."

Ma Qiao

Sumitian

Hu Xiaotian's guess was correct; those following them were indeed people from the Wan family; Wan Bocheng specially had the steward Wan Changchun lead six capable servants from the Wan mansion. Nominally to protect Hu Xiaotian's safety, but actually the real concern was for his own son.

As they approached Black Stone Fortress, Wan Changchun led six servants to catch up with Hu Xiaotian's group, and respectfully bowed to Hu Xiaotian, saying: "Sir Hu, we have come at the orders of our master to be at your disposal."

Hu Xiaotian and Wan Changchun were already very familiar; he glanced at the six servants behind Wan Changchun. One of them he knew—he was among those who had participated in abducting Le Yao that day; his name was Ma Qiao, and at the time he was a commander.

Ma Qiao, seeing Hu Xiaotian's half-smiling gaze directed at him, felt a shudder of fear; that day Hu Xiaotian forced him to take the Three Corpses Brain Pill, and since then he has lived in constant anxiety, calculating the six-month deadline in his mind. If after six months Hu Xiaotian does not give him the antidote, he will surely die; if Hu Xiaotian meets any mishap within those six months, he too will be buried with him.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Going with so many people would only raise suspicion; besides, we're not going to fight, so more isn't necessarily better." He pointed at Ma Qiao and said: "You come with me; the rest wait outside for news." Among these people he trusted most was Ma Qiao, whose life now lay in his hands; even borrowing his courage, he dare not harbor harmful intent.

Wan Changchun nodded, letting Ma Qiao accompany Hu Xiaotian into Black Stone Fortress; he then led the other five to wait outside the fortress, agreeing that after three hours, if Hu Xiaotian still hadn't emerged, he would lead men in to rendezvous.

Black Stone Fortress has over five hundred households, nearly three thousand people, with two major surnames inside: Fan and Teng. The Black Miao originally had no surnames, only father-son given names; as Dakang's territory expanded repeatedly and they conquered the Black Miao barbarians, they established towns in the southwest borderlands. The territorial expansion promoted exchange and interaction among ethnic groups; later, more and more Black Miao left the mountains for the towns to trade—some sold rice, others specialized in making bamboo furniture and utensils. Over time, the townspeople came to call them "old rice" and "old bamboo," and thus they adopted these as surnames, forming the two major surnames of Black Stone Fortress; in fact, the two surnames share the same lineage. Since then, intermarriage within the fortress has been forbidden; Black Miao must seek spouses from different-clan strongholds outside. They also have a strict rule forbidding marriage between Black Miao and Han. That is why, although Black Stone Fortress lies close to the Han-populated Qingyun Xian, it can still preserve its traditional culture and customs.

The Black Miao people mainly engage in agriculture, with hunting as a supplement. They are dexterous and clever; their ethnic crafts—embroidery, brocade weaving, wax dyeing, paper cutting, silver ornament making, etc. —are splendid and varied. Black Miao maidens are beautiful and unpretentious, passionate and unrestrained, good at singing and dancing.

Upon entering Black Stone Fortress, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help recalling when he first arrived at Qingyun Xian; Murong Feiyan, unaware of local customs, had rashly intervened to stop someone from abducting a bride, and it was precisely that act of chivalry that forced Hu Xiaotian to flee helter-skelter to the Wan mansion for refuge, where he thus met Le Yao.

Murong Feiyan saw the fortress gate, also glanced at Hu Xiaotian, seeing him smilingly looking at her; she supposed he was also recalling that day's misunderstanding, and she laughed: "Hope we don't run into another bride‑abduction incident."

Dakang

Riding into Black Stone Fortress, the fortress lies backed by mountains and beside water, facing south with its back to the north; surrounding mountains embrace it, amidst lush forests and bamboo groves, ancient-style stilted buildings are nestled; the mountain path to the banquet is hidden within verdant woods and twisting green vines, melodious flying songs echo from time to time across the open hills; a winding river before the fortress meanders like a silver dragon, and because of its shape the locals call it the White Dragon River. The southern highlands are thickly forested, while to the north stands an ancient wind‑rain bridge spanning the White Dragon River.

Fan Clan

Following Black Stone Fortress's custom, they dismounted before the wind‑rain bridge, led their mounts across it, and as they passed the bridge, a clear, bell‑like song suddenly rang out.

……Most honored guests, you need not fear the hardships of the journey to come to our poor place; although the mountain road is narrow and steep, there are always stepping stones for you to set foot on; though the mud is dirty and slippery, the blue‑stone path is smooth and gleaming. Your arrival brings boundless joy to this neglected Miao village; the pheasants behind the houses welcome you, these honored guests. Though the Miao village is remote and poor, every Miao family harbors a fervent heart. We have nothing fine to offer you, but the Miao family's millet liquor, especially sweet and fragrant, is our highest hospitality; please do not be alarmed. A bowl of wine is the Miao's deep affection; a bowl of wine is the Miao offering you a fervent heart. Drinking this sweet millet wine, a ruddy glow of happiness appears on your face; drinking this fragrant bowl, your noble body will become healthier and stronger; drinking this bowl of mutual‑heart wine, our hearts draw ever closer……

More than ten Black Miao maidens dressed in red ethnic attire with silver headbands and necklaces appeared before them, laughing and singing; seeing so many beautiful girls, several felt dazzled. Murong Feiyan, however, instantly recognized the red‑clad Black Miao maiden standing in the center—she was the very one who had encountered a bride‑abduction in Qingyun Xian that day.

Hu Xiaotian also recognized her; indeed, it's no coincidence—think of someone and you meet them. That day, the Black Miao maiden dragged him away, head‑crouching and fleeing, and it was she who pulled him onto the wall of the Wan mansion; finally she appeared and led their pursuers away, relieving Hu Xiaotian's urgent peril.

However, that Black Miao maiden, from the moment she appeared, fixed her beautiful eyes on Murong Feiyan, her smile blooming like a flower, her pretty face tinged with a little excitement and shyness. Then the group of Black Miao maidens, holding ox‑horn cups, surged forward together.

Liu Kuohai told them this was a unique welcoming ritual of the Black Miao people, the gate-blocking wine, which is only performed for honored guests.

A round-faced Black Miao girl rushed toward Hu Xiaotian, raising the ox horn cup and pouring it into his mouth. Hu Xiaotian knew a little about the customs, but he knew he had to drink; not drinking would be refusing them face. Moreover, when drinking, it's best not to touch the cup with your hand—once you touch it, it proves you can drink, and you must finish it.

The gate-blocking wine consists of twelve rounds, each with its own name, representing congratulations, prosperity, diligence, kindness, magnanimity, wealth, brightness, beauty, longevity, bravery, wisdom, and splendor.

Hu Xiaotian always took only a sip each time; Liu Kuohai was very familiar with the Black Miao customs, and although he could drink well, he knew today he bore an important responsibility and could not indulge freely. Ma Qiao had experienced such scenes before, so he handled it with ease.

The real trouble was Murong Feiyan; the red-clad Black Miao girl smiled at her, holding the ox horn cup, almost about to pour it down her neck.

Although Murong Feiyan knew this Black Miao girl, she remained wary, extending her hand to refuse: "I don't drink alcohol."

The red-clad girl said in a coquettish voice: "Little brother, you must have forgotten me; last time I owed you my rescue." Her beautiful eyes glistened, as if entirely fixed on Murong Feiyan.

Murong Feiyan pointed at Hu Xiaotian and said: "It was he who saved you, not me."

The red-clad girl glanced at Hu Xiaotian, giggling: "He doesn't have that ability." After saying that, her gaze returned to Murong Feiyan's face.

Hu Xiaotian was still being ignored by a beauty for the first time; he noticed the red-clad Black Miao girl's gaze toward Murong Feiyan was full of affection. He had heard Black Miao girls were amorous, but he hadn't expected her to be interested in the same sex, ignoring the three grown men and staring only at Murong Feiyan. Suddenly he realized Murong Feiyan usually wore official robes and was accustomed to male attire—could this Miao girl have mistaken her for a man? If so, the girl's eyesight was rather poor.

Murong Feiyan was embarrassed by the red-clad girl's insistence and could only reluctantly touch the cup to her lips.

The red-clad Black Miao girl said in a coquettish voice: "May I know your esteemed name, sir?"

Murong Feiyan was about to answer when Hu Xiaotian interjected: "He is my second brother, Hu Dadi!"

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