Chapter 181: 【Ideological Differences】(Lower)

Hu Xiaotian had heard Murong Feiyan mention this name before; it was said that Mount Sumeru had the title of the world's foremost poison master, but he had never seen it, so he shook his head.

Meng Zizai kept watching Hu Xiaotian's expression, realizing he was likely not lying, yet he grew increasingly puzzled.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Mister Meng seems quite familiar with the wounded." He tried to probe indirectly about the relationship between Meng Zizai and Heavenly Wolf Mountain.

Meng Zizai chuckled and said, "I don't know the wounded; I've heard the name Yan Boguang but never met him. However, the lively girl is my lifesaver; she asked me to help rescue someone, so I naturally wouldn't question any reason and would give my all." The lively girl he referred to was Yan Nujiao.

Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize there was such a connection; if Yan Nujiao had saved Meng Zizai's life, then everything now could be explained. He reminded Meng Zizai, "Yan Nujiao and Yan Boguang are both children of Yan Kui, the chief of Heavenly Wolf Mountain, and Yan Kui is a wanted criminal of the court—you surely know that, Mister Meng?"

Meng Zizai said, "I have no connection with Yan Kui. We Black Miao people distinguish gratitude from grudges; Sir Hu, you needn't worry I'll help the Heavenly Wolf Mountain bandits harm you, nor should you think I'll help you capture them. Black Stone Stronghold treats everyone equally; we Black Miao people regard anyone who treats us well as a friend, and anyone who offends us as an enemy." His words were spoken with firm resolve. Meng Zizai calmly replied, "I'm afraid I cannot live up to such high regard."

Hu Xiaotian saw that Meng Zizai had not gotten the answer he wanted from him, apparently a bit unhappy; since the other party gave a cold stare, there was no need for him to stay, so he rose to say his farewells. This time Meng Zizai did not try to keep him.

Just past noon they had already left Black Stone Stronghold; several people simultaneously looked back, the previously tense heart finally relaxed, although they had failed to rescue Wan Tingchang, at least they had not encountered danger.

Wan Changchun led five others waiting outside in great anxiety; seeing them emerge, he hurried forward. Wan Changchun noticed the young master had not come out, feeling somewhat disappointed, he whispered, "Sir Hu, my young master..."

Hu Xiaotian repeated Yan Nujiao's recent explanation to Wan Changchun, who groaned, "Now how am I to explain this to my lord?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't worry, they probably won't make things difficult for Wan Tingchang; they'll just detain him a few more days." It was midsummer, the blazing sun overhead; they hadn't gone far. All three were drenched in sweat; ahead lay Flying Eagle Valley, passing through it led to the official road to Qingyun County.

Upon entering Flying Eagle Valley, the peaks on either side faced each other, casting long shadows; the valley mouth was rich in vegetation, entering it felt like stepping from the height of summer into autumn, a refreshing breeze blew in, lifting their spirits. Trees on both sides blocked the sky and sun; occasional sunlight filtered through gaps in the foliage, casting mottled light on the gravel road. Such gravel easily sprains horses' legs. The three dismounted and led their horses on foot.

The road grew narrower. After just a few steps, they heard the gurgling of a stream; a mountain torrent rushed through the valley, the clear water winding through dense forest vines, through jagged rocks, and between cliffs; both people and mounts were parched, though Hu Xiaotian fared better, having drunk some black maple tea at Black Stone Stronghold. They led their horses along a gentle slope to the stream, loosened the reins to let the horses drink downstream. Murong Feiyan came to a pool upstream, scooped up some clear, cold spring water, took a few sips, then washed the dust from her face, closed her eyes, and quietly savored this rare summer coolness.

Suddenly came a "plop!"—a loud splash; Murong Feiyan opened her beautiful eyes, but it was too late to dodge, and she was drenched head to toe by the scattering water—yet it was Hu Xiaotian leaping from the left-side boulder, plunging into the pool ahead, sending water flying everywhere, first drenching Murong Feiyan.

Murong Feiyan's brows knitted in classic anger, yet seeing the water still churning, she stared and saw a dark silhouette sink to the bottom—none other than Hu Xiaotian. Her first thought was, "This guy didn't jump in naked, did he?" Avoiding impropriety, she quickly turned her face aside.

From the side came Liu Kuohai's applause and cheers, applauding Hu Xiaotian's stylish dive just moments ago. Hu Xiaotian's head slowly surfaced, hair disheveled like a water ghost; he wiped the water from his face—high-diving was exhilarating to the extreme. Seeing Murong Feiyan turn her face away, apparently unwilling to look at him, he couldn't help but laugh, "Feiyan, don't be afraid, I'm wearing clothes."

Only then did Murong Feiyan turn her face, only to see his bare shoulders exposed above the water; her pretty face flushed crimson with shame, she shouted, "Shameless, lewd!" Without turning away, she grabbed a stone from the shore, about the size of a human head, and aimed it at Hu Xiaotian.

Startled, Hu Xiaotian waved his hands, "Don't—this could be fatal! I'm not wearing anything on top, but my lower half is fully clothed."

Murong Feiyan hurled the stone like a bowling ball; of course she wasn't aiming for his head—if she were, his brains would surely burst. The stone splashed into the water, sending up a great spray that drenched Hu Xiaotian from head to toe; her revenge succeeded, and she giggled.

Hu Xiaotian also laughed, waving at Murong Feiyan and saying, "Want to come down?" If he could enjoy a mandarin-duck water play with Captain Murong, it would be rather romantic.

Murong Feiyan gave him a sideways glance, his cheek thicker than a city wall corner, and reminded Hu Xiaotian, "Don't just indulge in fun; we still need to head back."

Hu Xiaotian leisurely backstroked in the pool; now Murong Feiyan could see he was indeed wearing pants. Hu Xiaotian said, "When life goes well, one must enjoy it to the fullest; living in this world is itself a pleasure."

Liu Kuohai nodded along, and Murong Feiyan couldn't help but warn him, "Don't learn his bad habits."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Kuohai, come down and swim a couple laps?"

Liu Kuohai shook his head like a rattle drum; he's a landlubber—if he jumped in, all he'd get is a mouthful of water.

Murong Feiyan placed her hands on her slender waist, pointing at Hu Xiaotian in the water, and said, "Get up, or I'll beat you flat."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily and dove again into the deep pool. Murong Feiyan, finding him impossible to deal with, shook her head, gazed toward the sunlight, and saw many stones rising above the water's surface, varying in size, winding and twisting; the stream flowed through the gaps between these stones, sending up white spray, the water striking the stones creating a misty vapor that, in the sunlight, displayed a rainbow-like spectrum of colors, the mist faintly carrying a fresh fragrance. Murong Feiyan sought the source of the scent, looking left and right, and saw that where the white spray flowed downstream, crevices in the rock grew patches of sweet-scented flowers; this aroma was carried by the water's mist. Enchanted by the scene, she could not help but be intoxicated. Hu Xiaotian was right—when life is good, one must revel in it; one must never miss such a rare, beautiful sight in life.

Murong Feiyan's crystal-clear ears twitched slightly; her intoxicated gaze instantly turned icy. She flicked her right toe, lifting a fist-sized stone, then swept it outward—the stone shot like a cannonball into the left-side thicket, and a anguished cry echoed from deep within the woods.

Murong Feiyan shouted sternly, "Protect the Sir!"

With a ringing "zheng!", she drew her long sword, her graceful form already swooping like a great bird into the forest depths.

In the woods, behind the rocks, more than ten black-clad masked assassins suddenly emerged; two of them nocked arrows and shot toward the pool. Hu Xiaotian sensed danger, already too late to climb ashore, he dove again into the deep pool; as he entered the water, two sharp arrows whistled in and plunged into the pool.

Liu Kuohai performed a forward roll, taking cover behind a large rock, then swiftly drew the longbow at his back—this bow was made of bamboo and ox sinew, appearing ordinary, yet only extraordinary strength could draw it. Liu Kuohai nocked an arrow, aimed at the man shooting from the upstream stone toward the pool, and let loose; the bowstring gave a light "peng!", then vibrated continuously, and the arrow shot forth like a chase of wind and lightning.

One arrow struck the throat of the assassin who had been shooting cold arrows; he grunted, flipped upside down from the stone, fell into the pool, and his blood spread through the water.

Murong Feiyan swung her sword, deflecting two arrows aimed at her, then reached the position of another archer; surprised by her speed, he panicked, dropped his horn bow, and fumbled for a knife, but before he could grip the hilt, she slashed his neck with a single stroke, severing his head, lifted his body with her foot, and blood spurted continuously from the severed neck, turning the pool even redder.

Having each taken down an archer, they completely shattered the enemy's long-range assault; the remaining assassins, apparently underestimating the formidable combat power of Murong Feiyan and Liu Kuohai, were terrified, stared at each other, and actually abandoned the attack and fled.

Liu Kuohai shouted angrily, "Where do you think you're escaping!" He took large strides and rushed forward, with one kick sending one of them sprawling to the ground, he raised the big cleaver in his hand and threw it; the big cleaver spun like a windmill in the air, puff! —it plunged into the back of another assassin, the blade tip piercing his chest and protruding.