Chapter 1854

Hu Xiaotian angrily said: "This matter is indeed the doing of the Black Hu people." Ji Feihua's words undoubtedly have become important evidence that Gang Bada beat Baobao, and Hu Xiaotian instantly made up his mind that even if he had to dig three feet deep, he would find Gang Bada.

Ji Feihua said: "Tonight I will go to the relay station; first, to look for Gang Bada's traces; second, to confirm whether that mysterious expert who blocked my path is Bu Bu Ma."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I don't care if she is the Black Hu's top expert; as long as she dares to oppose me, I will chop off her hands."

Ji Feihua reminded him: "Don't let hatred blind your eyes; Bu Bu Ma's martial arts are extraordinary, and she is the sole female successor of Fan Yin Si for hundreds of years. Offending her is equivalent to offending the entire Fan Yin Si."

Hu Xiaotian said disdainfully: "So what if we offend them? Gang Bada also comes from Fan Yin Si, and I will certainly settle this score with Baobao together with them."

Ji Feihua said: "I just find it strange; even I cannot solve the Seven Ingenious Pavilion, so how did they manage to enter it smoothly?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't forget, that skull inside Long Ling Shengjing was taken away by Xiang Shancong."

Ji Feihua nodded and said: "In other words, someone among them can comprehend the secret of the skull."

Hu Xiaotian remained silent, but Huo Xiaoru's image appeared before his eyes; although he didn't want to admit it, all doubts pointed to Huo Xiaoru. If Huo Xiaoru could read the skull's secret, does that mean she shares blood ties with the skull's owner? Then what is her relationship with Qiqi? These two seem to have no connection at all.

Ji Feihua was also considering the same problem; Hu Xiaotian had previously hinted at his relationship with Qiqi, but besides her and Qiqi, someone else in the world could read the skull beneath Long Ling Shengjing—who is that person?

Hu Xiaotian slammed the wine cup heavily on the table: "It's time to put some pressure on the Black Hu people."

Ji Feihua said: "Gang Bada wouldn't just stay there waiting for us to catch him; now they have obtained two skulls, I suspect they are most likely already on the road leaving Dakang."

Dawn had just arrived, and outside the relay station where the Black Hu envoy was staying, a troop had already appeared, led by none other than the King of Zhenhai, Hu Xiaotian.

Black Hu envoy Wanyan Liexin immediately went to the front gate upon hearing the news; seeing the troop outside radiating killing intent and formidable presence, Wanyan Liexin remained unfazed, he smiled and clasped his fists, saying: "Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: "Don't misunderstand, Wanyan brother; it's because the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets recently had a theft case, and according to the evidence we have, it likely involves your state's national preceptor Gang Bada. This is no trivial matter, so I have to handle it officially." He dismounted, deliberately lowering his voice to Wanyan Liexin: "Wanyan brother, please understand my difficulties; I am also acting under orders. Last time Gang Bada mistakenly entered the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets, I vouched for him to get him out; now someone again saw him there yesterday morning, and I can't do anything about it."

Wanyan Liexin sighed: "It's not that I won't cooperate, Your Highness; I am also looking for Gang Bada's whereabouts, but he suddenly disappeared without telling anyone."

Hu Xiaotian secretly sneered: Gang Bada's matter, Wanyan Liexin most likely knows about it; this guy is no good bird either; this envoy is merely a pretext, behind which lies some ulterior motive. Without saying more, he must be colluding secretly with Xue Shengjing; his envoy might be to steal the skull as a cover; otherwise, how could Gang Bada have mingled with Xiang Shancong, and Bu Bu Ma wouldn't have coincidentally rescued Gang Bada and blocked Ji Feihua's path.

Hu Xiaotian said: "He's not here?"

Wanyan Liexin said: "He's not here; I, as the envoy, guarantee it with my integrity."

Hu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes; he had long doubted Wanyan Liexin's character—this guy, with mediocre martial arts and young age, yet managed to become the Black Hu Northern Court's Great King, showing he must have extraordinary ability. Now it seems Wanyan Liexin's skill in scheming is formidable. Hu Xiaotian began to realize he had still underestimated this person's energy; unexpectedly, he could still stir up a storm in Kangdu. Of course, Wanyan Liexin is just one of them; behind him likely lies Xue Shengjing, and perhaps even other unknown figures aiding in the plotting.

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "I trust you."

Wanyan Liexin's expression eased, thinking he had brushed off Hu Xiaotian, and was about to leave when Hu Xiaotian shifted tone: "Trust is trust, but I still need to go in and look myself."

Wanyan Liexin gave a bitter smile: "If Your Highness brings people to search, that would probably be improper, after all we are here representing the Black Hu."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "If I go in alone, that should still be acceptable, right?"

Hearing this, Wanyan Liexin thought that if he continued to obstruct, it would be hard to justify; he nodded and said: "Since Your Highness doesn't trust me, then I have no choice but to ask you to investigate personally."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded, he waved his hand, ordering the troops behind to retreat ten zhang; however, a person stepped out from the ranks—dark and thin, with a coarse voice—saying: "Third Uncle, I'll accompany you inside." It was Xiong Tianba.

Seeing only the two of them enter, Wanyan Liexin did not voice any objection.

Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba entered the relay station; he had been here once last night, already familiar with the layout, he pretended to stroll around the front courtyard, then headed straight for the rear. Wanyan Liexin, to prove his innocence, had his subordinates all called out, making it convenient for Hu Xiaotian to inspect, and also to show he wasn't lying.

Hu Xiaotian came to the artificial hill in the inner garden; he had already looked over the Black Hu envoy members inside the relay station, more or less.

Wanyan Liexin said: "Your Highness has seen them all; Gang Bada is not among them; he left without notice two days ago, and no one knows his whereabouts."

Hu Xiaotian pointed to the small building where the Black Hu Princess Xima resided: "It seems I haven't inspected that place yet."

Wanyan Liexin's face showed difficulty, and he whispered: "Your Highness, that might not be appropriate."

"What's inappropriate?" Hu Xiaotian had already stepped toward the small building.

Wanyan Liexin quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his path, and whispered: "Your Highness, that is the Princess's residence."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "It's not like I haven't seen it before; since I'm here, I might as well pay a visit."

Wanyan Liexin said: "Your Highness, this seems improper etiquette."

Hu Xiaotian subtly gave a look, and Xiong Tianba grabbed Wanyan Liexin's shoulder in one swoop, chuckling: "Northern Court Great King, we've met before, do you remember me?" Although Wanyan Liexin is exceptionally wise, facing Xiong Tianba's brutish sort he could only yield; they simply don't reason with him, Xiong Tianba's strength is such that Wanyan Liexin, once caught in his grip, couldn't move at all; Hu Xiaotian seized the chance to slip past him, and before Wanyan Liexin could react, it was too late. The surrounding Black Hu warriors, seeing Hu Xiaotian forcibly enter the small building, were filled with righteous indignation and surged forward.

Before they could approach, Xiong Tianba glared, eyes wide, and coldly said: "Damn it, I dare anyone to come over? Don't you see whose turf this is? Northern Court Great King, why are your men so lacking in manners?" He tightened his arm slightly; Wanyan Liexin, caught in his grip, could barely breathe, feeling his bones creak and groan, as if they might snap at any moment; he quickly gave a glance, signaling his warriors to retreat. Although Hu Xiaotian was somewhat rude, after all this is Dakang's territory; even though inside the relay station there were only two of them, outside a troop waited—if a fight truly broke out, they would certainly come off worse.

Just as Hu Xiaotian was about to reach the front of the small building, the doors swung open and a tall figure appeared in the doorway—none other than the Black Hu's top expert, Bu Bu Ma.

Hu Xiaotian and Bu Bu Ma faced each other; just now he had sensed her formidable aura—Bu Bu Ma's height exceeds his by half a head, even with her hunched posture; a pair of gray-blue eyes coldly stared at Hu Xiaotian, standing in the doorway like a small mountain blocking his path.

Hu Xiaotian smiled at Bu Bu Ma and said: "Please step aside."

Bu Bu Ma said nothing, still standing there motionless.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You don't understand my words, do you?"

Wanyan Liexin said: "Your Highness, please don't blame her; she is the Princess's guard and does not understand Central Plains language."

Xiong Tianba said: "Then you understand—quickly tell her to move aside."

Wanyan Liexin gave a bitter smile: "Besides the Princess, she listens to no one; my words would be useless."

Xiong Tianba released Wanyan Liexin, came to Hu Xiaotian's side, looked up at Bu Bu Ma and said: "She's really tall, Third Uncle—is she male or female?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Can't you see for yourself?"

Xiong Tianba sized Bu Bu Ma up from head to toe, then said: "Male, definitely male—he has no chest." After shaking his head, he added: "No, he lacks a beard, yet he doesn't look like a woman either; he must be a eunuch, Third Uncle—did I guess right?"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but chuckle.

Wanyan Liexin, however, could only laugh and cry; where did Hu Xiaotian get this foolish lad, all brawn but no brains—this guy doesn't know his limits; Bu Bu Ma holds an extremely high status in Black Hu country, who would dare be so rude to her? Claiming she doesn't understand Central Plains language was merely a deception of Hu Xiaotian; she not only possesses peerless martial arts, but also profound learning, versed in many languages, so Xiong Tianba's words are naturally understood by her clearly.

Xiong Tianba stepped closer to Bu Bu Ma and said: "Sir, you're not young either; you should take better care of your health. Although I normally don't strike women, eunuchs, elders, or children, if you truly push me to the edge, I won't hold back—please move aside a bit."

Bu Bu Ma looked down arrogantly at Xiong Tianba, not even regarding this dark, thin youngster.

Xiong Tianba said: "Look at your size—let's clasp hands and see whose strength is greater." He reached out his hand, and Bu Bu Ma slowly opened her large palm to meet it. (To be continued~^~)