Chapter 505: [Night Raid] (Part 2)

After Wu Jingshan left, Hu Xiaotian came to Zhou Mo's side. Zhou Mo overheard his earlier conversation with Wu Jingshan and said in a low voice, "Judging by the scale of these night owl attacks, it's very likely the work of Beast Tamers; we really need to be more careful."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "What time is it now?"

"Just past midnight."

Hu Xiaotian silently sighed in his heart; this night really seems long.

Zhou Mo told him to go back and rest, with him taking watch duty. Although Wu Jingshan went to find Wen Boyuan, it yielded nothing; at this point, packing up and leaving is clearly unrealistic.

After this happened, most people could no longer sleep soundly; some of Wen Boyuan's warriors simply got up, took the night owls and roasted them over the fire. Though the night owls' cries were shrill, their meat was delicious and also had medicinal value. These warriors were naturally bold, spending their days licking blood off blades, so they had few taboos. Earlier, the aroma of Hu Xiaotian's roasted whole sheep had whetted their appetites; lacking ingredients, they now felt as if heaven had sent them a delicacy.

Not long after, the camp was filled with a tempting meat aroma.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't sleep in his tent either; when he came out again, he saw Zhou Mo still guarding in front of the tent, and scattered snowflakes were drifting in the sky. Looking around, many warriors gathered around the campfire eating roasted night owl meat; that earlier hunt had gathered them plenty of tasty meat.

Hu Xiaotian shook his head, went to Zhou Mo's side and sat by the fire. Zhou Mo smiled and asked, "Can't sleep?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't know why, but I always feel that something is about to happen."

Zhou Mo said, "Maybe it's a premonition."

Hu Xiaotian threw a dry branch into the fire and said, "My premonitions are always useless when good, but accurate when bad."

Zhou Mo laughed, and just then he heard a few loud laughs from afar—it was Wen Boyuan's night watch warriors speaking louder.

Hu Xiaotian stretched lazily and said, "I'll go over there to see what they're up to."

Zhou Mo nodded.

Hu Xiaotian slowly walked toward Wen Boyuan's camp, passing several bonfires. Although there were warriors on guard beside them, no one voluntarily greeted him. Wen Boyuan's followers were extremely resentful of Hu Xiaotian, believing this little eunuch relied on others' power and swaggered before them all day.

Hu Xiaotian came near the noisy warriors, smelled alcohol, and immediately knew they had been drinking. Actually, having a drink while on night watch in the cold isn't a problem, but speaking too loudly disturbs others' rest, which is not good.

When the warriors saw Hu Xiaotian approach, they acted as if he were invisible and continued chatting and laughing.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please lower your voices a bit; don't disturb the Princess's rest."

One bearded warrior lifted his head, gave Hu Xiaotian a sideways glance, nonchalantly grabbed his wine gourd, took a swig, and said, "Others enjoy fine food and spicy drinks, sleep under warm blankets dreaming sweet dreams, while we brothers on night watch here can't even have a drink or say a word."

Another said, "Big brother, you just don't understand. We only know to risk our lives and work hard; how can we compare to those who know how to flatter?"

They all gave a hesitant he-he laugh, though they tried to suppress it, their contempt and disregard for Hu Xiaotian were fully exposed.

Hu Xiaotian wasn't angry. He smiled and said, "Drinking and chatting is fine; just don't disturb the Princess's rest. Otherwise..."

The bearded warrior suddenly rolled his eyes: "Or what? When we were fighting bloody battles, where were you? A eunuch without official rank—what authority do you have to order us around? We won't take your commands."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Good! I most admire bold men. What's your name?"

The bearded warrior, likely a bit drunk, took another gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "A true man neither changes his name when he walks nor his surname when he sits—Dong Tieshan!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly: "Dong Tieshan! Great name! Sounds like you have some backbone. I wonder if your bones are as hard as your name—give us another laugh for the Zajia to hear!"

Dong Tieshan glanced strangely at Hu Xiaotian, then looked at his companions, and burst out laughing first. As his laughter rang out, a flash before his eyes, a fierce kick flew in and struck his face squarely. Dong Tieshan's sturdy body couldn't withstand the kick; Hu Xiaotian sent him sprawling with a thud into the snow.

Hu Xiaotian's kick stirred up a hornet's nest; the five warriors by the fire simultaneously rose, and their waist swords rang out as they were drawn.

Hu Xiaotian stood with hands behind his back, smirking contemptuously: "You've got guts—let's see which of the Zajia dares to move against me."

In the distance, Zhou Mo quietly watched the scene. He didn't come to help; from the moment Hu Xiaotian rose and walked over, he knew Hu Xiaotian might provoke a conflict, and events proved it. Hu Xiaotian's anger wasn't aimed at these warriors but at Wen Boyuan; Hu Xiaotian was carrying out his plan step by step.

Dong Tieshan covered his nose, blood still seeping from between his fingers. He had underestimated the enemy, never expecting Hu Xiaotian to strike suddenly, let alone that this eunuch's kick would be so powerful, causing his nose to bleed profusely and his head to spin. Dong Tieshan cursed fiercely: "Damn! I'll chop you, you bastard..." He drew his sword and lunged forward; just as he raised the blade, someone rushed in from the side, grabbed his wrist, and despite his strength he couldn't break free. He roared, "You motherfucker, let go of me!" Only then did he see Wen Boyuan had come up beside him, and he was terrified, his face turning green.

Wen Boyuan released his wrist, then backhanded him with a hard slap that knocked out two of Dong Tieshan's front teeth—this slap was much harsher than Hu Xiaotian's kick earlier. Wen Boyuan said, "You blind fool, don't you recognize Lord Hu? Put your swords away."

The men hastily sheathed their swords. Wen Boyuan bowed to Hu Xiaotian and said, "Lord Hu, please don't take offense; my men are rough-mannered, and I hope you'll forgive any offense."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "It's nothing serious; just their loud talking and laughing—I feared it would disturb the Princess's rest."

Wen Boyuan said, "Lord Hu, your care for the Princess is truly thorough." His words were clearly laced with mockery.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Of course." At that moment he suddenly smelled thick smoke; in a short time a light haze had spread around them, and Wen Boyuan also noticed it. They looked around, wondering if the smoke came from a dying campfire elsewhere, but within a short time the smoke had engulfed their camp. Wen Boyuan shouted, "Protect the Princess!" and then led the charge toward the Princess's camp.

Hu Xiaotian also wanted to follow, but after just two steps a few warriors shielded him, one saying, "Lord Hu, come with us!"

In the distance, Wen Boyuan had already signaled retreat; the thick smoke was coming from due south, spreading rapidly with the north wind. They had to leave the camp quickly to escape the smoke's shroud.

Hu Xiaotian had intended to go straight to the Princess's tent to meet Long Xi Yue, but the smoke spread far faster than he imagined; before he could rendezvous with Long Xi Yue, smoke filled everything around him. However, Zhou Mo had remained on guard outside the tent, and he should be able to look after Long Xi Yue.

Several warriors escorted Hu Xiaotian forward, trying to escape the smoke‑filled zone. Hu Xiaotian held his breath and instinctively employed the "playing‑dead dog" breathing technique taught by the old beggar—only in a life‑or‑death moment does one appreciate its subtlety. Though the name isn't pleasant, it's simple and practical; that's why folk like to give children names with the dog character—Dog Egg, Dog Lad, Dog Leftover—because having a dog in the name supposedly brings a long life.

Wen Boyuan's voice echoed from afar again: "Everyone, don't panic! Slowly… withdraw…" He was clearly choked by the smoke, coughing a few times.

Although Hu Xiaotian's vision had improved considerably after cultivating the Formless Divine Skill, he still couldn't see clearly through the smoke; the warriors beside him all covered their mouths and noses with cloth, leaving only their eyes exposed.

Hu Xiaotian pointed toward the direction from which Wen Boyuan's voice came, signaling them to go that way. At that moment, shouts of killing erupted from the surrounding forest, shaking the pines, and for a moment it was impossible to tell how many ambushers lay hidden.

Two warriors guarded Hu Xiaotian on his left and right, protecting him closely; they attended to this Deputy Marriage Envoy with great care. They felt their way through the smoke for a while but still hadn't found their comrades. Hu Xiaotian suspected they had taken a wrong turn, turned around, and saw a warrior behind him raise his long sword to stab him in the back.

Hu Xiaotian was startled; at the critical moment he tapped his toe on the snow and lunged backward, but the warriors on either side struck simultaneously, one left, one right, grabbing his arms. Hu Xiaotian's soul nearly fled; his momentary carelessness had landed him in the enemy's trap.

Seeing the sword's tip already before his eyes, Hu Xiaotian let out a loud roar, somewhat desperate—this thrust would surely pierce him through and through. He kicked at his opponent, determined that even if he were cut down he would kick off half the man's life.

Yet the warrior who had sneak‑attacked from behind was even more astonished; although his sword had reached Hu Xiaotian's chest, the tip struck his breast and could penetrate no further—the immense force even bent the blade—but the tip could not pierce Hu Xiaotian's clothing.

Hu Xiaotian's flying kick landed squarely in the warrior's abdomen, sending the rear‑attacker soaring into the air to crash against the tree trunk.

The warrior clutched his painful belly, propped himself up on his sword, intending to rise and attack again.

Whoosh! A feathered arrow tore through the smoke, striking the sword‑wielder's head at astonishing speed; puff! It pierced his skull, the bloody arrowhead protruding from the back of his head and deeply embedded in the tree trunk. The warrior was terrified, his eyes wide open, and even in death he never knew who had shot him.

The two warriors who had grabbed Hu Xiaotian's arms almost simultaneously drew daggers and stabbed fiercely at his ribs, but the result was the same—the daggers could not penetrate his flesh at all.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone—may all lovers in the world finally be united. (To be continued~^~)