Chapter 507

Hu Xiaotian only now understood why Zhan Peng risked danger to borrow arrows in midair, and why he had pulled out his own shot arrows before leaving; unexpectedly, in that situation Zhan Peng could still keep such a calm mindset—this psychological quality even I might not match.

Hu Xiaotian secretly felt relieved; Wen Boyuan would not be able to guess who had done it in a short time.

Hu Xiaotian had walked only a short distance when he turned back, now holding a bow; this bastard nocked an arrow, aimed at the corpse of the bandit on the ground, and shot—whoosh!

His action left everyone stunned—shooting arrows at a corpse, does this bastard have any shame? Even at such close range, Lord Hu actually missed the shot; Hu Xiaotian threw the bow and arrow to the ground and cursed, "You wretched thing, daring to disturb the princess's procession—I see you don't want to live!" He's already dead, for heaven's sake! Hu Xiaotian's act was really clumsy.

Trying to cover up only makes it more obvious! Wen Boyuan's face was full of suspicion. Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you deliberately missed that shot in public so I wouldn't suspect you—fat chance! I never expected you to be such a sharpshooter capable of hitting a willow leaf a hundred paces away. Sometimes being too suspicious is not good; Wen Boyuan is a case of cleverness backfiring.

Hu Xiaotian had really aimed, but his makeshift sights were off a bit; seeing Wen Boyuan's doubtful expression, Hu Xiaotian secretly gloated, let him think whatever he wants—even if I don't kill you now, I'll still knock out a few of your brain cells.

After counting heads, we found our side had five dead and twelve lightly wounded; the bandits who ambushed us in the night raid were killed sixteen, the wounded unspecified.

Hu Xiaotian concluded these bandits were merely a decoy set up by Wen Boyuan, strengthening his resolve to kill them.

After the night's ordeal, everyone looked listless. Wen Boyuan decided to stay put, make a fire and cook rice, waiting until dawn fully broke before setting out.

The sky showed a pale gray. Dawn arrived unnoticed; Hu Xiaotian led Xiao Hui to a stream not far from the camp, washed his face, then helped Xiao Hui wash off the mud.

A figure approached from ahead; Hu Xiaotian instantly became alert, waiting until the person drew near to see—it was Zhao Zhihe, who had gone ahead to scout the road. Zhao Zhihe is extremely suspicious; as the squad's guide and intelligence gatherer, he cannot escape blame for last night's events. Hu Xiaotian could almost conclude that Wen Boyuan and the bandits were in contact through Zhao Zhihe, so to sever their link he must start with Zhao Zhihe.

Hu Xiaotian patted Xiao Hui's hindquarters, told Xiao Hui to wait by the stream, then went to meet Zhao Zhihe, saying, "Isn't that Brother Zhao? Early bird!" Zhao Zhihe had not prepared to deal with this Lord Hu, but since the other party initiated a greeting he couldn't ignore it, and he bowed to Hu Xiaotian, saying, "Subordinate Zhao Zhihe pays his respects to Lord Hu."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "No need for formalities, Brother Zhao, where did you go so early?"

Zhao Zhihe said, "I'm scouting the road ahead under General Wen's orders." He glanced behind Hu Xiaotian. The camp was only a hundred or so steps away.

Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe laugh, then reached out and placed his hand familiarly on Zhao Zhihe's shoulder; Zhao Zhihe blinked in surprise, thinking he and this lord weren't that close.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Brother Zhao, I have a question I'd like to ask you privately."

Zhao Zhihe glanced toward the camp again: "But I still have urgent matters to report to General Wen."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "No rush, just a couple of sentences."

Zhao Zhihe sighed helplessly; he could only walk a couple of steps aside with him, and Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice: "Actually, I know exactly what you've done."

Zhao Zhihe couldn't have expected him to say that, and stared in shock: "Lord Hu, what do you mean? I don't understand a word of what you're saying."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "It's not that you don't understand—you're pretending. You know where those bandits came from, and you know even better what Wen Boyuan had you do."

Zhao Zhihe's face changed; he shook his head and said, "Lord Hu, you may think what you like about me, but the innocent need no proof—if you have anything to say, take it up with General Wen."

Hu Xiaotian said, "As a guide, you deliberately led us into the Black Pine Forest, causing us losses and disturbing the princess—what crime does that deserve?"

Zhao Zhihe replied, "If one wants to accuse someone, excuses are never lacking; I, Zhao Zhihe, am loyal and true to Dakang—this heart can shine like sun and moon."

Hu Xiaotian snorted, "More likely you're loyal to Wen Boyuan."

Zhao Zhihe suddenly wrenched free of Hu Xiaotian's arm, glaring at him: "Lord Hu, I've tolerated you again and again, yet you keep pressing—don't overdo it."

Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe laugh, "Threaten me? You actually dare to threaten me?"

Zhao Zhihe said, "I am an officer of the Divine Strategy Garrison, taking orders only from General Wen; you have no right to point fingers at me, and if you dare be rude again, don't blame me for not showing courtesy." Relying on Wen Boyuan's backing, Zhao Zhihe spoke with considerable bravado.

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "All right!" As he spoke, his body shot forward like a leopard.

Zhao Zhihe never expected Hu Xiaotian to dare strike him here; his first reaction was to grab Hu Xiaotian's arm, but Hu Xiaotian moved with astonishing speed, blocking Zhao Zhihe's arm with his elbow, then extending the Profound Dark Yin Wind Claw to lock his throat tightly. Though Zhao Zhihe's skill should not have lost in a single move, the suddenness left him unprepared, and Hu Xiaotian's execution of the exquisite Profound Dark Yin Wind Claw—a superior martial art—was beyond his expectation; he had grossly underestimated Hu Xiaotian's ability, never imagining this little eunuch possessed such a secret technique.

Zhao Zhihe broke out in a cold sweat, just about to struggle, when Hu Xiaotian already drew a dagger, pressing it to the side of his carotid artery, and lowered his voice: "If you call for help, I'll slit your throat with one stroke."

Zhao Zhihe froze, trembling, and stammered, "You… what do you intend to do?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Answer me honestly; if you utter even half a lie, I'll have you die right here!"

Zhao Zhihe replied, "You are a court-appointed official—how can you take lives so lightly?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't forget, before I set out Ji Feihua gave me a black gold dagger—allowing me to strike first and report later."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhihe shuddered with fear; he certainly knew Ji Feihua's status in Dakang, and even if Hu Xiaotian killed him, Ji Feihua would surely back him up.

Seeing the fear in his eyes, Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice: "Now tell me honestly—are there any more ambushes ahead?"

"How would I know?"

"Even at death's door you still talk tough."

Zhao Zhihe suddenly seized Hu Xiaotian's wrist and shouted, "Save—" Before he could finish, Hu Xiaotian flung the dagger and stabbed it hard into his neck; at the same moment a sharp cry rang out from behind.

Hu Xiaotian pulled out the dagger, kicked Zhao Zhihe's corpse away, blood spurting from his neck without a drop staining Hu Xiaotian; he turned and saw a youth in form-fitting attire, panic-stricken, standing behind him—on closer look it was Tang Qingxuan disguised as a man. Hu Xiaotian's head swelled; he had been focused solely on Zhao Zhihe, never noticing when Tang Qingxuan appeared, or if she had been there all along.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian look at her, Tang Qingxuan panicked and reached for the longsword at her waist; though she was hot-tempered, she had never witnessed such a bloody scene, and in her fright she failed to draw the sword in time—Hu Xiaotian was already before her.

At the same moment, more than ten warriors from the camp, having heard the noise, rushed over; Hu Xiaotian silently cursed—there was no time left to silence anyone—he snapped his mind, suddenly embracing Tang Qingxuan in his arms; she never expected him to protect her, her soul nearly leaving her body, and Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice: "If you dare speak of this, your two brothers won't live."

Tang Qingxuan was utterly dumbfounded, not yet recovered, when the warriors closed in; Hu Xiaotian leaned to her ear and whispered, "This man is a traitor; if I don't kill him, we'll all die at his hands."

Wen Boyuan also arrived at the scene in the first instant, seeing Zhao Zhihe slumped on the ground with his limbs twitching; he rushed forward, grabbed Zhao Zhihe's shoulder to turn him over, and struck his acupoints like wind, trying to staunch the bleeding—but Zhao Zhihe's carotid artery had been severed by Hu Xiaotian, which no acupressure could stop; Zhao Zhihe twitched a few more times, clearly lifeless.

Wen Boyuan slowly rose, then snapped his head back, his gaze locking onto Hu Xiaotian, a chill killing intent enveloping him.

Hu Xiaotian acted as if nothing had happened, releasing Tang Qingxuan and saying, "That scoundrel is nothing but a beast—he actually wanted to rape Miss Tang."

Tang Qingxuan had just been shocked pale; now she felt as if thunderbolts struck her head—she had merely been hiding aside to relieve herself, who would have thought she'd accidentally witness Hu Xiaotian's killing scene? She had wanted to stay silent to avoid detection, but in the end she could not help but let out a scream at the bloody sight of Hu Xiaotian killing and silencing him, which landed her in this perilous situation; she could tell one thing: if those warriors hadn't rushed over upon hearing the noise, Hu Xiaotian would likely have killed her too to silence her.

Only now did Tang Qingxuan recall that she did know martial arts, though her skills were hardly refined; seeing the bloody life‑or‑death combat, she was utterly terrified. One could say her mind is still a muddled mess, not yet back to normal, which is why Hu Xiaotian felt free to spout nonsense. What angered Tang Qingxuan was that Hu Xiaotian actually broadcast the fact that she was a woman.

Wen Boyuan's cold, gloomy gaze turned to Tang Qingxuan; the stark chill made her heart quiver, and her face instantly paled.

The month is over; if you have a second monthly ticket, please cast it for Medical Union! (To be continued~^~)