Chapter 670

Lahan's chest heaved violently, his face flushed red. Xiong Tianba's expression didn't change, mainly because his skin was too dark; slight changes weren't visible, but his breathing was much steadier than Lahan's.

The two entered the hall together, and a warrior had already reported the result of their match.

Eldest Prince Xue Daohong laughed heartily: "Good! Good! Good! No winner or loser, all are rare warriors, bring wine!"

Soon someone brought two cups of fine wine; Lahan and Xiong Tianba received the wine and drank it all in one gulp.

Actually this result pleased everyone, after all no one wanted to see a life‑and‑death fight on the spot. Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun said: "Grant the two warriors a seat!"

Xiong Tianba chuckled, turning to Hu Xiaotian: "Uncle! Where's my hammer?"

Hu Xiaotian pointed at the ground.

Xiong Tianba went to fetch his big hammer with a grin, but heard Lahan roar behind him: "Give me back my hammer!" He charged at Xiong Tianba, raising a fist the size of a vinegar jar and slammed it into Xiong Tianba's chest.

Seeing Lahan attack him, Xiong Tianba, true to his nature, did not back down; he threw a punch back, shouting: "The hammer is mine!"

Their fists collided head‑on; those nearby heard the thud of flesh on bone, a loud "Peng!" that was terrifying. Though Lahan was tall and long‑armed, most thought he would have the advantage in such a clash, but the opposite happened: when their fists met, Lahan stumbled back three steps, his body swayed, his expression turned strange, he pressed his lips together and finally could not hold back, spitting out a mouthful of blood mist with a "Pu!" sound.

Everyone in the hall was shocked; no one expected this thin, dark‑skinned youth to fell the giant‑sized strongman Lahan with a single punch, making him vomit blood on the spot.

Even Xiong Tianba himself hadn't expected it; he rubbed the back of his head and said, "You hit me first. If I'd known you couldn't take a hit, I would have held back some strength."

Hu Xiaotian stared, dumbfounded; although he knew Xiong Tianba possessed extraordinary strength, he never imagined the boy could be so fierce as to make Lahan vomit blood with one punch. Laymen watch the excitement; experts see the technique. Huo Shengnan, however, had already seen the truth of Lahan's injury: Xiong Tianba's punch wasn't actually that powerful; it was just that Lahan had exhausted himself lifting the huge vat earlier, and if he hadn't been barely holding on, he would have already spat blood. Under those circumstances, provoking a fight and attacking Xiong Tianba, suffering a loss was only natural.

Wanyan Chixiong saw Lahan vomit blood on the spot. He flew into a rage, shouting "Wa ya ya!" without regard for decorum, leapt to his feet and roared: "How dare this little southern barbarian injure my beloved general! This is utterly outrageous! Wa ya ya ya……"

Xue Daohong hurriedly urged: "Fourth Prince, don't panic—someone, quickly summon an imperial physician!"

Hu Xiaotian gave a hollow chuckle: "This Fourth Prince seems unable to take a loss—I just said I wouldn't compete, yet you forced me to. Now your subordinate is outclassed; what Black Hu's greatest warrior turns out to be inferior to my own groom. If you lose, you should accept defeat gracefully—what's your name? Are you really planning to step onto the field yourself?"

Wanyan Chixiong pointed at Hu Xiaotian and bellowed: "I'll match myself against you—come out! I want to see what you're capable of."

At that moment, Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun sighed and said: "Fourth Prince, what do you think this place is? Tonight I am entertaining my friends here. Do you intend to turn my pleasant banquet hall into an arena?" Though her tone remained gentle, the meaning conveyed was quite rude.

Wanyan Chixiong nodded, forcibly suppressing his anger, placed his right fist against his chest, and expressed his apology to the princess: "Your Highness Eldest Princess, today I, Wanyan Chixiong, have been overly offensive; I hope you will not hold it against me."

Seeing him lower his head in apology, Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun could not be utterly cold; she immediately smiled like a blossom and said: "Let us value harmony above all; today, for my sake and my royal brother's, let us speak only of feelings, not of victory or defeat."

Wanyan Chixiong said: "Eldest Princess, rest assured, under your roof I will never recklessly resort to arms." As he spoke, his eyes brimmed with vengeful malice toward Hu Xiaotian, clearly because of the earlier incident he had now forged a grudge with Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian silently thought, "Not good"—today he had inexplicably gained an enemy; his situation in Yongdu was already precarious, and now he had offended the Black Hu Fourth Prince, likely inviting more trouble. But today he hadn't sought the conflict; trouble had come knocking, and he couldn't just hide like a turtle.

Xiong Tianba approached Hu Xiaotian, lifted the pair of great hammers, and said: "Uncle Hu, if there's nothing else for me, I'll go wait outside."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm leaving too; staying here feels suffocating." Although Princess Xue Lingjun had specifically ordered Jianping to remind him to stay after the banquet, the recent unpleasantness had affected his mood; he didn't know whether tonight's events were related to Xue Lingjun, but he could determine that Eldest Prince Xue Daohong had played no positive role in it.

Hu Xiaotian said he was leaving and did so; Li Chenzhou smiled at him, rose, and bade farewell without trying to detain him.

Huo Shengnan also rose with Hu Xiaotian and whispered: "I should be going as well."

Seeing them rise and leave, Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun's beautiful eyes flickered with a strange light, yet she did not go to see them off.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan walked out side by side, and from behind they heard Jianping's voice: "General Huo, Sir Hu, please stay!"

Both turned at once; Jianping hurried over and said softly: "The banquet is still ongoing—why are you leaving without saying goodbye?"

Huo Shengnan replied: "I have pressing business and must return to the Rising Throne Palace; Miss Jianping, please tell the Eldest Princess for me."

Jianping's gaze then turned to Hu Xiaotian; she had clearly told him before arriving that he should wait until after the banquet, as the Eldest Princess still had matters to discuss with him, yet for some reason she had changed her mind. She whispered: "Sir Hu, don't worry—the Eldest Princess will surely settle tonight's affairs properly."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Does Sister Jianping think I left because I feared that Fourth Prince?" He shook his head: "Please, Sister, tell the Eldest Princess for me: if there is anything, she should come to the Rising Throne Palace to find me."

After leaving the Eldest Princess's mansion, Hu Xiaotian said to Xiong Tianba: "Tianba, you've followed me all day—go back first; I'll return with General Huo, so you can rest easy."

Xiong Tianba replied: "Eh, I understand—you think I'm in the way and want to speak privately with General Huo."

Hu Xiaotian laughed helplessly: "This kid understands when he shouldn't, and doesn't understand when he should."

Xiong Tianba clasped his fists, spurred his horse toward the Nanfeng Inn; the horse obviously strained, for he had added two Great Iron Hammers, a load far from ordinary—no fine steed could likely bear such weight.

Hu Xiaotian watched Xiong Tianba ride off, then smiled at Huo Shengnan: "This lad usually speaks without thinking; General Huo, please don't take offense at his rudeness."

Huo Shengnan smiled: "Xiong Tianba truly possesses astonishing strength—who would have thought Dakang harbors such a mighty warrior."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Dakang's mighty warriors are far more than just him; in fact the realm is full of talent, but the court doesn't know how to employ them, so many abilities lie buried among the populace—though they harbor grand ambitions, they find no way to serve the nation."

Huo Shengnan said: "From your tone, Sir Hu, it sounds as if you're dissatisfied with your nation's court!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Just idle grumbling; General Huo, please don't repeat what I said tonight."

Huo Shengnan smiled: "Am I that sort of person?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

Huo Shengnan said with interest: "Why would you trust me?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Intuition!"

"Intuition?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "For example, I now have a feeling that if I invite you to a meal, you will surely not refuse me!"

Huo Shengnan said: "You're that confident?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "I know you, like me, haven't had enough to eat!"

A rare smile appeared on Huo Shengnan's face as a spring breeze brushed by; she whispered: "Beside the Rising Throne Palace there is a small tavern whose fare is quite good."

The tavern Huo Shengnan mentioned lies close to the Rising Throne Palace, diagonally opposite the palace gate; it is already late, yet the tavern inside is brightly lit, the interior filled with patrons and even the outdoor tables occupied, the atmosphere quite lively.

Huo Shengnan should be a regular here; seeing her approach, the shopkeeper hurried out to greet her: "General Huo, you're a rare guest!"

Hu Xiaotian noticed the shopkeeper missing his right arm, his face marked with several shocking knife scars—clearly he had once been a soldier, likely having fought in many battles. Indeed, this is true: the shopkeeper is Feng Bao, who once served under Huo Shengnan; his facial scars and lost right arm came from battles against the Black Hu people, and after being discharged due to disability, he returned and, thanks to Huo Shengnan's patronage, opened this small tavern. Day to day he runs it with his wife; because the couple are honest and he cooks excellent dishes, business soon boomed. Feng Bao was valiant in the army, making many friends; his former comrades from the camp drop by whenever they have free time.

Huo Shengnan looked around and laughed: "Business is doing well!"

Feng Bao said: "Liao Dazhi and the others from the Fifth Battalion are here; I'll go tell them to free up a room."

Huo Shengnan laughed: "No need, Feng Bao—just add a table for us; we'll eat outside."

Feng Bao said: "All right!"

Huo Shengnan said: "Find a quiet spot; we have official business."

Feng Bao glanced at Hu Xiaotian, his scar‑scarred face breaking into a relieved smile: "General Huo, rest assured—I won't let anyone disturb you."

Huo Shengnan felt nothing odd, but Hu Xiaotian thought Feng Bao's smile was strange—could he be mistaking him for Huo Shengnan's lover? (To be continued~^~)