Chapter 679

Tang Tiehan naturally understood Zha Yuan's meaning, shouting in fear: "Don't touch my sister! I really have no such 'Treasure Steed Strange Record'. I have fifty thousand taels of silver notes redeemable at the Mingfeng Merchant House; I'll hand them over—just let us go." Tang Tiehan's actual purpose in coming to Yongdu on this envoy mission also included some private ideas: taking the opportunity to inspect Yongdu's horse market, hoping to import a batch of fine steeds from the north, thereby fulfilling his imperial duty while also making a profit. That is why he became acquainted with the Black Hu merchant Zha Yuan. Tang Tiehan liked drink, and while discussing business with Zha Yuan he got drunk and carelessly revealed the secret of the Treasure Steed Strange Record. To ordinary folks the record is nothing special, but to horse dealers and connoisseurs it is priceless. This book was written five hundred years ago by Bo Chongxi, who became known as the Horse Divination Master. It not only contains a catalogue of all kinds of precious steeds under heaven, but more importantly, the chapters on horse divination and horse taming. Although Zha Yuan is a Hu, he also knows the Treasure Steed Strange Record's value, and thus greed stirred in him.

After scheming to kidnap Tang Tiehan, Tang Tiehan nevertheless refused to speak no matter what, so he then devised another plan, simply tricking Tang Qingxuan as well and using her safety to threaten Tang Tiehan into submission. Little did they know that Tang Tiehan's so-called 《Baojun Qilu》 was pure fabrication—he had only heard his father Tang Wen Zheng mention it, never having seen it himself; as the saying goes, trouble comes from the mouth, a drunken remark actually brought such great trouble upon the brother and sister.

Zhadan gave a glance, and two black Hu men seized Tang Qingxuan and dragged her into the room. Tang Qingxuan shouted sharply, "You have great nerve! We are members of the Dakang envoy; the Da Yong side will not let you off."

Zhadan laughed loudly, walked over, and pinched Tang Qingxuan's delicate cheek hard, then said, "Take her to my room. Give her some infatuation pills."

"Yes!" several black Hu men replied with sinister smiles.

Tang Tiehan turned pale with fright; he wasn't afraid of death, but if his sister were to suffer humiliation at the hands of these villains, he would surely die without peace. He let out a fierce roar and lunged at Zhadan, but with his arms bound he could only ram with his head. Before he could make contact, two black Hu warriors behind him simultaneously kicked his knees, causing Tang Tiehan's legs to give out and he collapsed to his knees on the ground.

Zhadan shook his head and said, "You wretched thing, even at death's door you dare resist. I give you half an hour; if you do not hand over the 《Baojun Qilu》 within that time, I will let you see with your own eyes how my brothers will treat your sister."

Tang Tiehan let out a mournful howl, his eyes nearly bursting. He felt extreme remorse; if it weren't for his big mouth causing trouble, how could he have implicated his sister in such a predicament? Now it's as if calling to heaven brings no response and calling to earth brings no aid—what should he do?

Zhadan had intended to return to his own room, but at that moment a subordinate came over and whispered something in his ear. Zhadan hastily turned and headed for the manor gate, but before leaving he ordered someone to drag Tang Tiehan back and lock him up.

Hu Xiaotian looked up and saw a detachment approaching outside the manor gate—about twenty men. Taking advantage of the black Hu men's attention being diverted elsewhere, Hu Xiaotian moved stealthily along the wall. His Golden Spider Eight Steps were already perfected; walking atop a one‑foot‑wide courtyard wall was as easy as level ground, and he made not a sound. Soon he reached the small courtyard where Zhadan resided, seeing two black Hu warriors dragging Tang Qingxuan inside. Shortly after, the two emerged and took up positions on either side of the door as guards.

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought, the enemy outnumbered him; with his solitary strength it was impossible to rescue both Tang siblings at once. Judging from the situation, Tang Qingxuan was in greater danger—just now Zhadan had shown intent to offend her.

But rescuing them was no easy task; the two black Hu warriors were highly vigilant, guarding the gate with full responsibility, and any appearance of Hu Xiaotian would be spotted. He held his breath and focused, considering how to lure them away so he could save Tang Qingxuan.

An opportunity arose while he waited; one of the black Hu warriors chattered something, then walked outside. Hu Xiaotian's gaze followed his steps and saw him come to the wall corner nearby. The black Hu warrior undid his belt and urinated into the bushes. Hu Xiaotian could not pass up such a perfect chance; he drew the dagger from his boot, leapt from the walltop, and plunged it deep into the warrior's back heart, up to the hilt. The warrior felt something amiss behind him, turned around, but before he could see what was happening, Hu Xiaotian's dagger had already pierced his back, and he collapsed silently into the bushes without uttering a sound.

Hu Xiaotian glanced around, confirming no one had noticed, then examined the black Hu warrior's belongings and found a mechanical crossbow at his waist. He took the crossbow, nocked a bolt, and headed straight for the gate. Seeing the gate closed, he knocked lightly. The black Hu warrior on guard inside muttered something, then hearing the footsteps, the gate swung open.

The black Hu warrior outside saw Hu Xiaotian and was visibly startled, but Hu Xiaotian wore a grin. He fired his mechanical crossbow; three bolts struck the man's face at close range, and the warrior fell flat on his back, clearly dead.

Having swiftly disposed of the two warriors, Hu Xiaotian hurried into the room where Tang Qingxuan was imprisoned, only to see her bound like a zongzi and thrown onto the large bed, her mouth stuffed with a cloth. Hearing the door move again, Tang Qingxuan's soul nearly fled in fright, but upon recognizing the familiar figure as Hu Xiaotian, she felt a mix of shock and joy.

Hu Xiaotian went to Tang Qingxuan's side, quickly cut her bonds with his dagger, and whispered, "Don't make a noise; I'll take you away now."

After freeing her hands, Tang Qingxuan pulled the cloth from her mouth, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Hu Xiaotian, her gratitude overflowing: "Big Brother Hu…" she said, then threw herself into his embrace.

Hu Xiaotian knew she was frightened; otherwise she wouldn't have been so addled as to call him big brother when he was actually younger. He whispered, "This is certainly no place to linger; let's leave first and talk later."

Tang Qingxuan, reminded by him, realized they were still in danger and whispered, "My older brother is still in their hands."

Hu Xiaotian said, "They have too many people; let's leave this place first and then summon help."

"But…"

"There's no 'but'; rashly trying to save someone will only get us all killed."

Tang Qingxuan nodded, and they left the room. Seeing the corpse of the black Hu warrior shot dead, she felt a jolt of fear. Hu Xiaotian took the saber from the body and handed it to Tang Qingxuan. They climbed the wall and moved along it; shortly after leaving the small courtyard, they heard a cry—it was the discovery of the dead man.

Hu Xiaotian also hadn't expected to be exposed so quickly; he could only urge Tang Qingxuan to hurry. At that moment the warriors throughout the manor were mobilized and soon spotted the two fleeing along the wall.

The black Hu were skilled mounted archers; they drew their bows and crossbows and fired at the two. Tang Qingxuan waved her saber to deflect the incoming arrows. Although Hu Xiaotian excelled at the Dog-Dodging Eighteen Steps, on the narrow walltop he had no room to maneuver, and arrows rained down like rain—Tang Qingxuan's hair bun took an arrow first, then Hu Xiaotian's left shoulder was grazed. This was only because the black Hu wanted to take them alive; otherwise they'd likely have been killed by the volley. At the critical moment, a distant horse neigh rang out; Little Gray, hearing Hu Xiaotian's whistle, came galloping like the wind to the wall's base where they stood.

Hu Xiaotian leapt onto the horse, steadied himself, and Tang Qingxuan followed, landing behind him. Hu Xiaotian shouted, "Hold tight!" He squeezed his legs, and Little Gray surged forward with all four hooves toward Yongdu City. Inertia threw Tang Qingxuan's delicate frame backward, and she hurriedly clung to Hu Xiaotian's body.

Ahead on the road, seven black Hu cavalry who had rushed upon hearing the news had blocked the way, sitting on their horses with reins held in the road's center, simultaneously nocking arrows and aiming at the two riders.

Hu Xiaotian dared not charge head‑on; he reined his horse and looked back to see more than ten knights brandishing swords and spears in pursuit—formidable foes ahead, pursuers behind.

Hu Xiaotian glanced around; only the left slope was unguarded, and under the circumstances that was the only viable route. Little Gray was exceptionally perceptive; from Hu Xiaotian's shake of the reins it understood his intent, and it flung its four hooves onto the left slope, galloping upward.

The Black Hu horse merchant Zhadan had also set out in pursuit, and at his side, shoulder to shoulder, was the Black Hu commander Lahen, who had once met Hu Xiaotian at the Grand Princess's residence but had never seen his face, so he did not recognize him.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian and Tang Qingxuan fleeing onto Dog Head Mountain, Zhadan couldn't help but sneer, "This mountain road is a dead‑end; they can't escape. Brothers, give chase! We must take them alive."

Hu Xiaotian spurred his horse into a frantic gallop; Little Gray's speed was astonishing, quickly throwing the pursuers far behind. Zhadan, who had deep expertise in judging horses, could not believe that the opponent's mount, which looked like a mere packhorse, was actually a rare thousand‑li steed; he then issued an order: under no circumstances must Little Gray be harmed.

Tang Qingxuan anxiously looked back and saw dozens of black Hu still hotly pursuing, but their horses were clearly slower than Little Gray, which carried two yet still moved like flying; she breathed a sigh of relief, confident that Little Gray's pace would let them outrun the pursuers.

His heart still not fully at ease, Hu Xiaotian suddenly reined in the horse; Little Gray let out a long neigh, lifted its forelegs high, and nearly stood upright. Tang Qingxuan hastily clung to Hu Xiaotian's body, lest she be thrown from Little Gray's back.

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