Chapter 777

Hu Xiaotian said: "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get a tiger cub? I have at least a fifty percent chance to prove that Princess Anping's death is related to the Black Hu people. As long as we can uncover the truth, I think taking the risk is worthwhile, moreover, if the Red Mountain Hall is a Black Hu intelligence agency hidden in Yongdu, it will certainly pose a great threat to Da Yong's interests. For me, this operation is merely to seek the truth; for you all, it is a major matter concerning the interests of the state. Whether to go or not, I, Xiaotian, will not force anyone." All the information he possesses was provided by Xi Yan; how genuine it is, even Hu Xiaotian himself is not sure, but in order to save Huo Xiaoru, he can only take a gamble.

Dong Tianjiang said: "I will definitely accompany Sir Hu on this trip." Because of his brothers' deaths, he bears a deep hatred for Wanyan Chixiong, and he is eager to find evidence to extricate himself from his predicament.

Zong Tang said: "As a subject of Da Yong, it is only natural that I serve Da Yong. The Black Hu people have wolfish ambitions; for years they have harassed our borders and slaughtered our people. I will participate in this matter!"

All three turned their gazes to Huo Shengnan. Huo Shengnan bit her cherry lip and said: "I have never had any fondness for the Black Hu people, but I have only one condition: this matter must be carried out discreetly, and we must try to avoid causing casualties."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Easy, easy; we're here to find evidence, not to kill." Yet he secretly thought, how could it be possible not to kill? Although the four of them are all experts, after swallowing the Wind and Cloud Fruit their martial arts have advanced by leaps and bounds, and Hu Xiaotian shamelessly counts himself among them, but after all they lack the ability to become invisible; unless luck is extraordinarily good, it is impossible to enter the Red Mountain Hall without alerting anyone.

Dong Tianjiang reminded everyone: "The Red Mountain Hall holds a special position in Yongdu; one could say that most of the civilian trade between the Black Hu and Da Yong is conducted through the hall, and even when the two nations are at war, the hall's interests remain unharmed. Therefore, before we obtain solid evidence, we must act discreetly."

Huo Shengnan looked at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Explain your detailed plan."

Hu Xiaotian said: "According to the map markings, the Red Mountain Hall's defenses have two loopholes. One is the rear kitchen: every three days, purchased beef and mutton are delivered through the back door near the kitchen, and today happens to be their procurement day. We can hide among the meat piles when they receive the shipment and enter the kitchen. The other is the hall's northwest corner, where the trees are dense, making it easy to conceal oneself. Although there are guards on the corner tower, the other sentries cannot see this area, and the changing of the guard takes place at midnight each night. That moment is the best time to infiltrate."

Dong Tianjiang said: "I have already had people investigate clearly; in two double-hours, the wagon delivering supplies will arrive at the back gate of the Red Mountain Hall. During this time we can sneak onto the wagon en route."

Zong Tang said: "So you mean we should adopt the first plan?"

Dong Tianjiang shook his head and said: "There is only one supply wagon. I have already bribed the wagon driver; although he agrees, a single wagon cannot hide four people at once. In other words, we must split into two groups."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Zong and General Dong will go together. When the time comes, you will be taken into the storehouse along with the meat. You are versed in mechanical techniques; picking locks should pose no problem for you."

Zong Tang said: "Fine, I also had that intention. My lightness skill is not good; if I were to scale walls and climb roofs, I would likely cause a commotion, alerting the Black Hu people before the operation even begins."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Huo Shengnan; without asking, the two of them were naturally assigned to the same group. Hu Xiaotian took out several pellets, which included poison gas pellets and smoke pellets, distributed them to the others, and explained their use, this being preparation for unexpected needs. The three secretly marveled, Hu Xiaotian is absolutely not to be underestimated; despite being in Da Yong, he possesses so much information, more than these Yong people know.

Dong Tianjiang said: "After Brother Zong and I smoothly enter the storehouse and lie in wait there, we have agreed on a time: at quarter past midnight we will meet at the north wall of the Wild Goose Tower."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Dong Tianjiang rose and said: "No delay; let's set out now, everyone split up to carry out the operation, and must be extra cautious."

Hu Xiaotian and Zong Tang rose likewise; Hu Xiaotian extended his hand, indicating that both should place their right hands on it. He then glanced at Huo Shengnan, who was staring alone toward the Red Mountain Hall, showing no intention to join them. Thus the three could only shake hands, utter a cheer, clasp fists in farewell, and part ways.

After Dong Tianjiang and Zong Tang had left, Hu Xiaotian smiled, picked up the wine pot, and filled Huo Shengnan's cup before her, then said softly: "General Huo seems not too pleased."

Huo Shengnan sighed faintly and said: "You could also be considered scheming."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing her evaluation of him, found it both laughable and exasperating: "General Huo, your remark is mistaken; what ulterior motive do I have?"

Huo Shengnan said: "If it turns out that the Black Hu people have nothing to do with Princess Anping's death, and we cannot find any evidence of their rebellion, what then?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Just pretend nothing happened; besides, we are in disguise, so we won't expose our identities."

"After all, there's always a what-if; what if we expose our identities?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said: "The operation hasn't even started, and General Huo is already talking defeatist? Are you lacking confidence in yourself or in me?"

Huo Shengnan said: "Your true purpose is to sabotage the alliance between Da Yong and the Black Hu, isn't it?"

Hu Xiaotian widened his eyes and let out a long sigh; he had never imagined doing something so earth-shaking that would affect the world order—by splitting the Black Hu-Da Yong alliance to let Dakang merely survive? Hu Xiaotian does not harbor such ambition; his original intention in infiltrating the Red Mountain Hall was simply to save Huo Xiaoru's life. Hu Xiaotian said: "If General Huo thinks that of me, she need not participate in this affair."

Huo Shengnan said: "I feel that my help in this operation would be limited; why are you insistent on my participation?" Women are suspicious; although Huo Shengnan is a heroine among women, she cannot escape the fact that she is a woman.

Hu Xiaotian said: "General Huo, do you not consider this the best opportunity to clear your name?"

Huo Shengnan calmly looked at Hu Xiaotian and said: "You want to help me?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "General Huo has helped me before; to be precise, this time we are helping each other."

"Why?"

"Because I have always regarded General Huo as a friend with whom I can sincerely associate."

This reason, though not entirely sufficient, at least satisfies Huo Shengnan; her long black eyelashes drooped as she spoke softly: "Personally, I do not wish for Da Yong to ally with the Black Hu; I have clashed with the Black Hu many times and understand their nature well. In an alliance, they would show no sincerity whatsoever, and they would never abandon their ambition to conquer the Central Plains."

Hu Xiaotian nodded in deep agreement.

Huo Shengnan said: "Now we can discuss tonight's detailed plan."

As midnight approached, Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan had been hiding in a large tree at the northwest corner of the Red Mountain Hall for nearly an hour; the dense foliage provided excellent cover. Although Huo Shengnan's original intention was to avoid harming people, Hu Xiaotian's plan from the outset required a slaughter.

Two Black Hu warriors will relieve the guard precisely at midnight; at the instant of changing guard, their attention will briefly cease observing and guarding the surroundings. In that short span, Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan must complete the long-range shooting of the two warriors.

Hu Xiaotian is the planner of the scheme, but he is not the best choice to carry out this task; if Zhan Peng were present, this duty would naturally fall to him, whose archery is precise. As it stands, only Huo Shengnan bears this responsibility.

Hu Xiaotian peered through the gaps in the leaves toward the corner tower, quietly awaiting the moment of the guard change.

Huo Shengnan took down the horn bow; its main body is made of iron tire, feeling quite heavy in hand. The bow is not the usual bamboo-wood composite, but is formed by twisting together several different metal materials. The bowstring is made of ox tendon and fish glue mixed together. Although the bow is not long, its range is great; this iron-tire short bow demands considerable strength. All the weapons they used were provided by Zong Tang, with the markings erased beforehand, making their origin untraceable.

The Black Hu warriors on duty have already arrived at the corner tower; Hu Xiaotian instantly grew tense, he winked at Huo Shengnan to indicate she should get ready.

Huo Shengnan's gaze remained fixed on the situation at the corner tower the whole time, never glancing at Hu Xiaotian; she drew two feathered arrows from the quiver behind her and nocked them simultaneously on the bowstring.

The two arrows were released together; Hu Xiaotian had previously seen Zhan Peng perform this feat, never expecting Huo Shengnan to possess such skill as well. Hu Xiaotian also knew this step was extremely crucial; if Huo Shengnan missed, she would surely alarm the entire Black Hu contingent of the Red Mountain Hall, making infiltration pointless. He held his breath, fearing his own breathing might disturb Huo Shengnan.

What frustrated Hu Xiaotian was that after one Black Hu warrior completing the guard change climbed onto the corner tower, another followed, making three people on the tower. Indeed, the plan could not withstand change; Hu Xiaotian looked at Huo Shengnan, seeing her press her cherry lips, obviously also unprepared for this development.

Hu Xiaotian silently prayed that Huo Shengnan had the ability to fire three arrows at once; yet even if she possessed such skill, at a distance of over ten zhang it would be hard to guarantee simultaneously killing three without making any sound. Hu Xiaotian felt a bit overwhelmed; he never imagined that the mission would encounter such a thorny problem right at the outset.

Huo Shengnan's gaze remained steadfast; she readjusted her angle slightly, drew the bowstring to its fullest, the bow like a full moon, the tips of the two feathered arrows reflecting the cold moonlight. Finally she released the bowstring. Whoosh! The two arrows shot simultaneously tore through the air with a low whistle. Even with Hu Xiaotian's extraordinary hearing, he could not distinguish the individual sounds of the two arrows breaking the air, which proves that Huo Shengnan's control of force in this shot is extremely precise; the two arrows are nearly identical in speed and power. (To be continued~^~)