Chapter 826

Zhao Wusheng cupped his fists toward Hu Xiaotian and said, "Then I'll go wait outside!" He knew Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan certainly had something to say privately, so he left them space for a private conversation.

After Zhao Wusheng left, Hu Xiaotian told Huo Shengnan what he had just said.

Huo Shengnan also shared Hu Xiaotian's doubts: just how trustworthy is Zhao Wusheng? After all, he is the close nephew of Navy Commander Zhao Dengyun, so why would he betray his own uncle to help these two outsiders?

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows and said, "We seem to have no other choice; only by seizing Zhao Dengyun can we coerce these garrison troops into yielding." He decided to trust Zhao Wusheng, although Zhao Wusheng and Zhao Dengyun are uncle and nephew, from the shipwreck incident it is clear Zhao Wusheng did not consider his uncle's interests, even willing to let him take the blame; Hu Xiaotian keenly sensed that there might be some hidden matter between this uncle and nephew.

Hu Xiaotian had Huo Shengnan stay here to wait, after all bringing too much would easily alert Zhao Dengyun; with Huo Shengnan's martial skill she could certainly defend herself, and as long as I capture Zhao Dengyun, she would have no trouble breaking out of the soldiers' encirclement.

Hu Xiaotian carried the princess's ashes box under the protection of Zhao Wusheng and several soldiers as he walked to the makeshift memorial hall; the hall was not far from where he lived, just over fifty steps away, of course the Navy Commander's residence itself wasn't large either. An ordinary local government office and the regulations of the imperial palace are worlds apart; Hu Xiaotian walked while quietly observing his surroundings, silently noting them in mind for a later retreat.

Before arriving at the courtyard of the memorial hall, Zhao Wusheng again sent a mental transmission to Hu Xiaotian: "Sir Hu, you must promise me one thing—under no circumstances may you harm his life."

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Zhao Wusheng; after all they are uncle and nephew. In the end he could not bear to put Zhao Dengyun in a deadly situation.

Zhao Dengyun was indeed waiting inside; seeing Hu Xiaotian come alone, he secretly rejoiced, thinking his scheme had succeeded, and pointed to the offering table, saying, "Just place the princess's ashes here." He even managed to put on a mournful expression.

Hu Xiaotian, however, did not put the ashes on the offering table; instead he presented them with both hands to Zhao Dengyun.

Zhao Dengyun's heart gave a start. Yet he did not suspect Hu Xiaotian's motive; faced with the princess's ashes box, he could not refuse, hastily reaching out with both hands to take it. The original plan had been for Hu Xiaotian to place the box on the offering table and immediately act, but he never expected Hu Xiaotian to hand the box directly to him.

Hu Xiaotian brought the ashes box halfway but did not rush to place it in Zhao Dengyun's hands, speaking solemnly: "Sir Zhao, Zajia can entrust the princess's ashes to you. You must guard them well; if any mishap occurs, I fear the court will not be able to answer for it."

Zhao Dengyun said: "Sir Hu, rest assured, I summoned the princess's ashes merely to keep vigil for her and fulfill my duty as a Dakang subject. In my eyes, the princess's ashes are more important than my own life."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir, your noble righteousness deeply impresses Zajia; for the princess's ashes I would even sacrifice my life."

Zhao Dengyun did not grasp his meaning, still pondering it, when suddenly Hu Xiaotian shoved the ashes box into his hands. Zhao Dengyun hastily caught it, his hands just barely holding the box, when Hu Xiaotian flicked his wrist and a cold‑glinting dagger flashed from beneath the box.

Zhao Dengyun never imagined such a turn of events; in his panic he flung the ashes box aside. This proves that everything he had just said was nonsense—claiming the princess's ashes mattered more than his life, when in fact nothing is more important than one's own life.

The ashes box hit the ground with a crack, shattering into pieces; the black powder scattered everywhere—of course it was not ashes but coal dust, Hu Xiaotian had already swapped the contents beforehand. Although Zhao Dengyun was not slow to react, Hu Xiaotian moved faster; before the man could flee his side, Hu Xiaotian seized his collar and pressed the dagger to his throat.

Because the scene changed too rapidly, the warriors hidden behind the curtains had no time to react; upon seeing Zhao Dengyun subdued, they rushed out one by one from their hiding places.

Hu Xiaotian twisted Zhao Dengyun's body, using him as a shield, the dagger pressed to the side of his neck artery, and chuckled: "Sir Zhao, what a grand spectacle—going to such lengths just to receive the princess's ashes."

Zhao Dengyun, after all bearing the demeanor of a great general, although fallen into Hu Xiaotian's hands, showed no outward panic, calmly saying: "Hu Xiaotian, you have destroyed the princess's ashes and taken a border garrison commander hostage—can you face the Emperor and the court?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, reversed the dagger and slashed across Zhao Dengyun's right cheek; blood welled out, the strong scent of blood made Zhao Dengyun's heart leap with fright—how could this youngster be so ruthless despite his age?

Hu Xiaotian said: "You are the one who smashed the princess's ashes box, you are the one who plotted rebellion and disrespect toward the princess; Zajia is an imperial envoy personally appointed by the Emperor, your disrespect and scheming against me constitute disrespect to the Emperor and to the court—order your men to clear out, or I will kill you now."

Zhao Wusheng put on a show: "Hu Xiaotian, don't act recklessly—if you dare harm even a hair of my uncle, I'll see you buried without a grave!" In fact his words were meaningless, since Hu Xiaotian had already slashed Zhao Dengyun's face. Yet Zhao Wusheng was not wrong: Hu Xiaotian indeed had not touched a single hair of his uncle.

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Zhao Wusheng, you dare threaten me—too bad the one giving orders now isn't you!" He raised the dagger and thrust it—puff! —into Zhao Dengyun's shoulder; though he held back somewhat, the blade still sank half an inch into the flesh, making Zhao Dengyun grit his teeth in pain, yet he endured it without a sound, a true man.

Zhao Wusheng drew his waist sword with a clang!

Hu Xiaotian again placed the blood‑stained dagger at Zhao Dengyun's throat: "Now have your men withdraw, clear the road immediately, open the south gate of Wuxing Commandery; whoever blocks my path, I will take this old scoundrel's life."

Zhao Dengyun shouted in anger: "What are you all standing there like idiots for? Seize this eunuch……" Before he finished, another pain struck his throat—Hu Xiaotian had sliced his skin with the dagger.

Zhao Wusheng waved his hand, signaling everyone to retreat to the sides and clear a path.

Hu Xiaotian escorted Zhao Dengyun outward; although Zhao Dengyun bore multiple stab wounds from Hu Xiaotian, he still showed little fear, being a veteran commander. He knew that even though Hu Xiaotian had him under control, Hu Xiaotian would not dare injure him fatally if he wished to live; he intended to use Zhao Dengyun as leverage to force the soldiers and escape Wuxing Commandery. Zhao Dengyun also knew his subordinates, wary of harming him, would not dare act, so he bore himself with extra heroic bearing to avoid ridicule.

When Hu Xiaotian reached the crossroads, Huo Shengnan also came out on a reddish‑brown horse, leading the little gray, and they met up. Because Zhao Dengyun was under Hu Xiaotian's control, not a single one of the several hundred officers at the Commander's residence dared to act rashly.

Hu Xiaotian handed Zhao Dengyun to Huo Shengnan, who sealed his acupoints and laid him sideways on the horse; Hu Xiaotian mounted, drew the large sword hidden beneath the little gray's saddle, and snorted coldly: "You lot had better not play any tricks; after I leave Wuxing Commandery I will naturally release this old scoundrel—if you dare follow, I will first cut off his testicles, then slice off his hands and feet to feed the dogs!" Having said that, he spurred his horse, whipped it, and charged toward the gate together with Huo Shengnan.

The Commander's residence gate indeed opened, and the officers followed behind their horses in pursuit. Upon reaching the gate, Zhao Wusheng said: "Keep your distance; under no circumstances provoke him, lest you harm the Sir's life."

The news that Zhao Dengyun was taken hostage shocked the entire garrison of Wuxing Commandery. Earlier Zhao Wusheng had said there were fifty thousand troops stationed here, with no exaggeration. Wherever Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan passed, the roadsides were filled with soldiers rushing to the scene, yet despite their numbers the garrison dared not act rashly. One by one they watched as Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan escorted Zhao Dengyun straight toward the south gate.

The two reached the south gate of Wuxing Commandery, seeing the gate still tightly shut, with hundreds of archers on the gate tower standing ready.

Hu Xiaotian seized Zhao Dengyun's body and shouted toward the gate tower: "Quickly open the gate and lower the drawbridge, or I will kill Zhao Dengyun!"

Zhao Dengyun cried out hoarsely: "Hu Xiaotian is an accomplice of the eunuch Ji Feihua, forming factions for private gain, plotting to overthrow the Dakang state—he must not be allowed to leave."

Hu Xiaotian gave a heh‑heh cold laugh to Zhao Dengyun: "Commander Sir, you've acted enough—everyone knows you are fearless and dauntless, but if you keep this up you'll provoke Zajia, and Zajia will slap you publicly; just look, what face will you have left to command the navy as this Navy Commander?"

Hearing the threat, Zhao Dengyun's heart clenched; although he and Hu Xiaotian were meeting for the first time, from Hu Xiaotian's methods today it is clear he is utterly unscrupulous—if truly angered, he might not hesitate to humiliate him publicly; a scholar may be killed but not shamed, and besides Zhao Dengyun himself does not wish to die.

Hu Xiaotian said: "How about we make a deal? You have them open the gate; as long as we leave Wuxing Commandery safely and confirm security, we'll release you—what do you think?"

Zhao Dengyun secretly hesitated: if he ordered the gate opened, it would be tantamount to publicly admitting he fears death; moreover, if they depart Wuxing Commandery, who knows whether they will not harm him?

Just then Zhao Wusheng led a group of soldiers up, shouting loudly: "Everyone must not act rashly; do not accidentally wound the Sir!"

Because of Zhangyu's oversight, this chapter was duplicated; after readers pointed it out it was immediately corrected. Those who have already subscribed to this chapter can subscribe again to reread; it should not cost any coins. Zhangyu is deeply sorry, offering two guaranteed chapters. Seeing today's Monthly Ticket count has exceeded one hundred, Zhangyu decides to continue the extra chapter schedule—still two guaranteed chapters, with one extra chapter for every hundred Monthly Tickets, meaning Zhangyu already owes everyone one chapter; today's Three More chapters are definitely available, with the deadline at midnight tonight—let's see whether readers' Monthly Tickets or Zhangyu's updates are more numerous.

From today onward we enter the college‑entrance‑exam period; Zhangyu wishes all examinees smooth sailing in their tests and admission to the universities of their heart's desire. Those currently in the exam period should put down their books; once the exams are over, Zhangyu guarantees a surprise.

Regarding the plot direction of the Medical Union, readers are welcome to discuss it freely in the comments section; Zhangyu will certainly reply personally to any constructive post, given the opportunity. Once again thank you for your support and tolerance of Zhangyu, and again apologize for the chapter error caused by negligence.

Now we enter the Monthly Ticket‑for‑updates mode; Extra chapter! Let's go! (To be continued~^~)