Chapter 9: [Reversing Black and White] (Part 2)

Murong Feiyan saw the scene before her, and instead of being disappointed, she felt relieved from the bottom of her heart. Hu Tianxiong's move this time could be said to have pulled everyone out of a huge trouble. Although her long sword was not a peerless divine weapon, it was made of fine high-quality steel, far stronger than ordinary blades. Tang Qingxuan had trained in martial arts since childhood, her arm strength was extraordinary, and with her furious full-force throw, the power was formidable. If that sword struck Hu Xiaotian, he would not die but would be seriously injured.

Hu Tianxiong was the foremost martial artist at the Minister's Residence. His arrival instantly changed the situation on site. He tapped his right foot sharply on the marble lotus column of the railing, then leapt into the air. Though his posture lacked the graceful elegance of Tang Qingxuan and Murong Feiyan, his somersault was still high and light. In midair he performed a forward flip with a twist, and by the time he landed he was already standing in front of Hu Xiaotian, brandishing his waist knife in front of him, drawing a cold, gleaming arc. With one hand he lifted his outer robe, with the other he gripped the knife horizontally before him, blade outward—a typical heroic entrance pose. He thrust out his chest, his voice full of vigor, shouting: 'Bah! Bold rats, with me, Hu Tianxiong, here, who dares to harm my young master!'

Hu Xiaotian had been grateful for his timely help, but seeing his pose and hearing how he feared no one would know it was he, Hu Tianxiong, who had rescued him, feeling utterly superior, I thought, 'Damn, can't you stop showing off?'

Tang Qingxuan didn't care who he was; all she wanted now was to kill Hu Xiaotian, and she tried to rush forward, but Murong Feiyan grabbed her. Having learned her lesson, Murong Feiyan knew Tang Qingxuan's eyes were red with killing intent and might lash out at her, so she simply embraced Tang Qingxuan from behind and whispered, 'Qingxuan, don't cause trouble!'

Tang Qingxuan struggled a bit but couldn't break free. Just then Tang Tiehan and Tang Tiecheng, her two brothers, rushed over. Seeing their sister already rescued, they cast aside any hesitation, and Tang Tiecheng shouted loudly, 'Brothers, charge! Kill this lecher and get justice for my sister!'

The hundred-plus followers they had brought, encouraged by him, immediately regained confidence and shouted in unison, 'Kill the lecher, avenge Tang Miss!' With over a hundred voices raised at once, the commotion was extraordinary—likely everyone within a li could hear it clearly.

Although Hu Buwei had sent his personal guard Hu Tianxiong ahead, he remained outwardly calm but felt uneasy inside. He still had no idea about his son Hu Xiaotian's intellect; although his son had miraculously regained his sanity half a year ago and suddenly begun to speak, Hu Buwei always suspected this recovery was fishy and couldn't tell whether the condition might relapse. Thus, upon hearing Tang Wen Zheng mention the matter, his first thought was that his son might have had another episode.

Tang Wen Zheng sat in Hu Buwei's carriage, his heart burning with anxiety. Although the carriage was already fast enough, he wished he could sprout wings and fly straight to the Minister's Residence to rescue his precious daughter. On his way to see Hu Buwei, he already knew his two sons had gone ahead to the Minister's Residence to save people. He sent people to stop his sons from causing trouble while he himself went to see Hu Buwei. Tang Wen Zheng hated the idea of killing Hu Buwei's foolish son, but since they served the same dynasty and Hu Buwei, as Minister of Revenue, outranked him, he harbored many misgivings. He dared not even think further: what if his precious daughter were defiled by Hu Buwei's idiot son? What should he do then?

As the two arrived outside the gate of the Minister's Residence, they happened to hear a shout of killing that shook the heavens.

"Kill the lecher, avenge Tang Miss!"

Tang Wen Zheng heard it loud and clear, his face instantly paling as he silently cursed his luck. Could his daughter already have fallen victim to the lecher's hands? Alas, if anything were to happen to my Qingxuan, I, Tang Wen Zheng, would risk life and property to seek justice from you, Hu Buwei!

Hu Buwei also felt his heart leap at the shout. He had only this one precious son, who had been mute and simple‑minded for sixteen years, unable to utter a word. Only half a year ago had he just recovered his sanity, yet now he had caused such a disaster. What Hu Buwei worries about most now is not the scale of the trouble his son has caused, but whether his son is safe and unharmed.

For a moment the crowd surged, the situation threatening to spiral out of control. Although Hu Tianxiong was highly skilled in martial arts, two fists could not fight four hands. Seeing the situation turn sour, the Minister's Residence's retainers fled in fright, not knowing where to hide.

As the Tang siblings and their hundred‑plus friends were about to summarily execute Hu Xiaotian, Murong Feiyan sensed the danger, tightly embraced Tang Qingxuan, and shouted loudly, 'Everyone, hear me: Hu Xiaotian's lawless misdeeds will be judged by the authorities; you must not act on impulse.' On the surface she was stopping the Tang siblings from protecting Hu Xiaotian, but in fact she was looking out for the Tang family, for as an official she knew well the weight of government authority.

In that situation Hu Xiaotian showed not the slightest fear; his face kept a faint smile, he nodded and said, 'Captain Murong is right—rashness is the devil. Dakang has Dakang's national laws; right and wrong will be decided by the authorities.'

Murong Feiyan glared at him fiercely, silently cursing, 'This spoiled brat is utterly shameless, having done such a disgraceful act and now brazenly spouting such words—citing the national law is nothing but knowingly breaking the law!'

At that moment Hu Xiaotian saw his father's figure appear at the courtyard gate, accompanied by a dark‑skinned, sturdy middle‑aged man. Both wore official uniforms, and the insignia on their chests showed the difference: Hu Buwei's bore a peacock, his hat crowned with a red ruby linked to carved coral. Tang Wen Zheng, a sixth‑rank official, had an egret on his chest, his hat topped with a small blue gem and a sounding stone.

Compared to the egret, the peacock was clearly more exalted and magnificent. As for the gem on the hat, Hu Buwei's red ruby was at least four times larger than Tang Wen Zheng's small blue gem—'when people compare themselves they die, when goods compare they are thrown away.' Standing side by side, a third‑rank and a sixth‑rank official instantly revealed their disparity. In fact, if we only consider stature, Tang Wen Zheng is eight chi tall, over 1.8 meters, while Hu Buwei is of medium build, barely seven chi. Yet Hu Buwei wears official boots with seven‑centimeter thick soles, giving a noticeable height boost; added to his innate imposing aura, standing beside Tang Wen Zheng he utterly outshines him in every way, making Tang Wen Zheng look shabby no matter how you look at him.

Seeing the scene descend into chaos, Hu Buwei first searched the crowd for his precious son. Finding him unharmed, he immediately relaxed and let out a cold snort from his nose: 'Nonsense!' Though his voice was not loud, it carried great vigor, and as soon as he spoke it drew everyone's attention.

Tang Wen Zheng's concern was for his daughter; seeing his son and daughter standing there unharmed, he also breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart and shouted loudly, 'Everyone, stop!' His shout did have an effect. After all, those who wanted to fight were all from the Tang family; upon seeing the patriarch arrive, the Tang siblings immediately calmed down, for Tang Wen Zheng wielded great authority at home, and as the head of the household, any major trouble would have to be settled by his decision.

Seeing her father arrive, Tang Qingxuan's eye sockets reddened; she twisted out of Murong Feiyan's embrace, called 'Father,' then rushed forward and flung herself into his arms. Instantly tears poured down like rain. Though she was usually fierce and hard‑hearted, she rarely cried in public, but today Hu Xiaotian's humiliation had left her feeling utterly wronged. Upon seeing her father, all her grievances and bitterness surged up, and her tears fell relentlessly, as if a downpour.

Seeing his daughter weep so bitterly, Tang Wen Zheng's own eye sockets reddened. He said softly, 'Good daughter, don't cry; for any great matter, I, as your father, will decide.' As he spoke he gave Hu Buwei a cold glance, the meaning clear: your son has done a fine deed, and today I will surely demand justice!

Tang Tiehan and Tang Tiecheng also stepped forward. These two lads were not exactly sharp‑witted; Tang Tiehan, voice rough, said, 'Father, that lecher Hu Xiaotian actually seized my sister by force—we cannot let him off!'

Hearing the boy's insolent words, Hu Buwei frowned slightly, said nothing more, and walked slowly toward Hu Xiaotian.

Seeing the Minister of Revenue approach, Murong Feiyan hurriedly lowered her head and bent her waist, quick‑stepping forward to meet him. This is the salute of 'approaching to show respect.' She came to a point about seven chi from Hu Buwei, placed her hands before her chest, bowed her head slightly, moved her hands slightly, and bent her knees slightly—this is the women's bow. Being merely an eighth‑rank sword‑bearing guard, she had to observe full etiquette before a third‑rank official of the court.

Hu Xiaotian watched Murong Feiyan's every move and realized that Dakang's etiquette was not much different from that of ancient Huaxia. His knowledge of the classics was profound, and seeing their gestures he unconsciously began to compare them.

Murong Feiyan respectfully said, 'I, Guard Murong Feiyan, serving under Prefect Hong of the Capital Prefecture, pay my respects to Minister Hu!'

Hu Buwei gave a slight nod, his expression gentle, and said, 'I never imagined the Hu and Tang families' domestic affair would alarm the Capital Prefecture!' Though the old schemer did not rebuke the young female constable before him, his light‑hearted remark highlighted two points: first, he characterized today's clash as a family matter, and under that premise the Capital Prefecture's interference would amount to meddling.

Murong Feiyan said, 'Minister Hu…'

Hu Buwei paid no heed to her explanation, stepping past her as if the young constable of the Capital Prefecture were beneath his notice. His gaze locked onto his precious son Hu Xiaotian, his expression instantly turning harsh and stern as he bellowed, 'You wretched creature, I'll settle accounts with you later!' An ordinary person would surely ask what had happened, but Hu Buwei would not make that mistake. Seeing everything before him, he knew the odds were in the Tang family's favor, and he did not want to elicit the truth before the crowd. If, before so many witnesses, it were established that his son had forcibly taken a civilian woman, the situation would only worsen; should anyone pursue the matter, he would certainly find himself in a hopelessly passive position, caught between a rock and a hard place.