Unruly Phoenix Xiaoyao

Chapter 32: Grand Preceptor does evil again

As Fang Tang pointed at the alleyway, he took a step forward, planning to run over and look for himself. But Lou Zigui said sternly, "Don't go, there are people on top of the walls."

Fang Tang hastily looked over and saw two black robed figures standing atop the walls on both sides. Their faces were covered with black cloth, making it impossible to tell their looks. "Northern Hu?" Fang Tang was astonished. Just two people were enough to hold back Song Jin and his men?

"If they were northern barbarians, why haven't they come to kill me?" Lou Zigui said softly. Fang Tang was astonished.

"Grand Preceptor's estate," Lou Zigui intoned coolly.

"What?" Fang Tang wanted to shout, but held himself back.

Lou Zigui observed the situation of the battlefield. Ning Xiaoyao was currently fighting while holding a brick above her head. A black cat sat on her shoulders with its fangs and claws bared. The two of them made a pair in black and white, amusing Lou Zigui enough for him to chortle. Grand Preceptor Xie probably never expected to raise a granddaughter like this, right?

"They're really the Grand Preceptor's men?" Fang Tang didn't understand why his Supreme Commander could still laugh in such a situation. "What does that damned old fogey want to do?"

"He wants to shock and scare His Majesty with my death," Lou Zigui withdrew his smile to speak in a cold voice. The Dragon Guards would protect Ning Xiaoyao unto death, buying enough time for him to die at Northern Hu's hands. When he was gone, Grand Preceptor Xie could then bring his men and horses to rescue His Majesty. It was strike that dealt two blows at once: to kill his enemy while teaching a harsh lesson to his disobedient grandchild. Lou Zigui looked coldly at the two men atop the wall. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Grand Preceptor Xie wanted to be that oriole.

--

In the long and narrow alleyway, Grand Preceptor Xie stood with his hands behind his back as he paced around in circles. Song Jin and the Black Frost Cavalry, along with the rest of the Dragon Guards, were all lying on the ground. Their minds were alert, but they had no feeling in their limbs. Nor could they speak.

"Grand Preceptor," a black-clothed man jumped down from the wall to crouch on one leg before him. He spoke in a soft voice, "The Northern Hu are about to lose."

Grand Preceptor Xie ground to a halt. "You're certain?"

"Yes," the black-robed man didn't say much, but only kept to a simple word.

The most powerful weapons from this group of northern barbarians were their Nine Arrow Crossbows. One crossbow could shoot nine arrows at once, an excellent tool on the battlefield when they were attacking cities and seizing territories. Unfortunately, Ning Xiaoyao's 600 jin carriage injured over half of the archers. When she jumped up to kill the rest, the crossbows became useless at close-range. From that moment on, the Northern Hu were doomed to lose.

Grand Preceptor Xie waved a hand to dismiss the messenger before tugging at his collar. He slowly paced to a place with poor lighting in the alley and sat down, where no one could see his expression. His calm face instantly shifted to a gloomy one. He didn't come today for Lou Zigui, because it wasn't worth wasting effort on a man destined to die. He'd brought along all the expert fighters of his estate and drugged Song Jin and the rest, just so Ning Xiaoyao could watch Lou Zigui die in front of her eyes. When she felt death first-hand and understood her life wouldn't be the same without the Xie Clan's protection, she'd understand her precarious state. Grand Preceptor Xie's most capable assistant, Xu Yi, walked to his side and spoke in a low voice.