The Old Fox's Methods

In Hu Xinzhu's garden, several artificial hills stood like screens around an exquisite pavilion. Green vines surrounded it on all sides, wrapping the pavilion as tightly as a silkworm's cocoon. The dense, intricate patterns of vines intertwined, unexpectedly forming countless fist-sized runes, enough to block all probing by spiritual power.

Hu Tu and his son Hu Ye sat inside the pavilion. Both wore loose, wide-sleeved robes for lounging at home, their chests bared like street thugs as they bared their teeth and guzzled fiery liquor, gnawing on duck feet and duck necks cooked with devil peppers as the main ingredient.

With one foot planted on a stool like a mountain king, Hu Tu gulped down three qian of strong liquor with a slurp, then heavily exhaled a breath of alcohol.

"That pack of idiots has made their move? Heh, tonight the imperial capital will be battered by storm and rain, blood will flow across the ground, heads will roll everywhere. What a thrill, what a thrill!"

Hu Tu slapped his thigh viciously, immediately leaving a greasy palm print on his loose trousers of finest brocade.

Hu Ye likewise bared his teeth as he drank a small cup of liquor. He slowly picked up a strip of duck intestine and stuffed it into his mouth. Squatting on the stool, Hu Ye's eyes glowed green like a hungry wolf's as he leisurely counted on his fingers.

"The Snowfield Federation—aside from those southern tribes, all thirteen hundred tribes large and small to the east, west, northwest, and northeast have sent troops as well. The army mobilized by the Snowfield Federation's Grand State Preceptor is merely the vanguard opening the way. Once we trick all those beastmen to their deaths, that old bastard can conveniently roll off his post."

"The two khanates at the