Tang Jiucheng nodded slowly. The other man's words had already hinted at the power behind him: a hundred men to kill one of Tang Jiucheng's disciples, a hundred thousand to erase the Falling Cherry Palace from the world entirely. Only a ruler who dominated his own realm could possess such audacity and strength. Men so young yet so powerful could be counted on one hand.
Zou Yong asked in bewilderment, "He has nothing to do with what's happening here. Why would he get involved?"
Tang Jiucheng said darkly, "I don't understand politics, nor do I have any interest in it. If not for you, I would never have waded into these muddy waters."
Shame appeared on Zou Yong's face. "I've caused you trouble, Father."
Tang Jiucheng shook his head. "This man is unquestionably among the outstanding figures of the younger generation. Even if you cannot make a friend of him, you should not make an enemy like this."
Zou Yong smiled bitterly. "This was truly not what I wanted. I knew from the start that he had ulterior motives, so I guarded against him at every turn. Yet I still ended up one move behind." With matters having reached this point, Zou Yong could only lament that his skills fell short. Whether in martial arts or scheming, he remained a notch below his opponent. What puzzled him was this: if Hu Dafu really was Hu Xiaotian, why would he dare come openly to his door and challenge him? Was he not afraid of exposing his identity? Or did he already have something to rely on?
Tang Jiucheng asked, "Does Xue Lingjun's disappearance truly have nothing to do with you?"
Zou Yong did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Father, how could I do something so foolish? Li Chenzhou is