Hu Xiaotian was only briefly startled, without feeling any particular delight. Although the thing was a sword hilt, it had no killing power whatsoever. He quietly gripped the hilt in his hand, then looked at Unenlightened one last time. "Master, your character may be rotten, but you did teach me martial arts. You may be heartless, but I can't abandon righteousness. Isn't it rather dishonorable to help someone else harm your own disciple? I know you owe someone a favor, but with your status and temperament, how can you willingly let others order you around? Even if you don't feel ashamed, I'm embarrassed for you."
Unenlightened rolled his strange eyes and ignored him, though his old face did indeed grow hot. He had always been proud and aloof. Were it not for those eyes of his, he would never have willingly allowed himself to be used.
Hu Xiaotian continued, "I've found a lead on the matter you asked me to investigate. Mu Yuming is in the palace. It took me considerable effort to uncover that. Looks like this secret will go to the grave with me."
Startled, Unenlightened demanded loudly, "Where is he?"
Having successfully aroused his curiosity, Hu Xiaotian ignored him and took a secret edict from inside his robe. "Long Qiqi, you may be a schemer, but this palace coup was entirely unnecessary. I never intended to harm you. All I wanted was to help you ascend the imperial throne and take control of Great Kang. I never imagined you would plot against even me. The Old Emperor wrote this secret edict long ago. He never considered passing the throne to Long Tingzhen. He always regarded you as his heir, yet in the end, you caused his death. Isn't that repaying kindness with enmity?"
Qiqi sighed softly. "All