Liu Kuohai led Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan to the Azure Cloud Bridge. The Tongji River flowed much more gently here, and several ferries plied its waters. Ever since the flood had broken the bridge, ferries had become the people's main means of crossing. Otherwise, they had to travel seventy li downstream to the Eternal Relief Bridge.
Hu Xiaotian picked up a flat stone from the riverbank and skipped it across the water. It bounced all the way to the middle of the river before sinking. Liu Kuohai followed his example and picked up a stone, but he failed to control his strength. Instead of skipping, it plunged into the water with a plunk.
"You can't rely on brute force alone to get things done. Often, you need to use this, too." Hu Xiaotian tapped his head.
Liu Kuohai gave an embarrassed chuckle. He was deeply grateful to Hu Xiaotian. "Lord Hu, won't you get into trouble for releasing me without permission?" The very fact that he asked this showed he had begun using his brain.
"Don't worry. Since I released you, I'll make sure nothing happens to you." Had he not settled matters with the Wan Family and intimidated Wan Boping into obediently withdrawing his complaint, Hu Xiaotian certainly would not have released Liu Kuohai on his own authority. He sat down on a ruined bridge pier by the bank and gazed thoughtfully at the flowing river.
Murong Feiyan was speaking to a boatman at the temporary landing some distance away. After a while, she returned to Hu Xiaotian's side.
"What did you find out?" Hu Xiaotian asked lazily.
"He said the bridge wasn't swept away by the flood. Someone blew it up!"
Hu Xiaotian started slightly. "Blew it up? How is that possible?"
"There were days of torrential