Everyone was startled by his words. Looking again at Guo Shouguang, they saw that one of his eyes had turned into a panda eye, clearly from a blow.
Hu Xiaotian, however, walked back to the table as though nothing had happened, putting on a show of being thoroughly drunk. "A dog bites Lü Dongbin, unable to recognize a kindly heart. My lords, if you believe him, go over and stand on his side. If you believe me, stand on mine." The fellow was plainly making everyone choose sides.
Although most of them sided with Guo Shouguang in their hearts, he stank so badly now that naturally no one wanted to go near him.
Hu Xiaotian said, "Just as I thought-the people's eyes are sharp and clear. If a dignified County Deputy like me wanted to deal with a mere Registrar, why would I need such violent means? Guo Shouguang, you've slandered my good name. This matter cannot end here. Produce your witnesses and evidence. If you can prove I hit you, I, Hu Xiaotian, will willingly accept punishment." He cupped his hands toward Xu Qinglian. "Please judge this fairly, Lord Xu."
The muscles in Xu Qinglian's gaunt cheeks twitched twice. From the scene before him, Guo Shouguang had certainly come off worse. His personal sympathies naturally lay with Guo Shouguang, with whom he was very close, but this disturbance had been entirely unexpected. Hu Xiaotian had actually struck someone. The fellow was outrageously brazen, but there was no evidence. Guo Shouguang had been asking for trouble, too. He went to take a piss-what did you follow him for? You brought that beating on yourself. Tonight's gathering was no place to pursue the matter publicly. Xu Qinglian gave a dry cough. "Hurry and take Lord Guo home to change. Whatever the