Wang Qiezhi was still shaken and had no strength to explain. Fortunately, Ying Tianhong came over and addressed the others. "There is no need for suspicion, gentlemen. This has nothing to do with any of you. Shangguan Yunchong is a villain harboring sinister intentions-he actually dared to abduct the King. Tang Jingyu, meanwhile, is implicated in the attempt on Prince Fu's life."
Only then did everyone understand why the banquet had erupted into an all-out brawl. Along with their astonishment came bewilderment: what grudge could those two possibly have against the Fragrant Kingdom to make them strike so viciously? Still, curiosity was one thing, meddling in someone else's affairs another. When Ying Tianhong agreed to let them leave, they departed in quick succession, unwilling to linger even a moment longer.
By the time Wang Qiezhi ordered someone to switch Shangguan Yunchong's and Tang Jingyu's wine, he had already received word that the King had been rescued. He had been found in the basement of the Hall of Wealth and Honor, and that information, too, had come from a tip-off. Only after learning that the King was safe did Wang Qiezhi act. Knowing how formidable both men were in martial arts, he had intended to drug them before making his move. Even so, he had underestimated them. Tang Jingyu was cautious enough to detect something wrong with the wine, while Shangguan Yunchong was even more formidable: the drugged wine had no effect on him whatsoever. Despite being surrounded, he had still escaped.
Had Hu Xiaotian not intervened at the crucial moment, the casualties would have been far worse, and even Wang Qiezhi might have lost his life. Thus, the first thing Wang Qiezhi did after recovering his composure was thank him. Hu Xiaotian had saved his life. Cupping his hands, Wang