Xie Jian naturally agreed with that statement. Hu Xiaotian's words made him feel that his chances of success on this visit had grown considerably. "Surely you can see through Li Tianheng's intentions, Young Master?" he asked.
Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly. Xie Jian had come merely to sound out his attitude. He shook his head. "I'm not concerned with other people's affairs."
Seeing that Hu Xiaotian would not readily reveal his thoughts, Xie Jian continued probing. "Surely you can see that this matter concerns you?"
Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily. "Why must everything be dragged back to me? I have neither a grudge nor any friendship with Western Sichuan. Well water should stay clear of river water. As long as he doesn't provoke me, I certainly won't provoke him."
"What do you think of Su Yuchi in Yunyang, Young Master?" Xie Jian asked.
"What else would I think? He's a neighbor."
"I hear there have been several robberies and murders on the Springview River lately," Xie Jian said.
Hu Xiaotian glanced at him and said calmly, "You certainly are well informed, Mr. Xie."
"What wall in this world doesn't let the wind through?" Xie Jian replied.
"Is there anything you can tell me, Mr. Xie?"
"Although I don't know who was responsible, I can assure you that this has nothing whatsoever to do with us in Xingzhou."
"I never suspected you had anything to do with it." Hu Xiaotian's unspoken implication was: Aren't you rather like someone posting a sign saying no silver is buried here?
Xie Jian smiled without the slightest embarrassment. "It's better to clear up anything that might cause a misunderstanding beforehand. We don't want to carry someone else's black pot of blame for no reason. I know my actions might look like adding legs to a snake, but