An Zhai shook his head, his expression filled with grief and indignation. "All six brothers guarding him were killed. Not one survived. I examined their wounds. They must all have died from the Northern Nether Esoteric Sect's Great Hand Seal."
Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming exchanged a glance. Both immediately thought of Gangbala, Black Hu's state preceptor. Had Gangbala tracked Yuchi Chong all the way to the Yong Capital? If so, Yuchi Chong was in grave danger.
Hu Xiaotian pondered for a moment before saying, "Brother An, withdraw everyone you've stationed around that place immediately. Remember, don't send anyone near it again. And our current hideout isn't safe either. Let's split up. Brother An, take the others and find somewhere else to stay. Changming and I will head back now."
An Zhai nodded firmly.
Hu Xiaotian added, "This place isn't safe either. Don't come here to rendezvous for now. We'd best avoid meeting for the next few days. We can discuss it again when the time is right."
The three parted at once. Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming returned straight to their hideout, only to find Qin Yutong absent. Alarm rose in Hu Xiaotian's heart. He had told Qin Yutong not to leave Jian Rongxin's side for a single step while he was away, yet she had apparently let his words blow past her ears like the wind and gone off alone.
Hu Xiaotian hurried to Jian Rongxin's room and knocked. Only when he heard her gentle voice ask, "Who is it?" did he relax.
After receiving Jian Rongxin's permission, he pushed open the door and entered. She was writing at her desk. He walked slowly closer and looked down at the Xuan paper. She had written an essay expressing her longing for her father, its words brimming with emotion,