Though Guo Guangbi had many men under his command, they were ultimately no more than a rabble. Seeing their commander captured, then watching Liu Hutou, renowned among them for his ferocity, charge out only to be smashed into pulp by a single blow from Xiong Tianba's hammer, left every last one trembling with terror, let alone harboring any will to fight.
Shrewd as Xie Jian was, he now understood everything that had happened that day. It was not that Hu Xiaotian had lacked a chance to escape-he had deliberately stayed, risking everything to eliminate Guo Guangbi in one stroke. Though Xie Jian had sensed something amiss, he had failed to see through their scheme and had ultimately given them an opening. Hu Xiaotian possessed not only exceptional intelligence but extraordinary courage. Without remarkable nerve and formidable skill, no one could seize a commander amid an army of ten thousand.
Xiong Tianba's killing of Liu Hutou had shaken Xie Jian deeply. He began to realize that, at such close range, his opponents were entirely capable of killing him. Superior numbers did not mean everything; Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba had the strength to turn Heaven and Earth upside down. Though his resolve had begun to waver, Xie Jian still had to maintain appearances before his men. He shouted, "Hu Xiaotian, if you dare harm so much as a hair on our Commander-in-Chief's head, we'll make you regret ever coming into this world!"
Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing. Holding Guo Guangbi in one hand, he wheeled his horse around and galloped away, with Xiong Tianba following close behind to guard him.
Hu Xiaotian's voice rang between heaven and earth: "Xie Jian, if even one of you dares follow us, I'll kill this old scoundrel Guo Guangbi!"
Everyone turned to Xie Jian. With