When he returned to the Prince of Suppressing the Sea's Residence, a servant immediately handed him a visiting card. Wanyan Liexin, the Northern Courtyard King of Black Hu, had just called. Hu Xiaotian had met him once before. At his wedding, Black Hu had sent a delegation to offer congratulations, headed by this very king. He had even presented Hu Xiaotian with a statue of Child-Giving Guanyin, though it seemed to have done little good: Hu Xiaotian had yet to get any of his beloved women pregnant.
Since Hu Xiaotian had gone to the Heavenly Mystery Hall, Wanyan Liexin had missed him. He had therefore left his card and arranged to call again the following evening.
After resting briefly, Hu Xiaotian went alone to the Great Xiangguo Temple. Although he had not found the original Heart Sutra, what he had in hand would at least give him something to bargain with Yuanmu over. His position had also changed since their last meeting. He had now appeared openly in Great Kang and secured Qiqi's wholehearted support. He wanted Yuanmu to understand one thing: opposing him meant opposing Great Kang's Imperial Court. If Yuanmu truly provoked him, the Imperial Court's destruction of the Heavenly Dragon Temple could happen all over again.
Master Yuanmu received him in the same Zen Room where they had met before. Without wasting words, Hu Xiaotian took out the Heart Sutra and placed it before him.
Yuanmu merely glanced at the Buddhist scripture, then slowly shook his head. "Not this one!"
Hu Xiaotian said, "This is the only one!"
Yuanmu said impassively, "In that case, please leave, benefactor."
Hu Xiaotian said, "What do you take me for, Master? Someone you can summon and dismiss at will?"
Yuanmu said, "I am merely a monk. How would I dare disrespect