Hu Xiaotian also heard the commotion at the foot of the mountain. Xia Changming, Liang Yinghao, and the others must have arrived. He smiled. "One must never harbor the intent to harm others, but one must never drop one's guard either. Your methods leave me no choice but to be wary, Senior."
Bu Buma said, "At midnight tonight, I'll bring Gang Baduo, and you'll bring Xima. We'll make an exchange."
Hu Xiaotian nodded. "That sounds fair enough."
Bu Buma said, "Remember, apart from Xima, there can be no more than two of you."
Hu Xiaotian said, "How many do you intend to bring, Senior? Surely you aren't planning to overwhelm us with numbers?"
Bu Buma let out a rasping cackle. "I've lived most of my life and weathered countless storms. Do you think I'm afraid of you? Rest assured, only Gang Baduo and I will come..." With that, she sprang into the air and swept toward the distant woods. Just as her body began to fall, she abruptly rose again, spiraling skyward, then glided dozens of yards like a falcon before disappearing into the lush pine forest.
No sooner had Bu Buma left than Xia Changming and Liang Yinghao arrived with their men. Seeing Hu Xiaotian unharmed, they all breathed easier. Hu Xiaotian called Liang Yinghao over and asked him to check whether anyone had disturbed his mother's tomb. Liang Yinghao examined it thoroughly, then reported, "My lord, your mother's tomb has definitely not been disturbed."
Hu Xiaotian nodded and said softly, "That old woman still has a few lines she won't cross." He told the two men about the exchange he had just arranged with Bu Buma.
Xia Changming said, "My lord, I suspect this may be a trap. Why would she insist on making the exchange with you