Under the anxious gazes of Shi Xuedong and the others, Hu Xiaotian left with Qi Danai.
Murong Zhan also had an office in the Imperial Palace, due west of the Hall of Proclaimed Governance, within the outer court. The courtyard gate was so narrow that only one person could pass through at a time. It remained closed most of the time, and few people paid any attention to the place. Hu Xiaotian had passed this way many times before, but had never noticed what it was. The Imperial Palace was enormous, with over ten thousand named rooms. Even someone who spent a lifetime there might never have the chance to visit every one.
The central room stood open at all times, and Murong Zhan sat inside attending to his work, with two guards standing on either side. The room was cramped, smaller even than Hu Xiaotian's quarters at the Palace Gardens Bureau. Its furnishings were extremely simple as well, hardly befitting Murong Zhan's position as supreme commander of the Imperial Guards.
After entering, Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands toward Murong Zhan. "Greetings, Commander Murong! Xiaotian pays his respects."
Murong Zhan raised his head. His gray eyes flickered, and a blade-sharp gaze fell upon Hu Xiaotian's face. "I summoned you today to learn about a few matters," he said quietly.
Hu Xiaotian glanced around. Qi Danai and the other guards remained inside, showing no sign of leaving. Apparently, Murong Zhan intended to speak with him in front of all these men. Hu Xiaotian vaguely sensed that something was wrong, but remained composed. "Please speak, Commander."
Murong Zhan reached for the teacup before him. Standing behind Hu Xiaotian, Qi Danai suddenly drew the saber at his waist and chopped at the back of Hu Xiaotian's neck. Hu Xiaotian had been on his