Murong Feiyan swooped down from the ancient pine as well, landed firmly in her saddle, and turned her horse around. Clamping her legs against its flanks, she called to Hu Xiaotian, "Get out of the woods first!" Hu Xiaotian urged his horse into a mad gallop. With his life at stake, he threw caution to the wind, letting the horse run faster and faster. Under ordinary circumstances, he would never have dared ride at such speed.
Murong Feiyan followed close behind. Arrows came flying from the rear, and she drew her sword, parrying left and right as she guarded Hu Xiaotian's retreat and knocked aside the arrows aimed at him. Fortunately, these horse bandits were poor shots; eight or nine out of ten arrows went astray.
The household servants were almost out of the woods when they finally remembered that their Young Master was still inside. Looking back, they saw Hu Xiaotian galloping wildly toward the edge of the forest. Liang Dazhuang shouted, "Young Master! Hurry!"
Hu Xiaotian glared at the servants through gritted teeth, silently swearing vengeance. Once I get out of this alive, I'll settle accounts with you bastards. Sons of bitches... Just as he was about to escape the dense woods, a trip rope suddenly snapped taut across the ground. The Snowflake Horse was intent on galloping and failed to notice the change beneath its hooves. Caught by the rope, its forelegs buckled, and it fell with a mournful whinny. Momentum sent Hu Xiaotian flying through the air, his arms spread like a jet as he plunged toward the ground. He landed flat and slid forward a full fifty feet.
The four servants stared, dumbstruck. Even then, Liang Dazhuang did not forget to flatter him. "Young Master! What a splendid Wild Goose Landing on Level Sand..." They