Hu Xiaotian stopped just in time, halting the greatsword Hidden Edge about a foot above Qiu Mubai's head. Given the power of his previous strike, the Sword Energy should already have split Qiu Mubai's skull, but this time Hu Xiaotian had failed to release it at will. The fierce wind stirred up by the Sword Blade forced Qiu Mubai to shut his eyes. Convinced he was about to die, he had not a trace of color left in his handsome face.
Only when he realized Hu Xiaotian had failed to release Sword Energy with this move did he feel his soul return to his body. He slowly opened his eyes, only to see Hu Xiaotian holding Hidden Edge in one hand, its point pressed against his throat.
Grand Tutor Xiang's aged voice rang out from afar. "Spare him!"
Qiu Mubai's face was ashen. Grand Tutor Xiang's plea felt like a vicious slap across his face. Proud by nature, he had always considered himself the strongest of the Sword Palace's younger generation. He even believed that none of the young martial experts in the Yong Capital could surpass him in swordsmanship. Yet an obscure eunuch had defeated him before everyone's eyes, so utterly and so humiliatingly.
Qiu Mubai closed his eyes and said bleakly, "Kill me..."
Hu Xiaotian shook his head and sheathed Hidden Edge, declaring loudly, "You were nothing more than a pawn someone used!" He turned and walked toward the crowd, fixing the three Dong brothers with a cold stare. "If you want to make trouble for me, why not come at me openly? Are these underhanded tricks all you're capable of?"
Fire nearly shot from Dong Tiejun's eyes. He took a step forward, but his third brother, Dong Tianjiang, grabbed him. "We'll talk when we get back!" Dong