An Dequan suddenly called Hu Xiaotian back. "Wait!"
Hu Xiaotian stopped, only to see An Dequan take a black box from inside his robe. He remembered that box all too well-the little girl had just used it to shoot a needle into him. Like a bird startled by the twang of a bowstring, he recoiled two steps in fright. "What are you trying to do?"
An Dequan said, "Don't be afraid. I'm leaving this with you for protection."
Only then did Hu Xiaotian understand. He smiled in relief. "You could've said so sooner! You gave me a fright!"
An Dequan handed him the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles and lowered his voice. "See the trigger on top? Press it, and it fires poisoned needles-a hundred at a time. You can fire it three times in succession."
"How do I fire just one?" Hu Xiaotian asked. Seeing only one trigger, he was puzzled. The little girl had fired only a single needle at him earlier.
An Dequan gave a sinister chuckle. "Yours is nowhere near as finely made as hers."
Hu Xiaotian said nothing more. Why turn down something free? Even if it couldn't fire a single needle, three volleys still made it a formidable weapon. He put the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles away securely. Throughout his conversation with An Dequan, the little girl had stood to one side. Hu Xiaotian said, "You two have a chat. I'll go see how the preparations are coming along!"
Outside, the rain had eased considerably, dwindling to a fine drizzle. The servants were ready, and Murong Feiyan was fastening her straw rain cape. Seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, she couldn't help asking, "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm kindhearted. Nothing makes me happier than helping people!"
Murong Feiyan stared at him