Zuo Tang wanted to laugh, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not. He stood rooted to the spot, as though struck senseless.
The other three guards hurried to help their two companions up. Hu Xiaotian's display just now had already left them trembling with fear.
Hu Xiaotian did not so much as glance at his six subordinates. His gaze fixed on the approaching monks.
Tongji came before him and pressed his palms together. "You must be Lord Hu. We heard you suddenly went missing, and we have been searching everywhere for you."
"Sorry for the trouble, masters," Hu Xiaotian said.
Tongji looked Hu Xiaotian up and down without saying anything more, then slowly approached the guard whom Hu Xiaotian had sent flying into the tree. The guard's left arm was dislocated, and he was groaning in pain. Tongji reached out and gave his shoulder a light tap, instantly setting the joint back in place. Hu Xiaotian silently admired his technique. Even if this monk gave up his robes and hung out a physician's signboard, he would never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of his life.
Once Tongji had finished, he did not linger. He quietly departed with the monks from the Discipline Hall.
Hu Xiaotian stared coldly at the six guards who had defied their superior. The murderous intent in his eyes sent chills through them. Zuo Tang said in a trembling voice, "Commander... I... we were only following orders... His Majesty..."
Hu Xiaotian gave a sinister smile. "Who do you think you are? Would His Majesty grant you an audience so casually? Speak! Who told you to do this?"
Once someone realized that another person could easily take his life, fear would spring from the depths of his heart. Zuo Tang