Chapter 34

Throughout the entire surgery, there was no selfishness or杂念, he only had respect for life.

Li Yifeng looked at Hu Xiaotian with eyes full of surprise and admiration. This surgery, which was mundane by modern standards, brought an unprecedented shock and impact to Li Yifeng. He had never imagined that someone could use such a method to heal people. Everything Hu Xiaotian did just now overturned his long-held medical concepts. He had so many questions in his heart, but Li Yifeng also understood that now was not the time to ask.

Many people from the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Shangshu Prefecture had come, and together they numbered over a hundred. The hall of Yiyuan Hall could not even accommodate them all, and many had to stand under the eaves outside.

Even the Prefect of Jingzhao, Hong Baiqi, came in person. While Hu Xiaotian was performing surgery on Murong Feiyang inside, Hong Baiqi paced back and forth in the hall. His unease was not just out of concern for his subordinate but also because of Hu Xiaotian. If anything happened to this young master of the Shangshu, the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei, would certainly hold him fully responsible. This kid was truly a troublemaker.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian come out unharmed, the stone in Hong Baiqi's heart finally fell. In his view, Hu Xiaotian's life was more important than Murong Feiyang's. The latter was just a capable assistant, while the former was the only son of a high-ranking official. Their importance was determined by their influence on his career. Hong Baiqi quickly approached, grasped Hu Xiaotian's arm, and said, "Nephew, are you alright?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and asked in return, "Lord Hong, do I look like I'm in trouble?"

Hong Baiqi shook his head.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Lord Hong, Inspector Zhuge was injured while saving me, but he is now out of danger."

Hong Baiqi exclaimed, "Oh," although Murong Feiyang was injured, it was fortunate that her life was not in danger. This incident could be considered a close call. At this moment, he began to consider a question: who had the audacity to attempt to assassinate Hu Xiaotian in broad daylight? Hong Baiqi certainly did not think that Murong Feiyang was the main target of the assassination. Hu Xiaotian had already made it clear that she was injured because she was protecting him.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Lord, I have a request!"

"Speak freely!"

The door to the prison cell was kicked open, and the thief looked up in fear, seeing Hu Xiaotian, who was drenched and with bloodstains on his robe.

The thief, filled with unease, asked, "You... what do you want to do?"

Hu Xiaotian said nothing, rushed forward, and kicked the thief in the chest, sending him to the ground. He then drew a dagger and pressed it against the thief's heart, roaring, "You damn scoundrel, how dare you scheme against me!"

The thief screamed, "I didn't lie to you, I swear, I swear on the lives of my entire family, I didn't lie to you, I told you everything I know..." His spirit had already broken, and he urinated in his pants out of fear.

Hu Xiaotian, seeing the large wet patch on the thief's crotch, inwardly cursed him as a coward. He hadn't even scared him much, and he had already wet his pants. He guessed that the thief wouldn't dare to lie. He slowly withdrew the dagger. Zhao Zhenghao and Mo Shaolun might all be part of the enemy's plan. Mo Shaolun's name was deliberately leaked to give them a lead, leading them to Mo Shaolun and into another trap. There was a plan within a plan, and the mastermind behind this event was certainly not an ordinary person.

If he hadn't been so curious, if he hadn't insisted on going himself, this assassination might not have happened. He had just arrived in this world, and logically, he shouldn't have any enemies. Why did they want to kill him so badly? Since the theft at the Shangshu Prefecture last night was a diversion, their true goal was to steal the iron warrant. But after achieving their goal, why did they still set up an assassination? There must be some hidden reason, perhaps because of his father?

When he returned to the Shangshu Prefecture, it was already late at night. Liang Dazhuang led the servants, who all knelt before Hu Xiaotian. They had been thoroughly frightened by this young master over the past two days. They weren't afraid that Hu Xiaotian would be in trouble; they were more worried that if anything happened to him, they would all suffer. Losing their jobs was a minor issue; they might even lose their skins. Hu Xiaotian waved his hand, understanding their meaning. They were trying to advise him to stay out of trouble. But he was extremely tired and didn't even want to speak. Just as he was about to return to his courtyard, he suddenly heard someone announce, "Master has returned!"

Hu Xiaotian was quite surprised. He didn't expect his father to return so quickly from the Eastern Capital. But upon reflection, it seemed unlikely. Even if Hu An had reached the Eastern Capital and his father had received the news, it would still take a full day to return, even if he left immediately.

Although he was puzzled, it was good that his father had returned. Hu Xiaotian didn't immediately go to greet his father but went back to his room, quickly took a bath, and changed his clothes before heading to his father's room to meet him.

Hu Buwei was not in the room. Hu Xiaotian asked a servant and learned that his father had immediately gone to Jiyaxuan after returning.

A light rain was falling, and Hu Buwei stood alone on the ruins of Jiyaxuan, which had been burned down. His face was dark and his expression was uneasy. Although he tried to hide his unease, it was still evident on his face.

Hu Xiaotian slowly approached from behind and respectfully said, "Son greets Father."

Hu Buwei seemed startled, as he was focused on the scene before him and hadn't noticed his son's arrival. His body visibly trembled, and he suddenly turned around.

Hu Xiaotian had never seen his father with such an expression and felt a heavy weight in his heart. The theft of the iron warrant must have been a significant blow to his father. He said softly, "Father, did you meet Hu An?"

Hu Buwei's lips tightened, and he looked around before lowering his voice, "Follow me!"

From his father's serious expression, Hu Xiaotian knew that the trouble was significant. As Hu An had said, losing the iron warrant was a grave offense, and it could result in beheading.

The father and son returned to the room, and Hu Buwei had Hu Xiaotian close the door. He looked him up and down and asked, "Did you see Hu An?"

This question left Hu Xiaotian stunned, and he looked bewildered, "Didn't Hu An go to the Eastern Capital to find you? He said that Jiyaxuan was burned, and our family's ancestral iron warrant was stolen, so I sent him to the Eastern Capital to report to you... I didn't expect you to return so quickly. I thought you might have met him on the way."

Hu Buwei sighed deeply, looking dejected, "The iron warrant is a gift from the Mingzong Emperor. Do you think I would tell a servant where I keep such an important item?"

Hu Xiaotian felt foolish. How could he have been so foolish as to not think through such a simple matter? Since Hu Buwei had kept the location of the iron warrant a secret from him and his mother, it showed how important he considered it. An imperial pardon, such an important item, would naturally be kept in a safe place, and he wouldn't casually tell anyone its location. He had been deceived by Hu An, and he was so angry that he gritted his teeth, "Father, are you saying that Hu An is a traitor?"

Hu Buwei slowly stood up and walked a few steps around the room. He didn't respond to Hu Xiaotian's question but said softly, "Our family does indeed have an iron warrant, and it has indeed been stolen."