Chapter 238: Zhao Xidong's Guess

"You're here?"

Ye Xiaotian pushed open the thatched hut and stomped in angrily, the door slamming shut behind him with a bang.

The hut shook as if an earthquake had struck, and dust billowed down. Xiao Qixiu quickly covered the delicacies on the table with spiritual energy to prevent them from getting dusty.

Qiao Qianzhi, wearing an apron, carried a basin of braised goose to the table. "Take it easy," he chuckled, "or you'll bring the whole house down." He picked a blade of straw from the large braised pork hock in the center of the table. Then he turned and asked, "Where's old man Sang?"

"He's busy." Ye Xiaotian, fuming, just kept drinking silently.

"What's wrong?" The two looked at him sideways. They raised their wine cups and clinked them with the dean's, signaling him to calm down. So what if he couldn't call anyone? With only three of them, they'd get to split more. What was there to be angry about? They should be happy!

"Xu Xiaoshou killed Zhang Xin Xiong," Ye Xiaotian grumbled.

"Gulp... Pfft!" Both Qiao and Xiao had half-swallowed their wine and water respectively. They exchanged a stunned glance and promptly spat everything in their mouths onto each other's faces.

"Did you do that on purpose?" Xiao Qixiu, smelling the wine, glared at him.

"Pah!" "Didn't you spray me too?" Qiao Qianzhi's eyes immediately widened.

The two didn't dwell on this minor issue. They both turned to Ye Xiaotian. "Are you serious?" Xu Xiaoshou killed Zhang Xin Xiong? Surely that's backward!

"You heard me right." Ye Xiaotian nodded seriously. He poured two cups of wine for them and drank the rest directly from the jar.

Qiao Qianzhi couldn't resist grabbing a freshly roasted goose leg. He licked his lips and asked, "So, you were intercepted halfway, met old man Sang, and couldn't prevent it?" After the man in black brought the news, the two had parted ways. Qiao Qianzhi hadn't bothered with such trivial matters, so Ye Xiaotian went to the scene alone. Unexpectedly, it seemed something major had happened again. Xu Xiaoshou... When did he get so strong?

Xiao Qixiu was also surprised by this outcome, but he could understand it. He recalled how ruthless the boy had been with the masked man that night... This young man couldn't be treated like an ordinary person; he was growing too fast!

Ye Xiaotian gulped down his wine. He burped and said, "Being intercepted or whatever isn't worth my anger. It's fine that Zhang Xin Xiong died. The main thing is that old man Sang..." He stared fixedly at the two of them. Then he suddenly asked, "Don't you think he's changed?"

The two immediately dropped their jaws, a strange look flashing in their eyes. Ye Xiaotian saw their reaction was off. Realizing they were thinking the wrong thing, he scolded angrily, "What are you thinking? I mean, he's like a different person since he returned from his travels!"

"Changed? I don't think so!" Qiao Qianzhi tore off a mouthful of meat. He looked at Xiao Qixiu and chewed, "Has he changed?"

"Doesn't feel like it. He's pretty much the same as he was in the Holy Palace, still his old self..." Before Xiao Qixiu could finish, Ye Xiaotian cut him off. "His temperament is the same, but his actions are different!"

The two paused. They thought about it carefully but found nothing unusual. Both shook their heads.

"Am I overthinking it..." Ye Xiaotian's expression went from hopeful to somewhat dejected. After lowering his head, he began to drink heavily again.

*Knock, knock!* A knock sounded at the door. Xiao Qixiu immediately waved his hand, and the door swung open.

"Zhao Xidong?" Qiao Qianzhi was surprised.

"I called him here," Xiao Qixiu explained. After all, junior members rarely came here unless something significant was happening. Though humble, this place was where the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace originated. Four individuals who left the Holy Palace built this thatched hut here years ago. Determined to reopen the heavenly gate, they founded what is now the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace. Renovation would certainly be possible, but keeping it as it was served as a memorial.

The other two immediately understood but were also surprised by Xiao Qixiu's sudden move. They didn't know what he was planning.

Zhao Xidong walked in cautiously and sat down. Though it was his second time here, knowing its legends still made him nervous, especially coupled with today's events.

"Speak your mind. The three people you wanted to see are all here," Xiao Qixiu said, looking at the young man beside him.

Zhao Xidong sat upright. Now that he was actually here, recalling his earlier conjectures, he hesitated to speak.

"Go on, no harm done," Ye Xiaotian said. Both he and Qiao Qianzhi were bewildered; they didn't understand what riddle this young man was posing. Not only them, but even Xiao Qixiu hadn't known anything in advance and looked equally confused.

*Whoosh.* Zhao Xidong took a deep breath. Looking as if he were going to his death, he said, "Well, I have a question for the three seniors."

"What is the relationship between old man Sang and Xu Xiaoshou?"

The three froze simultaneously. *That's it?* "Master and disciple!" Xiao Qixiu stated calmly.

"Phew, then I understand..." Zhao Xidong showed an "I knew it" expression and then clenched his fists. "I have a bold theory, and I hope that after I say it, I can still live."

The three were silent. "What is it? Speak," Ye Xiaotian said, almost thinking he was asking to die.

Zhao Xidong took a moment to compose himself. After a long pause, he finally said, "I... it's just a guess..."

"Spit it out!" Xiao Qixiu's gaze immediately turned dangerous.

"Is old man Sang related to the 'Holy Slaves'?!" Zhao Xidong asked the question almost with his eyes closed and teeth clenched, as if forcing the words out.

The scene suddenly fell silent. The lack of response was terrifying. Zhao Xidong secretly opened one eye. He saw that the three powerful figures in front of him were all shocked. But unexpectedly, they weren't furious or about to attack? Weren't they very close? Could they tolerate such questioning?

"It's just a guess..." Zhao Xidong said weakly. As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately regretted it. Couldn't he just live a good life? Why did he always have to verify this and that? If he couldn't verify a result, that would be fine. But if he succeeded in verifying it... The consequences would be unimaginable!

Ye Xiaotian tilted his head back and took a gulp of wine. He didn't get angry; instead, he said in a low voice, "Tell us your thoughts." He was truly startled, mainly because Zhao Xidong's question fit perfectly with his own earlier questioning, making him think more. Was he not the only one who felt old man Sang was a bit off? But the other two beside him hadn't noticed anything? "Are those involved blind to the obvious..."

Qiao Qianzhi and Xiao Qixiu exchanged glances, seeing shock in each other's eyes. First Ye Xiaotian suggested old man Sang had a problem, and then Zhao Xidong asked a redundant question. This...

The three simultaneously looked at Zhao Xidong, putting immense pressure on him. But since the words were out, Zhao Xidong could only suppress his discomfort and continued, "I heard from Boss Xiao that old man Sang is a crucial part of this second encirclement plan?"

Xiao Qixiu's pupils contracted. He recalled old man Sang, who had arrived late that day. "That's right," he said.

"If I'm not mistaken..." Zhao Xidong's voice trembled. "That day, old man Sang didn't protect Su Qianqian the entire time. Instead, he delayed his appearance until halfway through?"

Xiao Qixiu narrowed his eyes. He hit the mark! But if he remembered correctly, Zhao Xidong wasn't responsible for this area. How did he know so clearly?

"What are you trying to say?" Zhao Xidong didn't reply. Instead, he looked at Ye Xiaotian. "So afterward, did Luo Leilei and the person who came to save him die?"

Ye Xiaotian was immediately stunned. They did escape, but the spatial turbulence... No! Did Zhao Xidong mean old man Sang went to save them?

"Impossible!" He immediately shook his head. Even if the timing matched, how could this one-sided conjecture prove anything? "What evidence do you have?"

Zhao Xidong shook his head. He had no evidence. His purpose in coming here was, at most, to give a warning.

"Just a hunch!"