HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 636: Heads as a Return Gift

Chapter 636: Heads as a Return Gift

Broken rocks, thick tree roots, and high-piled mud completely blocked the path behind them. Being at the bend, they couldn’t even see Tian Yuan and the others on the other side.

Loose soil was still sliding down, though no longer as dangerous as before. Shen Xihe’s heart was still beating quickly: “You did this deliberately.”

He had intentionally arranged for them to ride together, making it convenient to conceal his actions just now. With the light rain falling and the reins appearing to be in Shen Xihe’s hands, unknowing observers would think she had led their gallop through.

Xiao Huayong was very close to Shen Xihe now – if not for the bamboo hats between them, their cheeks would likely have touched. Water gathered and dripped from the hat’s edge, clear drops sliding past his eyes as if coating them with a watery sheen.

“It was Youyou who wanted me to hide behind you,” Xiao Huayong said, not without grievance.

Wasn’t he just following his wife’s instructions?

Shen Xihe didn’t argue these points, only asking: “Why do this?”

This was deliberately meant to separate them from Xiao Zhangqin and the others. Now only the couple had crossed this point. Once the landslide stopped, Xiao Zhangqin would have people clear the road. Shen Xihe’s gaze swept over the gradually settling rocks and soil, calculating the distance of the fallen debris – it would take at least half an hour.

Xiao Huayong raised his head, looking at the eagles circling beneath the cloud-covered sky, his lips curving: “To give Eighth Brother a little return gift.”

With those words, he squeezed the horse’s flanks and pulled the reins, carrying Shen Xihe galloping forward. After a brief dash, they found a winding upward path. It wasn’t very steep or wide, and though rain-soaked and muddy, the horse’s specially treated hooves didn’t slip.

Xiao Huayong seemed to know this path well, turning at forks without hesitation.

As Shen Xihe followed Xiao Huayong upward, she didn’t know that shortly after they left, people arranged by Xiao Huayong appeared on the blocked path, dressed identically to her and Xiao Huayong, their appearances difficult to distinguish from the real ones.

Soon, Shen Xihe heard the whistle of arrows through the rain, and people rushing through the forest, brushing past rain-heavy leaves. The sounds were ahead, growing closer, accompanied by eagle cries.

When Xiao Huayong led her to a grove, through the dense foliage and misty rain, they saw a group of people in tight clothing and rain capes, carrying bows and quivers, constantly retreating.

Some rushed ahead clearing the way, cutting random undergrowth with swords. Others watched their surroundings vigilantly, while some turned back to shoot arrows. The circling giant birds cried out, occasionally swooping down like massive arrows.

Sometimes a wing sweep would knock someone down; sometimes claws would tear flesh; sometimes beaks would strike, spraying blood…

Getting closer, Shen Xihe recognized them as white-headed eagles, enormous birds with wingspans longer than grown men. They were agile and keen, seemingly specially trained, easily avoiding these people’s attacks.

Xiao Huayong loved eagles, using them for messages. These white-headed eagles appearing here now, chasing these people who had been the ones ambushing from the mountaintop – Shen Xihe couldn’t believe they weren’t connected to Xiao Huayong.

“I have a falconry in Heishui, where I raise hundreds of eagles. Each has its use. When the time is right, I’ll take you to see,” Xiao Huayong seemed to confirm Shen Xihe’s suspicions, speaking softly with a hint of showing off.

Shen Xihe knew about Xiao Huayong’s falconry but hadn’t imagined he raised so many eagles. How much silver must Hua Fuhai spend each year on this hobby?

“Caw!” Suddenly a harsh cry rang out. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong looked over to see the group’s leader showing considerable skill, drawing the bow and releasing an arrow that pierced a white-headed eagle’s wing.

Fortunately, it passed through a gap in the feathers without drawing blood. The eagle wavered from the force, and at that moment, another person coordinating with the leader had already drawn and aimed at the wavering eagle.

Xiao Huayong’s eyes darkened. His hand rose, a tiny flying blade shooting from his palm like a flash of white light, spinning through several trees. Just as the man released his arrow, the blade’s tip crossed his throat.

The man stiffened, his bow and arrow crashing to the ground as he fell straight down with a thud.

The trees pierced by the flying blade fell too, making considerable noise that startled the group. They all drew weapons and aimed in this direction, but Xiao Huayong had already tapped the horse and left this position the instant he threw the blade.

Some people dealt with the seemingly enraged white-headed eagles while others cautiously guarded each other, carefully approaching the direction of the fallen trees with weapons drawn.

Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe silently stopped at another side, watching these people split into two groups. He gently patted Shen Xihe’s shoulder, silently reassuring her. Shen Xihe felt him lighten behind her, and her vision blurred.

A shadow flew past like a ghost, moving too fast for Shen Xihe to see clearly how Xiao Huayong moved or approached the black-clothed men. She only saw a figure circle them once, and before they could react, they fell one by one like broken trees.

On the other side, the white-headed eagles had withdrawn, replaced by another swift and agile figure. Though too fast to see clearly, Shen Xihe was certain it was Xiao Huayong’s gyrfalcon!

Without making a sound, it spread its wings and dove straight down, knocking down an entire row of people.

Here, Xiao Huayong’s form steadied. Through the misty rain, wearing his rain cape and bamboo hat, head slightly lowered, his face invisible, behind him lay one after another… dead man.

The gyrfalcon didn’t stop after knocking people down. It targeted each fallen person, charging through them again, throwing them into the air to crash down, or smashing them against the ground or huge trees. Each died spitting blood.

After killing them all, it still seemed unsatisfied, landing on a boulder and shaking its head, spraying water droplets. It looked left and right, and finding no more living targets, flapped its wings and soared high, quickly disappearing. The other eagles had vanished as well.

When Shen Xihe’s gaze returned from the sky, Xiao Huayong had already walked to her side. His attendant appeared from nowhere, bowing beside him as Xiao Huayong extended his hand to Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe reached out to pull him up. Once seated steadily holding Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong ordered: “Take their heads. Send them all to Eighth Brother.”

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