With my mind made up, I went out to find Hu Tu, intending to tell him my suspicions.
The journey was peaceful. The tribesmen of the Du'an tribe were engaged in their usual activities, showing no signs of the impending storm.
However, I knew these good days were about to end. If my guess was correct and the High Priest had truly decided to make a move against Hu Tu, then the Du'an tribe would inevitably face a bloody conflict.
Watching the wild children on the roadside hitting each other with sticks as weapons, I shook my head. What did any of this have to do with me?
But the hatred between the Kasa tribe, to which Xin Keya belonged, and the Du'an tribe was deep and irreconcilable. And I was the master of both. I wished nothing more than for Du'an to descend into chaos, for them to tear each other apart and perish together.
The reason I wanted to tell Hu Tu my suspicions was precisely because I wanted Hu Tu to be prepared. Otherwise, if Hu Tu were suddenly attacked by the High Priest without warning, this whole plan wouldn't play out.
I had only one goal now: to find a solution to the black spider on me as soon as possible, and then disappear.
Lost in thought, I soon arrived at Hu Tu's grand tent. I told the guard standing at the entrance and, upon learning that Hu Tu was alone in the tent, I walked in.
As soon as I entered, Hu Tu, as expected, was sitting there drinking.
Eight out of ten times I saw Hu Tu, he was drinking.
What a useless drunkard. Damn it, he'd probably drink himself to death long before the High Priest had a chance to act.
Seeing me enter, Hu Tu drunkenly waved his hand, gesturing for me to sit down.
I didn't stand on ceremony. I sat down, cupped my hands in greeting to Hu Tu, and put on a grave expression.
"My King, something important has happened to me, and I specifically came to tell you."
"Oh? What is it?"
Seeing my demeanor, Hu Tu immediately put down his wine cup. Only the flush from the alcohol remained on his face.
"It's like this. When I returned to my tent just now, I suddenly found a man there..."
I didn't waste time with pleasantries. I concisely told Hu Tu everything that had happened with the mysterious man who had come to see me.
Then, I revealed all my conjectures.
"After thinking it over, I believe the man's words definitely point to the High Priest overstepping his bounds. He might be planning to act against you soon!"
Hu Tu hiccuped and stumbled to his feet, walking towards me step by step. He scrutinized me with a strange look in his eyes.
"Batu, can I trust you?"
I wondered if Hu Tu had drunk too much and lost his mind, for at such a serious moment, his first concern was my loyalty.
Although I was indeed a mole within the Du'an tribe, on the surface, I was currently Hu Tu's most loyal warrior.
Thus, though I sneered inwardly, I outwardly displayed an expression of indignation.
"My King, what are you saying? The moment I learned this news, I rushed to tell you! Haven't I made my position clear enough?"
Seeing my reaction, Hu Tu shook his head. He didn't return to his seat but sat cross-legged opposite me, sighing with hesitation.
"The rift between the High Priest and me has grown too wide. I've always cooperated with him reluctantly. Now, it seems I'm not the only one who feels this way. He's impatient to get rid of me."
Hu Tu shook his head, casually picked up a nearby wine cup, and drained it. Then, as if his expression had changed, all hesitation vanished, replaced by naked killing intent.
"This is a crucial time for the Du'an tribe. There can only be one voice within the tribe. If he wants to kill me, then he shouldn't blame me for being merciless!"
Hu Tu had made up his mind to go to war with the High Priest!
On the surface, I remained calm, but my heart was filled with excitement.
The mysterious man's words could be interpreted in any number of ways, but with my plausible reasoning, even if the High Priest hadn't had such intentions, Hu Tu would now act!
Just as I had expected, after a moment's thought, Hu Tu suddenly looked up at me.
"Batu, you are now the person I trust most. I need you to do everything you can to constantly monitor the High Priest's actions, and those of his 'Shepherd's Emissaries.' The moment they make any move, you must inform me immediately."
Faced with Hu Tu's trust, I feigned sincerity and pounded my chest forcefully.
"My King, rest assured, even if I, Batu, had to go through fire and water, I would defend your safety and crush the High Priest's plot!"
At this moment, only Hu Tu and I were in the tent. No one knew that a storm of blood and gore was about to begin!