Chapter 98: Challenge

Long Tao agreed readily to offer. How could he say no the princess? The duo passed through the crowd into the center of the hall. The song began and so did the dance. Long Tao didn't have any formal training but he was a quick learner. It took him a little time to get a grip. "I beg the pardon of the princess for my rough movements. Hope it doesn't embarrass the princess." Jiao Mingue gave out a sweet laugh. "No need to panic vice-general. This is not the army. You being the vice-general and me being princess, who are the people who have guts to embarrass us?" Long Tao was impressed by the choice of words.

Jiao Mingue guided his movements in the proper way. It took him a series of failures to get the trip going. "I thank the princess to allow me the honor of dancing with you.". "I hope this damsel is lucky enough to get your protection in her trip to foreign lands?". Long Tao gave out a laugh" It's a given fact, my lady. I am but a servant to the royal clan. I do whatever the master desires. It's my pleasure to be given the opportunity to be your guard while you have the peace talks with the Chu royal clan.". Jiao Mingue was studying Long Tao for some flattering expression, but the whole sentence came out from a blank face.

"Your words are quite assuring sir Long. If you may be free could you accompany me for the evening.". Long Tao agreed with politeness. They moved out from one location to another, getting to meet new people and having some tit and bits as the evening proceeded. Long Tao was attending such a party after a long period of time. After being in the army for 6 months he now felt these herd of people to be of the inefficient and lazy kind. They didn't have to worry about the matters of national security.

The duo attracted the gazes of all kinds of people. There were some who commented on how good these two looked together. But good and ominous came together. Long Tao acquired the hatred of many young men and in some cases even old men at the party. There were many potential suitors of the princess in the Jiao country itself. Long Tao getting the favorable impression of the princess attracted lots of ill will. But these people were unable to show it publicly to him. But there are some, who couldn't control their urges and wanted to embarrass Long Tao, even if it were through other people.

"We can't let him get close to the princess. He needs to be shown his place. How could an army insect compare to the nobility?" Many voices were heard. "Isn't that the son of the finance minister. What is he going towards the group of brutes?" But suddenly their eyes fell on Su Menqi. She was a beautiful specimen and her regal etiquette gave her an additional set of charm which attracted others towards her. The guy came to Su Menqi and asked her out for a dance. She rejected the offer politely." I am sorry, but am not feeling like its sir."

The man was getting insistent. Su Menqi soon realized that he was here to make trouble. Su Menqi continued the cordial conversation, but the man was getting more and more aggressive. The members of Black-buck squad were starting to get pissed off too. They didn't want to cause a scene here and embarrass their leader, but this guy is crossing the bottom line. "How dare you military brutes reject this young master's kind offer to you?" The man shouted out loud. The crowd's attention was drawn towards it.

Jiao Sheng was having a glass of wine with other senior ministers when one of his servants arrived and reported the situation. Jiao Sheng wanted to use the situation to test Long Tao out." Let it play out naturally. We shall see how he reacts to this.". Long Tao was having some bits on his platter when he heard the shout. He looked at Su Menqi and didn't act up. "You seem to be careless about your subordinate's situation Sir Long." Long Tao replied in kind." I have told them a sentence before coming here. If they act on it, I will intervene for sure." Su Menqi tried to remain calm, but when the shout happened, the line was finally crossed.

'Pah' a sound was heard, of a crisp slap to the man who shouted, blasting him to a faraway spot. The audience watching this was shocked. How could Su Menqi act like this in the King's party? The man got up, blood flowing from his lips. He was shocked by the previous event. The attack just now was strong enough to crack his facial muscles. Any stronger and his skull would have crushed. He was embarrassed like this for the first time in his whole life. "Don't take my silence as cowardice, sir. Choose your next words very carefully.". The man was bubbling with anger now" How dare you?" Scum!" A direct kick to the chest.

The guy was unconscious of the grave injuries he just incurred. The audience was scared of the brutality of this group of people. This time it was another member of the squad who gave out the kick. The finance minister appeared before his son. He was angry at looking at the condition his son was in. he looked at Su Menqi and said" Guards arrest her.". Jiao Mingue was looking at Long Tao for the moment and the only thing she saw was a satisfactory smile on his face.

Standing far from these two, Jiao Sheng was doing the same. Looking at the smile he got a very ominous feeling lingering in the hall. The smile had hidden cruelty and savageness to it. The guards proceeded towards the Black-buck squad. "Stop them immediately." Jiao Sheng ordered but the minister was too late. Just as the guards were about to reach the location, they were blasted back just like the son of the finance minister. The attack was not as brutal or life-threatening, but the injury was still deep.

While some chose to not intervene within the matters of the two groups, there were some noble affiliates who couldn't hold themselves back. They directly issued a challenge and a cock-fight began between the two groups. The winner was soon getting visible. Although the young generation of noble households had good cultivation, how could they match the tenacity and experience of soldiers especially from the most chaotic region of borders? Even more comical was the fact that the squad they were up against is ranked 1 among the north-eastern army for both its efficiency and brutality. The results were visible soon enough. The injured persons were lying all around, while the squad was still breathing out easily, having their dinner while beating the shit out of people.

"This is unacceptable. How dare you cause a ruckus in his majesty's party. You will e charged with state crime and treason right here. Fellow nobles, accompany me to subdue this group of rogues." The finance minister soon gathered many people on his side. Long Tao was not worried for the black-buck squad as long as their opponent was a QI master, but the finance minister's brother, who was also a royal guard, had the cultivation of QI general realm. How could Long Tao let him interfere in the fight. "if the princess would pardon my ignorance, its time for me to make up my appearance, now that they have followed the orders."

"I will take care of the one in the middle, you people subdue the rest of the squads." The royal guard was making out strategies when he saw another figure approaching them. Long Tao didn't even bother to look down on the bodies and walked upon them to his group. Upon his arrival, the Black-buck squad bowed down "hope that you like our way of following the orders vice-general." Long Tao wanted to laugh, but he held back to control the situation. He replied in a calm tone" you did well. Now let me handle the matter and don't act out."

Long Tao turned around and looked at the group he was confronting. "I suppose both the parties know whose fault it was. If your people are still insistent on getting a fight, I will accompany you in it." The royal guard looked at Long Tao." Vice-general Long is wise. We know it the fault of the young man, but this is a little overboard. Your squad needs to be taught a lesson on moderance.". "If there is something to teach, I will take care of it. You are in no position to interfere." Long Tao said with a smile. "Then I will have to insist with force.".

Long Tao gave out a loud laugh" My fights result in only one result. Death of my opponent.". His aura released as the sword appeared in his hands.