Chapter 112: A plea for help

The reports of the incidents were laid out clearly in Infront of the two people. "The incident was clearly out of our expectations. The man who was in charge of the convoy, I hope you do know him, don't you? His name is Long Tao. Does it ring a bell?". The figures were surprised after hearing this. Long Tao, isn't that the champion of the previous gathering of the younger generation. He chose to be enlisted in the military. "You should be knowing him quite clearly, don't you Bai Shan. Would you mind giving us a report."

"he was the young lord of the Long Clan, the son of Long Shen. We used the Black- dagger hall to make him a cripple in the first attack. He was saved somehow. He seemed to be a waste after that, but things changed. We orchestrated another attack on him while he was on a return trip and hence, he was thrown from the cliff. It was thought that he was dead. But this bastard reappeared at the royal gathering, taking the second position, while Long Mengchen took the 1st. He nearly crippled our young master."

"The news after the event is not clear to me. We temporarily eliminated him as a threat due to his lack of strength and him abandoning the Long Clan, to join the north-eastern military. We thought about sending someone to keep tabs on him, but it seemed that he had gone up against Lin general of the army and was sure to die. The cub seems to have grown fangs in the due time. How powerful is he?".

"Grown fangs you ask. I read his file until now, and I have only a single word to describe him, monster. That guy was not only able to grow exponentially in strength, but he also killed Lin Bao publicly along with his whole clan, and took on the position as the vice-leader of the army, named Dragon." 

"his squad was the worst one, but after its arrival, it is said to be the strongest squad within the north-eastern army. The Lin general tried to get him prosecuted and managed to turn some of his subordinates against him, but he killed each one of them without batting an eye. The cell holding the black-buck squad members was described as a gutter of blood, with numerous bodies lying in there. No one knows how many he managed to kill until now. As per the mission records, they are even more astounding. He seems to have carried out the highest number of high profiles killing within the enemy ranks, which include numerous advance level Qi masters."

"As per the mission, the general seems to have assigned it to him due to his new appointment as the vice-general of the army. He managed to get the princess through the multiple adversities we put them through and reach the Chu capital city. He killed each and every assassin I sent after them. Not a single hostage was being left alive.". "Didn't nightshade managed to escape?". The person laughed out. "he was allowed to leave to serve as a warning. He wants me to understand the consequences of going after him. Do you feel he is still the cub you thought him to be?"

The figures were silent. They didn't expect Long Tao to be a variable in their plans. He managed to offset the whole flow of the plan by saving the princess from those assassins. They need to re-think their steps." What is the current status? According to the mission, the royal guards should be going to pick the princess up, and Long Tao wouldn't be with them. We can take our chances right there."

"I would suggest you wait for a bit. The person whose life is at risk here is no fool. She wouldn't let such an incredible card fall out of hand. She is sure to ask him to accompany her to the capital city and help with court politics. You should know what might happen if that were to be the case. The whole plan might be at risk.".

"if he chooses to accept the plea of eth princess and comes here, we will give our best to take care of him first. With him out of the picture, we could easily move forward with the plan.". "Do you know the current limit of his strength. What is the amount of estimated resources needed? Do you have any idea about that?'. The two figures waited for the guy to continue. "I think we should try to entice him to join us. Maybe he will give up on helping the princess and come to our side."

"That is a big maybe there. What if he chose to not accept? We should be ready with an attack team to strike at the exact moment. I will ask for the help of cultivators from our organization and the Bai family too. We need to take care of this guy once and for all. Stay with us and you rule the world, defy us you die."

The Black-buck dwelling-

"I suppose Sir Long is not happy with my proposal. I am sorry to be a burden, but this is necessary to ensure my safety until I reach the royal court. I will make sure to pay you for the services you agreed to provide. But I would like to request your help. I by myself am not able to uncover the conspiracy behind this whole matter. I would like you to be accompanying me until this whole disaster is over." 

Long Tao didn't want to involve himself in political scenarios like this where he needed to choose between the two parties. By default, he should be going with the winning one. But promising the princess now would mean that he was sure to take her side. He would have to accompany her through the mud if this goes haywire. His life depended on it. "I would like to take some time to think about my reply. If the princess wouldn't mind, would you please give me some time to think about it. I don't want to rush my decision." 

The princess clearly understood the mindset of Long Tao. He didn't want to actively choose sides. He would go with the one that won the battle. This was something the princess didn't think about until this moment. Long Tao had no interest in political power. He joined the military with that sentiment. No matter if the ruler stays the same or changes, his motive is to protect the borders. He would b sticking his head out if he chooses a side.

The Crimson Lord world-

"I finally managed to get acquainted with the extra load. I don't have any problems with the regular movements, but the Qi training is hell. The more I want to increase the power output, the more is absorbed and heavier the whole thing gets. I need to practice this body of mine as of now. The body training regime needs to stay the same, I will increase my Qi training.".

The keeper agreed with the schedule. "How is cultivation going?" "I am officially at Qi master peak as per hell-forge art. I now need to concentrate on soul and body cultivation. The soul is still at 5 revolutions. 4 more to go. The body cultivation is at 70th tertiary meridians. 38 more to go. I need more body cultivation resources. Its time I collect the thunder pills from my master for the 9-thunder body art. I am officially at the peak of the 3rd stage. I am quite sure about reaching the 5th. 6th is going to be a huge problem." 

"Thunder pills do have tyrannical Qi power within them which can help in the opening of the meridians, but you need to be careful about their strength. Such high power might damage it somehow. Although you practice Weapon tempering art, I still need you to be careful. If you manage to swallow your first beast flame.". Long Tao nodded. 

"The year-end mark is approaching soon. Where is your alchemy level at? ". "I am at the 2nd level advanced level. I need to practice more. I will start doing so as soon as I complete my training in the soul arts and body cultivation." The keeper sighed. Alchemy can never be one's prime objective after all. Strength is everything. 

7 days later-

The convoy carrying the princess hurried day and night t reach the Jiao royal city as soon as possible. They didn't want to take any chances. Long Tao's approval of accompanying them gave a huge boost to the confidence but they still picked the pace. The new royal guard who arrived was also very serious regarding the security of the princess. They sent a level 3 Qi general to guard here this time. It was a serious upgrade.

Long Tao was engaged in his daily training, as usual, He was thinking of possible ways to avoid the conflict, not knowing that his arrival, already marked him with some seriously bad luck.