The Black Devil Church was an organization that was unheard of in these regions. Even Long Tao came across the name by chance. The very fact that he came across two geniuses of the Black Devil palace was a surprising fact. His decision to kill each of the members was because of their future useability.
Once the church gets to know that their servants have been captured, they would either be freed or assassinated. Killing them was the best option in the long run. It would ward off the church's attention for some time.
"What might be the reason behind the church's attempt to take control of the area. There must be some reason why such a large power would interfere in the business of backward reasons."
"If I hadn't already received the inheritance of the Heaven cleaver sect, I might have suspected it to be the reason. There seems to be something out of our scope of knowledge."
The Keeper advised Long Tao to keep moving forward. He couldn't afford to waste time on this matter. "The event would unfold with time. You need to improve your powers until then."
Long Tao nodded and proceeded to interact with Jiao Mingue regarding the compensation and the area which will be annexed by them.
.......................................................
The Jiao Royal palace-
"Is there any news from my sister?" Jiao Sheng was getting impatient. Although he was the current emperor, his action deemed useless toward any situation of the country. All he did was to sit on the throne, leaving the whole burden on his sister and uncle.
"You need to be patient. The parlay would be perfectly executed. Long Tao would return safely to us."
"We can't let someone like him die. He has done too much for our clan and the country. We are even ready to give up on the land conquered until now."
A messenger walked in at the same time "reporting to your majesty, her highness sent a letter to you."
Jiao Sheng rushed in to receive the letter. He opened it with obvious anxiety and read it quickly. A smile arose at his face.
"He is safe. Long Tao killed every single culprit behind the incident. Only the princess and the second prince of the chu country remains alive. Half of the land and three-fourth of their treasury was annexed by us as compensation."
"Sister states that the Chu country would now be acting as a subordinate of the Jiao country, paying a yearly ransom of 10,000 Qi stones to the treasury."
He ordered the soldiers to immediately announce their victory to the citizens. The Jiao country was up for a rousing festival.
...........................................................
Long Tao was resting in his tent. The convoy was on its back to the Jiao capital city. He traveled along with Su Menqi and Di Tao. The rest of the commanders were left behind to take control of the annexed regions.
Long Tao was currently in a dilemma. It was his first-time having feelings for someone of the opposite gender. Su Menqi hurried all the way here just to save him. Within his darkest times, she came in as a beacon of hope to bring his consciousness back. Those tears felt the same as when he saw Long Mengchen crying.
He couldn't describe his state of mind. His mind was fixated within a loop of thoughts that kept on repeating itself.
A faint noise brought him back to his sense. A figure entered the tent, during the pitch-black night. Long Tao waited for the figure to approach near him, and rushed at it to pin it on the flow.
Moonlight feel on their bodies, as a beautiful face came into sight. It was Su Menqi. The moment seemed to have paused. Both could feel his hearts pounding and their breaths falling over each other. A silence pertained in this stillness.
............................................................…..
"I apologize for my actions." Long Tao separated himself and helped Su Menqi get up.
"I should be the one apologizing for intruding your privacy during such a suspicious time.". Silence dawned on the atmosphere once again. Both of the figures were hesitating with their words.
............................................................…..
"You should confess your feelings to her brat. Either of us now that you fell for her for a long time." The Keeper said in a playful tone.
"It's not as easy as you think. There are multiple factors that would be affected due to this decision. I can't hurry it up."
"Don't try to cover your cowardice with some awkward and baseless reasoning." Long Tao's lie was quite obvious from his nervous tone. To think the well know ruthless personality would have this side to his character.
"Love is a bond that gives birth to a great amount of willpower. In my time as a keeper, I have observed multiple Crimson Lord's during their whole lifetime. You need to confront it. Running away would only harm your mentality and martial heart."
................................................….
"If there is something to report, we can talk in the morning, General Su." Long Tao turned around. He was trying to avoid an awkward situation.
Su Menqi came and hugged Long Tao from behind. "Do you really hate me so much. Am I not worthy of your attention? Am I the only one with a feeling of compassion towards you?"
Long Tao was about to explain when his lips were covered with a soft touch of skin. "I love you." Su Menqi 's eyes sparkled with the moonlight entering his tent. Long Tao felt his heart pounding. He gathered his guts, grabbed Su Menqi's waist, and said the four words that brought a smile on her face.
"I love you too."
...............��.................................….
In a mountain range far from the Jiao country, the base of the Black Devil church was established. The Church was a clandestine organization, with cultivators who far surpassed the estimation of back regions. It was a top tier power in its regions and well renowned for its strength.
A hall was present within the central block, crowded by multiple figures-
"You are saying that a single man was able to sabotage the whole plan, involving two countries. Are you kidding me?"
"This servant doesn't dare elder. The men stationed at both the countries were mercilessly massacred by a general of the Jiao military."
An awkward silence filled the whole atmosphere.
"Send spies to start the search within those regions. We need to get our hands on that treasure."
Although the plan failed, they couldn't let the opportunity slip from their hands. The treasure was too valuable to miss out.
…���.................
Ten days later-
Long Tao was continuing his cultivation when a sound rang in his ears. "I was able to find what treasure was lying underneath the deposit."
"What is it?"
"You need to come here and see for yourself."
