Chapter 327 - Provocation

Chapter 327: Chapter 82 ProvocationIn the center of the dance floor, Xiao Hui’s face turned pale in waves of pain, a drilling kind of pain.

"Can’t you be more careful with your steps?"

"I didn’t mean to," Lu Hong defended himself. "I already told you I can’t dance, it’s not my fault!"

"You could at least put some effort into learning, how many times has it been now?" Xiao Hui pouted. "You just don’t want to dance properly with me."

"I learned it a few times, but you have to stick to one song," Lu Hong complained. "The moves change with every new tune, how can I remember all that? This is bullying!"

"Forget it, I’ll endure it!" Xiao Hui tugged at Lu Hong’s hand, hugging her waist tightly.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, a group of young men and women were staring intently at Xiao Hui and Lu Hong.

"Brother Pao, is that your sister-in-law?" a man with a sharp chin and monkey cheeks pointed at Xiao Hui and asked, "She dares to hug and cuddle with someone else, aren’t you going to do something about it?"

The man called Brother Pao let go of his female companion’s waist and looked in the direction the other man pointed, his eyes suddenly filled with a blood-red murderous intent.

Lu Hong, with his keen senses, felt the warning signs rising in his mind. He turned his head to look, and the man’s eyes were full of caution.

"It looks like trouble," Lu Hong whispered into Xiao Hui’s ear.

But Xiao Hui seemed to be in a trance, oblivious to Lu Hong’s words.

Having no choice, he twisted her waist sharply.

"Ah!" Xiao Hui cried out in surprise, then her face flushed red as she whispered angrily, "What are you doing?!"

"I said it looks like we have some trouble," Lu Hong pointed with his lips.

Xiao Hui glanced in that direction and then rolled her eyes, "Don’t bother with him, he’s just a lunatic. He wouldn’t dare cause trouble today."

"Who is he? Seems like he’s got eyes for you," Lu Hong pressed. "If it’s mutual love, I sure don’t want to be cannon fodder."

"Who has mutual love with him," Xiao Hui said helplessly. "His father is Earl Zhuang Ze, and he counts my father as a colleague, and he’s been after me since we were kids. At first, I was willing to interact with him, but once I learned that he likes to abuse the common folk, I cut off all contact with him. He didn’t pass the exam for the Holy Academy, and we haven’t seen each other for years. Who knows what craziness he’s up to now."

"Abuse the common folk?" Anger flared in Lu Hong’s heart. The thing he despised and felt disgusted by the most was the nobility doing such deeds, taking lives as if they were worth nothing through their power.

"Yes, and he changes his women nearly every day, a complete scumbag. I can’t be bothered with him," Xiao Hui whispered in Lu Hong’s ear. "Why don’t you help me teach him a lesson? Give you a chance to play the hero, quite a rare opportunity!"

"Better not, don’t want to cause trouble for your father. Plus, didn’t you say it’s better not to make a fuss in these kinds of situations?"

"Unilateral action definitely won’t do, but if both parties agree to a duel, it wouldn’t count as causing trouble. Besides, he has been murdering to the point of encroaching on territories protected by the Bacon family. My father has long been discontent with his actions, just too polite to act against him because of Earl Zhuang Ze."

Faced with Xiao Hui’s urging, Lu Hong just chuckled. The Eagle Alliance was rife with unscrupulous nobles, too many for him to handle. Only when he led an imperial army here one day to conquer the place could he truly make a difference.

Seeing that Lu Hong remained silent, Xiao Hui complained, "You’re willing to help Niannian, why can’t you help me?" With that, she tiptoed up and planted a firm kiss on his lips.

"What are you doing?!" Lu Hong quickly pulled away from Xiao Hui. This girl was always stirring up trouble.

As expected, Xiao Hui had achieved her aim, and Brother Pao could no longer sit still. Pushing away the nobles dancing around him, he walked towards Lu Hong with heavy footsteps.

"See the mess you’ve made," Lu Hong braced himself for trouble, unafraid.

"Kid, who are you?" Brother Pao asked coldly.

"Who he is none of your business," Xiao Hui cut in before Lu Hong could speak. "Zhuang Pao, I’ve told you we’re nothing to each other. Please don’t meddle in my private matters."

Zhuang Pao’s brows raised, "You are my woman, and who you interact with is my business to care about."

"Who’s your woman, do I have anything to do with you? I don’t think my father and Earl Zhuang Ze had any such agreement, did they?"

"No hurry, my father will eventually make the proposal to Earl Bacon," Zhuang Pao said gravely.

"Then wait until your father proposes, and my father agrees. For now, please don’t disturb me and my dance partner," she responded.

Knowing he couldn’t out-argue Xiao Hui, Zhuang Pao shifted his gaze to Lu Hong, "I’ll ask you again, who are you?"

"""Mind your own damn business.""" Lu Hong had no fond feelings for this Zhuang Pao, who was reckless in his killing of the innocent.

"Say that one more time!" Zhuang Pao shouted fiercely, "I am the son of Earl Zhuang Ze, one of the most noble at this feast. What right do you have to be so presumptuous?!"

His voice was loud, as if Zhuang Pao meant to draw attention. Of course, ever since his brutal clearing of the dance floor, this spot had already become the focus of most attendees.

"Pao’er, what’s happening?" Earl Zhuang Ze could see everything clearly from the second-floor balcony.

"Father, this man shows no respect for our family. Please allow me to teach him a lesson, to maintain our family’s dignity."

"Oh? Is that so?" Earl Zhuang Ze nodded, "My son, go ahead. The dignity of the Zhuang family must not be trampled upon."

Those present were all shrewd, and it was clear that Earl Zhuang Ze was protective of his son. It wasn’t just protection, it was indulgence, which had lasted for most of his life.

Lu Hong looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly: "Old Earl Zhuang, are you sure you won’t discipline your worthless son?"

"How dare you!" Earl Zhuang Ze roared in anger: "What right do you have to judge Pao’er? It’s a death deserving of execution!"

"Earl Zhuang Ze." Earl Bacon hurried over, smiling, "You’re nearly eighty, don’t get angry so easily, it’s not good for your health."

Earl Zhuang Ze glanced at Earl Bacon with an unfriendly tone, obviously annoyed because Weiwei was taking Lu Hong’s side.

"What, you old man want to meddle too?"

"What’s this about meddling? We should let the younger generation resolve their own issues. It’s not our place to worry."

"Hmph!" Earl Zhuang Ze didn’t respond further, turning to walk into the inner courtyard of the second floor, clearly signaling that if Zhuang Pao decided to act during the feast, he would face no obstruction. This was the prestige of the Zhuang family within the eastern Earls’ Alliance.

Lu Hong smiled at Earl Bacon and asked, "Uncle Bacon, what do you think I should do?"

Knowing that he was being given the decision, Earl Bacon pondered for a moment and then waved a hand, "Like I just said, this is a matter for you youngsters, I won’t get involved."

With that, he went upstairs, as if to follow Earl Zhuang Ze.

"Father isn’t going to apologize to Earl Zhuang Ze, is he?" Weiwei said, not without worry.

Lu Hong laughed, "Your dad isn’t that foolish. He’s just going to keep Earl Zhuang Ze busy so he doesn’t interfere with our affairs."

"Ah? Is that so?" Weiwei was surprised, "Is father telling you to beat him up?"

"Of course."

Seeing Lu Hong and Weiwei still whispering among themselves, Zhuang Pao became even more furious. He took out his long sword from the Space Ring and pointed it at Lu Hong: "Father has spoken. I now officially challenge you, to uphold the Zhuang family’s honor!"

"Fine, where shall we do this?" Lu Hong nodded, "Make it quick, I’m getting hungry."

"Seeking death!" Zhuang Pao was fuming so much that his mouth was crooked.

"There’s an arena in the back yard, go there!" People keen on a good show had already started to lead the way, with eager onlookers rushing to follow.

"Zhuang Pao, Second Transition Level 8, I heard he easily defeated his opponent yesterday and made it to the semifinals. I bet he’ll definitely win."

"You can’t say that. The man by Weiwei’s side looks confident, he must also have a surefire chance of winning. Besides, the daughter of Earl Bacon wouldn’t be with some weakling."

"Yeah!" The onlookers nodded in agreement, "You’re right, I didn’t expect to see a thrilling battle before the dueling event even started, totally worth it, absolutely enhances the meal."

"That’s right, let’s hurry up and get a good spot, or we’ll end up with nowhere to sit."

"Right, right, let’s go!"

Weiwei kept briefing Lu Hong about Zhuang Ze’s capabilities along the way, hoping he would be cautious and not fall into the opponent’s trap.

"Swordsman?" Lu Hong asked curiously, "There’s such a profession?"

"Yeah, it’s quite rare. I heard it has a long heritage, but it’s declining in the Zhuang family," Weiwei said. "My father has also heard rumors about the Swordsman profession. Back before the Eagle Alliance was established, there were quite a few Swordsmen, but for some reason, as time passed, the Swordsman profession gradually faded from view. Only the Zhuang family continued this lineage to this day."

"Like a dying profession group, much like the warriors, huh," Lu Hong nodded, suddenly feeling a bit of sympathy for Zhuang Pao’s profession—of course, the sympathy was for the profession, not the person who still deserved a beating.