The brief use of the Metal Seed allowed a good mental image of people moving about. Since he was fighting he put no attention on it really but now that he could spare it a little attention he received enough input to look into it further.
The various movers were placing boxes and other types of belongings in various homes.
"Of course not." Jasmine chuckled wryly.
"Jasmine.." Chu Xue noticed the looks they were getting and couldn't help but change things before they become worse. He gave a salute of respect as he spoke. "..whether I take part in the Martial contest doesn't seem to have anything to do with you. I ask the princess to think of her reputation and see this as just something small."
"Chu Xue you.." Jasmine was taken back. ".. I thought we were friends still? Did you change just that quickly once more?" Thinking about what Leroy told her in the past she was really starting to wonder about the boy she fancies mental state.
"I ask the princess' forgiveness in this matter. My family members are still waiting for me, I should really go." His voice sounded weaker the more he talked. "With the contest being over, I must take my leave and get back to work!"
"Chu Xue!" Jasmine went from feeling bad to angry. "If you're so afraid of my station, why aren't you kneeling?" Her emotions ran high after all she did to meet up with him and he acted like this. 'We were supposed to have a good conversation and catch up, not this!'
Leroy did a double take and couldn't help himself from smiling. He didn't expect such an outcome like this.
"A man should not kneel lightly. I only kneel to the ancestors, to the heavens, to earth, and to my parents." Chu Xue said with his head downcast. ".I've come to realize many things through my previous conversations with my brothers."
The word brothers was a little too telling and definitely sent a red flag up for Leroy. If he just said brother he would not have thought much of it.
"Pin Feng.." Old Chu muttered. Remembering that was the name of the person who played a part in Chu Xue's expulsion, the old man's eyes darted around in worry for those who were listening. Quite a number of influential people were in attendance and if anything that hinted at more members having joined the Rebel faction it would not go well. "Chu Xue be cautious with your words."
"Disgusting," Leroy said in contempt. Not to far from him, Sigui had recovered enough and moved over to the conversation. He walked over really wanting to talk with Leroy about martial abilities just like he said when they fought. "Just a moment, I want to hear the nonsense from this boi before I make a decision about something."
Sigui was curious as well and listened in. Tang Bo and Xiao Mei talked to old Chu, particularly about the Light Lion-ice family situation, and prodded about those who came around recently.
"I thought about doing nothing, then I couldn't live with thought of how it would turn out." He spoke with a charisma that did not belong to someone of his age or background. "All principles and events of the world will never change!" Chu Xue looked to the sky as if searching for answers. "But I am not the same as Lin Hong. He has his path and I mine."
"Chu Xue, I don't care how you see me, and I also don't care what you are thinking! Whatever it is, I'm willing to follow you for life!" Jasmine shouted. A few of the men were impressed with the declaration of such a woman. Some of the females took note and wanted to do something like that themselves. She was the North Kingdom's princess after all, someone several females looked up to. "I am willing to give you my all! Unless you kill me..."
Chu Xue shook a little walking a little more unsteadily as his heart couldn't take this. Teeth gritted in frustration as he fought the feelings away and took what the princess was offering him.
"You care more for your boyfriend Pen Feng than at least giving her an answer?" Leroy was beside himself in anger and decided to go for the low blow. "It is ok to like males man, I have a friend who is very vocal about doing both sides. It is completely acceptable and considering your financial situation selling yourself is very understandable."
He gave a few nods and try to make it appoint this was the case. Being gay for one's on taste or for was quite common where he was from and the ancient Greeks did it. How much was the time frame of here and the civilization he could only wonder about that a little.
"He is not that type of person Leroy!" Jasmine shouted at him completely embarrassed.
"Ok, you don't have to convince me, I am not bothered by it." He put his heads up backing away a little. It was bad enough that he had the Tang couple to worry about still. "Face the girl, you need to be upfront about your attentions if you are a just man. Well, even womanizers or manizers do so."
*Fwoosh!* A small breeze of wind was generated from quick movement as someone dashed abruptly.
*Grip!* The hold around Chu Xue was strong and was the result of strength passed his cultivation bast rushing out. In response, Leroy circled his Flame Lighting Qi to fight back creating a turbulent force of energy to manifest.
It caused pain to Princess Jasmine and those nearby for a moment. It was then completely swallowed by the Flame Vortex Core in a moment. Leroy slowly pulled the arm away as he took the other's Qi from him, crushing the bones in his arm during this.
*Crack!* The ground under Leroy broke a few feet down and then glazed over from the intense heat. With his dantian and the Vortex spinning, he released an overwhelming force of power. Enough that the people around were threatened and went on guard.
"As a man.. I have a few things I can just not tolerate in front of me!" Leroy snarled almost with a malicious look appearing in his eyes. Lighting and fire swirled around the area and caused a burst of Death Qi. His voice turned mocking as he broke a few more bones in the other arm. "A man should not kneel lightly... I only kneel to the heavens, to earth, and to my parents.. that's what you said right?"
"It is what I said.. yes.." Chu Xue tried to say more but was still suppressed and the pain in his arm was starting to spread with his cultivation dropping further. "...." Feeling his Qi emptying out he want to get free but the grip was too strong.
"A real man could kneel for anything if it is for the right reasons. Whether respect or biding his time for something to take place. Does not really matter. Kneeling to the heavens.. pft, the heavens do not care over trivial matters between us mortals." His grip tightened as his right had dense lighting around it form up. "The Earth does not need you to kneel for you owe it everything already with every step you take. Eating the food grown from it and defecating on its surface you owe it all. Drinking the water it holds all over and stirring the clouds to make sure you are dehydrated. As for your parents..."
His grip increased as he stretched his arms out and bent Chu Xue's back a little.,
"Don't hurt him, Leroy!" Jasmine yelled. Not too far away, Victoria was pleading with her elders to intervene. But they did not budge as they rather not get injured in the process. "Please!"
"Your parents.. you do not care for them or your Family. You openly act this way despite your family's situation and continue to make mistakes without seeking advice. Never thinking matters over entirely giving in to what's inside you on a whim." Chu Xue's eyes narrowed at that in surprise and he was determined to fight back at least a little. "I am aware of your secrets yes. Did you think I was holding you just to talk?"
The QI inside Chu Xue was plummeting at a rapid rate as Leroy forcefully cultivated the qi with the use of his Spatial Sense and a better cultivation base.
"What.. do .. you want?!" Chu Xue was close to losing an entire CUltivation Realm at this rate. 'I need to activate the Trident to get free!'
"Humph, nothing anymore." Leroy let him go as he felt an intense sense of dread. He delivered a high kick to the temple that knocked Chu Xue out cold. "Old Chu, keep him under house arrest for a month to think matters over. Make sure to educate him correctly when he wakes and question him thoroughly about any run-ins with the Rebel faction. If he is truly not one of them he will speak up."
"This old man understands." Old Chu bowed. Instructing the others to take Chu Xue away quickly. "I think you again for your mercy."
They left in a hurry and had various looks between them..
'We must think Princess Jasmine for this later.' He caught sight of several matters today and needed to think of a plan to change events. 'But with the foolish boy not heading her advances that may backfire. Not to mention this issue with the Rebels.'
Leroy ignored the Princess as he looked at a few family heads and gestured for them to come over. He passed several notes to them and spoke about how a plot to ruin all of them was under way and they needed to act fast.
As an Official, he put his stamp on some quickly written papers that detailed the rebels that were moving around their homes. Whether they could defeat them or not was really up to them at this point.
Oddly enough, the elder of the Dark Rose Family offered his services to help them. Which served to get him in their good graces. The Jing Fire Family also offered to move members with the Shining Demon Family also helping.
Sigui and Leroy talked a few things over just small talk. Passing a few hints and instructions over made Sigui overjoyed. He didn't have much to give in return but offered a Guest Token and to be his sworn brother.
"I.. accept." Leroy didn't why he did but he did. "I look forward to your improvements and to seeing you break through correctly."
Sigui took the words he heard today to heart. Something his uncle said to him once causing a change in his thinking.
After that, Sigui left with his people. A few small passing words were shared before departing from Jing Lin. Sigui was actually interested in her but only on the surface level. He would not fight her battles for her.
.
Elsewhere in town-
.
In an abandoned villa on the outskirts, the North King had witnessed everything that went on passively without a single word. Trying to figure out several matters but unable to leave the matter with Leroy and Chu Xue to rest just yet. The Rebels that acted in the area had moved on to bolder plans and this was quite dangerous.
"Chu Xue is such a confused young man, if he can straighten himself out things will change." The North King then turns to his attendant. "The boy Tang Xuan is someone to take notice of. Who would have thought the Dark Tang Family had such a person with tenacity like that? Then there is Leroy, never thought I would see someone who practiced the Metal Seed again. Takes a strong determination to do it."
"Master, will there be any problems with the princess acting in such a way?" The aide asked. "His senior martial brother did say Chu Xue has a more intimate relationship with the Pen boy."
"If someone dares spread rumors, our North Kingdom will have a reason to act and do a little damage. Such is the punishment that we will have their tongue cut out." The North King frowned at the thought of his old comrades son liking men. "Try to stop any such rumors as we have to offer a little help."
"The kid is only a member of a minor family, could it be Master sees..."
"The kid's background does not matter. As for Leroy and his growing influence, he will not conform to anyone, that is my hunch and what I have seen. But he has obeyed the laws so that is interesting to see what he will do. The Emperor..." Thinking a little, the North King wonder if the rumor about him being part of the Dark Tiger-fire Family was true and if the separation was some kind of coverup. "...if she was to get with him, that would be for the best."
The aide didn't say anything as he listened closely to try and figure out what he meant.
"If that daughter of mine wants to be reckless, I'll have to strip her of the princess title. Then maybe she can live a peaceful life away from the Political intrigue." The North King folded his arms as he had quite the problem with fatherly duties and ambition. "But she is headstrong, just like me. If she makes up her mind about something then.. ha!" He gripped his arm hair annoyed.
"What if she chooses someone else?" The aide asked tentatively. He didn't receive an answer from his master at all. "Master?"
The North King focused on the rebels that were getting hunted down and killed viciously. All those that were undercovered were exposed and some were just killed on sight by the various families.
"What madness is this!?"