95 Shameless (2/2)

Hartley engaged advanced state of focus and then used his advanced minute movement technique, he took one short step backwards and two quick steps to the left, then dashed forward again as his body blurred delivering a bone-crunching punch that pounded onto the right side of the young man like a hammer coming down full force against scrap metal sitting on an anvil, the flame-sword disappeared with a sudden flash of light and fire element in the surroundings evaporated like a puff of smoke, all the heat suddenly disappeared from the hall.

The man puked out a bucket-full of blood and screamed out like a cat getting its tale stepped on as he flew off the stage landing in front of the delegates from Sasko with a thud, like a sack of potatoes, if an x-ray was available, it would show that the man's right sided ribs down to the right side of his pelvis were now shattered to powder. He made a few more wailing screams which echoed in the now shocked and quiet hall before passing out.

The elder who checked the young man's body scrunched his face and gritted his teeth in anger, on the continent of Aldora someone who could reach the 5th layer of the xanthian realm at the age of twenty five was considered and absolute genius among their piers and was bound to become a pillar of strength for their country, the young man laid out before the elder was now obviously crippled, this was a big loss, it was a disaster, the elder was responsible for this group of youths but after seeing Hartley's performance he was shocked speechless, he had then encouraged the young man to challenge and kill Hartley before the youth became a powerful cultivator they would have to deal with in the future.

The elder blinked out of sight in a split second... he then reappeared right in front of Harltey with his palm extended and glowing with a dull brown color, his hand seemed to have become the size of a basketball as wind swirled and fluttered Hartley's black robe.

Everyone's mouth was open in shock as they watched the unusual scene, Commander Genk's huge body bowled over the table, sending it screeching across the floor as he made a desperate attempt to intercept, Zhi Ruo danced away elegantly from the table that scattered all the content resting on its surface in the chaos with bowls flying everywhere, the other scrambling elders also maneuvered out of harm's way,but it was already too late, Commander Genk couldn't save Hartley.....

The next thing everyone in the hall saw, seemed to defy logic...It was Hartley who was punching the elder who had sneaked attacked him....

There was a singlepulse of strobing blue light like the flash of a camera and the elder was sent stumbling back five paces on the battle stage, he managed to stay on his feet as he forcefully swallowed down the blood that had climbed up into his throat. Hartley smiled then cupped his hands and made a formal bow towards the elder. ”Elder, I didn't know you also wanted to exchange pointers with the younger generation.” Hartley's voice sounded out clearly around the quiet hall, he then turned to face the shocked faces in the hall.

”Commander Genk thanks for bringing me to this banquet so I could meet people from other countries to broaden my horizons and experience the thick-faced shamelessness practiced abroad.”

The flustered commander Genk who had knocked over a table was standing and staring slack jawed like everyone else.

The elder on the battle stage grabbed his chest with his right hand and gave a painful and embarrassed expression ”This child has no respect for his elders and is too vicious, I was merely trying to teach him a lesson. How are you going to punish him?” The furious elder roared at the commander.

Commander Genk recovered quickly, he put his robust arms behind his back and answered ”Elder Langzu this was the exchange of pointers for the younger generation and yet there you are standing in the middle of the stage right after one who also wasn't of the younger generation had challenged and lost,”he shrugged helplessly ”What can I do? everyone's got two eyes to see and form their own opinion.”

It was a subtle suggestion by commander Genk to everyone present, that..... even after the two people went on stage to bully someone of the younger generation.... they couldn't.... even as vicious as their intentions were.... they had still lost face.... now that they knew they couldn't harm the youth, they wanted to borrow the strength of others to punish the youth... It was utter shamelessness!

Elder Langzu turned around in fury, his skin would have to be thicker than the heel of an elephant for him to push this matter any further, he flashed to the table he was sat at, gathered up the injured young man and marched towards the exit along with the rest of his depressed gloomy-looking group, before he left he glanced back over his shoulder and gave Hartley a vicious stare before disappearing into the night.

The quiet hall then erupted in raucous discussions, was this the birth of a future powerhouse for the country of Aidonia?