Long Xuan'en said, "You haven't found the assassin, yet you're already fighting among yourselves. I noticed long ago that you Imperial Bodyguards were nursing grievances. Mr. Hong sent experts from the Heavenly Secrets Bureau to protect me out of concern for my safety. Very well. Since you wish to test their skills, I'll grant your wish. Liang Bao, we're all on the same side. Show some restraint."
Liang Bao was the dark-skinned bodyguard. He cupped his hands and accepted the command. "I obey Your Majesty's decree!"
Hu Xiaotian felt both annoyed and amused. We haven't even fucking fought yet, and you've already decided I'm going to lose. Does this fake emperor have that much faith in the Heavenly Secrets Bureau's experts? He said, "Does Your Majesty mean that I should also stop short of hurting anyone?"
A faint smile appeared at the corners of Long Xuan'en's lips. "Just do your best!" Clearly, he thought nothing of Hu Xiaotian.
Hu Xiaotian strode into the courtyard. When the Imperial Bodyguards heard that the emperor had given special permission for him to fight an expert from the Heavenly Secrets Bureau, every one of them grew excited. In truth, they had long since become dissatisfied with these so-called experts over the past few days. They wished they could string all eight up and give them a thrashing to vent their anger.
Hu Xiaotian first went outside the Samantabhadra Courtyard and called all his subordinates inside. All fifty Imperial Bodyguards were united in their hopes: every one wanted Hu Xiaotian to win.
Liang Bao had originally been the one to fight for the Heavenly Secrets Bureau. But just as he was about to enter the courtyard, a stocky bodyguard stepped forward and said quietly, "Third Brother, why use an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken? Let