Challenge (2)

Horo wanted to face palm so badly right now, but that would just ruin what he had worked to do just now. He wanted to do exactly what these skills said: mesmerize the crowd, make them feel pure fear without even using power, or make them feel reverence. 

He did just that, and now he would capitalize on it. 

"Hey guys, sorry I meant ladies. I forgot I need to be mindful and stay aware of the fact that it's all women here in the palace. This palace that I've grown very fond of. Since I've grown fond of this palace, of course I've grown fond of it as a whole, and that whole includes all of you. I understand my master may have just provoked many of you with that last statement of hers, but I truly wish to maintain pure friendliness with every one of you. I'm not in the mood to spar in front of so many people, so if anyone wants to challenge me, could we spar in private at another time? We could just enjoy the festivities scheduled as part of this ceremony."

The entire crowd was silent for so long they didn't know what to say. The effect of his skills was too strong. Ninety percent of the crowd could even muster the mind to not agree, with the charm and charisma he was giving off, as well as the fear and reverence some felt. 

But of course, there was the other ten percent. 

Most of the disciples high in the stands near the higher-ups of the palace burst into laughter. 

The laughter wasn't simple laughter. It was laughter that contained their powers, and this power freed their underlings from the skills employed by Horo. 

More and more laughter went out, and some even began to chant things like coward, weak males, unworthy, and all types of disrespectful slurs. 

Horo couldn't do anything but face palm. 

Next, he unleashed all passive effects of every skill in his possession, and he let his spirit aura and inverted force leak slightly. 

Everyone who laughed and mocked previously felt their entire bodies go stiff, even the strongest disciples who were laughing. 

Horo humphed and began speaking again. 

"Ohhh it looks like the cats got a lot of tongues in its paw today. What happened to all of the pretentious fools who were mocking. How about this, since I can't be peaceful and lowkey why not be the me my master likes, hahahaha. I challenge everyone who had the nerve to laugh." 

A long time passed with no one able to make a sound. 

This caused Elder May to burst into maniacal laughter before she said "This is exactly why you all are unworthy. You have the nerve to mock, but when you witness powers unfamiliar or beyond your own, tails get tucked. Every one should just piss off." 

When elder May finished someone finally spoke up. 

"Well it looks like I'll be the one to allow the core disciples to be a complete disgrace."

This disciple was name Brejay. She was ranked 29th within the core ranks of disciples. She is a lord stager, as well as one of the ones to first start laughing at Horo's opening statement. 

When she finished speaking she had her true cloud carry her down to the stage that transformed into a battle platform immediately before she could land. 

"Little boy, I accept your challenge" 

Horo responded, "Well what are you waiting for wanch." 

Hearing that term, she instinctively three a devastating palm strike that was in front Horo's face quicker than even he expected. 

Yet, that palm never struck true. 

Horo activated [Wing Chun] and [Paralyzing Strike], and these activations with his active thought, and perfect utilization, she was countered. 

That wasn't all, the counter came with twenty punches packed with bright lightening. They came in such a fluid, and strange motion that she didn't have a chance to stop them. She was out cold before she could do anything. 

The entire crowd jaws dropped, elders and all.