Chapter 80: The second endevour

Long Tao just completed his month-long training in a closed door. Coming out he called out for a meeting with all the squad members. The black-buck squad arrived soon enough to report to the vice-leader. Although there were still miss-giving regarding the vice leader's way of doing things, they had profited quite a bit from the adventure with Long Tao. The main benefit beings their progress in cultivation and better teamwork. It was the reason that no one wanted to leave the squad even after attaining the Qi master stage where they can be squad-leader themselves. Another reason as of course fear and loyalty to Long Tao. After the 4 months of Long Tao being here had passed, each one of them had huge respect for him. They were ready to follow him to death.

Long Tao looked at the squad and a smile appeared on his face. These morons did follow his training schedule and managed to improve their strength. "We will be going for the next mission day after tomorrow. You have two days to prepare and enjoy your holiday. The schedule of training starts from the day after tomorrow. If the leader would be kind enough to follow me.". Su Menqi went to the private meeting room with him. "What stage are you at the moment, Miss Su.". Su Menqi reported her strength. "4th level of Qi master. The vice-leader has any matter to discuss with me.". "I do as a matter of fact. The next training period will be longer than the last one, and I have prepared a special schedule for each of you. What I can tell you is the fact that you and the team members will have to break-through two levels at the very least to even survive this training. Be ready for my call."

Su Menqi was shocked upon hearing. Jumping two levels in Qi master was no small thing, and Long Tao wanted them all to do that. Also, the training schedule he had prepared was so dangerous that without powerup, they won't be able to even survive. Just what did he want them to do? She stopped Long Tao in his tracks and asked him" Why are you doing this? Training the squad, still being a vice-leader, gaining resources for us, forcing us to power up. What do you get from all of this?". Long Tao looked amused upon hearing this question, but all he did was to laugh "If you manage to enter advance Qi master stage by the time our training ends, maybe I will tell you.", He neared Su Menqi which led her to take a few steps back and just as they were close to the door, he opened and left. An embarrassed Su Menqi was left behind, a red glow all over his face.

Out in the hall, he called all of them to tell about the briefs of this time's special training regime and that they will be headed and supervised by Su Menqi as usual. She was the most powerful practitioner after Long Tao after all. " I will be going to the mission hall to pick up the next missions we are going on. I must remind you that the mission tally is going to be double of what you did last time. Now your training goals remain the same as last time, so you better be ready, otherwise, you might not survive it" Long Tao spoke with a smile on his face. The members looked at the smile of the devil that made their lives miserable every time it shone.

Mission Hall-

Lin Hao was here to take upon some new missions to make up for the loss he had sustained in the previous incidents. He needed to work twice, or even thrice as hard to get back on his financial track. He wanted to undertake the best missions available for his position and level in the army. He was near the board choosing when he heard someone entering. When he looked, his emotions took a violent turn instantly. Who else could it be except for Long Tao? "if it is not Squadron leader Lin Hao. Did you come here to pick a task for the squads under you? You must be in a rush. After all, due to some unfortunate turn of fate, your financial condition doesn't seem to be right. Would you be in need of any help? I would love to provide you with some, after all the various benefits our cooperation has provided me.". Lin Hao was biting his lips wanting to pounce at Long Tao, but he managed to control his urges.

"It's kind of vice-leader Long to be available for me when I am in a bad condition. But taking help from you would put our relationship under strain when I don't even require it. But if I do need something one day, I would approach you for sure. Hope vice-leader Long wouldn't forget the favor he promised me". Long Tao laughed out and assured him he wouldn't after which he ignored and proceeded towards the mission board. He picked up a horde of missions from the board. It included catching criminals, solving mysteries, resource collection, terrain supervision, and identification and even assassination of some high-ranking enemies.". A total of 90 were taken out and put up on the counter." I would like Black-buck squad to be assigned to these missions. We would like to ask for a duration of 4 months being assigned to us for the task.".

The man at the counter knew who Long Tao was. How would he dare to say no to the most blood-thirsty military leader within the north-eastern region? He immediately assigned the missions to the Black-buck squad and reported to his superior who obviously gave a thumbs up for the venture. Long Tao got the whole package carrying the details regarding the mission specification and waved Lin Hao bye-bye on his way out of the mission hall.

Long Tao was now back in the squad house and soon enough started to distribute the mission according to person and group. He also made a custom list of the training schedules and offering each and every member had to do within these 4 months of training. The schedule would rule out any sense of causality they would have inculcated within this period of break they had. Each member was assigned a different set of missions, which included all types, including assassination. The squad members got the briefing regarding the future meetings and how to divide their schedule between training and missions. Finally, Su Menqi was called for an overall briefing. "I would come in between to verify the advancement of each member. The ones who are unable to attain would be punished accordingly."

The tribunal's meeting hall-

There was a raging discussion regarding the military policies and current welfare of the military organization. Lin Bao and the other generals were currently sitting together for decision making. Suddenly one of the mission hall servants came and gave the leader a piece of information. "I suppose the black-buck squad is about to set out for another venture of theirs. This time the number of missions undertaken is double and the time requested is 4 months. The mission tally includes assassinations, resource collection, capturing, ambush among others.". There was another uproar in the assembly. Lin Bao tried to argue that the Black-bucks shouldn't be given this amount of privilege under any condition. But the motion was denied by the rest of the generals, as they saw the efficiency of the black-buck squad to have a great value. Especially Long Tao's achievements in the last venture. The motion was passed and the time period was successfully assigned to a squad, the black-bucks formally left.

The destination this time was stretch over a vast topography. There were multiple rendezvous points and the duration of the missions was going to be spent over multiple locations. An initial tally was done, and Long Tao asked each of the members to first proceed and complete their individual missions first. After which they were to gather and proceed for the group ambush missions. The plan was quite a simple one. Each member was assigned a resource collection, one assassination, and a scouting operation. After the set was complete, the group ambush mission and beast hunting will start. Long Tao gave each of them one month to complete all their personal mission, after which they were to gather right at the rendezvous point.

The members were asked to concentrate on training too because the aim within these four months was to increase cultivation by 2 levels again. Long Tao himself undertook the mission to increase his cultivation from the 5th level to the 8th level. The time was too small. Long Tao had not more than 9 months to attain the level of Qi general. He wanted to step at least into Qi general level 2, before the completion of the year.