One does not strike a smiling face.
Li Jing sat composedly in his chair, put down his teacup, and said warmly, "Prince, you are too courteous. Please take a seat. The official messengers here are all reasonable, and all matters follow proper etiquette; there has been no lack in hospitality."
An official messenger moved a chair to place it beside a General.
Li Ping'an, however, gestured for the messenger to place the chair behind him. He then sat opposite Li Jing, facing eight Generals alone.
These eight Generals, though mostly mortals, were all heroes who had fought their way out of battlefields.
Li Ping'an's action made them somewhat displeased. An elder General glared at Li Ping'an, as if ready to devour him.
Two Generals spoke in succession:
"Has the Marquis of Xibo not taught Prince any etiquette?"
"The Prince sitting across from us—what is this? A demand for accountability or a move to challenge?"
