Star Gate

Chapter 288: Silver Moon’s Reaction (III)

“I recommend that we all sit down for a talk! The talk should include the three commanders from the army, the inspector general from the Inspectorate, Hou Xiaochen, myself, and you representatives from Skystar City. We should have a conversation!”

“A conversation?” questioned Short Hair. “Is he willing to? Maybe he’ll kill us on sight!” He fell silent for a moment. “Additionally, I have another matter to speak of. Headquarters previously sent a special agent to Silver Moon to supervise certain cases. She’s gone missing!”

“A special agent gone missing?”

“Yes, a mid Solar Night Watcher with an origin weapon. She followed them into the ruins and didn’t come out!” Short Hair elaborated. “Both person and origin weapon are gone. We made inquiries through special channels and learned that she vanished without a trace after entering the city. I suspect...”

“I’ve heard about this,” the old man started coughing again. “Apparently, the inner city is very dangerous. There may be existences beyond Nova inside. Only Hu Dingfang and Hao Lianchuan would have a chance of killing your Solar, but they stayed with the other Solars the entire time. Would Violet Moon and Revolution cover for them if they truly did anything?

“You can doubt and question Hou Xiaochen,” frowned the old man. “But you cannot overreact to the slightest rustle! Nor can you wildly fabricate charges against someone! I am dissatisfied with certain of his actions and even more displeased by his collusion with the military, not to mention him turning the Inspectorate into a figurehead...

“But!” The old man’s tones turned severe. “That does not mean that the blame for everything can be laid at his feet! That is very untoward! Skystar City has sent only powerful supernaturals this time, why didn’t they send a civil official with a clear head?”

He ignored the less than pleasant expressions finding themselves onto the group’s faces. “This is most inappropriate! Might is not the only answer! If you are strong enough to do anything, then what do you need us for?

“You people are impulsive and do not proceed down the proper path!” he snapped out with irritation. “I understand your intention—you mean to blame the Night Watchers for your agent’s death, regardless of what the evidence indicates. You will force someone into insurrection even if they don’t wish it!”

He slammed his hands on the table with towering fury. “Is this how you operate?! Are you confident in subduing him if Hou Xiaochen revolts, or perhaps you’re sure of killing him? You want to bring his head to Skystar City to bask in the accolades, don’t you??”

The more he listened to these people talk, the less right it seemed and the less patience he had. So these were the kind of bastards that the capital had sent!

He was very irate!

Some among the group scowled, while some remained silent. The old man had a high status, after all. Despite their strength and Short Hair being a Nova—indeed, a premier existence and a Heaven Favored—he could only hold his temper with a frown.

“Master Zhao!” Short Hair’s frown deepened. “Very well, we will talk with him according to your wishes, but I will not be in attendance. I leave this in your hands out of concern that we will clash as soon as he sees me. I will enter the city tomorrow morning or the day after, please keep my presence a secret.”

“And what is the meaning of that?” sighed the old man. “Do you think he doesn’t know you’re here?”

Entering the city tomorrow morning or the day after... was naturally an attempt at a disguise. It would be proof that they hadn’t rushed to Silver Moon in time.

But was Hou Xiaochen a fool?

As the supernatural domain rose, it gave rise to a group of supreme supernaturals who occupied important positions, yet were without ability, talent, and virtue! How had the government failed to send a single dependable mainstay of the dynasty to oversee the Silver Moon matter? Instead, it sent a couple of strong brutes to the border province. How would this accomplish anything?

Fatigue set in and the old man waved his hand. “Very well, I understand! You should go rest. I will communicate the best I can with Hou Xiaochen. Strife will not beset Silver Moon in the short term!”

Short Hair rose without a word. He was followed by his compatriots as they left the conference room. They’d reached the limits of their patience with the old man. He was just a Sunflare, but dared to put on airs in front of them!

......

The old man glanced at his deputy when they left and sighed again. “It looks like the nine ministries also think that strength is the most important character trait. Ability, intelligence, and tactics are all secondary. People like us are about to be made obsolete!”

His deputy was also advanced in age and white speckled his hair. He wore glasses that were almost ineffective in his years and paused in the middle of perusing some material.

“Director General.” He lifted his head with a smile. “It is time to accept the reality that a new era is upon us! Unrest persists in the central region, the war goes on unabated, so strength is naturally king! The nine ministries are rapidly thinking of ways to increase their own. How will they keep the unruly powerhouses in check if they lack sufficient power?”

“What do you think I should do?” the old man sighed.

“You made a decision long ago, didn’t you?”

“Perhaps?” There was no end of sighs for the old man today as he looked around wearily.

The contingent from the central government had given him a heavy blow. He’d thought that familiar faces would arrive in Silver Moon—they’d were all exceedingly clever and keen of judgment. He didn’t dare say that it would dispel Hou Xiaochen’s thoughts of rebellion with any of them present, but that at least the man wouldn’t be impulsive even if he was of the mind to.

But look at who was here—some good-for-nothings who couldn’t wait for Hou Xiaochen to mutiny! They were deathly afraid that he wouldn’t rise up—where would their own deeds of merit come from if he didn’t? How would they tell their superiors that Hou Xiaochen was wrong and they were right?

“Evil and monsters come forth in large numbers when a towering building is about to fall!” the old man quoted as he stood with increasing resignation. “Strength is king and there is no peace for the people. How many still truly keep the people in mind these days?

“I’d thought that Hou Xiaochen was the leader of a rebellion and a traitor, but now it seems that he is a rare fine person! How lamentable, absurd, and deplorable!”

The old man slowly left as he shook his head. He’d suppressed the Night Watchers from growing stronger all of these years and tried his best to send Hou Xiaochen away. It was too dangerous to have such a person in a border province. It was not good that he enjoyed such prestige in Silver Moon. Now it looked like the newcomers were more than ninety-nine percent less than him!

It was up to Silver Moon denizens to save Silver Moon!

......

At the same time. The Night Watchers.

Hou Xiaochen smiled in the direction of the provincial government seat. Next to him, Hao Lianchuan was giving a detailed report of the excavation. The Night Watcher director didn’t seem very interested; he remained looking at the government building.

“Ole Hao, do you think Zhao is laughing or crying at the moment?”

“Huh?” Hao Lianchuan blinked, cut off mid-sentence. What are you talking about? Who are you talking about?

“I mean the one in the provincial government.”

“Oh!” Hao Lianchuan jerked with understanding. “That old fart is stubborn and pigheaded. He’s probably worrying over how the director might take his head!”

“Then you’d be wrong!” Hou Xiaochen chuckled. “That old fart isn’t afraid, and what would I do with his head? You make it seem like I’m a bad guy. It’s not good to have that kind of impression of me, Ole Hao. When have I ever done this sort of thing over the years?”

“......”

Fine, Hao Lianchuan had nothing to say to that.

“Then what of the ruins, director?”

“Let’s leave that for next month!” Hou Xiaochen’s chuckle turned into a light cough. “Alright, that’s it then. Don’t come to me over the next two days unless you have official business. I’m in a spot of pain as my old wounds have flared up. Let me know when Li Hao comes to White Moon City in three days.”

“Understood!” Hao Lianchuan nodded, but inwardly muttered, old wounds flare up? Is that true or not? Even he didn’t believe the story of old wounds anymore. Who are you fooling—you killed a Nova with one move even though you’re supposedly injured!

This guy liked to consider himself a parent as he treated everyone else as children. He was a bully!

......

On the way back.

Li Hao frowned ferociously. Liu Long also frowned ferociously. Wang Ming was very confused by their silent brooding. What was running through their minds?

“Have you two... not collected enough treasure yet?” he asked.

Li Hao came back to his senses with a shake of his head.

"I know that my teacher’s gone missing,” he said in a strange tone. “But the key thing is... I don’t know if I’ve lost anything else!”

Huh?

The two looked at him with confusion.

“It’s probably Liu Yan...” Liu Long sighed. “I forgot to ask if she’s gone to White Moon City or back to Silver City!”

He’d lost Liu Yan! Meanwhile, Li Hao wasn’t worried about Liu Yan. She was fine—Hou Xiaochen had been there! He’d lost the dog!

“Where’s Panther?” The young man’s frown deepened. “The dog’s gone missing ever since going to Rift Canyon. I didn’t see it when I went inside and didn’t see it when we came back out. Has it gone missing?”

Liu Long was also quite regretful when he thought of Panther—this was a dog that’d learned his Nine Forged Force.

“It’s probably... been made into dog stew somewhere? So many powerhouses were present for the expedition and the dog is fat with a gleaming coat. Perhaps someone found it tasty.”

Li Hao flicked a glance at Liu Long, the chief made sense. But he was Panther’s owner and the dog had eaten a lot of his sword energy! If someone had turned it into dog stew... what a loss that’d be! Even I didn’t want to eat Panth.

But the little black dog was indeed missing. Li Hao didn’t know if it’d run off or what. He could only sigh. Forget it, I’ve lost even my teacher. What’s another dog added to the mix?

The car slowly drove forward. They’d driven to the canyon a few days ago, who would’ve thought that no one would steal the car? Then again, those present at Rift Canyon were either powerhouses or power powerhouses. Who would want a car?

A person suddenly leapt out in front of the car as they conversed. Li Hao’s eyes widened with shock and Wang Ming stomped on the brakes. A martial master!

Li Hao would’ve discovered them ahead of time if it’d been a supernatural. Only martial masters would spontaneously appear before they could discern who it was. He took a close look at the face plastered on the windshield. The messy beard gave away who it was.

Southern Fist!

One of the two Fist Kings of Silver Moon. He Yong!