Star Gate

Chapter 494: The News Spreads in All Directions (II)

“Will do.” Deputy Zhou inclined his head and didn’t say anything.

Huang Yu verified that his people were alright when he looked at them. “Those from the military will go back with me. Yuan Xingwu, will you and your men come with me or immediately return to Skystar City?”

Yuan Xingwu had wanted to stay a bit longer in Silver Moon and visit Chen Yuhua; he blinked at the commander’s words. There were subtle undertones of telling him to leave!

“We have missions to undertake and will not trouble Commander Yu further,” he said after some thought. “We will immediately set out for Skystar City!”

“Be careful!” Huang Yu said indifferently. “Don’t wander around on your way back. Hurry and tell the Ministry of Military Justice that we really need more personnel in Silver Moon. If possible, deploy some heavyweights to us to assist in defensive efforts.”

Yuan Xingwu nodded and turned his attention to Li Hao, possibly wanting to say something to the young man. Li Hao had a calm expression on his face and inclined his head at Yuan Xingwu. His response was measured and showed a distinct lack of intent to engage in conversation.

There was no helping it, he really wasn’t familiar with the man. He would’ve made his greetings if his teacher had mentioned Yuan Xingwu often. The thing was, Yuan Shuo had never spoken of this name!

This senior brother of his might’ve done something to hurt his teacher’s feelings—such was Li Hao’s guess. Otherwise, Yuan Shuo should’ve mentioned him at least once, as even his surname was Yuan. Being his first disciple as well, it didn’t make sense that he was never present in conversation.

Yuan Xingwu sighed and guessed at some of the thoughts running through Li Hao’s mind when he saw the expression on the young man’s face. He transmitted, "Little junior brother, I’ll be going back now. We didn’t have a chance to chat this time. I’ll try to help our master the best I can. If I can convince the powerhouses of the Skystar Army to take action, that will naturally keep our master safe!

“As for yourself, try... to stay away from the central region and especially don’t travel with Hou Xiaochen. He’ll be beseiged by strong enemies when he reaches his post—his actions in setting up a separatist regime in Silver Moon have aroused prolonged dissatisfaction. Once he enters the central region, he might be attacked on all sides. The nine ministries and royal family might move against him as well. He is poised on the precipice of disaster, so think carefully, junior brother!”

“Thank you for your reminder!” Li Hao transmitted politely.

“Then... I won’t say anything else.” Yuan Xingwu ended the conversation when he saw that Li Hao didn’t seem interested in talking to him. He turned to Hu Dingfang. “Be careful, the situation is complicated in Silver Moon. Go back and discuss any thoughts with Yuhua, don’t be in a rush to take action and definitely don’t get any other ideas in mind. You also saw what happened today. I’m heading back, so be careful and don’t get overly involved with the Bais...”

Hu Dingfang nodded without a word. Yuan Xingwu and his men swiftly departed.

“Director General Zhao, Director Hou,” Qi Gang suddenly said. “Hu Qingfeng and I will be leaving as well then...”

“You’re going the same way, so traveling together will be safer!” Director General Zhao looked at Hou Xiaochen—he nodded with a cough.

“Very well, safe travels! Traveling together will give you strength in numbers.”

Qi Gang heaved a slight sigh of relief and looked at Hu Qingfeng. The man was also relishing surviving a calamity.

“I’ll be taking my leave then, Director Hou, and await your arrival in Skystar City. I’m heading back first to prepare the way for Director Hou. I’ll be sure to make ample preparations so that everything is ready for you!” Hu Dingfang didn’t care that Qi Gang was regarding him with a derisive look. He backed away only after bidding everyone farewell.

The group of twelve quickly moved out. A combination of three Novas and nine Solars had nothing to worry about on their way back. At the same time, Hong Yitang transmitted to Li Hao, “Then I’ll be off too. As for whether or not you should head to the central region... There’s no rush. If you do, you should consider whether you want to go with He Yong or Hou Xiaochen. My suggestion is that you go by yourself. That will ensure a lower profile, you’ll draw too much attention with them. I might need to enter closed door cultivation for a while and won’t be able to look after you...”

Closed door cultivation?

Li Hao looked strangely at the man. He seemed to understand and smiled ruefully. “It’s real seclusion. I need to think about the path to come and some other matters. Don’t read too much into my words.”

He did need to sequester himself a bit to contemplate his next steps. Although he’d made some decisions, he wasn’t fully at ease with them. Not to mention, he needed to be prepared if he was to truly undertake those moves.

“I understand, then take care, martial uncle...”

“Ah yes, I’ll make a copy of those two books and the Building Five Bridges method. Send their translations to me when you’re done—I should be at the Sword Sect, which is less than five hundred kilometers from White Moon City. That should be within the armor’s range.” Hong Yitang prepared to leave, then continued transmitting, “You might be safer with Hou Xiaochen if you do go to the central region.

“Hou Xiaochen is crafty and cunning, but he has his bottom line. He likes to, or is passionate about, making deals of equal value. He Yong... you should know as well that he’s not as foolish or honest as he appears to be. However, he won’t brashly take action against you either. You’re his hope to suppress his five locks. But remember, anyone who secures their footing in the royal family has conducted their fair share of devious plots as well. Don’t be fooled by what he projects.”

Li Hao nodded, he had certain thoughts in mind. He’d felt some of this in Ash Mountain, that He Yong might not have so easily let him off the hook if Hong Yitang hadn’t been present as well. Granted, the young man also might not have saved He Yong if he’d been the only one there.

Hong Yitang was a decent person at the end of the day. He’d taught Li Hao some things on the first expedition. While the young man still didn’t know why he’d done so, he felt that Hong Yitang was a more generous person. In return, Li Hao was more willing to deal with him.

Hong Yitang turned to the others and raised a cupped fist salute. “I have a myriad of tasks to attend to at the Sword Sect, so I shall not bother you any longer. Director Hou, Commander Yu, everyone... I take my leave!”

He turned and left. Hou Xiaochen watched him go without saying anything. Kong Jie followed his movements as well, before suddenly saying, “Are you interested in coming to White Moon City? Ole Hou’s about to leave soon. I’ll guarantee you some sort of deputy position at the Inspectorate or Night Watchers if you come...”

“No need, my thanks!” Hong Yitang was gone.

The director general and others silently watched the exchange. “That guy... has reached that step,” Kong Jie transmitted. “He trounced even Ole Hou in the ruins!”

Eyes widened at his words!

“Why are you so happy that I was trounced?” Hou Xiaochen laughed in his return transmission. “But it is indeed surprising that Earthturner Sword has reached this step. His sword intent is vast and majestic—it contains hints of great virtue. We don’t need to worry about him doing anything untoward. He probably has personal ideals and goals in mind. Earthturner won’t be committing wrongful acts.”

“How is Southern Fist?” Huang Yu’s voice echoed by their ears.

“He’s alright, good enough.” Hou Xiaochen’s assessment was mediocre. “Seal off the ruins. Some of the existences inside may have fully reawakened!”

Expressions shifted once more at his words. Reawakened! That was terrifying. No matter who or what it was inside the ruins, so much time had passed that no saint or villain was who they once were. Their sides no longer mattered. All that was relevant was that they were from another era, and hence should be regarded as a different race than modern humanity.

“Then Li Hao...”

“The eight families are indeed those eight families. Silver City is far more than meets the eye! Li Hao might’ve gained a lot from the ruins, but he doesn’t need to be placed under guard. We don’t want to cause unexpected consequences!”

“......” The group discussed the expedition in a general sense without delving into specifics.

Li Hao didn’t offer anything. He left with Liu Long and Panther when he saw that no one was paying attention to him. A casual beckon was enough to summon Wang Ming. The latter ignored his grandfather’s look and quickly followed Li Hao.

......

On the way back.

Li Hao didn’t say a word. After they walked for a period of time, Li Hao looked at Liu Long. “Chief, when we were in the city, Martial Uncle Hong spoke to you about working for him, didn’t he?”

Liu Long nodded.

Li Hao thought for a bit and said hesitantly, “I can understand some of your thoughts, but I obviously don’t share the depth of your feelings. Martial Uncle Hong says I’ve seen too little of the world and don’t understand certain things. He’s right.

“When we were in Silver City, you said that the Demon Hunters’ mission was to protect the city. To be honest, I still don’t really understand it.”

“It’s fine, everyone has tread a similar path,” Liu Long responded. “No one is born being kind with a sense of justice. My experiences formed my thoughts. After my father passed away from illness when I was a child, our enemies came calling. Silver City gave me a lot of help, making it possible for me to grow up and join the Inspectorate. It’s because of their help and trust that I am where I am.”

Hence, he wanted to give back to the land and people that’d nurtured him. This was why he hadn’t been in a rush to leave the city after he filled out his wings.