Star Gate

Chapter 498: A New Era (II)

“......” Hao Lianchuan sucked in a sharp breath. He hadn’t known about this. No wonder those people hadn’t appeared at the ruins. He’d thought they’d gotten lost chasing Li Hao or were still making their way through the mountain. So they were all dead! That was terrifying!

“There’s major monster spirits there, very strong ones,” Li Hao explained upon seeing that the man didn’t know. “I made it out by the skin of my teeth. Since those Red Moon members have barged in... let them. They’re dead meat! Well, since Director Hao is on the move, why don’t you stay in Silver City for a few days? You’ll be right there in case defeated members of the three great organizations seek to attack Silver City.”

There was only a Sunflare in residence at Silver City. Although the three great organizations were scattering everywhere, fleeing for their lives, they might commit some unspeakable acts if they decided they were out of options.

Li Hao had wanted to send Liu Long back for a few days, but upon further thought, perhaps he should give Liu Long something even better. The young man himself was due to leave the province as well, meaning that he and Liu Long would part ways for a while. He had to strengthen the chief’s organs before that happened.

“Me, go to Silver City?” Hao Lianchuan blinked. I’m a deputy director, you want me to hold down the fort in Silver City?

“I have some treasures on hand that may be useful in helping the director locate his fifth supernatural lock.” Li Hao smiled.

“Mmhmm, then I will lead the team there.” Hao Lianchuan abruptly swelled with righteousness. “Silver City is in a remote location and close to Ash Mountain. There may indeed be danger!”

“Then I must trouble the director!” Li Hao grinned.

“Of course, all in the line of duty!” Hao Lianchuan chuckled. Going anywhere was all the same. He could visit Silver City and come back in a few days when everything was settled elsewhere in the province. It would be for the best if Li Hao could locate his fifth lock.

Hao Lianchuan quickly set course for Silver City.

“Our Deputy Director Hao is a man of action,” Liu Long burst into laughter. “No wonder Director Hou ignores everything all these years and leaves it all to him.”

Look at how proactive he was! His blood nearly frothed with eagerness when he was offered some benefits.

Li Hao’s grin deepened, but he also properly contemplated that he really ought to help the deputy director locate his fifth lock. If the deputy director’s strength didn’t improve after Hou Xiaochen’s departure, he might have a difficult time in things to come. Manager Yu would likely leave with Hou Xiaochen, Golden Spear and the others might as well.

In that case, while there would still be plenty of powerhouses in Silver Moon, Night Watcher strength would immediately plummet to a low.

......

The group rushed back to White Moon City in the afternoon. It was as peaceful as ever. No one would present themselves here at this moment unless they had a death wish. Hou Xiaochen and the others were back, which meant that the provincial capital was more dangerous than any place else in the province.

“You guys head to the Silver Moon barracks while I make a trip to the Night Watchers...” Li Hao issued a string of instructions before heading to the Night Watcher headquarters himself. As a member of the Silver Moon Guards, he was still Hou Xiaochen’s subordinate for now. He could claim other duties called when they were out in the field, but a report had to be made now that they were back. Such were the rules!

Li Hao wouldn’t care about this if times were as before, but as he thought back to a certain golden commander’s insistence on the rules... He needed to be careful of Hou Xiaochen giving him a punch to the face!

......

Night Watcher headquarters.

It bustled with people in a very energetic fashion. Some quickly greeted Li Hao when they saw the young man. Here was a person who’d killed six Solars! Even if his feats weren’t impressive in the ruins and the particulars were hazy, he was still formidable to escape pursuit from the three great organizations and make it into the ruins.

Smiling, Li Hao nodded at people and made his way upstairs. Hou Xiaochen’s office was on the sixth floor—his was the only office on that floor.

The door was open, Hou Xiaochen was inside. Manager Yu was present as well. Li Hao knocked on the door, “Reporting in!”

“......” Hou Xiaochen and Manager Yu looked at him, startled. We know you’re here and that you’re right outside the door... What\'s the point of yelling so loud?

“Come in.” Hou Xiaochen sat down behind his desk. He lifted his chin after Li Hao entered the room and indicated for the young man to sit.

Li Hao stomped his foot with a resounding crash and sat down, ramrod straight with a stern expression on his face.

“......” Hou Xiaochen smiled. “Are you showing off the Battle Heaven Army customs?”

“No, I just felt that it looked cool and wanted to give it a try!” Li Hao grinned.

Hou Xiaochen’s smiled deepened and he looked at Manager Yu. “You head over first, I’ll be there shortly.”

“Alright.” The woman nodded and paused when she reached the door. “Don’t forget, your mission is not complete. Remember what you agreed to when you borrowed the Flaming Phoenix Spear.”

She left with a turn of her heel. The kid was getting too big for his britches! Remember what you promised!

Li Hao coughed drily without protest. He had indeed made a promise and said that he would help Hou Xiaochen obtain the Black Tortoise Seal in the ruins. That would pay off two favors—one left by Yuan Shuo, the other by himself.

I do remember my promise... but you might as well kill me instead if you want me to seize the seal from Director General Wang.

“Don’t listen to her,” Hou Xiaochen chuckled. “I do not seek payback when I do someone a favor. Just think of it as you owing me a weapon on par with the weapons of the eight families. The Black Tortoise Seal might be the weapon of the Wangs. Just remember that you owe me one.”

“......” Li Hao was at a complete loss for words. His silence didn’t perturb Hou Xiaochen.

“Did you come to me for something?”

“No, I just wanted to give a quick report.” Li Hao marshaled his thoughts. “We killed a few people and were chased to Ash Mountain for it. I met four major monster spirits inside the mountain. They were incredibly strong—Half Mountain and the others died to them.”

He sketched out the events of the past couple of days, not knowing if Hou Xiaochen was familiar with these major monster spirits or not. He might be.

“The monster spirits of Ash Mountain...” Hou Xiaochen inclined his head when the young man was done. “Ash Mountain is much more than meets the eye. There are a lot of treasures deep in its depths and even some ruins. Great Li on the other side is a thorny issue as well. It’s good that there are monster spirits in the mountains—they prevent Great Li heavyweights from invading us.”

So the director did know about the monster spirits, and he also knew a lot about the mountain.

“The world thinks that Great Li has fallen, but we know better. Not only does it still exist, but it is very strong! They are stymied only by Ash Mountain, by the monster spirits that call it home. Otherwise, they would’ve invaded en masse a long time ago.

“Great Li might also possess some heritage from the ruins. That is why they have a lot of powerhouses, and ones that walk the path of ancient martial dao. It’s different from modern day martial dao, making for strong bodies and blood qi, but very weak mind intent. They also have high numbers of supernaturals and experts among their martial masters...”

Li Hao was slightly surprised. Why did it seem like Hou Xiaochen had been to Great Li before?

“Have you visited that kingdom before, director?”

“Once...” Hou Xiaochen nodded. “It’s very dangerous, don’t go if you can help it. But sparring in martial dao when you’re there will help your cultivation as well. You can learn from other’s strong points, distill the essence and discard the dross. They’re all ways to improve yourself. Great Li will not be able to reach us in the short term, we just need to be on guard against them reaching an agreement with the monster spirits of Ash Mountain...

“But we have our strength as well, so there’s no need to be worried. It’s just that we’ll be in trouble if they do invade, war will be inevitable then.

“You don’t need to worry about the Ash Mountain monster spirits for now. I’ll set out after three days and depart Silver Moon. I won’t bring too many with me, but neither can I not bring anyone at all. That will leave me completely without proper footing in the central region. Little Yu and the Silver Moon Guards will be coming with me. That will be their new land of opportunity. How do things look on your side?”

“Are you taking all of the Guards with you?”

“Yes.” Hou Xiaochen nodded. “All of them! It is hard for people to break through to Dominator if they stay here. There will be more battles in the central region and thus, more opportunities for tempering. Only then will they stand a chance of advancing to Dominator and creating an army of Dominators!”

So the director was bringing the Guards with him, and all of them at that! That was quite unexpected.

“What about the pirates?” What would Silver Moon do against the pirates if the Guards left?

“Do you think the Silver Moon Guards is our only effective unit of force?” Hou Xiaochen laughed. “Don’t underestimate us. The Inspectorate, army, and provincial government aren’t just lying around. The Guards and I are the only ones leaving, they’ll still be here.

“And you have the time to worry about pirates. I thought you’d care more about the Guards leaving and your compensation package.”

“It’s just that I’ve heard people talk about the pirates being strong,” Li Hao started and quickly responded. “But since the director has said so, then there is naturally no issue.”

“So what are your thoughts?”

“I haven’t decided yet. Before he left, my teacher told me to keep a low profile. Leaving with the director... might be too high profile.”

“It’s up to you.” Hou Xiaochen didn’t try to persuade the young man otherwise. “Don’t keep going to the ruins. You are of the eight families, yes, but keep in mind that it’s not a good thing to enter too many ruins. You might be overly affected. You can learn the ancient heritage, but not all of it and find yourself lost within. Otherwise, you’ll just be the next ancient cultivator.

“Those who practice the ancient arts are very strong, but it is not a formidable undertaking to socialize in ancient martial dao. Jadelight and Berserk Blade walk the ancient paths. They are strong, but they are a hair weaker compared to the others.”

Li Hao nodded.

“Go on then and be about your business!” Hou Xiaochen waved a hand.

“Understood!” Li Hao rose with a sharp snap, stomped his foot, and left.

The display actually made Hou Xiaochen slightly uncomfortable. He shook his head with a laugh after the young man was gone. Who was Li Hao putting on this act for, eh?