The Night Patrollers' building had six stories in total.
Hou Xiaochen was on the sixth floor.
Hao Lianchuan's office was on the fifth floor, which also housed the offices of the other four deputy directors. With one chief and five deputies, Li Hao recognized two of the other four: Director Zhou of the Metal affinity and Director He of the Water affinity.
Normally, however, these people rarely stayed at headquarters.
Hao Lianchuan was the first deputy. Since Hou Xiaochen took a hands-off approach to daily administration, Hao was the one running things, meaning the fifth floor was essentially his permanent domain alone.
As Hao Lianchuan led Li Hao up the stairs, he said, "You saw the first floor—just a reception hall. The second floor is the archives. The third is finance. The fourth is where secretaries and drivers work and take breaks, while the fifth and sixth are executive offices..."
Listening to this layout, Li Hao felt something was odd. "Then... what about everyone else?"
No wonder the place felt so small.
Archives, finance, secretaries, directorial offices—other than those, did this place have nothing else at all?
"They each have their own assignments. Did you think Night Patrollers just sit around at home all day?"
Hao Lianchuan chuckled. "White Moon City has a lot going on and a huge population, so the Night Patrollers have to go out on patrols and the like. This is an administrative headquarters. When people have nothing to do, they can go home, or head over to the Inspectorate—there's a lounge for Night Patrollers there too. Management here at headquarters isn't actually very strict; no one has to clock in for work. I heard you clocked in every single day in Silver City. You really are an oddball!"
They were all supernaturals; who would want to be so constrained?
Thus, the Night Patrollers' oversight was actually quite lax.
Aside from emergency missions, one only needed to complete routine duties. Li Hao, clocking in and out every day, was practically an anomaly throughout the entire Night Patroller system.
Well then!
Li Hao kept his thoughts to himself. The Silver City Night Patrollers were truly devoted to duty, staying in the Law Enforcement Building day in and day out with almost no one going home. Here, going home was the norm.
After climbing for a moment, they reached the fifth floor.
Stepping out of the stairwell, Li Hao looked around... It truly wasn't big.
The entire floor held only a few offices and nothing else.
Li Hao glanced past the other offices; only one appeared occupied, while the rest were empty.
Hao Lianchuan's office was at the end of the corridor.
Leading Li Hao inside, Hao pointed upward. "Director Hou works right above us. He occupies an entire floor by himself. His office is far more luxurious than mine, complete with an attached lounge. I don't even have one."
Li Hao felt a bit awkward and whispered, "Back in Silver City, there were nine of us Night Patrollers, and we had an entire building to ourselves!"
He genuinely felt sorry for the man.
Even his own office in Silver City had its own private lounge.
Poor Director Hao—even his office was so cramped.
*It's smaller than mine back in Silver City!*
Hao Lianchuan chuckled. "Land in White Moon City is worth its weight in gold. We have to be frugal; funds aren't all that plentiful, after all. In Silver City, three thousand star coins per square meter gets you luxury housing. In White Moon City, add a zero—ten times that, just about!"
Thirty thousand per square meter?
Li Hao considered this and nodded in agreement. "That really is expensive. No wonder our headquarters is so small."
The average monthly salary in Silver City was just over a thousand.
A person would have to work three whole years just to buy a single square meter here. In times like these, real estate was truly unaffordable.
With that, as Li Hao followed him into the office, he asked, "Director Hao, when I was in Silver City, my rank was Inspecting Commissioner—a low-ranking Inspecting Commissioner, of course. Logically, coming to White Moon City should earn me a promotion, right? Will I be a high-ranking Inspecting Commissioner, or a City Inspecting Commissioner?"
Hao Lianchuan felt rather vexed. He walked over to his desk without acknowledging the question immediately.
He gave Li Hao a look, sighing after a long pause, "Are you putting on an act, or are you serious?"
Li Hao grinned. "What is there to fake? I'm dead serious, of course!"
Why turn down a promotion?
Faking it? What was there to fake?
Hao Lianchuan said speechlessly, "To be frank, not many Night Patrollers care about rank."
"That's because they lack perspective!"
Li Hao pulled no punches. "Rank is immensely important! Right now, the Dynasty is still the Dynasty, and the Nine Departments are still the Nine Departments. As long as the Dynasty stands and the Nine Departments exist, the ranks people dismiss as trivial remain critically important! The Dynasty's hierarchy is strict. If you, an Inspecting Commissioner, defy a City Inspecting Commissioner, you're guilty of insubordination... Even if you're strong, you're still in the wrong. It just depends on whether anyone chooses to pursue it.
"By the same token, if an Inspector defies me, even if I punch him to death on the spot... I can openly report it to the Dynasty's departments afterward: this man defied a superior and deserved execution. Not only would I be innocent, I'd even be commended!
"As long as the Dynasty acknowledges this order and hasn't collapsed, no one has any legitimate reason to cause me trouble... provided we remain within the system!"
Hao Lianchuan smiled, this time with genuine amusement.
Gesturing for Li Hao to take a seat, he nodded, beaming. "Not a bad line of thought! I have to admit, it makes sense. It's just that nowadays, most people only care about fists and raw strength."
"That's because everyone is still in the phase of fighting and killing," Li Hao smiled. "Once peace returns someday, people will naturally integrate back into the system."
"You little brat, you really are obsessed with officialdom..."
Hao Lianchuan was thoroughly amused now. Li Hao could be quite entertaining at times.
"So tell me, what do you want?"
"City Inspecting Commissioner!"
Li Hao was not shy in the least. "There are two tiers of City Inspecting Commissioners: one is the junior grade like Director Liu Long, Senior Huang Yun, and the others, and the other is the senior grade like you, Director Hao. A junior City Inspecting Commissioner will do just fine for me... That way, in terms of status, across the entire Silver Moon Inspectorate system, no one besides the six directors will outrank me."
Among the six directors, five were senior City Inspecting Commissioners.
As for Hou Xiaochen above them, he was on an even higher level.
At that rank within the Inspectorate system, one was titled Provincial Governor—tasked with securing the peace of a province and safeguarding its people.
This level was equivalent to a regional viceroy.
In all of Silver Moon, only the heads of the four major institutions belonged to this echelon.
Hao Lianchuan simply stared at Li Hao.
This kid certainly aimed high.
After observing Li Hao for a moment, he smiled. "A City Inspecting Commissioner isn't out of the question, but under normal circumstances, the baseline requirement is Thousand-Battler or Solar Radiance. Liu Long was a special case—he was the chief overseeing Silver City, which warranted an exceptional promotion.
"What about you?"
He eyed Li Hao, who grinned and said, "I think I could hold my own in a fight against Wang Ming, who's in the Solar Radiance realm."
"You!"
Hao Lianchuan chuckled warmly. "Fine, I'll submit a report for you. This requires the director's approval; I don't have the authority to grant it."
Sure enough, Wang Ming had been right.
If you needed something done, you could go to Hao Lianchuan; he might not actually resolve it, but he would almost always agree to take it up.
In any case, pushing everything onto Hou Xiaochen was his standard playbook.
Hao Lianchuan dropped the subject and said, "About Hu Dingfang, you've guessed a bit, haven't you?"
"Yeah. My senior martial sister is his wife, right?"
"Sharp!"
Hao Lianchuan nodded. "So, what are your thoughts? That senior sister of yours actually does quite well in the Tiger Wing Army. Hu Dingfang relies heavily on her and listens to her advice. She wants you to join the Tiger Wing Army because it would be safer.
"Frankly speaking, it really would be safer, barring the destruction of the Tiger Wing Army."
Hao Lianchuan did not mince words. "However, if you go to the Tiger Wing Army, you'll basically become a domesticated songbird. That senior sister of yours... to be honest, she doesn't understand martial masters! She has great talent, but she isn't a true martial master in spirit. She doesn't realize that once a martial master is kept in captivity, more than half of their potential is ruined!"
His expression turned serious. "Do you want to go?"
"No!"
Li Hao shook his head, then added after a moment of thought, "Besides, Teacher never told me to seek out any senior sister. Hu Dingfang knows the Five Animals Breathing Technique, but it wasn't Teacher who taught him. My senior sister passed it on privately, which already violates the rules of the martial community! That Teacher hasn't purged her from the sect is likely only because he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless... How could I go against Teacher's wishes at a time like this?"
"Figured as much."
Hao Lianchuan stood up and opened the window. As a cool breeze brushed past, he let out a breath.
"Let me ask you once more: do you want to become a supernatural, or do you intend to stick to the path of a martial master? Your answer will help determine your future placement."
"The martial master path!"
Li Hao answered without hesitation. "My teacher is a Spirit Nourishing martial master. Until I reach Spirit Nourishing myself, I won't even consider the supernatural route."
"Good!"
Hao Lianchuan smiled. "Your specific assignment still depends on Director Hou. I'm just giving you a heads-up in advance: if you insist on walking the martial master path, you'll most likely be assigned to the Martial Guard. Everyone in the Martial Guard is a martial master!
"Let's put that aside for now. Aside from that, plenty of people want to see you. Any thoughts on that?"
Li Hao pondered. "We could arrange a gathering for martial masters, inviting some at the Hundred-Breaker culmination or Thousand-Battler level. We don't need too many. I'll answer some of their questions as I see fit; whether they believe me or not won't be my concern."
"Mm. Besides martial masters, others want to see you too..."
Li Hao asked, "The General Administration, or people from higher up?"
"People from higher up."
Li Hao considered this and said, "It's best not to offend people from higher up. They're most likely interested in the Eight Great Families, but I don't know much about that... I can meet them, but someone needs to accompany me. How about Chief Steward Yu?"
"I'm not good enough?"
Hao Lianchuan laughed out of sheer exasperation. "Why does it have to be Chief Steward Yu?"
Li Hao kept his mouth shut.
*Because you're too weak!*
Li Hao didn't want to guess what meeting those from higher up would lead to; he only needed to know that at a critical juncture, Chief Steward Yu, as a Rising Light, was exceedingly powerful, and that was enough.
If things went sour, there would be enough backing to stand firm.
As for Hao Lianchuan... he might not have that kind of leverage.
Hao Lianchuan thought it over as well, then chuckled to himself. After laughing a moment, he said, "Li Hao, you're pretty sharp. I originally thought that being new here, you wouldn't know how to handle the situation. Looks like you've already thought it through."
Li Hao nodded.
Of course he had!
Besides, he wasn't overly worried; Hou Xiaochen had his back.
Even if various factions wanted to devour him, they would have to consider Hou Xiaochen's reaction first.
With that in mind, Li Hao asked on his own initiative, "Director Hao, when can I see Director Hou?"
"In such a hurry?"
"I have things to discuss with Director Hou. You, Director Hao... might not be able to call the shots."
Hao Lianchuan scoffed in amusement. "Tell me then. What is there that I can't decide?"
"Plenty!"
Li Hao showed no restraint whatsoever. "Coming to White Moon City, I don't have many demands, nor do I have the standing to make them. But since I was brought here, it certainly wasn't to twiddle my thumbs. You said it yourself: martial masters can't be raised in captivity!
"Therefore, I have ideas of my own.
"First, I want law enforcement authority!"
Li Hao said calmly, "Over any supernatural or martial master outside the Night Patroller system, I must possess enforcement authority. When I deem someone a threat to myself or to public order, I want the authority to execute them, and the entire Night Patroller system must bear the consequences, not me personally!"
Law enforcement authority!
Hao Lianchuan's eyes flickered slightly.
"Second, I need immunity! Simply put, within the entire system—the official establishment—aside from the Night Patrollers, and aside from Director Hou and yourself, Director Hao, no one else has the authority to interfere with me or discipline me! I reserve the right to disregard orders from anyone other than the two of you!
"Third, I need authority befitting a City Inspecting Commissioner. According to the rules of the Inspectorate and the Night Patrollers, in the event of an emergency, I must have the authority to requisition all nearby personnel from both the Inspectorate and Night Patrollers. As long as their rank is lower than or equal to mine, under provisional wartime control, I have the authority to mobilize and command them!"
Hao Lianchuan fell silent.
He hadn't anticipated that Li Hao would demand three major powers right off the bat... But these truly weren't decisions he could make. Only Hou Xiaochen could give an answer.
He furrowed his brows. "I thought you would choose to keep a low profile here, or do whatever you needed in secret. But from what you're saying, you seem to have other ideas?"
Li Hao nodded. "Of course I do. I didn't come here to be an ornament. Keeping a low profile is fine, but one only lies low when one has the backing to afford it. I don't have that backing, so I need headquarters to provide it for me."
"Do you think Director Hou will agree?"
Hao Lianchuan smiled. "I don't have an issue with it myself, but opening your mouth to demand power right after arriving—what entitles you to that?"
"What entitles me?"
Li Hao thought for a moment, then replied, "Because I possess qualities that Director Hou values. Director Hou transferred me here partly because of my teacher, and partly because of myself!"
*Yourself?*
Hao Lianchuan sank into contemplation.
Had Li Hao... already stepped into the Thousand-Battler realm?
If he had reached Thousand-Battler and also understood the method for Spirit Nourishing, perhaps he truly had a chance of achieving Spirit Nourishing soon.
Naturally, Hao Lianchuan didn't care all that much about stepping into Thousand-Battler.
However, if Li Hao achieved Spirit Nourishing, even if he fell far short of Yuan Shuo, he would wield the power of a Three Sols. That could not be underestimated. A Spirit Nourishing martial master was vastly more valuable than a Three Sols supernatural.
"Fine, I will pass these along to Director Hou as well!"
Hao Lianchuan gave his standard reply.
Then he smiled. "You're quite an interesting fellow. I originally thought you might be reluctant to do me a small favor, but now it looks like that won't be an issue."
"You need my help, Director Hao?"
Li Hao suddenly put on an expression of troubled reluctance. "My strength is meager..."
"Hold on!"
Hao Lianchuan waved a hand. "Hear me out! What I need right now is your superb acting skills and that honest, naive look of yours—the kind that makes you look like an unsophisticated, dull young man who hasn't seen the world."
Li Hao felt a bit sheepish. *Who was he talking about?*
Hao Lianchuan continued, "Things aren't peaceful in White Moon City these days! Certain fellows are always itching to stir up trouble. I need you to help me resolve the problems they're causing."
Li Hao asked hesitantly, "Me? What would I do?"
"Simple!"
Hao Lianchuan chuckled. "Just do a few things. First, accidentally leak some information—make it sound extremely important, but stop halfway through, giving people the irresistible urge to seize you and interrogate you!
"Second, be ready to feign injury and innocence. For instance, out on the street, if someone bumps into you, tries to grab you, or if you spot someone watching you... use your acting skills to reel them in. Soon enough, our main force will arrive. All you have to do is play hurt, play innocent, play the victim... We'll handle capturing and killing them!
"Keep in mind, a lot of eyes will be on your performance—the General Administration, higher authorities, the military... If you act convincingly, we can strike ruthlessly and no one will dare object. But if your act is phony, it will draw suspicion and outrage."
Hao Lianchuan chuckled. "Things haven't been very pleasant lately. Director Hou killed a Rising Light and slipped away, leaving behind a massive mess that's been driving me crazy!"
Li Hao understood.
He truly understood!
A bit surprised and taken aback, he glanced at Hao Lianchuan. Was this man trying to slaughter a chicken to warn the monkeys?
However, doing so didn't fit Hao's usual persona as an honest, easygoing peacekeeper. So he needed a pretext—a professional bait-and-switch accomplice to play along with him.
The prerequisite was that this person had to be important in status yet seemingly weak and easily bullied.
That way, Hao would have every justification and reason to purge a batch of troublemakers without drawing unwanted scrutiny, for even an honest man had his temper.
"Director Hao, are you sure you can handle the fallout?"
Li Hao looked at him. *Can you pull this off?*
*You're only an early-stage Three Sols. Handling weaklings is one thing, but are weaklings really your only targets?*
Hao Lianchuan sneered. "I'll still be wielding the Fire Phoenix Spear! As long as they aren't a Rising Light, anyone is fair game! Kid, don't look down on a Three Sols. Besides, as a Hundred-Breaker, what right do you have to look down on a Three Sols? Even if you've reached Thousand-Battler, keep your head down!"
*Who are you putting on airs with?*
*Whom do you think you're talking to?*
Li Hao frowned, still hesitant. "Director Hao, does Director Hou know about this?"
"Whether he knows or not makes no difference. He won't interfere."
Hao Lianchuan sighed. "When push comes to shove, having me take the blame will settle it! Enough, just tell me if you're in or out. Honestly, finding someone suited for this isn't easy. If an ordinary person stepped forward, people would immediately suspect entrapment... You're different. You look utterly innocent and honest. I love scoundrels like you who look like good people at first glance!"
"..."
Li Hao felt deeply wronged.
Hao Lianchuan burst into laughter. "Yes, exactly like that! Even the expression looks wronged! Naturally, there are perks in it for you. The benefit is that I'll fight to secure everything you asked for earlier! Additionally, I'll give you a list of untouchables. Aside from those people, anyone else is fair game for you to pick!"
"Director Hao, what if you arrive late and I actually get beaten to death?"
"Not likely. Most people wouldn't dare. Besides, what good would killing you do? You can dangle some information so they'll be reluctant to kill you and only want to capture you alive. I trust you can pull it off!"
Li Hao sighed. Fine!
Still, he pressed for more: "Alright, but it feels like you aren't putting up anything, Director Hao. How about... some other benefits? This is an official mission, after all."
"Other benefits?"
Hao Lianchuan pondered for a good while, then grinned. "How about this: I'll announce publicly that you're no different from my own son, that I thought very highly of you back in Silver City, and that if anything happens to you, I'll slaughter the culprit's entire family to avenge you... Nominally, I'll act as a father figure to you!"
"..."
*Get lost!*
Of course, joking aside, if Hao Lianchuan truly made such a declaration, it would still benefit Li Hao. The man held considerable status and could even represent the Night Patrollers, which in turn signified the Night Patrollers' stance.
Although Hou Xiaochen had killed a Rising Light on Li Hao's account, the context was different.
A moment later, Li Hao nodded, accepting the collaboration.
Still, Li Hao couldn't resist asking, "What exactly is Director Hou's intention? I heard Southern Fist say that someone might be intentionally trying to force Director Hou into rash actions. If we do this now, won't we be walking right into their trap?"
"We won't!"
Hao Lianchuan smiled. "Like I said, this is our business, the duty of the Night Patrollers... That's why we need you to suffer a bit of grievance. Otherwise, with Director Hou's strength, he could simply kill them outright! Why go through this roundabout trouble? Sometimes, the line between rebellion and law enforcement hinges on a single expression... If you kill aggressively, that's rebellion. If you kill under duress, that's law enforcement... Understand?"
*Understand?*
*Sort of.*
He grasped the general idea, at least.
Li Hao nodded.
Hao Lianchuan let out a breath, then gritted his teeth and grinned. "The first target is a Three Sols Night Patroller from higher up. I've hated his guts for a long time! What you need to do is simple: find a way to hook him. Before the others can react, we're going to put an end to him! Kill him in broad daylight, fair and square!"
Li Hao froze, then took a sharp breath. "Master Hao, aren't... aren't you being a bit too bold?"
Hao Lianchuan chuckled. "You even bumped off Zhang Ting, and you're calling me bold?"
"Are you framing me, Director Hao?"
"Whether it's true or not, you know best."
Hao Lianchuan raised an eyebrow. "Cut the chatter. Can you do it or not? It would be best if he tails you covertly, in secret, perhaps even concealing his identity... That way, when we kill him, it'll be completely justified! I want those bastards to know that this backwater they look down on isn't to be trifled with!"
Li Hao thought for a moment and nodded. "Deal, on one condition: after he dies, his mysterious energy is mine."
"Done!"
Hao Lianchuan agreed without hesitation, beaming with uncontainable delight.
"By the way, I can't show up too quickly. You'll need to stall him for a bit—ideally kicking up some noise... That way, it'll draw everyone's attention, and then I'll charge in with the Fire Phoenix Spear and skewer him in one thrust!"
At that, he asked, "Will that be difficult? Are you confident?"
Li Hao chuckled. "It's manageable. Do we need to pick a location?"
"No need. Anywhere works, as long as there aren't many ordinary people around. When I pierce him with the spear, it should be very quick..."
*He's that confident?*
Li Hao glanced at him. In Li Hao's special vision, the radiant sphere within Hao Lianchuan seemed slightly larger than before. Had he reached the mid-stage Three Sols?
Even at mid-stage Three Sols, holding the Fire Phoenix Spear, could he really skewer another Three Sols to death so easily?
To be frank, if Hou Xiaochen had proposed this, Li Hao wouldn't have doubted it for a second.
With Hao Lianchuan, however... one couldn't help questioning his capability.
At this moment, Li Hao began to wonder whether Hou Xiaochen knew what Hao was planning. Rashly killing a Night Patroller from higher up was a massive headache; even if the target acted suspiciously, it could still stir up trouble.
Of course, that had nothing to do with him!
He was just an innocent victim!
Thinking about it, Li Hao actually found it thrilling. On his very first day joining the Demon Hunt Squad, he had served as bait.
Now in White Moon City, Hao Lianchuan's intention was clear as day: bait again.
In truth, Li Hao rather liked it.
Living quietly and keeping a low profile... what would be the point of coming here then?
Naturally, he wanted to stir up some action—preferably netting benefits, and even taking part in combat himself, so he could gain insight into other forms of force.
If he were sheltered constantly, with Hou Xiaochen guarding him around the clock, Li Hao would have hated it.
Stirring up trouble while keeping his own hands clean suited Li Hao's taste perfectly.
The two of them, one could say, hit it off instantly!
"Alright, that covers it," Hao Lianchuan said. "I'll go check if Director Hou has exited secluded cultivation. If he has, you can meet with him. If not, I'll find a way to secure your reward of five thousand cubic meters. By the way, Director Hou intends to swap the reward for the Rising Light-realm Blood God Seed. Do you agree?"
Li Hao raised an eyebrow slightly.
Soon, he nodded. "I agree!"
A Rising Light-realm Blood God Seed... He had thought he could get it for free, but apparently not.
No matter; exchanging it for a Rising Light-realm blood shadow worked just as well.
Right now, Li Hao needed this thing to strengthen himself all around.
It was great!
The blood shadow tempered the physical body and inner force. At this point, it was precisely the treasure Li Hao urgently required. His five internal organs were already exceptionally strong, but his physical body remained slightly lacking, and he was also preparing to obtain some Lightning and Wind mysterious energy.
The blood shadow had one major advantage: it consumed very little sword energy, unlike mysterious energy, which required massive amounts of sword energy to refine.
He could even absorb and digest the blood shadow without sword energy at all.
"Then that's settled... Also, regarding your accommodations, I gave it some thought and decided to put you right across the hall from my place. That way, it'll be convenient to look after you, and it won't seem out of place if I show up at a moment's notice!"
"Where is your home, Director Hao?"
"Not far. Ten li from the Night Patroller headquarters—very close. You're a martial master, so walking will take less than half an hour."
Ten li was indeed not far.
And that ten-li commute would draw plenty of attention and scrutiny; if he holed up at headquarters all day, anyone harboring ulterior motives would never dare make a move.
...
After talking with Hao Lianchuan for a while, Li Hao came downstairs alone.
Below.
A good crowd had gathered around Wang Ming, listening to him brag. His Solar Radiance-realm strength was now completely out in the open.
Seeing Li Hao descend the stairs, Wang Ming grinned. "Li Hao's down! What did Director Hao arrange for you?"
"Nothing yet. We'll wait until Director Hou exits seclusion before finalizing plans."
Li Hao smiled. "However, Director Hao said that to look after me, my lodgings will be across the hall from his place. Director Wang, do you know where that is?"
"I do!"
Wang Ming nodded. "I've even been there. It's actually the Inspectorate's residential quarters. We used to belong to the Inspectorate, after all. It's a nice area, quite safe."
At that moment, someone beside Wang Ming asked, "Commissioner Li, are you related to Director Hao?"
Li Hao smiled. "No, but when Director Hao visited Silver City, he got along very well with my master, so he's looking out for me a bit more. Plus, I've got some trouble hanging over my head right now, so Director Hao is being extra considerate. Please don't misunderstand!"
He added, "I'm a newcomer and know nothing about White Moon City. Once I get settled in, I'll treat all you seniors to a meal!"
Li Hao was polite and warm, his smile disarmingly pleasant.
"We should be the ones hosting a welcome banquet for you... But you've traveled a long way, so we'll arrange it later!"
"..."
Everyone laughed pleasantly. Those lingering here were mostly at the Lunar Nether level; Solar Radiance experts were nowhere in sight, making Wang Ming the strongest among them.
These Lunar Nether Night Patrollers didn't know much about the bigger picture.
However, they all knew that Li Hao had been summoned by Director Hou, had good relations with Director Hao, and was friends with Wang Ming, the newly minted Solar Radiance...
Naturally, they treated him with extra warmth.
...
After exchanging pleasantries in the hall for a while, Li Hao walked out alongside Wang Ming.
Hao Lianchuan had met with Li Hao in advance, leaving Li Hao to his own devices for the rest of the day.
Outside the door, the female guard was still waiting.
Seeing Li Hao, she hurried over. "Commissioner Li Hao, I am..."
Before she could finish, Li Hao cut in, "My apologies, but Director Hao instructed that I'm not allowed to converse with anyone outside the Night Patroller system without authorization! I'm currently under semi-supervision."
With that, Li Hao strode outside. Beyond the main entrance, He Yong was waiting, though he hadn't entered.
Aside from He Yong, several other people were lingering near the gates, though none had drawn close.
Without waiting for anyone to speak, Li Hao stepped out and projected his voice, "Senior Nan, there's no need to follow me anymore! Director Hao just told me that a press conference will be held tomorrow. Martial masters at the Hundred-Breaker culmination and Thousand-Battler levels may attend directly! Whatever questions you have or whatever you wish to know, I will answer them all at once on site. Regarding matters concerning my teacher, as long as it does not touch upon Five Animals sect secrets, I will tell everyone truthfully!
"The Five Animals lineage also wishes to see the martial path flourish; we won't hoard our knowledge like a prized broom. Whatever can be shared, I will certainly share with you all!"
After announcing this, he shouted again, "Furthermore, aside from martial masters, if anyone else has questions or wants more information, you may submit an application through the Night Patrollers. If the higher-ups approve my response, I will address each of your inquiries in turn!"
Li Hao spoke with utmost sincerity. "I'm a newcomer. As of now, I haven't even had a meal or found a place to sleep. Seniors, please give me a little time. Once I've settled in, I'll be in a much better position to answer all your questions."
Hearing this, the people waiting outside were no longer in such a hurry.
At last, there was a specific time!
Still, someone spoke up: "Only martial masters? Young Friend Li, some of us had no choice but to advance as supernaturals back then and are no longer martial masters, but we have disciples who practice martial arts... If it's strictly limited to martial masters, then what about us..."
Li Hao wore a look of sympathy and pity, then said awkwardly, "I... I can't decide that. You seniors can consult the Night Patrollers. As long as the Night Patrollers agree, I have no objection, but I don't have the authority to make the call."
He looked helpless, as if he genuinely wished he could agree on the spot.
Seeing his expression, everyone felt there was no need to make things hard on the young man; arriving here all the way from Silver City, he was probably quite rattled.
This matter still had to go through the Night Patrollers.
At least Li Hao was willing to share information, and that was enough.
After saying his piece, Li Hao clasped his fists. "Then I'll head back first. Seniors, we'll meet again tomorrow!"
Southern Fist He Yong glanced at Li Hao, scratching his head as he watched him...
Why did this kid feel a little different?
Not drastically different, of course, but he vaguely sensed that the boy wasn't nearly as meek as he appeared. Just listen to those words—acting like a pitiful victim—yet on the road here, he hadn't acted like that at all.
Though the thought crossed his mind, he kept quiet.
Since a press conference was scheduled for tomorrow, no one else was in a rush either.
White Moon City was still very safe at the moment; at least with Hou Xiaochen present, ordinary factions wouldn't dare cause trouble within the city.
...
A short while later, Li Hao and Wang Ming walked toward the residential area.
Someone was tailing them!
Naturally, the stalker moved with great stealth, but Li Hao didn't care.
A supernatural tracking him was practically a living target.
As for a martial master tracking him, Li Hao felt that among all the martial masters in the city, there were probably very few who could match him in a fight. Only veterans like Southern Fist, who had chanced upon extraordinary fortunes, stood a chance against him.
Having strengthened his five organs to this degree, Li Hao could essentially be considered a second Spirit Nourishing martial master, aside from possessing a weaker force than his teacher. The only shortfall lay in his force.
"Li Hao, did Director Hao say anything? Did you see Director Hou?"
"No."
Wang Ming felt a bit disappointed, but didn't dwell on it. "Right, after I drop you off, I have to head home! My family is over in the West District, while this is the South District. I haven't been home since breaking through to Solar Radiance."
He needed to return home to brag a bit and squeeze out some benefits while he was at it. Last time, his family had supported him with some mysterious energy so he could break through to Moon Overflow. Now that he was already in Solar Radiance, he naturally had to go back and ask for even more.
"You just arrived, but come over to my place in a few days!" Wang Ming said with a grin. "My house is way bigger than the dorms."
Li Hao nodded, then transmitted his voice: "Once you're back, don't blab about things you shouldn't. Keep your mouth shut!"
"..."
Wang Ming froze.
He stared at Li Hao. Voice transmission?
Voice transmission was the exclusive domain of Three Sols experts or veteran Thousand-Battler martial masters.
Yet... yet Li Hao had only just advanced!
He was bewildered. What was with this guy?
Had he grown stronger again?
Li Hao kept a straight face. Voice transmission really was convenient. Ever since strengthening his five organs to the level of one thousand cubic meters, he had known he could perform secret sound transmission; it was merely a matter of controlling sonic vibrations.
It wasn't particularly complicated, but it demanded exquisite control over one's inner force; otherwise, the sound would easily leak out.
That was why only Three Sols and Thousand-Battlers could pull it off, and even ordinary Thousand-Battlers lacked such abundant inner force.
Wang Ming didn't say anything. He wasn't stupid and knew well enough not to blab about everything.
For example, killing Zhang Ting—could he go spouting off about that?
Li Hao walked on, observing his surroundings.
As a newcomer, White Moon City was far too unfamiliar.
Leaving the Night Patrollers' building, both sides were lined with old residential quarters and dated streets. The South District was an older area with few high-rises, whereas the other districts carried a much stronger modern flavor.
The Night Patrollers had been established late, so all the prime locations had long since been claimed by other institutions.
...
At the same time.
News of the press conference the Night Patrollers were holding tomorrow began to spread.
Any powerful martial master could attend. For a time, countless martial masters grew excited, desperately hoping to learn a method for advancing to Spirit Nourishing.
Meanwhile.
In the East District.
On the top floor of a towering hotel.
Within an extravagantly luxurious suite boasting a living room, dining room, kitchen, ballroom, and sprawling nearly a thousand square meters, only five people currently resided.
At this moment, all five gathered in the reception lounge.
Four men and one woman.
Besides the green-haired Yu Xiao, the other three men included a short-haired young man, Hu Qingfeng, who was the leader of this five-person team.
Yu Xiao was the weakest, and spoke up first: "Word came from Hao Lianchuan saying that after Li Hao's conference with the martial masters tomorrow, Li Hao can come see us... but he hopes we can meet in the South District. Li Hao is new here and feels intimidated by unfamiliar environments."
They weren't particularly keen on going to the South District.
The main reason was that the South District was Hou Xiaochen's territory, unlike the East District, which housed the General Administration. Normally, Hou Xiaochen wouldn't come over here.
"Is he that timid?"
Hu Qingfeng chuckled and nodded. "Fine. Go over tomorrow and have Chen Min accompany you. If you can bring Li Hao back, all the better. If not, don't start any conflicts... Just bring back some of Li Hao's blood samples."
At this stage, there was no need to provoke Hou Xiaochen. The General Administration hadn't made any major moves; even if they had ambitions, they still needed the backing of local dignitaries.
"Blood samples... Will Hao Lianchuan agree?"
Yu Xiao frowned. "That man is rather perfunctory..."
"Figure it out yourself!"
Fine, Yu Xiao said no more. It was only collecting some blood samples; how hard could it be?
Hu Qingfeng continued, "Li Hao is a secondary target outside our primary mission; the key still lies with Hou Xiaochen! Aside from that, is the old man from the Silver Moon military still refusing to meet?"
Among the group, an older middle-aged man said in a deep voice, "The Silver Moon Army said that Commander Yu's old injuries flared up recently, and he has been recuperating. It will likely take some time before a meeting is possible."
Hu Qingfeng's expression darkened. Old injuries again!
Hou Xiaochen had old injuries flare up, the old commander also had old injuries flare up, the Inspectorate Chief claimed his old injuries flared up, and even that Chief Zhao said he wasn't feeling well lately with a worsening cough...
Dammit, in all of Silver Moon, were all the leaders sickly weaklings?
Every single one used the exact same excuse!
Either an old injury flared up or poor health—this made Hu Qingfeng extremely frustrated. Even in the Central Region, he had never been subjected to this kind of treatment, shut out again and again!
A dignified Rising Light, and a Heaven-Blessed Divine Master at that.
Aside from a few freaks at headquarters, he was a center of attention in the Central Region, admired by thousands.
Of course, those freaks rarely stayed at headquarters anyway. Word had it they had run off looking for trouble again a few days ago. Who knew how much chaos they would trigger this time; the earlier great battle in the Central Region had been provoked by those very fellows.
Thinking of them made him even more irritable.
Those guys were brilliant at stirring up trouble, but after causing a scene, they only cared about picking fights and never cleaned up their own messes, routinely dumping endless trouble onto people like him!
"Then ignore him for now!"
Hu Qingfeng said coldly, "What about the Three Great Organizations? Any movements from them lately?"
"King Pingdeng is just outside the city. There's no word on Banshan's end. As for Red Moon, Blue Moon is rumored to have rushed over from the Central Region..."
Hu Qingfeng nodded slightly, pondering for a moment before saying, "If necessary, we can talk with them. Hou Xiaochen is a thorn in their side. Silver Moon holds many secrets, and this thorn has made a great deal of people uncomfortable!"
"Understood!"
The group discussed things briefly, deciding not to rush into meeting Li Hao today. Everything would wait until after tomorrow's press conference.
They also wanted to see whether any secrets would be revealed then.
For martial masters, was Spirit Nourishing truly difficult or not?
...
At this moment, all sides fell quiet, waiting.
Li Hao's arrival had brought a slight ripple to White Moon City.
As for Li Hao himself, he was taking it easy, looking around his new home and admiring those big "lightbulbs" outside through the window.
They really were bright!
Chapter 108