Decision

Atop the water tower. Liu Long dropped down and took his leave, leaving Li Hao alone. "Bait..." Li Hao murmured softly, having grasped Liu Long's meaning entirely. That man appeared brash on the surface, but in truth, he was a meticulous expert. Every word he spoke had seemed remarkably candid and open. Not only that, there was another point Liu Long hadn't stated outright, though it was conveyed clearly between the lines. He, Liu Long, was not someone to burn bridges after crossing them. He was a man who valued camaraderie and loyalty! Indeed! Liu Long had reiterated several times that he was unwilling to investigate the moles within the Law Enforcement Team. That single sentiment was effectively Liu Long taking a stance. *Even those who betrayed me, I can't bear to hurt.* *If you, Li Hao, are willing to help me, I certainly won't repay kindness with ingratitude.* Now, that was a true expert! Like rain moistening the earth in silence, he left it unsaid on the surface, yet a moment's reflection was all it took to understand: if Liu Long was unwilling to move against traitors out of sentimental attachment, how much more so with anyone else? *Is he really that sentimental?* Li Hao pondered this, daring not to believe it completely or take it entirely at face value. These people were far too cunning. In Liu Long's remarks just now, he had deployed countless tactics: bluffing, misdirection, intimidation, and appeals to reason... In a conversation of only a few sentences, who knew how many brain cells Liu Long had burned through? *Kill supernaturals, strip their mysterious energy, match it to yourself, and if channeling it once doesn't work, do it a second time, a third time... and in this manner, one can become a new supernatural?* Li Hao suddenly felt a chill. The world of supernaturals did not seem peaceful either. If even ordinary mortals like Liu Long sought to fight and kill supernaturals to achieve metamorphosis, then what about supernaturals among themselves? Perhaps it was even more perilous! No wonder these supernaturals kept an exceptionally low profile and concealed themselves from the public. It was likely to avoid gratuitous trouble. *Liu Long appeared to tell me a great deal, but in reality, he only touched upon the surface and never delved into details. If I don't join the Law Enforcement Team, he probably won't tell me much more.* For instance, the concrete methods of supernatural cultivation, ways of channeling energy, tiers of power, types of abilities... Liu Long had spoken of none of these. *Furthermore, do I truly possess mysterious energy on me, or was it a lie? Was he merely saying that intentionally to make me lose my composure, thereby forcing me to admit I really took something from the Zhang family?* Li Hao suspected this was very likely. There was one thing Liu Long didn't know: Li Hao could see mysterious energy, an ability unlikely to be shared by ordinary people. That starlight-like energy was, in all probability, mysterious energy. And Li Hao could see it; he could see that no such energy surrounded the surface of his body. Otherwise, neither the Red Shadow nor the person behind it would have been completely unresponsive earlier. Liu Long was most likely bluffing him! As for Liu Long himself, Li Hao actually had spotted a trace of something. Around that man's body was a faint aura of starlight energy—extremely faint, likely mysterious energy. *Liu Long has killed supernaturals and absorbed their mysterious energy. It's just that he hasn't reached the point of qualitative transformation yet, which leaves lingering traces of mysterious energy within him. From that perspective, Liu Long truly does have a chance of becoming a supernatural.* Indeed, he could see it. Just like the Red Shadow! Ordinary people couldn't see the Red Shadow, but Li Hao could. Beyond Liu Long, the squad members beside him also carried, to varying degrees, a touch of mysterious energy on their bodies. As for the "we" Liu Long had spoken of, Li Hao had a rough guess. It likely referred to those squad members: the alluring woman, the tracker Wu Chao, and the other two members. Along with Liu Long, that made five in total, rather than the entire Law Enforcement Team. Evidently, there was a small faction within the Law Enforcement Team—a hunters' alliance formed by Liu Long and his trusted few, dedicated specifically to hunting supernaturals. *High-powered weapons? Or other means?* Supernaturals were certainly formidable; otherwise, Liu Long wouldn't pursue that path so fervently. Yet supernaturals had fallen by their hands, proving this small team was terrifying in its own right. Both the timing and the terrain favored the Inspectorate. Deploying high-powered weapons fell within the Inspectorate's authority. Even if someone investigated afterward, the Law Enforcement Team could easily brush it aside with excuses. As such, if a supernatural grew careless, getting eliminated by them was entirely possible. Armed with only a Vortex III with an effective range of fifty meters, Li Hao had dared to contemplate taking on supernaturals, let alone a man like Liu Long. Strictly speaking, Liu Long was the true person in charge of Silver City's violent apparatus. As for the Chief of the Inspectorate, he sat behind an office desk and wouldn't personally visit the front line. The Law Enforcement Team was the front line, and Liu Long was the boss here. ... Li Hao walked down from the top of the tower. He pondered as he walked. If he refused, what would the consequences be? Would Liu Long make trouble for him? Regarding the Red Shadow, would Liu Long tip them off, even telling them that both the Zhang family saber and the Li family sword were on Li Hao? Or would he simply eliminate him in secret? *He seems like a forthright, burly man... but he's actually a ruthless, merciless fellow!* At this point, Li Hao no longer considered Liu Long brash in the slightest. Even the Law Enforcement Team's lack of action over the past year might have been an intentional indulgence on Liu Long's part, meant to make outsiders and supernaturals lower their guard, thinking the Silver City Law Enforcement Team was nothing more than an empty shell. Feigning weakness to deceive the enemy! *Moles... Heh, could Liu Long have fostered them deliberately? Even if not, they are the product of his indulgence. He must know with absolute certainty who the moles are; leaving them unpurged was purely intentional!* With his mind racing, Li Hao seemed to see through many things in that instant. Liu Long of the Law Enforcement Team was undeniably a formidable figure! The chaotic mess of the Law Enforcement Team had most likely been manufactured by his own design. This man was far too insidious—no wonder his name sounded like oozing pus; he was rotten to the core! After privately venting his grievances for a moment, Li Hao also began considering whether joining them held any advantages. *If I join them, I'll have allies to deal with the Red Shadow, because Liu Long's goal is precisely these supernaturals!* *I don't know the Night Watchers well, nor do I know their circumstances—I don't even know if they have ties to the Red Shadow. If Liu Long and his people truly want to become supernaturals, they will certainly be more dedicated than the Night Watchers, even if their strength is comparatively weaker.* *Still, having experience killing supernaturals means they aren't without confidence.* At this moment, Li Hao was the Red Shadow's next target. With such a massive commotion stirred up today, the Red Shadow's side was probably already preparing to make their move against him. *The only real fear is...* Li Hao stepped onto the street, sinking into troubled contemplation. What did he fear? He feared that... Liu Long was actually on the same side as the Red Shadow. That would be true danger! Such a possibility could not be ruled out. *If that's the case, I'll truly be in grave danger!* Li Hao had no choice but to consider this angle. If Liu Long was in league with the Red Shadow, then at this point, Li Hao had exposed nearly everything. *Phew!* His heart felt heavy. The move he had played tonight hadn't gone entirely smoothly; it was fraught with twists and turns. If Liu Long could truly counter the Red Shadow, all was well; if not, he was in even greater peril. ... *Rumble!* A tremendous crash rang out as a large vehicle flattened the old Zhang residence in one sweep. Amidst clouds of dust and smoke, Li Hao watched in silence outside the old compound, as though catching a glimpse of Zhang Yuan. *Yuan, your home is gone.* *You are dead, and your home is gone. Even the last trace you left behind in this world is on the verge of vanishing.* *Now, to avenge you, to offer the murderer's head as a tribute to send you on your way—it seems that's all I can do for you.* Just then, the alluring female squad member from earlier quietly approached Li Hao. A faint, delicate fragrance brushed his nose. Beside his ear, the woman's laughter drifted over. "Little Hao, if you want to join us, you can come find me tomorrow! I'm Liu Yan, deputy captain of the Law Enforcement Team. You're welcome to come anytime!" Liu Yan! Had she not introduced herself, Li Hao wouldn't have known who she was, but the moment she gave her name... Li Hao knew. Having spent a year in the Confidential Records Office, even if he hadn't seen certain people in person, he had heard their names and the gossip surrounding them. Liu Yan was one of the names that frequently came up in the office. Rumor had it she was Liu Long's mistress... Naturally, that was just gossip circulating through the Confidential Records Office. Whether it was true, Li Hao didn't know, but judging by today's circumstances, it wasn't necessarily baseless. Several older women in the Confidential Records Office often spoke of her with disdain, claiming she had relied entirely on her pretty face to coast into the position of deputy captain. One had to know that a deputy captain of the Law Enforcement Team was, at the very least, a First-Class Inspector. Above inspectors were Inspecting Commissioners. Liu Long was an Inspecting Commissioner. Only upon reaching Liu Long's rank did one truly possess authority; within the Inspectorate, his standing was second only to the Chief, and none of the deputy chiefs wielded as much real power as Liu Long. "All right!" Li Hao nodded slightly, agreeing without hesitation. A wise man submits to circumstance! At this moment, he could not refuse, nor did he have the luxury to. He had to agree! "Splendid!" Liu Yan beamed like a blossoming flower. "You won't regret it!" With those words, she turned and left. She moved swiftly and silently, leaving Li Hao secretly alarmed. These people appeared to be ordinary mortals, but in reality, their strength was already formidable. Their bodies were shrouded in a faint layer of starlight. It was very faint, difficult to see from a distance, but up close, Li Hao could discern it clearly. It was the exact same starlight energy that had seeped out from him when he had been unable to digest the water soaked with the jade sword. *Semi-supernaturals?* Li Hao defined them in his heart. These people had likely all attempted to channel energy into their bodies, but had failed to formally become supernaturals. Liu Long had certainly managed things well within the Law Enforcement Team, cultivating several powerful assistants. *So the water soaked with the jade sword is mysterious energy!* *Liu Long and his group rely on killing supernaturals to become supernaturals, whereas I... might not have to! My jade sword can provide me with mysterious energy, and I've also acquired the Zhang family saber. I just don't know if the Zhang family saber can produce mysterious energy when soaked in water.* The rumbling continued. Before long, flames leaped into the air. The Zhang residence was set ablaze. Li Hao watched in silence, feeling no regret whatsoever about his choices tonight. Tonight, he had obtained a tremendous amount of information—far more than he had anticipated. Even if he had exposed certain things about himself in the process, it didn't matter. Could the Red Shadow's side truly not know that he was the bearer of the Li family sword? Not necessarily! The fact that they hadn't moved against him all this time was likely due to their own considerations. If his parents had been killed by them, how could they not know that his surname, Li, was the very same Li in the Li family sword? Thinking they were unaware would be nothing more than deceiving himself. *With such a massive commotion, the other party probably won't show themselves!* Li Hao tightened his coat, nudged Black Panther beside him with his foot, and whispered, "Let's go. Time to head back!" Without bidding Liu Long farewell, Li Hao quietly departed while the noise was at its peak. ... "Boss!" At this moment, several people had gathered around Liu Long. Liu Yan looked toward him with a hint of questioning, then glanced at Li Hao receding into the darkness. She asked softly, "Boss, do you really want that kid to join us?" Skinny as a bamboo pole, Wu Chao let out a faint laugh. "The boss naturally has his own thoughts and reasons! That Li Hao has someone backing him. While Yuan Shuo isn't a supernatural, his mastery of the Five Animals Art makes him formidable in his own right! What's more, he's always collaborated with the Night Watchers, giving him considerable leverage. Bringing Li Hao in might not be a bad thing." Another stout man, so fat his eyes were barely visible, grunted, "It's hard to say if it's a good thing either! Yuan Shuo is proud and arrogant. The boss approached him before, wanting him to join us in hunting them, but Yuan Shuo dismissed it with contempt. Pulling Li Hao in might draw the Night Watchers' attention..." Before he could finish, Liu Long cut him off coldly. "The Night Watchers? You think the Night Watchers don't know? Our Silver City Inspectorate has slain supernaturals on multiple occasions. How could they know nothing at all?" With that, Liu Long said indifferently, "So what if they know? Those we killed were all criminal supernaturals who committed offenses! Besides, the secret that killing supernaturals and stripping their mysterious energy allows mortals to transcend—that came from the Night Watchers themselves! Heh..." With a cold sneer, Liu Long's eyes filled with disdain and nonchalance. "Didn't they spread this information precisely so that cannon fodder like us, who harbor ambitions of becoming supernaturals, would shoulder the burden for them?" "Right now, the Night Watchers seem overloaded with missions and lack the time to oversee everything. Yet once a supernatural commits a crime, leaving it unattended spells immense trouble! But stepping in requires manpower the Night Watchers simply don't have, and having mortals fight supernaturals is far too perilous. Most officials just muddle along—who would willingly offend a supernatural?" "And yet, right at that moment, word gets out: kill a supernatural, channel the energy into your body, and after multiple attempts, there's bound to be a chance of success... Tell me, what result does that lead to?" At these words, everyone fell silent. What result? Anyone unwilling to remain ordinary would gamble everything! A fight to the death! With the right methods, weapons, and brains, mortals were not entirely incapable of taking down supernaturals. They were the living proof! And was this phenomenon limited to Silver City? Hardly! The Night Watchers organization had spread such information deliberately to use ambitious mortals as cannon fodder, temporarily resolving a portion of their troubles. Liu Long added, "The Night Watchers' scheme is remarkably shrewd! If people like us truly become supernaturals, where do you think we will go?" Liu Yan smiled. "The Night Watchers!" The others nodded in agreement. Where else would members of the Inspectorate go? Could they possibly join the crooked paths of rogue outlaws? The fat man drew in a sharp breath. "What a brilliant calculation! Doesn't that mean they don't have to expend a single drop of mysterious energy, yet they end up absorbing the standouts who transcend, all while clearing out a portion of rogue supernaturals who cause chaos!" Killing two birds with one stone! The Night Watchers merely had to leak a piece of information. The eventual outcome was that Inspectorate members who succeeded in becoming supernaturals would have no choice but to join the Night Watchers, because the Night Watchers were the official authority, the orthodox path! Once people grew accustomed to being officials, few would choose to become thieves. "It's an open conspiracy, nothing more!" Liu Long said calmly, "I don't know about others, but those who fail the selection each year are never content with being ordinary! We once had one foot in the realm of the supernatural, only to be kicked right back out. No one accepts that! And our group forms the core strength of our respective Inspectorates. We have troops, we have authority, and we have enough leverage to fight for that slim chance!" "The Night Watchers don't have to pay any price. On one hand, they let us stake our lives; on the other, they get to pick out promising seedlings. Why wouldn't they do it?" At that moment, the squad members understood completely. Liu Long hadn't explained things in such detail before. Some among them had grasped it, while others, like the fat man, had been worried about being discovered by the Night Watchers—discovered siphoning mysterious energy in secret. Yet hearing the captain lay it out, their minds were suddenly cleared! The fat man asked again, "Boss, then having Li Hao join... is it advantageous to us?" "It is!" Liu Long stated simply, without explaining why. The others fell into thought, refraining from probing further. As for whether Li Hao would join... did they even need to ask? He definitely would! They believed that anyone who learned of the supernatural realm would find Liu Long's invitation impossible to refuse. The Night Watchers held official selections, but leaving aside the one-in-a-hundred success rate after selection, the key issue was that Li Hao hadn't even entered the ranks of Silver City's candidates. In all of Silver City, quite a few knew of supernaturals. All of them were high-ranking officials! How many high-ranking officials wished for themselves or their descendants to become supernaturals? For someone like Li Hao, the chances were far too slim. Even if his teacher intervened, the most likely outcome was still failing to make the candidate roster. As long as Li Hao understood the difficulty involved, he would realize that only by joining the Law Enforcement Team would he have a chance to step into the supernatural. ... The night was captivating. Along the path, Li Hao maintained his vigilance, walking in silence. The Zhang residence was not far from his own home. He had mulled over many things along the way, ultimately deciding it was best to inform his teacher. *Beep, beep, beep...* The communication was answered quickly; Yuan Shuo had likely been waiting all along without sleeping. "Teacher!" "Settled?" "Mm. Captain Liu Long came with his men, and I'm already on my way back." Li Hao spoke while organizing his thoughts. After a brief pause, he said, "Teacher, Captain Liu said I might be in danger. The person who killed Yuan might want to kill me as well." "It's fine!" Yuan Shuo seemed to have anticipated this long ago and paid it little mind, remarking casually, "Starting tomorrow, move into the Ancient Academy. Don't go to your dormitory; come straight to my place and stay put! Laying low for a year or two won't be an issue." Yuan Shuo spoke lightly, but Li Hao understood: Yuan Shuo was gambling with his own presence, betting that the Night Watchers wouldn't ignore his safety. If Li Hao hid there, unless the Red Shadow's side was extraordinarily powerful, they wouldn't rashly provoke the Night Watchers. Yet Li Hao knew that the Red Shadow was unlikely to let the matter rest. Besides, hiding away indefinitely was something Li Hao was unwilling to do. "Teacher, I still want to stay at the Inspectorate." "Stubborn fool!" Yuan Shuo grew slightly irritated. "Knowing the danger, you still want to stay? That's not courage—that's stupidity!" "Teacher, I want to... join the Law Enforcement Team! Captain Liu invited me to join, saying he can ensure my safety." "The Law Enforcement Team?" "Yes, and... he told me that joining might open the path to another realm." "Heh!" A dismissive chuckle sounded through the communicator. "That fellow Liu Long still hasn't given up! As if it were that simple! If it were that easy, everyone would be a supernatural! I know everything he's been doing. Liu Long is indeed a man of perseverance and boldness." Yuan Shuo offered that much praise, but quickly added, "However, there are things you don't understand. What he told you surely sounded straightforward! But the reality is: first, killing those people is a matter of surviving against overwhelming odds! Second, channeling energy into the body carries a ninety percent safety rate on the Night Watchers' side—even if you fail, you won't die. But with Liu Long's method, it's fifty-fifty. During the channeling process, there is a fifty percent chance of death!" Li Hao's gaze flickered slightly. Liu Long truly hadn't mentioned that earlier. Yuan Shuo continued, "And do you think the Law Enforcement Team only had those few daring individuals from the start? Heh, Liu Long originally gathered dozens of men! How many are left by his side now? Some died during the hunts, while others died during the energy-channeling process!" Yuan Shuo let out a sigh. "If you truly wish to take this path, perhaps... I could try submitting an application for you..." He seemed somewhat hesitant, though his tone soon grew resolute. Li Hao vaguely sensed his teacher's dilemma; this matter was likely far from simple. Recalling Liu Long's claim that the Night Watchers would not allow his teacher's side to succeed, Li Hao made up his mind and said softly, "Teacher, there's no need!" "Very well!" Yuan Shuo did not insist this time. Hearing Li Hao decline, he dropped the subject, because Yuan Shuo knew that if Li Hao truly went, he might end up among the ten percent mortality rate of the Night Watchers! When Yuan Shuo made the attempt, he was among the ninety percent who survived, but he would never be allowed to succeed. As for Li Hao, being merely his student, something would very likely happen to him. With that thought, he chose not to elaborate. Having heard all this, Li Hao was slightly reassured knowing his teacher was aware of Liu Long's actions. He quickly said, "Teacher, then I've decided to join the Law Enforcement Team. I might not necessarily attempt that method, but I want revenge!" "That temper of yours..." Yuan Shuo shook his head repeatedly, then said, "Fine, have it your way! Your personality is just like mine. Since you're set on it, there's no reason to back down. But come by my place when you have time. I can't offer you much help, but I can explain a bit of the ropes to you. This path is not an easy one!" At this point, Yuan Shuo suddenly chuckled. "If you can truly succeed, perhaps... that's a good thing too! Succeeding by taking another path means that in the future, you and I might join hands to accomplish something, free from the control of others. Certain fellows would like nothing more than to see me fail forever. Heh, sooner or later, I'll cast them aside!" Li Hao vaguely understood the meaning behind those words, but he didn't press for details. If his teacher wished to speak, he would do so thoroughly; clearly, he still harbored certain reservations. And in that moment, Li Hao also made up his mind: he would go to the Law Enforcement Team! His teacher hadn't forbidden it, which meant he understood the situation. Liu Long might have various schemes, but in the short term, he shouldn't act against Li Hao. *Red Shadow... supernaturals... here I come!* Li Hao resolved in his heart. *It's been a whole year—let me see just how mysterious and formidable you truly are!*