Martial Guard Army

In the time that followed, Li Hao spoke to no one. Inside his office. Li Hao diligently cultivated the Nine Refinements Force, eager to push it to nine stacks as soon as possible. He wasn't too worried about his teacher. Moreover, his teacher was likely progressing even faster than he was. And with good reason—Yuan Shuo had merged his five forces long ago. Unlike Li Hao, who had to start from scratch step-by-step, Yuan Shuo now had the method. All he needed to do was strengthen his five internal organs and fuse his forces. That was all! Li Hao, on the other hand, had to lay the groundwork. Yuan Shuo's foundation was already rock-solid to the utmost degree. In the martial world today, who possessed more or stronger forces than him? Even the so-called Tyrant Saber and his peers had been inferior to Yuan Shuo back then, and Li Hao suspected they still were! "Nine stacks... My physical constitution is more than enough for it. What I lack is mostly experience and comprehension..." Li Hao tried again and again, his strikes snapping loudly through the air. Next door, Chief Steward Yu was thoroughly annoyed! That brat Li Hao was at it again. Ever since he moved into the office next to hers, he had barely left the room. But being such a recluse was precisely what made him so exasperating. He stayed in all day without ever leaving, throwing punches whenever he had a spare moment, and those punches were far from silent. She was truly fed up with him! Originally, she had intended to take him to the Martial Guard Army tomorrow, as arranged by Hou Xiaochen. But right now, she just wanted to pack him off immediately! Yes, send him to the Martial Guard Army! Headquarters was filled entirely with supernaturals. For Li Hao, staying here was undoubtedly dull; perhaps he would fare better with the Martial Guard Army. …… Pop, pop, pop! Li Hao kept punching. Since he lacked any sudden flashes of insight, he would brute-force it. Throw thirty to fifty thousand punches—there was no way he wouldn't make progress. Other people's bodies couldn't endure such abuse, but Li Hao didn't care in the slightest. The wind and lightning energies would arrive soon. He wasn't afraid of bodily damage! Right now, he could only manage seven stacks. Li Hao figured that if he punched a hundred thousand times, he might reach nine. The captain had practiced martial arts for years, but Li Hao doubted she had ever thrown a hundred thousand full-power punches! If she had, her arms would have been ruined long ago. If talent fell short, or time ran short, effort would make up the difference. As long as he worked hard, diligence would compensate for clumsiness! If anyone else knew what Li Hao was thinking, they would probably die of indignation. Compensate for clumsiness? Was Li Hao clumsy? If he were clumsy, he never would have grasped three forces in such rapid succession. One didn't fear someone smarter; what one feared was someone who was smarter, more talented, and... worked even harder than oneself. Faced with that, everyone trailing behind could only despair. Talent wasn't frightening, nor was intelligence—so long as such people slacked off, those behind would eventually catch up. But when someone like that worked ten times harder than you... you were left with nowhere to run. Li Hao kept striking. A knock sounded at the door. Li Hao had sensed her approach long before, but he assumed Chief Steward Yu was heading up to the sixth floor. Hou Xiaochen was already out of seclusion; shouldn't the two of them be doting on each other? Why come looking for him? "Come in!" Chief Steward Yu pushed the door open and stepped inside. Seeing Li Hao drenched in sweat, her brows furrowed slightly. She had never liked the foul, sweaty stench of martial masters... Director Hou, on the other hand, was wonderful. Even after finishing his cultivation, he always cleaned up quickly and smelled quite pleasant. Though Li Hao didn't smell bad... he looked terribly unseemly dripping with sweat. Li Hao naturally had no idea what was going through her head. Had he known, he probably would have slapped her—assuming he could win, of course. "What brings the chief steward here?" Li Hao chuckled and grabbed a towel to wipe his sweat. Chief Steward Yu calmly sidestepped the droplets he flicked away and said coolly, "The director said you are to visit the Martial Guard Army. If you're interested, you can stay there. I'm taking you over to have a look." "Now?" "Yes." "It's already dark..." Li Hao glanced out the window, then looked at the clock he had bought with his own money. "There are only five minutes left until my shift ends." "..." Chief Steward Yu was at a loss for words. Her brow furrowed slightly. "Li Hao, you are a martial master, not an ordinary nine-to-fiver working a job!" Once or twice was tolerable, but doing this every day was infuriating. Li Hao smiled. "Fair enough, but when will my post as a City Inspecting Commissioner be formalized? Once I'm an official, I'll naturally put in overtime. I'd gladly emulate Director Hao and work through the night until dawn. As for working a job... isn't that what I'm doing right now?" Chief Steward Yu gave him a strange look. Li Hao seemed to have grown considerably bolder. Or rather, his true colors were beginning to show. Before this, whenever Li Hao saw her, he was cautious, modest, and exceedingly polite. "Soon," she said with a frown. "The post of City Inspecting Commissioner requires not only Director Hou's approval, but also Director Kong's agreement and the endorsement of the General Administration Bureau before you can be promoted. The dynasty still stands, and its system remains intact. It isn't a one-man dictatorship!" A City Inspecting Commissioner was considered a high-ranking official. If the dynasty collapsed and Silver Moon declared independence, Hou Xiaochen's word alone would suffice, but that was not the case yet. The proper procedures had to be followed. "Alright, then!" Li Hao pulled on his coat. "I'll wait a bit longer, then. I doubt it'll take long—neither the Inspectorate nor the General Administration Bureau would dare disrespect Director Hou." Chief Steward Yu didn't bother to say more. She strode out of the office, and Li Hao hurried after her. Unwilling to converse, Chief Steward Yu headed downstairs. Li Hao trailed behind with a beaming smile, speaking as they walked: "Chief Steward, it's not that I'm trying to demand terms. It's just that I still don't know what use I am here. Director Hou had me transferred, but up until now, he hasn't assigned me a single mission. I feel far too idle. Perhaps after a promotion, he might take me a bit more seriously." Nonsense! Still, Hou Xiaochen truly hadn't assigned Li Hao anything since bringing him to White Moon City. As for killing Yu Xiao, Hao Lianchuan had asked him for help on that. "Soon!" Chief Steward Yu replied aloofly, "The director didn't summon you here just to let you idle away your days. He definitely has important tasks for you, and it was also to keep you protected." "Mm, that's good to hear. I told the director back then: wherever he points, I strike! My life belongs to him now. We're all on the same side, aren't we, Chief Steward?" Chief Steward Yu ignored him. Li Hao didn't mind. Smiling ingratiatingly as he walked, he asked, "Chief Steward, I heard that Origin God Armaments contain a special kind of energy. If absorbed, it can rapidly strengthen a person safely and without hidden side effects. Is that true?" "Some do." "Does our Night Watchers have only one Origin God Armament?" "Yes." "Could I borrow it for a few days?" "..." Chief Steward Yu turned her head toward him, her expression turning icy. Did this fellow think he was invincible now? How dared he ask such a thing? The Fire Phoenix Spear was a top-tier Origin God Armament. While it might not match some of the supreme treasures of the Central Region, it ranked number one in all of Silver Moon. Li Hao had only been here a few days, yet he dared to ask to borrow an Origin God Armament? "Li Hao..." Li Hao adopted an earnest expression. "It's all for the director! I want to grow strong and become his right-hand man, not a burden who huddles under his protection and drags him down! "I want to become an expert like you, Chief Steward, able to offer the director real support. Not like Director Hao, who does nothing but drag his feet, run minor errands, and handle trivial matters, unable to participate in a single major affair and leaving the director to do everything himself!" Chief Steward Yu frowned in silence. Was there anything wrong with those words? No! Yet hearing them still made one uncomfortable. Fortunately, Hao Lianchuan wasn't around; otherwise, he probably would have died of fury right then and there. Her brow knitted slightly. "The Fire Phoenix Spear is not merely a weapon; it is also fundamental to advancing supernatural power. It is extraordinarily important and cannot be risked under any circumstances..." Li Hao nodded. "I understand! Rest assured, unless I die, it certainly won't be lost. And if I do die, it means someone invaded White Moon City and seized the spear right under Director Hou's nose, in which case nothing could have been done anyway. Don't you agree, Chief Steward?" Chief Steward Yu had originally planned to state outright that it could not be loaned. Yet now, she found herself choked for words by his retort. Frowning again, she finally said after a long silence, "I'll ask Director Hou later." "Oh, come now! Who in the entire Night Watchers doesn't know that Director Hou listens to you?" Li Hao beamed broadly. "Just one word from you, and Director Hou is sure to agree. It's a small matter, after all!" Chief Steward Yu was speechless. Ignoring him, she quickened her pace. Li Hao caught up again. "Chief Steward, it's just a temporary loan, not a confiscation. Let me broaden my horizons! Didn't Director Hou say it himself? My experience is too limited. In all my years, I've never even seen an Origin God Armament." Her brow furrowed deeper as she walked. "Wait for word!" Wait for word again! Waiting for word meant there would be none. How could Li Hao accept that? He hurried to say, "Then never mind. I wouldn't want to trouble the director and you, Chief Steward. I'll take a day off tomorrow—I want to head over to the military camp and pay a visit to the Silver Moon Army." "Hmm?" "To see Commander Yu!" Li Hao said excitedly, "My teacher is friends with Commander Yu. The commander is a powerhouse and supreme commander of the three armies. He must have an Origin God Armament too... I'll go ask if I can borrow his and see what happens." Chief Steward Yu's expression shifted slightly. She turned back to look at Li Hao, her gaze sharp. "Are you... threatening me, or something else?" What did he mean by that? Li Hao bared his teeth in a grin. "Not at all! I just think an Origin God Armament might help me comprehend some true meaning of martial arts. I need to improve myself instead of being a piece of trash waiting around to die. Naturally, I'll try wherever I might borrow one. What's wrong, Chief Steward? Am I not allowed to ask him?" Chief Steward Yu felt a headache coming on. This Li Hao had seemed honest and well-behaved at first, but once you got to know him, you realized he wasn't honest in the slightest! His words just now clearly implied that if Hou Xiaochen refused to lend it, Hou Xiaochen was denying him an opportunity, trying to restrict and suppress him. And if so... he would seek his fortunes in the army! Was it a threat? Not quite. Still... Chief Steward Yu detested this feeling. After a pause, she said coldly, "Fine. We'll lend it to you. But for three days at most!" "Thank you!" Li Hao hastily thanked her, looking thrilled. Inside, however, he remained calm. Borrowing it was great; failing to borrow it didn't really matter. He had merely used the opportunity to test their tolerance toward him, and along the way see whether the military and Night Watchers were truly as close as family. From the looks of it now, that wasn't necessarily the case. There were likely friction and conflicting interests between them. Hu Dingfang had invited him to join the Tiger Wing Army multiple times, yet the Night Watchers had never agreed to let him go. While that was partly due to Li Hao's own choice, it also reflected the Night Watchers' stance. …… Outside the building, Director Hou's car was waiting. Li Hao took the front passenger seat, while Chief Steward Yu sat in the back. Silence filled the car. The Martial Guard Army was clearly not stationed here. Where it was located, Li Hao didn't ask; he would find out once they arrived anyway. He was somewhat curious about the Martial Guard Army, but not overly so. An army composed of martial masters might boast many experts, perhaps even a good number of Thousand-Battlers, but... as long as they weren't renowned martial masters known across the realm, Li Hao didn't care. It wasn't that martial masters were stronger simply because they were famous, but each martial master was unique. If a martial master didn't battle regularly, how could they grow strong? Without renown, how could they exchange moves with peers of their rank? Without trading blows, how could they strengthen their momentum? If the martial masters nurtured in the army were all stamped from the same mold, then even if they reached Thousand-Battler, they wouldn't be worth mentioning. Back in the day, the three grand commanders had also been famed throughout the realm, which was why people recognized their power. Without ample combat, where would strength come from? Chief Steward Yu didn't feel like talking, and Li Hao couldn't be bothered either. He closed his eyes to rest his spirit, not even looking at the road, though his spirit intent lingered around him, pricking at the driver and making the man distinctly uncomfortable. In the back, Chief Steward Yu's eyes flickered slightly. Sword momentum! This Li Hao had cultivated his sword momentum quite well. Back in the day, he would have made a name for himself in the Silver Moon martial world. Who would have thought that after misjudging so many students, Yuan Shuo would manage to fish out such a treasure in his old age? The vehicle headed north. The Night Watchers headquarters lay in the south of the city, while the Inspectorate headquarters sat in the north. Was the Martial Guard Army stationed in the north? With such a distance, did Hou Xiaochen not visit regularly? Inside the car, Chief Steward Yu spoke up: "The Martial Guard Army has very few men, fewer than a thousand in total—nine hundred and eighty, to be precise. There are only nine hundred-man companies, with the remainder organized into a bodyguard unit under the direct command of the chiliarch. "There are nine centurions in total, all Low-Rank City Inspecting Commissioners. "The chiliarch is a Senior City Inspecting Commissioner. "And the rank-and-file members of the Martial Guard Army are almost all Inspecting Commissioners. "Of the nine hundred and eighty men, fewer than a hundred are in the Ten-Slayer realm; all the rest are Hundred-Breakers!" Li Hao felt a jolt in his heart. That strong? Reflecting on it, though, it made sense. In this era, with sufficient mysterious energy, reaching Hundred-Breaker wasn't difficult. What was difficult was reaching Hundred-Breaker culmination. With that in mind, Li Hao asked, "Are there many at Hundred-Breaker culmination?" "Quite a few—nearly a hundred." Li Hao raised an eyebrow. That was indeed quite a few. It meant nearly a hundred men had comprehended momentum, which was truly impressive. They were stronger than he had imagined! Li Hao had initially thought that having several dozen martial masters who understood momentum would already be good. He hadn't expected nearly a hundred, and that wasn't even counting the centurions and chiliarch, who were undoubtedly Thousand-Battlers. "Also, there is a vice-chiliarch... In total, there are eleven Thousand-Battler martial masters in the Martial Guard Army!" Nine centurions plus two chiliarchs—eleven Thousand-Battlers. Li Hao fell silent for a moment before asking, "How do they compare to Southern Fist?" "Inferior." "I meant the chiliarch..." "Hard to say," Chief Steward Yu pondered for a moment. "Back then, before He Yong stepped into Thousand-Battler, there would have been no contest. But now, He Yong hasn't fought with all his might, so it's hard to judge. Martial masters must trade blows before one can make an accurate assessment." "Have they fought against Three Sols?" "Both chiliarchs have!" Li Hao understood. That meant neither chiliarch was an ordinary Thousand-Battler, while the centurions were at most at the peak Solar Radiance level. Call it strong, and it was certainly strong; call it average, and... it was merely so-so. Chief Steward Yu added, "Also, the army employs battle formations. Once they join forces, they are on a completely different level. The Martial Guard Army's current goal is to form a thousand-man battle formation capable of surrounding and slaying a Rising Light!" Li Hao nodded. "You aren't curious?" "It's just a battle formation. What's there to be curious about?" Li Hao smiled. "They've existed since antiquity, and ancient records mention them as well. Once a formation is assembled, combat strength multiplies, even doubling. Ancient texts also record an exceptionally powerful formation where the strength of a thousand men converges into a single individual—for instance, using the chiliarch as the formation core, funneling the power of a thousand men into one person. Forget dealing with a Rising Light; even those above Rising Light could be challenged... It seems Director Hou failed to obtain such a powerful formation?" This was a fact recorded in ancient texts. Li Hao knew plenty of ancient texts, even if his teacher had forced him to memorize them. Chief Steward Yu suddenly felt a pang of exasperation. Things she considered impressive seemed utterly worthless once Li Hao spoke of them. Of course, he wasn't the first person to make her feel this way. She couldn't help recalling the past... Back then, there had been another thoroughly obnoxious fellow in the martial world. Whatever you mentioned, he already knew it; whatever secret technique you thought peerless, he could list countless ones far stronger. Yes, that person was Yuan Shuo. A man who made everyone's teeth ache with hatred! From his youth, Yuan Shuo had been renowned across the martial world for his vast erudition. He knew so much, and had read widely and voraciously. Later, dissatisfied with modern texts, he set his sights on ancient records, embarking on his archaeological journeys. From that point on, his knowledge grew even more immense. Now, Li Hao was showing every sign of developing into another Yuan Shuo. Had Old Demon Yuan just made his return, only for Little Demon Li to emerge right on his heels? Chief Steward Yu instantly lost all interest in talking and clamped her mouth shut. You'll understand once we arrive! …… The vehicle drove through the city for nearly half an hour before heading toward the northern outskirts. "There is a sea in the northern outskirts... though it is merely a branch of the Northern Sea, not a true open ocean. The Northern Sea cuts across the continent, dividing the Central and Northern Regions. The section within Silver Moon is just a minor offshoot, commonly known as the Moon Sea. "From the Moon Sea, one can travel by water into the Northern Sea and even reach the Central Region... but it is unsafe. There are pirates and water bandits at sea, making it far less secure than overland travel. "The Martial Guard Army's station is near the Moon Sea. The area is vast and sparsely populated, ideal for martial masters to train. After all, a thousand martial masters practicing together makes quite a commotion." As they drew near, Chief Steward Yu briefed Li Hao once more. This piqued Li Hao's interest, and he asked with genuine curiosity, "Chief Steward, so the base is right by the sea?" "Yes." "Then can one go swimming anytime?" "If you aren't afraid of drowning, do as you please." Li Hao's mood suddenly brightened. The Moon Sea... Even if it was just an offshoot, it didn't matter; he had never seen the ocean before. He had heard there were women wearing barely anything on the beach... cough, people sunbathing. "Chief Steward, are there sandy beaches near the base?" "Of course, but hardly anyone goes there. It's a restricted military zone." Now Li Hao felt a touch disappointed. A restricted zone! What a pity! Not for himself, but for his teacher. He had been thinking that whenever his teacher came to visit, he could treat him by taking him to see the beauties sunbathing. It seemed he would have to abandon that idea now. …… Near the Moon Sea lay a vast planted forest. The forest stretched across several thousand mu. At its center lay a clearing; viewed from above, the square forest had been hollowed out in the middle to house a cluster of buildings. This open expanse covered several hundred mu as well. Looking down from above right now, one could see a few figures moving about, though not many. Subterranean structures. Right now, shouts and battle cries rang out ceaselessly. However, the surrounding area was a restricted military zone where no outsiders ventured under normal circumstances. Moreover, the encircling planted forest served to dampen sound, so even loud commotions rarely escaped past the trees. The buildings formed an enclosing ring around a massive central plaza, which served as both a martial drill ground and an inspection platform. The plaza was immense, spanning nearly fifty mu—a grand square of thirty thousand square meters. In times of emergency, it could accommodate up to a hundred thousand troops. Naturally, there weren't that many people here right now. Though darkness had fallen, floodlights illuminated the grounds. In the middle of the plaza stood a cluster of figures. Unlike the martial masters training around the perimeter, who wore matching uniforms resembling those of the Inspectorate yet distinct—bearing red badges pinned to their chests, whereas the Inspectorate and Night Watchers wore no chest badges, only epaulets denoting rank—the figures in the center wore varying attire. Some were in casual clothes, others in sleeveless training vests; though few in number, they looked eclectic, clearly unbound by ordinary regulations. Just then, a pudgy middle-aged man whose eyes were squeezed so small they seemed like narrow slits spoke up with a chuckle: "Chief Steward Yu is coming shortly. Word is she's bringing someone over—Yuan Shuo's disciple." "Li Hao?" Someone chimed in, clearly well-informed. "That's him!" The fat man laughed. "Yuan Shuo... That's the old demon of back in the day. Though we haven't crossed paths with him much—he had already retired from the martial world when we were training—is there anyone here who doesn't know of him?" Martial arts did not appear out of thin air; it had its lineages and legacies. The faces of several men darkened. One sneered, "My senior martial uncle was beaten to death by him. Of course I know him!" "My grandmaster died at his hands too!" "If not for the director sheltering and shielding that old monster all these years... he would have been slaughtered long ago!" "..." Some were furious. Back then, Yuan Shuo had killed many people, all renowned martial masters. And the figures present had all stepped into Thousand-Battler. Those at the Thousand-Battler level had practiced martial arts for roughly twenty years; even with mysterious energy shortening the time needed, the one who had trained the shortest among them had cultivated for a decade. Their seniors had belonged to Yuan Shuo's era. Someone looked at the fat man and demanded in a deep voice, "Mu Lin, I hear your brother Mu Sen is on good terms with Yuan Shuo. Are you bringing this up because you want to stick up for that Li Hao?" Mu Lin chortled, "A misunderstanding, purely a misunderstanding! Why would I do that? Besides, why would he need me to stick up for him? Li Hao is a Hundred-Breaker culmination martial master, hardly a nobody. He killed the chief disciple of the Brow-Height Staff; he's no rookie. He may have trained for a short time, but his strength is nothing to scoff at!" Grinning broadly, Mu Lin continued, "I'm just giving everyone a heads-up so we can figure out how to arrange Li Hao once he arrives." The Martial Guard Army had one chiliarch and one vice-chiliarch. And that deputy was none other than Mu Lin. However, the several Thousand-Battler centurions present didn't truly respect him. When it came to fighting, this fat man cowered, but when perks were handed out, he was first in line. At times, he was thoroughly irritating. Yet Mu Lin had not attained the position of second-in-command without a few tricks up his sleeve—for instance... stirring up trouble! Seeing everyone remain quiet, Mu Lin chuckled: "I gave it some thought—how about making him a centurion? He's Yuan Shuo's disciple, after all; it wouldn't do to give him no face. Even if his cultivation hasn't reached Thousand-Battler, the Five Animals Sect carries a great reputation. Who knows, maybe he can punch above his weight and take down a Thousand-Battler!" "Mu Lin, cut the crap. What are you actually trying to do?" Mu Lin sighed. "How uncouth!" After lamenting, he quickly grinned. "Alright, truth be told, I'm not trying to do much. I just want you brothers to test his skills. I've been wanting to form a personal guard recently. As vice-chiliarch, I don't have a single soul under my direct command; it's painful! I think highly of the kid and want to recruit him as my guard captain. How about you brothers test him for me? What do you say?" The others frowned. What was this fellow plotting now? There was a reason Mu Lin had become the deputy; at the very least, his mind was sharper than most. The others didn't want to play along, yet an itch was already stirring within them. A disciple of Yuan Shuo! Some wanted revenge, some wanted to put him in his place, and some wanted to form a connection... Naturally, since Director Hou had sent him, none of them had the gall to beat him to death. Yet when martial masters crossed paths, sparring was only natural, wasn't it? Martial masters spoke through strength. If he came into the Martial Guard Army through the back door, he couldn't blame them for showing no courtesy. Right then, Mu Lin's voice boomed across the grounds: "Hold up, everyone, pause your training! A guest is arriving soon—the disciple of King of the Five Animals Yuan Shuo, his final disciple! He'll be here any minute. Let's give him a proper welcome!" At those words, murmurs immediately broke out all around. "Old Demon Yuan's disciple?" "The old monster's disciple dares show his face here? My grandmaster was beaten to death by him back then..." "He killed your grandmaster? Keep bragging! The old monster only killed famous martial masters back then. Don't think I don't know who your grandmaster was—the master of the Iron Fist Sect! The Iron Fist was decent, but he couldn't even make the rankings back then. Why would the old demon have nothing better to do than run off and kill your grandmaster?" "..." In an instant, chatter erupted across the area. In truth, very few people actually harbored a genuine feud with Yuan Shuo. After all, being killed by Yuan Shuo was practically a badge of strength and status; back then, if a martial master wasn't famous enough, Yuan Shuo wouldn't have bothered challenging them in the first place. Some even liked to brag about it. Saying "My master was killed by him" was practically boasting of one's lineage, because anyone slain by Yuan Shuo had been a true powerhouse of that era. Thus, aside from the few who truly hailed from distinguished lineages, most were simply driven by curiosity. There was no helping it. As a martial master—especially one in Silver Moon—there was simply no avoiding that person, that name. Yuan Shuo! Had he been completely crippled and lived out his days in Silver City, his legend in the martial world would have faded after a few more years. Yet here he was, back again! At once, the martial masters across the base turned their gazes toward the massive gateway up ahead. Any visitor would have to enter through those gates. …… The vehicle drove into the forest. Li Hao opened his eyes and looked forward. Faintly, he spotted several glowing clusters... Martial masters didn't emit light, but the base clearly housed supernaturals as well, though few in number. They were likely stationed here to support the martial masters; certain supernatural abilities paired exceptionally well with martial combat. Flight-type abilities, perception-type abilities—these were capabilities martial masters lacked. The closer Li Hao drew, the more his vitality surged. There were many experts! And momentum! With so many martial masters gathered in one place and nearly a hundred possessing momentum, their combined presence bore down like a heavy storm cloud. Li Hao suddenly straightened his posture, turned back to Chief Steward Yu, and asked in a low voice, "Is killing allowed?" "..." The driver's hands jerked on the wheel, and Chief Steward Yu's brow furrowed slightly. Li Hao said solemnly, "My master has enemies everywhere. With so many martial masters gathered here and me being his final disciple, plenty of people will come looking for trouble! If it were just me, I wouldn't care. But I cannot disgrace the Five Animals Sect! "Otherwise, people will claim the Five Animals Sect is nothing special! "I have no interest in dealing with weaklings, but if a Thousand-Battler provokes me... and I fail to hold back and kill them, there won't be any trouble, will there?" Chief Steward Yu had been a martial master herself back then, so she naturally understood what he meant. Her brows knitted tightly. After a long pause, she said deeply, "With your strength, barring a select few, there is no way you cannot control your strikes. Li Hao, injuries during a spar are fine, but remember: once you come to the Martial Guard Army, even if they aren't your sect mates, they are your colleagues. Slaying a comrade is not what a martial master strives for!" "I'm not one of them yet!" Li Hao stated. Then he added, "Fine, let's put it this way: as long as they don't insult the Five Animals Sect, insult my teacher, or fight with lethal intent... I won't deliberately kill anyone!" Put like that, Chief Steward Yu had nothing left to say. Having been a famous martial master in her own right, she knew the score all too well. If Li Hao remained passive, he would never gain a foothold here. No one would respect him, no matter how formidable his master was. Li Hao, meanwhile, felt a faint thrill of excitement. So many martial masters! And so many forces. While it might not match the flourishing glory of the Silver Moon martial world back then, gathering so many martial masters who commanded momentum meant he might reap unexpected gains here. Witnessing different forces and comprehending different paths of martial arts. It might even aid his own comprehension of momentum. If he were facing supernaturals, he wouldn't care much. But these were all martial masters, and he could sense their hostility... If they truly dared provoke him, they couldn't blame him for showing no mercy! The vehicle came to a slow stop. A towering gateway structure rose before his eyes. "Martial Guard Army!" Three large characters hung upon the gatehouse, radiating an imposing aura. Li Hao only glanced at them; Hou Xiaochen had likely written them, but compared to the two characters on Battle Heaven City, they fell far short. There was no need to linger on them. Before he had even stepped out of the vehicle, surging tides of momentum were already billowing outward unrestrained. Beyond the gateway, a sea of dark figures stood gathered. Hundreds of martial masters assembled together! Li Hao stepped down from the car. A single glance conveyed a palpable weight of pressure. There was more than one Thousand-Battler martial master among them. At this moment, hundred-man units were rapidly converging into square formations, exuding an even heavier oppression toward Li Hao. Had they been a disorganized rabble, they wouldn't have felt nearly so menacing. In front of each formation stood a martial master. At the very forefront stood a chubby man who looked somewhat familiar... Looking closely, he resembled Mu Sen, only with even narrower eyes. Li Hao immediately guessed that this was the older brother Mu Sen had spoken of. The deputy of the Martial Guard Army, the vice-chiliarch. "Welcome, Chief Steward Yu! Welcome, Five Animals disciple!" The fat man hollered from afar with a brilliant grin. Chief Steward Yu stepped out of the car as well, her face cool, saying nothing. Li Hao fastened his buttons. After a thought, he rolled up his sleeves. Playing weak or cowardly depended on the time and place. Before a crowd of martial masters—some of whom were around his own age—playing weak was utterly pointless. They clearly wanted to teach him a lesson and put him in his place. He wouldn't indulge them! Hou Xiaochen clearly wanted him to join the Martial Guard Army. In that case... it was he who should teach them a lesson! To stand tall in this place, one had to strike when the time was right. Li Hao walked alongside Chief Steward Yu toward the assembly. The farther forward they went, the heavier the pressure grew. The oppressive aura was suffocating! In the distance, the square formations radiated vitality so intense it seemed to form a canopy over their heads. Martial masters stood with cold expressions as their blood and qi surged. An ordinary supernatural walking in here would probably struggle to keep their internal mysterious energy under control. "Mu Lin!" Chief Steward Yu called out. Mu Lin trotted over at once, grinning: "The chief steward graces us with her presence! Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar!" "Forming ranks and drilling at this hour?" "Yes, the brothers insisted on extra training. Couldn't hold them back even if I tried!" Mu Lin gave an excuse, then looked at Li Hao with a chuckle. "Li Hao, is it? I've heard about you for a while now. The last disciple of the Five Animals Sect! My younger brother often mentions you—a true talent. Meeting you in person is even better than hearing of your fame!" Li Hao gave a slight nod. He said nothing, merely looking past him at the martial masters behind. Those martial masters were staring right back at Li Hao, projecting an even greater pressure upon him. Li Hao sensed them carefully. Faint traces of fresh blood-scent clung to them; they looked like men who had tasted real battle, not martial masters who simply cultivated behind closed doors. Now this was interesting. Who had these martial masters fought? If an army of a thousand martial masters fought, it would be impossible for no news to leak out. At that moment, Li Hao abandoned all courtesy. Looking at the crowd behind, a smile touched his lips. "It seems the senior martial masters here are somewhat displeased with me. Perhaps it has to do with my identity as a disciple of the Five Animals Sect..." Many eyes flickered. Backing down already? "My master killed many people back in his day. I wouldn't know if he killed the relatives or friends of anyone present... But when martial masters trade blows, deaths are only natural. Those who can't accept that should quit the martial world as soon as possible!" Li Hao's smile widened brilliantly. "Since everyone has fire in their bellies, why not let it out? Now that I'm here, I don't mind helping you blow off some steam... Anyone present who feels the need to spar with me, step right out! And if you think you aren't up to it alone, come at me all together—I'll take on every last one of you!" "..." Silence descended on all sides. A heartbeat later, an uproar erupted. How arrogant! Opposite him, Mu Lin froze as well. That wasn't right! The Li Hao his brother described wasn't like this at all! This kid was ridiculously brazen! In the distance, a Thousand-Battler martial master said coldly, "Li Hao, you'd better think carefully! This is the Martial Guard Army. Out of respect for the director, we might not have done anything to you. But if you provoke us first... that changes everything!" Li Hao looked toward the speaker and saw him holding a short axe. Li Hao grinned. "An axe user... Could you be... the heir to the Mountain Cleaving Axe? The one my master killed in three punches? My master said the Mountain Cleaving Axe wasn't weak, but it fell far short of its reputation, and he failed to hold back in time." "Bastard!" The axe-wielding expert sprang into the air and landed before Li Hao in a flash, his gaze freezing cold. "Li Hao, don't seek death!" Li Hao sighed. "Cut the act. We're both martial masters. From the moment I arrived, your hostility was the thickest of all! You're itching to cleave me in two with that axe of yours, so why should I be polite?" Li Hao smiled. "In that case, let's keep it crisp and direct. As martial masters, let's not imitate those supernaturals. If there's a grudge, speak it aloud and have it out. That's much cleaner, isn't it?" The axe-wielding expert sneered, "Very well! Li Hao, you've got some nerve. I am Chen Jin, heir to the Mountain Cleaving Axe. I entered Thousand-Battler five years ago, but no matter—I won't bully the young. I'll have my disciple spar with you and see just what kind of stuff this generation's Five Animals Sect heir is made of!" "No need for that!" At that exact instant, Li Hao stomped his leather boot onto the ground. Taking a single step forward, the paving stones fractured beneath him. He threw a casual, drifting punch toward Chen Jin, his tone nonchalant: "You'd better do it yourself. I'm afraid your disciple is too weak!" "Hmph!" Chen Jin snorted and chopped downward with his axe. He recognized Li Hao's fist technique—the Tiger Combat Art, one of the forms of the Five Animals Art. Nothing special. The punch wasn't fast enough! Chen Jin's strike wasn't particularly strong either. Li Hao frowned. "Use your momentum! Who are you looking down on?" The next moment, Li Hao roared like a tiger shaking the mountain forests. Under that thunderous roar, Chen Jin coughed violently, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth as his five internal organs jolted! Chen Jin's expression changed drastically. An instant later, he let out a furious bellow and slashed his axe forward at blinding speed! As the axe cleaved through the air, an axe massive as a mountain materialized around him—the Mountain Cleaving Axe! From Li Hao's single roar alone, Chen Jin knew he was facing a formidable foe. Li Hao showed no mercy either. Since his opponent had gone all out, there was no need to hold back. Otherwise, it would look as though he were bullying him. This time, his fist was fast. Fast, blindingly fast! He didn't use sword momentum for this strike, but a fierce tiger materialized around Li Hao. A disciple of the Five Animals Sect naturally used tiger momentum. Boom! With a colossal rumble, Li Hao's fist seemed leisurely yet struck first. Before the axe could descend, his punch slammed squarely into the weapon. At that moment, a fierce tiger broke from its cage as if catching the scent of prey, opening its gaping jaws and batting out with its claw! The mountain-like great axe shattered instantly beneath the tiger's swat! A clash of momentums! With a resounding crash, Li Hao's fist struck the axe head. With a sharp snap, the incredibly resilient metal fractured under the force of that single strike! Pushing off the ground with his foot, Li Hao threw another punch! Boom! With a thunderous crash, this blow slammed directly into Chen Jin's chest. Bones shattered with an audible crack, and Chen Jin was sent flying backward. His momentum broken by Li Hao's first punch, the second punch gravely wounded him and blasted him through the air! Crash! Chen Jin slammed violently into the ground, coughing blood continuously as he stared at Li Hao in sheer disbelief. In that instant, the entire plaza fell dead silent. Li Hao pulled back his fist without following up on the attack. Looking around at the crowd, he smiled. "It seems my Five Animals Sect still holds the upper hand!" Dead silence reigned. Disbelief filled countless eyes. The several centurions all wore grim, grave expressions. In two punches, he had defeated the Mountain Cleaving Axe heir, a Thousand-Battler of five years! This guy was ridiculously, unimaginably strong! Mu Lin's jaw hung slack, words failing him for a long time. This was unbelievable—didn't his little brother say Li Hao was only a Hundred-Breaker? Holy crap! Just how outdated was that information?! Behind Li Hao, Chief Steward Yu's expression shifted slightly as she looked at him. She knew Li Hao possessed strong sword momentum, but just now... that hadn't looked like sword momentum at all. Was that tiger momentum? Could this fellow's spirit intent shift at will? With two punches, a centurion had been severely injured and sent crashing to the ground. In that moment, the Martial Guard Army struggled to process what had just happened. Was this... the Five Animals Sect?