How could this be called a mere private room? At a single glance, it spanned at least a thousand square meters!
In the very heart of the imperial capital, there were nine such suites on this top floor.
The entire suite was fully equipped with every conceivable luxury. There was even an enormous screen displaying flickering images. Li Hao cast a glance at it, his eyes narrowing slightly.
A television?
It certainly looked like one!
There were mentions of such things in ancient records, but the dynasty had never produced them. He had previously assumed the dynasty simply hadn't unearthed any, but it now seemed they hadn't failed to excavate them—they had merely kept them from the public!
Not only that, but in the center of the suite stood a raised arena resembling a fighting ring.
At the moment, eight hostesses stood in waiting. All were remarkably attractive, and without exception, every single one was a super, each possessing the strength of a Lunar Nether or Solar Flare.
"Welcome, honored guests!"
The moment they stepped inside, several hostesses stepped forward to help Li Hao take off his outer coat.
Li Hao gave his shoulders a sharp twitch. "Hands off!"
Hou Xiaochen glanced at him, not bothering to comment, and allowed the hostesses to slip off his overcoat. Li Hao looked back at Hou Xiaochen. *Is this standard procedure? Sorry, I've never experienced this kind of service before.*
Beside Li Hao, the female manager was at a loss for words.
Naturally, she didn't let it show on her face, murmuring politely, "Honored guest, it may become warm and cumbersome during your meal if you wear so many layers."
"There's nothing cumbersome about it."
Li Hao had no intention of letting anyone strip him of his clothes. Beneath his trench coat was his silver armor. He was terrified of death and deeply paranoid about surprise attacks, so he would never lower his guard; the armor had been hidden under the coat the entire time.
The female manager felt helpless, and the two hostesses who had approached Li Hao were equally at a loss, though none dared to speak.
Here, anyone permitted entry was someone far beyond their station to offend.
No matter how rustic one acted, they were still a prominent figure.
Even a mere driver would be the driver of a grand personage.
Chief Steward Yu didn't let anyone remove his coat either, waving an indifferent hand to dismiss the hostesses near him.
The manager said nothing more, guiding Li Hao toward the dining table while offering explanations along the way. She had already gathered that despite Li Hao's eccentric attire, he was fundamentally an uncultured country bumpkin, far from any trendsetter.
"Honored guests, this way please!"
She gestured toward the massive screen. "That is a live broadcast from the Colosseum..."
"What Colosseum?"
"Heavenly Star City has a large population of supers, and naturally, countless grudges arise. However, as the imperial capital, the city cannot suppress these supers without limit, lest it provoke greater unrest. Thus, Heavenly Star City established a vast Colosseum. Any supers with grudges, provided both parties consent, may fight their decisive battles there. Be it a duel to the death or an exhibition match, anything goes... and the victor receives a substantial prize payout from the Colosseum."
Li Hao frowned. "What kind of nonsense is that? Super disputes should naturally be settled by the Night Patrollers! Private brawling is illegal! Haven't they ever studied the law? Was this place built by the Night Patrollers?"
The manager hesitated, somewhat resigned, and shook her head. "No."
"Who's the boss behind the curtain?"
"..."
She looked toward Hou Xiaochen, who had already taken a seat. The manager had no choice but to answer, "The Department of Finance."
"No wonder!"
Li Hao scoffed. "They've usurped the Night Patrollers' authority. No wonder the Department of Finance is rolling in wealth. Where there's a Colosseum, there's bound to be gambling; where there's gambling, there's profit; and where there's profit, there's conflict... An arena where supers fight like beasts must rake in an astronomical fortune in ticket sales alone, to say nothing of the overall profits... Since when does the Department of Finance get to stick its fingers into matters like this?"
The manager kept silent.
At this moment, she wondered just who this youth was.
Truth be told, Li Hao had pinpointed the core of the issue in an instant. The profits were immense—colossally immense. Clashes between supers were common enough, but they usually took place in the wilderness. The nobles within the city would never venture out into the wild to watch life-and-death struggles.
Yet here, they could watch live and in person. The volume of currency changing hands had to be an astronomical sum.
And that entire enterprise was monopolized by the Department of Finance.
Li Hao suddenly understood why Hou Xiaochen had targeted the Department of Finance to step on. He broke into a grin. "Did the Inspectorate not try to get a piece of the pie? This clearly infringes on the Inspectorate's jurisdiction."
Hou Xiaochen said placidly, "They tried to meddle, but it seems they failed to wrest it away."
Li Hao laughed. "That cowardly?"
The two of them spoke without restraint right in front of the pavilion staff, entirely brazen. These were things known to all anyway; what harm was there in speaking of them?
Hou Xiaochen lifted his teacup and took a sip. Chief Steward Yu had poured it; when the hostesses had tried to intervene, Chief Steward Yu had waved them off with a curt dismissal.
Li Hao sat down as well. The manager, who had initially wanted to slip away, found her curiosity piqued and remained.
These two... How many people in the realm dared to speak to Hou Xiaochen in such a manner?
Her curiosity about Li Hao surged.
This person had definitely arrived in Heavenly Star City for the very first time... Was he from Silver Moon?
Silver Moon... Who could it be?
He was young...
There were a few young talents in Silver Moon, but the most renowned among them was the Demon Sword, Li Hao.
Yet would Li Hao dare set foot in Heavenly Star City?
She stole several cautious glances at Li Hao. The more she looked, the more familiar he seemed. Nine Dragons Pavilion naturally kept portraits of Li Hao, though the young man before her seemed slightly different—and yet strikingly similar.
Seeing Li Hao take a seat, the manager didn't let the waitresses step forward. She personally poured him a cup of tea, whispering, "Honored guest, these tea leaves were brewed in the Spring of Life..."
Li Hao took a sip, then curled his lip in disdain. "Stingy! Has this stuff been diluted a thousand times?"
"..."
Silence fell.
The manager knew then that rustic as this young man might appear, he had undoubtedly consumed the Spring of Life before. Just as he said, a single drop had been diluted over a thousandfold.
After a brief pause, the manager whispered, "We do offer undiluted portions, though... the price is rather steep."
"You sell the Spring of Life here?"
The manager nodded slightly. "We do not sell it outright, but if an honored guest requires it, we can provide a small amount for the occasion."
"How much?"
"One hundred thousand divine energy stones per drop."
Li Hao chuckled heartily. "Are you pulling my leg? Doesn't that mean this single cup of tea is worth a hundred divine energy stones?"
"This comes complimentary with the private suite. It is free of charge."
"Does the suite itself cost money?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
"For suites on the ninth floor, the minimum usage fee is five hundred divine energy stones per session."
Li Hao smiled. Expensive?
Extravagantly so!
Yet if someone genuinely possessed one hundred thousand divine energy stones but lacked channels to obtain the Spring of Life, would they be willing to trade?
Yes!
When Li Hao traded with Little Tree, it charged him ten thousand stones per drop, along with hefty processing fees.
Here, it was ten times that!
Li Hao said nothing more, casting another glance at the giant screen. On the display, two supers were locked in a mortal combat within an arena. Both were at the Solar Flare realm, and the exchange was spectacular.
Li Hao merely glanced at it before looking at the arena in the middle of the suite. "What's that platform for?"
"If an honored guest desires entertainment, we can arrange for fighters to perform an exhibition match here. Alternatively, if an honored guest has a dispute with other nobles... you may settle it on the platform,"
the manager explained. "This place offers exceptional privacy and was constructed by top-tier super experts. Surrounding the arena is a defensive barrier erected by special-type supers, ensuring no mysterious energy leaks out."
"No wonder it's so expensive!"
Li Hao nodded, then looked at the crystal-like tableware on the table. "These are all carved from top-tier divine energy stones. Aren't you afraid someone will pocket them?"
The manager smiled. "Not at all. Everyone who enters here is an honored guest!"
The implication was clear: none of them would sacrifice their dignity for such a petty theft.
"These things look like cultivation energy stones."
Li Hao picked up a bowl casually and remarked with a sigh, "If this single bowl were tossed outside, Three Suns experts would bash each other's heads in for it! Yet here, it's merely an eating utensil. The imperial family is certainly wealthy, and the Nine Departments are filthy rich as well."
Hou Xiaochen smiled. "Otherwise, why would everyone scramble for power and profit? Such are the privileges of the ruling class. Look at yourself—aren't you sitting here right now, enjoying the very same treatment? Watching supers perform for you, dining on a meal worth hundreds or thousands of divine energy stones..."
Li Hao chuckled. "I'm just broadening my horizons and gaining some experience! I could never afford to live like this regularly."
"Are you really short on that kind of money?"
"I'm not."
Li Hao grinned. "I looted the Xu family's treasury and made quite a haul—over a million divine energy stones. But here, a single meal burns through several thousand. Three meals a day would cost tens of thousands... If I ate here for three months, wouldn't I be bankrupt?"
Beside him, the manager shuddered from head to toe.
At that moment, she was utterly certain of his identity.
Li Hao sighed. "I originally thought I had struck it rich, wealthy enough to rival a nation! But until I reached Heavenly Star City, I had no idea places with such exorbitant consumption existed under the heavens. Wouldn't that Xu Qing look like an uncultured country bumpkin if he came here?"
Hou Xiaochen chuckled. "Hardly! The treasury you looted was only a fraction of the Xu family's wealth. Who would keep all their wealth in a small clan treasury? Do you think Xu Qing's father simply popped out of thin air?"
"Hiding in the ruins, I know. Fair enough, ruins are safer!"
At that thought, Li Hao asked in confusion, "Could they have seized an armory from the ruins?"
"Entirely possible,"
Hou Xiaochen explained. "Take Battle Heaven City, for instance. Does Battle Heaven City not have an armory?"
"It does!"
Li Hao remembered something and nodded, marveling, "Still, Battle Heaven City isn't easy to take! A million Battle Heaven soldiers, dozens of golden warriors, and even higher-ranking grand personages above them... True enough, they must be rolling in wealth!"
Listening to this conversation, the manager and hostesses felt their scalps tingle.
In the past, high-ranking personages had spoken of state affairs in their presence, but none had ever spoken with such naked clarity, such utter disregard for discretion, and such blunt directness, devoid of the usual subtle pretenses.
The more they listened, the more shaken they became.
It wasn't that the manager had never witnessed grand scenes. In fact, she felt that no one had seen more of them than she had. In the grand scheme of Nine Dragons Pavilion, Hou Xiaochen didn't even rank that high; which of the directors or deputy directors of the Nine Departments wasn't higher in rank than him?
She frequently encountered princes and dukes.
Who among them didn't hold a status superior to Hou Xiaochen's?
Yet right now... as she listened to the exchange between Li Hao and Hou Xiaochen, she felt an overwhelming urge to turn around and flee. She had no desire to hear any more of this.
Hou Xiaochen smiled. "As long as you understand! So... you may be wealthier than I am, but if you think plundering the Xu family once makes you richer than the Nine Departments or their directors... you are daydreaming!"
"The Xu family is indeed one of the three great ducal houses, but first, you didn't touch their core treasury. Second, while the Xu family rules the East, they do not hold absolute dominion there. You must realize that even the East must pay tribute and taxes to the Nine Departments. At most, the provinces under the Xu family's absolute control number ten, whereas the Nine Departments control all of them!
"And those ten provinces under Xu family control... for now, at least, they still answer to the Nine Departments!"
Li Hao nodded repeatedly, grasping the standing of the Nine Departments with increasing clarity.
"Among the Nine Departments, I can understand why the Bureau of Military Law, the Department of Finance, the Department of Administration, the Department of Merit Evaluation, and the Department of Commerce are wealthy... but where do the Department of Internal Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs get their riches?"
Li Hao asked, perplexed, "I don't even know what the Department of Internal Affairs actually does."
Hou Xiaochen laughed. "Look at you! And you call yourself a Provincial Governor? Aren't you embarrassed? This Nine Dragons Pavilion—doesn't it belong to the Department of Internal Affairs? The Department of Internal Affairs... is essentially the imperial family's external enterprise. Among the Nine Departments, it serves as the spokesperson for the imperial house."
"So that's how it is!"
Li Hao realized.
The manager wished she could stuff her ears shut. She wanted to present the menu and leave, but... these two were still conversing, and she dared not interrupt.
"What about the Department of Foreign Affairs?"
Li Hao pressed on.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs originally dealt with the neighboring states bordering the dynasty, such as Dali nearby... But nowadays, those neighboring realms have either vanished or been severed by perilous zones,"
Hou Xiaochen instructed Li Hao further. "Therefore, its primary function today is not managing foreign dynasties, but handling the demon race, the Three Great Organizations, and the Seven Sacred Mountains. Whenever their envoys arrive, the Department of Foreign Affairs receives them."
"Then how do they make money?"
Li Hao remained curious.
"Isn't that obvious?"
Hou Xiaochen chuckled. "For instance, the demon race produces certain specialties, but they also require human goods. What do they do? Launch an outright war to plunder? Having reached their level of intelligence, demons are no fools. Thus, they make contact with humans through the Department of Foreign Affairs... which buys low and sells high! Don't underestimate this trade; the margins are astronomically high, far beyond your imagination!"
Li Hao chimed in, "So if the Three Great Organizations need to conduct transactions with the dynasty... does the Department of Foreign Affairs handle that as well?"
"Indeed!"
"Isn't that aiding the enemy?"
Hou Xiaochen looked at him. "In your eyes, the Three Great Organizations are heinous villains, sworn enemies! But to the Nine Departments... they are proxies for numerous factions. Unless you are prepared to eradicate them completely, do you intend to sever all contact until death? Li Hao, you must understand one truth: friends and foes in the eyes of ordinary people are vastly different from friends and foes in the eyes of the ruling elite.
"To some, such as the Nine Departments, the friction among the various departments is far more severe than their disputes with the Three Great Organizations! Entities like the Inspectorate despise the Three Great Organizations, but that doesn't mean all departments feel the same, you understand?
"The Night Patrollers still fight, clash, and share blood feuds with the Three Great Organizations... but do you think agencies like the Department of Internal Affairs or the Department of Foreign Affairs harbor any irreconcilable hatred toward them?"
Li Hao nodded repeatedly.
His horizons were broadening.
He had come to Heavenly Star City precisely to see these things. At this moment, Hou Xiaochen seemed aware of his thoughts, breaking everything down piece by piece to explain and analyze them for him.
"So..."
Li Hao paused before continuing, "So sometimes, when you kill members of the Three Great Organizations, you're actually cutting off someone's financial lifeline. Is that the truth of it?"
"In a manner of speaking, but don't just focus on wealth all day long; there are many other factors at play!"
Hou Xiaochen smiled. "Take this Nine Dragons Pavilion, for example. Do you think it's merely a place to eat?"
Li Hao stayed silent.
Hou Xiaochen continued, "This place is actually a crucial communication channel between the Nine Departments and the imperial family. When matters cannot be settled through official channels, they are resolved here, balancing interests behind closed doors."
He pointed toward the manager beside them. "Take this lady here. Did you take her for a mere waitress?"
"No, this lovely lady is quite charming..."
Li Hao smiled brightly, while Hou Xiaochen chuckled. "You rascal! Let's put it this way: she is not only one of the imperial family's intelligence chiefs, but also a vital bridge of communication between the Nine Departments and the imperial house."
The manager's expression shifted slightly, and she forced a stiff smile. "Director Hou is joking."
"I didn't ask you, so don't interrupt!"
Hou Xiaochen spoke with utter calm, yet a chill ran through the manager's heart, and she dared not utter another word.
Hou Xiaochen continued, "Matters of intelligence are trivial, to be frank. She also moonlights in other professions... such as acting as a broker, understand?"
Li Hao raised his brow. "An intermediary?"
"Yes, roughly that."
Hou Xiaochen smiled. "Whatever you wish to do, find, or obtain, you can procure it through Nine Dragons Pavilion! For instance, if you wanted to buy an official post—say, the director of the Silver Moon Inspectorate—you could ask her how much it costs and what price must be paid..."
Li Hao chuckled. "That must be extraordinarily expensive!"
"Not at all!"
Hou Xiaochen shook his head. "The only worry is buying the post but being unable to assume office, or dying shortly after doing so. The post of Silver Moon's Night Patrol director was once put up for sale here for a mere one thousand divine energy stones. During that period, the Night Patrollers repeatedly summoned me to Heavenly Star City, which I refused, so the buyer had no way to take office. Later, some reckless soul tried to take the post anyway... but died before even reaching Silver Moon, slain by North Sea pirates!"
Li Hao chuckled. "That had to be the work of the Starlight Pirate Crew or the White Shark Pirates!"
"More or less."
*Drip...* Cold sweat broke out on the manager's forehead. Looking at Hou Xiaochen now, she felt a profound dread.
This man knew everything.
He was aware of every detail!
How had he obtained his intelligence?
Could he have numerous hidden agents planted within Heavenly Star City? Li Hao, meanwhile, felt he had truly gained insight. Having talked so much, he felt his stomach grumble. Glancing at the manager, he smiled. "Where's the menu?"
Suppressing the tremor in her heart, the manager presented a menu before Li Hao, while other hostesses brought menus to Hou Xiaochen and Chief Steward Yu.
Li Hao dispensed with pleasantries and flipped it open...
He clicked his tongue. Outrageously expensive!
"You even sell arch-demon broth here?"
"We do."
"Aren't you afraid of arch-demons seeking revenge?"
"Some of the meat is provided by the demon race itself."
"Oh!"
Li Hao nodded, then smiled. "Rising Light arch-demon meat is this pricey? Five hundred divine energy stones for a single platter?"
"Rising Light arch-demons are scarce, and exceptionally difficult to handle..."
Li Hao glanced down at Black Panther by his feet and grinned. Black Panther shivered, a chill running down its spine. Li Hao chuckled, "I have a hound here, an ancient demon descendant with peak Rising Light battle prowess and pure bloodline. Would a platter of its meat be worth over a thousand stones?"
The manager remained silent, declining to engage.
Black Panther glared at Li Hao in fury.
*He actually wants to sell dog meat!*
Li Hao continued scanning the menu, stroking his chin after a moment. "North Sea specialty, sturgeon dragon fish meat... That's not something ordinary folk can catch. Was it caught by North Sea pirates?"
The manager still kept silent.
Li Hao mused to himself, "It seems your business reaches far and wide, even trading with pirates. I recall there's a Four Seas Merchant Group on the waters... Looking at it now, perhaps pirates are your primary trading partners, aren't they?"
He looked up at the manager. "Do you know that pirates eat people?"
The manager lowered her head and said softly, "I am unaware. The honored guest may have misunderstood; this was not acquired through trade with pirates, but caught from the sea by merchant fleets themselves."
Li Hao nodded faintly.
He kept browsing for a moment, then laughed. "Forget it, it's all rubbish! Bring a pot of good tea with a generous splash of the Spring of Life, equivalent to sixteen hundred divine energy stones! As for food, just bring some ordinary, free complimentary snacks."
Having said that, he suddenly remembered something and turned to Hou Xiaochen. "Director Hou, Senior Golden Spear is a Senior City Inspecting Commissioner, right?"
"Yes."
"What about Brother Er Mu?"
"Him as well."
"Then add another two hundred stones' worth!"
Li Hao looked at the manager. "Bill one to Golden Spear of the Martial Guard Army, and the other to Vice Chiliarch Mu Lin."
The manager was thoroughly embarrassed, yet raised no objection, whispering, "Very well, I will see to the arrangements."
Li Hao smiled amiably and didn't stop her.
Hou Xiaochen didn't either.
At that moment, Hou Xiaochen sat in his chair, looking out through the massive window facing the imperial palace. After gazing down for a while, he remarked wistfully, "In the past, this area was much brighter. Now, it's almost pitch black."
Li Hao looked outside as well, rubbing his eyes after a moment. "There are quite a few experts out there."
"Of course!"
Hou Xiaochen chuckled, continuing to sip his tea. Li Hao drank his tea as well, speaking up after a short pause. "What does the director want me to do?"
"You decide for yourself."
"Is there any benefit in it?"
Li Hao pondered. "Not immediate gains... but in the long run, what benefits will it bring? To me, to Silver Moon, to you, Director..."
"Deter a department, establish a firm foothold in the Inspectorate, and let the Inspectorate know that troublesome as I am, what I seize are others' profits and others' authority... all to strengthen the Inspectorate! You and I are both part of the Inspectorate. Li Hao, remember this: in a place like this, you must find a backer... or rather, someone to take the blame for you!
"Take that figure heading the Inspectorate. If you bring him only trouble and no benefits... he won't lift a finger for you! But if along with trouble, you also bring him tremendous benefits... he will protect you!"
Hou Xiaochen smiled. "He doesn't care about trouble; what he cares about is what he stands to gain when the trouble concludes. If you fight for and secure assets for the Inspectorate through legitimate, legal, and standard means, he will be willing to extend his protection within that scope."
Li Hao nodded.
After considering it, he asked, "Will that help be substantial?"
"Quite substantial! At the very least, that old director is in the Divine Power Realm!"
Hou Xiaochen chuckled. "That way, other Divine Power experts won't find it easy to interfere, right?"
"Right!"
"Won't he worry about us growing too powerful to control? After all, we are from Silver Moon."
Li Hao looked at Hou Xiaochen, slightly puzzled.
Hou Xiaochen had no choice but to clarify, "You must understand that in the eyes of the Nine Departments and the imperial family, they belong to the first tier! The second tier consists of the Three Great Organizations, the Seven Sacred Mountains, the three great ducal houses, and Silver Moon. Below them, in the third tier, are the standard provinces, demon territories, and the pirates of the four seas..."
"The Seven Sacred Mountains?"
Li Hao raised his brow slightly. "Take Sky Sword Mountain, for example. There's only Senior Sky Sword there, right? Can that really rank in the second tier?"
Could it truly stand alongside Silver Moon and the ducal houses?
Granted, Sky Sword was undeniably powerful.
"Who told you Sky Sword Mountain only has Sky Sword?"
Hou Xiaochen laughed. "If there were only Sky Sword, how could it be counted among the Seven Sacred Mountains? What difference would there be between Sky Sword, Tyrant Saber, and Northern Fist? Ninety percent of the world's sword practitioners reside at Sky Sword Mountain! Not just Silver Moon martial masters, but also practitioners from the Central Region and the four continents... Vast numbers of sword cultivators have converged upon Sky Sword Mountain. You didn't actually believe Sky Sword was the only one there, did you?"
Li Hao gave a dry laugh. He had genuinely thought so.
*So that's how it is!*
It turned out the man had essentially united the world's sword practitioners. That didn't match Li Hao's impression at all; he had assumed Sky Sword was a lone wanderer who despised such organizations.
As the two conversed, footsteps echoed from outside.
They didn't belong to the female manager.
The next moment, beneath the manager's somewhat helpless gaze, the double doors were pushed open. A rather portly man walked in, accompanied by several officials.
The chubby middle-aged man glanced at Hou Xiaochen, a smile spreading across his face. "Young Hou is here! Let's dine together, then. It just so happens I have a few matters to discuss. No need to change rooms; since we're all here, let's share."
Li Hao looked at the fat man, staring once, then staring again.
A moment later, he exhaled softly.
*Damn it all... there really are countless experts here!*
Excluding the manager, six people had arrived. Aside from the fat man, the other five—young and old alike—were all at least at the Rising Light level.
Moreover... he sensed that two of them were likely at the Transmutation stage.
The remaining three were far from novice Rising Lights as well.
As for the fat man, nothing could be discerned from his aura; he was a martial master, but certainly no weakling.
"Director Liu!"
Hou Xiaochen stood up with a smile. "I was unaware that the director was coming tonight. Had I known, I wouldn't have intruded."
With that, he glanced at the manager. "Director Liu was coming; why didn't you mention it? If you had told me earlier, I wouldn't have stepped foot in here, lest Director Liu think I was squatting in his suite..."
The fat man chuckled. "No matter, no matter! It's just a place to eat!"
He added, "Eating together makes it livelier!"
Then he turned to Li Hao and smiled. "This must be the renowned Demon Sword, yes? Quite a striking young talent!"
He praised Li Hao, and Li Hao rose with extreme "elegance," offering a slight bow and doffing his top hat. "Li Hao of the Night Patrollers greets Director Liu!"
"Don't stand on ceremony, don't stand on ceremony! Sit down, we're all family here, why the formalities?"
The fat man chuckled, leading his group over.
Among his retinue, some glared with hostile eyes, sweeping their gaze over Li Hao, Hou Xiaochen, and the others.
Of the three, Hou Xiaochen occupied the head seat, while Li Hao and Chief Steward Yu occupied the seats of honor beside him.
Were they still not going to yield their places?
Director Liu didn't care about such things, casually finding a seat and gesturing for the others to sit as well. He turned to the manager. "Go on, bring out all the finest dishes. Don't let Director Hou and his guest mock our hospitality!"
"Yes!"
The manager dared not say another word, quickly withdrawing, sweat drenching her back as she departed.
Hou Xiaochen chuckled softly. "Then by the director's good graces, we shall indulge our appetites!"
Director Liu laughed. "Listen to you! If Young Hou is willing to join the Department of Finance, you can come here every day. Eat as much as you like on my tab—you can even pack it all home!"
Hou Xiaochen chuckled. "How could I possibly dare!"
"A minor matter!"
With that, Director Liu looked back at Li Hao. "Demon Sword Li Hao... excellent, very good! That Xu Qing always held his chin too high; he died well! Little Li, are you interested in joining the Department of Finance? A deputy directorship might be out of reach... but there are plenty of posts beneath it. If you come, I guarantee you a position second only to the director and deputy directors. In fact, your standing would be no lower than Young Hou's!"
Li Hao's face broke into a broad smile. "Truly? I heard the Four Seas Merchant Group operates under the Department of Finance... Could I serve as the top boss of the Four Seas Merchant Group?"
"The Four Seas Merchant Group..."
Director Liu laughed, glancing at a dark-skinned middle-aged man beside him. "Xiao Wu, care to yield your post?"
Li Hao looked surprised. "This gentleman is the head of the Four Seas Merchant Group? Forgive my disrespect!"
The dark-complexioned man glanced at Li Hao, his gaze chilling slightly before returning to normal. "I am Wu Yong. To gaze upon the true countenance of the Demon Sword is an honor for me!"
He chuckled softly. "If the Demon Sword is interested in this position... I would naturally step aside and yield to worthier talent, serving as his subordinate. Director, there is no need to worry about my feelings. If we can recruit a hero like the Demon Sword into our Department of Finance... Wu Yong would be overjoyed!"
Li Hao beamed. "Truly?"
"..."
Sudden silence fell over the room!
Li Hao was ecstatic. "Then... then I can truly transfer over! I've heard the Four Seas Merchant Group is wealthy enough to rival a nation! Furthermore, wherever the Gold Coin Flag sails, even pirates dare not lightly provoke it. I've offended many pirates in the North Sea, and the East Sea pirates want my life as well. If I could take command of the Four Seas Merchant Group... none of that would matter anymore!"
Li Hao was beside himself with excitement. "If Director Liu doesn't object, issue the letter of appointment tonight, and I will report for duty tomorrow!"
"..."
Director Liu's smile remained, though it grew somewhat strained.
It was merely polite banter!
Truly, they had exchanged such empty pleasantries thousands of times.
Yet this was the first time he had ever seen someone take polite banter as absolute fact, acting so impatient, so... jubilant!
Li Hao genuinely wanted the post!
If you dared offer it, he dared take it. If the appointment were issued tonight, this lunatic would ninety-nine percent show up tomorrow to take over the Four Seas Merchant Group.
At that moment, Director Liu felt as though a seasoned veteran had encountered an impulsive brute—communication was entirely impossible.
Quickly, Director Liu chuckled. "I would love to... but I fear the Inspectorate won't release you! That director of yours has an extraordinarily stubborn temper..."
Li Hao looked eager. "No matter! As long as Director Liu gives the word, I will cast aside this Provincial Governor title myself and report directly to the Department of Finance! As for our Inspectorate refusing... blocking a man's path to advancement is more vicious than murdering his parents!"
Director Liu laughed heartily. "That's putting it too severely! I truly anticipate your arrival, but provoking a clash between you and that stubborn mule over this wouldn't do! How about this: I will speak with your director later. If he agrees... you may come to me anytime!"
These words served to offer both sides a way out.
Li Hao's expression instantly fell into disappointment. "Then forget it. I haven't even met our Inspectorate's director and know nothing about him... He likely won't agree. The Four Seas Merchant Group... I was truly interested in it! Even serving as a deputy would have been fine... Looks like there's no hope now!"
The officials from the Department of Finance suddenly felt an intense wave of revulsion!
Enough was enough!
This Li Hao was truly as stubborn and recklessly audacious as the rumors claimed.
Before Director Liu could speak, Hou Xiaochen chuckled softly beside him. "Why go to the Four Seas Merchant Group? It's far too distant. Since you just arrived here, you should settle down first. You've only just become Heavenly Star's Vice Governor-General; how could you leave so easily?"
Director Liu froze slightly, then smiled. "Congratulations, congratulations! Little Li just arrived, and Old Yao already promoted you. Heavenly Star Vice Governor-General—a heavy responsibility indeed..."
Hou Xiaochen nodded with a smile. "Heavy indeed! I intend to have Li Hao take charge of establishing the offices of the Heavenly Star Governor-General. Right now, we lack headquarters and personnel..."
He pointed one finger toward the massive screen. "This place looks decent! Director Liu, I want Li Hao stationed here, transforming this site into the Heavenly Star Governor-General Office. In passing, we will bring all these underground enterprises under state control! Furthermore, we will pay taxes on schedule, adding a bit of revenue to the Department of Finance. What do you think, Director Liu?"
Director Liu laughed heartily. "A fine thing, a fine thing! It's just... rather difficult to manage... Of course, this is a matter between the Inspectorate and the Night Patrollers; it's not my place to interfere. Young Hou, do as you see fit! I understand your intention. How about this: tonight is for dining, so let us set business aside. Tomorrow, see what your Inspectorate decides; I won't meddle in it!"
Hou Xiaochen nodded. "Very well! The Inspectorate shouldn't have any objections."
Hou Xiaochen said placidly, "Besides, this falls under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Star Governor-General. The director won't say anything, and Director Yao certainly won't object."
"Governor-General Hou!"
At that moment, an alluring woman beside Director Liu spoke up. She was the other Transmutation stage expert, alongside Wu Yong.
She looked toward Hou Xiaochen with a smile. "Governor-General Hou, the Night Patrollers have a vast foundation. This place is merely a playground for nobles and officials. If it were turned into a Governor-General Office, Heavenly Star City might well plunge into chaos! Supers possess boundless energy; if they have nowhere to vent it... that might not be a good thing."
Hou Xiaochen nodded. "I am aware, which is why... I am fully prepared! Anyone who dares cause unrest will be suppressed directly! I would also like to see whether my suppression is faster, or the turmoil arises quicker!"
With that, he smiled again. "I hear the owner of the Heavenly Star Colosseum is a formidable woman—so strong that she possesses Transmutation stage power. I wonder if she will intervene."
The alluring woman smiled faintly, choosing not to respond.
Director Liu seemed to recall something at that moment and suddenly spoke up. "I just remembered, there are still matters awaiting me at the department... Young Hou, enjoy your meal and drinks!"
He turned toward the manager who had just reentered. "Bill everything tonight to my account!"
Then he scolded sharply, "As the dignified Nine Dragons Pavilion, be more mindful next time! Displaying such violent spectacles in the dining suites... it offends all sense of elegance and propriety!"
After rebuking her, he turned back to Hou Xiaochen and said with a chuckle, "Young Hou, I shall take my leave first... Handle the matter of the Heavenly Star Colosseum as you see fit, but Heavenly Star City is vital ground. Do not stir up a storm across the entire city. Furthermore, if too many people are disturbed and you end up dismissed from office, that would be quite troublesome!"
"Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Director Liu!"
Director Liu smiled brightly and turned to leave, his entourage swiftly following behind.
The expressions of the two Transmutation stage experts were rather dark.
This was a declaration of war!
Yes, a declaration of war!
Hou Xiaochen, that madman—what on earth was he planning?
They had known his presence tonight signaled trouble, but they hadn't expected that even with Director Liu arriving in person and speaking with such courtesy, this man would remain utterly unyielding. Did he truly believe that just because a single Li Hao had arrived, he could achieve whatever he pleased?
Director Liu didn't linger to argue.
Since Hou Xiaochen had made up his mind... they would simply wait and see!
Hou Xiaochen chuckled softly and looked at Li Hao. Li Hao grinned as well. "Bring one portion of every dish on the menu... and add a drop of the Spring of Life. Any more than that, and I'm afraid you won't have enough!"
Director Liu, who had not yet stepped through the door, glanced back at Li Hao. He smiled and nodded. "Silver Moon martial masters... true to their reputation!"
Leaving those words behind, he departed.
The audacity of these Silver Moon folks was truly unprecedented!
Li Hao wore an easy grin, glancing at Hou Xiaochen before transmitting his voice in panic: *Director, you aren't really planning to make me do this, are you? I can play second fiddle... but I don't dare take the lead! Never mind that fat man—there were two Transmutation stage experts! I'm terrified of dying!*
Hou Xiaochen sipped his tea without answering.
*Of course it's you!*
*Did you expect it to be me?*
Seeing his reaction, Li Hao felt his scalp tingle. *I'm heading back to Silver Moon tonight...*
*Too late!* Hou Xiaochen transmitted back.
*Fuck!* Li Hao felt like crying. He had only wanted to come and see the world, to see if the capital was beautiful. He had no intention of clashing with Transmutation stage experts; if things went poorly, he would end up dead!
Old Hou certainly thought far too highly of him!
Hou Xiaochen seemed to be in high spirits. Once the dishes were served, he began eating, not even looking up as he said, "What are you afraid of? I give you my word: no one above the Transmutation stage will appear... If anyone above that level does, I will take the field personally and see if I can slay one of them, just to give you some confidence!"
The hands of the hostesses serving the food trembled violently.
In an instant, cold sweat drenched their bodies.
Chapter 205