Inside Hou Xiaochen's office, Li Hao had usurped the host's seat, leaning back in the chair with unreadable thoughts.
He had come to Heavenly Star City to see things for what they truly were—to unmask the truth.
Tonight, he might have caught a glimpse of it, seeing through a fraction of the facade, though much remained hazy and indistinct.
Still, Li Hao felt it was enough.
Human lives were treated like weeds.
Be it the Nine Departments or the Three Great Organizations, they were fundamentally identical.
Pirates, the Nine Departments, the Three Great Organizations... there was truly no difference between them. The only real distinction was likely that one held ruling authority while the others did not.
A major corporation directly under the Department of Finance had actually fed humans to demons.
The most absurd part was that the great demon hadn't even eaten humans originally.
It was humans themselves who served their own kind up to its jaws, practically begging it to feast. How utterly despicable could one get?
This was not the dawn of the ancient civilization, when demons were mighty and humankind was frail.
In this era, humans were powerful!
As things stood, well-known demon tribes were sparse; only a handful of places, like Phoenix Mountain and Heavenly Roc Mountain, boasted great demons renowned throughout the world. By and large, humankind possessed greater strength. There was no need to bow and scrape before demons.
On the contrary, it would only be in line with logic for the demons to bow and scrape before humans.
And yet... humans were too fractured.
Everyone desired the backing of demons. Consequently, some did not hesitate to curry favor with them, fawning obsequiously and even offering up their own kin.
"It's all the same."
Li Hao scribbled a few notes on a sheet of paper. They were all cut from the same cloth; none had any right to criticize another. That was why exposing the Department of Finance's dirty laundry had not genuinely shaken either ordinary folk or supernaturals.
Wasn't that just how the world worked?
Common people would probably feel a brief burst of outrage, a wave of sorrow, and then... nothing. They were powerless to do anything about it, so what choice did they have?
Overthrow the Nine Departments?
Would replacing them with the imperial clan change anything?
Would replacing them with the Three Great Organizations make a difference?
Wouldn't life carry on in the exact same way?
So long as the flogging paddle didn't land on their own backs, there was no pain, and things remained as they were. Or rather, it was a status quo that no one had the power to change, leaving them to wait despondently for the powerful to decide the victor and passively accept a new set of rulers.
"Aside from Heaven-Blessed Godly Masters, ordinary people have virtually no path upward... The academies are monopolized, martial artists require vast sums of money and resources to cultivate, and sects don't throw their doors wide open. Learning a trade, just as that girl said, is entirely useless. This is an era where strength dictates all..."
They had no path.
The greatest tragedy of an era was when social strata could not be broken. Li Hao's rise was a complete anomaly. The reality was that unless one was a Heaven-Blessed Godly Master, there was no way to shatter this ceiling.
Looking at the mighty figures across the land, which of them didn't hail from distinguished backgrounds?
Practically none among ordinary people had ever risen to prominence.
Of all the Rising Lights Li Hao had encountered, which one came from humble origins?
Thoughts surfaced one after another, plunging Li Hao into deep contemplation as he pondered matters he would never have considered in the past.
He felt almost possessed.
Battle Heaven City, Hong Yitang, the entities within the illusion, and countless other factors were influencing him, unconsciously drawing him step by step into the massive quagmire of Heavenly Star City.
"The next time they come after me, it will inevitably be with the Divine Power Realm!"
Li Hao understood in his heart that after several Metamorphosis experts had fallen, divine power talismans had been shattered, and energy bombs had been devoured, nearly all of his trump cards had been exposed. Whoever came next could only be in the Divine Power Realm.
A Divine Power expert's foundation might not be stable... but for the heads of these major factions, if all else failed, they could simply smash them with the Spring of Life!
They could always stabilize things with enough resources.
If one drop was not enough, then ten drops. These figures had likely discovered the existence of demon plants and might have even brokered agreements with them. Otherwise, could the stockpiles from ancient ruins alone truly amount to so much?
Li Hao realized that many formidable figures possessed such supplies, and nearly every major faction had reserves.
Thoughts flickered through his mind.
A moment later, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Yang Shan and his wife walked into the room. Even though Yang Shan had stepped into the Metamorphosis Stage, he remained exceedingly courteous toward Li Hao. Beaming, he said, "Governor-General Li, everyone has been settled. Old He said the imperial family summoned him back, so he had to leave first and will come find you later."
Li Hao nodded slightly.
Yang Shan smiled unabashedly and added, "Governor-General Li, as for my wife and me... does the Governor-General have any instructions for us?"
This time, Yang Shan was even more deferential than before.
Because Li Hao himself was a powerhouse!
Forcefully slaying Wu Yong and subduing Liusha, Li Hao was far from the weakling people had imagined. In fact, he was even stronger than the rumors suggested. Such an individual was young, capable of helping others advance, and backed by a formidable group of protectors...
To Yang Shan, Li Hao was an exceptional backer to cling to.
Having reached the Metamorphosis Stage, Yang Shan could easily branch out and establish a major faction of his own.
And then what?
Wait to be absorbed by someone else, or attempt some grand venture himself?
What a joke!
Without hidden trump cards or profound heritage, how could he possibly contend against the Three Great Organizations, the Nine Departments, and the imperial family?
Yang Shan was no fool.
Moreover, his opportunity to step into the Divine Power Realm might very well lie with Li Hao.
Li Hao looked at him, smiled, and said slowly, "Senior Yang, there's no need to be so overly polite..."
"No, no, no, what senior!"
Yang Shan grinned brilliantly. "Haven't we joined the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office? The Governor-General can just call me Old Yang or Inspector Yang. Calling me senior... that would be treating me like an outsider."
Li Hao watched him for a moment before speaking softly: "Do not bend your back for what lies immediately before you. Once a spine bends, straightening it again is exceedingly difficult. Besides, the situation may be far more complicated and perilous than you imagine. Today was merely the beginning."
Yang Shan appeared reckless on the outside, but he was actually shrewd as a monkey. He hurriedly chuckled and said, "Look at what you're saying. In this day and age, unless one is truly matchless under heaven, who doesn't bend their back? Even a figure as mighty as Director Hou bends his... It's dangerous, true, but the opportunities are equally real. Those of us who have set foot on this path have no way back! Besides, apart from the Governor-General, who else would be willing to fall out with a ducal residence for our sake?"
Li Hao smiled. "Am I able to?"
"When you're already covered in lice, you stop worrying about itching!"
Yang Shan's face was plastered with a wide smile. "You aren't afraid of the Nine Departments, you aren't afraid of the Three Great Organizations, and you aren't afraid of the Seven Sacred Mountains... Would our Governor-General Li fear a mere Duke of Anguo?"
Li Hao burst into hearty laughter. "Senior Yang is truly amusing. There's good reason you and Senior Southern Fist became friends!"
Yang Shan grinned broadly as well.
As Li Hao's laughter subsided, he nodded. "In that case, I must trouble Inspector Yang to handle a matter for me."
"Please instruct me, Governor-General!"
Yang Shan was overjoyed; this meant Li Hao had agreed.
A great thing!
From now on, I can borrow his authority to intimidate others... bah, I can appear openly and strut around, snapping right back in the face of the Duke of Anguo's faction: 'Come hit me if you dare, I've found myself a backer!'
I was hiding and scurrying around before, but now why should I give a damn about you?
I've switched to a backer who dares to wage open war against the Nine Departments. Could you, the Duke of Anguo, be any more formidable than the Duke of Dingguo?
"While there is still time, Inspector Yang, take a trip to the North Sea..."
Yang Shan's expression flickered slightly.
Li Hao said softly, "Go to the North Sea, seek out the North Sea King of the Starlight Pirate Crew, and tell him his grandson is in my hands... Naturally, he might already know, or perhaps a grandson isn't all that important to him. It doesn't matter either way.
"However, you can try and have him do something for me."
Yang Shan asked rather nervously, "Please go ahead, Governor-General."
"I want White Shark's head!"
Li Hao said calmly, "Tell him to deliver White Shark's head, and I will release his grandson—with a Rising Light thrown in for free."
Yang Shan breathed a sigh of relief. "That's straightforward... It doesn't cost him anything. White Shark is one of the Eight Great Pirates of the North Sea, and the Starlight Pirate Crew has long wanted to absorb them. Slaying White Shark is likely already part of their plans!"
Li Hao's condition was hardly excessive.
As for why Li Hao insisted on White Shark's head... rumor had it there was conflict between them, but Yang Shan didn't care about that. He had simply feared Li Hao would ask him to fetch the North Sea King's head.
The North Sea King was at least at the Metamorphosis Stage.
Even Red Beard of the East Sea was at that level, let alone the lord of the North Sea. The pirates of the North Sea were extraordinarily formidable; without sufficient might, gaining a foothold in the north was impossible. The northern lands were rather brutal; in the East Sea, a single word from the Duke of Dingguo's residence carried weight, but in the north... one likely had to conquer territory inch by inch.
"Mm, that covers it. Also... once you reach the North Sea and finish meeting the North Sea King... go look for Silver Moon's Liu Long."
With that, Li Hao tossed him a storage ring. "Hand this to Regiment Commander Liu and have him help me acquire some items. He knows what I need; simply mention the Imperial Palace."
Yang Shan caught the storage ring, somewhat curious about what was inside.
Li Hao treated it nonchalantly, stating indifferently, "A million divine energy stones and twenty Origin God Armaments... Senior Yang, you may also take Senior Qin Lian along with you..."
Yang Shan swallowed hard.
What?
A million divine energy stones!
Twenty Origin God Armaments!
His scalp went entirely numb, and his heart trembled at that moment. With great difficulty and a quiver in his voice, he stammered, "Th-this... Governor-General, this... perhaps you should have someone else..."
To anyone, this was a stupendous astronomical sum.
He could not fathom how Li Hao dared to entrust such things to him after knowing each other for barely a day.
This was terrifying!
So terrifying that he suspected Li Hao might be testing him. He was terrified that accepting this would lead to disaster.
Li Hao merely looked at him calmly. "If a mere million divine energy stones could tempt you to abscond with the funds... on what basis should I trust you to lay down your life for me? If today you don't even place value on these, then tomorrow, if someone wants you to take my, Li Hao's, life... what kind of price would they have to pay you? In this world, who would be willing to pay such an immense price to buy you off? Whether killing me is more dangerous or absconding with the funds right now is more dangerous is a judgment Senior can make for yourself.
"Therefore... Senior, simply take it. I am not making a threat. You may also take Senior Qin Lian with you."
Qin Lian interjected directly, "The Governor-General must be joking! The Governor-General currently lacks capable hands. I possess dark-type supernatural power and can still run errands for you. Yang Shan staying behind wouldn't be of much use anyway; unless a battle breaks out, he knows nothing else!"
With that, she turned to Yang Shan. "Go on, then, and fulfill the vital task the Governor-General has entrusted to you!"
Yang Shan glanced at his wife, gritted his teeth, nodded, and said in a muffled voice, "Rest assured, Governor-General. Yang Shan will certainly complete the mission. Unless I die, not a single item will go missing!"
He was still shaking slightly.
A million divine energy stones and twenty Origin God Armaments...
This man, Li Hao, was truly formidable.
Yes, he found him frightening.
They had known each other for only a single day. Whether it was a test or whether Li Hao genuinely didn't care, Yang Shan had struggled internally. A moment later, however, he cast aside all wild fantasies; he could not afford to be swayed by greed.
Not to mention that his wife had betrayed a ducal residence for his sake, merely crossing Li Hao raised the massive question of whether he could survive the subsequent pursuit. Furthermore, breaking through to the Divine Power Realm was not something resolved by simple divine energy stones and Origin God Armaments.
No matter how many divine energy stones he had, what use were they?
Once he grasped this point, he suddenly let out a breath, and the covetousness in his heart vanished in an instant. Indeed, I cannot directly absorb energy to step into the Divine Power Realm. This stuff is far inferior to Li Hao giving me a few more opportunities to absorb sword energy.
"Then be on your way. Go quickly and return swiftly; I may need hands at any moment here."
"Understood!"
Yang Shan said no more and departed swiftly, without even taking time to say farewell to his wife.
Qin Lian also inquired softly, "Does the Governor-General have any other orders?"
"Help me find out where the experts of Red Moon are—the top-tier ones, preferably at the Metamorphosis Stage... The Elders Council or the Ancient God Guards should have some. If that proves difficult... help me look into the whereabouts of Cyan Moon and Orange Moon."
Those two might not possess red shadows, but that was of no consequence. Capture them and demand a ransom!
Would Ying Hongyue pay the ransom?
He would!
Because Ying Hongyue was exceptionally arrogant, blatant, and prided himself on being unparalleled in devotion. If his women were captured, he would make the trade.
If Li Hao demanded a Rising Light Metamorphosis red shadow, there was a ninety-nine percent chance he would deliver.
"Understood!"
Qin Lian offered no further words and departed rapidly.
As for whether she would turn around and flee alongside Yang Shan upon leaving... Li Hao genuinely did not care.
Yes, the storage ring was of immense value.
However, if they truly ran off with it, then so be it. His gains tonight had not been small. If they stole it, the two of them would be utterly finished, and Li Hao would be spared the trouble of constantly keeping his guard up against them. He was naturally cautious by disposition.
He would never casually trust that others would lay down their lives for him.
Yet if they did not take it... it was just as Li Hao had said: next time, unless someone offered a vastly superior price that far exceeded this sum, the couple would not be swayed in the slightest.
And who would pay such an exorbitant price just to bribe Yang Shan?
***
Having dispatched the couple, Li Hao took out a batch of items... Looking at the storage rings cluttering the desk, Li Hao continued pulling out more... an ever-growing pile.
Storage rings that he had once regarded as priceless treasures now numbered no fewer than two thousand in his possession.
Nearly half of the people he had captured tonight possessed one.
The remaining half didn't have any simply because they were either servants or service staff. As for the genuine nobles, practically every single one had a ring on their finger.
There were so many!
There were also rings belonging to several experts from Four Seas Corporation, several Metamorphosis experts, multiple Rising Lights, people from Four Seas Island, and those from the Heavenly Star Colosseum...
Far too many.
Seeing so many storage rings, Li Hao developed an intense headache.
In the past, he loved unsealing storage rings.
Every single one had been a pleasant surprise!
Last time, when he obtained the Xu clan's treasury, he had unsealed them together with Yuan Shuo and the others. But now... the quantity was dozens of times greater than before. Even if he spent three minutes cataloging a single ring, two thousand rings would take over six thousand minutes...
Without eating or drinking, it would take him four or five days to inventory them all.
Cataloging wasn't just taking a casual peek; three minutes might not even be enough.
Li Hao smiled wryly.
Who would have thought that a day would come when he would feel distressed over having too many storage rings?
Today, that day had arrived!
He picked up the communicator on the desk and dialed through without caring who was on the external line, saying directly, "Have Golden Spear and Mu Lin come see me!"
"Understood, right away..."
Li Hao hung up the communicator, feeling somewhat envious of Old Hou. How wonderful it must be to have a secretary; with a casual instruction, everything was handled impeccably. Meanwhile, he himself... was rather pitiful, still having to do the chores on his own.
Even to summon someone, he had to dial the communicator himself.
***
A few minutes later, Golden Spear and Mu Lin arrived.
Seeing Li Hao here, they weren't surprised. They knew where Hou Xiaochen had slipped off to, and Li Hao's look of having usurped the host's nest... was genuinely dashing!
"Senior Golden Spear, Brother Er'mu..."
Mu Lin gave a dry chuckle, while Golden Spear nodded slightly, appearing increasingly taciturn. Today's Golden Spear looked somewhat gaunter and older compared to the past; under repeated setbacks, he had sunk ever deeper into despondency.
The battle at the North Sea, the battle in the East, today's battle with Southern Fist...
Every single one of these Silver Moon martial masters, without exception, was telling him: we are strong, and you are weak.
Seven Swords, Three Spears, Four Sabers, Two Fists...
His Three Spears branch had declined completely.
Hence, he had virtually nothing to say.
Mu Lin, on the other hand, was as jovial as ever, smiling obsequiously. "Director Li, the people from the Colosseum have all been locked up. Do you have further arrangements?"
"Mm."
Li Hao nodded. "Assemble the Martial Guard Army... They have a garrison around here, don't they?"
"Yes, yes, right next door. There's a massive mansion—enormously spacious. The lords of Heavenly Star City certainly know how to enjoy themselves; Nine Departments Street is packed with these grand estates, each casually spanning dozens or even a hundred mu. Housing a thousand men is child's play."
"Take me to them."
Mu Lin was slightly surprised. For what?
A power grab?
*Ahem*, that had to be overthinking it.
Surely it wouldn't come to that.
Then what was it for?
Li Hao didn't explain, and Golden Spear didn't ask. The two led Li Hao outside. Along the way, other Night Patrollers spotted Li Hao and greeted him one after another.
"Governor-General!"
"Greetings, Governor-General Li!"
"..."
All of them were exceptionally well-behaved.
None used the word "Deputy."
As for Hou Xiaochen, people generally addressed him as Director Hou. The five regional governor-generals had existed in name only in the past; it was only recently, after Hou Xiaochen first displayed his might and Li Hao subsequently made the title of Heavenly Star Governor-General famous across the entire dynasty, that everyone learned the Night Patrol of the dynasty had a Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office beneath it.
Naturally, Li Hao was universally recognized as the Governor-General.
Li Hao didn't respond, appearing somewhat cold and aloof. He did not greet them with smiles to win hearts as he had done in the past... There was no need.
At present, he felt little fondness for any official personnel in Heavenly Star City.
He didn't believe these people were unaware of the situation on Four Seas Island.
Thus... in this era, everyone was blind, feigning deafness and playing dumb. He disliked it. Perhaps he understood that this was out of helplessness and that he shouldn't vent his anger on them; they were weak, incapable of contending against the Nine Departments.
Everyone had their own dilemmas.
Could one expect a handful of Solar Flares and Three Suns to overthrow the Nine Departments?
Li Hao understood this.
Understanding was one thing, but for the moment, youthful indignation still prevented him from letting it go.
***
Under everyone's respectful gazes, Li Hao arrived next door.
The adjacent compound was enormous.
This had once been the residence of a duke... Naturally, it had since been seized by the Nine Departments and repurposed as the garrison for the Martial Guard Army.
When they laid eyes on Li Hao, those Thousand-Breakers who had previously been recalcitrant were completely convinced.
Even Chen Jin, the inheritor of Mountain-Splitting Axe who had once opposed him, looked upon Li Hao without any lingering defiance. His hostility had waned, replaced only by emotional sighs, regrets, and an indescribable sentiment.
Among the Thirty-Six Heroes of Silver Moon, second- and third-generation disciples were numerous. Chen Jin counted as the second generation, and so did Li Hao, though Li Hao was remarkably young—even younger than some third-generation disciples.
Yet today, Li Hao's title as the Demon Sword was universally acknowledged across the realm.
Formidable!
The kind of overwhelmingly powerful existence capable of slaying Metamorphosis experts.
One had no choice but to submit.
"Governor-General Li!"
Everyone addressed him by his official title. Li Hao smiled. "You're being too polite. Calling me Li Hao or Regiment Commander Li is fine... We're all Silver Moon folk and fellow comrades..."
In the past, he hadn't thought much of the Martial Guard Army.
Yet compared to their surroundings, this was a group of genuine martial artists who could be considered true soldiers of this era. They fought pirates, and if they harbored a grudge, they avenged it on the spot and spoke their minds openly.
After battling pirates, they didn't boast about it, merely guarding their posts in silence.
Back then, Li Hao had thought, *What of it? Isn't fighting pirates only proper? Is there anything praiseworthy about that?*
Yet today... he smiled faintly. It truly was praiseworthy. In this day and age, an army genuinely willing to slay pirates and defend a territory was truly rare to find.
Consequently, the fury and resentment in his heart dissipated considerably in an instant.
When these people had sparred with him back then, it had been fair and square.
If they harbored hostility, they voiced it directly.
Compared to them, the smiling tigers of the Nine Departments were utterly nauseating.
Intrigue and deceit, wearing smiles on their faces while secretly wishing for your death.
"I wouldn't dare,"
Chen Jin sighed with emotion. "It's better to call you Governor-General. We Silver Moon martial masters observe seniority as well—whoever is stronger and fiercer ranks higher. Your generational status is elevated to begin with: direct disciple of the Five Animals King, personal disciple of the foremost of the Thirty-Six Heroes of Silver Moon... Our status was never as high as yours."
Li Hao laughed. "You jest."
"It's the truth." Chen Jin didn't mind these matters much, though he added with regret, "What a pity my master was beaten to death by yours... Otherwise, would the likes of Southern Fist be strutting about today? Pity my master... Sigh!"
He let out a sigh, feeling a touch of lingering regret after all.
Mountain-Splitting Axe was one of the thirty-six.
Yet he was dead.
Those whom Yuan Shuo had beaten to death had all possessed formidable strength; typically, they were battles where he couldn't hold back, which indirectly proved Mountain-Splitting Axe had been very powerful.
Tragically, he had died too early.
Li Hao felt somewhat awkward. Now that he had met more Silver Moon martial masters, he found himself in an uneasy position.
In the past, it hadn't mattered; they were merely strangers.
Yet as more Silver Moon martial masters emerged one by one, he came to realize that while these martial masters might have all sorts of flaws, they were straightforward people—at least far better than others.
Golden Spear said indifferently, "Enough! That's ancient history. In those days of sparring, a whole heap of Silver Moon martial masters died. I've beaten plenty of men to death myself. If you have the ability, issue a challenge and seek revenge... If not, shut your mouth. What's the point of bringing this up?"
The crowd fell silent.
Li Hao gave a dry cough and looked at the nearly one thousand martial masters gathered here; the numbers were quite considerable.
Li Hao didn't beat around the bush: "I have some storage rings here that need to be inventoried. I'd like everyone's help. Divine energy stones, the Spring of Life, Origin God Armaments, and the like should be placed in a separate pile. For the miscellaneous items, help me organize them into categories..."
Everyone was rendered speechless!
Golden Spear was equally at a loss for words. Looking at Li Hao, his expression turned rather sour. *Are you pulling our leg? That's all? Why did you make such a massive fuss?*
The very next moment, he fell silent.
In an instant, Li Hao produced several thousand storage rings, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
The martial masters stared with wide eyes, utterly flabbergasted.
Golden Spear's jaw dropped as well... *Thank goodness I didn't speak up, or I would have humiliated myself completely.*
Indeed, with so many, if he didn't enlist the help of nearly a thousand men, how long would it take a single person to sort through them?
With nearly a thousand people, each person only needed to handle a few.
Yet since when could the spoils of storage rings be counted in the thousands? He couldn't resist asking, "Those people... aren't you going to return them?"
He knew where these items had come from.
He simply hadn't expected Li Hao to confiscate every single one.
"Return them?"
Li Hao chuckled. "There are no good people on Four Seas Island—return what? As for the Heavenly Star Colosseum, there aren't many decent people there either. Now that these things are in my hands, they still think they can take them back? If they walk away with their lives, they should consider it an act of extraordinary mercy on my part!"
"Then... you'll offend too many people..."
Golden Spear hesitated slightly.
Li Hao seemed to perceive something and suddenly sneered, "Offend too many people? With a sword in hand, why should I fear them? Silver Moon martial masters have always fought their way up! Among the thirty-six heroes, the Black Widow is despised because she didn't rely on fighting, but on sleeping around! Worrying about this and that—what nonsense!"
Li Hao pulled no punches, declaring coldly, "I've come to understand clearly that in this era, strength alone is the foundation! I fear nothing. Shatter the fear in your heart, and no one can dictate your life. If I were afraid, I wouldn't have come to Heavenly Star City!
"Senior Golden Spear, you've grown old!"
Li Hao stared directly at him. "Of the thirty-six heroes I've met, not a single one knows fear! Southern Fist doesn't, Earth-Overturning Sword doesn't, Bright Sword doesn't, and not even Jade Rakshasa does! The only ones who fear are the Black Widow, and... Golden Spear!"
*Boom!*
Spear intent erupted. In this instant, Golden Spear felt fury, stifled humiliation, frantic rage, and even a touch of madness.
He could not stomach such humiliation!
Golden Spear ground his teeth, staring at Li Hao with clenched fists. The suffocating humiliation he radiated at this moment was felt keenly even by those around them.
"Li Hao..."
Golden Spear glared at him, grinding his teeth so hard that faint traces of blood seeped through. "You're right... Among Silver Moon martial masters, no one knows fear! They don't... and neither do I... Black Spider... Are you saying that by relying on Director Hou to get where I am today, I am no different from her relying on Ying Hongyue?"
Li Hao remained silent.
Golden Spear was on the verge of madness. In the end, he let out a cold snort, turned around, and walked away.
He knew Li Hao was deliberately provoking him, at least in part.
And yet... he was genuinely provoked.
Enraged!
He didn't care about Southern Fist and the others provoking him—well, fine, he did care. But to have a junior like Li Hao compare him to a martial artist like Black Spider, who had risen by sleeping with men, and even equate the two of them... he truly could not stomach it. He felt as if he were losing his mind.
Li Hao had gone too far!
He felt frantic, almost tempted to thrust his spear straight through Li Hao!
He had always looked down on women like Green Peacock, the Heavenly Mountain Goddess, and Black Spider, believing them unworthy of being called martial artists—disgraces to the name who had risen through Ying Hongyue. He had likewise looked down on women like the Heart-Piercing Beauty, who gained fame by flitting among men...
Yet when Li Hao put it that way and he reflected on it, perhaps in the eyes of Southern Fist and the others, he was no different from them.
All the same!
What right did he, Golden Spear, have to look down on anyone?
Golden Spear was near a breakdown, fearing that if he didn't leave immediately, he would lose control on the spot.
***
Mu Lin glanced at Li Hao and sighed. "Don't push him too hard. Boss Golden Spear has been off lately; his mindset was already on the verge of collapsing. After what you said tonight... I'm afraid he won't be able to bear it!"
Li Hao let out a soft sigh and murmured, "For Golden Spear, if he still cannot shatter his inner demons, transcend himself, and remains stuck here for the rest of his life... he might as well be dead! Among the thirty-six, even now, his strength isn't necessarily the weakest... but his mindset is perhaps the worst. Mad Saber and Jade Light Sword, from what I understand, are both in somewhat better shape than him.
"If he continues down this path... dying would be a relief. For a martial master, this is pure torment. He will never be able to break free from Director Hou's intent..."
As soon as these words were uttered, not a single one among the nearly thousand martial masters present voiced an objection.
Indeed.
Perhaps... Li Hao was right.
For Golden Spear, the foremost of Silver Moon's Three Spears, the ancient rankings had Yuan Shuo first without dispute.
Second had been Heavenly Sword, while third had been contested—some said Tyrant Saber, some said Northern Fist, and some said Golden Spear...
Regardless, in that era, Golden Spear sat firmly in the top five and aimed for the top three.
Yet... in this era, Golden Spear was merely Golden Spear, no longer an untouchable Silver Moon martial master. The disparity was far too vast. As one formidable martial master after another emerged, if this continued, even if he wasn't killed, he would completely unravel.
Thus, at this moment, these martial masters could all understand.
Chen Jin also let out a sigh. "Chiliarch... Sigh!"
Saying no more, Mu Lin called out with a chuckle to break the dead silence: "Come on, each of you take a few. No pocketing anything, do you hear me? Don't disgrace us Silver Moon martial masters, and don't disgrace the Martial Guard Army..."
Someone scoffed, "Come off it. The Martial Guard Army is fine, but as for Silver Moon martial masters... that depends on who. Back in the day, rumors had it that Southern Fist pulled plenty of unscrupulous stunts like this."
"..."
"*Cough, cough, cough!*"
Several people coughed, and someone jabbed the speaker, cursing under his breath: "Idiot, Southern Fist... killed a Metamorphosis with a single punch!"
"..."
In an instant, the man snapped to his senses and immediately gave a dry laugh. "Just joking! Senior Southern Fist is incredibly formidable, super amazing. Those were all rumors, utter nonsense!"
Li Hao felt an urge to laugh.
He held it in.
Southern Fist's reputation truly seemed rather terrible.
Like a street hoodlum... well, truth be told, he wasn't much different even now.
"Then please inventory them, everyone. Brother Er'mu, help me tally everything up. I'll head back first to meet with that Director of ours."
"Don't you worry!"
Mu Lin wasn't one to stand on ceremony. "With me here, not a single thing will go missing. Oh, right, the storage rings..."
"One for each person!"
Li Hao smiled. "Once they're emptied after cataloging, keeping them is useless to me. Everyone may take one."
The crowd was overjoyed!
To them, even a single storage ring was a treasure. Among those present, aside from a few centurions and a handful of Peak Hundred-Breakers, virtually no one possessed one.
Moreover, those few had only obtained theirs after arriving in Heavenly Star City; back in Silver Moon, even some of the centurions lacked them.
Yet right now, every single person was being equipped with one.
Instantly, everyone's spirits soared, and they erupted in jubilation, shouting in unison: "Thank you for the reward, Governor-General!"
***
Next door.
Hou Xiaochen had just returned. Hearing the roars, he was taken aback. After a long pause, he chuckled and cursed under his breath: "What a scoundrel..."
Manager Yu looked at him.
Hou Xiaochen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I am the official holder of the post; he is only the Deputy Governor-General! Now, I've practically become invisible."
The Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office hadn't even taken proper shape yet.
Yet Governor-General Li Hao of Heavenly Star had already become renowned across the realm.
And now, had that brat run off to bribe the Martial Guard Army again?
What, was he scheming to take control of the Martial Guard Army as well?
***
Li Hao, however, had no mind to dwell on such matters.
Leaving the storage rings behind, he headed straight for Yao Si's office building.
As a newcomer, paying his respects to the local authority was only proper.
They had never met in person before; he had merely caught sight of him from afar and knew the man was formidable.
Inside the Director's office building.
Secretary Xiao Ye led Li Hao to the door with an air of awe, knocking before ushering him inside. Not daring to say a word, she quickly withdrew.
"Greetings, Director."
Li Hao was exceedingly polite. Even if he didn't feel any genuine need to be courteous in his heart, this was the man's territory now.
Yao Si took a sip of tea, smiled, and pointed to a chair. "Have a seat and let's talk."
"Thank you!"
Li Hao sat down nonchalantly.
Yao Si looked at him and smiled again. "A young hero. Truly, heroes have emerged from youth since ancient times. Compared to you, the rest of us have grown old."
"The Director overpraises me."
"Not in the slightest."
Yao Si smiled, glanced at Li Hao, and sighed with emotion: "Back when the Nine Departments wanted to establish the Night Patrol to manage supernaturals across the realm and counter the increasingly ambitious Three Great Organizations, I took the initiative and stepped forward without hesitation, shouldering this mess with the strength of a Thousand-Breaker martial artist.
"Yet the longer I served, the more helpless and bewildered I became... There were too many constraints, too many misgivings, too many obstructions—it was simply impossible to get anything done!"
He let out a sigh. "I am, after all, old. I'm not like you young people with your drive. I had it once, but lost it over time."
Having said that, he smiled again. "Seeing you makes me want to say a few words. By the way, how do you see me?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm asking, what is your first impression of me?"
"Benevolent, genial, amiable..."
Li Hao chuckled pleasantly, wearing a practiced, professional smile—a demeanor he had mastered thoroughly during his year in the Inspectorate.
Yao Si burst into laughter. "Far too insincere. Can't you speak the truth? As people age, they actually prefer to hear young people speak honestly. Rest assured, I'm not a minister of the Nine Departments; would I get angry with you?"
Li Hao remained silent for a moment, then smiled as well, saying softly, "Does the Director truly insist on hearing it?"
"Speak freely."
"The so-called countless obstructions, numerous misgivings, and endless constraints... to sum it up: fearing death while craving life, choosing to lie flat, forgetting your original purpose, being assimilated, dereliction of duty, incompetence, and still seeking excuses for yourself. Sometimes, dereliction of duty is far more terrifying than poor strategy. With poor strategy, at least one is taking action; with dereliction of duty, one does absolutely nothing."
Li Hao spoke without restraint, perhaps because the elder's hypocritical words had rubbed him the wrong way, or perhaps because his newfound strength gave him greater confidence. Since the man asked, he pulled no punches.
"The Night Patrol... what a rotten state it has fallen into! I originally thought the Silver Moon Night Patrol was terrible, but compared to here... the Silver Moon Night Patrol was practically a model of dedication—though pitifully underpaid, what a sorrowful sight!
"The Night Patrol here has no system, no direction, no sense of responsibility. Drawing high salaries, they head to Four Seas Island to feast, drink, gamble, and whoremonger, watching great demons devour humans with their own eyes, pretending to be deaf and dumb while pirates stand right beside them, even calling them brothers... Heh!"
Li Hao's tone was laden with mockery, cold sneers, and contempt.
He had originally intended to remain somewhat polite, but this man seemed intent on lecturing him about his own hardships, his unwilling plight, his sorrow...
He seemed to want to tell Li Hao: *I was once a hot-blooded man as well! I took up the mantle in a time of crisis!*
And yet... Li Hao felt like laughing. He continued, "I've also been wondering: if the Three Great Organizations became the rulers of the entire world, would things truly be any worse? Not necessarily! The Three Great Organizations slaughter many... In the past, I thought they were irredeemably wicked, but looking at it now... the innocent lives claimed by the Three Great Organizations might not even surpass the number of innocents dead at your hands. What right do you have to sit in judgment over them?"
"You are quite bold!"
Yao Si sat up straight, slightly taken aback. There was no anger, only surprise—surprise at Li Hao's sheer audacity!
"You must remember, in this place... I am, after all, the top authority!"
He looked toward Li Hao and said indifferently, "Even Huang Long has never dared speak to me like this."
Li Hao chuckled and nodded. "Exactly. A man who never dared speak to you like this has turned the Night Patrol into a foul, chaotic cesspool... You'll probably say you merely allowed him to make a racket intentionally. But you must understand: because of your so-called biding of time, the Night Patrol has rotted to its very core! Do you know what it means when an enforcement agency rots through completely? It means... ordinary people have nowhere left to seek redress for their grievances. There is no longer any justice or fairness to speak of in this world! For the decay of the dynasty, you people bear immense responsibility!"
"Li Hao."
The old man looked at him, somewhat puzzled. "To you, do these matters truly matter so much? I originally thought you would use this meeting in hopes of securing my assistance. Why... have you chosen to treat me like this?"
Li Hao looked back at him. "Because I felt it. I felt that if the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be askew! A cowardly general breeds a cowardly army! You are the commander; you are the leader of the sole authoritative institution outside the Nine Departments! If you were a hermit expert, if you were one of those Silver Moon martial masters, if you were the master of the Seven Sacred Mountains, or if you were the chief of the Three Great Organizations... I would flatter you a bit right now... But you are not!
Li Hao smiled again. "You are the leader of the entire Night Patrol. When even you wash your hands of everything, allowing the likes of Huang Long to swagger about and letting the Night Patrol fester... in my eyes, your guilt surpasses that of many others!"
"Guilt?"
Yao Si froze for a moment. *Guilt...*
He stared at Li Hao, only speaking after a long silence: "You're saying... I am guilty?"
"Yes!"
Yao Si was stunned. He truly had not expected this.
He had never imagined Li Hao would evaluate him in such a manner.
He was a sinner!
Never in his entire life had he imagined that one day, a young man would point at his face and denounce him as a sinner.
A source of evil!
He said softly, "Li Hao, you don't understand. Lying low is for the sake of a greater eruption..."
Li Hao stated calmly, "No. Lying low only makes the wicked more rampant, wipes out the good entirely, dissipates the hearts of the people, and plunges the world into complete darkness! After lying low for years... your spirit and drive are long gone, so what 'greater eruption' can there be?
"Once you reach the Divine Power Realm, you'll still claim that Divine Powers are too numerous, the Nine Departments are too formidable, and the Three Great Organizations are too powerful for you to contend with, so you will lie low for a while longer. When you advance beyond Divine Power, others will have advanced as well, and you'll say you need to lie low again... In a few more years, when you are near death, about to be buried in the earth, you will tell your descendants: 'All my life, I was waiting for an opportunity. Alas, it never came...'
Li Hao smiled—a mocking smile. "Indeed, it never came! If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad. But because of your lying low, the entire Night Patrol—the entire enforcement apparatus—has rotted completely! Is that not guilt?"
Yao Si's heart seemed to be thrown into turmoil.
Yes, he had never envisioned the conversation taking such a turn. Looking exhausted, he glanced at Li Hao and whispered, "You may leave first. Let me reflect on this myself... In all my life... I never imagined anyone would speak of me this way. I thought... I thought... you would need my help..."
With a self-deprecating chuckle, he thought: *I believed Li Hao would come seeking my aid.*
*I believed Hou Xiaochen, Li Hao, and the others would sense my formidable strength.*
And yet... he had never anticipated such an outcome!
Li Hao rose to his feet, looked at the old man, and murmured, "I originally thought so as well. But when I recalled the oath sworn upon joining the Night Patrol—to safeguard the peace of the realm, to defend the nation and protect our homes... and then saw you here sipping the Spring of Life, adopting the posture of an idle spectator watching the rise and fall of the realm's storms... I... felt sickened!"
Li Hao turned and walked away.
The old man remained frozen. *He... felt sickened?*
*He felt sickened!*
Yao Si's expression shifted continuously. Once Li Hao was far off, he suddenly slammed his palm down, smashing the desk to splinters. Xiao Ye hurried into the room.
"Get out!"
The old man roared, like an enraged lion!
Frightened out of her wits, Xiao Ye hastily turned to leave. Suddenly, the old man called out to stop her, demanding in a deep voice, "Xiao Ye, let me ask you: in your eyes, was my leaving the Night Patrol to its own devices right or wrong?"
Xiao Ye froze, staring at the elder, at a complete loss for words.
The old man stared back at her, glaring fiercely through gritted teeth. "I ask you: is the Night Patrol rotten or not?"
"N-no... of course not..."
Xiao Ye stammered nervously, "How could it be..."
"Then let me ask you: over these past five years, has the realm... grown more chaotic, or has it improved?"
"Th-this..."
"Speak!"
"M-more chaotic."
Xiao Ye was petrified. "It's all Director Huang's fault. Back when you held power, Director, the Night Patrol was there and could still suppress things somewhat. Later... later, when Director Huang took charge, everything fell apart. The battles against the Three Great Organizations were fought haphazardly... Very few people from the Three Great Organizations died, while more than a dozen cities were wiped out, millions perished, and tens of millions were displaced..."
The old man sank limp into his seat, utterly drained. "I see. You may leave!"
"Y-yes!"
Xiao Ye fled in haste, thoroughly terrified, while feeling a surge of regret that she shouldn't have said those words.
As for the old man, he was completely exhausted.
He let out a self-mocking laugh. *I am sickening?*
*I am the source of evil?*
*Yet... yet...* Just as Li Hao had said, one sentence had struck the bullseye: he merely felt that hope was faint and that he needed to wait a bit longer, lying low for a time until he stepped into the Divine Power Realm and consolidated his foundation before setting out to restore the land.
Yet Li Hao had said... that was a joke. Once you reached Divine Power, you would still feel it wasn't enough.
*Wait a bit longer!*
Was it enough?
He asked himself: *I... have already reached Divine Power!*
Yet did he feel it was enough?
It still wasn't enough!
In an instant, as though that fig leaf of pretense had been ripped away, he felt utterly humiliated, furious, indignant, and seething with rage, gnashing his teeth!
"Responsibility?"
"Who are you to lecture me on that? Back in the direst times, I established the Night Patrol with a heart ready to embrace death, fighting hundreds of battles to suppress the Three Great Organizations, slaying countless foes, and forging the renown of the Night Patrol to finally carve out a place among supernaturals... And you... say I am sickening?"
"I suppressed the realm for fifteen years! It was only in the last five years, when I needed to stabilize my realm, that Huang Long seized the opportunity. That fellow has backers behind him, and I simply didn't wish to tear through all pretenses with him... and you dare speak of me like this?"
He felt both furious and aggrieved, as well as deeply unwilling.
Yet Li Hao's words pierced into him again and again.
*You are not a recluse powerhouse. You are the sole authoritative institution outside the Nine Departments—the only power in the entire world that might step forward to protect the common people. When even you lie low... you represent not only yourself, but all the hot-blooded supernaturals out there!*
"Was I wrong?"
He slumped into his chair, curling into a ball. No one had ever spoken such words to him before.
Because everyone felt it was normal.
Yes, normal.
Everyone knew he was consolidating his Divine Power Realm, so wasn't it perfectly natural?
He wasn't technically a supernatural Divine Power; he was a martial master. Of course, it was largely the same. His martial cultivation was extraordinarily high, surpassing Southern Fist and the others by a wide margin, fully equivalent to a Divine Power.
His five viscera were immensely powerful, allowing him to exert combat strength on par with those who had severed their supernatural locks.
And yet... was he wrong?
Yao Si's mindset of an idle spectator watching the storm collapsed in an instant. If Li Hao had merely been spouting nonsense, it wouldn't have mattered. The crucial issue was that every single word Li Hao spoke was the unvarnished truth. Even Xiao Ye admitted that during the five years he had neglected affairs, chaos had erupted, millions had died, and tens of millions had been displaced.
And that was merely the Central Region.
At this moment, the old man remained curled in the corner, motionless as a corpse. Martial masters cultivate the heart, while supernaturals cultivate power; his heart was now thrown into disarray.
A questioning of the heart, delivered by an extraordinarily young martial master.
*Do you truly have a clear conscience?*
*Yao Si, you are a sinner. You... are utterly sickening!*
Chapter 212