Changes

Heavenly Star City was as resplendent and bustling as ever. Yesterday's great battle was already in the past. It seemed as though everything had returned to normal without the slightest change—save for the somewhat battered north city gate, and the several hundred corpses added to it, along with the several hundred severed heads hanging from its walls... Yet the weather seemed to have improved somewhat. In November, Heavenly Star City was already turning cold. Yesterday, thunder had roared on all sides, dark clouds had hung low, and fierce gales had howled. Today, the sun emerged, a ray of sunlight piercing the gloom and shining down. On this day, the bustling Heavenly Star City welcomed long-absent sunshine. On the streets, children ran about while adults busied themselves. Shopkeepers opened their doors early, travelers arrived from north and south, and everything appeared just as it always had. A squad of supernaturals clad in Night Patrol uniforms walked along the street. In the past, peddlers and pedestrians had avoided them like scorpions. Today, though still timid, the people did not scatter in panic. Instead, they watched them with a mix of curiosity, strangeness, and bewilderment. It was as though they were silently asking... Are you from the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office? Walking the streets and patrolling every direction under countless watchful eyes, the Night Patrol members felt uneasy, as if their skin were itching all over. In the past, they might have barked rebukes and thrown their weight around, taking delight in seeing people scatter before them. Today, they did not dare. They merely walked in silence, surveying their surroundings. One of them called out in a slightly raspy voice, chanting like a student reciting a text, "The Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office in the northern district is under construction! If you have concerns, wait a few days before deciding! Anyone with grievances may seek justice there!" Both sides of the street were deathly quiet. The Night Patrol members felt intensely awkward, yet none dared say another word. They simply repeated the rote chant, walked on in silence, waited a bit, and then shouted it again. Right at that moment, from the distance, a butcher suddenly bellowed, "Officers! This man owes me thirty thousand star coins and refuses to pay! When I demanded it from him, he pulled a blade and threatened to kill me! Can you officers uphold justice for me?" The shout startled the Night Patrol members and caught the attention of pedestrians and merchants all around, turning heads in that direction. At the butcher shop, a burly, rugged man stood clutching a cleaver, confronting someone outside the storefront. That person also held a saber. He was dressed in luxurious clothes that looked like finery draped over a monkey—he was exceedingly scrawny, with sly and cunning eyes. Seeing everyone look over, his expression flickered slightly. Spotting the Night Patrol members, he quickly cursed, "Nonsense! Did I say I wouldn't pay? I only said I'd be a few days late! Would I stiff you on meat money? It's a measly thirty thousand star coins; I'll pay you in a couple of days! I purchase provisions for the marquis's manor—would I short you on a few coins for meat?" In a single short sentence, he flaunted his background and promised payment, never refusing outright. He knew full well that many nobles had died just yesterday, so he felt guilty and uneasy. He added, "Stop yelling! Drawing the officers' attention over a trivial matter like this! Here, I'll give you three thousand first, and the rest tomorrow!" Rummaging hurriedly through his pockets, he pulled out a pile of star coins and tossed them onto the butcher's counter. "Three thousand! See that?" The burly butcher's eyes hardened, and he gritted his teeth. "Not enough! Give me all thirty thousand! You haven't owed this for just a day or two! Every time you come, you take the meat and leave without parting with a single coin! Mine is a small business; thirty thousand star coins will ruin me! And you're not the only one doing this. I was already preparing to shut down the shop and take my wife and children out of Heavenly Star to scratch out a living elsewhere... If I can't get my money today... I might as well fight you to the death!" Gripping his cleaver, his arms were trembling. Having bellowed out those words, he was leaving the rest to fate. In ordinary times, he would never have dared demand it. Even when driven to a dead end with debtors all around, he still wouldn't have dared. His business was terrifyingly good; in this era, a shop like his could make eighty to a hundred thousand star coins a year, which was considered wealthy anywhere. But... it was all profit on paper! One look at the ledger showed feet-thick stacks of unpaid tabs. Today, a hanger-on from a marquis's manor owed a few thousand; tomorrow, an errand boy from a section chief's house owed a few thousand; a buyer from a marquis's manor owed tens of thousands, and a buyer from a department director's household could owe hundreds of thousands... By year's end, far from making a profit, he had wiped out all his capital. Today, he was throwing caution to the wind! He had just happened to see the Night Patrol passing by and decided to gamble on this one chance. Had it been yesterday, he would have had to bend his back and whisper flattering words, begging for a few spare coins. Yet today, his courage seemed to have swelled, along with his impulsiveness. The hand holding the cleaver trembled unceasingly. A few thousand wouldn't do; he wanted all of it. If he didn't get it back today, he would never have another chance. At worst, once he got it today, he would pack up his wife and children and flee Heavenly Star City under cover of night... The Night Patrol members looked over. One muttered under his breath, "Let's go. Don't go looking for trouble. They aren't supernaturals; it has nothing to do with us. A trivial squabble like this belongs to the Inspectorate." There were five of them in total, operating as a squad. Another lowered his voice: "Leave it alone? Given how things are, if we walk away now, this butcher... will be beaten to death in his own home tonight." "That still wouldn't be our business. If he dies, they can report it to the Inspectorate..." "Are you acting dumb or are you really stupid? Look at how many eyes are watching! Have you forgotten who's sitting at the top right now? If someone leaks this up the chain, do you think the man above will bother reasoning with you?" With those words, the patrolman who had advocated walking away instantly paled. He had almost forgotten! It wasn't that he had forgotten the great presence looming above them, but that he hadn't fully adjusted to the reality yet. Only now did he remember just how ruthless and overbearing that person was. He was no Huang Long! In Huang Long's era, the butcher would have been lucky if they didn't drag him out and thrash him for making a racket. Calling us over some petty nonsense? In the next breath, the five patrolmen cast aside all hesitation. One dashed forward and kicked the skinny man flat to the ground, barking coldly, "Courting death, are you? Refusing to pay what you owe? From a marquis's manor? Which marquis's manor? Speak up!" The speaker glared fiercely, looking downright murderous. "We in the Night Patrol are still short on our head-hunting quota! Come on, tell me, which marquis? Some moldy old relic of a marquis really thinks he's hot shit? Let me go ask which marquis can't even afford thirty thousand star coins!" Bang! Another kick sent the skinny man rolling across the ground. He never imagined the Night Patrol would actually intervene. All his bluster evaporated instantly. Clasping his head, he cried out in misery, "Officers, I'll pay! I'll pay! I'm not dodging the debt, I was just short on cash these past few days..." The butcher gritted his teeth. "This isn't from just a few days ago! You've dragged it out for a year or two without paying a copper! My shop has only been open for a few years..." The skinny man cursed internally! Yet right now, he didn't dare say another word. He hurriedly reached into his robes, fumbling about until he pulled out a thick stack of star coins. Finding it insufficient, he hurriedly fished out several small gold coins, shouting frantically, "I have it, I have it! I'm paying right now! Officers, please stop hitting me..." The patrolman snatched the money, gave it a casual count, and found it was well over thirty thousand. Not bothering to count further, he tossed it to the butcher, then turned to glare at the agonizing skinny man. "If you dare come back to take it back or pull anything, you can kiss your head goodbye!" The skinny man nodded repeatedly, but still cautiously ventured, "Sir, I'm not a supernatural, I..." Bang! A kick sent him tumbling across the ground again. The patrolman cursed, "So what if you're not a supernatural? Breaking the law isn't allowed! Take a look at who calls the shots in the Inspectorate! The Night Patrol and the Inspectorate are one and the same family, and I happen to be an inspector too!" Had he not mentioned it, everyone would have forgotten. But once spoken, a spark ignited in the onlookers' minds. Indeed, members of the Night Patrol often concurrently held posts in the Inspectorate, their ranks unified. Didn't that mean both the supernatural and secular worlds were under their jurisdiction? The watching crowd had initially been nervous, but now someone suddenly clapped and cheered, "Well done! Good beating, officer!" "Officer, he owes me money too!" a vendor shouted in a hurry. Clap, clap, clap! Many people applauded and cheered, thoroughly excited. Some vendors quickly stepped forward, calling out their claims, turning the skinny man's face purple. Meanwhile, the Night Patrol members felt deeply awkward. A crowd clapping and cheering for them! This kind of scene... they hadn't witnessed it in at least five or six years. Even five or six years ago it had been rare, since they never meddled in the affairs of ordinary people back then. Yet today... an inexplicable sensation welled up within them. Uncomfortable? Distressed? Not quite. It was an urge they didn't know how to express. The patrolman who had delivered the beating bared his teeth. Spurred on by the applause, he grabbed the skinny man by the neck and gritted his teeth. "Pay up! Right now! If you don't pay, I'll chop your head off right here in the street, and lop off your marquis's head along with it!" He would never have dared say such words before. Yet today, they came spilling out. Even he was startled by his own boldness, subconsciously glancing around in case that marquis actually overheard. These days, a marquis still commanded status; the imperial family still stood and had not truly fallen. However, in the next moment, the cheering grew even louder. Someone shouted at the top of their lungs, "Well said, Night Patrol! Chop his head off!" "Chop off his head!" "Chop off his head and hang it from the North Gate! This scum has bullied our market for ages! We don't know if the marquis gives him funds or not, but on this street alone he owes at least three hundred thousand! And he's even taken several concubines for himself..." The skinny man's face drained of all color as dread washed over him. At this rate, he might actually be executed! In the past, that would have been unthinkable. But hundreds of nobles had been slaughtered just yesterday—what was impossible now? What was a noble worth? Yesterday, even the old director of the Penal Department, a legendary divine figure, had had his head severed, and his corpse was still hanging there right now! He was filled with regret. Why had he idly wandered out today? Had he known, he would have stayed indoors for days. He pleaded in desperation, "Officers, I'll pay! I'll pay all of it! I was wrong—I'll pay everyone, alright?" Pumped full of adrenaline from the crowd's roars, the patrolman seized him and slammed him hard to the ground. The skinny man spat out a mouthful of blood. The patrolman cursed, "You dog! These are all small-time vendors, yet you dare run up debts of hundreds of thousands? Filthy lackey relying on your master's clout! Come here! I want to see for myself which marquis is so broke—did he not give you the money, or did you pocket it yourself?" With that, he hauled the skinny man up and roared, "I'm dragging him to confront this marquis of his, to see which noble house has fallen into such poverty! If they don't have the coin, they shouldn't fucking eat meat..." The other patrolmen exchanged strange looks. One muttered, "It's over. Brother San's caught up in the thrill!" "No shit! With everyone watching and praising him to high heaven, you'd get caught up too!" "Hold him back a bit. We don't want to truly offend a marquis's manor..." "What are you afraid of? You think times are the same as before?" "No, but... after all, that man up there can't stay here forever, right? Marquises are cast in iron while officials come and go... The one above us might run off tomorrow. What happens to Brother San then?" "You're fucking overthinking it! If he runs... we'll run too! Run north, to Silver Moon! Those northern barbarians... cough, those northern martial masters, didn't you see them yesterday? Damn, that was exhilarating! If you don't submit, they fight; if they say kill, they kill! I hear the Night Patrol up north live like kings—investigating whoever they want, butchering the Three Great Organizations at will, and after they do, the Three Great Organizations don't dare peep... I have a friend in Silver Moon who says there aren't many top experts in their Night Patrol. Even Solar Flares can become officials! If we really follow them... do you think they wouldn't want us?" Those words enlightened the hesitant patrolman at once. True enough! In this day and age, did they in the Night Patrol need to worry about having nowhere to run? If worst came to worst, they would head to Silver Moon! Those northern barbarians were fierce! In the next second, the patrolman's demeanor shifted, and he shouted, "Brother San, let's haul him to the marquis's manor and see which marquis is so lacking in tact! The North Gate is still missing a marquis's head!" Now Brother San was stunned. Holy shit, this kid is usually terrified of dying—why is he so ferocious today? I was already regretting what I blurted out! All around them, applause erupted, and the crowd grew ecstatic. "Mighty officers! This fellow is from the Manor of the Marquis of Changxing! He's just an errand boy doing chores for the kitchen, yet he's arrogant as can be! Cut him down, officers!" "..." The skinny man nearly wet himself. It was just a trivial matter of not paying a tab—he had done it countless times over the years. Nothing like this had ever happened! He was from a marquis's manor! Before the patrolmen could move, someone hurriedly pushed through the crowd from outside. A fat man, drenched in sweat and dressed in luxurious robes, stepped forward. Without another word, he pulled an energy-radiating divine energy stone from his robe and pleaded, "I am the head steward of the Manor of the Marquis of Changxing! The marquis has no knowledge of this whatsoever! Please don't misunderstand, everyone—this wretch acted entirely on his own initiative! I didn't bring cash with me, but this divine energy stone is valuable, extremely valuable! As everyone knows... I leave this as collateral with the inspectors of the Night Patrol! I promise that within one hour, every single debt owed, principal and interest, will be settled without a penny missing!" With that, he gritted his teeth and lashed out with a kick. Crack! The skinny man shrieked as his leg snapped in two. The steward snarled, "I ought to break both his legs, the scoundrel!" The crowd fell quiet. Payment had been promised, everyone knew divine energy stones were worth a fortune, and this steward had proven vicious enough to shatter a leg with a single kick. The onlookers instantly fell silent. Seeing this, the patrolmen had originally intended to let the matter rest. Suddenly, the patrolman who had previously been as timid as a mouse grabbed the steward by the collar and roared, "Damn your brazen hide! Even if he broke the law, that's for the Night Patrol to handle! Who are you to go snapping his leg? Take them both in! What insolence!" "..." Brother San stood dumbfounded. We're... arresting him too? Good heavens! My little brother is usually timid as a mouse, yet today he's this hardened? On second thought, though, he's right! We've already offended them to death, so why fear now? Since when does a marquis's manor get to administer lynch law? "Take them all back! The money will be paid shortly, folks, don't worry! We'll take them back and interrogate them thoroughly!" The patrolmen felt a surge of excitement. Arresting a marquis's head steward wasn't a bad haul at all. Might they even get to lop off a marquis's head for entertainment? Whatever—take them back first! The steward's face fell, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. But the next instant, remembering something, that hostility vanished, replaced by lingering dread. He quickly said, "I was just too anxious and furious earlier. I know my fault, I admit my guilt..." Breaking a leg and paying compensation would only lead to a brief detention. If the skinny man didn't press charges, a year or six months at most would settle it. Don't resist, or my head will roll! Times have changed! He had grasped the situation completely. One didn't become the steward of a marquis's estate by being an idiot. Even though these patrolmen were far weaker than him—merely at the Lunar Glow or Solar Flare level while he was a Three Suns expert—he let them hold him by the collar without offering the slightest resistance, meekly walking away with the Night Patrol. As soon as they left, cheers erupted in every direction! Those unaware of what had happened rushed to ask, and once the details were clear, everyone was thrilled. Even this works? Over an unpaid debt, the Night Patrol arrested a marquis's head steward? A marquis's manor! Those are grand figures! When did the Night Patrol become so unbending? Of course, remembering Governor-General Li, people understood. True enough, Governor-General Li dared decapitate even department directors, let alone a mere marquis. The news spread like wildfire. It started with arresting the steward, morphed into killing the steward, and ultimately became: the Marquis of Changxing had failed to pay back thirty thousand star coins, so the Night Patrol chopped off his head on the spot and hung it from the North Gate! The rumor spread so fast and wide that before long, many went to the Manor of the Marquis of Changxing to investigate, only to discover the man was alive and well. Yet outside, everyone was saying his head had already been hung up. As for the Marquis of Changxing, his face went ashen. He rushed to the Nine Departments to beg for help, terrified that as the rumors went on, his head really would end up hanging from the city wall. When the Nine Departments ignored him, he scrambled toward the imperial palace, resolved not to step outside again anytime soon under any circumstances. It was too dangerous! Everyone was saying that Li Hao had stayed behind precisely to arrest and slaughter people. Marquises, dukes, princes, directors... Li Hao dared kill every single one of them! To make matters worse, the imperial family had gone mad and bestowed upon him the title of Heavenly Star Governor-General. In a stroke, the Nine Departments of Heavenly Star fell under his oversight. Even if the Nine Departments didn't care, Li Hao had a pretext to kill! ... In the slums. A cluster of children was chatting excitedly. "Big Sis, Big Sis! The Night Patrol is amazing! The Marquis of Changxing owed thirty thousand coins, and they cut his head off! Everyone is talking about it now!" Yuqi had heard the rumors as well, and was still somewhat dazed. Is that man... really that ruthless? Executing a marquis over thirty thousand coins! The rumor had spread with astonishing speed and breadth, sweeping Heavenly Star City into an uproar and stirring up even greater excitement than yesterday. Originally, people felt that filing reports and redressing grievances was still too far-fetched, something they didn't dare attempt. Yet... when word spread that a butcher simply called upon the Night Patrol to collect a debt, and when the marquis refused, the Night Patrol butchered the marquis himself... everyone became convinced: the Night Patrol had truly changed! They could uphold justice! All at once, countless people were stirred to action. If they dared slay a marquis over such a trifle, what wouldn't they dare do? Though the rumor was false, it was exceptionally inspiring! Nor did anyone bother verifying its truth. At any rate, no one had heard the Marquis of Changxing come out to refute it—perhaps he really was dead. Yuqi felt a surge of excitement too! She looked over at her younger brother, who was still reading nearby. After a moment's thought, she jogged over, wiped her hands clean, cast aside her apron, and said in a low voice, "Little Brother, did you hear? I'm thinking... of going to North City tonight!" Yuming looked at her and said softly, "Big Sis, that story about the marquis being killed is definitely fake..." "I know!" Yuqi rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid... But... haven't you noticed things are different now?" Yuming thought about it and nodded. After another moment, he added, "If you want to go... I'll come with you." "No, I'll go alone. You stay home... No, leave the house first and find a place to hide. When I return, I'll come find you!" Yuming considered this, nodded, and said nothing more. Yuqi's spirits rose, yet she also felt anxious. She gazed up at the sky, eagerly wondering why darkness had not fallen yet. As for going in broad daylight... she was still afraid and didn't dare. She feared being seen, and felt that reporting wrongdoing was best done under the cover of night. ... At this moment, legends of the Night Patrol were echoing across the entire city. Inside the Night Patrol headquarters. Even Yao Si had heard the rumors. Looking at the eager and excited Xiao Ye with some confusion, he asked, "Did Li Hao really kill the Marquis of Changxing?" "No, Governor-General Li is in seclusion healing the Silver Moon martial masters. He hasn't stepped out once..." "The way rumors spread!" Yao Si was at a loss for words. "I received seven or eight transmissions this morning, all asking about the situation. What do they take me for? Turns out it's just fake news!" Xiao Ye said excitedly, "Director, whether it's false or true, haven't you noticed?" "Noticed what?" "Everyone is happy!" "Who?" "Everyone!" Xiao Ye said enthusiastically, "The people outside are happy, and the Night Patrol is happy too! Haven't you noticed, Director? The headquarters used to be lifeless, but today, everyone is gossiping!" They were all asking who had been so fierce as to take down the Marquis of Changxing. Upon inquiring, they learned it was those cowardly fellows out on street patrol, which left everyone in disbelief. And when they actually dragged back a Three Suns head steward, it ignited a sensation! Some Night Patrol members even declared that if a few Lunar Glows and Solar Flares dared arrest a Three Suns, then for Three Suns members not to bring back a Rising Light expert would be downright humiliating! Yao Si gently rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat weary. "Xiao Ye, do you think this is a good thing?" "Of course!" Xiao Ye nodded. "Director, why wouldn't it be? Right now, everyone is praising the Night Patrol for a job well done, and those powerful elites fear us... Isn't that what a law enforcement agency should be like?" She said animatedly, "People know that if they have grievances, they should turn to the Night Patrol, and the Night Patrol should mobilize—arresting whoever needs arresting, executing whoever needs executing, regardless of who they are... Isn't that how it ought to be?" Is that how it ought to be? Yao Si fell into deep thought. He walked to the window and looked out. Some Night Patrol members walking through the courtyard seemed to have a much lighter step, murmuring to one another from time to time. Their spirits and morale seemed distinctly different. It was merely a rumor, and everyone here actually knew it was false. No Marquis of Changxing had been killed; only a steward had been arrested. Thousands of nobles had been seized previously! Compared to them, this steward was nothing. Yet the feeling it gave the Night Patrol was entirely different. Before, it was Li Hao who made the arrests. This time, they had done it themselves. It turned out they had this authority too. It turned out there could come a day when arresting someone didn't bring curses, but applause, cheers, and acclaim. Can one truly be a Night Patrol member like this? Yao Si furrowed his brows as he looked down. After a moment, his brow smoothed, but then he shook his head and sighed. "If Li Hao runs off, there'll be trouble..." Xiao Ye dismissed the concern: "Then we'll run off to Silver Moon with Governor-General Li!" "Huh?" Yao Si froze. Xiao Ye froze too, turning pale, and quickly stammered, "I... I didn't say anything..." Yao Si looked at her, his eyebrows raised. "You mean to say... everyone is thinking along these lines now? If Li Hao flees, you all want to follow him to Silver Moon? He's only been here a few days, and you're already willing to leave your homeland behind to run off with him?" He had never imagined they harbored such thoughts! It was utterly beyond expectation! Xiao Ye felt a bit frightened, but gritted her teeth and resolved to speak her mind. "Director, what's wrong with that? Work is work and life is life, wherever you go! I hear that being in the Night Patrol in Silver Moon comes with dignity! The Night Patrol is one of the four great institutions there. If they want to kill people from the Three Great Organizations, they just go out on patrol and chop a few down to bring back... They say their cultivation supplies are all earned by slaughtering the Three Great Organizations or hunting pirates. The days might be harder, but... you live freely! Even if you die in battle, you can hold your head high knowing you fell fighting the enemy..." Yao Si snapped in annoyance, "The Night Patrol has been at war with the Three Great Organizations for twenty years! Aren't we doing the same?" Xiao Ye said cautiously, "It's not the same... Before... before, it was so... so stifling! Aside from Dao Sword who dared kill indiscriminately, none of us dared, nobody dared! Important figures couldn't be touched, supposedly to avoid escalating into major conflict." "Do you think Silver Moon was any better?" Yao Si was speechless. Wasn't Silver Moon just the same? Both sides exercised restraint! These folks actually believed Silver Moon was better than here? Xiao Ye whispered, "When Director Hou was in charge, maybe... maybe there were reservations, but isn't Governor-General Li the one calling the shots now?" Ah! Understanding dawned upon Yao Si, leaving him both exasperated and amused. Now, not only had he been slighted, but Hou Xiaochen had been slighted as well. Well played! He almost laughed out loud. Hou Xiaochen, you have days like this too. Do you hear that? When you ran Silver Moon, nobody thought much of it. Yet Li Hao—this barbarian, this reckless brute, this murderous Demon Sword—is the one they think has a real future worth following. Aren't you furious? The irritation in his chest simmered down considerably. Chuckling, he picked up his large tea mug and took a sip, finding the situation rather comical. Looking back down at the Night Patrol members below, he felt there truly was a spark of vitality now. Since the arrival of this Silver Moon barbarian, the stagnant pond of Heavenly Star City had indeed become much livelier. Looking toward the Inspectorate not far away, he wondered what kind of scene was unfolding there today. Perhaps the Inspectorate was equally bustling. The crux wasn't any of that, though. With several deputy directors of the Night Patrol killed, he had submitted Li Hao's name, directing the Inspectorate to file a nomination appointing Li Hao as a deputy director. No doubt the Nine Departments would be cursing up a storm! Hahaha! ... At the Inspectorate. A meeting was indeed underway, short two deputy directors: Huang Long and Yao Si. Yao Si had claimed poor health and failed to attend. The Director of the Inspectorate held the document, reading it back and forth. Despite the dense pages of elaborate rhetoric, between the lines it practically screamed one message: Li Hao wants a promotion; promote him or he'll kill! This had not been written by Li Hao, but submitted by Yao Si. After pondering for a moment, the Director of the Inspectorate spoke: "Yao Si recommends promoting Li Hao to Deputy Director of the Night Patrol, concurrently serving as Deputy Director of the Inspectorate, replacing Huang Long's post. What do you all think?" No one spoke. The Director looked at them, and after a long silence, pressed, "I asked, what do you think!" "The Director decides!" A chorus of voices answered in a rush. Some had actually wanted to object, but thinking of Li Hao... forget it. Everyone was afraid to die. If they dared veto it now and Li Hao found out later, why make an enemy of him when even the Nine Departments had failed to subdue him? Didn't they see the pile of directors and deputy directors who died yesterday? It was just a deputy directorship. Even if it were the directorship... as long as you didn't object and were willing to step down, we wouldn't have any issue. The Director of the Inspectorate felt weary at heart. He understood their intentions perfectly! Fuck! What kind of attitude is this? In yesterday's battle against Li Hao, the Nine Departments had suffered a setback and ultimately backed down. Now look what happened... Sometimes, yielding once made it truly impossible to regain ground. "He is too young..." the Director remarked. Someone below murmured softly, "Director, he may be young, but he is currently the Marquis of Heavenly Star and the Heavenly Star Governor-General. More importantly, he possesses formidable strength as a Divine Power expert. Rejecting him... wouldn't be very wise, would it?" The Director was taken aback. I didn't even say I'd reject it, yet you're all so eager to kiss his ass? The Inspectorate is the domain of my Chen family! Did you forget that? Speechless, he swept his gaze across the assembly. "So, you all believe he should be promoted?" Everyone remained silent, which amounted to tacit consent. This was likely one of the few times a proposal faced zero opposition. First, they didn't dare; second, they couldn't. One deputy director even offered an explanation: "His fame is immense right now, but he also represents the Inspectorate. Conferring the title of deputy director upon him would bring renown to the Inspectorate whenever he takes action." Renown? Infamy is more like it! The Director cursed inwardly, thought it over, and nodded. "Fine, then let it be so!" Thinking of this, he suddenly chuckled. "Isn't he Hou Xiaochen's former subordinate? Hou Xiaochen isn't a deputy director, is he?" The crowd said nothing, unsure of what he meant. The Director stroked his chin and smiled. "Then it's settled! Quite good!" "Send the document to the Department of Administration. Don't they love making decisions? Let them approve it!" Appointing a deputy director usually required following protocol: the Department of Administration and the Department of Merit Assessment had to review and verify it. He wanted to see what those two were thinking right now. Would they reject it? If they did, that would be truly amusing! He loved watching drama unfold. In any case, having failed to offer coal in a snowstorm, he was ready to add flowers to brocade—and how exactly to add them could be seen in due course. Thinking of this, he added, "Right, inform Li Hao that the Department of Finance previously ceded a second-tier ruin—a martial arts university—and ask if he's interested in exploring it." With that, he let out a chuckle and added playfully, "It's very dangerous. Just inform him, at any rate!" He turned to leave. Someone behind him whispered, "Director, should we invite him to meetings in the future?" "..." The Director paused slightly, and after a long silence, said, "No!" With that, he left hurriedly. Invite Li Hao to meetings? Forget it! If that fellow constantly opposed him, what would he do? Start a fight with him? Chop him down? Or get chopped down by him? Who knew! ... On this day, Heavenly Star City was brimming with excitement. Yet on this day, Li Hao never actually ventured out. A group of Silver Moon martial masters were exchanging insights, while simultaneously healing and cultivating. This was a rare opportunity: regardless of whether there were grudges between them, before falling out, they took the chance to exchange knowledge. Inside a spacious room, the one speaking at that moment was Tyrant Saber. The domineering bladesman kept a cold face, saying grimly, "Yuan Shuo, don't assume your Five Animals Art is the only path! Your path of spirit fusion through the five internal organs may not be the orthodox way!" "Are you saying the rest of us are crooked and heretical?" He was somewhat irritated and scoffed, "What a martial master truly ought to develop is spirit intent! When spirit intent is strong, everything is strong! I believe that once spirit intent reaches the pinnacle of strength, it will nourish the physical body in return... Any weakness in the five organs will no longer be an issue! A powerful spirit intent can drive the body to grow stronger. We are merely in an embryonic phase right now; once spirit intent undergoes transformation, it will naturally bolster the physical body! It may not even be an issue to abandon the physical form entirely." From the side, Southern Fist retorted in irritation, "Bullshit! Vital blood is the key..." "When the physical body is strong, everything is strong! Haven't you ever heard of proving one's dao through the physical body?" "No, no, no, I feel the key lies in force..." A gathering of martial masters, and none would yield to another. Yuan Shuo, however, sat secure as an angler on a fishing platform, thoroughly relaxed and crossing his legs leisurely. "Yes, yes, you're all correct. So none of you strengthen your five organs. Whoever secretly strengthens their five organs is a dog!" "..." The room fell silent for an instant. In the next second, the curses erupted louder than ever! After a moment, someone spoke up cautiously: "Everyone, wouldn't balanced development be better? To be honest, as I see it, when all is said and done, there are only those few paths, and all of them are linked to supernatural locks. My master emphasizes the circulation of the five organs, but that circulation isn't a grand circulation. If integrated, wouldn't that become a grand circulation of the entire body?" Yuan Shuo rolled his eyes, too lazy to respond. Hou Xiaochen said softly, "Easier said than done. As things currently stand, the human body has at least twelve supernatural locks. Yuan Shuo has achieved circulation among the five organs, which is already an extreme feat. Even completing circulation through the four limbs is no small task for the rest of us. The limbs are the foundation. If your master can integrate them, he could establish a circulation system of nine supernatural locks. If so, a path forward would truly begin to emerge..." Sky Sword also remarked impassively, "The principle is sound. Everyone knows that comprehensive development is stronger! The crux is... it is difficult to cultivate and difficult to integrate. You must understand that even two different breathing techniques are hard to merge, let alone twelve supernatural locks." Li Hao nodded. Here, he was a junior; regardless of his combat prowess, his understanding of the martial dao was certainly not as profound as that of these veterans. What he said was reasonable in theory, but as they had pointed out, talk was cheap—could anyone actually integrate them? Who didn't know comprehensive development was superior? Even with talent as formidable as Yuan Shuo's, he had only managed to integrate the five organs so far. Li Hao thought for a moment and asked, "Then could other supernatural locks be connected into the five-organ circulation, just like the organs themselves?" Yuan Shuo rebuked him directly: "Cut the nonsense! This isn't child's play! Rashly connecting them will get you killed, and dying from body explosion would be the best-case scenario! What are you thinking? Do you really believe my Five Animals Art just forcibly mashed together five random forces and five locks? Don't go telling people outside you're my disciple!" The moment he finished, seeing Hong Yitang nodding, Yuan Shuo cursed under his breath and immediately added, "Even if you do say you're my disciple outside, don't talk rubbish!" "..." Hong Yitang was speechless. Why the fuck are you glaring at me? I was just agreeing with your previous point that they can't be haphazardly connected, yet you had to go and tack on another comment. At this point, Sky Sword stood up. "In broad strokes, everyone's ideas have formed a clear picture. Sky Sword Manor has matters to attend to, and I have no patience to argue with you all. I shall take my leave!" Seeing him prepare to depart, Li Hao quickly rose. "Senior Sky Sword, you..." "No need for words!" Sky Sword drifted away, his voice echoing back: "Whether as a martial master or a supernatural, remain steadfast upon your chosen path and walk forward. There is no paved road ahead; this is a new era, so explore it for yourself! When you have time, study the supernaturals more. Wind and thunder have supernatural locks, so what about the special elements like darkness, light, life, space, and the rest? Do not follow your master in sticking to old ways and viewing supernaturals as shallow. Supernatural abilities have their own unique merits!" As the words faded, his figure was already far in the distance. At this moment, Northern Fist stood up as well. "I should be going too! Little He, see me out. It's been a long time since Big Brother had a chat with you..." Southern Fist snorted. Whose big brother are you? Who's stronger now is anyone's guess! "Have you forgotten your manners?" Northern Fist looked at Southern Fist with a smile. Southern Fist cursed inwardly and stood up. Old bastard, you bullied me plenty back in the day—let's find a place and have a fight! Without saying goodbye to the others, the two Fists swiftly departed. Tyrant Saber remained cold as ever. He rose and vanished, though a voice transmission reached Li Hao's ears: "Spirit intent resides in the brain; force and spirit intent are not the same concept. If spirit intent is a kind of power, then force is a kind of conviction. When you understand the fundamental difference between the two, you can awaken your spirit intent and force to look again!" With that, he was gone without a trace. Huang Yu also stood up. "I should return to Silver Moon as well. Xiaochen, take care while staying behind. Li Hao, since you aren't leaving, stay for now; if you need anything, call on us. Heavenly Star City is a cauldron of conflict—it is not a place to linger for long!" With that, he strode away. Each of the martial masters had arrived decisively and departed with equal elegance. All good banquets must come to an end. Everyone had their own ideas; old friends gathering for two or three days was fine, but a few days more might well lead to infighting. Li Hao saw them off one by one. These martial masters were passionate people with distinct personalities; forcing them together was never a good thing. None of those who could walk their own path and reach where they were today were weaklings. As for whether traveling alone was dangerous, these veteran figures understood far better than Li Hao. Since they dared leave, they naturally had confidence they would not be cornered and hunted down. Even though they had only conferred for a day, Li Hao felt he had benefited immensely. Though he was no longer purely a martial master, it did not matter; all great daos converged in the end. Li Hao had initially assumed his master wouldn't leave this time, but Yuan Shuo stood up and said, "I need to make a trip back to Silver Moon! Be careful here on your own. I'm going to consult with a few old fogies; perhaps I can help change your current predicament... Back then I was too weak and never dared go, but I'm not weak anymore, so it's time I pay a visit to those existences!" Li Hao's heart stirred. Yuan Shuo waved a hand. "No need for unnecessary words. Remember: you are the disciple of Yuan Shuo, not anyone else's disciple. Know what comes first and what comes second. That's all!" With that, he departed briskly without looking back. Jade Light Sword let out a chuckle and glanced at Li Hao. "Your master told me he knows where the follow-up manual to the Jade Light Sword Manual can be found. It is a pity I couldn't exchange sword dao insights with you over these two days, but the days ahead are long. Once my Jade Light Sword advances another step, there will be another opportunity!" In the distance, Yuan Shuo called out impatiently, "Are you coming or not?" Jade Light Sword smiled, transformed into a sword light, and vanished in an instant. In the blink of an eye, only a few people remained in the spacious room: Li Hao, Hong Yitang, Hou Xiaochen, Jade Rakshasa, and Bright Light Sword. Once the others had departed, Jade Rakshasa suddenly spoke: "Golden Spear has left." "What?" Chief Steward Yu held up the communication jade in her hand. "Golden Spear sent me a message saying he has left. He won't bid farewell to the Martial Guard Army. He expressed regret for not participating in this great battle, but felt he couldn't be of much help anyway. He said he wants to travel about, and if he cannot shatter the demon in his heart... he won't return!" "He said he is deeply grateful to the Director for lending a helping hand all those years ago, and entrusted the Martial Guard Army to Li Hao's care... He said nothing else." The group was taken aback. Golden Spear... had left. It was somewhat surprising, yet also completely understandable. Hou Xiaochen fell into contemplation. After a long while, he sighed softly. "It is good that he left... good indeed! Going out to see the world is fine. Following me all this time has indeed made it hard for him to break through the intent I left behind. I never did so deliberately, but he couldn't let it go in his heart. He overthinks things and is too rigid. Had it been Southern Fist... he wouldn't harbor so many thoughts. Golden Spear always feels indebted to me..." Shaking his head, he felt some regret. With this departure, if Golden Spear did not return, it meant he would never return. Perhaps he would find a place and be buried there, and the Silver Moon Three Spears might become a thing of the past. Of course, if Golden Spear could return, things would be entirely different. Then, the name Golden Spear would once again resound across the Silver Moon martial world; he would remain the chief of the Three Spears, a figure holding fifth and eyeing third on the Silver Moon Roster of Heroes. A moment later, Hong Yitang turned to Bright Light Sword. "I've decided to stay. What about you?" Bright Light Sword had always accompanied him previously. Hong Yitang added, "Why don't you head to Silver Moon? My wife has asked me several times why you keep following me around..." Bright Light Sword was stunned! The others were taken aback as well, all looking at Hong Yitang. Hong Yitang said earnestly, "She really did ask!" Bright Light Sword was furious: "Hong Yitang, you flatter yourself too much!" What are you implying? Hong Yitang didn't elaborate. It was simply the truth—stop following him around. If she were a man, fine; if she were hideous like before, fine too. But now... she at least looked like a middle-aged woman! Anyone who didn't know better would think Hong Yitang had bizarre tastes. Bright Light Sword scoffed coldly, "I'm not leaving! I'll stay behind to assist Li Hao, and incidentally resolve the issue of my excess light power! Once I harmonize yin and yang, you won't even be worthy of looking at me!" "..." Li Hao kept his head lowered, desperately suppressing his laughter. Yet he also scratched his head in bewilderment. You're following me? Look at everyone else: Jade Rakshasa, Jade Light Sword, Xiao Ye... they're all gorgeous. Even the women around Ying Hongyue are stunning... Auntie Bright Light, why on earth do you want to follow me? At this moment, Hou Xiaochen took Chief Steward Yu and walked away with style. He wouldn't get involved in this—it had nothing to do with him. Then again, once yin and yang were harmonized, could Bright Light Sword really become attractive? He found that hard to believe! Of course, he wouldn't voice that aloud; it was simply asking for hatred. Hong Yitang didn't care either. Having said his piece, he stood up and said, "I'm going to take a stroll around the city. Bright Light Sword will follow you then. If my daughter asks later, testify on my behalf that I have nothing to do with her!" With that, he vanished as well. Bright Light Sword sneered, glancing at Li Hao. "Li Hao, trust me: once my yin and yang are harmonized, Jade Rakshasa, Black Spider, none of them will hold a candle to me!" Li Hao nodded vigorously! Who would've thought that middle-aged women would compete in vanity and jealousy like this? Terrifying. Once Bright Light Sword also departed in a huff, Li Hao suddenly burst into laughter. Squeezing the dog's head, he chuckled softly, "Black Panther, Silver Moon martial masters are quite amusing, aren't they?" Black Panther nodded helplessly. It didn't know whether they were amusing or not, but it did know that during the two days these fellows were around, they had drained energy like mad, leaving it unable to absorb much sword energy at all. Good riddance! After laughing for a while, Li Hao quieted down, his thoughts turning to his own future.