Night Patrol headquarters.
Li Hao's arrival still caused a stir.
At the entrance, the Night Patrol guards stood at attention the instant they saw him, immediately shouting at the top of their lungs, "Greetings, Governor-General!"
Several guards straightened their backs.
Inside the gates, the Night Patrol members who were drifting about also parted to either side of the path. The moment Li Hao stepped through, a chorus of shouts erupted.
"Greetings, Governor-General!"
Li Hao gave a slight nod without saying anything. He merely felt that the current Night Patrol finally displayed some spirit. The first time he had visited, no one had even bothered with him at the gate, not even checking his identity.
Granted, no one checked it this time either, but at least they recognized him now.
The shouts rose and fell one after another.
Much like an inspection by high leadership, Li Hao's arrival sent a wave of excitement through the entire courtyard.
Now, following the death of Huang Long and several deputy directors, very few remained in the Night Patrol's upper echelon: only Director Yao, Hou Xiaochen, Li Hao, and a few deputy directors who took little part in affairs.
As for the five regional governors-general, Hou Xiaochen was directly overlooked by everyone. Aside from Li Hao, of the other four regional governors-general, only the Southern Governor-General was still alive.
……
In the back courtyard.
Dao Jian was chatting with several others about their insights into cultivation when he suddenly looked into the distance. The others did the same.
Big Eyes blinked. "Did you see that? How formidable!"
Now that was true majesty!
The moment he stepped through the door, without needing to say a word, everyone knew he had arrived. Because throughout the entire Night Patrol system, whether one accepted him or not, one had to fear him!
Huang Long had been arrogant, hadn't he?
By now, his bones could be ground into dust!
Dao Jian smiled and stood up.
Seeing this, Big Eyes grew excited. "Going to pick a fight with him?"
Dao Jian chuckled. "Why would I? I'm just going to take a look. We've never met before, so since he's here, of course I should go see him."
The three of them were thrilled and quickly followed along.
They also wanted to know what posture that man would take when meeting Dao Jian.
Indifference?
Contempt?
Or something else?
Although Dao Jian was not yet at the Divine Ability realm, he was a top-tier powerhouse undergoing metamorphosis, and still very young. It was said that the Divine Master Roll might soon be re-ranked, and Dao Jian might make the top three.
Of course, that bastard Li Hao might take first place.
After all, he had stepped into the Divine Ability realm and slain multiple divine ability cultivators. His combat record was simply too ferocious.
……
Li Hao walked along, merely nodding without answering.
As he drew near Hou Xiaochen's office building, he spotted a familiar face. The man's expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly put on an ingratiating smile. "Governor-General!"
Li Hao glanced at him and smiled. "Hu Qingfeng?"
"It's me, it's me!"
Hu Qingfeng no longer possessed any of his former arrogance from Silver Moon. Smiling obsequiously, he said, "Governor Li, how did you find the free time today to inspect headquarters? Is there anything this humble one can do for you?"
He was a Rising Light expert after all, and had even advanced to middle-stage Rising Light, yet he had only grown increasingly shameless.
"I thought you died alongside Huang Long last time!"
"How could that be!"
Hu Qingfeng smiled flatteringly. "It was thanks to Chief Hou looking out for me, and thanks to Governor Li's magnanimity for not lowering yourself to my level. Huang Long courted his own doom—how could this humble one have rebelled alongside him?"
"……"
The audacity of these words!
Li Hao couldn't help laughing. A thick skin really made a difference.
A two-faced fellow like him could talk about himself as if he were an envoy of justice.
Of course, Li Hao couldn't be bothered to care.
He had no real grudge against Hu Qingfeng. When this fellow had been arrogant in the past, he hadn't directed it at Li Hao; he had aimed to eliminate Hou Xiaochen instead. Since Hou Xiaochen himself didn't mind, Li Hao naturally wouldn't meddle in another's business.
Unwilling to waste words, he stepped forward to leave.
Seeing this, Hu Qingfeng hurriedly kept pace. "My lord, this humble one has something to report."
"Speak."
"Huang Long is dead, but his remnants haven't been completely eradicated! He has people both locally and at headquarters! I stayed by his side the whole time precisely to gather evidence of his crimes. He and some subordinates even engaged in the trafficking of supernaturals—downright inhuman! I have proof!"
Hu Qingfeng adopted a thoroughly righteous posture. "Now that Huang Long, the ringleader, has been brought to justice, we cannot simply execute the chief culprit and leave his followers unpunished! Across the entire Central Region, many were colluding with him..."
Pausing, he continued, "Right now, Chief Hou is in charge of Heavenly Star's vital affairs, while Chief Yao has only just returned and knows little about the local situation. Furthermore, some of those people are Chief Yao's old subordinates, so he finds it difficult to be ruthless... Only Governor Li can take this on!
"In the Central Region's twenty-two provinces, there are over a thousand cities, twenty-two provincial Night Patrol directors, and over a thousand city directors... In my view, some people in the Martial Guard Army are fully qualified to take those posts... and some in the Demon Hunt Corps as well. As long as we purge Huang Long's remnants, countless vacancies will open up!"
Li Hao stopped in his tracks and looked at him, somewhat surprised.
"Hu Qingfeng, what are you trying to do?"
"……"
Hu Qingfeng instantly tensed. "I wouldn't dare! This humble one merely believes that Your Excellency must eradicate evil completely, wiping them out root and branch, lest they strike back..."
"You're worried about yourself, aren't you?"
Hu Qingfeng gave a dry laugh. Naturally, that was part of the reason. He had been Huang Long's confidant, yet he had betrayed him in the blink of an eye. If those people weren't eliminated down to the last man, wouldn't he face their vengeance?
Seeing that Li Hao seemed unimpressed, he had no choice but to add, "Also, Your Excellency might not know, but Huang Long had backers—and not the Nine Departments. If it had been the Nine Departments, he would have advanced to the Divine Ability realm that day. Huang Long was actually the royal family's man..."
Li Hao started slightly and turned to look at him.
Hu Qingfeng was overjoyed and rushed to explain, "It's true! Huang Long was indeed the royal family's man! Many people actually knew about it, so when Huang Long made his move that day, it was at the royal family's behest. Furthermore, over the past few years, Huang Long led the Night Patrol to cause trouble everywhere, dragging the Night Patrol's reputation through the mud and making everyone believe that the Nine Departments and the Night Patrol were the architects of the chaos... In truth... that was also the royal family's intention!"
Li Hao raised an eyebrow. "He was the royal family's man?"
"Truly!"
Hu Qingfeng said hastily, "I wouldn't dare deceive Your Excellency. I... I have a bit of strength myself, and Huang Long trusted me quite a bit back then. I even ran errands to the royal family on his behalf..."
Li Hao pondered for a moment. He was surprised at first, but then it made sense.
The royal family was not innocent.
When the governors of the Three Northern Provinces were assassinated, Li Hao had initially thought Hou Xiaochen and his people did it. Later, he learned that the Plain King himself had carried out the killings.
The objective was simple: plunge the realm into chaos so the royal family could make its resurgence.
The Nine Departments had taken the blame for quite a few things.
Now, with Huang Long in charge of the Night Patrol, the situation had been identical: plunged into chaos, with the people destitute and miserable. Huang Long had effectively performed a great service for them. No wonder everything was in disarray, and the Nine Departments had done nothing, allowing it to happen—they likely shared the same mindset as the royal family.
Let it be chaotic!
Huang Long took action, the Night Patrol took the blame, and as long as Director Yao was suppressed, it had nothing to do with either the Nine Departments or the royal family. The world's chaos would fall squarely on the Night Patrol.
Then what about Dao Jian and his companions?
A thought stirred in Li Hao's mind.
Those few had served as the fuse for the great turmoil. It was precisely because Dao Jian had killed the grandson of Yama that the Night Patrol went to war with them. In the past, he hadn't thought much of it, merely assuming the Central Region's Night Patrol had some backbone!
Only after arriving in the Central Region did he realize that wasn't the case at all.
Barely anyone from the Three Great Organizations had died, while commoners perished in droves. This wasn't fighting the Three Great Organizations; it was breaking the last backbone of peace, clearly intended to plunge the world into turmoil!
Was Dao Jian and company killing Yama's grandson also part of the plan?
Furthermore, it had been said that the Heavenly Dao Ruler possessed the ability to measure aptitudes, allowing ordinary people to instantly test their elemental affinities. This would make guiding commoners into becoming supernaturals exceptionally simple, offering immense help in popularizing supernatural abilities.
Yet now, it was said that the Heavenly Dao Ruler remained in Dao Jian's hands.
It had never actually been put to broad use!
What bloody use was the Heavenly Dao Ruler, then? It had brought nothing but catastrophe to the Night Patrol and the commoners of the Central Region.
If Hu Qingfeng hadn't mentioned it, Li Hao really wouldn't have realized Huang Long was the royal family's man. He had genuinely assumed the fellow was foolish to the extreme, propped up by the Nine Departments merely to suppress Director Yao.
Now it seemed he had underthought the matter, mainly because Huang Long had died too quickly for him to pay much attention.
Walking onward, Li Hao asked, "Are Dao Jian and the others also the royal family's people?"
Hu Qingfeng's expression changed. He seemed about to say something, but stole a glance at Li Hao and awkwardly replied after a pause, "That... I really don't know."
He wanted to say yes... but he had no proof. If he dared to make baseless claims and it turned out otherwise, this man wasn't Huang Long; he could beat the crap out of him, and that was the mildest outcome—killing him outright wouldn't be surprising.
He knew very well that Li Hao had always been ruthless.
Back in Silver Moon, two of his subordinates had been deliberately baited and killed by Li Hao. Li Hao hadn't been a good person even then, and at that time... he had only just entered White Moon City.
As a mere country bumpkin coming from Silver City to the big city, he had dared to bait and kill Three Suns powerhouses.
Thus, Hu Qingfeng dared not speak recklessly now.
Li Hao glanced at him sideways. "You don't know?"
"I really don't!"
Hu Qingfeng said cautiously, "Your subordinate has no evidence. However, Dao Jian and the others have never been very obedient; they're rather undisciplined and treat the Night Patrol's rules like nothing. That part is true."
Li Hao gave a faint laugh.
He ignored him.
Just then, several people approached from ahead. Li Hao swept an eye over them, nodded slightly without saying a word, and headed straight toward Hou Xiaochen's office building.
In the distance, Big Eyes transmitted her voice: "Did you see that? How arrogant! Dao Jian, go pick a fight with him!"
Dao Jian ignored her, merely watching Li Hao for a moment with a slight frown before transmitting back, "He's very strong!"
"Of course we know that!" Big Eyes said, exasperated.
Dao Jian glanced at Big Eyes, his brow furrowing slightly. After thinking it over, he said slowly, "Do not provoke him. Looking at his conduct, one can tell he is merciless and undeniably ruthless!"
Li Hao had ignored them—well, not completely, as he had at least nodded—but no matter how you looked at it, he was genuinely arrogant, arrogant to the bone, paying them no heed.
Dao Jian didn't mind too much, but he could feel Li Hao's disdain.
If they really provoked him... he wasn't an elder who cherished young talent. He was even younger than they were and wouldn't give them any face.
Big Eyes felt somewhat deflated. "I didn't really want to provoke him, but he... he's just too arrogant. I've never seen anyone this arrogant before. We've met major figures before, even royal princes, and none were as haughty as him."
It was simply a sense of disappointment.
Whenever they were out in the world, who wouldn't call them monstrous geniuses?
Yet when it came to Li Hao, if he was in a good mood, he gave you a nod; if he was in a bad mood, he treated you as nonexistent; and if it was even worse, he'd tell you to get lost. Who could stand that?
Besides, when Li Hao had fought on all sides before, they had at least drawn their swords to help. Yet he still gave them this attitude... Big Eyes grew all the more disgruntled!
We were helping you!
Of course, Li Hao didn't see it that way. Of the four, he only held a shred of goodwill toward the spear-wielder; he treated the others as if they didn't exist.
When they had stepped forward that day, he had watched closely. The spear-wielding fellow had been the first to charge in, while the other two had hesitated for a while. Therefore, Li Hao merely regarded their actions as self-preservation, since Hou Xiaochen and the others were already displaying their might and Director Yao had entered the fray.
Behind him, tailing like a shadow, Hu Qingfeng cautiously glanced back and lowered his voice. "My lord, those few fellows have never accepted Your Excellency..."
"Shut up!"
"Yes!"
Hu Qingfeng dared not say another word, wondering inwardly what this man was thinking.
Unfortunately, he didn't dare pry.
Li Hao didn't care what he thought. Seeing the fellow still following as he was about to head upstairs, he said impatiently, "Alright, go attend to your duties... If you don't know what to do, go gather some intelligence for me..."
"Your Excellency's orders!"
"Draw up a list of the nobles who fled last time, and find out where they are now. Keep a low profile and don't alert anyone else!"
"Yes!"
Hu Qingfeng was overjoyed. This counted as an important task.
Why else had he been cozying up to Li Hao if not to align himself with him?
As for Hou Xiaochen... Hou Xiaochen's way of doing things was too clear-cut, which made him feel unapproachable. It was an equal exchange: do work and he gave you rewards; do nothing and he left you alone...
While good, it felt too distant for someone like Hu Qingfeng.
It was uncomfortable!
Someone like Li Hao might be different; their styles were entirely distinct.
In any case, both were on the same side. If he hopped from Hou Xiaochen's side over to Li Hao's, Hou Xiaochen probably wouldn't care anyway. How wonderful.
……
Upstairs.
Li Hao knocked and entered.
Hou Xiaochen smiled faintly. "I didn't manage to go out and welcome the Governor-General. Pardon my lack of courtesy!"
Li Hao immediately grinned. "Chief Hou, why speak like that? Are you trying to make me look bad? In our Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office, you're the chief and I'm the deputy. Stop joking around!"
Hou Xiaochen looked at him, and Li Hao chuckled. "Chief Hou, you wouldn't happen to be unhappy because you heard everyone calling me Governor-General, would you?"
"……"
Hou Xiaochen smiled without a word.
Beside them, Chief Steward Yu said nothing, merely pulling up a chair for Li Hao and gesturing for him to sit.
Hou Xiaochen glanced at Chief Steward Yu, thinking to himself: Has Little Yu's head gone soft lately?
Can't you see I'm having a standoff with Li Hao?
What do you mean by pulling up a chair for him?
Chief Steward Yu hadn't overthought it; she merely felt that since they were all seated, it wasn't right to leave Li Hao standing.
Li Hao wasn't shy either. He sat down directly and said with a chuckle, "Chief Hou, I came here on business..."
"Of course. You wouldn't visit unless you needed something!"
Li Hao was speechless. Why the barbed words?
I haven't provoked you.
Are you still bothered by the Governor-General title?
Truly... rather petty.
He hadn't felt that way before. In the past, Hou Xiaochen had always seemed quite magnanimous; why had his mind narrowed recently?
Li Hao coughed lightly. "Here's the situation. Two things. First, I'm taking over the Martial Guard Army!"
Hou Xiaochen said indifferently, "As you wish, so long as they are willing!"
"Good, that settles it."
Li Hao felt reassured, then added, "Second, Chief Hou, step aside from the position of Heavenly Star Governor-General for a moment... I'm going to establish the Governor-General's Office on Nine Departments Avenue, and I will serve as Governor-General..."
Good grief!
Just a moment ago you said I was the chief and you were the deputy, and in the blink of an eye, you're telling me to abdicate.
You little punk, not a word out of your mouth is honest!
Beside them, even Chief Steward Yu noticed the absurdity and could barely stifle a laugh.
Hou Xiaochen felt exasperated. "Li Hao, is this how you talk and conduct business?"
Li Hao laughed. "We're all on the same side, no need for formalities. Besides, it's just the position of Governor-General. If that doesn't work, I'll trade you my title of Deputy Inspector-General of the Inspectorate for it."
"……"
Get lost!
You think the Inspectorate belongs to your family?
Did you ask the Inspectorate's opinion?
True enough, Li Hao was a Deputy Inspector-General, whereas Hou Xiaochen was not; he was merely a deputy director of the Night Patrol, half a rank below a Deputy Inspector-General.
As for the Heavenly Star Governor-General, that rank was even lower.
The boy wanted the position of Governor-General and offered to trade a Deputy Inspector-General post for it... don't be ungrateful!
That was precisely what Hou Xiaochen was feeling right now!
Utterly suffocated!
He glanced at Li Hao. "If Director Yao agrees, then so be it."
Go find Director Yao yourself!
With that, he looked at Li Hao. "Did you fail to break through to three disciplines of divine ability yesterday?"
"Hehe..."
Li Hao chuckled. "Didn't break through, yet did; counts as breaking through, yet doesn't..."
These words... genuinely made one want to hit someone!
Hou Xiaochen stared at him silently without a word.
Even Chief Steward Yu couldn't resist asking, "Did you break through or not?"
"Hard to say."
Chief Steward Yu's expression soured as well.
Li Hao laughed heartily. "You'll know in the future, no rush. I only came to discuss those two matters with Chief Hou. Chief Hou, I'll head over to Director Yao's place now... By the way, how many supernatural locks has Chief Hou saturated?"
"Guess!"
Paying him back in his own coin!
Li Hao smiled. "How many types of force has Chief Hou comprehended?"
"Force is not about quantity; too many leads to clutter, and clutter breeds mediocrity!"
Understood—just one type, spear intent.
God-Cleaving spear intent. Li Hao had felt it before, and it was indeed formidable. Even the residual intent seemed capable of tearing the sky apart, and that might not even have been Hou Xiaochen at his peak.
Still... only one type of force?
If so, when condensing Dao characters, could he only forge a single character and integrate all supernatural locks into it? That wasn't impossible; just as his teacher had said, having many forces had its own method, and having few had another.
However, in that case, he might not be able to achieve one character per divine ability like Li Hao.
Of course, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
In the end, Li Hao himself might have to merge all his characters together. All daos ultimately returned to one; otherwise, if the power couldn't be unified and remained dispersed, that wouldn't be ideal either.
Naturally, these were merely thoughts for now, far ahead of their time.
As for Hou Xiaochen and the others, Li Hao didn't intend to have them transform into supernaturals and follow the same path as him just yet. He hadn't even reached the end of this path himself—how could he dare let others walk it? Aside from Hong Yitang stepping into supernal power, the others had their own martial arts and had not yet reached the point of needing unsealing.
"Then I'll take my leave..."
Li Hao came and went like the wind. Hou Xiaochen opened his mouth to speak... Damn you!
Just as he was about to speak, Li Hao suddenly turned toward Chief Steward Yu. "Chief Steward Yu, you haven't saturated many supernatural locks yet, right?"
"Ah?"
"When I enhance the Martial Guard Army later, you can come along."
"Oh..."
Chief Steward Yu nodded and glanced at Hou Xiaochen. Hou Xiaochen was utterly speechless, finally saying after a long pause, "Go!"
Why wouldn't she?
She could reap benefits, so why refuse?
Chief Steward Yu smiled and nodded toward Hou Xiaochen, adopting a posture that said she was only going because he permitted it. Only then did Hou Xiaochen feel somewhat relieved.
Meanwhile, Li Hao had already vanished.
Childish!
Hou Xiaochen was actually getting jealous. Li Hao felt completely exasperated. The martial masters of Silver Moon—now that they were old, they all liked chasing women. What had they been doing in their youth?
Hou Xiaochen was on the younger side, but he was probably fifty already, wasn't he?
Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any well-known female martial masters among the younger generation. As Li Hao pondered this, another thought struck him: Why did it have to be a female martial master?
Wouldn't a female supernatural do?
Honestly!
I'm still short a secretary... but then he thought of Bright Sword... Forget it. That auntie seemed to be searching everywhere for him lately. With him running around all over the place, she could barely track him down. Terrifying.
Other people's secretaries were sweet, delicate young women, while his secretary... might be an auntie with whiskers. Just thinking about it was depressing.
When he saw Xiao Ye's sweet smile, Li Hao felt all the more dejected.
Director Yao had actually caught onto the trend—at his ripe old age, he had found himself a secretary in her twenties.
"Governor-General, you broke through to three disciplines of divine ability yesterday; is your body holding up alright?"
Xiao Ye seemed to be probing for information!
Li Hao grew cautious and said nonchalantly, "Not bad. Even four disciplines wouldn't be an issue!"
"I knew it!"
Xiao Ye was delighted. Sure enough, Governor Li was extraordinary—four disciplines were no problem at all.
The Director had guessed wrong!
Inside, Director Yao held a large tea mug, saying nothing and sneering inwardly. This secretary of his was somewhat slow-witted, and Li Hao was rather foolish as well, probably thinking Xiao Ye was fishing for intelligence, when the girl was merely full of naive admiration.
Heh!
Women, heh!
Men, young men... heh!
The moment Li Hao crossed the threshold, the sneer vanished instantly.
Xiao Ye was very enthusiastic, bustling off to brew tea and asking softly, "Governor-General, what tea would you like?"
"Anything!"
Xiao Ye understood and quickly retrieved a tea canister from the very bottom shelf. Director Yao sucked in a breath. This secretary really had to go—that was his prized, private reserve of fine tea, which he rarely drank himself!
Seeing Xiao Ye dump a generous handful into the pot, he could barely bear it and gave a light cough. "Xiao Ye, step outside for a moment. Governor Li and I have matters to discuss!"
"Oh, right away!"
Xiao Ye dared not object. Glancing at the tea leaves that hadn't even steeped yet, she hurried out the door, feeling somewhat regretful that Governor Li hadn't had the chance to drink the tea she brewed.
……
Once Xiao Ye left, Director Yao cradled his large tea mug like an old village elder, took a hearty gulp, smacked his lips, and kept drinking, adopting a posture ready to listen to whatever Li Hao had to say.
Li Hao frowned slightly.
After a moment's thought, he decided to persuade him with reason.
"Director Yao, when you stepped forward to help previously... Li Hao was deeply grateful. I felt Director Yao had not forgotten your original aspiration and had returned to your true self! I intend to unite the civilian forces, gather men of lofty ideals, and overthrow the tyrannical rule of the Nine Departments and the royal family. They seek to become Human Kings at the expense of wiping out the people's intellect... This cannot be tolerated!"
Li Hao waved his arm, gritting his teeth. "Therefore, even knowing we are outmatched, I will act as the mantis trying to stop the chariot, letting them know that this path will not work!"
*Gulp!*
*Ptu!*
Director Yao spat out a mouthful of tea leaves. Seeing Li Hao looking at him, he nodded, gesturing for him to continue.
"I also thought that whoever leads this matter will face disaster! Otherwise, Director Yao would be the finest choice... How about this: I will lead the Martial Guard Army and the Demon Hunt Corps to join the Night Patrol. Director Yao can raise the great banner, and I will cheer and beat the drums for you! Nothing else, just one goal... take down the Nine Departments, take down the royal family, eliminate the Three Great Organizations, overthrow the feudal traditions, and rebuild order..."
*Ptu!*
Director Yao spat out another mouthful of tea leaves. Li Hao's eyes flashed with fury.
I came to advise you with reason, old man.
Don't be ungrateful and force me to show you the power of my iron fists!
Seeing fire in his eyes, Director Yao grinned, baring a mouthful of yellow teeth. "Well said! Let me ask you: what qualifications, what capital do you possess to speak like this? Follow you to throw our lives away?"
He let out a cold laugh. "Don't flatter me, and don't make yourself sound invincible. Li Hao, you aren't weak. Even now, your two-discipline divine abilities are stable and very formidable, but you must realize that both the Nine Departments and the royal family possess profound foundations. Setting aside whether they reach three disciplines this time... even if they don't, you might not be their match!
"Not to mention who stands behind them—what capital do you have to speak of overthrowing them?
"Following you to death is a good idea?
"If you die, so be it, but do you want to drag the Night Patrol into the mire?"
He glared coldly at Li Hao. "Perhaps, as you say, I, Yao Si, am greedy for life and afraid of death! But at the very least, I understand one thing: if I don't drag the Night Patrol in and stand alone, then at least the Nine Departments will still need people to handle affairs, and they won't slaughter everyone to the last man!
"When you, Li Hao, dust off your sleeves and run back to Silver Moon, what are they supposed to do?"
Director Yao stared at him. "Don't paint your goals so loftily, speaking as if you were a saint... You aren't one, and neither am I, but at least I won't drag others down with me!
"How many people have been implicated along your path, Li Hao? If nothing else, Hong Yitang went from a top-tier martial master to a supernatural divine ability cultivator. To a martial master, that is a nightmare..."
Li Hao scoffed coldly. "Entering supernal power is a nightmare? Then Director Yao's endurance is pathetic indeed. A martial master like that is better off not being one at all!"
"Heh!"
Director Yao laughed. "What arrogance! Or do you believe that because you killed Hu Xiao, you're stronger than me? Your slaying of Hu Xiao was partly an accident and partly because I held him down. You don't truly think you could effortlessly slaughter Hu Xiao, do you?"
Li Hao looked at him and said after a long pause, "So the reasons Director Yao has refused to agree all along are: first, that I am too weak; second, that you believe I cannot match the Nine Departments and the royal family; and third, because I stepped into supernal power, making you think my potential is exhausted?"
Director Yao remained silent.
Those factors certainly played a part.
He could not allow the Night Patrol to follow Li Hao into the abyss.
Li Hao was bound to lose!
Indeed, this was not out of impulse, nor was it because Li Hao wanted to seize power. None of that mattered. The true crux lay in the fact that Li Hao could not offer hope to everyone. Without hope, there was only despair.
He had to be responsible for the Night Patrol.
People like Xiao Ye blindly idolized Li Hao, which was completely unacceptable; disaster would strike sooner or later.
Not only him, but Hou Xiaochen and the others weren't particularly invested either, precisely because they knew Li Hao's actions were no different from courting destruction. Thus, Silver Moon neither encouraged nor opposed him, simply letting nature take its course.
Li Hao smiled. He understood.
Therefore, he had come prepared today.
Not just them—even Silver Moon hadn't favored him previously, as evidenced by what Deputy Director Zhou had said earlier.
"Director Yao, if I can defeat you, will that prove anything?"
Director Yao smiled. "What if you defeat me? Do you think there is no one stronger than me? I am not weak—I know my own strength. If I don't unseal myself, I am roughly stronger than an unstable divine ability cultivator; if I unseal a portion, I can roughly match a stable divine ability cultivator; if I unseal more... even a top-tier two-discipline divine ability cultivator wouldn't necessarily be my match. And if I snap my supernatural locks, I wouldn't fear even three disciplines!
"Yet... so what?"
He laughed self-deprecatingly. "When the second revival arrives, do you know what kind of figures will emerge?"
"I know!"
Li Hao said calmly, "Those who tear through the void and traverse a thousand li are the Paragons! Above the Paragons, there may be even stronger figures... So what?"
"So what?"
Director Yao chuckled. "Since you know, is your confidence rooted in Battle Heaven City? Li Hao, you don't truly believe Battle Heaven City can support you, do you? Battle Heaven City can barely protect itself!"
"No, I have never thought of relying on others. From the very beginning until now, the only person I ever relied on was my teacher, once... After that, I have always saved myself, protected myself, and strengthened myself!"
He looked at Director Yao. "That includes last time. Even if none of you had come, I would not have feared! The Nine Departments are strong, but so what? When I unleashed my power that day, I was able to kill Hu Xiao. Had no one else been present, I would have fled after killing him, then returned to kill again, becoming an assassin lurking in the shadows. It remains to be seen who would have feared whom!"
Li Hao locked eyes with Director Yao. "Your arrival that day merely granted me the opportunity for a frontal battle. It doesn't mean that without you all, I, Li Hao, would have been slaughtered at their whim!"
Director Yao glared at him coldly. "So we were in the wrong to step in?"
"Not at all!"
Li Hao met his gaze. "It only proves that Director Yao's blood has not run cold! You acted not for me, Li Hao, but for this world!"
"Nonsense!"
Director Yao snorted, his eyes hostile. "Get out!"
He was no longer willing to speak with Li Hao; the boy was far too arrogant.
He disliked today's Li Hao.
Wild and haughty!
Because of the previous victory, Li Hao had grown conceited. He had even forgotten that the last battle was not a total triumph; had the royal family not tied down the opposition, many from Silver Moon would have died.
Li Hao looked at him. "I know what Director Yao is thinking—you believe I, Li Hao, have become arrogant and ignorant..."
"It's good that you know!"
Director Yao frowned. "A young man can be confident, but not conceited. How vast a world have you seen that you dare to be so insolent?"
"The world I have seen is likely vaster than yours, Director Yao!"
"……"
Director Yao grew somewhat incensed. Setting down his mug, he glared at Li Hao with cold fury in his eyes. Li Hao's attitude genuinely unsettled him.
Li Hao was exceptionally calm. "I have witnessed an ancestor cleave the heavens with a single sword! I have witnessed the Human King slay the Heavenly Emperor! I have witnessed the Sovereign seek to battle heaven itself! I have witnessed far, far too much. What I have seen is likely far greater and far mightier than what Director Yao has ever known!
"I have seen starry skies collapse, I have seen universes shatter, I have seen far too much... The supreme powerhouses were terrifyingly mighty, and the Human King was bloodthirsty, slaughtering all who refused to submit... Director Yao, tell me: is the world I have seen vast?"
Director Yao's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Li Hao.
After a long time, he said slowly, "I truly didn't expect that. Still... since you've seen all that, why are you still so arrogant? Li Hao, what are you thinking?"
"I am thinking... every endeavor must have a vanguard. If no one is willing to take the lead, I will! If you, Yao Si, are unwilling, then I will step forward—what is wrong with that?"
Director Yao said coldly, "Do you think that because you've seen much, you can disregard danger, disregard threats, and disregard everything?"
"No, I have seen much, and my strength is great as well. In this current world, aside from those who cannot emerge, who can match me, Li Hao?"
"Rampant folly!"
Director Yao was furious. "Do you know just how terrifyingly strong the old director of the Department of Administration truly is? Do you know how strong the Heavenly Star King is? Do you know how strong Ying Hongyue is? You know nothing, yet you dare claim to be invincible?"
In the world today, who dared claim invincibility?
Not even Ying Hongyue dared!
You, Li Hao—have you drunk too much to claim you are invincible?
Li Hao smiled.
With a wave of his hand, a mirror materialized and enveloped their surroundings, instantly trapping Director Yao within. Director Yao's heart leapt, but he didn't move, merely glaring coldly at Li Hao. "What are you trying to do? Use force to compel me to yield my seat? You think too much! Li Hao, even if this old man snaps his supernatural locks today, I will show you what a true top-tier martial master is!"
"Since the Director refuses to yield... then I, Li Hao... shall subdue you with might. Nothing is more persuasive than martial strength. You martial masters always look down on the heroes of the world like this!"
Li Hao let out a cold laugh.
The next instant, to Director Yao's shock, wind and thunder swirled in Li Hao's left hand, while the divine runes for Water and Fire abruptly manifested in his right.
Four disciplines of divine ability instantly fused into one.
Sword intent erupted!
Lifeless sword intent!
The Starry Sky Sword appeared and slashed down, detonating four disciplines of energy with a roar!
Director Yao threw a punch, his face filled with shock!
*Boom!*
A tremendous crash rang out. With a thunderous blast, Director Yao flew backward, vomiting a mouthful of blood. The next moment, he clutched his throat, where a bloody slit had ruptured, blood pouring out ceaselessly.
Water, fire, wind, and thunder detonated within him, heavily injuring his five viscera in an instant.
*Pfft!*
Blood gushed forth. He stared at Li Hao, having smashed through the room's wall, slamming so hard against the mirror fragments—which could withstand Rising Light metamorphosis—that they trembled violently.
He didn't care about any of that; he simply stared at Li Hao in sheer shock.
After a long time, coughing up blood unceasingly, he managed with great difficulty, "Four disciplines... of divine ability!"
"Why... why... did I not sense any... fluctuation of water and fire..."
He coughed again, spewing blood mingled with fragments of internal organs.
Li Hao casually waved a strand of sword energy into Director Yao's body.
He looked at Director Yao. "Why must there be fluctuations?"
"You... can still use sword intent..."
Director Yao stared at him, looking somewhat unhinged. "Why?"
"Why?"
Li Hao laughed. "Mysterious energy is born from supernatural locks, and supernatural locks are part of one's own power. What is wrong with using my own power to unleash sword intent? Who said supernal power is inherently weak? Who said supernal power is an external foreign substance? Who said I, Li Hao, cannot incorporate supernal power into my body and make it my own? Neo-Martial could forge the path of Neo-Martial; why can't I, Li Hao, take another step forward?"
"……"
Director Yao fell silent. Struggling to his feet, he coughed a few times and looked at Li Hao.
At this moment, he didn't know what to say.
He hadn't fully unsealed himself just now, yet he still possessed divine ability strength, only to be nearly killed by a single sword strike from Li Hao... No, had Li Hao not shown mercy, he would already be dead!
He knew that even if he fully unsealed himself or even snapped his supernatural locks, he might not be Li Hao's match.
Four disciplines of divine ability power!
He gave a bitter smile.
Li Hao had asked who in the world could match him.
He had claimed many could, and that even he could suppress Li Hao if unsealed!
Yet Li Hao had dealt him a resounding blow.
Martial might alone wasn't the only factor.
What shocked him even more was that... Li Hao had walked an entirely different path.
He had... incorporated supernal power into his body!
This... might be the only person in the world capable of doing so. It was beyond belief, beyond comprehension.
"Did... did your teacher... guide you in this?"
"No, my teacher doesn't know. Of course, my teacher provided me with many concepts, as did Battle Heaven City, and many others gave me various ideas. I simply made some attempts based on my own thoughts, and as it turns out... my attempts were very successful!"
Li Hao looked at him. "Director Yao, am I, Li Hao, ruined? It has only been three years since I began practicing martial arts! Strictly speaking, I have only been a true martial master for four months. Am I, Li Hao... qualified to stand alongside Ying Hongyue and the others?"
Director Yao remained silent.
Was he?
Of course he was!
Setting aside everything else, merely this feat of incorporating supernal power into his body, restraining it within so that not a ripple leaked out... was nothing short of miraculous.
A terrifying monster!
A peerless genius!
Barring the ancient figures emerging, how many people in today's world could match four disciplines of divine ability?
The one from the Department of Administration?
The one from the Bureau of Military Law?
Or the Heavenly Star King?
Or Ying Hongyue?
Regardless, while Li Hao might not be completely invincible today, very few living people could stand against him.
He had the right to be haughty!
For someone with both strength and talent, it wasn't arrogance—it was confidence.
Director Yao took a deep breath, and after a long time, said slowly, "Are you the only one who can do this, or... can this path be traversed by others?"
"It should be universally applicable, but I have only just glimpsed the path ahead, so I don't recommend anyone blindly follow it right away... I don't even know what the future holds myself, so I can only take it one step at a time. But at the very least... I have stepped forward!"
Yes, you stepped forward.
A trace of bitterness appeared on Director Yao's face.
As a top-tier martial master, he saw far too much, and he was deeply struck by it.
Pure martial might wasn't enough to completely convince him, but... what about a Li Hao who had opened a new path?
Did this count as a new path?
He didn't know. Only a path that everyone could walk was a true path; otherwise, it was merely an exception.
At this moment, his mind was in turmoil.
Li Hao spoke again. "Director Yao, so long as one dares, it will be achieved! I wish... to lead the Night Patrol, and I ask for Director Yao's support!"
Director Yao fell silent for a while, then suddenly sighed. "Promise me... that unless you are absolutely certain, you won't lead everyone to their deaths..."
"I cannot promise that! Absolute certainty is a myth. Everything depends on fighting, on struggling, on increasing the probability of success, rather than scheming from the start and expecting absolute certainty... That is merely paper warfare!"
Director Yao was stunned.
Li Hao said in a deep voice, "Director Yao, do not speak of such unrealistic notions. Besides, everyone knows that following me, Li Hao, is fraught with danger, yet I will not force anyone—it must be voluntary! To fight for oneself, to fight for everyone, for future generations, for family, for loved ones, for friends... Is it merely for me? If so, if that is the case... the Night Patrol is nothing remarkable!
"Or does Director Yao think the title of Heavenly Star King is worth a fortune? In my eyes, it isn't worth a copper! But if no one can take it, if no one can do it well, I, Li Hao... am willing to shoulder the burden without hesitation! Who else if not me!"
Who else if not me!
Director Yao shuddered slightly. What towering ambition!
Yet at this moment, his perspective had completely changed.
After a brief silence, he said slowly, "What... do you want me to do?"
"The Night Patrol will be incorporated into the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office!"
Li Hao said in a deep voice, "I will open another department! There won't be any special name, just the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office, serving as the de facto Tenth Department! Director Yao will remain the director of the Night Patrol, but... the hierarchy will shift: the Night Patrol will become a subordinate agency of the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office!"
Director Yao felt immense bitterness.
He looked at Li Hao and suddenly asked, "Aren't you afraid... I'll leak this?"
"I am not!"
Li Hao said proudly, "Will the Li Hao you see today still be the same tomorrow? Was the Li Hao of a few days ago the same as the Li Hao of today? How does the Li Hao from four months ago compare to the Li Hao now? People always like viewing me through old lenses... By the time they see me clearly, they are already dead!
"Is my target merely these current figures? No, I will sweep away all who refuse to obey! Ancient demon plants, ancient demon beasts, even ancient powerhouses! Someone told me that the powerhouses remaining today are either deserters or have missions. If they still remember their original aspirations, they won't oppose me, Li Hao. And if they do... they will all be swept into the trash heap!"
He looked up at the sky. "The people of today are not necessarily inferior to the ancients. If they could do it, so can we! What can placing our hopes on the revival of the ancient civilization bring? Why not strive to surpass them? Even if it is difficult... must we refuse to try? Everything is a new beginning... Why do the Nine Departments and the royal family only think of walking the ancients' path, seeking to become Human Kings in name only?"
Director Yao said nothing.
After a long time, he exhaled a long breath. "Your heart is vast, and your ambition is grand... but..."
"There are no 'buts'!"
Li Hao shook his head. "The moment you say 'but,' 'however,' 'maybe'... you hesitate, you waver! A martial master should not be like this! A martial master cultivates the heart; where the heart points, there lies the Dao!"
Director Yao's bitterness deepened. He had been lectured by this junior once again!
*I* am the top-tier martial master here!
Exhaling a long breath, he nodded. "Fine! I can agree to your terms... As for the Inspectorate..."
"We'll negotiate. If we can't reach an agreement, we'll ignore them. If the Inspectorate dares to cause trouble, I will kill them to intimidate the Nine Departments!"
"……"
Utterly speechless.
At this moment, Director Yao said no more, chuckling wryly. "Give me a bit more sword energy. My internal organs haven't healed yet; you struck too hard."
"If persuading with reason fails, one must subdue with might! Courtesy before force is always better than empty talk."
Li Hao channeled some sword energy and tossed over a few drops of the Spring of Life, all of which Director Yao accepted without hesitation.
At this point, he didn't want to say a single word.
After lying low for years, he had been slapped in the face twice in a row by a youngster... Next time, he wouldn't say anything at all, lest he get beaten again.
Chapter 238