Those whom Heaven wishes to destroy, it first drives mad!
Perhaps this ancient proverb suited Li Hao best right now.
When Yao Si fueled the flames by leading the Night Patrol to join his side, everyone realized this fellow had lost his mind completely.
Even if he commanded three disciplines of divine abilities—or even four—it would not be enough!
Taking this path would compel even the opportunists in the Inspectorate to turn against him. At best, they might cling to neutrality; at worst, the Inspectorate might be the very first to flip the table.
***
On this day, the Martial Guard Army sprang into action.
They launched a citywide manhunt.
Outside the main gates of the Department of Internal Affairs.
Liu Long arrived at the head of a detachment, his voice booming with authority. "The Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office is about to open! By the command of the Governor-General, we are here to arrest the fugitive Mu Xiaorong and bring her to justice! Mu Xiaorong's crimes are not severe, yet she fled from the Night Patrol's custody. If she is handed over now, leniency may still be granted. Once the Governor-General's Office officially opens, all fugitives will be treated as rebel supernaturals—punishable by death without mercy!"
At the gates of the Department of Internal Affairs.
A crowd of experts from the department marched out, some wearing cold, detached expressions, others looking furious.
"Have you all grown tired of living?"
Liu Long showed not the slightest fear. "The ones courting death are you! If the Department of Internal Affairs dares obstruct official duties, you shall all be punished for harboring a criminal! The Governor-General has decreed: if we cannot arrest Mu Xiaorong today, we shall raze your Department of Internal Affairs to the ground!"
"Insolence!"
Someone roared in fury!
Have they lost their minds?
The Nine Departments had not even marched on Li Hao yet, and Li Hao's men had come knocking on their door first.
In an instant, outside the gate, several hundred Martial Guard soldiers unleashed their vital energy and blood. Their black armor manifested as chilling killing intent swept through the area.
Liu Long remained placid, staring back at the speaker. "Do you speak for the Department of Internal Affairs? Or do you represent the imperial family? Mu Xiaorong's offenses do not warrant the death penalty. If she surrenders now, she still has a chance. The dean of the Heavenly Star Martial Arts Academy has already arrived. Or does the Department of Internal Affairs truly believe that the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office cannot bring you down today?"
Right amid the tense confrontation, a figure emerged from within the compound.
It was none other than Mu Xiaorong.
At this moment, she looked somewhat gaunt and weary. Looking at the soldiers, she let out a sigh. "I'll come with you... Only... Governor-General Li's actions..."
Alas!
A heavy sigh followed. He had truly gone mad.
If she refused to go today, the Department of Internal Affairs might instantly clash with Li Hao. Yao Si, Li Hao, Hong Yitang, Hou Xiaochen, the Bright Light Sword—all of them were nearby, and countless eyes were observing in secret.
The Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office had not officially opened yet; arresting her was clearly preparation for the opening ceremony.
Right now, the Nine Departments had not made their move. The Department of Internal Affairs represented the imperial royal family, yet it maintained its own independence. The imperial family remained silent for now, perhaps hoping to use the Department of Internal Affairs to ignite an all-out war between the Nine Departments and Li Hao.
Yet... Mu Xiaorong understood that the Department of Internal Affairs might genuinely be no match for the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office.
And so, she stepped forward.
Behind her, a stout man stood in silence.
He did not emerge, merely watching from a distance.
His daughter was being arrested once more.
Li Hao was killing the chicken to scare the monkeys!
Neither the imperial family nor the other departments stepped forward. Although the Department of Internal Affairs represented the imperial family, it was also one of the Nine Departments, mired in a convoluted web of allegiances.
"Take her!"
Liu Long gave the command, and the soldiers moved swiftly. Shackles snapped shut around Mu Xiaorong in an instant. This sight caused an immediate ripple of aura within the compound. The plump director of the Department of Internal Affairs clenched his fists tightly, remaining dead silent!
His daughter was being dragged away right before his eyes.
Moreover... put in chains.
Mu Xiaorong's escape last time had been the department's decision, an open defiance of Li Hao. Yet who could have predicted that they would ultimately tolerate Li Hao gaining a firm foothold in Heavenly Star City?
Those who had not run were fine.
Those who had fled remained wanted fugitives.
He had assumed the matter had blown over, that Li Hao would not pursue it further or make such a grand spectacle over it. Reality proved him wrong!
"Father!"
Nearby, a young man gritted his teeth. Those were Mu Xiaorong's older brothers. She was the youngest daughter of the director of the Department of Internal Affairs, the one he cherished the most. Yet now... right inside the department, right in front of the director, she was being hauled off!
"Let's fight them!"
Someone hissed through clenched teeth.
The director remained motionless, refusing to utter a word.
Perhaps this was precisely what others wished to see—even what Li Hao wanted. He could vaguely sense powerful auras surging throughout the surroundings.
What in the world was Li Hao trying to do?
Must you force us into a fight to the death?
He stayed quiet.
The imperial family was likely waiting as well, waiting for him to resist so they could trigger an all-out war between Li Hao and the Nine Departments today. Yet... he had served the imperial royal family for so many years, and the Department of Internal Affairs was their facade. Lately, the imperial family was acting more and more furtive.
This was not a good omen!
The Heavenly Star imperial family ought to step forward now. Whether backing Li Hao or supporting the Nine Departments, they should not behave like this.
Sitting back to watch the Nine Departments and Li Hao destroy each other sounded great, but... did they forget that the Department of Internal Affairs was their public face, the only entity among the Nine Departments that still stood by the throne?
My daughter has been captured, and you won't even show yourselves?
The stout director remained silent, watching in resignation.
Go ahead and arrest her!
His daughter had committed no heinous crime; she had merely fled earlier. Could Li Hao truly sentence her to death?
Didn't Li Hao preach justice?
Didn't he boast of enforcing the law with utmost rigor?
Then his daughter would merely be detained at most.
Those waiting to laugh, those waiting for him to be the first to stick his neck out... keep watching, then!
You're nurturing a tiger that will devour you... so keep feeding it!
"March!"
Outside, Liu Long waited a moment. When no response came, he barked the order. The detachment retreated briskly, taking Mu Xiaorong with them, vanishing from the avenue.
The surrounding onlookers were stunned.
The Department of Internal Affairs... actually did nothing!
***
At this moment, throughout the city, the Night Patrol and the Martial Guard Army deployed simultaneously.
Nobles were arrested one after another!
Before the gates of a princely residence.
The reigning King Dingshan, draped in regal robes, wore a severe expression. A large crowd had gathered outside his estate.
Hu Qingfeng looked quite terrified, yet he ultimately gritted his teeth and roared, "King Dingshan, do you intend to harbor someone from your estate? Over a mere steward's son, do you mean to defy the law?"
King Dingshan stayed silent.
He was loath to comply; this was a slap to his prestige. However... the imperial palace had sent word beforehand telling him to cooperate.
He wanted to call it absurd!
Where was the royal dignity in acting like this?
Yet the man in the imperial palace seemed to welcome such chaos. King Dingshan glanced in the direction of the palace and sighed inwardly. Imperial Brother, what are you scheming?
The Plain King is dead, you ignore the Department of Internal Affairs, and now troops have brought the fight right to my gate.
Li Hao is shredding the prestige of the Nine Departments, but he is shredding royal dignity as well.
Must the world descend into utter chaos to satisfy you?
He was reluctant to see such an outcome. The dynasty had been won through their ancestors' sweat and blood; it was their empire. Yet his imperial brother seemed keen on tearing it all down and starting from scratch. To him, merely restoring the dynasty was not enough—he seemed eager to become a founding sovereign anew!
Otherwise, none of this made sense.
That imperial brother of his was not merely weakening the Nine Departments; he was also eroding the imperial family's own strength, cutting down those who wished to preserve and revitalize the royal house. Because that man... might truly wish to build a brand-new forge!
What... boundless ambition!
Unsure whether to feel mocked or heartbroken, King Dingshan gave a self-deprecating smirk. He glanced at the trembling head steward beside him and spoke slowly. "Bring the boy out."
"Your Highness!"
The loyal old steward turned pale with horror, sheer despair filling his eyes.
King Dingshan looked at him for a long moment, transmitting his voice: "It is the imperial palace's decree."
The old steward's face lost all color. Were they discarded just like that?
Of course.
Even the Plain King had perished in an instant, had he not?
What was the offspring of a servant compared to that?
A short while later, a young man was escorted out. Looking at his father, he hung his head and clenched his jaw, uttering not a word.
Such was the fate of living under another's roof.
When he fled before, it was on the prince's orders. He had not wanted to run, nor had he dared to.
Yet the princely residence insisted it was safe!
Would Li Hao dare offend the imperial family?
Yet today... he was seized right in front of King Dingshan, and no one lifted a finger.
He followed the Night Patrol in silence as chains were locked around his wrists. The youth glanced back at his aging father with a miserable smile. Once he left... he likely wouldn't return. Unlike the others, he knew he was guilty of blood.
Li Hao would not spare him.
Ten days from now... could they truly eliminate Li Hao?
Must they wait again?
Endless waiting. Last time, they had also promised everything would be fine, yet three hundred heads were still dangling outside the North City gates!
He gave a bitter smile and fell silent.
He had wanted to scream, to ask Li Hao: in this imperial capital, how many nobles were truly innocent?
Yet... he lacked the courage.
Even knowing death awaited him, he could not muster the courage to shout it aloud.
*Li Hao...*
He murmured the name in his heart. Li Hao, you are ruthless!
Even if you die, no one will ever forget your name. From the looks of it... in this vast Heavenly Star City, only Li Hao has any spine.
***
At this moment, vast numbers of Martial Guard soldiers and Night Patrol members poured into the streets in every direction.
Nobles were rounded up one after another!
They moved through the streets and alleys, shaking the four quarters.
The Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office had not even officially opened its doors.
Last time, everyone assumed the matter was settled, but clearly... it was far from over.
On the broad avenues, pedestrians spoke in hushed tones: "The Department of Internal Affairs, the princely estates, the dukes, the marquises... all the fugitives from before are being rounded up again. This time... will their heads roll?"
"Who knows?"
"Still... this man is truly relentless. It's only been a few days since he executed all those people, and just when everyone thought it was done... he's coming back for real, determined to see it through!"
"This time... a massive war won't break out again, will it?"
"Hard to say."
"..."
Passersby whispered among themselves. Compared to last time, they held a sliver of hope, but anxiety far outweighed it.
Was this... truly wise?
Deep down, they wished Li Hao would take things slowly. Truly. Even if they had felt a bit disappointed that some people slipped through his fingers before... he had still executed a whole pile of nobles, hadn't he?
Lately, the nobles had behaved with far more restraint.
The people had witnessed real change and felt... this was good enough.
Indeed, ordinary folk were so easily satisfied.
To their minds, as long as Li Hao remained in the capital as a deterrent, it was already a blessing.
Yet Li Hao had returned with a vengeance.
He believed his previous efforts had fallen short, and this time, he intended to cement his footing completely and finish what he had started.
"The Heavenly Star Martial Arts Academy... you've heard about it, right?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sending your kids?"
"That... isn't that way too dangerous?"
"..."
People muttered nervously. Enroll in the Heavenly Star Martial Arts Academy to learn martial arts?
That was terrifying!
If Li Hao fell, they would all face retribution.
Most still did not dare.
Indeed, they were afraid.
No matter how eagerly they anticipated it, they lacked the nerve to take the leap.
***
Yet at this very moment, there were those who dared.
In a spacious courtyard, a young man shouted, "I'm going to register for the Heavenly Star Martial Arts Academy!"
"Register my foot! Are you rushing to your death? Don't let the Governor-General's swagger fool you! Let me tell you, those great nobles have stood unchallenged for two hundred years—do you honestly think a fledgling office can crush them? If you dare step out that door, I'll break your legs!"
"Father, if I don't take a gamble, will I spend my whole life like you? A petty merchant, paying bribes here, bowing there, spending the whole year on my knees before anyone of status..."
"You unfilial wretch! Everything I did was for you! At least we have food to eat and clothes on our backs, yet you—"
"That's not the life I want! I want to walk with my head held high! Even if I die, I want to die with a shred of dignity!"
"Can dignity fill your belly? It's not just your life on the line! Once the Heavenly Star Martial Arts Academy crumbles... our entire family might be wiped out!"
The young man fell silent.
If he were alone, he would have stood his ground without hesitation. But... his father was right. If Li Hao was eradicated, what would become of his family?
At this moment, similar dilemmas played out across the city.
***
Meanwhile, Li Hao paid no heed to any of this.
He waited calmly in the North City courtyard.
Deputy Director Zhou watched him for a long time before asking, "What outcome are you hoping for?"
Li Hao smiled. "I want them to try and kill me!"
Director Zhou nodded. He had already seen through it.
You act as if you're terrified they won't try to kill you, practically begging them to make a move.
Otherwise, why would you stir up such a storm?
Li Hao chuckled again. "Last time, they stalled until the final day. If I don't give them a little push, they might drag their feet until the last minute again. There's no need for that. Waiting passively is never my style."
Of course, the Nine Departments were terrified of failing to kill him.
After all, he possessed the Wind-Chasing Boots.
Furthermore, the ancient entities within the ruins could not step outside. So if they wanted him dead, what could they do?
A ruin!
Only by luring Li Hao into a ruin could they eliminate him at the lowest possible cost. No matter how Li Hao turned it over in his mind, that was their only viable option. Coincidentally, a secondary ruin was about to open!
He felt anxious on the Nine Departments' behalf. How could they entice him inside?
How could they lower his guard?
He had already plotted out their path for them!
Yet this very dilemma gave Li Hao a headache. How could the Nine Departments lure him in without making their trap glaringly obvious?
Beside him, Hong Yitang sipped his tea and blew away the leaves. "I merely suggested you broaden your horizons; I didn't tell you to go completely mad. You truly don't care if people die, do you?"
Li Hao chuckled. "How could that be?"
"How could it not?"
Hong Yitang sighed. "I'm tempted to pack my bags and flee tonight!"
He added, "Why on earth did you bring my daughter here? She's just dead weight now. My heart is freezing over!"
He let out an utterly helpless sigh.
Young Li, I told you to emulate the ancients, not surpass them right off the bat. Not even the ancient Human King was this aggressive.
Those legends only threw their weight around once they had the might to back it up, or someone powerful shielding them.
What about you?
At this stage, who is shielding you?
Who even could?
No one can cover for you anymore!
Li Hao smiled. "No rush. The Nine Departments won't move against me immediately. It's the same old game; I know how they think. Right now, they don't even want to confront me out in the open... which is why they tacitly permit my arrogance and madness. They've probably already figured out how to do away with me."
"And you?"
Hong Yitang looked at him. "Are you prepared?"
"Naturally!"
"Fine." Hong Yitang said no more.
Li Hao continued, "Over the next few days, we'll continue our closed-door cultivation! I intend to go all out to elevate everyone, including the Martial Guard Army and the Demon Hunt Army! And I will do it in plain sight!"
Would it help?
In truth, not much.
In the eyes of outsiders, even if you raised ten thousand men to the Hundred-Breaker realm right now, what difference would it make?
Forget Hundred-Breakers; what about Thousand-Battlers?
The crux of the matter still rested on top-tier combat strength!
The other factions would love nothing more than to see Li Hao burn through massive stockpiles of resources to nurture weaklings.
That way, Li Hao himself and his elite fighters would have fewer resources at their disposal. Resources were finite; could Li Hao conjure them out of thin air?
Hong Yitang frowned slightly, but kept his peace.
Proceeding like this was not necessarily wise.
At present, every major power was concentrating their resources on bolstering their top experts. Li Hao was doing the exact opposite by pouring them into the rank and file. Whatever he had planned, only he truly understood.
"What about the people brought in?"
"Interrogate them first. If they're innocent, we'll see; if they're guilty... execute them all on the day the office opens!"
Silence fell over the room once more.
You truly have the gall!
Li Hao smiled. "We'll give them ten days, which leaves them at least five days to prepare. This time, I only hope more people show up—ideally, drawing in the experts from the Three Great Organizations as well..."
Even Director Zhou was struck dumb.
Li Hao was angling for massive prey.
As for how much confidence he had... it was hard to say.
***
At the same time.
Inside the Inspectorate.
The Chief of the Inspectorate walked into the rear courtyard. Looking at his father, who was still absorbed in his book, he spoke with a peculiar tone: "He is practically begging everyone to kill him. Tell me, what is his backing? Even if Battle Heaven City stands behind him, their forces cannot emerge right now. Or does he believe that having the Wind-Chasing Boots makes him invulnerable, assuming no one can pin him down?"
The old man pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I cannot read him either. When he brought that fellow Zhou along, I assumed he intended to take measured, incremental steps. Instead... he defied all expectations. This move has baffled me as well."
Indeed, it made no sense.
The Chief added, "Could he believe that once he masters three disciplines, or even four, he will be invincible under the heavens?"
"That is possible!"
Judging by Li Hao's recent conduct, that was entirely plausible. His attempt to break through with a third discipline yesterday seemed to have failed, yet Li Hao had suffered no backlash. The old man paused before continuing, "His failed breakthrough yesterday might not have been a failure at all; he might have deliberately sealed it back up. He should be capable of mastering three disciplines. Perhaps he believes that since he only used two disciplines to slay Old Hu, breaking through to three will make him unassailable... who could match him then?"
"Even if he thinks so, would Hong Yitang and Yao Si share such delusions?"
The Chief remained skeptical. "Yao Si knows better than anyone that the Nine Departments have far more cards up their sleeve!"
If Li Hao alone were being reckless, that would be one thing.
Was Yao Si joining in the madness as well?
The old man fell silent.
This development was indeed beyond expectation.
If Li Hao had refrained from arresting nobles and had not absorbed the Night Patrol so openly, everyone might have turned a blind eye to his minor provocations, letting him enjoy his bravado.
Yet this was clearly different!
Li Hao was flaunting his intentions so blatantly, as if shouting to the entire world: *I'm not afraid of you coming to kill me. I have a trump card!*
*I have the leverage!*
He had practically written his trump cards on his face, daring anyone to touch him.
The louder he postured, the more suspicious it looked.
The Chief suddenly asked, "Could it be a smokescreen? Using such an aggressive stance to bluff everyone into thinking he has an ace up his sleeve, warning them not to make a move... when in fact, he is terrified that the Nine Departments will strike?"
That was a possibility as well.
The old man gave a slight nod, yet he remained uncertain.
He glanced at his son, who rubbed his temples in frustration. "Don't look at me like that. That fellow from the Department of Criminal Law keeps sending me messages demanding a consultation. He asked me straight out whether the Nine Departments can still present a united front. If not... the Inspectorate will be cut out of the loop. I'm torn!"
Last time, he and his father had stepped in to slay an expert from Feitian with divine abilities.
Back then, they had effectively sided with Li Hao.
He had assumed Li Hao would remain under the Inspectorate's umbrella, which would make the gamble worthwhile.
Who would have guessed the young man would declare independence the very next moment?
His intention was glaringly obvious.
Not only did he want independence, he wanted to ride right over their heads.
"Old man, tell me what choice I should make. If we sit on our hands this time and cling to neutrality, we'll only paint ourselves into a corner. You said we should seek a savior when trouble strikes, so who is the savior this time?"
The old man thought it over before speaking deliberately. "Are they fully prepared? If Li Hao commands three divine abilities and wields the Wind-Chasing Boots, no one short of a four-discipline expert can stop him! If they wish to kill him... what if he can forcefully unleash four disciplines in a pinch? Then only a top-tier divine ability—a genuine pinnacle expert—can hope to end him!"
The Chief raised an eyebrow. "You mean... unless a pinnacle five-discipline expert takes the field, you have no faith in their chances?"
"Correct!"
The old man nodded. "Unless a combatant of that caliber strikes, killing Li Hao will not be easy! Feeding troops to him piecemeal will only deepen our losses. If the others haven't completely lost their senses, and no five-discipline master joins the fray... do not get involved!"
He added, "Furthermore, even if a five-discipline expert steps in, they must beware of him slipping away... In my view, their only path is to lure Li Hao into a ruin!"
A ruin!
Everyone arrived at the same conclusion. Otherwise, unexpected variables might arise, or reinforcements might arrive.
On top of that, they had to worry about Li Hao fleeing—the Wind-Chasing Boots were no joke.
Unless Li Hao was an idiot, entering a ruin was the only way.
Yet would Li Hao walk into such a trap?
If we can anticipate this, could Li Hao fail to foresee it?
What a joke!
Even if Li Hao were blind to it, the experts around him would surely talk him out of it.
As they spoke, the communication jade slip in the Chief's robes vibrated.
He drew it out, took a glance, and his expression shifted subtly.
He looked toward his father. The old man met his gaze. "Well? What is it now?"
The Chief took a deep breath. "Their plan revolves around... a mineral vein!"
"What do you mean?"
The old man looked puzzled. The Chief exhaled slowly. "They intend to artificially manufacture an ore vein inside the secondary ruin—a massive mine! One with astonishing reserves... Li Hao has Battle Heaven City behind him, so he must know that if those ancient experts are to revive, they need immense energy... an astronomical amount!"
Ordinary quantities would not suffice; it had to be a staggering hoard.
After a brief silence, the old man asked, "How do they intend to pull that off?"
"Each of the Nine Departments will contribute five million. In addition... the Three Great Organizations, Mount Futu, Mount Haotian... even the City of Supernaturals must bleed! They are pooling one hundred million!"
"..."
Nearly twenty major factions pooling one hundred million divine energy stones!
One hundred million. As a powerhouse of the Nine Departments, he understood all too well what that number signified. It meant that if Li Hao seized it, he would have a real chance of reviving the ancient tree in Battle Heaven City—assuming it was still alive.
If it were dead, Li Hao might not need it.
If it still lived, Li Hao desperately needed that energy.
Only an astronomical prize of this magnitude could tempt Li Hao into taking such a lethal gamble.
Because once successful, Li Hao would gain the ultimate protector—the full revival of a premier monster plant.
"Madness!"
The old man knitted his brows. "If Li Hao truly snatches it and revives Battle Heaven City's monster plant... do they have any idea what we will face once the secondary recovery begins?"
The Chief sighed. "They know. Which is why... they will never allow Li Hao to succeed!"
"A lesser bait could never entice him inside... Only an offer like this can drive Li Hao to risk everything and make a desperate gamble... Because he knows what one hundred million divine energy stones represent. Even knowing it's a trap, he will take the risk..."
Everyone had gradually pieced together Li Hao's character.
The old man asked again, "How will they make him believe it?"
"They'll open it briefly beforehand. Once his people... or acquaintances, or familiar faces witness it with their own eyes... he will naturally believe it!"
The old man still felt it was far too perilous!
First, it might not even draw Li Hao out.
Second, if Li Hao truly seized the stones, fled back to Silver Moon, and revived that mighty monster plant, the world would face an invincible adversary upon the secondary recovery.
"Who will strike?"
"The monster plants... of each faction!"
The old man's face twitched. The Chief looked at him. "We are being watched now. They don't trust us. The Department of Administration sent a warning: either we wait quietly, stay out of their business, or join the strike. It comes down to your choice and mine."
"One hundred million... what an extravagant hand!"
The old man sneered. "Playing with such enormous stakes, they aren't afraid of tripping over their own feet!"
Of course, spread among each faction, it was not an overwhelming sum—five million was merely the resources needed to advance from two disciplines to three.
Sacrificing the advancement of a single three-discipline combatant to pool a massive price to kill Li Hao... was it worth it?
It was!
If Li Hao did not die, none of them could sleep peacefully.
Yet this was practically telling Li Hao to his face: *Danger lies ahead, mortal danger. A massive mine has appeared in a secondary ruin—do you believe it?*
Especially at a critical juncture like this!
If Li Hao truly went in, it meant he had absolute confidence.
It was truly a headache of a choice.
"We can pay the stones!"
After weighing the matter, the old man spoke. "If we refuse, we'll be in trouble. If we offer neither men nor money, we'll force the others to turn on us! We can pay the stones... but we don't necessarily have to send our people."
He frowned slightly. "It's too risky. Playing it safe is more important."
"However..."
The Chief frowned. "No matter who wins, it will spell trouble for us."
"I know!"
The old man nodded. "Trouble is still better than death! If worst comes to worst, we'll just jump on the bandwagon. Whoever wins, we bow our heads!"
"Father..."
The Chief looked at his father, thoroughly perplexed. "Our Inspectorate is not weak. Why must we stoop to this?"
Constant compromise and hiding would only steer them further away from their original path.
"Because you aren't cut out to be an overlord, and neither am I,"
the old man murmured. "If you had shown any real talent, I wouldn't have been reduced to this! But... look at yourself. How have you performed all these years? The Night Patrol was affiliated with our Inspectorate, yet what kind of relationship did you build with Yao Si? You lack competence, so what can I do? You always assume I'm refusing to back you... You're mistaken. It's because you've never shown the qualities of a leader. In my eyes... now that the Chen family has reached your generation, if I die, you won't be able to hold up this realm!"
Contending for supremacy... he had entertained such ambitions in the past.
If the second generation had shown promise, he would not have stood idly by, merely aiming for stability.
Yet his son... was adequate at maintaining the status quo, but lacked all pioneering spirit.
He was somewhat kindhearted on one hand, yet indecisive on the other—neither fully ruthless nor purely upright, pleasing neither side.
In that case... they might as well lie flat.
The Chief felt a surge of indignation. "I believe that leading the Inspectorate for thirty years, I've done a better job than you ever did!"
"..."
"Heh!"
The old man let out a mocking chuckle. "The result is that the Night Patrol broke away! The result is that every time you face a hard choice, you never look for a solution—you just wait for the outcome before making a move!"
"When Li Hao fought in the East, you insisted on waiting for the dust to settle before choosing a side. One step slow, every step slow! Whether supporting the Xu family or Silver Moon, you remained ambiguous throughout... You ask why I act like this? I am merely following your lead!"
"Since you cannot make a decisive move at crucial moments... then stay the course. We won't achieve supreme glory, but at least... if we bow all the way to the ground, we won't end up dead!"
The old man seemed weary as he waved his hand dismissively. "Leave it at that! Pay the money, hold back the men! As for Li Hao, if he truly wins... if he genuinely walks out alive, you immediately lead the Inspectorate to join his Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office. Be the very first to join. That way, even if he holds a grudge, he won't wipe you out... If you can't be an overlord, then settle for wealth and longevity!"
The Chief fell silent.
He knew his father believed he could not hold up the sky, but... he stared at the old man. "I may lack the talent, but with the rise of supernaturals, immortality is no longer a myth. What about you? You are stronger than me and see things far clearer. Have you never considered it for yourself?"
"Me?"
The old man chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I know my own limits. In scholarship, I fall short of the chief of the Department of Administration. In warfare, I cannot match the director of the Bureau of Military Law. In ruthlessness, I lag behind Ying Hongyue; in cunning, I pale beside that old ghost of Silver Moon... Among those of my era, there are many far superior to me. I was never at the pinnacle, and my son is mediocre... what do I have to compete with?"
The Chief frowned. "Are you truly so lacking in confidence?"
"It isn't a lack of confidence!"
The old man smiled. "It's knowing just how hard the path is. I fear hardship. If I didn't, I would have stepped out years ago. I thought that if you showed a spark of brilliance, I would cast aside this old face and fight for an opportunity on your behalf... But... you're beyond help, so what can I do?"
He sighed and added, "Among the nine current second-generation directors, aside from the Department of Administration and the Bureau of Military Law, the rest are utterly incompetent! Each generation is worse than the last—our generation fell short, and your generation is even worse... what do you expect me to do?"
The Chief held his tongue.
He felt humiliated, with anger burning in his chest.
*Beyond help?*
*Am I truly that terrible?*
He felt he had performed admirably. Over the years, the Inspectorate had developed steadily. As for Yao Si... Yao Si was impervious to both threats and bribery, so what could he have done?
Yet the thought that Yao Si had submitted to Li Hao... filled him with sudden dejection.
At his age, he was being criticized as completely worthless.
"What if Li Hao dies?"
"If he dies... then keep muddling along! Pick between the Bureau of Military Law and the Department of Administration!"
The old man remarked coolly, "Don't even think about throwing your lot in with the imperial family. It won't work. That man on the throne harbors terrifying ambitions. He isn't satisfied with revitalizing the dynasty; he wants to tear it all down and remake it entirely in his image... That path is perilous!"
With that, he waved his hand impatiently. "That's enough. Decide the rest for yourself!"
*What else is left for me to decide?*
The Chief cursed under his breath, turning to leave.
Exiting the rear courtyard, he looked toward the front offices. Right now, the halls were in mild disarray, with Li Hao's name being whispered incessantly. Clearly, the Inspectorate's personnel were panicked as well.
The Chen family could offer them neither safety nor stability.
Nor could he!
Why had it come to this?
The Inspectorate had overseen the realm's inspections for eighty years, and the Chen family had never committed any grave error, ensuring smooth passage through the decades. Was seeking stability a crime as well?
***
At this moment, the major organizations, the sacred mountains, and the City of Supernaturals all received the intelligence.
Ying Hongyue looked at the figures before him and spoke slowly. "The Nine Departments are taking a gamble. If they succeed, all is well; if they fail... and Li Hao truly seizes those divine energy stones to revive the monster plant in Battle Heaven City... the real nightmare will begin."
Of course, if Li Hao succeeded, the trouble would not just be confined to the future; it would prove that Li Hao had grown beyond anyone's comprehension.
The Nine Departments had considered this outcome as well.
If Li Hao could turn the tables under such conditions... what else could they do?
Beside him, Orange Moon asked in a heavy voice, "Will the Chief strike in person?"
"Me?"
Ying Hongyue closed his eyes, exhaling a quiet sigh after a moment. "If I go to kill Li Hao... it will only complicate matters! If I fail, he will seize the power of the eight bloodlines and complete his ascension. The seven bloodlines have not yet fused completely. What a pity... what a pity!"
Orange Moon pressed, "Then... does the Chief believe Li Hao will triumph? Or do you think he won't enter the ruin at all?"
"Hard to say."
Ying Hongyue offered a faint smile. "His thoughts are difficult to gauge. Ever since Li Hao stepped out of Silver Moon, it has been like a carp leaping through the dragon's gate—a bird soaring into the boundless sky. It's impossible to fathom his mind. If the Nine Departments fail this time... the world will truly plunge into absolute chaos! And our... reckoning will have arrived in full."
Orange Moon gritted her teeth. "Then let the Council of Elders and the Ancient God Guards deploy in full force! Every faction recognizes Li Hao's threat... they will surely commit their full might this time. We should also bring several origin talismans and energy bombs... prepare to fight to the death, and even bring a large stash of city-destroying bombs! If we pay such a steep price, could Li Hao truly survive?"
Ying Hongyue fell silent.
Who could say for sure?
Li Hao had narrowly escaped death time and again, only to emerge stronger every single time. Shouldn't the Eight Great Families have perished?
Ever since Li Hao's emergence, the smooth sailing Ying Hongyue had enjoyed for years had been thoroughly shattered.
Was it because... Li Hao was his fated nemesis?
Perhaps... it was time to find a solution. Things could not go on like this.
Chapter 240