The Last Rainy Season

The City of Supernaturals was taken without a hitch. Paper could never contain fire. Even though news had not yet crystallized clearly in the outside world, scattered rumors had already slipped out. The City of Supernaturals had become a place where one could enter, but never leave. Outside the gates, the tens of thousands of supernaturals stationed there had been systematically divided and subsequently vanished. With such a staggering number of supernaturals losing contact, there were always friends and family who had once spoken with them regularly and suddenly found their lines going dead. Certain supernaturals who held external official posts also went silent. Gradually, an undercurrent of change began to ripple across the Central Region. …… Year's end drew near. Ordinarily, it would have been a season of bustling jubilation. Lately, however, commoners throughout the Central Region noticed that officials and prominent clans alike were behaving with terrifying stillness. It was so quiet that it bordered on deathly silence. In years past, no matter how chaotic the times, the arrival of the New Year was always accompanied by festivities. This year was an exception of absolute desolation. The authorities organized no public celebrations, while wealthy landholders and elite households kept their gates tightly barred. Where supernaturals had once frequently crisscrossed the open skies, recently one could not spot even a single bird on the wing. …… Serving as the protective perimeter for Heavenly Star City, the Four Peaks provinces had long guarded its gateways from the east, south, west, and north. On this day. Nanyue Province. The General Administration Bureau. The Governor of Nanyue stared at the group before him, speechless for a long time. Opposite him, Southern Fist stood in person. Bearing an aura far colder and sterner than before, he gripped a gilded register and barked in a heavy voice, "Governor of Nanyue, hear your orders! From this day forth, all supernaturals within the provincial borders must be registered into rosters and placed on standby for dispatch at any moment! "The Night Patrol officially assumes control over all supernatural affairs within the province. The Nanyue military shall remain billeted in place and is strictly forbidden to maneuver. Relinquish all tallies of command! Anyone who stirs up unrest will be executed on the spot without exception!" A trace of helpless resignation washed over the Governor of Nanyue's eyes. Ever since Li Hao had arrived in this region, seized a deputy director, and subsequently eradicated the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, the governor had known the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office was riding an unstoppable tailwind. Even so... he had never expected this day to come so quickly. He sighed softly and asked in a low voice, "What of Director Zhao?" As a man of the Department of Administration, he felt compelled to ask. Even though he already harbored a grim guess. Southern Fist did not mince words. "When Zhao Huamin died, he handed us a list and said you were capable and dependable! In the Four Peaks region, the Governors of Xiyue and Dongyue were taken down immediately, and those who resisted were killed where they stood! The men sent to handle them were Yao Si and Hou Xiaochen. If you think you can take my head to consecrate your banner, you're welcome to try!" The Governor of Nanyue let out a long sigh and lowered his head. The Nine Departments... were truly gone. The four provincial governors of the Four Peaks were all local overlords in their own right. The Governor of Dongyue had allied with the Imperial Clan, while the Governor of Xiyue had sided with the Military Law Department. Now... they had shared the same end: immediate arrest, with death for any defiance. Having allied himself with the Department of Administration, he had ended up with a comparatively decent outcome. Zhao Huamin had clearly put in a good word on his behalf. Even though that man had already departed this life. Without a word, the governor offered a slight bow of clasped hands toward Heavenly Star City—unclear whether he was thanking Li Hao or offering his gratitude to Zhao Huamin beyond the grave. Southern Fist watched him with a chilly gaze, not saying a word. All around them, the retainers and staff of the governor's estate trembled in terror. The provincial branch head of the Night Patrol, on the other hand, was rather thrilled. Last time, he had deeply regretted missing the chance to curry favor. Now Southern Fist had arrived in person, carrying the external title of Southern Commander of the governor-general's office. "Commander He, rest assured!" the branch head declared eagerly. "If anyone dares overstep, they will be cut down without mercy. The Nanyue Night Patrol will protect your safety at all costs!" Southern Fist shot him a sidelong glance, tossed the gilded register casually to the governor, and said in a grave voice, "Furthermore, starting today, make preparations to stabilize grain and supply prices throughout the province. Be ready at any moment to open granaries, distribute relief, and settle displaced refugees from everywhere! The Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office will send liaisons. In a world full of supernaturals, letting commoners starve to death would be the grandest joke of all!" A host of supernaturals who supposedly possessed omnipotent might, yet common folk starved—it was indeed a bitter joke. The Governor of Nanyue drew a deep breath. "Understood!" Southern Fist continued, "One final matter..." With that, he passed over another list. "Seize these individuals immediately. Kill anyone who resists!" The Governor of Nanyue took the list, his expression shifting slightly. Behind him, though the officials could not read the names, cold sweat drenched their backs. Who was on that list? One glance told the governor everything. Inwardly, he sighed again. *Li Hao, oh, Li Hao... I thought you would employ gentle reconciliation since you didn't raise a storm this time. It turns out... I was mistaken.* "And one more final matter..." The governor could not help but look at him. *You just said the previous one was the final matter. Now there's another? Can you even count?* Southern Fist could not care less about that and forged ahead. "In a few days, an outfit from the Governor-General's Skyscreen Agency will arrive to install skyscreens. Provide full cooperation." "Skyscreens?" "That's right!" Southern Fist grinned with a cold, toothy smirk. "The governor-general intends to establish a communication network across the world so information flows unobstructed and he can speak directly to the common people everywhere! In an era of supernaturals, if decrees can't even travel beyond Heavenly Star City, that would be an utter embarrassment! In addition, begin selecting sites to build schools across the realm—scout the locations first, then break ground..." The governor could no longer restrain himself. "In the dead of winter, levying commoners for corvée labor is pure madness! It will cost countless lives!" He had swallowed his grievances up until now, but this tipped him over the edge. Flaring with irritation, he snapped, "Building schools is a noble endeavor, and we all know that prioritizing education enlightens the populace. Nobody is a fool; we all grasp the logic. The governor-general may harbor good intentions, but he must understand this cannot be accomplished overnight..." The subordinates behind him broke into violent tremors. That Southern Fist looked like he could batter the governor to death with a single strike. Southern Fist merely cast him a sideways glance, letting a long pause hang before saying, "Who told you we're conscripting commoners? Who said anything about corvée labor?" He gave a cold snort. "In a few days, a group of supernaturals will arrive—around a thousand of them. The Nanyue military will coordinate with them. You won't just be building schools; you'll build refugee camps, repair roads, overhaul everything... Whatever can be built or repaired, build it!" "..." Everyone present was struck dumb. The Governor of Nanyue froze. "What?" "Supernaturals. Didn't you hear me?" Southern Fist chuckled. "Right now, we have supernaturals running out our ears. The Nine Departments alone have over a hundred thousand, and the City of Supernaturals holds over a million. More supernaturals than you can count, with nowhere to go and nothing to do! The governor-general wants to expand water conservancy on a massive scale and use this winter to overhaul the entirety of Heavenly Star! Nanyue gets the first thousand. Cooperate properly with them—mainly on feeding them. Of course, the governor-general will dispatch grain supplies... but Nanyue must also prepare itself to prevent any unrest!" The crowd stood slack-jawed. From the moment supernaturals first emerged, they had been regarded as an elevated class of beings. Yet today... supernaturals were being sent to do hard labor. Paving roads, building schools, and fixing infrastructure. This... This was practically a calculated humiliation. The Governor of Nanyue blurted out, "You're having supernaturals do that sort of work?" "Of course!" Southern Fist replied as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "They work fast and well! Roads paved by them will last a hundred years without crumbling, provided nobody deliberately sabotages them! The houses they raise are cool in summer, warm in winter, windproof, and earthquake-resistant. When blizzards strike, they can even reverse the local climate on a small scale. To let such people sit idle instead of building bridges and paving roads would be an absolute waste." *Damn it all!* a collective curse rose in everyone's hearts. *An absolute waste? Are you even hearing yourself?* The Governor of Nanyue inhaled so deeply he seemed to drain the surrounding air. In a hushed voice, he asked, "Isn't the governor-general afraid of... igniting an upheaval across the supernatural domain?" It was a wonderful vision on paper, but using supernaturals like menial laborers as Li Hao was doing could easily trigger an enormous backlash. It would make supernaturals feel as though Li Hao were actively humiliating and exploiting them. "Afraid of what? It's not like they won't get paid, nor are they working for free!" Southern Fist flashed his teeth in a grin. "Anyone who exerts themselves will receive an allocation of mysterious energy! They're simply trading hacking and slashing for paving roads and building bridges, with their safety massively increased. Do you really think every supernatural wants to risk their life in endless slaughter? Do you think they're all bloodthirsty butchers? There will always be people willing to do it. As for those who aren't... we naturally have our ways of handling them!" Hearing that mysterious energy would be provided, the governor breathed a slight sigh of relief. Still... wasn't that horribly extravagant? He pondered in silence, then quickly asked, "Is this only for Nanyue, or everywhere?" "All twenty-two provinces of the Central Region will be like this. Over thirty thousand supernaturals are being mobilized for this first phase, and they're the relatively obedient sort." Southern Fist smiled faintly. "The rebellious ones will need a little training first. Step by step. As time goes on, the workforce will only grow." The first batch of supernaturals was not especially large. Around thirty thousand people. Compared to more than a million supernaturals, it was a modest fraction. Yet these individuals were the first batch culled—the more docile and compliant ones. They had no record of egregious villainy. Their service period was set for three months, during which they would be provided with mysterious energy. Their individual strength leaned toward the weaker side, and they had already been screened out from the City of Supernaturals. Once their three months were up, they would regain their freedom of movement. Rumor had it that inside the City of Supernaturals, people had nearly beaten each other bloody just to secure a spot in that thirty-thousand quota. Everyone had scrambled to go out and work! It was only three months, after all; if they were locked inside the City of Supernaturals for another three months, plenty of them feared they would be frightened to death. The Governor of Nanyue was thoroughly won over now. He let out a soft murmur of admiration. "The governor-general... is truly brilliant!" In the depths of winter, having a thousand supernaturals arrive in the province might not sound like many people, but the sheer volume of labor a few thousand supernaturals could churn out might surpass tens of thousands, or even a hundred thousand ordinary laborers. If a hundred thousand ordinary men were conscripted into harsh labor in this freezing weather, it would be a miracle if thirty percent didn't perish! Supernaturals, on the other hand... work them as hard as you like without worrying about working them to death. It was practically impossible. Those tens of thousands of supernaturals were equivalent to millions of civilian laborers. Southern Fist added, "Don't forget, the local military must also participate and coordinate, doing whatever falls within their capacity. Don't leave them idle! When soldiers are idle, excess energy breeds trouble! At this stage, the governor-general has no intention of making widespread moves... but if the military stirs up trouble, you know full well what the consequences will be, Governor!" The governor nodded solemnly. "This subordinate understands!" Southern Fist's grin broadened. "Good. Nanyue is a gateway territory. I've said all that needs saying! Whether you can deliver... that's up to you. Once you execute that batch of people, if you find yourself short on hands, report it as quickly as possible, and we'll find a way to supply replacements!" "Understood!" Southern Fist wasted no more breath and turned to leave. Behind him, the provincial branch head of the Night Patrol called out, "Commander, won't you stay a little longer? Allow this subordinate to fulfill the duties of a host..." Southern Fist glanced back over his shoulder, his teeth bared in a grin reminiscent of a demon. "You rascal don't look like a Night Patrolman at all. Last time, someone told me that when the governor-general came through here, you immediately turned around to suck up to him, using their families to threaten the high officials of Nanyue..." The branch head's face paled, and he stammered, "The commander misunderstands, I was only..." "I didn't say you did anything wrong!" Southern Fist guffawed. "Still, you're an opportunistic little snake, unfit to be a provincial branch head of the Night Patrol, though you do have a bit of punch to you... When the supernaturals arrive, you will serve as the chief overseer of labor. Governor-General Li attaches immense importance to this matter. Do it well, and you won't lack for rewards; botch it, and watch your head!" The man's countenance flickered. Plummeting from the provincial head of a Night Patrol branch to an overseer of hard labor—his status was plunging by ninety-nine percent! Yet... was Southern Fist demoting him, or did Governor-General Li truly place such weight on this assignment? He had long leaned toward the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office. Even if his performance had been lacking, there was no need to deliberately humiliate him in public, was there? Though his thoughts raced, a broad smile instantly bloomed across his face as he bowed. "Splendid! Thank you, Commander, for the promotion!" Southern Fist roared with laughter. "Alright then, work hard! Lately, the governor-general has gathered quite a few thick-skinned, shameless scoundrels around himself. He has a soft spot for your type—you have a bright future!" With that, he strode away. The onlookers were dumbfounded. *A soft spot for that type?* *Surely not?* Yet... on second thought, wasn't Southern Fist himself precisely that sort of person? Rumor had it that Chen Zhongtian of the Inspectorate, the previous chief, was also renowned for being thick-skinned and shameless. Could it be... Governor-General Li genuinely favored people like that? The Governor of Nanyue cursed inwardly as the thought crossed his mind. *When the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will tilt!* At this rate, sooner or later, the state would cease to be a state. Alas, that poor Director Zhao who had placed such trust in him was already gone... No matter what he thought, it all dissolved into a quiet sigh. The struggle at the top was vicious, with life and death hanging by a thread. As a gateway to Heavenly Star City, Nanyue possessed neither the conditions nor the qualifications to pursue hegemony, and he had never harbored such ambitions. Now that Zhao Huamin was dead, he had essentially been spared thanks to the director's protection. Whatever happened, he could not betray the director's trust. In that case... he would govern Nanyue well! The moment Southern Fist left, the governor transmitted a few swift voice commands. Before long, several people among the officials who had just sighed in relief suddenly shrieked. In the blink of an eye, over a dozen individuals were seized by their peers! The Governor of Nanyue looked down upon those wailing and screaming men and paid them no heed. At this moment, a sliver of gratification surfaced in his heart. At the very least, that Li Hao wasn't blind. He had long wanted to purge these corrupt degenerates who committed every wicked deed under the sun. Unfortunately, factional struggles had been too fierce back then, with each possessing their own patrons, making it impossible to act rashly! Today, the names Li Hao had provided were all individuals notorious for foul reputations. Finally, they were swept away in one clean blow! "Take them away! Strip their supernatural powers and escort them under guard to Heavenly Star City! If any attempt to escape, execute them on the spot!" "Understood!" The guards of the governor's estate received their orders and marched off. …… Scenes like this played out across the length and breadth of the Central Region on that very day. Knowing the secret was out and the Three Great Organizations were aware, Li Hao dropped all pretenses. He swiftly mobilized Silver Moon martial masters against the various provinces. Apart from Nanbin Province where King Zhennan was stationed in the south and Xijiang Province where King Zhenxi sat in the west, powerful experts raced toward all other territories. Those that could be seized peacefully were seized; those that could not saw their figureheads summarily executed. The Central Region remained relatively stable. Because Heavenly Star City sat at the heart of the Central Region and had continually held sway over its surroundings, it had not descended into the outright chaos of the outlying continents, which had broken free from control entirely. With the two kings commanding their armies in the field, Li Hao refrained from making any reckless moves against them for the moment. …… Late December. The weather was biting cold. In just a few days, it would be the year 1731. Yet toward the close of this year, Heavenly Star City was strikingly quiet and bleak. Pedestrians on the thoroughfares were few and far between. At that very moment, the skyscreens erected across the city suddenly flared to life, instantly commanding the attention of the entire metropolis. Whether working or walking, people everywhere raised their heads to gaze at the screens looming throughout the streets. Ever since Li Hao had tasked the mentally chaotic Yuming with overseeing the project, tangible results had finally materialized. Within Heavenly Star City at least, the skyscreen network had been fully established. Yuming had continually urged Li Hao to unlock the Lyu Zhen Research Institute, as many essential components remained inside. Li Hao had simply been too preoccupied to attend to it, though he had promised to open it once his immediate duties were cleared. Now, Li Hao's figure manifested across the skyscreens. At last, there was no need to bellow at the top of his lungs to broadcast announcements across the entire city. Li Hao's likeness appeared before everyone's eyes. Clad in armor, the young man revealed his face and offered a faint smile. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Li Hao, Governor-General of the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office. "This is a skyscreen. Going forward, whenever public announcements are issued, large or small, I will inform the citizens of the entire city directly through these skyscreens! "Heavenly Star City possesses a population of thirty million, making it the most populous and prosperous region in the entire dynasty. "Yet in a capital of such magnitude, those who can read and write are pitifully few. Someone once compiled statistics showing that across the entire dynasty, the literacy rate hovers around fifteen percent, and even that was achieved only through efforts pushed by certain individuals in recent years. In the capital, it is slightly higher—around twenty percent." One in five could read, and even then, only barely. Across the city, countless people looked up and listened in silence. Over the past several days, rumors had circulated claiming that the Emperor was dead and the directors of the Nine Departments had all perished at this young man's hands, leaving him in virtual command of Heavenly Star City. Whether that was true or false, the populace had had no way of knowing. Yet seeing him openly declare decrees here now, perhaps... it was true after all? On the screens, Li Hao continued, "For the greater development of our dynasty and for everyone to possess a better future, literacy and education are indispensable! Effective immediately, three thousand new schools will be established in Heavenly Star City, two thousand of which will be dedicated to basic literacy... All illiterate individuals between the ages of six and forty must attend classes to learn how to read and write..." Hearing this, many citizens cursed under their breath. *Has he lost his mind?* *Stop working and skip eating?* *Reading is for scholars—what does that have to do with us?* Earlier, they had thought this governor-general seemed extraordinary, perhaps even a good man. Hearing him now... it turned out he was just an out-of-touch blunt instrument! *What in the world are those northern barbarians thinking?* Li Hao went on at an unhurried pace. "It will not occupy your entire day. You need only spare two hours in the evening, and all instructional materials will be provided completely free of charge! If you complete the literacy program and pass the basic assessment, there will be rewards. When one person studies, the whole family benefits! Those who pass the evaluation will be awarded one hundred grains of sacred grain..." With that, Li Hao held up a radiant, golden stalk of rice. "A single grain of this rice, once consumed, staves off hunger for three days, strengthens the physique, and wards off all illnesses! A hundred grains are enough to sustain you for an entire year—free of sickness, impervious to the cold. This is a legendary sacred grain nurtured by supreme paragons. Those who learn quickly in the literacy classes might pass the assessment in as little as a single month..." In an instant, eyes went wide across the entire city as people stared at the golden rice grain, collectively swallowing their saliva. One grain kept you fed for three days and cured all ailments? Was that real? Just sparing two hours a day... this... this was practically handing out free money! Li Hao continued, "Beyond the literacy classes, there will be three advanced tiers of education: primary school, middle school, and university. Completing the primary school curriculum earns a thousand grains of rice; finishing middle school earns ten thousand grains... Tuition is entirely waived, materials are provided free of cost, the cafeterias supply food, and dormitories provide shelter! "Furthermore, we are recruiting instructors across the general public with generous compensation. We currently have an urgent need for large numbers of educated talents..." Li Hao ran his recruitment drive across the skyscreens, his voice reaching every ear in the city. In the slums, an old man selling used books suddenly looked up at the screen, a gleam sparking in his eyes. Five years! Five years ago, Heavenly Star Academy had shuttered its doors, its instructors and students butchered or exiled. And now... the newcomer Li Hao was establishing thousands of schools in one breath. Tears welled in the old man's eyes. Was a new era of civilization finally about to dawn? Li Hao's voice continued to resound over the city. "Additionally, effective immediately, all roads within the city will be renovated, and large-scale infrastructure projects will commence. Supernaturals will take part in the labor. Anyone currently without employment may register to participate and build Heavenly Star City together! "Those with damaged homes may report to local bureaus, and repairs will be arranged centrally. There will be no shortage of supernatural labor! "All repairs will be performed free of charge! "Those with brawn, contribute brawn; those with brains, contribute brains! Let us develop Heavenly Star City together, making it ever more prosperous! When the new year arrives, herald a new era where the common people of the world, even in an age devoid of supernatural powers, can walk this earth through their own efforts, explore the unknown, and stride toward the future..." Li Hao's speech was impassioned and stirring. Finally, he concluded, "Moreover, the Heavenly Star Martial Arts Academy will officially inaugurate on January 1. The first class will admit ten thousand students. We warmly welcome people of vision from all quarters to join us—to study supernatural abilities, martial arts, technical skills, and scientific civilization. Our path is not confined to martial arts alone. Martial arts are not all-powerful, and neither are supernatural abilities. We shall teach according to aptitude, make full use of all resources, and enable every person to realize their potential!" The moment these words rang out, cheers erupted throughout the metropolis. It was not merely because the martial arts academy was opening. Though Li Hao had spoken briefly, those few sentences had sparked bright hope in countless eyes. Studying came with food... and the kind of rice that could feed a person for three days at that. That was the first boon. The second was that housing would be repaired and roads overhauled, directly improving ordinary livelihoods. Food and shelter—both were accounted for. To the wealthy, such things were trivial, but to the destitute, this winter had looked nearly impossible to survive! Yet now... they had a chance. So long as they registered and went to learn, they would at least avoid starvation. Passing yielded rewards, and even showing up to participate came with a meal... To many, this was nothing short of a lifesaver! Meanwhile, the well-to-do households perceived vast opportunities as well. Countless opportunities! Setting aside the martial arts academy, the wealthy had far higher literacy rates. Now Li Hao was desperately in need of talent, offering generous compensation, abundant perks, and plentiful cultivation resources. To them, this was a golden ladder to leap skyward. Before long, following the release of subsequent official notices, certain nobles and anxious officials felt their eyes light up. Numerous vacancies were about to open across the Central Region's local administrations. Men of ambition could register to be evaluated. Once they passed the examination—whether they were nobles or retainers of the Nine Departments—so long as they had committed no past crimes, all could participate. Upon passing, they would be posted immediately to serve in local government! What was the most abundant thing in Heavenly Star City? Officials and aspirants! In years past, countless people had broken their heads trying to squeeze into the capital, hoping to wait for an administrative opening, even if it meant guarding the door of some nobleman in the interim. Here, candidates capable of governing were legion. Talented individuals were everywhere! Having mastered civil and military arts, they sought to sell their services to the imperial house. Now, with the Nine Departments and the Imperial Clan dissolved, Li Hao stood as the sovereign of tomorrow. Poor folk merely wanted to be fed and clothed, but for these aspirants... securing an official post right now might be arduous and perilous, but once they succeeded and racked up merits, they would be founding ministers of a new dynasty! Shrewd observers saw through it immediately: Li Hao was seeking to gradually replace the old guard and cultivate his own loyal cadre. This was an unprecedented opening. At this stage, coming from the north with a shallow foundation, Li Hao was in dire need of capable administrators. …… That day, all of Heavenly Star City was thrown into a fervor. Throngs of commoners first flocked to register for literacy classes, then scattered to local bureaus to report their damaged dwellings. Relief stations opened one after another, distributing food to urban residents who had been going hungry. …… Inside the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office. Hou Xiaochen was feeling a touch jealous. Yes, genuinely jealous. "The situation up north is far more dire than here right now. Heavenly Star City has always been affluent, so very few people were truly on the verge of starvation. But up north, entire populations are about to starve. You dumped massive stockpiles of grain into Heavenly Star City... lavishing benefits and perks on them, while keeping Silver Moon in the dark..." He almost wanted to ask whether this bastard still considered himself a man of Silver Moon. Li Hao smiled. "Everything has to happen step by step. Heavenly Star needs to be stabilized first, so we're piloting and testing the program in Heavenly Star City. Fortunately, we have the experience of the ancient civilization to draw upon; otherwise, jumping into this blindly would invite endless trouble! "We build up Heavenly Star City first, nurture a cadre of talent, and then radiate outward in all directions. This isn't something that can be achieved overnight. The skyscreen system isn't fully operational yet, road construction hasn't finished, and infrastructure projects have barely begun... One step at a time!" Many in the hall nodded, even though everyone felt Silver Moon's need was equally urgent. Li Hao rubbed his temples and said, "There is an immense amount of work to do. For now, the Central Region must be made peaceful and manageable. The north... will likely have to be addressed last." The gathered experts frowned slightly. Li Hao explained, "There are too many old relics lingering there. It isn't wise to provoke a major conflict with them right now! Once we progressively secure the other three continents, we'll have the bandwidth to tackle the north's troubles!" Pausing there, he continued, "Moreover, our army is too small—by which I mean troops genuinely loyal to us. As you must have realized by now, no matter how strong a single expert is, one person cannot hold down an entire province... We need an army's backing! We also have too few peak experts... With only this handful, dispersing them invites mortal danger, but keeping them clustered prevents us from getting work done..." Li Hao sighed. Only when matters reached this juncture did one realize that managing an entire dynasty... no, managing the Central Region... no, even managing a single Heavenly Star City was an enormous headache. If the Nine Departments had not undergone a relatively orderly transition, preventing total collapse of the civil order, Li Hao felt he might have wanted to throw up his hands and run. Wouldn't it be far better to live as a carefree knight-errant roaming the world? Stuck here, he was practically suffocating. He genuinely couldn't fathom what went through the minds of those who craved the imperial throne. "In a few days, Lin Hongyu will arrive to oversee Heavenly Star City... Only then will I have the breathing room to deal with other affairs." Li Hao looked around at the assembly. "Everyone must keep one thing in mind: at this stage, personal strength remains paramount! Starting January 1, everyone will take turns accompanying me to cultivate underground in shifts, doing our best to suppress the outbreak of battles..." The crowd nodded assent. Right then, Li Hao retrieved an object shaped like a ruler. Yao Si's expression shifted slightly as he glanced at Li Hao. "Is that... the Heavenly Dao Ruler?" Yao Si frowned. Figures like Dao Jian had vanished after accompanying Li Hao to the City of Supernaturals. Where had they gone? Now the Heavenly Dao Ruler that Dao Jian once held had ended up in Li Hao's possession. Had Li Hao killed him? Li Hao chuckled. "Yes, this is the Heavenly Dao Ruler, which I had heard of long ago! I've inspected it and inquired about its origin: back in the Neo-Martial era, it was a divine weapon used to scout geniuses, possessed only by elite martial arts universities. "I intend to use this in the Central Region to recruit new soldiers. The armies of the old regime need to be disbanded—those who deserve death killed, those who deserve arrest locked away, those who should be dispersed sent home, and those who need resettlement settled. The dynasty commands tens of millions of soldiers, but less than a tenth are truly usable! "Even if we can handle the strongest foes ourselves, large-scale wars—such as those against the four border kingdoms—still require conventional armies. This artifact has the unique virtue of discerning a person's constitution to see whether they are suited to become supernaturals or martial masters... "With this, we can achieve twice the results with half the effort. Right now, what the dynasty lacks least is people. Geniuses lie hidden among them. If we can screen out an army composed entirely of talented recruits and nurture them, they will swiftly forge an elite force!" The listeners nodded. New recruits could be shaped into proper form after a few months of drilling. Wartime differed from peacetime; if they could become martial masters or supernaturals, intensified training would shorten the timeline even further, making them battle-ready in no time. Li Hao added, "Furthermore, I want every soldier in this new army to learn how to read and write, and to undergo ideological education, transforming into new soldiers for a new era! "They must not resemble those cynical veterans. Why do I want to disband the current army? Precisely because of this: they possess no sense of shame, no sense of duty, and no ability to distinguish right from wrong... Keeping such men will only poison military discipline. Naturally, we cannot disband them all at once, or tens of millions of displaced soldiers would tear the realm apart... We can transition them gradually. For all local armies, obedient or not, issue orders putting them to work on infrastructure: paving roads, erecting bridges, building new towns... Just don't let them sit idle!" Li Hao laid out his thoughts in one long breath. In the crowd, Hou Xiaochen and several others regarded him with curiosity. How had this fellow suddenly become so knowledgeable? Certain things were notoriously difficult to grasp without firsthand experience. Noticing their looks, Li Hao chuckled. "Don't stare at me. Much of this was learned from others—from the puppets at Yuanping Martial Arts University, from Director Wang, and the like. Neo-Martial methods are well worth our study! "We don't need to copy them blindly, but their advanced theoretical knowledge and techniques are well worth emulating. Compared to Neo-Martial, we have nothing to be proud of." Pausing, he added, "Of course, we have our own advantages." "Such as?" Sky Sword asked bluntly. What advantage did they have? He genuinely couldn't see it. Li Hao grinned. "Our advantage... is that we are young! That is more than enough! In this youthful era of ours, at our young ages—the oldest of us barely a century old—we have encountered Neo-Martial elders bearing advanced knowledge and techniques. So long as we drain their intellectual reserves dry, we can save ourselves a hundred years of struggling! "Therefore, treat these senior predecessors with courtesy. They know a great deal. So long as they don't interfere with our path, they are venerable elders worthy of our study! "Director Wang and his peers cannot easily step out, but the students of Yuanping Martial Arts University, though young, possess immense breadth of experience. It isn't just about martial arts; the key lies in other domains... Some of them are the scions of key figures across Neo-Martial ministries, familiar with their advanced administrative systems... Having absorbed it all by osmosis, they know a vast amount. I will do my best to bring them out so they can help us develop the lands of Silver Moon!" The crowd nodded again, though Hong Yitang's brow furrowed slightly. "Will they agree? And... will that personage agree?" Li Hao chuckled. "Why wouldn't they? I supply the energy and provide resources—perhaps not enough to fully revive them, but at least enough for them to move about freely... Isn't that enough?" "Still, their strength is formidable. Bringing so many out at once..." Li Hao nodded. "I know. But once the new year passes and our strength advances, the gap will naturally narrow." He continued, "We have seized the great mine, and those resources must be utilized properly. Endless ventures are hungering for resources right now! But there's no need to hoard like misers. Resources left unused will only end up benefiting our enemies. "At this stage, our priority is unifying the entire Central Region. After the new year, once winter passes, we will bring down King Zhennan and King Zhenxi, forging the Central Region into a cohesive whole before addressing internal reckonings step by step. Internal and external cohesion... We must strive to complete the unification of the Central Region within three months! "By mid-year, we can consider launching campaigns against the four outlying continents... spending a full year to achieve the unification of Heavenly Star." Hou Xiaochen said in a grave voice, "My only fear... is that time won't be on our side! Although the great mine was seized and the secondary resurgence appeared to be averted, as far as I know, Silver Moon's energy has begun to disperse. The natural recovery of the realm might trigger the secondary resurgence automatically!" Li Hao was already aware of that intelligence. He offered a light smile. "No matter; we can still buy time. Silver Moon has too many ancient relics. While energy has surged, it is being absorbed just as swiftly. At most, more dormant powerhouses will awaken in the coming days, but no matter how much energy disperses, they will drink it all dry! "Furthermore, there are monstrous plants with voracious appetites here in the Central Region. These beastly and botanical entities present us with a prime opportunity to delay the resurgence. As for the great mine, two-thirds of it was seized by that other powerful faction, but they also need to restore themselves to maintain their combat efficacy. Beyond that, if they attempt to prematurely trigger the secondary resurgence, they would need astronomical energy, squandering immense resources while potentially disrupting their own layout." Seeing how logically he analyzed the situation, the assembly nodded in agreement. The enemy had abandoned one-third of the vein meant for the secondary resurgence, which was already a severe bleed. Carrying off two-thirds must have cost them dearly, and if they poured what remained into forcing an early secondary resurgence... exhausting their reserves in the process, they would have to weigh whether it was worth the sacrifice. Of course, if that truly came to pass, they would deal with it when it happened. Li Hao spoke again. "I have arranged everything that needs saying and doing. Lend your strength where needed. I must enter seclusion for a period. Master, Sky Sword, Tyrant Saber, Northern Fist—you senior predecessors shall enter seclusion alongside me!" The mentioned figures were taken aback. Sky Sword spoke up. "Right now, when hands are needed most..." Li Hao smiled. "It's fine. You seniors can focus entirely on the martial path; being down a few hands won't hurt." He stopped just short of saying: *Keeping you around wouldn't be of much use anyway.* *None of you handle practical affairs anyway!* *You're all martial fanatics. It's the perfect match: join me in seclusion and study the martial arts system together.* The others—Hou Xiaochen, Yao Si, Director Zhou—were all indispensable administrators, and Hong Yitang had his own educational system to promote. None of them had time to spare; otherwise, their inclusion would have been wonderful as well. Whether Sky Sword understood the underlying dig or not, Yuan Shuo certainly caught it. He cast a sideways glance at his disciple, itching to complain. *Your master here is omnipotent!* *Even if you handed me an entire country, I could govern it properly for you.* *Now look at you—finding us useless instead.* Still, diving into martial research was no bad prospect. Li Hao did not tarry. "The Three Great Organizations will likely be making moves soon. Have Director Zhao stay alert and keep a close eye on things. They intend to assassinate certain experts; as for who, it almost certainly isn't me. Whether it's Director Zhao, I cannot say for sure... It could be other figures entirely. It's fine for them to stay busy—so long as they don't sit idle! "Additionally, have Director Zhou dispatch operatives to the other three continents. There are factions and local forces in those regions dissatisfied with the rule of the various dukes. Stir up some trouble for them to buy us peace and quiet for a while. "Especially in the Eastern Continent—the Xu family is waning. Those who previously struck at the Xu clan under my banner should put in some effort to bog down their advance..." Having issued his directives, Li Hao rose. "Master, let us head to the ruins to cultivate." Yuan Shuo smiled amiably, casting a proud glance toward Hong Yitang and the others. *See that?* *That's a true master-disciple bond!* The others feigned blindness. Li Hao had put it plainly enough: *You martial brutes are useless at governance, so go fiddle with martial arts. Off you go!* Yuan Shuo hadn't minded at first, smiling cheerfully—until he noticed a black dog trotting up behind them. A look of sheer exasperation crossed his face. "Li Hao, this dog... is coming too?" Black Panther looked up at him with an innocent gaze. *What of it?* *I have nothing to do either. Just like you lot, I eat when I'm full, sleep when I'm tired, and know nothing except how to fight. If you're going to train, I'm going too.* Li Hao cleared his throat lightly. "Ahem... Yes, Black Panther is going to cultivate as well..." At those words, Sky Sword looked around blankly, at a loss for where to direct his gaze. Northern Fist and Tyrant Saber exchanged glances, feeling an acute pang of discrimination. Phrased politely, they possessed formidable martial talent. Phrased bluntly... they were being dragged down to cultivate simply because they had nothing useful to contribute. Going was a good thing, but why did it feel so utterly humiliating? "Southern Fist... isn't coming?" Sky Sword murmured under his breath. *Come to think of it, aren't we stronger than Southern Fist?* *That fellow is a good-for-nothing too, isn't he?* Nearby, Hong Yitang said languidly, "Southern Fist is the Southern Commander, Bright Light Sword is the Eastern Commander, Hou Xiaochen is the Northern Commander, and Yang Shan is the Western Commander... All of them have critical responsibilities. Southern Fist is currently pacifying the south. He mingled in the imperial court for decades; deceit and scheming are second nature to him, and he knows how to speak to men and spirits alike. Down south, King Zhennan holds sway, and Southern Fist can converse with him on equal terms. Moreover, he rescued the Ninth Prince... He might even persuade King Zhennan to march his army across the South Sea into the Southern Continent. The stakes are immense, so Southern Fist... is terribly busy! As for Bright Light Sword, having served the Xu family for twenty years, the same logic applies, and likewise for Yang Shan..." Turning back to them, he added, "So... you few truly are the only ones with time on your hands!" *Stop calling for Southern Fist!* *He's an indispensable figure now—suppressing the south, bringing local Night Patrol branches into the fold, and negotiating with King Zhennan. He's busier than anyone, and his status is skyrocketing by the day.* *Did you think this was the past?* Ever since Li Hao agreed to spare the Ninth Prince, Southern Fist had thrown himself into his duties with boundless zeal, racing across the realm. How could he have leisure like theirs? Look at them—they hadn't even known what he was doing! Sky Sword stood frozen. Northern Fist was even more stunned, shaken to the core. "He... went to pacify the south?" *Can he actually pull that off?* *Can that rogue of a junior brother of mine really hold down a whole territory, when all he's ever known is being a shameless scoundrel?* Li Hao coughed and smiled. "He should be fine. Senior Southern Fist is remarkably shrewd and exceptionally well-connected. Setting aside his habit of skipping out on restaurant bills decades ago... he's actually quite capable. You shouldn't keep targeting him like this..." The group was rendered speechless. *Who's targeting him?* It was just that seeing that fellow rise to prominence was something none of them were accustomed to! A wave of melancholy washed over them. To think that after all these years, they ended up ranking below Southern Fist. What a wasted life... Li Hao chuckled inwardly. *Let them feel the pressure and get motivated to strive harder!* *Every single one of them knows only how to brawl.* *Completely clueless about everything else!* *Otherwise, why would I be saddled with so many chores and headaches?* *If only everyone were like Director Zhou or Lin Hongyu—capable of fighting, killing, and handling civil administration with flawless execution—would I need to fret so much?* *I could simply toss a province to each of them and relax. With ninety-nine provinces under heaven, assigning ninety-nine capable people would settle everything—how easy that would be!* Leading the somewhat disheartened old seniors, Li Hao strode toward the ruins. Energy ran thick in that subterranean sanctuary, and no matter how violent the disturbances within, nothing would leak to the outside world. It was an ideal place for seclusion. …… With Li Hao taking his cohort into seclusion, a fresh cycle of training began. Heavenly Star City and the entire Central Region were undergoing rapid transformation. Tens of thousands of supernaturals pushed into the heartlands. Soon, in the depths of winter near the close of the year, massive cohorts of supernaturals set to work paving roads and erecting skyscreens. Countless commoners witnessed the spectacle with their own eyes. Word began to spread far and wide. Rumor had it that the barbarian commander from the north had conquered Heavenly Star City and subjugated the City of Supernaturals, enslaving the world's supernaturals to work as hard laborers. This realm—or at least the Central Region—now belonged to Li. Just like that, without a whisper of grand fanfare, the transition was accomplished. At this moment, though faint tremors of unrest still rippled across the Central Region, with no leader to rally behind, no one dared stick their neck out. Some had waited for the Three Great Organizations to step forward, only to be met with empty air. The Three Great Organizations made not a peep. It was as though they had completely vanished into thin air! …… At that very moment, aboard an enormous skyship, tens of thousands of supernaturals were gathered. Masked supernaturals of Red Moon, cloaked supernaturals of Feitian, and tattoo-covered supernaturals of Yama were crammed together. The colossal vessel drifted through the gloom in utter silence, charting a course toward the north. Behind it sailed other skyships—more than one. Upon the surface of the sea, a sacred mountain bobbed on the waves, journeying north in tandem with the fleet. Having crossed the North Sea, they crossed into northern waters. As for the Central Region... whoever wished to throw their life away against Li Hao was welcome to do so! Further ahead, aboard a smaller skyship, several peak powerhouses were gathered. Standing upon the deck, Ying Hongyue gazed into the distance and spoke suddenly. "Having left our homeland for decades... do you miss home?" Beside him, the experts remained silent. That was the direction of Silver Moon! Standing like a celestial maiden, Flying Sword Immortal gazed into the distance, her long robes fluttering in the wind. After a long silence, she murmured, "Ying Hongyue, in the end, this world still belongs to Silver Moon! But to whom it will belong is hard to say. I'm rather curious whether it will still belong to Li... Tell me, what is your surname?" Ying Hongyue smiled faintly. "What do you mean by that?" "Are you surnamed Li?" Flying Sword Immortal gave a light chuckle. "There are countless Lis under heaven, but in Silver Moon, there may be only one lineage! Wouldn't it be amusing if, in the end, this was merely an internal feud of the Li clan?" Ying Hongyue chuckled dryly. "How could you imagine such a thing? How could I possibly be surnamed Li?" Beside them, the taciturn Yama remarked coldly, "That's hard to say. Outsiders only know of seven bloodlines unifying; what if it requires eight? That would truly be interesting!" "Stop joking." Ying Hongyue looked exceptionally delicate and handsome, his smile brilliant. "If I were surnamed Li, would Li Hao still have any part to play?" The others sneered faintly and held their peace. Who could tell? The reason they suspected as much was that Ying Hongyue had never seemed particularly obsessed with the Li bloodline—at least prior to this, he had lacked that desperate craving to seize it. Unless... he already possessed it himself! *Ying... Ying Hongyue, Yin Hongyue, Silver Moon...* The companions let their thoughts drift, unsure whether this return to the north was a blessing or a curse. Even after all these years, none of them could see through the man before them. Back in the Central Region, the Nine Departments and the Imperial Clan—once viewed as formidable nemeses—had collapsed in the blink of an eye. The setback was disheartening, and they could only hope that returning to the north would allow them to rise again and withstand Li Hao. One colossal vessel after another crossed the North Sea. The north had arrived. The Three Great Organizations, which had once risen from the northern soil, had returned to the lands of the north. …… At the same time. Deep beneath the North Sea. Inside a submerged manor, a gigantic golden ox opened its eyes and muttered, "The Taboo Sea has begun to churn... Did that boy ever pass word about the Taboo Sea piercing through Silver Moon or not? Not a whisper of news for so many days—what a scoundrel!" With that, its golden eyes blazed, seemingly piercing through heaven and earth. Following a subterranean undercurrent, it peered toward a distant horizon and muttered, "The Taboo Sea churns, and the main cities emerge... The world is about to change. Without the eight main cities suppressing it... disaster will strike sooner or later!" The grand formation formed by the eight main cities had been broken. The minor world mirrored the prime world, and the Taboo Sea of the prime world had required untold eons to suppress, with the bones of supreme paragons cast into its depths. Why, then, had the Taboo Sea of this minor world begun to churn as well? The golden ox was bewildered. It was merely a mirrored force from the prime world; logically speaking, such boiling should not be occurring. Unless... It dared not pursue the thought further. The situation was growing increasingly convoluted. It could sense that the space of the outer world was stabilizing by the day. Before long, perhaps the heavens and earth would recover on their own, without any need for the Heavenly Star Great Mine to detonate. …… During the final days of the year 1730 of the Star Yuan Calendar, a gentle, continuous drizzle began to fall over Silver City. More than five months had elapsed since Li Hao had last witnessed such rain, and before that, it had been a year and a half. The interval between Silver City's drizzles had shortened once again. The people of Silver City had grown accustomed to the rain. They only felt that this final rain of the year carried a thick, lingering scent of blood.