Star Gate

Chapter 545: Entering the North Sea (II)

“One hundred thousand mysterious power stones!” Li Hao amended. It seemed to take a lot of stones for one instance of core origin power. The little tree said it was three times the amount needed to coalesce Water of Life, so didn’t that make it require thirty thousand stones?

One hundred thousand stones would give him three attempts to comprehend core origin. He might be able to attain his fifth aura then.

“Stop joking.” Kong Jie was on the verge of hysterics. What was this nonsense?!

“In that case, ten origin weapons and they all need to be of the wood attribute with no restriction in level!” a wordless Li Hao amended again. “Thirty thousand mysterious power stones, and they all need to be of the wood attribute as well!”

“How do we have so many resources, Li Hao! If we did, Silver Moon would not be what it is.”

“Then forget it, inspector general.” Li Hao didn’t believe the response because these people had certainly excavated quite a few ruins in the province. They must have a lot of treasure stashed behind the scenes.

The other possibility was that Silver Moon might have a powerful martial master army in secret. That was a given!

Li Hao speculated this because if Hou Xiaochen had his Silver Moon Guards, then the others must have their preparations as well. Silver Moon was of a mind to declare independence. Would they do so with only a few powerhouses? As strong as their powerhouses were, they were not omnipotent. They couldn’t be in two places at once—would the various cities not need defenders?

The Night Watchers only had a few Solars on the surface. Was that their basis to declare independence with?

Impossible!

These guys were one hundred percent hiding more personnel elsewhere. As for where, that was easy. Battle Heaven... the little castle... any of these were suitable for hiding people. If Li Hao was of a mind to, no one would know where he put the several dozen Demon Hunters.

Yuan Shuo had also led the Night Watchers on numerous excavations back in the day. Had they gained nothing for their efforts? That was the last thing that Li Hao would believe. Therefore, these personages in charge of Silver Moon must be frightfully rich. They were just pretending to be poor.

Leading the Demon Hunters with his strength had seen the entire crew stand at half step Dominator after a few simple battles. He even had his first Dominator!

And these old guys?

Director General Zhao and the others had been leaders of Silver Moon for several decades. This was their home ground! Who knew how many ruins they’d excavated.

“Li Hao, why do you want so many resources for?” Kong Jie asked wearily. “Your people can’t possibly use them all...”

“Inspector general, it costs a lot to save someone. We expended almost ten thousand mysterious power stones to save Southern Fist last time. Ask the senior yourself if you don’t believe me. Light Sword is in a more critical condition and we may not be able to keep her energy under control. Do you think three times that amount is a lot?

“Also, why the wood attribute? Because the wood attribute can be used to heal people. I’m not using it for my own cultivation. The wood origin weapons are also for this purpose because her condition is too severe. The wood mysterious power stones may not have an effect if her injuries are too heavy. This is the only way we can save her.”

A migraine throbbed at Kong Jie’s temples. This was too much. It was so much that he was starting to debate whether or not it was worth it. This was such a hefty expenditure to pay for saving Light Sword!

Could they afford it?

Yes!

But these were tactical resources that they were expending; they’d accumulated those in preparation for war. It wasn’t meant to be used for one person.

“You can think about it, Inspector General. Let me know when you’re done thinking.”

There was no time to think about it!

“Head over there first,” Kong Jie answered. “I’ll discuss this with the others and give you an answer later, but you can head out first. You can come back anytime if we can’t afford it.”

“I’m busy!” Li Hao hung up again. I’m not an idiot, I’m not doing that. You guys are geniuses to think of having me save Light Sword. In that case, you can pay through the nose for it!

......

Kong Jie looked at the others with a pained expression. “He’s named his terms of ten wood attribute origin weapons and thirty thousand pieces of mysterious power stones. They also need to be of the wood attribute. As for whether or not he’ll use them on saving others or for comprehending the wood aura... That’s hard to determine. Saving Light Sword will certainly consume some of these resources. It’s also a certainty that he’s asking for the moon...”

“Can we ask Hong Yitang to convince Li Hao?” Huang Yu asked.

“Hong Yitang?” Kong Jie’s headache intensified.

“Hong Yitang will only ask for more,” Director General Zhao said languidly. “Li Hao just wants some resources, Hong Yitang will want independence. Do you want to let him be an independent fiefdom within Silver Moon? You can go to him if you want.”

“......” That would no longer be an issue of resources anymore!

“Then...”

“Stop,” Kong Jie interrupted. “Do you think anyone other than Yuan Shuo can convince him? Light Sword really will die if we delay any longer. What we need to consider now is if she’s worth the price. If she is, then we do it. If not, then we give up!”

Was one Light Sword worth such a large expenditure?

“She’s worth it if she stays in Silver Moon afterward,” the director general said softly. “There aren’t many martial masters like her anymore. If she’s not willing, then it’s not worth it. This is a test of character. If it was Southern Fist in her shoes, he wouldn’t be worth it. His character isn’t good enough as he reneges on his word often. But Light Sword... what do you guys think?”

“There’s another point to consider,” Kong Jie raised, “If large numbers of powerhouses are set on hunting her, will Li Hao even be able to see her if he goes? Will he have a chance to address her wounds? It will take more than a split second given the circumstances, he might need to take shelter in a quiet place!”

“Let’s not think about that for now,” Director General Zhao breathed out gently. “If Li Hao dares accept the mission, that means he has the confidence, or at least the spirit, to take this risk. We can give him the mysterious power stones, but origin weapons... and wood attribute ones... We don’t have that many.

“Three, that is what we can spare. Ask him if he’s willing to act for that number. Move out if he is, forget it if not. Light Sword is on her own then.”

Three origin weapons!

Kong Jie nodded and returned to the black armor to communicate with Li Hao.

......

“Three origin weapons?” Li Hao clucked his tongue. Those guys were rich, alright! They gave three wood origin weapons at the drop of a hat. Most importantly, they hadn’t haggled in terms of mysterious power stones! That was thirty thousand stones!

Hao Lianchuan had been beside himself with joy when he obtained a few dozen in Battle Heaven. Oh director, how pitiful are you to be so overjoyed at a dozen mysterious power stones?

Just listen to that! Silver Moon was willing to pay thirty thousand stones to save Light Sword!

Li Hao looked at Hao Lianchuan furiously absorbing energy; he suddenly pitied the man and didn’t want to disturb him. However, he still said, “Director Hao, Silver Moon is offering three origin weapons and thirty thousand mysterious power stones for me to save Light Sword. What do you think?”

“Eh?” Hao Lianchuan widened his eyes and stared at Li Hao. The young man repeated himself to the stunned man. Hao Lianchuan’s jaw dropped and he stammered after a bit, “You’re... you’re joking. How do they have so many reserves? I’d believe three thousand stones, but thirty million in Silver Moon...”

“It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not.” Li Hao grinned.

Hao Lianchuan opened his mouth to say something, but abruptly shut his eyes. This was too awful to consider, so he wouldn’t think about it. This might... actually be real. The quick comparison made him so pitiful in contrast. Were these old farts of Silver Moon really that wealthy??

Thirty thousand pieces! What kind of concept was that? He’d never seen so many mysterious power stones in his life!

Meanwhile, Li Hao was debating whether or not to accept the mission. He’d given these terms because he felt that Silver Moon wouldn’t agree to them. Now that they had, a headache throbbed at his temples. It was very difficult to save someone, not to mention his target was being hunted by others. Her pursuers were also equally strong—this was the first part of the problem. The second was that who knew where Light Sword had run off to? Would he even be able to find the swordswoman? And yet, the wood origin weapons and mysterious power stones tempted him...

Wasn’t this all so he could grow stronger? He would also fulfill his promise to Light Sword. It would have nothing to do with him if the person died beforehand.

“Very well, I agree,” he sent a communication ripple through the armor system. “But you pay half of it first and the remaining half after the mission is complete. If I don’t get there in time and she’s dead I’m not returning the deposit!”

“Li Hao, you’re part of the Night Watchers after all...”

“The Night Watchers are in charge of Silver Moon’s protection and I didn’t demand payment from anyone when I killed pirates. This is an additional mission, so why should I not require payment?”

Don’t try to pull the ethics card on me. I don’t know myself where my bottom line is.

“Fine! Then how are you getting there...” Kong Jie nearly choked.

“Where is she, roughly? I’ll go there myself. You better give me the items first. I’ll head back to White Moon City right now—you guys can have someone meet me halfway. That will save some time.”

“Light Sword has fled north from the east. We’re not certain of her exact location at the moment either. We can only be roughly sure that she’ll follow the east coast and run toward the North Sea...”

“That’s enough!”

“Huh?”

“That’s good!” It was enough for Li Hao to know the approximate location. All he needed was to scan the route with his eyes. Any place with big balls of light could be where Light Sword was.

But his strength was giving him pause. It was a frightening prospect to leave Silver Moon. After some thought, he turned to the little tree.

“Senior Tree, I need to leave for a bit on a more dangerous mission. The rewards are plenty, however. I’ll be rewarded with thirty thousand of the mysterious power stones that you absorbed before and three wood origin weapons!”

“You want me to go with you?”

“That’s my thought!” Li Hao nodded. “If the senior is worried, you can seal off this area first and then head out with me. The senior will be able to revive a portion of your strength from them, no? I feel that you expended too much energy before and cannot maintain your operations. This is why you can only bring Nova level strength to bear. If you can obtain more treasures and recover your energy, you’ll be able to flex more strength.”