Star Gate

Chapter 749: Persuading With Fist and Reason (I)

The young man didn’t know how strong he’d be with the dual deployment of wind and fire, as well as the wind and thunder abilities, but he was certain that he was much stronger than before. The only unknown was that he wasn’t sure if he could withstand the eruption of all four elements at the same time. But no matter what, this was his trump card!

He didn’t need to depend on others, and with the little tree’s replica... Li Hao was thinking that he might be able to kill Ying Hongyue!

I’ve got to surprise a few before revealing the full extent of my capabilities, or it’d be such a massive loss!

“Then I’m going to the Night Watchers to look in on Director Hou so that he doesn’t worry about me!” Li Hao grinned and left, leaving Hong Yitang staring at Deputy Zhou.

“Do you think he’d waste effort just to have fun by himself?” asked Hong Yitang.

How would I know! The deputy protested. But he could tell that Li Hao hadn’t grasped any other elements. The emanation of energy from three elements would be a different sight—unless he’d perfectly retracted the fire element inside of him.

But how was that possible?

Li Hao was sauntering down the road toward the Avenue of the Nine Ministries. He didn’t conceal his presence and even put away the gold armor. When he set foot on the avenue, people observed him in private and were baffled by what they found.

The news spread before long and powerhouses of the nine ministries broke out in filthy curses. Due to the wariness of Li Hao becoming a three element Arcanus yesterday, they’d agreed on paying high prices for Water of Life so that they could grasp three elements as well. But now they saw that the little bastard was still a wielder of two elements!

So you were screwing around with us and forcing us to waste our resources!

Several million pieces of stones was still an astronomical figure for them! Now they were advancing, but Li Hao was not. Were they supposed to bully the brat after advancing?

This was.... a shitfest! Various heavyweights cursed with everything they had in the privacy of their territory. Could that little bastard take a second to consider what he’d done?!

......

The Night Watcher headquarters.

Yao Si burst out laughing helplessly when he received word. “He really has too much time on his hands, doesn’t he, and just wanted to create some excitement in Skystar City? The nine ministries really expended a large sum to advance supernaturals who can grasp three elements. Isn’t he just creating more difficult circumstances for himself?”

I’m really learning something new today, that there are people like him in the world! Although the nine ministries have paid a very high price, they truly have improved their strength. What are you after here?

Perhaps everyone would be able to naturally make the leap after a period of time, or at the very least, pay a smaller price. Those who were in a rush would certainly pay a greater price. At the same time, Li Hao hadn’t gained anything at all!

“Commander Li must be hiding his strength!” Little Ye declared with firm belief. Yao Si wanted to roll his eyes at that.

What are you thinking of? Any of us is much stronger than you, are we all blind? Do you think we can’t tell the difference between two elements and three? Not to mention, Li Hao’s not bothering to hide his tracks. He’s so blatant that it seems like he’s telling everyone, I fooled you! How damned childish!

Yao Si shook his head. The kid was too young and too naive. He would be the death of himself sooner or later!

......

The Night Watcher headquarters.

Li Hao’s arrival raised a few ripples. The Night Watcher on duty at the door snapped to solemn attention when he saw Li Hao and barked out, “Greetings to the commander!”

The other guards on duty drew themselves ramrod straight and the Night Watchers loitering around inside the doors backed away to the two sides. More greetings echoed when Li Hao walked in.

“Greetings to the commander!”

Li Hao inclined his head and didn’t say anything. He simply felt that the Night Watchers walked with more pep in their footsteps now. No one had cared about an unfamiliar face on his first visit and they hadn’t even verified his identity.

Well, they didn’t do so either this time, but they knew him.

Greetings rose and fell through the courtyard, the atmosphere bubbling like the greatest of senior leadership had come to inspect the rank and file. After the death of Yellow Dragon and a few more deputy directors, there weren’t many among the Night Watcher executive officers. It was Yao Si, Hou Xiaochen, Li Hao, and a few deputy directors who didn’t care about much.

Of the commanders of the five directions, Hou Xiaochen was outright ignored by everyone. Apart from Li Hao, only the southern commander was still alive.

......

The rear yard.

Dao Sword was conversing with a few people and exchanging cultivation insights when he suddenly looked into the distance. The people he was with did the same.

“Do you see that? So awesome!” Big Eyes winked. Now this was an awe-inspiring sight! Li Hao didn’t need to say anything to announce his presence at headquarters. No matter if the Night Watchers accepted him or not, they were afraid of him!

Yellow Dragon had been arrogant, had he not? He was now a pile of dust!

Dao Sword smiled and rose to his feet.

“Are you going to cause trouble for him?” Big Eyes asked excitedly.

“Why would I?” Dao Sword burst out laughing. “I’m just going to take a look. I’ve yet to meet him. Since he’s come, I should of course make his acquaintance.”

The three excitedly followed their comrade, wanting to know how Li Hao would react when he saw Dao Sword. Would it be disregard? Contempt? Or something else?

Dao Sword might not be an Arcanus, but he was a premier existence within the metamorphosis level. He was very young. The Divine Masters Ranking was said to be reorganized lately; he stood a chance of entering the top three.

Of course, that bastard might become number one. There was no helping it since he was an Arcanus and had killed many of that level. His battle accomplishments were too formidable.

......

Li Hao continuously nodded as he walked in, not responding to anyone. He saw a familiar face when he almost reached Hou Xiaochen’s building. The acquaintance’s expression shifted rapidly and he hastily beamed, “Commander!”

Li Hao looked at him with a smile. “Hu Qingfeng?”

“That’s me, it’s me!” Hu Qingfeng no longer displayed the cocky impudence he had in Silver Moon. “How does Commander Li have the time today to inspect headquarters? Do you need this humble one to do something?”

He was a Nova at the end of the day, and a mid Nova at that now, but he was all the more shameless for it.

“I thought you died with Yellow Dragon in that battle!”

“How would I ever!” Hu Qingfeng grinned from ear to ear. “It’s all thanks to Director Hou’s care and Commander Li’s mercy in not taking this minor one to account for my deeds. Yellow Dragon well deserved his death, how could I ever mutiny by his side?”

“......” Li Hao grinned as well. Just listen to the man! One was certainly different when their skin was thick enough! Here was a two-faced character who spoke of himself like he was an envoy of justice!

Whatever. Li Hao couldn’t be bothered with him. He didn’t really have a grudge with Hu Qingfeng. As overbearing as the man had been, he hadn’t been heavy-handed with Li Hao. Hu Qingfeng had only wanted to kill Hou Xiaochen, but his target didn’t mind that at all. In that case, Li Hao wouldn’t overstep and exceed his duties.

The young man couldn’t be bothered with too much conversation and headed off. Hu Qingfeng hastily caught up to Li Hao. “Sir, this humble one has something to report.”

“Speak of it.”

“Yellow Dragon may be dead, but the remnants of his forces have not been fully exterminated! His people are still scattered through local agencies and headquarters! I’ve been following his side to collect evidence of his crimes. He and his people even trafficked supernaturals, they’re complete animals! I have proof of it all!”

A righteous Hu Qingfeng carried on in ringing tones, “Their leader may have received his just punishment under the law, but we cannot only condemn the leader and not pursue his followers! There are many in the central region who collaborate with him...

“The situation now is that Director Hou is in charge of vital Skystar matters and Director Yao has just stepped forth again. Director Yao might not have a full understanding of everything and some of those involved are his old subordinates. He might not be willing to do what is necessary against them. That leaves only Commander Li capable of handling this matter!

“There are twenty-two provinces in the central region and thousands of cities. There are twenty-two managing directors of Night Watchers in those provinces and thousands of deputy directors. I see that some among the Silver Moon Guards are certainly qualified for this task. We can take into account some of the Demon Hunters as well. There will be plenty of positions available once the remnants of Yellow Dragon’s faction are cleansed!”

Li Hao halted, looking at Hu Qingfeng with some surprise. “What are you trying to do here?”

“......” Hu Qingfeng jerked with solemnity. “Nothing at all! This humble one simply feels that milord should exterminate all evil and eradicate them once and for all! Otherwise, they might bite back at you one day...”

“You’re worried about yourself, aren’t you?”

Hu Qingfeng laughed drily. Of course, that was one of the reasons. He’d been Yellow Dragon’s confidante and betrayed him in a split second. Wouldn’t revenge be headed his way if he didn’t stamp out all of those people?

Seeing that Li Hao was unmoved by his speech, he had to offer up another reason. “Also, you might not know, sir, that Yellow Dragon had his backers. It wasn’t the nine ministries. If it was, he would’ve been an Arcanus that day. He is actually supported by the royal family...”

Li Hao blinked and tilted his head at the man.

“That’s right, Yellow Dragon worked for the royal family!” Hu Qingfeng was overjoyed at having drawn a reaction. “A lot of people know it, so when he denounced you that day, it was with the royal family’s endorsement. Also, he’s ruined the Night Watcher reputation these years with all the trouble caused by his men to create the misconception that the nine ministries and Night Watchers are the source of problems. That is also at the royal family’s behest!”

“He’s with the royal family?” Li Hao raised an eyebrow.

“Yes!” Hu Qingfeng hastily said. “I wouldn’t dare lie to you, sir. I... happen to have a bit of strength myself and Yellow Dragon trusted me a lot at first. I even ran some errands for him at the palace...”