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Chapter 334: Setting Strategy (II)

The sound of his name traveled into his ear as the young man processed these thoughts. Li Hao blinked. How am I being mentioned by name at such a gathering? He immediately snapped to attention and displayed an attentive expression. It was Kong Jie who’d mentioned him, not Hou Xiaochen.

“Yuan Shuo has shown himself in Near River recently,” boomed the inspector general in a resonant voice. “He should be operating within the three northern provinces now. With his personality, he’ll probably stay there for a while.

“His method of Summoner of Spirit is different from the procedures to strengthen martial masters in the central region. It feels more like the next level in martial dao cultivation. There are immensely powerful martial masters in the central region, such as He Yong. He changed his blood three times and rivals a Solar! But compared to Yuan Shuo’s method, I feel that he is still slightly lacking...

“There are many with their eyes on Yuan Shuo now. Since Li Hao is his final disciple, I’ve been wondering if we should send him to the three northern provinces for a bit. He might be able to meet up with Yuan Shuo and talk to him, learn a few details about the Summoner method. Silver Moon’s martial world dominated the world back in the day and some of the old guard is still around. Not only that, but I’ve heard that there are Dominators in the Silver Moon Guards. Can we publicly announce the Summoner method, discuss some details, enhance martial master battle strength...”

Li Hao was immediately the focus of attention. Nervousness appeared on his face, but he was inwardly resigned. Is there a need for this? My teacher wouldn’t be able to fight you guys even if he was here! These old guys are seriously conniving.

“Is teacher in the three northern provinces?” he said quickly instead. “I stand ready for my orders at any time! I’m sure that teacher won’t keep the method to himself!”

It might be nice to visit the three northern provinces. Should they run away together if he ran into his teacher? The world was vast, there would be a place for them somewhere. Li Hao had thought that place was Silver Moon before, but now he realized that wasn’t likely. These fellows hid themselves one deeper than the other. Given the circumstances, the young man would never believe that they didn’t intend to rebel!

Therefore, it might be a good thing to get out while the getting was good.

“There’s no rush,” Hou Xiaochen replied with a chuckle. “Yuan Shuo hasn’t walked this path to its end yet, he’s just started. We should wait a little longer and see! Not to mention, someone like Yuan Shuo walks far only when you let him off the leash and he’s able to do whatever he wishes. He’ll be restricted at every turn if kept under lock and key.”

Kong Jie thought for a moment and nodded without further word.

“There’s also no hurry when it comes to Yuan Shuo’s matter,” said Director General Zhao. “We should talk about you, Director Hou. Director Hao couldn’t say anything of value when you weren’t present at our last meeting.”

Hao Lianchuan was even more dejected by these words. That old fart was so annoying!

“Please go ahead, director general,” Hou Xiaochen chuckled.

“The central region has ordered you to their posts several times,” the director general began solemnly. “But you refuse again and again with the excuse that you are injured and unfit for their appointments. You have now killed Red Hair with one move—he was a Nova. Director Hou, you should give us some explanations and answers today as to what your goals are.”

Tension built in the conference room; Hu Qingfeng was nervous. Why was the old geezer being so straightforward? Yes, that’s what this meeting is about, but there’s no need to be so direct!

Hou Xiaochen sighed with resignation. “I am indeed injured, that is not a sham. The three great organizations were powerful in the past and the cause of much unease and trouble. Apart from me, the Night Watchers were unable to suppress them. Although the central region might have sent powerful reinforcements, I was worried that they wouldn’t understand the situation in Silver Moon...”

“So you saw fit to refuse your orders?” Director General Zhao asked calmly.

“I wouldn’t dare!” Hou Xiaochen said softly. “I am simply speaking of my difficulties. At the very least, the Night Watchers would agree with me. Of course, if I am pivotal to Skystar City’s survival, then send me another order and I will head to the central region!”

Hu Qingfeng’s jaw nearly dropped. You’re... willing to go?

“But I need to do something before that,” Hou Xiaochen continued.

“What is it?”

“I need to obtain the origin weapon from the ancient city of Battle Heaven and provide White Moon City with another layer of protection,” Hou Xiaochen declared solemnly. “I will join the next expedition and personally enter the ruins! If we succeed, I will head to the central region after I emerge. But if I fail and die in Battle Heaven... then nothing else needs to be said.”

“Director Hou, you’re going to enter the ruins?” Hu Qingfeng couldn’t help but ask.

“Can I not?” Hou Xiaochen looked at him without a flicker of change in his expression. “White Moon City is the core of Silver Moon. Once I leave, certain rascals might stir with other ideas in mind. I’ve been worried about this over the years. If I can obtain the origin weapon that will protect the entire city, then I will have no complaints about wherever I’m sent.”

Hu Qingfeng was speechless, but decided to press his point since everything was out in the open. “If I may be so blunt, what is your cultivation level, Director Hou? Please don’t misunderstand, I’m just curious...”

“I’ve barely made it to Nova. Killing Red Hair happened only because I caught him off guard and was wielding the mighty Flaming Phoenix Spear. I’m not as extraordinary as everyone thinks I am!”

Director General Zhao gently rapped the table and stopped Hu Qingfeng from asking further. “This means to say that you will follow orders after obtaining that origin weapon?”

“Yes!”

“And how long will it take?”

“Let’s see how next month goes. If the three great organizations are eliminated next month, making it possible for me to enter the ruins, then I will. It will take only three days after that.”

In other words, Hou Xiaochen was willing to leave in a month at most if everything went smoothly.

Director General Zhao nodded and looked at Hu Qingfeng. “What do you think, Special Agent Hu?”

What are you asking me for?? How would I know??

Certain things were dicey given Hou Xiaochen’s sudden willingness to follow orders. Since he would do as told and redeploy for the central region, then the central region had no reason to act against him. They did so before only because the man conducted himself as a local despot and refused to leave. Once in the central region, he’d have to lower his head and tuck his tail in even if he was a dragon!

After thinking it over, Hu Qingfeng felt that this was also a good turn of events. However, it remained to be seen if they were able to obtain the origin weapon from the ruins. And, was he supposed to follow the man in?

But Zhang Ting had already died inside. What should he do if this guy tried to kill him during the expedition?

I need to notify upstairs to send more people, or else I’m not going inside! Hu Qingfeng looked at the director general and nodded after coming to his own conclusions. “I have no opinions, it’s all up to Director Hou. He might be my superior if he really transfers to the central region, so congratulations are in order!”

Hou Xiaochen ignored the smile sent his way and fell silent after giving his response.

“Do the others have any questions?” asked the director general as he surveyed the room. No one said anything. Nothing else was an issue if Hou Xiaochen was willing to follow orders.

“Then let us adjourn!” Director General Zhao announced wearily. “We should resolve the three great evil organizations as soon as possible. If that cannot be done, then we should wait. If need be, we can request reinforcements from upstairs.”

The old man then looked at Li Hao. “Li Hao, you are of the eight families of Silver City. We don’t know much about them, but Red Moon is very focused on you. We will continue to investigate the matter! Flipping through some ancient Silver City records, however, should result in certain information.”

The young man snapped to attention. He didn’t think that the director general would mention him for no reason at all at this precise moment. There must be a very important reason! Granted, he didn’t know why this topic was being brought up in front of so many.

Director General Zhao smiled to see the young man look expectantly at him. “I don’t know too much, but I had Ole Zhou page through many old books and found a passage that said ‘when the eight guardians are gathered together and open the sealed door, that is when we ride in conquest!’

“This may be relevant to the eight families of Silver City—they might have been protecting something or safeguarding a door that had been sealed for many years. It leads to an unknown location with no mention of who the conquest target is. There are no further records that give more details of the last detail.

“It’s been so long that you can just treat it as a legend.” The old man sighed softly. “Ying Hongyue might know a thing or two. Red Moon rose the fastest out of the three great organizations. If there’s a chance to, you should speak to Ying Hongyue...”

What? Talk about what? Aren’t I done for as soon as we meet? Li Hao said nothing and committed the conversation to memory. Eight guardians? Sealed door? That stone door? Or the eight trigrams?

The young man sank into deep thought, searching for clues. As for conquest... that was less hazy to him. Humanity seemed to have been led by a Human King during that time. He led numerous powerhouses to fight a war somewhere. The Battle Heaven Army was a troop left behind to safeguard home. However, the conquering army never came back after leaving and even the ancient city was abandoned.

Where had they gone? The central region? Or the boundless cosmos?

If before, Li Hao would never consider outer space. But after the supernatural appeared and with the advent of flying powerhouses, the young man began to wonder if there might be other living beings above their world.

He once saw a powerhouse go on a rampage in space, killing someone named the Heavenly Emperor. Was that the enemy? But he was dead!

Therefore, the Human King might be marching on an even stronger foe. Were they all dead now?

Who knew.

“Thank you for your pointers, director general!” Li Hao put it all out of his mind.

“You are welcome. This meeting is adjourned!” The old man rose to his feet and tottered to a door behind him. There was a passageway there through which he could exit.

Hou Xiaochen rose as well, walking outside with a calm expression. Li Hao and the others swiftly caught up to him.