Star Gate

“Li Hao,” Wang Ming whispered next to his colleague. “Can the Breathing Method of the Five Styles really not be taught to outsiders?”

Li Hao glared at him and kept his voice down. “Of course not! Don’t even think about it unless you kill me and take the book about the secret method from my body! And don’t get any funny ideas either. These secret arts are always only partially written down. Randomly attempting it will cause your death. The Breathing Method of the Five Styles is only half recorded in the book, the rest of it’s in my mind. So don’t even think about it!”

“How would I ever...” Wang Ming mumbled. “But what are you carrying it on you for? Isn’t that incredibly dangerous?”

“No shit! But should I hide it at home instead? Don’t worry, only half of it’s written down. It’s not like all of it will be leaked if I lose it. You’re teacher’s honorary disciple. I’ll let you read it if you do well.”

“Okay!”

The two kept their voices so low that they were inaudible. Director Zhou on the other side didn’t hear anything and didn’t mind their whispering.

......

However, the ears of several Solars twitched on the second floor.

Inside one of the private booths.

Hu Dingfang’s expression shifted slightly. That idiot! He looked at Chen Yuhua and transmitted, “Is there a secret record detailing the Breathing Method of the Five Styles?”

His wife looked at him and transmitted back, “There was before, I don’t know if there’s one now. Why do you ask? You already know it, so why do you need the book?”

“It’s not that, but your junior brother... Does he really think that people can’t hear what he’s saying? He’s carrying it on him...”

“What?!” Chen Yuhua blinked. What was he carrying it around for?

There weren’t a lot of words in the manual for the breathing method; it mostly detailed some movements and the actual technique. To know it was to plumb the depths of its knowledge. He could destroy it after he learned it, why keep it on himself?

“Wait, you heard him?” she realized in the next second.

“Yes!” Hu Dingfang answered out loud with a frown. “He said it very softly, but what level of strength does a Solar command? They’ll be able to hear if they concentrate their focus on him...”

Both of them frowned ferociously. This was not good! The more Li Hao demonstrated the effects of the breathing method, the more it would tempt people. Even supernaturals would be moved if this went on. He would be in grave trouble as the situation continued.

Hu Dingfang’s ears abruptly pricked forward as he heard the two voices once more.

“Li Hao, you’ve got a Nova blood pearl on you—why don’t you give me one? Director Hou split it into ten for you, you won’t lose much if you give me one. I’ll buy it off you...”

“Shut up and keep your voice down. No one else knows about this, so keep quiet, you big mouth! Stop talking! There’s powerhouses on the second floor, what if they hear us? You’ve seriously got a huge mouth!”

“Pfft, we’re talking so softly! Do you really think they’re gods? And who cares if they hear us? Who dares touch you when we’ve got the director backing us up? He’ll stab them to death with one jab!”

“You... forget it, I’m not talking to you.”

That was the end of their conversation, but Hu Dingfang glowered blackly.

“He’s also carrying a Nova blood pearl on him!” he transmitted after a moment. Even Chen Yuhua’s expression changed drastically. The Breathing Method of the Five Styles and a Nova blood pearl was a perfect match! Even she herself would be tempted at this point. Their lives would be so different after killing Li Hao!

As for the secret method being incomplete, some veteran martial masters might be able to deduce the rest of the method after obtaining the first half. Their capabilities were not to be underestimated.

A headache set in for Chen Yuhua. Her junior brother... was too foolish and she didn’t know how many had heard him. Hu Dingfang heard him because her husband was a late Solar. What about the others?

“Pay attention to the reactions from the other booths...”

Hu Dingfang furrowed his brows as soon as she responded. “There’s no reaction, it’s all very quiet. Perhaps... no one heard him? We did because we’re keeping an eye on him. Other people might not have noticed anything.”

However, his brows remained locked in a frown. He needed to remind Li Hao the importance of being prudent. Did the Night Watchers really think that no one would take a risk just because they had Hou Xiaochen?

Youngsters had such big mouths and needed to talk about everything! Hu Dingfang knew who Wang Ming was by now—the grandson of the vice commander of White Dragons. He’d learned that the boy was a big mouth when he asked around. It would seem that he had a particularly big mouth and talked about everything and anything.

......

Wang Ming acted perfectly normal; there was nothing out of place. Who is Li Hao trying to trick this time? Do I get any credit if he succeeds? Do I get a cut of the spoils? I’ll probably always be known as a big mouth from now on, but who cares! I don’t!

He flicked a glance and looked at the others in the hall again. Who was his colleague’s target this time and how many would take the bait? This guy was up to his old habits on his first day in Silver Moon, he was such a bad guy! novelbuddy.c(o)m

Li Hao continued to cautiously answer everyone’s questions in an earnest fashion. He focused mainly on the blood pearls and the breathing method, assigning all credit to these two components.

The more the crowd listened, the more they felt that these two factors were needed in order to break through to Summoner of Spirit. Granted, the same effects could be had with more blood pearls if one did not have the breathing method.

At the very last when the meeting was about to conclude, Big Mouth Wang Ming whispered again, “Li Hao, does Hu Dingfang know the Breathing Method of the Five Styles? I heard Director Hao say that he made it to late Solar in two years after stealing your secret art. That means supernaturals can also use it, and to great effect, right?”

“Shut up, seriously just shut up! Stop blabbering and don’t start rumors!” Li Hao rebuked with some anger. “You can stay away from me in the future if you keep running your mouth like this! You’re so damned annoying!”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anything anymore!”

Hu Dingfang was a bit awkward, resigned, and angry from his seat on the second floor. This Wang Ming really needed a good beating! And these two fools needed to stop talking! At this rate, even supernaturals would be tempted, not just martial masters!

Sigh. I should’ve interrupted them after their first sentence had I known this would happen.

......

In another private booth.

Hao Lianchuan yawned widely and grinned. The little guy was fishing for all he was worth and fearless that he might truly attract a massive fish. He was fishing with his life as bait!

In that case... fish well.

Hao Lianchuan soundlessly departed the meeting hall. The news would make it into certain people’s ears soon.

......

Inside the meeting hall.

Li Hao did his best to answer all the questions flung at him. Other than those he couldn’t answer, he fully spoke of everything he knew.

It was the final moments of the meeting. Someone in the crowd hesitated, but ultimately asked, “Little friend Li, can you really not share the Breathing Method of the Five Styles?”

There were those who still wanted to give that a try at this stage. Could it be taught to outsiders? Perhaps they were willing to in these times of martial dao weakness?

The young man pursed his lips with difficulty and thought for a bit. Still, his response was, “I cannot! At least not right now. My master needs to give approval, it is not up to me. And my master... Well, it’s not entirely impossible!

“Everyone might be more familiar with my master than I am. He’s stubborn, but also expresses his gratitude in spades. I’ll be frank, my teacher isn’t here right now partially because he’s hiding for protection. If the various aunts and uncles present happen to come across him or see him when you return home, and are willing to lend a helping hand if my master is in danger... then why can’t the Breathing Method of the Five Styles be shared?

“Is there a point to rules if one is about to die?” Li Hao spoke bluntly. “If my master is still unwilling to teach the breathing method after he is saved, his savior can come find me. I will share it even if that gives him an apologetic fit!”

The crowd rustled in reaction to his latest words. Save Yuan Shuo?

Indeed, Yuan Shuo was very strong now. But as strong as he was, he was not to the point of defying Novas. If he really traveled to the central region and sought revenge from Ying Hongyue, then... it wasn’t out of the question that those gathered could render some aid if they came across a Yuan Shuo in need.

The word of a martial master was very valuable. They might receive even more valuable things then, to say nothing of the breathing method.

“I see!” The martial master who’d spoken smiled. “If I really do meet an injured Master Yuan on the run in the central region, I will naturally do what I can as a fellow martial master!”

“My thanks to everyone!” Li Hao raised a cupped fist salute. “I have answered all that I can and can do no more about what still remains a mystery. At the last, although I share a death feud with Red Moon, I must remind everyone that the blood pearls are formless and intangible. There is no other way to extract them other than with origin weapons. Don’t take risks for the blood pearls. The best way is not to hunt down Red Moon powerhouses either, but to force the organization to hand over the method to nurture them! novelbuddy(.)com

“That is the true root of the situation!” The young smiled. “We martial masters have a way forward if we can produce blood pearls ourselves. I, Li Hao, do hereby announce a promise from my master that if Red Moon is willing to hand over the method to raise blood pearls—the true method, one that is suited for the public’s use—then our discipline’s Breathing Method of the Five Styles can also be publicized! We are honored to do our part for the glory of martial dao!”

A hush descended upon the first and second floors. Some had been thinking during Li Hao’s speech that it wasn’t a done deal even if Red Moon was willing to share their knowledge. Yuan Shuo would have to offer his as well.

This was precisely what Li Hao had just added!

“Can you really make this promise on behalf of your master?” Some people could barely remain in their seats.

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