Star Gate

“These three provinces form an arrowhead,” Hou Xiaochen picked up the conversation. “Proceeding south from them gives one access to the central region, heading north puts the entire northern region at one’s fingertips. They hold back the north and peer out over the south, which is why they’ve been an area that the dynasty has always paid special attention to.

“The three provinces are under one person’s control—all nine ministries within those provinces answer to him. He also commands an elite troop of the best and brightest while wielding incredible battle strength himself. He is the royal family’s appointed General of Northern Pacification. The nine ministries also appointed him the governor general of the three provinces. He is the only general to oversee three provinces.”

Li Hao had a vague recollection of these details, like he’d read about them in a book somewhere.

“Director, is this general very strong?” asked the young man. “He became a supernatural with the rise of the new domain, right?”

“Correct.”

Okay. Li Hao still wasn’t very interested. All of this felt very removed from him, like he was reading a history book. Although he knew that these people lived and breathed, what did it have to do with him? Would Hou Xiaochen have to face retaliation from this person first after he rebelled?

That was possible! So was this a... forewarning for the young man to be careful?

The car stopped as they conversed. There was someone waiting at the door—a genteel, old man with white hair. He smiled faintly when he saw Hou Xiaochen. “Greetings to Director Hou.”

“You are too polite, Deputy Zhou! To think that you would be standing here in wait, I am ashamed!”

“Zhou Xingdao,” Hao Lianchuan introduced through transmission. “Deputy director general at the provincial government and first among the deputies. He’s Director General Zhao’s old partner, they’ve worked together for nearly forty years. They started from the rank and file, making them the dynamic duo of Silver Moon!”

Colleagues for nearly forty years was a very long period of time indeed. And more importantly, they were able to become the province’s most important personages together. Strictly speaking, these two were the true shot callers of Silver Moon. However, the provincial government had declined in importance after the rise of the supernatural. The administrative system had been greatly impacted as a result.

Li Hao said nothing. He had no right to speak at a place like this. Deputy Zhou greeted Director Hou, Manager Yu, Hao Lianchuan, then surprisingly turned to the quiet young man.

“Li Hao, is it?” The old man inclined his head with a smile. “What an outstanding young man, as expected of Yuan Shuo’s disciple! A stern master produces a fine disciple—Yuan Shuo possessed a striking reputation back in his day. It is Silver Moon’s great joy that his disciple has come into his own.”

Li Hao blinked, but quickly responded, “You praise me far too highly, sir!”

“Such a promising child!” Deputy Zhou smiled and led the way through the front doors.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow; it looked like his name was known throughout certain circles now. I wonder if that’s a good or bad thing?

“That old man has never been so polite to me,” Hao Lianchuan transmitted. “But he’s quite nice to you. Did your master beat him up many years ago?”

“......” Li Hao was speechless. My teacher fights only martial masters. This one’s a civilian, the hell is he supposed to fight? But he might be a concealed powerhouse...

The young man saw a lack of light when he looked at the deputy again. Deputy Zhou was not a supernatural and was not hiding his strength. Judging from his sagging skin, he didn’t seem to be a martial master either.

What would my teacher beat him up for?

Li Hao ignored Hao Lianchuan and followed the group into the provincial government headquarters proper. It was quite spacious and there weren’t many people in the lobby. Bystanders swiftly cleared out when they saw the group and made way for them to pass through. There were other supernaturals among them.

The young man looked around curiously and saw a few balls of light—none of them were that strong. There seemed to be three Sunflares on the second floor. That’s decent enough. But since Li Hao had killed even Solars now, he didn’t think much of Sunflares. If the vast provincial government only had a few Sunflares holding down the fort, then they would indeed lose their place at the table.

There were bigger balls of light on the third floor, some even seemed to be Novas!

However, the young man didn’t think they belonged to the provincial government. Those might come from other institutions or even the Hu Qingfeng who he’d yet to meet. It was a convening between the four major institutions, after all. The special agent from the central region was bound to come.

These people would not escape his notice given the special attributes of his eyes. Unbidden, Li Hao thought of something else at this time. He’d read some files during his tenure in Classified Affairs that spoke of others being able to see the scarlet shadows. They were either quickly taken away or died in accidents. He’d thought that he’d meet them after joining the Night Watchers, but was yet to see a single one of them so far.

Were they the same as him and able to see the balls of light? If they could, then these powerhouses hiding their strength was an absolute joke! All that was needed was for these people to take one glance to know who was hiding what level of expertise.

Where did all those people go? A curious Li Hao had always wanted to ask, but hadn’t had the chance or a good excuse to. Wang Ming was plainly unaware. Li Hao flicked a glance at Hao Lianchuan—perhaps he would know a little.

......

The group eschewed the elevator and climbed the stairs to the third floor. Li Hao had discovered that these powerhouses didn’t like to take the elevator. Perhaps they were worried about being ambushed in small spaces.

The third floor.

A door at the head of the stairwell led to a small receiving room. Some employees were already waiting within. A large door stood at the other end of the room. That was where the conference room for this meeting was located.

Li Hao scanned the employees at the door—they were all supernaturals. One Sunflare and five Darkmoons. The provincial government was highly prioritizing this meeting.

“Director Hou is here!” Deputy Zhou’s announcement opened the door. The moment it swung open...

Li Hao thought he was going blind! He was very curious and peeked inside the moment the door opened. He thought he’d blinded himself!

Tears slowly trailed down his cheeks and he immediately ducked his head to wipe them away. He wanted to cry! He really wanted to cry! Hot damn! He was shocked beyond belief, stunned, and dazed. It was like when he’d seen Qiao Feilong when he looked behind the door...

One, two, three...

The light bulbs that he didn’t see before were all here and searing his eyes. The Nova ball of light that he’d seen before was actually insignificant in this crowd. Li Hao thought he was dreaming!

Where am I? Who am I? Am I somewhere I shouldn’t be?

......

There were four groups in the conference room. Other than the other three institutions apart from the Night Watcher, the fourth party was Hu Qingfeng and two of his men. An old man sat at the head of the room—Director General Zhao.

Another old man dressed in a special military uniform sat on the left. This was the military powerhouse that many spoke of—Commander Yu. Hu Dingfang and yet another old man could only sit beside him. Plainly, the commander ranked more highly than them.

The tall and muscular inspector general of the Inspectorate sat on the right. Several more people sat next to him. This was where Hu Qingfeng’s group was located as the Night Watchers were technically under Inspectorate jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Li Hao almost went blind when he swept his gaze over these people. He didn’t know whose light was stabbing into his eyes, but he did know that this wasn’t a place fit for anyone!

The hell??

He was so shocked that his knees threatened to knock together. This is fucking crazy! It was like when he saw Hou Xiaochen, but there was more than one here!

“Li Hao?” Hao Lianchuan gave the young man a slight push. What was he doing? Go in! Was he trying to raise attention by freezing at the door?

Li Hao lowered his head and moved cautiously, like he was a rookie on his first day of work. “I’m nervous, Deputy Director Hao. I... I haven’t seen big occasions like this before. Can you walk in front of me? I’m scared!”

Oh for fuck’s sake... Hao Lianchuan cursed inwardly. Why was the kid pulling out this act at this time? It was ludicrous! You weren’t scared last night when you killed Solars!

While wordless, there was nothing else he could do. He walked in front of Li Hao, the young man carefully following him like he was a child. Too overwhelmed to put one toe out of place, he shuffled mutely behind Hao Lianchuan.

The door was closed behind them. Deputy Zhou headed for the chairs across from them, Hou Xiaochen sat down directly across from the director general. There were enough seats since the newcomers numbered only four people. No one had to stand.

Li Hao and the others sat behind Hou Xiaochen. The young man gingerly shifted his chair so he could avoid everyone’s gaze and hid behind Hou Xiaochen, squeezing Hao Lianchuan out from his place.

The deputy director suppressed an eye roll. What are you doing?? He’s being so strange today. Is he afraid that Hu Qingfeng will get to the bottom of what happened yesterday? Director Hou’s here, what’s he afraid of?

Hao Lianchuan kicked Li Hao’s feet. The major figures were greeting each other at the moment, but the young man was in no mood to eavesdrop.

“The one across from us and sitting in front of Deputy Zhou is Director General Zhao.” Hao Lianchuan’s transmission sounded in Li Hao’s ear. “He’s number one in the province, but that old devil is nothing good. He’s pigheaded beyond redemption and specializes in making trouble for the Night Watchers. If you get a chance when no one else is around, you can beat him up!”

Li Hao kept his head lowered and didn’t respond. He was wondering if someone stronger than Hao Lianchuan could hear his transmissions. Transmitting words was just the usage of a type of energy, a unique fluctuation and vibration. Weaklings were not capable of identifying, analyzing, and listening in on them. But powerhouses?

The young man didn’t know. He was very curious, so he raised his head and looked at the old man across the way. The old man was smiling while looking at Hou Xiaochen, but also seeming to look at Li Hao. There wasn’t truly a light in his eyes and he looked fatigued. The old man nodded imperceptibly when the young man looked at him.

Li Hao blinked, then looked at Hao Lianchuan.

“Don’t be fooled by the old guy’s kind appearance,” the deputy director was still transmitting. “He’s really not a good guy and often reduces our budget and resources...” He raised his head upon feeling that someone was looking at him. Was it Director General Zhao? Hao Lianchuan beamed radiantly at the man but continued, “Do you see that? The old devil is polite to everyone, but he’s actually rotten to the core!”

Li Hao didn’t make a peep. I understand, and this director general can probably hear everything you’re saying... You’re... you’re something, alright, Hao Lianchuan! And I bet more than the director general can hear you here!

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