Star Gate

Chapter 732: Return to Skystar (III)

“Commander Li, I recommend creating greater fanfare since our journey is already known.” Deputy Zhou laughed at seeing Li Hao agree. “We should unfurl the tiger flag and let everyone know that Demon Sword is here! Our route will take us past Near River and the three northern provinces. We don’t need to do anything, just simply intimidate the northern provinces!

“Making such a commotion as we travel is also a type of deterrence and builds our reputation. We will let the world know that wherever the tiger flag is, so is Commander Li! Sometimes, the flag can stand-in for an Arcanus when you’re not around!”

Li Hao’s eyes widened from the new thoughts he was receiving and he nodded, approving of the proposed course of action.

“We can exterminate some bandits along the way to improve the troop’s coordination. For now, the Demon Hunters can be in charge of offense and the White Moon Guards of catching stragglers. The two groups need to learn how to operate in accordance with each other. Pitched battle is different from small skirmishes.” Deputy Zhou offered a few more suggestions that Li Hao did not refuse. He nodded to each one.

The flying ship moved swiftly through the air, passing by various cities. Whenever they reached a city, someone would call out that the Skystar governor general was passing through and just borrowing their airspace. The tiger flag, Li Hao, and flying ship was quickly known throughout Silver Moon.

......

Near River, the Director General Office.

Fan Chang frowned and someone grit their teeth below him. “That Li Hao is too cocky by far! He’s driving a flying ship across everything in his path—no one is to stop him! Although he approaches Near River, he doesn’t show a single sign of reining himself in!

“Judging from his flight path, he may even pass through our territory. Director General, do we show him a taste of what he deserves?”

“Are you going to fight him?” Fan Chang glanced at the speaker. That was someone who’d killed multiple Arcanus! The kid’s strength was completely different from when they fought over the North Sea.

“City annihilation missiles...”

“Are you bold enough to fire them?” Fan Chang stared the speaker down. The missiles were strong. If they fired a hundred of them at that conceited kid and his ship, he probably wouldn’t be able to dodge and would be done for.

However, half of Near River would be destroyed as well! And what if the kid got away? What good was killing a bunch of mundanes for?!

His subordinate below spoke no further, simply finding their circumstances a bit humiliating. They were a vaunted province! But some brat from Silver Moon flew right through them without the intention of stopping. This was beyond ludicrous! Li Hao was too, too vainglorious!

Fan Chang didn’t say anything. If the heavens wanted to put someone down, they would let that person grow too big for their boots first! Li Hao was indeed being too egotistic—he really thought of himself as an invincible powerhouse just because he led one thousand weaklings!

Outright crossing the land like this was creating more than one disgruntled provincial leader against him, but everyone had to keep it to themselves for now. They could only tolerate the brat and give way. This was someone who dared kill even ministers!

The nine ministries had yet to take Li Hao to task for his offenses, was Near River supposed to pit themselves against him? What a joke!

Fan Chang’s frown deepened the next second as he walked outside. Someone within the Director General Office raised their head to the sky, seeing that the sky was dark and clouds covering the sun!

“The Skystar governor general is passing by. Where is the Near River director general? You are to present yourself!” A cold shout echoed in the four directions and in the hearts of the Near River government personnel!

Demon Sword? How brazen!

They’d already heard that Demon Sword was leading troops to the central region and would pass Near River soon, but here he really was and demanding to see their director general as soon as he arrived!

Strictly speaking, the two were of the same rank. What was this if not clear provocation? The citizens of Near River were terrified out of their minds.

Meanwhile, inside the Director General Office, some people around Fan Chang glowered. He pressed down his hands to placate them and took to the air, hearty laughter ringing through the sky. “Fan Chang greets the Skystar Marquis!”

He was about to say a few words more when someone responded faintly, “You are dismissed. We are just passing through. Director General Fan’s administration has resulted in a chaotic province overrun by bandits. It is time that you put your affairs into order. Your soldiers are no better than robbers and kill the innocent for false merits. I will most certainly censure you when I return to Silver City. Reflect well on your misdeeds!”

Fan Chang was livid! He was showing the kid face, but the brat spat on him in return! Li Hao was simply too overbearing! Who, no what, do you think you are?! He wanted to erupt in a rage, but the ship had already sailed by.

“You should be glad that I’m not in the mood to eliminate you,” Li Hao’s voice sounded in his ear. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten the battle of the North Sea! I would've executed you on the spot for the offense of ambushing me, if not for the restriction from the nine ministries!”

Fan Chang’s heart shook and he spoke no further. He quietly sank down to the ground, bitterness gleaming out of his eyes. It was his strength that was not up to par!

Although this was his territory, if a battle broke out... Though he might be able to stand up to an Arcanus, if Li Hao’s ire was roused, Fan Chang’s accumulation over all these years might be gone in an instant.

Li Hao plainly had his concerns about the nine ministries and didn’t dare openly kill a major figure. But if Fan Chang caused trouble for him... then the young man wouldn’t be so restrained. He suddenly understood why Li Hao had chosen to fly through his province—the brat wanted to provoke Fan Chang into taking action!

Hmm, this director general will not fall for your trick! Fan Chang permitted the ship to fly away as it would. Meanwhile, those of the Director General Office were alarmed, but also slightly expectant. Would Demon Sword really write a petition to censure the director general? Could the man be taken in?

That the people suffered in misery and the army being the same as bandits as an accurate representation of their situation! While expectation brewed, the people also knew that it would be a difficult task. It was hard for the central region’s hand to stretch to the north. Although Li Hao was a northerner, Silver Moon did not hold jurisdiction over Near River either.

On this day, all Near River citizens learned of Li Hao. They knew of the tiger flag and how its bearer was so pompous that he lectured their director general to his face.

......

A large ship continued to sail through the sky. Whether it was bandits or the army, everyone retreated from its flight path. The reverberations from Demon Sword cutting down an Arcanus were yet to dissipate.

......

The North Sea, by the coastline.

A dog was sprawled on the shore, awaiting further development. Waves ebbed and flowed in the sea. Moments later, a large snake head poked out of the water. The head was as big as a whetstone.

“Honored One.” Its mental ripples reached the dog. “Can Master Li really help me transform into a dragon?”

Panther ignored it; the snake wasn’t in a hurry. It was apprehensive. Panther had rushed through the night to visit Kui Mountain because Li Hao had one matter left to attend to. The big snake had helped him before and he’d promised to help it find the method to ascend as a dragon.

Although there wasn’t a transformation method, Li Hao knew how the snake should ascend. He naturally wouldn’t forget the favor owed, so he had Panther notify the snake to wait for him in the North Sea.

“Honored One, the North Sea has monster spirits too. My unexpected presence here will easily give rise to conflict...”

“ROAR!” Panther promptly transformed into the golden dog and flared its presence outward. The big snake cowered on the water surface, silent as could be. That was right, with the noble one here, what was there to be afraid of? Even if there were monster spirits in the North Sea, they would have to bow down to this one!

Panther retracted his presence only after a long moment. This big snake was so annoying!

A massive flying ship swung through the air as they talked. The snake lit up—was he here?

BAM!

The ship landed in the sea, flinging sea spray across the scene. A gigantic snake head rose from the water surface in the astonished eyes of Liu Long and the others.

“This humble snake of Kui Mountain greets the Revered One!”

“You’re much too polite, Snake King!” Li Hao roared with laughter. “I am deeply grateful that the Snake King did not expose me to the Steadfast Duke that day. I visited the ancient city a few days ago and asked about the dragon transformation method. I have some reflections to share, but am unable to travel to Kui Mountain due to my missions at hand. Therefore, I had Panther contact you to wait here. My apologies for keeping you waiting!”

“You’re far too polite, Revered One!” The snake king grew even more humble. This was a major personage who’d made a special trip to the ancient city to inquire about its matters. That was such a demonstration of effort!

The snake’s big eyes swept over the ship, passing the others noncommittally, but nearly widening with fear when it saw the merry Deputy Zhou. The big snake quickly understood. This was to be expected, the revered one was the heir of the ancient civilization.

Deputy Zhou and the others looked back at the monster spirit, so this was the snake king of Kui Mountain? It was very strong and looked to be peak metamorphosis!

Li Hao walked through the air and reached a hand toward the snake’s head. “The seniors in the ancient city say that you are of the snake race, that snakes and dragons are different races. There is no need to doggedly pursue becoming a dragon! Not to mention, you are too weak and so it is much worse to reach beyond your grasp. All you need is to purify your blood. I’ll use the sword of the Lis to purify some for you, it won’t be hard for you to break through to Arcanus then!”

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