Chapter 1117: It Begins (I)

How do I know what the future looks like?

How do I know what will happen to the great dao?

How do I know what the martial world will turn into?

I’m only twenty-one! I just want revenge!

Do you guys believe whatever I say? Are you really that dumb? You’re a bunch of brainless martial blockheads!

Li Hao’s hadn’t was curled tightly into a fist. He wanted to stand up and yell, “We’re not fighting anymore! Let’s go home!”

It was at this moment that Hong Yitang’s merry voice traveled into his ears. “Anyplace is the martial world! Commander, martial masters have never been afraid of death or challenge. Triumphing over the strong as the weaker side is what we yearn for!”

“That’s right, if we fight, we fight the strongest!” Sky Sword declared with an aloof expression.

Not too far from them, Hou Xiaochen lifted his head and looked at Li Hao with a soft laugh. “No pain, no gain right? This is a transaction of equal value. It’s not our style to take a lot of benefits and not offer anything in return. Well, apart from He Yong.”

“Watch me pound you to death with one fist!” sneered the man in question.

“City Lord Lin... let’s be friends if we win.” The wretched Thunderleg swallowed audibly with his sudden question.

Lin Hongyu blinked, then smiled icily at him. Thunderleg had a whole host of wives and children. He was the most lecherous and shameless among Silver Moon martial masters!

Next to them, Chen Zhongtian stroked his beard with appreciation.

How bold, even I didn’t dare raise this topic.

“Alright, we don’t have to talk about it in such a frightening manner,” Director General Zhao laughed at the assembly. “It’s just one skirmish—that’s a sight often seen in the Silver Moon martial world. As opposed to dying in Yuan Shuo’s hands, it’s better to go out in a blaze of glory measuring ourselves against ancient powerhouses.

“Commander, our target is set. We await the commander’s orders to launch into battle!”

All out in battle!

“Since everyone is without fear...” The complicated look in Li Hao’s eyes solidified into resolution. “Let’s cut loose! We fight!”

The growl reverberated through the hall. Thunderclouds loomed overhead. The sky was dark without a hint of light. Night had fallen.

......

Since they had decided to put everything on the line in the upcoming battle, the time for words was past. The group shifted their attention to make what preparations needed to be taken care of and to sharpen their weapons.

All remaining stock of city annihilation missiles and supernatural bombs were shipped over. A vast sum of Water of Life was distributed to the group.

Everyone knew that if they were victorious, it would be the dawn of a new era for Skystar. The second awakening would be delayed once more, the traitors would be corralled, and the four nations could be toppled at any time.

Whether it was New Martial, the traitors, or Red Moon... Skystar wouldn’t fear anything about them then!

The dynasty would no longer have to rely on New Martial or pray for help from the ancient civilization. Each time they sought help from the ancients, they potentially ended up having to pay back even more.

Being Silver Moon martial masters, they did not wish to be in such a situation. In that case, they would fight with just themselves for once!

There would be no reinforcements for this battle.

Li Hao retrieved the ‘dao’ character—Zhang An couldn’t even emerge in the world if he wanted to. The young man stuck him in the ruins beneath the provincial government.

Currently, the young man toyed with Stellaris. The imitation of the Mirror of Wind and Cloud manifested in his hand. These two were the strongest weapons that he owned. One focused on offense, the other on defense. Both were enormously strong.

He looked around the group and decided to keep only the sword. The mirror might save someone’s life at a critical moment; it could block one blow from a powerhouse. Who should he give it to?

His teacher was the obvious choice. But as Li Hao looked around once more, he beckoned to Director General Zhao. The director general was rather puzzled when he took a step forward.

“Director General Zhao, you should hang onto this.”

“Why... are you giving this to me?” The old man was surprised to see the mirror.

“Just hang onto it.” Li Hao smiled. “Its defensive capabilities are strong. Your replica wields the Seal of Eight Directions. I’ll help you reintegrate with your replica before we enter the ruin. Your seal focuses on offense and the mirror focuses on defense.

“You should be able to advance to fifth level Sun and Moon once your two selves are one again, possibly even sixth level. Of course, it’ll be very hard to break my limits—that likelihood isn’t great. However, you do stand a high chance of reaching twenty-four meridians and attaining peak fifth level Sun and Moon.”

Director General Zhao frowned slightly. He wanted to say something, but Li Hao walked off. He approached the group and suddenly produced a vast quantity of fine wine.

“I found this wine in the royal palace. Everyone come have some, it’s fantastic!”

“Hahaha, I was wondering where that cache of wine went! So you took it!” Loud roars of laughter greeted the offering as people walked up to grab some jugs.

Moments later, a festive scene of merrymaking unfolded in the great hall. Li Hao looked at the time and drank a small cup. It was already 10pm. He would leave at midnight on the dot and reach the Zheng family ruins in an hour.

It might be unusual to leave in the middle of the night, but it would be even more noticeable to leave in the day. There might be a lot of eyes on them now. It was best to swiftly conclude battle while communications were severed.

There were two hours left. As for whether or not the Great Li king and Watercloud empress dowager would come, Li Hao didn’t really care.

The future might be different if they did. It was hard to say if it was a good or bad decision if they didn’t.

......

Time passed bit by bit. The Great Li camp wasn’t far from Silver City.

At the moment, the Great Li king sat silently in his tent. He occasionally looked across the plains at a cluster of lights. The man remained unmoving.

Li Hao was convening his powerhouses tonight and had sent a messenger to invite him. Was he really going to march on the ancient cities? Wasn’t that a joke?

Li Hao had mentioned it last time, but the king had thought that was some time off in the future, not this moment. The ruins were certain to have Saints in residence.

Is he depending on that Zhang An? Is he really going to attack an ancient city?

Countless notions rose in his mind. The king struggled with deep conflict. He would naturally participate if he was a lone wolf or the heavyweight of a certain direction. How thrilling was it to witness a clash between the new and old era!

But... I am not.

I am the Great Li king!

There were several hundred million citizens of Great Li. The nation was weak. If this campaign failed, the ancients would not be kind to Great Li after the second awakening took place.

Too many thoughts swirled in his mind, making it difficult to make a decision.

Of the various nations in the world, Li Hao might be in the most difficult position. Next was Watercoud, then came Great Li.

Barren Dynasty had desolate beasts among their ranks, making both offense and defense easy options. Divine Nations had divine spirits that’d awakened. Their numbers would only continue to grow after the second awakening.

It was only Great Li and Watercloud that didn’t have much to rely on. When it came to Great Li’s god from Initial Martial, it was unknown if that one was alive or dead. If the god was alive, that wouldn’t have much to do with the Great Li king. He wasn’t of the divine temple system and didn’t show that much respect to the god. Instead, he curtailed the temple’s authority and restricted its power instead. If the god were to emerge from the temple, it might actually seek out the Great Li king for vengeance first.

Watercloud seemed to be in similar straits. They were even weaker, with only the Watercloud empress dowager possessing some strength.

Irritation wrapped around the Great Li king.

Next to him, Jiang Li was equally disquieted.

After a long while, the king stood up. Jiang Li’s eyes widened when the king walked out of the tent and faced Silver City across the way. Lights blazed among the innumerable tents outside the city walls, but the king seemed to see right through them. He looked at the city itself.

“Jiang Li.”

“My king!” Jiang Li responded softly.

“The divine temple has always been the center of Great Li. The king’s power has always been conferred by the god!” the king said after a beat of silence. “When the reins of power passed into my hands, I was unwilling to accept this situation. The awakening of the world created an opportunity for this king to break tradition and seize the temple’s authority. Do you hate this king?”

“My king... is overly concerned.”

“Perhaps.” The king smiled faintly. “In that case, this king will make a trip. If I do not return, authority will revert to the divine temple. The god of Initial Martial is still the faith of our nation! You will remain the head priest of the divine temple, the greatest one beneath the god. Select any candidate you wish to be king.”

“My king, you...”

“That will be all.” The Great Li king turned his gaze to the distance again. “This king would like to take a chance for once! But... just as myself, not as Great Li. Great Li is still Great Li without its king. It cannot be without its divine temple and head priest. You stay! If I do not return by tomorrow evening, then you will head to the Barren wasteland for the parley of five sides!

“Granted... there may not be a need for that anymore,” the king sneered. “It may not be relevant after tonight.”

Li Hao was about to attack an ancient city. If he failed, what need was there for a meeting? Li Hao himself would be a handful of dust.

“My king, I... I will go!” declared Jiang Li. “I can utilize the divine bones inside the ruins and break the limitations!”

He looked pleadingly at the king, but the man shook his head. “You cannot!”

Jiang Li blinked.

“If you are gone, I will not be able to get along with that one from Initial Martial. If he pisses me off, I might outright dismantle his temple!” scoffed the king.

Jiang Li’s heart quailed at the claim.

The king said nothing else and tossed the king’s seal to the priest. One boxing glove manifested in his hands. “The other is contained beneath the Great Li palace. I am unable to use a pair. If this one does not return, the next Great Li king may retrieve its twin if they are strong enough.”

“My king!”

“That’s enough!” rebuked the king. “You are a man, head priest. Don’t imitate the affections of women and children. It repulses me!”

The king promptly vanished, leaving behind a dismayed Jiang Li. His emotions were very complicated indeed.

This was his king. One who could suppress the divine temple, complete the transfer of royal power, and exceed divine authority. He was willing to take the risk himself even though he knew that this trip would be brought with danger. The king was not willing to direct his old rival, the divine temple, into danger.

Great Li might lose the protection of the Initial Martial god if the head priest died.

Jiang Li took a deep breath and didn’t say a word. He silently remained in place, awaiting the return of his king.