Chapter 1151: Reaching An Accord (I)

Off in the distance, Director General Wang was conversing with General Pagoda. The two quickly took to the air and dashed for the inner city, summoning the other senior executives within the city.

A meeting soon convened at the city lord manor.

The old turtle, General Pagoda, Ninth Division leader Li Daozong, the newly awakened Eighth Division leader, and the officially promoted Commissioner Zhang Liang of Military Supplies were in attendance.

There were only the reserve defenders left at Battle Heaven—one hundred thousand of them. It was said that the reserve commander was still in residence and even progressed to the Saint level, but there was no sign of him to be found. Perhaps he was yet to fully awaken, which was to be expected for Battle Heaven.

The city lacked abundant energy supplies and had relied on the naturally revitalizing energy in the world over the past one hundred thousand years. It was exceedingly difficult for Saints to recover in such an environment.

Director General Wang gave a brief overview of the situation and did not mention the ruins of Tranquil Star. He only focused on the events of Boundless.

“Three Saints have fully awakened in Boundless...” the old turtle repeated solemnly. “Just this point alone is sufficient to demonstrate that something was gravely wrong with the Zhengs, even without direct evidence of their betrayal. I am only the soul of a weapon, so it is easy for me to maintain consciousness.

“But for entities such as General Pagoda, it is as hard as ascending the heavens to revitalize. If it wasn’t for Li Hao’s help, the general would have only just awakened and would not possess much battle strength...”

The newly recovered Eighth Division leader was unfamiliar with Li Hao. Clad in gold armor, he asked gravely, “Is it possible that Boundless had stored a lot of energy in advance, so they did not sink into silence when the world changed? We are unable to outright determine that they are the traitors based on Wang Ye’s description.”

“Zheng Gong insulted Supreme Zhang,” Wang Ye interrupted. “It doesn’t matter if they are the traitors or not. They committed high treason the moment they disrespected the supreme!”

“You’ve changed your dao and entire body to join Li Hao’s side,” the Eighth Division leader retorted. “Your words bear no merit!”

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Wang Ye’s face darkened. “Some things should not be voiced, Eighth Division leader! I also suspect that there are spies and plants within Battle Heaven at the moment...”

“Are you referring to me?” the Eighth Division leader retaliated. “If I’m their pawn, then you’re Li Hao’s pawn to incite discord among the eight main cities! I’m just raising a logical question, but you’re throwing mud on me as a result?”

“I think... that Director General Wang has no need to lie to us.” Zhang Liang coughed quietly. “Not to mention... I don’t think Li Hao will set himself against New Martial for no reason at all. He’s not that type of person.”

The Eighth Division leader glanced sharply at him; Zhang Liang smiled and said no more.

“Li Hao came with you today,” offered the taciturn Ninth Division leader. “What are his thoughts?”

“Li Hao’s thoughts are simple,” Wang Ye quickly responded. “Although the Zhengs are the turncoats, the Zheng patriarch and Zheng Yu were not at Boundless. Where could have the main force of the Zhengs gone to? There must be another city in play, at least one other that houses the insurrectionists.

“He wishes us to join forces with him to eliminate or weaken the traitors! They have been awake since the beginning, so those who were Immortals back in the day may be Saints now. The Saints may have been Empyrean Kings. Zheng Hongyuan was already an Empyrean King then. Even if he has not become an exalted emperor, he may be well trod on the path of Empyrean King!

“It will be very hard to act against them now, but even harder once the world is awake!” Wang Ye looked at the group. “If we partner with Li Hao, we may be able to benefit from his possession of vast mine resources. General Pagoda may even recover to prime condition! We’ll catch the enemy by surprise. All will be possible then.”

General silence greeted his words.

Empyrean King...

“There is a gap between the Empyrean King and Saint level, but it is not as pronounced as it was back in the day given the absence of core origin!” continued Director General Wang. “Apart from the exalted emperors, other cultivation levels need the fortification of core origin dao to deploy their full might!”

“So Li Hao wishes our primary bodies to join his forces in seizing another main city?” asked the old turtle. “Will it be Galewind of the Lius or Star River of the Zhous?”

“That will depend on the situation... we’re uncertain at present!” answered Wang Ye.

The group sank into silence once more.

“And what if we decline to participate?” asked the Ninth Division leader after some time.

“If we decline...” Director General Wang looked at everyone. “Nothing much will happen, just that we’ll be estranged from modern Silver Moon denizens. I know Li Hao well enough to say that he won’t erupt in open hostilities with us, but there probably won’t be any difference between Battle Heaven and the rest of the main cities from then on.”

“Do those of New Martial need to rely on them?” the Eighth Division leader asked curtly.

“You don’t know anything because you’ve just awakened,” Wang Ye snapped. “So shut your mouth! Is Boundless not strong? What would the results be if we went against three Saints in peak condition? New Martial is New Martial, you are you, and we are we. If you still hold the notion that New Martial is invincible, then you might as well go back to sleep!”

The Eighth Division leader was rendered speechless by the retort and snorted in lieu of a response.

“You’re gonna be the first one I investigate!” Wang Ye sniffed.

“Hmph!” sniffed the Eighth Division leader as well. “You have no authority to investigate me!”

“The Ninth Division leader is the acting commander of the reserve defenders, I’ll have him investigate you!”

“......” The Eighth Division leader didn’t dignify that with a response. Meanwhile, the two Saints looked at each other and continued to be silent. General Pagoda stroked his beard, the very image of an ethereal old man.

“These times are different,” he said slowly. “Li Hao is a king of the new age and has been a constant partner to us. He is also the Eleventh Division leader of Battle Heaven, one that I recommended! He is closely tied to New Martial. If the Zhengs really are the traitors... then working together is not out of the question.

“However, if we are to attack the other families, we also have a caveat of our own. If it can be proven that our targets are not traitors, then not only will we not raise our weapons for him, but we’ll restrict him instead!”

“Does that mean to say that General Pagoda would be willing to take the field if we can prove that the targets are traitors?” Director General Wang asked after some thought.

“Why not, if they are traitors?” chuckled the ancient tree.

“Evidence is hard to come by and the traitors can put on an act,” Wang Ye frowned. “I think it’s not a matter of evidence, but whether or not they have maintained peak fighting condition all this time. If they cannot explain their reason for being able to do so, that is when we attack!

“Whether or not it turns out to be a misunderstanding, we do nothing wrong in capturing them first!” The director general was stern. “Battle Heaven is not weak among the eight cities, are we? And what condition were we in? The guardian only remained awake because you are the soul of a weapon. What basis did the others have to stay awake?

“Even so, it was exceedingly difficult for Battle Heaven to revitalize. This feat was on par with ascending the heavens! What rights do they have to be faster than us? I think that anyone who’s stronger than us is suspicious!”

This was an arbitrary conclusion, but no one opposed it after thinking it over. It was true enough. The old turtle had never fallen silent because it was indestructible as the soul of a weapon. But even so, it’d undergone periods of weakness. Why could anyone else be more tenacious than them?

“Therefore, no matter what, concrete evidence isn’t key,” Director General Wang summarized when he saw that the others weren’t going to say anything. “How many years has it been? Is the enemy an idiot? Will they leave any written evidence for us to procure? If they really are such stick-in-the-muds, then what difference is there between us and the core origin era, even the Initial Martial era?”

“Have Li Hao join our meeting, we have our own plans in mind!” intoned Li Daozong.

Director General Wang said nothing further. He was just expressing his own opinion and insights. As for what the precise details would be, that remained up to Li Hao.

......

The young man walked into the great hall moments later. He inclined his head at everyone, these were old acquaintances. Apart from a Gold Armor that’d just awoken, he knew the rest.

“Ninth Division leader.” Li Hao looked at Li Daozong with a smile. “I do apologize about the death of your replica...”

“It’s fine.” The Ninth Division leader was as calm as always. “It was just a replica and not worth mention. I hear you can kill Saints now, that is to be congratulated!”

He was as aloof as usual; he’d never been warm toward Li Hao.

“That was but a fluke.” Li Hao waved off the compliment. “Not to mention, the Saints of the modern world are not those equipped with core origin. There is nothing to be proud of in killing a few Saints.”

“......”

And you’re taking these compliments seriously?

Li Daozong inwardly rolled his eyes.

The old turtle laughed and pointed at a seat, indicating that Li Hao should sit down for the conversation. The young man took the seat without second thought.

“I am here for two reasons!” He cut straight to the chase. “First, I’m searching for potential traitors. Second, I’d like to reach an accord with Battle Heaven.”

“How would there ever be traitors in Battle Heaven?” grumped the irritated Eighth Division leader.

“You are...?” Li Hao smiled.

“Eighth Division leader Yang Wei of the Reserve Defenders!” The Eighth Division leader identified himself in frosty tones. “Battle Heaven bears the legacy of the Exalted Blood Emperor and is New Martial’s most stalwart supporter. There is no one among us who would turn our backs on our civilization!”

“Nothing is set in stone,” Li Hao responded softly. “Division Leader Yang, the eight main cities are all New Martial loyalists, but hearts can change. This is just a precaution, I won’t paint black as white. A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation!

“I am just helping the city confirm the situation. It’s best if there are no traitors here, and we can be prepared or eliminate the threat if there are. Since when did New Martial become stubborn as a mule and rigid to a fault?

“The New Martial that Ii’ve read about in books and the one that everyone speaks of is a civilization that dares to do everything with courage and determination. It is a people that dares take the field and risk their lives! But now, many of the New Martial citizens that I’ve met are different from how they’re described in the books. They are overly confident and arrogant!”

“Perhaps we’ve been asleep too long.” General Pagoda interrupted Yang Wei’s would-be response. “And have yet to fully awaken. Our minds are in worse condition compared to yesteryear. You know just as well that it’s common for someone to be slow-witted when they’ve been asleep for too long.

“What of the second point you mentioned? Could you go into detail about that?”