Chapter 1430: Memories of the Past (IV)

Gossip didn’t hold a strong allure for Li Hao. He didn’t say much and continued to watch the young Zhang An experience a multitude of other things.

Li Hao was with him the entire time and witnessed all of the same proceedings.

When Zhang An entered Earth Dweller territory, he furiously cut down the enemy and marched on all sides. Back in the human domain, the young Human King’s reputation continued to grow and his actions became more outrageous. He was so frenetic that Li Hao sometimes thought he was rather out of control. It was amazing that he didn’t die from some of his stunts.

Humanity paid a steep price for the young Human King’s craziness.

Some of the most premier existences, such as Supreme Zhang, personally joined the fray and protected the Human King. There was even an occasion when every single human powerhouse entered the battlefield to clean up after the Human King’s latest foray!

All of the humans of this age were synonymous with lunacy!

They would do anything to win something from battle—even if it was only the Human King, supreme, or any other premier existence that gained something from a skirmish. All of humanity was willing to do battle for that little bit of gain!

No other age was as mad, hotblooded, and even childish as New Martial!

Some things were very much childish in Li Hao’s eyes. Sometimes, the Human King and his companions would completely ignore the consequences just for a victory. They bet everything on one move, that humanity would not go extinct from a major gamble!

If it was up to Li Hao, he would probably not act in this fashion.

Even the supreme, hailed as New Martial’s strategist, didn’t look to sound a note of caution from beginning to end. Li Hao often imagined him waving a fan and saying, “That would be inadvisable, milord...”

That was hardly the case. The supreme always said, “Go ahead and try, it’s fine if it doesn’t work. The sky won’t cave in, not when we’re here!”

Such was the New Martial supreme! He was a personage that greatly shook Li Hao’s worldview!

You can try doing whatever you want. Don’t worry about any scary consequences—we’re standing right behind you. We’ll lift up the sky if it caves in on you!

It was an inexplicable feeling, but it shook Li Hao to the core!

Humanity was very weak in this age—he felt that he could end the race by himself at any time. But that kind of mentality in which all hearts were united as one, in which the Human King had the full support and backing of the people, in which his strategist proclaimed that he would clean up whatever mess the Human King made...

This completely upended Li Hao’s impression of this ancient civilization!

“So this... is what it means to be a strategist?” Li Hao blinked, lost in a daze after a major battle ended. He felt himself a small part of this era now and even a great pity that he’d missed out on it!

“So I... didn’t know my grandfather after all.” Zhang An was also in a daze. “I didn’t have the right to participate in a lot of things that he experienced. This is the first time I’m learning that he instigated all of the battles...”

Well, not instigated. But there were a few instances in which the Human King was noticeably shrinking back. Much like a child who’d done something wrong, he had been worried and a little afraid. It was the supreme who restored confidence in him each time.

At times, the supreme even derided the Human King for being afraid.

They’re a bunch of wusses! You gotta beat the shit out of them to earn face for us! If you lose and they get their mommies and daddies to come save them, I’ll go beat the shit out of them! You can continue after I kill their parents!

If it wasn’t for the supreme’s repeated demonstrations of support and goading, if he’d demonstrated a hint of an ambivalent attitude or opposition... With the Human King’s attitude of a child that’d done wrong, one instance of disapproval might have permanently reined him in.

Instead, he grew more outrageous and out of control because he truly believed that the supreme could settle whatever problems that cropped up! Supreme Zhang had firmly believed that the Human King would handle his affairs with an increasingly adept hand. The results would only grow better!

The unshakeable confidence of only needing to cause trouble and not give thought to the consequences was a mentality that induced great envy in Li Hao.

How lovely! All I need to do is cause trouble!

It was because of this that the Human King grew stronger and more arrogant. He became so cocky that he felt there was no one in the world that he couldn’t kill, no battle that he couldn’t win. The supreme remained by his side until the very end, always ensuring that everything worked out perfectly for him!

Zhang An was sent away early on in the battle against the Heavenly Emperor, so he didn’t see the outcome for himself. However, Li Hao knew that the supreme seemed to have been a faithful pillar of support until his last moments!

......

Li Hao spent a very long time in the river of memories. He was so engrossed that he started losing awareness of himself as Li Hao. When he next saw Supreme Zhang, he could clearly sense that the man realized something was different about his grandson and could even detect the river of time.

That was when the young man came back to his senses.

Reality proved that his surmise was right. This time, they met on Yin and Yang. The supreme was newly resurrected when he saw his grandson again.

“It looks like you’ve been affected by a special force and returned from a certain space and time...” was the first thing that he said to Zhang An.

The old Zhang An within his younger self’s body started.

“This is good!” The august supreme’s voice was very calm. “I don’t know who’s come with you, but that doesn’t matter! You don’t possess the ability to return by yourself, so it looks like you’ve met a powerhouse or a genius!

“My grandson, I had very high hopes and expectations for you before, that then turned into great disappointment. And after that... I simply wish for you to be healthy and safe! No matter why you’ve come back for a look, you only need to keep one thing in mind. Don’t be afraid and try whatever’s catching your fancy!

“With your personality, perhaps even this visit is at someone else’s behest. So just remember, you don’t need to be instructed by another! Go ahead and undertake things yourself. It doesn’t matter if you succeed or fail. Everything will be fine so long as I am alive. If someone kills you, I’ll send them to keep you company!

“If you win, so long as your reasons are logical and just, I’ll fight even the Human King for you if you dare put yourself against him! I could beat him up before and I can still beat him up now!

“There’s absolutely no need to fear anything—I am here! Pursue all of your heart’s desires! There’s no need to consider the bigger picture, it’s not something that should weigh on your mind. What you need to think is fighting when the urge seizes you! You’ll feast handsomely when you win, and your grandfather will take you along for round two if you lose!”

Both Li Hao and Zhang An were startled by these words.

“In addition... I don’t know who the other person is, but it doesn’t matter. That’s not important. It is to your credit that you were able to convince my grandson to do something that he wouldn’t dare do by himself... That you are able to visit from another time and space is also to your credit!

“Whether you are here to observe us or something else, or even to spy on us in preparation to kill me or the Human King... We’ll fight to the death if you dare come!

“That is, if you’re an enemy. If you are not, then whatever you’d like to know, comprehend, or observe is limited like this. It’s best if you personally give it a try! If you’d like to grasp dao, that’s simple as well. Find a powerhouse to fight. Feast if you win, forget it if you don’t.

“You’re with my grandson, so if my grandson loses and is killed for it, I’ll find the two of you and resurrect you if I can! If I lose too, then the Human King will come in my stead. If he loses too, then we’re all done for...”

Li Hao stared at the magnificent figure in front of him. This... didn’t sound all that reliable, but for some reason, he felt a deep sense of trust towards the supreme. He was suddenly much more reassured!

Just do whatever you want! What are you afraid of?

If you lose, I’ll go save you for the sake of my grandson. If I can’t do it, then the Human King will. If he can’t either, then we can drink together in the underworld!

Li Hao suddenly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He was feeling such a sense of... trust, reassurance, and security from the supreme of one hundred thousand years ago. He suddenly quite envied the Human King!

He didn’t envy the Human King’s strength, but his backers. Even though the Human King no longer needed Supreme Zhang as a backer anymore, Li Hao felt that if he had someone like the supreme supporting him, it would surely be so comforting.

My teacher’s actually like this too, it’s just a pity that his strength hasn’t caught up yet. He was like this when he was stronger than me. Just do whatever you want! Don’t worry, I’m here!

That period... had lasted only for a short while because Li Hao soon outstripped his teacher. He suddenly regretted his cultivation progress.

If I’d known this earlier, I should’ve surpassed him slower!

“New Martial is invincible!” said the supreme while Li Hao was briefly lost in thought. “Since you come from another space and time, you have some skill to your name as well! You can only come from a parallel plane, the past, or the future. Since my grandson is with you, then we are of the same plane.

“Is the enemy in the chaos? Since you are disturbing my past and memories... it means something is about to happen. No matter where and when you are, no matter what dangers you face and reservations you hold, none of it matters.

“As soon as this encounter appears in my memories, I will take action for you. I may not be able to personally smite your enemies, but I will throw the chaos into disarray and create something truly magnificent to behold!

“I don’t know how useful that will be, that’s outside my range of consideration. The bottom line is, no matter what you’re doing, it shouldn’t be more encompassing than what I’m doing. Therefore, don’t worry about strong enemies fixing you in their sights. As for minions and lackeys, you can take care of that yourself!”

The supreme waved his hand and sent a surge of power toward them. “Go back and do not interfere with the past or future. The War Sovereign is so mighty, but was condemned by the heavens all the same. That will also happen to you!

“I will make my moves as soon as these memories appear in my mind. As for whether or not a suitable opportunity presents itself... If there’s really nothing suitable, then I’ll rebel against New Martial and beat up the Human King! We’ll put on an act of civil war, so don’t worry!”

“......” Li Hao felt the world spin around him as he was ejected from the young Zhang An’s body. Old Zhang An was with him; they started drifting upward.

The young man was still in a daze.

Hot damn! What kind of person is the supreme? He’s nuts!

He just told me through space and time that there’s nothing to fear. That I traced the past either because I’m in trouble or I wish to learn their dao. It doesn’t matter what my reason is, and considering the circumstances that his grandson is in, he’ll create an opportunity for me when these memories appear in his mind.

He’ll reach through time and space to do something! It doesn’t matter what!

If there’s really nothing he can use, he’ll turn on the Human King and draw all attention in the chaos. That will ensure that the truly premier existences don’t pay attention to me.

This... completely exceeded Li Hao’s expectations. It was incredible!

Just as Li Hao was about to fully depart from this world, a figure flashed through time. It seemed to be catching up to them.

Li Hao blinked—that was the Human King!

The Human King was an exceedingly domineering person and unparalleled in ferocity. He raced through the river of time at a furious pace, peering ahead with a hint of confusion. “The hell is this? Ole Zhang didn’t do anything about it... so it’s one of us? Whatever. Whoever or whatever you are, you have to let me know next time you come, got it?

“I’ll spank you if you like to imitate Ole Zhang and intrude on people’s privacy! Are you a woman? If you’re a woman, I’ll punch your chest! I’ll punch you so hard your boobs will pop, you hear?”

Li Hao’s jaw dropped.

What... the...

WHAT?!