Chapter 482: Commencing (I)

Night had fallen. Day and night were similar in the ancient city—the Tortoise Pagoda’s light dimmed slightly at night. The expedition team had entered the ruins on the morning of the 28th. It was now the second day and the night of the 29th. The third day would be up tomorrow evening and everyone would be free to leave.

All was quiet. The three great organizations no longer wished to enter the inner city. They just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

......

At the platform at the end of the tree tunnel.

Hou Xiaochen looked at the wall. It sparkled with luster when midnight arrived. That meant that people could leave the ruins so long as there were those outside working in tandem to open the way.

However, the Night Watcher director didn’t make a move. He waited and watched. The illumination would vanish after half an hour, leaving those inside to wait until tomorrow evening. That was twenty-three hours in between that the ruins would be entirely sealed off, giving no chance for anything to leave.

There seemed to be some movement in the surroundings—the three great organizations had sent scouts to follow the Night Watcher director. Some wanted to try the wall when they saw it sparkle, but had to give up the inclination when they saw Hou Xiaochen standing there.

Those following the man gave up entirely when the wall no longer shimmered and returned to being an ordinary wall. There was nothing else they could do!

However, some of their fear abated when they thought of how everyone would leave tomorrow.

On the platform.

Hou Xiaochen watched silently and smiled faintly when the wall returned to an inert state. No one was leaving the city in the next twenty-three hours. The rest was up to the fellows that’d become part of the Battle Heaven Army. He turned and walked toward the tree hole. Those that’d followed him quickly dispersed. Hou Xiaochen didn’t care about them—earlier, later, it didn’t matter.

Kong Jie suddenly appeared when he walked out. Hou Xiaochen glanced at him. The latter’s arms were crossed and flashed a smile in response.

“Aren’t you afraid of the three great organizations ganging up on you in the central region after this?” he transmitted. “Their wealthy patrons are also likely to be in a rage.”

“What does that have to do with me? It’s just so very dangerous inside the city.”

“Who’s going to believe that?”

“Who cares? We just need an excuse.”

Kong Jie laughed and said nothing more. He turned to look at the inner city and sank into deep thought. “Things will be fine on Yu Luocha’s end, right?”

“They should be fine. It all depends on what Li Hao thinks.”

“Him? Can’t Hong Yitang and He Yong make the call?”

“No.” Hou Xiaochen shook his head after some thought. “Don’t forget that the Silver Armor is Li Hao! That guy looks easy to talk to, but he really isn’t. He acts timid, but he’s actually rotten to the core.”

Kong Jie nearly burst out laughing.

Who are you to say someone else is rotten to the core?

He didn’t respond to that point and continued chatting with Hou Xiaochen.

The three great organizations and wandering cultivators looked in their direction, watching the two discuss something. The three temporary leaders of Green Moon, the Parity King, and Elder Crimson, as well as the young man from the Liu family of the Ministry of Finance and the wandering cultivator from the Director General Office in Near River held their own conversation.

“Hou Xiaochen and Kong Jie are definitely plotting something. Everyone be careful!” Their side was very strong with the three great organizations, wandering cultivators, and nine Novas. Although they lacked Light Sword and Yuan Xingwu, there were thirty-two of them in total when the Solars were included. Theirs was a formidable group.

The remaining five hundred wandering cultivators were nearly all Sunflares; the weak ones had died long ago. Many elites had come from various northern provinces and the central region. Sadly, the number of circulating northern wandering cultivators would ebb after this excavation.

Green Moon was well versed in the ways of the world and was dismayed to see the two chatting. She quickly transmitted warnings to all sides.

“Hou Xiaochen, Kong Jie, Golden Spear, and Yu Luocha are all on par with Novas. While Berserk Blade is less than them, he still manages to count as a Nova. There’s also Hu Dingfang and other strong powerhouses from the military that are peak Solars... If Qi Gang and Hu Qingfeng are added to them, their Nova level battle strength is fearsome despite their small delegation!”

While the Silver Moon official delegation was small, every single person was a heavyweight. Their weakest was late Solar. The group went on the alert after Green Moon’s words.

“Um...” Blue Moon suddenly transmitted. “Hu Qingfeng has contacted us to ask that if he... He and Qi Gang are wondering if we’ll accept them in crucial moments. What do you say?”

“Can Hu Qingfeng be trusted?” Elder Crimson quickly asked.

“We should be able to,” responded the Parity King. “I don’t know about Qi Gang, but Hu Qingfeng is obsessed with accomplishing something great, yet is as timid as a mouse and deeply afraid of death. He previously thought that he could take down Hou Xiaochen and contacted us for a joint operation. At the very least, he wanted to force Hou Xiaochen into open rebellion.

“He then felt that Hou Xiaochen was too strong when two of his men were killed. He immediately abandoned the plan when he sensed danger. He is under Yellow Dragon’s banner—Yellow Dragon doesn’t actually wish for Hou Xiaochen to enter the central region as that would mean another competitor...

“I’m not too familiar with Qi Gang, but Hu Qingfeng should be well aware of his circumstances so long as he is no fool. He’s seen too much and won’t make it out alive if he doesn’t throw himself on our mercy.”

The three great organizations were more or less familiar with Hu Qingfeng. The youngster from the Liu family of the Ministry of Finance transmitted, “That’s right, Hu Qingfeng is someone who fawns over those superior to him and steps on those beneath him. It’s true that he’ll do anything to survive. His first reaction upon running into danger is to hide. All of the Novas know a little about him.”

The various sides focused on Hu Qingfeng, thinking that the man must be scared out of his wits. And that indeed was the case. If it wasn’t for Hou Xiaochen recruiting him, Hu Qingfeng would have no other thought in mind other than to turn to the three great organizations and seek protection. Thus, the group wasn’t terribly surprised about his expression of loyalty.

“Does anyone know Qi Gang well?” Green Moon was more curious about this person. “He’s from the provincial government, will Hou Xiaochen touch him? He’s here on behalf of Silver Moon and if he’s the only one to die while the others are fine...”

“I don’t think there’s a need to think about that. No matter what, it’s best if we can all settle on a united front at this moment! I’m most worried about Earthturner Sword and Southern Fist allying with Hou Xiaochen from within the city!”

Hou Xiaochen’s side was very strong, but he would suffer losses all the same if the two camps met in a clash. The only way that would be avoided was if Hou Xiaochen exploded with the same ferocious strength that Earthturner Sword and Southern Fist had.

“Those inside the city can’t come out. We need to be cautious of Earthturner Sword, Southern Fist, and Li Hao...”

“......” The group chattered one after another, not knowing what the best course of action was. But after comparing their strengths, they felt that it was best to placate Hu Qingfeng and Qi Gang for the moment.

Meanwhile, Green Moon tried contacting Light Sword. The latter was likely to ignore whoever reached out to her, but Green Moon had been a Silver Moon martial master. Although she hadn’t been that famous, they could at least exchange a few words. She hoped to bring the illustrious swordswoman over to their side.

Light Sword was exceedingly powerful. Southern Fist had gone on such a thorough rampage, but she’d only flown backward with minimal injuries when he punched her. She seemed fine at the moment, a testament to her formidable strength.

As for Yuan Xingwu... no one bothered reaching out to him. The three great organizations knew of his background as Yuan Shuo’s eldest disciple. While this person led a few Solars from the Skystar Troops and quietly hid off to the side without joining the Silver Moon delegation, the three great organizations wouldn’t trust one of Yuan Shuo’s disciples. They would take He Yong over one of Yuan Shuo’s line any day. The three great organizations didn’t trust a single person from the old man’s faction.

......

The inner city.

Manager Yu silently crept over. The Black Armors at the gates didn’t move against her, they remained very quiet. Even the three Silver Armors on the city walls watched her silently. The key in her hand was the proper token. She hadn’t caused any trouble in the fight against Hong Yitang and had refrained from killing soldiers of the army. Thus, although the three troop leaders knew that she was an outsider, they elected to ignore her.

The rules were that simple at times. The Silver Armors did not have the authorization to modify the rules of the Visitor Pagoda. No one apart from the city lord and commander-in-chief could accomplish that.

Manager Yu looked up at Li Hao on the wall instead of continuing to move forward. The young man smiled at the woman hidden in the darkness. Hong Yitang and He Yong were right on the money.

“Manager, we’ll strike if you can force them into the outer city! The Gold Armor will attack those inside the city, as will the three powerful Silver Armors...”

Manager Yu considered Li Hao. The young man looked quite at ease. She thought for a while and transmitted, “We need the three of you to assist us outside the city!”

“We can’t!” Li Hao declined. “We have the army supporting us when we’re in the city, but it’s too dangerous if we leave. I don’t mind, however, the two martial uncles aren’t at ease when it comes to the director. There’s nothing I can do.”

Leaving the city to help created the biggest problem of the Battle Heaven Army being unable to help the three. They would be in grave trouble if it was a trap. What if Hou Xiaochen colluded with the three great organizations to eliminate the trio first?

Was that possible?

Very likely!

This kind of result was unacceptable to the young man.

Manager Yu was speechless. What martial uncles not being at ease?

You’re the one worried!

Li Hao was too paranoid!

“What are you suspicious of, Li Hao? The director would’ve acted long ago if he wanted to. You wield the true sword of the Lis. He’s known that for a while and still lent you the Flaming Phoenix Spear and killed Red Hair for you. You think too much!”

“I just told you, I can leave the city, but the two martial uncles are worried. They both attacked the director earlier, so Martial Uncle Southern Fist refused to work together. I spent a long time convincing them and resolving the martial uncles’ worries. Don’t make things tough for me, please. I, for one, trust the director.”