Chapter 705: Gains and Reports (IV)

“I... am Yun Yuqi, the third generation of the Yun family. My grandfather was Headmaster Yun Haoran of the Skystar Ancient Academy. Someone killed him at home five years ago, along with my grandmother, senior uncle, senior aunt, third uncle, third aunt, my parents, and youngest aunt...” Yu Qi lowered her head, grinding her teeth. “They were going to kill everyone, but my grandfather used a special method to hide me!

“They killed my entire family, not only killing my grandfather, but wanting to force out the location of the ruins from him. He refused to tell them and died a horrible death as he fought them! Not satisfied with just killing my grandfather, they killed a lot more people. They killed some teachers and many students of the academy, but told the outside world that the three great organizations did it.

“I know who was involved. When my grandfather fought them, he called out a few names...”

“The Yun family... Yun Haoran, the Skystar Ancient Academy...” Li Hao repeated with an ominous expression. He seemed to have heard of these names before. “I didn’t pay much attention when Martial Uncle Hong mentioned it before, now I remember. A few years ago... Yun Haoran... the Haoran Research Center...

“Was there a Haoran Research Center in the past? Some academies recruited students for a while, but they later closed. I remember hearing at Silver City’s Veteris Institute a few years ago that there was a Haoran Research Center at the dynasty capital. It was the sacred land of research, the place of many people’s dreams, but closed not long after its establishment...”

He remembered!

“That’s right.” Yuqi quickly nodded. “My grandfather created it and wanted to recruit all people of knowledge in the world to popularize certain things. But after that... it was abandoned when my grandfather died. It’s been five years since then.”

Li Hao suddenly felt that fate was wondrous. The research center had already closed by the time he joined the Veteris Institute, but many in the institute still talked about it. Their source of news was plainly delayed. It wasn’t long after that that it turned out the headmaster’s entire family had been killed.

No, his granddaughter was still alive.

Li Hao found himself confused—why did these great personages bestir themselves to kill the headmaster of a school? Hong Yitang had mentioned that this person had sought to make certain things universal. Those movements came to a halt with the death of the headmaster.

Seeing that Master Li looked lost, Yu Qi knew that he didn’t quite understand the ramifications. She set her jaw and said, “You might not know what my grandfather’s achieved, but you definitely use his inventions everyday.

“The electric lights and system of electricity that you use come from my grandfather’s inventions fifteen years ago. The cars and trains that everyone uses now are also products that he developed. The system of transmission pendants and almost the entire system of communication is by his hand!

“My grandfather once said that the dynasty’s system of transportation and communication needs to be perfected first. That will swiftly unify the dynasty and ensure that information is shared as swiftly as possible. It will help the public more easily accept new information and help the population move from one place to another.

“Commerce will flourish, those from small places can enter the big cities and complete an overall migration of the population...” Yuqi didn’t know these latter concepts as well, so she only mentioned them in passing. “Five years ago, my grandfather wanted to join all of the ancient academies together and complete the reform of the education system.

“He was killed not long after that. These people didn’t want him to continue! They stole a lot of technologies and sealed the knowledge away. They didn’t want the technology to be universal!”

Li Hao was shocked by what he’d learned. “So you’re saying... that the entire electric and transportation system that we rely on now is the work of your grandfather?”

“Yes!”

The young man sucked in a sharp breath. He really hadn’t known about Yun Haoran’s feats, and it wasn’t that he was ignorant or ill-informed. Barely anyone mentioned the name these days. It was already an accomplishment that he knew of it.

But after Yuqi’s words, the situation felt a bit surreal to him.

So... I’ve had contact with this person all along. Having electricity was one major step forward for the dynasty.

A lot of changes occurred after electricity was established as a mainstay of life. The appearance of cars also made travel much easier. Li Hao recalled that for a period of time, all cities were furiously building and maintaining roads. They seemed to want to cover the dynasty with roads—so it turned out that this had to do with Yun Haoran as well!

He suddenly understood why the royal family and nine ministries wanted to kill the man! Li Hao had just discussed this with Hong Yitang. The latter had mentioned that everyone hoped for the people to remain dumb and not gain intelligence.

But with the development of transportation and communication systems, the flow of information and people would increase. At that point, even citizens in remote locales would rapidly grow in intelligence.

If Yun Haoran’s proposed educational reforms took place, then what talk of destroying the people’s mind would there be? Who should die, if not Yun Haoran?

Li Hao frowned, this would not be an easy task to straighten out. He’d just concluded a massive battle with the nine ministries and they were barely maintaining peace on the surface. Even the royal family was involved now. If he started pursuing this matter, that would force the other two to ally against him!

Damn!

It was the conflict between the royal family and nine ministries that created such an opening for Li Hao. If he was of the mind to investigate Yun Haoran’s death and take revenge for the late headmaster... he would be courting death!

Hong Yitang once mentioned that he wanted to join the Skystar Ancient Academy—the ancient academy, not the supernatural variant. He looked to be seeking inspiration from the Ancient Academy, so he should know of Yun Haoran.

“Do you have proof?” Li Hao asked after some silence.

“I do!” Yuqi looked back at him. “I have... very clear recordings! You might not know what it is—it’s something that records your every move and gesture. This technology was actually pushed out to the public as well, but it was later erased...”

“Something like surveillance?”

“Yes!” Yuqi was surprised by the identification. “How do you know?”

“Silver Moon has such equipment, so of course I know.”

“Silver Moon has this kind of equipment?” Yuqi continued to be surprised. “But these technologies were forbidden after my grandfather died five years ago. Even if any were in use, they would’ve been destroyed. That was the order of the dynasty!”

“The dynasty’s hand does not stretch to Silver Moon!” Li Hao smiled. So it turned out that forbidden technologies were in use at the province? Granted, there were very few instances of them. He’d only ever seen such capabilities from the Inspectorate and almost none anywhere else. They’d probably all been destroyed.

“Where are the recordings?”

“So Master Li has promised to help me with this?”

“This is... a difficult matter,” Li Hao admitted with a headache. “I would love to just kill everyone involved, but you know just as well that that won’t work. I don’t have the strength to, but I accept your report of wrongdoing!”

“So... even you can’t do it?” Yuqi was disappointed.

“The nine ministries and royal family are acting together in this!” Li Hao didn’t treat her as an ignorant victim in this matter. “I alone, or even with Silver Moon, won’t be able to take them on. Of course, everything is possible. How about this, keep the recordings to yourself since you’re not fully reassured about me yet. I’ll make my own investigation to understand more about the situation.”

This was no small matter. Li Hao suspected that if he intervened, that would immediately draw backlash from the nine ministries and royal family. Hong Yitang wanting to join the Skystar Ancient Academy might also turn into a severe issue.

At the same time, they might not place too much importance on the matter since many things were lacking in the world now. Hong Yitang was not Yun Haoran as well. As he lacked the development of key technologies and talents, he wouldn’t reach the same heights even if he established another academy.

The ruin that Yuqi spoke of may be the key.

The girl was despondent, but she also knew that this was a tall order. “It’s alright... Master Li... I just... I just don’t want to leave things like this. I know it’s very, very hard, but there’s only a strand of hope with you. No one else can exact vengeance for my family.”

“Don’t worry, if what you say is true, then I will certainly ponder the matter,” Li Hao comforted. “But I need time! Also, is there anyone who knows about your identity?”

“No.”

“Then you... should stay here for now. Many people might have noticed your presence here today and further investigation could expose you.”

“I...” Yuqi wanted to go back, but felt that Li Hao was right upon further thought. Going back might drag her little brother and the others into this. With the situation as it was, she really couldn’t locate anyone other than Li Hao to help her.

“Master Li, I can tell you the location of the ruins if you want to know,” Yuqi offered upon second thought. “But... you may not be able to access it now. There should be a key to it, but the key’s been lost. I don’t know if the nine ministries or royal family took it. They don’t know where the ruins are, but I know.”

She decided to be a bit clearer, just in case Li Hao thought she was lying to him. That would be unnecessary trouble then.

“It’s fine, we’re not in a hurry for any of this!” Li Hao didn’t mind. He really didn’t, he cared more about improvements in martial dao.

Granted, it would be more effective to lay hands on research results from the ancient civilization. It would be of great help to Hong Yitang’s ensuing plans.

Li Hao summoned Xie Lan of the Jade Sword Sect and bade her take care of the girl. He didn’t give many instructions, just that she should help the girl clean herself up...

That made the Silver Moon Guards look weirdly at him again, like they were looking at an animal. Li Hao suddenly wanted to beat them all into the ground! Had they’d forgotten how he’d defeated them when he first arrived at the Silver Moon Guards?