Chapter 812: Li Hao’s Speed (I)

“Send advance notification to Seniors Northern Fist and Tyrant Blade!” Li Hao stroked his chin with a grin. “The Wind and Cloud Pavilion can determine our strength, is it? They’re publishing a ranking in three days, are they? Can they publish a ranking everyday?”

He smiled deviously.

I can create powerhouses everyday! You wanna play? Publish a ranking today and I’ll convert a new batch of premier martial masters to Arcanus tomorrow! I wanted to keep a low profile, but since you guys want to play, let’s play!

I’d wanted to make a move on the ruins first and then take on the City of Supernaturals or three great organizations, but this is just as good. I’ll start with you!

......

The inauguration ceremony of the Skystar Commander Office was also the start of a variety of unexpected developments. All sides had thought that the day would proceed smoothly. After all, Li Hao’s people had just killed a large sum of powerhouses a few days before to deter the factions of the world.

Who would’ve thought that quiet Wind and Cloud Pavilion would emerge on inauguration day and kill the Tranquil Duke of the west? It gave rise to quite an uproar.

The Valiant Duke who’d come with him wasn’t actually that courageous despite his rough-and-tumble appearance. He ran off with his men that very night. He exercised extreme caution the entire way, deathly afraid of his movements being known and someone coming from his head.

......

Once they learned that Li Hao had killed large sums of powerhouses ahead of time, the silver Moon martial masters traveling to support the young man turned around on the spot to return home. They didn’t participate in the inauguration ceremony.

Walking along the central coastline, Northern Fist took out his transmission pendant for a look when he sensed its vibration. He raised his eyebrows at the message.

Li Hao had almost never asked for help before, even when faced with pressure from the nine ministries. He’d handled it himself each time. It was always Silver Moon martial masters going to help him of their own accord.

It was the same this time, but the young man had eliminated his opponents beforehand. Silver Moon martial masters were familiar with Li Hao’s character—he was eager to prove himself. But this time, he was the originator of this message for help!

Northern Fist was very surprised and read the message more closely. Some sort of Wind and Cloud Pavilion was prompting the young fellow to ask for help? This was his first time reaching out to the Silver Moon martial masters.

“Is the Wind and Cloud Pavilion... that strong?” Northern Fist was confused and taken aback. It was very rare that a situation would prompt him to send out requests for assistance.

“How interesting!” laughed Northern Fist. He’d thought that Li Hao wouldn’t encounter further trouble before the second awakening as he’d stabilized his footing in the world. To think that the unexpected would occur! He was already prepared to return to Silver Moon, cross Ash Mountain, and have some fun in Great Li. It looked like... there was more work to be done.

Northern Fist promptly turned around and flew toward the central region. This was the little guy’s first time bowing his head and asking for help. It would be not showing him face if Northern Fist didn’t answer the call.

......

The coolly aloof Tyrant Blade also quickly turned around and rushed toward Skystar City.

......

People were suddenly rushing toward the royal capital from all sides. Thunderleg had almost reached home when he received word. He grimaced with anguish. What... was going on with Li Hao to voluntarily ask for help? Did he think that he couldn’t take on the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, or did he think that he would be in a lot of trouble after the ranking was released?

“So much trouble!” A conflicted Thunderleg leered with yellow teeth. Why did little fellows always like to stir up trouble? What was so bad about finding a place, taking a few wives, and having a bunch of children?

Indecision warred within him for a while before he sighed and looked at the large house in front of him. He left without entering to see his children.

......

White Moon City.

Director General Zhao was handling official matters as his days were busy after Ole Zhou left. Accepting a group of refugees lately was giving him the greatest headache. There was no end of duties to handle everyday.

The transmission pendant next to him buzzed as he busied himself. He frowned when he picked it up for a glance—the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, the organization behind the Divine Masters Ranking.

Strength unknown.

Since their strength was unknown... was Li Hao placing too much importance on them? The transmission pendant said that it hoped Silver Moon would send Huang Yu and Kong Jie to reinforce them at Skystar City.

“Ole Zhou’s gone, Little Hou’s gone, and even those old farts are gone.” The director general frowned. “And you want more people??”

He really was conflicted by the request. Was there a need for that? The province was going to be emptied at this rate!

As he grappled with the difficult request, the door to his office was kicked open.

“I’m going to Skystar City!” Kong Jie hollered excitedly.

“......” Director General Zhao sighed.

Li Hao throws a wrench into things after I finally calm this guy down. Why do things never stop around here? The second awakening is around the corner and Silver Moon is in dire straits. What is all this!

His head pounding, the director general looked at Kong Jie and was about to respond when Huang Yu strode in.

“Li Hao almost never asks for help. It looks like he’s discovered something and finds it hard to resolve by himself. I’ll go, Kong Jie should stay.”

An unpleasant look crept across Kong Jie’s face!

“Are you looking down on me?”

Huang Yu nodded. Soldiers were more frank individuals. It’s enough that you know it, why must you speak about it? You’re not even an Arcanus, what will you do there?

“......” Kong Jie snorted. “My daughter is still there!”

“Your daughter and Berserk Blade’s disciple has been there the entire time. Don’t use this as an excuse.”

Li Hao hadn’t seen the two when he was in Skystar City either, but he didn’t pay it much heed. Hou Xiaochen had probably sent them on a mission or something. They weren’t dead, in any case.

Kong Jie boiled over with fury while Director General Zhao clutched his head.

Damn it! All of you guys want to leave?? All of your ambitions are flaring up and there’s nothing that can be done to pull you back!

But since it was Li Hao requesting help... Forget it.

“Go!” sighed the director general. These two had certainly made up their minds since they were in his office. What else could be said in that case? He rubbed his temples wearily. “Be careful and don’t die in Skystar City. You guys know that it’s hard for me to protect Silver Moon without the three of you. The four protectors were established to guard Silver Moon, but all of you keep running off to other locations. It’s quite worrying.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll eliminate the enemy outside our doorsteps!”

“......”

Where did you learn that from?

Director General Zhao glanced wordlessly at Kong Jie. “Go and cut the nonsense!”

“Alright!” Kong Jie was immediately gone.

“Don’t tire yourself out, Ole Zhao,” Huang Yu spoke some words of comfort. “Delegate whatever you can. The young need to be tempered more.”

“Then you can stay. Li Hao’s need shouldn’t be that pressing...”

Huang Yu was gone before Director General Zhao could finish his sentence.

Okay, fuck you all. If it wasn’t for consideration of my dignity, I’d curse you all to death. You guys are utterly ridiculous!

......

Various powerhouses rushed to Skystar City. This was Demon Sword’s first call for help. They were all very surprised and showed him a lot of face. Sky Sword chatted briefly with the heir of the Wind Thunder Sword before setting off from Sky Sword Mountain again and returning to Skystar City.

......

Unrest rocked the outside world.

The City of Supernaturals.

The female city lord furrowed her brows in a long pause. “Has the Wind and Cloud Pavilion... obtained Daoist Wind and Cloud’s heritage?”

Some didn’t know the daoist and wanted to ask further when the city lord waved them off.

“You don’t need to ask, just know that the daoist was very strong. Where does this Wind and Cloud Pavilion come from? I almost never heard of them and did investigate the one behind the Divine Masters Ranking before. They are very mysterious and there was no sign of a connection to Daoist Wind and Cloud.”

An organization that dared publish a ranking would not go unnoticed by the various factions. People had looked into their background long ago, but didn’t find anything. Each iteration of the Divine Masters Ranking was very unexpected.

“Then we...”

“Wait!” laughed the city lord. “I’d like to see on what basis they are so arrogant about their ranking to be published in three days!”

All sides were avoiding Li Hao these days, fearful that he would create trouble for them before the second awakening. This was fun, a new player appeared to provoke the young man.

......

Skystar City.

Li Hao didn’t say anything else after making a series of arrangements. He swiftly walked to the main hall.

“Get me a copy of the Divine Masters Ranking... No, I want a copy of each publication!”

“Yes, sir!” A vice minister trotted off to carry out his orders and quickly returned with a stack of rankings. He was wreathed in smiles. “Commander, the ranking first appeared two years ago and was refreshed every three months at first, then once a month. It has been updated ten times thus far, and here are all ten.”

“Are these the originals?” asked Li Hao.

“Huh?”

“I said, are these the originals?”

“I’m... not sure!” the vice minister replied awkwardly.

“Then go ask! I want the originals, the first prints and not reproductions!”

Although the vice minister wanted to retort with an attitude, he quickly gave orders for someone to look into it. As one of the nine ministries, the Ministry of the Judiciary remained adept in executing its duties despite the lack of the Hu father and son.