Chapter 922: Li Hao’s Tyranny (II)

At the same time, various forceful presences rose from all around Skystar City.

“Night Watchers, mobilize!” echoed Yao Si’s voice. “Seal off the city gates and execute anyone who tries to cross them!”

“The Inspectorate will assist the Skystar Commander Office in this investigation!” another voice rang through the city. “Order will be restored to the capital. No one is permitted to cause trouble!”

The Skystar King’s expression changed drastically as he roared like a wounded lion, “Bastard!”

The Inspectorate!

So the Inspectorate was involved in this! Didn’t this announcement also declare that they had sworn fealty to Li Hao? Damn it! Thank goodness they hadn’t let the old man from the Inspectorate participate in the operation. There would be enormous trouble if they had!

But damn it all the same!

“Royal father...”

“Shut up!” yelled the Skystar King, interrupting his children. He quickly took stock of the surroundings, his face tightening when he detected eight Arcanus presences around the palace.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Silver Moon powerhouses!

He swiftly walked out of the palace hall to see He Yong hovering in the air, followed by Earthturner Sword, Sky Sword, and one thousand Demon Hunters.

“The Skystar Commander Office is in pursuit of evil supernaturals!” He Yong called out with a complicated expression. “We are here to ensure order in the dynasty and to protect the king. The knaves might be hiding in the palace, so we request the Skystar King to permit the Demon Hunters to enter the palace and search for superhumans. These cretin will not be permitted to harm the king!

“Everything being done today is for the dynasty and the royal family! Everyone is responsible to do their part for peace and order throughout the land. I will seek forgiveness and appropriate punishment on the morrow for my offenses today! Right now, we request that the Skystar King open the palace doors and command your superhumans to convene in the plaza outside. They are to present themselves for registration!”

“Are you rebelling, He Yong?” someone yelled before the Skystar King could respond. A figure rose into the air, their face mottled with anger.

The nine ministries had never dared barge into the palace in all these years. But today, He Yong brought troops straight to their doors! He deserved death!

“Such is the law,” He Yong answered aloofly. “Everyone should follow it. Not to mention, all that we do is for Skystar Dynasty, the royal family, and the world. If even the royal family can disregard the law, then how will the people respect it?”

He manifested a screen of light with a wave of his hand.

“Prince Ming, the entire city’s residents are watching us right now. How will the other institutions obey if the royal family does not respect these orders? He Yong is doing this for everyone’s good. How will we explain ourselves to the world if enemy spies really have infiltrated the palace and hurt Your Majesty?”

There had been nine princes in the royal family. Two were dead, leaving seven alive. Prince Ming wore an unpleasant expression on his face. He Yong was live streaming this raid to the rest of the city! And since when did Skystar City have so many screens that they could be set up everywhere?

There seemed to be one on every street and crowds gathered around each one.

......

The Ministry of Armed Forces.

Yuan Shuo had come in person with many Demon Hunters and some Night Watchers. He looked coldly at the middle-aged man in front of him.

“Open up the ministry and assist the Skystar Commander Office in this investigation! Qi Dinghai—Minister Qi—you are a soldier, so you should do what a soldier should do! Do you think I’ll retreat just because you have one of my disciples standing in my way? You’ll be responsible for the consequences if you enrage me!”

Yuan Xingwu didn’t say a word and hung his head, not daring to look at his teacher.

“Why do this?” Qi Dinghai sighed and set foot into the air. “In doing so...”

Yuan Shuo’s presence flared as he bit off, “What will Armed Forces do in return? Rebel? Qi Pingjiang isn’t here, and even if he was, would you force him to mutiny as well?”

“...very well, conduct your investigation!” Qi Dinghai smiled after a long look at the old man. “Armed Forces is not afraid of an investigation, but you truly are over the line!”

“Hmph!” Yuan Shuo ignored his counterpart and waved his hand. “Set up shop in the Ministry of Armed Forces and gather all superhumans in one area! Any superhumans that have not convened within fifteen minutes will be executed!”

Qi Dinghai didn’t say a word. The ministry’s doors were quickly opened and troops of Night Watchers marched in. Some were excited, others were apprehensive.

This day had come too quickly. The Skystar Commander Office was going to investigate and clean house at the nine ministries and royal family! This was... incredible! But as one of the investigating personnel, the Night Watchers were too agitated for words. Since when could they so openly enter the ministry and demand to see their superhumans?

It was... unbelievable.

......

The Ministry of Finance.

“I hope you can cooperate, Minister Liu.” Deputy Zhou was in residence. “It’s just a registration list, nothing else.”

“Of course we will.” Liu Yunqing was all smiles. “Don’t worry, Deputy Zhou. The Ministry of Finance does not harbor any other thoughts.”

“That’s good.” Deputy Zhou smiled in return. The Lius had started off as merchants. When it came to merchants... the Lius would not stick their necks out if they were nicely addressed. Although both ministers of Finance were present, this was an easier place for the deputy to pacify.

......

Both ministers of Internal Affairs were also present. Yao Si and Hou Xiaochen had come to visit. They held down the fort with their troops while Mu Hai looked on peacefully, permitting them to do as they would. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

......

The Ministry of Examination, Commerce, and Foreign Relations.

Of these three, only the current minister of Commerce was still alive. Qian Wanhao looked coldly at his visitor—Northern Fist. Not too far away was Tyrant Blade at Examination, and further away was Light Sword at Foreign Relations.

Of the latter two, the old ministers were in the ruins and the current ministers had been anticipated by Li Hao. None of the vice ministers dared offer any resistance, not to mention it was renowned Silver Moon martial masters on their doorstep.

......

Silver Moon powerhouses settled in at various critical institutions, but no one came to the Inspectorate. Just as inspectors looked at each other curiously, Chen Yao stepped into the main hall and coughed for attention.

“All Inspectorate headquarter superhumans are to present themselves and assist in the registration! Superhumans outside headquarters are to coordinate with the Skystar Commander Office and carry out their registration duties!”

The announcement stunned many. They could say before that they were helping the office out of obligation and duty. But now... the Skystar Commander Office had sent people everywhere but the Inspectorate. Chen Yao was voluntarily assembling his subordinates for resignation. What did that mean?

Some grasped the connotations of their minister’s actions and shifted uneasily, not knowing if this was good or bad. The vice ministers swallowed hard.

Who would’ve thought that our minister would... join Li Hao’s side without making a peep? Oh my heavens, this is such a huge surprise!

“Alright now, stop thinking so wildly,” laughed Chen Yao. “The Inspectorate and Night Watchers were one family to begin with and the Skystar Commander Office comes from the Inspectorate. We are all one big family. All we need to do is coordinate with the Skystar Commander Office. Don’t cause any trouble now!”

No one made a sound as they quietly formed lines at their designated spots for registration. Chen Yao looked into the distance, at where the Ministry of Administration stood. That was the first among the nine ministries! Although Zhao Tianyang wasn’t there at the moment, his son, the current minister Zhao Huaimin was, and he was no weakling.

Suppressing Administration was key. Who would be assigned that task? Would Li Hao go himself? It would be hard to bring them to heel without a heavyweight on the scene. Problems could easily develop.

As Chen Yao mused, his eyes picked out a crowd of people heading over from Administration. His jaw almost dropped with shock when he saw his father beaming at the head.

“Sage nephew Zhao thinks of the entire world from his position as the first among the nine ministries,” Chen Zhongtian announced brightly. “Of course he would cooperate with the registration!”

Chen Yao couldn’t pick his jaw up off the ground.

When did my dad run out? And... to suppress the number one ministry!

This meant that it was open hostility with the rest of the nine ministries, that the Inspectorate was seceding from them!

Chen Zhongtian’s appearance meant too much.

Another person arrived at the Inspectorate as Chen Yao grappled with his shock. He seemed unwilling, unhappy, and rather despondent. The man raised a cupped fist salute from far away.

“Kong Jie of the Silver Moon Inspectorate greets the headquarter inspector general! Just give me a copy when you finish the registration list...” He left unwillingly after delivering the message. Everyone else had gone to suppress a faction, but he’d come to be an errand boy to his old boss. Damned if it wasn’t annoying!

Chen Yao’s already assembling the list without me here, what else can I do? I’m going to see what fun there is to be had at the other ministries!

......

The Ministry of Administration.

Zhao Huaimin was shocked by the turn of events. “To think that Uncle Chen would...” he whispered after a long time. “Ai, does Uncle Chen also think that the Skystar Commander Office possesses a brighter future than the nine ministries?”

He sighed, not knowing what to say.

Although Chen Zhongtian was less than Zhao Tianyang and Qi Pingjiang, he’d always been firmly number three and part of the core of the nine ministries. His personal attention today represented too much. The nine ministries’ confidence would be shattered from here on out.

Two of the old ministers were dead, four of the remaining seven were in the ruins. One had come in person to suppress them and the ones at Finance and Commerce refused to show themselves. Zhao Huaimin was gripped by inexplicable sadness. The alliance of the nine ministries... had broken.

Not only him, but everyone paying attention to the happenings quieted. Chen Zhongtian... the Chen family had completely dedicated themselves to Li Hao’s cause. The various screens depicted what was happening throughout the city.

There was even one in front of the palace that the Skystar King was watching.

Chen Zhongtian...

The internal discord between the nine ministries wasn’t severe. It’d been a source of entertainment for him in the past.

But now, the number three that was the Inspectorate had quietly joined Li Hao’s banner. Too much information was contained within this realization.