Chapter 953: Without Striking a Blow (II)

Li Hao was rather surprised at the low turnout for service volunteers and glanced at Hu Qingfeng. The man looked awkwardly back at the young man and hastily said, “I go where the commander goes. I serve the commander! Even my death would be a worthy death!”

“......” The crowd looked at him, despising him for being shameless. Who didn’t know that Hu Qingfeng of the Night Watchers cravenly clung to life instead of braving death?

He was exceedingly unrepentant and well known as a typical coward. How was he talking about a worthy death??

It was one thing if people like Hao Lianchuan voiced such words since they were Li Hao’s direct troops, but Hu Qingfeng came from the Night Watcher system. How was this guy not going into service?

It was... incredible.

Li Hao looked at Hu Qingfeng again and smiled. “Whatever you like. If you do die in battle, the office will take care of your family.” He turned to the rest. “Does this mean that all of you are willing to go to the City of Supernaturals since you haven’t chosen to go into service? And for those who have chosen to serve, you don’t need to think that I’m targeting you.

“I will raise some requests of all supernaturals within Skystar Dynasty in the days to come. They will either serve with labor or in the military. As superhumans, it is not good to continuously absorb energy from the world and not give anything back. There is a natural cycle to our world. Since you have been bestowed strength by the heavenly dao, there will be only benefits if you pay it back to society.

“I will also make similar requests of the Silver Moon martial masters.” Li Hao smiled. “Therefore, service does not equal going to jail. There is no need to worry.”

With these words, supernaturals that were ill at ease or still unwilling to accept their situation relaxed. This was good! Otherwise, how unfair would it be if they were the only ones who needed to serve? Why were they the only ones who had to choose between going to certain death or three years of labor?

Hearing Li Hao’s explanation made the situation much more palatable. Since it was only a matter of time before everyone had to serve... then going earlier might be better. At the very least, they would be the first supporters of Li Hao’s new policy.

“Is there anyone else who wishes to go into service?” Li Hao looked at the assembly, particularly Mu Xiaorong.

She clenched her teeth and stared at the young man, quickly ducking her head when he looked over.

“There’s no need to look at me like that, your father and family are not dead. The Mus and Chens are the only ones among the nine ministries who haven’t suffered heavy losses. You’re damned lucky—someone suggested that I spare your family and keep you around as an example of my mercy. It might compel the surrender of some supernaturals who haven’t committed any crimes.”

Hearts quailed at these new revelations. There was a certain connotation to these words that didn’t bear deeper introspection—if only the Chens and Mus weren’t dead, then... were all the other families dead?

Heads drooped as everyone was deathly afraid of Li Hao reading something inappropriate in their expressions.

Mu Xiaorong was both surprised and delighted. “Really?” she quickly asked.

“I’ll say this one last time.” Li Hao ignored her and looked at the time. “Those who are willing to serve should step forward now. I’m going to the City of Supernaturals in a moment, time is of the essence. Once you go and fall in battle, there will be no return!”

None of those remaining moved, including Mu Xiaorong. Li Hao raised an eyebrow and didn’t say anything further.

“Very well. Yang Shan, head out with your group and hand them over to Headmaster Hong. The rest, follow me!”

No one made a sound as they quickly fell in step behind Li Hao. Yang Shan swiftly departed with the few who wanted to serve. Hu Qingfeng quickly drew near with a face wreathed in smiles. Not even Hao Lianchuan could push past him.

“Commander, are we going to convene with the Silver Moon seniors now?” Hu Qingfeng beamed radiantly.

“......” Li Hao looked back at him and smiled after a beat. “Nope!”

What, so that was what you guys are thinking? Did you think that was a test?

Hu Qingfeng started.

Nope? You’re joking, right? How are we going to fight the City of Supernaturals without them?

He’d thought that Li Hao was just scaring them, that the young man would ultimately summon a few powerhouses. There was no way to go against the city otherwise. Surely he wasn’t just leading everyone to their deaths? Hao Lianchuan and some others from Silver Moon were part of this group!

He’d felt that Li Hao certainly wouldn’t send everyone to their deaths. That was the basis for Hu Qingfeng’s resolve in staying. The young man must be testing them!

And yet, reality showed that... he wasn’t.

Li Hao ignored whatever sentiments might be percolating through the crowd and summoned a flying vessel. “Board the ship!”

The group quickly filed onto the ship. It took off and shot toward the City of Supernaturals. Inside the hold, Hu Qingfeng swallowed hard—he was too nervous for words. He’d thought that Li Hao was joking, that he wouldn’t really march on the City of Supernaturals even without gathering various powerhouses by his side.

That had to be the case! The young man was just scaring them!

He shuffled over to Hao Lianchuan and struck up a hearty tone. “Director Hao, you’re close to the commander. Are we... really going to the City of Supernaturals?”

“Probably.”

“Then... Director Hao...” Hu Qingfeng wanted to say more, but Dao Sword beside them suddenly broke his silence.

“Shut it. This is the direction to the City of Supernaturals and we’ll be there soon at this speed.”

Hu Qingfeng jerked with astonishment.

Hot damn! Are we really going to our deaths? Stop messing around!

......

Time passed bit by bit. Li Hao’s voice soon traveled into the hold. “We’re almost there, you guys can come out for a look.”

The group filed onto the deck, watching as a large city came into view from their vantage point in the sky. Li Hao flew right past the city gates and headed toward the inner city located in the city center. “The ship will land near the city lord manor in a bit, they are still holding the cabinet meeting there. We’ll fight as soon as we charge in!”

“......” Jaws dropped.

Oh my heavens!

Some people’s thoughts had mirrored Hu Qingfeng’s, that Li Hao was doing this to scare them. The young man was just going through the motions to test them or to exchange threats with the city from very far away.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

But here he was, charging into the city lord manor, the cabinet meeting grounds! He really was going to his death! The city might not have wanted to fight him before, but now they wouldn’t be able to contain themselves!

Some were shaking like leaves; color drained from Hu Qingfeng’s face. They were doomed, doomed!

Even Hao Lianchuan—ignorant that the City of Supernaturals had sworn fealty to Li Hao—couldn’t control himself. He swallowed repeatedly. “Um... are there a lot of Arcanus there?”

“Roughly one hundred.”

Hao Lianchuan joined the ranks of trembling supernaturals. He wanted to cry—that many? Could Li Hao have brought some ancient plant spirit replicas with him? But even if he did, their opponents would have them too.

Li Hao laughed, amused by his mischief.

Let’s scare the shit out of you guys first!

He was due for a trip to the City of Supernaturals. It so happened to be perfect timing to bring these guys along for a good fright.

He had his reasons for recruiting these people. As for Hao Lianchuan and those he was familiar with... they were truly just long for the ride.

The young man wanted Heaven Favored—supernatural heavyweights who’d become Novas or Arcanus at a young age. He didn’t want any who’d crossed over from martial dao. Those such as Hao Lianchuan were present out of convenience and a chance to see if there were opportunities to be had.

The massive ship soared through the outer city. While residents took note of it, no one dared to make a sound upon seeing such a large flying ship. When the inner city guards saw it, they moved to stop it.

“Let it pass!” came a voice from the core of the inner city. That stayed the guards’ hands—they simply regarded it with curiosity. Who was that?

The cabinet meeting was still ongoing. Who was so bold that they’d flown right into the city? Was it the master of a major faction?

In the air over the city lord manor.

A crack parted a curtain of light, permitting Li Hao’s ship to land. Everyone on board was incredibly nervous. A grueling battle was about to begin!

However, they saw a woman dressed in red appear next. She smiled at Li Hao. “My apologies for the lack of hospitality, commander!”

“No worries.” Li Hao nodded and turned back to his people. “Alight. This is City Lord Lin of the City of Supernaturals.”

Sharp gasps abounded through the crowd. What was going on here? Didn’t they say that the city was holding a cabinet meeting? That large numbers of powerhouses had gathered? Where were they? There wasn’t even a shadow to be found!

There seemed to be only Lin Hongyu present. Where was everyone else?

“Commander, these are...” Lin Hongyu was also curious.

“I brought them along to show them more of the world. We have further business to conduct later.”

“Understood.” Lin Hongyu ignored the visitors. “Please have a seat inside, commander. Shall I send for Commander Yu?”

“Notify him.”

“Understood.” Lin Hongyu sent word to her family. Huang Yu was still inside the ruins. The redwood tree hadn’t returned, so it was through the Lins that he could receive any message.

The group that’d come with Li Hao were still very perplexed. Some that were catching on were starting to look around with wide eyes.

Dao Sword’s group held a flurry of transmitted messages among themselves.

“Has... the City of Supernaturals pledged their allegiance?” Big Eyes asked incredulously. “The cabinet meeting... is a trap, isn’t it? Dao Sword, where have all those Arcanus gone?”

“They’re dead.” Dao Sword was very calm. “Judging by City Lord Lin’s attitude, this isn’t the first time they’ve come in contact with each other. They likely reached an understanding a long time ago. The heavyweights that we all think are in a meeting probably... died a long time ago! They might’ve all died the first day they came.”

It was impossible to believe! After the fall of the nine ministries and royal family, the City of Supernaturals might be the only obstacle to Li Hao conquering the central region. They possessed one million supernaturals, but they’d surrendered early on?

This was unfathomable!

“Stay here and don’t go anywhere!” Li Hao told the group before he left.

“The commander is truly valiant!” grinned Hu Qingfeng as soon as the young man disappeared. “He took down the City of Supernaturals a long time ago! Doesn’t that mean it’s only a matter of time before he conquers the world?”

No one responded; everyone was still grappling with this new state of affairs.