Chapter 98: Paving the Way (I)

“The professor thinks too little of the Night Watchers!” Hao Lianchuan shook his head. “We’ve always hoped that the professor could break through to Dominator and make the crossover. That would bestow another Solar to Silver Moon! It’s just that the events of three years ago caught us off guard…”

“Enough of that!” Yuan Shuo interrupted. “Where’s my loot?”

“It’s been transported to the Inspectorate. We’re unable to just bring it to you.” Hao Lianchuan had no intentions of misappropriating the gains. The fall of a Solar was enough to dissuade anyone of these kinds of thoughts. He was here for another matter. “What are your thoughts about the ruins slated for the end of the month?”

The two parties had originally agreed to excavate a set of ruins at the end of the month. At that time, however, Yuan Shuo was on the brink of death and took his marching orders from the Night Watchers. Now that he added a Solar notch to his belt, it changed everything.

“That place is very dangerous!” Yuan Shuo sank into deep thought. “I was injured there three years ago and many Night Watchers died that day. I’ve also heard that quite a few from the major organizations died during their attempts to explore it. This time, the Night Watchers are banding with a few organizations in a joint expedition, correct? There will even be those from the central region present?”

Hao Lianchuan nodded. “Mmhmm, our losses last time were so great that we cannot afford a repeat occurrence.”

“I can lead the team,” Yuan Shuo mused over the situation. “But the split needs to change! Previously, you took anything related to the supernatural and I only received what you didn’t want. This time, I want an even split!”

“Do you think… that’s even possible?” Hao Lianchuan sighed as soon as he heard the professor. “This set of ruins is different and we are investing a great deal. A few Sunflares and myself will be involved!”

Yuan Shuo wanted too much!

“Then forget it, I’ll explore it myself!” Yuan Shuo laughed.

Of course it would be dangerous, but all of the treasure belonged to one person alone in a solo expedition. He was an expert of ancient civilizations and knew more about ancient ruins than all of these people combined. There were pros and cons to cooperating with the Night Watchers.

“Red Moon will also be sending people!” Hao Lianchuan looked at him. Are you sure you want to do this alone?

“So what?” Yuan Shuo sneered. “Worst comes to worst, I won’t go! Who knows if those guys will even be able to access the ruins if I don’t go. So what about Red Moon? Knowledge is power, knowledge is wealth! How many in our time know more about ancient civilizations than me? I’d like to see how much the Night Watchers will walk away with if you request any of their help!”

Hao Lianchuan fell quiet. Yuan Shuo was in no hurry—who could they look to in Silver Moon, if not him? Granted, it did give one pause if Red Moon was involved. Although he’d killed one Solar, that didn’t mean he could kill a second, especially as Li Hao’s jade sword was almost depleted. He didn’t have the ability to use the Incantation of the Blade of Blood a second time.

“I need to go back and discuss this with headquarters!” the director gave way. He could no longer make the decision in this affair. The Night Watchers had held a brief meeting before he came and mentioned the excavation, as well as the possibility that Yuan Shuo would demand exorbitant terms.

They hadn’t thought that he would ask for so much!

“Since you’re here,” Yuan Shuo raised upon seeing his visitor ready to leave. “Silver City may not be safe yet. Why don’t the two of us clear the dangers skulking around the city?”

“Clear the dangers?” Hao Lianchuan replied. “What do you mean?”

“There are some supernaturals lingering nearby. Let’s kill them all!”

“……” The director froze, witnessing the cold-bloodedness of this old martial master for the first time. Kill them all!

These supernaturals hadn’t gone on a rampage—they simply weren’t part of the Night Watchers. Some dawdled around Silver City, not taking any action despite possibly nursing some thoughts. Yet Yuan Shuo wanted to kill them all!

“Um…”

“I’ll do it if you’re worried about ruining Night Watcher reputation!” Yuan Shuo snorted. “This old man isn’t afraid! What are they doing near Silver City, if not wanting to stir up some trouble? They think there’s something to be had without running any risk, don’t they? In that case, let me do the deed. As for being condemned for it… hah. Do I look like I’m afraid of that?!”

He really wasn’t! He’d offended so many people in the past, and what of it? He’d made it through the storm and was now less afraid as he was a Dominator!

“Professor, this really will offend too many…”

“Irresolute and hesitant!” Yuan Shuo snapped. “You are a deputy of the Night Watchers, I am not! I do not need to consider the same things as you. I am alone in this world and have nothing in my old age apart from a few students! Students are students—they have their own futures to take care of and it is their own fate if they are killed or implicated by others. Why do I need to care about that?

“Are you doing this or not?” he asked again.

Hao Lianchuan sighed, then whispered, “I can’t, but… I can if there are any Solars.”

Yuan Shuo nodded with satisfaction.

“I can’t act as I would, but…” the director suddenly mentioned in a hushed voice. “Can you bring Wang Ming and the others with you? Of course, ahem, we can tell everyone that you killed them all. How about it?”

Temper the youngsters! The key thing was, he wanted Yuan Shuo to take the fall.

A grinning professor immediately nodded. He agreed so readily that it made Hao Lianchuan uneasy.

“We can… also forget about it?” the director hesitated. Yuan Shuo had agreed too easily!

“Hao boy, don’t change your mind so easily,” the professor chuckled. “Cut the crap and tell those little fellows to follow me. Even if they don’t take any action, it’ll do them good to just watch. I’ll have them land some finishing blows, if nothing else. It’ll do them good to see blood!”

Hao Lianchuan agreed after momentary internal turmoil. He did indeed want the youngsters to gain more experience. They’d apparently made a poor showing this time, even the Wang Ming lauded in White Moon. The latter was coming across as slightly incompetent after being sent to Silver City.

It was enough to make the deputy wonder if they’d done too good a job protecting the youngsters. Was the next generation able to shoulder the responsibilities to come?

……

Yuan Shuo set out once more on this night.

The southern outskirts of Silver City in an extraordinarily opulent, vast residence.

A man as fat as a pig ate in a restaurant; his face and hands were oily from food. His expression shifted drastically when something broke through the roof.

Yuan Shuo crashed through the roof like a demon god, flicking his toes when he landed and kicking the man’s brains out before the latter had a chance to react!

Hu Hao and the others swiftly descended, their faces pale. This was the third one! Yuan Shuo’s killing intent was overwhelming and his aura overpowering. They were truly witnessing the might of the veteran martial masters and their formidable mental fortitude. These martial masters killed without blinking!

Yuan Shuo swept a glance at the fellow he’d kicked to death and laughed. “What, are you guys still not used to it? This bastard more than deserved to die. If I remember correctly, this place used to belong to a Silver City tycoon! The merchant's gone missing—do you guys know where he is?”

None of the Night Watchers responded.

“Probably buried in the garden. Do you guys want to dig him out for a look?” Yuan Shuo jeered.

Wang Ming breathed out heavily behind the professor. “Committing murder for the sake of treasure, occupying another’s wealth… he did indeed deserve to die! But, Elder Yuan, didn’t you say you’d give us some chances to take a turn…?”

What opportunities are there after you kick the guy to death?

“Finish him off!” Yuan Shuo said faintly. “I have no obligation to teach you, but I can familiarize you with the sight of blood! Your task is complete after you stab him a dozen times!”

“But the guy’s dead…” Wang Ming looked on with conflicted eyes.

Yuan Shuo turned to serve him a peaceful stare. Shudders overtook Wang Ming and he grit his teeth, coalescing a sword of light. He stabbed it into the corpse!

Yuan Shuo smiled. Li Meng and Hu Hao looked at each other and quietly followed their colleague’s lead. Their movements were marked by hesitancy since it was their first time undertaking such a task.

Yuan Shuo watched them for a bit, not minding their inexperience. They’d get used to it after a few more stabs! The Night Watcher youngsters were too green. He was willing to show them around because he had his own plans in mind.

When they were finished, the professor raised faintly, “You three are broadening your worldview with me. I have decided. From today forth, I pronounce you as my honorary disciples!”

The three paused. What’s going on?

Hao Lianchuan also jerked in the sky. The hell?

“It is so settled!” Yuan Shuo proclaimed softly. “You can borrow my name in the future and say you’re honorary disciples of Dominator Yuan Shuo. Legacy is most important in martial dao! Betrayal is to lie to your master and forsake your martial ancestor! There is only one rule for my disciples—you may not betray your master or bully your fellow disciples. Love and unity between your fellows is the only thing that my disciples must accomplish!”

Hao Lianchuan still gaped in the air. Hu Hao and the others stared with incomprehension.

“Are you unwilling?” Yuan Shuo turned frosty and stern. “Or do you think I am unworthy?!”

“We wouldn’t dare!” Wang Ming hastily said. “That’s not what we mean, Elder Yuan. It’s just… we’re Night Watchers…”

“So what?” Yuan Shuo answered irritably. “Your director’s up there. Ask him if there’s a problem with this. Night Watchers are all supernaturals and supernaturals have no master and disciple system. You’re just an honorary disciple, that doesn’t affect anything. Ask Hao Lianchuan if there’s any problems!”

Hao Lianchuan quickly thought through things and inclined his head after a while. Honorary disciples…? So be it. It was a trifling matter and no big deal if it wasn’t an official relationship.

Wang Ming and the others didn’t dare protest further and erupted with flattery. Perhaps they were also slightly pleased by the abrupt turn of events as Yuan Shuo was a powerhouse who’d killed a Solar. It seemed to be a good idea to have Yuan Shuo for their honorary master!