Star Gate

Chapter 712: Return (III)

Li Hao looked into the distance instead of speaking further. He set foot through the air with Panther, deciding to immediately return to Silver Moon. What he’d seen this time left some regrets in his heart.

Although people knew that the central region was a land that ate people, they still poured in ceaselessly. Survival was the only thing on their mind, and at least it could be found here. Remaining in the three northern provinces might lead to utter annihilation.

Silver Moon had been sealed off on all sides, but it had not fallen yet. Like Hong Yitang once said, the people would suffer in misery and there would be a shortage in food if the situation in the world continued as it was. All of that had come to pass. Although this was a localized area, it was a sign, a harbinger of things to come.

When he traveled to the east, he’d passed through large swathes of territory occupied by rebels or bandits. An era of chaos was upon them!

All of this was in certain people’s hands. It wasn’t a natural disaster, but a man-made one.

......

Li Hao left through the air, leaving Inspector Wang marveling at his prowess. He frowned as he realized something next—was it that one? Surely not. Didn’t they say that he was still in Skystar City?

But... a young man, a dog, being from Silver Moon... Demon Sword? The Skystar commander?

The inspector was confused and uncertain, but shook his head upon further thought and didn’t seek to dig deeper. Although Li Hao had quieted the central region by killing a few people, that only addressed the symptoms and not the cause. The situation would worsen once Demon Sword was suppressed by others and result in a greater backlash.

......

“Panth, not every supernatural is a bad guy. Did you see that?” Li Hao murmured to himself over the sea. “That Lu Chuan is only a Starlight, the lowest of the supernatural, but even so, he doesn’t lack for food or drink. He can find a decent job wherever he goes. However, he risks the danger of being killed by pirates or chased down by central region powerhouses to escort people from one fire to another. This might be the reason why supernaturals exist. He is a supernatural, so he can ensure everyone’s safety in the crossing.”

The dog didn’t understand his meaning. What are you trying to say?

“I’m saying Panth, that this is an explanation of power just being a type of attribute. It’s not the foundation that decides everything. Be it martial masters or supernaturals, it all comes down to the heart!”

The dog remained silent, still not understanding. So... what?

“Silver Moon might be able to save some people if they break the blockade. It’s early winter and the season is long in the north. Countless people might die if this situation continues. Resources and whatnot will be hard to transport into Silver Moon. Director General Zhao and the others may have their own thoughts in mind, but I do not think that we need to allow the blockade to continue!

“Of course, we need money, labor, resources, rations, clothing...” Li Hao murmured to himself as Panther continued to be quiet.

“I’ve always valued cultivation resources and killed nobles, powerhouses to collect them. I’ve never cared about their mundane businesses, rations, clothing, and other resources. But can people go to sleep with full bellies without those? Will they be able to live?

“I seem to have lost touch with the real world at some point,” Li Hao sighed with emotion. “You too. Remember when you were a stray and played cute for me or passersby for a meal? When did you start only caring about cultivation resources?”

Panther lowered its head.

“When I visit Battle Heaven, I want to ask them how they fed a city of five hundred million back in the day. Do you think they’ll tell me?”

The dog was surprised. Ask them that? Won’t the strong guys there laugh at you?

Li Hao didn’t care. He started contemplating the matter of five hundred million citizens. Even powerhouses needed to eat and drink at some point. How did they do it to support a city of five hundred million? Where did all the food come from? Battle Heaven must have its ways, he’d just never thought or cared about the issue before.

He ought to ask this time. And also, were plant spirits only meant to kill others or be used in wars? Plant spirits, life force, accelerating growth, and accelerating the growth of plants...

Various thoughts brewed in his mind. He’d gained new reflections after traveling from north to south and south to north again. To not forget his original intentions was much easier said than done! He had to defeat the nine ministries and three great organizations in his current state before he could do anything.

Hong Yitang wished to gain some experience from Skystar City, whereas Li Hao felt they might be better off asking the ancients.

......

Li Hao didn’t clash with anyone after this. He erupted with both wind and thunder attributes, sweeping past cities like he was a hurricane. The north was deep in the onset of winter and there was no sign of green to be seen. There were even frozen carcasses by the side of the road.

The young man continued northward, reaching the outskirts of Silver Moon after a day. The province was as quiet as ever, as poor as ever.

But the air suddenly seemed warmer the second he set foot into Silver Moon. He landed in one of the border cities of Silver Moon’s thirty-two. There weren’t many people on the streets, but they were solidly bundled up against the elements. Faint sounds of clamor could be heard.

Li Hao hadn’t thought there was much difference between those of Silver Moon and other places before, but now he found them to be a bit more alive than the rest. There was a bit more to look forward to in their lives.

“Our Silver Moon martial masters are really something. Have you heard? Demon Sword has cowed the four directions from his position in Skystar City...”

Whispers and gossip about Li Hao rose from the streets. It’d only been a few days since his matters in the royal city, but those of Silver Moon were still discussing them. The young man grinned, then looked at the quiet city. His thoughts turned to a city in Near River that he’d just passed by on his way here. It had been a ghost town.

More reflections filtered into his mind.

......

Li Hao once more left through the air. Ever since Silver Moon started cleansing the province of the three great organizations, communication was restored between the cities. There were people walking on the roads now, as well as merchant companies. They were no longer afraid to venture out as they’d been before.

Previously, the people had been terrified to set foot outside. They no longer seemed to carry those apprehensions. Li Hao also heard the name of the Demon Hunters along the way. They seemed to be active in cleansing the province of troublemaking supernatural and martial masters. Their efforts had built a burgeoning reputation for them in Silver Moon.

A smile finally appeared on Li Hao’s face. Instead of heading for White Moon City, he turned to travel straight to Battle Heaven. He wanted to go to Rift Canyon first. Perhaps there was something to be had there.

As for the rest, he could meet them later.

......

Battle Heaven.

It was as quiet and deathly still as always. The Silver and Black Armors by the city gates were very quiet. The patrols continued; only the footsteps of the Black Armors could be heard throughout the city.

Everything was as if before.

It wasn’t until a ripple of energy traveled in that Director General Wang looked out from the city lord’s manor. An image manifested in front of him. A young man and a dog were entering the cliff face.

“He’s back...” murmured the director general. “He seems to be... hmm? He’s become an energy cultivator?”

“Yes...” sighed the big turtle. “What a pity... Ask him what happened. Why is he in this state?”

“I will,” assented Director General Wang. He didn’t say anything as this wasn’t a significant development. Some looked down on the path of energy, some felt that there was no future in it. That was all normal. Director General Wang and the others didn’t care about that.

It was just a different dao. Not to mention, Li Hao may not make it to that step. There was no point in caring about it too much. One walked the path of martial dao by themselves. The director general’s reaction was mild as he simply didn’t care about it much.

......

Inside the army barracks.

A Gold Armor suddenly opened his eyes, faint light exuding from them. He looked outside the city and waved a hand, summoning an image in front of him. A young man and a dog were approaching the city gates.

“The path of energy... So you’ve grown stronger from it, but what’s the point in that? But it’s not the pure path of energy either, it’s neither here nor there. Is he here to seek a solution?” The Gold Armor fell silent after some murmuring. He couldn’t be bothered! Whatever path the young man took, all that mattered was that he was aware of the pros and cons.

As for a solution, there was no easy solution. There would only be some hope if he fully converted to the ancient martial dao.

......

Battle Heaven was an old haunt; Li Hao experienced a rare moment of peace as he walked through the outer city. The three troop leaders landed from the city walls.

“Leader of the Twelfth Troop!” The ripples from this voice were immediately recognizable—Jiang Shixun, leader of the Seventh Troop. The three troop leaders seemed to be more human than before. They recognized Li Hao and the Seventh Troop leader spoke with some enthusiasm, “You’re back!”

“That’s right, Seventh Troop!” Li Hao smiled and summoned his silver armor. “Has everyone been well?”

“Same old. No one comes from outside anymore.” The Seventh Troop leader was the most talkative out of the three leaders. Those of the Eighth and Ninth Troop spoke very little, but the Ninth Troop leader had given him some reminders before he left last time that he could trade for some Water of Life with General Pagoda.

Li Hao had then paid a very low price to obtain one drop.

“Why have you entered the path of energy?” asked the Seventh Troop leader. “It’s a bit at odds with the Battle Heaven Army. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but that a lot of our battle methods are built on a foundation of blood qi. Energy cultivators are unable to make use of them and you’ll even face some restrictions when it comes to your armor.”

“It was an accident and couldn’t be helped.” Li Hao looked up at the sky. “Will I be attacked if I fly?”

“That you won’t be. You’re a troop leader, so you won’t be attacked.”

That was good!