Star Gate

“Not bad!” laughed Li Hao as he looked at the inner city again. It was very big. Although he had a few mirror shards, it would be difficult for them to cover the entire inner city.

Of course, the meeting tomorrow wouldn’t take place throughout the inner city. It might just be in a small location, so the mirror fragments would be able to cover that much ground. If not, he’d brought the void chain. It would be a chance to test its abilities.

The group walked forward; the guards of the inner city were much stronger and were at least Sunflares. Chen Zhongtian took out a medallion without another word. The sight of it made the guards respectfully give way.

He alighted from his donkey to explain to the rest, “This is a medallion that the city previously gave to all of the major factions. It’s to prevent their subordinates from inadvertently offending heavyweights. Mine was given to the Inspectorate, and it’s only natural for the Inspectorate to send someone to observe their cabinet formation. All factions will likely have representatives in attendance tomorrow.”

Li Hao inclined his head and put on his cloak. He couldn’t be bothered to disguise his face, so a hooded cloak would serve his purpose. Many people on the street were dressed thus.

Chen Zhongtian didn’t put on a cloak, but his entire being turned younger. He seemed much younger than his son, Chen Yao, and there was quite a debonair around him. Granted, the donkey that he led detracted from his suaveness.

The two didn’t purposefully isolate their voices from the crowd. Regular people couldn’t hear them and it’d take someone stronger than Li Hao to eavesdrop.

“Do we go to the Lin family right now or…?” asked Chen Zhongtian. “We can find a good hiding spot first if we want to be more cautious and then decide how to take action tomorrow.”

“It’s fine!” Li Hao shook his head. “Since Lin Hongyu dared invite us, I’ll let her know that I’m bolder than she thinks! It’s fine if she’s sincere about casting her lot in with me. If this is a ruse just to lure me here, I’ll play right into it! Going straight to her will push her off balance instead.”

Chen Zhongtian raised an eyebrow to himself. Li Hao was sometimes overly careful, such as when he handed the Wind and Cloud Pavilion. He was at times uncommonly daring, such as this moment. Was he not afraid of being besieged by powerhouses?

The young man naturally wasn’t afraid. The talented were intrepid! He’d made many preparations for this trip, the two puppets were the most conspicuous example. Although he might not use all of his arrangements, they were immensely capable. For example, he carried a good sum of energy bombs at the moment and could take out half of the city with him if they detonated.

……

The Lin family, city lord manor.

The manor was an exceedingly large complex located at the center of the inner city. It was the Lin family’s territory. A group of old men standing beneath Lin Hongyu were discussing something in the main hall.

They glanced at her from time to time, with one grumbling, “Hongyu was too impetuous. She should’ve proposed it to us first if she was going to build a cabinet. We needed to be prepared so we could occupy more seats within the cabinet. Now look at things—there isn’t enough time and this has caused such a great hubbub. All sides are prepared with everything they have, but we’re not ready yet. Isn’t this outright handing over our authority?”

“That’s right. Hongyu, you should’ve discussed something as monumental as this with the family before coming to a decision.”

“Quite right. Also, why has Milord Redwood sealed off the entrance lately? I wanted to exchange for some Water of Life so I can take another step forward in my cultivation, but was mystified by the closed door. Do you know the details of the situation, Hongyu?”

“……” The old men exchanged words with each other, some with dissatisfaction, some with complaints. Everything had been too rushed this time and they didn’t have enough time to prepare. They’d wanted to increase their strength, but the redwood tree suddenly refused to see anyone. No one could trade for Water of Life.

Lin Hongyu sat above everyone, leaning against her chair and propping up her chin with one hand. She silently watched the discourse beneath her and smiled when the old men finished grumbling.

“Elders, family seniors, there is no use in complaining about any of this now. What I’d like to know is where the family’s ultimate weapon is?”

Someone frowned at her response and an old man with whitening hair objected, “That is the weapon that holds our fortunes together. It will naturally be given over to you when you are stronger. For now… the Lin family elders will keep it for safekeeping.”

“There are even seven element Arcanus on the rankings from the Wind and Cloud Pavilion now,” Lin Hongyu smiled. “I am only a peak six elements. How am I supposed to stand against them without a single trump card? The elders are truly… short-sighted!

“Will I treat the family poorly when I’m strong? How much of the weapon’s strength can you guys bring to bear? Do you have fancies of overthrowing me? Doggedly holding onto it will weaken the Lin family. I would be able to contend against seven elements otherwise. You are as stubborn as a donkey!”

“Lin Hongyu!” shouted the white-haired elder. “Is this how you talk to your seniors?”

“Then how should I talk to you?” Lin Hongyu laughed lazily. “My potential is greater than everyone and my strength is stronger than even you lot of antiques. None of the other eleven families dare resist my authority as city lord. They have to do so quietly to themselves even if they do.

“But you old fats only know to complain from day to night, concealing and hiding all the treasures, and sucking all the blood out of the family. So what if the ultimate weapon is in your hands? Senior elder, can you be the city lord? Would you dare accept the position if I gave it to you?”

The old man flew into a fury! The other elders’ jaws slackened as well. As curt as Lin Hongyu may have been in the past, she wouldn’t be so direct as she needed to rely on the Lin family. But here she was, openly mocking them today!

She was running absolutely wild!

“Lin Hongyu, are you rebelling against the family?!”

“You show a complete lack of decorum and respect!”

“I’ve long said that a woman cannot be the head of the household! You all didn’t believe me, now look at her. Is there any respect for the rules around here?”

“Thank goodness we didn’t give her the familial weapon. Would there be a place for us otherwise?”

“……” The group erupted with outrage, while some took Lin Hongyu’s side and attempted to mollify the general resentment.

“Hongyu is doing this for everyone and the family’s good. You see it too that seven elements has appeared on the Arcanus Ranking. Hongyu is feeling the pressure as Li Hao prowls on the sidelines with the City of Supernaturals in his sights. In my view, Hongyu stands a chance against the Skystar Commander Office and seven element Arcanus if she gets to wield the family weapon…”

“Pah! That Li Hao is a little brat wet behind the ears, he won’t dare provoke us! The joint efforts of the twelve families will easily keep him in line. Those Silver Moon barbarians will only come to their deaths if they dare bother us! I say you guys are trying to throw us out and wield the reins of power only in your hands…”

Lin Hongyu couldn’t be bothered with a retort. What bullshit reins of power? The Lin family couldn’t see further than their own nose! She would’ve obtained the ultimate weapon long ago if it wasn’t for her own family getting in the way. She might’ve brought the other eleven families to heel a long time ago. But instead… these old things hem and haw, refusing to bring it out to her. Even though she’d led the Lins to these heights and the head of the twelve families, that did not change their stance. They were afraid that she’d seize control of the family!

It would be fine if times were as before. Lin Hongyu wouldn’t be in a hurry and she would be confident of standing against any enemy. But now? Seven element Arcanus had appeared, yet the family still took the same stance!

In that case, don’t blame me for showing you no mercy!

She couldn’t be bothered engaging them any further. It was time for these Lin antiques to awaken from their daydreams of dominating the land. How could a family that didn’t support its own geniuses hope to conquer the world? And they wanted to build a sacred land on par with Tranquil Star… Dream on!

She would’ve lost her mind a long time ago if she didn’t constantly remind herself that they were one family. Lin Hongyu felt that she had herself to blame as well, because she lacked the decisive impulses of being a dictator. How would any of these old fogeys be afraid of her, given that? They levied the rules of the family on her and being of the same blood at every possible occasion.

Her eyes widened when she suddenly sensed something. The surge of aura was very familiar—the guy was incredibly bold! Lin Hongyu could scarcely believe it! She’d thought that Li Hao would come, but she hadn’t known that he would be so daring as to come openly.

She swiftly rose and walked outside, ignoring the bickering elders.

“We’re not finished here, Lin Hongyu, where are you going?!”

“Get back here!”

“How impudent! She’s completely out of control!”

……

Outside the door.

“Isn’t Lin Hongyu the head of the Lin family?” laughed Li Hao. He could hear the exhortation coming from inside.

“These ancient aristocracies sometimes have a lot of rules,” chuckled the alert Chen Zhongtian. “It’s said that those that can trace their roots back to the ancient civilization have a horrifying amount of family rules.”

“By ancient civilization… do you mean us?” Li Shengzhang asked with a strange expression. “Do we have a lot of rules?”

“……” Li Hao started.

“We do have rules, but we often set them aside as well,” Li Shengzhang continued in a soft voice. “Showing respect for our elders and loving the young is a virtue, but when it comes to actual work, it’s the capable who are revered and the mediocre who fall in line. Take this family, for example. If such a genius had appeared in one of our families, one that possessed both strength and ability, then the family would unequivocally support them. The family would expend everything to support the genius’ rise.

“The Human King is a prime example. Supreme Zhang felt that the Human King would do a better job than him, so he voluntarily abdicated his position and stepped behind the curtains. It was a peaceful transition of power.

“Our voice at the table is as loud as our ability. Those without ability to their name should retire from the heart of power, even if they are a family elder. They can enjoy their twilight years. If they truly find themselves with too much time on their hands, they can take up a teaching position to nurture the new generation for the family and humanity.”

Li Hao nodded. This was a good mindset to have. Of course, he didn’t feel much either way because he was the only one left of the Lis. There was no one to curtail his actions. As for his teacher, he could still do whatever he wished. Yuan Shuo never commanded the young man to do anything, forced him to action, or created a set of rules for him.