Star Gate

Ten thousand sets of armor and further cultivation in the ruins meant that this group of soldiers would sweep through the central region as soon as they appeared. They could even move quickly into other provinces. There were barely ten thousand in the royal family’s Black Armaturas, whereas Li Hao had two thousand more Demon Hunters that were also quite strong.

Huang Yu looked bright at Li Hao. “You really are a division leader?”

“Of course!” the young man grinned. “I can also create one hundred sets of armor a day. That’s not that many, but it’s enough to maintain combat readiness. The process requires some mysterious power stones. I leave that treasure in Commander Yu’s hands. This way, any holes that appear in our personnel can be swiftly supplemented for.

Huang Yu swallowed hard. A production line? He suddenly felt that he’d lived the last few decades in vain!

“I know the treasure you speak of, the main cities have it but do not sell it to outsiders. It’s also impossible to take a look at since it’s a vital component of the city’s weapon factories. You…”

“I’m a commander level personage in Battle Heaven now!” declared a pleased Li Hao. “I call the shots in the city!”

Bullshit!

As much as Huang Yu didn’t believe it, he was very shocked all the same. Ole Zhao had spent so many years in his family’s ruins to barely obtain his title of city lord manor participant—the city lord’s manager, in other words.

It contained no military authority, but was a position with some authority in the city. It wasn’t bad.

…it was also completely worthless compared to Li Hao’s position!!

Was it supposed to be impressive that he’d made it to a participant role after several decades? He’d thought it not bad before since that meant he could exchange some words with the city lord, but now… Pah!

He wasn’t even a strategist! It was just an empty title that the main city of the Zhaos used to tie Ole Zhao to them so they could exchange information. But after all these years, Ole Zhao didn’t obtain that many treasures for his efforts.

Such was the ancient civilization—quite miserly!

Anyone who wasn’t one of theirs would be in for quite a difficult time if they wanted to procure any advantages. Take the plant spirits, for example. A drop of Water of Life that could be had for three thousand stones a drop cost outsiders fifty or sixty thousand as a normal price, or even one hundred thousand at first.

It wasn’t just one or two plant spirits scamming the rest, but everyone being in on it. Despite the plant spirits being isolated from each other in their respective ruins, all of them operated in the same vein.

“Then I’ll make my preparations right away, when should I begin?”

“The faster the better. The best is early this morning. There is less attention levied on movements at night. Can Commander Yu take care of these arrangements as soon as possible?”

“Of course, it’s just ten thousand people. Give me half an hour and I’ll get the ball rolling!”

“In terms of resources, we have sufficient storage rings.” Li Hao nodded. “There should also be rations and such here. I have a lot of rations filled with energy as well, they’re perfect for the military. Everyone should be experienced with what to bring into the ruins, so I won’t be involved there.”

“Be at ease!” Huang Yu laughed. “Then I’ll visit the provincial government immediately. I should be able to start the selection tonight or at any time! I’ll tell Ole Zhao that… we’re going to exterminate bandits!”

It wasn’t up to him whether or not Ole Zhao believed him. Li Hao wasn’t permitting the true reason to be shared, so Huang Yu was in a difficult position as well.

“Very well!”

……

All of Li Hao’s goals were accomplished after this conversation with Huang Yu. It had been quite a day. He had to bring everyone back to the City of Supernaturals as well. The repeated trips were turning him into a transport plane.

His efforts weren’t without compensation, however, as he emptied Silver Moon of a lot of treasures as well.

……

Li Hao returned to Battle Heaven at midnight. It was his first time seeing Director General Wang. The golden armor was still present, but the director general no longer wore a mask. His true face wasn’t the jovial fatty that Li Hao had pictured, but a burly man with a solemn expression. He looked quite dignified!

Director General Wang smiled when he saw Li Hao stare at him. “What, am I different from what you thought?”

Li Hao nodded slightly, taken aback by the roiling presence he felt. “The… director general’s presence… is so strong!”

“I’m unaccustomed to my new body. I’ll be able to retract my presence soon,” Director General Wang chuckled. “After all these years living in armor, I’m actually unused to having a physical body.”

He glanced at the city lord manor. “To be leaving after countless years… this really will take some getting used to.”

“Leaving is not a pursuit of enjoyment.” The old turtle manifested with a smile. “Be careful out there.”

“Thank you for your concern, guardian!” Director General Wang laughed and left the city with Li Hao. Thousands of Black Armors pounded their chests at the city gates, presenting a stately and dignified sight. The Ninth Division leader and others appeared on the city walls to send them off.

Director General Wang turned back to pound his chest and yell, “I depart to uphold the name of New Martial and Battle Heaven!”

“Salute!”

BOOM!

The sound of thousands of soldiers pounding their chest plates rang among the clouds. Director General Wang was so grim that Li Hao didn’t feel that it would be appropriate for him to say anything at this point. This was more like they were going to their deaths.

Everyone was so very grave that he wasn’t at liberty to say much else. They were going out to make it rich, not die. Why did this sendoff feel like a funeral march?

“We await your triumphant return!” The Ninth Division leader’s call pierced through the clouds. “We fight when called upon! We do not retreat! Military commands are to be obeyed above all else! Wang Ye, do not lose face for the Wangs! Remember, you are of New Martial!”

“I will commit this to memory!” Director General Wang roared and left without his customary bickering.

Li Hao quickly caught up to the man. The director general was so unsmiling and wreathed in such a tragic air that the young man couldn’t break the silence.

General Pagoda quickly presented five plant spirits that were in very weak condition. Only a faint hint of core origin wafted from them—they seemed less than the little tree of old.

“I’ve already explained the situation to them,” the general said softly. “They’ll listen to your orders outside. General Li… be… well!”

“I will!” Li Hao swiftly left without another word. He assembled his domain of the five elements when the ruins opened. Director General Wang stood next to him, furrowing his brows at the violent ripples that collided into them. Li Hao frowned as well. The spatial ripples that the director general attracted were greater than the redwood’s.

The redwood tree was a peak Immortal. Although its strength was less than yesteryear, its core origin remained very strong.

Director General Wang didn’t say anything as he summoned his golden armor. The Black Tortoise Seal hovered in the air, enveloping himself. When that proved insufficient, he summoned a large shield with a soft shout and shrouded himself with it as well.

The director general’s presence faded away.

“You will be my weak point when we take action together,” Director General Wang identified seriously. “Once you are defeated or when this personal domain of yours breaks, I will be in grave trouble. Of course, it’s fine enough in the ruins. In the outer world… I am done for if something happens to you.”

Li Hao inclined his head and vanished amid the ruin entrance. He was unused to a somber Director General Wang.

A radiant grin split the man’s face when the ruins vanished behind them. “We’re finally out! Hells yeah! That guy wanted to intimidate me before I left. Does he really think he’s the city lord?”

“……” Li Hao paused.

Director General Wang chuckled and flung an arm around his shoulder. “Stop looking, that was stifling. Of the ones who are awake in the city, the old turtle is a guardian, General Pagoda is a guardian. Your Ninth Division leader is a soldier and I am not. I’m just from Security… Having to face those guys day in and day out is damned irritating.”

“……” Li Hao listened woodenly.

Director General Wang looked around with a chuckle. “So much has changed in the world! Mulberry fields have turned into seas, it’s really all different! But the presence of life… I like it! We’re in the same boat from now on, Little Li! We need to work together well. I haven’t eaten in countless years—what kind of amazing delicacies can you recommend to me?”

The golden armor swiftly vanished and turned into athleisure. The director general’s long hair transformed into a pompadour. Open-mouthed, Li Hao watched as Director General Wang quickly completed his change.

“We should blend with the surroundings when traveling,” he laughed when he saw the young man staring at him. “I respect the local customs. Strange garments will make me out of place, no? By the way, do you have money?”

“What?”

“Money. Don’t you guys use money? You need money to eat and stay at a place, don’t you? Give me some. How can we travel around outside without money?” Director General Wang declared solemnly, “I’m not the type to eat without paying!”

“Um…” Li Hao truly didn’t know what to say!

“Don’t um ah me! You have to pay me wages at the very least, don’t you?” chuckled the director general. “Oh, right. How far away can I get from you at most?”

“Within one hundred meters.”

“That range is a bit small.” Director General Wang frowned and clapped Li Hao’s shoulder like he was a big brother. “Work hard to expand your domain. It needs to cover at least ten thousand meters, yes? Otherwise, you’ll even see me use the restroom at one hundred meters.”

Do you need to go to the restroom? Li Hao didn’t know what to say!

“Little brother, you can’t show your thoughts so blatantly on your face.” Director General Wang patted his shoulder again. “Surviving is different from living. At times like these, we should eat and drink when we should. A life is a life, whether we spend it in misery or happiness. I’ve thought this through in Battle Heaven long ago. We should enjoy what we can, when we can.

“Don’t pull such a long face, be happier! Kill enemies in comfort and bring about the downfall of your opponents in comfort. That is life!”

“Director general, this…” Li Hao wanted to interrupt.

“Call me Brother Wang!” responded a giddy Director General Wang. “I already said that it’s so stuffy inside. Drop that nonsense. We’re all free men when we’re out here and should act accordingly, understood?”

Li Hao rolled his eyes. You changed too much, too quickly. And who’s your brother? How old are you, anyway?

etvolare’s Thoughts

He somehow gives me YS vibes lol.