Star Gate-Chapter 1082: Awakening, A Myriad of Changes (I)

A multitude of thoughts ran through the empress dowager’s mind. While she was strong, her nation was weak. One person’s strength alone was insufficient to take on the other cardinal directions. Li Hao was unable to outright eliminate them due to certain restrictions, but what if he truly crippled her?

“The commander won’t have me go to my death, will you?” she asked gently.

“How would I ever? Didn’t you say that the city annihilation missiles will explode if you die? Why would I do that?”

“Then...”

“Forget it if you aren’t willing!” Li Hao’s expression turned cold.

“Of course we are willing!” the empress dowager quickly smiled.

“So, how are you able to practice an ancient heritage to such levels?” Li Hao smiled and changed the subject. “Modern powerhouses that train ancient heritages find it difficult to improve after reaching peak golden body. Why can you shatter the limits? Do not say that it is due to the might of the Human King Consort’s heritage. Those of the exalted emperors can’t be that weak, so why can’t their heirs reach the same heights?”

Even if there was no restriction being levied by the heavens, why could the empress dowager reach twenty meridians? Was her body the same as Deputy Zhou’s and transformed to that of an ancient’s? But where would the requisite indestructible matter and core origin energy come from?

“It was all fortuitous happenstance...” The empress dowager’s expression shifted slightly.

“Put some more effort into making up your stories!” Light was already emanating from Li Hao’s longsword.

“It’s because... I have the personal sword of the Human King Consort,” the empress dowager sighed softly. “The real one!”

Li Hao blinked, then frowned. “The Human King Consort should still be alive, shouldn’t she? She shouldn’t have ever visited Silver Moon. Even if she did, why would she leave behind her favorite sword?”

Unless she’d died in Silver Moon world or left it behind because it was a key similar to the eight heritage weapons. Otherwise, who would leave behind their personal sword in an unknown world? freёnovelkiss.com

“This humble one does not know... but it is because of this sword containing vast sums of core origin energy and indestructible matter that I have made it to where I am.”

“Where is the sword?”

“I have refined it.”

“You will be able to erupt with even greater force if you utilize the sword, won’t you?” Li Hao looked at her with new inspiration.

“I would still be less than the commander,” the empress dowager said softly.

Li Hao sneered, but the expression quickly morphed into an exceedingly gentle smile. “Good, that’s very good! I’ll come visit you in a few days!”

He pierced through the void with his sword!

The water mist around them dissipated, revealing the two to the rest of the armies. Watercloud’s powerhouses were stunned. Their dowager empress’ phoenix crown had shattered and there was blood all over it. Had she lost?

Although losing was to be expected, didn’t they have to retreat after that?

“The empress dowager is strong,” Li Hao said unexpectedly. “She has received the heritage of New Martial and I, Li Hao, respect New Martial. I will not inquire into the matters of the day, but if Watercloud dares set another foot into Skystar, they will do so to their annihilation!”

He turned around and reentered the warship. It took to the air and vanished.

“I... sensed a unique presence just now... It was a bit familiar...” Zhang An felt compelled to clear his confusion.

“Yep, she said it was the heritage of the Human King Consort.”

“How is that possible??” Zhang An squeezed out after a brief pause. “The Human King Consort... has never visited Silver Moon!”

Li Hao shook his head. He didn’t know either.

Zhang An continued to look around bleary eyed. When had that one ever visited this minor world? And left a legacy behind? What... was going on here?

The ancient failed to understand it.

“Is that woman really strong?” The others clustered around the young man, all of them wanting to hear the latest gossip.

“She’s very strong, at least fourth level Sun and Mon!”

The group blinked and collectively took a sharp breath. That was very strong! That was the same level as the Great Li king—he might even be weaker!

“No wonder you didn’t continue... But you can beat her, right?”

Li Hao nodded, but said, “She bears the heritage of the Human King Consort. I highly respect the Human King, so I must show him this degree of respect!”

People snorted at his response, that was just hot air! It was simply meant to comfort Zhang An and the rest. Who would believe him!

And yet, Li Hao’s words caused a certain awkwardness in the ancient powerhouses. Zhang An soon sighed and murmured, “My thanks... Although... a heritage isn’t worth much... but we thank you nonetheless.”

“It is what I should do!” Li Hao smiled.

Zhang An’s discomfort continued, but he didn’t say anything else. The Human King Consort’s heritage truly wasn’t valuable, it wasn’t that powerful among the exalted emperors. And yet, when Li Hao said that he was showing face to New Martial and the Human King... Well, they had to accept the gesture, didn’t they?

But this meant that they somehow owed him a favor for no reason at all. It was quite aggravating!

Zhang An guessed that Li Hao might have his own thoughts and motivation going forward. Perhaps... this was preparation for the ancient cities to come?

That was highly likely!

Once the Human King Consort’s heritage reappeared inside the ancient cities, some might think that New Martial had returned and wouldn’t dare resist. Their hearts and minds would be in disarray!

After all, even he’d fallen into momentary confusion when he heard the explanation. Zhang An found it incredible.

He looked at Li Hao again. The young man’s smile was so pure and innocent that he didn’t seem like this kind of person at all. But upon further thought, that was precisely the type of person he was!

He smiled so sincerely, but was utterly shameless at heart!

......

The warship returned to Skystar City after making a circle around the dynasty. Li Hao was not fully leaving the four continents to their own devices. Instead, he sent people to investigate the local troops and gave orders to temporarily recruit armies of the four continents to his banner. This would prevent soldiers from running around randomly or them taking advantage of the recent unrest to plague the people.

When it came to those standing guard on Skystar’s borders, Li Hao had one request—they could fight, but were to try to avoid hostilities as much as possible.

Since everyone was aware of the situation in the world, they would naturally avoid provoking their enemies. In that case, the only thing left to do was to passively defend.

The southern border.

He Yong didn’t actually wish to defend against Watercloud Dynasty. He wanted to head west, but Li Hao found his temper too fiery to face Divine Nation. That nation’s queen also had a bad temper, so they would make for a combustible combination.

Thus, He Yong was sent to the south to keep an eye on Watercloud. No matter whether the empress dowager was truly delicate or not, she at least had a clear understanding of the full picture.

“If the other nations insist on invading, then you can choose to negotiate, come to a truce, or delay for time!” Li Hao added at the end.

Meanwhile, the king of Barren Dynasty wouldn’t easily set foot outside the east. There wasn’t much danger from that nation, but it's cavalry was strong and on the move. After some thought, Li Hao decided to send Light Sword and Yu Luocha to hold down the fort.

Yang Shan and Qin Lian were sent to the west. They were more even-tempered. The Divine Nation queen wouldn’t easily stage a battle, but neither would she be willing to show a softer side. The married couple could play good cop bad cop to keep her in check.

Although He Yong knew that the world was in a precarious balance, he couldn’t help but ask, “What if they aren’t willing to negotiate?”

“Stop being troublesome!” Northern Fist frowned before Li Hao had a chance to respond. “You’ll have to beg them on bended knee to negotiate if they’re not willing!”

“......” He Yong rolled his eyes. What about my dignity, huh? Are you listening to yourself?

“Then can I come back when we fight an ancient city?” he asked after grumbling to himself.

“We can consider that.” Li Hao nodded after some thought.

“Very good!” He Yong heaved a sigh of relief.

Li Hao found his reaction amusing. “It will be very dangerous if we fight an ancient city!”

“I know.” He Yong was highly dismissive. “That’s way better than taking the hits. Li Hao, to be honest...”

It was his first time using Li Hao’s name in such an official manner in a long while. The young man blinked.

“Do you think Silver Moon martial masters are more afraid of death or losing face?”

Li Hao started.

“No one’s afraid of death, but we all cherish our dignity!” He Yong looked seriously at the young man. “We know that compromising for general interest and suing for peace may be the right thing to do, but you also need to know that when we sparred back in the day, everyone accepted challenges despite knowing how strong someone like your master was. Well, everyone except for the shameless Earthturner Sword.

“We were not afraid of death, just afraid of losing face or being humiliated! Hong Yitang can stand to be derided and you’re a bit similar to him, but the others all care very much about their respectability!

“I know that you have your own thoughts and plans—you’ve spoken about them to us. We understand them as well! But... it still sucks, you know?”

Li Hao stared, inclining his head after a very long pause. Did he understand? Perhaps a little bit. He was suddenly reminded of several people.

The martial masters of Silver Moon still chose to march into battle, despite knowing that fighting Yuan Shuo was sure to result in death. Just as Qimei Staff had known at the end of his fight that he was doomed, he still chose to persist to the end. Yuan Shuo might have spared him had he bowed his head, begged for mercy, or retreated. Yet, he didn’t do so because he was not afraid of death.

Silver Moon martial masters valued face more than their lives. Therefore, while He Yong hadn’t refused when Northern Fist said that he had to kneel for the greater picture if necessary, he was highly put out by the idea.

Li Hao looked around him and studied each person in turn. Some were silent, others were frowning, and more glared at He Yong. The latter was a study of indifference as he knew that there was certain to be many who felt the same way he did.

“I see!” Li Hao nodded.

“Then I won’t say anything else. Remember to notify me when you attack an ancient city!” He Yong turned and left.

He Yong was taking five thousand Demon Hunters with him. No one knew if the south was peaceful enough, so he would just do his best.

Yang Shan was in residence to the west. Divine Nation was formidable, but Li Hao had just cleaned house of their powerhouses. Therefore, He Yong only needed to take five thousand Silver Moon soldiers.

Light Sword could be found in the east. She’d taken ten thousand Battle Heaven troops—they were led by some troops leaders who hadn’t self-detonated. Barren’s cavalry was so valiant that it would take the Battle Heaven Army to have a deterrent effect.