Star Gate-Chapter 1043: Thinking Too Much (III)

“......” The group around Li Hao was eerily quiet.

“Commander,” Huang Yu said in a muffled voice after a very long pause. “Director General Zhao is still in the enemy camp. Why don’t you... forgo that last term. Otherwise... I’m worried that he won’t make it back alive.”

Are you trying to get Ole Zhao killed out there? Just say so if you are! Saying this right in front of the Great Li king and Great Li main priest... It would be eye-popping if Ole Zhao doesn’t die!

It was then that everyone realized Li Hao could be truly... diabolical. The general sentiment of the group was that their leader wanted to use another’s hand to eliminate Director General Zhao.

“I mean it!” Li Hao protested innocently. “Jiang Li sacrificed the bones of Initial Martial in pursuit of the king’s goals. Meanwhile, the king demands the bones as soon as we meet and is willing to resume hostilities over them. There’s definitely something going on between the two of them! I might receive a great deal in return if I help them with their happily ever after.”

Why did everyone think that he was just mouthing random crap? Some people cherished beauties over grand ambitions of conquest, that was very normal!

I can create human bodies now! The Great Li king can just tell me what’s his type, or if he wants to turn into a woman himself. You can have whatever you want, the world’s your oyster!

“Um... why don’t we wait for Director General Zhao to leave first?” Huang Yu recommended. “The commander can ask them through other means once Ole Zhao is back with us.”

Whatever they did, they shouldn’t have the old man propose this. Huang Yu considered the director general as a fellow Silver Moon colleague at the end of the day; they’d worked together for decades. He felt that he needed to throw a lifeline to the old man.

“Very well! Let’s do it that way then,” Li Hao laughed. “If Great Li doesn’t agree to our terms, then we’ll send out our troops and have fun toying with them. I’m not in a hurry and there haven’t been any major disturbances from the three nations yet. Perhaps they’re waiting for us to get gridlocked with Great Li. Since these guys are so indecisive when it comes to sending out their troops, I’ll grant them their wish!”

The group heaved a collective sigh of relief. That would be for the best!

......

When Director General Zhao repeated Li Hao’s conditions, a strange expression settled over the Great Li king’s face. How... shameless was the young man??

Giving me the Zheng city and allowing me to choose either the Divine Nation or Barren Dynasty... you might as well give them both to me. How are these any concessions at all? Li Hao was so.. disgusting!

But the young man being willing to return one of the divine bones and share everything about the new martial dao exceeded the king’s expectations. He’d simply shot for the sky, who would’ve thought that Li Hao would agree to some of the terms?

“Then let it be so!” the king said slowly. He wasn’t prepared to withdraw his troops at the moment either. In that case, it would be nice to gain something for his continued presence.

Director General Zhao concluded the negotiations with a laugh. He placed a transmission pendant on the table. “The commander instructed me to leave this behind as he has words to directly convey to the king. Then... I take my leave!”

Li Hao had also sent him word to return as soon as possible and added an addendum for him to be as fast as he could. The director general didn’t know the particulars, but since the young man had said so, he would be on his way.

“You are dismissed!” the Great Li king said without concern.

Director General Zhao smiled and turned around, flying out at a swift pace. Some royal guards around him glared at his actions, but he ignored them. What were they looking at? He’d seen all manner of impressive occasions before and witnessed an assembly of ancients on occasion. How could a few royal guards faze him?

He’d just left Great Li’s camp when an angry roar exploded out of the king’s tent behind him. “You go too far, Li Hao!”

A pair of fists shot at Director General Zhao, stunning the man into teleporting away. What’s going on now, hey? Weren’t we fine just seconds ago? The king didn’t lose his temper even with the terms I promised, did Li Hao transmit something to set him off like this?

“I mean it,” Li Hao’s jovial voice traveled from the Silver City. “I can grant you your heart’s desire in a most real, intangible way. It will be flawless and not a puppet or machine.”

“You bastard!” the king’s voice echoed throughout the land. “Li Hao, this king will behead you!”

Thoroughly enraged, he sent a fist in the city’s direction!

A ray of sword light sparkled in response!

A powerful presence billowed out from an immense collision and rocked the world, sweeping in all directions. It startled powerhouses watching from a distance. What was this now? Both sides had retreated after their battle yesterday, why were they starting again today?

The Great Li king should know by now that he was no match for Li Hao, why was he so furious?

“So you don’t want it, it’s my misunderstanding then,” Li Hao laughed heartily. “Perhaps you like your current situation more. I have stuck my nose where it doesn’t belong and hereby call it quits. But if the Great Li king is interested in the future... you can come to me anytime!”

“Hmph!” A cold snort reverberated beneath the heavens. The Great Li king was utterly livid!

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This was his first time so utterly disgusted and infuriated by the young man. He hadn’t felt so incensed even after his loss yesterday. How was that little bastard worthy of being a sovereign of the world?

Beside him, Jiang Li didn’t know what had happened. All he knew was that the king had flown off the handle as soon as he read the transmission pendant. It was his first time seeing the king lose his composure so badly. What... was going on?

The priest was confused; it truly was his first time seeing his king devolve to such a state after reading one message. Did Li Hao’s message attack the heart so badly?

“My king, what is... the matter?”

The Great Li king looked at him before snapping, “Get out!”

Jiang Li started! That... was a far from friendly attitude. He wanted to say a few words, but sighed and walked out of the tent. Had the king lost his composure after yesterday’s defeat? It was not a good sign for him to treat the main priest thus.

The king wanted to crush the jade pendant with his hand after Jiang Li left, but thought that he might need to contact Li Hao in the future. Jaw tightly clenched, he elected not to crush the pendant in the end. However, he still burned with fury.

Just you wait, Li Hao. This king will tear you to pieces! How dare you humiliate me in such a manner!

......

Silver City.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow. Dead silence rang around him. Everyone was inwardly clucking their tongues, astonished by how bold the young man was. He’d nearly ignited a new round of fighting with just one message!

Although no one was afraid, they would find it more than ridiculous if war raged again for this reason.

“That Great Li king... I don’t know what got into him...” Director General Zhao returned, still confused.

Huang Yu quickly transmitted a few words to him.

The director general’s face shifted rapidly through a series of expressions and he looked wordlessly at Li Hao. This was when the young man showed his age! He truly... had no filter at times. No wonder the Great Li king nearly exploded with fury!

Even the director general would be nonplussed by such a message, to say nothing of the fact that the king was the overlord of a nation.

Thank goodness he’d already left when the king read the message. Otherwise, the director general’s head might be mounted on one of their flagstaffs now.

“It’s my misunderstanding,” Li Hao chuckled. “I’ve just found out that he likes men more. He certainly has different tastes! Regardless, there’s nothing we can do about someone’s preferences. I just wanted to make his dream come true. We can forget it since he doesn’t appreciate my good intentions!

“I would like to visit the Zhao city before I enter closed door cultivation...”

“You shouldn’t!” Seven people spoke at once.

“We’re still not certain if the traitorous city is the one of the Zhengs,” Hong Yitang raised solemnly. “If it is, then we can visit the city of the Zhaos. But if not and it’s the Zhaos that have betrayed New Martial, then there will certainly be a Saint in residence at the city!

“It doesn’t matter if they haven’t fully awakened yet, not to mention it won’t be out of the ordinary for an Empyrean King to be holding down the fort if they’re the traitors. They did not lack energy throughout these years and had countless powerhouses to begin with. Perhaps they were just lying to Director General Zhao before. This would be a very dangerous trip!”

They still weren’t sure which family had spearheaded the mutiny. The likelihood of it being Battle Heaven was low, since Li Hao would’ve long fallen to their hand based on the number of times that he’d visited.

But when it came to the other seven, including even Sword City, there was always a risk with them. It was far too dangerous to meet those antiques now.

“You can’t go!” Even the normally bold Yuan Shuo cast a vote for caution. “The situation is unclear and the danger too great if you accidentally set foot into the traitors’ city!”

“Although I do hope that the commander can have more interaction with Martial Alliance, but it would be a risky move to visit now,” Director General Zhao said softly. “Even I cannot determine if Martial Alliance has betrayed New Martial or not...”

The Zhao city was named Martial Alliance. It was said their forefather was the alliance head of sects in the martial world back in the day.

No one cared what it was called. They were focused on preventing Li Hao’s proposed course of action because it tempted fate too much.

Even Li Daozong, someone who usually stayed out of these conversations, spoke slowly, “I... don’t think that it’s likely for the Zhaos to be the traitors. While their ancestors weren’t exalted emperors and they didn’t fully get along with the supreme during New Martial, they are on the side of good and justice at their core. At the same time, I don’t recommend you to visit the other main cities at this time either.”

Everyone was against Li Hao’s idea.

“There’s no need to be so nervous.” Li Hao stroked his chin with a laugh. “Interactions don’t necessarily come with danger. I’m not one to listen to only myself and will not throw around my life with dismissive ease. How about this, I’ll visit the outskirts of the city and Director General Zhao can head inside. If their powerhouses are willing to talk, they can send a replica outside to speak with me!

“Replicas can freely walk around now.” He looked quizzically at everyone. “What is everyone so concerned about?”

The group blinked; no one had an immediate answer. That was right! There were many methods to facilitate interactions. They were just in the habit of thinking that Li Hao was a man of his word and very strong. He wanted to conquer the entire world, so they automatically assumed that he was going to expose himself to danger by visiting the Zhao city at this point in time.

After what he said... there... didn’t seem to be anything bad about the idea. If the ancient city was willing to converse, they could indeed send out a replica.

“Then... what would the commander like to accomplish?” asked a much received director general.

“I don’t have many requests or thoughts about New Martial. I just wish for the Zhaos to demonstrate some of their stance in this affairs in order to facilitate harmonious relations in the future.

“It’s not that I have any particular goals in mind,” the young man grinned. “But that I wish to see an indication of their attitude. I prefer not to see them sit quietly on the sidelines and continue to bide their time. If they keep to this course of action... I will consider them a potential enemy!

“They don’t make a sound, don’t send out troops, don’t offer help, do not interact, or even communicate with us.” Li Hao’s expression grew stern. “They just wait and wait. How can I not be on guard against them if this continues? At that point, I will no longer consider them with hope or tolerance!”

The Zhao city had been in contact with Director General Zhao all along, but had not expressed any sentiments when Li Hao returned to Silver Moon with his army. That was not right!

Whether it was an offer of tangible help or anything, they needed to offer a token of their thoughts. Battle Heaven, for example, had sent ten thousand troops, Li Daozong’s replica, and Director General Wang’s primary body. That was their stance on these affairs.

An ambiguous attitude and continued waiting in the wings... was not a good sign. It was an attitude adopted by all of the other main cities.