fantasy novels Chapter 712: Return (III)
Chapter 712: Return (III)
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?”
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!