Star Gate

Chapter 578: Audacious in the Extreme (II)

A martial master’s intuition and the observations he’d made told him that there were plenty of powerhouses in the Steadfast Duke’s manor, but that they weren’t all gathered together. Certain places in the complex may be their hiding spots, but it was the same to Li Hao’s eyes. He could pluck them all out so long as they were supernaturals.

The only thing he didn’t know was the arrangement of martial masters in the manor. Impersonating a monster spirit of the Kui Mountains also brought an advantage with it—the other eastern provinces wouldn’t dare offend him before fully grasping the situation.

Panther blinked, not understanding the reason for the young man’s actions. Was it safer to appear so openly? Humans were so complicated!

“Trust me!” Li Hao laughed. “This is the only way that we can draw close to the Hall of Ancestors. The duke’s household must grant access to the monster spirit envoy and might even ask us to participate in the rites.”

He stroked his chin. “There’s always the possibility that there’s a feud between the Steadfast Duke and the monster spirits... but that’s not likely to be the case. If there was, he would’ve marched on the mountains a long time ago. Even if there is, these hotly ambitious people will set it aside if they see hope of a partnership.”

There was a metamorphosis level monster spirit at the Kui Mountains and possibly many more Novas. The Steadfast Duke would not easily offend such a faction.

Panther scratched its head—another gesture it’d learned from Li Hao. It was perplexed, but didn’t make a sound. Let’s do whatever Li Hao proposed.

“C’mon, let’s go outside the city. The memorial ceremony is starting tomorrow, so we’ll directly fly in...”

Panther didn’t understand what Li Hao had in mind; it could only do what it was told. One human and one dog quickly departed the hotel in a battered car.

......

At the same time, the Steadfast Duke’s manor.

People jostled for space within a densely packed crowd. It was a lively affair at the Hall of Ancestors. A group of servants were swiftly setting up decorations as it wasn’t just a grand ceremony tomorrow, but also an event in which many important names from various eastern provinces would participate in.

It was both a memorial and a chance to showcase their strength to exert power over the land again. The east was growing unsettled after the deaths of so many Novas and some parties weren’t willing to take orders from the Steadfast Duke anymore.

Xu Xing conscientiously inspected all of the arrangements being made.

“Second master.” A messenger ran up to him. “All representatives from the various provinces have arrived and been arranged for accordingly! It is unknown whether the local leaders of the three great organizations have come, but they have sent word that they will not disturb the ceremony.

“Some representatives of the nine ministries and the royal family have come, but there are also those who have not come.

“There are those who have slipped into the news agencies to infiltrate the ceremony. We’re not sure if they’re here to watch the show or have ulterior motives in mind...”

Xu Xing inclined his head and breathed out gently. “Keep a close eye on them and don’t let up. Thoroughly investigate them as fast as possible. We might have to borrow their heads tomorrow to strike fear into the rest!”

“Understood!”

“Also, make sure we know the backgrounds of the various provincial representatives,” Xu Xing added after some thought. “Be careful of assassins and be sure to know their backgrounds inside and out. We will have supernatural probes in place at the front doors tomorrow, but be on guard against martial masters slipping in.”

“This subordinate will arrange for it immediately.”

Xu Xing took a deep breath when the man walked away. This was his first time overseeing something so major in the capacity of the next duke. He didn’t wish for any mishaps to happen or give the various eastern continent powerhouses a reason to laugh at him.

More than anything, he hoped for everything to proceed smoothly and wished to exceed his father’s expectations. Perhaps he could broker an agreement with the leading figures of the eastern provinces or even have some of them swear fealty to him. That would be the best possible outcome!

The transmission pendant in his pocket vibrated as he ran through various plans. Xu Xing quickly fished it out. This wouldn’t be used unless something major occurred, what had happened now?

He started when he picked it up for a look.

“Urgent report: a golden monster spirit is flying through provincial borders. It has not harmed anyone. Three Solars have stepped forward and received strange ancient ripples. It claims to be from the Kui Mountains as an envoy of the dragon. It is here to seek an audience with the duke to discuss important matters!”

“......”

Xu Xing froze with shock. A major monster spirit from the Kui Mountains! A monster spirit had come at this time?

“Have people clear the way for the monster spirit,” he quickly responded. “Avoid the crowds and all eyes and ears...”

His expression flickered rapidly as he quickly walked to the rear garden. He could not make the decision in this. It was a major monster spirit!

Regular people might not understand these major monster spirits at present, but those of the upper echelon understood that the monster spirits were also on the rise. They would eventually be a formidable faction.

Sky Roc Mountain and Phoenix Mountain of the seven divine mountains were monster spirit factions. There were monster spirits within the four seas and more rising from the mountains in the four cardinal directions.

The Kui Mountains were a range that separated the northern and eastern continents. Xu Xing knew of them and was aware that there was a large snake within them. Formidable and ponderous in size, their scouts said that it was at least a metamorphosis expert. It was apparently close to transforming into a dragon!

Once it became a mythical beast, its awful might would know no bounds. Even his father had said that once the snake succeeded, he might not be able to stand against the monster spirit even if he unsealed himself!

A dragon envoy!

Xu Xing understood that the monster spirit likely did come from the Kui Mountains when he heard the title. Regular people wouldn’t be aware that the snake was about to become a dragon.

......

Very soon, in the rear yard.

Xu Qing was aware of what’d happened when his son barged into his residence. He looked at his son, wanting to hear what would be said.

“Father, we’ve just received word from the frontlines that a golden monster spirit from the Kui Mountains has come,” Xu Xing explained at a rapid clip. “It’s approximately a Solar and calls itself a dragon envoy from the mountains! It says it’s come to East Heart to request an audience with father and discuss important matters. Father, what do you...”

“How do you plan to address this?” Xu Qing asked in an even tone with a glance at his son.

“Father,” Xu Xing hesitated before quickly continuing. “Monster spirits are an alien race and many human factions are wary of their rise. There are no official monster spirit factions aside from Sky Roc Mountain and Phoenix Mountain. The race is seeking to break through and obtain more profits. However, neither the nine ministries nor the royal family dare say they wish to partner with the monster spirits. It will easily become a stain on their record...”

Indeed, a scandalous stain.

“So I think... we should not offend or court them,” Xu Xing concluded hesitantly. “We’ll secretly lead them into the manor, go through the motions, then send them on their way...”

“Is that it?” Xu Qing inclined his head with a smile.

Xu Xing didn’t know his father’s thoughts or preferences. He could only doggedly respond, “Your child is foolish and therefore requires instruction...”

“It’s rather interesting that the monster spirits have sent representatives at a time like this, and from the Kui Mountains,” Xu Qing said slowly with a chuckle. “The Kui Mountains delineate the eastern and northern continents. There are many Novas among their kind, not just the one we know of. According to our information, they have at least five Novas!

“We’ve always stayed in our respective lanes. They are in the mountains, we are in the plains. There is not much interaction between the two sides...

“But the Kui Mountains are a strategic point. We would not need to pay them any attention if we are content with being corralled in the eastern continent. But if we are of the mind to enter the north and conquer Silver Moon... Too many accidents can occur on water and there are many monster spirits there. Having our army travel through the East Sea, then to the North, and finally to the Moon Sea... may not be as safe as traveling through land.”

Xu Xing looked at his father, understanding the duke’s meaning. “But... if we are charged with the crime of colluding with monster spirits...” he said hesitantly.

“Fool!” Xu Qing frowned. “What is this talk of collusion? Have you not read those ancient records? Monster spirits served as commanders in human armies when the ancient civilization was strong! They guarded the seas and major rivers for humanity after the ancient Human King suppressed them. Partnering with them is the mark of an emperor!

“But the monster spirits of the Kui Mountains have not had many dealings with the Xus.” His tone turned quizzical. “Why have they come to us now?”

As baffled as he was, he only considered it briefly. “We have lost too many powerhouses recently, resulting in an unstable situation on all sides. It would be a wonderful piece of news if we can reach an agreement with the Kui Mountains. It will also intimidate certain people. At the very least, the provinces that share a border with the mountains will no longer dare have second thoughts!”

This was a good development. If they could reach an accord, he would even be able to intimidate the eastern powerhouses! His only concern was that the monster spirits had other thoughts in mind as well.

“The Kui Mountains revere their snake spirits as the most noble of all. It is not a snake that has come. Do they not think highly of us, or is there another reason why?” Xu Qing was confused by the sudden appearance of the golden monster spirit. “Have people lead their envoy to the manor. I wish to speak with it... Forget it, you speak with it!”

The duke decided not to be the first to appear. He would listen from the sidelines, just in case talks broke down and the situation proved difficult to salvage.

“There’s instances of humans raising monster spirits...” Xu Qing suddenly thought of this possibility as he mused over the matter. “Have the Sky General pay a visit to the mountains...”

He hesitated again. Was he supposed to ask the snakes if they’d really sent an envoy? How embarrassing would it be if they had? The humans were being paranoid about a monster spirit envoy. That race happened to possess fiery tempers and were easily offended.

Xu Qing suddenly found himself in a difficult position, but he also was a calculating fellow. He was indeed worried that some people might be purposefully directing the monster spirit to do harm to his household.

“Have the Sky General go to the Kui Mountains and say that he was ordered to present a return gift,” the duke said in the end. “Their envoy has safely reached East Heart City and the Steadfast Duke wishes to live in harmony with the monster spirits...”

Xu Xing rapidly bobbed his head at his father’s instructions, but found that they were extraneous. His father was being too cautious! Xu Xing was only worried that partnering with monster spirits would raise enmity from certain people, but here his father was, concerned about whether there was an envoy in the first place.

Xu Xing decided to say nothing upon further thought. If there wasn’t, this was a setup for massive humiliation. It looked like his father would meet this monster spirit ahead of time to make preparations for tomorrow.