Star Gate

Chapter 595: Reinforcements (IV)

“My name is Zhou Long!” clarified the middle-aged man when faced with the threat of Li Hao coming for him.

“Right right, that’s it. Your father is a deputy in the provincial government...”

“He’s the director general now,” Zhou Long offered carefully.

“Eh?” Yuan Shuo blinked. “He hasn’t died yet?”

Zhou Long didn’t know what to say.

“Good, so long as you have some sort of background. I’d be worried if you didn’t have any sort of status. I wouldn’t be able to find you after this. Very well, you may go about your business!” Yuan Shuo chuckled. “Lend me your transmission pendant and don’t you dare report it lost. Otherwise, I’ll come visit you at home if I don’t receive any news!”

The middle-aged man smiled sheepishly. A merry Yuan Shuo quickly vanished into the distance.

“Big brother Yuan, it’s dangerous to the east,” Zhou Long couldn’t help but call out. “I think you shouldn’t take the risk. Demon Sword’s in too much trouble this time!”

Yuan Shuo suddenly recalled something and looked back with a grin. “I remember now, when you lost to me, you grabbed my thigh and kept wailing for big brother to spare you. That was you, wasn’t it?”

Zhou Long flushed beet red!

“I knew I remembered you from somewhere. I've defeated a lot of people and can’t possibly remember them all. You’re that really cowardly guy! That’s good, I’ll remember you this time!” Yuan Shuo laughed. “You’ve got a strong desire for survival. Very good, don’t say that you’ve seen me, understood?”

Yuan Shuo landed back on the ground and looked at Jadelight. “I’m making a trip to the east, you can have fun by yourself.”

“Has something gone wrong?” Wu Hongshan looked at him solemnly.

“Yes, that unfilial disciple of mine stirs up trouble everyday. I thought I was the great demon around, but I was wrong!” Yuan Shuo shook his head with a laugh. “You’re too weak. Although you improve quickly and may be able to match blows with an ordinary initial Nova now, you're still too weak! Go have fun with the three great organizations, just be careful...”

“And what about you?”

“I’m going to look for my unfilial disciple!” Yuan Shuo chuckled. “Everyone will think I’m dead otherwise! That damned Hong Yitang is trying to usurp my position! I finally raised a strong disciple, but he wants to take the kid from me! People will think that Li Hao doesn’t have a master if I don’t put in an appearance soon!

“Give me all of your mysterious power stones and Water of Life!”

Wu Hongshan handed over a storage ring without a word. Yuan Shuo had given them to her before, saying that they should share the gains. But now, he took them all back. Plainly, he felt that he wasn’t strong enough yet and needed to swiftly increase strength in a short amount of time. He needed to grow even stronger!

Yuan Shuo didn’t say anything after obtaining the storage ring and waved a hand. “Be careful. You can wait for me at Skystar City or wander around yourself!”

“When will you be back?”

“I don’t know,” chuckled Yuan Shuo. He vanished on the spot like a bird taking off; he was extremely fast. After watching for a while, Wu Hongshan disappeared with a turn of her body as well.

I’m too weak...

Those were disheartening words. Jadelight Sword was one of the Seven Swords of Silver Moon, but was quickly dismissed by her companion. He hadn’t even asked her before deciding to not bring her along. Plainly, he felt that she would only hold him back.

Wu Hongshan swiftly traveled through the forest and vanished from sight. In that case, she would not continue to be that weak! The limits had been broken, so she would bravely forge ahead!

......

Yuan Shuo flew faster and faster, suddenly swallowing all of the life essence with a clench of his jaw! His blood qi frothed and organs shook.

“You guys all think I’m dead, don’t you?!” They all wanted to kill or capture his disciple at the drop of a hat!

The hell! Can I not lift my blade anymore, or have your brains hardened to stone?

Xu Qing...

Xu Qing!

They’d crossed paths thirty years ago and Xu Qing was indeed strong. He would be even stronger now. If it hadn’t been for the Xus family, Yuan Shuo would’ve chopped his head off when they fought!

A surge of anger rose in Yuan Shuo’s heart. The Buddha Mountain, three great organizations, Xu family... All of these people who he hadn’t fully resolved back in the day now fancied themselves to be characters of note!

And the Steppe Prince...

Although I’ve fallen behind for a few years, I’m not as weak as you guys think I am!

Yuan Shuo picked up increasing speed. The eastern continent was very far away and he didn’t know if he’d make it in time. But that was of no matter. He’d slaughter the entire Xu clan if Li Hao was dead. The old one would come if they beat the young one. It looks like this old one isn’t strong enough to command sufficient deterrence!

......

All factions throughout the lands shook.

Li Hao breathed heavily and panted for breath. He swallowed a droplet of Water of Life, immediately recovering from some of his wounds. Internal force surged and sent the Windchaser Boots into another burst of activity. He instantly shook off his pursuers again!

There were only three people who were still keeping pace with him—Xu Qing, the Heaven and Earth Generals. They were hot on his heels as they could call upon extreme speed as well. Xu Qing bore a frosty expression on his face!

They hadn’t said a single word ever since leaving his manor. It’d been several hundred kilometers and they were long out of East Heart City. As fast as Li Hao was, the three metamorphosis experts weren’t slow.

The other Novas had long been left behind.

Xu Qing’s legs were as if cyclones. He didn’t fly like a supernatural, but glided through the sky. Each movement propelled him past the two generals, covering several hundred meters with one step.

The gap between the two sides was maintained at approximately five thousand kilometers. But whenever Li Hao exhausted his internal force and needed a brief break, the other side would swiftly catch up. Five thousand kilometers was their average distance from each other.

In terms of speed, Li Hao was much slower than his pursuers. It was only with the Windchaser Boots that he was able to pull ahead again and again.

Up ahead, he panted for a bit. Not only did he have to run, but he needed to take Panther with him. As fast as the dog was, it was a bit slower than a metamorphosis expert. It was truly the dog riding the human now!

Li Hao didn’t have the effort to spare for Panth, it had to cling to his shoulders the best it could and dash for safety again and again through the young man’s efforts.

Four humans and one dog commenced a soundless chase. No one raised much of a fuss. It was a hunt to the death, why attract more people? Li Hao didn’t want to draw attention for fear of putting himself in greater danger. Xu Qing didn’t want more people for fear of someone making off with his treasure! He must kill Li Hao!

He wouldn’t be able to wash away his shame if he didn’t kill the young man. But for an old politician like him, the crux of the issue was the two divine weapons. The sword of the Lis might allow him to unseal his battle strength without reservation.

Therefore, the four people continued their silent exercise. Urgency dawned in Li Hao’s eyes. These guys were so much faster than he expected. His reserves might not be able to keep up if this continued. Although sword energy constantly replenished him, utilizing the Windchaser Boots also consumed mind intent. Once mind intent was exhausted... that was the end of the road!

Should I go to the Kui Mountains? That might bring a lot of trouble to the big snake if he did. He’d just cleared their name, wouldn’t it be inappropriate to go to the mountains now? But if no one stopped these guys, he might not be able to get away.

Silver Moon is too far and there’s no need to go to the Kui Mountains...

Various possibilities flashed through his mind, but Li Hao had already made up his mind. He adjusted his direction and ran toward the west! That was where the East Sea was!

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow. Did the boy want to run to the sea? Enter the waters, maybe? He quickly took out a transmission pendant and gave his orders. Whether it was the East Sea or land, all were his territory! It was a foolish daydream if Li Hao thought he could escape the eastern continent!

The four seas surrounded the central region—the seas of North, South, East, and West were all interconnected. There were interflows between them apart from being ultimately connected together. They were a sign that enclosed the central continent.

Li Hao was running toward the East Sea. Of the North Sea, there were the eight major pirate factions that were led by the Starlight Pirates. The East Sea was also occupied by pirates. While they weren’t as rampant as those of the North Sea, there were plenty of them as well. Red Beard was very well known; most of the East Sea pirates were raised by local autocrats and despots!

Purposefully creating enemies to consolidate their own position was one reason, raiding and looting treasures was another, blockading a continent was also one such reason...

Li Hao chose to enter the sea because the silver armor could travel through the deep blue. It was easier than running on land and more discreet. On land, even mountain forests were just one specific area. It was very different in the sea—the entire expanse would have to be combed through no matter where one entered.

As a martial master, none of these people would be able to catch up to him so long as he evaded their line of sight. Such was Li Hao’s determination. He also had another reason—there were major monster spirits in the seas. Some of them were very strong, and while martial masters might survive a sojourn in, supernaturals would be quickly discovered. Li Hao and Xu Qing were fine, but the two metamorphosis supernaturals would be swiftly mobbed if they entered the sea.

The young man had wanted to use the big snake to slow down his pursuers, but he remembered well the favor that the snake had done for him and chose to enter the sea instead.

Sword energy surged furiously while Li Hao took out a treasure as he ran—the Goldensky Lotus he’d identified earlier in the treasury. All eight petals were present and he ripped one off, swallowing it. A stream of clear energy surged toward his organs and strengthened his auras. His presence fluctuated slightly, giving a clue to Xu Qing behind him.

The man’s expression shifted and he abruptly erupted with power, crossing several thousand meters to draw close to Li Hao!