Star Gate

Chapter 1937: Conclusion of Battle (IV)

The supreme didn’t try to further convince Li Hao to join them. Instead, he manifested a book of dao in his hand and tossed it to Li Hao.

“Fang Ping survived this encounter thanks to you guys,” he smiled. “Otherwise, I would’ve been beaten to death by those in New Martial for his demise. Since you are here in pursuit of dao, then this book of dao contains my reflections on dao over the years. It might not help you that much, but it can provide a reference or two...”

Shaken, Li Hao stared at the supreme.

“New Martial and Silver Moon are one family to begin with,” chuckled the supreme. “Even if we are not one family anymore, at least we are brothers! The chaos is vast, but also very small. There are many powerhouses throughout the universe.

“There is Spring Autumn in the south, Five Elements in the north, Chaos Sky in the west... Now with Reincarnation in the west, that region has greatly increased in strength. There is sure to be a fight for supremacy in the future. With Long Zhan to our rear, the east is not a tranquil or peaceful place!

“Whether it is you or us, there is no way we’ll be able to just keep to ourselves since we live in this era. New Martial has nothing to thank you with for the rescue of Fang Ping. In that case, I give the book of dao to the little friend!”

‘A’ book of dao and the supreme’s book of dao were two entirely different concepts. In Li Hao’s eyes, this book might be more precious than even an eighth rank dao universe. He was rather embarrassed to receive something of such high value.

“That’s alright, it was also thanks to New Martial’s help that we were able to walk out of the Star Gate...”

“It’s so decided!” laughed the supreme. “We also took River, Earth Fissure, and Sun Moon this time, as well as killed many of their seventh ranks...”

A cat had been staring curiously at Number Two all this time and reached out a paw before the supreme could finish. There was a massive, absolutely gigantic fish on its paw. It pushed the fish toward Number Two with great delight.

“This fish is for you, Number Two!”

Number Two hadn’t wanted to speak to Big Cat, but seeing how happy the other was to see it and also giving it a big fish... Number Two recognized the fish to be a compressed Earth Fissure major world.

That was an eighth rank world!

This was no ordinary fish.

Number Two looked at it with a complicated look, then regarded Big Cat. “I don’t eat fish!” it mumbled.

Big Cat’s jaw dropped. “What kind of cat doesn’t eat fish?”

The two cats were nearly exactly the same. Outsiders would find it difficult to identify the two. But to Li Hao, he could tell with a single glance which one was Big Cat and which one was Number Two.

It wasn’t through strength, but through... bearing.

Big Cat shared some of the Human King’s street urchin tendencies. It was also slightly lazy and a bit naive at the same time...

The eighth rank cat was incredibly ferocious and brutal, but appeared quite simple and innocent. In contrast, Number Two seemed more like an older brother.

Number Two didn’t say anything as Big Cat flew over with the big fish. The compressed world landed in front of the cat. Number Two’s emotions were rather complicated.

“Eat it yourself!” it mumbled.

“I have a lot more...” Big Cat was truly overjoyed and wanted to show off its collection. A pond appeared in front of it, one populated by many fish. Li Hao’s eyes widened when he took a look.

All of these fish were transformed from immensely powerful exalted emperors or worlds! This cat was just as bloodthirsty as legends made it out to be!

“Senior Number Two... this is a token of the Ash Emperor’s sentiments. You should accept it!” Li Hao hadn’t wanted to involve himself, but decided to speak up when he saw how the Ash Emperor didn’t know what to do.

Number Two paused, looked at Big Cat, then at the Human King. The Human King looked blandly back.

“Human King, it’s Big Cat’s choice to follow you and your choice too...” Number Two decided to say after some thought. “I had no intention or right to say anything, but Big Cat has been too bloodthirsty over the years...”

The Human King raised a brow and smiled at Number Two. “Nonsense. Big Cat doesn’t kill people or participate in fights! It just fishes!

“Li Hao, Number Two, Fog Mountain, and Thunder Emperor.” The man turned to Li Hao. “I owe you for saving my life. I, Fang Ping, pay back all of my debts! However, what we seek in our lives is slightly different. Each of us have our own roads to walk.

“Let’s not exchange empty pleasantries, so I’ll just leave you with—let me know whenever you need help. We don’t have to force ourselves to stay together. Otherwise, our brotherhood might fade as time drags on. That would be the worst outcome of all!”

Exalted emperors on both sides exchanged startled glances. Both New Martial and Silver Moon were very domineering at the moment. Each side had multiple eighth ranks and numerous seventh ranks. Their combined forces would have no problem dominating the east, even if they couldn’t just sweep through the region.

But the Human King didn’t seem inclined to take that course of action. Neither did Li Hao have that desire either.

“Senior Human King speaks truly!” Li Hao nodded with an exhale. “The Human King is forthright and candid, and I do not wish to be directed by others as well. The chaos is at our feet. If the senior ever has need, please seek me out anytime. You are also welcome to just come by for wine and tea. I am at your disposal!”

“Fantastic!” laughed the Human King. “Earth Fissure is a gift from Big Cat, so Number Two can just accept it! You helped me in the mirage realm back in the day, Number Two, as well as Big Cat. This is just a greeting gift, as well as a thank you gift. There’s no need to feel shy about anything!

“That’s what Ole Zhang means with his book of dao as well...” The Human King smiled broadly at them all. “We killed four eighth ranks this time. You guys killed them in a bid to save me. I don’t want any of the battle spoils. In addition...”

“We don’t need anything else, that’s enough!” said Li Hao. “None of my people need to ascend to eighth rank, so this is enough for Silver Moon to make the breakthrough. My thanks for the senior’s consideration!”

It was enough, truly.

New Martial had been the one to take down Sun Moon and River. They were also the ones to kill the seventh ranks. The spoils should be divided by those who earned them.

“I like the way you roll!” The Human King barked with laughter. “Then we’re settled! In addition, New Martial might continue to clean out the eastern region in the days to come. Although becoming the overlord of one region was not our goal, since we’ve made our way here, we can’t run around as someone else’s minion.

“I’m not in the habit of doing that! If you want the east, then New Martial will find another region to establish our footing in...”

“That’s alright!” Li Hao shook his head. “But I’ll be sticking around in the east for a while longer to set up certain things and perfect my dao methods. I hope that is acceptable to the seniors!”

“You’re free to do as you wish in that regard!” The Human King didn’t mind. There were plenty more worlds in the east, but the two spoke like they already all belonged to New Martial.

They’d come to a quick decision on the future, leaving Light slightly despondent. I haven’t even exchanged that many words with my son yet. And why are you guys splitting up?

Truth be told, he didn’t understand it.

The two sides were very strong, but not to the point of invincibility. Were they unmatched in the chaos, they would not have fared as poorly as they originally did in the previous battle. It might be a better idea to pool their forces at present.

Why... do you guys have to split up? Should I keep my son company or stay with New Martial?

“I’ll be off then, father!” Void transmitted while Light was still trying to decide on a course of action. “The rest of the Light exalted emperors should also stay with New Martial. New Martial will be putting down roots here, so they won’t have to wander around forever. That’s more suited for father. Meanwhile, I... like to walk around and take a look outside...”

“You’ve been outside for many years!” The Light master couldn’t help himself. Are you not going to come home after reaching seventh rank?

“No! Father, I am carefree and my own person here. If I return and go with New Martial, people like the supreme and Human King will exert pressure on me, no matter how good New Martial is. I’ll stay with Brother Hao Moon.”

The Light master looked wordlessly at his son. I feel that pressure too!

“It’s better for father to stay with New Martial,” Void added, just when his father wanted to mention the same discomfort. “If father comes to Silver Moon... Brother Hao Moon will feel uncomfortable too. You are my father and he is my friend. It’s always awkward for a friend’s father to be around.”

What the... are you still my son?? Light stared dejectedly at his son. You abandon your old man after making friends! Have you any shame left in your bones??

And Li Hao is a male! Thank goodness you haven’t taken a wife yet. You’d probably forget your old man exists after you start your own family!

Father and son communicated in silence and wide-eyed stares for a while.

“Senior Zhang, there’s a batch of Evenround students and some cultivators from the ancient cities to consider, even if you don’t return to New Martial,” Li Hao transmitted Zhang An. “Their parents might be in New Martial...”

Zhang An inclined his head, then scanned the crowd again. Li Hao took a look as well. He didn’t see the younger sister of the Human King in his memories. Despite pausing with confusion, he didn’t stick his nose into those affairs.

There were a lot of exalted emperors missing. Perhaps they were still within the New Martial main world, or perhaps they’d gone outside. That was just as well. Zhang An might suffer another blow to the heart if she was actually present.

“The mountains are high and the roads are long. Then... I take my leave for now, seniors!” Li Hao quickly took his leave, leaving some instructions with Zhang An to seek him out at the mid world alliance cities when the man had completed his arrangements. He would be there for a while longer.

Zhang An nodded. While he himself didn’t wish to return to New Martial, a portion of New Martial citizens with Silver Moon did want to go home. Arrangements had to be made for them.

The two sides quickly parted ways.

Supreme Zhang watched them go and transmitted to the Human King after a long while, “Is this the kind of life that you look forward to?”

The Human King was also watching the departing group and took his time responding. “It’s nice to be carefree and easy, which is what I definitely desire, but a certain span of freedom is sufficient. I am different from him. This guy... is quite heartless.”

The supreme blinked, then nodded very slowly.

Heartless? How come I don’t see it? But perhaps it is so since Fang Ping speaks of it. It looks like he’s had enough of the outside and wants to come home now.