Star Gate

Chapter 301: Being a Kind Person (II)

Hao Lianchuan listened mutely. He hadn’t thought that Li Hao would come with three very specific demands. True enough, he couldn’t make the decisions in these. Hou Xiaochen was needed for these matters.

“My thoughts were that you’d choose to keep a low profile in White Moon or conduct any possible business from the shadows. But judging from your words, you seem to have other ideas in mind?”

“I do.” Li Hao nodded. “I’m not here to be decoration. I only keep a low profile when I have the self assurance to do so. I have none here, so I need to be granted some.”

“Do you think Director Hou will agree to it?” Hao Lianchuan chuckled. “I have no opinion, but what right do you have to ask for special treatment straight off the bat?”

“What right?” Li Hao pondered over the question. “By the right that I possess certain things that the director values at the moment. Director Hou redeployed me here partially because of my teacher, and partially for myself!”

For yourself? Hao Lianchuan sank into deep thought. Had Li Hao become a Dominator? If he was and also knew the method to Summoner of Spirit, then the lad truly did have a possibility of swiftly becoming a Summoner.

Of course, it didn’t matter much to Hao Lianchuan even if the young man was indeed a Dominator now. But if Li Hao advanced to Summoner, he would be able to stand against Solars even if he was far less than Yuan Shuo. That possibility could not be taken lightly of. A Summoner was far more valuable than a Solar.

“Very well! I’ll pass this along to Director Hou too!” Hao Lianchuan repeated. “You’re an interesting little fellow. I’d thought that you might not be willing to help me with a small matter, but it looks like that won’t be the case.”

“Does Director Hao need my help?” A conflicted expression suddenly appeared on Li Hao’s face. “I am very weak...”

“Hang on!” Hao Lianchuan waved him off. “Hear me out first! This is precisely what I need—your superb acting skills and that honest expression. It makes people think that you’re a simple, honest, and naive young man who doesn’t know much of the world.”

Li Hao scratched his head. What was the deputy director trying to say?

“White Moon is not at peace these days and some people keep wanting to make trouble. I need you to help me resolve the problems that they’re creating.”

“Me?” Li Hao asked hesitantly. “What can I do?”

“It’s simple!” Hao Lianchuan chuckled merrily. “Just do a few things for me. One, unintentionally reveal certain information that’s very important, but don’t reveal it all in one go. Give them the urge to interrogate it out of you!

“Two, pretend to be hurt and wholly innocent in the event. If someone bumps into you on the street, for instance, or wants to take you, or if someone has their eye on you—use your acting skills to lure them out of hiding. The rest of the troops will be there very shortly. At that time, all you need to do is act hurt, be innocent, and be caught in immense suffering. We’ll take care of capturing and killing them!

“Remember, a lot of people will be watching your act—the provincial government, those upstairs, the military... No one will say anything if we act brutally when you’re convincing. But if your act doesn’t pass muster, that will lead to questioning and fury.” The deputy director flashed a wide grin. “It hasn’t been the best of times lately. Director Hou killed a Nova, but he ran off after and left me with too many messes to take care of. It’s been a lot!”

Li Hao understood, he really understood! He was quite surprised and glanced at Hao Lianchuan. Did the man wish to kill a chicken to intimidate the monkeys? However, that didn’t jive with his reputation as a good man, so he needed a reason—someone skilled in feigning injury to extort others—to coordinate with him.

The prerequisite was that his partner needed to be very important, very weak, and easily bullied. In this way, Hao Lianchuan would have an excuse to clean house and not be taken to task for it. It was simple, honest people had a temper too!

“Director Hao, are you certain you can take the lead on this?” Li Hao looked steadily at him. Are you sure about this? An initial Solar is good against some weaklings, but is that all you’re targeting?

“I still have the Flaming Phoenix Spear!” Hao Lianchuan sneered. “Anyone is fine so long as they’re not a Nova! Kid, don’t look down on Solars. Plus, you’re a Sunderer. Do you have the right to think less of Solars? You keep your head down even if you’re a Dominator!”

What’s with the act, huh! Who do you think you’re fooling?

Li Hao, however, frowned with indecision. “Does Director Hou know about this?”

“He still wouldn’t care if he did,” Hao Lianchuan sighed. “All he needs is to push me out to take the fall at a critical time. Alright, just let me know if you’ll do it or not. To be honest, it’s hard to find a mark like this. Most people are automatically assumed to be bait, but you’re different. You look innocent and honest. I like an incorrigible rascal like you who can present a harmless exterior!”

“......” Li Hao was much aggrieved.

“Haha, that’s right! That’s the expression!” Hao Lianchuan roared with laughter. “Of course, this won’t be without benefits. I’ll try to get everything you spoke of earlier and I’ll give you a list of names. Those people cannot be touched, but you can do anything you wish with the rest!”

“Director Hao, what if I’m beaten to death before you arrive in time?”

“That shouldn’t happen. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare, and what’s the benefit in killing you? You can reveal some information that makes them want to take you alive instead. I’m sure you can do it!”

Li Hao sighed. Fine, then! But he still made a final gasp of effort. “But, I feel that Director Hao isn’t paying anything for this scheme. What if you... offered some sort of reward? This is a mission, after all.”

“Another reward?” Hao Lianchuan thought for a very long time. “How about this, I’ll make it known that you’re no different from my son. I had high hopes for you starting from Silver City. If anything happens to you, I’ll slaughter their entire family to avenge you. I’m your father in name!”

“......”

Fuck that shit!

All joking aside, it would still benefit Li Hao if Hao Lianchuan really did publicize that attitude. The deputy director’s status was high. He could represent the Night Watchers and the agency’s attitude.

Although Hou Xiaochen had killed a Nova for Li Hao, that was under different circumstances.

The young man nodded after a while, agreeing to the partnership. He still couldn’t help but ask, “What’s Director Hou’s plan? Southern Fist says that someone may be trying to force the director into irrational action. Aren’t we falling right into their trap if we do this now?”

“No!” Hao Lianchuan laughed. “I tell you, this is precisely our matter and duty as Night Watchers. Therefore, you’ll have to suffer a bit for it. Otherwise, Director Hou would just outright kill them with his strength! There would be no need for all this.

“Sometimes, there exists only a fine line between revolt and law enforcement. If you kill without reason, that is revolt. If you are forced into killing, that is administering the law. Do you understand?”

Do I understand? Kind of? Maybe?

But more or less. Li Hao nodded.

Hao Lianchuan breathed out and suddenly bared his teeth with a smile. “Our first target is a superior—a Solar Night Watcher. I’ve had him in my line of sight for a long time now! Your task is simple, find a way to reel him in. We need to kill him before anyone else reacts, and we need to kill him with a just and proper reason!”

Li Hao blinked and sucked in a sharp breath. “My venerable Lord Hao, are you... being a bit too bold?”

“You dared to kill even Zhang Ting, and you’re saying that I’m bold?” Hao Lianchuan snorted.

“What... Is Director Hao framing me?”

“You know yourself if I am or not.” Hao Lianchuan raised an eyebrow. “Cut the crap, can you do it or not? It’s best if he’s allowed to secretly follow you from the shadows and even conceals his identity. If that’s the case, we’ll be completely upright in our actions to kill him! I want these fellows to know that the savage wild lands of their words is not a place where they can do as they wish!”

“I can.” Li Hao nodded after thinking it through for a bit. “But his mysterious power is mine after he dies.”

“That’s fine!” Hao Lianchuan agreed readily. He beamed widely and couldn’t contain his joy. “Ah, right, I can’t appear too quickly. You’ll have to hold your own for a bit and preferably give rise to some disturbance if possible. It’d be for the best if you raise other people’s attention. I’ll then appear with the Flaming Phoenix Spear and finish him off!

“Will that be difficult? How confident are you?”

“I’m confident enough,” Li Hao chuckled. “Do we need to choose a particular spot?”

“Nah, it can be anywhere so long as there aren’t that many mundanes. It should be over quickly when I show up with the spear...”

You’re that confident, are you? Li Hao flicked a glance at the man. His ball of light was a bit bigger than before, was he a mid Solar now? But even so, could he kill a fellow Solar with one jab just because he wielded the Flaming Phoenix Spear?

To be honest, Li Hao wouldn’t have doubts if it was Hou Xiaochen in front of him. But when it was Hao Lianchuan... One couldn’t help but question his ability. The young man began contemplating whether or not Hou Xiaochen knew of what his subordinate was doing. Brashly killing a superior was a very troublesome matter. It would give rise to consequences even if the target had behaved oddly.

Of course, it has nothing to do with me! I’m just an innocent bystander!

Li Hao actually found the proposal exciting. He’d been bait on his first day in the Demon Hunters, and this was what Hao Lianchuan wished for him to repeat the role in White Moon. The young man rather liked the role.

Nice and quiet, the epitome of a low profile...

What was the point of being that in White Moon? It was better to create a mess and gain something for his troubles. It was even better to participate in some battles so he would have the chance to comprehend other auras.

The last thing he wanted was to be protected all the time, even if it was Hou Xiaochen. Kicking up a fuss and extracting himself from it was more up Li Hao’s alley.

The two readily came to an agreement!