Star Gate

Chapter 336: Southern Fist (I)

Frustration crept into Li Hao’s mood as he considered the implications behind the powerhouses he’d noted in the conference room. He quickly relaxed again and smiled. Things were more interesting this way!

“Ole Wang, let’s go for a ride and see an old friend.”

“Vice Captain Liu?”

“No, we shouldn’t see Sis Liu for the time being. Let’s go visit Senior Southern Fist.”

“Huh?” Wang Ming blinked. Why were they visiting Southern Fist?

Li Hao had his own thoughts in mind. Southern Fist He Yong was the strongest martial master he’d met thus far, apart from Yuan Shuo. He was a pure martial master, not one who’d crossed over to the supernatural domain.

Having undergone three blood transfusions, he matched Solars. What kind of concept was that? A Dominator with one aura was just a Sunflare, but He Yong had propped himself up a cultivation level. Thus, Li Hao felt that blood transfusions were potentially a viable path as well.

His teacher’s path wasn’t necessarily wrong, but the path beyond Dominator was yet to be set in stone. There might be other routes; the young man wished to understand more. Would multiple blood transfusions help him swiftly increase battle strength in the absence of grasping more auras? Those auras remained out of reach for now and were often a function of spontaneous inspiration or comprehension. They were equally possible to be the bottleneck of a lifetime.

When taking the sword aura into consideration, that made for three auras that Li Hao had already grasped. They became harder to comprehend after setting foot into Dominator—who knew how much time it would take to round out his set of five? He was also yet to coax nine layers out of the Nine Forged Force, which meant it wasn’t a very useful action to observe the sea. Therefore, Li Hao decided to visit Southern Fist instead of visiting the sea.

Not only that, but he wanted to call upon Wang Henggang, the Iron Shirt expert, after visiting Southern Fist. He would visit all of the Dominators within the city confines. He’d be happy to converse with the Silver Moon Guards as well if they possessed numerous Dominators or people who’d comprehended the aura.

The plan that brewed in his heart was to follow in his teacher’s footsteps. Yuan Shuo had challenged the notable personages of Silver Moon to single combat not only out of desire to do so, but also to learn from their strong suits, shore up his weaknesses, and perceive their auras so that he could meld his own.

The path of invincibility as recorded in the ancient tomes was for one to challenge the four corners and gather an aura of invincibility. That meant to say that a plethora of battles and sparring was not a bad undertaking.

......

Wang Ming didn’t care why Li Hao wanted to see Southern Fist. His senior brother had spoken. There were no missions forthcoming from the Night Watchers as operations had not yet begun for eliminating the three great organizations. Everyone had a lot of time on their hands.

A sports car engine revved as it headed for an affluent neighborhood on the southern outskirts. He Yong was rich, he didn’t lack for wealth. He was a martial master from the royal family and bought a large residence in the southern outskirts soon after arriving at White Moon City. Full of classical flair, he lived a carefree and easy lifestyle. It was much better than the dorms that Li Hao was in.

The mansions of the southern outskirts.

These mansions were quite a sight to behold. Two Slayers and two Starlight were arranged as guards. That instantly elevated the premises and guaranteed security. For many, whether it was Slayers or Starlight, they were all superhuman. With them on patrol in the neighborhood, it meant absolute security.

However, they quickly opened the gates when Li Hao and the others flashed their Night Watcher medallions. They let the group through without asking any questions. It was only in instances like these that the young man experienced a taste of Night Watcher prestige.

“Nice environment!” Li Hao nodded appreciatively from the car. These surroundings were better than the ones around his residence in Silver City. The houses were hidden out of sight behind greenery, giving off an air of solitary privacy. There were even special apparatus in place to keep pests away. An undercurrent of mysterious power flowed through the area, ensuring the mechanisms’ operations. It was plain to see that much thought had gone into urban planning when this neighborhood was constructed.

“It’s alright,” Wang Ming remarked casually with indifference. “It’s not too expensive, just ten million or so for a residence.”

“What??” Li Hao clucked his tongue. That expensive??

Wang Ming rolled his eyes. Oh come on! Is ten million supposed to be a lot?

Sure, it was a hefty amount and impossible to earn through salary alone. But the Night Watchers were paid in mysterious power. One cube could be sold for a million coins. Viewed through that lens, were these houses expensive?

As for mysterious power stones, those were valued in units of hundred million in the outside world. Of course, there was no one selling them!

After becoming a supernatural, only weaklings continued to transact with mundane currency. What was the point in accumulating regular coins? Starlight and Darkmoon might need a bit of money to live, but Sunflares could earn money no matter where they were thrown into.

“I’ll give you a mansion if you like them.” Wang Ming couldn’t be bothered with Li Hao.

“No.”

“Why?”

“I don’t take bribes!”

“......” Wang Ming was speechless. Who says I’m trying to bribe you if I give you a mansion! The hell, dude!

The car stopped in front of a residence as they conversed.

......

At the same time, in a large yard.

He Yong was speaking to someone when his eyes suddenly darted to the door. A car’s engine could be vaguely heard through the front gates. His visitor also heard the disturbance. He Yong tugged on his beard, appearing for all intents and purposes to be a martial brute. However, a keen light shone in his eyes.

A delicate woman sat in front of him. She looked approximately thirty years old and had long hair cascading down her shoulders. She wore the long skirts that were fashionable among White Moon high society, the kind that covered even the soles of the foot. She glanced at He Yong when she heard the noise.

“A supernatural...” The light in He Yong’s eyes danced around. “Of the Sunflare level!”

It was familiar... Wang Ming! What was he doing here? There seemed to be someone else with him... Li Hao!

Right, that was Li Hao. He Yong registered with quite some surprise. What were these two doing on his doorstep? They couldn’t wait to be rid of him in Silver City.

Someone knocked on the front door as he thought and Wang Ming’s loud voice traveled through the air. “Open up, Senior South! We’ve come to see you!”

The woman smiled at He Yong. “A friend of yours?”

“Friend?” He Yong grinned widely. “I guess, he’s a young friend of mine. He just likes to talk too much.”

The woman smiled and rose to her feet when He Yong did. “Then I shall take my leave.”

“Mmhmm.” The two walked outside together. The yard was large and He Yong was in no hurry, so he took his time. It meant that Wang Ming grew more urgent.

Knock knock knock!

“Are you home, Senior South? I hear noises, do you not welcome us?”

“What an impatient fellow.” The woman covered her mouth as she chuckled.

“He’s a cocky guy,” responded a wordless He Yong. “He kept a low profile before, but seems to have lost that fear after returning home and to the protection of people on his side.”

He laughed at his own words. That was right, Wang Ming was a Night Watcher. What need did he have to fear Southern Fist after Hou Xiaochen stabbed a Nova to death in one move?

He Yong opened the door as the two chatted. A merry Wang Ming was about to greet the senior; he paused upon seeing the woman, then smiled knowingly at He Yong.

The man didn’t explain himself; he turned to Li Hao with a nod. The woman looked at Wang Ming and the quiet Li Hao, then chuckled.

“I won’t disturb you further, big brother He. Please visit me when you have a moment.”

“I shall!”

“Then I take my leave!” She inclined her head at the two young men and walked out of the yard. A car quickly drove up to her, she climbed in with a graceful swish of her long skirts.

Wang Ming chuckled as he turned back to look at her, as did He Yong. Li Hao wasn’t in the mood to laugh. He frowned when he looked at Wang Ming. “Keep it together and don’t show that expression to just anyone you meet. You’ll be in trouble if you run into someone you can’t afford to offend.”

“What do you mean?” Wang Ming raised an eyebrow.

“A Dominator,” Li Hao replied calmly. “Senior Southern Fist’s acquaintances are all experts, as expected of a renowned martial master back in the day! Any one of your friends is a hard to find Dominator.”

Wang Ming started. “A Dominator? I couldn’t tell!” he said incredulously.

“Your eyes are bad!” Li Hao laughed. “She wasn’t just a Dominator, but was a Dominator who’s killed countless people! Despite her appearance, I think she’s around fifty! That makes her thirty years old twenty years ago...”

The young man thought for a bit. “There weren’t that many famous female martial masters in Silver Moon’s martial world back in the day. The Jadelight and Light Sword of the Seven Swords, Willow Blade, Springstitch Fist, Heartbreak Palm...

“Was that one the Heartjab Daughter of the Footjab Sect?” Li Hao smiled at He Yong.

“Nice eyes! How could you tell?”

“Her skirts drag on the ground, covering her legs and feet.” Li Hao smiled, at ease. “There were no other discerning characteristics about her body. Since she covered her legs, she might be the Heartjab Daughter. My master mentioned it a few times that she liked to strike with her legs. Faster than a blade, she stabbed through many a heart with a quick kick.

“Judging from her condition, she doesn’t seem to have broken through recently. That means she wasn’t in Silver Moon before. Is she also from the royal family?”

He Yong took a deep look at Li Hao, equal parts surprised and mystified. “Kid, why do you seem much more confident and relaxed than before? Are you more reassured just because you’re in White Moon City?”

“No.” Li Hao shook his head with a smile. “I’ve just thought through some things. You don’t need to mind it, senior. Are you going to invite us in?”

“Hahaha!” He Yong roared with laughter. “Interesting, come sit! To be honest, your prudent and cautious attitude before didn’t make you seem like Old Demon Yuan’s disciple. Now you appear more the part. He was very arrogant at your age.”

“Has the senior seen my master at my age?” Li Hao smiled. “My master is in his seventies now and had probably just broken through to Sunderer in his twenties. Senior Southern Fist isn’t as old as my master, right?”

Yuan Shuo was an older martial master. He Yong ought to be younger than him.