Star Gate

Chapter 342: The Silver Moon Guards (I)

Fog Province.

Fog wreathed the land, blanketing the province with haze no matter day or night.

Inside a high-class hotel.

Yuan Shuo chose to spend the night at a hotel this time instead of camping in the wilderness. He presented a genteel front as he wore a pair of glasses. Jadelight fidgeted uncomfortably next to him and stared at her outfit. She was wearing a suit jacket and short skirt. Having never worn this kind of clothing in her life, she glared furiously at Yuan Shuo.

“Don’t lose your temper now.” The old man lit a cigarette, the very picture of urbane sophistication. “You’re my assistant for the time being. I am a professor at the Near River Academy—and this is a real identity. I got it quite a few years ago, they won’t find anything wrong with my background. We’ve come to the three northern provinces to inspect the recent aberrations in the creatures living by the sea...”

“Why can’t we be more normal?!” Wu Hongshan snapped.

“Normal?” Yuan Shuo laughed. “Can’t, the three northern provinces are a mess right now. There’s no way to be normal. But it’s also good that they’re a mess. We can fish in troubled waters. We’ll take our time and stay here for a few days. My second spirit is about to emerge, the water tiger is going to come forth in full fury. My injuries weren’t fully healed before, but now that we’re near the North Sea, I can sense that they’re almost recovered...

“I’ve had some inspiration lately and further modified the Breathing Method of the Five Styles. An imbalance between the five organs due to differing strengths is the greatest disadvantage of Summoner of Spirit!”

Li Hao could avoid that downside thanks to sword energy; Yuan Shuo could not. Not to mention, the veteran martial master did not know that the young man could now use mysterious power stones to supplement the sword energy. Hence, he didn’t think to make continued use of the little sword to resolve his problem. He had to straighten it out himself.

Additionally, a method that could nurture all five visceral organs was crucial if the path of Summoner was to be popularized and officially accepted by all martial masters.

At the same time, Yuan Shuo was hardly a saint. Even if he was to teach others, he would wait for his own organs to fully nurture their spirits and even for his disciple to complete the process before teaching some more optimal candidates.

“You’ve adjusted it again?” Wu Hongshan stopped yanking at the uncomfortable clothes. “If memory serves, you started modifying it many years ago. It’s been many versions now, hasn’t it?”

“Yep, but constant improvement is in order for martial dao as we progress, attain new comprehension, and uncover new needs. Are we to always work off of our original foundation?” Yuan Shuo laughed. “The secret arts left by the ancients are not necessarily suited for us! We need to modify them according to our differing needs. I’ve lately grasped several key clues of how to proceed. If I succeed, Summoner of Spirit will no longer be my path alone. Everyone will be able to cultivate it, even if they lack five auras. One aura works all the same if the five organs are in balance. I was able to progress when my five auras were in balance only because that represented my five organs were in balance.”

“Will you teach me after you finish revising it?” Wu Hongshan asked after thinking the words over.

“Of course not!”

“......” What... the... This old guy is so annoying! Then what are you telling me all of this for?? You said you would help me reach Summoner! How am I supposed to do that if you don’t teach me the method?!

“Don’t be impatient,” Yuan Shuo chuckled. “Just nurture your organs for now. You can also change out your blood and strengthen your physical body. You can take it slow with your five organs. I’ll teach you the old version first when I’m done modifying the breathing method. It’s also pretty useful!”

The old version! What a stab to the heart.

“I need to tell my student when I’m done,” commented a merry Yuan Shuo. “Although he might not need it, he stands a chance of combining the five auras if he knows it!”

“When will you complete it?” asked a resigned Wu Hongshan.

“Soon, in another few days. I need to summon all five spirits first. I have two thus far and almost have the third. With a few more blood pearls, the fourth and five will be an easy step.”

Wu Hongshan said nothing further. The blood pearls were indeed fine items. Meanwhile, Yuan Shuo sank into contemplation. The blood pearls had a splendid effect when it came to fortifying the five organs. He bore the same thoughts as Li Hao—was Ying Hongyue using the blood pearls to balance the five organs? Did supernaturals need to balance their organs? Or was it to break more supernatural locks?

Many ideas occurred to him in this moment and he vaguely sensed some danger. The old demon of the martial world had a keen sense of danger. As he summoned the five spirits into his organs, he gradually sensed that the supernatural domain might urgently need a treasure or method to balance their organs as well.

Yuan Shuo stood in front of the window and looked around him, slightly regretful that Li Hao wasn’t present. That kid seemed to be able to see things that other people couldn’t. Perhaps the lad could check for him if anyone had their eyes on him.

A smile spread across the veteran martial master’s face. He would know before long if there was anyone following him. He wasn’t afraid and skilled at narrow escapes.

“Jadelight, I’ll bring you along a big one next! Solars are trash. The three northern provinces are the old homes of the three great organizations. There might be Novas among them... I’ll take you with me if you’re not afraid of death!”

Wu Hongshan stared unpleasantly and nodded after a prolonged pause. “Alright!”

Why should I be afraid if you’re not afraid? Nova... Is this guy going crazy again?

Yuan Shuo cackled. Not only am I not crazy, but there might be someone who gives me a hand. I already said that I might be able to finish a new version of the Breathing Method of the Five Styles once I summon the five spirits. If someone is keeping an eye on me, then I might be able to pick up a Nova level blood pearl on the ground!

......

Li Hao did not interact with anyone in his remaining time.

Within his office.

The young man began practicing the Nine Forged Force. He wanted to reach nine layers as soon as possible. He wasn’t too worried about his teacher as his teacher might be improving at an even faster rate. His teacher had melded his five auras together a long time ago and didn’t need to start from the beginning like Li Hao. Since Yuan Shuo grasped the proper method, all he needed to do was somewhat strengthen his organs, send his auras into them, and that was it!

Li Hao, however, needed to start from the basics. Yuan Shuo’s basics had reached the height of sturdiness a long time ago. Who within the modern day martial world possessed more auras than him or was stronger than him?

Even the so-called Tyrant Blade of the day was less than Yuan Shuo. And now, Li Hao felt that the expert was probably still less tyrannical than his teacher!

“I possess the necessary constitution to accomplish nine layers, I just lack experience and comprehension...” Li Hao ran through the routine again and again, making the air snap from his attempts.

Manager Yu next door was highly irritated! Here that guy goes once more.

Li Hao had been quite the homebody after moving in next door. He was so much of a homebody that it was annoying. He never left the office and ran through boxing techniques in his downtime. Those practice runs weren’t always quiet.

Manager Yu had had enough! She was scheduled to bring Li Hao to the Guards tomorrow—Hou Xiaochen had arranged for it. But now, all she wanted to do was ferry this guy over right away!

That’s right, the Silver Moon Guards. The Night Watcher headquarters was filled with supernaturals, making it a boring proposition for Li Hao. It might be better for him to go to the Silver Moon Guards.

......

Punch punch punch!

Li Hao punched steadily. Since he hadn’t reached the right level of comprehension yet, he would go at it with sheer persistence. Improvement was inevitable when he punched thirty to fifty thousand times.

Other people’s bodies wouldn’t be able to endure the strain, but Li Hao didn’t care in the slightest. Wind and thunder energy would be delivered to him soon, so he wasn’t afraid of suffering injuries! He’d reached only seven layers thus far—he might be able to reach nine layers if he punched one hundred thousand times. Liu Long had practiced martial dao for many years, but Li Hao felt that the captain may not have gone all out and punched one hundred thousand times!

If he had, his arms would be completely crippled.

When one did not possess sufficient potential or time, one had to fill in the gaps with hard work. Hard work and effort could supplement one’s deficiencies!

If anyone else knew of the young man’s thoughts, they might die of incredulity. Deficiencies? Was Li Hao dumb? If he was, he wouldn’t be able to quickly comprehend three auras.

A stronger opponent was never the greatest fear. The greatest fear was someone stronger and possessing more potential while also putting in more effort. That would only incite despair in the hearts of those striving beneath him.

Potential and intelligence were nothing to fear. If those who were naturally gifted didn’t bend their minds to improvement, they would be eclipsed sooner or later. But when these people worked ten times harder than the rest... then one would have absolutely no space on the path to walk.

Li Hao continued practicing; knocks sounded at his door. He'd sensed the disturbance a while ago, but assumed that Manager Yu was heading to the sixth floor. Hou Xiaochen’s out of seclusion. Why are you here for me instead of spending time with him?

“Come in!”

Manager Yu pushed the door open, frowning slightly when she saw that the young man was covered in sweat. She didn’t like it when martial masters were covered in grime and sweat. Director Hou set a good example. He quickly washed up whenever he finished training and smelled divine. While the young man didn’t stink, he... was really ugly as he exerted himself.

Li Hao naturally didn’t know her thoughts. If he did, he’d probably serve her with a slap—assuming that he could beat her in battle.

“What is the grand secretary doing here?” Li Hao smiled and wiped off his sweat with a towel.

Manager Yu avoided the sweat he was flinging around and said without a change in expression, “The director wishes for you to visit the Silver Moon Guards. You can stay there if you’re so interested. I’ll take you there for a look.”

“Now?”

“Yes!”

“But it’s dark out...” Li Hao looked outside the window and then at the clock he’d bought himself. “There’s five minutes until the work day is over.”

“......” A wordless Manager Yu’s frown deepened. “Li Hao, you are a martial master, not really an office worker!”

It was fine the first couple of days, but heavily annoying when he was like this everyday!

“That’s fine, but when will my position as a chief commissioner be announced?” Li Hao grinned. “I’ll naturally put in overtime when I’m promoted. I’ll be like Director Hao and work till daybreak everyday if I have to. As for an office worker... aren’t I that right now?”

Startled, Manager Yu looked more sharply at the young man. Li Hao seemed much bolder today. Or rather, his true self was appearing. He’d been cautious, circumspect, and unfailingly polite whenever he saw her before.