Star Gate

Chapter 588: Demon Sword Erupts in All Directions (I)

Countless notions floated to the fore of Li Hao’s mind. The Steadfast Duke and his people knew full well that the Kui Mountains wished to work with them, so they probably wouldn’t falsify anything with the boots. Should he take it as soon as he confirmed it was real? Or should he wait?

Endless ideas flowed through him as Li Hao kept a firm grip on his impatience. He focused on observing everyone else’s supernatural ripples instead. Some people’s energy was undulating fiercely—they looked to be very worked up. If it wasn’t for the Xus being so domineering, someone would’ve portably already made a move for the treasure.

......

Not only was Li Hao staring at the Windchaser Boot, but so were the powerhouses outside the Hall of Ancestors. While they didn’t dare send their consciousness to scan it, a light glittered in their eyes as they stared fixedly at the item. This item was rumored to be one of the treasures of the eight families!

Some of the effects of Li Hao’s divine sword had become known to the world. Countless people were tempted by it. If the Windchaser Boots were part of that group, would they contain the same abilities?

Yu Qiao suddenly furrowed his brows as he looked at the boot. He sensed an extremely provocative mental ripple around him. The old man tilted his head to see the enormous golden dog looking at him with a vicious look. It even addressed Yu Qiao, “What do you think you’re looking at?? The Xus have decided to give the boot to the Kui Mountains, so stop drooling over it!”

Yu Qiao raised an eyebrow. Not only did he hear these words, but so did other people around them. They were surprised, but didn’t say anything.

So this was the case! The Xus had traded the Windchaser Boot for a partnership with the monster spirits. No wonder the family hadn’t reacted earlier, this was the truth behind the scenes.

A variety of thoughts filtered through Yu Qiao’s mind. If the Kui Mountains needed the item, what if it was lost? And what if this monster spirit died? Wouldn’t that destroy the basis of cooperation between the Xus and the Kui Mountains, and also cause the Xus to suffer monster spirit rage?

Various trains of thought flooded his mind. They could never let this partnership solidify! There were too many monster spirits in the Kui Mountains as well as ancient monster spirits. If this came to pass, then the rest of them would only be able to bow their heads to their overlords. Resistance would be impossible!

He looked at the eldest son of the East Pole Duke and the vice head from Helios. The three locked gazes, reading each other’s intentions from their eyes. This cooperation could not be permitted to succeed, or there would no longer be a place for them in the east!

......

In the Hall of Ancestors, the Xus continued their declarations of revenge through gritted teeth. That they had brought shame to their ancestors was repeated ad nauseam before they recounted the illustrious family history and future aspirations. The Steadfast Duke had lost a son and grandson, but the memorial ceremony was being held like a rally to pledge resolution before a war.

Such were the methods of a politician. If they didn’t make use of the dead to publicize the Xu family philosophy, then that death would be an utter waste!

Those outside listened quietly; no one raised a word of protest. After one long hour, wails and sobs finally sounded in the hall as the Xus began mourning Xu Zhen and his son. What might the father and son duo think if they were still alive?

The crying signaled that the memorial was pretty much at an end. Li Hao had been long shifting with impatience. He transmitted to Xu Qing when he saw the man relax, “Steadfast Duke, this king can take a look at it now, can’t I? This king has waited for so long and must have an answer to whether it is real or not. Stop wasting my time if it’s useless!”

Xu Qing inwardly cursed to himself. This golden dog possessed absolutely no manners! It’d been a very long time since anyone had dared be so impudent to the overlord of the east. Not even Yu Qiao and the others standing below dared talk to him in this manner.

“You can,” he transmitted in response after some thought. “But... does the envoy have a way to determine if it is useful or not?”

“Of course!” Li Hao dismissed arrogantly. “It’s a small matter, I just need to influence the core origin power inside. Of course, none of you guys understand this. This king will know if it’s useful or not with one glance. Why do you think I am the envoy and none of the other monster spirits?”

That may be true, but the key point was that none of the other monster spirits were as arrogant as you! It looked like the Kui Mountains snake king was also borrowing this monster spirit’s identity to intimidate the Steadfast Duke. Otherwise, the duke would more likely than not refuse to lend out the Windchaser Boot to any other monster spirit that came.

Xu Qing wasn’t a benevolent sort, he transmitted again, “If this boot is confirmed to be real and useful for the dragon god’s ascension, can we trouble the envoy to say a few words?”

“What words?”

“An announcement declaring the alliance between the Kui Mountains and the Steadfast Duke, that the Kui Mountains are willing to send out their monster spirits to help the duchy pacify eastern unrest.” Xu Qing needed a public declaration of intent. Not only that, but he added, “We also need a batch of Water of Life. We will lend the Windchaser Boot to the dragon god for free and trade mysterious power stones or other treasures for the Water of Life. It would be even better if the envoy is willing to trade what you have on hand. We have urgent need of vast quantities of Water of Life!”

“You want to trade that trash?” Li Hao asked with distaste.

“We have better offerings than what the envoy saw in the treasury. The mysterious power stones are of higher quality and are not the ones that you saw.”

“Then that will do, this is a small matter. General Oak just needs to absorb some energy to produce Water of Life. That’s very simple... I thought it was something complicated.”

General Oak! That was probably the ancient plant spirit’s name. So it’d been a general back in the day? The golden monster spirit spoke so easily of creating Water of Life. So it seemed that the ancient records were true—the stronger the plant spirit, the easier it was to produce Water of Life.

Xu Qing envied the arrangement. What a pity there was no plant spirit at his complex!

All factions should possess some Water of Life, but most of it came from reserves found in ruins or dregs located within withered plant spirits. No one had an unending source from a living origin.

The duke was quite excited by the notion as a large quantity of Water of Life was very useful to enhance the five organs. He wouldn’t have to just save it for critical moments! If he could fully unseal his battle strength in a few quick days, who in the eastern provinces would still be his match?

“Today, we hold a memorial for my son...” After Xu Qing concluded his discussions with Li Hao, he looked outside the Hall of Ancestors. “I should not be saying anything at this point, but the dragon god envoy from the Kui Mountains has arrived and has matters to announce to everyone. Please come forward, dragon envoy...”

Panther strutted his way into the hall with a graceful swagger. The powerhouses remaining outside watched with glittering looks. Had the partnership been agreed upon? But they were in the Steadfast Duke’s manor, this was not a place to start things.

Yu Qiao and the others contemplated ambushing the golden monster spirit outside the city. There was no need to take action here. It would be a chaotic melee if they did anything in the complex. All sorts of powerhouses were present—supporters of both sides, undeclared third parties, and other affiliated organizations. It would be a massive affair if a fight broke out and the truth hard to conceal otherwise.

They had to exit the city if they wished to kill the golden monster spirit. The group would find a desolate location and kill the Xu escorts as well!

It was a given that the duke would send an escort with the golden monster spirit when it left. Xu Qing was no fool and wouldn’t give them a chance to do anything. It was down to a matter of who was stronger and made the better preparations. This was a game of strategy between the two sides, and the golden monster spirit’s survival the key condition of winning.

......

Li Hao touched the Windchaser Boot through Panther, sending a tendril of mind intent into it. A faint wisp of sword energy flowed into the item through the dog, eliciting a minute tremble from the boot. It was real! It looked like the duke hadn’t dared bring out a fake.

Xu Qing’s eyelid twitched when he saw the boot tremble; he was secretly shocked. Even he was unable to fully manipulate the Windchaser Boot! He could somewhat direct its power, but this ancient monster spirit could arouse a reaction from it with the slightest move. A heritage that went back far was mighty indeed.

“Not bad, it does have core origin power,” Li Hao’s voice rang in his ears. “But it’s not that dense... probably because it’s not a complete pair. This is good enough, though! So this king will be taking it!”

“Envoy!” Xu Qing’s eyes widened, startled. It was taking the boot, just like that?

“What?” Li Hao’s tone turned unfriendly. “You said you would lend it to us. Are you going back on your word?”

“No... It’s just... Envoy... According to custom... We need to present this in the hall for three days...”

“So what? This king will look after it. Who knows if you’ll swap it out for a fake when this king isn’t looking? They all say that humans are crafty—not I, but my ancestor!” Li Hao thought a bit more. “Don’t worry, this king will announce the alliance between you and the Kui Mountains right now. Even if I leave now with the Windchaser Boot, you will not be worse off since you have the promise of alliance as made by this king!”

Xu Qing was conflicted by the exchange, but it did make sense. However... it was still uncomfortable to watch his family heritage treasure being taken away in front of his eyes.

“Are you willing?” Li Hao’s tone turned even more unfriendly. “Then forget it! I’ll leave this here and the Kui Mountains can search for another divine weapon. We’ll come back for another look if we can’t find one, but it might not be this king that comes next time!”

Panther threw down the boot. Xu Qing shifted it back to an upright position. Though he was torn, he quickly said, “No, you misunderstand, envoy. That is not my meaning. I am just regretful that I cannot lend the full set to the dragon god.”

“This king understands, the other is in that Light Sword’s hands. All of it will be the dragon god’s sooner or later. So long as the dragon god successfully ascends, that Light Sword is as good as dead!”

Xu Qing could only comfort himself with these words. Light Sword had taken one boot and not paid anything in return. Instead, she’d killed a lot of his people. Now the other was being traded for immense support from a massive faction... That was good, this was no loss.

Don’t blame me, ancestors above. This is for the family’s future. When the Xus fully come into our own and conquer the world, we’ll have our share of whatever treasures we wish. I’m sure you won’t censure us then.