Star Gate

Chapter 655: To Make Known First (II)

“There is ample evidence for the crimes committed by Wu Yong of the Four Seas Company,” Minister Liu announced from the lobby without bothering to emerge from the building. “His sins cannot be pardoned and his death well deserved. I bear undeniable responsibility for his actions. Therefore, the Four Seas Company will revert to the government from this day forth! The Skystar Colosseum will no longer be affiliated with the Ministry of Finance—it can be settled as appropriate!

“The Ministry of Finance is the important hub of finance for the dynasty, but I an incompetent and remiss in my discipline. Henceforth, the Ministry of Finance will continue to operate only the business of collecting tax revenue from the provinces. All other associated businesses will cease operations immediately.

“In addition, Li Hao of the Night Watchers from the Inspectorate has accomplished great deeds. The royal family has just made him the Skystar Duke. Thus, I would like to recommend Li Hao be put forth as a deputy director of the Night Watchers. His merits and rank are sufficient, just that his experience is slightly lacking. But in this day and age, we should give some opportunities to the young.

“Therefore, I find the circumstances appropriate to promote him!” Liu Yunqing laughed. “Think it over, Minister Chen! I won’t participate in the particulars.” He paused at this point in his speech. “If everyone is still unsatisfied with these arrangements, then my family is in possession of a set of ruins that might have belonged to a martial university. Those will be made public in compensation. I am not in the best of health these days, so I will not address everyone further.”

Various looks flickered through the eyes of the ministers on the scene. Liu Yunqing was letting everyone step all over him in this matter! He didn’t struggle or strike back, but simply waved the flag of surrender. They also vaguely felt another presence on the scene and understood that perhaps the old minister had spoken.

The older generation of ministers were existences that defined the initial layout of the nine ministries. No matter what the situation was in present day, these were true characters of note back in the day. Having seen more than their share of wiles and double-crosses, they were ready for any sort of development.

“Then we shall not further disturb Minister Liu.” The inspector general smiled. “Rest and recuperate well. We have been colleagues for many years, don’t fall into ill health on account of a few rotten apples.”

“Thank you for your concern,” the minister responded and said no more.

The other ministers laughed and left. That was enough! As for how the spoils would be divvied up, that was up to each ministry’s capabilities. The Ministry of Finance grasped an exceedingly high number of industries. It wasn’t just businesses, but ruins, connections, networks...

The Lius had simply just given up on all of this, other than their control over tax revenues. This was the foundation of their power and authority. As such, that could not be relinquished. If they did, the Ministry of Finance would no longer exist and it would be complete warfare with the Lius. As the situation stood, they’d only relinquished their peripheral industries.

The process had been easier than they anticipated, but those of the other ministries weren’t at ease. With their easy capitulation, the Lius plainly intended to develop Li Hao into a keen blade. He hacked at the Lius today, but what about tomorrow?

......

As the nine ministries busily transacted with each other, the rest of Skystar City stirred restlessly.

In one of the slums of the royal city, the little girl who’d shown Li Hao around was currently standing very close to the young man. She could clearly make out his form. Slums ringed the outskirts of the dynasty capital. The poor did not have the right to live in the city center.

The little girl had her head tilted to the sky; she watched fearlessly. She was already reduced to such low circumstances, what else was she afraid of? The fights of the strong were the concerns of the strong. She didn’t understand the conflicts of the high and mighty and didn’t care. That was their business.

For the moment, she stared at the sky. Some of the children next to her were scared and someone whispered, “Stop watching, Sis Yu Qi. What if that strong guy senses it?”

“I think I know that person!” the girl responded after a long moment.

“Who?”

“The one in silver armor, that vice commander of the Skystar whatever...”

“Have you seen him before, Sis Yu Qi?”

“Not before, but a few days ago...” the girl replied. “He just said that whoever has grievances can go to him, right?”

“That’s what they all say. Do you actually believe him, big sis?” mumbled a kid next to her. “These big guys are too scary. I think a lot of people died in that huge explosion. There’s also something about Novas and metamorphosis... We’ve heard about these big guys before. He killed the boss of the Four Seas Company and the boss of Skystar Colosseum!”

Those two bosses were very well known. These children running errands and guiding visitors around the city had heard of them. It was proper important personages they spoke of, not some hooligan that they regularly encountered in their neighborhood.

The little girl nodded without saying anything; she continued to look at the sky. Li Hao of the Skystar Commander Office! Demon Sword Li Hao!

She’d heard people mention the name a few days ago—apparently he was a barbarian from the north who massacred people like mowing down grass. But... he was likely the one she’d served before. He’d wanted to go to the Night Watchers to look for someone. She hadn’t known who it was before, but now she did. He’d been most likely looking for the Hou Xiaochen who’d arrived earlier.

All the same, the girl couldn’t really believe it. This callous fiend who killed without blinking had ridden her bike to the Night Watcher headquarters!

Yu Qi sank into deep contemplation as she stared at the sky and lowered her head. Li Hao was gone, off to kill more people.

......

The Skystar Colosseum.

It was eerily quiet. Those who didn’t stay quiet were all dead. Golden Spear had arrived with the Silver Moon Guards. They surrounded the Colosseum. Many were on their knees inside the structure and didn’t dare get up. Another group of guests were cautiously preparing to leave. Some were conversing with the Silver Moon Guards, resulting in some voices rising in the quiet structure. “What are you doing, I’m of the Skystar administration...”

“We’re just here to watch a fight, is that against the law?”

“......” Many wanted to leave as soon as possible. There was also a crowd watching from outside the Colosseum, but they didn’t draw near.

There weren’t many powerhouses among the Silver Moon Guards, Golden Spear was the only Nova. There were some Solars, but not that many. This level of force was insufficient to maintain order at the Colosseum. However, no one resisted all the same. The boisterous guests knew that a killing fiend was on its way. There were some who wanted to make a run for it, but the heavyweights among the crowd could sense that He Yong was already here.

He Yong landed on the ground and threw a mocking glance at Golden Spear, enraging the man.

“You can all wait for Vice Commander Li to arrive.” A merry He Yong addressed the noisy crowd with indifference. “Stop making a fuss. This is Skystar City, so even the commanders adhere to law and order. If you run off, that would be resisting enforcement! Don’t blame me if you die then.”

Someone presented themselves and took a deep breath before addressing He Yong. “Brother He, I’m just here for the fun and won’t trouble the vice commander. The ninth prince is still waiting for me, so do you think I can go back first?”

“Oi, you’re here too!” He Yong nodded with a smile. “Sure, go ahead!”

The man sagged with relief, but then heard He Yong continue, “I’m just external personal and don’t represent the Night Watchers...”

The man’s footsteps halted and his expression turned stiff. Then what did you say all that for? What do you mean by this?? He wanted to leave, but didn’t dare move anymore.

A massive ship landed heavily at this time. Li Hao looked down at the assembly, resplendent in his suit of silver armor. The premises immediately quieted. He was only looking at them, but exerting great pressure all the same.

The powerhouse conversing with He Yong turned solemn and took half a step back. Screw you, He Yong! When did you start running with that demon of a Li Hao?

The young man simply looked at the gathering of Colosseum employees and guests. Much of the latter looked at the ship, finding familiar faces on it. Some even located family members—brothers, sisters, father and son... Here they were, reunited under such circumstances.

The atmosphere took on an awkward bent.

“Bring them all in!” Li Hao smiled. “The Silver Moon Guards are in charge of booking those who work for the Colosseum, whereas the regular guests can board the ship! I am not heartless. There is no crime for just watching, but we’ll have to trouble you for a bit!”

“As things should be!” An old man walked out of the crowd. “It is right and proper that we adhere to law enforcement efforts. We have no opinions otherwise, Vice Commander Li. I’d just like to ask how long it might take.”

Li Hao smiled very warmly in return. “Just a day if we’re quick about it, or a few days if it takes longer!”

How many days is a few days? Despite the question, the old man didn’t ask it.

Someone approached from the outskirts and transmitted from a distance, “Vice Commander Li, I am Deputy Zhou Qin of the Night Watchers. I saw my son on the ship just now, I wonder if...”

A deputy director outranked Li Hao. The young man tilted his head at the smiling middle-aged man.

“My son just likes to have some fun,” the man transmitted. “He’s not the sort to cause trouble. I’ll give him a stern talking to when we get back.”

Li Hao raised a brow and smiled, replying in turn, “That is just as well. You can take him home as soon as I bring him back to headquarters and make a note on his record.”

“We don’t need to go to so much trouble, vice commander.” Deputy Zhou Qin frowned slightly. “I can take him with me now...”

“There are thousands of people here!” Li Hao answered aloud after a long pause. “All sorts of people, Deputy Zhou. I’m already giving you a lot of face since we’re on the same team. You can have your son back so long as proper procedure is observed and a fine is paid. Why must you insist on leaving with your son right at this very moment? Are you not showing me face, or do you want to take advantage of this opportunity to step on me and demonstrate your authority?”