Star Gate

Chapter 183: Ghost Shadow Sword (II)

“This technique must be very strong if even teacher was taken in by it.” Li Hao flashed a smile. “But... the veterans of Silver Moon’s martial world all know about it, right?”

“No.” Yuan Shuo shook his head. “The Ghost Shadow Sword would not be a secret art if people knew about its final move! Those who fought the Shadow Swordsman either died to the last stroke or killed him instead.

“Anyone witnessing his last stroke was in danger of losing their life, so they would kill him even if they didn’t want to before. Therefore, he dies unless he kills his opponent!”

And so, the Shadow Swordsman had died.

To Yuan Shuo’s hands.

“That’s perfect!” Li Hao said delightedly. He liked this secret art—it was a marvelous technique for ambushing others, much like the Hand That Brings Back Life. Added to that the stroke recorded in his mind... the young man suddenly felt that he had many fatal aces up his sleeves.

Such was the benefit of being under the wing of a formidable teacher who knew anything and could bring out any secret art! Other martial masters could only gaze upon Li Hao with longing and envy.

Next, Yuan Shuo taught his student the breathing method of the Ghost Shadow Sword. This was the fundamental of the art. Breathing came first, then the technique. The technique was the external manifestation of the art and did not remain unchanging. It could be adapted to different battle conditions, circumstances, and opponents. Techniques should not be stagnant.

Take the Five Styles, for instance. A ferocious tiger altered its hunting style based on the number, type, and strength of prey. It didn’t always leap up to attack with one swipe.

Li Hao bent his mind to the task. His memory was very good and he could remember at least seventy percent of everything his teacher said. He couldn’t memorize everything on the first pass, that required a second pass.

After he committed the knowledge to memory, he started experimenting himself. The crux laid with the adjustment of the breathing method. Each breathing method was tailored to its techniques. Using another would only lead to harming himself.

.....

Li Hao started his next round of arduous training.

At the same time.

White Moon City.

Hao Lianchuan was preparing to set out. The excavation was set for August 28, leaving roughly ten days until the expedition began. He needed to arrive ahead of time and conduct some preparatory work. The deputy director also needed to visit Silver City, primarily to escort Yuan Shuo to Rift Canyon. It was also a convenient time to give Wang Ming the final Sunflare level blood pearl in the Night Watcher vaults.

The Night Watcher genius had requested it through someone else and paid two hundred cubes of mysterious power to obtain it. The cubes came from the Wangs. Wang Ming had promised his family that if he received the blood pearl, he would one hundred percent set foot into Plenilune and bear a thirty percent chance of becoming Sunflare...

The young man was shrewd for once as he worried the family wouldn’t be willing to front such an enormous expenditure. He didn’t make it known that he was already a Plenilune, mostly because the distance between the two cities was too great. Wang Ming could keep a secret for once because communication was inconvenient.

In this way, he wouldn’t feel guilty if he didn’t progress to Sunflare. He was already a Plenilune and had an explanation ready if he didn’t ascend. A wealthy scion like him didn’t lack for money, but mysterious power was so precious that it could not be wasted willy-nilly, particularly in sums of two hundred cubes.

Hao Lianchuan would not go alone this time. The Night Watcher headquarters was an entire building. He was bringing twenty people with him—all experts. Darkmoon was the bare minimum, there was a handful of Sunflare, and him at Solar. The agency was sending a full force for this exploration.

Apart from a few Sunflares that truly could not be redeployed from missions at hand, the Night Watchers were sending all of the Sunflares they had. When adding Huang Yun who was already on site, that made for seven Sunflares total from the Night Watchers.

There was also Yuan Shuo who could kill Solars, and if Liu Long had set foot into Dominator as well... Those two together would make up nearly half of the Night Watcher contingent in terms of strength.

Hao Lianchuan was waiting. The others waited as well.

A figure walked down the stairs after a while. Hou Xiaochen’s expression was calm as he approached the gathering: he didn’t carry himself with his usual majestic poise. The director typically strode like a dragon or prowled like a tiger—he was just very relaxed today. It helped taut heartstrings relax.

“Director!” the group called out. Some of the younger Night Watchers were simply overcome by the sense of authority, whereas older Night Watchers were more fanatic.

It should be that the older one was, the more unruffled and composed. The situation was the opposite way around as it’d been a long time since Hou Xiaochen last fought. Veteran Night Watchers, however, had witnessed the director’s might on the battlefield for themselves.

Red Moon once attacked many years ago to force Yuan Shuo to show himself and make the province stand down. They just wanted to kill Yuan Shuo; if the Night Watchers dared intervene, they would exterminate the agency.

During that incident, Hou Xiaochen charged out with his spear and slayed a Solar in domineering fashion. It was a similar happening to Yuan Shuo killing a Solar, just many years earlier. Not only that, but the director killed numerous Sunflares as well. He trounced the supernatural organization so thoroughly that Ying Hongyue himself appeared in the end.

Hou Xiaochen did not back down a single step in front of Ying Hongyue. Fortunately, that was also when central region reinforcements arrived. The central Night Watchers sent multiple powerhouses in aid, which finally persuaded Ying Hongyue to retreat.

While Hou Xiaochen did not exchange blows with the leader of Red Moon, he was still a god in people’s eyes. The director had withstood pressure from one of the three great organizations and didn’t fear Ying Hongyue!

The greater Ying Hongyue’s subsequent battle achievements in the central region were, the more it testified to Hou Xiaochen’s greatness.

The director ignored the crowd’s reaction and spoke in an even tone that was calm and gentle. “I wish everyone a smooth and fruitful trip. It is best if we are successful, but survival is our bottom line. Pay attention to Yuan Shuo’s words when you are in the ruins, but do not grow too close to him.

“He’s offended too many people,” chuckled Hou Xiaochen. “So there might be powerhouses waiting to ambush him. He is a professional and should be respected accordingly, but it will be dangerous to stay too close to him!”

Although his words were full of caution and danger, laughter rippled through the assembly. Listen, but stay far away from the demon. Everyone understood that.

“Director Hao is a steady and dependable man. While he is a fire supernatural, he lacks the brash violence that is their trademark. In my view, someone who can hold themselves in check is someone who will find success!”

Hao Lianchuan smiled. It felt so good to be complimented!

“But your Director Hao sometimes thinks too much...” Hou Xiaochen smiled. “There are seven Sunflares among this contingent, with Yuan Shuo and Hao Lianchuan making for nine total. If there is a conflict with the three great organizations, your Director Hao may hesitate. At that time, if five people agree to fight, you can engage in battle without having to report it to headquarters! If less than nine are present and the majority agree to fight, you can commence battle immediately as well!”

Hao Lianchuan bit back what he wanted to say.

“I’m not downgrading your authority.” Hou Xiaochen glanced at his subordinate. “Just that I am well aware of your shortcomings. Our people know to a certain degree as well. They will listen to you when they should, but it’s better to be more prepared than not in all things!”

Hao Lianchuan nodded and said in a muffled voice, “The director makes it sound like I’m afraid of the three great organizations!”

“Not afraid, just having to consider too many things.” Hou Xiaochen grinned. “You always worry about incurring heavy losses if we fight them, that the agency will be unable to find its footing in Silver Moon.

“Let’s put it this way. So long as I am alive, the Silver Moon Night Watchers will not be toppled for the foreseeable future. Therefore, you can be at ease.”

Hao Lianchuan nodded. He did indeed fret over too many reservations at times. As the second Solar of the province, he was in charge of administrative minutiae since Hou Xiaochen normally didn’t set foot outside headquarters. He’d watched over much of the Silver Moon agency develop and couldn’t bear to see them die in front of him.

“That is all I will say. If our expedition is successful, the province will be impregnable!” Hou Xiaochen breathed out gently and waved his hand. “Go forth! I hope however many set out today will be however many that return!”

“Director, I will bring everyone back in full!” Hao Lianchuan declared solemnly. “Move out!”

Approximately two dozen people swiftly departed in uniform steps. Standing in the lobby, Hou Xiaochen quietly watched them set off.

However many that set out will be however many that return?

That was almost impossible!

He was well aware of that, Hao Lianchuan was well aware of that. Everyone in the delegation and not in the delegation was aware of that.

It was impossible.

This wasn’t their first exploration of Rift Canyon. They’d lost many on previous expeditions that lacked participation from the various organizations. With the three great organizations and some mid and small organizations involved this time, they would be lucky to have seventy percent of their people come back.

......

August 20.

A clear day.

Twenty days of furious training and maddened absorption immensely improved the entire Silver City Night Watcher branch. Li Hao emerged from his practice of the Ghost Shadow Sword when word came that Director Hao was here again.

The Silver City Night Watchers were quite familiar with him as he’d come several times in a short period of time.

The law enforcement building.

Hao Lianchuan looked at the group in front of him with a strange look in his eyes. It wasn’t easy for him to detect improvements in martial masters, but he could easily sense the changes in supernaturals.

Wang Ming was a Plenilune! Yun Yao and Hu Hao were both Halfmoon, and even Li Meng was almost there!

This exceeded his expectations. They’d improved too quickly! According to his calculations, it would take them another half year to reach these accomplishments. Here they were, having already succeeded!

Plainly, they’d reaped great gains from the last battle. Perhaps they’d obtain more mysterious power than expected. Was it really Darkmoons that they’d killed? That was what Liu Long had said...

Confusion flashed through his mind before Hao Lianchuan quickly tamped it down. This wasn’t important, any improvement was good.

Liu Long arrived not long after Li Hao entered the room. The nine members of the Silver City Night Watchers were all present.

Hao Lianchuan had taken time out of his schedule to visit. He couldn’t stay for long and cut straight to the chase. “Director Liu, I mentioned before that the expedition to Rift Canyon is about to begin. You said you would consider joining, have you decided?”

“I’ll go!” Liu Long responded. “Not only that, but I want to bring people with me!”