Li Hao stalked toward the deputy director, swiftly reinforced by He Yong, Yang Shan, and the others.
“Who are you taking orders from?” Li Hao asked expressionlessly. “Or do you think that because we’re both Night Watchers and that you outrank me, I should give way to you?
“I already told you that I’ll let him go after we get back. Do you insist otherwise because you think I won’t dare do anything to a superior, or do you think you’re stronger than me?”
Killing intent flared!
Deputy Zhou Qin looked on gravely and took a deep breath. “This is a misunderstanding, I am just concerned about my son. You’ve misunderstood me, vice commander. Since you’ve made it clear, we can discuss this when we get back.”
“Do not be a blade in someone else’s hand so easily.” Li Hao looked meaningfully at him. “A peak Nova is strong, but it also depends on timing and luck! If someone wants me to let someone go, have them come themselves! Don’t hide behind others like a cowardly rat!
“As for you, the Skystar Commander Office should not fall under your purview. I’ll thoroughly look into your son and release him if there are no problems. If there are... you can try and see if you can take someone from Silver Moon martial masters!”
The deputy director turned silent, nodded, and left without a word. He was just here to sound out Li Hao, but the young man proved very resolute. It was his arena tonight. The deputy might easily cause a conflict if he said anything else, and that was not the result that he or the one behind him wanted. They just wanted to probe the young man, but Li Hao’s extreme reaction further demonstrated just how barbarous and unconfined these Silver Moon savages were.
Seeing that even Li Hao’s superior had fallen flat on his face, those watching on the outskirts chose to sit on their hands. If Li Hao had agreed to let the deputy’s son go, he would be mobbed by people right now. Since he had agreed to let those of the Night Watchers go, why not the others?
But since he’d refused, no one further tested him.
Inside the Colosseum, the noble young masters and misses drooped like they’d suffered a loss in the family. Although nothing may befall them yet, who knew what this killing fiend would do once they were in Night Watcher territory? They smelled the pungent scent drifting from the ship, that didn’t mean anything good. It represented that those before them had been terrified out of their wits.
But under Li Hao’s watchful gaze, these unbridled nobles docilely walked toward the ship while the Silver Moon Guard corralled those in the Colosseum. No one resisted, the stage was set. The Colosseum lost its ability to resist when Liu Sha was killed and the Novas with her blown to bits.
“Seal off the premises!” Li Hao commanded. “Take everyone back to Night Watcher headquarters. We will not falsely charge anyone or erroneously let any criminals go. All those who have violated Skystar laws will be punished accordingly!”
As he scanned the surroundings, some shuffled a half step back and others remained in place without a change in expression. The young man didn’t care about their reaction.
“All those whose friends and family have been taken shall await Night Watcher notification! Our apologies for the inconveniences rendered by tonight’s operation. In addition, I was unable to prevent the death of city defenders when the Colosseum boss detonated energy bombs at the city gates. That is my fault! Those city defenders died because of me! Their families can apply for compensation at the Inspectorate or Ministry of Finance. They will be compensated according to the rules of war!”
The ship rose after he concluded his remarks and left the area.
“Vice Commander Li,” a voice sounded in Li Hao’s ears. “Minister Mu would like to chat with the vice commander tomorrow. Please come to the Mu Manor or Minister of Internal Affairs when you have a moment.”
The Internal Affairs representative had transmitted from the dark and didn’t show himself. Plainly, the minister wanted to stay in the shadows and avoid clashing with Li Hao, even though his daughter had been taken.
The ship flew through the air and swiftly reached Night Watcher headquarters. There were plenty of people aboard—three thousand at the beginning, now there were four thousand.
The Night Watcher headquarters had erupted to life long ago. It was lit as brightly as day and people busted to and fro. Big Eyes and the other two youngsters were incredibly curious, craning their necks forward as the ship landed with a thud. Li Hao was the first to disembark.
Manager Yu stood at the front of the doors, Hou Xiaochen wasn’t present. She smiled at the young man, a smile that quickly turned resigned. You’re really something, aren’t you! We all thought that you’d run off, but you strike with the fury of thunder and lightning as soon as you appear. A dozen Novas have died tonight—that can only be described as a horrendous loss.
Not only was Manager Yu present, but so was Yao Si’s manager. She piped up timidly when she saw Li Hao, “Vice Commander Liu, the director requests your presence when you have a moment...”
“I understand.” Li Hao nodded. He was unfamiliar with the Night Watchers, but whether it was people on duty, carrying out missions, or here to watch the show, they all hastily averted their eyes when they saw Li Hao look over. Only the three youngsters kept curious looks trained on him.
He looked back at them, but didn’t address them. Li Hao knew that they were thorns in the sides of the Night Watchers. But so what?
The three were displeased to see Li Hao ignore them.
“Vice Commander Li!” Big Eyes grinned. “We are...”
“I’m busy, we can talk later!” Li Hao answered indifferently with another glance.
Big Eyes flushed with anger, but the young man suddenly sneered, “You live off the fat and oil of the people! You do nothing despite receiving a salary. Perverse geniuses? Thorns in the side of the agency? You’re just a bunch of trash!”
“......” A hushed silence draped over the scene. The trio’s expressions shifted slightly, but Li Hao continued to look coldly at them.
“What are you looking at me for? I may demand a lot in payment, but I render services that are worthy of my fee! I can absolutely justify my salary and the vows I made when I joined the Inspectorate! You guys... get away from me and don’t let me dig up anything about you. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you get yours!”
The trio’s eyes widened and the rest of the Night Watchers were also shocked. What... was going on? What did Li Hao mean?
The young man ignored them and walked inside the office building.
Big Eyes and her companions stared for a very long time. The girl finally stammered, “Did he... just... yell at us?”
Yes, they’d been yelled at!
“Yep, he did,” Long Blade confirmed with embarrassment.
Spear also sighed. “He doesn’t think much of us.”
Indeed, that was the meaning behind their interaction. The three of them had wanted to greet Li Hao, but he couldn’t be bothered with them. What perverse geniuses, what thorns, what geniuses, and what names on the Divine Masters Ranking? He thought nothing of it all, it was all meaningless. He simply felt that these people didn’t count as much of true heroes. Hypocritical and false, there was no need to strike up a conversation with them.
“After seeing him dominate all sides tonight, I thought we could be friends. But now... hmph!” Big Eyes complained. They’d been ignored and scoffed at! She was furious!
Her anger soon turned to amusement when she saw someone on the ship. “Hey, Mu Xiaorong, so you’ve been captured too?”
Mu Xiaorong ignored her.
“Who would’ve thought I’d see you here?” Big Eyes giggled. “But he’s certainly got some nerve to capture even you. Beg me. I’ll think of a way to get you out of here if you do...”
A surge of sword intent barreled straight at her; the three jerked with alarm. A longsword brimming with killing intent slammed to the ground in front of them. Color drained from Big Eyes’ face.
“Whether it’s a joke or sincerity, I will kill whoever dares release a single person that I brought back!” Li Hao’s voice rang out.
“I’m joking... really...” Blood welled up in Big Eyes’ mouth and she took a few steps back with dejection and shock. “We’re at odds with each other, so I saw an opportunity for a joke. I didn’t really mean to let her go...”
Spear and Long Blade were likewise astonished. So strong! Not only was Li Hao strong, but he was overbearing. Big Eyes had indeed been joking since she and Mu Xiaorong had feuded with each other for several years. But Li Hao fired a warning shot at the drop of a hat!
Li Hao ignored them; the longsword disappeared. Big Eyes grit her teeth morosely.
Mu Xiaorong sneered jeeringly at her. You asked for it. That guy was cold-blooded to the extreme. The same side? What same side? She could tell that Li Hao didn’t see himself as on the same team as the rest of the Night Watchers. His people were likely just the Silver Moon martial masters. Everyone else who wasn’t seemed to be a rival to him.
The thousands of people in the ship didn’t make a sound. There were still guards on them, even though Li Hao wasn’t present. Yang Shan and his wife, as well as He Yong.
He Yong grinned merrily and looked at the three youngsters. “Have Dao Sword come out to fight him. Otherwise... the three of you can give it up. Don’t worry, Ole Hou and I won’t interfere if Dao Sword fights him, hahaha!”
It’d be fun to just watch a good show.
The trio didn’t respond and didn’t linger. They scurried away with a pained air. Not only was Li Hao arrogant, but he was also strong to reinforce his words. Fine, they would just take the loss. That lunatic might kill them if they stayed longer.
In the building of director offices.
“What was the point in that,” Hou Xiaochen chuckled and shook his head. “They’re just three nuisances and haven’t done anything bad. They show no mercy when it comes to the three great organizations. There’s something off about you.”
“I haven’t calmed my killing intent yet.” Li Hao grinned. “I want to kill those people in the ship, but I don’t dare to. So it turns out there are indeed circumstances in which I can’t kill someone... Therefore, I’ll just bully those three kids. It’s no big deal, they’re the ones who ran their mouths.”
“Three kids?” Hou Xiaochen was startled with a laugh. Aren’t you younger than them? “Ai... this is a headache...”