Star Gate

Chapter 1018: The Rise of Human Dao (I)

Numerous small screens appeared on the canopy. Yue Hongchang ignored them at first, but suddenly blinked and looked at a certain corner. “This is North Sea’s provincial government...” He recognized it.

“That’s Fog province’s army campgrounds...” someone else said.

“River Origin’s governor general office?” Another said softly. Why were these places being projected on the screen?

Li Hao smiled and summoned a set of gold armor. “Those who should be here are here,” he said slowly. “There is no need to spare those who haven’t come. Attack! Kill them all, seize control of the three armies!”

As the group watched with stunned shock, explosions rocked the scenes. On the North Sea side, Yao Si shattered heaven and earth with one punch. The provincial government building immediately collapsed. Wails and howls of agony traveled from the rubble. A figure flew out with a furious roar, “Who dares...”

Bam!

Yao Si punched the person to pieces.

“That was the Admiral of the North Sea...” Yue Hongchang murmured with horror. These people had been discussing matters in the provincial government building. That resulted in their capture with one fell swoop!

The formidable Admiral of the North Sea had set foot into the Arcanus level, but Yao Si killed him with one punch!

As Yue Hongchang goggled, one after another of the North Sea senior officials were killed on the spot. They couldn’t fight back at all. It wasn’t long before there were only weaklings and mundanes left at the government building. All of the heavyweights were dead!

Yao Si held an elderly head in his hand and faced the screen. “The North Sea director general has been executed!” he intoned. “Commander, I’m going to take control of the barracks now. There is something developing at the North Sea...”

“Go and be quick,” Li Hao’s voice carried forth. “Ignore all this. Some chaos is fine—it’s better than the entire dynasty being in chaos!”

“Understood, sir!” The focus of the screen changed to the military barracks; cries and shouts ripped through the air.

All of the screens displayed scenes of various senior officials of the three provinces being put to the sword. The group in front of Li Hao lost the color in their faces.

Li Hao took a sip of tea and smiled at everyone. “What are your thoughts now, General Yue?”

Yue Hongchang opened and closed his mouth, responding after a long moment. “They... well deserve their deaths... but there are innocents among them as well...”

“Who is innocent?” Li Hao chuckled. “How is anyone unwilling to offer a single bit of help at this stage innocent? It would be one thing if they were ordinary citizens, but these are all senior officials. Their salaries are the fat of the land and people! What good are they for if they still don’t wish to offer their services at this point?

“This is just the beginning. After I take control of the three armies, rebels and troublemakers will be executed. The rest will march toward Ash Mountain. What does General Yue think?”

“You want to depend on them... to defend against Great Li?” Yue Hongchang was as pale as a sheet.

“Can I not?”

“Ah...” Yue Hongchang looked at the expressionless Li Hao. “Commander... is the Demon Sword alright!”

The young man was ruthless when he needed to be—he was more ruthless than anyone.

Li Hao was looking at the large screen, watching scenes of violence and gore take place at every location. Heavyweights fell by the droves, agitating soldiers were executed. People died by the hundreds, thousands, even ten thousands! Anyone who dared resist was instantly put to the sword!

Dominators could fight one thousand people by themselves. His people in the field were far stronger than Dominator of Thousands. Rivers of blood flowed in the three provinces and corpses littered the ground.

Li Hao watched quietly. The people in front of him teetered on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Some had even peed themselves.

“Publicize these affairs tomorrow,” the young man said slowly. “Whether the other provinces choose to rebel or take other action, it’s up to them! The nineteen northern provinces will marshal at least one hundred thousand people and one thousand supernaturals each. Any who do not obey these orders will be executed without exception!”

“Understood, sir!” Someone swiftly ran off to carry out his orders. They awaited the next day to spread the news.

......

At the Near River Governor General Office.

A merry Gan Wuliang dumped large sums of treasure onto the ground. Fan Chang nearly drooled over the wealth. Gan Wuliang looked at certain people in the crowd, then scanned the premises to take stock of the situation. Finally, his eyes settled on the immovable Sky Sword and transmitted names of those who should be killed and who should not be killed.

“General Gan, for what reason...” Fan Chang had never imagined that Li Hao would send people with gifts in hopes that he would support the young man with soldiers. It was beyond laughable!

“This is just a small token of our sentiments, sir,” Gan Wuliang chuckled. “Just a small token...”

Sky Sword’s sword slashed through the air!

Fan Chang’s eyes widened with alarm and he sought to hit back, but the person next to him had already run their sword through his waist. They stabbed viciously; when Fan Chang turned for a look, Sky Sword’s blade descended!

The person next to him was equal parts glee and terror. He looked at Gan Wuliang.

“You can take thirty percent of this treasure...” Gan Wuliang beamed brightly.

“Thank you, general!”

The others in the great hall recovered their senses. Some wanted to flee, but were instantly cut down by those standing beside them. Sky Sword brought his sword down with finality. Fan Chang’s head hit the ground, an incredulous look in his eyes.

Gan Wuliang chortled and smiled radiantly in all directions. “There’s something in it for everyone. This is just the beginning if you help us smoothly take over the barracks!” At the same time, he transmitted to Sky Sword, “Kill them all after we take control. Leave only the few that I’ve mentioned!”

The man’s expression shifted slightly. Was it good to go back on their word?

“None of them are anything good. Not to mention, these are my orders. They have nothing to do with the commander!” Gan Wuliang laughed, pointing out once more who could be spared.

He could see through emotion and see whose greed burned brightly and who blazed with enmity. It was because of this that he could easily convince some people to help him eliminate Fan Chang.

Sky Sword was stunned by what he’d seen. If Gan Wuliang was ever their enemy... they should absolutely kill the man. He’d personally witnessed Gan Wuliang’s silver tongue in action today. The supernatural easily convinced some of Fan Chang’s confidantes to turn on the man!

This kind of skill was terrifying! He could bring it against Fan Chang today and equally turn on Li Hao tomorrow. Gan Wuliang knew who was greedy, who was cowardly, who was afraid of death, and who was indecisive. This was very frightening knowledge. As Li Hao expected, the man was of marvelous use in Near River.

Fan Chang’s Governor General Office was under heavy guard. As strong as Sky Sword was, there were numerous powerhouses in the Governor General Office as well. But now they had turned on each other and internal discord rocked the office.

Gan Wuliang walked over to pick up Fan Chang’s head. “He really didn’t know what the consequences were, huh? Wanting to collude with Great Li? He courted death!

“Don’t worry, senior.” Gan Wuliang smiled at Sky Sword. “I can only see through the mindsets of weaklings. I cannot determine what the strong are thinking. Senior doesn’t need to worry about what I’m doing, not to mention that the commander is noble and mighty. Everyone under his command is there willingly—he is certain to create a wondrous era that surpasses New Martial!”

Sky Sword didn’t say a word. He wasn’t He Yong and lacked interest in flattery. He would convey all of the events of the day to Li Hao. As for whether or not the supernatural would remain alive... that was up to the young man.

......

The four northern provinces were pacified in one day. Their senior officials were eliminated in a single operation and control of the armies handed over nearly simultaneously.

Li Hao’s sky canopy teams arrived at nearly the same time to set up the sky canopy system.

......

Dawn.

Some of the provincial citizens unable to sleep from various worries heard a sonorous voice early in the morning.

“Citizens of the North Sea, River Origin, Near River, and Fog provinces, I am Li Hao of the Skystar Commander Office! I am also a northerner and Li Hao from Silver Moon!”

A massive sky canopy rose into the air as the young man’s figure appeared in multiple locations. He wore gold armor; the tiger flag billowed behind him as he stood on a battleship.

“The unrest in the north has continued for at least half a year and the three northern provinces have suffered from turmoil. Now that Great Li has invaded, every person is responsible for the continued survival of our home! The senior officials of the four provinces refused their orders and were set on clashing in civil war. That was intolerable!

“The Skystar Commander Office attacked last night and killed those insistent on fighting their countrymen! The armies of the four provinces are under my command now and marching to Silver Moon!

“The provinces will remain in a chaotic state for the immediate period. There will be no government, institutions, or army. The Skystar Commander Office also lacks personnel and cannot immediately fill our ranks. The development of society will stagnate for a bit and may even strike fear in our hearts!

“Li Hao sincerely requests that everyone forms their own militia to safeguard your home and families. We must take a stand against thieves and bandits!”

Militia!

An uproar rose when people heard Li Hao’s words.

“When it comes to the prosperity or demise of a country, the people suffer with Skystar’s prosperity and we also suffer with its demise! Martial dao is being rolled out throughout the land and everyone can become a martial master. Militias can be formed to protect yourselves! For what reason do we learn martial dao? What is the purpose of learning martial dao if we cannot protect our family and friends?

“I do not ask you to stand on the frontlines and fight Great Li, but everyone needs to pick up a weapon and say no to the enemy! The brave emerge triumphant when we meet on a narrow road! Do you wish to see bandits steal your wealth, kill your family, and yourselves starve on the streets??

“I had not wanted to redeploy the armies, but I know that they are worse than bandits! They will only be a plague upon the land if they remain!

“I will leave ten Demon Hunters in each city. Friends and countrymen, you can register your militias with them. They will give you weapons, food, and clothing. You can report all major happenings to the Demon Hunters. If nothing happens, you can patrol your territory!

“Anyone who breaks the law now is no different from a traitor! Those who commit crimes will be punished heavily and shown no mercy!”