Chapter 74: Counterkill! (II)
Granted, this was also the truth. A few years ago, government higher-ups proposed abandoning the smaller cities and consolidating the larger ones. Silver City was on the list of those to relinquish as the Night Watchers didn’t have the people or energy to guard it against supernaturals.
And yet, Liu Long said he alone was enough! He could withstand the invasion of supernaturals with the might of a martial master and prevent Silver City from being replanted elsewhere!
A migration was so much more easily said than done. Countless people would have to abandon their properties and businesses if an entire city moved. They would arrive in a sprawling city sans savings, career, familiar faces, and be dependent on others. The young could adapt, but what about the elderly and children?
The world grew ever more chaotic and half of this city of a million would fall into bleak misery.
So long as Liu Long was in residence, he eliminated all invading Darkmoons. Sunflare and above didn’t think much of Silver City, so the supernatural domain refrained from encroaching on the metropolis. But what if he was dead?
There were so many supernaturals who wished to ascend to the heavens with one step. They craved money, power, material wealth, and beauties. Not daring to try their luck in one of the large cities, they turned their sights to the smaller ones for entertainment.
Countless pairs of eyes were fixed on Silver City!
......
Secure in Liu Yan’s arms, the look in Li Hao’s eyes shifted slightly. Is that so? If those upstairs wanted to abandon the smaller cities, that meant even the government was finding it hard to maintain control over the state of affairs. They were being forced into giving up certain territories and forge larger cities that would hold more people and be easier to defend.
Was the government being coerced into a defensive position? Were they on the back foot when it came to the supernatural field?Explore the genesis of this content at nov@lbin★
But they commanded a massive army and overpowering hot weapons! It was rumored that the government even hoarded super weapons that could destroy cities. Were they still compelled to react passively under such circumstances?
It was an incredible notion to Li Hao!
The government exercised immense might and authority in his eyes; he’d always felt that the Night Watchers weren’t willing to exert more effort on Silver City’s behalf because they couldn’t be bothered with such a tiny place.
But now, things took on a different cast!
Abandon Silver City??
No wonder the province had wanted to change its name to Moon Flare a few years ago. The continued absence of such a modification might have something to do with Liu Long. As a Sunderer, he would be greeted with respect in White Moon City, but he insisted on staying in Silver City.
“Justice...”
Liu Long’s usual slogan rang in the ear. To safeguard justice! Eliminate evil and defend dao!
Li Hao had always felt that hypocrisy and delusion disguised as self-comfort laced these words, but after learning of some things from the enemy, perhaps the captain cared more sincerely about this slogan than one might realize.
“Darkness never triumphs over justice!” roared the young man.
Damn it! Li Hao was steady enough in normal times, why was he suddenly acting up today?! He’d be the death of them! To hell with it, students couldn’t be trusted alright! They couldn’t be relied upon when push came to shove!
Liu Yan’s breathing hitched as Li Hao continued to struggle. The martial master behind them leered. As I thought! Someone as loyal as Li Hao wouldn’t remain unmoved after he said so much. How he liked students like these! A sly old fox like Yuan Shuo would’ve spat at him a long time ago, much less listen to everything he said.
Up ahead, Liu Yan began to slow due to the young man’s intensifying struggles.
“Li Hao!!” the woman growled. He ignored her and continued to flail around.
“Put me down and run for it! I can die, but you guys need to live! Silver City needs you! A wave of darkness rears and the world needs the team to light a spark of hope for Silver City! The people will see a future with you!
“Even if the city really is abandoned and moved elsewhere, the people will have an anchor to rely on if you guys still live! I can’t doom everyone for my own selfishness and extinguish the light for Silver City!” Li Hao declared righteously and began struggling again!
“You little bastard!” Liu Yan missed some steps due to his movements and couldn’t maintain her breathing. She was forced to put the young man down.
The martial master smirked at the sight. It’s in the bag! They were less than ten meters apart. What a good little boy Li Hao is!
Here was a child with justice in his heart. The Ghostface would’ve been delighted to see such a lad twenty years ago and consider taking him for a disciple. A youngster like this would bring glory to his master in the latter’s old age and never consider betrayal. Martial masters dearly needed followers like these to provide for the aged and take care of final affairs!
But unfortunately, the supernatural had risen!
“You said that you’d spare Sis Liu and the others!” Li Hao flung away Liu Yan’s hand, unwilling to be dragged along in her wake. He was nearly face-to-face with the enemy and implored, “You’re a martial master too. Every wrong has a source—kill me if you want to, don’t change your tune!”
“Li Hao!” An incensed Chen Jian was forced to grab the young man and push him forward. Damn it, what the hell are you doing?! Are you really placing your trust in an enemy’s promise?!
“Of course, I’m not crazy. Why should I kill them and make enemies of Liu Long and the Night Watchers? Killing you is my mission and I gain nothing from killing them. Even if the Night Watchers are preoccupied right now, they can still come for me after uncovering my true identity. I have no desire or ability to offend them!” Ghostface answered smugly. This was more like it! And he did speak the truth.
What was the point of killing the Demon Hunters if there was no need to? He’d just be creating trouble for himself.
Li Hao bit Chen Jian’s arm, making the man subconsciously release his grip. With a quick fling of his hand, the young man’s other arm broke free of Liu Yan. Having flung both of them off, he nearly collided with Chen Jian. Li Hao hastily dodged the portly man and ran toward the enemy.
“Li Hao!” Liu Yan immediately stopped; Chen Jian halted as well. The young man was running straight to the other side. Despite the rain, they could tell that his expression was relaxed.
“I’ll stay, you guys go!” he announced with the determination of willingly going to his death.
The two sides were too close! Ghostface stood in front of Li Hao as soon as he finished speaking!
Even the enemy was dazed in this moment. His target really had delivered himself on a silver platter! Concerned about trampling Li Hao to death since the young man was just a mundane, Ghostface hurriedly slowed down. His feet dragged across the ground as he came to a stop.
A smile blossomed on his face when his hand touched Li Hao’s shoulders. As his eyes were exposed, Li Hao could read glee and jubilation in the other’s eyes.
The mission was complete!