Star Gate

Chapter 440: Picking Up Money From The Streets (I)

Were they supposed to pass this difficulty level one more time?

No!

This wasn’t a level in a game! This was a city, the city of Battle Heaven! The enemy was at the city gates and flouted the rules. They challenged the city defenders again and again. It was blasphemy against the greats!

Above the city.

Three Silver Armors convened. They commanded thirty bronze centurions and three thousand defenders. The city and army of Battle Heaven!

Light glinted out of the Silver Armors’ eyes as they considered the supernaturals milling around below. This went beyond the pale! The defenders only protected Battle Heaven, but today, the enemy was bullying them on their doorstep!

“Kill!” A word spoken with ancient flair rasped out of one of the Silver Armor’s mouths. It rang with a dense mechanical sensation.

Boom!

A black torrent descended! Charge! Slay enemies! The Battle Heaven Army could still take the field after countless eons!

......

Outside the city.

Supernaturals were still squawking over why there were Black Armors again. Some were proclaiming, “This is great! The armor is valuable. Look at the Silver Moon Guards—one suit of armor is more valuable than a piece of mysterious power stone. We’ll be rich if we get our hands on several...”

BAM!

Countless Black Armors jumped down from the walls and began a furious slaughter. Spears, swords, blades... An army formation assembled as thirty Bronze Armors formed an assault formation and advanced in the array of a blade.

Rumble!!

“AHH!!” Ghastly shrieks rose and fell, startling those deep in discussion. Even the powerhouses jerked out of their conversations.

“Hurry and kill the enemy!” roared the heavyweights.

“Damn it, aren’t we supposed to be safe after taking the second passageway??” shrilled those in front.

“Why is this happening?!”

“Why are there so many soldiers? Weren’t they all eliminated??” Shouts, yells, and general pandemonium reigned.

This particular expedition was comprised of many different organizations and factions. Too many were present this time. More than two thousand were already inside and more trying to enter. Some walked through the plaza, some traveled the second passageway.

A handful supernaturals panicked when the army descended upon them and shot into the air. Those who hadn’t taken the second passageway were blown out of the sky. Those who had were almost no better off because three Silver Armors soared through the air and engaged them in battle!

“Exterminate!” called out the mechanical voice. These soldiers were enraged that someone dared challenge Battle Heaven!

Rumble!

Fierce fighting erupted as Black Armors rivaled Sunflares when they operated within the city. Three thousand of them working in tandem meant that they could scythe through Solars just as easily. Some Novas looked on with unpleasant expressions, they were losing the first encounter! It was unfathomable that such a mishap had occurred as soon as they reached the city gates.

“Hou Xiaochen, this is a Night Watcher scheme, isn’t it?!” someone roared.

Off in the distance, Hou Xiaochen didn’t reply as he quickly withdrew with his people. Scheme your ass! This has nothing to do with me! He was indeed ready with certain plans, but they weren’t meant to commence here. Who knew that Battle Heaven would suddenly be reinforced with three thousand defenders? It went without saying that the troops of the four directions must have congregated on the eastern gate.

“We need to get rid of them,” shouted the Parity King of Yama. “These Black Armors are worth a fortune! We have many heavyweights among us and these Black Armors are just Darkmoons wearing armor. No matter how many there are, they are still ants!”

There were many Black Armors, but the Bronze Armors were the equivalent of peak Sunflare and the Silver Armor just Solar when they were not awakened. How many Solars and Novas were on this expedition? It was an easy task for them to join forces and eliminate all three thousand Black Armors.

However, the various organizations and heavyweights were quickly retreating. No one wanted to be the vanguard. The first retreat led to many more. Those who were originally holding up beneath the brunt of the wave swiftly backed away when others did so as well.

The Black Armors charged without a sound, their killing intent so dense that it was almost tangible. Large numbers of supernaturals were slain on the spot. Even those strong enough to put up a fight were soon defeated when faced with so much killing intent.

Grim wails rang loudly in the ear!

......

To the rear.

Manager Yu looked at Hou Xiaochen. The director’s face was calm, as if he didn’t see anything.

“Who would’ve thought that there’d still be so many Black Armors?” Kong Jie crossed his arms with a smile. “Ole Hou, looks like your Silver Moon Guards will be fully outfitted after this expedition.”

Three thousand Black Armors!

Hou Xiaochen remained observing. “Why do you think the city’s army has suddenly attacked us? They wouldn’t provoke us before if we refrained from the same after taking the second passageway. But now... do you think these dead soldiers are more alive?”

“Do you mean to say that... someone’s directing them?” Kong Jie blinked.

“Yes.” Hou Xiaochen looked at the towering city gates. He seemed to peer through them, toward the back. suddenly rising into the air, he looked into the city. There... appeared to be some light somewhere.

Or it might be a reflection of golden armor. Had the Gold Armor awoken again?

Hou Xiaochen frowned, very startled by the change. Did it have something to do with Li Hao and the others? Were the eight families really so tightly interconnected countless many eons later?

It was all very strange!

......

Inside the city.

Li Hao’s trio also heard the disturbance. The young man was climbing up the rooftop of an open house and peering out into the open. He could vaguely see outside the city as this was a tall building just a little shorter than the turtle pagoda.

As Li Hao stood on the roof, he watched with great amusement. He Yong and Hong Yitang followed him up.

“There... are so many Black Armors, why are they attacking the expedition? Don’t they say that the soldiers won’t attack after we go through the second passageway?”

“There are so many supernaturals down there, it’s a complete mess,” Li Hao replied calmly. “Maybe someone’s done something to provoke them. This is a group of soldiers that abide by logic and rules. Maybe someone’s broken the rules and displayed a combative position. Maybe someone flipped over the city walls. Maybe someone attacked the gates. This will all elicit the army’s enmity and be viewed as provocation!”

“You seem more relaxed than last time.” Hong Yitang glanced at Li Hao.

“I’m stronger than last time, so I’m naturally more at ease. Also... I’ve realized that Battle Heaven is an interesting place. It’s a place that follows the rules. In that case, we won’t run into any major danger if we follow their rules. There’s no reason for them to attack guests.

“I treated last time as simple exploration and didn’t have many reflections. I thought this was a ruined city and came to look for treasure!”

“And this time?”

“This time... I feel that this is a city with a soul,” Li Hao chuckled. “Compared to those outside, perhaps these dead soldiers are possibly more endearing. Although they’re long dead and are just lingering obsessions, they give me the feeling that they’re true flesh and blood! I’m thinking that these are the true martial masters and soldiers, not the ones of modern day that set up regimes by force of arms to dominate an area!”

“So you think that the current Ministry of Armed Forces is not to your liking?” Hong Yitang raised an eyebrow.

“That’s not it.” Li Hao shook his head. “They’re decrepit... and close-minded! Perhaps such are the drawbacks of an incomplete reformation. When the royal family abdicated and the nine ministries took up the reins, the reforms weren’t thorough enough. I find that whether it’s the nine ministries or the official institutions of the various provinces, everyone’s focused on themselves.

“They don’t care whether war rages or if the people are dying. They don’t care if transportation is inconvenient or if there’s enough food to eat. They don’t care if the cities are in disarray, they don’t care about any of it!” The young man smirked. “They’re consumed by their petty desires and little military cliques to raise their own powerhouses. All they want is to install themselves as lord of a territory.

“Up till now, the only military unit that I’ve met in the true meaning of the phrase is Demon Hunters of Silver City! They drove back the darkness under Captain Liu Long’s leadership! They are very weak, but they focus on how to let the people of Silver City live at peace and enjoy their lives.

“Silver City may be a small place, but it is very safe. Apart from the problems created by Red Moon because they are too strong to be handled, no violent crime has occurred in this small place for the last twenty years.

“After entering White Moon City, I find that despite possessing the four institutions and countless powerhouses, the thirty million of this sprawling metropolis do not seem to lead better lives than Silver City denizens.

“Do White Moon’s three military divisions act the same as these Black Armors when facing enemies? Do they charge out without concern of life or death just so they can land one stroke on their foes?”

Emotions suddenly gripped Li Hao as he watched the charging Black Armors, then at the empty city behind him.

“Look, they are still willing to unsheathe their swords to protect this city endless eons after they have perished. Martial Uncle Hong, where do you think their faith comes from? That pride, composure, willingness, and unceasing desire to fight. What kind of faith is it that lets them persevere to this step?”

It was incredible!

Hong Yitang thought silently for a long while before sighing. “Many reasons, I suppose. Strong enemies, a charismatic leader, a beautiful home, united conviction, same goals, confidence in their nation... All of this will fill one with fighting spirit!

“Warriors like these still exist, they’re just not that apparent anymore! You say that the three military divisions of the Silver Moon won’t act the same, but that may not be true. However, do you know why these soldiers don’t seem to have any faith or fighting spirit to speak of?”

“Please enlighten me, martial uncle!”

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