Star Gate

Chapter 493: The News Spreads in All Directions (I)

Rift Canyon.

Three days passed swiftly; a crowd jostled outside of the canyon on this day. It was sizable as it contained wandering cultivators that couldn’t enter the ruins, delegations left behind by all sides, and representatives from the Silver Moon official authorities.

Tension was high as people waited for the ruins to open. Today was when the expedition would emerge. Although it was midnight, the canyon was lit brightly on all sides. Standing in front of a group of Night Watchers, Hao Lianchuan fidgeted nervously. It was quite nerve-wracking that Hou Xiaochen had entered the ruins himself and taken Manager Yu with him. What was the situation now? The three great organizations had entered with quite a few powerhouses in their delegations—they hadn’t done anything to the director, would they?

Wang Ming was also nervous. Was Li Hao alright in there?

Only Deputy Zhou looked calmly at the exit from his high vantage point. How many had died this time? The possibility of Hou Xiaochen being a casualty never crossed his mind. That wouldn’t happen. Although there were plenty of heavyweights from the three great organizations inside, their caliber was less than Hou Xiaochen and Kong Jie. It wouldn’t be that easy for them even if they allied together.

If they forced Hou Xiaochen or any of the others into dire straits, everyone would be in for a difficult time once seals started being undone. Of course, Hou Xiaochen wouldn’t choose that course of action if he had any other option available to him.

Deputy Zhou’s eyes darted to the cliff face—the ruins were opening!

A figure flashed out and immediately rose into the air. Most didn’t have a chance to see who it was before it disappeared. Deputy Zhou was afforded a clear look. He started, had that been...Light Sword?

If their surmises were correct, the one who’d come with the Xu member was Light Sword. She’d... emerged alone? Had something happened to Xu Feng?

Deputy Zhou was rather surprised. With Light Sword present, neither the three great organizations nor Hou Xiaochen would attack her ward. Why was she coming out by herself and leaving so rapidly? She ran like she was a fugitive.

Although Deputy Zhou was surprised by the first to emerge, he wasn’t too taken aback. No one’s death would be all that shocking unless Hou Xiaochen died.

“Who was that?”

“I didn’t see them, they were so fast!”

“Was it the Xu butler?”

“Was it?”

“......” A hubbub of discussion arose. Some were confused, others hadn’t taken a clear look, while a few managed to catch vital glimpses. More than anything, the mood was confused. How was this one the first one out?

They were less confused seconds later as Hou Xiaochen was next to appear. The man was as composed as ever. His step forward disappointed some in the crowd—he was still alive! It looked like the three great organizations hadn’t moved against him in the ruins, or had they failed?

People streamed out behind Hou Xiaochen. Manager Yu, Golden Spear, Kong Jie... Li Hao’s group, and finally Yuan Xingwu’s group. All of the humans were out; Panther’s appearance surprised the crowd. Why was there a dog here? Had someone taken it in with them? Why hadn’t they seen it before?

There was no time to contemplate as all eyes focused on the vortex on the cliff face. Where were the rest?

Hou Xiaochen coughed lightly—this seemed to be a signal. A flaming red spear manifested as his calm voice traveled outward. “The three evil organizations are too wicked for redemption! They ambushed powerhouses of the various factions while inside and were ultimately beaten back with our concerted efforts!

“Supernaturals of all sides were of one heart to slay evil, but they perished inside the ruins as well. I am ashamed to say that I could not bring back their bodies. The only thing I can do is to kill the remnants of the three evil organizations to avenge them!”

BOOM!

An enormous explosion ripped through the air as his spear detonated a team of Ghostfaces in the distance.

“No...” someone shrieked. Others were unbelieving and yet more shellshocked. What did he mean? That all of the powerhouses from the three great organizations were dead? But... so many supernaturals had entered the ruins! It wasn’t just one or two representatives from each side—altogether, there were more than one hundred Solars alone! It meant that the elite wandering cultivators of nineteen northern provinces had been completely eliminated in one fell swoop!

Where were they??

This couldn’t be all the survivors, could it?

“Ahh!!” Ghastly wails rose and fell as the spear swiftly dispatched a dozen Ghostfaces. Some horrified beyond belief tried running for their lives while others shouted with disbelief.

“That’s impossible... Hou Xiaochen, you guys did something in the ruins!”

“The ruins are fake, they’re a trap!”

BOOM!

The spear eviscerated another batch of supernaturals as it ran through heaven and earth.

Hou Xiaochen rose into the sky, his expression calm as his voice rang in the four directions.

“Every one of the three evil organizations is to be executed on sight! I had not sought to do so previously as cultivation is difficult and yours is a precious path. However, the three evil organizations continue to seek the downfall of our wondrous dynasty! I am a loyal subject of Skystar Dynasty and the proper course of action under such circumstances is to cleanse the land of these wretches! Kill!!”

BAM!

A spear churned in all directions like a phoenix and immolated the sky, reflecting a crimson light onto the land.

......

Over the canyon.

Deputy Zhou looked down with widened eyes of incredulity. Not even he dared believe that these were the only survivors out of such a large expedition. He’d thought that the three great organizations would lose some people, not all of them!

Hou Xiaochen is as vicious as ever... and it looks like he hasn’t been injured...

Some supernaturals fled toward Deputy Zhou; he glanced at them and subconsciously influenced them to alter direction around him.

BOOM!

Supernaturals died every time the spear stirred to action. The victims were always those of the three great organizations. Celestial’s powerhouses... Red Moon’s heavyweights... There were still some Solars left from them at the moment.

“Hou Xiaochen, you demon!” screamed one of them. “That’s impossible, they can’t all be dead! You’ll burn in hell for this, you demon!”

This was incomprehensible! So many powerhouses had entered from the three great organizations, just Red Moon alone sent three of their Seven Moons. Some knew even the secret addition of Yellow Moon, so that was four! Apart from Red Moon, Orange Moon, and Indigo Moon, the rest of the Seven Moons had joined the expedition as well as an elder. All of them are gone??

On Yama’s side, the Parity King and two Novas had entered. Celestial had also sent three elders... but every single one of them was dead!

“How is that possible!?” someone else yelled within the crowd. “Is this everyone? Where’s my Liu family representative?!”

“We’re also missing General Mu of the Director General Office from Near River! Can someone give us an explanation??” echoed a Near River heavyweight. Varying numbers of representatives had remained in the canyon; not many had entered the ruins. They were all stunned beyond belief. Where was everyone? Was this it??

Hou Xiaochen’s voice rang through the sky again, this time with apology and regret. “Other than us, the rest were murdered by the three great organizations. There are still those from the Skystar Troops, provincial government, and central Night Watchers, however. Ah, Southern Fist from the royal family is also alive and a powerhouse left from the Xus...”

The survivors were many and from numerous factions as well. We’re not the only ones to walk out alive. Look, there’s people from the royal family, the provincial government, the Xus... Those who didn’t make it out just suffered from bad luck!

The Flaming Phoenix Spear swept through the void again; Hou Xiaochen’s voice cut through the general fear, panic, and horror.

“Night Watchers, the military, Inspectorate, and Silver Moon Guards will immediately mobilize to exterminate all members of the three great organizations within provincial borders. They are to be executed without exception!”

“Understood!” Hao Lianchuan and the others finally came back to their senses and swiftly scattered to the four cardinal directions. The strongest members of the three great organizations had nearly been eliminated in one joint operation. They still had personnel located in various hideouts; their doomsday was truly upon them.

Wandering cultivators were also swiftly fleeing the scene, each of them ashen faced. Some were gibbering messes while others were too horrified to speak. Heavens above! Something big was about to happen in the world. Thousands of supernaturals had entered the ruins and they’d all died, that was incredible!

Many important people seemed to have died as well. The Lius of the Ministry of Finance, a general from the Near River Director General Office, core members of the three great organizations, and a young master from the Steadfast Duke’s household...

These people were all known in the central region, their family backgrounds and factions were first rate. And yet, they’d all died in Silver Moon!

......

Below.

Li Hao watched silently, impressed by Hou Xiaochen’s words. Talking black into white and reversing right and wrong... Everyone was quite skilled at this!

The three great organizations had lost too much this time. Meanwhile, Hou Xiaochen wasn’t inclined to kill the wandering cultivators. There was no need and he wanted them to spread the word for him. As for whether or not they believed him... who cared? Was there any evidence? Were they going to enter the ruins to look for evidence?

Mu Lin led the Silver Moon Guards to hunt down the fleeing organization members. Golden Spear hadn’t said a word from beginning to end.

Hou Xiaochen had killed a few people only at the beginning. As he landed, he reverted to his genteel and urbane manner with a cough. Despite looking a bit frail, no one dared underestimate him. What a terrifying person!

“Let’s go up!” he coughed. Li Hao grabbed Panther by the nape of its neck and flew up with the dog in hand. It wouldn’t do for Panth to raise attention through its skills. Granted, it’d already drawn attention for having walked out of the ruins.

Hou Xiaochen rose shakingly into the air with Manager Yu’s help. He’d flown around proudly before, but now needed someone to support him. They landed in front of Deputy Zhou, quickly joined by Director General Zhao, Huang Yu, and some other Silver Moon executives.