Star Gate

A hubbub of conversation broke out. Director General Zhao, Gan Wuliang, and others all frowned. Why was Li Hao suddenly singing Lin Hongyu's praises? Did he intend to give her more power?

That... was fine. It wasn't that significant.

To Director General Zhao and the rest, Lin Hongyu already wielded significant power. She was the second Skystar commander after Li Hao and led the Skystar Commander Office. Almost all of the armies in the world answered to the Skystar Commander Office.

Strictly speaking, her authority exceeded Director General Zhao's. She was truly the foremost personage among the military.

Some quite envied her, such as Gan Wuliang and Chen Zhongtian. Was Lin Hongyu getting promoted again? How? Was there anything left to promote her to?

Some snuck secret glances at Lin Hongyu. They'd been in the middle of a meeting—it was a very important one that went over progress reports of the various initiatives to date. They'd only learned about Li Hao utilizing the sky canopies when they were halfway through. Clad in green, Lin Hongyu sat in the head seat and quietly watched the screens.

"My parents died when I was young and my master in martial dao and school... unfortunately left me a few days ago," Li Hao chuckled softly. "He might be asleep, or... he might be fully dead! A lot of people have died in order to safeguard the world and ensure peace through the land. My master, my team captain when I was in Silver Moon province, my director, big brothers that protected me, and seniors that looked after me have all fallen in battle..."

The world was silent. This was new knowledge to many.

"There are bound to be sacrifices in our grand endeavor," Li Hao said softly. "But when those sacrificed are our family, friends, and elders... It makes it all the more difficult to accept.

"I am the only one left of the Li family now, yet the war continues!

"I don't know if I can lead everyone to a brighter future, but I know that I will spend my life fighting for Skystar, this world, everyone, and all of life! I want our descendants to be able to cultivate with peace of mind, to thrive and prosper, to have full bellies and warm homes, to have opportunities to soar to the heavens, to be able to attend school and broaden their minds, to satisfy their material needs and spiritual goals!

"Perhaps this is just a dream, but we all need dreams in our lives, don't we? Our enemies are numerous—those New Martial traitors, powerhouses from other worlds, and even exalted emperors known as masters of the world that can destroy a universe with one punch!

"Skystar is just a tiny world in the vast cosmos. This may be beyond your understanding now, but I know that everyone will understand the concept in the days to come!

"I speak of this to tell everyone that the war is not yet over! I hope we continue to remain vigilant in peace, and remember those who have toiled for our current comfort—especially those who paid the ultimate price! They may not have cared about this when they lived, but I think... that everyone should remember them!

"I also wish to announce something to everyone today. I... intend to marry Skystar Commander Lin Hongyu..."

WHAM!

The world shook as countless presences flared and swept over the land. Within Skystar City, numerous heavyweights momentarily lost control of themselves. They were dumbfounded!

While the general population was equally surprised, they didn't react as strongly.

Li Hao was as calm as ever and laughed softly. "There's no need to be surprised or taken aback. I hope that my descendants can live in this land with everyone, that they can take on my mantle after me to safeguard this world for generations onward!

"I am concerned about mishaps developing when I am in seclusion. Therefore, I temporarily leave all matters in Lin Hongyu's hands! I trust that she has the ability to run everything well in my absence!

"I hope that I will be able to give her a magnificent wedding in the future, but all is uncertain for the moment. It might be a long time coming. From henceforth, Lin Hongyu is my fiancé..."

......

The Skystar Commander Office.

Everyone regarded Lin Hongyu with a mixture of shock, stunned amazement, anger, disapproval, incredulity... Too many emotions were mixed within their gazes.

Director General Zhao was frowning slightly as well, looking at the woman with some disbelief.How did you do it?

Lin Hongyu inclined her head and flashed a bashful smile. However, no one believed it. They were still very much astounded. How had she prodded the young man into marrying her?

How could Li Hao have openly announced that he was going to take Lin Hongyu as his wife?

While the two had dealings with each other, no one had ever caught a hint of anything deeper. Granted, the key was that there were too few women by Li Hao's side. The key was also that he was very young and still focused on his grand enterprise. He never seemed to have considered matters of the heart. Everything had happened too quickly!

It wasn't that he couldn't marry, but that this was too sudden!

A political marriage?

Did Li Hao need something like that?

The group was quite lost no matter how they turned over the matter in their minds.

"Lin Hongyu will wield the Hao Cosmos Medallion!" Li Hao continued his announcement. "Seeing it is to see me! I hope everyone throughout the land will regard this matter with their blessing and understanding. The sky canopies were activated today for this matter..."

The screens ceased their projection and the world returned to silence again. Cheering rose from various directions as this was a joyous occasion to most. There wasn't anything that needed to be delved into deeper.

The two seemed to be a match made in heaven! Li Hao was handsome and Lin Hongyu was beautiful. The marquis was invincible and Commander Lin seemed quite good in her own right since she once ruled over one million supernaturals. She would be a beneficial force in the marquis' grand enterprise.

Since this was the case, what did anyone have to worry about? It was Li Hao's repeated mentions of going into closed door cultivation that sparked more concern.

Many women were both envious and expectant. In this age, a king like Li Hao could take more than one wife. He'd opened the doors today with this announcement, so did that mean all unmarried women in the world stood a chance?

Countless hearts stirred in anticipation.

......

In marked contrast to the rest of the world, the Skystar Commander Office was eerily silent.

Gan Wuliang's lips twitched after a while. "Congratulations... commander!" He suddenly didn't know what to say to Lin Hongyu.

Vice Head Qi floated in and gave a medallion to Lin Hongyu. "The marquis wished for me to give the medallion to you, ma'am. He is already in closed door cultivation and receiving no visitors. He's prepared to recover his strength to meet the Saints head-on in a month!

"The marquis wished for me to pass on a message to everyone that you are to go about your regular duties." The vice head looked around. "Your responsibilities remain unchanged. If an emergency develops, then the Skystar Commander Office holds command! The marquise has the right to issue orders and oversee everything. He hopes... that everyone can aid her well!"

The vice head drifted away after delivering his message, leaving behind a silent crowd.

"We respectfully obey the marquis' orders!" A raggedy chorus rose after a long while. "Congratulations to the marquis, congratulations to the commander!"

More than one person grappled with a complicated mix of emotions. Lin Hongyu herself hid a complex jumble in the depths of her eyes.

He agreed to my proposal... and announced it to the world! But he isn't here in person, not even at a time like this. It's like he's saying, "So you want a title? Have it!"

Isn't this what I wanted?

But why do I feel a bit resigned at this outcome?

Is the position of wife so easily given out in your eyes? Have you really become a demon without emotions? Can no one enter your heart apart from your parents, brother, and teacher?

Were my hopes too high?

Thought after thought entered Lin Hongyu's mind. Voices raised in insincere congratulations grated on her ear. She flashed a faint smile and inclined her body.

"I still need to depend on the kind efforts of the various seniors and my peers. Please work with me to lead the Hao Cosmos Continent into a bright future! The marquis... is in closed door cultivation and strong enemies beset us on all sides. All of us need to work together to beat back our immense foes!"

Lin Hongyu presented the same collected demeanor as usual and called Li Hao by the same honorific that everyone else did.

"There is no Hao Cosmos without all of you! I hope that the marquis can exit his closed door cultivation to find the dynasty in an even more prosperous state! I shall journey throughout the continent starting from this day and make my rounds in the marquis' name. I will mollify the newly joined citizens from Barren and Watercloud, as well as visit the various provinces to reward those who have demonstrated great merit!

"I request that Director General Zhao, Director General Wang, Minister Chen, and others accompany me. There are more than one hundred provinces in our great dynasty. I hope to complete this important task within twenty days. We will have the people of the world know the marquis' name and be aware of his feats!"

Everyone's expression shifted slightly.Are you... demonstrating your rights over us? You're just a fiancé!But there seemed to be nothing they could say in protest.

"Isn't that too much of a rush?" Director General Zhao frowned slightly. "To complete a grand tour within twenty days..."

"Not at all," Lin Hongyu answered softly. "We are very familiar with the provinces in the central region, so it's not a problem to tour five of them in a day. Our main purpose is to make the marquis' name and might known, and to reward various places on his behalf!

"In addition, we have another important task at hand. We need to set up a shrine for the Silver Moon braves who have fallen in battle!"

The group collectively blinked. Dissatisfied Silver Moon personnel paused in their grumbling.

"Southern Fist, Director Hou, Commander Liu Long, Professor Yuan Shuo, Director Yao Si, Secretary Yu, Senior Thunderleg, Senior Golden Spear... all died at Boundless. The world needs to remember their sacrifice!"

"But... the marquis said before... that they are just asleep," Sky Sword said in a muffled voice. "If we erect a shrine, will that..."

"It won't, don't worry, Senior Sky Sword. This is my idea as well. It's also to give everyone a target to direct their thoughts towards. That will make it easier for the marquis to locate the primary stars of the slumbering seniors!"

Eyes widened at her words. That was true! Divine spirits could come back to life through their personal stars.

"But... worshiping through a temple... wouldn't we be creating gods then? The marquis doesn't wish for there to be more gods..."

"It's not creating gods!" Lin Hongyu slightly shook her head. "This will be a shrine of merit, not a temple! This is a place to commemorate our braves. It won't just be the powerhouses listed, but also the soldiers who've fallen in battle as well.

"It is not the divine spirits who should enjoy the worship of life, but those with great deeds of merit and service to their name! They are the ones who have protected the world! We have several million supernaturals in our infrastructure corps at the moment. I want them to complete the construction of ten thousand shrines in twenty days. These names and their accomplishments should easily roll forth from everyone's tongues!"

Upon further thought, this was a great idea! Logically speaking, they shouldn't have been so quick to set up a memorial since the war was not yet over. No one dared mention it in front of Li Hao. But this... this was a good idea!