Chapter 102: Chapter 88 Sensation_4
“Definitely that bizarre woman, Ji Qingqing’s idea!”
Liu Yue Rong gritted her teeth, vividly remembering when she arrived at the Mountain and River Courtyard, seeing that child’s body all soaked pale.
But the medicinal liquid hadn’t been absorbed at all; to put on an act like that was truly ruthless!
“No, I must inform Qianfeng about this message so he can prepare in advance.”
Liu Yue Rong suddenly realized and hurriedly ordered someone to bring paper and ink to write a secret letter.
…
Moreover, the reactions of the other courtyards upon learning the news were immensely shocking.
The news even stirred them more than when they had learned about Li Junye entering the Grandmaster Realm at seventeen.
After all, to them, Li Hao had always seemed carefree, never seen practicing martial arts. Instead of training, he was either painting or fishing with his second uncle, seemingly having plenty of leisure time, a stark contrast to the other youths sweating profusely from diligent practice.
Although Li Hao started cultivating later on, no one inquired about his realm, as it was common knowledge without asking that he hadn’t achieved Foundation Establishment. With his indifferent attitude and terrible roots, how far could he have possibly cultivated?
The invitation from Tan Palace Academy had Li Hao’s name on it only because He Jianlan had given special instructions to include him.
Even He Jianlan thought Li Hao hadn’t cultivated much, and that entering Tan Palace Academy on his own merits would be a challenge, let alone others’ opinions.
“So that’s why he was an exception…”
In the Piaoxue Courtyard, siblings Li Yun were both stunned, frozen in disbelief.
They had thought Li Hao had merely reached the Soul Succession Realm before them since the threshold for the Black and White Hall was just that.
But he had leaped several steps ahead, reaching a place they couldn’t even see clearly.
Li Wushuang stood aside with no change in her expression, just a slight narrowing of her eyes upon hearing the news.
She had already experienced Li Hao’s Fifteen Li Realm slap the day before.
Li Xuanli and Gao Qingqing looked at each other in astonishment.
Noticing her sister Li Zhining muttering, Li Wushuang asked, “What exception are you talking about?”
Li Zhining came back to her senses with a complex look in her eyes. Seeing her elder sister ask with a lowered head, she suddenly realized that even her brilliant sister might seem dim in comparison to that young man.
The difference between a 16-year-old in the Divine Travel Realm and a 14-year-old in the Fifteen Li Realm was just too vast!
Under Li Wushuang’s pressing questions, Li Zhining recounted the exceptional entry of Li Hao into Black and White Hall.
Upon learning that Li Hao had been an exception to enter the Black and White Hall, Li Xuanli commented in annoyance, “So you’re saying that those old fogies at Tan Palace Academy knew before we did?”
Gao Qingqing, quick-witted, had already calmed from the shock and pondered, “When they were out on academy missions previously, Hao Er must have shown his strength then.”
“Those bastards, why wouldn’t they inform us about such a crucial matter?” Li Xuanli said with irritation.
Gao Qingqing glanced at her husband and shook her head, “Think about it, they must have assumed we, the Li Family, were already aware of it. Our Hao Er has exceptional talents without a wide reputation, they likely suspected us of deliberately concealing it. And with both his parents on the frontier, it might make others think we’re hiding his fame to protect him from petty villains in their absence.”
“Now that they’re aware of this news, they naturally dare not spread it around, probably very nervous about letting it slip because of them.”
As his wife analyzed the situation, Li Xuanli also came to a realization and was left speechless; it really was coincidental that Hao had come home.
When it came to treachery, Gao Qingqing glanced at her eldest daughter and said, “When you’re out, you must also be careful. The Qiankun List is the talent list of our Human Race, reserved only for the prodigies. But you also know, the Qiankun List has another name.”
“Yes.”
Li Wushuang nodded, the other name being the Demon Race’s hit list!
The longstanding enmity between the Human and Demon races, should they learn of a Great Demon giving birth to an exceedingly talented offspring, would also lead them to dispatch assassins.
Yet despite such a threatening alternative name, the glory of the Qiankun List still attracted countless individuals.
After all, many geniuses possess pride and valor, and who could consider themselves brave if they hid in fear of assassination?
In this world, countless Martial Artists train hard, all for one thing.
Fame.
Chapter 103: Chapter 89 Swordsmanship in the Mortal World
The family banquet was set up in the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Ladies of the various courtyards arrived in succession to offer congratulations to Li Tian Gang.
Outside the courtyard, there were also many other concubines and illegitimate children who had hurried over, clinging to the outside of the yard walls. They gazed eagerly inside, wanting to see what the youth with talents surpassing any in the history of the Li Family, actually looked like and whether he was as extraordinary as they imagined.
Li Hao’s name had thoroughly spread throughout the Li residence; the house servants and maids from all the courtyards, including the cooks in the various kitchens, were all discussing the incredible and powerful Young Master Li while chopping wood and cooking meals.
Hibernating in obscurity for fourteen years, he stirred the heavens and earth in a single day.
The news spread not only within the walls of the Li residence but also beyond its prestigious boundaries, flying over the eaves of thousands of households and drifting into the dark departments of intelligence of the major forces stationed in Qingzhou City.
Subsequently, like threads on a spider’s web, this intelligence was swiftly and secretly transmitted everywhere.
Forces far and wide, all those with their eyes on the land of Qingzhou, received this news and were shaken to their core.
The true dragon of the Li Family that had fallen fourteen years ago.
Now, after fourteen years, it seemed to have resurrected itself with even greater strength and a new posture!
And during this rapid spread of reputation, at the moment of family celebration within the courtyard, Li Hao, guided by Zhao, arrived before a quiet room deep in the inner courtyard.
He pushed open the door to see the neatly arranged paintings inside.
His spiritual thought swept over them, and Li Hao counted them; none were missing.
“Young Master, don’t be angry with the master anymore. Yu Xuan has followed the master for many years, sharing life and death on the battlefield. Plus, being an orphan, the master wants to protect him. It’s not that he really wants to get angry at you,” Zhao said in a low voice, sighing behind Li Hao.
An orphan, huh… Li Hao murmured to himself.
Even though he had parents, wasn’t he also like an orphan?
He sighed deeply in his heart, telling himself not to overthink it.
After all, he was the man who had been awaited for fourteen years, after all, he was the father in this life.
He wasn’t accepting it.
It was more like giving up.
“Young Master, now that you have revealed your cultivation level, everyone in the world will know your name, and nobody will ever underestimate or belittle you again,” Zhao said, trying to lighten the mood, thinking of Li Hao’s cultivation level, his own face couldn’t help showing a hint of excitement and flush.
Li Hao smiled and said, “When I was born, didn’t the whole world already know my name?”
Zhao was momentarily stunned, but then he thought about it and realized that it was true. Li Hao was the true dragon of the Li Family who had fallen, and Emperor Yu personally named him, announcing it to the world with an Imperial Edict.
“But after all, so many years have passed…” Zhao said with a sheepish smile, let alone that he was just a baby at that time—who would care? The world’s attention had all been focused on that peerless and outstanding ninth son of the Li Family at the time.
“That’s why I say, everything will pass,” Li Hao replied.
“In these long, endless years of heaven and earth, even a saint is nothing but a speck of dust within this expanse of time,” he continued.
Li Hao turned and walked out of the room, looking at the empty courtyard, where the starlight and moonbeams fell from the sky, in stark contrast to the bright lights of the front courtyard:
“Let’s go, let’s join the festivities too,” he said.
“Yes, Young Master,” replied Zhao with a sign of relief. After all, he had come to persuade Li Hao to attend the family banquet.
…
At the family banquet, with the arrival of Li Hao, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Li Wushuang and her siblings, along with the children of Lady Eight including Li Jiangying and Li Rumeng representing the third generation of the direct lineage, sat at one table.
The children of the other ladies had mostly not returned.
Their gazes immediately converged on Li Hao, with various expressions.
“Hao is amazing!”
The most excited was Li Yuanzhao, who had learned of Li Hao’s strength in Cangyu City and had been looking forward to this moment. Seeing the shocked faces of the others, he felt like he was eating ice in the heat of summer—thrilled to the core.
His eyes glanced triumphantly at Li Yun sitting next to him, showing a hint of smugness.
However, Li Yun and his sibling Li Zhining were too preoccupied to pay attention to Li Yuanzhao at the same table. Their gaze was extremely complex, reminiscent of how similar this scene was to the recent return of their elder sister, who was also the center of attention, only today’s event was even more lively and stirring.
“Hmph, it’s just the Fifteen Li Realm. What’s so great about that? It’s only when you step into the realm of a Grandmaster that you really have something to brag about,” Li Rumeng suddenly snorted from another corner of the banquet.
Li Yuanzhao was taken aback, not having expected to hear such discordant commentary. He turned his head and saw that it was the treasures of Lady Eight.
Since he was little, when he would go to pay his respects to the first lady, he had seen this pair of siblings, but they had never been very familiar.
Because after paying their respects, they would not speak more than a few words to him or to people like Li Yun, carrying themselves with extreme pride.
They usually kept to themselves, not coming out to play with them, and even at the practice field, they wouldn’t chat much, keeping a distance as if treating them as if they were illegitimate children.
This sibling pair did everything together—eating, practicing martial arts, almost forming a small world of their own, never interacting with outsiders.
And Lady Eight extremely doted on these children, indulging them greatly. Yuanzhao had seen as a child in the practice field, during a sparring session, an illegitimate child accidentally injured Li Jiangying.
It was only a small cut, and with the Li Family’s precious medicines, a bit of medicinal powder would have healed it by the next day.
However, Lady Eight rushed to the practice field, ordered the illegitimate child to be dragged out, and had his arm broken on the spot.
It was said that the illegitimate child had a decent talent, but the incident left him psychologically scarred, causing him to leave the practice field soon after.
His mother even wept and pleaded in Lady Eight’s courtyard for forgiveness.
This incident caused quite a stir at the time, providing a spectacle for these youngsters. Reportedly, it was only after the intervention of the first lady that the matter was settled.
Lady Eight was from a distinguished family background, surnamed Wang.
Having married into the family from afar, her temperament and character were considered among the ladies not to be trifled with.
Chapter 104: Chapter 89 Sword Dao Mortal World_2
However, at this moment, upon hearing Li Rumeng’s mocking words, Li Yuanzhao couldn’t sit still anymore and sneered:
“Nothing to be proud of? Then may I ask, one of you is 16 and the other 15, what is your cultivation level?”
Li Rumeng, already jealous, was taken aback by Li Yuanzhao’s ridicule and immediately became furious:
“We haven’t been clinging to Second Uncle all day like he has. If he can cultivate so quickly, it must be because Second Uncle is biased!”
Li Yuanzhao grew even angrier upon hearing this and said, “Then why wouldn’t Second Uncle be biased towards you?”
“Of course, it’s because his mind is quite cunning, and he’s more adept at sweet-talking than we are!” Li Rumeng retorted with a cold laugh.
Li Yuanzhao’s face turned red with rage as he glared at her.
Li Yun and his sister frowned and glanced at Li Rumeng. They kept their distance from Li Hao, but they disliked and avoided provoking the children of their Eighth Aunt.
Just to avoid any disputes later on, lest Eighth Aunt take the issue to their own mother.
“Hmph, all children of the Li Family, and yet without any real talent, you still envy others. Shameful!”
Li Wushuang, however, coldly snorted and spoke out.
Li Yuanzhao looked at her in surprise, not expecting her to speak up for Hao.
Hao had, after all, beaten this particular cousin before…
“You, who are you saying has no talent?!” Li Rumeng said indignantly.
Li Wushuang replied with a disdainful glance, “The one who barks the loudest is the one I’m speaking of! You’ve only just reached Soul Succession, how dare you belittle his Fifteen Li Realm as nothing special, are you implying that your Soul Succession Realm is something to be proud of?”
“They’ve reached Soul Succession?”
Li Yuanzhao and the siblings Li Yun were surprised.
They were cultivating in the training field just like their counterparts, with similar aptitudes, yet the others had advanced before them.
“It really is nothing special.” Li Jiangying said coldly, seeing his sister being bullied:
“Li Wushuang, don’t think you can do anything just because you’re in the Divine Travel Realm. There’s still a long way to go. Everyone in the Heavenly Human Realm and beyond are mere ants. You can brag when you manage to cross that threshold someday!”
Li Wushuang’s gaze turned frosty: “How daring! You don’t even address me as cousin anymore, dare to call me by name directly? Is this how your mother teaches you? As for that threshold, don’t worry, I’ll definitely cross it before you. Come talk to me after you’ve reached the Divine Travel Realm!”
“But of course, you rely on having a famous teacher, we just couldn’t be bothered to ask for one!”
Li Rumeng said angrily.
Li Wushuang couldn’t help but laugh out of anger and was about to say something, but was stopped by Li Yun.
“Sister, don’t stoop to their level, be careful or they’ll drag our mother into this to settle accounts,” Li Yun said sarcastically.
“What do you mean?” Li Jiangying glared at Li Yun.
Li Yuanzhao said coldly, “Keep it down, this is the Mountain and River Courtyard, not your Mo River Courtyard, even if your mother comes here, she has to call Tiangang uncle!”
The expressions of Li Jiangying and his sister changed slightly. Although they were wilful and unruly, they felt somewhat constrained in this situation and did not dare to make a scene.
Seeing that the siblings had quieted down, Li Wushuang rolled her eyes and could not be bothered to pay any more attention, but she silently found the whole situation laughable, not expecting Eighth Aunt’s children to be so barbaric and unreasonable.
At that moment, Li Zhining, seeing Li Hao walking straight to where the aunties were, couldn’t help but ask, “Why isn’t Brother Hao coming over here?”
Li Yuanzhao looked over and smiled:
“Hao doesn’t sit at the kids’ table when eating.”
…
Meanwhile, Li Tiangang was being “interrogated” by several ladies.
They questioned him on why he had concealed Li Hao’s cultivation level and how Li Hao had been cultivating, among other things.
Li Tiangang felt a headache coming on, thinking that the roar of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield was nothing compared to the incessant chatter of these seven or eight women, but he still smiled and responded to each of them.
However, everyone initially thought that it was his Second Uncle who helped, but upon finding out it wasn’t, and now asking him to explain, he couldn’t find an explanation other than Li Hao’s natural talent.
Nobody believed this explanation, though they did not speak of it, they all had their speculations.
Li Hao, being so close to Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle, suddenly was able to cultivate, and so monstrously at that, it was hard not to guess that they had defied the heavens to change his fate.
As Li Hao approached, all the aunts immediately gathered around him, eagerly asking questions. If they couldn’t get anything out of the elder, they prodded the younger one. But Li Hao’s lips were sealed even tighter than Li Tian Gang’s.
Liu Yue Rong didn’t manage to ask anything, and feeling irate, she gritted her teeth, detesting this father and son duo to the extreme.
…
…
From nine thousand miles to the south, within Sword Cottage.
“Master!”
Three or four figures rushed into the thatched cottage at high speed, reporting the freshly received news to their master who was poring over a swordplay manual.
“Fifteen Li Realm?”
Upon hearing the message reported by his disciples, Jian Wudao couldn’t help but be stunned.
Was it Xue’er’s little fiancé?
Gradually, some sealed memories in his mind unfolded, and he vaguely began to recall.
Eight years ago, during a trip down the mountain, in that bustling city of the mortal world, the lively yet empty courtyard, that child with the demeanor of an old soul.
Fourteen years old… just a few months older than Xue’er.
And Xue’er, it seemed, had only just stepped into the Divine Travel Realm last month.
He was a whole cultivation level ahead!
Jian Wudao’s expression changed, becoming somewhat grave.
Such talent, stronger than even his own in the past, not even comparable to the previous generation’s True Dragon of the Li Family.
“It seems the Li Family is about to reveal another True Dragon!”
“With such talent, if he becomes the next successor, the True Dragons of the other Divine General Mansions will probably be unable to sit still.”
“In these hundred years, truly, the Li Family has been blessed by heaven, chosen by destiny.”
The disciples all discussed and sighed, proudly considering themselves geniuses, but upon hearing this news, they were all so shocked they couldn’t speak.
“Master, I heard that you almost took that Qilin’s child of the Li Family under your wing, to join our sect. We almost became fellow disciples with such a monster.” A young disciple said.
Jian Wudao immediately thought of the day he recruited disciples; he shook his head slightly:
“Back then, it was widely rumored that the child was a martial arts invalid, but looking at it now, either the Li Family deliberately concealed it, or those old fellows from the Li Family intervened to reverse his fate against heaven’s will.”
“However, even if his talent is against nature, he wouldn’t enter my school.”
“Master, why is that?”
The disciples inquired upon hearing this.
“He is not one of the Sword Dao, unlike us, he is not on the same path.” Jian Wudao explained.
The crowd suddenly understood.
A genius indeed, but not a Sword Cultivator.
“Such a pity, otherwise, having such a monster as a fellow brother would indeed be quite inspiring.” Someone said, laughing.
“Fourteen years old at the Fifteen Li Realm, indeed fearsome.” Another nodded.
Jian Wudao glanced at the people and said:
“As your master, I always say there’s always someone better out there, now do you understand? Although your talents are not bad, to suppress the next sixty years, you still fall short; go and practice your swordsmanship properly!”
A few people immediately showed wry smiles. With countless heroes in the world, who could suppress the times for a cycle of sixty years?
“Xue’er has already descended the mountain, hasn’t she?” Jian Wudao asked as something came to mind.
One of the handsome young disciples smiled and said, “Little sister broke through to the Divine Travel Realm and immediately said she wanted to go down the mountain to return to the mansion; she has already set off.”
Jian Wudao frowned slightly and eventually sighed:
“After all, she has received favors from the Li Family; I hope she can make a clean break on this trip. Sword Dao and the mundane world, after all, one must choose one over the other.”
Chapter 105: Chapter 90: Title and Reward [First Update]
The day after the Li Family banquet concluded.
In the distant Yuzhou, Imperial City.
That luxurious palace, which gathered countless gazes from across the world yet remained insurmountably walled.
An ancient temple—solemn and august—stood for a thousand years, a dark gold carpet adorned with dragon scales stretched from the entrance to the steps before the Dragon Throne.
Civil and military officials residing in Yuzhou lined up on either side.
From First Rank officials such as grand tutors and supreme generals, to Fourth Rank governors and directors of the National Academy, all stood with bowed heads and hands lowered.
The least of these officials could cause tens of cities’ inhabitants to prostrate with a mere stomp of their feet.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“The Qingzhou Li Family held a family banquet yesterday, proclaiming to all under heaven, another divine being has emerged from the Li Family!”
Someone respectfully reported.
Seated on that profound and solemn Dragon Throne, the imposing figure, although aged, was erect and wore the Black Robe with Nine Dragons; his gaze, fiery and intense, surveyed the ministers.
Upon hearing this, his face seemed to show a hint of a smile.
“Your Majesty, it is said that this Qilin descendant is none other than Li Hao, whom you named and blessed fourteen years ago!”
“He is also the son of the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, who had come here a few days ago to receive his mandate!”
“Your Majesty’s wisdom shines brightly!”
The rest of the ministers couldn’t help but acclaim with joy.
“Your Majesty, you foresaw this child’s peerless talent fourteen years ago, truly as if a star descended from the heavens, indeed a fortune for our great Dayu!”
Someone said excitedly, thrilled.
“Fourteen years ago, Lord Zhen Guo quelled the century-old Demon calamity in Cangzhou, slaying the Great Demon and massacring the Demon King, unfortunately entangled in the Youdu Level Meng River, his heroic spirit failed to find refuge, forever lost to Cangzhou.”
“Perhaps, this Li Hao is the reincarnated star of Lord Zhen Guo, a new blessed general bestowed upon our great Dayu by the heavens!”
Someone passionately stated.
Facing the ministers’ congratulations, the figure on the Dragon Throne’s eyes seemed to dart back to that tragic day many years ago.
That baby, once granted a treasure of dragon blood by himself, had now grown into a youth, achieving so much?
Hints of a faint smile appeared on his face as his gaze seemingly swept outside the palace, toward the distant Qingzhou.
“Your Majesty, this child possesses exceptional talents, yet had never been known before; I believe the Li Family owes an explanation.”
Once the congratulatory addresses ceased, someone suddenly stood up and declared: “Concealing from Your Majesty should be punished!”
The crowd was slightly surprised and shifted their gaze, noticing it was Lord Helian of the Divine General Mansion, realization dawned, and this response was not unexpected.
Among the Five Great Divine General Mansions, those with close relationships, like the Wang Family and the Li Family, even held marital alliances.
Where there’s closeness, there also exists aloofness or even disdain; such was the relationship between the Li Family and the Helian Clan.
Seeing that His Majesty did not speak, another military general stepped forward; he was a First Second Rank General who had campaigned with the Li Family, and respectfully said:
“Lord, in my opinion, Mr. and Mrs. Xingwu, having battled in Northern Yan for many years, leaving their young child alone at home, naturally desired to conceal his cultivation level to avoid assassination or spying, which is completely understandable!”
“Hmph!”
Helian Boya coldly snorted: “The child may be young, but within the Divine General Mansion, guarded by many generals, who could assassinate him? Could it be that you are questioning the loyalty of the Li Family’s conferred ladies, suggesting they would harm the child?”
Ms. Li of the Li Family, many of whom had been conferred ranks, such as the senior Ms. Li, He Jianlan, who was a Lady of the State.
Though they held no actual power, their status was supremely high, they could enter the palace to see the emperor at any time, and even if they committed offenses, the Ministry of Punishment could not directly punish them.
“In my view, the Li Family has been subduing demons for many years, having slain countless demons, bearing numerous grudges, thus, such precaution is without fault.”
The General continued, still bowing.
Helian Boya scoffed: “Are you suggesting that in Qingzhou, demons still dare to invade, do you look down on the Li Family?”
“Lord, I think the Li Family’s cautious approach is somewhat reasonable. Now that Li Hao has reached the Fifteen Li Realm, possessing the strength to defend himself, if he continues to progress and attains Grandmaster status in a few more years, he will be unrestricted by these concerns.”
Another civil official stepped forward, smiling as he spoke: “Furthermore, since General Xingwu has just returned and proclaimed this fact to all under heaven, there is no heart of deception toward His Majesty, merely a minor matter, Lord, why fuss over it?”
“If it’s a minor matter, it’s even more improper to deceive.” Helian Boya still argued.
The crowd internally shook their heads, finding no sense in the lord’s accusation, but they had grown accustomed to it.
Over the years, whenever the Li Family received titles, except for that event fourteen years ago when the Li Family True Dragon fell, causing universal grief, and the Helian Clan remained silent, at other times, they typically had something to say.
Even this time, when General Xingwu returned victorious from Northern Yan, pacifying the demon chaos and repelling the Holy Palace, having earned formidable merits, Lord Helian also scrutinized his prolonged campaigns and severe logistical strains during a lengthy court debate.
During the decade and a half of campaigning in Northern Yan, many civil and military officials close to the Helian Clan found fault in the rear, and even proposed impractical impeachments against Marshal Xingwu.
However, everyone knew, only the Helian Clan could get away with such comments; had anyone else made similar criticisms, they would have been branded as traitors and executed long ago.
And the Helian Clan, possessing countless merits, may have strained relations with the Li Family, notorious to all, but could not be labeled traitors.
After all, the blood of the Helian Clan spilled beyond the frontier was not scant, enough to dye several cities red.
“This Lord Boya is too hasty; given General Xingwu’s achievements, even if troubles arise now, they won’t be punished, let alone over such a trivial matter…”
Many officials internally commented.
