Chapter 124: Chapter 99: The Ultimate Swordsmanship, The Sword of God!_2
“Happy.”
Bian Ruxue’s eyes brimmed with laughter.
Li Hao turned his head, gazing at her profile, and had to admit that traces of her childhood features were still there, only they had changed somewhat, ultimately because she had grown up and matured.
And she had become even more beautiful and splendid.
But as beautiful as brilliance is, it comes at a cost.
Like a meteor, so splendid, yet it vanishes in an instant, burning up its entire life.
Li Hao watched quietly, and the two of them simply sat there in peaceful silence.
A moment later, Li Hao said, “Do you want days like this to continue forever?”
Bian Ruxue was startled, turned her head, and looked at Li Hao.
Their eyes met, and in each other’s gaze, there lingered many unsaid things.
Bian Ruxue slowly turned her head back, a relaxed smile on her face, and said, “Of course, I do.”
“Really?” Li Hao asked, his eyes briefly flickering to the sword in her hand.
Inseparable companions.
Bian Ruxue’s smile slightly faded, and at that moment, she seemed to understand that Li Hao had noticed something.
She couldn’t help but sigh deeply in her heart.
“Brother Hao, I might let you down.”
Bian Ruxue turned her head, once again fixing her gaze on Li Hao, the easy smile gone from her face, replaced by lightly furrowed brows, a touch of sorrow and helplessness evident.
Li Hao fell silent, the flicker of hope in his heart slowly sinking with her words.
Seeing Li Hao silent, Bian Ruxue’s floodgates of speech seemed to suddenly open. After a sigh, she lowered her head and spoke to herself,
“I know you’ve been so good to me, Brother Hao. There’s no way I can repay your kindness to me.”
“But I want to see for myself, to try for myself; I want to see the view from the pinnacle of swordsmanship, to see if I can reach the summit.”
As the girl spoke of the sword, her somewhat subdued, soft voice contained an unwavering firmness.
Li Hao’s lips moved slightly, but he didn’t speak.
He just watched the girl bow her head silently. At this moment, beyond the familiar contours of her face, Li Hao also saw something else that was familiar.
That was the gaze of countless geniuses rushing for glory, eyes that chased after their pursuit like moths to a flame.
“Actually, once you’ve seen that view, you’ll realize that an ordinary life like what we have now is the happiest,” Li Hao said softly, as if sighing.
Was the joy of these past few days not enough to compete with that sword-obsessed heart?
Bian Ruxue looked up at the setting sun and said, “Maybe, but if I don’t look, I fear I’ll never be content. I want to see the ultimate in swordsmanship. I also want to see, the ultimate sword technique that Master spoke of, the mighty power of the ‘Sword of the Gods’!”
“Sword of the Gods, huh…”
Li Hao shook his head and smiled. Countless swordsmen have existed in the world, and for many years, there has been such a legend.
There are myriad forms of swordsmanship, a plethora of schools and sword movements, which have evolved to extreme complexity.
But these are not the zenith of swordsmanship!
The ultimate in swordsmanship is known as the Sword of the Gods!
No one knows the stance in which that sword is drawn, no one knows how that sword cleaves or thrusts.
Nor does anyone know if that sword truly exists.
But it is widely believed that if one can comprehend such a sword,
One can slay gods, sever spirits, vanquish demons, suppress devils, cut down all in this world, shatter sun and moon, and fill the seas!
Such a sword is the ultimate pursuit, the ultimate goal of all swordsmen in the world.
Li Hao, while at Listening Rain Tower, had read through many grandmasters’ deeds, even those of past Sword Saints, and saw records showing that they sparred, fought, and exchanged views to comprehend this sword technique!
Stories of the Sword of the Gods were most widespread and fervent eight hundred years ago, a time when sword cultivators were most obsessed and crazed!
But later, the talk gradually died down, since to this day no one has understood it, and so, it became mere legend.
After a topic has been talked about for hundreds of years, people will grow tired of it, and nobody is discussing or exploring it anymore.
Unexpectedly, the girl before him actually harbored such a thought, such a wish.
Was it instilled by that wretched old man?
Li Hao thought of the old man who had rebuffed him. Initially, he had felt neither fondness nor aversion toward him, but now, he felt a twinge of anger.
“Is this what your master taught you?” Li Hao asked.
Noticing the slight emphasis in the young man’s tone, Bian Ruxue’s expression changed subtly. She glanced at Li Hao, then shook her head:
“No, master just mentioned it in passing. It is what he pursues, but he never forced us. It’s merely the path I want to seek for myself.”
“Is that so.”
Li Hao’s anger subsided, and he said, “If you practice swordsmanship, I can accompany you. Moreover, I can teach you.”
Bian Ruxue couldn’t help but think of the days in the courtyard when they were younger.
She sighed inwardly; today was no longer like the past.
“The Sword of the Gods has no patterns, no records, it’s just legend, impossible to teach. Maybe when someone truly wields that sword, then its form will become clear.” Bian Ruxue said softly, “I know you also wield a sword, but this swordsmanship is a path; even my master cannot teach it. Only by spending one’s life to comprehend and explore might one glimpse a fraction of it.”
Li Hao was silent.
Indeed, with a Sword Saint as her master, he needn’t offer to teach her.
He looked at the girl, locking eyes with her: “Have you truly given your heart entirely to the sword?”
Swordsmanship can become an obsession, but there is still some distance between obsession and madness.
Only those who truly love the sword could go so far.
Bian Ruxue met Li Hao’s gaze without flinching, her heart unwilling to hide or run away when it came to the sword.
Chapter 125: Chapter 99 The Ultimate in Swordsmanship, the Sword of God!_3
“Yes, that’s why I want to go and see.”
“But what if you can’t find it?”
“That’s why I want to try.”
“Countless swordsmen have pursued it in vain; it’s just a legend, unachievable. Are you willing to give up the happiness that’s currently within your grasp for such an ethereal legend?”
Li Hao looked at the girl before him, somewhat unable to comprehend; he had mastered many arts, but never with such obsession.
Bian Ruxue fell silent for a moment before saying, “If I don’t try to climb once, I might regret it for the rest of my life!”
Li Hao couldn’t help but smile and then let out a sigh.
All the infatuated men and resentful women in the world, all the gratitude and grudges, aren’t they all because of this unwillingness to let go?
But after all, flowers may bloom again, but man will never return to his youth…
Li Hao sighed and asked, “What was your original plan?”
Bian Ruxue, seeing Li Hao’s continuous sighs, showed a trace of reluctance in her eyes, but still bit her lip and said:
“In my sect, there are two choices: the mundane world and the path of the sword. Actually, it’s possible to choose both and take care of both, but by doing so, it’s still considered choosing the mundane world.”
“Because the path of the sword is pure, it’s singular.”
“Only by being singular can one reach the pinnacle!”
She said, in a distant tone, “After descending the mountain this time, I had already made my decision. I planned to come to accompany you first, and then continue to hone my swordsmanship!”
“And in the future…”
Her voice softened as she spoke, her cheeks suddenly flushed a bit as she sneaked a glance at Li Hao. Seeing that he was also looking at her, she quickly turned her head away:
“And in the future, when Brother Hao you wish to settle down and start a family, I will come back and marry you and bear children.”
When Li Hao heard this, all he felt inside was a deep sigh, because he knew that she hadn’t finished speaking.
“And then?” he asked.
“Then, I will continue to pursue my path of the sword,” said Bian Ruxue, her rosy cheeks gradually fading as she spoke earnestly.
Li Hao understood her intentions and said, “But getting married and having children will delay a year of your time. In this way, it won’t be true wholehearted dedication to the pinnacle.”
Bian Ruxue nodded; she knew this all too well.
If she truly wished to pursue the ultimate path, the best way would be to cut ties with Li Hao completely.
From then on, to be accompanied only by the sword.
However, the childhood memories made it impossible for her to sever the connection.
The debt of gratitude was too heavy, too large.
She understood that without Li Hao’s help back then, she might not even have the chance to pursue the path of the sword, nor would it have been possible to become an apprentice to the Sword Saint.
The Li Family provided her with the highest quality Foundation Establishment elixirs and the finest exotic blood to shape her sinews and bones; Li Hao even used the most extreme precious blood, derived from the three-thousand-year-old demon corpse that Li Tian Gang had slain at the border, for her Blood Melting.
Only in this way was she shaped into a supreme ninth-grade talent!
Only then did she have the opportunity to pursue that path of the sword.
How could such a favor be forgotten?
If forgotten, her heart would be incomplete, and so would her sword.
How could she then ascend to the peak, to become the ultimate swordsman?
Therefore, even with such a deficiency, even with the delay of a year, she was willing.
Giving birth to a child for Li Hao was her heart’s desire, the only way she felt she could repay him.
“Have you already decided?” Li Hao looked at her.
“I have decided,” Bian Ruxue said seriously.
Li Hao’s mouth twitched slightly, knowing that persuasion was futile.
She had already given her whole heart to the sword.
He couldn’t help but sigh again, finding it a bit amusing.
In that courtyard, four years of being accompanied by wind and snow turned out to be less compelling than her eight years with the sword.
Indeed, perhaps in terms of time, he only had half.
How could he compete with that?
But he was alive, and the sword was not.
He thought of that courtyard at night and the bright Milky Way in the dark night.
He thought of the first time he saw the little girl crying, consoling her heart, wounded by the loss of her father.
He remembered the sunny day when two small hands made a pinky promise in the courtyard:
“You must be obedient, just stay here, no matter where I go, I will always come back.”
“Pinky promise.”
“No changing, you said it, whoever changes is a puppy.”
“Alright, alright.”
Who could have predicted that the child, who casually placated with patronizing laughter that day, was actually giving her true heart?
Those letters sent from the Sword Cottage in the south were like ellipses after a vow, an ongoing story.
Yet, in the courtyard, someone was still waiting for the spring breeze to come, and the girl far away, nine thousand miles distant, had already entrusted her heart to the sword.
Li Hao had never expected that the little girl who departed with her master that day would truly go so far away.
Perhaps he was too happy that day, mistaking that farewell for a promise…
Li Hao also thought of that day years ago by the lake, fishing, when Second Master Li Muxiu, seeing the unparalleled natural talent of the youngster, couldn’t restrain himself from imparting his unique Peerless Technique.
“Half-Step Invincible Fist.”
The old man asked after teaching, “Do you know why my fist technique is only called half-step?”
The boy guessed, “Could it be that Second Master, you have only created half of it?”
The old man laughed and shook his head, “The world’s people all think so, but it’s actually not the case; this half-step is the complete version.”
The boy asked, “Then why call it half-step?”
The old man said, “Because only half-step can be invincible.”
The boy didn’t understand.
The old man continued, “Because people, if they take full steps, they tend to overdo it and cannot easily stop, once the enemy dodges, they fall into a dilemma… Life is like this too. Don’t be too serious, or else it’s hard to rein in one’s heart.”
Don’t be too serious, or else it’s hard to rein in one’s heart…
Only now did Li Hao savor the lesson; the half-step was about understanding, not a literal half-step.
The Fist is the same; so is life.
Otherwise, one is bound to expose one’s weakness…
Li Hao looked up at the afterglow of the setting sun and finally let out a long sigh.
Chapter 126: Chapter 99 – The Ultimate Swordsmanship, The Sword of the Gods!_4
Bian Ruxue felt a slight tremor at the tip of her heart when she heard Li Hao’s sigh, as if she sensed something had been lost.
She gripped the sword in her hand a little tighter, but then gently released it, perhaps this was the outcome she had anticipated all along, so why should she feel sorrow or distress now?
She collected her emotions and looked up at the youth in front of her, bright as stars and the gleaming moon, and asked with feigned ease, “When did you become aware of it?”
Li Hao slowly withdrew his gaze, looking at the girl’s cheeks that smiled like the evening glow, beautiful enough to bewitch, yet his eyes smiled without lingering, saying,
“Perhaps from a long, long time ago.”
“A long time ago…” Bian Ruxue was taken aback and then looked at Li Hao with confusion, “Why?”
Li Hao smiled without explanation.
The contents of the letters behind, as well as the frequency of mailing them, were enough to illustrate a few things, for humans are emotive creatures and naturally keen on feelings.
Including the fact that this time he descended from the mountain, he did not head directly to Li residence but first attempted to conquer Mo River.
Once Mo River was infiltrated, the villages destroyed, civilians trapped in it were certain to die; whether it was conquered sooner or later made no difference, it all depended on the mood at the time.
“This time you returned home, I took you everywhere in Qingzhou, were you truly happy?” Li Hao asked.
Bian Ruxue nodded slightly, “Happy!”
“That’s good.”
Li Hao too nodded and then smiled, but there was something slightly lacking in that smile.
She was truly happy, yet it still could not retrieve the heart that had already galloped away.
Half-step by half-step… why did she step a little too far…
Li Hao shook his head and chuckled.
“What are you laughing at?” Bian Ruxue inquired.
Li Hao’s gaze fell on the sunset glow, saying, “I laugh because the scenery is beautiful, but alas, the world is bustling, with people hurrying along the streets, who has the leisure to stop and look up?”
Bian Ruxue fell silent for a moment. She knew Li Hao wasn’t speaking about the passersby, but her.
So, she spoke up for the “passersby,” “Maybe they are busy with life, busy with their dreams… The word ‘dream,’ Brother Hao, it was you who taught me that.”
Li Hao couldn’t help but laugh heartily, suddenly standing up as if filled with boundless spirit, “You’re right!”
But then he added, “However, if one really wants, they could manage the effort to look up for a moment, it all depends on whether they’re willing.”
“And what’s the point of that?”
“Of course, there’s a point, isn’t the purpose of life just for that moment of looking up?”
It seemed both took the conversation seriously for a moment, then fell silent again.
Time passed without knowing how long.
Li Hao’s face had now put away all emotions, looking slightly tired, “I am a bit worn out from today’s stroll, you should go back first.”
After a moment of silence, Bian Ruxue nodded lightly and stood up, saying, “It’s getting late, they’ll be having dinner in the courtyard. You should come back soon so Uncle doesn’t wait too long.”
Li Hao’s lips curled slightly:
“I’ve waited for him for fourteen years, what’s a little longer for him to wait for me?”
Bian Ruxue looked startled, her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but then realized she had nothing to say.
A sudden, inexplicable pang of sadness struck the depth of her heart.
This was something she never felt while practicing swordsmanship.
When she trained with her sword, she was pure, but now she was not.
Bian Ruxue left first, and Li Hao, with his arms full of snacks and trifles bought while wandering the temple fair, sat in place.
Looking at the items in his hands, since the girl didn’t take anything away, he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
If she truly liked them, wouldn’t she have taken them with her?
She only carried that sword, and with her own self, left like a whiff of breeze.
Does the sword really hold that much allure?
Li Hao looked up at the sky and mused, if he ever had the chance to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship, he might climb up there and see for himself.
To see just how many bones of swordsmen lie buried beneath that cliff.
And atop that ultimate peak, whether there indeed exists that divine sword!
The sunset too was stained red, like a weeping blood-orange peel, today’s sun was about to set…
Chapter 127: Chapter 100: Making a Move in the World
Li Hao returned with his arms full of food and drink.
As he passed through the bustling district, the streets were already brightly lit.
The streets were lively with pedestrians; servants led tall horses, and the carriages behind them rumbled unremarkably along.
All those leading horses possessed the power of the Soul Succession Realm—truly a bustling scene…
Li Hao’s lips curved into a slight smile.
With the Li Family approaching the True Dragon Era, Qingzhou City was already teeming with undercurrents.
In recent days, he had seen many figures wearing clothes from other states flow into the city.
While dining in restaurants, the conversations he overheard were all related, including discussions about some third-ranked official who had also come to Qingzhou City to cheer on his nephew…
To Li Hao’s knowledge, his own mother didn’t seem to have any clan relations.
His grandmother had said that his mother was born into a small family, which was later wiped out by demons. She met his father, Li Tiangang, who helped her, and the two of them became acquainted and eventually tied the knot.
These figures hurrying to Qingzhou were obviously the doing of his second mother, who still hadn’t given up…
All the better.
Li Hao chuckled softly, unconcerned, silently counting down the days and looking forward to the arrival of that day.
Passing by a lively riverbank and bridge, Li Hao saw some people playing chess and stopped to watch for a moment.
Since it was already late to return, he was in no hurry.
“Don’t push!”
“Why is a kid squeezing in here?”
Most of those who had the leisure to play or watch chess were middle-aged or older, and aside from Li Hao, there were also two young men in their thirties.
When he managed to squeeze his way to the front of the chessboard, he saw that the game had reached the middle yet the outcome was already clear.
Li Hao took a quick glance and knew that the player with the white pieces was doomed to lose.
Although the white pieces formed a Jiaolong shape, their head and tail were trapped, with no way to retreat.
Unless the white player had the daring to twist and turn aggressively, biting off an arm of the black pieces, there might have been a chance to win.
But having been forced into such a checkmated position showed that the white player was already intimidated, and it was unlikely they possessed such audacity anymore.
Li Hao shook his head slightly and looked at the player with the black pieces.
The opponent was an old man with a ruddy complexion and white hair and beard, who was now smiling, gently shaking his folding fan, and stirring up an evening breeze.
He serenely waited for his opponent to admit defeat.
“I’ve lost.”
The player of the white pieces put his pieces back into their case, admitting defeat in front of Li Hao with resignation.
“Ah, what a pity.”
“Tsk tsk, there could have been hope in the move made earlier.”
“Nonsense, it’s clearly here that is…”
“How come I feel like there’s still a chance? Why concede?”
The crowd around the chessboard, who had been watching with furrowed brows, began to voice their opinions. Some lamented, some regretted the previous move for the losing player, and some didn’t understand the resignation, feeling it was too hasty.
The level of chess skill varied, and so did the perspectives on the situation.
But the game was set, and this chess match had ended.
Amid the discussion, suddenly carriages appeared crossing the bridge.
Seeing the throng of people at the bridge, the leading groomsman shouted angrily: “Move aside, all of you move aside, stop blocking the way!”
His domineering attitude angered many, but upon seeing those Jiaolong battle horses attached to the carriages, their expressions changed, and they hurriedly made way, daring not to obstruct.
Soon, the crowd parted, allowing the carriages through.
Upon seeing the chess stall by the road, the groomsman shouted, “Scram, scram!”
The onlookers who moved aside murmured among themselves. They commented that the groomsman, having been subservient in his master’s household for so long, was now throwing his weight around unreasonably.
Out of indignation, but powerless against greater force, the people around the chessboard hastily moved away, not daring to stay.
Even though,
they were in the right.
In the blink of an eye, the only ones left were Li Hao, the old black chess player.
And also two young men in their thirties standing behind the old man.
The black chess player continued to leisurely shake his folding fan, his gaze turned toward the evening breeze rustling the willows on the riverbank, as if he hadn’t heard the noise and commotion around him.
The two young men behind the old player had a flash of murderous intent in their eyes. One of them turned his head and gave the incoming groomsman a chilly look.
“What are you looking at?” the groomsman shouted angrily, noticing that the few people remaining had an extraordinary presence and seemed to have some background. But even so, he was rude without restraint.
Compared to the backgrounds of those in Dayu, who could compare to his own master?
“If you don’t want your family to suffer, get out of here. Do you know who the lord sitting in the carriage behind me is?”
One of the young men suddenly stepped forward, appearing in front of the groomsman with the speed of teleportation, and delivered a slap.
The groomsman’s head twisted to the side, his neck broken, and he died on the spot.
The crowd, previously driven off, was shocked by this sight and cried out in alarm.
Some muttered satisfaction, thinking the evil groomsman got his just deserts and felt avenged.
Others felt that although the groomsman was odious, the punishment of death was too harsh.
And they started to feel sympathy for him.
But without giving the groomsman a second glance, the young man lifted the carriage curtain and stepped inside.
Cries of alarm came from within the carriage, where a richly dressed, corpulent old man sat, seemingly unprepared for someone to burst in so abruptly.
There were also women inside who began to cry out, wanting to scold, but the cold, stern gaze of the young man silenced them, turning their faces deathly pale as if the mere act of speaking would result in instant death at the hands of this warrior.
“Apologize, kneel, and then scram,” said the young man, totaling eight words.
The corpulent old man trembled with a mix of fear and rage, saying, “Do you know who I am? I’m acquainted with the King of Yan, I…”
“Your head may have someone above you.”
The young man coldly interrupted: “But above our master’s head, there is no one left!”
“Say one more word, and none of you will leave!”
A chilling murder intent filled the carriage, terrifying the women so much they wanted to cry but couldn’t, instead cowering and trembling.
The old man’s face turned as unsightly as a pig’s liver, and despite all the power at his command, he found himself in a hostile land. A commoner’s wrath could cause blood to spatter within five steps, and there was no distinction between princes and commoners.
Chapter 128: Chapter 100 Fall of the World_2
He could only grit his teeth, slap himself, and then kneel down, enduring the humiliation.
Seeing this, the young man withdrew in one step, leaving the carriage and casually slapped the haunch of the Jiao-blood warhorse.
This horse was originally vicious and difficult to tame, but under the young man’s slap, it reacted as if frightened, galloping off and causing pedestrians by the roadside to shout in alarm.
But in the end, with no one to control it, the horse didn’t run far before heading towards the river, seemingly in a panicked, indiscriminate rush, and crashed into the water, dragging the carriage along with it.
A splash as it hit the water attracted many onlookers from a distance.
Yet the young man, as if he had done nothing, quietly returned to the old man’s side, his expression calm, as if he had always been standing there without having moved at all.
The elderly man seemed somewhat disheartened, his gaze returning from the river, he sighed, “What a pity for this river’s autumn water.”
Saying so, he was about to stand up and leave.
But as his gaze swept over, he saw a young man standing still by his side, who had picked up a chess piece from the chess case.
From beginning to end, Li Hao’s gaze had not drifted towards the overbearing coachman or the carriage.
In Qingzhou City, he had no need to bow down to anyone.
Unless it was in that mansion.
At this moment, he picked up the white pieces from the chess case, one after another, three…
He played with them as if amusing himself, placing these white pieces one by one in a certain position, forming lines and creating a momentum.
The momentum became a dragon’s claw, tearing a bloody gap in the original set of black pieces.
His action wasn’t intended to continue the game, for the outcome had already been determined, and this wasn’t his game.
It was simply that today, he simply didn’t want to see such oppressive and dull things anymore.
Thus, he sketched a stroke for it.
The elderly man slightly raised his eyebrows, glanced at the move on the chessboard, and suddenly paused, seemingly taken aback.
The two young men standing behind the elderly man, dressed in ordinary plain clothes, changed their facial expressions. The previously active young man seemed ready to act, to teach Li Hao a lesson, but was stopped by the folding fan the elderly man raised.
“Young friend, do you also know chess?”
The elderly man showed a smile.
“A little.”
Li Hao finished placing the chess pieces and felt somewhat relieved.
“Seeing the position of your moves, they are indeed exquisite and show a young man’s ardor. Not bad!” praised the elderly man.
“Youth has its own folly.’
Li Hao said indifferently, “Senior, please forgive me.”
The elderly man silently repeated Li Hao’s words and couldn’t help showing a smile, “Since you understand chess, why don’t you sit down and have a game with me?”
Li Hao looked at the chessboard and thought for a moment,
“Okay.”
By now, the surrounding onlookers of the chess game had all left, leaving only the four of them under the weeping willows.
Li Hao put aside the various snacks and toys he had been holding onto the grass and took his seat.
The elderly man glanced at them and smiled inwardly, still a young boy at heart.
But as Li Hao moved the items aside, revealing his embroidered clothes, the elderly man’s eyes fell on the jade swinging at Li Hao’s waist.
His pupils narrowed slightly.
The two young men behind him also noticed this young man might have some background, based on his unusual performance. They also noticed the Dragon Blood Jade at the young man’s waist, and their pupils contracted.
“Senior, please begin.”
Li Hao said.
The elderly man snapped back to reality with a smile, not expecting the chance encounter would let him see that child from years past.
He began the game with a smile.
Soon, the pieces were put down in order, and Li Hao took White and played after.
The onlookers who had retreated far away didn’t dare to come close again, fearing trouble.
Moreover, one of the youths behind the elderly man had just revealed a remarkable move, seemingly no ordinary individual, so they all kept their distance to avoid unnecessary trouble.
More passersby were attracted by the commotion of the horse and carriage falling into the water in the distance, with many throwing ropes to attempt a rescue.
Meanwhile, on Li Hao’s side, the black and white pieces on the chessboard were already clashing fiercely.
With the initial layout over, the game moved into a series of aggressive attacks.
Li Hao’s moves were merciless, all killing blows, even more ferocious and fierce than usual.
The elderly man was playing slower and slower, the folding fan that had been lightly swaying at first was now put away without notice.
Each move was made with furrowed brows and careful consideration.
But the young man was precise and ruthless, with an aggressive and overwhelming momentum.
The elderly man’s expression grew more solemn, his full attention on the game.
The two young men behind him also showed a change in their expressions, glancing at the young man.
A moment later, the winner on the chessboard was clear.
The elderly man’s face darkened, obviously not expecting to lose, especially so disastrously.
He had not lost… in many years.
The two young men behind him showed anger in their eyes, staring coldly at the young man.
It seemed as if they would strike in an instant, ready to take out the young man as soon as the elderly man gave the sign.
Li Hao seemed aware and glanced up but wasn’t concerned.
If they truly started a fight, he was not afraid.
The elderly man stared at the chessboard for a long time, then spoke slowly, “Let’s play another round.”
Li Hao, having withdrawn, said indifferently, “Even if we play again, you will lose.”
The elderly man was slightly taken aback, for no one had ever dared to speak to him with such disregard.
But seeing that the young man hadn’t intended to be disrespectful, he took a deep breath, calming the anger in his heart, and said,
“Let’s play another round, and if you win again, I will give you a small gift.”
“I lack nothing,” replied Li Hao.
But after saying so, he chuckled.
The elderly man smiled and said, “You will definitely like what I am offering.”
“That’s not a certainty,” Li Hao replied indifferently, “Moreover, if I win again, I worry that your attendants may feel compelled to intervene.”
The two young men’s faces changed slightly, their eyes coldly fixating on Li Hao.
However, the elderly man waved his fan and said with a smile to Li Hao, “They are ignorant, don’t mind them. If they have displeased you, I apologize on their behalf.”
Chapter 129: Chapter 100: Making a Move in the World_3
“`
Hearing these words, the complexions of the two youths changed, revealing shock in their eyes.
The old master actually… apologized?
Even though they could only see his back, under that kind voice, they felt an aura of majesty emanating, and both were keen-edged in their gaze, not daring to show any more killing intent.
Li Hao was surprised and looked at the old master, seeing his eyes sincere and gentle, indeed heartfelt.
“Fine then.”
Li Hao agreed.
Thinking that the fight just now was indeed a bit too fierce, it wasn’t worth venting that anger on the other party.
Soon, the second game of chess began.
This time, Li Hao’s moves were much gentler, with give and take from both sides.
The elder playing the black pieces also wasn’t as tense as before, even engaging in idle chatter while playing:
“Tell me, at such a young age, why do you immerse yourself in Chess Tao instead of joining the military on the frontier, or training hard in martial arts to seek fame and fortune?”
“Fame and wealth are but dust, glory and riches are also clouds.”
Li Hao played a piece casually, saying, “The ultimate goal of life is nothing more than to have enough to eat and wear, it seems I was lucky to be born with no worries about food and clothing, so why bother with the effort.”
“Hmph, no ambition!”
A youth standing behind the elder playing the black pieces couldn’t help but snort coldly.
Li Hao glanced up and said, You think you’re ambitious just by being a bodyguard?
The elder was surprised and looked at Li Hao. This didn’t sound like the words of a young man, but rather like the mindset of an old man who had washed away the superficiality of life and experienced the vicissitudes of the world.
But just a moment ago, the young man was still able to express the wild pride of youth.
“The youth should carry the ambition to soar above the clouds, one day sweeping across nineteen provinces.”
The elder playing the black pieces said with interest, “Don’t you wish to see the view from the mountain peak?”
“What’s there to see, it’s just the human world.”
Li Hao said offhandedly, “Some people’s journeys are the starry seas, whereas I only wish for poetry, wine, and pastoral life, everyone has their own aspirations.”
The elder was taken aback, even pausing with his move.
He looked intently at the young man, and his sealed heart seemed to feel a sense of release.
Yet the youth behind the elder scoffed:
“You’ve never even been to the mountain peak, how would you know what the view is like up there, yet you dare make such bold claims!”
Li Hao frowned slightly, glanced at him, but didn’t respond.
Realizing what was happening, the elder’s face turned stern and he said, “Hua, apologize to the young master!”
What?
The youth, as if he hadn’t heard clearly, looked at the elder in disbelief, shocked.
The old man is actually making me… apologize?
What is my status?
My apologies, how many can bear them, and how many would dare to accept them?!
“Fa… old master, I…”
“Hmm?”
The elder playing the black pieces turned his head slightly to look at him.
His gaze was as calm as the frost after heavy snowfall yet it made the youth break out in a cold sweat in an instant.
His complexion changed dramatically, sweat beading on his forehead as he quickly bent over, bowing to Li Hao:
“Young master, I was presumptuous and misspoke, please forgive me.”
“Let it be.”
Li Hao waved it off.
The elder playing the black pieces smiled slightly, then continued to play and chat, move by move.
From fame to those who stir up the world, the elder asked the young man if he ever aspired to be one of them.
The young man then asked, are they still alive?
The elder thought about it and couldn’t help but laugh in silence.
The second game ended well.
Li Hao won again.
But this time he was much gentler in his approach, more pulling and tugging, it was indeed a match with both sides engaged.
Li Hao felt that this old master’s chess skills were slightly better than Fifth Master’s, but compared to his own, there was still a gap.
“It’s getting late, old master, till fate allows us to meet again.”
Li Hao stood up, picked up the meager prizes of jugglery and food that altogether didn’t amount to more than a few ounces of silver, smiled at the old master and waved goodbye, then turned and left.
“I haven’t given you your gift yet.”
The elder playing the black pieces promptly said.
“No need.”
The young man didn’t look back, just waved his hand behind him: “As I said, I lack nothing.”
The elder was taken aback and laughed to himself, murmuring:
“In this world, who truly lacks nothing…”
“Humph, this is the renowned third generation of the Li Family in Qingzhou, his Cultivation Level is indeed formidable, I can’t even see through it, but a bit foolish.”
Watching the young man’s retreating figure, the youth who had apologized earlier had a sullen look and scornfully said.
That young man probably doesn’t realize what a great opportunity he’s just forsaken, does he?
Ridiculous!
Hearing his words, the elder playing the black pieces glanced at him indifferently and said nothing. Instead, he looked toward the street from which the young man had departed and sighed silently:
If only this child were my son, how wonderful would that be?
But that was just a passing thought.
He shook his head, smiled, and said, “This child’s talent probably exceeds your imaginations, only fourteen years old and his skill in chess is already master-level, even if born with a natural affinity for Chess Tao, it still requires some research…”
In fourteen years, to study Chess Tao to this level, and also cultivate to the Fifteen Li Realm, that’s quite terrifying.
The two youths, upon hearing this, fell silent.
They couldn’t refute it, it was indeed so.
A Fourteen Li Realm at fourteen years of age, a talent they themselves couldn’t even hope to match.
“You’re being too modest, his chess skills are only showcased on this small board, whereas your pieces, old master, are placed across this world…”
Another youth, with a slightly scholarly air, said smilingly.
The elder chuckled upon hearing this, although it was flattery, it couldn’t prevent him from bursting into laughter.
Feeling that the frustration of losing two games in a row seemed much more bearable now.
“Haha, indeed!”
“However, if I meet this young man again, I must win back on the chessboard as well!”
He was not one to accept defeat easily.
Having said that, he laughed heartily as he walked away towards the city gate.
“Old master, we’ve just arrived, and the real show hasn’t even started yet, don’t you want to watch?”
“I’ve already watched it, very good, very good!”
