90: Granting Titles and Honors

Chapter 90: Granting Titles and Honors

The day after the Li family banquet.

In the distant Yuzhou, within the imperial city.

A luxurious palace that gathered countless gazes from across the world, yet remained insurmountable behind its towering walls.

Within an ancient hall that had stood for a thousand years, solemn and majestic, a dark gold dragon-scaled carpet stretched from the entrance to the steps of the dragon throne inside.

Civil and military officials residing in Yuzhou were lined up on both sides.

From grand ministers of the highest rank, such as the Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and Chief General, to provincial governors and heads of the Imperial Academy holding fourth-rank positions, all stood solemnly with bowed heads and hands respectfully clasped.

Even the lowest-ranking officials in this assembly, with a mere stomp, could make the common folk of dozens of cities bow and prostrate themselves.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

"The Li family of Qingzhou hosted a banquet yesterday, announcing to the world that another divine child has emerged from their family!"

Someone respectfully reported.

The majestic figure seated on the profound dragon throne, though aged in appearance, had a straight posture, donned in a black robe adorned with nine black dragons, and his gaze was as piercing as a candle flame, unapproachable and commanding.

Upon hearing this, he seemed to show a faint smile.

"Your Majesty, it is said that this prodigious child is Li Hao, whom you blessed and named fourteen years ago!"

"He is also the son of the Minister of Justice and the Marquis of Xingwu, who came here a few days ago to receive a title!"

"Your Majesty's wisdom is unparalleled!"

The other officials couldn't help but praise and congratulate.

"Your Majesty foresaw the exceptional talent of this child fourteen years ago, truly like a stellar figure descended to the mortal world, a blessing for our Great Yu!"

Someone said with an excited and joyful expression.

"Fourteen years ago, the Marquis of Zhen Guo quelled a century-long demonic plague in Cangzhou, slaying great demons and demon kings. Unfortunately, he was entangled in the Nether River of the capital city and perished in Cangzhou, with his heroic soul yet to return."

"Perhaps, this Li Hao is the reincarnation of the Marquis of Zhen Guo, a new blessing from the heavens bestowed upon our Great Yu!"

Someone passionately declared.

In the face of the officials' congratulations, the figure on the dragon throne seemed lost in thought, reminiscing about that painful day over a decade ago.

The infant who was bestowed with the dragon blood jade, had now grown into a young man of such achievements? A faint smile appeared on his face as his gaze seemed to look beyond the hall, towards the distant Qingzhou.

"Your Majesty, this child's talent is extraordinary, yet he has never shown any signs before. I believe the Li family owes us an explanation."

After the congratulations, someone suddenly stepped forward and said, "Deceiving the Emperor deserves punishment!"

Everyone was surprised and turned slightly to see that it was the Marquis of the Helian family, who was also from the God General's Mansion. It suddenly became clear to them.

Among the five God General's Mansions, some had close relationships, such as the Wang family and the Li family, which were connected by marriage.

Naturally, where there were close relationships, there were also distant ones, or even ones that looked down upon each other, such as the Li family and the Helian family.

Seeing that the Emperor did not speak, another military general stepped forward. He was a second-rank commander who had fought alongside the Li family. He respectfully said:

"Marquis, I believe that the Xingwu Marquis and his wife have been fighting in Yanbei for many years, leaving their child alone in the courtyard without support. Naturally, they would want to hide the child's cultivation to avoid being spied upon and harmed. This is understandable!"

"Hmph!"

Helian Boya snorted coldly, "The child may be young, but within the God General's Mansion, with so many military guards, who could harm him? Are you questioning the loyalty of the Li family's titled ladies, thinking they would harm the child?"

The ladies of the Li family mostly held official titles. For instance, the First Lady He Jianlan was a first-class national lady.

Although they had no real power, their status was extremely high, allowing them to enter the palace and meet the Emperor at any time. Even if they committed mistakes, the judicial department could not directly punish them.

"I believe that the Li family, having battled demons for many years and slaying countless demons, has long been hated by numerous demons and devils. Such precautions are not without reason."

The commander still bowed his head and said.

Helian Boya sneered, "Are you saying that even in Qingzhou, demons dare to invade? Are you looking down on the Li family?"

"Marquis, I think the Li family's caution is reasonable. Now that Li Hao has reached the fifteenth mile boundary and has the power to protect himself, if he reaches the Grandmaster level in a few more years, he can travel the world without any concerns."

Another civil official stepped forward with a smile and said, "Besides, the Xingwu Marquis has just returned and announced this to the world. He has no intention of deceiving the Emperor. It's just a small matter, why make a fuss?"

"If it's a small matter, then it shouldn't be a deception." Helian Boya insisted.

Everyone secretly shook their heads, feeling that the Marquis was being unreasonable this time, but they were used to it.

Over the years, whenever the Li family was granted titles, except for the time when the Li family's true dragon fell fourteen years ago, causing nationwide mourning and the Helian family dared not say anything, most other times, they would always have something to say.

Even this time, when the Xingwu Marquis returned triumphantly from Yanbei, quelling the demon rebellion and driving back the Sacred Palace, achieving great merits, the Marquis of the Helian family still focused on the prolonged battle and heavy consumption of supplies, arguing in court for half a day.

And during the ten-plus years of battles in Yanbei, many officials and military generals close to the Helian family were picking faults from the rear. Some even proposed impeaching the Xingwu Marquis with unrealistic charges.

But everyone knew, only the Helian family could make such remarks. If it were someone else, they would have been labeled as traitors and killed.

However, the Helian family had countless merits. One could say they had a terrible relationship with the Li family, but one couldn't say they were traitors.

After all, the blood spilled by the Helian family at the border was no less than enough to dye several cities red.

"This Boya Marquis is too anxious. At such a moment of the Xingwu Marquis's achievements, no punishment would befall him, let alone for such a trivial matter..."

Many ministers thought secretly.

At this moment, the Emperor of Yu raised his hand, calming the debate, and smiled: "Minister Liu is right. It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning. The Xingwu Marquis has fought and achieved great merits, protecting the border at the expense of his family, his loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon. Let us discuss the matter of Cangyu City."

Seeing the Emperor making a definitive statement, Helian Boya glanced coldly at the civil official, snorted, and said no more, only turning his head to look at the dragon pillar in the hall, expressing his dissatisfaction as if saying, "You all talk, I won't participate."

Everyone knew that in such matters, the Helian family wouldn't participate. If they did, they would undoubtedly pick faults. They didn't pay much attention to him and began to discuss.

"Cangyu City almost faced destruction. Yue Shuhong has submitted his guilt and is imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. His guilt statement is clear, and thanks to the young master of the Li family, the entire city was saved. Truly a young hero!"

"Based on the number of demons slain, he should be granted the title of first-class viscount."

"He has made great contributions to the city, and with the large number of citizens, I believe additional rewards should be given..."

The ministers began to discuss.

...

...

In a forest outside Feijiang City, Jingzhou.

Massive trees, several meters thick, were rapidly crushed and toppled like weeds, being pushed aside. A fierce tiger, over ten meters long, leaped forward. On its sides, it had four large eyes emitting a ferocious, demonic red glow.

However, at this moment, several of those eyes were injured, bleeding profusely and closed tightly.

Suddenly, the tiger looked back.

With a swoosh, a golden light from the sky shot down. A figure bathed in brilliant golden light, with a Buddha wheel behind him, charged into the forest.

This Buddha-like figure, with a calm youthful face, showed no trace of killing intent, yet his actions were ruthlessly fierce.

"Roar!!"

The tiger roared angrily, "Li family, I will never let you go even in death!!"

"Then you can die now!"

The young figure's palm descended, and the violent divine power pressed down on the tiger.

Behind the tiger, a demonic shadow emerged, but before it could leap a few meters, it was suppressed by the Buddha's golden palm.

"My children, avenge me, the one who killed me is from the Li family in Qingzhou—"

The angry roar echoed through the forest.

But it was soon cut off. The demon soul dispersed, and the giant tiger's body rolled forward uncontrollably, breaking several trees before stopping, its eyes closed, and it made no sound.

In the amber eyes, the reflection of a young figure chasing from the forest was seen. The young man approached, stopping only when his feet kicked up sand onto the tiger's eyes.

The young man observed for a moment, then stomped heavily on the tiger's head several times until it shattered.

"Killing this great demon should earn a first-class merit..."

The young man muttered.

He was Li Qianfeng, who had descended from the mountain into the mortal world.

Bending down to cut off the tiger's head, he was about to leave when suddenly a small figure like a palm-sized arrow, a purple bird, flew in from the sky.

The young man was startled. Dropping the large tiger head, he reached out to catch the bird.

It was a small demonic bird raised by his mother, exceptionally skilled in flying. Though its combat strength might not even reach the Zhou Tian realm, even some divine roaming realm warriors could not catch up with it.

Demonic tribes have slow cultivation progress but possess various divine abilities unique to them, much like how humans rapidly advance in cultivation.

The purple bird opened its mouth, spitting out an oil-paper-like note.

Li Qianfeng rubbed it open, and his puzzled expression changed instantly.

Fifteenth mile boundary?

Li Hao? Who is that?

Seventh Uncle's son? Li Qianfeng's eyes showed shock, especially because the note mentioned that the person was only... fourteen years old!

Four years younger than himself?

He had reached the fifteenth mile boundary at seventeen, while the other had done so three years earlier! Even though three years might not be significant before reaching the Celestial realm, it highlighted the vast difference in their innate talents.

Moreover, if Li Qianfeng remembered correctly, this progress was faster than his Ninth Uncle! The note was quickly crushed into powder between his fingers.

Li Qianfeng's face darkened. Initially, his target was only Li Wushuang, but since the opponent was in the Divine Roaming realm, he hadn't felt much pressure.

On the contrary, he had kept part of his mind wary of the Eldest Lady's son and daughter, those older cousins.

And the Third Lady's only daughter, who joined the military at fifteen and now was a female general.

But they were older. Though they had merits, the true dragon looked more at innate talent. Among peers, he should be first, having reached the fifteenth mile boundary at seventeen!

But now... suddenly, a Li Hao appeared.

A small character he had never noticed before.

"It's impossible to progress so fast on one's own, even Ninth Uncle reached the fifteenth mile boundary at fifteen. Perhaps the elders intervened..." Li Qianfeng frowned deeply.

He recalled that the other had not apprenticed under a famous master and stayed at the family residence.

That would provide the opportunity to contact the elders of the Li family.

But, isn't it against the rules for the elders to intervene before the true dragon is confirmed? This would be unfair! "It seems I need to ask the ancestors to verify this when the time comes at the ancestral hall. Besides, should I notify my master about this?"

Li Qianfeng looked into the distance, his dark eyes flickering briefly before a trace of arrogance covered them: "Forget it."

He grabbed the tiger head and swiftly returned to Feijiang City.

"With this merit, I'll go back earlier."

...

...

In Qingzhou, within the God General's Mansion.

After the banquet, Shanhe Courtyard had quieted down from the bustle, but it was still livelier than usual, with concubines and their children occasionally visiting to deliver gifts and greet Li Hao, hoping to become acquainted with the future true dragon of the Li family.

Among these illegitimate children, some were well-behaved and sensible, some were nervous and reserved, and some had already learned to flatter and pander.

Gradually, all got to know Li Hao, which also made Li Hao realize the difficulties faced by these illegitimate children.

At least, when he was forced by his parents to flatter another boy, he would feel awkward, but some children were already adept at it.

This skill seemed unrelated to maturity or experience. Some kids were better at it than adults, purely a matter of personality and temperament.

Li Hao's temperament was more laid-back, going with the flow.

One early morning.

Li Hao was still sound asleep when he heard a knock on the door.

He opened his eyes, and with a sweep of his divine sense, saw that it was his father's loyal subordinate, Yu Xuan, outside the door.

He turned over and said, "Is it time to practice martial arts again?"

Thinking of that day's incident, Yu Xuan showed a slight bitter smile and said, "Young master, the Marshal wants you to wash up and go with him to visit the ancestors and let them decide on the matter of the true dragon."

Li Hao raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then turned over and sat up, calling for Qingzhi to help him dress quickly.

Soon, he finished washing up. Pushing open the door, he glanced at the young man and said indifferently: "Let's go."

Yu Xuan knew that Li Hao was still upset about the painting incident that day, but he didn't mind, gesturing: "Please, young master."

They walked through the corridors and arrived at the main hall.

Li Hao saw his father, who had already removed his armor and changed into white clothes. His father's aura, unlike his fifth uncle's elegance, carried a natural air of authority and a hint of murderousness, likely due to years of battles.