97. Once Promised to Be the Best in the World

Chapter 97: Once Promised to Be the Best in the World

The news was delivered by another instructor from the Black Hall, who discovered it through a soul probe.

"Nonsense! This is utter nonsense!" Song Yufeng's face turned livid with anger. He suddenly remembered something and asked, "Yueyao didn't go, did she?"

"Grandfather," a voice called from outside the palace, and Song Yueyao walked in.

Seeing his granddaughter, Song Yufeng's heart settled back in his chest, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Why are you here? Tell me, did Li Hao take everyone to a brothel?"

Though mentioning a brothel to his granddaughter felt inappropriate, Song Yufeng couldn't care less at the moment.

Song Yueyao, feeling a surge of anger herself, responded coldly, "Yes, that's right."

"This brat! Simply outrageous!" Song Yufeng was furious.

Song Yueyao was taken aback by her grandfather's anger. She explained, "Grandfather, it's not entirely his fault."

"What?" Song Yufeng stared at her, confused.

Song Yueyao sighed and explained the situation in detail.

Upon hearing her explanation, Song Yufeng's eyes widened further, and the Black Hall instructor beside him was equally shocked.

"You're saying that Li Hao flipped through a sword manual once and then demonstrated a sword technique at the true essence level?"

"Impossible, that's absolutely impossible!" Despite his denial, Song Yufeng and the Black Hall instructor couldn't help but believe it. After all, as Song Yueyao described, dozens of students in the White Hall had witnessed it.

However, this claim seemed too far-fetched.

Song Yufeng's first thought was that the sword manual had been leaked, and Li Hao had secretly practiced it beforehand. But on second thought, that seemed even more absurd. After all, Li Hao was only fourteen years old. Had he been training from infancy?

The fact that he had reached the fifteenth meridian stage already broke records across nineteen provinces. To think he also mastered a sword technique at the true essence level?

Wait a minute.

Song Yufeng suddenly realized something felt off. Li Hao might have mastered more than one sword technique at the true essence level.

And it wasn't necessarily that the sword manual had been leaked.

After all, Li Jia's Rain Listening Pavilion had numerous high-level sword techniques. Even if they had secretly obtained the Yin-Yang Inversion Sword, why would they let Li Hao waste time on it?

Li Jia possessed supreme sword techniques!

With limited energy, if Li Hao were to practice, it would be a supreme technique, not a high-level one. Thus, it seemed more plausible that Li Hao truly did master the technique by flipping through the manual once and even reached the true essence level!

As his granddaughter mentioned, there was a process: he first showed the perfect level and then jumped directly to the true essence level.

Damn, it's still hard to accept!

Even a reincarnated sword saint couldn't be this talented… Song Yufeng's face twitched, feeling dazed as he looked outside the palace. What kind of child was born in the Li family?

After a long while, Song Yufeng came to his senses. Thinking about the brothel incident, he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

"This brat really dared to agree to such a request, without considering his age."

Song Yueyao's face changed slightly upon hearing this.

Song Yufeng seemed to remember something and slapped his forehead. "They didn't wear their academy uniforms, did they?"

By now, it was too late to stop them. Besides, if Li Hao's teaching had such an astonishing effect, better than a year or two of their own practice, giving them a break didn't seem problematic.

As long as they didn't disgrace the academy.

"No, they didn't," the Black Hall instructor replied.

Song Yufeng breathed a sigh of relief, laughing. "The brat still has some sense."

…

As they descended the mountain, Li Hao encountered Prince Jiang Hanxing, the poet.

Upon hearing that Li Hao was going to a brothel, Jiang Hanxing was shocked but immediately joined them, eager to experience it himself.

Li Hao didn't mind, letting him tag along.

The Yunyan Pavilion was the most famous brothel in Qingzhou City.

It wasn't a place where one could buy pleasure with money. Usually, it was a gathering place for scholars, where poetry and literature were exchanged.

A poetry gathering was happening when Li Hao and his group arrived.

One could enter with silver, but to hear songs and engage in discussions, one needed poetry.

However, these White Hall disciples were warriors, trained in martial arts since childhood. Reciting a few famous poems was possible, but creating their own was beyond their reach.

Fortunately, Li Hao was prepared. Since he promised to fulfill their wish, he wouldn't let them down.

"Come here, each of you. I have a poem for you to memorize," Li Hao called to the group.

Zhou Zheng, who loved poetry, was astonished. He had secretly prepared two poems, but didn't expect this martial arts genius to have poems as well.

Participating in the poetry gathering required original works. Reciting others' poems would bring shame.

Jiang Hanxing, who had witnessed Li Hao's poetic talent, joined them, curious yet skeptical. A poem for each person? What quality could they be?

But the next moment, his eyes widened.

Li Hao, uninterested in showing off, directly produced a book's worth of poems, handing them out generously.

Soon, the entire gathering was abuzz.

As one timeless poem after another from Li Hao's world was recited, the Yunyan Pavilion grew from lively to boiling, then fell into silence.

"Have you not seen, the waters of the Yellow River come from the sky, rushing to the sea, never to return…"

Zhou Zheng murmured, feeling the majestic grandeur.

"No one supports my ambition to soar, so I tread the snow to the mountain peak alone!"

Jiang Hanxing's eyes shone, clenching his fists. These lines seemed to echo his hidden aspirations.

"The sea has no bounds, the sky is the shore; scaling the mountain's peak, I am the summit!"

Ma Jing's eyes reddened with excitement as Li Hao handed him the poem, feeling the spirit of the youth before him.

Countless geniuses in the world, but only this youth stood at the peak, the highest summit! "Born to be the best among men, only I can match the heavens in longevity…"

"A single sword alone against a million enemies…"

Each bold, arrogant poem was recited by the White Hall disciples, their voices trembling with excitement.

To warriors, these poems struck directly at their hearts.

"Drunk, I light the lamp to watch the sword, dreaming of the battle camps…"

Zhou Zheng, a warrior's son, stood up trembling with excitement upon hearing this poem.

"A great roc rises with the wind, soaring up to nine heavens!"

This grand poem comforted many disheartened souls, inspiring those who felt trapped.

One by one, the White Hall disciples took the stage, each poem astounding the brothel.

Above, a young woman with stunning beauty stood, listening intently to the magnificent poems below.

The grand, carefree verses stirred her emotions deeply.

The Great Yu Dynasty, built on martial prowess, valued such bold poems highly. Few poems of love or sensuality were appreciated here.

Red Wan'er, knowledgeable in poetry, could discern quality. The poems recited today surpassed even those of the greatest scholars. Only a few renowned works could compare.

Moreover, she noticed that each young talent took the stage after receiving whispered words from a single youth.

This gesture hinted at many possibilities.

Time flew by.

As the poetry gathering concluded, the entire pavilion was filled with admiration. The young men and women were captivated.

Someone let it slip that these poems were all Li Hao's work. Once his identity was revealed, the entire pavilion erupted.

This extraordinary youth, paired with such dazzling poems, seemed larger than life.

In their excitement, no one minded that the academy disciples had used Li Hao's poems. Instead, they felt honored to receive his favor, gaining the admiration of many women.

The manager approached Li Hao, bowing deeply. Seeing the legendary youth's relaxed demeanor, he sighed in relief and called for Red Wan'er to accompany him.

The other White Hall disciples were also led to enjoy songs and entertainment.

Additionally, the manager cautiously asked if they could keep two of the poems for the pavilion.

Li Hao agreed, allowing them to choose two.

Soon, two lines hung outside Yunyan Pavilion:

"You must remember the ambitions of youth, Once promised to be the best in the world."

The manager regretted that Li Hao only left these two lines. She didn't realize that these two lines would soon bring the pavilion fame across nineteen provinces.

Meanwhile, Li Hao was enjoying food and drink in the most sought-after courtesan's room.

"Young Master, I am yours for the night. You can command me as you wish," Red Wan'er said with a smile, her eyes studying the most renowned youth in Qingzhou.

Since Li Hao's talents were revealed, no young person in Qingzhou could compare.

"Really? Then shell these melon seeds for me," Li Hao said.

Red Wan'er was taken aback but smiled, gracefully approaching to shell the seeds and feed him.

Li Hao, satisfied, enjoyed the snacks and drinks.

…

Meanwhile, the news reached the Marquis's mansion.

"What?!" Li Tian'gang's eyes widened, slamming the table and shattering it.

"That brat, how dare he!"

Li Tian'gang's face turned red with anger. He had thought his son was too unruly and needed discipline.

Li Fu, startled, said, "Marquis, I inquired at the academy. It seems the Young Master—"

"No matter the reason, find him and bring him back immediately!" Li Tian'gang roared.

Feeling every moment was a disgrace to the family.

Li Fu hurriedly complied, rushing to find Li Hao.

In Yunyan Pavilion, Red Wan'er's hands were sore from shelling seeds as she saw Li Hao off.

She was both angry and disappointed. As a renowned beauty, many traveled miles to see her. Yet, this youth hardly looked at her, making her do such menial tasks.

Her initial good impression of Li Hao had mostly dissipated. She had hoped to form a bond with this outstanding youth, possibly marrying into the prestigious family. But now, that hope was gone.

From that night on, no snacks were ever served in the upper floors of Yunyan Pavilion.

Outside, Li Hao encountered Li Fu.

Seeing the elderly man rushing with a tense expression, Li Hao raised an eyebrow.

"Young Master, thank goodness. You didn't do anything inside, did you?" Li Fu quickly checked Li Hao's attire.

Li Hao, amused, said, "Uncle Fu, I'm only fourteen. Besides, I have a fiancée. I was just here for some fun with the others. Constant training is tough."

Hearing this, Li Fu relaxed. He trusted Li Hao and smiled wryly, "Young Master, let's return quickly. The Marquis is furious."

Furious?

Li Hao frowned, puzzled.

He followed Li Fu back.

The academy disciples were old enough to manage themselves, needing no supervision.

Back at the mansion, Li Tian'gang sat in the main hall, a new table beside him with a cane resting on it.

Seeing this, Li Fu's face changed, "Marquis, the Young Master is back. There's a reason for this…"

"Is there? I want to hear it," Li Tian'gang said, his face dark with anger.

Li Hao frowned.

Li Fu quickly explained the situation.

"Nonsense! If they wished for a city, would you grant it?" Li Tian'gang's anger flared, feeling his son's wild nature was out of control.

Li Hao said, "It was to motivate them, within my capability."

"A city would be within your capability if you became a dragon. Would you give it?" Li Tian'gang stared at him.

Li Hao met his gaze, then sighed, "Capability is subjective. I wouldn't grant an unreasonable wish."

Li Tian'gang raised an eyebrow, "At least you know your limits. Do you realize the consequences of visiting a brothel now?"

Li Hao said, "Didn't you visit many in your youth? Why can't I?"

"You're comparing yourself to us?" Li Tian'gang thought his brother was irresponsible for sharing such stories with a child. He was about to scold Li Hao when he saw the coldness in his eyes.

He sighed, "Li Hao, this is different. I received news that the Boundless Buddha has summoned your cousin back. They're preparing for the dragon contest, knowing your strength. This means they'll be fully prepared, and you can't afford any mistakes now."

Li Hao nodded, "I understand."

Li Tian'gang looked at him, wanting to say more but held back, "During this time, stay put. I promised you freedom, but for now, be disciplined."

Discipline… Li Hao sighed inwardly. When had he ever been undisciplined?

Hadn't he always stayed in the mansion? One trip to a brothel was undisciplined?

Feeling frustrated, he realized changing biases was hard, especially within family.

Without further words, he left.

"When will this child learn… I don't know who he takes after," Li Tian'gang sighed, feeling exhausted.

"Marquis, don't rush things. It might worsen," Zhao Bo said, worried.

He sensed a potential conflict between the father and son due to their vastly different personalities.