80. Honorary Teacher

Chapter 80: Honorary Teacher

Soon enough, Jiang Hanxing finished reciting his poem.

With a satisfied look, he turned to Li Hao, "Li Shao, what do you think of my poem?"

"It's very... wet."

Li Hao chuckled internally, offering a perfunctory comment.

Jiang Hanxing continued, "Although Li Shao's poem might not perfectly capture the beauty before us, it's still quite good."

Oh, you're really full of yourself... Li Hao shot him a glance. To say that the poem by the Immortal Poet was just 'good'—your arrogance knows no bounds.

"Shall we compose another one?"

As a plagiarist, Li Hao couldn't stand having original works insulted. He immediately felt the need to show him something better.

"Oh?"

Jiang Hanxing's face changed slightly, feeling a bit nervous. "Another one? What theme should we choose this time?"

"You pick."

"How about... a waterfall?"

"A waterfall?"

Li Hao smiled.

You're practically walking into a trap.

"Alright."

Li Hao agreed without hesitation, pausing his painting, and began to recite a famous poem by Li Bai, "Looking at the Waterfall on Mount Lu."

When he reached the lines, "The torrent falls straight three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way fell from the sky," Jiang Hanxing was stunned, his face filled with amazement, his eyes wide open.

The previous poem didn't impress Jiang Hanxing much, but this one was absolutely on point. He could almost see the image of a waterfall cascading down.

The phrase "as if the Milky Way fell from the sky" was so grand and majestic!

Seeing Jiang Hanxing thoroughly impressed, Li Hao smiled faintly. There were many classical Chinese poems describing waterfalls. Initially, he thought about using one by Du Fu, but he decided that letting Li Bai's words deliver the blow was more fitting.

Jiang Hanxing, who initially thought he could hold his own, suddenly found himself speechless.

It felt like this poem had perfectly captured the essence of a waterfall.

Even if this poem wasn't composed on the spot and was something Li Hao had previously crafted, it still showcased his talent.

Talking about composing poems on the spot was just for show. In reality, they were warriors, not scholars spending their days among books searching for beauty and wisdom.

"Li Shao, I admit defeat," Jiang Hanxing said, bowing his head in acknowledgment.

"Glad to hear it."

Li Hao resumed his painting.

"Li Shao, you're from the Godly General's Mansion, yet you have such profound skill in poetry and painting. Don't your elders disapprove?" Jiang Hanxing asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

"Of course they do."

"Then how..."

"They couldn't control me."

"..."

Jiang Hanxing was speechless for a moment, then burst into laughter. He felt like he had encountered an interesting person.

This was the first conversation between Jiang Hanxing and Li Hao, one that Jiang Hanxing would remember vividly for many years.

Li Hao ignored Jiang Hanxing and continued his painting.

Seeing Li Hao's focused expression, Jiang Hanxing didn't disturb him any further and quietly left.

...

...

The next day.

Before Li Hao could visit the cold pool to paint the water qilin, he was summoned by Shen Yunqing to the Tangong Palace.

Hearing the conditions set by Song Yufeng, Li Hao was slightly taken aback but quickly decided to become an honorary teacher.

Staying for a year was too long.

However, he had one condition: Song Yufeng and all the elders of Tangong must cooperate with him for one thing.

That was to let him paint them.

In modern terms, they were to be his models.

Song Yufeng was taken aback by Li Hao's strange request but didn't refuse. It was a trivial matter and could be accommodated easily. He thought it was just an eccentricity of the Li family genius.

As an honorary teacher, Li Hao needed to teach three classes a year. If he missed a year, the classes would roll over to the next, accumulating over a ten-year period.

So, he had thirty classes to teach, which was quite manageable.

As if anticipating Li Hao's choice, Song Yufeng informed him that the students he would teach were not from the First Courtyard but from the Black and White Hall.

Li Hao didn't mind; he was there to teach. It didn't matter who listened or who attended his classes.

Seeing Li Hao agree so readily, Song Yufeng smiled. Both had gotten what they wanted, making the cooperation very pleasant.

Leaving Tangong Palace, Li Hao intended to head to the cold pool, but Li Yuanzhao found him first.

"Li Shao, Sister Wushuang is back."

Li Yuanzhao told Li Hao, "Mother said there's a family banquet tonight to welcome Sister Wushuang. She asked us to come home early."

"Really?"

Li Hao took a moment to recall, finally remembering a delicate little girl.

Years ago, Fifth Aunt had tearfully watched her leave with a white-haired elder.

Now, that little girl had returned.

Thinking of this, Li Hao couldn't help but think of the little girl in the southern sword pavilion.

Shaking his head, Li Hao told Li Yuanzhao, "It's still early. I'll wander around a bit more and come back on time."

He didn't have much feeling towards that girl, especially since Li Yun and his siblings had distanced themselves from him. He hadn't seen Fifth Aunt much over the years either.

"Should we prepare a gift?" Li Yuanzhao asked.

He only had a faint impression of Sister Wushuang but had heard many stories about her in the mansion. She was one of the outstanding members of their generation. Of course, compared to Li Hao now, it was no contest.

"We should."

After all, it had been years since he last saw his cousin. He thought for a moment and said: "We don't know what she likes, but everyone needs to eat. Go to Hongxiang Restaurant and buy a crispy roast goose, then to the Cuihu Courtyard for some bamboo-smoked dragon liver... make sure they're hot and deliver them to the banquet tonight."

Li Hao listed several famous delicacies from Qingzhou City that he had personally tasted and found delicious.

"Is that all? These aren't expensive; they don't cost much," Li Yuanzhao said, puzzled.

"Our family isn't short of money. It's the thought that counts. These delicacies, she probably hasn't tasted while traveling. As for other things, she likely doesn't lack any," Li Hao explained.

Li Yuanzhao agreed, thinking it made sense.

Sister Wushuang was a direct disciple of Qianji Sect. What could she lack? A martial art? She could pick any from Tingyu Tower.

A weapon? The armory had plenty.

Gold and jewels? She probably wouldn't even look at them.

"Alright, I'll go get them."

Li Yuanzhao nodded and left.

With him gone, Li Hao retrieved his painting board and returned to the cold pool.

Setting up his board, he dipped his hand into the water.

Sure enough, a shadow quickly rose, splashing water everywhere.

Li Hao quickly returned to his board, saying, "Senior Qiumo, please stay like that."

Song Qiumo appeared in her water qilin form, majestic and powerful. She was about to transform but stopped at Li Hao's request, freezing the surrounding water droplets in midair.

Li Hao swiftly painted, capturing the scene. Soon, a painting of the water qilin emerging from the pool was complete.

"Done."

As Li Hao finished speaking, Song Qiumo retracted the water droplets back into the pool. Stepping forward, she gracefully transformed into her human form, walking barefoot over to Li Hao's painting.

"Hmm, not bad."

Looking at the painting, Song Qiumo's eyes sparkled with joy.

Do I really look that majestic when I emerge?

She glanced at Li Hao, smiling, "What do you think of my outfit today?"

Li Hao looked and saw she was still wearing the same blue dress from yesterday, but now adorned with silver bracelets and anklets, glittering brightly.

Do all women like shiny things... Li Hao chuckled and said, "Very beautiful."

Song Qiumo rolled her eyes at him, "Then go ahead and paint."

"Alright."

Li Hao focused on his painting.

Today's Song Qiumo, with her sparkling accessories, looked even more dazzling and ethereal.

When the painting was done, he noticed an extra hundred experience points, indicating the accessories were not ordinary.

"Not bad."

Song Qiumo nodded, unable to hide her joy and satisfaction.

Li Hao smiled, moving on to the next painting with her in a different pose.

Time passed slowly.

By the cold pool, Li Hao painted Song Qiumo over a dozen times.

He also had her transform several times, drawing her original form.

Altogether, he gained over four thousand experience points. Coupled with yesterday's, he was nearing twenty thousand.

Li Hao had noticed that painting Song Qiumo gave him more experience than painting Second Grandpa and the others.

Of course, he didn't think it was because Second Grandpa and the others were weaker. They often concealed their auras, so his paintings lacked the essence.

Song Qiumo, on the other hand, displayed her full power, making his paintings more imposing.

Seems like I need to convince Second Grandpa and the others to let me paint them again... Li Hao thought.

A Four Pillars demon king provided over twenty thousand experience points. With Second Grandpa, Old Wind, and Fifth Grandpa together, that's sixty thousand.

Previously, he had only gained about five thousand each from them, thinking he had reached the limit.

I'll have to talk to them and get them to show their true power... Li Hao planned. Second Grandpa would be the toughest to persuade, but with his favorite dish of stewed chicken and mushrooms, it might be possible.

"Let's call it a day," Li Hao said, noting the time.

Song Qiumo, delighted with her numerous paintings, smiled, "If you ever need help, come find me. As long as you're within Tangong, I can assist you."

"Are you trapped here?" Li Hao asked, surprised.

Song Qiumo shook her head, not elaborating, "See you next time."

With a perfect dive, she returned to the cold pool.

Li Hao packed up his painting board and headed home.

Passing by the First Courtyard, he noticed Li Yun and his sister were gone, while other students were still practicing. Spotting Li Hao, there were gasps of surprise.

Soon, everyone noticed him, all turning to stare.

Li Hao waved with a smile and quickly left to avoid being swamped with questions.

At the foot of the mountain, Li Hao rode back to the mansion.

Arriving at the main gate, he sensed a lively atmosphere. The guards had smiles on their faces.

Seeing Li Hao, the guards bowed respectfully.

Back at the Shanhai Courtyard, Uncle Zhao informed Li Hao, "Young Master, Miss Li Wushuang returned from Piaoxue Courtyard today. Madam has prepared a family banquet to welcome her. She invites you to attend and here is a gift I prepared for you to bring."