89. Swordsmanship in the Mortal World
Chapter 89: Swordsmanship in the Mortal World
The family banquet was set in Shanhe Courtyard.
Wives from each court arrived one after another to congratulate Li Tiangang. Outside the courtyard, many concubines and children of lesser status peeked eagerly through the courtyard walls, trying to catch a glimpse of the young prodigy whose talent surpassed all historical records in the Li family.
Li Hao's name had spread throughout the Li residence, being discussed by every servant, maid, and even the cooks in the kitchens. They talked about this remarkable and formidable young master of the Li family while chopping wood and preparing meals.
After fourteen years of hiding his talent, he had finally revealed himself and shook the heavens.
The news not only spread within the Li residence but also beyond its high walls, reaching various influential intelligence factions stationed in Qingzhou City. These pieces of information quickly and secretly spread through intricate networks to various locations.
Every faction and individual monitoring Qingzhou were shaken by the news.
The Li family's fallen dragon from fourteen years ago seemed to have revived in a new, more powerful form!
As this fame rapidly spread and the courtyard was filled with celebratory joy, Li Hao, led by Zhao Bo, arrived at a secluded room deep within the inner courtyard.
He pushed open the door and saw the organized scrolls of paintings inside.
Scanning them with his divine sense, Li Hao counted them and found none missing.
"Young master, please don't be angry with the lord. Yu Xuan has followed him for many years, fighting life and death on the battlefield. Plus, being an orphan himself, the lord is protective of him and wasn't really angry at you," Zhao Bo said, sighing softly behind Li Hao.
An orphan... Li Hao mused.
Though he had parents, he felt as lonely as an orphan.
He sighed deeply, telling himself not to think too much.
After all, he had waited fourteen years, and this man was his father in this life.
He didn't acknowledge it out of reluctance.
But he had given up resisting.
"Young master, now that you've revealed your cultivation, the world will know your name, and no one will underestimate you anymore," Zhao Bo said, trying to lift the mood, feeling a mix of excitement and heat as he thought about Li Hao's cultivation level.
Li Hao smiled, "When I was born, didn't the world already know my name?"
Zhao Bo was taken aback, then chuckled awkwardly. Indeed, Li Hao was named by the emperor himself when he was born, and the decree announced to the world.
"But it has been many years since..." Zhao Bo smiled awkwardly, considering that people didn't care much about a newborn and instead focused on the illustrious Li family scion.
"So, everything will pass," Li Hao said, stepping out of the room, gazing at the serene courtyard with the bright starlight and moonlight contrasting sharply with the bustling lights of the front courtyard. "Let's join the festivities."
"Yes, young master."
Zhao Bo sighed with relief, as his primary task was to persuade Li Hao to attend the family banquet.
...
The atmosphere at the family banquet became even more lively with Li Hao's arrival.
Li Wushuang and her siblings, along with the children of the eighth wife, Li Jiangying and Li Rumeng, sat at one table.
Most of the other wives' children hadn't returned.
All eyes were immediately drawn to Li Hao, showing various expressions.
"Brother Hao is amazing!"
The most excited was Li Yuanzhao, who had long awaited this moment after learning about Li Hao's strength in Cangyu City. Seeing others' shock made him feel exhilarated.
He glanced proudly at Li Yun, his eyes full of satisfaction.
But Li Yun and Li Zhining, sitting nearby, were too absorbed in their complex emotions to notice Li Yuanzhao's expression. The scene reminded them of when their elder sister returned, also receiving such adulation.
However, today's excitement was even more intense.
"Hmph, what's so great about the Fifteen Mile Realm? It's only impressive if you reach the Grandmaster level," Li Rumeng suddenly sneered.
Li Yuanzhao was taken aback, not expecting such discordant remarks. He turned to see it was the eighth wife's precious children.
He had seen this pair of siblings when paying respects at the main courtyard in the morning, but they had never been close.
They rarely interacted, and even at the martial grounds, they kept to themselves, treating others as if they were from a lower class.
The eighth wife, with a prominent family background, was extremely protective and indulgent of these two. Once, a child of a lesser status accidentally injured Li Jiangying during a sparring session at the martial grounds.
It was a minor wound that could have healed quickly with the Li family's medicinal herbs. But the eighth wife stormed into the martial grounds and had that child dragged out, breaking his arm.
That child, who had shown some promise, soon withdrew from the martial grounds, his mother tearfully begging for mercy at the eighth wife's courtyard.
The incident had caused quite a stir, witnessed by many children, until the main wife stepped in to calm things down.
"You're out of line. Brother Hao's accomplishments are unparalleled!" Li Yuanzhao retorted angrily.
Li Rumeng, feeling envious and hearing Li Yuanzhao's taunt, got even angrier.
"We didn't cling to the second uncle like he did. His quick progress must be due to favoritism!"
Li Yuanzhao got angrier. "Then why didn't the second uncle favor you?"
"Because he's sly and knows how to sweet-talk!" Li Rumeng sneered.
Li Yuanzhao, his face red with anger, glared at her.
Li Yun and Li Zhining frowned, glancing at Li Rumeng. They were distant from Li Hao but avoided antagonizing the eighth wife's children, fearing disputes.
"Hmph, it's disgraceful to be jealous of others when you're incompetent!" Li Wushuang snorted.
Li Yuanzhao was surprised, not expecting her to speak up for Li Hao.
After all, Li Hao had once beaten her.
"Who are you calling incompetent?!" Li Rumeng retorted angrily.
Li Wushuang glared coldly. "Whoever's barking the loudest. You've only just reached the Soul Realm, and you're already showing off. You think reaching the Fifteen Mile Realm is nothing? Can you even claim to be in the same league?"
"They've reached the Soul Realm?"
Li Yuanzhao and Li Yun's siblings were startled.
They trained at the martial grounds together, with similar talent, yet these two had advanced faster.
"It's not a big deal," Li Jiangying said coldly, defending his sister. "Li Wushuang, don't think being at the Spirit Realm makes you special. The journey is long, and until you cross that threshold, you're nothing."
Li Wushuang's eyes turned cold. "How dare you! You've got the nerve to call me by my name? Is this how your mother raised you? As for that threshold, I'll cross it before you do. Let's talk when you reach the Spirit Realm!"
"We don't need famous teachers like you do!" Li Rumeng said angrily.
Li Wushuang laughed at the absurdity, ready to retort, but Li Yun stopped her.
"Sister, don't bother with them. Their mother might come complaining if they get hurt."
"What do you mean?" Li Jiangying glared at Li Yun.
Li Yuanzhao said coldly, "This is Shanhe Courtyard, not Mohe Courtyard. Even if your mother comes, she'd have to address Uncle Tiangang respectfully!"
The siblings' faces turned pale. Though arrogant, they felt constrained in this setting.
Seeing them quiet down, Li Wushuang rolled her eyes, losing interest. How ridiculous, she thought, that the eighth wife's children were so unreasonable.
"Why doesn't Brother Hao join us?" Li Zhining asked, noticing Li Hao heading towards the main wife's table.
Li Yuanzhao laughed, "Brother Hao doesn't sit with the kids."
...
Elsewhere, Li Tiangang was being "interrogated" by the wives.
They demanded to know why he had hidden Li Hao's cultivation and how he had trained.
Li Tiangang felt a headache, thinking that the roar of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield was less overwhelming than the chattering of these seven or eight women.
But he smiled and answered each question.
Initially thinking it was his second uncle's help, he later realized it wasn't, making explanations difficult. He could only attribute it to Li Hao's natural talent.
Who would believe that? While unspoken, everyone speculated.
Seeing Li Hao close to the second and fifth uncles, suddenly able to cultivate so monstrously, it was hard not to suspect they had intervened.
When Li Hao approached, the wives surrounded him, asking questions warmly, but he was even more tight-lipped than his father.
Liu Yuanyong, unable to get anything out of him, was infuriated with the father and son.
...
...
In the Sword House nine thousand miles to the south.
"Master!"
Three or four figures rushed into the hut, reporting the news to the master reading a sword manual.
"The Fifteen Mile Realm?"
Hearing his disciples' report, Jian Wudao was stunned.
The little fiancé of Xue'er?
Memories of a trip eight years ago surfaced. A mature child in a bustling city courtyard.
Fourteen years old, only a few months older than Xue'er.
Xue'er had just reached the Spirit Realm last month.
A whole realm ahead! Jian Wudao's expression turned solemn. Such talent surpassed even his own, and certainly, the previous Li family dragon.
"The Li family is set to produce another dragon!"
"If he becomes the heir, other generals' families will be unsettled."
"The Li family has been blessed by fate."
The disciples murmured, astonished. Despite their self-perceived talent, they were speechless at the news.
"Master, didn't you almost bring this Li family prodigy under your wing? We nearly had such a monster as a peer," a young disciple said.
Jian Wudao recalled the recruitment scene and shook his head.
"Rumors of him being a martial waste were widespread. Now it seems either a cover-up or the Li family's elders altered his fate."
"Even with heaven-defying talent, he wouldn't fit in my sect."
"Master, why?"
The disciples asked.
"He's not a sword practitioner. We're not on the same path," Jian Wudao explained.
They understood. Talent aside, he wasn't a sword cultivator.
"A pity, having such a monster as a peer could have been motivating," someone joked.
"Fourteen and at the Fifteen Mile Realm, indeed terrifying," another agreed.
Jian Wudao glanced at them. "I've always said, there's always a sky above the sky. Now you know? Despite your talent, you have a long way to go. Keep practicing your swords!"
They smiled wryly. How could they dominate for an era with so many heroes?
"Has Xue'er left?"
Jian Wudao asked, remembering.
A handsome young man replied, "Little junior sister left for home immediately after reaching the Spirit Realm."
Jian Wudao frowned but sighed. "She owes the Li family a debt. I hope she can resolve it. One can't pursue both the sword path and worldly affairs."