93. Brilliant and Dazzling
Chapter 93: Brilliant and Dazzling
"Freedom?"
"For example, you can no longer force me to practice martial arts, nor interfere with other things I want to do," Li Hao said.
Li Tiangang was speechless.
He suddenly recalled Li Hao's usual habits of idleness, wasting his top-tier talent.
This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
But... he had just promised Li Hao, and going back on his word now would be hypocritical. Struggling internally, he thought to himself that with Li Hao's exceptional talent, even if he didn't train for a while and continued his previous lifestyle, it wouldn't have a significant impact.
When Li Hao eventually becomes the True Dragon and takes on the family's responsibilities, feeling the weight of countless soldiers' expectations and the trust placed in him, he might fully commit to his cultivation.
Thinking this through, Li Tiangang nodded to Li Hao and smiled, "Alright, I agree!"
"Really?"
"Really!"
Li Hao couldn't help but feel a huge weight lift off his chest.
Judging by his father's strict demeanor, Li Tiangang was probably the most rigid person in the Li family, even stricter than any of the grandmothers. It was really difficult to persuade him without revealing his real abilities.
He hadn't deliberately shown his strength before because he feared that the grandmothers, the more they thought he was talented, the more they would push him to train.
It was like watching someone who could earn millions in minutes lazing around playing games. How could anyone tolerate that?! But in Li Hao's unique situation, his method of "earning millions" was indeed through playing games, something he couldn't reveal or explain.
"Then I'll go find Fifth Uncle for a game of chess."
Li Hao said.
He had been in Tan Palace for a while and had also gone out to Cangyu City for training. It had been a long time since he had seen the old man, who must be feeling quite lonely by now.
Li Tiangang's eyelid twitched, leaving him at a loss for words. He simply said, "You can go, but don't disturb the ancestral spirits."
"Don't worry, I have experience."
Li Hao's words almost made Li Tiangang choke.
Seeing Li Hao about to walk away, Li Tiangang quickly said:
"Wait, I haven't finished telling you about the upcoming True Dragon contest. It will be held in two months, so you should prepare yourself. I've had Uncle Yuxuan look into it, and your main competitor will be Second Aunt's child."
Mentioning Liu Yurong, Li Hao's eyes flashed with coldness.
He looked at his father, thinking about the poisoned pill incident, but held back from speaking.
If he told his father now, it would alert the enemy. He wasn't sure of his father's methods.
Besides being a Marquis and a general, Li Tiangang was also the Minister of Justice, in charge of the Ministry of Justice in Dayu. His personal guard camp was called the "Justice Camp," and he was titled "Marquis of Justice and Martial Arts"! But that woman held the title of first-class national lady, and dealing with her through the Ministry of Justice would require reporting to the court and going through many procedures.
If they tried to arrest her, it would definitely alarm her son, making him too scared to return for the True Dragon contest and hiding in Wuliang Mountain, making it hard to deal with.
This was very likely.
In Li Hao's view, with his fifteenth-mile boundary already revealed, his talent was undeniable. The opponent's chance to compete for the True Dragon title was slim, and retreating to preserve oneself would be a better option.
But that wasn't the outcome he wanted.
If the opponent hid in Wuliang Mountain, they would be hard to deal with.
After all, his opponent was a direct disciple of the Buddha! Over the years, Li Hao had conducted detailed research on Wuliang Mountain.
The Dayu Dynasty had three top-tier forces.
First was Qiandao Palace, second was Wuliang Mountain, and third was Hanlin Hall.
Qiandao Palace was indisputably first because it was guarded by the strongest in Dayu, the Daoist Master.
Second was Wuliang Mountain, guarded by the Buddha, second only to the Daoist Master.
Hanlin Hall, though filled with scholars and Grand Tutors with no martial strength, was backed by the court and the mysterious and powerful Emperor of Dayu.
In this world, scholars didn't wield power through words but through their documents and laws, which were the rules! A document to confiscate a family's property, even a first-class sect wouldn't dare protest.
Resist?
The army would immediately besiege, and not just the family but even the eggs in their house would be shattered.
So, although Hanlin Hall had no martial strength, no one dared provoke them. The power of law equaled the power of martial force, preserving peace in Dayu for thousands of years.
Otherwise, if martial artists could slaughter officials at will, the country would be ruled by a bunch of warriors, leading to disaster and ruin.
Beneath these three top forces were the five God General's Mansions, considered semi-top tier.
Next were various court departments, like the Demon Suppression Department and the Nether River Department.
They were established by the court, with inherent martial strength and unchallengeable status. Offend them, and the army would sweep in, unstoppable.
Below these were first-class forces like the Sword Pavilion and Thousand Machine Mountain.
If the Buddha wanted to protect his direct disciple, even the God General's Mansion couldn't shake it.
Moreover, the boy hadn't participated yet, making him innocent.
But in Li Hao's view, enjoying the benefits from his mother's actions meant he should also repay the consequences.
Thirteen years ago, Liu Yurong poisoned him, aiming to clear the path for her child.
Li Hao's goal wasn't just to compete for the True Dragon title; he wanted Liu Yurong to see her child fall from grace, with his future destroyed!
The poison pill swallowed thirteen years ago would finally unleash its devastating toxicity now!
At this moment, Li Tiangang continued:
"Apart from Second Aunt's child, the children of your eldest and third aunts also have a chance, but Third Aunt's child is a daughter, and since she has already married into the military, she's automatically disqualified from the True Dragon title."
"As for the children of your eldest aunt, they are already in their thirties, having achieved great military merits and holding general titles. If they compete, they would be strong contenders, but their talent is still a notch below yours and Second Aunt's child."
"Moreover, your eldest aunt has long stated she wouldn't let her children compete for the True Dragon title, and I trust her word."
Li Hao nodded, knowing all this.
"Qianfeng, despite having less talent than you, has been trained by the Buddha himself, cultivating his mind and spirit under his guidance. His character is naturally refined. I heard he has also reached the fifteenth-mile boundary at seventeen, which is quite impressive."
Li Tiangang said.
He himself had reached the fifteenth-mile boundary at a similar age, then became a grandmaster at nineteen, and entered the Three Immortals stage at twenty-three.
This was already considered exceptionally talented, far surpassing top-tier geniuses.
Of course, this didn't compare to his ninth brother. "His connections are strong with the Buddha's support, and the other scoring factor is merit."
Li Tiangang told Li Hao, "I've learned he's already left the mountain but hasn't returned, likely seeking to earn merit points."
"Whereas you have been mostly within the mansion without any notable achievements, which might be a slight disadvantage. But in the next two months, I plan to send you to the border to slay great demons and earn merit."
Hearing about merit, Li Hao smiled slightly.
Li Fu, beside him, also struggled to hold back a laugh.
Li Tiangang noticed their odd expressions and frowned, "What is it?"
Li Hao remained silent, but Li Fu respectfully said, "Marquis, the young master's merit should not be underestimated."
"Hmm?"
Li Tiangang and Yu Xuan looked at him in confusion.
Li Fu smiled and said, "Marquis, do you remember how I discovered the young master's level? It was in Cangyu City, where the young master single-handedly saved the entire city from a demon calamity!"
Hearing this, Li Tiangang and Yu Xuan were stunned and somewhat shocked.
They looked at Li Hao—saving an entire city? That was a huge accomplishment!
As seasoned warriors, they were well-versed in evaluating merit.
"Hao'er, you actually..."
Li Tiangang looked at Li Hao, extremely surprised, with eyes full of joy and admiration, greatly increasing his affection for his son.
He had thought Li Hao was lazy and playful, but who would have guessed he had accomplished such a great feat silently! Yu Xuan also looked at Li Hao with admiration. Saving people from disaster was indeed a significant merit! "The young master's commendation should arrive in Qingzhou soon," Li Fu said with a smile, also looking forward to it.
"Good, good, good!"
Li Tiangang said three "goods" in a row, laughing heartily.
"This settles it. The True Dragon position is firmly yours!"
Li Tiangang felt completely at ease.
With top-tier talent and such great merit, even if Li Hao's character was somewhat lax, achieving such a significant feat showed he had no major flaws.
Such a gap would be hard to bridge.
Even if Second Aunt's child sought to earn merit, in just two months, it would be difficult to find such an opportunity.
Merit wasn't something easily obtained. At the border, aside from Yanbei, most areas were peaceful. Going to another border involved complex relations.
Moreover, earning merit at the border wasn't easy. In the face of tens of thousands or even millions of demonic beasts, what was a fifteenth-mile boundary warrior? The leaders of such massive demon hordes were likely of celestial master level.
Seeing his father so confident, Li Hao asked, "If that's the case, then do I have nothing to do next?"
Just as Li Tiangang finished laughing, he felt helpless again. This child, untrained for years, was truly too carefree.
"If you're not cultivating, what do you plan to do?" Li Tiangang asked.
"Whatever comes to mind, like painting, playing the zither, writing poetry," Li Hao said.
Li Tiangang's mouth twitched. He didn't value these pursuits at all.
Had Li Hao said this before, he would have flatly rejected it. But recalling his promise, he sighed, "Alright, do as you wish. I'll keep my word."
"Great."
Li Hao, hearing this, also felt relieved. His father didn't appreciate his interests, but he didn't need his understanding, just his permission.
Immediately, he bid his father farewell and went to find his fifth uncle for a game of chess.
Li Tiangang didn't stop him and let him go.
After Li Hao left, Li Tiangang sighed to Yu Xuan, "I wonder when this child will truly grow up."
Li Fu smiled, "Marquis, the young master is already much wiser and more mature than his peers. He might be going to accompany Fifth Uncle rather than playing for himself."
Li Tiangang paused, thinking of the lonely elder in the ancestral shrine and the solitary chessboard.
His expression changed, and he fell silent.
A few days later.
Li Hao's commendation arrived.
For protecting the city and its millions of inhabitants, he was granted the title of third-class earl! He was given a city as his fief! Additionally, there were ten chests of jewels and gold.
A set of divine armor and weapons for the fifteenth-mile boundary.
Compared to the weapons and titles, the wealth was just a bonus.
Like when Li Junye fell, receiving the Yulong Order and ten buckets of gold—gold was just a bonus, not worth mentioning.
The real reward was the Yulong Order, an amnesty token!
Three Yulong Orders meant three chances of amnesty, showing the immense merit!
After the formalities, Li Hao received the decree and rewards from the court's envoy, bowing in thanks.
The news quickly spread throughout the mansion and beyond Qingzhou.
The young master of the Li family, at just fourteen, was granted the title of earl! With his own fief! Furthermore, his merits in defending the city were widely proclaimed, amazing the people, who praised him as a worthy son of the Li family! Some even vaguely remembered rumors from ten years ago that the young master was a martial waste. Now, it was clear those were false rumors.
Li Hao's name now resounded throughout Qingzhou and beyond!
Within the mansion.
The various ladies, upon hearing the news, were stunned.
He Jianlan was taken aback. Since Li Tiangang's return, revelations about Li Hao had come one after another, nearly overwhelming her.
Was this still the child she pitied?
He was so dazzling she could hardly bear to look at him.
"That child... he..."
In Piaoxue Courtyard, Gao Qingqing, learning of the news, was incredulous. Recalling her advice to her own child years ago to distance from Li Hao, she felt a pang of regret.
Beside her, Li Xuanli, upon hearing the news, was overjoyed and exclaimed: "As expected of Old Seven's child, his brilliance is almost on par with Old Nine, no, at fourteen, he's even more dazzling!"
"Impressive, Old Seven really knows how to father a child!"