25. Show and Letters

Chapter 25: Show and Letters

Soon, Li Muxiu landed back on the fishing platform.

A quick glance revealed no sign of Li Hao. His expression changed, and he swiftly surveyed the surroundings, immediately spotting Li Hao a kilometer away, crouched behind an earthen mound, quietly fishing.

"Is he really so impatient?"

Li Muxiu shook his head slightly and was about to approach when he caught sight of a fish demon with a smashed skull in his peripheral vision.

He paused, then appeared beside the fish demon in a flash.

A closer inspection revealed that the damage had been done with bare fists.

Li Muxiu felt the fish demon's body with his hand, sensing its aura, and his expression shifted dramatically.

Zhoutian Realm? Around the third level!

Was this fish demon killed by that little kid?!

Surprise flickered in Li Muxiu's eyes as he looked toward Li Hao. Without a word, he flew a thousand meters, arriving by Li Hao's side in an instant.

"Kid!"

The sudden voice startled Li Hao.

He had been focused on the bobber, so engrossed he hadn't noticed when the old man arrived.

"Shh!"

Li Hao hurriedly gestured for silence.

Li Muxiu paused, the questions on his lips halting, and he followed Li Hao's gaze to the bobber.

His eyes pierced the water, immediately spotting a fish demon circling near the hook, hesitating.

To Li Muxiu's surprise, the hook was completely hidden by the bait, making it undetectable.

When did he learn such a hidden hook technique?

While Li Muxiu marveled, the fish demon below finally succumbed to temptation. Despite a vague unease, it couldn't resist the lure of the bait and impulsively bit down.

It's hooked!

Li Hao's eyes gleamed, and he sharply lifted the rod when the bobber submerged.

The hook lodged in the fish demon's mouth, and its struggles churned the water into waves.

Li Hao didn't hesitate, quickly reeling it in, using the previous fish-playing technique to deftly exhaust the fish.

Minutes later, Li Hao pulled the fish demon onto the shore—a sixth-level Tongli Realm demon.

Watching Li Hao handle the fish with ease, Li Muxiu's eyes twinkled. As Li Hao unhooked the fish demon and tossed it onto the hillside, Li Muxiu spoke: "Was that fish demon over there killed by you?"

"Yeah."

Li Hao nodded.

There was no one else around, so lying was pointless.

"Do you know what realm that fish demon was?" Li Muxiu narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Li Hao's gaze as if trying to see into the boy's soul.

"Zhoutian Realm?"

Li Hao estimated based on the strength it had displayed in the water.

It couldn't possibly be just Tongli Realm.

"Correct, at least third-level Zhoutian Realm!" Li Muxiu stared at Li Hao. "You've only practiced the Barbaric Bull Technique, reaching maybe the sixth level of the Tongli Realm at most. Be honest, have you secretly practiced something else?"

Li Hao had already prepared his excuse, and seeing the old man prompt the question, he feigned hesitation before nodding.

"Yes."

"Which one?"

"The Thousand Flood Dragon Sacred Body on the sixth floor," Li Hao replied.

Li Muxiu raised an eyebrow. How coincidental. He was thinking that if Li Hao truly had a knack for body cultivation, he wouldn't mind teaching him that technique. But the boy had already learned it on his own, and from the looks of it, quite well too!

"What level have you reached?" Li Muxiu asked, scrutinizing him.

"The second level," Li Hao answered honestly.

The second level was the Flood Dragon Body, capable of unleashing half-dragon strength. Even if he hadn't reached the Zhoutian Realm, it allowed him to exert strength comparable to the initial stage of that realm, which explained how he killed the fish demon.

Li Muxiu inwardly marveled, good heavens, the second level?

He looked at this child, not yet eight years old, and realized he had already reached the second level. It seemed that Li Fu hadn't exaggerated; the kid really did have a talent for body cultivation.

"Even mastering the Flood Dragon Body, managing to reel that fish demon ashore is no easy feat. This little guy has talent in body cultivation and shows great potential in fishing!" Li Muxiu praised, clearly pleased.

Li Hao modestly scratched his head, though inwardly noting that the old man seemed more thrilled about his fishing prowess than his cultivation skills.

"They all think you're a martial waste, but who would've guessed that at such a young age, you could already slay a Zhoutian Realm demon. Ha ha…"

Li Muxiu laughed heartily. No matter what the future held, Li Hao's current combat prowess surpassed even those top-tier geniuses with ninth-grade battle physiques.

After his laughter subsided, Li Muxiu remembered something and looked at Li Hao.

"By the way, Li Fu doesn't know about this, right? When did you secretly practice on your own, and why didn't you tell Li Fu? Don't you trust him?"

"I started a few years ago, just after entering the Listening Rain Tower."

Li Hao put on a sincere face. "Fu Bo... didn't ask me."

Li Muxiu rolled his eyes. "You didn't say anything because no one asked, right? No wonder you could master the Barbaric Bull Technique in just three months. With such a foundation, practicing it was like eating and drinking. Did your father tell you to hide this?"

Li Hao pondered and shook his head slightly.

"Then it's your own doing?" Li Muxiu's eyes narrowed.

Seeing Li Hao's silence, saying nothing, his mind quickly processed numerous possibilities. Cold light flickered in his eyes. "Could it be that someone in the manor covets you, and you're keeping a low profile to disguise yourself?"

Li Hao met the old man's eyes, seeing the cold killing intent within. After some consideration, he merely nodded slightly.

"Who?!"

Realizing it was indeed so, Li Muxiu became furious.

To make a seven-year-old endure such injustice, those second-generation brats must be turning the place upside down!

Li Hao shook his head slightly, saying, "I don't want to say for now."

"Why?" Li Muxiu paused, staring at Li Hao before quickly understanding the boy's reasoning.

"You don't trust me? You think I might be connected to the ones coveting you? Heh, you're overthinking. I have no children or family, and there are few in this world I care for."

Li Hao remained silent.

Li Muxiu studied him for a moment. His anger subsided, replaced by a smile of satisfaction.

"We've only just met, so it's normal to be cautious. But if you're unwilling to reveal who it is, why did you expose your strength to me? You could've let the fish demon escape, pulling the rod away and continuing to hide."

Li Hao smiled slightly. "Because you're not a bad person, old man."

Li Muxiu was taken aback, staring at Li Hao's radiant smile and clear eyes, momentarily lost in thought.

After a while, he regained his composure, laughing somewhat self-deprecatingly.

"Well, you're mistaken. I may not be a bad person, but when I do bad things, I don't seem human."

"Then what do you seem like?"

"When you leave the Divine General's Manor, you'll hear my name outside." Li Muxiu grinned.

Li Hao sensed he wasn't going to ask further questions.

"You, this little guy, are clever beyond your years. It's a bit of a shame." Li Muxiu looked at Li Hao, growing more fond of the boy. If he could practice normally, he might become another Little Nine.

However, this was only a fleeting thought, not something he dwelled on.

After all, even if he became Li Junye, wouldn't he still die on the battlefield? It seemed to be the fate of the Li family's children.

"In the future, don't hide your talent for body cultivation from me. Show it openly. I've seen many geniuses; you're merely a first-rate talent. That doesn't scare me."

Li Muxiu spoke casually. "If anyone in the manor covets you, seeing you as a threat, I'd like to see whether our Divine General's Manor can't accommodate a child cultivating the body."

...

...

After tidying up their catch, Li Muxiu took Li Hao back to Qingzhou City.

To boost Li Hao's interest in fishing, Li Muxiu didn't land directly at the Listening Rain Tower within the inner mansion. Instead, they descended at the main gate, where he let Li Hao carry the fish basket, and the pair walked boldly into the estate.

"Old man, what are we doing?" Li Hao asked, puzzled.

"You don't understand; it's a fishing tradition."

Li Muxiu walked with a proud and dignified demeanor.

"Not counting the one you beat to death, plus the one I used as bait, you caught four fish. That's already a huge haul for a beginner. You have to show everyone."

"There's such a rule?" Li Hao was surprised.

"I say there is," Li Muxiu replied, giving him a sidelong glance.

"Marquis Mutiang!"

Along the way, the servants and maids were startled to see Li Muxiu, wondering why this longstanding anchor of the Listening Rain Tower was here. They hurriedly saluted and knelt.

Li Muxiu ignored them, striding past with Li Hao.

They wandered in circles, visiting the busiest places.

In the martial arts field, clan members were practicing. A military elder was giving a lecture, but Li Muxiu pushed open the door and entered.

The military elder was about to frown, but upon seeing Li Muxiu's face, he was startled and quickly rose to greet him. "Old general of the Yuan character camp greets Marquis Mutiang!"

"Giving a lesson?"

Li Muxiu asked, seemingly out of nowhere, and casually said, "Today I took Li Hao fishing. It was his first time, no experience, and he caught a few little demons. Want to take them to pair with your wine?"

The military elder paused, seeing the fish demons in Li Hao's basket. He quickly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Marquis, but I already have some snacks for wine today."

Politely declining.

Having spent many years in the manor, he knew this old marquis's character well, immediately recognizing this as a routine show-off.

If he really accepted, the marquis would get angry and come beat him up in the middle of the night, and he wouldn't be able to get out of bed the next day.

He didn't dare take such a risk.

"Oh, all right then. You continue your teaching." Li Muxiu said lightly, turning with Li Hao to leave.

Li Hao was speechless. Was this really a fishing tradition? It was so forced!

They turned from the martial arts field to Changchun Court.

"Second Uncle, what brings you here? It's almost lunchtime. Shall I have someone set another place at the table? What would you like to eat?" He Jianlan was chatting with Fifth Lady Gao. Seeing Li Muxiu, they quickly rose to greet him.

Li Muxiu said calmly, "Li Hao caught some small fish. How about making soup?"

"Li Hao caught these?"

He Jianlan was surprised, seeing Li Hao holding the fish basket and the lively little fish inside.

"Otherwise, you think I would catch such small fish?" Li Muxiu snapped, glaring at her in displeasure.

He Jianlan was speechless, knowing this Second Uncle's eccentric nature. It was a small thing to be impolite, but one must never speak lightly about his fishing.

"Thank you, Second Uncle, since it's a gift from you." He Jianlan immediately said.

"Thank me? It's Li Hao's fish." Li Muxiu emphasized.

He Jianlan paused, resignedly saying, "Then thank you, Li Hao."

"No need to be polite, Auntie," Li Hao quickly said, rolling his eyes at the old man. This tradition made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles, uncomfortable and choked.

After leaving the fish with He Jianlan, Li Muxiu and Li Hao departed. He Jianlan examined the small fish, realizing they were Tongli Realm demons, and was surprised.

She had heard from Li Fu that Li Hao had a knack for body cultivation, and it seemed true.

"Did that child really catch these?" Gao Qingqing asked in surprise. Li Hao was known as a martial waste, so people assumed he was just an ordinary boy. Who would have thought he could catch Tongli Realm fish demons, indicating he had started cultivating and was progressing well.

"Second Uncle wouldn't lie about fishing." He Jianlan said.

She glanced toward the courtyard gate, where the old and young figures had disappeared. "It seems the child has taken the path of body cultivation. It's a harsh road, poor child."

Gao Qingqing also shook her head slightly, sighing softly.

Although Li Hao had a talent for body cultivation, the path was arduous, and few could endure it to the end. If it were her child, she would prefer to let them live a good life as an ordinary person.

"It must be Seventh Brother's decision... so heartless." Gao Qingqing murmured softly.

...

...

Upon returning to the Listening Rain Tower, Li Hao saw Li Fu waiting outside from afar.

Li Muxiu noticed too and snorted.

As soon as they arrived, Li Fu hurried over, noting the fish blood on Li Hao's clothes. His expression changed, and he quickly asked, "Second Uncle, Li Hao, he…"

"Fishing naturally involves some struggle with fish demons. Rest assured, with me there, Li Hao won't be harmed," Li Muxiu said indifferently.

Li Fu breathed a sigh of relief, then handed something to Li Hao. "This is a letter from the Sword Pavilion, probably from Miss Xue. Have a look."