https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-103-The-Renowned-Sword-Eternal-Night/13450078/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-105-Emperor-Yu-s-Go-Isn-t-That-Bad-Right-/13450082/
Chapter 104: A Single Paper Calms the Room
Chapter 104: A Single Paper Calms the Room
Li Hao frowned slightly.
He remembered telling Xue'er that there was no need for her to ask his master to come down the mountain to stand by his side.
It was pointless.
After an eight-year absence, Jian Wudao stepped into the mansion once again.
As soon as he entered the Mountain and River Courtyard, he saw the young man lying on the Master Chair, basking in the sun, looking incredibly relaxed.
He had thought such a young man should be practicing diligently all the time, but it turned out he was so at ease.
Perhaps it was the last bit of relaxation before the upcoming battle; that was understandable.
Following Jian Wudao were four figures, all his disciples—three men and one woman. The one with the highest Cultivation Realm had already reached the Three Immortalities Realm.
The four of them also surveyed Li Hao, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity.
"Brother Hao."
Bian Ruxue ran over, her smile spreading. "I invited Master and the others to come down the mountain."
Although he had been disturbed from his peaceful state, Li Hao couldn't bear to scold the young girl for her good intentions. He got up, tossed the poetry collection aside, and watched as the Sword Saint approached, sighing inwardly.
He was the one who had taken little tail away, but it was he who had let little tail go.
And the one who truly parted ways with him was little tail herself.
So, who could he blame?
Li Hao blamed no one, for he had already reined in his overstepping.
Thus, after a faint sigh, Li Hao put aside his myriad thoughts and greeted with a smile, "Sword Saint Master, it's been a long time."
"Hmm?"
Jian Wudao was slightly surprised. "You remember me?"
"How could I forget the Sword Elder's extraordinary presence?" Li Hao said with a smile.
Jian Wudao raised an eyebrow. He had expected this prodigious young man to be either full of vigor and arrogance or deeply engrossed in cultivation, with a solitary disposition.
Instead, he was like a breeze without joy or sorrow, exuding a sense of freedom and ease, as if from the wilderness.
"Marquis Xingwu has a fine son. The Li Family is about to soar to new heights again."
Jian Wudao said calmly.
Li Hao smiled, and the formalities were over.
Jian Wudao's gaze fell on the young maid beside him, who was holding a black sword case.
Just as he had said years ago, a sword enthusiast could spot a sword among ten thousand weapons at a glance.
When he entered the Mountain and River Courtyard, he naturally saw the black sword case first, then turned his attention to the young man.
Seeing the sword case, a faint light appeared in his eyes. "Is this Eternal Night?"
"Have you seen it before?"
"It once briefly shone, but then fell into obscurity."
Jian Wudao's gaze was calm. "It's a bit of a shame for a sword named Eternal Night. It should forever cover the sky, known to all!"
"Are you blaming my Ninth Uncle?" Li Hao said lightly.
Jian Wudao indeed had that thought, though he didn't think he should voice it. However, his respect for the sword made him extremely dissatisfied when he learned that the famous sword had been sealed away and forgotten.
He had once visited the Li Family, willing to offer other promises in exchange.
But the old lady had driven him away.
However, today, he was just making a casual comment. Years had passed, and it was pointless to bring it up again, especially to a junior.
"My Ninth Uncle wielded this sword for only three years, yet it went from being unknown to a renowned sword. How can that be considered a failure?"
Li Hao said lightly. "Moreover, if my Ninth Uncle were still alive, everyone would know this sword. Of course, if Sword Saint Master were willing to fight demons and beasts on the border instead of just sitting in the Sword Hut, this sword would likely be the most famous in the world by now."
Hearing the sarcasm in Li Hao's words, Jian Wudao's expression changed.
The four people behind him were also taken aback, and the leading middle-aged man said sternly, "Young Master Li, please apologize to my master!"
Li Hao merely glanced at him, chuckled, and remained silent.
This was the Mountain and River Courtyard, not the Sword Hut.
Bian Ruxue hadn't expected her master and Li Hao to argue so soon after meeting. She was momentarily stunned, feeling tense and anxious.
Jian Wudao stared at Li Hao, his eyes growing colder. "Li Jiulang indeed had extraordinary talent. Now that he has passed the sword to you, do you deserve it?"
"This sword was forged by the Li Family from the finest metals. Whether I am worthy of it is not for outsiders to say", Li Hao said with a smile.
"Brother Hao."
Bian Ruxue couldn't help but call out.
Li Hao looked at her, seeing her caught in the middle, and his smile faded slightly.
Years ago, in this courtyard, it seemed to be in the same spot.
The little girl, however, stood resolutely by his side, speaking up for him at every turn.
When she heard that they were going to take her away, the little girl cried, saying she no longer loved swords and would never practice again...
Those days from the past can never be relived.
Just like the fallen leaves in the courtyard, once they wither and fall, they can never return to the branches.
Even if the spring breeze blows again next year, what emerges will be new sprouts...
At that moment, several figures hurried from the inner courtyard, it was Li Tiangang, accompanied by Yu Xuan and Li Fu on either side.
"Sword Saint, Senior!"
Li Tiangang called out from a distance when he saw Jian Wudao, then approached and bowed slightly:
"I never expected you to come to support my son. I am deeply honored."
Jian Wudao was a powerful figure from his father's generation and had visited to spar with his father when Li Tiangang was a child.
Although his father's overall combat strength could defeat Jian Wudao, he was not specialized in the Sword Dao, and thus often lost in those contests.
"No need for support", Jian Wudao said calmly. "I'm here for Xue'er's sake, to join the festivities and have a drink. I wonder if the Divine General Manor welcomes me."
"Of course, we welcome you."
Li Tiangang was slightly surprised, sensing a slight edge in the Sword Saint's words. Glancing at Li Hao, he immediately understood that Li Hao's lack of proper hospitality must have been the cause.
He then smiled and said, "Please follow me to the inner courtyard, Elder Jian. Xue'er is a talented child, and it is a great fortune for her to be able to study under the Sword Saint."
Seeing how courteous the Marshal, who had been in command for so long, was being, Jian Wudao's face showed a hint of a smile, and he followed him into the courtyard, ignoring Li Hao, who was of a much lower rank and not worth arguing with.
The disciples behind Jian Wudao also realized that arguing with Li Hao was pointless.
They had come to show kindness, and it would be counterproductive to make a scene over a few words.
However, they couldn't help feeling a bit displeased with this renowned youth from Qingzhou.
After they left, Bian Ruxue stood beside Li Hao, looking hesitant. "Brother Hao, are you angry?"
Li Hao sat back in his chair and smiled. "No, there's nothing to be angry about."
Bian Ruxue said, "My master is very serious about swords, and sometimes he may say things that aren't pleasant. Don't take it to heart, Brother Hao."
Li Hao smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not angry."
Bian Ruxue looked at him for a moment, seeing that he really wasn't angry, and breathed a sigh of relief. "I saw that Li Qianfeng had the Bodhisattva from Wuliang Mountain supporting him, so I invited my master."
"You've gone to a lot of trouble."
Li Hao understood her good intentions and smiled. "Go and keep your master company. He's in an unfamiliar place, and I'll just bask in the sun for a while."
"Alright."
Bian Ruxue nodded and left.
After she left, Li Hao opened his poetry collection and placed it over his face, continuing to bask in the sun.
Beside him, Ren Qianqian held the sword case and kept glancing at the inner courtyard.
Her heart had been pounding just now. The Sword Saint's presence was so overwhelming that she felt a shiver run through her body.
This was the renowned Sword Saint, after all!
But the youth in front of her remained calm, showing no fear at all. She had been afraid that the Sword Saint might lash out in anger and punish Li Hao.
However, Ren Qianqian's concerns were unfounded. In the Divine General Manor, regardless of whether Li Hao had made a mistake, Jian Wudao, no matter how irritable, would never act out, as it would not only disgrace Li Hao but also the entire Divine General Manor.
Meanwhile, while the Mountain and River Courtyard was relatively quiet, the Shuihua Courtyard was bustling with activity.
The hall was full of guests, and the inner courtyard was packed, with even the Outer Academy teeming with people.
Servants and maids were busy shuttling back and forth, attending to the guests.
...
...
In the Tan Palace Academy.
Many disciples in the White Hall wanted to go down the mountain to the Divine General Manor to show support for Li Hao and see how the Li Family True Dragon would make his decision.
However, they were all stopped by a decree from Song Yufeng.
Sun Hongdian, who was well-versed in human relations, explained the reasons for the decree to the disciples.
There were two reasons.
First, with Li Hao's talent, winning the True Dragon was a certainty, and there was no need for others to support him.
Second, the Tan Palace Academy had no reason to court trouble by adding to the festivities.
One of the disciples immediately called out, "But Zhou Zheng went!"
Sun Hongdian scolded irritably, "He went because his father is an old comrade of Marquis Xingwu. Is your father one too?"
The disciple fell silent immediately, clearly his father was not.
At the edge of Cold Pond Precipice.
Two figures stood here, gazing into the distance below the mountain, faintly sensing the bustling activity and the gathering of many powerful auras.
"That boy has drawn so many pictures for you. Aren't you going to take a look?"
Song Yufeng, hands behind his back, smiled as he looked at Song Qiumo beside him.
Song Qiumo glanced at him, "If I go, won't you be afraid of bringing Tan Palace into it?"
"Of course not."
Song Yufeng smiled, "The Li Family isn't unreasonable. Besides, that boy is bound to claim the True Dragon. What's there to fear with his support?"
Song Qiumo huffed, "If you're not afraid, why are you here to see me?"
"That little guy hasn't come up the mountain for several days. I see you standing here every day, waiting, and I'm afraid you'll get bored." Song Yufeng chuckled.
Song Qiumo rolled her eyes, "I'm waiting for him to bring Little Crispy Cakes."
"I didn't say what you were waiting for."
Song Yufeng smiled, "Besides, you can go down the mountain to buy them yourself."
Song Qiumo retorted, "I promised your Ancestor that I would stay here."
"Why bind yourself for life with a promise?"
Song Yufeng sighed, "Besides, you've already guarded this place for nearly a thousand years. My family is deeply grateful."
Song Qiumo fell silent.
After a moment, she said, "Speaking of which, he is also a teacher at your Tan Palace. Why don't you go?"
Song Yufeng laughed, hands behind his back, and said, "I only like to help when it's most needed, not to add to the glory."
...
...
In the Mountain and River Courtyard, apart from the Sword Saint and others, more people arrived one after another.
Most of them were people Li Tiangang had visited over the past few days, all coming to the courtyard to support Li Hao.
The inner courtyard was filled with guests. Li Tiangang sat in the main hall, chatting and entertaining everyone, with occasional bursts of laughter from the middle-aged men.
The younger guests, though few, were all in the inner courtyard, secretly watching the young master basking in the sun in the front yard, their eyes filled with curiosity but not daring to approach.
A fourteen-year-old who has reached the Fifteenth Li Realm—his reputation was too illustrious, making people wary.
"Master Li."
A figure spoke beside Li Hao. Li Hao lifted his poetry collection to see a familiar face.
Alone with Li Hao, Zhou Zheng's expression was slightly nervous, especially remembering the hundred poems he had recited in the brothel that day. He felt both admiration and awe for this peer.
"Why are you here?"
Li Hao was slightly surprised, his gaze sweeping past the other, and seeing no other students, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Given Tan Palace's status, there was no need to get involved. After all, Tan Palace students were spread across the world, and tying too closely with Divine General Manor might not be a good thing.
Some relationships, if kept at a respectful distance, were the best and most enduring, less likely to be destroyed.
"I came with my father", Zhou Zheng said respectfully.
Li Hao nodded, understanding, and invited him to sit down, telling him to feel at ease.
The two casually discussed poetry. Many people who saw Zhou Zheng talking to Li Hao were surprised and quietly noted the young man's appearance, avoiding any future offense.
As noon approached,
Li Tiangang, accompanied by the guests, had Yu Xuan call Li Hao over. Father and son walked at the front, leading the Sword Saint and others, along with the other guests, to Chen Hefang's courtyard.
The place was already crowded, packed with people.
Liu Yuerong and others had arrived earlier, and the guests who came to support Li Qianfeng had already taken their seats.
According to their status, from the inner courtyard to the Outer Academy, most seats were filled.
When Li Tiangang and his group arrived, the noise in the crowd diminished slightly, and all eyes turned to them.
When they saw Jian Wudao beside Li Tiangang, many faces changed, and low exclamations of surprise were heard.
Many did not expect Li Tiangang to invite this Sword Saint Master to support his child.
After all, Jian Wudao was a top Fourth Establishment Realm powerhouse, known for his disinterest in fame and fortune, often sitting in the Sword Hut. Yet, he had been persuaded to come down the mountain.
However, those who knew that Li Hao's fiancée was the Sword Saint's disciple found it less surprising.
Once inside the inner courtyard, the butler, under the old lady's instructions, arranged the seating based on their official positions, status in the martial world, and cultivation levels. This was a meticulous and massive task, requiring utmost care to avoid any mistakes.
After all, most of the guests placed great importance on "status."
Jian Wudao and his disciples naturally entered the inner courtyard.
As they arrived, the conversation among Liu Yuerong’s guests quieted down, and wary glances were cast their way.
Jian Wudao’s four disciples wore smirks of pride and amusement, their gazes sweeping over the nearby Li Family Young Master.
Thinking of the other party’s earlier insolence, they sneered inwardly.
Just take a look at what my master can bring to the table!
“Sword Saint, it’s been a long time.”
Several figures approached, with a Bodhisattva from Wuliang Mountain standing in the middle.
This Bodhisattva had a fair complexion and a middle-aged appearance, wearing a pristine robe and a black hair as dark as ink, he smiled and said.
Jian Wudao’s gaze sharpened. The Bodhisattva from Wuliang Mountain was not someone to be trifled with.
“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Jian Wudao.”
Beside the Bodhisattva stood another middle-aged man, dressed in luxurious attire, who looked down upon Jian Wudao.
Jian Wudao replied coolly, “The sword and blade competition hasn’t concluded yet. We’ll have another chance.”
The man was the Northern Blade Saint, who had sparred with Jian Wudao years ago, but the match had ended in a stalemate.
“Pleased to meet you, Sword Saint. I’ve heard much about you, ha ha…” another elder laughed.
He was short and stocky, wearing a green robe with a beard that reached his abdomen.
Jian Wudao remained calm, “Aren’t you from the Demon Suppression Bureau supposed to be subduing demons?”
“Just here for a drink, no need to worry,” the elder replied with a smile.
The guests at other tables held their breath.
It was rare to see such top-tier figures, Fourth Establishment Realm experts, all gathered in one place.
The disciples behind Jian Wudao also showed slight changes in their expressions. They had thought that their master coming to support Li Hao would at least ensure a balanced situation, but they hadn’t expected the other side to invite three such figures.
After a brief exchange, the group returned to their seats.
Jian Wudao’s expression was cold as he glanced at Li Tiangang and said, “If you had only invited me, I fear this place wouldn’t be secured.”
Li Tiangang gave a slight bitter smile. He had anticipated this and said, “Another senior is on the way.”
“Who?”
“The Mountain Master of Heavenly Sword Mountain.”
Jian Wudao’s eyes flickered, “Ah, that guy. It’s been a long time.”
Li Tiangang sighed inwardly. Even if that person arrived, they would still be slightly at a disadvantage, but at least the gap wouldn’t be so significant.
He glanced at his son, Li Hao, who seemed completely unconcerned. Li Tiangang felt helpless. Sword Saint had been invited by Xue'er, and the Mountain Master of Heavenly Sword Mountain by himself. His son, though highly cultivated, lacked connections and social skills.
Just as Li Tiangang was sighing, a voice suddenly rang out in the inner courtyard:
“Report—Arhat from Wuliang Mountain has arrived!”
A middle-aged man in a robe smiled as he entered the inner courtyard. Seeing the Bodhisattva seated among the guests, he immediately nodded and recited a Buddhist chant.
He then glanced at Li Tiangang’s side. Noticing the sparse number of guests at their table, he seemed slightly surprised. Standing in the center, he announced:
“Disciple sent on a mission, where is the Qiankun Vajra?”
Li Qianfeng was slightly taken aback, rising to greet him, “Li Qianfeng is here. I greet you, Arhat.”
“The Infinite Buddha Master has sent a string of prayer beads to be delivered to the Qiankun Vajra,” the Arhat said with a smile.
He and Li Qianfeng knew each other well. Speaking loudly was merely to boost the atmosphere.
Sure enough, upon hearing the Arhat’s words, the entire courtyard fell silent, and all eyes were on him in shock.
The esteemed Buddhist Master from Wuliang Mountain was actually backing him?
Jian Wudao and Li Tiangang’s expressions darkened.
With the Buddhist Master’s involvement, even the Mountain Master of Heavenly Sword Mountain’s presence would be meaningless.
“Had I known this, Xue'er wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.”
Jian Wudao shook his head, his expression returning to calm. Had he known, he wouldn’t have come down the mountain.
Li Tiangang’s body trembled slightly as he sighed. They indeed couldn’t match this, but connections weren’t everything.
“Thank you, Master.”
Li Qianfeng, in front of everyone, accepted the string of prayer beads from the Arhat, bowing in gratitude.
The Arhat smiled, about to say something, when another voice interrupted from behind:
“Report!!”
“Imperial Edict from Emperor Yu has arrived, summoning the Li Family’s son, Li Hao, to receive the decree!!”
In an instant, the courtyard fell silent, not a sound to be heard.
(End of Chapter)
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