Chapter 105: Emperor Yu's Chess Skill Isn't That Poor, Is It?

Imperial Edict of Emperor Yu?!

In the stillness of the courtyard, every eye turned in unison toward a single point.

There, a noble youth sat calmly, while a young maiden stood beside him, holding a massive black sword case.

“?”

Hearing the proclamation, Li Hao blinked in surprise. Emperor Yu?

At the same table, Li Tiangang, Jian Wudao, and several of his disciples all turned to look at Li Hao, their expressions a mix of astonishment and confusion.

Regardless of the reason, Li Hao quickly rose to his feet. Just then, footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard as a procession approached.

On both sides marched elite guards from the mansion; at the center walked several top scholars, each bearing the imperial edict.

“Who is Li Hao?”

An elderly eunuch in deep purple robes spoke, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. He wasn’t surprised to see so many guests. But when his eyes landed on the presence of a Sword Saint and a Bodhisattva—both masters of the Four Foundations Realm—his pupils narrowed ever so slightly.

The courtyard, once briefly silent, now buzzed with hushed murmurs. Many recognized the eunuch and felt a jolt of shock.

This was one of Emperor Yu’s most trusted confidants—once a personal attendant to the former emperor, now a powerhouse in his own right at the Four Foundations Realm. Even within the hallowed halls of the Dragon Court, he was a figure of immense influence!

And now, he had personally come to deliver the Imperial Edict.

In the past, such honors had mostly been bestowed upon Li Hao’s grandfather’s generation by this very same eunuch, Chu Jiuyue. Occasionally, during the father’s generation, when a great achievement was accomplished, the honor would fall to him.

Now, here he was—delivering the decree to Li Hao, a mere third-generation scion.

“Respectfully, Your Honor,” Li Hao stepped forward swiftly, bowing slightly.

Chu Jiuyue studied the boy with a gentle smile. “Indeed, a dragon among men—handsome, noble, and of high spirit. Marquis’s Son, no need for formalities. Receive the decree.”

The mention of Marquis’s Son struck a chord with the onlookers. Suddenly, they realized: this youth wasn’t just a prodigy in cultivation and natural talent—his very title was Marquis’s Son, a noble rank granted by the throne.

It was the dazzling aura of his talent that had overshadowed this fact. But this official title alone made him superior to half the guests present.

Recognizing the implication, Li Hao bowed slightly—just enough to honor his rank. Without such a title, even the son of Xing Wuhou would have had to kneel before the decree.

“…The Li Clan’s ancestral merits have long been revered. Xing Wuhou’s guidance has been exemplary… In days past, the Ninth Young Master of the Li Clan, Marquis of National Protection, led the Iron Cavalry to the frontier, giving his life for the nation…”

“Now, fortune has smiled upon us with this child—his natural talent unparalleled in history, his mental character pure and sincere, above the petty ways of the world. He is wise, learned, kind, and virtuous…”

“With such a son, the Li Clan has brought joy to the Emperor’s heart—and to the millions of common people under his rule!”

The imperial edict was long. As Chu Jiuyue spoke, each word fell like a bell in the silent courtyard, echoing through the hearts of all present.

First, praise for Li Hao’s father. Then, a brief mention of Li Junye—his late ancestor, the True Dragon of the Li Clan, who had once earned legendary martial glory. But the true focus of the edict was Li Hao himself.

His talent was dismissed in a single phrase: unparalleled in history. Yet even without words, all present knew the truth.

Many great sects kept records. And Li Hao’s cultivation speed—aside from a few exceptional cases—was already a record-breaking phenomenon.

The entire edict, however, centered on Li Hao’s mental character—six adjectives, each more profound than the last.

The sheer number of praises revealed the depth of Emperor Yu’s admiration.

To earn such a tribute in the past hundred years? Such names were few and far between.

“Li Hao, receive the decree!”

Chu Jiuyue smiled.

Li Hao responded quickly, voice steady. He felt a thrill of honor. When has Emperor Yu ever seen me? Why such a gesture?

This wasn’t just about backing him. With this edict, Li Hao could skip the mental character trial entirely during the True Dragon Selection.

How could the Li Clan claim this child lacked character when the Emperor himself had praised him with six distinct virtues?

Who would dare insult the Emperor’s judgment?

With both hands, Li Hao accepted the imperial edict. Then, he bowed once more to the imperial eunuch.

Chu Jiuyue smiled. “Since I’ve come all this way, I might as well partake in a cup of wine from the Li Mansion—borrowing a bit of the Marquis’s Son’s auspicious qi. Would that be welcome?”

“Of course! It would be our greatest honor,” Li Hao replied with a warm smile. He understood the eunuch’s intent—this visit was not just a formality. He was here to stand with Li Hao, to lend his presence as a shield.

As the two spoke, the guests in the courtyard slowly regained their composure. Their expressions shifted—complex, uneasy.

Those seated on the other side, gathered to support Li Qianfeng, now looked grim. Save for the members of the Liu family’s inner circle, most of them felt a prickling unease, as if the chair itself had grown sharp beneath them.

When did this chair become so painful?

On the other side, Li Tiangang rose swiftly, smiling as he stepped forward. “Master Chu, the path has been long—tiring indeed. Please, take your seat.”

He guided the eunuch to the honored guest’s place.

Chu Jiuyue smiled and followed Li Hao back to the table.

All those seated nearby rose at once—everyone, even the disciples of the Sword Saint—when they saw the emperor’s favorite, a Four Foundations Realm master.

The Sword Saint remained seated, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Master Chu, it’s been a while.”

“Sword Saint, you’ve always had keen eyes,” Chu Jiuyue replied with a chuckle.

The implication was clear—Jian Wudao had come not for Li Hao’s sake, but because his own disciple had begged him. And since he had a soft spot for Bian Ruxue, and since her letter confirmed she had chosen the Sword Dao, he had agreed—easily.

Hearing this, Jian Wudao’s face twitched with a hint of embarrassment.

As Chu Jiuyue took his seat, the others bowed respectfully. Though he was merely a “Top Scholar,” no one dared treat him lightly. Not even the princes within the palace would dare address him otherwise than Uncle Chu.

“Sit, everyone. No need to be formal,” Chu Jiuyue said with a gentle wave.

Beside him, Li Hao held the imperial edict. He called for Qingzhi, one of the waiting maids, and instructed her to return the decree to the Mountain and River Courtyard for safekeeping—lest the dining table’s wine spill on it.

Li Tiangang glanced at the edict, then turned to Chu Jiuyue, curiosity in his voice. “Master Chu, when did Emperor Yu last meet my son? Did he visit Qingzhou?”

The question drew the attention of all present—guests, disciples, even Li Hao himself.

When have I ever met the Emperor?

Could that old man by the river—whom he’d played chess with—really be the one seated on the Dragon Throne?

But that didn’t make sense. Emperor Yu’s chess skill… surely it wasn’t that poor.

Besides, he’d heard the Emperor was in his prime—broad-shouldered as a mountain, eyes piercing the heavens. But that old man was… just an old man.

Chu Jiuyue chuckled inwardly. He knew Emperor Yu had recently left the Dragon Court, though he didn’t know where.

The Emperor occasionally took walks outside the palace—sometimes with him, sometimes alone. He never asked. He wouldn’t dare.

But after returning, the Emperor had sent him here. That meant the Emperor had been here.

Still, he wouldn’t say a word. Revealing the Emperor’s whereabouts? That would be inviting trouble.

“Details aside,” Chu Jiuyue said with a serene smile, “perhaps the Emperor felt moved by the Li Clan’s past merits… or perhaps he heard of the Marquis’s Son’s talent. He sent someone to observe. In any case, congratulations, Xing Wuhou—your family has found its Qilin child!”

The explanation made sense to many.

After all, the edict had praised the Li Clan. Emperor Yu clearly held Li Hao in high regard—drawing comparisons to Li Junye, as if hoping Li Hao might one day inherit that legacy and shine even brighter than his namesake.

And Li Hao’s fame had spread far and wide across Qingzhou City. It wasn’t hard to imagine the Emperor hearing of him. A visit from an imperial envoy—plausible enough.

“Having the Emperor’s favor is my son’s greatest honor,” Li Tiangang said quickly, bowing deeply.

He had long worried over Li Hao’s temperament—but now, to be seen by the Emperor himself? The joy was overwhelming.

Chu Jiuyue smiled, saying nothing more.

Jian Wudao narrowed his brows, silent.

His four disciples exchanged glances—complex, unreadable. With this imperial edict in hand, even if their master hadn’t come, Li Hao’s authority was already enough to crush Li Qianfeng’s connections.

After all, who in this world had greater influence than the Emperor?

Not even the Univerese Buddha, nor the immortal of the Qian Dao Palace—everyone bowed before the Emperor.

That is what it means to be Emperor—supreme over all under heaven.

Bian Ruxue’s eyes shimmered as she gazed at the young man at the table—calm, serene, like a breeze through a clear valley.

The scene stirred a distant memory.

In places where others failed, he had always shone.

Not long after, the Bodhisattva of Wuliang Mountain, the Sword Saint, and the other Four Foundations Realm masters from the opposite table came over to greet Chu Jiuyue, exchanging polite pleasantries.

They couldn’t afford to offend him. After all, he was the one who spoke directly to the Emperor—the wielder of ultimate power.

After the brief exchange, they returned to Li Qianfeng’s side.

Liu Yuerong forced a smile, but her fingers clenched so tightly beneath the table that her nails drew blood.

All she could think was regret.

Why hadn’t I just killed him outright?

She should have poisoned him then—no need for subtlety. Even if it was risky, it would have been worth it.

Who could have imagined that the child she’d once tried to destroy would now stand so tall, so radiant, so utterly brilliant?

And this was before his Divine Blood had awakened.

If he were to awaken it fully… he’d be even more dazzling.

But she didn’t know—Divine Blood’s physical enhancement meant little to Li Hao’s cultivation. His body techniques had long surpassed such benefits.

“Who would have thought Emperor Yu would take action?” Jiang Haiping, the Sword Saint, sighed, sipping his wine. “Looks like we came for nothing.”

Xiang Yuguang, the Demon-Subduing Bureau’s chief, remained calm on the surface, but his heart was cold.

He had come to support Li Qianfeng. But now? He’d made a grave misstep.

The others—Sword Saint, Bodhisattva of Wuliang Mountain—were masters of the martial world. But he held an official position. And the limit of official power? The Emperor himself.

He had just stood against the Emperor.

After a moment’s thought, Xiang Yuguang turned to Liu Yuerong. “Lady Liu, I’m sorry.”

Then he stood, bowing slightly. “I’ve just remembered an urgent matter at home. I’ll take my leave. Please enjoy your meal.”

With that, he bowed once more and walked away.

As he passed the other table, he caught sight of Chu Jiuyue and Li Tiangang. He offered a faint, polite nod—then vanished into the crowd.

Liu Yuerong managed a weak smile, but her eyes burned with fury, barely restrained.

Sensing her distress, Linenji of Wuliang Mountain smiled gently. “Lady, do not worry. Now, it’s all about Qianfeng’s destiny. I believe in him.”

His expression remained calm, untouched—like still water reflecting the sky.

Liu Yuerong glanced at him. Of course you say that. It’s not your fate at stake.

But then she remembered the secret message he’d given her. Her heart eased slightly.

Yes, Li Hao’s cultivation speed was faster than her son’s.

But lineage, realm depth, and hidden power? That was another matter entirely.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end