Chapter 117: Your Son Is Already Dead (补更 625)

Within the Divine General’s Mansion, in the Mountain and River Courtyard.

Inside a lavish, dignified chamber, a soft bed cradled a youth as he slowly stirred awake.

Li Hao had dreamed.

In his dream, his body felt weightless, soaring freely through the heavens. He soared over vast grasslands, rivers, and lakes, flying side by side with a wild bird, dancing through mountains and valleys beneath the open sky.

Countless streams converged, merging into a single, ancient character.

That character was his name.

And then—Li Hao awoke.

His eyes fluttered open, and before him loomed a weathered, anxious face.

“Hao’er!” Li Moxiu gasped in relief. “You’re finally awake! How are you feeling? Is your body better?”

For two days now, the attendants had bathed him, scrubbing away the dried blood and grime. His wounds had been cleaned, his torn flesh wrapped in fresh, pure robes. The shattered ribs, once broken and exposed, were slowly knitting together under the careful scrutiny of Li Moxiu and the Divine Physician.

To heal so rapidly from such a grievous injury—this was the miraculous power of the Three Immortalities’ “Immortal Unbroken Realm.” Yet Li Hao had not yet reached that stage. And yet, his body bore this strange, wondrous vitality. It was truly miraculous.

“Where… is this?” Li Hao murmured, his gaze still hazy. As his vision cleared, his expression darkened.

He recognized the room.

So he was still in the Divine General’s Residence.

Without hesitation, he tried to rise—but pain lanced through his chest. His still-unhealed ribs cracked open again, fresh blood welling from the wound. The pristine white robe he wore turned crimson in an instant.

“Hao’er, lie back down!” Li Moxiu rushed forward, alarmed.

But Li Hao had already sat up. He gasped, trembling slightly, then looked at his Second Uncle with a calm gaze. His eyes swept the room. Besides Li Moxiu, Qingzhi stood nearby. No one else.

Noticing his look, Li Moxiu said, “Your Fifth Elder is guarding the Ancestral Hall, but he can sense everything happening here.”

A faint smile touched Li Hao’s lips. He nodded, then released his Spirit Soul.

It burst from his body like a silver thread, streaking through the Mountain and River Courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, he saw Li Yuanshao, his face tense and anxious, and Bian Ruxue, her eyes filled with worry.

Beyond the gates, Li Wushuang paced slowly, her younger sister Li Zhinin close behind.

And in a secluded corner, hidden among blooming flowers, Li Hao finally spotted the little white fox.

It was injured before—but now, its wounds had healed.

Li Hao exhaled softly, drawing his Spirit Soul back into his body.

“Thank you, Second Uncle, for saving my life.”

Li Moxiu’s expression flickered. He lowered his voice. “Hao’er… your father never truly intended to kill you. He was merely… lost in madness. You’re blood, after all. You two are father and son…”

He faltered. He wanted to say, You should forgive him.

But how could he ask this of a child—pale, broken, bleeding—when the man who did this to him was so unyielding?

Li Hao understood the unspoken words. He smiled faintly, then turned to Qingzhi. “Fetch my outer garments.”

Qingzhi, seeing him awake, lit up with joy—her exhaustion melted away. She nodded eagerly.

“Hao’er, you’re still injured! Rest!” Li Moxiu urged.

Li Hao shook his head. Then a thought struck him. “Second Uncle… do you know about my mother? She came from the Great荒 World, didn’t she?”

Li Moxiu froze. “Who told you that? The Heavenly Pole?”

The name sent a subtle ripple through Li Hao’s brow. He shook his head. “Tell me, please.”

Li Moxiu sighed. “Your mother… her identity is complicated. Yes, she did come from the Great荒 World. She met your father by accident. Back then, no one approved of the match. But in the end… we couldn’t bear to break up such a pair of doomed lovers.”

Li Hao’s lips twitched slightly. He said nothing.

“You don’t… plan to go searching for her, do you?” Li Moxiu suddenly asked.

Li Hao blinked. “My mother… isn’t she dead?”

“Huh?” Li Moxiu froze. His words had slipped. He fell silent, stunned.

Li Hao noticed the shift in his expression. “Second Uncle… what is it? Tell me!”

Li Moxiu stared into his eyes, then sighed. “You deserve to know. Your father didn’t tell you—probably for the best. She returned to the Great荒 World… and there’s no chance she’ll come back. Especially not someone who’s carried a child.”

Li Hao’s heart lurched.

She’s alive?

“But even if she is, you’ll never see her again,” Li Moxiu continued. “You mustn’t go looking. The Great荒 World is vast beyond imagination. Even a Four Foundations Realm cultivator would be in grave danger there.”

He looked at Li Hao. “At your current cultivation level, entering the Great荒 World would be certain death. And even if you made it… you’d have no way to find her. Not even I know where her clan or tribe lies.”

Li Hao stood still. Then he exhaled, a quiet smile forming.

“Don’t worry, Second Uncle. I won’t risk it. If I ever go… I’ll wait until I’ve mastered the Great荒 Heaven Realm.”

He wasn’t lying.

Once, when he first met Li Tiangang, he would’ve charged headfirst into danger for the chance to find his mother. But now… he just wanted to live his own life.

Besides, it had been over a decade. A little more time wouldn’t matter.

Li Moxiu relaxed slightly. “Good. That’s good to hear.”

Li Hao smiled, then let Qingzhi hand him his clothes. He dressed slowly, calmly. When he was finished, he took a deep breath and turned to his Second Uncle.

“Second Uncle,” he said softly, “the path ahead is long. Hao’er… I can no longer fish with you.”

Li Moxiu’s pupils widened. His face paled. “Hao’er… what are you doing?”

Li Hao looked out toward the courtyard.

“I won’t stay here anymore.”

“Master Li!” Qingzhi gasped, stunned. Impossible.

Li Hao stepped out of the room, walking slowly into the courtyard.

Seeing him awake and upright, Li Yuanshao and Bian Ruxue immediately sensed it. They rushed over, eyes alight with joy.

“Hao Ge!” Li Yuanshao called.

Bian Ruxue smiled. “You’re really healed?”

Li Hao returned their smiles. “You’ll have to cultivate on your own now.”

Li Yuanshao blinked. “Hao Ge… are you…?”

Li Hao’s gaze swept across the courtyard—the one he’d lived in for fourteen years.

He knew every tree, every flower, every stone. He had even painted some of the scenes from memory.

But now… none of it mattered.

The sky had turned cold. Autumn leaves had long since fallen. The yellowed remnants had been swept clean by servants. The air carried a chill, like frost descending.

He said nothing. Just walked slowly toward a specific spot.

They followed. Li Yuanshao kept pressing, anxious.

Finally, Li Hao stopped before a patch of flowers, encircled by stone, marked with a strict prohibition against stepping.

He stood still. Then, slowly, deeply, he bowed.

“Lin Shu,” he whispered. “Farewell. May you be well.”

He looked one last time—then turned.

With a silent thought, he brushed his spirit gently across the courtyard, caressing the little white fox.

The fox felt his presence. It leapt to life, a streak of white, darting forward to land at his feet.

Li Hao smiled.

Then he turned to Li Moxiu, his expression solemn.

“Second Uncle… thank you for all you’ve done for me over the years. When the chance comes, I’ll repay you.”

He bowed deeply.

Li Moxiu’s face turned ashen. “Hao’er… you—”

“Hao Ge!” Li Yuanshao cried. “Are you really leaving?”

Li Hao looked at him, smiled, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m going.”

“Hao Ge!” Bian Ruxue cried, her voice trembling. “Where are you going?”

A cold, furious voice cut through the air behind him.

“You’re leaving? Where?”

Li Hao’s smile faded. He didn’t turn.

The little white fox flinched, trembling—then bared its teeth, standing protectively in front of him.

“Heavenly Pole,” Li Moxiu growled, seeing Li Tiangang step forward, flanked by Yu Xuan, Li Fu, and Zhao Bo.

His face burned with anger. “How dare you speak to Hao’er like that?”

Li Tiangang’s face was grim. He had been recovering from his injuries, and now stood much stronger. Around him, Li Fu, Zhao Bo, and even his younger brothers had urged him to reconcile. He wanted peace.

But seeing Li Hao wake up—only to bypass him, wander through the courtyard, and then plan to leave—fueled the fire in his chest.

“Just recovered a little, and now you’re already thinking you can fly?” Li Tiangang sneered.

A faint smirk curled Li Hao’s lips. He turned.

“Is that so? Shall we fight again?”

His aura flared—silent, cold, and unyielding.

“Hmph. Good. Good.” Li Tiangang’s face flushed with rage, blood surging beneath his skin. But this time, he held back. He had already broken his Heart Oath, nearly dying from the injury. To fight again—worse, to injure himself further—would be unthinkable.

Even in Yanbei, for fourteen years, he had never suffered such a wound.

“Fine,” he said, voice like ice. “Just stepped into the Human-Heaven Stage, and now you think you can’t be controlled?”

Li Hao stared at him, calm. No anger. No fear. No emotion.

“From this day forward, you have no right to speak of discipline. I am no longer your son. I told you before—your son is already dead.”

“What?” Li Tiangang’s voice cracked.

Li Hao looked at him, quiet.

“Don’t you remember? Or should I remind you… of why Fu Bo returned?”

The silence that followed was absolute.

Fu Bo had come back because, when Li Hao was six, a Demon Clan assassin had infiltrated the mansion—sent from the Circulation Realm to kill him.

“Six years old,” Li Hao said, voice flat. “You should’ve lost your son that day. He died because you were guarding the border.”

“Everyone thought it was a miracle. A high-level protector. But no. That assassin… I killed him with my own hands.”

He paused.

“He died whispering: ‘You’re the weakest part of him.’ He wanted to break your mind by killing me. But now… I think the Demon Clan underestimated you.”

The words hung in the air.

All eyes widened. Breath caught.

Their pupils contracted.

They stared at Li Hao—frozen, stunned.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end