https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-118-Li-Hao-No-Longer-Exists-Part-1-/13450111/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-119-From-Now-On-Only-Enjoyment-Catch-up-725-/13450113/
Chapter 118: Li Hao No Longer Exists (Part 2)
Chapter 118: Li Hao No Longer Exists (Double Chapter Guarantee) (Part 2)
Song Yufeng smiled slightly and said, "I heard that Young Master Li Hao of the Divine General Manor has unparalleled talent, so I came to pay a visit. I hope you can accommodate us, Madam."
Upon hearing this, the faces of the madams changed again, some in shock.
They hadn't expected these two to come for Li Hao as well.
However, considering Li Hao's recent enrollment in Tan Palace Academy, they quickly understood.
Still, how long had that boy been in Tan Palace Academy to earn such high regard from the Palace Master?
Tan Palace Academy and the Divine General Manor had maintained a distant but friendly relationship in Qingzhou City for many years. Now, the academy had broken this delicate balance for Li Hao's sake.
Was it because of the boy's talent? Everyone wondered.
"Li Hao is resting these days. If you wish to see him, you are welcome to do so."
Chen Hefang had intended to say that Li Hao was recovering from his injuries, but considering the public setting, mentioning his injuries would only invite more discussion about the battle that had disgraced the Divine General Manor.
Song Yufeng was slightly surprised at the old lady's words. He had expected it to be a bit more difficult, but it turned out to be so easy.
He immediately thanked her and was about to enter the manor when a slight commotion erupted from inside.
The madams from various courtyards turned their heads and saw a young figure approaching.
The youth had empty hands, and a faint trace of pale red could be seen at the collar of his outer robe.
At his feet was a familiar white fox with fluffy fur.
"Li Hao?"
Chen Hefang turned to see Li Hao, her eyes revealing a mix of complexity and affection. One was her beloved son, and the other was her grandson whom she had only met recently but had grown to like very much. She felt heartache for both.
"How did you come here?" she asked gently, her face kind and tender.
Li Hao glanced at his grandmother, and despite the kind and gentle look in her eyes, he sighed inwardly. He then calmly said:
"Grandmother, I've come to say goodbye."
"Huh?"
At these words, Chen Hefang was instantly stunned, and the other madams looked at him in shock.
Liu Yuerong's eyes flashed with a glint, and she fixed her gaze on Li Hao.
"I am leaving and won't be coming back."
Li Hao bowed slightly to his grandmother.
"Li Hao, you're leaving the Li Family?" Chen Hefang was taken aback, her eyes widening in surprise.
Li Hao nodded, his gaze sweeping over the other madams. When he saw Liu Yuerong, a deep-seated killing intent flashed in his eyes but quickly subsided.
He knew that killing her now would be difficult and would likely put him in an even more dangerous situation. His strength was not yet sufficient, and he needed to accumulate more power.
"Li Hao."
At that moment, Li Muxiu, Bian Ruxue, Li Yuanzhao, and others hurried over.
Li Muxiu quickly said, "Li Hao, don't be impulsive. Whatever you're thinking, just say it, and I'll stand up for you."
As he spoke, he saw Liu Yuerong, and his face instantly turned cold. He said harshly, "You still have the nerve to be here? Apologize to Li Hao!"
Liu Yuerong's face changed, and she said with a look of wronged innocence, "Second Uncle, the Ministry of Punishments hasn't investigated the matter yet, so you can't keep accusing me."
"You!"
Li Muxiu gritted his teeth, the veins on his hand standing out.
Li Hao, however, remained calm. "Second Uncle, there's no need to get angry."
Li Muxiu was taken aback and looked at him.
Li Hao simply smiled faintly, not saying anything harsh.
An apology? Compensation?
Some things couldn't be resolved with just an apology; only blood and life could make people remember and allow him to find peace.
"Mother, Ninth Lady."
Li Hao's gaze swept over everyone, and he bowed again. "I am deeply grateful for your care in the past. I bid you farewell today, and we shall meet again in the future."
He Jianlan and Jiang Xian'er's faces changed. He Jianlan said, "Li Hao, don't be impulsive. Your father may have a bad temper, but you are still father and son..."
Li Hao's lips twitched. Why did they always say that?
He shook his head, saying nothing. Suddenly, he felt something and looked up. A feather-like snowflake was falling from the sky.
Autumn had already passed, and the first snow of early winter seemed to have come a bit early.
His gaze returned from the gray clouds in the sky to the steps in front of him, and then he walked forward, saying no more and making no further pause.
"Hao Ge!"
Li Yuanzhao couldn't help but call out, her eyes moist and her nose tingling.
Li Hao's figure paused, but he didn't turn around. He had already said what he needed to say.
Bian Ruxue was lost in thought. She had thought that after this trip down the mountain to help Li Hao secure the True Dragon, she would say her goodbyes. She hadn't expected such dramatic changes.
Suddenly, a towering figure appeared in front of Li Hao, like a dark cloud blocking his view.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Li Tiangang's face was icy cold, filled with frost.
Where was he going? Li Hao seriously considered the question, feeling a moment of confusion.
Yes, where was he going?
But soon, he regained his composure and smiled.
"The world is vast, and I am but a passerby. I can drift anywhere."
Li Tiangang flew into a rage. "Ridiculous! You are born a Li, and you will die a Li!"
"I no longer bear the Li name!" Li Hao said coldly.
Li Tiangang said through gritted teeth, "What name do you want to bear, then?"
Li Hao was momentarily lost in thought.
Yes, if not Li, what name should he bear?
More importantly, in his previous life, he had also been surnamed Li.
His previously calm heart now felt a bitter twinge.
His parents had died early in his past life, and now, in this new life, he couldn't even keep his own surname.
Born into a noble family, yet ending up like this—it was truly laughable.
He took a deep breath, the cold, frosty air filling his lungs and bringing a sense of comfort.
He regained his calm and said, "What name I bear is none of your concern. I will no longer carry the Li name. From now on, I have no ties with the Li Family!"
"Do you think you can sever your ties with the Li Family with just those words?"
Li Tiangang's eyes were filled with anger. "The Li Family has raised you for so many years. You want to just walk away?"
Li Hao looked up and met his gaze. "What do you want, then?"
"You can leave, but you must repay the Li Family for everything you owe!" Li Tiangang said angrily.
Li Hao said in a solemn voice, "How do you want me to repay you?"
"How do I repay you? You make it sound so easy. You've learned the Li Family’s Cultivation Techniques, how do you repay that?"
"The precious herbs I gave you to build your foundation and cleanse your blood, how do you repay those?"
"And the blood flowing through your veins, how do you repay that?!"
Li Tiangang asked coldly, word by word.
Li Hao was silent for a moment before he said, "I can stop using the Cultivation Techniques. For every technique I learned, I will gift the same number to the Rain Listening Pavilion in the future."
"The precious herbs for Foundation Building, I will gather and return them. The treasured blood of the three-thousand-year Great Demon you killed, I will also repay you!"
"As for the blood in my veins..."
Li Hao lifted his head and looked him straight in the eye. "I told you, your son is long dead. My life now is my own!"
Now that he had reached the Tianren Realm and cultivated his own path, he could create his own Cultivation Techniques. Even if he stopped using the others, it wouldn't significantly affect him.
Li Tiangang laughed in rage. "Fine, fine, fine! You’ve reached the Tianren Realm, so you think you have the wings to fly. Let’s set aside the Cultivation Techniques for now. How do you plan to kill a three-thousand-year Great Demon?"
"Do you know what realm a three-thousand-year Great Demon is in? At the very least, it’s in the middle to peak Immortal Realm!"
"Do you think that just because you’ve reached the Tianren Realm now, you are guaranteed to become an immortal?"
Li Tiangang’s face twisted with derision. "After the Tianren Realm, every step is a hurdle. No matter how talented you are, there’s no guarantee you’ll become a supreme powerhouse!"
"There was once a prodigy who reached the Grandmaster Realm at nineteen. A hundred years later, he only managed to reach the Three Immortalities Realm!"
"You want to drag this out, but I can’t wait!"
A chill appeared in Li Hao's eyes. "So, how do you want me to repay you?"
Li Tiangang’s anger grew as he looked at him. "Repayment, is it? Fine! Three years, I’ll give you three years!"
"Within three years, for every technique you learned, you must return the same number!"
"Within three years, you must kill a three-thousand-year Great Demon and bring me its blood!"
"As for the Li Family’s bone and blood talents in you, you won’t waste them. You will go to Heavenly Gate Pass and guard it for the family. I don’t care how long you can hold it; just guard it for three years, and I’ll consider your debt repaid!"
"Li Tiangang, have you truly gone mad?!"
Li Muxiu exclaimed in shock and anger. "Do you know what you’re saying? Do you want to kill your own son?!"
The others also showed signs of unease. This threat was far too harsh.
Other demands could be negotiated or sought from others, but guarding Heavenly Gate Pass was a different matter entirely.
It was the most perilous location the Li Family guarded, situated deep within the Dayu Frontier, like a sharp thorn jutting out. On both sides were Demon territories, and beyond that, the Great Wasteland Sky.
Moreover, nearby was a vassal state of Dayu, which, while paying tribute to the Great Yu Dynasty on the surface, had long been colluding with the Demons, frequently attacking Heavenly Gate Pass.
Whenever evidence was found, the vassal state would use scapegoats to cover it up. Over the years, countless Li Family soldiers had died defending Heavenly Gate Pass.
Even with a Fourth Establishment Realm expert in charge, they could only barely hold it!
The casualty rate there was extremely high. In the past, Li Family’s Third and Sixth Sons had both perished while guarding this place, their bodies buried there.
Now, they wanted to send Li Hao, a mere youth, to such a place?
Even at the Tianren Realm, he would be nothing more than a handful of dust there!
However, they could see that Li Tiangang was merely trying to force Li Hao to stay, not allowing him to leave.
Looking at the angry face before him, Li Hao gazed deeply at Li Tiangang and nodded. "No problem."
Li Tiangang’s expression changed; he hadn’t expected Li Hao to actually agree. He was so angry he could laugh.
"Fine, fine, fine! Truly ignorant and fearless. Do you know what Heavenly Gate Pass is? Three years? I’ll see if you can even survive three years. If you do, I’ll see what kind of person you’ll be after three years!"
He laughed coldly in anger. "When you guard that Heavenly Gate Pass, I’ll withdraw all the Li Family troops from there and won’t send you a single soldier as reinforcement. You want to leave the Li Family, don’t you? Go and see what you’re made of on your own!"
"See what you’re worth without the Li Family and all those soldiers protecting you!"
"Your comfort and arrogance are bought with the blood of countless others. When the time comes, you’ll realize that your talent and abilities are worthless in the face of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood!"
Li Muxiu was utterly enraged. "If you want to kill Li Hao, just say it. Why go to such lengths?"
"If Li Hao goes, I’ll go with him!"
"Second Uncle!"
Li Tiangang's face darkened, and he said angrily, "As an elder, I have repeatedly tolerated your behavior. I hope you understand that this is our family matter!"
"How long are you going to indulge Li Hao? If you continue to interfere, don't blame me for using the name of the True Dragon to place you under house arrest in the Rain Listening Pavilion!"
Li Muxiu, hearing this, was so furious that his eyes bulged and his body trembled.
"You still want to put me under house arrest? Is this how you govern the Li Family!"
At this moment, Li Hao fell silent.
He had heard about Heavenly Gate Pass from his Second Uncle before.
Whenever it was mentioned, he couldn't help but sigh.
It was the most perilous place that the Li Family guarded for Dayu.
However, according to his Second Uncle, over the years, the Li Family's losses there, the rapid expansion of the Mourning River, and the chaos outside had made Emperor Yu seem to have decided to abandon the area.
He had been pulling back his troops for defense.
This news, Li Tiangang was likely aware of as well, which was why he dared to mention the withdrawal of the Li Family's troops.
Even if they couldn't hold it and had to abandon it, the Li Family would at most face some criticism and punishment, but not severe retribution. After all, Emperor Yu had already made up his mind.
Seeing Li Hao's silence, Li Tiangang couldn't help but sneer, "What, no backbone?"
Li Hao lifted his head and stared at him. Suddenly, a voice reached his ears, and his expression changed slightly. He remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Fine, those are your words. For three years, I will guard it for the Li Family. After three years, I will no longer owe anything, not even the blood flowing in my veins!"
Li Muxiu, seeing Li Hao agree, hurriedly said, "Li Hao, what nonsense are you talking? You don't need to repay everything you've eaten and drunk with your life!"
Li Hao's lips moved slightly. Yes, why did he need to repay it with his life?
Who could have predicted that a little bit of kindness from the past would require such immense repayment!
But deep down, he was thoroughly tired and did not want any more ties.
"Beast, you really dare to agree?"
Li Tiangang exploded, "Do you know what you're saying? What will you use to guard it? Your Tianren Realm cultivation? You might die before even reaching Heavenly Gate Pass!"
Li Hao said indifferently, "I'd rather die outside than here!"
"You!" Li Tiangang choked, too angry to speak.
"I've already agreed, so move aside!"
Li Hao didn't waste any more words and coldly said.
Li Tiangang stood there, momentarily at a loss for words.
But Li Hao simply stepped over him. Then, amidst the shocked cries and urgent calls of the crowd, he crossed the threshold.
He stepped over the place that countless people dreamed of entering!
This step meant that from now on, there would be no more Li Hao in the world.
Everyone watched in a daze, unsure of what to say or do.
The young man's back was so resolute, so decisive.
None of them had expected that this father and son would be so stubborn and unyielding.
"Li Hao..."
"Hao Ge!"
People couldn't help but call out, but the young man's back didn't pause, step by step, he walked down the steps of the Divine General Manor's gate.
Li Tiangang suddenly turned, staring at that figure, his face ashen.
"You'll regret this!"
This voice reached the young man's ears, but he showed no reaction.
Li Muxiu watched in a daze, suddenly feeling that this young man might never return.
Just as Li Hao had said, he no longer bore the Li surname.
He had abandoned the most prestigious surname outside the royal family.
He left in the winter.
Outside the Divine General Manor, Song Yufeng, Song Qiumo, and many White Hall disciples all heard the conversation.
They all stared at the young man leaving the Divine General Manor.
They had come to plead for Li Hao, but they never expected that this outstanding genius of the Divine General Manor would leave today.
They wanted to persuade him, but they didn't know what to say.
The dialogue between the father and son made them all feel a chill.
Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the crowd and said to Li Hao, "Brother Li Hao, may you have a safe journey."
Li Hao looked up and saw it was Prince Jiang Hanxing.
He was dressed simply, with no princely attire, having blended in with the crowd earlier.
But now, he stepped forward. If anyone paid attention, they would surely recognize his face and identity.
Getting involved in the Divine General Manor's family affairs with his status was clearly not a good idea.
But he did it anyway.
Their eyes met, and Li Hao knew that the other was willing to do this.
He didn't say much, just nodded coldly, as if they weren't close, given his current status.
Jiang Hanxing watched Li Hao's departing back and suddenly said loudly, "Brother Li Hao, do you remember the poem you recited at the brothel?"
"Do not fear the road ahead, for you will never lack for friends!"
"Who in this world does not know you!"
(End of Chapter)
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