Chapter 119: From Now On, Only Joy in Life (Supplementary Chapter 725)

Hearing the young man’s loud, resonant poetry, the people within the Divine General’s Mansion all subtly shifted in expression.

Who in the world doesn’t know you?

What an arrogant confidence—yet so utterly real.

A Celestial Human Sect Master at fourteen—unparalleled in history—had just left their Li Clan.

“Heavenly Pole,” He Jianlan’s heart ached, recalling the gentle child who had once come to pay his respects in the morning. “Can’t you just speak to Li Hao with a little gentleness?”

Li Tiangang snapped back to awareness, but his face remained expressionless. He said nothing.

“Li Tiangang,” Li Moxiu whispered, his voice hollow, “you drove Hao away. You drove away our Li Clan’s most dazzling prodigy—someone who has graced us for thousands of years.” He looked deeply into Li Tiangang’s eyes, his face etched with weary sorrow. “You will regret these words one day.”

Li Tiangang’s lips twitched slightly. The boy’s innate talent was staggering. Even in the depths of his own gaze, he felt a pang of pain.

Regret?

Images of recent days flashed through his mind. In the end, he drew in a slow, deep breath and spoke in a low, resolute tone:

“I won’t regret it. He’s the one who’ll regret it. I can’t break his stubborn spirit—but the Spirit Beasts will.

In less than three years, he’ll be begging to come back. He’ll realize what he’s thrown away today—something countless people dream of. He’s still young. He’s living in bliss without knowing it.”

He turned to face Li Moxiu and the others, voice steady:

“I command you all, in the name of the Li Family’s True Dragon, not to secretly aid him. Anyone who does will face severe family punishment!”

His face hardened again.

“You help him, and you’re hurting him. Don’t interfere. I’ll bring him back.”

The onlookers exchanged uneasy glances. They hadn’t expected such cold determination.

“Seventh Elder,” Li Xuanli began, then paused.

Li Moxiu’s lips trembled. “Do you even realize… his wounds aren’t fully healed? He’s left now—how many eyes are watching him across the world?”

“Our Li Clan is a thorn in the Spirit Beasts’ flesh. This child leaving Qingzhou, leaving this place… how many of those beasts will lie in wait along the way? How many will try to assassinate him?”

“The thousand-year feud between our clan and the Spirit Beasts—its shadow could fall upon him at any moment!”

Their pupils narrowed. The danger ahead was suddenly clear.

Li Tiangang remained impassive. “Second Uncle, Hao is my son. I’ve thought of all this. I’ll send secret watchers to follow him. I’ll intervene if danger arises.”

He locked eyes with Li Moxiu. “I give him three years—not on a whim. I want him to temper his spirit. This time is for him. I’ll petition the ancestors to delay the True Dragon Selection. If he returns changed, the position will still be his.”

Li Moxiu’s face twitched. He stared at the boy’s retreating back, his heart heavy.

That child never cared for the True Dragon title. In three years… he’d care even less.

And with that talent… if he truly cultivated, in three years he might already reach the Three Immortalities…

Suddenly, a figure dashed forward through the crowd, racing past them all toward the departing boy.

It was Ren Qianqian—the girl recently taken into the Divine General’s Residence, Li Hao’s Sword Attendant.

She hadn’t yet mastered the Combat Scripture of the Pavilion of Listening to Rain, and though her name was registered within the mansion, no one stopped her as she ran after the boy.

But she left without her Black Sword Case.

Chen Hefang noticed, snapped back to reality, and called out:

“Moxiu! Hao didn’t bring his side sword! How can he go like this? The Eternal Night—it’s dangerous! Hurry, fetch it!”

Li Moxiu froze. He immediately extended his awareness, quickly locating the Black Sword Case in the Mountain and River Courtyard. With a flick, he summoned it and hurried after Li Hao, sword case in hand.

“Hao,” Li Moxiu said, staring at the boy, his voice thick with sorrow. “You forgot your side sword.”

Li Hao glanced at the old man, shook his head gently.

“Second Uncle, don’t be sad. I don’t want that sword anymore. Thank Grandmother for me—give it to someone else.”

“Who else in the Li Clan deserves it?” Li Moxiu protested.

Li Hao’s gaze lingered on the Black Sword Case. Silence. Then, slowly:

“Do as it was meant to be. I won’t take anything from the Li Clan ever again.”

He turned and walked on.

“Hao…”

“Second Uncle, please return.”

The boy didn’t look back. He waved a hand.

Li Moxiu’s eyes were complex. He looked down at the sword case in his hands—two masters had cast it aside.

Eternal Night… you may now sleep forever in the dark.

Along the street, Li Hao walked forward, each step making his body feel lighter, more at ease.

He saw Song Yufeng and Song Qiumo at the gate of the Divine General’s Mansion, but only gave a slight nod—no words. They seemed like strangers.

He didn’t want to drag the Tan Palace Academy into this.

Footsteps followed, then slowed as they drew near.

Li Hao didn’t turn.

“I’m no longer a Li Clan heir. Why follow me? You haven’t yet entered the Pavilion of Listening to Rain. Tell Zhao Bo—I’ll have her release your maid’s contract.”

Ren Qianqian shook her head, gripping her sword.

“Without the Pavilion’s Combat Scripture, I can learn another.”

“It might not suit you,” Li Hao said. “Besides, the journey ahead—Heavenly Gate Pass—is uncertain. Survival is no guarantee.”

“Then we’ll slay demons together,” Ren Qianqian said firmly.

Li Hao paused, then resumed walking, his voice calm:

“Then let’s travel together.”

A smile bloomed on Ren Qianqian’s face. She nodded and quickened her pace to catch up.

Heavy snowflakes fell, swirling in cold mist like frost.

The noble youth walked through the storm—beside only a white fox, a sword attendant, and sleeves filled with clear wind.

First time in the world—left behind his side sword.

Second time—no sword at all to wear.

“Vast Horizon, Long Journey—From Now On, Only Joy in Life. How Can Worry Trouble Me?”

The boy suddenly sang out, laughing freely into the wind.

Before the Divine General’s Mansion, Song Yufeng and Song Qiumo stood silent, watching the retreating figure.

They hadn’t expected such a rift after the father-son clash. The prodigy, so gifted, had walked away—cutting ties with the Li Clan.

Countless people longed to step into this mansion, to touch the Li Clan’s shadow.

And yet, this boy cast it aside like trash.

“Who says heaven doesn’t welcome guests? A lone soul, sent through a storm of snow.”

Song Yufeng murmured.

At the gate, Li Yuanzhao stared at Li Hao’s fading silhouette.

“Since today… has Hao lost his father?”

The words were barely out when his mother, Xiao Yujing, shot him a sharp glare. She glanced at Li Tiangang’s stone-faced expression, her brows knitting.

Beside Li Yuanzhao, Bian Ruxue stiffened—her body jolted as if struck by lightning. Her eyes widened.

Memories flooded her mind—paintings from years past.

Back then, she had walked weeping, following Uncle Lin to this glorious mansion.

In that strange new world, it was the child with star-like eyes who told her: Your father is in the heavens.

That day, from the pain of losing her father, she had found a new anchor.

Now, years later… the same boy who had once comforted her was leaving—right before her eyes.

And she hadn’t been able to stay by his side. She hadn’t even spoken a word of comfort.

The thought pierced her heart—sharp, raw, like a thorn.

She took a step forward, chasing after him—but the storm was too fierce. The snow swallowed everything. No trace remained.

…

…

Heavenly Gate Pass lay north of Liang Prefecture’s frontier.

Liang Prefecture was vast and sparsely populated—cold in winter, scorching in summer. The land was barren and desolate, rich in mineral veins. The people avoided farming, instead thriving on breeding and trade. Grain was mostly imported from other prefectures.

Now, the moon shone bright, stars scattered across the sky.

Crisp moonlight poured over the earth.

In a clearing deep within a dense forest at the frontier, a campfire burned. Two humans and one fox sat around it.

Roasting on green vine skewers over the fire were tiger paws and tiger liver, their scent rich and savory. The portion was clearly more than enough for two.

“Almost done. Just wait a bit,” Li Hao said, stroking the head of the little white fox.

Five days had passed since leaving Qingzhou. With Ren Qianqian’s savings, the two had rented a carriage, bouncing their way to Liang Prefecture. After returning it at the post station, the rest of the journey had to be made on foot.

But after five days, Li Hao’s injuries had fully healed.

In his spare time, he had studied his Combat Scriptures, merging and refining them—crafting a unique style of his own.

Earlier, when he’d first entered the Human-Heaven Stage, the makeshift fusion of power had been weak—nowhere near enough to match the Sect Master realm. But after these days of trial and insight, he was confident: if he fought again, he could defeat his former self with ease.

As for whether he could beat that person? He wasn’t even thinking about it.

“Old Feng,” Li Hao called into the forest. “It’s almost ready.”

Earlier, it had been Old Feng who’d sent him a mental transmission—convincing him to come here. Without that, Li Hao wouldn’t have risked his life, walking into this deathtrap just to cut ties with the Li Clan.

The forest was silent. No reply.

Li Hao had grown used to it. He didn’t care.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the trees.

He looked up. With Spirit Soul Separation, he saw a familiar figure parting the underbrush and approaching.

Moments later, Bian Ruxue stepped into the firelight, her face lighting up.

“Thank goodness—I finally caught up with you!”

“How did you find me?” Li Hao frowned. “This path is dangerous.”

“I didn’t meet any Spirit Beasts,” she said.

She stared at the boy by the fire. After days of holding back, her emotions cracked. Her eyes grew slightly red.

“Back then, you stayed with me. Now, it’s my turn to stay with you.”

Li Hao blinked, surprised. “You’re not pursuing the Sword Dao anymore?”

She paused, then said softly:

“I won’t give up on the Sword. But I want to be by your side. Otherwise… I can’t be at peace.”

Li Hao understood. She was burdened by guilt.

He smiled casually. “You silly girl. Don’t worry. I’m not as fragile as you think. Unlike you—I don’t cry at the drop of a hat.”

Bian Ruxue blushed, remembering her childhood nightmares—how often she’d wake up screaming.

“Let’s not talk about the past,” she said. “When my father was gone, you were there for me. Now, I’m here for you.”

“Are you trying to repay a debt?” Li Hao teased.

She bit her lip, not denying it.

“Once you’ve chosen the Sword Dao, don’t waver. With your temperament, if you keep hesitating, you’ll never reach the peak—maybe not even the foothills.”

“But that debt? I don’t care. I’m with you, and you’re with me. It’s even.”

Bian Ruxue froze. Her eyes flickered, lost in the boy’s carefree smile.

“Really?”

“Really,” Li Hao said, meeting her gaze with a steady, honest smile.

The campfire danced in the cold night wind.

Golden warmth painted Li Hao’s face.

Sitting beside the fire, he smiled at the girl.

“Go back now. I’m waiting to hear you tell me—when you reach the peak of the Sword Path, what did you see up there?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end