Chapter 25: Bragging and the Letter

Soon, Li Moxiu descended onto the previously mentioned Fishing Platform.

His gaze swept across the area—but there was no sign of Li Hao. His expression darkened instantly. He quickly scanned the surroundings and, moments later, spotted a small mound of earth a kilometer away, where Li Hao was crouched low, hidden beneath it, quietly fishing.

“So he couldn’t resist his impatience after all?” Li Moxiu muttered, shaking his head slightly. Just as he prepared to move in, his peripheral vision caught something unexpected—a Fish Spirit with its skull shattered.

He paused, stunned for a split second. Then, with a flicker of motion, he vanished and reappeared before the corpse—teleporting in an instant.

He examined the body closely. The wound was unmistakable: a brutal, fist-shaped impact, crushed inward by sheer force.

Li Moxiu reached out, touching the Fish Spirit’s body, and carefully sensed its spiritual core. His face hardened.

Circulation Realm… at least third level!

This little brat actually killed it?

Shock flickered across Li Moxiu’s eyes. He turned sharply toward the distant Li Hao, then without hesitation, shot forward in a blur—covering the distance in the blink of an eye, arriving beside him in an instant.

“Boy!”

The sudden voice startled Li Hao, who had been utterly focused on the fishing float, lost in concentration. He hadn’t even noticed when the old man had arrived.

“Shh!” Li Hao quickly raised a finger, signaling silence.

Li Moxiu froze, his question halting mid-speech. He followed Li Hao’s gaze to the float.

Peering through the surface, he saw beneath the water—a Fish Spirit circling near the hook, hesitating, torn between instinct and unease.

What surprised him most? The hook was completely concealed beneath a thick layer of bait. There was no visible sign of danger. The lure looked utterly natural.

Who taught him this stealth-hook technique?

In that moment, the Fish Spirit, overcome by hunger and temptation, finally gave in. It lunged at the bait.

Got it!

Li Hao’s eyes lit up. As the float dipped underwater, he yanked the rod sharply. The hook sank deep into the Fish Spirit’s mouth. The sudden pain sent it thrashing wildly, churning the water into waves.

Li Hao didn’t hesitate. With practiced ease, he began applying the ancient technique of “trolling”—pulling the line back and forth, wearing down the creature’s strength through relentless tugging.

After several minutes, the Fish Spirit was dragged ashore—a small Spirit Beast of the Strength Integration Realm, sixth level.

Seeing how effortlessly Li Hao handled the catch, Li Moxiu’s eyes narrowed slightly. Once Li Hao removed the hook and tossed the creature onto the nearby slope, Li Moxiu finally spoke.

“That Fish Spirit over there… you killed it, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.” Li Hao nodded without hesitation.

No one else was around. There was no point in lying.

“Do you know what Realm that Spirit Beast was from?” Li Moxiu asked, narrowing his eyes, his gaze piercing straight into Li Hao’s soul, as if trying to read his very thoughts.

“Circulation Realm?” Li Hao guessed, recalling the surge of power the fish had unleashed underwater.

It certainly wasn’t a Strength Integration Realm creature.

“Exactly. At least third level,” Li Moxiu confirmed, studying him closely. “You’ve only just begun training Wild Ox Strength—barely reached the sixth level of Strength Integration Realm. So tell me honestly… did you secretly train something else?”

Li Hao had already prepared his answer. Seeing the opening, he hesitated briefly before nodding.

“Which one?”

“The Thousand Dragon Sacred Body, from the sixth floor.”

Li Moxiu raised an eyebrow. Coincidence?

He had been considering teaching Li Hao that very cultivation manual if the boy showed promise. But now, the kid had already sought it out himself—and from the look of things, he’d mastered quite a bit of it!

“How far have you gotten?” Li Moxiu asked, eyes sharp.

“Second level.”

Li Moxiu inhaled sharply. Second level?

He stared at the boy—barely eight years old—already at the second stage of Dragon Body cultivation?

Even without entering the Circulation Realm, the Dragon Body at second level could unleash half the power of a full Dragon. That explained how Li Hao had managed to kill a Circulation Realm spirit, even if only barely.

This kid… he’s not just talented—he’s a prodigy.

Li Moxiu studied Li Hao with growing admiration. “Even if you’ve mastered the Dragon Body, catching a Circulation Realm spirit like that is no small feat. You’re not just gifted in body cultivation—you’ve got real potential in fishing too.”

Li Hao scratched his head, smiling modestly.

But inside, he was grumbling.

Why does the old man seem more thrilled about my fishing skills than my cultivation talent?

“Everyone thought you were a wasted martial artist,” Li Moxiu chuckled heartily. “But look at you now—just a child, and already capable of killing a Circulation Realm spirit. Hah! Even the top geniuses with Ninth-Rank Combat Bodies would struggle to match you!”

His laughter faded. Then, a thought struck him. He looked down at Li Hao.

“By the way… Li Fu doesn’t know about this, does he? When did you start training in secret? Why didn’t you tell him? Don’t you trust him?”

“Started learning when I first entered the Pavilion of Listening to Rain, a few years ago,” Li Hao replied, feigning innocence. “Fubo… he never asked.”

Li Moxiu rolled his eyes. “So you didn’t say anything just because he didn’t ask? Don’t give me that. No wonder you’ve mastered Wild Ox Strength in just three months. With that foundation, it’s like drinking water—natural. Was it your father who told you to keep quiet?”

Li Hao paused, then slowly shook his head.

“So it was you who decided on your own?”

Li Moxiu’s eyes narrowed, cold and calculating.

He saw the boy’s silence, the weight behind it. Images flashed through his mind—memories of betrayal, of backstabbing heirs, of hidden threats.

Could someone in the mansion be after him?

The thought chilled him. He saw the flicker of danger in Li Hao’s eyes—fear, yes, but also resolve.

“Who?” he demanded, voice rising.

How dare they torment a seven-year-old child like this?

Li Hao shook his head again.

“Why not?”

Li Moxiu stared, then slowly realized the boy’s logic.

You don’t trust me…?

You think I might be involved?

He let out a dry, self-mocking laugh.

“Kid, you’re overthinking. I’ve got no children, no family. There’s almost nothing in this world I care about.”

Li Hao still said nothing.

Li Moxiu studied him for a long moment. His anger faded, replaced by a rare, quiet approval.

“Fine. We’ve only just met. It’s natural for you to be cautious. But tell me this—why did you show me your power? You could’ve let that Fish Spirit escape. You could’ve just walked away with the rod. You had every chance to stay hidden.”

Li Hao smiled, bright and genuine.

“Because you’re not a bad man.”

Li Moxiu froze.

He looked at the boy—his clear eyes, his open face, his unguarded smile—and for a moment, he was speechless.

After a long silence, he chuckled, almost bitterly.

“You’re wrong. I’m not a good man. But when I do turn bad… I’m not human anymore.”

“Then what are you?” Li Hao asked.

Li Moxiu grinned.

“You’ll hear my name out there, when you finally step beyond the Divine General’s Residence.”

Li Hao didn’t press further.

“This kid… so sharp for his age. A shame, really.”

Li Moxiu studied him with growing affection.

If he’d been raised properly, he might’ve become another Little Nine.

But even that thought didn’t stir deep longing.

After all, becoming Li Junye was still just another path to war, to death.

It was the fate of every Li family warrior.

“From now on,” Li Moxiu said, “no more hiding your cultivation talent. Show it openly. I’ve seen countless geniuses. You’re just… a solid, average-level talent. Not enough to scare me.”

He added, voice cool:

“If anyone in the mansion dares to target you now, I’ll show them exactly what happens when you mess with a child of the Divine General’s Residence.”

…

…

After packing up the catch, Li Moxiu flew back toward Qingzhou City with Li Hao.

To encourage Li Hao’s fishing passion, he didn’t land directly at the Pavilion of Listening to Rain. Instead, he descended at the main gate of the estate—then let Li Hao carry the fish basket, walking in with him like a proud pair of fishermen.

“Old man, what’s the plan?” Li Hao asked, confused.

“You don’t understand. This is fishing tradition,” Li Moxiu declared, chest puffed out, radiating smug confidence.

“Besides the one you killed, and the one I used as bait, you caught four more. For a beginner, that’s a huge haul. You have to show everyone.”

“Is there really a rule for that?” Li Hao blinked.

Li Moxiu shot him a look. “I said it’s a rule. That’s all.”

“Veteran General of Unit Yuan!”

A servant maid gasped, nearly jumping out of her skin.

She couldn’t believe the legendary figure—usually sealed away in the Pavilion of Listening to Rain—was now strolling through the main gate.

She dropped to her knees, bowing deeply.

Li Moxiu ignored her. He strode forward, dragging Li Hao behind him.

They wandered through the estate, deliberately heading toward crowded places.

At the Training Ground, clan heirs were practicing martial drills under the guidance of a Military Elder. Li Moxiu pushed open the door.

The Elder frowned—then froze when he saw who it was. He shot to his feet, trembling.

“Veteran General of Unit Yuan… I— I mean, Mast of Heaven! I didn’t expect you—”

“Teaching, are you?” Li Moxiu asked, feigning ignorance. “Today, I took Hao here fishing. First time out. Not much experience. Only caught a few small Spirit Beasts. You planning to serve them with your dinner?”

The Elder blinked. He glanced at the basket—filled with wriggling fish.

He quickly replied, “Thank you, Your Grace, but I already have my wine and dishes tonight.”

A polite refusal.

After years in the mansion, he knew the old man’s ways. This wasn’t a gift—it was bragging.

If he accepted, Li Moxiu would be furious. And worse—would come in the middle of the night to beat him senseless.

He wouldn’t be able to move the next day.

He wasn’t taking that risk.

“Ah, well,” Li Moxiu said casually, “then carry on.”

He turned and walked out, Li Hao trailing behind, utterly mortified.

This is the “fishing tradition”? Too much!

They turned past the Training Ground, then entered the Changchun Courtyard.

“Second Uncle! What brings you here? Lunch is almost ready. Shall I have the servants add another set of chopsticks? What would you like to eat?”

He Jianlan and Wu Niang were chatting casually when they saw Li Moxiu. Both stood up at once.

Li Moxiu replied simply, “Hao caught a few fish. Thought you could make a soup.”

“These are Hao’s catch?” He Jianlan looked at the basket—then at Li Hao, and the lively little fish inside.

“Do you really think I’d fish for such small fry?” Li Moxiu snapped, glaring.

He Jianlan fell silent, understanding the old man’s moods.

To insult fishing? That was a dangerous move.

“Yes, yes… thank you, Second Uncle,” she said quickly. “I’ll accept them with gratitude.”

“Don’t thank me,” Li Moxiu corrected. “It’s Hao’s fish.”

He Jianlan blinked, then smiled weakly. “Then… thank you, Hao.”

“Please, no need for formalities,” Li Hao said, shooting a sidelong glare at the old man.

This tradition is killing me. I feel like I’m being skewered alive.

Once the fish were handed over, He Jianlan examined them.

All were small Spirit Beasts of the Strength Integration Realm.

She was stunned.

She’d heard Li Fu mention Li Hao had body cultivation talent—but this?

Could he really have caught these on his own?

“He Jianlan said, “Second Uncle wouldn’t lie about fishing.”

She looked toward the courtyard gate, where the old man and boy had vanished.

So he’s begun cultivating through the Body Cultivation path…

That’s a hard road. Poor child.

Gao Qingqing, standing beside her, sighed softly.

Even with talent, the Body Cultivation path was brutal. Few lasted.

If it were her child, she’d rather he live a simple, peaceful life.

“It must be the seventh brother’s doing,” Gao Qingqing murmured. “How cold-hearted.”

…

…

Back at the Pavilion of Listening to Rain, Li Hao spotted Li Fu waiting outside.

Li Moxiu noticed too—and let out a quiet huff.

As they approached, Li Fu hurried forward, eyes immediately catching the fish blood on Li Hao’s clothes. His face paled.

“Second Uncle… Hao… he—”

“Just fishing,” Li Moxiu said coolly. “A little rough with the Spirit Beasts. But don’t worry. I was right there. He’s fine.”

Li Fu exhaled in relief, then handed Li Hao a sealed letter.

“This came from the Sword Pavilion. Probably from Miss Xue’er. Read it.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end