Chapter 32: Child King Li Hao

Hearing each word of the careful叮嘱, He Jianlan’s expression tightened slightly. She nodded gently, her voice soft and warm:

“Your grandmother will pass on everything I’ve said. Don’t worry. Focus on your cultivation under Second Grandfather’s guidance. Listen to his wisdom—no reckless antics. When you have time, you’re welcome to visit the Training Ground. It’s always open to you.”

She hadn’t invited Li Hao there before, fearing he’d be bullied. But now that he’d truly begun his cultivation journey, the Training Ground offered valuable opportunities for sparring, exchange, and sharpening real combat skills—beneficial for his progress.

Once Li Hao and Li Fu had left, He Jianlan exhaled softly, a faint sigh escaping her lips.

Beside her, Xuejian, ever perceptive, quietly asked, “Madam, why do you sigh?”

“Little Seven is busy with military affairs in Yanbei. Perhaps he’s simply too occupied to remember. As for that couple… after all these years apart, they haven’t even sent a single family letter. No word of care for this child. Hao-er is actually so thoughtful… so responsible…”

Her voice trailed off, laced with quiet resignation—and a hint of reproach.

Xuejian, sharp-minded, froze for a moment, then stammered, “So… you mean… you just now…?”

He Jianlan glanced at her. Xuejian immediately shut her mouth, bowing her head, though her eyes couldn’t help flicking toward the courtyard entrance—the small figure already swaying into the distance.

So that’s it… she realized.

All those kind words, the gentle concern—she had made them up herself.

And yet, the young master had believed them wholeheartedly.

…

Back at Mountain and River Courtyard.

Before Li Hao could even pull out his sketchpad, another servant arrived with a letter. Upon seeing the sender’s name, his face instantly lit up. The brief sadness that had lingered in his heart vanished like mist in sunlight.

Though he hadn’t had much contact with the couple in Yanbei, strange as it seemed, there were moments—especially late at night, when silence wrapped the world—when he couldn’t help but feel a faint yearning.

Perhaps it was the warmth of that embrace, resurfacing in a dream.

Or maybe it was those honest, vivid eyes—eyes he still couldn’t forget.

The letter came from the Sword Pavilion—undoubtedly from the little girl he’d grown fond of. Since she’d moved there, she’d written back every few days at first, then gradually less often. Now, she sent one letter a month.

At first, she’d shared daily life, but after repeating herself too many times, she’d stopped. Cultivation in the Sword Pavilion was monotonous and rigid—basic drills, endless repetition. It was all part of the path. But still, Li Hao read her letter carefully, sitting in the golden sunlight on his favorite recliner, smiling as he read each word.

He spotted a typo. A circle and a cross—someone had misspelled a character and simply skipped it.

A chuckle escaped him. He could almost picture her, small fingers scratching her head in frustration, eyes narrowed in concentration, utterly stuck.

Inside, she wrote about her recent meals, and the treasure medicine her Sword Saint master had secured for her. She’d reached the Fifth Level of the Celestial Circulation Stage, and her meridians had opened to Twenty-One. She was training in the strongest circulation technique within the Pavilion—the Stellar River Sword Qi Technique, a top-tier combat scripture.

Li Hao had once heard Second Grandfather mention that this technique, when perfected, could unlock up to forty-nine meridians.

Only slightly less than the Li Family’s legendary Dragon River Divine Meridian—a 54-meridian scripture, exclusive to the main branch.

And now, the little girl had even opened the Taiyin Yin Meridian—a rare, advanced pathway. Her master clearly favored her.

Seeing this, Li Hao couldn’t help but feel genuine joy for her.

The Dragon River Divine Meridian was never taught outside the main bloodline. Not even Bian Ruxue—his fiancée—could learn it. Even the ladies of the household, including He Jianlan herself, were barred.

Yet they each practiced elite combat scriptures of their own—just slightly inferior.

Only those with extraordinary talent—those capable of opening two special, rare meridians—could overcome the gap in foundational power.

But such people were exceedingly rare.

After finishing the letter, Li Hao called for a servant and asked for ink, paper, and a writing set.

He wrote slowly, thoughtfully—telling her about his recent progress in painting, cooking, fishing, and even the strange old master he’d met.

He didn’t mention the Thief Sage’s name or title, of course.

That man was a villain in Emperor Yu’s eyes, despised across every faction. Only Second Grandfather—so carefree and unbound—could form such a bond. But the outside world knew nothing of their friendship. If they did, they’d surely scream in outrage behind closed doors: “How dare you, official, consorting with a thief!”

Once finished, he added a small doodle—just a simple, grinning face with a thumbs-up.

A little encouragement: Keep pushing, little one. We’ll grow together.

(_)

He handed the letter to the servant for mailing.

Then, he brought out his sketchpad and resumed painting. Now at the Second Level of the Painting Dao, his skill had deepened.

The drawings still looked like simple sketches, but now—something had changed.

The eyes in his portraits seemed alive, as if they were watching back from the page.

Just as he was about to finish one piece, a flurry of footsteps burst through the courtyard.

Voices shouted from afar, laughing and shouting:

“Hao-ge! We’re here!”

Li Hao looked up.

Three little brats tumbled toward him—rolling like boulders, giggling and shouting.

The first was Li Yuanzhao, only son of Sixth Lady.

The second was Li Yun, second son of Wu Niang.

The third, Li Zhinin, her youngest daughter.

They’d all come to see Bian Ruxue off to the Sword Pavilion. That day, as fellow members of the main family, they’d met Li Hao and formed a bond.

Later, Li Yun had kept showing up, pestering him with questions: When will she come back? What’s she doing? Is she okay?

Li Hao had finally realized—this boy, still all stubble and freckles, was already eyeing his little sister like a thief eyeing a treasure.

But Li Hao didn’t take it seriously.

He just gave the boy a firm, well-aimed kick to the backside—enough to leave a red mark.

Then, with a few stern warnings and a threat of worse if he told anyone, he made sure the boy stayed quiet. After all, if adults got involved in children’s fights, it lost its meaning.

Besides, Li Hao could beat him—easily.

From then on, every time Li Yun saw Li Hao, he’d flinch. But he never stopped coming. Instead, he’d drag his younger sister and another “big brother”—the ever-loud Li Six—to join him.

After a few encounters, Li Hao had effortlessly become the Child King among them.

“Hao-ge!” Li Yuanzhao, short and plump, panted as he reached the sketchpad, eyes wide. “You never finished the story about the monkey trapped under the mountain! What happened next?”

“Yeah, yeah!” Li Yun nodded vigorously, his head bobbing like a chicken pecking at grain—completely under Li Hao’s spell.

Beside them, little Li Zhinin handed Li Hao a small food box, her eyes sparkling.

“Hao-ge, this is my mother’s crispy delight pastry. We’ve all tried it—it’s delicious. I saved one for you.”

“Wait—I haven’t even tasted it yet!” Li Yuanzhao immediately protested, reaching with his dirty hand—still dusty from the Training Ground.

But Li Zhinin twisted away with a quick motion, scowling at him.

The little fat boy pouted, looking hurt.

Li Hao smiled, not bothering with formalities. He took the box, opened it—rich, fragrant aroma filling the air. He took a bite. Perfect.

He then handed the rest to the three children.

“Go get your own little stools. You can eat while I tell the story.”

“Zhao Bo, chair!” Li Yun bellowed at the top of his lungs.

Li Hao gave him a sharp tap on the head.

“Zhao Bo isn’t your servant. Go get your own!”

Li Yun rubbed his head, wincing. Muttering something incoherent, he pointed at a nearby servant.

“You! Bring me a stool!”

The servant bowed with a smile and hurried off.

Li Yuanzhao and Li Zhinin, meanwhile, had already slipped inside and returned with small wooden stools, placing them neatly beside Li Hao.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end