Chapter 32: The Child King, Li Hao
Chapter 32: The Child King, Li Hao
He Jianlan's expression tightened slightly as she listened to the child's earnest instructions. She nodded gently and said softly, "Your mother will convey your message. You don't need to worry. Follow your Second Grandfather’s guidance and listen to him. Don't act rashly. When you have time, you can also go to the Training Grounds. They are always open to you."
Previously, she hadn't asked Li Hao to go to the Training Grounds out of concern that he might be bullied. Now that Li Hao had embarked on his cultivation journey, going to the Training Grounds would allow him to exchange skills and refine his combat abilities, which would be beneficial for his cultivation.
After Li Hao and Li Fu left, He Jianlan couldn't help but sigh softly.
Beside her, Xue Jian noticed her expression and asked cautiously, "Why are you sighing, Madam?"
"Little Seven is busy with military affairs in Yanbei. Perhaps he's forgotten. This couple, too, hasn't seen each other for so many years, yet they don't send more family letters to check on this child. Hao'er is actually very understanding..."
He Jianlan murmured to herself, her tone tinged with a mix of helplessness and mild reproach.
Xue Jian, quick-witted, was momentarily stunned and said, "So, what you just said was all...?"
He Jianlan glanced at her, and Xue Jian immediately fell silent, lowering her head. However, she couldn't resist sneaking a peek outside, where the small figure was already swaying away.
So, the concern and greetings the young master took to heart were all fabricated by her...
...
...
Back at the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Li Hao hadn't even had the chance to take out his drawing board when he received a letter from one of the servants. Seeing the signature, a smile spread across his face, and his slightly disheartened mood dissipated.
Although he hadn't had much interaction with the couple in Yanbei, it was strange how he sometimes felt a bit nostalgic during quiet, late nights.
Perhaps it was the warmth of their embrace that had resurfaced in a dream.
Or maybe it was the genuine look in their eyes, which he still hadn't forgotten.
The letter in his hand was from the Sword Hut, naturally sent by the adorable little girl.
Since she had gone to the Sword Hut, she would send letters back every few days. Initially, it was every three to five days, but later, the Sword Saint master tightened his supervision, urging her to focus on her cultivation. The frequency of her letters gradually decreased, but she still managed to send one every month.
The letters no longer contained daily life details, as she had already mentioned them so many times. Cultivation at the Sword Hut was tedious and repetitive, and building a solid foundation was inevitably dull.
Li Hao opened the letter and sat in a reclining chair under the sun, a smile on his face as he read through it word by word, not missing a single detail.
He also noticed a misspelled word, a circle, and a cross, indicating that she had skipped a word she didn't know how to write.
Li Hao could almost picture her scratching her head and fidgeting while writing the letter, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
The letter described her recent meals and the precious medicines her Sword Saint master had procured for her. Her cultivation had reached the Fifth Layer of the Zhou Tian Realm, and she had opened twenty-one meridians. She was practicing the Sword Hut's strongest Qi Circulation Technique.
Li Hao had heard from his Second Grandfather that the Sword Hut's Qi Circulation Technique was the Star River Sword Qi Technique, a top-tier cultivation method. If cultivated to perfection in the Zhou Tian Realm, it could open forty-nine meridians!
Compared to the Li Family's fifty-four meridians in the Dragon River Divine Vein technique, it was only slightly inferior.
Moreover, the little girl had already opened the Yin Shadow Meridian, which had earned her the Sword Saint master's favor.
Seeing this, Li Hao couldn't help but feel happy for her. The Dragon River Divine Vein technique was not taught to outsiders and was only practiced by the Main Lineage. Even his fiancée, Bian Ruxue, wasn't allowed to learn it, nor were the various courtyards' ladies, including his mother, He Jianlan.
However, they could still practice top-tier cultivation techniques, just slightly less powerful.
If someone had extremely high talent and could open two special major meridians, they could make up for the gap in the foundation of their cultivation techniques. But clearly, such talented individuals were few and far between.
After reading the letter, Li Hao called for a servant to prepare ink, paper, and a brush for him.
He wrote with a fluid hand, slowly completing a letter that spoke of his recent activities, such as learning to paint and cook, the fun he had while Fishing, and his acquaintance with an interesting old senior.
Of course, he did not mention the Thief Saint's name or title.
After all, this Old Feng was considered an antagonist in Dayu, disliked by all factions. Only someone with a carefree and easygoing personality like Second Master would befriend such a person. But outsiders were unaware of their relationship; otherwise, they would surely curse them loudly behind their backs, accusing them of colluding with a corrupt official!
After finishing the letter, Li Hao casually drew a small emoticon, encouraging her to work hard in her cultivation and to strive together with him.
(_)
...
...
Handing the letter to the servant to send, Li Hao brought out his drawing board and resumed painting. Now at the second stage of the Art Dao, his painting skills had become even more refined.
On the surface, the changes in his sketches seemed minor, but in reality, his eyes in the paintings had become more expressive, as if they were gazing out from the paper.
Before he could finish a painting, a group of figures came bounding into the courtyard, making a lot of noise. From a distance, someone shouted, "Brother Hao, we’re here!"
Looking up, Li Hao saw three children running over.
They were Sixth Lady’s only son, Li Yuanzhao, Fifth Lady’s second son, Li Yun, and her daughter, Li Zhining.
On the day they bid farewell to Bian Ruxue as she left for Sword Hut, they, being Main Lineage "classmates", had also come to the Mountain and River Courtyard to see her off. That’s how they got to know Li Hao.
Later, Li Yun often came to inquire about Bian Ruxue, asking when she would return. It was then that Li Hao realized this little brat, who hadn’t even grown any hair, was actually interested in his little girl.
However, he didn’t take it seriously.
—He just gave the brat a good beating, leaving his bottom swollen.
Then, after a bit of intimidation and threats, he made sure the little brat wouldn’t run to Fifth Lady to tattle. After all, it’s no fun when adults get involved in children’s fights.
Of course, the main reason was that he could easily win.
Since then, Li Yun has been a bit afraid of Li Hao, but that didn’t stop him from coming to the Mountain and River Courtyard. Instead, he started bringing his sister and another friend, Old Six, for moral support.
After a few encounters, Li Hao easily became the leader among the three children.
"Brother Hao, you didn’t finish the story about the monkey being suppressed last time. What happened next?"
Li Yuanzhao, with his short and chubby body, ran up to the drawing board, but his dirty hands didn’t dare touch the paper, fearing Li Hao’s scolding.
"Yeah, yeah", Li Yun nodded eagerly, his head bobbing like a chicken pecking at grain, already fully under Li Hao’s influence.
Beside him, Li Zhining handed Li Hao a food box, her eyes sparkling. "Brother Hao, this is the fragrant flaky pastry my mother made. We’ve already tried it, and it’s delicious. This one is for you."
"I haven’t had any yet", Li Yuanzhao immediately chimed in, reaching out with his dirty hands, fresh from the Training Grounds, to grab a piece, but Li Zhining dodged and glared at him.
The little fat boy looked at her with a pout.
Li Hao smiled and took the food box without hesitation. Opening it, he was greeted by a fragrant aroma. He took a piece and found it indeed delicious. He then distributed the rest to the others, saying, "Go get a small stool each, and I’ll tell you the story while you eat."
"Old Zhao, chairs!" Li Yun immediately shouted.
Li Hao knocked him on the head, somewhat annoyed. "Old Zhao isn’t someone you can boss around. Go get your own!"
Li Yun, rubbing his head, mumbled something incoherent and then pointed at a servant. "You, bring me a chair."
The servant, not daring to disobey, obediently went to fetch one.
Li Yuanzhao and Li Zhining, who were used to this, ran into the house to find their own small stools and sat down beside Li Hao.
(End of Chapter)
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