Chapter 81: Apprentice Master

Soon, Jiang Hanxing finished reciting his own poem. He turned to Li Hao with a self-satisfied expression.

"Master Li, what do you think of my verse?"

"Very moist," Li Hao muttered inwardly, offering a lazy, half-hearted reply.

Jiang Hanxing chuckled. "Master Li’s poem may not quite capture the beauty of the scene, but it’s still decent."

Oh, you’re really puffing up now… Li Hao shot him a sidelong glance. You call that decent? Your audacity is truly something else.

"How about another one?"

As a plagiarist, Li Hao couldn’t let originality be disrespected. He was ready to open this fellow’s eyes.

"Oh?" Jiang Hanxing’s expression flickered with unease. "Another? What should we base it on this time?"

"You choose."

"How about… a waterfall?"

"A waterfall?" Li Hao smiled. You’re deliberately poking at my weak spot, aren’t you?

"Fine," he agreed instantly, setting down his brush. Then, lifting his head, he recited with ease:

> "The waterfall plunges a thousand feet, straight down from the sky—

> Could it be the Milky Way tumbling from the heavens?"

As he reached the final line, Jiang Hanxing froze. His eyes widened in shock, utterly stunned.

The first poem hadn’t impressed him much, but this one? It was perfectly on point. Instantly, he could visualize the torrential cascade, the thunderous rush of water crashing into the abyss below.

The Milky Way falling from the heavens… such a bold, ethereal image!

Seeing the man utterly captivated, Li Hao offered a faint, serene smile.

There were countless poems about waterfalls in ancient times—but he’d chosen Du Fu’s masterpiece. Still, better to let the Poet Immortal himself take the hit.

Jiang Hanxing had wanted to try again, but suddenly, he couldn’t remember a single line.

This poem… it feels like it’s already captured the essence of the waterfall. Irreproachable.

Even if this wasn’t a spontaneous composition—just a piece pulled from his mental archives—it was enough to reveal Li Hao’s extraordinary talent.

After all, they were martial cultivators, not scholars in the Imperial Academy, endlessly poring over dusty scrolls and chasing poetic elegance.

"Master Li," Jiang Hanxing bowed deeply, "I yield. I’m utterly convinced."

"Good," Li Hao said, nodding. He picked up his brush once more and resumed painting.

Jiang Hanxing, curious, asked, "Master Li, you hail from the Divine General’s Residence, yet you’re so accomplished in both poetry and painting. Didn’t your elders ever discipline you?"

"Of course they did."

"Then… how come?"

"They just… didn’t succeed," Li Hao replied casually.

"...!" Jiang Hanxing was speechless, then burst into laughter. What a peculiar character I’ve met.

That was their first conversation—yet years later, Jiang Hanxing would still remember it vividly.

Li Hao didn’t respond further. He returned to his painting.

Seeing him so focused, Jiang Hanxing quietly withdrew, leaving without a sound.

…

…

The next day.

Before Li Hao could head to the Cold Pool to paint the Water Qilin, Shen Yunqing summoned him to the Tan Palace.

Upon hearing Song Yufeng’s two conditions, Li Hao paused—then didn’t hesitate. He chose to become an Apprentice Master.

A year? Too long.

But he had a counter-condition: Song Yufeng, and all the elders of the Tan Palace, must cooperate with him in one thing—letting him paint them.

In modern terms: he wanted them as live models.

When Shen Yunqing heard the odd request, he blinked in surprise. But it was a minor matter. He agreed without hesitation, assuming it was just another quirk of the prodigious Li Clan genius.

As an Apprentice Master, he’d need to teach three classes per year. If he missed a year, the classes would accumulate, and the term lasted ten years—thirty classes in total. That was remarkably light.

Anticipating Li Hao’s choice, Song Yufeng added, "Your student won’t be from the Class A Academy. They’ll be from the Black and White Hall."

Li Hao shrugged. He didn’t care who came or didn’t come. He’d teach, and that was all.

Seeing Li Hao’s quick agreement, Song Yufeng’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

Two men, each getting exactly what they wanted—perfect harmony.

Leaving the Tan Palace, Li Hao was about to head to the Cold Pool when he spotted Li Yuanzhao approaching.

"Hao Ge," Li Yuanzhao said excitedly, "Wushuang Sister’s back!"

"Ah?" Li Hao blinked, momentarily stunned. After a pause, a vivid image surfaced in his mind—a little girl with bright eyes, years ago, watching silently as Wu Niang tearfully saw her depart with a silver-haired elder.

Now… had that girl returned, having completed her training?

Li Hao’s thoughts drifted to the Little Tail at the Sword Pavilion, far in the southern wilderness, nine thousand miles away.

He shook his head. "It’s still early. I’ll go take a look around first. I’ll meet you later."

He felt nothing for her. And the distance between him and Li Yun, the brother and sister, had only grown deeper over the years. He hadn’t seen Wu Niang in ages.

"Uh… should we bring a gift?" Li Yuanzhao asked. "I don’t remember her much, but I’ve heard a lot about her. She’s the star of our generation, after all."

"True," Li Hao said, "but she’s not in the same league as me now."

"Still…" Li Yuanzhao hesitated. "It’s been years. We should bring something."

"Fair enough." Li Hao pondered. "I don’t know what she likes, but she’ll probably be hungry. Go to the Hongxiang Tower and get a crispy roast goose. Then to Cuihu Courtyard—get a Bamboo-Scented Ink Dragon Liver, hot and fresh. Bring it all to the banquet."

He listed seven or eight famous delicacies from Qingzhou City—dishes he’d personally tasted and loved.

Li Yuanzhao stared. "That’s it? But those aren’t expensive. All together, not even a few silver coins."

"We’re not short on money," Li Hao said with a shrug. "It’s not about the price. It’s the thought. She’s been away—she hasn’t had these flavors. As for other things… she probably has everything."

Li Yuanzhao nodded slowly. Wushuang Sister is a disciple of the Thousand Machines Sect. A direct student of a master. What could she possibly lack?

Combat scriptures? She can pick her own Pavilion of Listening to Rain.

Weapons? She can take any from the armory.

Gold, jade, luxury items? She wouldn’t even glance at them.

"Alright," Li Yuanzhao agreed. "I’ll get it just like you said."

Once Li Yuanzhao left, Li Hao grabbed his Painting Board and returned to the Cold Pool.

He set up the board, dipped his hand into the water, and stirred.

Instantly, a shadow surged upward—water splashed violently.

Li Hao dashed back to the board. "Master Qiumo, please stay still."

Song Qiumo, in her true Water Qilin form, was majestic—her presence radiant and powerful. She’d begun to shift form, but stopped at his words. She froze the surrounding water droplets mid-air, holding them perfectly still.

Li Hao raised his brush and began painting.

In just moments, the Water Qilin Emerging from the Pool was complete.

"Done."

As he spoke, Song Qiumo gently drew the water droplets back into the pool. Then, with a step forward, her form dissolved like mist, reforming into a human shape. Her bare feet—snow-white—touched the ground as she glided toward the board.

"Good," she murmured, her eyes glinting with quiet delight.

Did I really look that beautiful in that moment?

She tilted her head toward him, smiling. "What do you think of my outfit today?"

Li Hao glanced at her. She wore the same water-blue silk gown from yesterday—but now, delicate silver bracelets adorned her wrists and ankles, glittering faintly in the light.

Women really do love shiny things… He smiled. "Very beautiful."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Then paint me."

"Sure." Li Hao focused, painting with renewed intensity.

Indeed, today, the shimmering accessories enhanced her ethereal beauty—adding a dazzling, radiant aura to her already otherworldly grace.

And when the painting was done, he gained an extra hundred Experience Points from the Painting Path.

Clearly, those accessories weren’t ordinary.

"Good," Song Qiumo nodded, her eyes sparkling with genuine pleasure.

Li Hao smiled. He then asked her to shift into another pose, and began a new piece.

Time passed.

By the Cold Pool, Li Hao had painted her over a dozen times—seven of them in her original form.

In total, he’d earned over four thousand Experience Points, bringing his total to nearly twenty thousand—including yesterday’s gains.

He’d already noticed: painting Song Qiumo gave him more Experience than painting Second Uncle or the others.

He didn’t believe it was because their cultivation levels were lower.

More likely, the others concealed their auras—hiding their true power.

But Song Qiumo, in front of him, revealed herself fully—her aura surging, vibrant and unguarded.

That energy flowed into his brushwork, giving his paintings a striking, powerful presence.

Hmm… I should ask Second Uncle and the others to pose too.

A Four Foundations Realm cultivator was worth over twenty thousand Experience.

If he could get Second Uncle, Old Feng, and Fifth Elder to cooperate—three of them—that’d be sixty thousand.

Yet so far, he’d only scraped five thousand each from them.

He’d thought that was the limit.

Now he realized—there was more to unlock.

Next time, I’ll have to persuade them…

Second Uncle was tricky—better bring his favorite Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms.

"Alright, that’s enough for today," Li Hao said, glancing at the sky. It was getting late.

Song Qiumo held the stack of paintings, beaming with joy. "If you ever need help, just come find me. As long as you don’t leave the Tan Palace, I’ll do my best to assist."

"Master Qiumo… are you trapped here?" Li Hao asked, surprised.

She shook her head slightly, not elaborating. "Then… see you next time."

With a flawless dive, she vanished into the pool.

Li Hao packed up his Painting Board and headed home.

On his way down the mountain, he passed the Class A Academy.

Li Yun and his sister were already gone. The other disciples were still training. One spotted Li Hao and gasped.

Immediately, all eyes turned toward him.

Li Hao waved casually, offering a polite smile—then quickly slipped away, eager to avoid being cornered with questions.

At the foot of the mountain, he mounted his horse and returned to the main estate.

As he approached the front gate, he sensed a festive atmosphere. The guards wore cheerful smiles.

They bowed deeply as he arrived.

Back at Mountain and River Courtyard, Zhao Bo informed him:

"Master Li, Fu Bo has sent word from Cangyu City—his wounds are healing. He’ll be standing tomorrow and returning soon."

He also handed Li Hao a Gift Box.

"Master, today, Lady Li Wushuang from Frost Snow Courtyard returned. The Elder Lady has prepared a Family Banquet to welcome her. I’ve taken the liberty of preparing this gift. Please bring it with you to the banquet."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end