Chapter 85: Teaching Li Wushuang

(Thanks to the Honorary Patron 'Ranran, Xiaoyu' for their generous support)

When Li Hao saw Wu Niang steer the conversation toward him, he simply smiled, unfazed.

"Xue'er should be back in half a year or so."

OthersLady didn’t let Li Yun remain embarrassed any longer, smoothly shifting the topic to lighter matters.

"Xue'er’s a Ninth-Rank Combat Body too, isn’t she?"

"Such a bright child—remember that year…"

Amidst the easy chatter, the earlier tension faded like smoke.

Li Hao remained calm and composed, joining the ladies in lighthearted reminiscence. Meanwhile, Li Yun sat stiffly, cheeks burning. He stole glances at his father, relieved to see the anger had vanished—now replaced by a faint, proud smile as Li Hao laughed with the others. A wave of relief washed over him… yet beneath it, a strange ache of loss lingered.

Then, he felt a gentle touch on his restless hand beneath the table. Glancing down, he saw his younger sister, Li Zhi Ning, smiling at him. She quietly placed a dish onto his plate. The warmth that spread through his chest was unexpected—and deeply comforting.

Gao Qingqing watched Li Hao’s poised demeanor, then turned to her own son. A quiet sigh escaped her.

Aside from cultivation, her son truly fell short in every other way. Li Hao’s early wisdom and maturity were already common knowledge throughout the estate. The only flaw—his delayed cultivation—was a blemish few dared to mention.

"Double, now that you’ve returned from the Qian Rank, what are your plans?" Liu Yuerong asked casually, as if only making small talk.

Li Wushuang glanced at the boy across from her—only two years her junior, yet calm and collected as if he’d been born to this world. Her chopsticks instinctively reached for the Dragon Liver dish… but after a split second, her wrist flicked with the precision of a master swordsman. The motion shifted subtly, guiding her chopsticks instead to a nearby dish.

As she brought it to her mouth, she said,

"Not much. Just want to spar with Cousin Qianfeng."

The comment drew fleeting attention from several ladies—but no one truly reacted. They continued sipping tea and eating, as if nothing had happened.

Liu Yuerong’s expression remained unchanged, her smile unwavering.

"Qianfeng just returned from Mount Wu Liang. He’ll be back at the manor soon. Why don’t you two have a match? Remember how Xuanli and Heavenly Pole used to chase each other all over the courtyard back then?"

Li Xuanli winced. "Second sister, those were our youthful embarrassments. Please, don’t bring them up."

The dinner drew to a close. Night deepened.

Li Hao’s carefully selected seven or eight dishes—bought from Yuanzhao—had joined Madam Da’s own offerings. Every single one was devoured.

Li Wushuang ate heartily, unaware of which dishes were Li Hao’s. All she knew was: they were delicious.

Li Hao, of course, had no intention of revealing the truth. The moment that Dragon Liver had been snatched off the table, he’d already ruled out any future gifts.

At most, he’d offer a token gift when she married—just a gesture.

Full and satisfied, the guests gradually left the Changchun Courtyard. No further incidents occurred.

Li Hao bid farewell to the ladies, then returned with Zhao Bo and Qingzhi to the Mountain and River Courtyard.

On the other side, Li Xuanli led his wife and children back to the Frost Snow Courtyard.

Once the three children were inside, Gao Qingqing stopped her husband as he followed, pulling him to a quiet path behind the house.

"You were too harsh back there! He’s your own son! And Double’s just returned—how could you speak to her like that? How do you think it made them feel?"

Li Xuanli blinked. After a pause, he exhaled.

"It was their fault. Yun’s lack of mental resilience is troubling. If he continues like this, he’ll never amount to anything. And Double—she’s been training under the Qianji Daoist, her cultivation has advanced well, but her temper is still reckless."

"She was protecting her brother. Isn’t family unity a good thing?" Gao Qingqing shot back.

Li Xuanli paused, then chuckled. "Well… yes, you’re right."

Gao Qingqing shook her head, exasperated.

"Men of the Li Clan—always so thick-headed."

Feeling her disapproval, Li Xuanli sighed.

"But what was I supposed to do? Tell off Hao? Fourteen years ago, when Elder Brother returned from war, I was injured. I’d have taken the Yanbei assignment—if not for that. Now Elder Brother and Qingqing have been battling in Yanbei for years. We both know the cost. Should I really be scolding his son here?"

Gao Qingqing fell silent. She knew he was right.

Li Xuanli continued,

"Besides, Hao didn’t do anything wrong. You saw him at the table—so poised, so articulate. He spoke to elders with respect, yet never flinched. Such composure at his age? Rare. Tragic that he can’t cultivate… otherwise, even Double might not outshine him."

Gao Qingqing had just begun to calm down—only for her anger to flare again at his praise… and the comparison.

She snapped,

"Then go live with your precious Hao!"

She turned and stormed into the house.

Li Xuanli stood frozen, utterly bewildered.

Did I say something wrong? Why’s she angry now?

---

Meanwhile, in the Water Splendor Courtyard.

Liu Yuerong sank onto the soft couch, and immediately let out a sharp, cold hiss. Her palm slammed down on the tea table.

"Little brat! A future bride—yet you dare challenge Qianfeng for the True Dragon Seat? Do you even know your own worth?"

She knew the truth behind the “sparring” talk. The timing was too perfect. The girl had returned just in time to test her strength.

Yes, the True Dragon Seat had traditionally passed through the direct male line for thousands of years. But it wasn’t unheard of—centuries ago, a woman had once held it.

That woman had never married. She ruled the clan with iron will, becoming Emperor Yu’s most legendary female general.

Did this little girl really think she could follow in those footsteps?

"Hmph. A mere Divine Travel Realm cultivator, overestimating her own power..." Liu Yuerong’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Beside her, the Elder Housekeeper kept her head down, silent. But her eyes betrayed a deep, quiet sorrow.

Once, all the ladies had lived in harmony—nine courtyards united, no rifts, no envy.

When had it changed?

The old woman, who had served the Li Clan for decades, remembered.

It was after the deaths of the First and Third Young Masters in battle.

That was the moment joy had vanished.

---

The next day.

Li Hao waited by the side path of the manor, mounted on his Crimson Blood Horse. Soon, hooves echoed behind him.

"Hao Ge!" Li Yuanzhao called cheerfully, riding up beside him. They set off together toward the Tancheng Palace.

"Did you eat enough yesterday?"

"Nearly burst from it."

"Ha! That’s what you get for stuffing yourself."

Li Yuanzhao hesitated, then said,

"Mother’s sharp tongue—don’t take it personally."

Li Hao waved it off.

"Brothers don’t dwell on such things. I won’t blame her."

Li Yuanzhao relaxed, grinning. "I knew you’d be understanding."

Li Hao chuckled.

Thinking back to the previous night’s banquet, Li Yuanzhao sighed.

"Everyone was praising Wushuang—calling her so talented. But no one noticed you’ve already surpassed her in cultivation. Why didn’t you say anything?"

Li Hao casually tugged the reins, letting the horse step forward with light grace.

"What’s the point? Stealing the spotlight from a child? That’d be childish."

Li Yuanzhao blinked, then laughed.

"Only you, Hao Ge, would think like that."

"Besides," Li Hao added, "if she found out you called her a child, she’d probably be furious."

"She’s a child too," Li Yuanzhao replied.

"Exactly," Li Hao grinned. "So what’s the difference?"

They both laughed.

Li Yuanzhao shook his head, but after years of walking beside Li Hao, he no longer found the remark odd.

"Still… word of your cultivation level will spread fast. Madam Da and the others will hear soon."

Li Hao nodded. He wasn’t worried.

Once Fu Bo returned from Cangyu City in a few days, the truth would be known.

Peaceful times wouldn’t last long.

But Cangyu City was in Qi Prefecture—territory of the Xia Family. With hundreds of cities across the province, the Demon Disaster had caused little damage. The news didn’t stir much attention.

And for years, the Li Clan’s focus had been on Yanbei. Their remaining forces were scattered across distant garrisons—information control over other regions had grown slack.

"Uh?"

Suddenly, Li Hao tugged the reins. The Crimson Blood Horse, intelligent and sensitive, halted instantly.

Before them, beneath the shade of trees, stood a figure in white. The silhouette—familiar, unmistakable.

Li Wushuang.

Li Yuanzhao narrowed his eyes. Recognition flashed across his face.

"Hao Ge… that’s Cousin Sister. Did she… hear us just now?"

"Whether she did or not doesn’t matter," Li Hao said, raising an eyebrow. A faint frown formed. These little ones were becoming a nuisance. Still, he guided the horse forward.

If someone’s waiting for you… you can’t run from them.

As the hoofbeats drew near, Li Wushuang turned. She’d been watching them all along. Her face was cold.

"Yesterday’s banquet—everyone was there. I didn’t care. But you hurt my brother. That won’t go unanswered."

"Double, that was years ago," Li Yuanzhao interjected quickly. "And it was Li Yun who started it!"

Li Wushuang shot him a sharp glance.

"Shut your mouth."

Then she looked at Li Hao.

"You’re older than my brother by a few months. You hurt him back then. Today, I’ll repay it on his behalf. Don’t resist. If you do… I won’t hold back."

Li Hao couldn’t help but laugh.

"I only kicked his butt. You’re not planning to kick mine, are you?"

Li Wushuang froze. Her expression darkened.

"No. I’ll hit your mouth."

With a sudden burst, she leapt forward—covering the ten meters in a flash. Her hand swung like a whip, aiming to strike Li Hao’s face.

But Li Hao leaned back just enough. Then, with a fluid motion—like the art of Taiji Dissipation—he caught her wrist, twisted her body off balance, and with Controlled Objects Power, pinned her to the horse’s back.

"Wha—!"

Li Wushuang’s pupils widened. Shock flashed in her eyes.

"You want to hit my mouth? If it weren’t for your bloodline, you wouldn’t be walking away."

Li Hao’s voice was ice-cold. Then, without hesitation, he raised his hand—

Smack!

He delivered a sharp, hard slap across her backside. A few more, firm and deliberate.

"Revenge for your brother, huh? Back then, I held back too much."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end