Chapter 98: Once Promised to be the Best in the World
Chapter 98: Once Promised to be the Best in the World
The news was brought by another Black Hall Master, who had heard the commotion and used his Divine Soul to investigate.
"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!"
Song Yufeng's face turned ashen with anger, and he suddenly remembered something. "Where's Yueyao? She didn't go, did she?"
"Grandfather."
At that moment, a voice came from outside the Tan Palace, and Song Yueyao walked in.
Song Yufeng looked up and felt his heart drop back into his chest, relieved.
"Why are you here? I was asking you, did Li Hao take everyone else to visit a brothel?"
Although mentioning a "brothel" to his granddaughter seemed a bit inappropriate, Song Yufeng was too upset to care at the moment.
Upon hearing this, a trace of anger flashed across Song Yueyao's face. She replied coldly, "Yes."
"This boy, how dare he!"
Song Yufeng flew into a rage.
Song Yueyao was taken aback by her grandfather's anger and quickly added, "Grandfather, it's not entirely his fault."
"What?" Song Yufeng glared at his granddaughter.
Song Yueyao felt a bit helpless and had no choice but to explain the whole situation.
After listening, Song Yufeng's eyes widened even more, and the Black Hall Master standing beside him was equally stunned.
"You, you mean Li Hao flipped through the Sword Manual once and demonstrated a True Form Level sword technique to you all?"
"That's impossible, absolutely impossible!"
Despite their protests, both Song Yufeng and the Black Hall Master had to believe it, given that Song Yueyao had described how dozens of people in the White Hall had witnessed it firsthand.
Still, the idea was too outrageous.
Song Yufeng's first thought was that the Sword Manual had been leaked, and Li Hao had been secretly practicing it, only to reveal his skills today.
But his second thought was, even if the boy had been practicing in secret, this was still too absurd!
After all, he was only fourteen years old. Had he been practicing since he was a baby?
Already reaching the Fifteenth Li Realm, breaking the record of the Nineteen Provinces, and now mastering a High-Grade True Form Level Sword Technique?
Wait a moment.
Song Yufeng suddenly felt something was off.
Li Hao might not just have mastered one True Form Level sword technique.
And the Sword Manual might not have been leaked at all.
After all, the Li Family's Rain Listening Pavilion contained numerous sword techniques, including many High-Grade ones. Even if they had secretly collected the Yin-Yang Splitting Sword, why would they give it to Li Hao to learn?
The Li Family had Top-Grade Sword Techniques!
With limited resources, they would certainly train Li Hao in Top-Grade Sword Techniques, not waste time on a High-Grade one.
Realizing this, Song Yufeng felt a sharp pain in his heart. If so, there was only one explanation.
Li Hao really did flip through the Sword Manual once and learned it!
And he even reached the True State!
According to his granddaughter, it seemed there was a process. The first time he demonstrated it, it was at the Perfection Level, and then he jumped directly to the True State, skipping the Ultimate Level...
Damn, he still couldn't accept it!
Even if Li Hao were a reincarnation of a sword immortal, he couldn't be any better than this... Song Yufeng's face twitched as he stared blankly out of the Tan Palace, wondering what kind of child the Li Family had produced.
After a long while, Song Yufeng came to his senses and thought about the brothel incident, unable to help but laugh bitterly.
"This boy really has the nerve to agree to such a thing, without even considering his age."
Upon hearing this, Song Yueyao's expression changed slightly.
Song Yufeng seemed to remember something, slapped his forehead, and quickly asked, "Did they go without their academy uniforms?"
At this point, it was too late to stop them.
Moreover, Li Hao’s single lesson had an astonishing effect, surpassing the students’ own one or two years of hard practice. Letting them take a break was not an issue.
Just as long as they don’t disgrace the Black Hall.
“Not at all,” the Black Hall Master said.
Song Yufeng immediately breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “This kid still knows his limits.”
…
On the way down the mountain, Li Hao encountered Prince Jiang Hanxing, who was reciting poetry.
Upon learning that Li Hao was going to visit a brothel, Jiang Hanxing was taken aback and immediately decided to tag along, saying he wanted to see it for himself.
Li Hao didn’t mind and let him follow.
Cloud Mist Tower was the top brothel in Qingzhou City.
Here, money alone couldn’t buy entertainment. On a regular day, it was primarily a gathering place for scholar-gentry and talented individuals who would recite poetry and compose verses.
Poetry gatherings were often held, and only those who could win the top spot could meet Hong Waner, the renowned courtesan whose fame spread across the entire region.
When Li Hao and his companions arrived, a poetry gathering was in progress.
Entry was by silver, and poetry was used to exchange for performances.
However, these White Hall disciples were martial artists, trained in martial arts from a young age. They could recite a few famous poems by renowned scholars, but composing their own was a different story.
Fortunately, Li Hao was prepared. Since he had promised to fulfill their wishes, he wouldn’t let them leave disappointed.
“Come, come, come. Each of you, memorize one poem,” Li Hao called out to the group.
Zhou Zheng, who loved poetry, was utterly amazed. He had secretly prepared two poems, but he never expected this talented martial artist to have poems at his disposal.
After all, the poems for the gathering had to be original; copying others’ work would invite ridicule.
Jiang Hanxing, who had seen Li Hao’s poetic talent before, also joined in. Seeing Li Hao’s confidence, he was both surprised and somewhat disappointed. What kind of poems could they be if everyone got one?
But the next moment, his eyes widened in shock.
Li Hao had never intended to show off with poetry. He wouldn’t be like those literary copycats who squeezed out one poem at a time to show off.
Instead, he was pulling out a whole collection.
Soon, the entire poetry gathering was in a frenzy.
As one poem after another from Li Hao's world, which were timeless masterpieces, was recited, the entire Cloud Mist Tower transitioned from lively to boiling with excitement, and then from excitement to silent awe.
“Do you not see the Yellow River’s waters come from the sky, rushing to the sea and never returning…”
Zhou Zheng murmured the lines, frozen in awe, feeling the grand and majestic aura.
“No one supports my lofty aspirations, but I will step through the snow to reach the mountain’s peak!”
Jiang Hanxing’s eyes glowed, and he clenched his fists tightly. These lines seemed to speak to the ambitions hidden in his heart.
“The sea ends where the sky meets the shore, and when I climb to the mountain’s peak, I will stand as the summit!”
When Ma Jing received the poem to take to the stage, he was so moved that his eyes turned red. Though he couldn’t compose poetry himself, he could appreciate it.
These lines seemed to describe the extraordinary youth before them.
There were countless geniuses in the world, but only this youth had climbed to the peak and stood atop the mountain, becoming the highest peak!
“Born as the first among men, I am equal in age to the heavens…”
“A single body battles across three thousand miles, and a single sword can rival a million soldiers…”
The White Hall disciples recited these poems one by one, and they felt a trembling excitement as they did so.
For martial artists, these powerful and domineering poems struck right at their hearts.
“Drunk, I light a lamp to look at my sword, dreaming of the bugle calls in the camp…”
As a son of a military general, Zhou Zheng stood up, trembling all over when he heard this poem.
“The great roc rises on the wind, soaring to the ninth heaven!”
This bold and majestic poem brought comfort to many hearts, stirring the spirits of those who had been frustrated and unfulfilled.
The White Hall disciples took turns on the stage, their poems dominating the brothel.
On the pavilion, a beautifully adorned, twenty-year-old girl with a captivating and alluring presence stood on a high floor, listening intently to the continuous recitation of these extraordinary poems.
Each poem, whether bold and grand or carefree and wild, stirred the heart.
The Great Yu Dynasty was founded on martial prowess, and the people favored martial arts. The poetry in the brothel was mostly about battle and war, with fewer lewd or sensual verses. Even if there were, they were only found in ordinary brothels and not considered noteworthy.
Hong Waner was well-versed in poetry and could discern quality. The poems recited below were so good that even the Grand Scholars of the Hanlin Academy might not have been able to write them. Only a few world-renowned poems could compare.
Furthermore, Hong Waner noticed that all the young talents who stepped onto the stage to recite poems had risen from the side of a particular young man before ascending the stage.
That young man whispered a few words into each of their ears, a gesture that sparked many speculations.
Time flew by.
As the poetry recital concluded, the Courtesans in the tower were all in a state of springtime excitement, and the talented guests were thoroughly enchanted.
Someone inadvertently let slip that all these poems were composed by Li Hao alone, and another person recognized Li Hao and called out his identity. Instantly, the entire Cloud Mist Tower erupted in excitement.
This astonishing young man, paired with his poems that radiated brilliance, made it feel as though the poems were almost tangible.
In this excitement, no one paid attention to the Tan Palace disciples who had revealed Li Hao’s poems. Instead, they were favored by Li Hao, and even without poems to their names, they received the admiration and invitations of many women.
The Manager of the tower hurried to Li Hao, bowing deeply. Upon seeing the renowned Young Master of the Li Family from Qingzhou, who had a casual and gentle demeanor, he breathed a sigh of relief. He then called Hong Waner to accompany him.
The other White Hall disciples were also taken by other girls to listen to music and enjoy the arts.
Additionally, the Manager cautiously asked Li Hao if he could borrow two poems to leave in the tower as a landmark.
Li Hao didn’t mind and let them choose two.
Soon, two lines of poetry were hung outside the Cloud Mist Tower:
"Know that in youth, I had the will to grasp the clouds,
I once promised to be the best in the world."
The Manager regretted that Li Hao had not completed the poem, leaving only these two lines.
However, she never expected that because of these two lines, the reputation of the Cloud Mist Tower would soon spread throughout the Nineteen Provinces.
At that moment, Li Hao was already in the boudoir of the most sought-after courtesan of the Cloud Mist Tower, eating and drinking.
"Young Master, I am yours tonight. You can have me do anything you desire."
Hong Waner said with a smile, her beautiful eyes continuously sizing up the top young man of Qingzhou City.
Since Li Hao revealed his cultivation, no one among the young generation in Qingzhou could compare to him.
"Is that so? Then come and shell some sunflower seeds for me", Li Hao said.
Hong Waner was slightly taken aback but walked over with a smile, shelling the sunflower seeds and offering them to Li Hao.
Li Hao patted his hands, enjoying the service while picking up other snacks and drinks.
...
Meanwhile, the news reached the Divine General Manor.
"What?!"
Li Tiangang, upon hearing the report from his servant, widened his eyes and slammed his hand on the table, causing the expensive piece of furniture to shatter.
"Reckless brat, how dare he!"
Li Tiangang’s face turned red with anger, and the thought that his son lacked discipline resurfaced. He felt that his son dared to do anything!
Li Fu, startled, said, "My Lord, I have inquired from the Tan Palace, and it seems that Young Master..."
"Regardless of the reason, quickly, find him and bring him back here!"
Li Tiangang barked, feeling that every passing second was a disgrace to the Li Family.
Li Fu hurriedly agreed and ran off.
Inside the Cloud Mist Tower, Hong Waner’s hands were numb from shelling sunflower seeds before she finally saw off the well-fed and satisfied Young Master Li.
She was both angry and furious. She, a renowned beauty, had countless heroes and gallants vying for a glimpse of her, yet this young man barely looked at her and only had her do menial tasks.
Her admiration for Li Hao, which had grown from his poetry, diminished significantly. She had hoped to use this opportunity to form a good relationship with him, and perhaps even marry into the Divine General Manor, even as a concubine, to enjoy endless wealth and honor.
Unfortunately, it all fell through.
After that night, the upper floor of the Cloud Mist Tower no longer displayed sunflower seeds or other snacks.
Elsewhere.
As Li Hao stepped out of the Cloud Mist Tower, he bumped into Uncle Fu.
Seeing Uncle Fu rushing over with a tense expression, Li Hao raised an eyebrow.
“Young Master, that’s great. Did you… did you do anything inside?”
Li Fu hurriedly checked Li Hao’s clothes.
Li Hao couldn’t help but be speechless and said, “Uncle Fu, how old do you think I am? Besides, I have a fiancée. I came here just to keep these guys company and let them have some fun. Training in martial arts is pretty tough, you know.”
Hearing Li Hao’s explanation, Li Fu immediately felt relieved. He was generally at ease with Li Hao and chuckled bitterly, “Young Master, please come with me back right away. The Marquis is angry.”
Angry?
Li Hao was slightly taken aback and furrowed his brow.
He immediately followed Li Fu back.
As for the disciples in the building, they were all grown-ups and could find their way back on their own without needing his assistance.
Before long,
Li Hao followed Li Fu back to the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Inside the courtyard, Li Tiangang was seated in the main hall with a new table by his side. On the table, besides a teacup, there was also a bamboo cane.
Li Hao and Li Fu saw this as soon as they entered.
Li Fu’s face changed instantly, and he quickly said, “Marquis, Young Master has returned. There’s a reason for this…”
“Is that so? I’d like to hear it.”
Li Tiangang’s face was dark with anger, but remembering the incident with the scroll, he spoke in a low, stern voice.
Li Hao frowned slightly.
Li Fu hurriedly explained the entire situation.
“Ridiculous! If they had wished for you to give them a fief, would you have agreed?”
Li Tiangang’s anger grew after listening to Li Fu. He felt that Li Hao’s personality was indeed too wild, and he could casually talk about such things like making wishes.
If he said it, he had to do it, or else he would lose credibility.
Li Hao said, “It was to motivate them, and it was conditional. I would only do what I can manage.”
“A city, for example, you could afford it once you become a True Dragon, right?” Li Tiangang stared at him.
Li Hao met his gaze for a moment, then sighed, “‘Within my capabilities’ is a very broad term. I believe I should be the one to decide the extent. If a request is too unreasonable, I naturally won’t agree to it.”
Li Tiangang raised an eyebrow, “You do know how to leave room for yourself. But did you consider the consequences of going to a brothel today?”
Li Hao replied, “If I recall correctly, Uncle Second said you all went to many places like that when you were young. Why can’t I go?”
“Can you compare yourself to us?”
Li Tiangang couldn’t help but inwardly blame Uncle Second for telling a child such things about their elders.
Just as he was about to scold Li Hao, he noticed the coldness in Li Hao’s eyes. He was momentarily stunned, his expression changed, and after looking at Li Hao for a moment, he sighed deeply, “Li Hao, times have changed. I’ve received news that Infinite Buddha Master has recalled your cousin. This move seems to be a direct challenge to you in the True Dragon competition.”
He continued, “They know your situation and have made this choice. They must be fully prepared. You can’t afford to be careless at this moment.”
Li Hao was silent for a moment, then nodded, “I understand.”
Li Tiangang looked at him for a while, wanting to say something but ultimately held back. He said, “For the time being, don’t wander around. Although I promised to let you do as you please, I will make it up to you. But at least for now, try to be more disciplined.”
Disciplined… Li Hao glanced at him and sighed inwardly.
When had he ever been undisciplined?
Hadn’t he been staying at the mansion all these years?
Going to a brothel once and he’s undisciplined?
He felt a bit helpless. Once a bias forms, it seems hard to change.
What was even more laughable and lamentable was that this bias came from the person closest to him by blood.
He lost the desire to argue further and turned to leave.
“This child, when will he ever change his ways? I wonder who he takes after…”
As Li Hao left, Li Tiangang sighed, feeling extremely weary.
He wanted to make amends with Li Hao but didn’t want him to go down the wrong path.
“Master, you just got back. It’s best not to rush things…” Old Zhao said with a worried look.
He always felt that there might be a major problem between this father and son.
Their personalities were just too different.
(End of Chapter)
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