https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-98-Once-Promised-to-be-the-Best-in-the-World/13450068/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-100-The-Ultimate-Sword-Dao-Divine-Sword-/13450074/
Chapter 99: Master's Heart
Chapter 99: Master's Heart
Time flies.
After returning from the brothel, Li Hao was kept in the Mansion by Li Tiangang, not allowed to wander around freely.
This led to a small argument between father and son, but they eventually reached a compromise. Li Hao agreed to stay in the Mansion, but in return, Li Tiangang would not interfere with his activities.
Li Tiangang agreed.
Li Hao no longer spent his days painting. Instead, he would run to Fifth Master to play chess and spend the rest of his time in the Rain Listening Pavilion.
He was waiting for Second Uncle to return and, in the meantime, he was flipping through these cultivation techniques.
The Rain Listening Pavilion housed an extensive collection of books. Even if one were to read day and night, it would take at least ten years to finish them all.
Initially, Li Hao had selected some cultivation techniques from the higher levels, barely glancing at the lower ones. But this time, he started from the bottom.
With his Flesh and Body Dao Sixth Rank insight, he should have been able to reach the Tianren Realm, but he was stuck.
Li Hao decided to first comprehend the Master's Heart.
Easier said than done.
What is a Grandmaster?
A Grandmaster is someone who can found a sect and blaze their own path.
No one can teach a Grandmaster how to act, nor can anyone give them guidance.
Not even the Three Immortalities can do so, because each Grandmaster's path is unique. While the Three Immortalities have a higher realm, they can only share their experiences of advancement and cultivation, but cannot provide specific guidance.
Similarly, once one reaches the Tianren Master Realm, every step forward must be taken independently.
Without cultivation techniques to guide and no one to teach, one must rely on personal insight, thought, and enlightenment.
"My own Martial Dao path..."
Sitting in the Rain Listening Pavilion, Li Hao held a copy of the Detailed Explanation of Martial Arts Fundamentals, his eyes flickering.
He had asked Second Uncle how to comprehend the Master's Heart.
Second Uncle mentioned three methods. The first was to gain worldly experience and find one's Martial Heart through the trials of the mortal world.
The second was to walk the line between life and death, where the terror of the brink could spark an instant enlightenment, leading to a breakthrough.
The third, a more stable approach, was to seek insight from the most basic cultivation techniques based on personal enlightenment.
Why the most basic cultivation techniques?
Because the higher the cultivation technique, the more intricate and profound it becomes, making it easier to be misled by its complexity. The core essence can be obscured by the technique's sophistication.
It's like a stone.
When thrown on the ground, everyone knows it's a stone, and it is often disdained and trodden upon.
But when placed on a table, especially in a Buddha Hall, it is revered and worshipped by all.
Yet, fundamentally, it remains a stone.
Li Hao casually flipped through the Comprehensive Martial Arts Outline, which listed various martial arts, but only in a simple, cursory manner.
Swords, spears, staffs, fists, and movement techniques...
He read through them without forcing himself to gain some profound insight, merely passing the time.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Li Hao read many books in the Rain Listening Pavilion, not just martial arts but also anecdotes about extraordinary people.
There were also many books that recorded the life stories of Grandmasters.
These Grandmasters had taken diverse and unique paths, each with a distinct Martial Dao style.
Some were from the sleazy school, where all their attack techniques were low and underhanded, such as gouging eyes, attacking the groin, and throwing poison or sand. They refined these despicable moves into a complete set of techniques, founding their own sects.
Others were from the brute force school, always going head-on, never resorting to trickery, with each move explosive and powerful.
Still, others specialized in agile and nimble movement techniques.
For Li Hao, creating his own cultivation techniques was not difficult.
With his Sixth Rank insights into the Sword Dao and Fist Dao, creating new fist techniques and sword skills was effortless.
He could even combine the two.
But while the techniques were within reach, his heart was not yet formed.
Most people who step into the Grandmaster Realm first establish their Master's Heart, then strengthen their Cultivation Techniques according to the direction of that heart.
But Li Hao did it the other way around.
"Where is my heart...?"
Li Hao muttered to himself.
He had seen too many Cultivation Techniques, which now left him a bit overwhelmed and confused.
His heart was not yet settled.
...
That day, Li Hao came to the Rain Listening Pavilion as usual.
But he hadn't been sitting for long when he was called back to the Mountain and River Courtyard, as they needed to speak with him.
When Li Hao returned to the courtyard, he immediately saw that in the main hall, his father Li Tiangang was seated, and there was another figure, a young girl, sitting opposite him.
The girl was engaged in conversation with his father, her back turned toward the door.
She wore a dark purple outer garment, exuding a mysterious aura, like a fragrant orchid.
Her straight back alone radiated youthful vitality.
At that moment, they seemed to be discussing something, and Li Tiangang's face was full of smiles, his gaze warm and loving.
Standing at the door, Li Hao remembered the rules he had been forced to learn this month, so he didn't enter directly. Instead, he stopped outside and called out.
Li Tiangang turned to look at Li Hao, and at the same time, the girl turned around as well.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like clear streams, her nose delicate, and her face smooth, with a glow as if the fine hairs on her cheeks were shimmering. Her skin was as white as jade.
Li Hao was momentarily stunned, then his eyes widened.
"Xue'er?"
"Brother Hao."
The girl seemed to recognize Li Hao, and memories of the past flooded her mind. She smiled brightly and called out in a clear, crisp voice.
Li Hao finally confirmed that the girl before him was the little girl he hadn't seen in eight years, the one who used to follow him like a little tail.
He quickly approached, looking her up and down in amazement. In the eight years since they last met, the little girl who used to cry easily had grown into a young woman.
And she was as beautiful as a finely crafted doll.
"Wow, you've grown so much." Li Hao couldn't help but say something obvious.
The girl, Bian Ruxue, stood up from her chair, her movements graceful and ladylike. She smiled and said, "Brother Hao, you've grown a lot too."
"Of course."
Li Hao smiled and said, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Have you eaten? Let me tell you, my cooking skills have improved a lot. In a few months, I could fatten you up!"
Bian Ruxue's cheeks turned slightly red, and she said, "Brother Hao, you're still so fond of joking."
"Who makes you cry so easily? I can't help but tease you."
"I'm not a puppy."
Li Hao laughed heartily, then asked, "How was your sword training? Did anyone bully you?"
Bian Ruxue smiled and shook her head. "My master, senior brothers, and sisters were all very kind to me. No one bullied me."
"That's good to hear."
"Brother Hao, how have you been these past years?"
Bian Ruxue asked, her eyes locking onto Li Hao's.
Li Hao grinned and said, "Of course I've been great. You should know who I am. I'm the one who bullies others, not the other way around. I eat and drink to my heart's content every day, living the life of luxury."
Li Tiangang frowned slightly and sighed inwardly.
Bian Ruxue looked at Li Hao and said softly, "Brother Hao, stop joking."
Li Tiangang's face turned slightly serious, and he said, "Li Hao, be serious. Xue'er has just returned, and you must not bully her."
"Alright, alright."
Li Hao smiled helplessly.
Bian Ruxue immediately turned to Li Tiangang and said, "Uncle, Brother Hao has never bullied me."
Li Tiangang looked at her and smiled, saying, "Xue'er, you're just too kind. Don't worry, now that I'm back, if Li Hao dares to bully you, you can come to me, and I'll stand up for you."
"Your father entrusted you to me, and I will take good care of you. You will not suffer any injustice in the Li Family!"
"Thank you, Uncle."
Bian Ruxue smiled and bowed slightly in thanks. Then, she looked at Li Hao and noticed that his smile seemed to have faded a bit.
She didn't think much of it and said to Li Tiangang, "Uncle, I want to go for a walk with Brother Hao and chat privately."
"Go ahead."
Li Tiangang nodded with a smile.
Bian Ruxue bowed again and said, "Brother Hao, let's go. It's been a long time since I've been back. Can you show me around outside?"
Li Hao nodded, then seemed to remember something and turned to his father, who was seated above. "I'll go for a walk with Xue'er?"
Li Tiangang nodded and said, "With Xue'er by your side, I am at ease. Spend some time with her these days."
Li Hao's lips twitched, and he turned to take Bian Ruxue's hand. "Come on, I'll take you around the city. I know every good place to eat in Qingzhou City."
The soft hand that he held gently struggled for a moment, as if suddenly startled, but quickly relaxed, allowing Li Hao to lead her.
Once they left, Li Tiangang sighed softly. "Li Hao has been doing well these past years, even without us around. It's just a pity that no one has been there to discipline him; his temper is too wild."
Old Zhao opened his mouth slightly but then closed it again.
Li Tiangang's eyes softened. "Fortunately, Xue'er is well-mannered and sensible. With her by his side, she can at least keep him in check. I can rest easy knowing this boy has found someone like Xue'er; he's truly fortunate."
...
After leaving the Divine General Manor, Li Hao took the young girl by his side and headed straight for the bustling nearby streets.
"Brother Hao, I just found out that Uncle only returned recently."
Bian Ruxue, whose hand Li Hao held, didn't struggle. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes occasionally glanced at Li Hao's profile. "After I left, were you alone all the time?"
Li Hao smiled. "Silly girl, you're still as naive as when you were little. The Mountain and River Courtyard is so large, with so many servants and maids. How could I have been alone?"
"Servants and maids are different. Brother Hao wouldn't confide in them", Bian Ruxue said.
"Then I won't", Li Hao laughed.
Bian Ruxue fell silent for a moment. "Doesn't it feel lonely not to talk about it?"
"I'm used to it."
Li Hao led Bian Ruxue to a sugar painting stall. "Do you want some candy?"
Bian Ruxue glanced at it and shook her head slightly. "Brother Hao, I've grown up."
"You're only fourteen, and you're already calling yourself grown up. By the time you're twenty, won't you be old?"
Seeing that she didn't like candy, Li Hao continued to show her around.
They found a toy stall, and he bought her a metal frog that could hop forward when pressed. It was a product of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect.
As they strolled and chatted, Li Hao asked about her life on the mountain over the years, and Bian Ruxue inquired about his days at the courtyard.
When it was time for dinner, Li Hao found a restaurant and took her inside to eat and talk.
After eight years apart, they had much to discuss. They started out a bit awkwardly, but gradually, Li Hao seemed to recapture the feeling of their childhood.
"When did you come down from the mountain?"
"A month ago", Bian Ruxue said.
Li Hao was a bit surprised. "Then why did you just return?"
"I heard about a strange occurrence in a place. I went to investigate and found that a Mourning River had seeped in, destroying a village", Bian Ruxue explained.
Li Hao nodded. "What happened next?"
"I tried several times, but I could only destroy it, not completely seal it off."
Li Hao laughed. "Destroying it is still a good outcome. At least it's gone for now."
Bian Ruxue sighed softly and nodded. "True."
Li Hao noticed the sword at her side, which she never parted with, and asked, "How has your sword training been under the Sword Saint?"
Bian Ruxue was taken aback, then fell silent for a moment before saying, "It's okay."
Li Hao couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "Was it because you didn't do well and got criticized? Why do you seem so down when you talk about the sword?"
Bian Ruxue shook her head slightly and set her sword aside. "Brother Hao, let's not talk about the sword. I only found out on my way back that you're about to become a True Dragon of the Li Family. I heard there's another contestant. Do you have a good chance?"
"What do you think?" Li Hao asked.
Bian Ruxue, seeing Li Hao's relaxed demeanor, immediately said, "I think you do."
"Me too."
Li Hao smiled and served her some food.
"Speaking of which, I saw many important figures heading to Qingzhou on my way. I heard that the True Dragon competition also involves Connections."
Bian Ruxue said, "Brother Hao, should I call my master and others to support you?"
"Connections are just a minor factor. The Li Family's choice of True Dragon shouldn't be swayed by outsiders", Li Hao laughed.
Bian Ruxue thought about it and said, "You're right. If there's anything Brother Hao needs me to do, just let me know."
"There is something."
"What?" Bian Ruxue was taken aback.
"I'm full. Finish the rest for me. Don't waste food", Li Hao burped and leaned back comfortably in his chair.
Bian Ruxue was momentarily speechless.
(End of Chapter)
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