Chapter 103: A Letter Silences All
Li Hao frowned slightly.
He recalled telling Xue’er before that it was unnecessary for her to ask his master to descend the mountain to support him.
It was utterly meaningless.
After eight years of separation, Jian Wudao once again stepped into this mansion.
The moment he entered the Shanhe Courtyard, he spotted the young man reclining on a lounge chair, basking in the sun with a carefree air.
He had expected a prodigious youth like this to be diligently cultivating at all times, yet the scene before him was surprisingly relaxed.
Perhaps it was the final moment of leisure before a great battle—reasonable enough.
Following Jian Wudao were four figures—three men and one woman—all disciples under his tutelage. Among them, the one with the highest cultivation had already reached the Three Immortals Realm.
The four disciples also scrutinized Li Hao, their gazes filled with curiosity and surprise.
“Hao gege!”
Bian Ruxue ran over, her smile bright as spring blossoms. “I’ve invited my master and the others down the mountain!”
Although the interruption disrupted his peaceful nap, Li Hao couldn’t fault the girl for her good intentions. Rising from his seat, he set his poetry collection aside and watched as the Sword Saint approached. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
It was he who had taken the "little tail" away, but it was also he who had let her go.
And in the end, it was the "little tail" herself who had decisively severed their bond.
So, who could he blame?
Li Hao bore no resentment toward anyone. He had long since reined in those few extra steps he’d taken in his heart.
Thus, with a faint sigh, he discarded all his stray thoughts and cupped his hands in greeting, smiling cheerfully. “Old Master Sword Saint, long time no see!”
“Hmm?”
Jian Wudao’s expression showed mild surprise. “You still remember me?”
“How could I forget the unparalleled bearing of Sword Elder Jian?” Li Hao replied with a smile.
Jian Wudao raised an eyebrow slightly. He had expected this peerlessly talented young man to be either arrogant and flamboyant or immersed in bitter cultivation, withdrawn and aloof.
To his surprise, the youth was like a breeze—free of joy and sorrow—exuding a natural, unrestrained charm akin to that of the mountains and wilderness.
“The Marquis Xingwu has raised a fine son. The Li family is destined to soar once more across three generations,” Jian Wudao remarked calmly.
Li Hao chuckled faintly, signaling the end of their polite exchange.
Jian Wudao’s gaze shifted to the girl standing nearby, dressed as a maid. She held a black sword case in her arms.
As he had said many years ago, a true swordsman could identify a blade among ten thousand weapons at a single glance.
When he first entered Shanhe Courtyard, his eyes had naturally landed on this black sword case before moving to the young man.
Upon seeing the sword case, a faint light flickered in his gaze. “Is this Yongye?”
“You’ve seen it before, Sword Elder?”
“It once shone briefly, but alas, it fell silent,” Jian Wudao replied with a calm gaze. “This name—‘Eternal Night’—should signify an everlasting shadow upon the heavens, known by all under the sky.”
“Sword Elder, are you blaming my ninth uncle?” Li Hao asked flatly.
Jian Wudao indeed harbored such thoughts. While he believed it inappropriate to voice them, his respect for swords left him deeply dissatisfied when he learned that this famed blade had been consigned to obscurity.
He had once gone to the mansion to demand it, willing to trade other promises in exchange.
But the old lady had unceremoniously chased him away.
Today, however, he spoke of it only casually. So many years had passed; bringing it up again seemed meaningless, especially with someone of the younger generation.
“My ninth uncle wielded this sword in the mortal world for only three years, yet in that brief time, it transformed from obscurity into one of the most renowned swords in the land. How could that be considered unworthy?” Li Hao’s tone was calm. “Moreover, if my ninth uncle were still alive, the world would undoubtedly know of this sword. Naturally, if Sword Elder had been willing to fight demons and slay monsters beyond the pass for my ninth uncle instead of merely sitting in that Sword Abode, this sword might already be the most famous in the world.”
Hearing the mocking tone in Li Hao’s words, Jian Wudao’s expression shifted.
The four disciples behind him were momentarily stunned before their expressions turned grim. The eldest, a middle-aged man, spoke in a low voice:
“Young Master Li, you owe my master an apology!”
Li Hao merely glanced at him, let out a soft chuckle, and said nothing.
This was Shanhe Courtyard, not the Sword Abode.
Bian Ruxue hadn’t expected her master and Li Hao to have a verbal clash so soon after meeting. Stunned, she grew visibly nervous and uneasy.
Jian Wudao stared at Li Hao, his gaze turning a few degrees colder. He spoke in a calm tone:
“Li Jiulang was truly a prodigy. Now that he has passed the sword down to you, are you worthy of wielding it?”
“This sword was forged by my Li family from the rarest metals gathered under heaven. Whether I am worthy or not is not for outsiders to say.” Li Hao’s lips curved into a faint smile as he replied.
“Hao gege...”
Bian Ruxue called softly, her voice filled with unease.
Li Hao glanced at her, noting the look of conflict on her face as she stood awkwardly between the two. His smile faded slightly.
Years ago, in this same courtyard, perhaps even at this very spot, a young girl had stood by his side without hesitation, speaking up for him at every turn.
When she had learned she would be taken away, that same girl had wept and declared she no longer loved the sword and would never practice again...
But those days were gone, never to return.
Like the autumn leaves that now littered the courtyard, once fallen, they could never return to their branches.
Even when spring winds brought forth new growth, the leaves that emerged would be entirely new.
At that moment, several figures hurried out from the inner courtyard. At the forefront was Li Tiangang, with Yu Xuan and Li Fu flanking him.
“Sword Saint, sir!”
Li Tiangang called out from a distance, hastening forward with a slight bow of respect.
“I never expected you to come and lend support to my son. It’s an honor to have you here.”
Jian Wudao was a powerhouse from Li Tiangang’s father’s generation. When Li Tiangang was just a boy, Jian Wudao had visited their home for a sparring match with his father.
Although his father could best Jian Wudao in overall combat, he was no match for the Sword Saint’s expertise in swordsmanship and had suffered multiple defeats in that domain.
“No need for such formalities,” Jian Wudao replied indifferently. “I came because of Xue’er, merely to join the festivities and enjoy a cup of wine. I trust the Divine General Mansion won’t turn me away.”
“Of course not!”
Li Tiangang was briefly surprised by the sharpness in Jian Wudao’s words. He glanced toward Li Hao and immediately understood. The boy’s free-spirited demeanor must have been interpreted as poor hospitality.
With a smile, Li Tiangang quickly said, “Please, Elder Jian, follow me to the inner courtyard. Xue’er is indeed fortunate to have the chance to train under someone as illustrious as yourself.”
Seeing the famously commanding general being so courteous, Jian Wudao’s expression softened slightly. He followed Li Tiangang into the courtyard, no longer paying attention to Li Hao. After all, the generational gap made disputes with a junior meaningless.
Jian Wudao’s disciples also came to their senses, realizing that quarreling with Li Hao served no purpose.
They had come to build connections, not to sow discord over a few harsh words.
Still, the prodigious young man of Qingzhou left them with a bitter taste in their mouths, filling their hearts with subtle disdain.
After everyone left, Bian Ruxue remained by Li Hao’s side, hesitating. Finally, she asked, “Hao gege, are you upset?”
Li Hao sat back down in his chair, his smile returning. “No, there’s nothing to be upset about.”
“My master can be very particular about matters involving swords,” Bian Ruxue said hesitantly. “Sometimes his words may not come across well. Please don’t take it to heart, Hao gege.”
Li Hao chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry. I’m not angry.”
Bian Ruxue studied him carefully and, seeing no trace of anger in his demeanor, exhaled a small sigh of relief. “I noticed that Li Qianfeng brought in support from Boundless Mountain, so I asked my master to come and help.”
“You’ve gone to such lengths for me.”
Li Hao understood her good intentions and smiled warmly. “Go accompany your master. He’s unfamiliar with the place. I’ll just sit here a bit longer and enjoy the sun.”
“Alright then.”
Reluctantly, Bian Ruxue nodded and left.
Once she was gone, Li Hao reopened the poetry collection and placed it over his face, lying back to soak in the sun.
Nearby, Ren Qianqian, holding the sword case, frequently glanced toward the inner courtyard.
Her heart had been in her throat moments ago. The Sword Saint’s presence exuded such immense pressure that she had felt as though her entire body was trembling.
This was the Sword Saint, a legendary figure known throughout the world!
Yet the young man beside her had remained completely composed, without the slightest hint of fear. She had been terrified that the Sword Saint would lash out in anger and teach Li Hao a lesson.
However, Ren Qianqian’s fears were unfounded. Here in the Divine General Mansion, regardless of whether Li Hao was in the right or wrong, Jian Wudao would never act rashly. To do so would not only slight Li Hao but also disgrace the entire Divine General Mansion.
...
Meanwhile, the Shuihua Courtyard was bustling with noise and activity, in stark contrast to the calm and isolation of Shanhe Courtyard.
Guests filled the halls, with the outer and inner courtyards brimming with people.
Servants and maids darted back and forth, attending to the crowd.
...
...
In the Tangong Academy...
Many disciples of the White Hall wanted to descend the mountain and head to the Divine General Mansion to lend their support to Li Hao while observing how the Li family’s true dragon would make his choice.
However, all of them were stopped by a single decree from Song Yufeng.
The instructor, Sun Hongdian, adept at navigating the intricacies of human relations, explained the rationale behind the order in detail to the disciples.
The reasons were twofold.
First, given Li Hao’s immense talent, he would undoubtedly claim the title of true dragon. He needed no external support.
Second, it was unnecessary for the Tangong Academy to embroil itself in any disputes over trivialities.
One of the disciples exclaimed, “But Zhou Zheng has already gone!”
Sun Hongdian scolded him sharply, “Zhou Zheng went as part of his father’s entourage. Is your father an old subordinate of the Marquis Xingwu?”
The disciple fell silent immediately, clearly realizing his father was not.
...
...
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed across the courtyard:
“Announcement! The decree of the Emperor Yu has arrived, summoning the Li family’s son, Li Hao, to receive it!”
Instantly, the entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence, not a single sound to be heard.