Chapter 79: Poetry Duel with a Prince
The ink on the drawing board was still wet, and the Water Qilin knew that touching it now would smudge the painting.
She examined the artwork closely and grew increasingly fond of it. The slight irritation she had felt earlier dissipated completely. Her beautiful eyes turned to Li Hao.
“Did you draw this for me?”
“Does Senior like it?”
Seeing the joy in her eyes, Li Hao sighed in relief and smiled. “If Senior likes it, I’ll gift it to you.”
The Water Qilin's smile lit up the entire cold pond, making it seem as though the surroundings had grown brighter. She chuckled softly.
“I never expected to find such a skilled artist among the human race. Your painting is indeed impressive—it feels as though I am standing on the paper.”
“As long as Senior likes it,” Li Hao said with a grin.
Painting is not merely replication but also an art form enhanced with creativity, akin to applying a filter, which naturally made it beautiful.
After glancing at her twice, Li Hao asked tentatively, “Senior, if you take on your humanoid form, could I draw another portrait of you?”
This time, the Water Qilin didn’t refuse. Instead, she looked at Li Hao with interest. “You can draw more?”
“Painting? As long as Senior cooperates, I could paint all day!” Li Hao replied with a smile.
“Alright then, draw another one for me to see,” the Water Qilin agreed.
“Sure!”
Li Hao immediately accepted. This was a rare opportunity to gather benefits!
“Senior, please stand by the edge of the pond and angle your body slightly... Yes, just like that…”
He guided her into a graceful side pose, complemented by her stunning beauty, like a sorrowful yet elegant woman standing by the emerald pond.
Quickly, Li Hao began to sketch...
...
One incense stick’s worth of time later, the second painting was finished.
【Painting Dao experience +1738】
The experience gain was hardly diminished, likely due to the humanoid form being considered a distinct portrayal.
Soon, Li Hao handed the new painting to the Water Qilin.
She took one look, and her eyes lit up. The woman in the painting exuded melancholy, her sorrowful brows and solitary aura reminiscent of a water lotus untouched by the world.
This… is me? The Water Qilin found the woman in the painting even more beautiful than her reflection in reality.
Moreover, the hint of sadness between her brows mirrored her inner emotions perfectly.
Living in the cold pond for a thousand lonely years, the palace she had once called home belonged to humans, not her. Amid the bustling human cities, her solitude only deepened.
As she gazed at the painting, she became lost in thought.
Li Hao, noticing her distraction, quietly adjusted his drawing board. Seeing her entranced look, he began sketching her current expression...
In an era without photographs, his paintings captured moments frozen in time.
Li Hao believed that most people would greatly admire such works.
Before long, the third painting was complete.
【Painting Dao experience +1541】
Although the experience gain slightly decreased, it was still substantial.
Just three paintings had earned him over five thousand experience points—a huge success!
When Li Hao finished the third piece, the Water Qilin came back to her senses and asked, “Are you done?”
So you noticed... Li Hao chuckled inwardly. Although she was clearly aware, she still maintained her dazed posture, seemingly willing to cooperate.
“It’s done,” Li Hao replied, turning the drawing board toward her.
Seeing the third painting, the Water Qilin's smile deepened. Her entranced expression had been vividly captured, her clear eyes reflecting countless emotions under slanting light.
Moments ago, she had briefly revisited memories from a thousand years past. How did he notice?
This human boy can understand me?
Her gaze toward Li Hao softened considerably. “Your painting skills are indeed excellent. You said you’re a member of the Li family?”
“Yes.” Li Hao nodded.
The Water Qilin’s interest was piqued. “The Divine General Mansion's Li family is renowned throughout the land. However, I’ve heard that their rules are strict and their members are all martial artists. How did they allow you to dabble in such trivial arts?”
“Painting Dao is not necessarily trivial,” Li Hao replied with a faint smile. “Besides, practicing martial arts and painting don’t conflict—cultivation has its tiring moments, after all.”
“Oh?”
The Water Qilin raised an eyebrow.
Li Hao deactivated the All-Manifestations attribute and released an aura spanning fifteen li. Then, he reactivated his All-Manifestations attribute.
The Water Qilin froze for a moment, her eyes widening in astonishment.
Fifteen li?
Yet his vitality and physical foundation seemed so fresh and youthful.
“Senior, since we have this rare opportunity, shall I paint a few more portraits for you?” Li Hao suggested with a smile.
The Water Qilin glanced at the painting in her hand, which she had already dried using her power, and nodded. “Alright.”
Li Hao grinned and immediately positioned her by the pond again, resuming his work...
...
One painting after another was completed.
After finishing the twelfth, his Painting Dao experience increased by only 351 points.
Though significantly less than before, it was still quite generous compared to other subjects.
“That’s enough for today,” the Water Qilin said as she took the latest painting, her face radiating delight.
“Is Senior dissatisfied?” Li Hao asked, raising his brush.
The Water Qilin shook her head. “Today, my attire is too plain. Your painting skills are so exquisite—next time, I’ll dress up more for you.”
Li Hao was momentarily speechless. They say everyone loves beauty; who would have thought this Great Demon King did too?
She thinks she’s not dressed up enough?
In Li Hao’s eyes, she was already otherworldly in her beauty.
“Very well,” he replied, not pressing the issue. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
“What is your name?” the Water Qilin asked.
“Li Hao.”
The Water Qilin raised her eyebrows slightly, finding the name rather bold. If he were royalty, it might have made more sense.
“Senior, may I ask for your name?” Li Hao seized the chance to strengthen their acquaintance.
“I took the surname of the first palace master. My name is Song Qiumo,” she said with a smile.
Song Qiumo… Li Hao nodded slightly. “Senior Qiumo, I’ll visit you again next time. How should I call for you?”
“Simply touch the pond water lightly, and I will sense it,” Song Qiumo replied with a smile.
Li Hao committed this to memory and nodded. “Farewell, Senior.”
Song Qiumo waved gently, her figure drifting away as she carried the stack of paintings back to the emerald pond.
The papers were covered with her power, like a protective film, shielding them from the water.
“That dive deserves a perfect ten,” Li Hao remarked inwardly as he watched her submerge into the cold pond without causing the slightest splash.
...
Li Hao did not pack up his drawing board immediately. Instead, he continued painting the cold pond and the cliffside scenery.
Even without Song Qiumo in the frame, the stunning landscape earned him decent experience.
Li Hao also attempted to construct grand and magnificent scenes in his mind, as well as strange and ferocious beasts. However, when he painted them, the experience gain was minimal.
He wasn’t sure why—perhaps it was due to a lack of specific details or the absence of an inherent charm.
After completing four or five paintings of the solitary cliff and cold pond, he earned another five to six hundred points of experience. Feeling that it was about time to leave, Li Hao suddenly heard someone reciting a poem.
“Upon the desolate cliff, the lone peak withers;
The drifting white clouds fall like heaven’s tears.”
“Where does this path lead, this winding trail?
Who truly understands my heart?”
As the voice trailed off, a figure slowly walked over.
Just as Li Hao turned around to look, the person reached the cold pond’s edge. Their gazes met, and both instantly recognized the other’s identity.
A prince?
Li Hao was surprised. The person was one of the two princes residing in the elite Jia Courtyard—Jiang Hanxing, if he remembered correctly.
Jiang Hanxing also recognized Li Hao. If anyone had been making waves in Jia Courtyard recently, it was undoubtedly this young master of the Li family.
From the moment Jiang Hanxing entered Jia Courtyard, he had taken note of Wang Han and the other descendants of the Divine General Mansion, including Li Hao. However, he had refrained from approaching them.
Recalling how he had just been reciting poetry as he walked, Jiang Hanxing felt a tinge of embarrassment. His face flushed slightly—damn it, why is someone here?
But then again, this Li family descendant is a martial artist. He probably doesn’t understand poetry anyway, Jiang Hanxing thought.
After a brief exchange of looks, Jiang Hanxing suppressed his awkwardness and greeted Li Hao with a polite smile.
“Young Master Li?”
“Hello,” Li Hao responded formally, showing little enthusiasm for royal family members.
Previously, the other prince, Jiang Ye, had approached him and Li Yuanzhao early in the semester, attempting to build a connection. However, Jiang Ye’s ambition was too blatant. Li Hao had no interest in getting involved in royal affairs and had advised Yuanzhao to keep his distance as well. Such waters were not ones they could easily navigate.
“What brings you here?” Jiang Hanxing asked, his eyes curiously scanning Li Hao’s drawing board. If Li Hao had been practicing martial arts, it wouldn’t have seemed unusual.
But holding a brush and ink? That was unexpected.
Jiang Hanxing’s gaze sharpened slightly. Although Li Hao had joined the Black and White Hall as an exception, meaning he had at least reached the Soul Fusion Realm, his behavior remained puzzling.
“Just sketching,” Li Hao replied casually as he shifted his focus back to mixing ink, ready to continue his painting.
Jiang Hanxing raised an eyebrow in surprise, his interest piqued. Earlier in Jia Courtyard, he had quietly observed this young master of the Li family.
After all, Li Hao bore a name personally bestowed by the emperor.
Jiang Hanxing had known this fact since childhood, thanks to his mother’s teachings. On the day they enrolled, he had taken special note of Li Hao.
Li Hao’s conduct had been anything but ordinary. Initially, Jiang Hanxing had lamented that such favor might spoil the boy into a wastrel.
However, after hearing painting instructor Su Yehua’s remarks earlier that day, Jiang Hanxing realized this was a deeply talented individual who concealed his brilliance.
“Sketching?”
Jiang Hanxing moved closer out of curiosity. As he did, he saw Li Hao lifting his brush, depicting the cold pond and the solitary mountain on paper. The vividness and artistic depth of the work left Jiang Hanxing in awe.
Born into royalty, Jiang Hanxing had an appreciation for poetry and art despite his martial training. He immediately recognized that Li Hao’s skill was extraordinary.
When Li Hao finished the painting, Jiang Hanxing couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master Li, you can paint?”
Without looking up, Li Hao continued his work. “And you can write poetry?”
Jiang Hanxing’s face turned red again.
While he did enjoy poetry, “writing” was an overstatement. His earlier recitation was spontaneous and lacked refinement, more an outlet for frustration than a polished work.
“Does Young Master Li understand poetry?” Jiang Hanxing ventured.
“A little,” Li Hao replied nonchalantly.
“Oh?”
Jiang Hanxing was intrigued. “Then how about this: Young Master Li, why don’t we compose poems together? A duel of words, if you will?”
“Compose poetry?” Li Hao gave him a sidelong glance. His current proficiency in poetry was maxed out at the third level, but he had yet to grasp the essence of poetic intent. Writing poems no longer earned him any experience points.
“Yes, let’s use this cold pond as our theme,” Jiang Hanxing proposed, eager to measure himself against Li Hao. After all, his earlier casual recitation had been somewhat embarrassing. Winning this duel would help him reclaim his dignity.
Li Hao glanced at him. “The cold pond? Very well, you go first.”
“Young Master Li, please go ahead. My talents are humble—I’ll need more time to prepare,” Jiang Hanxing deflected quickly.
Li Hao didn’t take this as modesty. Based on the disjointed lines the prince had just recited, it was clear that poetry wasn’t his strong suit.
“Fine.”
With his usual casual demeanor, Li Hao began:
“Li Bai set sail, about to leave,
When songs of farewell reached his ear.”
“The Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep,
Yet not as deep as Wang Lun’s love for me.”
As he recited the lines, his brush didn’t pause, continuing to bring the scenery to life on the paper.
In the past, reciting a poem by the Immortal Poet would have earned him at least a hundred experience points. But now, with his skills capped, it granted him nothing.
To honor the original, he didn’t alter a single word.
It doesn’t match the setting? Oh well, not my problem.
Jiang Hanxing was taken aback by the beauty of the poem. Its elegance and depth were undeniable.
“Young Master Li, this poem wasn’t made on the spot, was it?” Jiang Hanxing asked, noting that its imagery didn’t align with the cold pond.
“You can’t deny there’s water in it,” Li Hao replied indifferently.
“…”
Jiang Hanxing was speechless. Yes, there was water, but where were the peach blossoms? There wasn’t a single petal in sight!
After some thought, Jiang Hanxing pressed further. “Did you compose this, or…?” His tone hinted at doubt.
“You won’t find another author for this in the world,” Li Hao said calmly.
Jiang Hanxing was stunned by the confidence in Li Hao’s voice. “Then, who is this Li Bai mentioned in the poem?”
“His surname is Li, of course—he’s an ancestor of the Li family,” Li Hao replied without missing a beat.
“And Wang Lun?”
“My ancestor’s sworn brother,” Li Hao said with a straight face.
“???”
What kind of nonsense was this?
“It’s your turn,” Li Hao prompted.
Jiang Hanxing snapped out of his stupor, realizing it was his moment to shine. Fortunately, he had prepared a poem about a cold pond and waterfall long ago. Though not a perfect match for the scenery, it was miles better than Li Hao’s ridiculous rendition.