Chapter 89: Sword Dao and the Mortal World
The family banquet was held at the Shanhe Courtyard.
All the ladies of the various courtyards arrived to congratulate Li Tiangang.
Outside the courtyard, numerous concubines and illegitimate children gathered, peeking eagerly over the walls, desperate to catch a glimpse of the youth who was said to possess talents unparalleled in the history of the Li Family—a boy they imagined to be almost otherworldly.
The name Li Hao had now spread throughout the entire Li Manor. From servants and maids to kitchen staff chopping wood and preparing meals, everyone was talking about this remarkable and powerful young master of the Li Family.
...
Hidden for fourteen years, only to astonish the world overnight.
The news not only spread through the Li Manor but also reached the high walls of this prestigious residence, traveling over countless rooftops and making its way into the intelligence networks of major powers stationed in Qingzhou City.
These pieces of information, like threads on a spider’s web, were rapidly and covertly transmitted to various places.
One by one, the factions and watchers in Qingzhou heard the news and were shaken.
Fourteen years ago, the fallen true dragon of the Li Family...
Now, after fourteen years, seemed to have been reborn, stronger and more dazzling than ever!
At the very moment when his reputation was spreading rapidly, during the lively and celebratory family banquet in the courtyard, Li Hao, guided by Zhao Bo, arrived at a secluded residence deep within the inner courtyard.
Pushing open the door, he saw neatly arranged scrolls inside.
Sweeping over them with his divine sense, Li Hao counted the scrolls—they were all there, none missing.
“Young Master, please don’t be angry with the Master. Yu Xuan has followed him for many years, enduring life-and-death battles on the battlefield. Coupled with being an orphan, the Master only protects him out of care. He didn’t mean to truly direct his anger at you.”
Standing behind Li Hao, Zhao Bo sighed softly, his tone filled with quiet persuasion.
An orphan... Li Hao thought to himself.
Even though I have parents, am I not also like an orphan?
He sighed faintly, deciding to dismiss the thought.
After all, this was the man he had waited fourteen years for, the father of this lifetime.
It wasn’t forgiveness.
It was simply resignation.
“Young Master, now that you’ve displayed your strength, the world will know your name. No one will ever dare to look down on you or underestimate you again,” Zhao Bo said, attempting to lift the heavy mood. Thinking of Li Hao’s prowess, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of excitement.
Li Hao smiled faintly and said, “Didn’t the world already know my name when I was born?”
Zhao Bo was momentarily stunned but quickly realized the truth of his words. After all, when Li Hao, the fallen true dragon of the Li Family, was born, it was Emperor Yu himself who had bestowed his name upon him, and the imperial decree had been announced to the world.
“But it’s been so many years since then...” Zhao Bo said awkwardly. After all, at the time, he was just an infant. Who would have cared? The world’s attention had been fixed on the dazzling Ninth Son of the Li Family instead.
“Which is why everything eventually fades away,” Li Hao said.
“In the vast expanse of time, even sages are but specks of dust in the wind.”
Turning to leave the room, Li Hao gazed at the desolate courtyard, where the starlight and moonlight fell silently, a stark contrast to the bright lights and merriment in the front courtyard.
“Let’s go. Let’s join in the festivities.”
“Yes, Young Master,” Zhao Bo replied, breathing a sigh of relief. His primary goal had been to persuade Li Hao to attend the family banquet.
...
When Li Hao arrived at the family banquet, the atmosphere became even livelier.
Li Wushuang and her younger siblings, as well as the children of the Eighth Madam—Li Jiangying, Li Rumeng, and the rest of the third-generation direct descendants—sat at the same table.
Most of the other ladies’ children had not returned.
Their gazes immediately focused on Li Hao, each with a different expression.
“You’re amazing, Brother Hao!”
The most excited of them all was Li Yuanzhao, who had witnessed Li Hao’s strength in Cangyu City and had long anticipated this moment. Seeing the shock on everyone’s faces now, he felt an unparalleled sense of satisfaction, like enjoying ice in the scorching summer.
He glanced proudly at Li Yun, his eyes brimming with smugness.
However, Li Yun and his sister, Li Zhining, were too preoccupied with their complex emotions to notice Li Yuanzhao’s expression. This scene was eerily familiar—it mirrored the moment their eldest sister returned a few days ago, becoming the center of attention.
But today’s event was even grander and more electrifying.
“Hmph, it’s just Fifteen Li Realm. What’s so great about that? Only stepping into the Grandmaster Realm is worth mentioning,” Li Rumeng muttered disdainfully.
Li Yuanzhao was taken aback—he hadn’t expected such discordant remarks. Turning to look, he realized it was the Eighth Madam’s precious children.
He had seen these siblings since childhood, but they had never been close.
Every morning, when they went to pay respects to the First Madam, these two would arrive, complete the formalities, and leave without saying a word to anyone. Their aloof demeanor made them seem superior.
They rarely mingled with the others, never joining them in play or sparring in the training grounds, as if deliberately keeping their distance. It was almost as if they regarded even the legitimate children of the Li Family as beneath them.
Their mother, the Eighth Madam, doted on them excessively. Li Yuanzhao recalled witnessing an incident in the training grounds when a concubine’s child accidentally injured Li Jiangying during a sparring match.
It was merely a shallow sword wound, something that could have healed with a bit of the Li Family’s premium medicinal powder by the next day.
Yet, the Eighth Madam stormed into the training grounds, had the concubine’s child dragged out, and ordered one of his arms to be broken on the spot.
That child, who had shown promising talent, was left traumatized by the experience and soon withdrew from the training grounds altogether.
His mother wept and begged the Eighth Madam for mercy in her courtyard, but her pleas went unanswered.
The incident caused quite a stir at the time, and even the younger members of the family had been intrigued by the drama. It was only later, when the First Madam intervened to mediate, that the matter was resolved.
The Eighth Madam, from the prominent Wang Family, had a fiery temper and was notoriously difficult to deal with among the household’s ladies.
Now, hearing Li Rumeng’s sarcastic remark, Li Yuanzhao could no longer sit still. He sneered and retorted, “What’s the big deal? Then tell me, you and your brother, aged sixteen and fifteen, what realms have you reached?”
Caught off guard by the question, Li Rumeng, who had been consumed by jealousy, froze for a moment before flying into a rage.
“We didn’t get special treatment like him! He’s always been fawning over the Second Master. Of course, his cultivation would progress faster! The Second Master is obviously biased!”
“Then why doesn’t the Second Master favor you?” Li Yuanzhao shot back coldly.
“Because he’s better at sweet-talking!” Li Rumeng snapped with a mocking laugh.
Infuriated, Li Yuanzhao’s face flushed red, and he glared daggers at her.
Li Yun and his sister, Li Zhining, furrowed their brows. Though they were somewhat distant from Li Hao, they disliked the Eighth Madam’s children even more. Dealing with them often invited unnecessary trouble, particularly given the Eighth Madam’s tendency to overreact to any perceived slight.
“Hmph. To think you’re all Li Family descendants. Jealousy without any real ability—how disgraceful!”
The cold rebuke came from Li Wushuang, who had been silent until now.
Startled, Li Yuanzhao turned to look at her in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to defend Li Hao after their past clashes.
“Who are you calling incompetent?!” Li Rumeng snapped, her voice rising in anger.
Li Wushuang gazed at her coolly. “Whoever is making the loudest noise—that’s who I mean. You’ve barely reached the Soul Fusion Realm, and yet you have the nerve to mock someone who’s achieved Fifteen Li Realm. What’s the matter? Do you think your Soul Fusion Realm is extraordinary?”
“They’ve reached Soul Fusion Realm?”
Li Yuanzhao, Li Yun, and Li Zhining all looked startled.
The two sides were of similar talent and trained together regularly. Learning that the Eighth Madam’s children had surpassed them left them visibly shaken.
“It’s nothing special,” Li Jiangying replied icily, standing up for his younger sister.
“Don’t think you’re invincible just because you’ve reached the Spiritual Wandering Realm. The road is long, and outside the Heavenly and Mortal Realms, you’re still just ants. Talk to me again when you’ve crossed that threshold.”
The air around Li Wushuang grew cold. “How audacious! Addressing me without the proper respect as your elder cousin? Is this how your mother raised you? And don’t worry, I’ll cross that threshold long before you. Let’s see if you even reach the Spiritual Wandering Realm first.”
“You’re only ahead because you have a master to guide you. We wouldn’t stoop to such measures!” Li Rumeng shouted angrily.
Amused, Li Wushuang shook her head. She was about to retaliate verbally when Li Yun tugged at her sleeve.
“Sister, don’t stoop to their level. You know their mother will turn this into a major issue if things escalate,” he muttered sarcastically.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Li Jiangying growled, glaring at Li Yun.
“Quiet down,” Li Yuanzhao interjected, his face stern. “This is the Shanhe Courtyard, not the Mohe Courtyard. Even if your mother does show up, she’ll still have to address Uncle Tiangang as ‘Elder Brother.’”
The siblings’ expressions darkened. While they were bold and unruly, they understood that causing a scene in this setting would not end well for them.
Seeing them back down, Li Wushuang rolled her eyes in disdain and lost interest in continuing the exchange. Still, she couldn’t help but feel it was absurd how entitled and unruly the Eighth Madam’s children were.
Just then, Li Zhining noticed Li Hao walking straight toward the First Madam’s table. She couldn’t help but ask, “Why isn’t Brother Hao sitting with us?”
Li Yuanzhao glanced in that direction and chuckled. “Brother Hao doesn’t sit at the children’s table.”
...
On the other side, Li Tiangang was surrounded by the ladies of the household, all of whom were relentlessly pressing him with questions.
“Why didn’t you tell us about Li Hao’s cultivation progress?”
“How exactly did Li Hao achieve this level of strength?”
“What secret techniques or guidance has he been receiving?”
Bombarded by their interrogation, Li Tiangang felt a headache coming on. He thought to himself that the roars of ten thousand soldiers on the battlefield paled in comparison to the clamor of seven or eight women chattering all at once.
Nevertheless, he maintained a polite smile and responded to their questions one by one.
Initially, he had assumed that it was the Second Master helping Li Hao behind the scenes. But after learning that this wasn’t the case, even he was at a loss to explain how Li Hao had managed to cultivate to such an extraordinary level. All he could say was, “Li Hao’s talent is simply unparalleled.”
Of course, no one was convinced by this explanation. Although the ladies refrained from openly disputing him, they all harbored their own suspicions.
Given Li Hao’s close relationship with the Second and Fifth Masters, it was difficult not to speculate that they might have intervened on his behalf, perhaps even altering his destiny through extraordinary means.
When Li Hao finally walked over, the group of ladies immediately turned their attention to him, bombarding him with enthusiastic inquiries.
Those who failed to get answers from Li Tiangang tried to pry information out of Li Hao instead. Yet, his lips were sealed tighter than his father’s, leaving them all disappointed.
Liu Yurong, who had been among the most eager questioners, gritted her teeth in frustration, inwardly fuming at how uncooperative this father-son duo was.
...
...
Nine thousand miles to the south, at the Sword Abode, three or four figures hurriedly entered the thatched hut and reported the latest intelligence to their master, who was studying sword manuals.
“Fifteen Li Realm?”
Hearing the report, Jian Wudao paused in thought.
Was it that boy... the one betrothed to Xue’er?
Fragments of long-forgotten memories began to surface in his mind. He vaguely recalled a journey down the mountain eight years ago, to a bustling mortal city, where he had visited a sprawling but eerily empty courtyard.
There, he had encountered a precocious child who seemed far more mature than his years.
Fourteen years old... only a few months older than Xue’er.
But Xue’er had only just entered the Spiritual Wandering Realm last month.
The gap between their progress was an entire major realm.
Jian Wudao’s expression darkened slightly, his demeanor growing more serious.
Such talent... It surpassed even his own achievements in his youth. It was far greater than those of the previous true dragon of the Li Family.
“The Li Family is truly about to produce another true dragon,” he murmured.
“If this youth becomes the next inheritor, the true dragons of the other Divine General Mansions will surely be unable to remain indifferent.”
“For the past century, it seems the Li Family has been blessed by heaven itself.”
The disciples around him exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of awe and wonder.
“Master, wasn’t there a time when you almost brought this Li Family qilin child back to the mountain as your disciple? We could have been cultivating alongside such a prodigy.”
One of the younger disciples couldn’t help but voice his thoughts.
Jian Wudao was momentarily lost in recollection. Shaking his head, he replied, “Back then, it was widely believed that he was a martial waste. Now it seems either the Li Family concealed the truth, or their elders took extraordinary measures to reverse his fate.”
“But even with his extraordinary aptitude, he wouldn’t have joined my school.”
“Why is that, Master?” another disciple asked.
“Because he is not one who walks the path of the sword. His destiny lies elsewhere.”
The group nodded in understanding.
Talent was one thing, but alignment of philosophies was another.
“Still, to have such a prodigy as a fellow disciple would have been inspiring,” someone remarked with a grin.
“Indeed. A fourteen-year-old at the Fifteen Li Realm is truly terrifying,” another added.
Jian Wudao glanced at them and said sternly, “I’ve often told you that there is always someone better out there. Now do you understand? While your talents are commendable, you are far from being able to dominate the world for even a single generation. Go practice your swordsmanship!”
The disciples exchanged wry smiles. After all, the world was vast, and heroes were countless.
“Has Xue’er already departed for her journey?” Jian Wudao asked abruptly.
One of the senior disciples, a handsome young man, replied with a smile, “Yes, Master. After breaking through to the Spiritual Wandering Realm, Junior Sister declared that she would immediately return to her family. She set off as soon as she could.”
Jian Wudao frowned slightly but ultimately sighed. “She owes a debt of gratitude to the Li Family. I hope this journey will bring her closure. In the end, one must choose between the Sword Dao and the mortal world. Both cannot coexist.”