Chapter 90: Bestowing Noble Titles
On the day following the Li family banquet...
In the distant Yuzhou, within the imperial city...
That opulent palace, drawing countless gazes yet insurmountable behind its towering walls, stood with imposing majesty.
An ancient hall, standing tall for a millennium, exuded solemnity. A dark golden carpet, patterned like dragon scales, stretched from the entrance to the steps leading up to the dragon throne.
Civil and military officials of Yuzhou stood in orderly rows on both sides.
From the highest-ranking First-Class Ministers, including the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor, to provincial governors and the Academy Head of the Imperial College holding fourth-class positions—all lowered their heads in deference, their hands clasped respectfully.
Even the lowest-ranking officials in attendance held power capable of making entire cities kneel in submission with a mere stamp of their feet.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Yesterday, the Li family of Qingzhou held a banquet to announce to the world that another Divine Child has emerged from their family!"
A respectful voice echoed in the hall, delivering the news.
On the dignified and imposing dragon throne sat a towering figure. Though his face showed the marks of age, his posture was straight, and his aura remained unyielding. He wore an imperial robe embroidered with nine black dragons, and his gaze burned like unapproachable flames, surveying the court with supreme authority.
At the report, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Your Majesty, it is said that this Divine Child is none other than Li Hao, the boy whom you named and blessed fourteen years ago."
"He is also the son of the Minister of Justice, the Marquis Xingwu, who recently came to receive his noble title."
"Your Majesty’s wisdom is unparalleled!"
The court erupted with voices of praise.
"Fourteen years ago, Your Majesty foresaw this child’s extraordinary talent, truly as though a star descended to the mortal world. He is indeed a great blessing to the Great Yu!"
An official spoke with enthusiasm, his excitement evident.
"Fourteen years ago, the Marquis of National Defense pacified Cangzhou’s century-old demon plague, slaying great demons and the Demon King himself. Unfortunately, he was swept into the Netherworld-level River of Death, dying a hero in Cangzhou. His heroic soul remains unanchored to this day."
"Perhaps this Li Hao is the reincarnation of that Marquis’ star, a new guardian bestowed upon us by the heavens!"
A fervent voice declared, filled with righteous passion.
...
As the court offered their congratulations, the figure on the dragon throne seemed lost in thought, his mind drifting back to the tragic day over a decade ago.
The infant he had named and blessed with a dragon blood jade had now grown into a young man with such achievements?
A faint smile spread across his face, and his gaze seemed to pass beyond the hall, reaching toward the distant Qingzhou.
"Your Majesty, this child’s talent is indeed extraordinary. However, his accomplishments have remained obscured until now. The Li family owes an explanation," someone interjected after the congratulatory remarks. "Deceiving Your Majesty warrants punishment!"
The sudden accusation startled the court. Turning their heads, they saw the one speaking was Marquis Helian Boya of the Divine General Mansion. At this, realization dawned upon them—it was not unexpected.
Among the five Divine General Mansions, some shared close ties, such as the Wang and Li families, which were bound by marriage alliances.
Naturally, where there was intimacy, there was also estrangement, or even outright disdain, as was the case between the Li and Helian families.
Seeing the emperor remain silent, another general stepped forward. This was a second-class commander who had campaigned with the Li family. Bowing respectfully, he said:
"Marquis, I believe the Marquis Xingwu and his wife, having fought on the northern frontier for many years, left their child alone at home to avoid attention. Concealing his abilities to prevent him from becoming a target is an understandable precaution!"
"Hmph!"
Helian Boya scoffed. "A child, alone but within the Divine General Mansion, under the protection of numerous warriors—who could possibly harm him? Or are you suggesting the titled ladies of the Li family are disloyal and would harm the child themselves?"
Most of the Li family’s ladies held noble ranks, such as Lady He Jianlan, the First Lady, who was a First-Class National Lady.
Though lacking direct authority, their high status allowed them unrestricted access to the palace to meet the emperor. Even if they committed a mistake, the judiciary could not punish them directly.
"I believe that after decades of subduing demons, the Li family has earned the enmity of countless monsters. Taking such precautions is not unreasonable," the commander insisted, his head bowed.
Helian Boya sneered, "Are you suggesting that Qingzhou is still plagued by demons bold enough to attack, undermining the Li family’s reputation?"
"Marquis, I think the Li family’s caution is justified. Now that Li Hao has reached the Fifteen Li Realm and has the ability to protect himself, he will likely progress to the Grandmaster Realm within a few years. At that point, there will be no further concerns," another official said with a smile. "Moreover, the Marquis Xingwu, upon his return, has already announced this to the world, showing no intent to deceive His Majesty. It’s a trivial matter—why make a fuss over it?"
"If it’s trivial, it all the more shouldn’t have been concealed," Helian Boya countered.
Many officials shook their heads secretly, finding the Marquis’ argument baseless yet not surprising.
Over the years, the Helian family often interjected during the Li family’s promotions. Apart from the national mourning fourteen years ago when the Li family lost a true dragon and the entire empire grieved, the Helian family rarely remained silent.
This time was no exception. Marquis Helian Boya had already criticized the prolonged duration of the northern campaigns and the excessive consumption of resources during the Marquis Xingwu’s triumphant return.
During the northern campaigns spanning over a decade, the Helian family and their allied officials frequently raised objections, some even calling for the impeachment of the Marquis Xingwu, though these accusations were baseless.
However, everyone understood that only the Helian family dared to make such criticisms. Had anyone else leveled such accusations, they would have been branded as traitors and severely punished.
After all, the Helian family had earned countless merits over the years. While their poor relationship with the Li family was well-known, no one could accuse them of treachery. The blood they had spilled on the frontier was enough to stain several cities red.
“This Marquis Helian is being far too hasty. No matter the circumstances, the Marquis Xingwu’s contributions are undeniable. Even if there were grievances, this is hardly the time to pursue them, let alone for such a trivial matter...”
Many officials thought this privately, shaking their heads at Marquis Helian Boya’s persistence.
At this moment, Emperor Yu raised his hand, signaling the court to quiet down. With a faint smile, he spoke:
“Minister Liu is correct—this is but a trivial matter, unworthy of our attention. The Marquis Xingwu has fought valiantly to defend our borders, sacrificing his family for the sake of the empire. His loyalty is as bright as the sun and moon. Let us move on to the matter of Cangyu City.”
Hearing Emperor Yu’s decisive judgment, Helian Boya glanced at the smiling official who had spoken earlier. He snorted coldly but refrained from saying more, turning his gaze toward one of the dragon pillars in the hall. His displeasure was evident as if to say, You all can discuss—I’ll stay out of it.
The other officials, understanding Helian Boya’s temperament, paid him no further attention. The conversation shifted to the pressing concerns of Cangyu City.
“Cangyu City was nearly annihilated. Governor Yue Shuhong has submitted a formal apology and is now imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. His confession is detailed and thorough. It was only thanks to the young master of the Li family that the city was saved. A true hero, indeed!”
“Based on the number of demons he slew, he deserves the title of First-Class Viscount.”
“Moreover, he saved the lives of countless citizens. I believe additional rewards should be considered...”
The hall buzzed with discussions as ministers debated the appropriate honors and recognition.
...
...
In Jingzhou, outside Feijiang City, a dense forest loomed.
Massive trees, tens of meters in diameter, were swiftly crushed and pushed aside as though they were mere weeds. A colossal tiger, over ten meters long, charged through the woods with terrifying speed. Each side of its abdomen bore four large eyes, glowing with menacing red light.
Several of these eyes, however, were injured and bleeding profusely.
Suddenly, the tiger turned its head.
With a sharp whoosh, a streak of golden light shot through the air like a meteor. A figure bathed in radiant golden light, with a Buddha Wheel glowing behind him, dove into the forest.
This divine figure, resembling a Buddha yet possessing a youthful face, bore a calm expression devoid of malice. Yet his strikes were ferocious beyond measure.
“Roar!”
The tiger let out an enraged roar, its voice reverberating through the forest. “Li family! Even in death, I will not forgive you!”
“Then you may die now.”
The youth’s divine form slammed his palm down, unleashing an explosive force that pinned the tiger to the ground.
From behind the tiger emerged a demonic shadow, attempting to flee. However, it had barely traveled a few meters before the golden hand of the Buddha Wheel crushed it into oblivion.
“Children, avenge me! My killer is from the Li family of Qingzhou—”
The tiger’s furious roar echoed through the forest but was abruptly silenced. Its demonic soul dissipated, and its massive body rolled forward, snapping several trees before coming to a stop. Most of its eyes were closed, its once-menacing presence extinguished.
In its amber pupils, the reflection of a pursuing figure grew clearer—a young man who stopped just as his shadow fell over the tiger’s head.
The youth glanced at the tiger twice before stamping its skull repeatedly, shattering it with each stomp. Only after thoroughly destroying it did he stop.
“Killing such a great demon ought to earn me a First-Class Merit...”
The youth muttered to himself.
This was Li Qianfeng, who had descended from the mountains to venture into the world.
Bending down, he severed the tiger’s head and was about to leave when a tiny figure shot through the air, accompanied by a faint whistle. A purple sparrow, no larger than a palm, darted toward him.
Li Qianfeng paused, letting the massive tiger head fall to the ground as he extended his hand to catch the sparrow.
This was a small demon sparrow raised by his mother, known for its exceptional speed. Although its combat ability was negligible, not even at the Tongli Realm, its agility rivaled that of Spiritual Wandering Realm cultivators, who would struggle to catch it.
Demonic beasts were slower to cultivate than humans but possessed innate talents and abilities, just as humans relied on swift training methods.
The sparrow opened its beak, spitting out a strip of oiled paper.
Li Qianfeng unfolded the note and read it, his initially puzzled expression shifting to shock.
“Fifteen Li Realm?”
“Li Hao? Who is that?”
“My seventh uncle’s son?”
Li Qianfeng’s eyes were filled with astonishment. What shocked him most was the age mentioned in the note—fourteen years old!
Four years younger than himself?
He had only reached the Fifteen Li Realm at seventeen. This boy had surpassed him by three entire years!
While three years might not seem significant before the Grandmaster Realm, it indicated an immense disparity in innate talent.
If memory served, not even his ninth uncle had progressed at such speed!
Crushing the note into fine powder between his fingers, Li Qianfeng’s face darkened.
Previously, his sole rival was Li Wushuang, who had already reached the Spiritual Wandering Realm. That opponent had not pressured him greatly.
In contrast, Li Qianfeng had allocated some of his energy to guarding against his eldest aunt's children, an older pair of siblings with significant reputations, as well as the third aunt’s daughter—a cousin who had joined the army at fifteen and now served as a young officer.
However, these relatives were older and had already built their careers. For someone with Li Qianfeng’s focus on natural talent among his peers, he considered himself unmatched. Reaching the Fifteen Li Realm at seventeen had set him apart as the top contender.
But now, out of nowhere, came Li Hao—a boy he had never paid attention to, a nobody in his eyes.
“Achieving this level of cultivation on his own? Impossible! Even my ninth uncle only reached the Fifteen Li Realm at fifteen. Did the elders intervene...?” Li Qianfeng frowned, deep in thought.
He recalled that Li Hao had not sought out a master for formal training, staying instead in the family residence. This proximity to the older generation created opportunities for assistance.
However, it was well-known that the Li family elders were prohibited from influencing the younger generation before confirming the emergence of a true dragon. Such actions could upset the delicate balance.
“Looks like I’ll need to appeal to the ancestors for clarity during the clan assembly. Perhaps this warrants informing my master as well...”
Li Qianfeng’s eyes flashed with indecision as he glanced into the distance. After a moment’s hesitation, his pride reasserted itself, and he muttered:
“Forget it.”
He picked up the tiger head, adjusted his posture, and strode toward Feijiang City.
“With this merit, I should return early and assess the situation myself.”
...
...
In Qingzhou, at the Divine General Mansion...
After the family banquet concluded, the Shanhe Courtyard had returned to calm, though it was still livelier than usual. Concubines and their children occasionally visited, bearing gifts and introductions, hoping to ingratiate themselves with the future “true dragon” of the Li family, Li Hao.
Among these younger, less prominent relatives, some were well-behaved and considerate, while others appeared nervous and reserved. Still, a few had already mastered the art of flattery.
In this steady stream of visitors, Li Hao became familiar with the challenges faced by these illegitimate children.
For example, if he were pressured by his parents to fawn over another youth, he would undoubtedly feel awkward. Yet some of these children performed with practiced ease.
Such behavior, it seemed, had less to do with age or experience and more with individual temperament. Some children possessed a natural talent for eloquence, easily outshining adults in wit and charm.
In contrast, Li Hao’s demeanor leaned toward idleness. He preferred to go with the flow, disinclined to exert unnecessary effort.
...
One morning, as Li Hao slept soundly, he was awakened by a knock at his door.
Opening his eyes, he scanned the area with his divine sense and saw Yu Xuan standing outside.
Turning over in bed, he muttered, “Is this about training again?”
Yu Xuan, recalling a prior incident, allowed himself a faint, wry smile before replying, “Young Master, the Marshal has asked you to wash and accompany him to visit the ancestral hall. There, the ancestors will decide the matter of the true dragon.”
Raising an eyebrow, Li Hao sat up, thought for a moment, and then called for Qingzhi to help him dress.
Once dressed and groomed, Li Hao opened the door. Looking at Yu Xuan, he remarked casually, “Let’s go.”
Yu Xuan, aware that Li Hao still harbored a grudge over a previous painting incident, didn’t mind his aloof tone. Bowing slightly, he gestured, “After you, Young Master.”
The pair made their way through winding corridors and arrived at the main hall of the estate.
There, Li Hao saw his father, already changed into plain white robes. Unlike his fifth uncle, who exuded scholarly elegance, his father bore a natural sternness, likely a result of years spent on the battlefield.