Chapter 97: Once Promised to Be the Pinnacle of the Mortal World
News came from another Black Hall disciple, who had used his divine soul to investigate upon hearing the commotion.
"This is outrageous! Utterly outrageous!"
Song Yufeng’s face darkened with anger, and he suddenly thought of something. "Where is Yueyao? She didn’t go, did she?"
"Grandfather."
At that moment, a voice came from outside the Tangong. Song Yueyao happened to walk in.
Seeing her, Song Yufeng’s heart immediately settled, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"What are you doing here? Tell me, did Li Hao take the others to a brothel?"
Although mentioning a brothel in front of his granddaughter felt somewhat inappropriate, Song Yufeng no longer cared under these circumstances.
Hearing this, Song Yueyao also felt a surge of anger. She responded coldly, "That’s right."
"That boy! Simply outrageous!"
Song Yufeng was infuriated.
...
Song Yueyao was momentarily taken aback by her grandfather's outburst of anger. She couldn’t help but say, "Grandfather, it’s not actually his fault."
"What?" Song Yufeng glared at his granddaughter.
Feeling somewhat helpless, Song Yueyao had no choice but to explain the situation in full.
After hearing her explanation, Song Yufeng’s eyes widened in disbelief. Beside him, the Black Hall disciple was equally dumbfounded.
"You’re saying... that Li Hao read through a sword manual once and managed to perform a sword technique at the True State level?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Though his mouth insisted it was impossible, Song Yufeng and the Black Hall disciple couldn’t help but believe it. After all, according to Song Yueyao, dozens of people in the White Hall had witnessed it with their own eyes.
Still, such a feat was far too outrageous.
Song Yufeng’s first thought was that the sword manual had been leaked, and Li Hao had secretly practiced the technique beforehand, only showcasing it today.
But his second thought was that even if the boy had secretly trained, this was far too absurd!
After all, he was only fourteen years old. Could he have started training as an infant?
Li Hao’s cultivation at the Fifteen Li Realm had already broken the record across the Nineteen Provinces, yet he had also mastered a high-grade sword technique at the True State level?
Wait.
Song Yufeng suddenly sensed that something was off.
Perhaps Li Hao hadn’t just mastered one True State-level sword technique.
And perhaps his sword manual hadn’t been leaked at all.
After all, the Li family’s Tingyu Pavilion was filled with countless sword techniques, many of which were high-grade. If they had secretly obtained the Yin-Yang Dividing Sword, why would they bother teaching it to Li Hao?
The Li family even possessed ultimate-grade sword techniques!
Considering their limited resources, they would surely prioritize teaching Li Hao the ultimate-grade techniques rather than wasting time on a high-grade one.
Realizing this, Song Yufeng felt a sharp pang in his heart. If that were the case, there seemed to be only one explanation left.
Li Hao had truly learned the sword technique by reading through the manual once.
And he had even practiced it to the True State!
According to his granddaughter, there seemed to be a progression. Initially, he had demonstrated the technique at the Perfect State, and then it had advanced to the True State, skipping over the Supreme Perfection State altogether...
Damn it, this was unacceptable!
Even a reincarnated Sword Immortal wouldn’t be this gifted... Song Yufeng’s face twitched as he stared blankly outside the Tangong. Just what kind of child had the Li family produced?
After a long time, Song Yufeng regained his composure. Thinking of the brothel incident, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
"That boy is audacious, to say the least. Doesn’t he realize how young he is?"
Hearing this, Song Yueyao’s expression changed subtly.
Song Yufeng suddenly remembered something. Smacking his forehead, he asked, "They didn’t go wearing their academy uniforms, did they?"
At this point, it was too late to stop them.
Besides, considering how remarkable Li Hao’s single lesson had been—far surpassing the results of a year or two of hard work from the disciples—it wasn’t unreasonable to let them have a break.
As long as they didn’t embarrass the Tangong, it should be fine.
"No, they didn’t," the Black Hall disciple replied.
Song Yufeng immediately felt relieved and laughed. "That boy does know how to draw the line."
...
As they descended the mountain, Li Hao encountered the poetry-loving prince, Jiang Hanxing.
Upon hearing that Li Hao was heading to a brothel, Jiang Hanxing was stunned and quickly hitched a ride, claiming he wanted to experience it for himself.
Li Hao didn’t mind and let him tag along.
The Yunyan Pavilion was the most famous brothel in Qingzhou City.
This was not a place where one could simply pay for pleasure. Instead, it was a gathering spot for aristocratic scholars to recite poetry and compose verses.
The pavilion frequently hosted poetry gatherings, where only the top performer could earn the chance to meet the famed courtesan, Hong Wan’er, whose name was celebrated across the province.
When Li Hao and his group arrived, a poetry gathering was already in full swing.
Entrance was granted with silver, but to gain recognition, one needed poetry worthy of admiration.
The White Hall disciples were all martial artists who had trained from a young age. Reciting famous verses from great Confucian scholars was manageable, but composing original poetry was beyond their skills.
Fortunately, Li Hao had come prepared. Having promised to fulfill their wishes, he wasn’t about to let them leave disappointed.
"Come here, everyone gets one poem to memorize," Li Hao called out.
Zhou Zheng, who loved poetry, was astonished. He had secretly prepared two poems himself but hadn’t expected this martial prodigy to have any poetic talent.
It was well-known that participants in poetry gatherings had to present original works. Reciting someone else’s verses would only invite ridicule.
Jiang Hanxing, having witnessed Li Hao’s poetic prowess before, also leaned in. However, upon seeing Li Hao’s confidence, he felt both amazed and skeptical. Could these poems really be any good?
The next moment, Jiang Hanxing’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Li Hao showed no interest in using poetry to show off, nor did he behave like those cliché transmigrators who would ration out one masterpiece at a time, seeking to flaunt their knowledge.
Instead, he simply pulled out one poem after another as if he had an endless reserve.
Before long, the entire poetry gathering was in an uproar.
As each of Li Hao’s world-renowned poems was recited in this alternate world, the Yunyan Pavilion transitioned from a lively commotion to a frenzied cheer, and then to an awed silence.
"Have you not seen? The Yellow River’s waters come from the heavens, rushing toward the sea, never to return..."
Zhou Zheng murmured the lines in a trance, completely captivated by their majestic and grand imagery.
"No one supports my ambitions of soaring to the skies, so I shall tread snow and climb to the summit on my own!"
Jiang Hanxing’s eyes lit up as he clenched his fists tightly. These words seemed to resonate with his unspoken aspirations and hidden determination.
"At the ends of the sea, the sky becomes the shore; atop the mountain peaks, I am the pinnacle!"
When Ma Jing was assigned this poem and told to present it on stage, he was so overwhelmed with excitement that his eyes turned red. Though he lacked the skill to compose poetry, he could at least appreciate it.
These words seemed to describe none other than the extraordinary young man standing before him.
The world is filled with countless geniuses, but only this youth had ascended to the summit, standing atop the peaks as the highest peak itself!
"Born to be the foremost among men, only I share an eternal lifespan with the heavens..."
"Across three thousand miles of battlefields, with one sword I defeated a million soldiers..."
One after another, poems brimming with heroic grandeur and bold arrogance were recited by the White Hall disciples. As they spoke, they felt a shiver of excitement coursing through their bodies.
For martial artists, these bold verses struck directly at their hearts.
"By the lamplight, I look at my sword; in dreams, I return to the sound of the warhorn..."
Zhou Zheng, the son of a military general, was so moved upon hearing this poem that he stood up abruptly, trembling with emotion.
"When the roc rises with the wind, it soars straight up to the ninth heaven!"
These grand and lofty lines stirred the hearts of many, reigniting the passion of those who had long been frustrated or disheartened.
The White Hall disciples took turns ascending the stage, using these poems to dominate the poetry gathering.
...
Above the pavilion, a young woman with a stunning appearance and a dignified air stood on a high balcony, listening intently to the verses being recited below.
This was none other than Hong Wan’er, the most renowned courtesan of the Yunyan Pavilion.
Each poem was either majestic and powerful or elegant and carefree, evoking a tide of emotions.
The Great Yu Dynasty, being a nation founded on martial prowess, held valor and strength in high regard. Within the brothel, martial-themed poetry focusing on battles and conquests was far more common than sensual or romantic verses.
Though such poems existed, they were typically relegated to ordinary brothels and held no appeal here.
Hong Wan’er, with her deep knowledge of poetry, could immediately discern the quality of each verse. These poems, even if compared to the most famous works penned by great Confucians of the Hanlin Academy, were not inferior in the slightest.
Moreover, she noticed that each young man presenting a poem had emerged from the company of one particular youth. Before going on stage, they would lean in to hear something whispered in their ear, a behavior that naturally invited speculation.
Time passed quickly.
As the poetry gathering came to an end, the entire Yunyan Pavilion was filled with an intoxicating atmosphere. The women of the brothel were brimming with admiration, and the scholars and poets present were utterly enchanted.
Someone let slip that all these poems had been composed by Li Hao alone. Shortly afterward, someone else identified Li Hao’s true identity, shouting his name aloud. The Yunyan Pavilion immediately erupted in excitement.
The juxtaposition of this extraordinary youth with such dazzling poetry made it seem as if the verses themselves had been brought to life.
In the midst of this fervor, no one minded that the White Hall disciples had borrowed Li Hao’s poems to showcase their talents. On the contrary, the disciples earned admiration for being so valued by Li Hao. Even without their own poetic skills, they became the focus of affection from many women, who invited them to private rooms for music and conversation.
The pavilion’s manager hurried to meet Li Hao and bowed deeply. When he realized that the famed young master of the Li family was approachable and easygoing, he felt relieved. He immediately summoned Hong Wan’er to accompany Li Hao.
The other White Hall disciples were also paired with various ladies, each going off to enjoy songs and performances.
The manager cautiously asked Li Hao if he could borrow two of his poems to display as the pavilion’s treasures.
Li Hao, indifferent to such matters, allowed the manager to select two poems as he pleased.
Not long after, two lines of poetry were hung at the entrance of the Yunyan Pavilion:
"Know that in youth, aspirations soared to the clouds,
Once promised to be the pinnacle of the mortal world."
The manager lamented that Li Hao had only left two lines of one of the poems. Little did she know that these two lines alone would bring fame to the Yunyan Pavilion, spreading its name across the Nineteen Provinces in the years to come.
At this moment, however, Li Hao was already in the private quarters of the pavilion’s most celebrated courtesan, enjoying food and wine.
"Young master, tonight I am yours. Whatever you wish me to do, I shall obey," Hong Wan’er said with a soft smile, her bright eyes lingering on the most famous young man in Qingzhou City.
Since Li Hao had displayed his cultivation, no one of his generation in Qingzhou could compare to him.
"Is that so? Then peel these melon seeds for me," Li Hao said casually.
Hong Wan’er was momentarily stunned but then smiled gracefully. She walked over and began peeling the seeds, feeding them to him.
Li Hao clapped his hands in satisfaction, savoring the snacks while reaching for other delicacies.
...
Meanwhile, back at the Divine General Mansion...
"What?!"
Li Tiangang slammed his hand on the table upon hearing the servant’s report. The fine wood splintered into pieces.
"That brat! How dare he!"
His face turned red with anger, and the earlier thoughts about his son’s lack of discipline resurfaced. This boy dared to do whatever he pleased!
Li Fu, frightened, stammered, "Lord Marquis, I inquired at the Tangong, and it seems that the young master..."
"I don’t care what the reason is. Quickly, go and bring him back to me!" Li Tiangang roared.
Every passing second felt like the Li family’s reputation was being further tarnished.
Li Fu immediately nodded and rushed off.
In the Yunyan Pavilion, Hong Wan’er’s hands were sore from peeling seeds. She reluctantly sent Li Hao off, feeling both angry and humiliated.
She, a renowned beauty sought by countless heroes and poets, had not been graced with a single appreciative glance from this boy. Instead, she had been relegated to performing menial tasks.
Her initial admiration for Li Hao’s poetry and talent had faded. She had hoped to use this opportunity to establish a bond with him, dreaming that she might one day marry into the Divine General Mansion—even as a concubine, it would have guaranteed wealth and prestige.
But now, all her hopes were dashed.
From that night on, the upper floors of the Yunyan Pavilion never served melon seeds again.
...
As Li Hao left the pavilion, he bumped into Fu Bo.
Seeing Fu Bo rushing over with a nervous expression, Li Hao raised an eyebrow.
"Young master! Thank heavens! You… you didn’t do anything inappropriate in there, did you?" Fu Bo anxiously inspected Li Hao’s attire.
Li Hao, exasperated, said, "Fu Bo, I’m just a kid. Besides, I already have a fiancée. I only came here to keep the others company and let them relax. Training all the time can be grueling."
Hearing this, Fu Bo finally relaxed. He trusted Li Hao to some extent and said with a wry smile, "Young master, please come back with me quickly. The Marquis is furious."
Furious?
Li Hao frowned, his expression darkening.
Without further delay, he followed Fu Bo back. The other disciples, being adults, could find their way home without needing his supervision.
...
Soon, Li Hao arrived at the Shanhe Courtyard.
In the main hall, Li Tiangang sat with a commanding presence. A new table had been placed in front of him, on which rested a teacup and a switch made of vines.
As Li Hao and Fu Bo entered, they immediately noticed this setup.
Fu Bo’s face turned pale as he quickly said, "Lord Marquis, the young master has returned. There is a reason behind this incident..."
"Oh? I’d like to hear it," Li Tiangang said in a low voice, his face filled with suppressed fury.
Li Hao frowned slightly.
Fu Bo hurriedly explained the sequence of events.
"Outrageous! If someone wished for a fiefdom, would you grant it too?" Li Tiangang, angrier than ever, felt that Li Hao’s temperament was far too unrestrained. Even something like granting wishes was handled recklessly.
"Father, this was to motivate them," Li Hao said calmly. "And I only agreed to things within my capability."
"A fiefdom is also within your capability—if you become a True Dragon," Li Tiangang shot back.
Li Hao met his father’s gaze steadily. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said, "What I consider 'within my capability' is something I judge for myself. If the request is too excessive, I naturally wouldn’t agree."
Li Tiangang raised his eyebrows. "At least you know to leave yourself some room. But have you thought about the consequences of going to a brothel today?"
"If I recall, Second Uncle said you and your peers went to plenty of such places in your youth. Why can’t I?" Li Hao countered.
"You are nothing like us!"
Li Tiangang silently cursed his brother for talking nonsense in front of a child.
He was about to reprimand Li Hao further when he noticed a trace of coldness in his son’s eyes. He paused, his expression softening slightly, and sighed.
"Hao'er, times are different now. I’ve received word that the Infinite Buddha Lord has summoned your cousin back. This suggests that the fight for the True Dragon is inevitable."
...
"They know your capabilities, yet they’ve made this decision. This means they must be fully prepared. You cannot afford even the slightest carelessness."
Li Hao was silent for a moment before nodding. "I understand."
Li Tiangang studied him, wanting to say more, but eventually held back. "For the time being, don’t wander around. Though I’ve promised to let you do as you wish and make it up to you, stay out of trouble for now."
Out of trouble... Li Hao glanced at his father, sighing internally.
When had he ever been troublemaking?
Hadn’t he always stayed quietly in the mansion?
Was one trip to a brothel all it took to brand him as reckless?
He felt a tinge of helplessness. Once prejudice formed, it was hard to change.
What amused and saddened him most was that such prejudice came from someone tied to him by blood.
Without saying more, he turned and left.
"This child... when will he temper his personality? I wonder whom he takes after..."
As he watched Li Hao leave, Li Tiangang sighed deeply, feeling utterly drained.
He wanted to make amends to Li Hao but couldn’t stand by and let him take the wrong path.
"Lord Marquis, you’ve only just returned. Perhaps you shouldn’t rush things..." Zhao Bo said cautiously, a hint of worry in his expression.
He had a growing sense that trouble might arise between this father and son.
Their personalities were worlds apart.