Volume 2 - Chapter 27: Li Tiangang, He Defeated You in Your Youth – Part 2
Feng Lao’s figure vanished once again, retreating into the shadows.
Li Hao returned to the Grandmaster Arena to assist Ren Qianqian.
“Young Master, are you alright?”
Seeing Li Hao, Ren Qianqian hurriedly asked with concern.
Li Hao’s face was pale and unsightly. The physical strain from earlier battles was catching up to him, manifesting in exhaustion.
After all, he had faced the relentless challenges of grandmasters, slain the Little Demon King at the peak of the Three Immortals Realm, and wiped out nearly one hundred thousand demonic creatures. The toll was immense.
“I’m fine. I just need some rest.”
Li Hao reassured Ren Qianqian and then sat down to recuperate.
Before long, grandmasters began to return one after another. Upon seeing Li Hao resting here, their expressions turned solemn. Many came forward to thank him—individuals he had rescued during the battle.
Li Hao’s magnanimity in helping others, regardless of prior grievances, inspired their respect and admiration.
Beyond his unparalleled talent, his temperament left a lasting impression.
The other grandmasters, having heard the tales of Li Hao defending a section of the city wall on his own, annihilating tens of thousands of demonic creatures, and then rushing to support other battlefronts, gazed at him with mixed emotions.
A prodigy of this era, even characters fabricated in folklore would not dare to aspire to the heights reached by the young man before them.
“Li Gongzi, I apologize for my earlier offense. I hope you can forgive me and accept my gratitude for your magnanimity.”
Zhou Haitang stepped forward, bowing slightly to Li Hao.
For a grandmaster, this gesture was the highest form of etiquette.
Li Hao frowned slightly and responded coldly, “My surname is not Li. Do not address me by that name. My surname is Ji!”
Hearing his words, everyone froze momentarily. Then they recalled the infamous battle in Qingzhou City and their expressions shifted. They remembered that this extraordinary prodigy had severed ties with the Li family.
Previously, they had thought it was merely an impulsive decision of a young man.
Once he faced obstacles and hardships in the outside world, they assumed he would realize the protective shelter provided by the Divine General Mansion and return.
But now, it was evident this young man was no longer a caged sparrow.
To call him a genius was an understatement. He had already become a formidable warrior capable of slaying great demons singlehandedly!
An unmatched grandmaster who had vanquished a Little Demon King—just these feats alone were enough to prove he no longer required any protection. He could stand as a pillar on his own!
...
For a moment, silence filled the air.
The details of that infamous battle and its causes were shrouded in rumors, unknown to many. But what had transpired today was witnessed by all. They couldn’t fathom what could drive the Li family to treat such a peerless prodigy this way, forcing him to abandon his surname and leave home.
Zhou Haitang hesitated briefly, feeling awkward. She cupped her hands and shifted the topic.
“In the future, if you ever need anything, feel free to write to Iron Sword Peak or Pear Blossom Sect. I will remember this favor!”
Li Hao nodded slightly, acknowledging her gesture.
Although he might not need it, one could never predict what the future held.
Other grandmasters also stepped forward to express their gratitude to Li Hao. However, most avoided directly addressing him by name. Since he disliked being called Li, they instead referred to him as Hao Gongzi.
As for addressing him by the surname Ji, they dared not risk any entanglement with the Divine General Mansion.
“Hao Gongzi, regarding the painting you mentioned wanting to purchase earlier, I’ve thought it over and decided to gift it to you free of charge. Would you still be interested?”
Bai Chunhai approached with his disciple, smiling as he spoke.
The burly disciple beside him nervously added, “Previously, I failed to recognize your greatness. Please forgive me.”
He bowed deeply as he spoke.
Insulting a grandmaster was a grave offense, one that could easily end in bloodshed.
However, Li Hao paid no mind to the disciple’s previous behavior and instead smiled at Bai Chunhai. “In that case, I gladly accept. Thank you.”
Seeing Li Hao accept his gift, Bai Chunhai felt an inexplicable joy, his face lighting up with a smile.
Previously, anyone asking him for a painting would have faced his cold refusal. But this young man was an exception.
From the crowd, Li Wushuang had already sent out a signal. With the battle for the city now concluded, she retreated from the fighting as well.
She had overheard Li Hao’s words and felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Clutching her sword tightly, she bit her lip in frustration.
Her younger cousin truly intended to sever ties with the Li family. By declaring it in such a public setting, news of this would inevitably spread far and wide.
If he completely severed those ties in the future, could she and Li Hao even still be considered cousins?
A pang of inexplicable pain gripped her heart.
Not long after, Li Hao received the renowned painting gifted by Bai Chunhai.
After glancing at it briefly, he handed it to Ren Qianqian for safekeeping, refraining from accepting it directly in front of others.
He then bid farewell to the grandmasters, cupped his hands respectfully, and left the arena with Ren Qianqian, heading toward the outskirts of Dayue City.
Having accomplished his purpose for coming here and gaining significant rewards from the Grandmaster Arena, it was time for him to return to Tianmen Pass.
As they exited the city, Li Hao noticed a massive cavalry force approaching in the distance. Among them, he spotted a banner with the character "Xuan," likely summoned by the signal his cousin had sent.
However, given the distance from their camp, they had arrived too late.
Li Hao had no intention of greeting them. Taking to the skies with Ren Qianqian, he quietly left the area.
...
...
Dayue City narrowly escaped falling.
The Little Demon King of Myriad Mountains led a massive demonic army in a surprise attack, with a Fourth Pillar Demon King revealed among their ranks. The assault was repelled by a mysterious warrior!
This news quickly spread across the provinces. Detailed military reports were sent to the Sacred Imperial City in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty and the Tianyuan Divine General Mansion in Qingzhou.
Inside the mansion’s deliberation hall, Li Tiangang convened the house retainers, his wives, and Li Muxiu to discuss urgent matters.
On the table lay a massive map of Liang Province’s mountains and rivers, alongside several confidential reports. Li Tiangang had already reviewed them, and the situation in Liang Province was even grimmer than anticipated.
Among those present, Gao Qingqing wore the gravest expression.
Her husband, Li Xuanli, was stationed in Liang Province. Having lost six of Li family's nine sons in battle, she feared her husband might become the seventh casualty.
Ever since Li Xuanli was deployed, Gao Qingqing had been plagued by nightmares. In her dreams, she found herself in mourning halls, attending the funerals of others. But when she lifted the coffin lid, it was her husband’s pale face staring back at her. These nightmares often left her waking in tears, her hair soaked.
As Li Tiangang pointed at the map to discuss strategies and demonic movements, he noticed Gao Qingqing’s pale and restless demeanor. He sighed inwardly. He, too, was deeply anxious and prayed his elder brother would remain safe.
In the midst of their discussion, a military report arrived from Liang Province.
When they heard its origin, everyone’s attention turned toward it.
The report was handed directly to Li Tiangang. With a sinking heart, he swiftly opened it. There were three separate dispatches.
Carefully and quickly, he read through them one by one.
The first report detailed demonic movements near Liang Province.
The second recounted the Grandmaster Arena in Dayue City.
The third described the details of the demonic assault on Dayue City.
As Li Tiangang finished reading the first dispatch, his brows furrowed. By the second, his eyes widened slightly. By the third, shock spread across his face.
Noticing his changing expression, those present grew increasingly tense.
“Tiangang, what’s the situation?” Li Muxiu frowned, speaking up.
Though he was currently at odds with his relative, this was a major matter. He might soon deploy to Liang Province himself and needed to understand the situation.
Li Tiangang handed over the reports for them to read.
Gao Qingqing was the first to grab the documents. As she read, relief washed over her when she saw no mention of the disaster she feared. But as she continued, her face turned pale with astonishment.
“Hao’er participated in the Grandmaster Arena?”
“How is that possible? He defeated Li Qianfeng’s senior brother? Qin Wuque has dominated the Qianlong Ranking for three years, a peerless prodigy and the foremost genius of this era!”
“And he defeated every grandmaster who participated in the arena?”
“Wasn’t Hao’er only recently elevated to the Heaven and Man Realm? How could he possibly defeat grandmasters?”
The reports left everyone stunned, prompting cries of disbelief.
Li Muxiu also read them, his face breaking into a broad smile, his eyes shining with delight. “Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!”
For the first time in recent memory, Li Muxiu burst into hearty laughter, his spirits soaring.
“That brat always manages to surprise us!”
Li Muxiu’s laughter was unrestrained, though inwardly, he marveled at Li Hao’s terrifying growth.
He had glimpsed it before, but the boy’s pace seemed even faster now.
In the past, Li Hao had only indulged in leisure. Now, had he finally resolved to devote himself to cultivation?
Was this his true speed of improvement?
Li Muxiu laughed heartily, glancing at Li Tiangang. Seeing his relative’s silence, Li Muxiu sneered lightly and said,
“Li Tiangang, Qin Wuque, the personal disciple of the Boundless Buddhist Lord, reached the Heaven and Man Realm at nineteen—a remarkable talent!”
“At the same age, you also stepped into the Heaven and Man Realm. Yet Hao’er defeated the younger version of you...”
“And he only needed one finger to do it!”