Volume 2 - Chapter 38: The Treasured Blood of the Demon King
As the reconstruction of Cangya City was underway, Li Muxiu quietly bid farewell to Li Hao.
He had discerned Li Hao's character—unwilling to return to Qingzhou or bow his head. Fortunately, with the three demon kings now driven away, the danger at Tianmen Pass was temporarily resolved, allowing him some peace of mind.
Moreover, upon learning that the Black Bird Demon King had been slain by Li Hao, his initial shock gave way to the realization that Li Hao no longer required the Li family’s protection.
If not for the attack by four demon kings this time, under other circumstances, Li Hao would have been capable of defending himself entirely on his own.
After all, an attack by four demon kings posed a risk even to those in the Fourth Pillar Realm. What could be expected of Li Hao, who was merely at the Heaven and Man Realm?
Li Muxiu felt both gratified and wistful over Li Hao’s rapid growth. While his heart was filled with pride, he couldn't help but harbor some sense of loss and regret.
However, seeing the numerous martial artists from various provinces gathering around Li Hao, he realized that this might be the best outcome for the young man.
...
Shortly after Li Muxiu’s departure, the Demon Subduing Division arrived.
Their contingent included a commander and three demon-subduing generals.
The commander, Xiang Yuguang, was in the Fourth Pillar Realm, while the three generals were powerful cultivators in the Three Immortals Realm.
Notably, Li Hao recognized Xiang Yuguang. At the True Dragon Banquet, Xiang had supported Li Qianfeng, Li Hao’s opponent.
As one of the seven commanders of the Demon Subduing Division, Xiang Yuguang had misjudged the situation at the banquet. Upon hearing the news from Tianmen Pass, he hurried over, meeting once again the young man he had parted with briefly over six months ago.
By the time Xiang Yuguang arrived, Li Hao’s body, having been concealed and recuperated in secret, had already healed externally. Dressed in fresh clothes, he exuded a gentle and clean demeanor.
Sitting cross-legged on a bamboo mat in the rebuilt courtyard, Li Hao swung his legs slightly over the edge of the corridor. A teapot and a few snacks sat on the small table beside him, giving off an air of tranquility.
“Master Li, I heard a demon king invaded this area. I’ve come to register and investigate the incident.”
Standing in the courtyard, Xiang Yuguang maintained a warm demeanor, though he felt somewhat awkward internally.
Having misjudged Li Hao at the True Dragon Banquet, he wasn’t sure how much of a lasting impression that had left. Now, he only hoped to smooth things over and rebuild a connection, even if it meant taking it slow.
After all, the road ahead was long.
“Hmm.”
Li Hao responded casually, without taking the opportunity to ridicule or make things difficult for Xiang, as though he had forgotten the past entirely.
“What do you need me to do?” he asked.
“I’ll show you the results of my investigation for confirmation. That’s all I’ll require,” Xiang replied with a smile, though he silently noted the subtle distance. Li Hao hadn’t even invited him to sit, confirming his suspicion that the young man still harbored a grudge.
“Alright,” Li Hao said, raising his teacup and sipping it lightly.
The gesture of raising a teacup was a silent signal for dismissal.
Xiang Yuguang felt a twinge of helplessness but maintained his composure, bidding farewell with a polite smile.
Outside the courtyard, the three demon-subduing generals subtly observed Li Hao, this rising star whose reputation had spread far and wide. Their eyes were filled with curiosity and astonishment.
Even the commander didn’t receive much face from this youth—truly a bold display of youthful arrogance.
Yet, they had also heard of Li Hao’s feat of slaying the minor demon king in plain view. His strength, rivaling their own, left no room for underestimation. Given time, he might stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those in the Fourth Pillar Realm. Humility was unnecessary for him.
“Only fourteen years old—unbelievable.”
“Indeed. What were we doing at fourteen?”
“I don’t know about you, but I was still waging mental battles with spirit demons at the Spirit-Wandering Realm…”
The three generals exchanged whispers before ceasing when Xiang Yuguang approached. They stood obediently, awaiting further orders.
...
While Xiang Yuguang delved into the details of the investigation, Song Qiumo arrived at the courtyard. Li Hao immediately invited her to sit and poured her a cup of tea.
Taking a sip, Song Qiumo remarked, “Crisp and sweet—good tea.”
Li Hao smiled faintly.
“I’m planning to return to Qingzhou,” she said, glancing at him.
Li Hao had expected this. With the demon kings repelled and no immediate danger remaining, and the Demon Subduing Division’s arrival acting as a deterrent, her departure was inevitable. After all, Xiang Yuguang’s Fourth Pillar Realm presence was sufficient to keep the remaining threats at bay.
These demons dared to provoke the Divine General Mansion stationed at the border, but they were far warier of the Demon Subduing Division. The former had too many fronts to guard, while the latter’s sole purpose was to hunt and suppress demons relentlessly. They were tireless and inescapable foes for demonkind.
“You don’t need to worry about me here,” Li Hao said. “But you, having been away so long on my account, might have to sort out some administrative issues with your Xing Token and orders.”
“This is a minor matter,” Song Qiumo replied with a smile, then looked at Li Hao intently. In a soft voice, she added, “For now, things here seem settled. I’ll wait for you in Qingzhou—three years from now.”
Li Hao nodded slightly.
Although he had no wish to return to Qingzhou, with an old friend there, he wouldn’t mind making the trip.
Song Qiumo’s smile deepened, like a spring breeze awakening the land. She handed her empty teacup back to him and said playfully, “More.”
“Alright.”
Li Hao refilled her cup.
One cup after another, they shared the tea.
When Song Qiumo finished, she stood, cast another glance at him, and left without looking back. Her figure floated away gracefully, disappearing beyond the courtyard.
...
Not long after Song Qiumo’s departure, more visitors arrived at the bamboo courtyard, making it unusually lively. This time, it was representatives from the Si Tianjian.
The Si Tianjian, known for their mastery of formation studies and esoteric knowledge, was responsible for crafting and maintaining the formations in most of the cities. Leading the group was a Stellar Officer, a cultivator in the Three Immortals Realm, whose status was exceptionally high.
In terms of rank, the Stellar Officer held a position half a step higher than that of Xiang Yuguang. Formation studies required not only profound martial talent but also immense intellectual capability. It often took a lifetime of dedication to reach mastery, making it a highly respected field that combined expertise from two disciplines.
A thousand years ago, demons had infiltrated the Si Tianjian and stolen several secret formation scrolls. Yet, even with these stolen texts, the formations utilized by external demonic forces remained rudimentary. The difficulty of understanding and mastering formation studies was simply insurmountable for many.
The Stellar Officer was an elderly man with sparse, graying hair, exuding an aura of sternness and detachment. When Li Hao rose to greet him and offered tea as a gesture of hospitality, the elder merely waved his hand dismissively.
“We’re here on orders to work, not to enjoy refreshments,” the Stellar Officer said curtly. After exchanging brief pleasantries and obtaining the city lord’s token from Li Hao, he turned and promptly began his tasks.
His manner was reminiscent of an old academic—completely uninterested in social niceties and single-mindedly focused on his craft.
The several Scholars accompanying him displayed similar detachment, their expressions wooden, though their eyes occasionally gleamed with contemplative light.
Only a young girl among them, with a lively demeanor, broke the mold. After the others had moved on, she lingered at the back of the group and smiled cheerfully at Li Hao.
“Master Li, please don’t mind my teacher. He’s always like this,” she said apologetically.
Li Hao noticed the insignia on her chest, indicating her junior rank as an Assistant Evaluator, and smiled. “You should follow your teacher’s example and dedicate yourself more to studying formations.”
The girl’s bright smile wilted immediately. She pouted and said, “You sound just like my teacher with such old-fashioned advice!”
Li Hao chuckled softly and said no more.
The girl, Xia Xianglan, glanced at him curiously. She had assumed this prodigious young lord would have a playful personality to match his age, but his demeanor carried a sense of maturity beyond his years. Her disappointment was evident as she pursed her lips, turned on her heel, and ran off to catch up with her teacher.
“Xianglan, stop dawdling. Get ready to work,” a senior Scholar called out. Though they were fellow disciples, the age gap was stark; the Scholar appeared to be in his fifties.
“I know, I know!” Xia Xianglan replied, stretching the syllables as she exaggeratedly nodded her head with each word.
Despite her playful attitude, her gaze soon wandered to the bustling scene of warriors working in the newly rebuilt city. Such sights weren’t new to her, as she had accompanied her teacher to other cities for formation work before, but she couldn’t help but observe with interest.
...
Led by Li Hongzhuang, the Si Tianjian team ascended the city wall. A cold wind greeted them as they stepped onto the battlements. Xia Xianglan instinctively pulled her neck into her collar and turned her gaze outward. What she saw left her momentarily stunned.
Spanning the horizon was an immense burial ground, stretching endlessly.
“What… what are those?” she blurted out, her voice trembling with surprise.
Li Hongzhuang, after finishing a low-voiced explanation of the formation plan with the Stellar Officer, turned to glance at the young girl. Her tone was soft but carried a weight of emotion. “Those are the fallen sons of Great Yu.”
Xia Xianglan’s heart clenched, and her pupils contracted slightly as her breath caught in her throat.
It was her first time at the borderlands and her first time witnessing such a solemn sight.
The books’ descriptions of "thousands of lonely graves stretching across the frontier" had not been exaggerations.
In her mind’s eye, the image of Li Hao’s calm smile from earlier resurfaced. His maturity and composure now seemed clearer. Beneath that serene exterior, she imagined countless scars, visible and hidden, that he carried.
Her fingers curled into fists, and her gaze grew resolute.
...
Back in the bamboo courtyard, Li Hao called for Ren Qianqian and the little white fox, preparing to deal with the corpse of the slain demon king.
Ren Qianqian had returned on horseback the day after the battle ended. Although she hadn’t explained herself, Li Hao suspected she hadn’t gone back to Qizhou but had instead stayed in a nearby city. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to return so quickly.
Li Hao didn’t question her, and the two fell into a natural rhythm of interaction.
Soon, they arrived at a sealed-off area within the city. The corpse of the Black Bird Demon King lay there, sprawled out like a small hill, surrounded by barricades.
“This demon king’s entire body is a treasure. How do you plan to handle it?”
The voice of Feng Boping emerged as he appeared silently beside Li Hao. Even now, his heart couldn’t help but marvel at the scene before him.
The battle that had unfolded here was known only to Feng Boping and Song Qiumo. Few were aware that the Black Bird Demon King had actually been slain by Li Hao.
After all, the notion of someone in the Heaven and Man Realm killing a Fourth Pillar Realm demon king was too shocking to be widely known. Such information had to remain classified wherever possible.
Feng Boping refrained from prying into the peculiar state of Li Hao’s martial arts. Although he had watched this young man grow up, there were aspects of his talent and abilities that he couldn’t fathom. The boy was a natural-born prodigy—perhaps a once-in-a-generation anomaly.
But none of that mattered to Feng Boping. As long as Li Hao was still the “little troublemaker” he knew, that was enough.
“I’ll prepare a feast for everyone,” Li Hao said.
Feng Boping blinked, stunned, before bursting into laughter when he realized Li Hao wasn’t joking.
“You’re serious! A feast from the demon king’s meat, eh?”
Li Hao nodded. “The meat of a demon king should taste pretty good. It’ll be a proper way to thank those who came to help.”
“That’s true,” Feng Boping said with a laugh. “If people had known there’d be demon king meat on the menu, I bet even more martial artists would’ve shown up.”
“Beyond the blood and flesh, the demon king’s Dao Heart is an invaluable treasure. It can be used to comprehend the essence of its path, laying a foundation for your future breakthrough into the Fourth Pillar Realm.”
Feng Boping continued, “The golden feathers on its back, infused with the essence of ancient demon king bloodlines, are also highly sought-after materials for crafting divine weapons. You could have them reforged along with your Dragon Sky Sword at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.”
Li Hao nodded. He had already considered these aspects.
These were, after all, the most precious parts of a demon king’s body—prized treasures sought after by countless people.
“Prepare a container. I’ll need the demon king’s treasured blood for something.” Li Hao’s voice carried quiet resolve.