When Li Hao saw the notification, he didn't feel much joy inside. He had long abandoned any selfish desires and was fully devoted to his passion, which is why he had developed a deep understanding of chess.
He used to think of practicing martial arts through chess, treating chess as a tool, but now he couldn't accept that idea. There was even an impulse within him to apply his skills directly to chess. However, the memory of that severed arm and the drinking man held him back from such thoughts.
While playing chess was important and something he loved, there were things he had to do, like tearing that tiger-robed immortal to pieces! But that was a powerful demon at the fourth level, and reaching that level was not something that could be achieved overnight. All he could do now was to grow up quickly.
Chess is a state of mind, a certain mindset. After embracing this mindset, Li Hao began to immerse himself in chess in his small courtyard again. But now, he wasn't just playing for the experience of finishing a game; he truly enjoyed the entire process of playing chess. Every move, every strategy, every thought fascinated him, like a fun game that he couldn't put down.
Even while eating, sleeping, or watching the little girl practice her swordplay, he would think about chess. This made Li Hao lose interest in almost everything else besides chess.
One day, Xue Jian from Changchun Courtyard brought news that Auntie invited Bian Ruxue to join the training grounds of the Divine General's Mansion. That was where the children of the Li family trained. After turning six, if they didn't join a famous mountain, they would go to the training grounds to practice, taught by retired strong warriors from the military.
Li Hao agreed. Although he could teach the little girl, he was currently only skilled in swordsmanship. The training grounds offered not just sword training but also how to cultivate and various martial arts knowledge, including insights from the outside world. It was a comprehensive education.
From that day on, after paying his respects to Auntie each morning, Li Hao would part ways with the little girl at Changchun Courtyard—one going back to Shanhe Courtyard and the other sent off to the training grounds.
At the training grounds, besides the direct descendants of the Li family, there were also some illegitimate children and offspring from the clan's branches, so the number was considerable, with dozens of them. Among them, there were only five direct descendants, the same ones who paid respects to Auntie with Li Hao.
Bian Ruxue enjoyed the same treatment as the direct descendants at the training grounds because she was Li Hao's future fiancée, making her half a member of the Li family. The direct descendants were like stars surrounding the moon, their status far above the illegitimate children. This was reflected in the resources available for cultivation during foundational training, which were at least one level higher than those available to the illegitimate children.
As a result, there was a significant gap in martial arts talent between the direct and illegitimate descendants. Most of the illegitimate children were teenagers with average talents ranging from four to six, capable of rising to power in the future. Those reaching a talent level of seven would receive focused training and enjoy resources close to those of the direct descendants.
Once Bian Ruxue entered the training grounds, she officially began her path of cultivation. It was then that the terror of her ninth-level battle physique became apparent. In just a few months, Li Hao saw that the little girl had already reached the fourth level of the Tongli realm.
She was breaking through a small level almost every month, and it was as easy as eating and drinking. Although this was thanks to the abundant cultivation resources from the Li family being poured into her without reservation, her ability to absorb them like a sponge was also a talent.
Meanwhile, those teenagers at the training grounds were still stuck at the eighth or ninth levels of the Tongli realm, and in about six months, this little girl would catch up to them.
Li Hao continued to play chess in the courtyard day after day, undisturbed. Auntie had not asked him to go to the training grounds, and he could tell she wanted to avoid having him, as a direct descendant, suffer humiliation there.
The training grounds not only focused on teaching but also arranged sparring and competition to stimulate the children's fighting spirit. For someone like Li Hao, who had no martial arts talent, being there would inevitably lead to hardship. Some kids might speak carelessly, causing trouble that could reach the adults, which wouldn't look good.
Auntie, in charge of the Divine General's Mansion, simply wanted peace and quiet. Li Hao was happy with this arrangement, as it allowed him to relax. After all, practicing martial arts was just a waste of time for him. He had no interest in arguing with those teenagers; it was too boring.
"After all these games, you still haven't learned your lesson. You've lost three games already with the same move!" Li Hao scolded the servant who was playing chess with him.
The servant jumped in fright, quickly standing up with his hands at his sides, trembling like a quail. "Young master, please don't be angry."
Now, Li Hao had a bit of authority, and they no longer dared to treat him like a child, ignoring what he said.
"Your mind is completely off the game. What are you thinking about?" Li Hao snapped.
The servant felt distressed. He used to play like this, and the young master never cared, often finishing a game quickly and even seeming happy. But recently, things had changed. If he played poorly, the young master would frown, making him feel miserable.
"You two are playing terribly. After all this time, you've made no progress!" Li Hao said angrily.
The servant quickly begged for mercy. Another servant seemed to think of something and secretly glanced at Li Hao. "Young master, I know someone who also plays chess. He's a new third-level servant in the mansion."
"Oh?" Li Hao raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where is he?"
"In the woodshed, chopping firewood."
"Then what are we waiting for? Bring him over so I can test him," Li Hao said immediately.
"Okay, young master." The servant was delighted and quickly left.
Before long, a thin young man in servant clothes was brought before Li Hao.
"What are you standing there for? Don't you see the young master?"
"Ah, yes, young master, I wish you good health." The thin young man hurriedly knelt down.
Li Hao waved his hand slightly, telling him to get up and speak. He pointed at the chessboard. "I heard you can play chess. Come and play a game with me. If you play well, you'll stay in Shanhe Courtyard and be promoted to a first-level servant, serving by my side."
"Ah?" The thin young man clearly didn't expect such a sudden stroke of good fortune. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, young master, thank you!"
After saying that, he wiped his hands on his clothes and sat down at the chessboard.
Soon, a game was set up, and Li Hao took the white pieces.
After a few moves, Li Hao was delighted. This thin young man really could play chess and had some skill.
Li Hao became a bit serious and played without holding back.
In just a short while, the thin young man's face turned pale, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and fear appeared in his eyes.
In the end, his hand trembled slightly as he looked at the chessboard and then at Li Hao, unable to believe that such a small child could have such a deep understanding of chess.
"I lost," the thin young man said, standing up with a complex expression, his eyes revealing unwillingness and a hint of hidden malice.
Li Hao was momentarily stunned.
Hearing the thin young man's words brought him back to reality, and he immediately smiled. "Good, very good. From now on, you are a first-level servant in my courtyard. Just follow me and play chess with me every day."
The thin young man was taken aback, looking at Li Hao in disbelief. "But... but I lost."
Li Hao smiled. Just now, the game ended, and he received a notification that he gained 20 experience points!
Usually, when playing with the two other servants, he only got a maximum of 3 points, so this difference was huge.
This also showed that the higher the skill level of the opponent, the more experience he gained, rather than just relying on the number of games played.
"If every game gives 20 points, then 10 games would be 200 points. Accumulating to 5000 points would only take 250 games. Even if I play ten games a day, it would only take a month."
Li Hao became more excited the more he thought about it, looking at the thin young man with growing delight.
"If you can win against me, I can reward you with ten thousand gold!" Li Hao encouraged him with a smile.
The thin young man was stunned, his body trembling with excitement.
Li Hao urged him not to dawdle, to sit down and continue, while instructing the two servants beside him to prepare the paperwork for his transfer to the courtyard.
And so, Li Hao and the thin young man began to play game after game.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
One night, after dinner, Li Hao called the thin young man to continue their match.
In the bedroom, under the night lamp, the two figures, one big and one small, battled over the chessboard.
"Young master."
As Li Hao was deep in thought over his next move, he suddenly heard the thin young man call out to him.
But the tone was different from usual, lacking the usual flattery and respect, instead carrying a strange calmness.
Li Hao looked over in confusion and suddenly saw a flash of cold light rushing toward his face!
His pupils contracted, and his body instinctively kicked back like lightning.
Looking back at the chess table, the thin young man had one hand on the board and the other in a stabbing position with a dagger, his face showing some surprise, clearly not expecting that this little master could dodge his attack.
"Hmm? You..."
Li Hao came back to his senses; everything happened too suddenly, without any preparation.
While he was shocked, his eyes quickly turned cold, and he said in a chilling voice, "Assassination? Who sent you?"
In an instant, he thought of the woman from Shuihua Courtyard, but quickly dismissed it. He was already a waste, no threat, and no one in the courtyard should want to assassinate him.
"How could you..." The thin young man's mind was even more chaotic than Li Hao's, still in shock. Wasn't this child supposed to be a waste who couldn't cultivate martial arts? He had spent these days playing chess in the courtyard, and indeed hadn't seen Li Hao practicing even once!
To be clear, the children of the Li family had to endure rigorous training at the training grounds by the age of six.
This waste was simply playing chess in his courtyard, ignored by everyone.
The information wasn't wrong, but it seemed... completely off!
Quickly, the thin young man reacted, his body suddenly bursting forth with terrifying speed, rushing toward Li Hao.
He couldn't let this child make a sound; his eyes were fierce, filled with killing intent.
But on the other side, Li Hao had the same thought.
The assassin must not be allowed to shout; otherwise, it would attract too many people.
Kill!
Seeing the figure rushing toward him, Li Hao didn't dodge. Instead, he suddenly pushed off with his foot, his small body charging forward like thunder, creating a faint sound of wind as he moved.
In the instant they got close, he slightly tilted his head, watching the dagger slice past his eyes, while his fist smashed into the opponent's stomach.
Since starting his cultivation, Li Hao had never fought anyone.
This time, he almost unleashed all his strength.
There was a heavy thud, like a sandbag hitting the ground. The thin young man's eyes bulged as if they would pop out, his body curling up in pain as he was knocked backward, crashing into the chess table.
Li Hao didn't know how much power was behind this punch, but he could lift a two-thousand-pound rock, so this punch must have been at least several thousand pounds.
As the thin young man was pushed back, Li Hao quickly jumped up, his small hand like an eagle's claw, gripping the opponent's throat, and said coldly, "Don't scream!"
The thin young man looked confused.
(End of Chapter)