Time flies.
Since returning from the brothel, Li Hao has been kept at home by Li Tiangang, not allowed to run around.
They had a small argument about it, but in the end, they both compromised. Li Hao agreed to stay at home, but he asked not to be interfered with in what he wanted to do. Li Tiangang accepted that.
Li Hao stopped painting all day and instead spent his time either playing chess with Fifth Master or staying in the Listening Rain Pavilion.
He was waiting for Second Master to return while also going through various martial arts manuals.
The Listening Rain Pavilion had a vast collection of books. Just flipping through them would take at least ten years of day and night reading to finish.
Initially, Li Hao had picked some martial arts techniques from the top down, but this time he started from the basics.
With his understanding of the sixth stage of the Body Path, he should have been able to reach the Celestial Human realm, but he was stuck here.
Li Hao planned to first comprehend the heart of a master before moving on.
However, it was easier said than done.
What is a master?
A master is someone who can establish their own school and follow their own path.
No one can teach a master how to do things, nor can anyone guide them.
Even the Three Immortals can’t do it, because every master’s path is different. Although the Three Immortals have a higher realm, they can only share their experiences of advancement and cultivation but cannot give precise instructions on what to do.
Similarly, once one reaches the Celestial Human Master realm, the future path must be walked step by step by oneself.
Without guidance from techniques and no one to teach, one can only learn, think, and comprehend on their own.
“My own martial path…”
Li Hao sat in the Listening Rain Pavilion, holding a book on the basics of martial arts, his eyes sparkling.
He had asked Second Master how to understand the heart of a master.
Second Master mentioned three methods. The first is to experience the world and find one’s martial heart through the trials of life.
The second is to dance on the edge of life and death, where moments of enlightenment can be triggered by the immense terror of mortality.
The third is a more stable approach, relying on personal insight, which involves seeking from the most basic martial arts techniques.
Why the most basic techniques?
Because the higher the technique, the more mysterious it is, and the core essence can easily be obscured by the intricacies of the technique.
It’s like a stone.
When thrown on the ground, everyone knows it’s just a stone, and it’s treated carelessly.
But when placed on a table, especially in a Buddhist hall, it’s cherished and worshipped by many.
Yet, at its core, it’s still just a stone.
At this moment, Li Hao was flipping through a general outline of martial arts, which included many styles but was only a simple list.
Swords, spears, fists, body techniques…
Li Hao casually flipped through, not forcing himself to gain any particular insight, just passing the time.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Li Hao read a lot of books in the Listening Rain Pavilion, and besides martial arts, he also came across some interesting stories about extraordinary people.
There were many books recording the lives of various masters.
These masters walked all kinds of strange paths, each with their own unique martial style.
Some were underhanded, using sneaky techniques, attacking weak points, throwing poison, and so on, creating a whole set of devious moves as their own style.
Others were straightforward fighters, charging head-on without any tricks, every move explosive.
And then there were those who focused on agility and grace.
For Li Hao, creating his own techniques wasn’t difficult.
With his understanding of sword and fist techniques at the sixth stage, creating his own fist and sword techniques was easy.
He could even blend the two styles together.
But while the techniques were there, his heart was not yet settled.
Usually, when someone enters the master realm, they first establish their heart and then strengthen their techniques according to their own martial heart.
But Li Hao was doing it the other way around.
“Where is my heart…?”
Li Hao murmured to himself.
He had seen so many techniques that it left him a bit confused.
His heart was unsettled.
…
One day, Li Hao came to the Listening Rain Pavilion as usual.
But shortly after sitting down, he was called back to the Shanhe Courtyard, saying someone was looking for him.
When Li Hao returned to the courtyard, he immediately saw his father, Li Tiangang, sitting there, and opposite him was a young girl.
The girl was talking to his father, her back turned to the entrance.
She wore a dark purple outer garment and exuded a mysterious aura, like a fragrant orchid.
Just her straight back was enough to convey youthful vitality.
At that moment, they seemed to be discussing something, and Li Tiangang had a smile on his face, his gaze warm and loving.
As Li Hao approached the door, he remembered the rules he had been forced to learn this month and didn’t go straight in. Instead, he stood outside and called out.
Li Tiangang looked over at him, and at the same time, the girl turned around.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes bright like clear streams, with a delicate nose and pearly teeth. Her small face seemed to glow, her skin as white as jade.
Li Hao was momentarily stunned, then his eyes widened.
“Xue’er?”
“Brother Hao.”
The girl seemed to recognize Li Hao too. Memories flooded back, and she broke into a bright smile, calling out cheerfully.
Li Hao was finally sure that the girl in front of him was the little girl he hadn’t seen in eight years, the one who used to follow him around.
He stepped forward quickly, marveling at how much she had grown. The little girl who used to cry easily had turned into a lovely young lady.
And she was beautiful, as if sculpted by hand.
“You’ve grown so much.” Li Hao couldn’t help but say, feeling a bit silly.
The girl was Bian Ruxue. She got up from her chair, her movements graceful, smiling as she said, “Brother Hao, you’ve grown taller too.”
“Of course.”
Li Hao smiled and said, “Why didn’t you let me know you were coming back? Have you eaten? I can tell you, my cooking is great now. In just a few months, I can make you a little chubby!”
Bian Ruxue’s cheeks turned slightly red. “Brother Hao, you’re still so funny.”
“Who told you to cry so much? I have to tease you.”
“I’m not a little puppy.”
Li Hao laughed heartily, then asked, “So, how was it practicing sword over there? Did anyone bully you?”
Bian Ruxue smiled and shook her head. “My master and the older brothers and sisters are all very nice to me. No one bullies me.”
“That’s good.”
“How about you, Brother Hao? Have you been doing well these years?”
Bian Ruxue asked, her eyes studying Li Hao.
Li Hao grinned widely. “Of course, you don’t see who I am. I’m the one who bullies others. Who can bully me? I eat and drink well every day, living it up.”
Li Tiangang frowned slightly, letting out a quiet sigh.
Bian Ruxue looked at Li Hao and softly said, “Brother Hao, don’t joke around.”
Hearing this, Li Tiangang’s expression turned serious. “Hao’er, be serious. Xue’er just came back, you mustn’t bully her.”
“Alright, alright.”
Li Hao smiled helplessly.
Bian Ruxue immediately turned to Li Tiangang and said, “Uncle, Brother Hao never bullies me.”
Li Tiangang looked at her and smiled, saying, “Xue’er, you’re just too soft-hearted. Don’t worry, now that I’m back, if Hao’er dares to bully you, just come to me. I’ll stand up for you.”
“Your father entrusted you to me back then, and I will take good care of you. I won’t let you suffer any grievances in our Li family!”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Bian Ruxue smiled and slightly bowed in thanks. Then she looked at Li Hao, only to find that the smile on his face seemed to have suddenly faded.
She didn’t think much of it and said to Li Tiangang, “Uncle, I want to go out with Brother Hao for a walk and chat alone.”
“Okay, you two go ahead.”
Li Tiangang nodded with a smile.
Bian Ruxue bowed slightly again and then said to Li Hao, “Brother Hao, let’s go. I haven’t been back for a long time. Will you accompany me outside for a bit?”
Li Hao nodded, then thought of something and turned to his father, who was sitting above. “Can I take Xue’er out for a walk?”
Li Tiangang nodded. “With Xue’er with you, I feel at ease. Just spend some time having fun with her these days.”
Li Hao’s lips twitched, then he turned and took Bian Ruxue’s hand. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to see the city. I know all the best places to eat in Qingzhou City.”
The hand he held slightly struggled at first, as if startled, but soon relaxed, allowing Li Hao to lead her.
Watching the two leave, Li Tiangang sighed softly. “Although Hao’er hasn’t had us around these years, he’s been doing well. It’s just a pity that no one has been there to guide him; he’s too wild.”
Zhao Bo opened his mouth slightly but then closed it again.
Li Tiangang’s gaze softened. “Fortunately, Xue’er is sensible. With her by his side in the future, it should help keep him in check. I can rest easy knowing that this kid has found Xue’er; that’s a blessing.”
…
Once they left the Divine General’s Mansion, Li Hao led the girl beside him directly to a lively street nearby.
“Brother Hao, I just found out that Uncle returned not long ago.”
Bian Ruxue, being led by Li Hao, didn’t resist. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes occasionally glanced at Li Hao’s profile. “Have you been alone since I left?”
Li Hao smiled. “Silly girl, why are you still so naive? The Shanhe Courtyard is so big, with so many servants. How could I be alone?”
“Servants are different. Brother Hao wouldn’t share his feelings with them,” Bian Ruxue said.
“Then I just won’t talk,” Li Hao laughed.
Bian Ruxue fell silent for a moment. “Doesn’t that feel lonely?”
“I’m used to it.”
Li Hao brought Bian Ruxue to a candy art stall. “Do you want some candy?”
Bian Ruxue glanced at it and shook her head slightly. “Brother Hao, I’ve grown up.”
“You’re only fourteen, and you call that grown up? What will you be when you turn twenty?”
Seeing that she didn’t like candy, Li Hao continued to walk around with her.
They found a toy stall on the way, and he bought her a little iron frog that could jump forward when pressed. It was a product from the Qianji Sect.
As they strolled and chatted, Li Hao asked about her life on the mountain, and Bian Ruxue inquired about his days in the courtyard.
When mealtime came, Li Hao found a restaurant and took her in to eat and chat.
After eight years apart, there was so much to talk about. From the initial awkwardness, Li Hao seemed to regain the feeling of their childhood.
“When did you come down from the mountain?”
“A month ago,” Bian Ruxue replied.
Li Hao was a bit surprised. “Then why did it take so long to come back?”
“I heard there was something strange happening in a place, so I went to check it out. It turned out that a river had seeped through and destroyed a village,” Bian Ruxue explained.
Li Hao nodded. “What happened after that?”
“I tried repeatedly, but unfortunately, I could only destroy it and couldn’t completely resolve it.”
Li Hao chuckled. “Destroying it is still good; at least it can temporarily disappear.”
Bian Ruxue sighed softly and nodded. “That’s true.”
Li Hao noticed the sword by her side, always close to her, and asked, “How’s your sword practice after following the Sword Saint for these years?”
Bian Ruxue paused, then fell silent for a moment before saying, “It’s alright, I guess.”
Seeing her reaction, Li Hao couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s wrong? Did you not practice well and get scolded? Why do you look so down when talking about the sword?”
Bian Ruxue shook her head slightly, putting the sword aside. “Brother Hao, let’s not talk about the sword. I just found out that you’re about to become the true dragon of the Li family. I heard on the way that someone is competing with you. Are you confident?”
“What do you think?” Li Hao asked.
Bian Ruxue saw how relaxed Li Hao was and immediately said, “I think you can do it.”
“I think so too.”
Li Hao smiled and served her some food.
“Speaking of which, I saw many important figures heading to Qingzhou. I heard that the true dragon competition will consider connections.”
Bian Ruxue said, “Brother Hao, should I call my master and the others down to support you?”
“Connections are just a minor detail; they don’t mean much. The choice of the true dragon of the Li family can’t be influenced by outsiders,” Li Hao replied with a smile.
Bian Ruxue thought about it and said, “Alright then. If Brother Hao needs me to do anything, you must tell me.”
“There is something I need you to do.”
“What is it?” Bian Ruxue asked, surprised.
“I’m full now. You finish the rest; no wasting food,” Li Hao said, burping comfortably as he leaned back in his chair.
Bian Ruxue was momentarily speechless.
(End of Chapter)