Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 332

Volume 3 - Chapter 62: Resolving Along the Way - Part 1

Following Xia Linglong out were other elders from the Xia family, both legitimate and branch members, all standing beside her. They curiously and discreetly studied the young man before them.

This youth, who had emerged from the Qingzhou Tianyuan Divine General Mansion, was now being personally welcomed by the master of Zhenwei Divine General Mansion. Such an honor was unprecedented—even the grand eunuch Chu, sent by Emperor Yu himself, had only been invited into the mansion without receiving this level of treatment.

Yet, none of them found it strange.

After all, this was someone who had become a duke at the age of fifteen and been appointed as a Grand Commander!

“Greetings, Senior Xia Linglong,” Li Hao cupped his hands and offered a polite greeting.

Xia Linglong responded with a charming smile. Dressed in luxurious attire, she exuded both the noble dignity of a family head and the gentle warmth of a woman. She invited the youth into the mansion, treating him as an esteemed guest.

Along the way, except for two elderly members of the Xia family, all the renowned generals and noblewomen of Xia Linglong’s generation followed behind. They watched with curiosity as this fifteen-year-old youth walked alongside their family head.

“His aura... we cannot fathom it.”

The two elderly Xia family members wore solemn expressions. The reality of meeting him far exceeded the legends they had heard.

Upon arriving at the East Pavilion Courtyard, Xia Linglong invited Li Hao to the seat of honor. She ordered tea to be prepared as a form of greeting and began conversing with him.

“I’ve heard that the Haotian General once risked his life to lure the Candlefire God of the Void Realm into the Netherworld-level River of Death, sparing countless lives in Liang Province. May I ask when the general returned?” Xia Linglong inquired curiously.

The youth’s sudden reappearance, without any prior notice, had puzzled her. While all provinces and even the emperor had been eagerly awaiting news, he had appeared unexpectedly in Youzhou. She couldn’t help but wonder if the intelligence network of the Xia family had failed or if it had deteriorated over time due to corruption.

Li Hao was slightly surprised. From Xia Linglong’s tone, it seemed she was unaware that the River of Death had already been traversed.

So, Li Xiaoran hadn’t spread the news?

Li Hao’s gaze flickered. The Li family’s silence on this matter must have a deeper purpose.

“Just recently,” Li Hao replied without elaborating.

Seeing that Li Hao was unwilling to discuss the River of Death further, Xia Linglong refrained from pressing the issue. After all, the intelligence surrounding the Netherworld-level River of Death was extremely valuable, especially now that the Merit Treasury was open.

“As for the incident in Liyang City, on behalf of the people of Liyang, my Xia family expresses our gratitude to the Haotian General,” Xia Linglong said, her smile fading as she spoke solemnly.

Debts of gratitude were difficult to repay, but she chose not to gloss over it.

This was Youzhou. No matter how formidable the Haotian General was or how difficult his request, the Xia family owed this favor and had to bear the responsibility. Even if the emperor sent an indomitable warrior, they would still owe a threefold debt of gratitude.

“It was a minor matter, Senior. There’s no need to be concerned,” Li Hao replied with a light laugh. He genuinely didn’t think much of it—it was simply a small effort on his part.

It wasn’t about fame or favors. As a member of the human race, how could he remain indifferent when witnessing demons slaughtering innocents?

Xia Linglong shifted the conversation to Li Hao’s previous deeds in Liang Province, using these achievements to praise him and ease the unfamiliarity between them.

However, despite her words of admiration, Li Hao responded lightly, showing no hint of arrogance or pride. This surprised Xia Linglong—few could remain composed under such overwhelming accolades.

As their conversation progressed, Xia Linglong began to sense that this youth had a carefree, unrestrained nature akin to that of a wandering swordsman. He possessed both the gallantry of a warrior and the refined gentleness of a scholar.

Unconsciously, she compared him to the younger generation of the Xia family. Setting aside his cultivation, his calm and adaptable nature already far surpassed that of many of her family’s youths.

She sighed inwardly. Both the Li and Xia families were ancient, prestigious military clans. How had the Li family produced such a remarkable and untamed genius, while the Xia family’s descendants adhered strictly to the rules, progressing step by step? While this made them reliable generals, it left Zhenwei Divine General Mansion, which was already in decline despite its apparent grandeur, lacking vitality.

Xia Linglong, aside from her exceptional martial arts talent, was also skilled in social interactions. When she had written to invite Li Hao, she had carefully collected information about the youth. During their conversation, she steered the discussion toward topics that aligned with his interests, avoiding any abrupt requests for his assistance.

After all, directly asking him to help confront the Lord of Gluttony Valley would be too demanding.

As the banquet began, Xia Linglong accompanied Li Hao in discussing poetry, music, chess, and painting. She had dabbled in these areas, but to her astonishment, she discovered that Li Hao wasn’t merely interested—his expertise was profound.

She marveled at how a youth with such unparalleled martial skills could also have the time and mind to excel in other fields. Truly, he was as rumored—a prodigy in both the literary and martial arts.

Fortunately, she had anticipated this and had invited a retired scholar from the Hanlin Academy residing in Youzhou to join them at the mansion. She hoped his presence would keep Li Hao engaged during his stay.

However, when the elderly scholar was introduced during the banquet and learned of Li Hao’s identity, he became visibly excited. Grasping Li Hao’s hand, he recited the poetry Li Hao had composed offhandedly at a brothel in Qingzhou.

After each verse, the scholar eagerly asked, “Did you write this too?”

Li Hao felt a bit awkward, as though he’d been caught copying from a book. Facing a demon king hadn’t made him feel this uneasy before...

“A single life of battle over three thousand miles, a sword that could rival an army of a million!”

The elderly scholar, frail and thin, trembled as he spoke, his eyes brimming with tears. “Such poetry could only come from the heroic spirit of a general!”

At the banquet, Xia Linglong and the other Xia family members were equally shaken by the scholar’s recitation of Li Hao’s poetry. Their blood boiled as they listened, the fiery liquor they drank feeling like molten flames, igniting their fighting spirit. They felt an overwhelming urge to draw their swords and rush onto the battlefield to fight demons to the death.

Though they were warriors with little expertise in poetry, they could easily discern the meaning and power behind the verses. They stared at Li Hao in awe, their gazes filled with admiration, reverence, and an inexplicable frustration—why wasn’t such a genius born into the Xia family?

The regret burned deeply in their hearts. Why didn’t the Xia family produce a prodigy of this caliber?

Xia Linglong’s own eyes, initially filled with surprise, became complicated. Among the verses recited by the elderly scholar, two lines resonated particularly deeply with her:

“Enduring hardships under the open sky with unwavering resolve.

Painting one’s face with the blood of enemies as rouge.”

As a woman who had fought demons on the battlefield, Xia Linglong had used blood as her warpaint. While others embroidered handkerchiefs, she embroidered the mountains and rivers of Great Yu.

At first, she had only regarded Li Hao as an exceptional young talent. Now, seeing him up close, she realized he was no ordinary mortal.

Throughout the banquet, the Xia family members remained enthralled by Li Hao’s extraordinary intellect and talent. Midway through the meal, Xia Linglong glanced at the retired Hanlin scholar, who was animatedly conversing with Li Hao. She sat quietly, her thoughts wandering.

She began to waver, uncertain whether to bring up the Eastern Frontier battlefield and invite this youth to join the war effort.

If given just a few more years, this young man would undoubtedly become a figure capable of safeguarding all of Great Yu. Yet now, asking him to risk his life weighed heavily on her conscience, filling her with a sense of guilt.

As the banquet drew to a close, Xia Linglong still hadn’t broached the subject.

Li Hao, however, had already heard about Youzhou’s dire situation while in Liyang City, particularly the chaos in the eastern region and the heavy casualties.

When he noticed that the family head had avoided the matter, he was puzzled and asked, “I heard the eastern region of Youzhou is in turmoil. Would you need my assistance?”

Xia Linglong’s heart tightened at his question. Looking into the youth’s bright and earnest eyes, she suddenly felt reluctant to ask for his help. She shook her head with a faint smile.

“Though there is turmoil, my Xia family can handle it.”

“Master of the house,” interjected Xia Yuanwu, one of the Xia family elders. His expression shifted slightly as he realized Xia Linglong was avoiding the topic.

While he too admired the youth, Youzhou’s current crisis was dire. Li Hao’s strength, comparable to someone at the Absolute Technique Stage, would be an invaluable asset.

The other Xia family members also noticed Xia Linglong’s reluctance. Their faces reflected a mix of admiration and inner conflict. They deeply respected and liked this youth but felt the pain of their homeland’s plight even more acutely.

Caught in this complicated mix of emotions, their expressions became visibly uneasy.

Li Hao sensed the tension and was puzzled. He turned to Xia Linglong and said, “Senior Xia, if there is anything you need, just say it. Whether I can help or not, we can discuss it.”

At this moment, Li Hao could tell that the Xia family’s invitation wasn’t solely to thank him for his assistance in Liyang City.

Xia Linglong’s expression changed subtly. She stared intently at the youth before her. The retired Hanlin scholar, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, stopped speaking and quietly observed the situation.

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