Chapter 136: Chapter 104: Emperor Yu’s Chess Skills Can’t Be That Bad, Right?
An imperial edict from Emperor Yu?!
In the silent courtyard, everyone looked in unison toward one spot.
There, a noble young man was seated with poise, and next to him stood a young girl holding a large black Sword Box.
“?”
Upon hearing this announcement, Li Hao was somewhat astonished—Emperor Yu?
At the same time, his table companions Li Tian Gang, Jian Wudao, and their several disciples, all turned their gazes towards Li Hao, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion.
For whatever the reason, Li Hao quickly stood up and saw that, accompanying the footsteps, a group of figures walked in from outside the courtyard.
Flanked by the mansion’s trusted aides, the central figures were the few “top students” holding the imperial decree.
“Who is Li Hao?”
An old eunuch in a purple robe asked.
His gaze swept around, and seeing the full courtyard of guests, he was not surprised.
However, upon seeing the presence of the Sword Saint, the Bodhisattva, and others in the Four Stands Realm, his eyes narrowed slightly.
At this moment, the previously brief silence in the courtyard was replaced by many low whispers; seeing this old eunuch, some couldn’t help but be shocked.
This was a favored figure by Emperor Yu’s side, once serving the Former Emperor, himself a being of the Four Stands Realm. Even in the noble courts, he was an extremely formidable character!
Unexpectedly, he personally came to deliver the imperial decree.
In the past, the imperial decrees of rewards from the Five Great Divine General Mansions were mostly issued by this very Chu, but these were usually for the generation of Li Hao’s grandparents.
Occasionally, for great deeds accomplished by the generation of Li Tian Gang’s father, he would come to issue them as well.
Unexpectedly, now, Li Hao, just a junior of the third generation, also merited his personal delivery of the decree.
“Greetings, eunuch.”
By this time, Li Hao had quickly stepped forward, slightly bowing with hands clasped in a formal salutation.
Chu Jiuyue assessed the youth with a smile and said,
“Indeed, a dragon and phoenix among men, a person of great talent. There’s no need for excessive formalities, Earl’s Son; please receive the decree.”
Hearing him mention “Earl,” many people suddenly realized that this young man not only possessed an exceptional cultivation talent but also held the title of an earl!
His dazzling talent overshadowed his noble title to such an extent that it was easy for others to overlook it.
By this title alone, he surpassed half of those present.
Seeing the implication in his words, Li Hao immediately accepted the decree in accordance with his status as an Earl, merely bending slightly at the waist.
Without this title, even as the son of Marquis Xingwu, he would have been required to kneel to receive the decree.
“…In recognition of the Li Family’s eternal merit and Marquis Xingwu’s excellent teachings… In the past, Li Jiulang, Marquis of the Defending Nation, led his iron cavalry to guard the borders and sacrificed his life for the state…”
“Today, fortunately, we have this son whose talents are unmatched through the ages, his nature sincerely genuine, unlike common folk, wise and learned, benevolent and supremely kind…”
“The Li Family having such a son is a blessing for the millions of people in Great Dayu!”
This edict was quite detailed, and as Chu Jiuyue recited it, each word was softly spoken out, filling the perfectly quiet courtyard.
Initially praising Li Hao’s father, and then once again mentioning that Li family True Dragon who established tremendous military exploits more than a decade ago, but the real focus of the praise was on Li Hao himself.
His talent was only briefly described as “unmatched through the ages.”
But even without saying more, those present knew just how terrifying the youth’s talent was.
After all, many major forces had records, and aside from some exceptional cases, Li Hao’s cultivation speed had broken all previous records!
The key point of this edict was, however, Li Hao’s character.
Six adjectives in total.
This evidently showed how much Emperor Great Yu admired him.
To receive such high praise, over centuries, counted only a handful of figures!
“Li Hao, receive the decree!”
Chu Jiuyue said with a smile.
Li Hao promptly responded with respect, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the favor. When had this Emperor ever met him to give him such high praise?
This was no longer merely showing support for him, with such a profuse praise in the decree, there was no need to test his character when his role as the True Dragon was being decided.
After all, with the Emperor using six words of praise in the decree, who would dare to claim Li family’s child failed in character?
Whose face would that slap?
Gripping the decree in both hands, Li Hao once again thanked this internal official.
Chu Jiuyue smiled slightly and said, “Now that I am here, I might as well partake of some wine from Li Mansion, to share the joy of the Earl’s Son. Would that be welcomed?”
“That would be most welcome.”
Li Hao said smilingly, knowing well that the other intended to stay and support him.
Hearing their conversation, the people in the courtyard also came back to their senses, their expressions shifting, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
Those who had come to support Li Qianfeng on the other side had unpleasant expressions. Apart from the Liu Family relatives, most who wished to seek favor through Li Qianfeng felt extremely uneasy.
When did these chairs start feeling so prickly?
Meanwhile, Li Tian Gang quickly stood up and approached with a smile, “Chu, it was a long journey, please sit down. Make yourself comfortable.”
And invited him to sit in the seat reserved for honored guests.
Chu Jiuyue advanced with a smile, following Li Hao back to the table.
Those who were initially sitting around the table, seeing this favored figure of the Emperor, also a Four Stands Realm powerhouse, stood up, including the disciples of the Sword Saint.
The Sword Saint remained seated but also exhibited a smile, saying, “Chu, it has been a while since I’ve seen you well.”
“The Sword Saint indeed has good judgment,”
Chu Jiuyue smiled.
Obviously, his remark was referring to the Sword Saint coming to support Li Hao.
Upon hearing this, Jian Wudao’s face showed a hint of embarrassment.
He had come to support Li Hao not because of Li Hao himself, but at the earnest request of his own disciple. He was particularly fond of his little disciple Bian Ruxue, and since the other party had communicated in a letter that he had chosen the Sword Dao, it had made him even more pleased, thus he readily agreed to descend the mountain for him.
As Chu Jiuyue took his seat, others also bowed and greeted him. Even though this powerhouse was a “top student,” no one dared to take him lightly, let alone them—Even princes of that noble court would call him Chu.
“Please take your seats, no need to stand on ceremony.”
Chu Jiuyue smiled and waved, signaling everyone to sit down.
Next to Chu Jiuyue was Li Hao, holding the imperial edict. He summoned Qing Zhi, a maid waiting outside, to take the edict back to the Mountain and River Courtyard and keep it safe to prevent it from getting stained by drinks during the meal.
Li Tian Gang glanced at the imperial edict in Emperor Yu’s handwriting and couldn’t help but ask Chu Jiuyue curiously,
“Chu, may I know when Emperor Yu met my son? Could it be that he has visited Qingzhou?”
This question made everyone else look curiously towards Chu Jiuyue and Li Hao.
Li Hao himself was also filled with curiosity. When had he ever met Emperor Yu?
Could it be that the old man he played chess with by the riverbank was the emperor seated on the dragon throne?
But it didn’t seem likely, Emperor Yu’s skill in chess… probably wasn’t that poor, right?
Moreover, it was said that Emperor Yu was in his prime, his stature mountainous, his gaze piercing the heavens, yet that man was an old man.
Seeing everyone’s curiosity, Chu Jiuyue chuckled inwardly. He had heard that Emperor Yu had left the dragon court a few days ago, but he did not know exactly where he had gone.
After all, Emperor Yu would occasionally go out for a stroll, sometimes taking him along, and sometimes alone; naturally, he wouldn’t inquire about His Majesty’s whereabouts.
However, upon returning, Emperor Yu had sent him on this errand, which most likely meant the emperor had probably visited this place before.
But how could he possibly divulge His Majesty’s leisurely whereabouts? That would only bring discomfort upon himself.
“As for the specific reason, I’m unsure,”
Chu Jiuyue said with a smile, “Perhaps it is out of respect for the ancestors of the Li Family or maybe hearing about the young lord’s talent and having someone keep an eye out. In any case, congratulations to Marquis Xingwu for acquiring such a promising son!”
Hearing this, everyone thought it might indeed be plausible.
After all, the imperial edict had praised the Li Family, and it seemed the emperor had quite a favorable view of Li Hao, almost hoping he could inherit Li Junye’s talents and become famous throughout Dayu.
Furthermore, Li Hao’s reputation had resounded throughout Qingzhou City, reaching the ears of the emperor, so it wasn’t strange for him to send someone to make contact.
“To have gained Emperor Yu’s appreciation is an honor for my son; I should thank His Majesty,”
Li Tian Gang said hastily.
Li Hao’s temperament had always been a source of headaches for him, but surprisingly, it had caught Emperor Yu’s eye, which greatly astonished him.
Chu Jiuyue just smiled, saying nothing more.
Jian Wudao looked at Li Hao, his brow slightly furrowed, but he said nothing.
His four disciples, however, had complex expressions in their eyes. With Li Hao having this imperial decree from Emperor Yu, even without their master’s presence, it was enough to suppress Li Qianfeng’s connections.
After all, speaking of connections,
who could surpass Emperor Yu?!
Not even the Buddha Lord, nor the True Person of Gan Tao Palace, could compare.
What is an emperor?
The supreme ruler of the mortal world!
Bian Ruxue’s eyes twinkled as she gazed at the youth who looked tranquil and affable amidst the gathering; his presence reminding her greatly of her childhood, when he had stood out significantly in settings most unfavorable to him.
Before long, the Bodhisattva of Immeasurable Mountain among other Four Stands Realm powerhouses from another table also came to exchange greetings with Chu Jiuyue.
After all, being someone from Emperor Yu’s inner circle and able to convey messages to the highest authority, they dared not offend or provoke him.
After the pleasantries, they returned to Li Qianfeng’s side.
Liu Yue Rong smiled, though her smile was a bit forced, the fingers beneath the table almost pinching blood.
At that moment, she had only one thought in her mind, regret.
Regret for making Li Hao swallow that poison pill that disabled his Divine Blood!
Instead,
she should have directly poisoned him to death!
Even if it were riskier, it would have been worth it!
Who could have imagined that the boy from back then would now be so spirited and striking!
And this was even under the circumstances where his Divine Blood had been disabled!
If he were to awaken his Divine Blood, he might shine even brighter.
But she did not know that the addition of Divine Blood to the Physical Strength greatly diminished the impact on Li Hao’s cultivation of various Body Refinement techniques.
“I never expected Emperor Yu to issue an imperial edict; it seems our presence here was in vain,”
Jiang Haiping said as he downed a cup of wine, sighing.
Xiang Yuguang, one of the leaders of the Monster Suppression Department, maintained a calm expression, but his mind was somewhat gloomy.
He had come to support Li Qianfeng, but it seemed this move was a mistake.
Others were manageable, like Jiang Haiping and the Bodhisattva, who were among the top masters in the Jianghu.
But he was different; he held an official position, and the ultimate authority above that position was the emperor.
He had inadvertently sided against the emperor.
“Madam Liu, I apologize.”
After pondering for a moment, Xiang Yuguang spoke to Liu Yue Rong, then suddenly stood up, saying, “I just remembered I have something to attend to at home. I must head back now. Please, continue without me.”
After saying this, he bowed slightly and then turned to leave.
Before departing, he noticed Chu Jiuyue, Li Tian Gang, and others looking his way. He offered a slight smile, nodded to them, and then hurried away.
Liu Yue Rong managed a strained smile, but the anger in her eyes was nearly uncontrollable.
Noticing her emotional shift, Bodhisattva Lin Wujing beside her said with a smile,
“Madam, there’s no need to worry too much. At this point, it all depends on Qianfeng’s fate. I believe in Qianfeng.”
His expression remained gentle, seemingly undisturbed by external matters, untainted by dust.
Liu Yue Rong glanced at him, thinking that since it was not his own burden, of course he could speak lightly of it.
However, thinking about the secret information he had shared, she felt somewhat relieved.
While Li Hao’s cultivation speed was indeed faster than her son’s,
the depth of mastery in each realm was another matter.