Accompanying Xia Linglong, there were also other direct and collateral elders of the Xia Family, standing by her side, all with faces full of curiosity as they stealthily sized up the young man.
The young man who had stepped out from the Heavenly Origin Divine General Mansion in Qingzhou was now in their Xia Family’s imposing Divine General Mansion, receiving a personal welcome from their Family Head. Such an honor was not even bestowed upon Chu, the eunuch from Emperor Yu’s side, who was sent on imperial orders and was merely invited inside the mansion, greeted at the courtyard.
Yet, at this moment, they found nothing strange.
After all this was the fifteen-year-old who had become a Duke and was officially appointed as a Grand Commander!
“Met Xia Linglong before.”
Li Hao clasped his hands in greeting, which sufficed as a formal introduction.
Xia Linglong greeted him with a pleasant smile, her attire revealing her nobility, possessing both the dignified composure of a Family Head and the gentle warmth of a woman. She invited the young man into the mansion as a distinguished guest.
Along the way, aside from the two elders of the Xia Family, others of Xia Linglong’s generation, including famous generals and Lady Shu, followed closely behind, curious about the fifteen-year-old who already walked side by side with the Family Head.
“His aura, we simply cannot see through.”
The two Xia Family elders also wore solemn expressions. Rumors did not compare to meeting in person, and in person, they could feel that the rumors about the young man had not been exaggerated.
Arriving at the Eastern Pavilion Courtyard, Xia Linglong invited Li Hao to take the seat for honored guests and ordered tea to be served as a gesture of respect, striking up a conversation with him.
“Previously heard that General Haotian bravely led away the God from the Great Void Realm to protect the millions of people of Liangzhou, causing it to fall deep into the Youdu-Level Mo River. May I ask when General Haotian returned?”
Xia Linglong asked curiously.
The young man’s appearance had been silent; while everyone in various states and the emperor himself eagerly anticipated his whereabouts, he appeared from Youzhou. She wondered if the Xia Family’s intelligence network was paralyzed or had become so decayed from a lack of overhaul that too many corrupt elements had grown within.
Li Hao was a bit surprised, understanding from the Xia Family Head’s words that she seemed unaware that the Mo River had already been cleared.
Did this mean that Li Xiaoran had not spread the news?
Li Hao’s gaze flickered, interpreting that the Li Family must have other intentions with this move.
“Recently,” Li Hao stated, not going into detail.
Xia Linglong realized that Li Hao did not wish to delve into the subject of the Mo River and did not pursue it further. After all, with the Merit Treasure Vault now open, intelligence on the Mo River was extremely valuable, especially a Youdu-Level Mo River.
“For what happened in Liyang City, my Xia Family thanks General Haotian on behalf of the people of Liyang.”
Xia Linglong’s smile faded as she spoke earnestly.
Favors are difficult to repay, but she did not gloss over the matter lightly.
Here was Youzhou, and the Xia Family ultimately had to acknowledge this favor, even if it was a warrior sent by the emperor himself, they would need to mindfully note down such a profound debt.
“It’s a minor matter, Senior need not worry about it.”
Li Hao chuckled lightly, genuinely not considering it a big deal; it was simply an effort made along the way.
It was unrelated to fame or human sentiment; as a member of the Human Race, when faced with demons slaughtering innocents, one simply could not sit idly by.
Xia Linglong then brought up the past deeds in Liangzhou, taking the opportunity to sing the praises of the young man, aiming to ease the unfamiliar atmosphere between them. However, seeing that Li Hao responded modestly with no trace of boastfulness or pride, Xia Linglong couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised. Beneath such extravagant achievements, it was rare for one to maintain such composure.
As the conversation progressed, she began to perceive that the young man had a free-spirited nature, unbothered by trivial formalities, similar to a Jianghu knight — he possessed a knightly spirit as well as scholarly gentleness.
She could not help but inwardly compare him to the younger generation of the Xia Family. Setting aside cultivation, this young man’s adaptive and easygoing nature already surpassed many of the younger relatives.
She sighed in her heart. Both ancient and solemn martial families, yet why was the Li Family capable of nurturing such a bright and free-spirited child?
Enjoy new adventures from empire
Whereas their Xia Family was all behaving by the book, rigid and proper. This approach could indeed systematically produce famous generals, but for a Divine General Mansion that was prestigious on the surface yet already declining with age, it inevitably lacked vitality.
Xia Linglong, besides having exceptional martial arts talent, was also very shrewd in social interactions. When she had written to invite Li Hao, she had already gathered intelligence about him. During their conversation, she carefully catered to his preferences, not coming straight out with an invitation for Li Hao to take a risk on behalf of the Xia Family.
After all, to outright ask someone to help in battling the Gluttonous Valley Master would be quite an imposition.
As the banquet proceeded, and food and drink were served, Xia Linglong engaged Li Hao in discussions about poetry and literature, as well as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, areas where she had a basic understanding. Now, talking with Li Hao, she discovered that his interest was not merely superficial but rather profound.
She was greatly impressed, finding it hard to believe that a young man with such exceptional martial prowess could also invest time in studying other pursuits, truly as the rumors suggested, adept in both martial and literary arts.
Fortunately, she came prepared; having invited a retired scholar from Hanlin Hall living in Youzhou to the mansion ahead of time, hoping to keep Li Hao entertained during his stay with the Xia Family.
However, when the scholar was introduced during the meal, upon realizing Li Hao’s identity, he immediately became excited. Taking Li Hao’s hand, he recited the poetry that Li Hao had casually composed at the brothel.
With each line, he inquired excitedly to Li Hao, “Did you write this too?”
Li Hao unexpectedly felt a touch of embarrassment, akin to being caught plagiarizing a text, a feeling he had never experienced even in the presence of the Demon King…
“Having fought across three thousand miles, a single sword once led a million troops!”
The scholarly gentleman, trembling with righteous fervor, tears in his eyes, said, “Such poetry could only be penned with the grandeur befitting a general!”
At the table, Xia Linglong and others were awestruck by the recitation of Li Hao’s poetry. They felt a surge of passion, and the fiery liquor they drank seemed to ignite the valiance in their veins, leaving them longing to grab their swords and rush to the battlefield to fight to the death against demons!