Although they were military generals and not much versed in poetry, they could at least discern the good from the bad and grasp the meaning. At this moment, they all watched the youth in shock.
The iron-blooded resolve, ringing pride, and domineering aura in that poem—coupled with memories of the young man defeating the Great Elder of Dragon Gate alone and fighting against the ruler of the Great Void Realm—made their eyes shine with admiration. They looked at him with complex gazes, their faces filled with fondness yet frustration, wishing he bore the Xia surname.
Why had no such prodigy been born among the sons of the Xia Family?
Xia Linglong’s eyes also grew complex from the initial astonishment. The old master had recited lines in the poem she particularly remembered, which felt like a reflection of her state of mind on the demon-slaying battlefield.
Sleeping in the open, eating with the wind, she vowed never to back down,
Using the fresh blood of foes in place of rouge to adorn her face.
Though born a woman, she adorned her face with blood instead of powder amid the horrors of war.
Others embroidered their silk handkerchiefs; she was stitching the vast landscape of Dayu.
When first hearing the youth’s name, she took him for a natural-born hero; upon closer observation, she realized he was no ordinary mortal.
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During the banquet, Xia Linglong and many of the Xia Family were wholeheartedly dazzled by Li Hao’s wide-ranging talents. Halfway through the meal, as Xia Linglong watched the old master of the Hanlin Hall converse cheerfully with Li Hao, she sat by the side, her eyes slightly distant in contemplation.
She began to retreat inwardly, uncertain whether to speak to the youth about the battlefield in the Eastern Territory or to invite him to join the war.
Given a few more years, this young man would undoubtedly protect the entire Dayu. Yet now, she felt a sense of guilt for wanting to risk his life in such danger.
At the close of the banquet, Xia Linglong remained silent. Li Hao had heard about the situation in Youzhou and, in particular, that the eastern part was in chaos with countless sacrifices.
Seeing that the Family Head had not mentioned this, he asked in surprise,
“Is it true that there’s turmoil in the east of Youzhou, and the situation is dire? May I offer my assistance?”
Xia Linglong felt a jolt in her heart at Li Hao’s question. Watching the earnest and bright eyes of the young man, she felt compelled to smile and shook her head.
“There is indeed chaos, but the Xia Family can quell it.”
“Family Head.”
Xia Yuanwu, an elder of the Xia Family, saw Xia Linglong avoiding the topic and could not hide his concern.
Although he greatly admired the young man, Youzhou was currently in grave peril, and the youth’s strength was comparable to that of the Ultimate Study Realm; he would be a significant asset!
Other family members noticed Xia Linglong’s reluctance and felt a complex mix of emotions. Their admiration for the young man made them reluctant to ask for his help, but the dire situation in the Eastern Territory and Youzhou’s crisis pained them even more.
Amid these conflicting emotions, their faces couldn’t help but reveal their unease.
Li Hao, sensing the atmosphere, said to Xia Linglong with a hint of confusion,
“Senior Xia, please speak frankly. Whether or not I can help is another matter.”
He, too, realized that the Xia Family’s invitation was not solely out of gratitude for the events in Liyang City.
Upon hearing Li Hao’s response, Xia Linglong’s expression shifted. She gazed at the youth for a long while, then sighed softly to herself, considering the plight of Youzhou’s people before finally voicing her initial thoughts.
“Gluttonous Valley Master?”
Li Hao’s eyes flickered upon hearing Xia Linglong’s words.
This was also a Great Demon King, whose stature was equal to that of the Candle Flame God before the latter’s Half-step Tao Realm powers became known.
However, compared to the Great Void Realm, Gluttonous Valley had a more modest legacy, rising to power abruptly 500 years ago through bloodthirst and brutality—this allowed them to ascend as a top demonic force in a mere five centuries, striking terror in the hearts of many.
Many frontier fortresses, upon hearing the name of Gluttonous Valley, would not even dare to defend their walls but fled in the dead of night.
Being overtaken by other demonic forces meant there was still a chance of survival, a possibility of awaiting reinforcements. But the demons of Gluttonous Valley were so bloodthirsty and cruel that they could devour an entire city overnight, sparing not even a mouse.
Li Hao had long learned of these top demonic forces as stories from Listening Rain Tower.
“Is it only Gluttonous Valley?” asked Li Hao.
Xia Linglong’s gaze grew heavy. She eyed Li Hao and confirmed, “That’s right. Both the Holy Palace and Dragon Gate are laying siege to Qingzhou. For now, we have only seen traces of Gluttonous Valley inside Youzhou. There might be other forces behind it, but that’s uncertain.”
“Siege on Qingzhou?”
Li Hao’s eyelids twitched upon hearing Qingzhou. With Liangzhou just stabilized, how could Qingzhou be under a siege already?
“What is the situation in Qingzhou?” Li Hao urgently inquired, images of familiar faces surfacing in his mind—the gluttonous woman, the two old masters, the lady of the house, Yuan Zhao, the students from Tan Palace Academy…
His heart tensed.
Xia Linglong and the others were surprised to hear Li Hao’s anxious questions, realizing that the young man was truly unaware of Qingzhou’s condition.
Perhaps he had just emerged from Mo River and was not up to speed with the outside world… Making this judgement, Xia Linglong saw Li Hao’s urgency and felt a sense of loss and regret. She knew that having Li Hao’s help for Youzhou was a lost cause, yet she still disclosed what she knew in detail.
“I heard that much of Qingzhou has fallen. The leaders of both the Holy Palace and Dragon Gate have attacked, even reaching the outskirts of Qingzhou City. They are probably still engaged in battle. But since Gluttonous Valley’s attack on Youzhou, we’ve had less information about the situation there.”