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“Additionally, please return the Li Family’s grant of investiture to me, and I will report to His Majesty,” he said, “From now on, I have nothing to do with the Li Family. If there are any further rewards or edicts, they can be sent directly to my domain.”
At fourteen, when he assumed control of Cangyu City, he was crowned Earl and granted his domains, although he had never visited them. But that did not matter; the domains were still there.
Upon hearing Li Hao’s words, Li Tian Gang trembled even more violently. An unprecedented Duke under the age of sixteen in the entire Dayu Divine Dynasty, he felt bewildered, wondering what he had done wrong. Why had things come to this?
Li Hao spoke and walked past Li Tian Gang to greet Song Yufeng and the others and engage in old pleasantries.
Song Yufeng, standing to the side and hearing all this, could only inwardly sigh with regret, avoiding these topics when catching up with Li Hao.
After a short chat, they agreed to meet again in the evening.
Li Hao looked toward Song Qiumo, who stood in the sky like autumn waters, clear, lofty, and imbued with an aloof chill, yet her eyes were like the softest water, gazing at Li Hao.
The two exchanged a look, as if many words were spoken in that single glance.
Both revealed a smile.
…
…
Having returned to Qingzhou City, Li Hao and Song Qiumo walked together in the city as the Li Family ordered their soldiers to clean up the demon corpses on the city walls.
Behind them, a young man in the form of the Candle Flame God silently followed.
Xiyan had already returned to Li Hao’s wrist. After the old Mr. Li Muxiu’s injuries stabilized, he could slowly heal with the Li Family’s Divine Medicine without her continued treatment.
“So that’s how it is…”
Song Qiumo walked and talked with Li Hao, naturally bringing up the issue of his reported death while revisiting old places with him.
Only then did Li Hao learn that the Li Family had already held a funeral for him, and everyone thought he was dead.
He smiled slightly, feeling quite content. That child had indeed died, forever buried in that abyss, and the funeral was not in vain.
Upon learning that Li Hao had narrowly escaped death from the mouth of the Demon Saint, Song Qiumo understood, even though Li Hao didn’t elaborate, that he had faced unimaginable dangers, no wonder the Li Family believed him dead.
She inwardly sighed, unable to imagine all that Li Hao had gone through during this time.
“The current you is much stronger than me,” remarked Song Qiumo with a smile.
Li Hao also smiled, “Cultivation, huh? It’s only somewhat useful when slashing demons. Instead of praising my cultivation, I’d prefer you praise my paintings.”
Song Qiumo’s eyes blinked slightly, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
This young man was still as eccentric and unique as ever.
“Uncle Liu!”
Li Hao suddenly called out, waving to a small shop on the street.
The shop opened a small door, stealthily peeking out, still unsure whether the demons were completely eradicated.
Hearing Li Hao’s shout, the middle-aged couple inside the shop were startled and looked at him doubtfully.
“Make me two portions of Cotton Jade Crisps,” Li Hao said with a smile.
The middle-aged couple hesitated, uncertain as they looked at Li Hao, but remembering the news from the Li Family, they still didn’t dare to ask questions; the other young men and women who came to eat their food around this area all addressed him similarly.
“We are not setting up the stall today,” the man said.
Li Hao, upon hearing this, was slightly disappointed, “Then alright.”
Song Qiumo’s eyes flickered lightly, saying nothing.
But the couple seemed to suddenly hear something, tensing up, their eyes becoming somewhat panicked, looking at Li Hao apprehensively.
“Um, it’s not that we can’t make it, please wait,” the man, Uncle Liu, hastily said, then quickly retreated back inside the house.
His wife apologized to Li Hao with a smile, “Right, right, it’ll be ready soon, very soon.”
Seeing this, Li Hao nodded smilingly, “Thank you very much.”
The couple immediately retreated back inside and got busy. They hadn’t planned on setting up the stall today and hadn’t prepared the dough in advance, so everything had to be made fresh.
Li Hao looked at Song Qiumo beside him and sighed, “Uncle Liu is very kind; don’t scare them.”
Song Qiumo looked innocent, “What?”
Seeing her like this, Li Hao could only smile helplessly; although the transmission of the voice was subtle, how could it be hidden from him now?
Soon, a few portions of Cotton Jade Crisps were ready.
Li Hao took them, handed one to Song Qiumo, one to the Candle Flame God, and one to Xiyan:
“Try it, this is a delicacy of the Mortal World.”
Xiyan, curious, rolled up her red whiskers and burrowed into the oily paper wrapping the crisps to start eating.
“Mmm, so crunchy, so fragrant, is this what you Human Race eat?”
Xiyan’s voice came out pleasantly refreshed, along with the sounds of her munching.
“If you like it, eat more,” Li Hao said with a smile, then asked Uncle Liu, “Could we have a few more portions?”
The middle-aged couple nodded eagerly and continued making them.
When they had a bag of four or five portions, Li Hao continued his leisurely stroll along the old streets of the historic district with Song Qiumo, eating as they went.
“The taste is really good.”
“That’s right, originally, it was because Qing Zhi couldn’t buy them that Uncle Liu’s stall moved to the foot of Tan Palace Academy. That’s why I went there and took up some studies.”
“…You’re really something.”
Song Qiumo was speechless; who would have thought that Tan Palace Academy would accept such an exceptional student because of the attraction of a common small vendor.
When they reached the Cloud Pavilion, Li Hao confidently reserved the top-floor private room with the owner.
Afterward, he instructed the Cloud Pavilion to send out invitations on his behalf to various places.
As night fell, the demon corpses piled up like mountains outside the city, but the soldiers cleaned them up, and inside the city, announcements were posted. The Li Family’s warriors reported along the routes that the demons outside were thoroughly eradicated, and Qingzhou City was safe again!