Chapter 105: Could Emperor Yu

Imperial Edict from the Emperor Yu?! In the sudden silence of the courtyard, everyone turned their gaze to one spot.

There, a noble young boy sat calmly, while a girl stood beside him, cradling a massive black sword case.

“?”

Upon hearing this announcement, Li Hao was startled—Emperor Yu?

At the same time, Li Tiangang, Jian Wudao, and their several disciples at the same table all turned to look at Li Hao, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

Regardless of the reason, Li Hao quickly rose to his feet, and at that moment, he saw a group of figures approaching from outside the courtyard, footsteps echoing.

On either side walked the mansion’s personal guards; in the center were several “top students” holding the imperial edict.

“Who is Li Hao?”

A eunuch in purple robes asked.

His gaze swept the courtyard, taking in all the guests without surprise.

Yet when he spotted the Sword Saint, the Bodhisattva, and the other three fourth-rank beings, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Meanwhile, the brief silence within the courtyard gave way to murmurs—many were startled to see this eunuch.

He was a favorite of Emperor Yu, once served the former emperor, and was himself a fourth-rank being—among the most powerful figures even within the noble Dragon Court!

Who would have thought he would come here in person to deliver the imperial decree?

In the past, imperial edicts granting rewards to the Five Divine Generals’ mansions were mostly issued by this Eunuch Chu—but mostly during Li Hao’s grandfather’s generation.

Occasionally, during Li Tiangang’s father’s generation, when great achievements were made, he would come to deliver the decree.

Yet now, Li Hao is merely a third-generation descendant—and still, this man came here personally to deliver the edict.

“Your Excellency.”

At this moment, Li Hao stepped forward quickly and bowed slightly.

Chu Jiuyue glanced at the boy, smiling:

“Truly a dragon among men, outstanding in bearing—Young Master Bo, no need for such formalities. Please receive the edict.”

Upon hearing the name “Bo,” many suddenly realized: this young lad, besides his astonishing cultivation talent, was also a Marquis!

His brilliance in talent had overshadowed the honor of his title, causing everyone to overlook it.

Merely this title alone surpassed half the people present.

Li Hao, sensing the implication, accepted the edict with a slight bow, befitting his Marquis status.

Without this title, even as the son of Xing Wu Hou, he would have had to kneel to receive the decree.

“...Grateful for the Li family’s eternal merits, and for Xing Wu Hou’s exemplary upbringing... In days past, Li Jiulang, the Marquis Who Guarded the Nation, led iron cavalry to defend the borders and sacrificed his life for the realm...”

“Now, blessed with this son—his talent is unparalleled in a thousand generations, his character sincere and true, untainted by vulgarity, wise and learned, benevolent and righteous...”

“The Li family has such a son—this is the fortune of all one hundred million subjects of Great Yu!”

The edict was lengthy; as Eunuch Chu Jiuyue recited it slowly, word by word, the entire courtyard fell utterly silent.

It first praised Li Hao’s father, then briefly recalled the Li family’s true dragon who had won great military glory over a decade ago—but the true focus was Li Hao himself.

His talent was dismissed with merely the phrase “unparalleled in a thousand generations.”

Yet even without elaboration, everyone present knew how terrifying this boy’s talent truly was.

After all, many major factions had records—and Li Hao’s cultivation speed, excluding rare exceptions, had already shattered all previous records!

The entire edict’s emphasis, however, lay in Li Hao’s character.

Six adjectives in total.

Clearly, the Emperor Yu, who held dominion over all under heaven, held him in the highest esteem.

In the past few centuries, those who received such praise could be counted on one hand! “Li Hao, receive the edict!”

Chu Jiuyue smiled.

Li Hao quickly responded respectfully, inwardly stunned—when had this emperor ever seen him, to bestow such favor? This was more than mere support; with this edict’s praise, he would not even need to undergo a character trial during the True Dragon selection.

After all, if the emperor himself used six words to praise him, how could the Li family claim this child’s character was inadequate?

Whose face would you be slapping? Li Hao accepted the edict with both hands and thanked the cabinet eunuch once more.

Chu Jiuyue smiled and said: “Since I’ve come, I might as well enjoy a cup of the Li family’s wine and share in the Marquis’s good fortune—would that be welcome?”

“Of course it is most welcome.”

Li Hao smiled, knowing the man intended to stay and lend him support.

Hearing their exchange, those in the courtyard now regained their composure, their expressions shifting, eyes filled with complexity.

Those seated across the courtyard, here to support Li Ganfeng, grew pale—except for the Liu clan relatives, most who sought to curry favor with Li Ganfeng felt as if sitting on needles.

When did this chair start pricking?

On the other side, Li Tiangang rose quickly and stepped forward with a smile: “Chief Eunuch Chu, the journey was long—you’ve worked hard. Please, take your seat.”

He invited him to the seat of highest honor.

Chu Jiuyue smiled and followed Li Hao back to the table.

Those originally seated around the table, seeing this favorite of the emperor and a fourth-rank powerhouse, all rose to their feet—including several disciples of the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint remained seated, yet smiled and said: “Chief Eunuch Chu, long time no see.”

“Sword Saint has good eyesight.”

Chu Jiuyue chuckled.

Clearly, he meant the Sword Saint had come to support Li Hao.

Upon hearing this, Jian Wudao’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

He came to support Li Hao not because of Li Hao himself, but because his disciple begged him—and he held great affection for his young disciple Bian Ruxue, especially since her letter confirmed she had chosen the sword path.

This delighted him, so he easily agreed to descend the mountain for her.

After Chu Jiuyue sat down, everyone else bowed respectfully to him; though he was merely a “top student,” no one dared underestimate him—not even imperial princes would dare not call him Uncle Chu.

“Sit, no need for formality,” Chu Jiuyue smiled, waving his hand.

Beside Chu Jiuyue stood Li Hao, holding the imperial edict—he called over the waiting maid Qingzhi and had her take the edict back to Shanhe Courtyard to keep it safe from spills.

Li Tiangang glanced at the Emperor Yu’s edict, then asked Chu Jiuyue curiously:

“Chief Eunuch Chu, when did Emperor Yu meet my son? Did he come to Qingzhou?”

This question drew curious glances from everyone toward the eunuch and Li Hao.

Li Hao himself was equally puzzled—when had he ever met Emperor Yu? Could that old man he’d played chess with by the river be the emperor seated upon the dragon throne?

But he didn’t look like it—Emperor Yu’s chess skills... surely weren’t that bad?

Besides, Emperor Yu was said to be in his prime, towering like a mountain, gazing at the nine heavens—but that old man was just an elder.

Seeing everyone’s curiosity, Chu Jiuyue smiled inwardly—he’d heard Emperor Yu had left the Dragon Court recently, though he didn’t know where.

After all, Emperor Yu occasionally wandered off—sometimes taking him along, sometimes alone—and he never dared inquire after the emperor’s whereabouts.

But since the emperor’s return, he’d been sent here—clearly, the emperor had been here.

Still, how could he possibly reveal the emperor’s secret outings? That would be asking for trouble.

“I’m not privy to the exact reasons.”

Chu Jiuyue smiled: “Perhaps he was moved by the Li family’s ancestral merits, or heard of the Marquis’s talent and took notice. In any case, congratulations, Marquis Xing Wu, on your prodigious son!”

Hearing this, many thought it plausible.

After all, the edict had praised the Li family, and the emperor clearly held Li Hao in high regard, comparing him to Li Junye—as if hoping Li Hao would inherit Li Junye’s brilliance and bring glory to Great Yu.

Moreover, Li Hao’s name had already spread throughout Qingzhou City—reaching the emperor’s ears was no surprise, nor was his decision to send emissaries to make contact.

“To gain Emperor Yu’s recognition is my son’s honor—I should be thanking His Majesty.”

Li Tiangang hurried to say.

Li Hao’s character had always troubled him, yet to be noticed by Emperor Yu filled him with joy.

Chu Jiuyue smiled but said nothing more.

Jian Wudao looked at Li Hao, his brow slightly furrowed, saying nothing.

His four disciples, however, exchanged complex glances—Li Hao now possessed this imperial edict; even if their master hadn’t come, it alone would crush Li Ganfeng’s network of allies.

After all, when it came to influence...

Who could rival Emperor Yu?! Not even the Infinite Buddha Master, nor the True Person of Qian Dao Palace, would dare stand higher.

What is an emperor?

The supreme sovereign of the mortal realm! Bian Ruxue’s eyes shimmered as she gazed at the boy, whose expression was as gentle as a spring breeze—this scene felt eerily familiar from her childhood.

While everyone else looked grim, he alone shone brilliantly.

Soon after, the Infinite Mountain Bodhisattva, the Knife Saint, and two other fourth-rank beings from another table came over to greet Chu Jiuyue, exchanging a few pleasantries.

After all, he was the emperor’s man, someone who could speak directly to the highest power—they dared not offend or provoke him.

After the greetings, they returned to Li Ganfeng’s side.

Liu Yuerong smiled, but it was forced—her fingers beneath the table were nearly bleeding from clenching.

At this moment, she had only one thought: regret.

Regret for giving Li Hao that poison pill to destroy his divine blood!

She should have just poisoned him outright!

Even if it was risky, it would have been worth it—who could have imagined that child would now be so triumphant, so dazzling? And this was even after his divine blood was ruined!

If his divine blood were awakened, he might shine even brighter.

But she didn’t know that the physical strength boost from divine blood meant almost nothing to Li Hao’s many body-refining arts.

“Didn’t expect Emperor Yu would issue an edict—looks like we came for nothing.”

Knife Saint Jiang Haiping drank a cup of wine and sighed.

Xiang Yuguang, one of the commanders of the Demon Suppression Bureau, maintained a calm expression, though his heart grew dark.

Coming here to support Li Qianfeng seemed to have been a misstep.

The others were no issue—figures like the Blade Saint and the Bodhisattva of Wuliang Mountain were among the supreme masters of the Jianghu.

But he was different; he held an official post, yet the ultimate authority over that post was the Emperor himself.

He had somehow found himself standing opposite the Emperor.

“Lady Liu, I apologize.”

After a moment’s thought, Xiang Yuguang spoke to Liu Yuerong, then rose and said, “I’ve just remembered something urgent at home—I must return briefly. Please, enjoy your meal.”

With that, he rose slightly in a courteous bow, turned, and left.

Before departing, he noticed Chu Jiuyue, Li Tiangang, and others at a nearby table, gave them a faint smile, nodded to them, and hurried away.

Liu Yuerong forced a smile, but the anger in her eyes was barely contained.

Sensing her emotional shift, the Bodhisattva of Wuliang Mountain, Lin Wujing, smiled gently:

“Lady, don’t worry. At this point, it’s all up to Qianfeng’s destiny. I trust Qianfeng.”

His expression remained serene, untouched by external disturbances, unstained by the world.

Liu Yuerong glanced at him, thinking: this isn’t your own matter—you can speak so lightly.

Yet remembering the secret information he had revealed to her, her heart eased considerably.

In terms of cultivation speed, Li Hao indeed surpassed her son.

But as for the depth of foundation at each realm, that’s another matter.

(End of Chapter)