Chapter 330: The Young General Returns

The old general of the Xia family, who was just about to turn back, suddenly heard the sound of bones and flesh bursting. He couldn't help but pause, turned his head to look, and saw a shocking scene.

That great demon, who had been arrogant and relaxed just a moment ago, now had its physical body seemingly squeezed and exploded by something, without even revealing its true form.

And within that bursting flesh and blood, a figure struggled to rush out, but as soon as it flew out, it was subjected to extreme pressure, wailing as it dissipated, its body and soul both destroyed.

That shrill, miserable scream before death left the many Xia family soldiers on the Liyang city walls stunned, staring in bewilderment at this bizarre scene.

On the official road below the city wall, a youth rode his horse forward lightly. Looking at the tightly closed city gate, he raised his head and said:

"Old sir, could you have them open the city gate?"

The youth's call from before the city gate brought the Xia family old general in mid-air back to his senses. He looked down and was instantly horrified.

The youth sat on horseback with a calm and breezy demeanor. Although he wore simple, coarse linen clothes, his features were as handsome as flowing clouds in a painting, and his unique temperament was unforgettable, giving people a sense of tranquility and leisure.

His gaze extended behind the youth, and he immediately saw that on the official road already stained with the blood of aristocratic children, the tide of demons lurking on both sides of the road had all fallen, losing their breath.

"You..."

The Xia family old general's pupils contracted, and he looked at the youth in shock. In his eyes, the latter was now more terrifying than the demons.

And on the city walls, following the inexplicable fall of the great demon of the Three Imperishable Realms, the other Xia family generals also rushed to the magic array in horror. When they saw the situation outside the city clearly, they discovered there was only one youth on horseback outside.

"Did you kill that demon?"

The Xia family old general did not dare to hover and quickly landed in front of the youth. If that great demon was killed by the youth before him, this youth's strength was simply too terrifying; he must be of the Four Standing Realms.

And being so young and able to rival an existence of the Four Standing Realms, he could only think of one name.

That person from Liangzhou.

"Yes."

Li Hao nodded slightly; there was no need to hide such a small matter:

"I heard the Xia family was in trouble, and since I happened to be passing by, I helped you solve it along the way."

Seeing the youth admit it, the Xia family old general's pupils shrank, and he said with a trembling voice: "You, are you that Young General Haotian?!"

He was full of bewilderment and shock, but quickly became excited.

The deeds in Liangzhou had long since spread everywhere. Although it was not under the jurisdiction of the Xia family, the youth's prestige was circulating among the armies of all parties in the nineteen provinces.

Suppressing demons alone and saving Liangzhou, which had been completely overrun at the borders, this act was like that of the young man who guarded Cangzhou a dozen years ago—like a military star suddenly appearing, dazzling and brilliant.

Moreover, that youth could slay demon kings, and appearing here now, Liyang City was saved!!

Seeing Li Hao's smiling appearance, the Xia family old general suddenly sobered up. Realizing he had been impolite, he quickly bowed and said:

"Greetings, Duke Haotian!"

Previously, they had always addressed him as "Young General," purely because they had heard the rumors so much that it had become a habit.

But since Liangzhou turned from danger to safety, the imperial court had debated for a long time, and the rewards had long since been issued.

After all, it had been two months since that great battle ended.

The reward was sent to Qingzhou, to that illustrious Divine General Mansion, and received on his behalf, and the rewarded title was announced to the world from the Imperial City.

Appointed as a Third-Rank Duke!

Jumping directly from Count past Hou Jue to become a Emperor Da Yu Duke, his title and status alone already stood above countless powerful officials. Even ordinary Imperial Princes had to treat him with courtesy upon meeting him.

In addition to the promotion in title, his position was also elevated from Young General to Commander-in-Chief of Liangzhou. This was a real official position, ranked at the Top Grade!

Reaching the pinnacle of officialdom, on the same level as the Prime Minister, within the entire Divine Dynasty, apart from a few existences, among those currently in office, no one could clearly surpass this youth in official status.

And his title and status were even at a level that only the older generation of the five Divine General Mansions could reach.

"Duke?"

Li Hao was somewhat surprised. Although he knew he would be rewarded, he didn't expect to skip the Hou Jue rank directly.

That "Ninth Uncle" back then, who saved Cangzhou, was not inferior to his act in terms of merit, but the demon forces plaguing Cangzhou at that time were not as numerous or strong. However, there was manipulation by vassal states behind it, so he fought his way to the royal court outside the pass, which also led to his own fall.

"No need for formalities."

Seeing the other party still hunched over bowing, Li Hao said immediately.

The Xia family old general raised his head and said excitedly: "Lord Duke, with you coming here, the people of Liyang City are saved. Thank you for your help. On behalf of the people of Liyang City, I thank you for your great kindness!"

Having said that, he was about to kneel.

Previously, Liyang City had been besieged for many days, and people were in a panic. The whole city had smelled the scent of being slaughtered by demons, but now, it was as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, and the gloom had suddenly vanished.

Li Hao lifted his hand to support him and said: "It was just a matter of convenience, no need to be so polite. If you really want to thank me, just see if there are any famous paintings or chess manuals in your city and collect some for me."

The Xia family old general was surprised, but he had also heard that the youth was proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting, besides martial arts, being well-versed in both literature and martial arts. He sighed with emotion in his heart and quickly said with a smile:

"Naturally, we have them. I will have them go look for them right away."

Saying this, he ordered the city gates to be opened and respectfully invited Li Hao inside.

At the same time, several other young generals galloped over.

The Xia family old general quickly told them about the demons outside the city being killed. Upon learning that it was the work of the youth before them and learning Li Hao's identity, they were all stunned, looking at the youth in shock.

"Was it really him?"

Among the several young generals, a female general stared blankly at the youth. Her thoughts suddenly shifted to the official road in Qizhou two years ago.

At that time, the youth sitting upright in the carriage had left a deep impression on her; he had guarded a city at fourteen.

Not long after that, she heard news about the youth again, and he had become famous in Qingzhou.

Later on, at fifteen, he saved Liangzhou and became completely famous throughout the world.

"This is Xia Qingshuang, the pride of our Xia family."

"This is Xia Yucheng..."

The Xia family old general quickly introduced the several young Xia family generals to Li Hao, hoping to use this to let them connect with Li Hao's network.

Although they all knew the news of Li Hao rebelling against the Li family, the youth's fame now no longer needed the Divine General Mansion to establish his prestige; he himself was prestige.

Now a Duke under sixteen, at the pinnacle of officialdom, and able to slay demon kings, no one was willing to offend him.

When the Xia family old general introduced them, these Xia family young generals, compelled by Li Hao's title and official position, all had to bow and salute. While feeling shocked and excited, they also felt a trace of embarrassment.

After all, they were the pride of the Xia family, while the youth before them came from the Li family. They were all of the young generation, and they were even seven or eight, or even a dozen years older than the other party. Seeing the other party now and having to bow and salute made them feel that the glory of the Xia family on their backs seemed to be bowing along with them.

But although the five Divine General Mansions guarded different areas, their official positions and titles were unified by the dynasty. Li Hao's status now meant that wherever he went, he would be treated as an honored guest. They dared not be disrespectful; otherwise, what they were defying was not Li Hao, but His Majesty, and the thousand-year legal code of the dynasty.

Li Hao sat on horseback, merely nodding slightly, which counted as a greeting.

Everyone exchanged pleasantries and escorted Li Hao to the City Lord's Mansion.

Inside the mansion, two young generals looked at each other, both with awkward expressions.

Previously, in the council hall, they had firmly opposed pulling the tiger-skin coat of the youth's battle flag, questioning its lack of deterrent power and saying that this act would disgrace the Xia family. As a result, the person himself arrived in the blink of an eye, and was right in front of them, so they couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.

"General Haotian, how did you kill that great demon of the Three Imperishable Realms? We didn't even see you make a move..."

Xia Yuanming asked curiously.

Previously, he was the one who most opposed using Li Hao's battle flag, but now that he saw the person himself, he felt a bit fearful in his heart. After all, the youth's deeds of slaying seven demon kings in a row were witnessed by all and could not be faked.

Hearing his words, Xia Qingshuang also looked at Li Hao with focused eyes.

She still remembered that when he was guarding Qizhou, it was rumored that the youth was already in the Fifteen-Li Realm.

Now, only two short years later...

"Your realm is not high enough; even if I told you, you wouldn't understand."

Li Hao said to the youth, speaking calmly without any intention of mockery.

Hearing this, Xia Yuanming felt somewhat embarrassed and also a trace of shame, but thinking that the other party had saved Liyang City after all, he didn't take it to heart and just sullenly stopped trying to flatter him.

The Xia family old general, however, felt that Li Hao's answer was very normal and gave Xia Yuanming a blaming look. Attack methods were secrets of martial arts; asking this question was somewhat presumptuous.

"General, wasn't it rumored previously that you were being hunted by that demon king of the Tai Xu Realm? Did you just escape?"

He changed the subject and asked politely.

During this period, countless people's eyes were focused on the Mo River outside Liangzhou, but there was no movement there. He didn't expect that the person they were waiting for would suddenly appear in Youzhou.

"You could say that."

Li Hao responded, then immediately asked him about the situation in Liangzhou.

Although he had learned some things from the waiter earlier, the person before him was a general of the Xia family, and the intelligence he held was very different.

After understanding everything, Li Hao was completely relieved; Liangzhou was indeed peaceful now.

However, although Liangzhou was peaceful, war had broken out in other provinces of Emperor Da Yu.

The Xia family old general brought the conversation to Youzhou. Youzhou was now besieged on all sides, at war with the top demon force, the Gluttony Valley. If Li Hao hadn't arrived today, he feared this northwest direction would have been broken through by the demons before long.

And this Liyang City was not even the main battlefield of Youzhou.

In the direction of the eastern border, war reports had long been frequent, and the main forces of the Xia family were also concentrated there.

After the Xia family old general finished speaking, he suddenly knelt on one knee to Li Hao, begging Li Hao to help the Xia family.

The other young Xia family generals were stunned, never expecting that this clan uncle would show such great respect to Li Hao.

Li Hao helped the other party up, frowned slightly, and pondered: "I am not in a position to act rashly on this matter. You had best ask your Xia family head for instructions."

Hearing Li Hao say this, the Xia family old general immediately understood that the youth before him was definitely not simple. He had tried to rely on himself to invite the youth to come forward, but his face was clearly not enough.

"I will report to the family head. I hope you can stay in Liyang City for a few more days."

The Xia family old general said hurriedly.

Li Hao nodded slightly: "That is possible, but I am still waiting to return to Liangzhou and am not in a position to stay long. Three days, then."

"Three days..."

The Xia family old general became nervous immediately and agreed.

Afterwards, he immediately sent people to arrange accommodation for Li Hao.

But Li Hao did not stay in the City Lord's Mansion, instead asking them to find him a quiet courtyard in the city.

After Li Hao left, the Xia family old general quickly sent people to deliver a letter, sent with ten-thousand-mile urgency to the family.

When Li Hao entered the city, a bird demon scouting from high altitude in Liyang City overlooked everything.

When it saw the demons that had died bizarrely on the official road, as well as the fallen great demon of the Three Imperishable Realms, its originally relaxed expression suddenly turned into horror, and it almost shook off its feathers.

Afterwards, it saw the youth on horseback being respectfully invited into the city by the Xia family old general. Without a doubt, all of this was the youth's handiwork.

And being able to kill a great demon so easily, and being a youth, combining the two, there was only one identity.

That youth who was said to be trapped in the Youdu-level Mo River, he had returned?

Guessing this, the bird demon quickly fled in a panic, flying to a hundred miles outside Liyang City, where the demon tide's main army was stationed, with two great demons of the Three Imperishable Realms sitting in command.

At this moment on the mountaintop, two great demons were drinking freely. One of them had its aura hidden, was tearing at a human leg, and drinking wine, looking very relaxed and comfortable.

The bird demon from the Tianji Palace flew over in a panic and quickly reported the intelligence.

"What?!"

"That guy from Liangzhou, he ran here?!"

"Wasn't it said he was in the Mo River?"

Both great demons were suddenly pale. They repeatedly confirmed with the bird demon, and finally, carrying panic and fear, they quickly ordered the demons to retreat for the time being.

This mighty demon tide gathered here, under the secret observation of the Xia family's sentries outside the city, retreated rapidly like a tide.

Afterwards, the bird demon also transmitted this news back to the Tianji Palace, which was discussed by the Youzhou branch of the Tianji Palace and quickly transmitted to the battlefield on the Youzhou front line.

Almost at the same time the Xia family in Youzhou City received the news, on the demon battlefield on the front line, the mountaintop where the Gluttony Valley Master sat in command also received news from the Tianji Palace.

That young general from Liangzhou, he had come to Youzhou!