Chapter 356: The Sole Severing of Affection

In the distance, a figure hurtled toward them at high speed—it was Li Li Tiangang.

Li Hao's earlier roar had shaken the entire city, and he had naturally heard it; when he turned his attention to observe, he saw the chain of battles unfolding behind.

The sacrificial array he had been setting up naturally halted, for all the demons had been slain, and there was no longer need to summon the ancestors.

As his soul hovered in the air, he saw Li Hao shielding Li Li Muxiu before the two demon leaders, and heard He He Jianlan and the others calling out—he felt his heart tremble. Could this boy truly be the child who had fallen into that abyss?

At this moment, his emotions surged, and he raced forward at full speed, stepping over flames.

Before Li Hao, Ji Ji Qingqing, after hearing his words, felt each syllable like a needle piercing her heart; she could not help but say, "I was wrong, but aren't you back now? What must I do for you to forgive me?"

Li Hao's previously calm eyes suddenly flared with two beams of cold light. "I am back," he said, "but your child died forever in that abyss. I returned through my own strength, by my own will—not yours, or yours!"

Ji Ji Qingqing froze, staring at the boy who had just been calm but now wore a chilling expression; she realized she had spoken wrongly, and tears slowly streamed down her face.

"But you are my own flesh and blood—can't you give me one chance to make amends?"

Hearing her choked words, Li Hao glanced at her. "A chance to make amends? Did I go to the Ji family to seek death? Did I go to the Prison of Heaven to explore the abyss?"

These two questions struck Ji Ji Qingqing like hammers to the chest; she felt her body's warmth drained away, a chilling tremor seizing her. Yes—that child had endured unimaginable hardship, alone, forcing his way through the Great Wilderness, all to see her. Suddenly, she realized she had no right to speak such words. Make amends? Letting her child face danger once, fifteen years ago, and again, fifteen years later—could she still make amends?

Her tears flooded like a broken dam; her heart ached so fiercely she could barely breathe.

"Ji Qingqing!"

Li Li Tiangang arrived in a rush, landing outside; Li Li Wushuang and the others stepped aside upon seeing their patriarch.

Li Li Tiangang hurried forward, glanced at Li Hao's cold gaze, then looked at his wife, weeping uncontrollably; his heart felt as if torn by knives.

"You cannot speak to your mother like this!"

Li Li Tiangang's eyes reddened slightly as he told Li Hao, "It was my fault—I was too harsh on you, too stubborn, and I let you suffer injustice without proper investigation. You may treat me as you wish, but you cannot speak to your mother this way. She endured great hardship to give birth to you."

Li Hao's brow furrowed; his once tranquil heart now swelled with an indescribable weariness and aversion.

He spoke coldly: "Stop calling her 'mother.' You need not apologize to me—I forgive the past. From the moment I stepped out of the Divine General's Mansion, I severed all ties with you. I have repaid every expense of food, clothing, and shelter. The demon blood you sent me from Yanbei, I returned double. Now, I am no longer connected to you. Can you not feel it? I no longer carry your blood."

As he spoke, Li Hao made no effort to conceal his aura, and the Ten Thousand Forms attribute had long been removed.

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Li Tiangang froze, staring at him in shock; Ji Ji Qingqing also froze, forgetting to cry, and hurriedly probed Li Hao's aura.

He He Jianlan and the others nearby were stunned; Li Hao's aura was too strong for them to notice earlier, but now, at his words, they all released their own auras to scan his body.

"Hao'er!"

Beside them, Zhu Zhu Huoshen, who had been healing Li Li Muxiu, suddenly sat upright, coughing up blood; one of his arms had healed, but his wrinkled old face was now filled with panic as he stared at Li Hao.

He knew Li Hao would not lie lightly; disregarding rudeness, he swiftly probed Li Hao's body—and found no trace of the Li family's bloodline aura.

His body swayed like a candle in the wind, trembling, his mind going numb.

Li Li Xiaoran and Li Li Qingzheng also turned pale instantly, probing urgently, then froze, staring silently at the boy.

The ancestral spirits of the Li family around them frowned, sensing something amiss; as deceased spirits, they naturally sensed Li family bloodlines, and had long recognized that Li Hao carried not a single trace of Li blood.

But hearing these people's words, this extraordinary prodigy before them seemed to be of Li lineage—how could this be?

"Child, were you once of the Li family?" one ancestral spirit asked gently, his eyes filled with doubt.

Li Hao glanced at him, his expression calm and detached.

"I am myself. Your Li family once had a child similar to me—but that child is dead."

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Li Tiangang's aura surged violently; he roared, "Impossible! I don't believe it! You're not him—who are you?!"

"Li Tiangang!"

Li Li Muxiu, his face as pale as paper, suddenly roared; his Dao realm power surged, causing Li Li Tiangang's head to ring as if it had exploded, leaving him stunned.

"How much more wrong can you be?!"

Li Li Muxiu's eyes, bloodshot, locked onto him.

Li Li Tiangang stood frozen, then slowly raised his head to look at Li Hao; his eyes were filled with sorrow. "You severed your bloodline with the Li family—how could you be so heartless?"

Li Hao raised an eyebrow, glancing at him; yet facing that sorrowful face, he felt only silence and a strange urge to laugh.

He had no more patience to speak. "Fine, call it heartless. Either way, we have no further ties. Do not dare to disturb me again. I may forgive the past—but the future? Not so easily."

With that, he turned to Li Li Muxiu, seeing the old man's eyes filled with sorrow, as if shattered; he felt a pang of guilt. "Old Master, though I am no longer of the Li family, if you ever need a fishing partner, just call me—I'll come whenever you ask."

Li Li Muxiu looked at Li Hao and knew this child had severed his past completely. His heart ached with pain and regret—bloodline severed, yet he still came, only because of old affection? The sword that had cut down countless demons could not sever this child's heart.

But with his parents, he had severed emotion entirely. What kind of despair must that be? Such an outstanding, flawless child—yet the Li family had lost him completely.

Li Li Muxiu's heart overflowed with grief, yet it dissolved into a low, trembling laugh—painful, yet absurd. After laughing for a while, his gaze slowly sharpened and softened.

"You said it—then I'll see if your fishing skills have grown rusty."

In that moment, amid pain and sorrow, Li Li Muxiu finally understood: leaving the Li family meant nothing to the child.

Only they suffered.

But the child would no longer suffer.

If so, was it not better? The Li family lost its glory—but the Emperor Da Yu Divine Empire was unchanged.

Even not of the Li family, this child had come. Even without Li blood, he had saved Liangzhou, and now Qingzhou City.

He was still himself—he never felt obligated to bear burdens because he was born into a general's mansion.

He simply had a sincere heart, as a human, doing all he could to protect this world.

Thinking of this, Li Li Muxiu's tears flowed more freely—not only for Li Hao's release, but for the pain and irony of Li Li Tiangang's past accusations against Li Hao's character.

"Mm."

Seeing Li Li Muxiu's gaze, Li Hao felt slightly reassured; then he turned to He He Jianlan, the armored senior lady. "If there's a chance in the future, let Lady He taste my cooking."

Hearing Li Hao's address, He He Jianlan's suppressed sorrow broke into a flood of tears; she felt this child had come to Qingzhou to say farewell—to bid goodbye to his former identity before them.

She was no longer his aunt…

"Child, is there truly no going back?" He He Jianlan asked, fighting back her grief.

Li Hao shook his head slightly. "The title cannot be reclaimed—but if you don't mind, this sentiment remains."

He He Jianlan's sorrow deepened, yet she held back her tears and said nothing more; she knew Li Hao had always been resolute, and once decided, nothing could change him.

Besides, perhaps the Li family was now a burden to him—and perhaps he could live well on his own. That was enough.

Li Hao's gaze swept toward Li Li Xiaoran, Li Li Qingzheng, and others, his expression gentle. "Two old masters, thank you for your care in the past. If you don't mind, I'm also in need of a chess partner."

"Child…"

Li Li Qingzheng's lips trembled slightly, but he said nothing; he knew the matter was settled.

Like a chess piece released—it cannot be taken back.

Li Li Xiaoran clenched his fists; in his mind flashed his elder brother's final words before his soul scattered—but they had failed to fulfill them.

A wave of grief surged through him; he gripped his sword tightly, veins bulging on his knuckles. His eyes swept over Li Li Tiangang and Ji Ji Qingqing, flickering with killing intent—but he finally suppressed it, leaving only sorrow.

Li Hao scanned the group, then said: "Since I've come to Qingzhou once, tonight I'll host a banquet at Yunxia Pavilion—let's gather then."

With that, he glanced at Li Li Yuanzhao, who stood in a daze, and patted his shoulder with a smile.

"Don't zone out—later, go to Yunxia Pavilion and tell the madam to prepare all her signature dishes in advance."

Li Li Yuanzhao staggered from the pat, as if his soul had been shoved back into his body; his eyes welled with tears.

Li Hao smiled, then turned toward Song Song Yufeng and the other Tan Gong disciples at the periphery, and the blue, shape-shifted figure.

"You cannot leave!"

Li Li Tiangang, as if snapping back to reality, suddenly blocked Li Hao's path, his face flushed with anger. "Even if I…"

"Even if what?"

Li Hao paused slightly, calmly staring at Li Li Tiangang blocking his way; that single, tranquil gaze instantly extinguished all of Li Li Tiangang's blood and aura, as if doused in ice water.

He stood frozen, suddenly realizing: this was no longer two years ago.

Back then, he could have crippled Li Hao and dragged him back by force—but now, he could not.

He was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered, gritting his teeth: "As a duke, I command you—you cannot leave. You must remain in Qingzhou City!"

Li Hao glanced at him coolly. "Speaking of which, you've reminded me—I believe His Majesty granted me the title of duke for quelling the rebellion in Liangzhou. You are a duke, I am a duke—you're second-class, I'm third-class. Though lower than you by one rank, we are both dukes. You have no authority to command me."

"Also, please return to me the imperial decree granting my title. I will report to His Majesty that from now on, I have no relation to the Li family. Any future honors or edicts should be sent directly to my fief."

At fourteen, when he guarded Cangyu City, he was granted a fief along with his viscount title—he had never visited it, but it remained there, regardless.

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Li Tiangang trembled violently; a duke under sixteen—unique in the entire Emperor Da Yu Divine Empire. He felt lost, wondering what he had done wrong to reach this point. Li Hao stepped past him, walking toward Song Song Yufeng and the others to catch up.

Song Song Yufeng, listening nearby, could only sigh inwardly in regret; he avoided these topics while chatting with Li Hao.

After brief exchanges, they agreed to meet again that night.

Li Hao turned to Song Song Qiumo, the woman standing like autumn water in midair—crisp, distant, radiating an unapproachable chill, yet her eyes, soft as the gentlest water, fixed on Li Hao.

Their gazes met; countless words seemed to pass between them in that single glance.

Both smiled.

…

…

Back in Qingzhou City, as the Li family ordered soldiers to clear the demon corpses from the walls, Li Hao and Song Song Qiumo walked together through the city.

Behind them, the youth-shaped Zhu Zhu Huoshen followed silently.

Xi Yan had returned to Li Hao's wrist; after Li Li Muxiu's injuries stabilized, he could heal slowly with the Li family's divine medicine—no further need for her healing.

"So that's how it was…"

As Song Song Qiumo walked with Li Hao, revisiting old places, she naturally asked about the rumors of his death.

Li Hao learned the Li family had already held a funeral for him—everyone believed him dead.

He smiled faintly; it was fitting. That child was truly dead, buried forever in the abyss—this funeral was not wasted.

Upon learning Li Hao had barely escaped death from the demon saint's mouth, though he gave no details, Song Song Qiumo understood: he had faced unimaginable peril—no wonder the Li family had declared him dead.

She sighed inwardly, unable to imagine all he had endured.

"You've become far stronger than me now."

Song Song Qiumo smiled and said.

Li Hao also smiled: "Cultivation is only useful when slaying demons. I'd rather you praise my paintings than my cultivation."

Song Song Qiumo's eyes flickered slightly, and she couldn't help laughing.

This boy was still as unusual and eccentric as ever, unlike anyone else. "Uncle Liu!"

Li Hao suddenly called out, waving toward a small shop on the street.

The shop opened a small door, peering cautiously outside, still uncertain whether the demons had been fully eradicated.

Hearing Li Hao's call, the middle-aged couple inside froze, staring at him in confusion.

"Make me two portions of Mianyu Xiao Xiang Su," Li Hao said with a smile.

The couple stared, uncertain, but remembering the rumors about the Li family, they dared not ask—aside from that young master, every other youth or girl who came to eat here used the same term.

"We're not opening today."

The man said.

Li Hao, hearing this, looked disappointed: "Alright then."

Song Song Qiumo's eyes flickered slightly, but she said nothing.

Yet the couple suddenly seemed to sense something, their bodies tensing, eyes growing anxious, glancing at Li Hao with timid fear.

"Well, it's not that we can't make it—just wait a moment."

Uncle Liu hurriedly said, then quickly retreated inside.

His wife smiled apologetically at Li Hao: "Yes, yes, it'll be ready soon, very soon."

Li Hao, seeing this, nodded with a smile: "Thank you then."

The couple immediately retreated inside to busy themselves—they hadn't planned to open today, hadn't prepared dough in advance, everything had to be made fresh.

Li Hao looked at Song Song Qiumo beside him and sighed: "Uncle Liu is a good man. Don't scare them."

Song Song Qiumo looked innocent: "What?"

Seeing her like this, Li Hao could only sigh helplessly—though her telepathic ripple was subtle, it couldn't hide from him now.

The two stood quietly outside the shop, waiting.

Not long after, several portions of Mianyu Xiao Xiang Su were ready.

Li Hao took them, handed one to Song Song Qiumo, one to Candlefire Spirit, and one to Xiyuan: "Try some—it's human delicacy."

Xiyuan, curious, curled her crimson whiskers and slipped inside the oiled paper wrapping to eat.

"Mmm, so crispy, so fragrant—is this what humans eat?"

Xiyuan immediately sent out a joyful, contented sound, accompanied by the crunching of her bites.

"If you like it, eat more."

Li Hao chuckled and said to Uncle Liu: "Can you make a few more?"

The couple nodded eagerly and began making more.

Once they had a bag with four or five portions, Li Hao followed Song Song Qiumo, slowly strolling down the old street, eating as they walked.

"This flavor really is good."

"Of course—it's because Qingzhi was hard to find that Uncle Liu moved his stall to the foot of Tan Palace Academy, and that's why I went there—to sneak in and study."

"... You're something else."

Song Song Qiumo was speechless—who could have imagined Tan Palace Academy would accept such an extraordinary disciple just because of a humble street vendor's charm?

When they reached Yunxia Tower, Li Hao, familiar with the place, reserved the top-floor private room with the owner.

Then, he had Yunxia Tower send out invitations on his behalf to various locations.

Night fell; the demon corpses piled outside the city like mountains, but soldiers were clearing them. Inside the city, notices were posted, and Li family warriors rode through the streets announcing: the demons outside the city have been eradicated—Qingzhou City is safe!

This announcement lasted from afternoon until night; under the dark sky, thousands of lanterns lit up across the city.

Bold citizens began wandering the streets first, drawing more people out of their homes, and the streets slowly grew bustling again.

Restaurants, teahouses, and other venues quickly reopened; those with a little money gathered in these lively spots to chat and gossip.

Those without money sat in alleys and courtyards, cooling off in groups of three or five, discussing today's news, waving banana-leaf fans to shoo away biting mosquitoes.

Every topic of conversation centered on the city-shaking call, the scale of the demons, and the names shouted when the demon kings were slain.

"Did you hear? The demons cried out 'General Hao Tian'—do you know who General Hao Tian is? That's right, the general from Liangzhou—the star who single-handedly quelled the entire Liangzhou demon plague!"

"Truly, Heaven favors Emperor Da Yu! A star descends from heaven, emerging out of nowhere—pity we never saw his true face."

"Now he's been granted the title of Duke, appointed Grand Commander—hmm, such fame hasn't been matched in a thousand years!"

"Is General Hao Tian General the one from the Li family?"

"General Hao Tian General is General Hao Tian General—the Li family's one is already dead, isn't he?"

"That's right—just recently, the Li family held a funeral. Though quiet, I saw white banners hanging at their mansion myself."

"Really? Then I must've mixed them up. What a pity—that Li family prodigy was truly a dragon among men."

"Aren't they the same person? Did the Li family make a mistake?"

"Are you joking? Would the Divine General's Mansion make such a mistake?"

"But no one's ever heard where General Hao Tian General came from..."

Everywhere—in streets and taverns—people debated. Some elders still remembered bits, but most youths had only fragmented knowledge; daily toil left no time to follow such matters, so rumors became tangled. Gradually, when speaking of General Hao Tian General, they began mentioning Liangzhou instead.

The Li family was mentioned less and less.

Inside Yunxia Tower, Li Hao sat quietly, waiting for his old friends to arrive. His hearing was extraordinary—he naturally heard the surrounding chatter, but now, many truly seemed to have forgotten his former surname.

The river of time seemed to bury everything, smoothing it all into roundness.

Li Hao poured himself a drink, gazing out the window at the thousand lanterns—the night was beautiful.

Meanwhile, at Tan Palace Academy and the Divine General's Mansion, invitations arrived. He He Jianlan and others received theirs; though they sighed inwardly, their emotions had settled. They took the invitations and headed for the banquet.

As people gradually left each courtyard, one by one, only the Shanhe Courtyard still glowed brightly.

Li Li Tiangang and Ji Ji Qingqing stared at the full table of dishes, yet had lost their appetite.

Both were lost in thought.

When they heard movement outside the courtyard, their spiritual senses spread out—they found carriage after carriage speeding out of the Divine General's Mansion.

The aura within those carriages belonged to He He Jianlan and the other courtyards' ladies.

Li Li Tiangang and Ji Ji Qingqing's faces darkened; they kept glancing at the courtyard gate—but no one entered, no one announced anything.

All courtyards except Wang Wang Xiangru's Feiyun Courtyard had received invitations—and now, only theirs remained untouched.

Clearly, the child had no intention of inviting them.

At the gate, Old Zhao, hunched over, watched the frequent glances toward the outside. His eyes dimmed; he sighed deeply within.

If only they'd known this would happen... He lowered his head, staring at his toes, noticing his shoes were worn.

The cold moonlight shifted; the night grew even quieter.

The sounds of carriages outside vanished—clearly, all who were to be invited had been, and the banquet had surely already begun.

Li Li Tiangang's face darkened. He grabbed his chopsticks and aggressively shoveled food into his mouth:

"Eat. Don't wait. Everyone else is gone. After you finish, go check on the demon corpse disposal. I'll visit our ancestors and handle affairs in other cities—we can't collapse!"

Ji Ji Qingqing stared blankly at the food, as if in a trance, not moving a muscle.

Li Li Tiangang shoveled a few bites, then couldn't eat anymore. He slammed his chopsticks and bowl down, gritting his teeth:

"He severed the bloodline—but he doesn't realize that without the collision of our bloodlines, his talent would've been drastically weakened. He's strong now, but this decision will doom him—he'll never attain the Dao again. Even if he somehow does, he'll hit his ceiling!"

"He had the potential to reach the Saint Realm—that's eternal, unending power! He's thrown away his supreme talent. How selfish!"

Ji Ji Qingqing's eyes trembled slightly, then dimmed: "Even so, he's still outstanding—and it's because of us that he..."

Li Li Tiangang's face twitched—he knew this too well.

But grief and rage had nowhere to vent.

"He went too far—he'll regret this someday!"

He clenched his fists and rose, leaving the hall.

Night crept silently onto the treetops.

The moon hung full.

Inside Yunxia Tower, Li Hao drank with the guests, laughter ringing through the feast.

He He Jianlan, Li Mu, and others had given up trying to persuade Li Hao—now they simply drank and ate together.

When conversation grew warm and heartfelt, they still tried to offer advice—but as soon as they began, Li Hao smiled and interrupted them.

Clearly, everyone still needed time to adjust to Li Hao's complete severance from the Divine General's Mansion.

During the feast, students from Tan Palace Academy came to Li Hao's table, taking turns to toast and thank him. Li Hao noticed the two princes weren't present—he asked and learned they had finished their studies and were recalled to the imperial capital.

Clearly, the two princes had come to Tan Palace Academy, as everyone suspected, merely to build connections and accumulate capital.

Li Hao remembered the prince who loved poetry and had sent him off—his absence now brought a touch of regret.

With wine and laughter, the feast lasted until deep into the night.

Li Hao found a guesthouse and rested there.

The next day.

After a rare, comfortable sleep, Li Hao felt refreshed. Last night, Li Mu had told him the Li family had sent men, carrying his battle flag and the demon kings' heads, escorted by elite light cavalry, to reinforce cities across Qingzhou.

The rest of the army would follow soon after.

With no demon threat outside Qingzhou City, the large garrison stationed within could now fully mobilize and head for the frontlines.

Those Li family members who had returned via ancestral bloodline summons were also rushing to battlefields, joining the Li army to reclaim lost Qingzhou territory.

Li Hao shook his head—last night's drinking had been too much; he hadn't purified the alcohol with his body, and a faint dizziness lingered.

But he soon regained clarity.

With greater strength, he seemed less easily drunk.

Unless it was some specially crafted brew.

(End of Chapter)