Chapter 47: The Eight Realms of Martial Dao

By the time Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao returned to the foot of the mountain, the square was already lit with lanterns; though night had fallen, the crowd remained thick and lively.

This reminded Li Hao of night markets from his past life; he took a soft breath, catching the scent of charcoal-grilled food carried on the cool night breeze, and his appetite surged.

“Let’s go find something to eat.”

On the Dengmen Stairs, talented youths from various provinces still rushed forward, vying to reach the summit and claim their glory.

At the summit, the boy’s figure leapt down, plunging into the throng of worldly bustle.

…

Soon, relying on his own cooking skills, Li Hao precisely selected several tasty items from among the many stalls, wrapping them all up.

He and Li Yuanzhao each carried full arms, eating as they walked toward the carriage, drawing glances from many along the way.

“What’s that smell?”

Inside the carriage, Li Yun, who had been waiting with growing impatience, suddenly caught the scent of roasted meat and froze, lifting the curtain.

The aroma rushed in, and then he saw Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao approaching, their mouths greasy with food.

“Fu Bo, sorry for keeping you waiting. Here.”

“Ming Bo, this is for you. Is it enough?”

Everyone got a share; Li Hao had bought plenty, and he cheerfully handed out portions along the way, never forgetting his personal maid Qingzhi’s portion.

Then, carrying the remaining large and small bags, they climbed into the carriage and entered the cabin.

Oil lamps had already been lit inside; the warm yellow glow lit the faces of the brother and sister, who stole glances at Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao. The enticing scent made their mouths water, and their expressions grew uneasy.

“I thought you’d gone back already.”

After sitting down, Li Yuanzhao bit into a piece of roasted meat, then remembered something and held out two more bags toward Li Zhining: “Zhining, want some?”

Li Zhining wanted to refuse, but the tempting aroma made her hesitate.

At the same time, she caught sight of her brother’s Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed saliva; she softly took the bag and murmured, “Thank you, Yuanzhao Ge.”

“If you’d left early, you wouldn’t have had this luck,” Li Yuanzhao chuckled.

Li Zhining said nothing, but glanced at that figure—only to see he had never once looked their way. Deep in her eyes, a faint shadow of disappointment flickered.

But she didn’t dwell on it, opened the bag, and handed one to Li Yun: “Brother.”

“I won’t eat it.”

Li Yun turned his head, frowning with clear disgust: “Street vendor food—who knows if it’s even clean? It’s filthy. I advise you to eat less.”

“Even if it’s not clean, it won’t kill you,” Li Yuanzhao shot back, his appetite ruined.

“You—”

Li Yun flushed with anger, glared at him, then realized he had little ground to stand on; he snorted and turned away, pressing his head against the carriage curtain as if the night view had suddenly become fascinating.

Li Zhining knew her brother was too proud to back down; she felt a quiet helplessness, but the scent from the bag kept rising, and she couldn’t resist—she picked up a piece and took a small bite. Her eyes brightened slightly.

This taste was even better than the delicacies she was used to at home.

“Ming Bo, aren’t we leaving yet?”

Li Yun shouted from inside the carriage, voice carrying to the front.

Ming Bo, who had been chewing on a piece of roasted meat, immediately grabbed the reins and urged the Jiao Shi to turn back toward the mansion.

…

…

Back at the mansion, Li Yun and the other two parted ways with Li Hao.

Each returned to their own home, each to their own mother.

In Piaoxue Courtyard, Fifth Lady Gao Qingqing was embroidering in the main hall when she heard her maid rush in breathlessly; her needle nearly pricked her finger. She rose quickly, dropped the embroidered handkerchief, and hurried to the courtyard gate.

There she saw her son and daughter approaching, accompanied by Li Ming.

“How was it? Did everything go smoothly?”

Gao Qingqing asked anxiously.

Li Ming stood quietly to the side, and the well-behaved Li Zhining nodded: “Yes, my brother and I both entered the Jia Courtyard.”

“You both comprehended it in one day?”

Gao Qingqing’s face lit with delight; she kissed her son’s forehead.

Li Yun flushed with embarrassment, shoved her away, and stomped toward the main hall, sulking.

Gao Qingqing paid no mind; she kissed her daughter’s forehead too, then pulled her back inside, instructing the steward to quickly reheat dinner.

Li Zhining shook her head: “Just reheat my brother’s portion—I’ve already eaten.”

“What did you eat?” Gao Qingqing asked, surprised.

“Stuff from the street vendors. It was delicious,” Li Zhining said, still savoring the taste.

“Hmph, don’t end up with a stomachache,” Li Yun muttered from ahead.

Gao Qingqing smiled, sat her daughter down, and began chatting with her about the day’s events.

“No wonder you’re my children—you grasped it in half a day.”

“He got into Jia Courtyard too?” Gao Qingqing asked, surprised, then nodded: “That boy is brilliant—but too bad he chose body refinement. His ceiling is too low. Otherwise, he’d likely be the true dragon of your generation.”

Li Zhining thought of that calm, casual face; her eyes flickered slightly. She’d heard her mother say this more than once.

Deep inside, she felt a quiet pang of regret.

“Hmph, what’s so impressive about that talent? If my sister were here, she’d grasp it in the time of one incense stick!”

Li Yun sat across from them, scoffing.

Mentioning his elder sister stirred envy, jealousy, a touch of bitterness—and yet also pride. His emotions were complex.

Gao Qingqing smiled: “Your elder sister is brilliant, but you’re not far behind. You’re both my proudest children.”

Li Yun’s stiff expression softened slightly; as the steward brought the reheated dinner, he ate slowly, and a smile gradually returned to his face.

…

…

In Shanhe Courtyard.

Li Hao returned to the courtyard with Li Fu and Qingzhi.

Under the cold moonlight, the steward Zhao Bo hurried out, wrapped in an outer robe: “Young Master, was it successful? I’ll reheat your dinner.”

“No need to trouble yourself, Zhao Bo—I ate outside,” Li Hao smiled. “I didn’t bring any back; worried it’d lose flavor on the way.”

“You’re thoughtful,” Zhao Bo smiled, knowing Li Hao wasn’t lying—oil still clung to his lips.

Li Fu, who had been guarding the carriage and had no chance to speak earlier, now asked: “How was today?”

Li Hao thought a moment: “The food was good.”

Li Fu fell silent. I didn’t ask about the food.

After pressing further, he learned Li Hao had entered Jia Courtyard; both he and Qingzhi broke into delighted smiles.

…

…

The “Yue Xian Gate” trial at Tan Gong Academy had ended.

Many youths who had arrived too late could only sigh at the Dengmen Stairs.

Some tried to use connections to squeeze in a few more, but were told the enrollment was full.

A total of 825.

Some asked why they couldn’t admit more—even if they paid exorbitant tuition.

But the reply was:

Because only 825 seats were available.

Thus, the many noble youths sighed and turned away.

This grand gathering in Qingzhou gradually faded into stillness.

At the summit, however, with the official start of term, the place grew lively again.

There were four courtyards: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding.

Jia Courtyard had only fifty seats.

Yi Courtyard had two hundred.

Bing and Ding Courtyards… omitted.

Each courtyard held not only new students but also some repeating students.

Now, in Jia Courtyard, Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao sat together in the second row; all other new students had arrived.

Ahead, Li Hao saw Shen Qingyun, accompanied by two senior students from Jia Courtyard, distributing Tan Gong Academy uniforms, ensuring uniform dress from now on.

This reminded Li Hao of his past life’s middle and high school days.

Looking around at the boys and girls, all young, he smiled faintly, feeling a touch of nostalgia.

After the uniforms were distributed, Shen Yun explained basic academy rules: no private fights, no disrespecting past sages, and so on.

Then, as Shen Yun departed, a slender woman with a willow-like waist approached; she appeared twenty-five or six, her black hair like ink, her features as if painted, evoking the image of moonlight on snow-capped peaks.

She introduced herself as Su Yehua—the head of Jia Courtyard and the first instructor.

The recently departed Shen Qingyun was the body movement instructor.

This first lesson of enrollment would be taught by Su Yehua.

Li Hao clearly sensed that upon Su Yehua’s arrival, the previously noisy courtyard fell instantly silent; the boys who had been chatting carelessly now sat perfectly still.

“The martial path has eight realms.”

Su Yehua stood before them, her willow-like brows carrying a crisp aura, yet her lips curved in a faint, gentle smile:

The first four realms are Power Communion, Celestial Circulation, Soul Continuation, and Spirit Travel.

The latter four realms are Fifteen Li, Heaven-Man, Three Imperishables, and Four Establishments!

(End of Chapter)