Chapter 57: Assassination

Approaching dusk.

Li Hao and the others gallop along the official road. From time to time, they encounter tea stalls, small vendors, and the like setting up stalls on the side of the road for travelers exhausted from the journey to rest their feet.

On the way, they also encounter escort teams transporting goods, martial arts wanderers in high spirits traveling together to slay demons, and farmers and small villages diligently farming beside the official road.

The green cypresses on both sides of the road extend straight, leading to the blue sky and white clouds.

Arriving in front of a tea stall, the fragrance of steaming small steamed buns makes the few people galloping on fast horses pull the reins.

"Why don't we rest for a while?" Yu Wei asks diligently.

Li Hao hears Li Yuanzhao's stomach growl, obviously hungry too, so he smiles immediately and says: "Let's go eat something first."

"It's getting dark. Will it be unsafe outside?" Du Qiuyue asks with a hint of worry.

The owner of the tea stall is sharp-eared and sharp-eyed. Hearing the girl's words, he smiles and says: "Young heroes, rest assured. With the four Divine General Mansions guarding the border, there are no demons within the Emperor Da Yu Realm. Even an old man like me is not afraid, what are you afraid of?"

A few people look at Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao. Li Hao asks with a smile: "Boss, there are clearly five Divine General Mansions. Why do you say there are four?"

"There is one more. I heard it is not responsible for the border. It is probably guarding the Imperial City," the old man of the tea house says with a smile.

Du Qiuyue whispers: "Fortunately, Wang Han is not here with us; otherwise, if he heard this, he would be furious."

Yu Wei nods: "The Tianzhao Divine General Mansion guards the Mo River and has sacrificed countless people, but the world doesn't know. It's like there are still many people who don't even know that your Li Clan guards the border and slays demons. They only know there is a Divine General Mansion, but they are too lazy to distinguish which Divine General Mansion it is."

Speaking of this, he sighs, seemingly feeling it is not worth it for the Li Clan. These words hide a bit of flattery.

Li Hao is not angry, but nods and says:

"The lives of the common people are too bitter. They lower their heads every day to count a few taels of silver; where would they have the leisure to look up? It is normal not to know. After all, even if they knew, it wouldn't make any difference to their lives. And our Li Clan guarding the border is not for the world to praise and be grateful, but because the border needs us, and the common people need us."

Hearing his words, Yu Wei, who still held flattery in his heart, is stunned. Du Qiuyue cannot help but look at Li Hao, with a hint of surprise in her eyes, and a sense of respect arising spontaneously from the bottom of her heart.

Originally, she thought Li Hao was just a playboy, but these words broke their impression in their hearts, and at the same time, the awe of the authority of the Divine General Mansion also became a bit more respect from the bottom of their hearts.

Beside them, Ren Qianqian, who is holding a sword in her arms, looks up at Li Hao, her gaze lingering on his handsome and fair cheeks for a while, and her eyes have a bit more gentleness.

"Hao brother is right." Li Yuanzhao was originally a bit dissatisfied, but hearing Li Hao say this, he is suddenly a bit excited.

Li Hao smiles and pats Yuanzhao on the shoulder: "Let's go, let's go in and drink tea. My treat."

"No, how can I let you do it? We are going to Qizhou to slay demons, which is equivalent to going to my hometown to help. I should thank you on behalf of the people of Qizhou first. I'll cover the expenses on the road!"

Yu Wei seizes the opportunity and says immediately, while walking into the tea house to greet the boss and order tea, snacks, and refreshments.

"Boss, it's almost dark. Are you really not afraid of demons?"

Du Qiuyue pours a cup of tea but doesn't drink it directly, instead taking out a silver needle to test it. She is experienced, and after confirming it is non-toxic, she rinses the tea cups for a few people.

"There might be demons in other places, but this road is very safe. I have been setting up a stall here for decades and have never encountered one," the old man of the tea house says with a smile.

"You are really lucky."

Li Hao cannot help but sigh.

There are very few demon attacks on people within the Emperor Da Yu Realm, but there are some every year. For those of them who deal with demons, the news they hear is endless.

But the common people have blocked news, and coupled with the extremely slow spread of information, unless it is some sensational major event, small-scale demon attacks on people are basically unknown to anyone.

Moreover, there is also a part of the role of the local Demon Slaying Division, which deliberately blocks some demon information to avoid causing panic.

After all, the common people living and working in peace and contentment can make the dynasty more prosperous. If demon news flies all over the sky and people are panicked, who would dare to go out to do business and transport goods? Even farming and labor would reduce efficiency.

Soon, the food and drink are served. The taste of the small steamed buns is excellent. Li Hao also eats two baskets and praises them repeatedly, discussing the production process with the boss, which makes the others stunned.

Li Yuanzhao is already used to Li Hao's unusual style, but is curious about Ren Qianqian beside him, asking: "Why do you always hold the sword? Is it inconvenient when eating?"

Du Qiuyue and Yu Wei also look at this girl. Even when eating small steamed buns, she holds the sword in one hand and chopsticks in the other.

Ren Qianqian frowns, looks up at Li Yuanzhao, seems to think of something, is silent for a while, and then answers: "The sword is already a part of my body. I don't feel its existence."

Du Qiuyue says enviously: "I heard that comprehending the Sword Heart requires being with the weapon at all times. I have tried it before, but it didn't work no matter what."

"You must first like it," Ren Qianqian says seriously.

Du Qiuyue smiles bitterly: "I do like it."

Ren Qianqian looks at her and says no more.

Whether it is truly liked, the brain may not know, but the heart must know.

That's why it's called "entering the heart."

Soon, a few people have eaten and drunk well. Li Hao is chatting enthusiastically with the old man of the tea house, making the old man a bit confused.

Hearing what this young hero said, it is well-founded—what warm water for kneading dough, fermentation, how to remove fishy smell and increase fragrance for meat stuffing, etc... If he didn't look at that outfit, he would have thought the other party was a cook.

And an experienced cook at that.

"Young hero, you are full, right..." the old man of the tea house smiles reluctantly, unwilling to reveal any more, fearing that Li Hao will learn the secret recipe.

Li Hao sees the old man's resistance, still unsatisfied, and is about to say goodbye when he suddenly narrows his eyes.

He raises his palm and grabs a black light.

The ground under his feet is dented by several inches by the impact brought by this black light.

Li Hao opens his palm and looks; it is actually an oval triangular scale.

His soul leaves his body instantly, like a golden light, which only those in the Shenyou Realm can see, rushing straight out from the top of his skull, patrolling the world.

Soon, Li Hao sees an enchanting woman with scales on her chin and cheeks standing on a treetop fifteen miles away, looking here with a somewhat stunned expression.

That black light is exactly the same as the scales on her cheeks.

Li Hao's eyes turn cold. A demon? On the treetop, the black dragon beauty is a bit confused, dumbfounded.

She controlled the scale for fifteen miles, but failed to slay that human brat?

He actually caught her attack so easily?!

"I have something to do, I'll be back soon. You wait for me here."

In the tea stall, Li Hao walks out holding the scale and says to the four people at the tea table, then takes a step, disappearing in front of them in an instant.

Yu Wei, who is drinking tea and rinsing his mouth, sprays it out immediately.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 58 =====