The Name of Eternals

Chapter 84: Teaching Li Wushuang a Lesson

Li Hao saw that Aunt Wu shifted the conversation to him, smiled lightly, and didn't mind, "Xue'er should be back in about half a year."

The other ladies didn't let Li Yun continue to feel awkward and smoothly transitioned the topic to something else.

"Isn't Xue'er also a ninth-rank battle body?"

"So clever, that year..."

In the exchange of words, the earlier small quarrel was glossed over.

Li Hao, calm and composed, chatted with the ladies, reminiscing about old times. Meanwhile, Li Yun's face remained awkwardly flushed, occasionally sneaking glances at his father. Seeing that his father's anger had subsided, and a look of appreciation had returned as he conversed with Li Hao, Li Yun felt both relieved and inexplicably a bit downhearted.

At this moment, he felt his hand under the table being patted. Looking down, he saw it was his sister, Li Zhining.

Li Zhining gave Li Yun a smile and then proceeded to pick food for him. This small gesture made him feel a warm surge of emotion...

Gao Qingqing glanced at the well-composed Li Hao and then at her own son, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

In all aspects apart from cultivation, her son was indeed somewhat inferior to Li Hao. Li Hao's early maturity and understanding were well-known within the household, with the only shortcoming being his delayed cultivation start.

"Wushuang has now entered the Qian Rankings. Now that she's back, what plans does she have for the future?"

Midway through the meal, Liu Yueying casually asked.

Li Wushuang glanced at the boy across from her, who was two years younger yet confidently conversing. She reached out her chopsticks, initially aiming for the dragon liver, but with the control and finesse developed through years of swordsmanship, she subtly altered her course to pick up another dish.

Sending the food into her mouth, she responded, "Nothing much planned. I just want to spar with Cousin Qianfeng."

This statement drew some raised eyebrows from the ladies but seemed to pass unnoticed as they continued their eating and chatting.

Liu Yueying maintained her composed smile, "Qianfeng just returned from Wuliang Mountain. He should be back in the mansion soon. When he arrives, you two can have a spar. Back in the day, Xuanli and Tiangang were always chasing each other around the yard..."

Li Xuanli laughed awkwardly, "Second sister-in-law, those are young and foolish days, let's not mention them."

As the banquet drew to a close and night fell, Li Hao's contributions of seven or eight dishes, along with the other prepared dishes, were all consumed.

Li Wushuang ate quite a bit without knowing which dishes were brought by Li Hao, just finding them delicious.

Li Hao naturally had no interest in pointing it out. After that piece of dragon liver was placed on the table, he wouldn't be sending any more food or gifts her way. At most, in the future, he would just give a token gift when she got married.

With everyone well-fed, they began to leave Changchun Courtyard, and there were no more conflicts.

After bidding farewell to the ladies, Li Hao took Zhao Bo and Qingzhi back to Shanhai Courtyard.

On the other hand, Li Xuanli and his wife and children returned to Piaoxue Courtyard.

Once the children were inside, Gao Qingqing pulled her husband aside on a small path, scolding, "How could you say those things about Yun'er during the banquet? He's your son! And Wushuang just got back. Speaking to her like that hurts her feelings!"

Li Xuanli froze, thought for a moment, and sighed, "They were wrong. Yun'er aside, his temper is too small, and if it continues, he won't achieve great things. Wushuang too, despite making progress in cultivation over the years, is still too reckless."

"She was just protecting her brother. Isn't sibling harmony a good thing?" Gao Qingqing retorted, dissatisfied.

Li Xuanli thought for a moment and chuckled, "That's true."

"You men from the Li family are just thick-headed..." Gao Qingqing said, exasperated.

Sensing his wife's discontent, Li Xuanli said helplessly, "So I shouldn't criticize Li Hao either? Fourteen years ago, when Seventh Brother first set out for battle, I happened to be recovering from injuries. Otherwise, the matters in Yanbei should've fallen to me. Instead, Seventh Brother took the burden. Now, Old Seven and Qingqing have been fighting in Yanbei for years. You and I know the hardships. How could I reprimand their son?"

Gao Qingqing was left speechless, knowing he was right.

Li Xuanli continued, "Moreover, Li Hao did nothing wrong. You saw at the banquet how eloquent he was, speaking confidently to the elders without being rude or annoying. For his age, his maturity is rare. It's a pity he couldn't cultivate earlier. Otherwise, our Wushuang might not compare."

Gao Qingqing, who had just calmed down, heard these praises and comparisons, and her temper flared up again. She huffed, "Then you should go with your Li Hao!"

With that, she stormed into the house.

Li Xuanli stood there, bewildered, wondering what he had said wrong to upset her again.

Elsewhere, in Shuihua Courtyard, Liu Yueying had just sat down on a divan, slamming her hand on the tea table in anger, "That little girl! She's going to be married off, and she still wants to spar with Qianfeng, thinking she can compete for the True Dragon position? Doesn't she know her own limits!"

The young girl had said sparring, but Liu Yueying could read between the lines. The girl had timed her return just right, clearly with the intent to compete.

Although the True Dragon position in the Li family had been traditionally held by the male direct descendants for centuries, there had been instances where it was given to females. But that was centuries ago, and that woman never married, instead, she managed the family and became a renowned female general in Dayu.

Could that girl really think she could emulate their ancestor?

"Hmph, just a mere Spirit Wanderer Realm. Overestimating herself..." Liu Yueying sneered, her smile returning.

An old maid, who had followed Liu Yueying silently, showed a hint of sadness and regret in her eyes. She remembered a time when the wives of the nine households were harmonious and loving, with no gaps between them.

But that had changed.

When did this change start? The old maid, having served the Li family for many years, could vaguely recall.

It seemed to have begun with the successive deaths of the Li family's eldest and third sons. That was when the joyful times disappeared.

...

The next day.

Li Hao was waiting on a side path outside the mansion, and soon, the sound of hooves approached from behind.

"Brother Hao." Li Yuanzhao called, riding up to Li Hao, and the two headed to the Dan Palace together.

"Did you get enough to eat yesterday?"

"Almost burst."

"Haha."

"Brother Hao, my mother's sharp-tongued, don't take it to heart..." Li Yuanzhao said thoughtfully.

Li Hao waved it off, "We're brothers, no need to mention it. I won't blame your mother."

Li Yuanzhao beamed, relieved, "I knew you'd be magnanimous, Brother Hao."

Li Hao smiled.

Recalling the events of the previous night's banquet, Li Yuanzhao remarked, "The ladies were all praising Cousin Wushuang, not knowing your cultivation level far surpasses hers. Brother Hao, why didn't you say anything last night?"

Casually tugging the reins, Li Hao let his horse trot happily, "What's the point of saying it? Competing for attention with kids is too childish."

Li Yuanzhao paused, then laughed, "That's just like you, Brother Hao."

"If Cousin knew you called her a child, she'd be furious."

"You're a child too."

"Brother Hao, you..."

"Haha."

Li Hao laughed.

Though slightly exasperated, having grown up with Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao found nothing strange in his words. He continued, "But Brother Hao, your cultivation level will soon be known by the ladies."

Li Hao nodded, unconcerned.

Once Uncle Fu returned from Cangyu City in the next couple of days, the news would likely spread.

The peaceful days wouldn't last much longer.

Fortunately, Cangyu City was in Qizhou, Summer Family's territory. With hundreds of cities in the state and minimal casualties from the demon disaster, the news hadn't caused much of a stir.

Moreover, Li Family's attention had been focused on Yanbei for years, with little left to monitor other territories guarded by the family.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Li Hao tugged the reins, and the red-blooded horse, sensing something, stopped in its tracks.

Ahead, under the shade of a tree, stood a figure in white, none other than Li Wushuang.

Li Yuanzhao squinted his eyes, recognizing her, and whispered, "Brother Hao, that's Cousin. Did she hear what we just said?"

"Whether she did or not doesn't matter."

Li Hao raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit exasperated but rode forward.

People who deliberately waited for you were hard to avoid.

As the hoofbeats drew near, Li Wushuang turned her head, evidently having noticed them long ago. Her face was cold, "Last night, with the aunts present, I didn't want to make a fuss. But you won't get away with bullying my brother."

"Cousin Wushuang, that was years ago, and it was Li Yun who provoked Brother Hao first." Li Yuanzhao quickly explained.

Li Wushuang coldly glanced at him, "Shut up."

Then she addressed Li Hao, "You're a few months older than my brother. How you bullied him back then, I'll repay today. You better not resist, or I won't hold back."

Li Hao couldn't help but laugh, "I spanked that kid. Are you going to spank me too?"

Li Wushuang froze, her face turning cold, "Not spanking, but I'll slap your face!"

With that, she suddenly lunged forward, covering the ten-meter distance in a flash, aiming to strike Li Hao on the horse.

As her hand swung towards his face, Li Hao leaned back slightly, then grabbed her wrist, using a Tai Chi technique to unbalance her, and with the power of telekinesis, pinned her onto the horse.

"You!"

Li Wushuang's pupils contracted, a look of shock in her eyes.

"Slap me? If it weren't for you being a Li family member, you'd be in big trouble."

Li Hao snorted, then raised his hand and spanked her hard a few times.

"Getting revenge for your brother, huh? I should've hit him harder back then!"