Li Hao looked into the old man's eyes and saw the chilling killing intent within. He considered for a moment and merely nodded slightly.
"Who was it?"
Seeing that it was indeed so, Li Muxiu flew into a rage.
To let a seven-year-old child suffer such an indignity, those second-generation young mistresses were practically turning the world upside down!
Li Hao shook his head slightly and said, "I don't want to say for now."
"Why?" Li Muxiu blinked in surprise, staring at Li Hao, then he immediately understood the child's thoughts:
"You don't trust me? Think I might be related to those coveting you? Heh, you're overthinking it; I have no sons or daughters, and there are few in this world worth my concern."
Li Hao continued to shake his head without uttering a word.
Li Muxiu watched him with a stern face. After a moment, the anger on his face dissipated, and he nodded slightly, a touch of gratified smile emerging:
"We've just met, and we're not exactly close, so it's only natural for you to remain this cautious. However, if you're reluctant to reveal who that person is, why are you willing to expose your strength in front of me? You could have easily let that fish demon off the hook and taken the rod away with no repercussions, continuing to hide."
Li Hao smiled slightly and said, "Because, old man, you're not bad at all."
Li Muxiu was taken aback, looking at Li Hao's radiant smile and those clear eyes, he was momentarily entranced.
After a long while, he came to his senses and couldn't help but laugh with a hint of self-mockery.
"Then you are mistaken, I'm not a bad person, but when I do become 'bad', I'm not like a person at all."
"Then what are you like?"
"When you step out of the Divine General Mansion, you'll hear of my reputation outside," Li Muxiu said with a smile.
Seeing this, Li Hao didn't ask any further.
"You little rascal, so smart at such a young age, it's a bit of a pity," Li Muxiu sized up Li Hao, growing increasingly fond of the child. If such a seedling could practice normally, wouldn't he be another little Jun Ye?
However, it was just a hint of regret, without much attachment.
After all, becoming Li Junye, what of it? Didn't he also die in battle? It seems like the destiny of the Li Family's boys.
"From now on, there's no need to hide your Body Refinement talent from me. Display it openly and confidently; I've seen many geniuses, and yours is just the standard for top-notch geniuses; it won't scare me, the old man," Li Muxiu said indifferently. "If there's anyone in the mansion who covets you, thinking you're obstructing someone, I want to see if our Divine General Mansion can still accommodate a child with Body Refinement abilities."
...
...
After sorting out the catch, Li Muxiu flew back to Qingzhou City with Li Hao.
To foster Li Hao's interest in fishing, Li Muxiu did not land directly at Listening Rain Tower within the inner residence, but instead descended at the mansion's main gate. Then, he had Li Hao carry the fish basket, and together, the old man and the child boldly strode into the residence.
"Old man, what is this about?" Li Hao asked, puzzled.
"You don't understand, this is the fishing tradition," Li Muxiu said with his head held high and chest puffed out, appearing quite proud and composed.
"That's not including the one you killed, plus the one I used as bait; you caught four more after that, which for a beginner like you, is already a great harvest. You must show it off to everyone."
"Is there such a rule?" Li Hao was astonished.
Li Muxiu gave him a glare, "If I say there is, then there is."
"Mu Tianhou!"
The house servants and maids along the way were startled to see Li Muxiu, unable to understand why the Sea-Calming Divine Needle, who usually stayed in Listening Rain Tower, would be here. They quickly performed salutations and knelt.
Li Muxiu acted as if he saw nothing, ignoring them and walked straight past with Li Hao.
The two took many turns, intentionally passing through crowded areas.
In the practice yard, the family's young members were training, and an older soldier was lecturing from above. Yet, Li Muxiu pushed open the door and entered.
The old soldier was about to frown, but upon seeing Li Muxiu's face, he was shocked and quickly got up to greet him: "Old General of Yuan Camp pays respects to Mu Tianhou!"
"I'm in the middle of teaching."
Li Muxiu, knowingly asking a question he already knew the answer to, said indifferently, "I took Hao Er out to go fishing today. It was his first time trying it, and he had no experience, yet he managed to catch these few little demons. Do you want to take them to accompany your drink?"
The veteran in the military was taken aback, and upon seeing the fish demons in the fish basket held by Li Hao, he quickly responded, "Thank you for the generous offer, my lord, but I've already got my drink accompaniment for today."
A tactful refusal.
Having been in the mansion for many years, how could he not know the character of this old Marquis? He immediately understood that this was a routine show-off.
If he really took them, he'd surely incur the old man's wrath, and he'd likely come in the middle of the night to give him a secret thrashing.
By then, he might not even be able to get out of bed tomorrow.
He dared not take such a risk.
"Oh, that's fine then, continue with your lesson." Li Muxiu spoke with casual indifference, then led Li Hao away.
Li Hao had a face full of confusion. Is this the fishing tradition? It's too forced!
After passing the martial arts training ground, they went to Eternal Spring Court.
"Uncle, what brings you here? It's almost time for lunch. Should I have the servants add a set of bowls and chopsticks for you? What would you like to eat?" He Jianlan was chatting leisurely with Fifth Lady of the Gao Family when she saw Li Muxiu; both of them quickly got up to greet him.
Li Muxiu indifferently said, "Hao Er caught a few small fish, so I thought we could make soup for you."
"These were caught by Hao Er?"
He Jianlan was taken aback, looking at Li Hao holding the fish basket, and the few small fish within that were jumping and struggling vigorously.
"Otherwise, do you think I would fish for this kind of small fish?" Li Muxiu glared at her in annoyance, his face showing displeasure.
He Jianlan fell silent, knowing well that this uncle had a strange temperament. Disrespecting him was a minor issue, but one must never touch upon the topic of fishing.
"Yes, yes, since it's a gift from Uncle, I shall gratefully accept it." He Jianlan said immediately.
"Why thank me? It's Hao Er's fish." Li Muxiu emphasized.
He Jianlan paused, then expressed helplessly, "Then, thank you, Hao Er."
"No need to be polite, Great Aunt." Li Hao chimed in quickly, while casting a sidelong glance at the old man, who was making him feel like he was on pins and needles, filled with anxiety and discomfort.
After handing over the fish to He Jianlan, when the elder and the young one had left, He Jianlan looked at the small fish, realizing they were all from the Power Passage Realm, and couldn't help but be astonished.
She had previously heard from Li Fu that Li Hao had a talent for Body Refinement, and it seemed it was indeed the case.
"Did that child really catch these?"
Gao Qingqing was surprised as she looked at the small fish. Li Hao was known to be a Martial Arts invalid, and everyone thought he was just an ordinary person. Yet, he managed to catch small demons from the Power Passage Realm; this meant Li Hao had started to cultivate, and his progress wasn't bad.
"Uncle wouldn't lie about fishing." He Jianlan stated.
She gazed toward the courtyard's entrance, where the figures of the old man and the boy had disappeared: "It seems the child has started his cultivation journey on the path of Body Refinement. That's a difficult path, the poor child."
Gao Qingqing couldn't help but shake her head slightly and sighed softly.
Even though Li Hao had a talent for Body Refinement, that path was too harsh, and not many could endure it to the end. If it were her child, she would rather they be an ordinary person and enjoy life in peace.
"It must be the seventh one's doing... they're really heartless." Gao Qingqing whispered sorrowfully.
...
...
When they got back to Listening Rain Tower, Li Hao saw Li Fu waiting from a distance.
Li Muxiu saw him too and snorted softly.
Upon seeing the two of them, Li Fu immediately approached, and noticing the fish blood on Li Hao's clothes, his expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "Uncle, Hao Er, he..."
"When fishing, it's inevitable to have a struggle with fish demons. Don't worry, I was beside him, so Hao Er wouldn't get hurt," Li Muxiu said unruffled.
Li Fu breathed a sigh of relief and then handed over something to Li Hao: "This is a letter from the Sword Cottage, it should be from Miss Xue'er, have a look."