Chapter Fifteen: Subduing the Three—Kuei Hu and His Companions

Chapter Fifteen: Subduing Kuihu and His Companions

The first words out of Lu Yao’s mouth were to ask if Li Hao was hurt, not to complain that he had left her behind or to speak of the hardship she had endured alone. What a considerate and understanding girl she was.

“Yao’er, don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m sorry—I didn’t think things through and made you suffer,” Li Hao replied, without a trace of blame for Lu Yao slowing him down. His heart was filled only with tenderness for her.

“I’m all right, as long as Brother Li Hao is safe,” Lu Yao responded.

Kuihu and his companions, witnessing this exchange, felt neither envy nor jealousy. Instead, their hearts were heavy with anxiety for their own fate. Seeing the close bond between Lu Yao and Li Hao, they found it hard to believe. This boy must have an extraordinary identity, they thought. To address Her Highness, the princess, as “Yao’er” and call her by name—apart from her own brother, no ordinary person would dare such familiarity.

What’s more, they recalled that she had just called him “Brother Li Hao.” Who was this youth? Why had they never heard of him before? Their curiosity about Li Hao’s background only grew.

Years later, when the name Li Hao would resound throughout the universe, Kuihu and his friends would regard this day—when they tried to rob Li Hao and lived to tell the tale—as the highest honor of their lives.

“Yao’er, did he bully you?” Li Hao asked worriedly, pointing at Qin Zhen.

“He only restricted my movements and speech. Nothing else,” Lu Yao answered.

Hearing this, both Li Hao and Kuihu’s group breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Qin Zhen hadn’t done anything more, or the consequences would have been unimaginable.

But in truth, there simply hadn’t been time for Qin Zhen to do anything worse. When he returned to watch over Lu Yao, he encountered her halfway. As he tried to capture her, Lu Yao turned and ran. She was, after all, at the Minor Completion stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, matching Li Hao’s earlier cultivation. Only when Li Hao had gained a breakthrough while studying the art of alchemy had he edged ahead. Lacking speed techniques, Lu Yao was soon caught by Qin Zhen. In her struggle, her mask slipped off, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty that left Qin Zhen momentarily stunned. Seizing the moment, Lu Yao balled her little fists and punched him squarely in the nose, causing blood to spurt and pain to contort his face. To prevent further struggle and cries for help, Qin Zhen used a law to conjure a chain and bind her to a tree, sealing her mouth as well. He had intended to take revenge for his bloodied nose, but just as he was about to act, he heard Li Hao returning and abandoned the thought, turning instead to block Li Hao’s path. Li Hao’s timely return saved not only Lu Yao, but also spared their families from disaster—though none of this was known to the three at the time.

In some moments, beauty can render an enemy defenseless; had this been a fight to the death, Qin Zhen’s hesitation could have cost him his life.

Gradually, Lu Yao composed herself and stepped out of Li Hao’s embrace. Turning to Kuihu’s group, she asked, “Why did you attack us?”

The three were terrified, unable to answer, their heads bowed and bodies trembling.

“They just wanted my Soul Coins,” Li Hao supplied.

“We beg Your Highness’s mercy. We’ll never dare do such a thing again,” Kuihu pleaded, dropping to his knees before Li Hao and Lu Yao. Li Zhan and Qin Zhen followed suit.

Lu Yao looked to Li Hao for guidance, unsure what to do.

“Yao’er, I think we should let it go. We didn’t really lose anything today, and we did sneak out to have some fun. If Grandpa Baicao, Uncle Lu Feng, or Aunt Qin Ya found out, I’m afraid you’d be scolded,” Li Hao said after some thought.

“I’ll leave everything to Brother Li Hao,” Lu Yao replied, entrusting the aftermath to him.

Li Hao didn’t mind sorting out such troubles for Lu Yao; in his heart, it was only right that he do so.

“If you agree to three conditions, I’ll let you go and won’t pursue this matter further,” Li Hao said to Kuihu and his friends.

No matter what the conditions were, compared to their lives and their families’ safety, this was a stroke of luck. The three nodded eagerly. “Please, Young Master, say it. We’ll do whatever you ask.”

At this point, they had no choice but to agree—there was no other road left.

“First, you must keep our identities secret. We’ll return to Lishui City to participate in the talent selection for the Gathering of the Worthy.”

What? These two, so young, were going to enter the Gathering of the Worthy? Surely, they were joking! Kuihu and his companions were stunned.

“Second, you must never bully the weak or fear the strong. If I find out otherwise, you’ll bear the consequences.”

This was a trivial matter, well within their abilities. They had expected trickier demands, but the first two were surprisingly simple.

Little did they know, this second condition would change their lives forever. Years later, the restraint it imposed would lead them to heights they’d never imagined.

“And the third…” Li Hao paused, thinking carefully. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

What kind of condition is that? If you haven’t decided now, who knows when you will? Still, they could hardly complain. Survival from the jaws of death was more than they could hope for. Such were Kuihu and his friends’ thoughts.

From this moment, their fates were forever altered by Li Hao’s appearance. After the selection trials, their elders would notice subtle changes in these gifted youths—a transformation of character that made them more beloved by all around them.

“Our mounts—where are they?” Li Hao suddenly remembered and looked at Qin Zhen.

“The big bird—I drove it into the woods,” Qin Zhen replied nervously.

“Please wait here, Young Master, Your Highness. We’ll fetch it at once,” Kuihu said, quick-witted as ever, and hurried off with Qin Zhen and Li Zhan.

Once they were far away, the three exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts still pounding.

Before long, they returned with the Rainbow Cloud Eagle.

“Yao’er, let’s go home,” Li Hao said, now that their mount was found.

“Young Master—” Kuihu called, stopping Li Hao.

“What is it?” Li Hao asked, puzzled.

“We wish to follow you from now on. Please, accept us as your followers,” Kuihu said. The three had discussed this while searching for the eagle and had decided to pledge themselves to Li Hao, recognizing his talent and strength, which far surpassed theirs despite his youth.

Li Hao was taken aback by the sudden request, never expecting such a turn.

After a moment, he said, “I’m much younger than you. It doesn’t seem right for me to be your leader.”

“You’re stronger than all three of us. It’s only fitting. So long as you don’t mind our weakness and think we’ll embarrass you,” Kuihu replied earnestly.

“Let me consider it. I’ll give you an answer the next time I come to Lishui City,” Li Hao said, neither accepting nor refusing right away.

“Very well. Next time, we’ll greet you properly as our leader,” Kuihu said, but in his heart, he already regarded Li Hao as such.

“But don’t keep calling me ‘Leader.’ It sounds awkward. Just call me Li Hao, or Young Master,” Li Hao corrected them.

“Then we three brothers will take our leave. Young Master, Your Highness, safe travels,” Kuihu said, catching himself as he started to say “Leader.”

They had wanted to escort Li Hao and Lu Yao, but he declined. So, together with Lu Yao, Li Hao mounted the Rainbow Cloud Eagle and returned the way they had come.

The day’s small misadventures had ended without harm for Li Hao and Lu Yao.

As for Kuihu and his companions, their emotions had been on a rollercoaster—ecstatic at the sight of ten thousand silver Soul Coins, despondent upon learning Li Hao and Lu Yao’s identities, and finally amazed by the unexpected outcome: gaining a peerless leader. What a twist of fate.

On the way home, Lu Yao’s curiosity got the better of her. “Brother Li Hao, did you fight with them?”

“Yes, with the one of medium height. He wasn’t as strong as I expected; I injured him with a single punch. The most intimidating one just stood by and watched as I did it—he didn’t dare challenge me. Then I realized one of them was missing, and when I asked, I learned he’d gone after you. So I hurried back, worried for your safety,” Li Hao explained, referring to Li Zhan, who was not as sturdy as Kuihu, but a bit taller than Qin Zhen.

Lu Yao covered her cherry lips with delicate hands, laughing with delight. In her eyes, Brother Li Hao was simply adorable. His playful account banished any lingering distress from her heart. Li Hao, watching her, couldn’t help but be captivated by her radiant beauty.

“It’s not that they’re weak, it’s that my Brother Li Hao is too strong,” Lu Yao praised.

Chatting and laughing as they went, the two youths and their mount made their way back toward the Hall of Sacred Healing.