Volume 3 - Chapter 392: My Name Is Haotian (Part 2)
Li Hao couldn’t help but say, “I can explain everything to that senior myself. I promise, your family won’t be put in a difficult position.”
Madam Su’s gaze narrowed slightly. “You’ve traveled far. You must be tired. Yaoqin, take him to rest.”
Just then, she seemed to remember something. “What is your name?”
Only now did Li Hao realize he had yet to introduce himself, and the madam had only just thought to ask. After a brief pause, he spoke softly:
“This junior is named Haotian.”
The Black Tortoise’s imperial soul had mentioned before—there were countless humans in the True Realm. A single immortal city housed billions, and a single immortal dynasty held thousands of such cities. Duplicate names were common by the millions. There was no need to hide his real name.
Besides, this was the Northern Domain. His aura had been severed, and his appearance subtly altered by the Black Tortoise’s power. Even if those Southern Domain prodigies stood before him, they might suspect but could never be certain. Compared to names or faces, the only foolproof method to confirm identity was through one’s aura—like a fingerprint, utterly unique.
“Haotian…”
Madam Su nodded slightly, then gave a quiet order for her maid to escort the young man out.
“Madam Su, I…”
Li Hao didn’t want to waste time. He longed to meet the reincarnation of Ying Xiaoxiao—or rather, of Shi Miao. But before he could finish, the maid in a moon-blue dress at Madam Su’s side stepped forward, her face cold.
“Master Haotian. This way.”
Li Hao looked toward Madam Su, but she only smiled and said nothing.
“I truly did not come for any marriage arrangement,” he said again, this time with a deep breath and utmost sincerity.
Madam Su replied with a gentle smile, “You’re tired. Go rest first. Otherwise, people will say the Su family doesn’t know how to treat its guests.”
“Please.”
The maid extended her hand. Though polite on the surface, her tone was unmistakably commanding.
Li Hao’s expression darkened slightly, but he restrained himself. Before he could meet Ying Xiaoxiao’s reincarnation, he wasn’t willing to start a conflict with the Su family.
After he was led away by Yaoqin, another maid named Zhiyuan, noticing her mistress’s gradually chilling demeanor, asked cautiously:
“Madam… that boy is clearly feigning ignorance to advance by retreat. Are you really going to agree to this marriage? Who knows where he picked up that contract? If we say yes, wouldn’t he rise overnight?”
Madam Su’s gaze lingered on the threshold where Li Hao had just exited. Her voice was cold:
“What do you know? That item is a Great Dao Treasure. How could it possibly have been discarded? It still bears the aura of an Imperial Lord. The boy is likely either a descendant or someone favored by that Lord.”
She suddenly remembered—she had forgotten to use the Soulspan Mirror of the Jingwei Hall to measure his soul longevity.
But she quickly let it go. He was at the Immortal Lord realm. If he had arrived with a marriage contract, then he must indeed be a talented prodigy of the human race. Her earlier words hadn’t been purely polite.
Still, human prodigies were as common as stars. To seek her daughter’s hand? That was a fantasy.
And if we speak of true talent, was there anyone among humans who could rival that one from the Lin family?
“We’ll wait until the family head returns. Even if a marriage is arranged, it won’t be to Muqing. The contract does say he must marry someone of the Su family’s top lineage, but if Muqing is already engaged, we can’t just tear that apart.”
Her eyes flickered. The contract had been carelessly drafted—riddled with loopholes. Back then, the ancestor and that Imperial Lord were figures of unimaginable standing. It had likely been a casual promise, not given much weight.
But now she was the Su family’s matriarch. She had no choice but to weigh every decision carefully.
This was about the Su family’s future bloodline, the balance of power across the Gusu Imperial Star, and the influence of the human race in the Northern Domain. It couldn’t be decided by a single offhand remark.
A cause planted in the past—now bearing fruit in the present. Not even an Imperial Lord could foresee the changes birthed by countless years.
“Settle him in the side courtyard. Make sure the other children in the inner court aren’t disturbed. Lest he be dazzled by splendor and grow greedy…”
Her tone was light, but the meaning was clear.
Zhiyuan bowed and obeyed, then sent a voice transmission using her command token to Yaoqin, who was guiding the youth.
…
Side Courtyard.
Yaoqin received the transmission and immediately understood. After serving the matriarch for ten thousand years, she was sharp and subtle. Of course she grasped the matriarch’s intention.
Without hesitation, she shifted direction atop a rainbow bridge and addressed the youth behind her:
“This way, please.”
The words sounded polite—but were cold and devoid of courtesy.
Li Hao could tell she held him in contempt, but paid it no mind. His brow furrowed slightly. A hint of helplessness and urgency crept into his heart. He had thought presenting that item would allow him to see Ying Xiaoxiao’s reincarnation immediately.
Instead, complications had arisen.
His eyes swept the surroundings. As they passed through various courtyards, he saw celestial gardens filled with divine trees and spiritual plants. Even the maids and servants walking about had formidable auras—most were at the True Immortal realm, with Immortal Lord overseers at every turn.
“Master, it is improper to stare.”
Yaoqin noticed the youth glancing around and couldn’t hide the disdain in her eyes.
The marriage wasn’t even confirmed, and already he was gazing longingly at the splendors of high society?
What a dreamer.
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