What One Relies On When Roaming the Jianghu

The scent of Cotton Jade Crisps drifted over; Li Hao could smell it from far away. Uncle Liu had made them himself.

Uncle Liu might only have been a small vendor, but his fried crisps were truly unmatched. The fact that he had been able to run a stall for years on the most prosperous street outside the Divine General Residence was proof enough of his skill.

The aroma came from the edge of the square. When Li Hao brought Li Yuanzhao over, he saw that there were clearly far fewer young men and women here; most had hurried toward the Entrance Stairway of Tan Palace Academy. Still, quite a few figures lingered before the various stalls, and judging from their clothing and adornments, they were obviously from other prefectures.

Since they had finally come to Qing Prefecture, tasting the local delicacies counted as part of the trip.

Li Hao saw a long line stretching out in front of Uncle Liu's stall. Most of them were young women, and there were also some servants dressed as houseboys and maidservants queuing up to buy for their masters.

Li Hao pulled Li Yuanzhao along and lined up at the end of the long queue to wait.

"Hao Ge, you still haven't eaten breakfast?"

Li Yuanzhao could not help asking.

Li Hao nodded.

"Wait here, I'll go buy it for you right now."

As soon as Li Yuanzhao finished speaking, he shouted toward the front, "Uncle Liu, prepare two breakfasts for us!"

His voice rang out loudly, and the people waiting around them all cast their gazes over. Seeing the two of them dressed in fine brocade and luxurious robes, with costly attire, they knew they were young masters from some wealthy family.

Beside Uncle Liu at the stall, Aunt Liu was busy collecting money and serving customers. Hearing Li Yuanzhao's words, she looked up and only then realized that Young Master Hao was at the back. She hurriedly answered with a smile, then gave instructions to Old Liu, who had his head down and was working hard:

"It's Young Master Hao from the Divine General Residence. Hurry and make him two portions."

Old Liu was startled. Amid all his busyness, he lifted his head and glanced over. When he saw the young man at the end of the line, his old, wrinkled face could not help splitting into a smile.

Toward peddlers, errand boys, and people like them at the very bottom of the nine streams, the powerful and noble had always curled their lips in disdain, their eyes filled with disgust and contempt.

Only this Young Master Hao treated them all alike, without the slightest avoidance. Three years ago, he had even sat right on the ground and hawked wares for them in front of their stall. That scene had nearly frightened the couple out of their wits and left them overwhelmed by favor. From then on, they remembered this peculiar young master of a famous house.

"You little brat..."

Li Hao had originally wanted to pull Li Yuanzhao back and simply wait slowly, but when he saw Aunt Liu smile at him after hearing the shout, he could only helplessly lead Li Yuanzhao forward and quietly wait at the other side of the stall.

Beside them, some of the houseboys and maidservants in line kept glancing over, but did not dare say anything.

But the young women who were personally waiting in line all darkened in expression and shot them hostile looks. Someone said in dissatisfaction:

"Why does he get to cut straight in? That's not fair!"

"Exactly!"

"Boss, you're being far too unfair!"

When Li Yuanzhao heard these accusations, he grew a little anxious and was about to reveal the Divine General Residence's status and name, but Li Hao pressed a hand to his chest and held him back.

Since things had already come to this, Li Hao could only step forward to settle it. He felt slightly helpless inside, but on his face, he smiled at the chattering girls, then took an ingot of gold from his pouch and handed it to Uncle Liu's stall. His tone was warm and gentle as he said, "Ladies, there's no need to be angry. I'll give you this fairness—five times the price."

Aunt Liu panicked and hurriedly tried to stuff the gold back into Li Hao's hand. "Young Master Hao, we can't accept this!"

"No need for change. Consider it payment for the future as well." Li Hao smiled and pushed it back, his gentle gaze carrying an unquestionable firmness.

Small vendors also counted as people roaming the jianghu, and their ability to read the room was quite impressive. Aunt Liu immediately understood and no longer declined.

Li Hao said, "Sorry to trouble you, Uncle Liu. Make it five portions."

"Oh, oh, all right!" Uncle Liu hurriedly agreed.

Since his own wife was no longer being polite, all he had to do was work.

When the other young women in line saw how deep-pocketed Li Hao was, they were all furious beyond measure. Even at five times the price, they could afford one crisp, but none of them wanted to be that fool with money to burn.

Very soon, the five portions of Cotton Jade Crisps were in hand. Li Hao casually handed one bag to Li Yuanzhao, then turned and left the crowd.

"So many. Hao Ge, can you finish them?"

Li Yuanzhao looked at the four bags in Li Hao's hands, took a bite of his own portion, and clicked his tongue. "So fragrant. No wonder Hao Ge likes them!"

Li Hao smiled and returned to the carriage. Seeing Qingzhi and Li Fu standing guard behind the carriage compartment, he handed each of them a bag.

"Young Master, you still haven't gone to the Entrance Stairway?" Li Fu took the breakfast and looked at Li Hao in some astonishment.

Li Hao said, "I have to fill my stomach first, don't I?"

"..." Li Fu had no response. But after following Li Hao for five or six years, he could be considered familiar with the boy's nature, so he said nothing more. In any case, they had an invitation.

Li Hao returned to the front of the carriage and glanced at Uncle Ming, who was sitting on the carriage board. Although the other party was from Snowdrift Courtyard, he had always been fairly courteous to him in daily life, so Li Hao conveniently handed him a portion too.

"Many thanks, Young Master Hao."

Uncle Ming hurriedly accepted it with both hands, rose, and thanked him.

Immediately afterward, he voiced the same doubt as Li Fu and asked, "Young Master Hao, you... still haven't gone to the Entrance Stairway?"

"I'll go after I finish eating," Li Hao said.

Li Ming was slightly speechless. Young Master Yun and Miss Zhi Ning were probably already inside the mountain gate by now, yet this Young Master Hao was still wandering around at the foot of the mountain. He was indeed just like the rumors said—truly leisurely...

After eating and drinking their fill, Li Hao brought the already impatient Li Yuanzhao through the crowd and arrived before the Entrance Stairway.

It was called a stairway, but in truth, it was a long flight of steps.

It was said to have a full thousand steps, leading to the gates of Tan Palace Academy.

This was also Tan Palace Academy's first test.

Simply climbing a thousand steps was not difficult, but at this moment, on the other side of the steps where the mountain forest lay, figures were darting up and down in waves. They were clearly the shadows of ape demons.

Though they were demons, they had all been tamed by Tan Palace Academy.

Those challenging the Entrance Stairway would be harassed and attacked by these ape demons during their climb. If they could not reach the top from amid the ape demons' attacks within ten breaths, it would count as failure in the first trial.

This test could not be called easy. Merely climbing required the strength of the sixth or seventh level of the Power Through Realm, let alone dodging ape demons that might ambush at any moment, which tested eyesight and movement skill even more.

"Miss, this test seems a little difficult!"

In the crowd, a maid held an umbrella and spoke nervously to the white-clad girl beside her.

"There's nothing difficult about it. It's merely the first minor test. It won't stop me."

Si Xiaolan's expression was calm, but her gaze was scanning all around the crowd. "Compared with this kind of test, among these people, there are quite a few formidable opponents..."

With her exceptional experience, as she looked around, she saw many from famous and noble families.

Among them, some had higher status than their Si Family, while others were slightly inferior.

"Miss, those two over there seem to be young masters from Qing Prefecture's Divine General Residence." The maid stood on tiptoe and looked around, suddenly pointing to a spot on the left.

Si Xiaolan lifted her head and glanced over. Recognizing the sleeve patterns, she nodded slightly. "That's right."

At this moment, as she looked over, those two were just about to register and enter.

Si Xiaolan's heart stirred, and she immediately walked forward to register as well.

So what if they're from the Divine General Residence? I heard the Li Family are all true dragons. I'd like to see just how much worse I am than them. As Si Xiaolan thought this, a few rays of light appeared in her eyes, along with a faint, stubborn fighting spirit.

"Age, native place, name."

"Ji Province, Si Family."

In front of the registration personnel, Si Xiaolan only reported her family surname. The registration for this first trial was very casual. Sure enough, when the registrar heard the words Si Family, he looked up at the girl, then nodded:

"Go in. You all know the rules, right? No matter what method you use, as long as you reach the top within ten breaths."

"Ten breaths? Too long."

Beside her, another richly dressed young man said indifferently.

Si Xiaolan glanced at him and recognized him as the descendant of a famous house from another prefecture. Her eyes brightened even more.

"Miss, they're all from famous families. Should we wait for the next batch..." Beside her, the maid hesitated nervously and tugged at the corner of the girl's clothing.

"What's there to fear?"

Si Xiaolan's eyes shone brilliantly. "What one relies on when roaming the jianghu is not a name, but real ability in fists and feet!"

After speaking, she told the maid to obediently wait there, then followed the people ahead into the field.

She wanted to make a secret comparison.

"Prepare yourselves," an old man beside them, sitting as if in meditation, said indifferently as he lifted his eyelids.

Everyone adjusted their breathing and moved their joints.

"Yuanzhao, do your best." Li Hao smiled as he encouraged Li Yuanzhao.

This boy insisted on relying on his own ability to challenge this trial, and Li Hao had no way around it.

"Mm!"

Li Yuanzhao nodded heavily.

The others glanced at Li Hao, feeling that his words were a little strange, but they did not think too much of it.

At this moment, following the old man's command, more than ten people exerted their strength at the same time! Whoosh! A violent wind suddenly rolled up beside them. Li Yuanzhao's figure took the lead like a cannonball, abruptly shooting forward, and a depression actually appeared where he had been standing.

Almost in the blink of an eye, he had stepped onto the hundredth step. Then he strode out once more, taking the lead like a hurricane and rapidly reaching the top! From start to finish, it took no more than three breaths.

Li Hao knew that to Yuanzhao, who had perfected the Circulation Realm, this did not count as truly exerting himself.

The instant Si Xiaolan saw Li Yuanzhao's figure dash out, her beautiful eyes contracted slightly. Immediately after, she also erupted with power, turning into a streak of white light and swiftly chasing after him, but in the blink of an eye, she had been left behind.

On the way, an ape demon suddenly attacked, but she had long been prepared. Like a butterfly turning in the air, she drifted aside and dodged it. Then, with several arrow-fast steps, she finally rushed to the peak.

She counted it out. Seven breaths.

When she arrived, someone reached the top almost at the same time, right behind her.

After ten breaths passed, out of twelve people, only seven had passed.

Those standing on the mountaintop all looked with complicated expressions at that short, plump, unremarkable fellow, fear showing in their eyes.

The speed Li Yuanzhao had unleashed earlier had been far too terrifying. Merely the violent wind driven by his body had carried the might of a tiger's roar.

Is this a monster from the Divine General Residence? The gap is too great.

Si Xiaolan's eyes were grave as she continuously sized up this little fatty, who seemed to be one or two years younger than her. Deep in her heart was an extremely unpleasant feeling—a profound sense of defeat.

At this moment, someone noticed that of the two from the Divine General Residence, only one had reached the top.

Someone turned back to look and discovered in astonishment that on the steps, a figure was slowly strolling up at an unhurried pace.

And the ape demons around him did not launch any attacks at him.

"Hao Ge."

Li Yuanzhao turned and waved in greeting.

Very soon, Li Hao also walked onto the top level and smiled at Li Yuanzhao.

"Does he count as passing too?" someone asked in shock and doubt.

"Ten breaths were over long ago, right?"

Everyone was uncertain and amazed.

There was also an old man on the mountaintop, responsible for verifying the examinees. Hearing their discussions, he said indifferently, "You have all passed. Go to the second trial. There, you may lose your lives. If you want to withdraw, you may give up. After all, there are other famous houses that will accept disciples."

These words left people with nothing to say, and also let them feel the other party's confidence.

"Does he count as passing too?" Si Xiaolan asked with a frown, pointing at Li Hao.

"Of course. He has an invitation," the old man said calmly.

"An invitation?"

"Tan Palace Academy actually has invitations?"

Everyone's eyes widened without exception. They were all shocked, clearly learning of such a thing for the first time.

Everyone was fighting to cross the river, yet someone had simply rowed a boat across? And that boat ticket had even been personally given by Tan Palace Academy! Li Hao smiled at this little girl in white, who was filled with righteous spirit. In the mood to tease her, he took the invitation from his chest and shook it, then went straight on.

Si Xiaolan froze for a moment. Thinking of what she had said earlier—what one relied on when roaming the jianghu was fists and feet... Fists and feet, my ass. What he relied on was having someone backing him! Thinking of Li Hao's show-off manner, she stamped her foot fiercely in anger, then gnashed her teeth and followed.

Before long, everyone arrived at the second trial.

Not far ahead on the mountaintop, there was actually a sheer cliff, and below the cliff, chains had been nailed in one after another, connecting to the opposite shore.

The distance between each chain was quite large. In other words, one could only set foot on a single chain.

A ten-thousand-zhang cliff, crossed by walking on one lone chain?

Some people's expressions changed slightly, and thoughts of retreat rose in them.

Si Xiaolan's eyes narrowed slightly, and cold sweat unconsciously seeped from her palms. Then her gaze swept over the two noble, imposing figures ahead.

Here, they can't rely on an invitation again, can they? she sneered inwardly.