Duan Yu Recognizes His Master

"Heh, Master, you flatter me. As far as I know, there are many sword masters on Sword Lake, and plenty are far more skilled than I am." Li Hao dared not claim to be peerless in the world, as that would only bring him trouble.

Since ancient times, it's been said that there's no number one in literature, but no number two in martial arts. If he were too high-profile, quite a few swordsmen would likely flock to him to 'seek a duel.' If that happened, he'd be driven mad.

"I wonder who the sword masters of the world are. Please enlighten me, Young Hero Li," Jiumozhi asked.

"Master, there's no rush for these matters. We can discuss them later. The most important thing now is to burn this brat to prevent further complications," Li Hao reminded him.

Damn it, what did I do to you? Are you picking a fight with me? You're dead set on burning me alive! Duan Yu's fur bristled instantly. This person clearly had the Six Meridian Divine Sword manual himself, yet he was deliberately making things difficult for him. It was truly incomprehensible.

"Sister Ning, Sister Shiyin, why does husband have to burn this young lord to death? Didn't he agree to transcribe the sword manual? Once he writes it down, can't we just burn it for Mr. Murong?" Yi Lin asked curiously.

However, despite her questions, she didn't repeat her plea for Li Hao to spare the young man.

One shouldn't repeat the same mistake. Just because her husband had let it slide the first time didn't mean she could continue to press the issue.

She was part of the Li family, and she understood that much.

"Do you know who Duan Yu's father is?" Lin Shiyin whispered.

"Who?" Yi Lin asked foolishly. She hadn't even figured out such a simple question.

Yan Shun: "I'm not sure either. He's definitely not mine."

Li Hei: "I don't know either."

"You all know him, and you've had conflicts with him. His father is that great villain who attacked us on the road earlier and nearly killed Sister Ning," Lin Shiyin's words left everyone stunned.

"No way! That villain was so ferocious, and so ugly..." Yi Lin covered her mouth.

"Sister Shiyin, what's going on?" A Bi, who had been listening intently from the side, joined the conversation.

One woman equals two hundred ducks; a group of women...

Li Hao felt his ears buzzing and just wanted to resolve this matter quickly.

"Yan Shun, the auspicious time has arrived. You may proceed with the blade," Li Hao shouted.

Swish! Yan Shun instantly drew his sabre.

"Wait, I have something to say." Seeing that Li Hao's murderous intent hadn't waned, Duan Yu no longer dared to put on airs.

"Speak quickly if you have something to say, and get to the point. If we miss the auspicious time, Old Mr. Murong will be displeased," Li Hao rubbed his forehead. Why was this brat causing so much trouble?

Jiumozhi: I was the one who came to burn the sword manual, how did you become the host? Fine, it seems you are the master of the Murong family now.

"I know your Murong family wants to restore your kingdom. As long as you let me go, I promise that once I become the Emperor of Dali, I will mobilize the entire nation to assist you." Duan Yu was desperate and made a decision that would earn him the scorn of the Dali people and disturb the ancestors of the Duan family.

"Yan Shun, prepare..."

"Second Young Master, please spare his life! Young Master Duan's importance is too great; he cannot be killed!" Deng Baichuan knelt on the ground, tears and snot streaming down his face.

Duan Zhengchun had already been designated the Emperor of Dali. Once he ascended the throne, Duan Yu would be the Crown Prince. Then, with a little maneuvering on their part, Duan Zhengchun could be dealt with quickly, and Duan Yu would become Emperor. And then... Haha, the restoration of Great Yan was in sight.

Seeing the warriors of Canhe Manor kneeling all over the ground, Li Hao was a bit bewildered. He just wanted to kill Duan Yu for some System rewards, so why were so many people pleading for him?

"Yan Shun..."

"Second Young Master, I beg you, please don't kill him. If you want to kill someone, kill me!" A Bi suddenly hugged Li Hao's waist, closed her eyes, stretched out her neck, and assumed a posture of offering herself for execution.

"Miss A Bi, please don't say that. I wouldn't kill you even if I killed Deng Baichuan."

So soft, so big. This was Li Hao's first sensation upon being hugged by A Bi. The second was her fragrance; A Bi exuded a faint, pleasant scent.

Deng Baichuan: Who did I offend?

"Duan Yu, I can spare your life, but you must acknowledge me as your master and be my slave for all eternity," Li Hao said coldly.

"Please bestow upon me the most potent poison, Second Young Master. If I betray you, I will die from the poison," Duan Yu said immediately. Saving my life is paramount. As for my integrity, to hell with it. What use is integrity when I'm dead?

"Duan Yu, do you think I'm stupid? You consumed Mangku Zhuge at the bottom of Mirror Lake, making your body immune to all poisons. You expect me to control you with poison? Do you take me for a fool?" Li Hao looked at Duan Yu mockingly, surprised that he was still thinking of ways to break free at this moment.

"Scoundrel, how dare you deceive my Young Master! You deserve to die," Li Hei, standing beside him, immediately became indignant upon hearing this. He drew his sword and swung it towards Duan Yu's neck.

"I, Duan Yu, swear to the heavens that from this day forward, I will be loyal to Li Hao unto death. If I ever violate this oath, may lightning strike me down, and may my soul and body be annihilated," Duan Yu immediately swore allegiance upon seeing the glint of the blade.

Clang! Yan Shun intercepted Li Hei's blade. After all, Duan Yu had sworn allegiance, so he had to show some respect.

"Add this to the oath: If I violate it again, may my parents die tragically, and may my descendants be slaves for generations, with my sons being impotent for all eternity," Li Hao instructed.

Duan Yu had no choice. Although the oath was harsh, he was willing to do anything to save his life. Duan Yu had studied Buddhist scriptures since he was young and had a strong belief in the present and future lives. Li Hao making him take this oath completely severed any thought of betrayal. He didn't care about his parents dying tragically; they were the cause of his current predicament. However, being a "天倭" (tian wo - literally 'heavenly倭', likely a derogatory term implying weakness or subservience) for all eternity was a bit too much.

"I ask you, who will your many sisters become women to in the future?" Li Hao asked again.

"They will all belong to the Master," Duan Yu said, glancing at the women surrounding Li Hao, and immediately understood Li Hao's intentions.

"Who will your mother and the other women around your father belong to in the future?" As soon as Li Hao finished speaking, he felt four claws appear on his waist, twisting and turning in the soft flesh.

"My father... no, they all belong to the master," Duan Yu said mournfully.

He sold out even his own mother just to survive.

"Good, not bad. You have the right attitude. Yan Shun, prepare the paper, ink, brush, and inkstone. Have him transcribe the Six Meridian Divine Sword manual, Lingbo Weibu, and Bei Ming Divine Skill. Duan Yu, did you hear me?" Li Hao stared directly at him, his eyes filled with endless threat.

"Your subordinate will definitely transcribe all the martial arts manuals I know."

Duan Yu had been forced to practice martial arts by Duan Zhengchun since he was young. He had seen countless martial arts manuals. Coupled with his photographic memory, he had a considerable number stored in his mind.

"Alright then!" Bring it to me for review after you're done. Don't even think about faking it. With your abilities, you can't fool me.

"Brother Deng, come here for a moment."

"Second Young Master, just tell me what you need. Old Deng guarantees he'll handle it perfectly," Deng Baichuan said, patting his chest.

This Second Young Master was much more capable than the Eldest Young Master. The Eldest Young Master had been out for several years and still had nothing to show for it.

The Second Young Master was different. He had casually taken control of a future Crown Prince of Dali.