Chapter 589: A Century of Solitude
This time, before Li Hao could refuse, Su Zhenyuan had already ordered the guards outside the hall to summon his three daughters.
The Su Clan's Four Little Phoenixes, aside from Su Muqing, included three other daughters, each a peerless talent famed throughout Gusu Emperor Star, admired and coveted by many noble families eager to marry into the Su Clan.
…
In the Su Clan's inner courtyard training ground.
After inviting Su Qiyu to the Sword Pool ceremony, Su Muqing and Su Wanqing's presence made the atmosphere among the gathered Su Clan disciples fervent. The Immortal King elder, noticing their eagerness, asked Su Muqing to give a brief demonstration as inspiration.
Su Muqing did not refuse. She and Su Wanqing took to the stage and sparred lightly.
Though they only exchanged a few moves, the footwork and immortal techniques they revealed displayed the power of perfected realms, leaving the watching Su Clan disciples in awe and deep admiration.
"Muqing, once she enters the Original True Realm, will surely reach the Immortal King Realm in no time," the Immortal King elder said with a fond smile, eyes full of pride. After all, centuries ago, the young girl standing there had once toddled across this very stage, lisping and stumbling as she began her training. He had personally guided her through those early days, amazed at her extraordinary comprehension and speed in surpassing her peers within mere months.
By now, he considered himself half her teacher.
"Yes," Su Qiyu nodded. But when he heard the words "Original True Realm," his eyes flickered slightly. He would not miss the opportunity to enter it either.
"Wanqing is impressive, too," the elder continued, glancing at Su Wanqing with a gentle look. "But compared to Muqing, she still falls a bit short. Even so, our Su Clan is blessed to have produced someone like Muqing; it is a sign of great fortune."
If not for Muqing's overwhelmingly monstrous talent, Wanqing would have shone like a brilliant jewel in her own right. But alas, as the saying goes, when the bright moon rises, the stars pale; the world allows only one sun and one moon, never two sharing the same sky.
As the two young women stepped down from the stage, the elder's smile grew even broader. Su Muqing turned to bid farewell to her companions when, suddenly, a ripple of energy swept through the distant air.
A moment later, a figure arrived using extraordinary spatial power, deliberately letting out a faint wave of presence so as not to startle the two young ladies.
"Wanqing Miss, the Clan Master summons you to the Minghuang Hall," the guard from Minghuang Hall said respectfully.
Seeing the elite guards who served only at her father's command, both Su Muqing and Su Wanqing were momentarily stunned. Their father had left earlier on urgent business—could he already be back?
"Why is Father summoning me?" Su Wanqing asked with confusion, glancing at Su Muqing.
Since their father had returned, it would make more sense for him to see Su Muqing first.
The guard's eyes softened. He had watched these two girls grow up, and everyone in the Su Clan loved these twin pearls dearly. He answered softly, "It is about discussing your marriage."
"My… marriage?" Su Wanqing froze, stunned into silence.
Su Muqing's brows lifted slightly. Her recent engagement to the Lin Clan had just been settled, and now her father was arranging a marriage for Wanqing as well—was the situation at the border that dire?
"Miss Wanqing, please," the guard urged respectfully.
Su Wanqing snapped back to herself, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of resistance. Yet when she opened her mouth, she swallowed her words. She understood well: as a child born to the great Su Clan, she had always enjoyed boundless cultivation resources and honor, but had also always known that her destiny would include being sacrificed in a noble alliance.
"I understand," Su Wanqing said softly, eyes dimming.
Su Muqing, seeing her sister's downcast expression, grabbed Wanqing's wrist firmly. Her eyes were bright, and a sharp light flickered in them. "If you dislike the arrangement, just tell me—I will plead with Father on your behalf!"
Su Wanqing's eyes glistened with gratitude as she nodded.
The Minghuang Hall guard hesitated, mouth opening as if to speak, but upon meeting Su Muqing's piercing gaze, he wisely stayed silent. He enveloped the two young women in his spatial domain, exchanged nods with the nearby Immortal King elder and Su Qiyu, and then took his leave.
Meanwhile, in two other courtyards elsewhere in the Su Clan estate, other Minghuang Hall guards were dispatched with the same mission.
…
In Minghuang Hall.
Li Hao stood alongside Su Zhenyuan and Madam Su Qingmei.
As the guards went out to deliver the summons, Su Zhenyuan took the opportunity to question Li Hao about many details—where he had lived before, what techniques he excelled in, which Dao origins he cultivated, and so on.
Li Hao gave selective answers, but kept the details of his own cultivation and techniques to himself.
Su Zhenyuan did not press for more answers. After all, the youth before him possessed peerless talent, destined to one day apprentice under an Emperor—his cultivation and Dao secrets were private, and keeping them concealed was perfectly reasonable.
He granted Li Hao a seat and ordered tea to be served. The air in the grand hall was stifling with a hint of awkwardness until the return of the guards lightened the atmosphere, making it a touch more relaxed.
"Daughters, greet your father," two figures entered the hall. Seeing Su Zhenyuan and their mother seated above, they both bowed respectfully. Their gazes quickly swept toward the young man seated to the side.
When they caught sight of the youth's face, both young women froze, surprise flashing in their eyes. Was this not the same brazen rogue who had stopped them earlier?
"Muqing, what brings you here?" Su Qingmei's face shifted slightly when she saw her daughter Su Muqing appear as well. She instinctively glanced at Li Hao—only to find his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her own daughter, causing her expression to darken, eyes flashing with cold anger.
Su Muqing felt the young man's stare and her mind raced. Was this the "brilliant young talent" her parents were arranging for her sister Wanqing? What awful taste!
Her tone unconsciously chilled as she said, "I came to look out for my sister and see which so-called genius dared come forward to propose marriage to Wanqing."
As she straightened, her eyes turned sharp as blades, locking directly on the young man. But as she looked him in the eye, she found him staring back with an unguarded, intense expression, and her own face changed, a flicker of embarrassment and anger flashing across her features.
Su Wanqing also noticed, but felt more curiosity than offense. Though gentle by nature, she was keenly perceptive—this youth's obvious affection for Muqing was unmistakable. He was likely only proposing marriage to herself as a pretext to get close to her sister.
She felt no anger. Since childhood, she'd seen countless suitors who dared not approach Muqing directly, instead trying to learn her preferences through Wanqing or their other sisters.
Su Zhenyuan also caught the look in Li Hao's eyes. He cleared his throat softly and introduced, "Xiao Hao, this is my daughter Su Wanqing. Her soul lifespan is six hundred and seventy years, and she has reached the fifth level of the Immortal Lord Realm. She possesses a rare Nether Blood Physique, nearly unmatched among her peers."
As he spoke, he noticed Li Hao's gaze had not budged an inch, still locked on Su Muqing with a complex, inexplicable emotion that spoke of more than a first meeting. Su Zhenyuan's mind flickered—could they have met before?
"What are you staring at?" Su Muqing snapped, her shame turning to anger. "You dare be so rude before my sister? Keep staring and I'll gouge your eyes out!"
Li Hao blinked, a memory flashing through his mind: a moon-blue dress fluttering in the summer breeze beside a tea stall, a clear voice saying, "My name is Ying Xiaoxiao—Ying as in destiny, Xiao as in carefree. And you?"
Time seemed to ripple. Overlaid on the girl before him, that familiar face, those same eyes—he almost heard her voice once more.
He murmured softly, "You may call me Hao Tian," echoing the words he'd once spoken so long ago.
The hall fell silent. Su Muqing froze in surprise; the others were equally stunned. Su Muqing's face twisted with rage and disbelief. "Who asked for your name? I don't care if you call yourself Hao Tian or Hao Di—if you keep staring at me, I swear I'll rip your eyes out!"
Her aura flared, erupting with the might of an Immortal Lord at the sixth level. A shimmering light glowed at her brow, twisting space and time itself.
This power was enough to cow even seventh-level Immortal Lords into silence.
Yet Li Hao remained unmoved, his eyes instead drawn to the concentrated source of temporal Dao at her brow. His heart thudded wildly—such a dense origin of time law! He knew then without doubt: he had not mistaken her. She truly was Shi Miao reborn, and once her memories awakened, she would recall everything—including her past life as Ying Xiaoxiao.
Seeing the boy's unwavering stare, Su Muqing's anger reached its limit. She prepared to lash out, but Su Zhenyuan raised his hand, instantly suppressing her energy and forcing it back into her body.
He sighed, giving his daughter a placating look, then turned to Li Hao with a resigned tone. "Xiao Hao, I know you wish to marry Muqing. But she already has a betrothal—why persist in this impossible path?"
As he spoke, Su Muqing's eyes widened in shock. Then, realizing what her father meant, she turned her furious gaze on the youth, stunned and enraged.
Who was this boy, brazen enough to propose marriage to her—and who was her father to treat him so gently? Any other would have been crushed with a single strike!
Beside them, Su Wanqing's eyes were filled with curiosity. Though she was the one summoned, she felt oddly detached, as if she were just an onlooker eager for gossip.
Li Hao snapped back to himself, about to speak, when the aura of two guards and another feminine presence appeared outside.
"Daughter greets Father."
A snow-white figure stepped into the hall, moving with grace as lotus flowers seemed to bloom beneath each step. She bowed elegantly, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, releasing a faint fragrance that lingered in the air.
Su Zhenyuan, as if seizing a lifeline, immediately introduced, "Xiao Hao, this is my second daughter, Su Wanxue, soul lifespan eight hundred twenty years, seventh level of the Immortal Lord Realm!"
Su Wanxue lifted her gaze, curiosity flashing as her eyes fell on Li Hao. Yet what she saw surprised her: there was no awe or desire like she'd seen in countless noble scions—only a numb calmness, tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible shake of the head.
"Family Head, please grant your blessing," Li Hao stood, bowing his head in a respectful plea.
Su Zhenyuan's lips twitched as if from anger or exasperation, unable to speak for a moment. His gaze flicked to the empty-handed guards, his rising frustration finding an easy target: "Where is Wanyi?"
"Miss Wanyi remains at her sect, still in training and yet to return," the guard replied quickly, head bowed. Though an Immortal King himself, he seemed to tremble under the pressure.
Su Zhenyuan fell into silence. Of his four daughters, the eldest, Su Wanyi, was the most beautiful, though her talent fell slightly short of Su Muqing's. Yet looking at the youth before him, he realized this was no man greedy for appearances—no Immortal who could not see beyond the surface would dare seek cultivation.
"Father, what's going on?" Su Wanxue asked, puzzled. Her gaze shifted between her sisters, searching for answers.
Su Muqing quickly sent a sound transmission, giving a heavily embellished account of what had transpired, painting Li Hao as shameless and vile.
Su Wanxue's eyes widened with shock, studying Li Hao intently. Who was this boy, that even her father would show him such tolerance?
"Young man, don't push your luck!" Su Qingmei snapped, eyes cold as ice. "Do you really think you can threaten the Su family just because you have an Emperor behind you?"
Li Hao glanced at her, then lowered his head again. "Madam, I only wish to remain by Miss Su Muqing's side. I beg your blessing."
"Hmph!" Su Qingmei snorted, a sneer curling her lips.
Su Zhenyuan's smile disappeared. The grand hall fell into a deathly silence, air growing heavy with suffocating pressure. Su Muqing opened her mouth but stopped, seeing her father's dark expression.
"If you truly insist…" After a long silence, Su Zhenyuan finally spoke. His eyes, black as the night sky, fixed unblinkingly on Li Hao. Gone was his earlier scholarly gentleness—his aura now exuded the domineering pressure of an Emperor.
"I will give you a chance. Whether you succeed will be up to you. If you fail, the marriage contract is void, and the Su family will not have broken our ancestral promise. Do you accept?"
Li Hao's heart tightened; he drew a slow, deep breath. He knew this was likely his only chance. The contract had only given him a foot in the door—without it, he was nothing before the immense might of the Su clan.
"What chance?" Li Hao asked, his voice steady.
Su Zhenyuan's gaze was like steel. "Muqing and the Lin family's imperial son have a spoken agreement of marriage. But no formal betrothal has been made. If you can change Muqing's mind and win her heart, I will grant you two the right to marry."
Before he could finish, Su Muqing burst out, "Impossible! I will never fall for him—don't even dream of it!"
Su Zhenyuan's eyes flashed, and an overwhelming pressure burst from him, instantly forcing Su Muqing's face to drain of color. She fell silent, unable to speak, knowing her father's word was absolute—no one dared defy him once he decided.
Su Qingmei's face changed, a hint of relief flickering through her eyes as she turned a mocking gaze on the boy, her eyes brimming with scorn.
Li Hao heard Muqing's rejection clearly. He knew the girl before him was not Ying Xiaoxiao, nor yet the awakened Shi Miao—but even so, her words stabbed at him, leaving an inexplicable pain.
He forced himself calm, his mind racing before he asked, "Is there a time limit?"
"Ten years," Su Zhenyuan said.
Li Hao's face darkened; he shook his head firmly. "Too short."
The person he sought had given her life for him. Ten years of companionship was far too little in return.
"Hm?" Su Zhenyuan's brow furrowed.
Li Hao fell silent for a long moment before saying, "One hundred years! During that time, I must have the same rights as Miss Su—she cannot drive me away from her side."
"You're dreaming!" Su Muqing's face turned bright red with fury as she turned a desperate look on her father.
Su Zhenyuan grew silent. The hall became so quiet it was almost stifling. Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue stared, eyes wide—did their father truly intend to agree?
Su Qingmei's face shifted, her hands clenching.
Finally, as the tension reached a breaking point, Su Zhenyuan spoke, "Very well. I agree."
"Father!" Su Muqing's face drained of color, eyes wide in utter disbelief.