His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone inside the mansion.
Upon seeing the Palace Master of the Tan Palace, the faces of everyone within the mansion changed slightly, especially when they noticed Song Qiumo by his side.
They were not unfamiliar with this guardian Demon King of the Tan Palace Academy.
Two powerful figures from the Four Stands Realm had unexpectedly arrived at the same time.
"Song Yufeng, why have you brought the guardian Demon King here? What is your purpose?" Chen Hefang, the elderly lady, asked with a concentrated look.
Song Yufeng smiled slightly and said, "I heard that Li Hao, the young master of the Divine General Mansion, possesses peerless talent. I particularly wished to see for myself and pay a visit, and I hope the lady will allow this."
Upon hearing these words, the faces of the ladies of the various courtyards changed slightly, some even shocked.
They had not expected that these two were also here for Li Hao.
However, thinking of Li Hao's previous apprenticeship at Tan Palace Academy, they quickly understood.
But just how long had the child been at Tan Palace Academy to have earned such regard from its Palace Master?
After all, Tan Palace Academy had been in Qingzhou City for many years, and its relationship with the Divine General Mansion had always been cordial but not intimate.
Such mutual relations had been quite beneficial to both parties, but now, for the sake of Li Hao, the other party had disrupted this balanced relationship.
Was it because of the child's talent? The onlookers wondered to themselves.
"Hao'er has been resting recently. If the two of you wish to see him, you certainly can," she said.
Chen Hefang originally intended to say that Hao'er was recuperating from injuries, but considering the public setting, mentioning the injuries would inevitably lead to speculation on the battle that had brought shame upon the Divine General Mansion.
Hearing the old lady's words, Song Yufeng felt slightly surprised. He had anticipated some persuasive effort to be necessary, yet it had been unexpectedly easy.
He immediately thanked her and was about to enter the mansion when suddenly, a slight disturbance came from within.
The ladies turned their heads only to see a young figure walking towards them.
The youth was empty-handed, and on the collar of his outer garment at the chest, one could still see a faint trace of blood.
At his feet was a familiar white-furred fox.
"Hao'er?"
When Chen Hefang turned and saw Li Hao, her eyes revealed a mixture of complexity and distress. One was her beloved son, and the other was her grandson she had only met recently but had grown quite fond of; it pained her heart.
"Why have you come?" she asked gently and kindly.
Li Hao glanced at his paternal grandmother, and while facing that kindly and gentle gaze, he inwardly sighed and then calmly stated:
"Grandmother, I have come to bid you farewell."
"Hmm?"
At these words, Chen Hefang was instantly stunned, and the other ladies looked on in amazement as well.
Liu Yue Rong's eyes flashed with a hint of light as she stared at Li Hao.
"I am leaving, and after today, I will not return," Li Hao said with a slight bow to his grandmother.
"Hao'er, you want to leave the Li Family?" Chen Hefang was taken aback, with widened eyes showing surprise.
Li Hao nodded, his gaze sweeping across the other ladies. When he saw Liu Yue Rong, a deep murderous intent flashed through his eyes but was quickly repressed.
He knew that to attack her now would most likely be difficult, and it would only plunge him into even greater peril.
His strength was not yet sufficient—he needed more time to accumulate it.
"Hao'er."
At that moment, Li Muxiu, the old patriarch, along with Bian Ruxue, Li Yuanzhao, and others, also hurried over.
Li Muxiu quickly said, "Hao'er, don't be rash. Speak your mind, and I will decide for you."
Upon saying this, he saw Liu Yue Rong and his expression instantly turned cold as he sharply stated, "How dare you show your face here? Apologize to Hao'er immediately!"
Liu Yue Rong's face underwent a slight change, and with an aggrieved expression, she said, "Uncle, the Ministry of Punishment has not yet investigated the matter. You cannot wrong me again."
"You!"
Li Muxiu gritted his teeth in anger, the veins on the back of his hand bulged.
Li Hao, however, calmly stated, "Second Uncle, there's no need for anger."
Li Muxiu was briefly stunned, looking at him.
Li Hao just smiled faintly, avoiding any harsh words.
Apologies? Penitence?
Some things were not resolvable with mere apologies—only blood and life could engrave a memory, could quell one's own unrest.
"Grand Aunt, Ninth Aunt."
Li Hao's gaze swept over everyone, and once again he bowed: "I cannot thank you enough for all the care in previous days. Today, I take my leave, may we meet again in the future."
He Jianlan and Jiang Xian'er's expressions changed, with He Jianlan saying, "Hao'er, don't be impulsive. Your father has a bit of a temper, but after all, you are father and son..."
Li Hao's mouth twitched slightly at these words. How was it this remark again?
He shook his head without saying anything, only to suddenly sense something and look up to see a goose feather snowflake falling from the sky.
Late autumn had passed, and this first snow of early winter seemed somewhat early.
He withdrew his gaze from the overcast sky and focused on the steps in front of him, then he stepped forward without another word or pause.
"Hao!"
Li Yuanzhao couldn't help but call out, his eyes moistening and turning red, his nose becoming increasingly sour.
Li Hao's figure paused slightly, but he did not turn back; he had already said his previous advice.
Bian Ruxue was lost in a daze. Originally, she thought that after descending the mountain and capturing the True Dragon with Li Hao, she would say goodbye, never expecting to go through these astonishing changes.
Suddenly, a towering figure appeared before Li Hao, enveloping him like a black cloud and obscuring his view.
"You want to leave? Where would you go?"
Li Tian Gang's face was cold and frosty as he spoke.
Where would he go? Li Hao pondered this question seriously, feeling briefly lost in thought.
Indeed, where?
But soon, he gathered his thoughts and with a smile, replied:
"The world is vast, and I am but a passerby; I can make my home wherever I drift."
Li Tian Gang flew into a rage, exclaiming, "Ridiculous! You are born of the Li Family, and even in death, you will be a ghost of the Li Family!"
"I no longer carry the Li surname!" Li Hao reiterated coldly.