Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Hearing these words, the complexions of the two youths changed, revealing shock in their eyes.

The old master actually… apologized?

Even though they could only see his back, under that kind voice, they felt an aura of majesty emanating, and both were keen-edged in their gaze, not daring to show any more killing intent.

Li Hao was surprised and looked at the old master, seeing his eyes sincere and gentle, indeed heartfelt.

“Fine then.”

Li Hao agreed.

Thinking that the fight just now was indeed a bit too fierce, it wasn’t worth venting that anger on the other party.

Soon, the second game of chess began.

This time, Li Hao’s moves were much gentler, with give and take from both sides.

The elder playing the black pieces also wasn’t as tense as before, even engaging in idle chatter while playing:

“Tell me, at such a young age, why do you immerse yourself in Chess Tao instead of joining the military on the frontier, or training hard in martial arts to seek fame and fortune?”

“Fame and wealth are but dust, glory and riches are also clouds.”

Li Hao played a piece casually, saying, “The ultimate goal of life is nothing more than to have enough to eat and wear, it seems I was lucky to be born with no worries about food and clothing, so why bother with the effort.”

“Hmph, no ambition!”

A youth standing behind the elder playing the black pieces couldn’t help but snort coldly.

Li Hao glanced up and said, You think you’re ambitious just by being a bodyguard?

The elder was surprised and looked at Li Hao. This didn’t sound like the words of a young man, but rather like the mindset of an old man who had washed away the superficiality of life and experienced the vicissitudes of the world.

But just a moment ago, the young man was still able to express the wild pride of youth.

“The youth should carry the ambition to soar above the clouds, one day sweeping across nineteen provinces.”

The elder playing the black pieces said with interest, “Don’t you wish to see the view from the mountain peak?”

“What’s there to see, it’s just the human world.”

Li Hao said offhandedly, “Some people’s journeys are the starry seas, whereas I only wish for poetry, wine, and pastoral life, everyone has their own aspirations.”

The elder was taken aback, even pausing with his move.

He looked intently at the young man, and his sealed heart seemed to feel a sense of release.

Yet the youth behind the elder scoffed:

“You’ve never even been to the mountain peak, how would you know what the view is like up there, yet you dare make such bold claims!”

Li Hao frowned slightly, glanced at him, but didn’t respond.

Realizing what was happening, the elder’s face turned stern and he said, “Hua, apologize to the young master!”

What?

The youth, as if he hadn’t heard clearly, looked at the elder in disbelief, shocked.

The old man is actually making me… apologize?

What is my status?

My apologies, how many can bear them, and how many would dare to accept them?!

“Fa… old master, I…”

“Hmm?”

The elder playing the black pieces turned his head slightly to look at him.

His gaze was as calm as the frost after heavy snowfall yet it made the youth break out in a cold sweat in an instant.

His complexion changed dramatically, sweat beading on his forehead as he quickly bent over, bowing to Li Hao:

“Young master, I was presumptuous and misspoke, please forgive me.”

“Let it be.”

Li Hao waved it off.

The elder playing the black pieces smiled slightly, then continued to play and chat, move by move.

From fame to those who stir up the world, the elder asked the young man if he ever aspired to be one of them.

The young man then asked, are they still alive?

The elder thought about it and couldn’t help but laugh in silence.

The second game ended well.

Li Hao won again.

But this time he was much gentler in his approach, more pulling and tugging, it was indeed a match with both sides engaged.

Li Hao felt that this old master’s chess skills were slightly better than Fifth Master’s, but compared to his own, there was still a gap.

“It’s getting late, old master, till fate allows us to meet again.”

Li Hao stood up, picked up the meager prizes of jugglery and food that altogether didn’t amount to more than a few ounces of silver, smiled at the old master and waved goodbye, then turned and left.

“I haven’t given you your gift yet.”

The elder playing the black pieces promptly said.

“No need.”

The young man didn’t look back, just waved his hand behind him: “As I said, I lack nothing.”

The elder was taken aback and laughed to himself, murmuring:

“In this world, who truly lacks nothing…”

“Humph, this is the renowned third generation of the Li Family in Qingzhou, his Cultivation Level is indeed formidable, I can’t even see through it, but a bit foolish.”

Watching the young man’s retreating figure, the youth who had apologized earlier had a sullen look and scornfully said.

That young man probably doesn’t realize what a great opportunity he’s just forsaken, does he?

Ridiculous!

Hearing his words, the elder playing the black pieces glanced at him indifferently and said nothing. Instead, he looked toward the street from which the young man had departed and sighed silently:

If only this child were my son, how wonderful would that be?

But that was just a passing thought.

He shook his head, smiled, and said, “This child’s talent probably exceeds your imaginations, only fourteen years old and his skill in chess is already master-level, even if born with a natural affinity for Chess Tao, it still requires some research…”

In fourteen years, to study Chess Tao to this level, and also cultivate to the Fifteen Li Realm, that’s quite terrifying.

The two youths, upon hearing this, fell silent.

They couldn’t refute it, it was indeed so.

A Fourteen Li Realm at fourteen years of age, a talent they themselves couldn’t even hope to match.

“You’re being too modest, his chess skills are only showcased on this small board, whereas your pieces, old master, are placed across this world…”

Another youth, with a slightly scholarly air, said smilingly.

The elder chuckled upon hearing this, although it was flattery, it couldn’t prevent him from bursting into laughter.

Feeling that the frustration of losing two games in a row seemed much more bearable now.

“Haha, indeed!”

“However, if I meet this young man again, I must win back on the chessboard as well!”

He was not one to accept defeat easily.

Having said that, he laughed heartily as he walked away towards the city gate.

“Old master, we’ve just arrived, and the real show hasn’t even started yet, don’t you want to watch?”

“I’ve already watched it, very good, very good!”