Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Seeing this, the young man withdrew in one step, leaving the carriage and casually slapped the haunch of the Jiao-blood warhorse.

This horse was originally vicious and difficult to tame, but under the young man’s slap, it reacted as if frightened, galloping off and causing pedestrians by the roadside to shout in alarm.

But in the end, with no one to control it, the horse didn’t run far before heading towards the river, seemingly in a panicked, indiscriminate rush, and crashed into the water, dragging the carriage along with it.

A splash as it hit the water attracted many onlookers from a distance.

Yet the young man, as if he had done nothing, quietly returned to the old man’s side, his expression calm, as if he had always been standing there without having moved at all.

The elderly man seemed somewhat disheartened, his gaze returning from the river, he sighed, “What a pity for this river’s autumn water.”

Saying so, he was about to stand up and leave.

But as his gaze swept over, he saw a young man standing still by his side, who had picked up a chess piece from the chess case.

From beginning to end, Li Hao’s gaze had not drifted towards the overbearing coachman or the carriage.

In Qingzhou City, he had no need to bow down to anyone.

Unless it was in that mansion.

At this moment, he picked up the white pieces from the chess case, one after another, three…

He played with them as if amusing himself, placing these white pieces one by one in a certain position, forming lines and creating a momentum.

The momentum became a dragon’s claw, tearing a bloody gap in the original set of black pieces.

His action wasn’t intended to continue the game, for the outcome had already been determined, and this wasn’t his game.

It was simply that today, he simply didn’t want to see such oppressive and dull things anymore.

Thus, he sketched a stroke for it.

The elderly man slightly raised his eyebrows, glanced at the move on the chessboard, and suddenly paused, seemingly taken aback.

The two young men standing behind the elderly man, dressed in ordinary plain clothes, changed their facial expressions. The previously active young man seemed ready to act, to teach Li Hao a lesson, but was stopped by the folding fan the elderly man raised.

“Young friend, do you also know chess?”

The elderly man showed a smile.

“A little.”

Li Hao finished placing the chess pieces and felt somewhat relieved.

“Seeing the position of your moves, they are indeed exquisite and show a young man’s ardor. Not bad!” praised the elderly man.

“Youth has its own folly.’

Li Hao said indifferently, “Senior, please forgive me.”

The elderly man silently repeated Li Hao’s words and couldn’t help showing a smile, “Since you understand chess, why don’t you sit down and have a game with me?”

Li Hao looked at the chessboard and thought for a moment,

“Okay.”

By now, the surrounding onlookers of the chess game had all left, leaving only the four of them under the weeping willows.

Li Hao put aside the various snacks and toys he had been holding onto the grass and took his seat.

The elderly man glanced at them and smiled inwardly, still a young boy at heart.

But as Li Hao moved the items aside, revealing his embroidered clothes, the elderly man’s eyes fell on the jade swinging at Li Hao’s waist.

His pupils narrowed slightly.

The two young men behind him also noticed this young man might have some background, based on his unusual performance. They also noticed the Dragon Blood Jade at the young man’s waist, and their pupils contracted.

“Senior, please begin.”

Li Hao said.

The elderly man snapped back to reality with a smile, not expecting the chance encounter would let him see that child from years past.

He began the game with a smile.

Soon, the pieces were put down in order, and Li Hao took White and played after.

The onlookers who had retreated far away didn’t dare to come close again, fearing trouble.

Moreover, one of the youths behind the elderly man had just revealed a remarkable move, seemingly no ordinary individual, so they all kept their distance to avoid unnecessary trouble.

More passersby were attracted by the commotion of the horse and carriage falling into the water in the distance, with many throwing ropes to attempt a rescue.

Meanwhile, on Li Hao’s side, the black and white pieces on the chessboard were already clashing fiercely.

With the initial layout over, the game moved into a series of aggressive attacks.

Li Hao’s moves were merciless, all killing blows, even more ferocious and fierce than usual.

The elderly man was playing slower and slower, the folding fan that had been lightly swaying at first was now put away without notice.

Each move was made with furrowed brows and careful consideration.

But the young man was precise and ruthless, with an aggressive and overwhelming momentum.

The elderly man’s expression grew more solemn, his full attention on the game.

The two young men behind him also showed a change in their expressions, glancing at the young man.

A moment later, the winner on the chessboard was clear.

The elderly man’s face darkened, obviously not expecting to lose, especially so disastrously.

He had not lost… in many years.

The two young men behind him showed anger in their eyes, staring coldly at the young man.

It seemed as if they would strike in an instant, ready to take out the young man as soon as the elderly man gave the sign.

Li Hao seemed aware and glanced up but wasn’t concerned.

If they truly started a fight, he was not afraid.

The elderly man stared at the chessboard for a long time, then spoke slowly, “Let’s play another round.”

Li Hao, having withdrawn, said indifferently, “Even if we play again, you will lose.”

The elderly man was slightly taken aback, for no one had ever dared to speak to him with such disregard.

But seeing that the young man hadn’t intended to be disrespectful, he took a deep breath, calming the anger in his heart, and said,

“Let’s play another round, and if you win again, I will give you a small gift.”

“I lack nothing,” replied Li Hao.

But after saying so, he chuckled.

The elderly man smiled and said, “You will definitely like what I am offering.”

“That’s not a certainty,” Li Hao replied indifferently, “Moreover, if I win again, I worry that your attendants may feel compelled to intervene.”

The two young men’s faces changed slightly, their eyes coldly fixating on Li Hao.

However, the elderly man waved his fan and said with a smile to Li Hao, “They are ignorant, don’t mind them. If they have displeased you, I apologize on their behalf.”