Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1899 Chapter 509: Trials_3

Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
Li Hao, guided by the advice to follow his true intentions without judging good and evil, subdued the surrounding crowd with his Control Force and disciplined the child who soiled his clothes by slapping him twice before departing, a display of decisive authority that impressed an unseen observer. Drawn by memories, he arrived at Tan Palace Academy's Emerald Pond, where a giant Qilin emerged and warned of an approaching demon attack on Qingzhou City, stirring suspicions that this was the trial's leadership test. As the headmaster recognized him as the Li Family's heir, Li Hao painted a nostalgic scene by the pond, only for the ground to tremble with the encroaching dark clouds, leading him to affirm the academy's unyielding commitment to defend the city alongside its people.

"Then include me in the initial assault."

Li Hao declared.

The Tan Palace President froze in surprise and blurted out, "Aren't you heading to the Divine General Mansion..."

"To battle demons, I can contribute from any location; they're hardly lacking someone at the Fifteen Li Realm like myself."

Li Hao cut him off and explained.

Right then, from the far-off Divine General Mansion, beams of golden radiance pierced the heavens, speeding toward remote Qingzhou City to block the invading demons.

Li Hao's gaze wavered as he watched the mountainside, where throngs of citizens dashed along the streets to safety. Word of the demon onslaught had swiftly circulated across the entire metropolis.

"Are you two detecting any Great Demons at particular realms within this demon surge?"

Li Hao pivoted and queried the pair next to him.

The Tan Palace President wore a grave expression and replied, "I've already picked up on four presences from the Three Immortal Realms. Given demon customs, commanding four such Great Demons suggests a strong chance of a Demon King at the Tai Ping Realm leading them!"

"Tai Ping Realm..."

Li Hao's eyes narrowed faintly. The demons' might posed an overwhelming threat to Qingzhou City. Though they might just manage to resist, the walls would probably fall, unleashing widespread ruin.

Defend until the end? Li Hao eyed the escaping forms, thought briefly, and addressed the companions, "Elders, could you lead these ordinary folk up the slope so we evacuate the city first?"

"Evacuate?"

Both men were taken aback, clearly unprepared for Li Hao's intent to withdraw.

"As someone from the Divine General Mansion, you're suggesting we desert the city and run?"

The Tan Palace President had to question.

"For warriors or troops, holding the city at all costs is their role, yet these innocents have no place here and lingering serves no purpose."

Li Hao shook his head and added, "Should the defenses stand, our added power won't tip the scales. If they crumble, remaining only invites doom, and the wise avoid peril."

The pair stood dumbfounded; they exchanged glances, their convictions wavering.

Who seeks death when life remains an option?

"Don't fret over later repercussions, President. Any fault falls on me." Li Hao assured again.

The Tan Palace President eyed his robe, paused quietly, then nodded and agreed, "Very well!"

He consented not just for the people below but also to protect Tan Palace's numerous pupils and his own child.

Shortly after, the Tan Palace President unleashed his Divine Soul skyward, summoning the school's followers to direct the frightened masses at the base.

"Did you create this for me?"

Mo Qilin examined the artwork in Li Hao's grasp, a flicker of sentiment in its gaze.

The image burst with realism, seeming ready to spring from the canvas, as if the youth had studied its form countless times in detail.

Noticing Mo Qilin's expression, Li Hao remembered their initial sketching session years back. He smiled faintly and responded, "Naturally, it's yours if you desire it."

Mo Qilin paused briefly, then parted its jaws, drawing the scroll into its holding void, before telling Li Hao:

"Youth, climb aboard my back; I'll carry you down the peak."

"Alright."

Li Hao accepted without hesitation, mounting effortlessly like lifelong companions.

As Tan Palace learners mobilized, the terrified populace below was herded along, surging with fervor behind the disciples toward the city's far edge.

There, Divine General Mansion's City Defense Army stood watch, approaching to halt and reprimand, but Li Hao, astride Mo Qilin, stated composedly:

"On orders from the Divine General Mansion, I'm escorting these citizens beyond the walls—stand aside."

The sentinel captain, noting Li Hao's refined garb and knowing his status, grew deferential yet insisted, "Kindly present the authorization, young master."

"Time presses; this is a spoken command—where's the token in such haste!"

Li Hao rebuked, "Do you not see the horde of people trailing me? Must that require proof?"

The captain faltered, peering beyond the majestic Mo Qilin to the immense, anxious throng, wavering momentarily before yielding and clearing the path.

"He truly follows his inner compass..."

From the emptiness, various sights passed over and curved into grins.

They had witnessed this young one's shift in Tao Heart, recognizing his deeds as purely genuine, free of any false show.

In other trial Illusion Realms, countless Immortal Kings faced akin crises, yet most opted to remain and clash fiercely, vowing no harm to any soul, even at personal ruin.

Such conduct... indeed embodied profound compassion.

However... a leader mustn't indulge excessive mercy but select the fitting merciful path!

What defines fitting mercy? Ages ago, a kind soul, wealthy, met displaced wanderers, felt sorrow, and bestowed five taels of silver in kindness. But the wanderers, once given the funds, drew envy, suffered a deadly raid, lost all, and perished horribly.

The naive fail to separate virtue from vice, rendering them all as villains.

Invert the outcomes: if benevolence breeds harm, good intent still yields malice.

Those Immortal Kings lost to disasters, though they shielded the pure, appeared to rulers as lesser decisions.

A genuine King Commander ought to weigh the welfare of the True Realm's myriad clans, beyond one group or soul.

Harsh as it seems, even to the forsaken masses or lone figures it feels wicked, yet... as a True King Commander, why dread infamy or shouldering dire ends?

Having ushered the citizens past the gates, Li Hao circled back to find the city overrun, the Illusion Realm fading away, pulling him to the Heaven Tower.

With Li Hao's emergence, numerous Immortal Kings from diverse lineages appeared too, scanning their environs, some lost in reflection.

Li Hao turned to Shi Miao, saw his return, and inquired, "What are your impressions?"

Shi Miao looked at Li Hao, his mouth twitched, but ultimately he held back, grinning instead, "I figure my performance here was lackluster."