The Name of Eternals

Chapter 11: Li Hao Draws His Sword

The sword techniques, which seemed a bit unfamiliar yesterday, now already exhibited the charm of a swordsman today.

His posture was precise, his movements crisp and efficient, and there was an agile quality to them!

A swordsmanship genius!

At this moment, only these four words echoed in Lin Haixia's mind.

To think, how long had Bian Ruxue been learning this set of sword techniques? It would be impressive to just get the hang of it in half a month.

But now, she was already proficient, and her moves contained a rare sense of spirit, which was the key.

Although he had been stern with the little girl yesterday, it was only because he saw the potential for great strength in her future as a swordswoman and thus held high expectations and strict standards.

He hadn't anticipated Bian Ruxue's performance today to greatly exceed his expectations. This was undoubtedly a swordsmanship genius, an exceptionally rare one!

"Good, very good," Lin Haixia exclaimed with delight, nodding repeatedly. After Bian Ruxue finished practicing, he asked, "Did you practice on your own last night?"

Bian Ruxue immediately thought of Brother Li Hao's guidance, but then she recalled his stern reminders and warnings, so she nodded gently.

Lin Haixia was not surprised; if she hadn't put in the effort last night, today's performance wouldn't have been possible.

Yet, the fact that just one night of practice resulted in such rapid progress was what truly pleased him.

"These sword techniques are a bit simple for you; today I will teach you a higher-grade sword technique!" Lin Haixia said.

Previously, it had been lower-grade sword techniques. Within the Li family's Listening Rain Tower, he had no authority to enter, and the higher-grade and supreme-grade sword techniques listed inside could not be taught to the little girl without the Li family's consent.

Unless Li Hao's parents instructed it, not even Li Hao could access them right now. He was still too young to make such decisions.

"Okay," Bian Ruxue nodded.

Thus, the two of them—one teaching and one learning—practiced new sword techniques in the courtyard.

Li Hao watched for a couple of moments, found it somewhat dull, and then continued pondering his own chess mind.

He fiddled with black and white chess pieces between his fingers, gently rubbing them, while contemplating those chess records.

Time silently passed by in this courtyard.

During the day, Li Hao stared at the chessboard in a daze.

At night, he occasionally guided Bian Ruxue, correcting some of her minor mistakes.

Bian Ruxue's rapid progress in swordsmanship greatly delighted Lin Haixia.

A few months later, in the Piao Xue Courtyard.

Li Hao stood quietly among the crowd, watching as an elder with an ethereal demeanor took eight-year-old Li Wushuang away for cultivation.

The Fifth Mistress tearfully bid farewell, urging Shuang'er to eat well, listen carefully, and sleep well.

Li Hao remembered that when he was still in swaddling clothes, this little girl was tugging at his mother's pants, her eyes sparkling as she observed him.

The Fifth Mistress had three children—two daughters and a son—of whom this was the eldest daughter.

At the age of five, during the bone-measuring ceremony, she was found to have a ninth-grade battle body, another prodigy of the Li family.

Now, she reportedly displayed exceptional cultivation talent and was taken as a disciple by a master.

Such familiar scenes were something Li Hao had witnessed two years ago.

Back then, it was the child of Liu Yuerong being taken away by a bald monk chanting Buddhist mantras.

Clearly, that person was someone from Wuliang Mountain.

In the Li family, those with outstanding talent mostly joined the top forces of the Dayu dynasty for cultivation. This was also a way for top forces to extend their networks.

Those with slightly lesser talent, like the second son of the Second Mistress, were measured at a seventh-grade battle body. Although considered a genius, it was still a notch below the prodigies. In the future, they would join the Academy of Tan Palace in Qingzhou City for cultivation.

Unlike the Fifth Mistress's motherly sentiment, Li Wushuang's little face displayed maturity, like a little adult, nodding calmly, urging her parents to take care of themselves.

Then, the little girl's gaze swept through the courtyard, glancing at everyone.

When her eyes fell on Li Hao, she merely gave him a quick glance, long since forgetting him.

Among the third-generation children of the family, the few mentioned by her mother were all those with supreme talent, such as the Second Mistress's child, Li Qianfeng, whom she was pursuing as a target.

Others were no longer in her sights.

Immersed in the martial atmosphere, the words of her mother, the martial instructors, the servants, all fell upon her ears. Though still young, her mind had matured, and her eyes carried a sharpness. Her heart already harbored the ambition and goal of pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts.

Bidding farewell to her parents, amidst the farewell crowd, the little girl left with the elder.

When they next met, it would likely be when she returned to the mansion with fame years later.

Life resumed its calmness.

In the peaceful passage of time, Li Hao gradually returned to playing chess with himself.

But now, he did not do it for experience but rather to contemplate each game.

He was attempting to defeat himself, switching his thoughts to black pieces when holding white, and to white when holding black. Although the process was challenging, it was also a sense of challenge.

The joy of competing with oneself was immense.

In this world, entertainment was scarce. Li Hao gradually came to enjoy the feeling of focusing on something, especially when it also held the fun of a challenge.

So, the maids occasionally saw the young master jumping in surprise.

While quietly eating, he would suddenly shout, "Ah, that move should have been there!" and then show a regretful expression.

Sometimes, he even pointed at flower beds, asking the maids, "Don't those flowers look like a chessboard to you?"

Maids: ???

Couldn't understand, completely couldn't understand.

But if the young master said it was, then it was.

After all, it was the young master of their family; what else could they do but agree?

When Li Hao turned six, Lin Haixia came to him, saying he would teach him techniques.

He brought over a weapon rack, letting Li Hao choose a weapon and practice with it, just like when choosing for Bian Ruxue.

However, considering that Li Hao's bones were not as exceptional as Bian Ruxue's top-grade battle body, he decided to wait another year to avoid premature training that might affect bone development.

Li Hao then realized that this military expert remained in the mansion to teach him techniques.

"Aren't I unable to cultivate?" Li Hao was dragged out of bed early in the morning, yawning, only wanting to crawl back to sleep.

"Practice techniques first; if the commander finds a way to help you clear your meridians in the future, you can immediately embark on cultivation, without lagging in techniques," Lin Haixia said. This was his plan—practice and be prepared.

In case you can cultivate later, it won't go to waste.

"What if I can't?" Li Hao asked.

"You're idle anyway," Lin Haixia replied flatly.

Li Hao felt like vomiting blood. What kind of statement was that?

Idling was better than suffering!

But Lin Haixia was determined, and no matter how Li Hao tried to persuade him, it was useless. Eventually, he sternly took out a bamboo stick, threatening to beat him if he didn't obey.

Although Li Hao wasn't afraid of pain, given his current physique, unless Lin Haixia really exerted force, it would be merely a tickle.

But seeing his earnestness, Li Hao had to temporarily yield.

Li Hao picked up the weapons and practiced them one by one, only wanting to go through the motions. Swords, guns, and clubs were all clumsily handled.

When he picked up the sword, the little girl beside him was full of anticipation, clenching her tiny fists and encouraging, "Brother Hao, you can do it!"

Li Hao was speechless, waving it around carelessly, finishing perfunctorily.

Lin Haixia's expression darkened, seemingly seeing through the little guy's thoughts, and said, "Of these weapons, if you don't practice one to my satisfaction today, you won't be allowed to rest, nor touch that damned chessboard!"

"Uncle Lin!" Li Hao wailed.

"Practice!" Lin Haixia gritted his teeth, ignoring Li Hao's pleas.

Li Hao had no choice but to pick up a knife and practice, but his mind wasn't on training. Although he seemed earnest, there was no structure.

Seeing Li Hao's interest in the knife, Lin Haixia taught him move by move, starting from the simplest postures.

Li Hao noticed his sincerity and didn't dare practice. If he saw any potential, wouldn't he be enthusiastically inspired every day, leaving no peace?

So when Lin Haixia taught, Li Hao nodded repeatedly, saying he understood.

Yet, when given the knife, he wielded it without rhyme or reason.

By the afternoon's end, Lin Haixia was about to curse.

Even the lowest-grade knife techniques failed to take shape—this was complete lack of martial understanding.

He couldn't help but think of certain geniuses.

Some have extremely high talent in one area but are completely clueless in others, even worse than ordinary people.

And Li Hao seemed to be of that sort.

Sadly, his talent was misapplied.

Chess skills… what kind of nonsense is that?!

Lin Haixia even began to hate that someone invented such a thing; it was utterly damnable!

But after hating it, he felt sorrow, wondering if he truly couldn't help the young master.

He hated his powerlessness, his inability to repay the commander's kindness.

After forcing Li Hao to practice for half a month, Lin Haixia finally despaired and gave up.

He told Li Hao that due to recent changes in the northern battlefield, he would be leaving soon.

Li Hao looked at this man, knowing his heart had died.

In recent days, seeing this man's sorrowful expression, he felt both moved and ashamed.

This man hated the chessboard, blamed his own inability to teach, but never blamed Li Hao.

"Uncle Lin, do you think that if someone can't cultivate martial arts but chooses the path of physical training and combines it with techniques, they can become a master?"

Sitting in the courtyard, Li Hao looked at the man beside him, drinking, and asked.

Lin Haixia placed the wine aside, thought for a moment, and firmly replied, "Yes!"

Then he added, "I once saw a military expert with a formidable physique and exquisite spear skills, who was considered a master."

He turned to Li Hao, but his eyes quickly dimmed again, "Young master, I know you're clever and can endure hardship. If you walk the path of physical training, you can handle it, but your comprehension…"

He stopped, feeling desolate. His initial intention for Li Hao to practice techniques was based on this thought.

Li Hao looked at him in surprise, "I sleep until the sun is high; do you think I can endure hardship?"

Lin Haixia shook his head, revealing a bitter smile, "I've seen how you play chess. I know you can endure hardship, but you don't want to."

In Li Hao, he saw the potential to become a top expert.

Intelligence, character, diligence.

But he lacked martial aptitude and martial comprehension.

These two were the tickets to martial arts.

Without access, how could one take a seat?

This led to the vast cultivation resources of the Li family being like a barren mountain to Li Hao.

Hearing Lin Haixia's words, Li Hao was somewhat surprised, glanced at the man beside him, and then fell silent.

The night wind blew, one continued to drink, the other silently gazed at the sky. Was that a meteor or the fall of someone's star?

Two months later.

Lin Haixia was leaving, officially bidding farewell to Li Hao.

Li Hao waited for him in the inner courtyard, a vast and empty place. He had instructed the servants to stay outside, leaving him alone to send him off.

"Uncle Lin, don't you find this a bit lonely?" Li Hao asked with a smile, hands behind his back.

Lin Haixia sighed, "I don't care for such formalities, but you, I entrust Xue'er to your care. That girl has great talent in swordsmanship and will surely achieve great things in the future. Treat her well; she will protect you."

At this moment, his eyes reflected a mix of complexity, emotion, and relief.

By now, he had completely abandoned the idea of Li Hao practicing martial arts.

He had come to the Li family full of hope and enthusiasm, intending to dedicate himself entirely to nurturing the commander's young son as a token of gratitude.

Now, he was leaving with deep regret and solitude, feeling a sense of sorrow.

Li Hao smiled slightly, "Uncle Lin, I have nothing to give you when we meet, so today, as you leave, I'll offer you a small gift."

"I don't want anything; I have no face to take anything. Just take care of yourself," Lin Haixia felt a bit comforted, but showed no interest in the gift Li Hao mentioned, having no lack.

Li Hao said nothing more, slowly walking toward the weapon rack.

Lin Haixia was puzzled, watching him curiously.

Then he saw Li Hao slowly draw a sword from the rack.

"With this sword, I offer my thanks to Uncle Lin."

"Your student thanks you for your teachings!"

Li Hao said softly.

Then, the sword was raised.

His posture was as graceful as snow, the sword light in his hand surging like roaring waves, instantly bursting into countless sword flowers, intricate and beautiful, dazzling to the extreme.

Supreme, boundless, tidal sword technique!

At this moment, that brilliant and dazzling sword light illuminated the entire empty inner courtyard.

It also shone into Lin Haixia's eyes, reflecting his pupils, making them white and bright.