The Name of Eternals

Chapter 13: Assassination

Upon seeing the prompt, Li Hao did not feel much joy.

He had long since let go of any utilitarian mindset and focused wholeheartedly, which was why he now possessed the "chess heart."

Using chess as a tool to practice martial arts was an idea he couldn't accept now.

He even felt a strong urge to use the "Art Skill Point" he had just gained on chess.

However, the severed arm and that man who drank alone held him back.

Chess was important, something he now loved.

But some things had to be done, like tearing that so-called "Tiger Robe Immortal" to pieces!

However, that was a demon of the fourth realm, and reaching that level was no overnight task.

The only thing he could do now was grow up as quickly as possible.

...

The "chess heart" is a state of mind, a condition.

With it, the days went on with Li Hao busily playing chess in the small courtyard.

But now, he played chess not for the little experience gained at the end of a game but for the enjoyment of the process.

Each move, strategy, and thought fascinated him, like playing a fun game where he was completely immersed and couldn't stop.

Eating, sleeping, watching the little girl practice swordplay—his mind would always drift to chess.

This focus left him uninterested in other things besides chess.

One day, Xuejian from Changchun Courtyard brought news that the lady of the house invited Bian Ruxue to join the martial arts field of the Divine General's Residence.

That was where the Li family children trained.

After turning six, if not taken in by a great sect, they would go there for training, taught by retired military experts of the Li family.

Li Hao agreed, knowing he could teach the little girl some sword skills but also knowing that the martial arts field offered much more: cultivation techniques, martial knowledge, and insights into the outside world.

From that day on, after morning greetings at the main house, Li Hao and the little girl would part ways—he would return to the Mountain and River Courtyard, and she would be sent to the martial arts field.

The field was not only for the direct descendants of the Li family but also for some children from branch families and illegitimate lines, numbering several dozen. Of them, only five were direct descendants, including those who joined Li Hao in morning greetings.

Bian Ruxue, being Li Hao's future fiancée and half a member of the Li family, enjoyed the treatment of a direct descendant.

In the martial arts field, direct descendants were treated like stars among the moon, far above the illegitimate children. The training resources available for foundation building and blood purification were at least a level higher than those of the illegitimate lines.

This created a large gap in martial talent between the direct and illegitimate lines.

Thus, in the martial arts field, aside from the few direct descendants who had just begun to understand things, most illegitimate children were teenagers, with talents ranging from fourth to sixth grade, considered medium aptitude and enough to hold a position as a city guardian in the future.

Those with seventh-grade talent among the illegitimate were given special cultivation resources, nearly equal to the direct descendants.

Once she joined the martial arts field, Bian Ruxue formally began her cultivation path.

The terror of a ninth-grade battle physique soon became apparent.

In just a few months, Li Hao watched the little girl reach the fourth level of the Tongli Realm.

Breaking through a minor realm nearly every month was as easy as eating and drinking.

Though this was due in part to the abundant resources poured upon her by the Li family, being able to absorb so much was also a testament to her talent.

Meanwhile, the teenage boys in the martial arts field lingered around the eighth or ninth level of the Tongli Realm. In half a year, this little girl would likely catch up.

Li Hao continued his daily routine of playing chess in the courtyard, undisturbed. The lady of the house did not require him to join the martial arts field, understanding that, as a direct descendant, he would only face humiliation there.

Besides teaching, the martial arts field fostered competitiveness and sparring to motivate the children.

Someone like Li Hao, with no martial aptitude, would likely suffer and become the subject of disputes or insults, potentially escalating issues to the adults, which wouldn't reflect well on the family.

The lady, overseeing the Divine General's Residence, sought peace, and Li Hao preferred it that way for a relaxed life.

After all, martial arts practice was a waste of time for him.

He had no desire to compete with those teens—it was too dull.

...

"You've played so many games and still haven't learned? This is the third time you've lost with the same move!" Li Hao scolded the servant playing chess with him.

The servant jumped, quickly standing with hands at his sides, trembling like a quail. "Please calm down, young master."

By now, Li Hao had developed an imposing presence, and they no longer dared treat him like a child or dismiss his words.

"Your mind is completely off the game. What are you thinking?" Li Hao snapped.

The servant lamented inwardly, knowing this was how he always played, and previously, the young master hadn't minded, even seemed happy the game ended quickly.

But now things had changed.

Playing poorly brought a frown from the young master, putting the servant in a difficult spot.

"You two play terribly. After all this time, there's been no improvement!" Li Hao grumbled.

The servants begged for mercy, and one seemed to have an idea, sneaking a glance at Li Hao. "Young master, I know someone who plays chess. He's a newly hired third-level servant."

"Oh?" Li Hao raised an eyebrow. "Where?"

"In the woodshed, chopping firewood."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Bring him here. Let me test him," Li Hao said immediately.

"Right away, young master." The servant hurried off, delighted.

Soon, a thin young man in servant's attire was brought before Li Hao.

"Don't just stand there; greet the young master."

"Oh, yes. Good health to you, young master." The thin youth hurriedly knelt.

Li Hao waved a hand, letting him speak, and pointed to the chessboard. "I hear you play chess. Let's see a game. If you're good, you'll stay in the Mountain and River Courtyard as a first-level servant and stay by my side."

"What?" The thin youth was stunned, then overjoyed. "Thank you, young master! Thank you!"

After wiping his hands on his clothes, he sat at the board.

Quickly setting up a game, Li Hao held the white pieces.

After seven or eight moves, Li Hao felt pleased. The thin youth indeed knew how to play and was quite skilled.

Li Hao became more serious, playing without mercy.

In just a quarter of an hour, the thin youth's face turned pale, sweat beading on his forehead as fear filled his eyes.

Finally, he looked dejectedly at the board and then at the child before him, unable to believe such a young child could have such deep chess knowledge.

"I lost," the thin youth admitted, standing with a complex expression, tinged with resentment and a hint of ferocity.

Li Hao, however, was in thought.

The thin youth's words brought him back, and he smiled. "Good, very good. From now on, you're a first-level servant in my courtyard. Just play chess with me daily."

The thin youth was stunned, confused. "But I lost."

Li Hao chuckled; this game had given him 20 experience points!

His best games with the previous servants had only earned 3 points. The difference was staggering.

It showed that playing against higher-level opponents earned more experience, rather than simply playing quantity over quality.

"If each game is worth 20 points, then 10 games would be 200. To reach 5,000, I'd only need 250 games. Even at ten games a day, that's just a month."

The more Li Hao thought about it, the happier he felt, looking at the thin youth with increasing fondness.

"If you can beat me, I'll give you ten thousand taels of gold!" Li Hao encouraged.

The thin youth was shocked, trembling with excitement.

Li Hao told him not to just stand there and to sit down and continue while instructing the other two servants to handle the paperwork for his transfer to the courtyard.

Thus, Li Hao and the thin youth began playing game after game.

Half a month passed quickly.

One night, after dinner, Li Hao summoned the thin youth to continue their match.

In the dimly lit bedroom, the two figures were engaged in battle over the chessboard.

"Young master," the thin youth suddenly called out as Li Hao pondered his next move.

But his tone lacked its usual flattery and respect, carrying a strange calmness.

Li Hao looked up, puzzled, only to see a flash of cold light rushing toward his face!

His pupils contracted, and he instinctively kicked back, retreating like lightning.

Back at the chess table, the thin youth remained hunched over the board, but one hand had thrust forward with a dagger, his face showing surprise—he hadn't expected the young master to dodge.

"Hmm? You..."

Li Hao recovered, shocked by the sudden attack.

His eyes quickly turned cold and sharp, and he spoke icily, "Assassination? Who sent you?"

He briefly suspected the woman from Shuihua Courtyard but quickly dismissed the thought. He was already a wastrel, no threat to anyone, so why would anyone in the courtyard want him dead?

"You..." The thin young man's mind was even more chaotic and shocked than Li Hao's. Wasn't this kid supposed to be a martial arts wastrel who couldn't cultivate? In the days he spent in the courtyard playing chess with Li Hao, he hadn't seen him practice even once!

All the children of the Li family began rigorous training in the martial arts field by the age of six.

Yet here was this wastrel, playing chess every day in his courtyard, ignored by everyone.

The information wasn't wrong, but somehow... it was completely off!

Quickly, the thin young man snapped out of it, his body suddenly erupting with alarming speed as he lunged toward Li Hao.

He couldn't let this child make a sound. His expression twisted with malice and murderous intent.

However, Li Hao had the same thought.

An assassin. He couldn't let him call out; it would alert too many people.

Kill!

As the figure pounced, Li Hao didn't dodge. Instead, he suddenly pushed off with his foot, his small figure bursting forward like thunder, his movement faintly accompanied by a whistling wind. As he closed in, he slightly turned his head, watching the dagger graze past his eyes, and simultaneously punched the man's stomach.

Since beginning his cultivation journey, Li Hao had never fought anyone.

This time, he nearly exploded with full force.

There was a heavy sound, like a sandbag hitting the ground, as the thin young man's eyes bulged in shock. His body bent like a shrimp as he was struck back, crashing into the chess table.

Li Hao didn't know exactly how strong his punch was, but given that he could lift a ten-ton boulder, this punch, thrown with force, easily packed tens of thousands of pounds.

As the thin young man was knocked back, Li Hao quickly jumped forward, his small hand gripping the man's throat like an eagle's claw, and said coldly, "Don't make a sound!"

Thin young man: "???"