The Name of Eternals

Chapter 17: Sword Saint

Bian Ruxue won.

With one sword strike, she knocked Li Dongbai's sword away and also held her sword half an inch from his throat.

The young boy froze, and when he came to his senses, he quickly backed away a few steps, staring in fear at the half-grown girl in front of him.

This scene was beyond everyone's expectations. They were all incredulous as they looked at Bian Ruxue. Li Dongbai had been training here for eight years, yet he was defeated by a girl who had only been training for a year. Was this the difference that talent made?

Bian Ruxue withdrew her sword and smiled brightly; she had won.

Then, she looked up at the boy in front of her and said seriously, "I want you to apologize to Brother Hao."

Apologize? Apologize to that waste? Li Dongbai came to his senses, and his face turned red with embarrassment. He gritted his teeth and said, "I admit I lost to you, but I will never apologize!"

"You..." Bian Ruxue furrowed her small eyebrows, unsure of what to do.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "If you don't apologize, I'll compete with you again."

"Childish!"

Li Dongbai, annoyed, turned and ran off the platform. Feeling the eyes of others on him, he said nothing and dashed out of the martial arts arena.

The military veteran did not stop the boy from leaving. Facing setbacks, some things need to be understood on one's own.

On the other hand, this little girl impressed him. That sword strike was already very close to the perfect level.

It was a high-grade sword technique, very difficult to master.

The ninth-grade combat body only grants training speed, not skill proficiency, which shows that Bian Ruxue's sword talent is as rare as her cultivation potential!

"Did just one small defeat yesterday unleash her potential?" The old soldier couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

In the arena, the illegitimate disciples looked at the little girl's figure with complex eyes.

They not only saw Li Dongbai's pride defeated but also realized the gap between themselves as illegitimate children and those from the grand courtyards.

"Xue'er, you're amazing."

Several small figures ran to Bian Ruxue as she stepped off the platform, including the siblings from the Fifth Courtyard and Li Yuanzhao from the Sixth Courtyard.

They were the same age as Bian Ruxue, with only a few months' difference, and the youngest was Li Yun's sister, Li Zhining, who had just turned six and had only recently come to the martial arts arena.

Their elder sister, Li Wushuang, had already left the mansion to train under a famous master.

Brother Hao is amazing... Bian Ruxue thought to herself.

The three children gathered around Bian Ruxue, chattering excitedly about the recent fight. The most talkative among them was Li Yun, Li Wushuang's younger brother.

"Xue'er, do you want some milk pastry?"

Li Yun suddenly produced a small, exquisitely decorated wooden lunchbox. As he opened it, a rich milky aroma wafted out, revealing white, jade-like soft pastries inside: "For you."

Bian Ruxue sniffed the air, her eyes sparkling with delight, and said happily, "All for me?"

"If you like, you can have it all." Li Yun grinned.

"Thank you."

Bian Ruxue didn't forget to express her gratitude and put it all away.

By then, it was time for the day's training to end. She waved her little hand, carrying the lunchbox in one hand and holding her sword in the other as she left.

Li Yun watched her retreating figure, chuckling foolishly.

Beside him, his sister Li Zhining raised her little face and asked, "Brother, isn't that the pastry mother made for you? I haven't even tried it yet."

"If you want to eat it, mother can make more for you later. Xue'er hasn't tasted it yet," Li Yun replied, grinning without a care.

Li Zhining snorted, pouted in jealousy, and turned to leave.

"Ningning, you can have mine," said Li Yuanzhao, a chubby little figure, catching up and saying with a grin.

"I don't want it!" The little girl huffed, slapping it away.

...

...

In the pavilion, Li Hao was in the middle of a chess game when he heard that Bian Ruxue had returned.

He glanced casually, and seeing the little girl's face full of uncontrollable joy, he already had the answer in his heart and continued to focus on the chessboard, making his move:

"What has you so happy? Tell me and let me be happy too."

"I won."

Bian Ruxue ran into the pavilion, announcing cheerfully, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Li Hao, as if waiting for praise.

Li Hao smiled and placed another piece, "No surprise there, Xue'er, you're amazing."

With this praise, the little girl's smile grew even wider, and she said, "Brother Hao, finish your game first, then I'll give you something tasty."

"Oh?"

Noticing the wooden box in her hand, Li Hao didn't ask further and continued his game with Li Fu, quickly finishing it.

Li Fu's chess skills were just average, not even at an amateur level, which meant Li Hao only gained one or two experience points each game. He often felt a little bitter that the assassin had made his move too soon...

"What good stuff is it?"

Li Hao turned to look at the wooden box.

Bian Ruxue set her sword down on a chair and brought the food box to the table, opening the lid to release a milky aroma: "Someone gave me milk pastries, they look delicious, try them, Brother Hao."

"Who gave it to you?" Li Hao didn't immediately take one but instead asked cautiously.

Bian Ruxue paused, thought for a moment, and shook her head: "I forgot to ask his name, but you should know him, Brother Hao. He's one of the kids we often run into when we visit Madam for morning greetings."

"Those kids?" Li Hao was surprised.

Li Fu gave him a sidelong glance, reminding him that he was still a kid too.

But he had long been used to Li Hao's old-fashioned way of speaking.

"Yes." Bian Ruxue nodded.

Li Hao relaxed slightly, "You silly girl, you've been training with them for a year in the martial arts arena, and you can't even remember their names."

Bian Ruxue looked at him a bit aggrievedly, "They never told me."

"I'm sure they did. Even if they didn't, the attendants would have mentioned it; you just weren't paying attention." Li Hao chided her.

"Then I'll ask next time," Bian Ruxue said, a bit frustrated.

Li Hao said, "You need to be more sociable, or you'll get bullied in the future."

"I won't." Bian Ruxue immediately lifted her head, her face showing a hint of pride: "The teacher said I have great talent and will be very powerful. I'll protect you, Brother Hao, so no one can bully you."

"Just take care of yourself. I haven't been bullied," Li Hao said, thinking about how he spent his days in the courtyard playing chess and strolling around comfortably, living a retired life ahead of schedule.

"Hey, you! Xue'er is being kind to you, and look at your attitude." Li Fu couldn't help but scold.

Li Hao glanced at him helplessly. This guy wasn't that old, only in his forties, yet he was so old-fashioned.

Not wanting to argue, Li Hao said, "Uncle Fu, you should try it first, just in case. Even though those kids aren't bad, I'm afraid they might be used by someone."

Li Fu nodded slightly and looked at Li Hao again. This boy always seemed contradictory: very meticulous at times and somewhat ignorant at others.

Taking a bite of the pastry, Li Fu closed his eyes.

After a while, Li Hao grew impatient and asked, "Well? It should be fine, right? Say something, Uncle Fu."

"Tastes pretty good," Li Fu replied, opening his eyes.

Li Hao rolled his eyes and quickly said to Bian Ruxue, "Eat quickly, don't let it get cold."

Saying this, he picked up a piece and tasted it. It was indeed delicious. "It tastes a bit like Aunt Five's handiwork. Was it Li Yun or his sister Li Zhining who gave it to you?"

"It was the brother." Bian Ruxue could distinguish between brother and sister.

"Next time, tell that kid to bring more. This is barely enough for anyone," Li Hao devoured the pastries but left the other half for Bian Ruxue.

"Okay." Bian Ruxue nodded, remembering it.

Li Fu shook his head secretly. This kid, at such a young age, was already so shameless, which was quite different from the solemn style of the Li family.

...

...

A few days later, the God General Mansion suddenly welcomed a distinguished guest.

There was a slight commotion in the mansion. Upon receiving the news, all the madams hurried to pay their respects when they learned that the guest was the one from the Sword Cottage.

If they could establish some connection and have their child become a disciple under him, their future achievements would undoubtedly be remarkable.

Among them, the concubine wives were particularly proactive. Their children's cultivation resources couldn't compare to those of legitimate heirs, so many top-level opportunities had to be fought for on their own.

He Jianlan received guests at the Changchun Courtyard and could feel the shadows flitting about outside. She knew what these people were thinking but didn't blame them. However, when she heard what the reputed Sword Saint said, she couldn't help but look a bit surprised.

After a conversation, He Jianlan nodded slightly and rose to accompany the guest out.

Not long after, the Shanhai Courtyard became lively, with a large group approaching.

Li Hao, who was playing chess in the pavilion, heard the commotion and was a little surprised. Soon, he saw the leading figure, Madam He, with an elderly man with long, snow-white hair beside her.

The elder had sharp eyebrows and pronounced cheekbones, looking quite lean and wiry.

Next to this unfamiliar elder was another old man, the military veteran from the martial arts arena. Li Hao had seen him a few times, so he was somewhat familiar.

"What's going on?" Li Hao was puzzled.

Li Fu, sitting opposite him, saw the white-haired elder and his pupils contracted. He quickly stood up, shocked and suddenly realizing something, he became quietly excited.

Li Hao rarely saw Uncle Fu so excited and immediately understood that this unfamiliar elder was a significant figure. But there weren't many who could be treated with such respect by the Li family.

Looking at the unfinished chess game, Li Hao felt a bit helpless and had to put it aside, turning to wait quietly.

"Li Fu."

Seeing Li Fu, He Jianlan gently beckoned him over and then called to Li Hao, "Hao'er, come here."

Li Hao had no choice but to stand up and walk over.

"Where's Xue'er?" He Jianlan asked again.

Li Hao pointed to another part of the courtyard: "Practicing sword over there."

"Xuejian, go call Xue'er over," He Jianlan instructed the maid beside her.