The Name of Eternals

Chapter 2: Swordsmanship Recorded

[Name: Li Hao]

[Age: 0 years old]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

[Mastered Arts: None]

[Art Skill Points: 0]

These clear characters turned out to be a familiar character panel for Li Hao.

He felt familiar with it because he had seen it in his previous life.

However, not in reality, but in a game.

When Li Hao transmigrated, he was bored and had casually downloaded a casual mobile game from a store. This panel was the character panel from that game.

But now, it had an additional attribute: [Cultivation].

Also, the age and name fields had switched to his current real status, instead of his old unchanging online name: "Gone with the Wind."

As for the [Art Skill Points] at the end, they felt even more familiar.

Unlike the adventure exploration and card-based grind games on the market, this game focused on relaxation and entertainment.

There was no combat system, no combat equipment, only fancy costumes, and various artistic and leisure entertainments.

Things like playing chess, fishing, painting, and carving.

You could even watch movies or play poker.

The regular kind, of course.

But there were no wild monsters, nor could you fight.

Different skills could accumulate [Art Skill Points], and each art skill point could directly improve the art level, unlocking more gameplay.

Unexpectedly, after transmigrating, this feature came with him.

Wait a minute.

Is this thing going to make me a master of life skills like in the game?!

Li Hao was a bit stunned and speechless.

This is the Transitory Realm; what's the use of art here!

I want to fight!

...

...

"Report—"

While Li Hao was lost in the amazement of the panel, a piercing military report suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

A personal guard of the Li family rushed into the courtyard, breaking the peaceful and joyful atmosphere. He knelt on one knee before the Marquis of Xingwu and quickly reported:

"Marquis, there is a rebellion in the north of Yan. Prince Pingcheng has colluded with demons and massacred the border city of Mofeng and eight surrounding towns. His Majesty of Yu has decreed that you depart immediately to quell the rebellion!"

The eyes of the nobles and ladies in the courtyard instantly focused on the Marquis of Xingwu, their expressions varied.

Li Hao snapped out of his daze, a bit bewildered.

It's only been a few months, and there's already another war?

The smile on the face of the Marquis of Xingwu vanished, replaced by a killing aura. His eyes were like cold lightning as he stared at the personal guard before him, then slowly stood up.

Sensing something, he glanced at Li Hao, meeting his wife's gaze.

The killing intent in the man's eyes immediately dissipated, revealing an apologetic expression: "Qingqing, you accompany Hao'er at his hundredth-day banquet. I'll be quick."

Ji Qingqing's face turned slightly grim. She handed Li Hao to the Fifth Lady beside her, and as she looked at the baby in swaddling clothes, she felt a strange sense that this child was looking back at her with understanding, even reluctance.

She was momentarily dazed, thinking it must be an illusion. After all, the child was only a few months old; what could he understand about parting?

"Mother will be back soon, be good." Ji Qingqing gently caressed Li Hao's forehead, her eyes also filled with reluctance.

But then, she resolutely walked toward the Marquis of Xingwu: "This trip is dangerous; I'll go with you!"

The Marquis of Xingwu immediately shook his head: "You stay and accompany Hao'er; he's still small and needs your care."

"I'm a general in the army. Now that the main force is in place, how can I be absent?"

Ji Qingqing's eyes were solemn: "Prince Pingcheng is cunning and has been hiding his intentions for years. Now he suddenly strikes. I worry there is more to this than meets the eye. Let me accompany you."

The Marquis of Xingwu gazed at her, knowing his wife's stubborn nature. He sighed and did not persuade her further: "Alright, then I'll leave Hao'er in the care of the sisters and brothers-in-law. We'll return as soon as possible."

"Be careful, you two."

The First Lady approached, showing concern: "Don't worry about Hao'er. We'll take good care of him."

"Thank you, elder sister-in-law."

The Marquis of Xingwu smiled slightly, then turned and shouted, "Prepare the horses, gather the soldiers of the Law Camp, and follow me!"

As a family of generals, they were accustomed to handling matters swiftly, and the couple soon led a group of personal guards out of the residence, rushing to the northern border camp in Yan under the cover of night.

It was a place the Li family had battled for many years. They were most familiar with the terrain, environment, demons, and enemies, as well as the place the Li family guarded.

This is why Ji Qingqing insisted on going with them.

There were too many people in the courtyard, so she didn't say something publicly. Why did the Emperor of Yu receive news of the rebellion in the north of Yan before they did?

...

...

Early winter, Qingzhou City welcomed its first snowfall.

More than a year had passed since the hundredth-day banquet, and Li Hao was now a year and a half old.

His parents were still on the battlefield in the north of Yan and had not returned. According to secret reports from the Li family army, the situation there was stalemated, with signs of evolving into a long-term battle.

At this time.

Li Hao, now a year and a half old, stood alone in the Mountain and River Courtyard, with his small hands behind his back like a little adult, watching the falling snowflakes.

He wondered how that young woman, who had become his mother, was doing in the north of Yan.

The servants and maids around him were no longer surprised by the young master's behavior.

Although Li Hao had just turned one, his name as a prodigy had already spread throughout the Li residence.

Since he could babble at half a year old, Li Hao hadn't wet the bed again.

While other children were crying and screaming, the young master could use simple words like "eat" and "poop" to alert the wet nurses when he needed food or to relieve himself.

At one year old, when other children were just learning to walk, young master Li Hao could already run around and point at the words in books, asking the servants to read to him and learning to recognize characters on his own.

Not crying or making trouble, intelligent and sensible, was the impression the servants and maids had of this young master.

"Second Lady, the young master is over here."

At this moment, a graceful and noble figure walked into the courtyard. Seeing Li Hao standing alone in the snowy yard, the beautiful woman's eyebrows raised as she scolded, "How are you taking care of the young master? Aren't you afraid he'll get cold in this snowy weather?!"

The servants and maids around her were so frightened that they hurriedly knelt.

The lead housekeeper nervously replied, "Reporting to Second Lady, it was the young master himself who wanted to watch the snow and told us not to disturb him…"

"The young master is still a child. Whatever he says, you obey? If he tells you to die, will you die?!"

The Second Lady's face was filled with anger as she quickly walked to Li Hao and picked him up in her arms, brushing the snow from his head: "Even if the young master wants to watch the snow, you should at least hold an umbrella for him. And look how thinly he's dressed! Do you all not want to live?"

The servants were drenched in sweat, not daring to breathe.

"Second Mother, don't blame them. I told them not to come over." Li Hao said helplessly.

Since his parents went to the battlefield in the north of Yan, he had been taken care of by the various ladies in the residence, each treating him very well. The Second Lady Liu, in front of him, was gentle by nature but extremely strict with the servants. If he didn't speak up, those serving him would surely be punished.

Hearing Li Hao's clear words, a light flickered in Liu Yue's eyes. She lightly snorted, "For Hao'er's sake, I'll spare you this time. If I see it again, you'll taste the winter cold in the icy lake!"

Having said this, she turned to Li Hao with a gentle smile, "Hao'er, Second Mother will take you to eat something delicious. You should wear more clothes, even with the Dragon Blood Jade the Emperor gave you. What if you get sick…"

She rambled on with concern, carrying Li Hao out of the courtyard.

Li Hao had long been used to this, letting the Second Mother carry him in her arms.

Before long, Liu Yue brought Li Hao to the Shuihua Courtyard.

In the courtyard, a child of about four or five years old was practicing with a wooden sword, the sword flowers spinning as he moved, his stance decent.

This was the Second Lady's only son, Li Qianfeng.

At a young age, his eyes already showed focus and determination.

Nearby, a burly middle-aged man was instructing him, frequently nodding in approval.

Li Hao knew this man was one of Li Qianfeng's seven military instructors, specifically teaching him swordsmanship.

Seeing the Second Lady approaching, the burly middle-aged man quickly bowed, glancing at Li Hao in her arms, knowing this was the fabled gifted child named by the Emperor of Yu. When tested for talent in the future, he might not be inferior to Li Qianfeng.

The child practicing with the sword didn't lose focus because of his mother's arrival, continuing his training with dedication.

Liu Yue didn't interrupt, nodding slightly to the burly man before taking Li Hao to a pavilion nearby.

On the table were rare fruits and pastry snacks.

Liu Yue fed Li Hao while watching her child practice swordsmanship. Her eyes flickered with light, soon lost in thought, even forgetting to continue feeding him.

"Is this the Li family's best sword technique, 'The Boundless Sea'?"

Li Hao squinted his little eyes, watching curiously.

He'd heard that the Second Mother's child had already been tested for bones and had exceptional talent.

He wondered what his own bone measurement would be like in the future.

In the courtyard, the five-year-old Li Qianfeng practiced with precision. Although he was just practicing the form, his posture was standard, causing the burly man to nod repeatedly, unable to refrain from praising him.

Yet, there was no joy on the child's face, remaining focused and diligent.

"Again!"

Despite his praise, the burly middle-aged man was extremely strict in his instruction.

The child rehearsed the form from the beginning, his movements skilled, clearly practiced thoroughly.

Li Hao watched intently, and suddenly, a line of text appeared before his eyes.

"Learned the basics. Record it?"

What?!

Li Hao was startled and instinctively chose yes.

"Recorded successfully!"

At that moment, the panel appeared before his eyes.

[Name: Li Hao]

[Age: 1 year old]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

[Swordsmanship: Beginner (Can add points)]

[Skill: Tides of the Boundless Sea (Beginner) [Sealed]]

[Mastered Arts: Chess]

[Chess Level: First Dan (82/500) (Can add points)]

[Chess Collection: 0]

[Art Skill Points: 1]

Over this past year, Li Hao had been trying to explore his panel, but due to his young age and the need to avoid appearing overly precocious, his opportunities were limited. Fortunately, there was a chessboard in the residence.

At half a year old, he would lie on the chessboard, playing by himself.

Seeing that the young master seemed to like the "chessboard" toy, his wet nurses and maids were happy to leave him alone.

It was better than having him crawl all over the place.

Through experimentation, Li Hao discovered that he could gain experience from playing chess, just like in the game, and easily level up!

In reality, improving one's chess rank was very difficult.

It required focus, talent, and hard work.

Li Hao himself had only amateur-level skill in chess.

But now, by simply playing on the chessboard, he could gain experience points.

Raising his chess level from 0 to 1 only required 100 experience points.

To go from First Dan to Second Dan, he needed 500 points.

If not for the maids occasionally checking on him, Li Hao would have gained even more experience.

He couldn't help it; although the maids didn't understand chess, they had some common sense.

Seeing a less-than-one-year-old arrange all the pieces perfectly would definitely seem strange.

Now, besides chess, the panel also had new attributes: [Swordsmanship] and [Skill]. These weren't there before.

Especially the prompt after [Swordsmanship], which made Li Hao curious and excited. Could it be that swordsmanship, like chess, could be directly improved with art skill points?

Without thinking much, he chose to add points.