Chapter 11: Li Hao Draws His Sword
Chapter 11: Li Hao Draws His Sword
The Sword Techniques that seemed a bit clumsy yesterday now exuded the grace of a true Swordsman.
His posture was precise, his movements crisp and agile, giving off a sense of dexterity!
A Sword Dao prodigy!
This was the only thought that came to Lin Haixia’s mind.
After all, how many days had Bian Ruxue been learning this set of Sword Techniques? Being able to grasp the basics in just half a month would have been impressive.
But now, she had not only mastered them but also infused her movements with a rare touch of spirit, which was the key.
Yesterday, though he had scolded the little girl harshly, it was only because he saw her potential in Sword Dao, the hope that she could become a formidable sword wielder in the future, which made him strict and demanding.
He never expected that Bian Ruxue’s performance today would far exceed his expectations. She was undoubtedly a Sword Dao prodigy, a rare gem!
"Good, very good."
Lin Haixia smiled, nodding repeatedly. After Bian Ruxue finished her demonstration, he asked, "Did you practice on your own last night?"
Bian Ruxue immediately thought of Li Hao’s guidance but also remembered his stern warnings and admonishments. She nodded slightly.
Lin Haixia was not surprised. If she hadn’t put in the effort last night, she wouldn’t have shown such improvement today.
What was truly remarkable was the rapid progress she had made after just one night of practice.
"This Sword Technique is a bit too simple for you. Today, I will teach you a High-Grade Sword Technique!"
Lin Haixia said.
The previous technique was merely a Low-Grade Sword Technique. He had no authority to enter the Rain Listening Pavilion of the Li family, where the High-Grade and Supreme Sword Techniques were listed, nor did he have the right to teach them to the little girl on behalf of the Li family.
Unless specifically instructed by Li Hao’s parents, even the current Li Hao wouldn’t have the authority.
He was still too young to make such decisions.
"Okay."
Bian Ruxue nodded.
The two of them, one older and one younger, began practicing the new Sword Technique in the courtyard.
One taught, the other learned.
Li Hao watched for a moment, feeling a bit bored, and then continued to ponder his Chess Heart.
He held the black and white pieces in his hands, flipping them back and forth, gently caressing them while his mind dwelled on the chess strategies.
Time passed quietly in the courtyard, leaving no trace.
During the day, Li Hao would stare at the chessboard, lost in thought.
At night, he would occasionally guide Bian Ruxue, correcting her minor mistakes.
Bian Ruxue’s progress in Sword Dao was astonishing, much to Lin Haixia’s delight.
A few months later, in the Snowfall Courtyard.
Li Hao stood quietly among the crowd, watching an elderly man with a sage-like demeanor lead the eight-year-old Li Wushuang away to begin her cultivation.
Fifth Lady shed tears as she bid farewell, urging Shuang'er to eat well, listen carefully, and sleep well.
Li Hao remembered that when he was still an infant, this little girl would tug at his mother’s pants, her bright eyes examining him curiously.
Fifth Lady had three children, two daughters and one son, and this was her eldest daughter.
At the Bone Measurement at age five, she was found to have a Ninth-Rank War Body, making her another prodigy in the Li family.
Now, with her exceptional cultivation talent, she had gained the attention of a great master and was taken as a disciple.
This scene was all too familiar to Li Hao. He had seen it two years ago when Liu Yuerong’s child was taken away by a bald monk reciting Buddhist mantras.
Clearly, that person was from Wuliang Mountain.
Those with supreme talent in the Li family were often taken under the wing of the top forces in Dayu, one of the ways these top forces extended their influence and connections.
Those with slightly lesser talent, like the second son of Second Lady, who measured a Seventh-Rank War Body—though still considered a genius—would be sent to cultivate at the Tan Palace Academy in Qingzhou City.
Compared to Fifth Lady’s maternal concern, Li Wushuang’s expression was remarkably mature, like a little adult. She calmly nodded, telling her mother and father to take care of themselves.
Then, the little girl’s gaze swept across the courtyard, looking at everyone.
When her eyes passed over Li Hao, she gave him a brief glance, showing no particular impression.
Among the third-generation children in the manor, the ones she heard her mother talk about the most were the few with supreme talent, such as Li Qianfeng, the son of Second Lady, who was her current goal.
The rest, she no longer paid any attention to.
Immersed in the grand vat of the Martial Dao, the teachings of her mother, her martial instructors, and the servants around her all seeped into her ears. Though she was young, her mind was already mature, her eyes sharp, and she had a clear aspiration and goal to pursue the pinnacle of the Martial Dao.
After bidding farewell to her parents and receiving the well-wishes of the crowd, the little girl left with the Daoist.
The next time they would see her would likely be years later, when she returned home in glory.
Life returned to its peaceful rhythm.
In this tranquil time, Li Hao slowly resumed playing chess with himself.
Now, he was not playing for experience; he simply enjoyed the pure thought process of each game.
He tried to outdo himself, switching his mindset to the white pieces when he held them, and to the black pieces when he held those. Though the process was challenging, it gave him a sense of accomplishment.
Struggling against oneself is endlessly entertaining.
In this world, where entertainment was scarce, Li Hao gradually came to enjoy the feeling of being deeply focused on something, especially when it involved a challenge.
Occasionally, the maids would see the young master suddenly exclaim in surprise.
For example, while eating quietly, he might suddenly shout, "Oh, that move should have been there!"
With a look of regret.
Sometimes, he would point at the flower bed and ask the maids, "Do you see that patch of flowers? Doesn't it look like a chessboard?"
The maids: ???
They didn't understand, not at all.
But since he was their young master, what could they do but agree?
When Li Hao turned six, Lin Haixia found him and said he would teach him techniques.
He brought out a weapons rack and had Li Hao choose and practice each weapon, just as he had done with Bian Ruxue.
However, considering that Li Hao's bones were not as top-tier as Bian Ruxue's War Body, he decided to delay Li Hao's training by a year to avoid affecting his bone development too early.
It was then that Li Hao realized the military strongman was still staying in the manor to teach him techniques.
"But I can't cultivate, right?" Li Hao yawned, pulled out of bed early and longing to crawl back under the covers.
"First, we practice techniques. If the commander finds a way to help you unblock your meridians in the future, you'll be ready to start cultivating immediately, and you won't fall behind in techniques", Lin Haixia explained. This was his plan: practice now, be prepared.
If you can cultivate in the future, it will be useful.
"But what if I can't?" Li Hao asked.
"You'll be idle anyway", Lin Haixia said coolly.
Li Hao felt like he wanted to spit blood. What kind of logic was that?
Being idle was better than being exhausted!
But Lin Haixia was clearly determined. No matter how Li Hao tried to persuade him, it was useless. In the end, he sternly took out a bamboo stick, threatening to beat him if he didn't comply.
Li Hao, though not afraid of pain—his current body was tough, and Lin Haixia would have to really go all out to hurt him—saw the seriousness in the other's eyes and decided to back down for now.
Li Hao picked up each weapon and went through the motions, just to get it over with. His sword, spear, staff, and cudgel moves were all lackluster.
When he picked up the sword, the little girl beside him, with a look of anticipation, clenched her fists and encouraged him, "Brother Hao, come on!"
Li Hao was speechless, waving the sword around carelessly and finishing quickly.
Lin Haixia's face darkened, sensing the little boy's lack of effort. "You didn't do a single weapon well today. You're not allowed to rest, and you're not allowed to 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 saber and start practicing. Though he appeared focused, his movements were without any form or structure.
Seeing Li Hao's interest in the saber, Lin Haixia began teaching him, starting with the most basic stances.
Li Hao, seeing his seriousness, became even more reluctant to practice. If Lin Haixia saw any potential or hope, he would be motivated every day, and there would be no peace.
So, when Lin Haixia taught him, Li Hao nodded repeatedly, saying he understood.
But as soon as he took the saber, his movements were all over the place.
It was as if his limbs were saying, "I don't get it!"
By the end of the afternoon, Lin Haixia was ready to swear.
Even the lowest-grade saber techniques couldn't be performed properly. This kid had no martial insight at all.
He couldn't help but think of some geniuses.
Some people had extremely high talent in one area but were completely clueless in others, sometimes even worse than ordinary people.
And Li Hao seemed to be one of those.
Unfortunately, his talent was misplaced.
Chess... what kind of nonsense is that?!
Lin Haixia even hated the fact that someone in the world could be so bored as to invent such a thing. It was truly despicable!
But after the hatred, he felt a deep sorrow. Could he really not help the young master?
He hated his own incompetence, his inability to repay the commander's kindness.
Forcing Li Hao to practice for another half a month, Lin Haixia finally despaired and gave up.
He told Li Hao that some recent events in the Yanbei War meant he would be leaving soon.
Li Hao looked at the man, knowing that his heart was already dead.
During this time, he had seen the man's grief, feeling both moved and ashamed.
The man had hated the chessboard, hated his own inability to teach, but he had never hated Li Hao.
"Uncle Lin, do you think someone who can't cultivate the Martial Path, if they choose the path of physical training and combine it with techniques, can still become an expert?"
Sitting in the courtyard, Li Hao looked at the man who was drinking again and asked.
Lin Haixia set down his drink, thought for a moment, and said with absolute certainty, "Yes!"
He continued, "I've seen experts in the army with formidable physical strength and Spear Techniques that are almost divine. They are definitely on the level of strong warriors."
He turned to look at Li Hao, but his eyes quickly dimmed. "Young Master, I know you are intelligent and can endure hardship. If you choose the path of physical training, you will definitely be able to handle it, but your insight..."
He didn't continue, feeling a deep sadness. His earlier attempts to teach Li Hao techniques were driven by this very thought.
Li Hao looked at him in surprise and said, "I sleep until the sun is high in the sky, and you say I can endure hardship?"
Lin Haixia shook his head slightly, a bitter smile on his lips. "I've seen you play chess. I know you can endure hardship, you just choose not to."
In Li Hao, he saw the potential to become a top-tier expert.
That potential was intelligence, character, and diligence.
But what he lacked was the Martial Path's aptitude and insight.
These were the very keys to the Martial Path.
Without the key, how could one even enter the door, let alone sit at the top table?
This meant that the vast resources for cultivation in the Divine General Manor, piled up in front of Li Hao, were nothing more than an empty mountain.
Hearing Lin Haixia's words, Li Hao felt a bit surprised, glanced at the man, and then fell silent.
A night breeze blew, and one man continued to drink while the other gazed silently at the night sky, as if a shooting star had just streaked across it. Whose star was falling?
Two months later.
Lin Haixia was leaving, formally bidding farewell to Li Hao.
Li Hao waited for him in the inner courtyard. The vast courtyard was empty, and he had asked all the servants to move to the outer courtyard, leaving him alone to see Lin Haixia off.
"Uncle Lin, don't you think it's too quiet?" Li Hao asked with a smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
Lin Haixia sighed lightly. "I don't mind the superficial things. It's you I'm worried about. Xue'er is in your care. That girl has exceptional talent in the Sword Path and will definitely achieve great things in the future. Treat her well, and she will protect you."
At this moment, his eyes held a complex mix of emotions, including resignation and a sense of letting go.
By now, he had completely given up on Li Hao's martial training.
When he first came to the Divine General Manor, he had been full of hope and enthusiasm, determined to do his best to cultivate the commander's young son and repay the kindness he had received.
Now, he was leaving with a heart full of regret, feeling a deep sadness.
Li Hao smiled and said, "Uncle Lin, I have nothing to give you when we meet, but since you're leaving today, I'll give you a small gift."
"I don't want any gifts, and I don't have the face to accept them. Just take care of yourself", Lin Haixia said, feeling a bit comforted but not particularly interested in the gift Li Hao mentioned. He lacked nothing.
Li Hao didn't speak, but slowly walked over to the weapon rack.
Lin Haixia was taken aback, looking at him in confusion.
Then, he saw Li Hao slowly draw a sword from the rack.
"This sword is for Uncle Lin."
"Thank you for your teachings!"
Li Hao said softly.
Then, the sword rose.
His posture was as graceful as snow, and the light from the sword in his hand surged like a vast, turbulent sea, instantly blossoming into countless intricate and exquisite sword flowers, beautiful to the extreme.
The Ultimate, Endless Sea, Tidal Sword Technique!
At that moment, the brilliant and dazzling sword light illuminated the entire empty inner courtyard.
It also shone in Lin Haixia's eyes, turning his dark, contracted pupils snow-white and bright.
(End of Chapter)
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