Chapter 12: The News of Death
Chapter 12: The News of Death
Lin Haixia finally left.
But unlike the previous sense of regret and melancholy, he was filled with excitement and almost ran out of the Divine General Manor.
He wanted to report this incredible news to the commander of the Frontier as quickly as possible.
If they knew that their child possessed a Sword Dao talent that appeared only once in a thousand years, they would surely be both surprised and overjoyed!
Lin Haixia understood that one sword technique, but he didn't fully grasp it.
He recognized the sword technique—it was the most famous Sword Technique in the Li family's collection, the Endless Sea·Tidal Sword Technique!
But even compared to the perfect versions of the Tidal Sword Technique he had seen, this one was not inferior and even had a special quality.
He racked his brains and could only think of one word:
Perfection.
More flawless than perfect!
Lin Haixia knew that beyond the realm of perfection, there was another, deeper level called Ultimate.
But even those who immersed themselves in a technique for decades found it difficult to reach.
In addition to hard practice, it required supreme talent.
However, this world-shaking sword technique was performed by Li Hao.
A six-year-old child.
Even the most extraordinary geniuses found it incredibly challenging to achieve such skill at the age of six.
Moreover, Lin Haixia had never seen Li Hao practice sword techniques.
But he was certain that Li Hao was secretly practicing.
Still, time was equal for everyone, rich or poor, twelve hours a day.
Whenever he saw Li Hao, the child was mostly playing chess, wandering around, daydreaming, or eating and drinking.
He had never seen him practice sword techniques, not even once.
Even if he practiced in secret, how much time could he possibly squeeze out?
He asked Li Hao, "Why do you secretly practice sword techniques?"
And why hide such an extraordinary talent?
But Li Hao only smiled and shook his head, saying nothing.
Lin Haixia thought of many things, the family feuds and noble disputes he had heard about in stories, and he had a vague suspicion.
Looking at Li Hao's calm, smiling face, Lin Haixia felt a lump in his throat. He realized that if the man from the Frontier returned, this child would not be so defenseless.
He could shine brilliantly, yet now he had to remain low and hidden.
If this child hadn't seen through his sincerity, he probably wouldn't have shown his hidden true self... Thinking of this, Lin Haixia felt deeply moved and gratified.
This one sword not only revealed Li Hao's Sword Dao talent but, combined with his usual speech and demeanor, also made Lin Haixia truly understand how intelligent this child was!
...
...
Lin Haixia left in a hurry, even passing by the front courtyard without saying a word to Bian Ruxue.
With Lin Haixia's departure, the courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.
However, now that Li Hao was six, he needed to wake up early every day to pay his respects to his aunt at Changchun Courtyard, as a matter of etiquette.
The purpose of etiquette was to cultivate respect for teachers and a sense of gratitude from a young age.
Bian Ruxue, as Li Hao's betrothed, was already considered part of the Li family and naturally accompanied him to pay respects.
During the morning respects, they would inevitably encounter other children from the various courtyards, but there were only four or five of them.
All around Li Hao's age.
For example, the second son and youngest daughter of the Fifth Lady.
The orphaned son of the Sixth Lady.
The son and daughter of the Eighth Lady.
The other children were either like Li Qianfeng and Li Wushuang, with exceptional talent and taken under the tutelage of renowned masters.
Or they were older, already in the military, vying for glory.
The son and daughter of the aunt were already in their twenties, serving as lieutenants in the army, and would only return home occasionally if there was no war.
But as a member of the Li family, military law was deeply ingrained in their bones, and discipline was strictly maintained. They would always set an example, which is why Lady He Jianlan found it hard to see her children throughout the year.
After the morning salute, Li Hao and Bian Ruxue were invited by Lady He Jianlan to stay and enjoy a nutritious breakfast she had prepared. Sitting at the table, Li Hao chatted a bit with the elegant and dignified lady before the two small figures swayed back to their courtyard.
Li Hao, as usual, remained lost in thought, pondering chess.
Bian Ruxue practiced her sword techniques in the courtyard.
The high-grade Sword Techniques that Lin Haixia had taught her before leaving were enough to keep her busy for several years.
Li Hao thought that this peaceful and serene time would continue to flow slowly.
Until a few days later, a message suddenly reached the Divine General Manor.
Lin Haixia had returned.
A tall, armored warrior with a stern gaze brought Lin Haixia back.
But he only brought back one hand.
When Li Hao heard the news from Old Zhao, he was stunned.
The chess piece in his hand fell to the ground, but he didn't even glance at it.
Without bothering to put on his shoes, he dashed out barefoot and rushed to the Changchun Courtyard.
The maidservant at the door wanted to report his arrival, but Li Hao had already burst in.
Then, he saw a warrior kneeling in the main hall of the Changchun Courtyard, where he usually paid his morning respects.
Li Hao's heart trembled. He stepped past the warrior and saw a red cloth on the ground in front of him, with a hand lying on it.
The severed arm looked torn, with flesh and blood mangled and uneven.
The blue sleeves and bandage were the same as the clothes Lin Haixia wore when she left.
This hand had caressed the little girl's head just a few days ago.
The warrior was reporting to Lady He Jianlan:
"Captain Lin was ambushed by Demons while passing through Qizhou on her way to Yanbei."
"The Northern Yan Battlefield is in a stalemate, and recently Demons have been infiltrating the cities of Yanbei, attempting to split our forces. Other states have also seen frequent Demon attacks..."
"Stop for a moment."
Lady He Jianlan interrupted the warrior.
She was taken aback, seeing Li Hao rush into the hall barefoot.
She then thought of something, a sigh appearing in her eyes, and she instructed Xue Jian, "Take the arm away first."
"Yes."
Xue Jian nodded lightly, glancing at Li Hao as he rushed in. She was familiar with this little boy and knew that the arm's owner was one of his mentors who had helped with his Foundation Building.
However, in a military family, she had seen many partings and losses. Apart from a silent sigh, she felt nothing else.
When Xue Jian approached, Li Hao stepped forward to block her.
Ignoring her surprised expression, Li Hao turned and fixed his gaze on the warrior.
"Which Demons killed Uncle Lin?"
The warrior looked up and saw a boy of his own height, kneeling on one knee, staring at him with a face full of anger. The look in his eyes was extremely cold and furious, as if it didn't belong to a child.
Recognizing the jade pendant hanging from his waist, the warrior identified him as the Li family's prodigy, though he wasn't sure which branch.
He replied truthfully, "It was a Fourth Realm thousand-year Great Demon, leading a few other Demons. They surrounded and devoured Captain Lin. By the time the city guard of Qizhou arrived, only this arm remained."
Devoured! Li Hao's mind buzzed, his eyes reddening, and his blood seemed to surge in reverse, flooding his brain.
He could easily imagine the scene, how cruel it must have been!
Since arriving in this world and living in the Divine General Manor, Li Hao had heard many stories about Demons from his surroundings, but he had never truly seen one. Although he knew the battlefield was brutal, this was the first time he felt the impact so directly.
"Does that Demon have a name?" Li Hao asked in a low voice.
The soldier replied, "Yes, that Demon has long resided outside Qizhou City and has given itself the title of 'Tiger Robe Immortal.'"
Li Hao silently etched this name into his memory, a surge of indescribable killing intent rising within him. However, he controlled his emotions and did not ask any more questions. Instead, he turned around, picked up the red cloth on the ground, and carefully wrapped the arm.
Then, Li Hao looked up at the elderly woman seated above. "Madam, I will take Uncle Lin's hand back. I apologize for the intrusion today, I hope you will not hold it against me."
With that, he turned and left, cradling the arm, barefoot.
He Jianlan's eyes flickered slightly. From Li Hao, she detected a maturity and intelligence that she rarely saw in him. This child was more mature and clever than she had imagined.
"Xue Jian, bring Chengzhi's boots to Hao", He Jianlan instructed.
Xue Jian nodded and went to the side room to fetch the boots. By the time she rushed out of the courtyard, the small figure had already disappeared from sight.
...
...
Back at the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Li Hao found a spot and buried the arm. He then found a wooden plaque, carved "Lin Haixia" on it, and planted it in the soil.
He instructed Old Zhao to cordon off the area and prohibit entry.
When Old Zhao learned that the buried remains belonged to Lin Haixia's arm, he hastily advised, "Young Master, this is where the family heads live. We cannot bury remains here. We have a cemetery for martyrs; we should send Lin Captain there."
"Set up a Clothing Tomb for Uncle Lin in the Martyrs' Cemetery."
Li Hao shook his head slightly and scanned the courtyard. "This vast Mountain and River Courtyard can surely accommodate Uncle Lin's arm."
"Young Master..."
Old Zhao was about to protest, but Li Hao stopped him, and he could only give up.
"Remember to provide compensation to Uncle Lin's family and treat them well", Li Hao said to Old Zhao.
Old Zhao replied, "As a military man, Lin Captain's family in Yanbei should already be aware of the news and will take care of them properly."
"Over there is over there, and here is here", Li Hao looked at Old Zhao. "You should understand my meaning."
Old Zhao hesitated, then nodded slightly. "I understand."
The news of Lin Haixia's death was like a small pebble dropped into the depths of a lake, causing only minor ripples within the Divine General Manor. Life in the other courtyards continued as usual, but in the Mountain and River Courtyard, Li Hao became even more engrossed in chess, even neglecting Bian Ruxue's sword practice.
He didn't tell the little girl about Uncle Lin's death, so as not to upset her.
Time flew by.
One day, Li Hao woke up from a nightmare. In his dream, he was playing chess with Uncle Lin when a fierce tiger suddenly burst onto the scene, knocking over the chessboard and biting Lin Haixia's neck.
Sitting up in bed, he took deep breaths.
The little girl, awakened by the commotion, rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked, "Brother Hao, what's wrong?"
Li Hao regained his composure and shook his head. "Nothing."
Once the little girl fell back asleep, Li Hao pulled the blanket that had slipped to one side over her, then got up and went to the windowsill.
The moonlight bathed the room, and Li Hao's eyes suddenly saw the following words:
[You have comprehended the Chess Heart.]
(End of Chapter)
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