Chapter 2: Sword Art Inclusion
Chapter 2: Sword Art Inclusion
[Name: Li Hao]
[Age: 0 years]
[Cultivation: Commoner]
[Mastery of Arts: None]
[Art Skill Points: 0]
These clearly displayed characters formed a character panel that Li Hao found extremely familiar.
The reason he found it familiar was that he had seen it before, in his previous life, but not in reality. Instead, it was in a game.
When he was about to be reincarnated, Li Hao was feeling bored and had casually downloaded a casual mobile game from a remote leading store. This panel was the character panel from that game.
However, there was now an additional [Cultivation] attribute.
The age and name fields had also switched to his current real status, rather than the internet name he had used for years: Memories Fade.
As for the [Art Skill Points], he found it even more endearing.
Unlike the adventure and card games that required grinding, this game focused on relaxation and entertainment.
It had no battle system or combat equipment, only flashy and stylish outfits, and various arts and leisure activities such as chess, fishing, painting, and carving.
You could even watch movies and play poker.
All in a proper, serious manner.
The only thing missing was wild monsters and battles.
Different skill levels would accumulate [Art Skill Points], and each point could directly enhance the art level, unlocking more activities.
He never expected that this would follow him into this new world.
Wait a moment.
Could this mean he was supposed to become a full-time life master, just like in the game?!
Li Hao was both stunned and speechless.
This was the Ephemeral World. What good would art do here?
I want to fight!
...
...
"Report!"
While Li Hao was lost in the shock of the panel, a shrill military report suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
A Li family soldier rushed into the courtyard, shattering the peaceful and joyful atmosphere. He knelt before Marquis Xingwu and reported quickly:
"Lord, Yanbei is in turmoil. King Pingcheng has colluded with the Demons to massacre Mofeng City and its surrounding eight towns. Emperor Yu has issued an edict, ordering you to set out immediately to quell the rebellion!"
The eyes of the nobles and the ladies from various courtyards immediately focused on Marquis Xingwu, their expressions varied.
Li Hao snapped back to reality, feeling bewildered.
It had only been a few months, and there was already another conflict?
Marquis Xingwu's smile vanished, replaced by a stern look. His eyes, cold and piercing, fixed on the soldier before him, and then he slowly stood up.
Seeming to sense something, he looked up at Li Hao, his gaze meeting his wife's.
The killing intent in his eyes instantly dissipated, replaced by an apologetic expression: "Qingqing, you stay and accompany Hao for his Hundred Day Feast. I will return as soon as possible."
Ji Qingqing's face turned slightly pale. She turned to hand Li Hao over to the Fifth Lady, looking at the infant in the cradle. Ji Qingqing had a strange feeling, as if the child was also looking at her seriously, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
She shook her head, thinking it was just a delusion. After all, the child was only a few months old, how could he understand farewells?
"Mother will be back soon, you be good." Ji Qingqing gently stroked Li Hao's forehead, her eyes filled with the same reluctance.
But then she resolutely walked over to Marquis Xingwu: "This journey is dangerous. I will go with you!"
Marquis Xingwu immediately shook his head: "Stay with Hao. He is still young and needs your care."
"I am a senior general in the army. If the commander is present, how can I be absent?"
Ji Qingqing's eyes were serious: "King Pingcheng is cunning and has been biding his time for years. Now that he has made a move, I fear there is more to it. Let me go with you."
Marquis Xingwu looked at her, knowing his wife's stubborn nature. He sighed and did not press further: "Fine, then Hao will be in the care of the other sisters and brothers. We will return as soon as possible."
"Be careful."
The First Lady stepped forward, her face showing concern: "Hao, you can rest assured. We will take good care of him. Don't worry."
"Thank you, Madam."
Marquis Xingwu smiled slightly, then turned his head and barked, "Prepare the horses, gather the Fa Camp soldiers, and follow me!"
In a family of warriors, actions were swift and decisive. The couple quickly led a contingent of personal guards out of the manor, heading for the Yanbei border camp under the cover of night.
That place had been the Li family's battlefield for many years. They were familiar with the terrain, the Demons, and their opponents, and it was their responsibility to defend the area.
That was why Ji Qingqing had resolved to follow.
With many eyes and ears around, there was one thing she didn't say in public: Why had Emperor Yu received news of the Yanbei rebellion before they did?
...
...
Early winter, and Qingzhou City welcomed its first snowfall.
More than a year had passed since the Hundred Day Feast, and Li Hao was now one and a half years old.
His parents were still on the Yanbei battlefield, and according to the confidential reports from the Li family army, the situation there was at a deadlock, with the potential to turn into a prolonged conflict.
At this moment.
Li Hao, now one and a half years old, stood alone in the Mountain and River Courtyard, his little hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the snowflakes that fell from the sky like a little adult.
He wondered how the young girl who had become his mother was faring in Yanbei.
The servants and maids around him were no longer surprised by the young master's behavior.
Although Li Hao had only just turned one, his reputation as a prodigy had already spread throughout the Li manor.
Ever since he started babbling at six months old, Li Hao had never wet the bed again.
While other children cried and screamed, the young master could already use simple words like "eat" and "poop" to alert his wet nurses when he needed to be fed or changed.
At one year old, when other children were just learning to walk, Li Hao was already running around and pointing at words in books, asking the servants to read to him and teaching himself to read.
He was smart, well-behaved, and didn't cry or cause trouble—this was the impression the servants and maids had of the young master.
"Second Madam, the young master is here."
At that moment, a graceful and regal figure entered the courtyard.
Seeing Li Hao standing alone in the snow, the beautiful woman frowned and scolded, "What are you doing, letting the young master stand out in the snow? Don't you fear he'll catch a chill?!"
The servants and maids were startled and hurriedly knelt down.
The leading steward, anxious, replied, "Second Madam, the young master wanted to watch the snow and asked us not to disturb him..."
"Is the young master still a child, and you do whatever he says? If he told you to die, would you die?!"
The second madam's face turned angry as she quickly walked to Li Hao's side, scooped him up, and brushed the snow from his head.
"Even if the young master wants to watch the snow, couldn't you have held an umbrella for him? And he's dressed so thinly! I see you want to die!"
Everyone was so frightened that they broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to breathe heavily.
"Second Madam, don't blame them. I told them not to come over", Li Hao said helplessly.
Since his parents left for the Yanbei battlefield, he had been taken care of by the various madams in turn. Each of them treated him very well, and the second madam, Lady Liu, was gentle but extremely strict with the servants. If he didn't speak up, these servants would surely suffer.
Hearing Li Hao's clear and logical words, Lady Liu's eyes flashed, and she huffed slightly.
"For Hao'er's sake, I'll let you off this time. If I see this again, I'll make you taste the cold of the winter lake!"
Then, she turned to Li Hao with a gentle smile. "Hao'er, Second Madam will take you to eat something delicious. You silly child, why didn't you wear more clothes? Even with the Dragon Blood Jade the Emperor gave you, what if you get sick?"
She continued to chatter, her words filled with concern, as she carried Li Hao out of the courtyard.
Li Hao was already used to this and allowed the second madam to hold him.
Shortly after, Lady Liu carried Li Hao to the Waterflower Courtyard.
Inside, a child of about four or five was practicing with a wooden sword, swinging it in a fluid motion, quite impressively.
This was the second madam's only son, Li Qianfeng.
Despite his young age, his eyes showed focus and determination.
Beside them, a burly middle-aged man was giving guidance, nodding frequently.
Li Hao knew that this was one of Li Qianfeng's seven military instructors, specifically teaching him the Sword Dao.
When Second Lady approached, the burly middle-aged man quickly bowed, his gaze sweeping over Li Hao in her arms. He recognized this as the Qilin Child bestowed by Emperor Yu. After the talent assessment in the future, this child might not be inferior to Li Qianfeng, whom he was currently instructing.
The child practicing swordsmanship did not get distracted by his mother's arrival and continued to focus on his training.
Liu Yuerong did not disturb him, merely nodding slightly at the burly middle-aged man before carrying Li Hao to a pavilion nearby.
On the pavilion table were precious fresh fruits and pastries.
Liu Yuerong held Li Hao, feeding him while watching her son practice swordsmanship. Her eyes sparkled, and before long, she became lost in thought, forgetting to feed him.
"Is this the Li family's best sword technique, *Endless Sea*?"
Li Hao's small eyes widened with curiosity.
This child of Second Lady, it was said, had already undergone bone measurement and possessed exceptional talent.
He wondered what his own bone measurement would reveal in the future.
In the courtyard, the five-year-old Li Qianfeng practiced meticulously, though he was only practicing the form, his posture was perfect, causing the burly middle-aged man to nod in approval and offer praise.
However, the child's face showed no sign of joy, remaining focused and dedicated.
"Again!"
Though the burly middle-aged man praised him, his instruction was extremely strict.
The child began the routine once more, his movements fluid and clearly well-rehearsed.
Li Hao watched in fascination, and suddenly, a message appeared before his eyes.
"Basic grasp achieved. Do you wish to record it?"
What?!
Li Hao was startled and instinctively chose "yes."
"Recording successful!"
At that moment, a panel appeared before his eyes.
Name: Li Hao
Age: 1 year
Cultivation: Mundane
Sword Dao: Novice (add points)
Skill: *Tidal Waves of Endless Sea* (Novice) [Prohibited]
Mastery: Chess Dao
Chess Dao: 1st Rank (82/500) (add points)
Chess Spectrum Collection: 0
Art Skill Points: 1
Over the past year, Li Hao had been trying to figure out how to use his panel. However, due to his young age, he couldn't appear too precocious, limiting what he could experiment with. Fortunately, there was a chessboard in the manor.
At half a year old, he would crawl onto the chessboard and play with himself.
His wet nurse and maids, seeing that the young master seemed to enjoy this "chessboard" toy, were more than happy to let him be.
It was better than him crawling around everywhere.
During his experiments, Li Hao discovered to his surprise that he could gain chess experience by playing, just like in a game, and easily advance in rank!
In the real world, advancing in chess rank was extremely difficult.
It required dedication, talent, and hard work.
Li Hao himself was only an amateur with no rank in Chess Dao.
But now, simply playing on the chessboard could earn him experience points.
To advance from 0th Rank to 1st Rank in Chess Dao, he only needed 100 experience points.
To advance from 1st Rank to 2nd Rank, he needed 500 points.
If not for the maids occasionally watching him, Li Hao would have accumulated much more experience by now.
Unfortunately, although the maids didn't understand Chess Dao, they had some basic knowledge.
If they saw a one-year-old Li Hao placing the chess pieces in perfect positions, it would have been quite strange.
At this moment.
On the panel, in addition to Chess Dao, two new attributes had appeared: Sword Dao and Skills. This was something new.
Especially the hint behind Sword Dao piqued Li Hao's curiosity and excitement. Could it be that Sword Dao, like Chess Dao, could be advanced directly through Art Skill Points?
Without much thought, he chose to add points.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
