The Name of Eternals

Chapter 102: 102. The Famous Sword, Eternal Night



Chapter 102: The Famous Sword, Eternal Night

"Are you Xiao Hao?"

Besides Li Qianfeng, there were also He Jianlan's children standing outside the hall.

Li Mingguang and Li Sibai, now both around thirty-five years old.

In age, they were far older than Li Hao and the others, almost twice their age.

Both had been in the military for a long time and now held the rank of generals, their cultivation levels extremely high. Li Mingguang had just entered the first stage of the Three Immortals, and his sister Li Sibai had been in the Heaven and Human Realm for many years.

In terms of cultivation, they were the top among the third generation of the Li family, far ahead of the others.

Their military achievements were equally impressive.

After all, their age was a significant factor.

However, He Jianlan had stated early on that her children would not compete for the True Dragon position.

This statement was public and naturally carried great weight.

But even if they were to compete, at the same age, Li Mingguang had entered the Fifteen Mile Realm at eighteen and reached the Heaven and Human Realm at twenty-five.

Now, ten years later, he had reached the Three Immortals, an extraordinary pace! However, compared to Li Qianfeng and Li Hao, at the same age, he was somewhat inferior.

At this moment, Li Mingguang smiled as he sized up Li Hao.

Before returning to Qingzhou, he had already heard of his name and had high expectations for this cousin he had never met.

Such a brilliant talent had already surpassed their ninth uncle in his prime.

He and his sister Li Sibai were born early and had grown up with their ninth uncle. In fact, he was even older than his ninth uncle!

But hierarchy was strict, and when he saw his ninth uncle, who was two years younger, he still had to respectfully call him uncle.

Despite the strict family rules, he called willingly, as their ninth uncle, who had played and trained with them, had soared in his cultivation path.

Every year, his achievements would astonish everyone in the courtyard, like a dazzling meteor.

Unfortunately, Heaven envies the talented.

Fourteen years ago, when his ninth uncle died, Li Mingguang was in the distant border army and drank a pot of wine in mourning.

Drinking in the army was a serious offense, but he drank anyway.

Afterward, he voluntarily took his punishment, receiving a hundred lashes, leaving him with open wounds and bleeding flesh.

Yet he didn't even frown; instead, he laughed.

But when he returned to his tent, he cried uncontrollably.

"Big Brother."

Li Hao nodded, greeting Li Mingguang.

"I can't even see through your cultivation. You must have learned some technique to conceal your aura," Li Mingguang said with a smile.

Li Hao smiled faintly.

Li Mingguang then looked at Li Qianfeng. Compared to Li Hao, who was like a gentle breeze, Li Qianfeng was like a half-drawn sharp sword, restrained but already showing a cold edge, with an aura far surpassing the usual Fifteen Mile Realm.

Seeing his cousins doing so well, Li Mingguang's eyes showed satisfaction: "This time, I'm here to watch you compete for the True Dragon position. My sister and I won't participate. In terms of talent, we are not as good as you. The future depends on you."

Li Qianfeng nodded slightly, "Don't worry, Brother."

Li Hao glanced at his cousin, thinking his personality was somewhat like his aunt's.

Aside from talent, his elder brotherly demeanor seemed suitable for the family head role in Li Hao's view.

"However, while you compete, don't hold grudges or harbor resentment."

Beside him, their cousin Li Sibai advised.

She and her brother had changed out of their military uniforms into fine clothes, but their upright posture and the heroic aura in their brows set them apart from ordinary women.

"Cousin is right."

Li Hao smiled and nodded.

Li Qianfeng also nodded, his expression calm.

Seeing their responses, Li Sibai smiled slightly and nodded a greeting to Li Wushuang and the others behind them but didn't say much as it was inappropriate to chat too much outside the hall.

Not long after, the elders finished paying respects to their grandmother and called in the third generation of the Li family, including Li Mingguang, who led the others inside. Upon entering, they saw their grandmother Chen Hefang sitting at the head of the hall, with the elders and the ladies of each courtyard seated on either side, and the concubines standing behind them.

Li Mingguang, broad and sturdy, knelt in the hall.

The others followed suit, all kneeling to pay respects.

"Rise," Chen Hefang said with a smile.

Everyone stood up, and Li Hao looked at his grandmother. Her hair was white, neatly combed like silver threads. Though aged, with wrinkles but no age spots, her skin was rosy, making her look very clean.

Despite her age, it was clear she had been a great beauty in her youth. Even now, her bones were still graceful.

As Li Hao observed, Chen Hefang was also sizing up her grandchildren.

She was most familiar with Li Mingguang, having often played with him and Jun Ye in the Qinglian Courtyard when they were young.

But after her eldest and third sons died in battle, followed by the deaths of her sixth and ninth sons, she had turned gray overnight, leaving the household affairs to her eldest daughter-in-law, He Jianlan.

She herself had gone to Wangyou Mountain to pray, hoping for her ninth son's soul to return soon.

Thinking of her sixth and ninth sons, Chen Hefang's eyes showed sadness.

She had dreamed countless times of them running to her, as they did in their childhood, full of excitement and calling out "Mother, mother..."

Those two children had it tough. One left an only son, the other hadn't even married.

They had trained hard since childhood and hadn't seen much of the world's splendor before dying on the frontier.

"Mingguang, come here and let Grandma take a look."

Chen Hefang's emotions didn't show much and quickly collected herself, smiling.

Li Mingguang, seeing his grandmother's white hair, felt a pang in his heart and walked forward, bowing his once straight back.

"Don't seek glory too aggressively on the frontier. Our Li family doesn't lack honor and glory."

Chen Hefang gently touched her eldest grandson's shoulder, "Grandma only hopes you can all live well."

These words brought tears to many ladies' eyes.

At the end of the hall, Jiang Xian'er turned her head slightly, her eyes moist.

These young men were still here, but how many of those young men from before had returned?

Those once spirited young men were now the fathers of these children and their husbands.

Li Mingguang's heart trembled, and he nodded firmly, "Grandson will remember."

Chen Hefang's gaze softened, calling Li Sibai forward, looking at the once little girl who was now a heroic figure, resembling her father, Li Xingbei, more and more.

Chen Hefang grew fonder the more she looked and couldn't help but sigh.

Then she turned her attention to the other grandchildren, seeing youthful faces full of potential, already showing the beginnings of their future greatness.

"Which one is Hao'er?"

Chen Hefang asked softly.

Li Hao stepped forward slightly, "Grandson is here. Greetings, Grandma."

Chen Hefang examined Li Hao closely and sighed, "You look so much like your mother!"

Li Hao's eyes moved slightly, but he said nothing.

"Since it's our first meeting, Grandma doesn't have much to give you. I've heard you like to use a sword, so I'll give you one."

Chen Hefang said, calling a servant to bring a sword box.

Seeing the sword box's design, Li Tiangang stood up, "Mother, this is..."

Jiang Xian'er's eyes also focused.

"Yes, it's your ninth brother's sword, Eternal Night."

Chen Hefang gently stroked the sword box, her eyes filled with love as she looked at Li Hao, "This sword is one of the top ten famous swords in the world. I heard you use a sword, so I'm giving it to you. Don't let it gather dust."

Li Hao's heart shook. The top ten famous swords in the world could slay even a Four Establishment Realm demon, incredibly sharp.

Moreover, this sword had unique powers that could only be unlocked at certain cultivation levels.

For now, it could only cut through souls and ward off evil in his hands, aside from being extraordinarily sharp.

But that was enough.

"Thank you, Grandma." Li Hao said quietly.

Though his words were soft, Chen Hefang could hear the seriousness in his voice and smiled.

Everyone else remained silent. The sword had been sealed for many years, and now it was given to Li Hao, showing the grandmother's affection for her grandson.

It was likely because she saw a resemblance to Li Junye in him.

Both were so brilliant, so bright.

Among the crowd, Li Qianfeng's eyes darkened, but he said nothing.

Liu Yurong smiled, but it seemed a bit forced. However, no one noticed her expression as everyone's eyes were on Li Hao and the black sword box.

After giving the sword box to Li Hao, Chen Hefang called Li Qianfeng over.

Softly, she said, "I heard you trained at Wuliang Mountain. I have three treasured Buddhist scriptures for you."

Li Qianfeng's expression was slightly unnatural.

A famous sword for Li Hao, but Buddhist scriptures for him? However, he didn't show it, bowing his head, "Thank you, Grandma."

Chen Hefang smiled, "These scriptures include a top-tier Buddhist technique, the Great Compassion Hand. If you master it, the technique's power will benefit your future swordsmanship."

Li Qianfeng was surprised and delighted, "Thank you, Grandma!"

Chen Hefang waved her hand, letting him and Li Hao step aside, then called the other grandchildren, giving them small gifts. While the gifts varied, the differences weren't significant.

After the meeting, everyone left the Qinglian Courtyard.

Chen Hefang stayed behind, calling He Jianlan and several other ladies to ask about the household situation over the years. She also instructed Liu Yurong to invite the Four Establishment Realm Bodhisattva from Wuliang Mountain to meet her.

...

...

Time flew by.

After the grandmother came down from the mountain, Qingzhou City became even livelier.

Soon, the day for the True Dragon decision arrived.

Outside the God General's mansion, the streets were crowded with carriages, all carrying dignitaries and officials. Many civil and military officials came from various provinces to congratulate.

Such an event had happened once over a decade ago, and it was equally grand now.

The threshold of the God General's mansion was almost worn out.

Relatives from the Liu family arrived one after another.

In other provinces, the Liu family was also a prominent family. Since Liu Yurong married into the God General's mansion, the Liu family had thrived, with their positions in the court steadily rising.

The Liu family had many civil officials, with several top scholars in their ancestry, holding official positions in the current dynasty.

Besides the Liu family's numerous civil and military officials, other counts and marquises also visited, supporting Li Qianfeng and showcasing their connections.

Additionally, people from the other four God General's mansions also came, but they didn't take sides, seemingly just to observe the Li family's True Dragon competition.

The courtyard outside was noisy.

Inside, Li Hao lounged in a chair, comfortably basking in the sun.

Soon, Bian Ruxue returned, followed by a string of footsteps.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow, opening the poetry book shielding his face from the sun, and turned to see a familiar face.

With white hair and a body like steel, walking at the forefront behind Bian Ruxue, it was the Sword Saint, Jian Wudao.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.