The Name of Eternals

Chapter 154: The City Rises

With the retreat of the three demon kings, the demonic tide outside the pass also fell into a one-sided rout, scattering in all directions. Most of them were left behind, cut down by countless swords and blades.

The many masters returned to the camp, first paying respects to Lu Chunsheng and Li Muxiu, then gathering before Li Hao.

They were all covered in blood, some severely injured with missing arms, others with shredded calves, wrapped in bandages. Some had eyes or half their faces torn off by demons, their wounds covered in medicinal powder.

This battle, if not for Lu Chunsheng's timely arrival, would have resulted in their total annihilation.

"We won!"

Someone said, and others felt their spirits lift.

Compared to them, the number of demons killed was even greater.

However, among the fallen were also many passionate warriors from various states, now resting forever.

Li Hao said nothing, just bowed deeply to them.

Despite Tianji Tower's guidance and arrangement, the sacrifices these people made were real.

Lu Chunsheng didn't stay long, telling Li Hao, "I'll be waiting for you at Tianji Tower," before turning and disappearing.

In the distance, a group of war horses galloped over, led by a figure in bright red armor. It was Li Hongzhuang, who had returned from Qingzhou.

Seeing Li Hao's bloody and battered state, even she, who had seen countless soldiers die, had her eyes fill with tears. She approached and said, "I'm late!"

Li Hao shook his head slightly, saying, "Thank you for your reinforcements."

"Don't thank me," Li Hongzhuang said, her eyes red.

Li Hao didn't continue the conversation but turned to the uninjured Grandmaster Lin Qingfeng, saying, "Senior, could you help identify the fallen heroes and, if possible, their identities?"

Lin Qingfeng nodded, called a few others, and left.

Li Hongzhuang said, "Leave that to me."

She turned and said, "Brothers, go and tally the battlefield. Bring back our fallen brothers. Try to piece together their remains as completely as possible!"

"Yes!"

The Blood Fiend Army behind her responded in unison, then rode off.

Li Hao sat down heavily, holding the now-burned-out Sacred Heart Talisman.

He thought of Chu Jiuyue, who had given him the talisman, likely anticipating today's events.

And Lu Chunsheng, who appeared "just in time" when he used the talisman. Everything seemed too coincidental.

Sitting on the ground, looking at the tranquil setting sun, Li Hao felt a bitter smile. Regardless, their support was substantial. Without it, he would have been severely injured, and his promise would have been broken.

If Emperor Yu was indeed the old man playing chess by the river, Li Hao had to admit, he might have won those games back then, but today, the opponent's move had struck at his very life, and it was a decisive one.

...

...

Yuzhou, the Holy Capital Imperial City.

In the back garden of the majestic imperial palace, where the snow was thinning.

In a flower bed, new shoots were appearing, signaling the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

"Your Majesty, the plum blossoms are standing proud, and the winter jasmine is about to bloom," Chu Jiuyue said softly, looking at the hint of yellow in the flower bed.

The garden's snow had been cleared, and the flower bed was meticulously tended, with each plant chosen from thousands of seeds for its excellent variety.

"Yes, winter is ending, and the spring rains are coming..."

Emperor Yu walked slowly through the garden, stopping by the flower bed, looking up at the distant sky.

His eyes flickered as he said softly, "The matter at Tianmen Pass should be resolved soon."

Chu Jiuyue calculated the time and nodded, "Two days later, we should receive news from Chunsheng."

"This time, the intent was too obvious. The boy will likely notice," Emperor Yu said with a slight smile, recalling the boy by the river who had said, "Fame and fortune are but dust, wealth and glory are fleeting clouds."

The boy dared to abandon the Li family name, seemingly embodying the spirit of youthful defiance.

Disdainful of fame, yet possessing a proud heart, making him quite endearing.

"Wasn't it your intention for him to notice, Your Majesty?" Chu Jiuyue played dumb. If he directly flattered the emperor's plan as inscrutable, it would be too cliché and would diminish the boy's intelligence, which the emperor appreciated.

"If he sees through it, will he harbor any resentment towards you, Your Majesty?"

Chu Jiuyue asked, knowing the emperor wanted more than flattery.

"Heh..."

Emperor Yu chuckled, "Any plan has a path, making it possible to see through it."

"All the schemes in the world can't compare to sincerity."

"Only a genuine heart is invisible."

Chu Jiuyue was momentarily stunned, glancing at the emperor. Did this mean the emperor was genuinely sincere towards the boy?

His eyes flickered. Should he believe this?

But since the emperor said so, he could only believe it.

...

...

Liangzhou, Tianmen Pass.

In the camp of Cangya City, many warriors and masters who had come to help had either died or left after saying goodbye to Li Hao.

Some decided to stay a while longer to help Li Hao guard the pass.

Everyone had seen Li Hao's severe injuries and were waiting for him to heal.

The border cemetery gained many new graves.

Among the fallen masters were some whose wives or disciples came to retrieve their bodies for proper burial.

Li Hao naturally agreed.

On a mountain outside the pass.

Two figures sat there with no wind or snow, only two jugs of wine beside them. They were Li Muxiu and Feng Boping.

"Caught any good fish lately?"

Feng Boping took a sip of wine, casually asking as he looked at the snow.

Li Muxiu shook his head slightly, "No mood to fish."

Feng Boping was surprised, studying his old friend, then asked, "Did the true dragon of your family really arrange for you to come to the rescue?"

Li Muxiu poked at the snow with his finger, saying nothing.

Feng Boping sighed, "You said that to persuade Hao'er to go back, but are you sure you want him back there? Even I, an outsider, can't stand it. I don't believe you can bear it either."

Li Muxiu paused, then looked at Feng Boping, "If I don't say that, will Hao'er go back? You saw how dangerous it was. You both almost died!"

"Even if he returns reluctantly, at least he'll be safe. When he inherits the true dragon's power, surpassing his father, he won't have to endure anyone's face."

Feng Boping fell silent, then asked, "What's the true dragon's real intention? If he didn't send you, what did he do? He should know what's happening at Tianmen Pass."

Li Muxiu sighed, "He went to the eastern border of Liangzhou. The border camps were attacked, and Xuan Li in the west couldn't reinforce. The attacks might be a diversion by demons, so he led the troops himself."

"When Hongzhuang went back, he had just set out. It's a troubled time, and the next few years are uncertain."

Feng Boping was surprised, "Is it that chaotic? If demons appear outside Liangzhou, they won't attack again or shift their target. The emperor should have sent reinforcements; it's a good chance for an ambush."

Li Muxiu shook his head, "The emperor has no forces to spare. It's not just Liangzhou; several major provinces are in bad shape. Three months ago in Qizhou, the border nearly fell. Three cities were destroyed in one night with no survivors. That's Xia territory, and they're on high alert."

"Did you go to Xia for this?"

Li Muxiu took a sip of wine, not elaborating. Discussing military matters too much wouldn't benefit his old friend.

Feng Boping realized he'd asked too much. Even close friends had their limits.

"Don't worry about Hao'er. This old life can last a few more years."

Feng Boping assured him.

Li Muxiu nodded, "Being stuck here for three years is a burden."

"Spare me. If you feel guilty, let me visit your ancestral treasury." Feng Boping snorted.

Li Muxiu glared, "Don't even think about it."

...

Those who stayed at Tianmen Pass were stunned by the sight of the "Cangya City," reduced to a mound of earth and the endless cemetery.

Now, they understood the true meaning of a border city.

It was a city of flesh and blood, a city of heroic souls!

Moved by this, many chose to stay and help rebuild Cangya City.

With the help of these warriors, the project quickly started and progressed rapidly.

Many resources, like stone and wood, were sourced outside the pass, while other supplies were transported from various cities.

Thus, the once-desolate Dragon Pass Road saw the return of merchant caravans and transport companies.

This once-desolate road now had traffic again, becoming a real road!

At the end of this road was Cangya City.

Outside the small mound, towering walls rose. With the help of the masters, transporting large stones was easy, and the city's construction progressed swiftly.

High buildings and walls rose from the ground.

Buildings were beautifully crafted with dragon and phoenix carvings.

At the city gate, as ropes were pulled, a military flag unfurled in the wind.

On it were two large, dark characters:

Haotian!