The Name of Eternals

Chapter 96: Master Li

The sword shadows were like dreams, lingering in the minds of the students even after Li Hao finished his demonstration. The intricate patterns of the sword technique were etched into their memories, yet they felt as if they could not fully grasp it.

Seeing everyone deep in thought, Li Hao didn't delay further and sat down to continue his painting.

+827, +789, +702…

Li Hao's brush moved swiftly, capturing the essence of the students in his paintings. Each artwork accumulated experience points, significantly boosting his skills.

While Li Hao was busy painting, the others gradually came back to their senses. They didn't dare disturb him and instead focused on comprehending the sword technique.

After completing his fourth painting, Li Hao looked up and asked, "How are you all feeling?"

"Young Master Li, could you demonstrate it again for us?" asked a handsome young man, feeling embarrassed. Despite watching the demonstration twice, he still didn't fully understand.

Li Hao glanced at the others, who all wore expectant and hesitant expressions.

"Alright," Li Hao agreed, realizing that merely repeating the technique wouldn't suffice. If he was going to teach, he had to ensure they truly understood. He needed to approach this with the right attitude and commitment.

He surveyed the room, noting that most of the students were at the proficient level but varied in depth—some had just reached proficiency, while others were nearing perfection.

"Since I'm teaching you, I hope you can achieve something significant," Li Hao addressed the group. "I have three classes this year. My hope is that within these three classes, you can all reach perfection in this sword technique. If you achieve that, I will consider granting each of you three wishes within my capability."

"Perfection?"

"Three wishes?"

The students were stunned, feeling both thrilled and overwhelmed. Li Hao's expectations seemed incredibly high. Was he granting them wishes, or making a wish for himself?

Could they really reach perfection in just three classes? They couldn't compare themselves to someone who could learn a technique by merely glancing at it.

"Young Master Li, isn't this too difficult?" someone asked.

"Young Master, you must be joking, right? It sounds a bit too amusing..." another added.

Song Yueyao was puzzled. She had been stuck at proficiency for half a year and knew that reaching perfection required intense practice over an extended period. Three classes seemed impossible.

However, considering the extraordinary things Li Hao had shown, what seemed impossible might just be within reach.

Li Hao, sensing their skepticism, didn't say more. He picked up his sword again.

"Quiet!" Li Hao's stern voice silenced the room.

Everyone felt a sense of authority and focused their attention on him.

"Pay close attention," Li Hao instructed, his demeanor serious as he gazed at the sword.

Then, he began the demonstration.

This time, Li Hao performed the Yin-Yang Inversion Sword at its true essence.

True essence exceeded flawless perfection. It embodied the true spirit and essence of the technique.

As the sword moved, alternating black and white lights appeared, representing the interplay of light and shadow.

The sword seemed to dance in the air, traversing through another dimension.

The sword was real, the space was an illusion.

As the light and shadow alternated, they finally merged into one.

The sword stopped.

The hall remained silent, everyone lost in the mesmerizing display, their thoughts carried away by the sword's movements.

Even after Li Hao sheathed his sword, the students remained in a trance, unable to tear their minds away from the profound imagery.

Li Hao didn't disturb them, waiting patiently.

Gradually, some began to stir, awakening from their daze.

"This... is the Yin-Yang Inversion Sword?"

"Seems completely different from what I've practiced! This must be the real technique, my previous practice was all wrong!"

"It's not wrong, just inaccurate!"

"This is the true Yin-Yang Inversion Sword. Even the manual and our instructor were mistaken!"

"One sword to reverse Yin and Yang, one sword to disrupt the void!"

The students grew more excited, their voices rising as they discussed, faces flushed with enthusiasm.

Song Yueyao stood in a daze, blocking out the chatter. Suddenly, she closed her eyes.

When she reopened them, she rushed to the weapon rack, drawing a sword with a sharp sound.

Her movements became fluid and precise, the sword gleaming like a serpent, creating a beautiful display.

The bottleneck she had faced for half a year was broken in that instant!

The others noticed, watching in shock.

"Song Yueyao has comprehended it..."

"She achieved perfection in less than a year!"

"She's reached the perfect level, just like Master Li demonstrated!"

The students were in awe, their admiration for Li Hao growing. The respectful address of "Master Li" solidified from reverence to worship.

Meanwhile, others seemed to have insights as well, grabbing swords to practice.

The hall, spacious enough to accommodate everyone, became filled with the sound of practicing students.

Those who hadn't yet comprehended it focused on their swords, determined to etch the new understanding into their memories.

Amidst this, several students exclaimed in excitement as they broke through their bottlenecks.

Li Hao smiled, feeling satisfied.

When asked for guidance, he clapped his hands to get their attention, offering another demonstration.

This process repeated four times.

As the sun set, Li Hao concluded the class.

Seeing a dozen students reach perfection, Li Hao felt pleased. Hard work had paid off.

"Master Li, the sword technique you demonstrated, what level is it?" someone asked before the class ended.

"Beyond perfection is mastery, and beyond mastery is the true essence, which is what I demonstrated," Li Hao explained, feeling there was no need to hide this knowledge.

Swordmasters and blademasters who had spent decades perfecting their craft often reached this level, and some even grasped the ultimate moves.

Li Hao believed that true essence wasn't the pinnacle; there was likely a higher level. However, with his current understanding, he couldn't achieve it yet. Perhaps a higher state of mind would reveal it.

"True essence..."

The students were stunned, their eyes widening.

Song Yueyao's pupils contracted, struggling to believe it.

Her grandfather had mentioned "true essence" but said it was incredibly rare, requiring immense talent and decades of practice to even glimpse it!

Li Hao was undoubtedly a sword genius, but mastering a technique to its true essence would take at least ten years of practice. And Li Hao was only fourteen...

She didn't dare to think further, feeling her confidence waver.

"Tonight, reflect on your own. A teacher leads the way, but the path is yours to walk," Li Hao said, waving goodbye and ending the class.

Back home, Li Fu conveyed a message from the Marquis, advising Li Hao to build connections. Though becoming the true dragon was certain, relationships lasted a lifetime.

Li Hao casually agreed.

The next day.

Li Hao prepared an extra batch of pastries and headed to the cold pond. He tossed a pebble into the water, soon summoning the water qilin, Song Qiumo. She emerged, clean and refreshed, eyes lighting up at the sight of the pastries.

Li Hao handed her the treats, smiling, then left without lingering.

As Song Qiumo watched him leave, she bit into a pastry, eyes twinkling with joy.

Arriving at his second class, Li Hao heard an angry voice from inside:

"As a teacher, how can you humiliate a child like this?"

"He may have poor martial aptitude, but that doesn't make him a lesser person!"

"You can discipline him harshly, treat him strictly as a warrior, but you can't demean him like an animal!"

The speaker was furious, his voice powerful.

Li Hao paused, walking towards the door.

The hall was filled, with Sun Hongdian and Zhou Zheng standing at the front. Beside Zhou Zheng was a burly, imposing man in plain clothes, resembling Zhou Zheng but more rugged.

Books lay scattered on the floor, reminiscent of the previous day.

"General Zhou, you can't be unreasonable!" Sun Hongdian, red-faced, retorted. He had been scolding Zhou Zheng, only to be interrupted by Zhou's father.

Seeing the general, Sun Hongdian expected gratitude for his strict teaching. Instead, he was met with a furious outburst.

"I'm unreasonable? How is insulting my son reasonable?!"

General Zhou roared, "I know my son is human, a dignified person. He's not a rotten apple spoiling the bunch, nor a vile worm!"

"He may not excel in martial arts, but he's not undeserving of respect!"

The father's voice thundered, "My son, though lacking in talent, is pure-hearted. Even if he remains at the mundane level, he is my pride. Who are you to insult him?"

The students were silent, some even envying Zhou Zheng.

Sun Hongdian fumed, "If you keep this up, your son will be expelled!"

"Then let him be expelled!" General Zhou shouted, ready to drag his son away.

Zhou Zheng, tears welling, fought to stay composed, "Father, I want to stay here. I want to learn. I achieved the sword technique yesterday!"

"You want to learn? I'll find you a better teacher!" General Zhou fumed.

Sun Hongdian trembled with anger, "If you leave, you won't be allowed back."

"We won't need to come back!"

General Zhou, furious, began to leave but stopped at the sight of Li Hao.

All eyes turned to Li Hao.

The students stood, bowing and calling, "Greetings, Master Li!"

Their unified voice startled both General Zhou and Sun Hongdian, even surprising Li Hao.

"Master Li?"

Sun Hongdian was puzzled, looking at Li Hao.

Zhou Zheng, seeing Li Hao, brightened, "Father, this is Young Master Li Hao, Master Li! Yesterday, he helped us all master a high-level sword technique in just one class!"

"??"

Both General Zhou and Sun Hongdian were baffled.

What was he talking about? Li Hao was also taken aback.

Wait, didn't only a dozen of them master it yesterday?

If that's the case, why am I even here today?

"Young Master Li Hao..." General Zhou, recognizing the name, knelt on one knee, "Former subordinate of your father, Zhou Liang, greets you."

This action stunned everyone again.

Li Hao quickly helped him up, "General Zhou?"

"Young Master, I served under your father," Zhou Liang said humbly.

Li Hao nodded, smiling, "No need for formalities."

Sun Hongdian's face turned sour, frowning deeply.

"Father, I want to stay here and learn from Master Li," Zhou Zheng pleaded.

General Zhou, realizing the significance of Li Hao's presence, agreed after some thought.

Once Zhou Liang left, Sun Hongdian scoffed, "Zhou Zheng, causing a disturbance in class, the academy is not a place you can come and go as you please."

Zhou Zheng's face fell.

Li Hao smiled, "Mr. Sun, it's a misunderstanding."

Seeing Li Hao intervene, Sun Hongdian changed his tone, "Young Master Li, you don't understand, Zhou Liang was unreasonable..."

Li Hao cut him off, "Mr. Sun, sharp words can motivate, but too harsh, and it might break a young spirit."

Sun Hongdian's expression shifted, falling silent.

With that, Li Hao took over the class, as Sun Hongdian left, Li Hao addressed the students, "Did everyone reach perfection as Zhou Zheng claimed?"

The hall's atmosphere became lively. The students looked excited, their eyes gleaming. Ma Jing spoke first, "Master Li, Zhou Zheng was right. Your demonstration was profound. We captured a hint of its essence, which accelerated our progress!"

Li Hao, realizing their enthusiasm, nodded, "I intended to use three classes. Seems I'm redundant today. There's nothing more to teach."

Everyone laughed, grateful for the significant progress from just one class.

"Master Li, did you forget something?" someone teased.

"Hm?"

"Yesterday, you promised to grant three wishes if we mastered the technique!"

The students looked at Li Hao, excited.

Li Hao, surprised, had said it as motivation. He hadn't expected them to actually achieve it so quickly.

"Alright, tell me your wishes, but within reason," Li Hao said.

The students buzzed with excitement, proposing various wishes—from visiting the Rain Listening Tower to obtaining legendary swords and learning more techniques.

Among the serious requests were playful ones, like swearing brotherhood or visiting brothels.

Li Hao smiled, raising his hand to quiet them, "Discuss among yourselves and choose one."

The students were amazed, not expecting Li Hao to take it seriously.

Lin Feifei stood up, warning them, "Don't make outrageous demands."

Some chuckled sheepishly.

"Master Li, the Rain Listening Tower is off-limits, how about visiting a brothel?" one joked.

The boys cheered, eager for the adventure.

The girls, blushing, rolled their eyes.

Li Hao laughed, "Visiting a brothel is easy."

In this era, entertainment was scarce, and visiting a brothel was akin to a modern-day pastime.

They would go to the best one in Qingzhou to enjoy music and poetry, not the lower-tier services.

"Really?"

The boys were ecstatic.

The girls, however, scoffed, their faces red.

"I won't go," Song Yueyao said, rolling her eyes at Li Hao.

"Me neither," Lin Feifei added.

The other girls also refused.

Seeing the excitement among the boys, Li Hao said, "For those not going, I have a gift. A painting for each of you."

The girls were surprised as Li Hao unveiled his paintings, "I painted these yesterday. Take one each."

Everyone gasped, seeing the lifelike, detailed artworks.

Each painting captured the essence of the students, their expressions vibrant and unique.

The boys, seeing the paintings, were mesmerized.

"Master Li, I won't go to the brothel. Can I have a painting?" a boy asked.

"Limited supply, girls first," Li Hao smiled.

The girls eagerly took the paintings, admiring the artistry.

Song Yueyao, watching Li Hao, was amazed by his skill. The boy who excelled in martial arts also mastered painting. He was a mystery.

With the girls appeased, Li Hao led the boys down the mountain.

The news of Li Hao's unconventional class reached the academy, shocking Song Yufeng, who nearly choked on his tea.

"He took all the students to a brothel?" he exclaimed.