Chapter 1: Bestowed with the Name, Li Hao
Intense pain…a searing headache!
Li Hao tried to open his eyes but felt a heavy strain. Finally, a narrow gap of vision opened before him.
In the dim light, a majestic ancient hall towered above, solemn and imposing. A long carpet of dark golden dragon scales stretched before him. At the end of the carpet, atop a flight of stairs, sat a formidable figure, exuding a presence that felt as powerful as the mountains and rivers. His gaze was like a burning candle in the darkness, with an intensity that was impossible to ignore.
Where…am I?
Wasn’t I just playing a game?
Oh, right—the phone battery died, and I was about to charge it…
Li Hao’s mind was foggy as he looked around, bewildered.
Wait, did I fall asleep holding my phone again?
But this didn’t seem like a dream.
“Nineteen years old, valor unmatched, conquering enemy courts, vanquishing great demons, and quelling a hundred years of turmoil in our Cangzhou. Such a hero is not only a pride of your Li family but also a grievous loss for our Dayu Dynasty and its people!”
“Xingwu Marquis, step forward and receive the decree!”
A commanding voice echoed through the grand hall, shaking the air.
Li Hao strained his vision, spotting rows of officials standing solemnly on either side of the carpet. This place…was it the imperial palace?
Dayu Dynasty… Wasn’t that just a legend?
While Li Hao was still processing, a towering figure stepped forward, his stature upright, his presence emanating a faint smell of blood and steel.
“This day, we bestow upon Li Jiulang of the Li family, known as Li Junye, the title of First-Class Marquis of National Defense, promoting him to Grand General, granting the right of burial in the Imperial Tomb, ten carts of ancient treasures, three Yulong Tokens, and ten measures of gold!”
“From this day forth, the nation shall mourn for three days. The palace will observe seven days of vegetarian meals in honor of the Marquis of National Defense's heroic spirit!”
Such immense rewards sent waves of awe through the hall.
Only nineteen years old, and he was promoted to general and granted a marquis title!
And not just any marquis title like Marquis of the North or Marquis of the Plains; he was granted the title of ‘National Defense.’ Such a designation marked unparalleled merit!
Unprecedented. It would be difficult for anyone to match such an honor in the future.
After all, being made a First-Class Marquis at nineteen was truly illustrious!
“Your subject accepts the decree on behalf of my ninth brother and thanks Your Majesty, the Emperor of Dayu.”
The man, standing tall as a mountain, knelt on one knee, his low voice concealing any sense of joy or excitement, replaced instead by a deep sorrow.
“This is no more than what your Li family deserves. It is I who owe you!”
“Xingwu Marquis, that child by your side… I intend to give him a name. Would you allow it?”
“This unworthy subject has no merit to receive such a blessing from Your Majesty.”
“Every son of the Li family is a hero of Dayu! Just as the Marquis of National Defense fell at the border defending our land, your son entered this world. Perhaps this is the cycle of heaven; the skies take one of my cherished generals yet grant Dayu a worthy son.”
“Today, I bestow upon him the name…Hao!”
“May he carry on the Marquis of National Defense’s legacy, sweeping through the lands for Dayu, unifying the Eastern Wilderness!”
“Your Majesty, this name is too noble for my humble family…”
“Let it be. The sons of the Li family can bear it!”
The name Hao?
Li Hao was taken aback, feeling an ironic urge to laugh. What a coincidence—they had chosen the same name as his!
Wait.
Could the child he mentioned be…me?
Li Hao looked down, stunned. He found himself wrapped in a swaddling cloth, his tiny hands and feet soft and delicate, held by a beautiful woman in armor.
“Bring the emperor’s Dragon Blood Jade to Hao’er.”
Soon, Li Hao saw a pallid eunuch approach solemnly, handing over a deep red jade pendant carved with dragon patterns.
A slender, fair hand reached over to take it. The woman holding him spoke softly, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace.”
What on earth was going on…?
Li Hao blinked, unsure if this was all a dream.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness overtook him, and he could hold on no longer, slipping into unconsciousness.
…
Qingzhou City, Divine General Mansion, the Li Family.
The Dayu Dynasty boasted five Divine Generals, and the Li family was among them.
A household of nine generals, the family was renowned for its loyalty, celebrated as nobility among nobility in Dayu, with wealth beyond measure.
Yet this incredible wealth and honor were forged by the blood of family members.
The Li family’s nine sons—six had already fallen.
The youngest, Jiulang, had only joined the army two years ago and was recently promoted to captain. However, in the battle of Cangzhou, as a mere captain, he led tens of thousands of cavalry and charged all the way to the enemy’s royal city.
He broke through fifteen cities, slew a hundred great demons, and accomplished unparalleled feats, becoming the Li family’s sixth heroic general to sacrifice his life for the nation.
Today, his image was enshrined in the Martial Temple, receiving incense offerings from the people.
Now, three months had passed since the title of “Marquis of National Defense” was granted.
Over these few months, the Li family had gradually emerged from their grief, and the somber mood in their home began to lift.
Today, the mansion was lively with celebration.
Nobles from various provinces and officials from the imperial court either attended in person or sent representatives to Qingzhou. One by one, opulent carriages lined up in front of the Li family’s Divine General Mansion, drawing the attention of passersby.
Today was the hundred-day celebration for Li Hao, the son of Xingwu Marquis and the seventh child of the Li family.
Born with a silver spoon, this young prodigy was named by the emperor himself, his name spreading far and wide. With his lineage in a family of Divine Generals, it was certain he would hold a prominent place in the world.
As they say, it’s best to seek favor early.
In a room within Shanhe Courtyard at the Divine General Mansion, Li Hao lay in his mother Ji Qingqing’s arms, curiously observing the bustling scene outside.
Over these few months, Li Hao had come to understand that this was not a dream but… a new reality.
This was not an era from history but a world known as the Yishi Realm.
There were warriors, great demons, swordsmen, and courtly ranks.
Fortunately, Dayu Dynasty was powerful, keeping demons in check; few dared to infiltrate the territory. Life for the people was prosperous, and being born into such a prominent family gave him much to look forward to.
“Ah, Hao’er, truthfully, Mother wished you hadn’t been born into the Li family. Did you know that?” Amidst the noise outside, his mother Ji Qingqing sighed quietly, her expression sorrowful.
Li Hao looked up at his mother in surprise.
Though his voice hadn’t yet developed enough to speak, even if he could, asking why might startle this young woman.
Despite seeing her as just a young woman—barely in her early twenties—Ji Qingqing’s gentle care over the past months had fostered in him a growing attachment.
“Mother had long thought of a name for you, Le Ping—Li Le Ping! I only want you to grow up happy and healthy. Conquering the world…that’s the dream of the imperial family, not of the Li family… and certainly not mine…”
Ji Qingqing murmured softly, glancing toward the flattering guests beyond the courtyard, who only made her feel a sense of discomfort.
“The name Hao bestowed upon you by the emperor is a reminder of your uncle’s passing. He hopes the Li family will recover from their grief. This name carries the expectations of the imperial family and Dayu…as well as their encouragement.”
She fell silent, as if a heavy burden had settled upon her heart.
This weighty expectation, placed on her child, would be a lifelong burden. The blessings he received today would only add to the pressures he would one day carry.
Li Hao saw the sorrow in the young woman’s expression. At this moment, she was no longer the revered Seventh Lady of the Divine General Mansion or the formidable Iron General feared on the battlefield. She was simply a mother.
Unable to speak, he nestled closer to her chest, hoping to offer comfort through his warmth.
Sensing the movement, Ji Qingqing lowered her head, her gaze softening as she took in her child’s long lashes and delicate face.
She held him close, her slender hand gently stroking his small face, as if comforting both him and herself.
“No matter what, Mother will protect you. Your father has already reached the ‘Three Immortals’ realm, and you may inherit some of his strength.”
“Even if you lack natural talent, the power within you will allow you to catch up to the accomplishments of your forebears. You won’t fall behind your peers.”
“Whatever may come, Mother will stand behind you and will never allow anyone to harm you…”
She whispered these words tenderly.
“The celebration is about to begin. What are you doing here?”
At that moment, Xingwu Marquis entered, placing a hand around Ji Qingqing’s waist. He looked at her in surprise. “What’s on your mind? You’re not happy?”
“Of course not.”
Ji Qingqing composed herself, offering a gentle smile. She didn’t share her inner thoughts with him, knowing her husband’s fierce loyalty to the family. For him, dying on the battlefield was an honor beyond compare.
“Have all the sisters-in-law arrived?”
“They have—all that’s missing is you and Hao’er.”
The marquis glanced at Li Hao, playfully ruffling his tiny head, though his rough touch made Li Hao roll his eyes in exasperation.
This boorish father—couldn’t he be gentler?
Ji Qingqing carried Li Hao into a room filled with the wives and ladies of other branches, where cheerful voices immediately enveloped him.
“Oh my, Hao’er is so handsome! Much more so than when Jing’er was a baby.”
“Yes, look at your little brother, Shuang’er—how adorable!”
“Oh, his little eyes are watching me!”
Alongside the ladies were their children, some only a year or two old, clinging to their mothers’ legs and curiously observing Li Hao in his swaddling cloth.
The older children, five or six years old, stood to the side with an air of maturity, neither causing trouble nor looking particularly interested in the newborn.
“Here, Hao’er, let Fifth Lady hold you.”
A beautiful woman picked him up, her face full of affection. Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Oh, is Hao’er hungry? Qingqing, has he had milk yet?”
“He ate earlier this morning.”
So soft…
Held against the woman’s chest, Li Hao felt as if he were resting on clouds and couldn’t help but squeeze lightly, marveling at the comfort.
The lady thought nothing of it, assuming he was hungry. Hearing Ji Qingqing’s reassurances, she laughed and simply pinched his small cheeks.
Other ladies gathered around, showering Li Hao with gifts. Ji Qingqing politely tried to refuse, but they gently insisted.
By the end, the gifts filled half of Shanhe Courtyard—a mountain of rare and precious treasures.
One of them, a jade bracelet, was slipped onto Li Hao’s tiny wrist by Fifth Lady. She claimed it had nourishing properties.
Initially, the chatter around him made Li Hao drowsy, but as soon as he wore the bracelet, he felt a refreshing coolness flow into his body, immediately sharpening his senses.
His exhaustion faded, and his mind grew clearer.
He squinted, and a series of indistinct symbols suddenly materialized before him. As the months passed and his mind gradually matured, these symbols had become clearer day by day. Now, with the jade bracelet’s cool energy coursing through him, it was as if he’d put on a pair of spectacles, and the symbols were finally coming into focus, crisp and distinct.
What he saw seemed almost like a strange form of writing, floating in his field of vision...