Chapter 2: Sword Techniques Recorded
[Name: Li Hao]
[Age: 0 years]
[Cultivation Level: Mortal]
[Arts Mastered: None]
[Art Skill Points: 0]
The newly clarified text was a familiar character panel for Li Hao.
It felt familiar because he had seen it in his previous life.
However, it wasn’t in reality but in a game.
Just before crossing over, Li Hao had been bored and casually downloaded a casual mobile game from the popular Remote Market. This panel was exactly like the character panel from that game.
The only difference was that now there was an additional attribute, [Cultivation Level].
The name and age fields had also changed to his current real-life status, replacing his longtime internet username, Gone with the Wind.
As for the [Art Skill Points] at the bottom, it felt even more intimate.
Unlike popular adventure or card-collecting games known for being a grind, this game was all about relaxed entertainment.
There was no combat system, no combat equipment, only flashy outfits and various leisure activities focused on arts.
You could play chess, fish, paint, or sculpt...
You could even watch movies and play poker.
The regular kind.
It was the only game with no wild monsters and no combat.
Improving different arts would accumulate [Art Skill Points], and each point could directly increase your art level, unlocking more features.
Who would’ve thought that after crossing over, this would come along too?
Wait.
Could this mean he was now expected to become a full-time life master just like in the game?
Li Hao was at a loss for words.
This was the Impermanent World – what use was there in focusing on arts here?
...
...
“Report—”
As Li Hao was still in shock over his panel, a piercing military report suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
A soldier from the Li family rushed into the courtyard, disrupting the peaceful and lively atmosphere. Kneeling on one knee before the Marquis of Xingwu, he reported quickly:
“Lord Marquis, a rebellion has erupted in Yanbei. Prince Pingcheng has colluded with demons and massacred Mo Peak City at the border along with eight surrounding towns. Emperor Yu has issued a decree for you to set out immediately to suppress the rebellion!”
All the nobles in the courtyard, as well as the ladies from various noble houses, turned their attention to the Marquis of Xingwu, each with different expressions.
Li Hao came back to his senses, slightly shocked.
Only a few months had passed, and there was already another war?
The smile on the Marquis of Xingwu’s face vanished, replaced by a murderous aura. His gaze, as sharp as lightning, fixed on the soldier before him. He slowly stood up.
Noticing something, he glanced toward Li Hao’s direction, meeting his wife’s gaze.
The fierce look in his eyes faded instantly, replaced by an apologetic expression. “Qingqing, please stay with Hao’er for his hundred-day celebration. I’ll be back soon.”
Ji Qingqing’s face showed a hint of displeasure. She turned and handed Li Hao to the Fifth Madam nearby. As she looked down at the infant in her arms, she had a strange feeling that the child was looking back at her with a hint of reluctance.
She dismissed it as her imagination—after all, he was only a few months old. What could he understand about farewells?
“Mother will be back soon. Be good,” Ji Qingqing gently stroked Li Hao’s forehead, her eyes filled with reluctance.
But then she decisively walked over to the Marquis of Xingwu. “This journey is dangerous; I’ll go with you!”
The Marquis immediately shook his head. “You stay and look after Hao’er. He’s still young and needs you.”
“I am a general in the army; with the commander there, how can I be absent?”
Ji Qingqing’s eyes grew serious. “Prince Pingcheng has always been cunning, lying low for years. Now that he’s suddenly acting, I fear there’s more behind this rebellion. I should go with you.”
The Marquis looked at her, knowing his wife’s stubborn character. He sighed, not pressing her further. “Very well, then I’ll leave Hao’er in the care of my sisters-in-law. We’ll return as soon as possible.”
“Please be careful.”
The First Madam came over, her face filled with concern. “You can rest assured, we’ll take good care of Hao’er.”
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
The Marquis of Xingwu nodded slightly, then turned and called out, “Prepare the horses! Gather the Fa Zi battalion, and follow me!”
In a family of warriors, such readiness for deployment was second nature. The couple quickly led a group of soldiers out of the residence, riding under the starlight toward the Yanbei border camp.
That place had long been familiar territory for the Li family due to their many years of battle experience there. They knew its terrain, the demon threats, and their enemies like the back of their hand, which was precisely why Ji Qingqing insisted on going along.
In the bustling courtyard, she left one question unspoken: How did Emperor Yu receive news of the Yanbei rebellion before they did?
...
...
In early winter, Qingzhou City experienced its first snowfall.
More than a year had passed since the hundred-day celebration. Li Hao was now a year and a half old.
His parents were still on the battlefield in Yanbei, yet to return. According to confidential reports from the Li family’s army, the situation was at a stalemate, showing signs of dragging into a prolonged conflict.
At this moment...
Li Hao, now a year and a half old, stood alone in the Shanhe Courtyard, hands clasped behind his back like a little adult, watching the snow falling like goose feathers all around him.
He wondered how that little girl was faring up in Yanbei.
The household staff and maids were used to the young master’s unusual demeanor by now.
Although Li Hao had only recently turned one, word of his brilliance had already spread throughout the Li mansion.
Since he was half a year old and started babbling, Li Hao hadn’t wet the bed even once.
While other children were crying and fussing, the young master could use simple words like “eat” and “relieve” to tell his nursemaids when he needed food or a diaper change.
When he turned one, while other children were barely starting to walk, young master Li Hao was already running around and pointing at characters in books, asking the servants to read to him, teaching himself to read.
Quiet and clever, that was the impression the household staff had of this young master.
“Second Madam, the young master is over here.”
Just then, a graceful and dignified figure entered the courtyard.
Seeing Li Hao standing alone in the snow-covered courtyard, the woman’s eyebrows shot up as she sternly scolded the staff, “How could you allow the young master out in this snow without proper protection? Aren’t you worried he’ll catch a cold?!”
The surrounding staff immediately knelt, alarmed.
The head steward stammered, “R-Reporting to Second Madam, it was... it was the young master who insisted on watching the snow and told us not to disturb him...”
“The young master is still a child. Do you do whatever he says? If he told you to jump off a cliff, would you?”
The Second Madam scowled, striding over to Li Hao. She scooped him up, gently brushing the snow from his head.
“Even if he wants to watch the snow, you could at least hold an umbrella for him! And dressed so lightly—do you all have a death wish?”
The staff began to sweat with fear, not daring to breathe too loudly.
“Second Aunt, don’t blame them. I told them not to come over,” Li Hao said calmly, unable to bear the sight.
Since his parents had gone to the Yanbei battlefield, he had been under the care of various madams in turn. Each madam treated him kindly. The Second Madam, Lady Liu, had a gentle nature, but she was very strict with the servants. If he didn’t speak up, these maids and servants would likely be severely punished.
Hearing Li Hao’s clear and articulate words, Lady Liu’s eyes sparkled. She snorted and declared, “Since Hao’er asked, I’ll let this go. But if I see this again, you’ll all get a taste of the winter lake!”
She turned to Li Hao with a soft smile, “Hao’er, Second Aunt will take you for some treats. And you really should wear more clothes; even though you have the Dragon Blood Jade given by the emperor, what if you still catch a cold?”
As she gently scolded, full of concern, she carried Li Hao out of the courtyard.
Li Hao was already used to this. He let his Second Aunt hold him, though he thought to himself that the Fifth Madam’s embrace was more comfortable.
It was simply... softer.
Lady Liu, although beautiful and graceful, had a rather flat figure, lacking the plush comfort of the Fifth Madam’s embrace.
Soon, Lady Liu carried Li Hao to the Shuihua Courtyard.
In the courtyard, a child of about four or five years was practicing with a wooden sword, spinning it gracefully in patterns, showing remarkable skill.
This was Lady Liu’s only son, Li Qianfeng.
At such a young age, his eyes already showed focus and determination.
Beside him stood a burly middle-aged man, giving occasional nods of approval.
Li Hao recognized him as one of Li Qianfeng’s seven military instructors, a teacher specifically for swordsmanship.
Seeing Lady Liu approach, the middle-aged man quickly bowed. His gaze briefly landed on the child in her arms, knowing this was the “Kirin Child” named by Emperor Yu. Once his talent was tested, he might not be inferior to Li Qianfeng.
Focused on his sword practice, Li Qianfeng didn’t get distracted by his mother’s arrival and continued his diligent training.
Lady Liu didn’t interrupt him either, merely nodding to the middle-aged man before carrying Li Hao to a nearby pavilion.
The pavilion table was laden with rare fruits and delicate pastries.
Holding Li Hao, Lady Liu fed him while watching her son practice his sword technique. Her eyes gleamed, lost in thought, even forgetting to feed Li Hao.
“So, this is the Li family’s renowned sword technique, Boundless Sea?”
Li Hao’s bright little eyes sparkled with curiosity.
He had heard that this Second Aunt’s son had been tested and had exceptional talent.
I wonder how my talent will measure up when my turn comes?
In the courtyard, five-year-old Li Qianfeng trained with precision. Although he was only practicing forms, his movements were perfect, prompting nods of approval from the burly instructor, who couldn’t help but praise him.
However, the boy showed no joy, remaining fully concentrated.
“Again!”
Though the instructor offered praise, his teaching was strict.
The boy began his routine again, each movement fluid, clearly well-rehearsed.
Li Hao watched intently, when suddenly, a message appeared before him.
“Acquired elementary knowledge. Would you like to record it?”
What?!
Li Hao was startled and instinctively chose “yes.”
“Recorded successfully!”
At that moment, a panel appeared before him.
[Name: Li Hao]
[Age: 1 year]
[Cultivation Level: Mortal]
[Sword Dao: Uninitiated (Skill Points Available)]
[Skill: Boundless Sea・Tide (Uninitiated) [Restricted]]
[Arts Mastered: Chess Dao]
[Chess Dao: First Rank (82/500) (Skill Points Available)]
...
[Chess Guide Collection: 0]
[Art Skill Points: 1]
For the past year, Li Hao had been testing his panel in various ways, but due to his young age, he couldn’t afford to display excessive intelligence. His experimentation had been limited, though luckily the mansion had a chessboard available.
At half a year old, he had been lying on the chessboard, playing against himself.
The nursemaids, noticing his fascination with the “chessboard” toy, were happy to indulge him.
At least it kept him from crawling all over the place.
During his trials, Li Hao was astonished to find that playing chess allowed him to gain experience points, advancing his chess rank just as he would in a game!
In reality, improving one’s chess rank was notoriously challenging.
It required focus, talent, and dedication.
Li Hao himself had only ever been an amateur in the chess world.
But now, simply by playing against himself on the board, he could effortlessly accumulate experience points.
To go from zero to First Rank in Chess Dao required only 100 experience points.
To advance from First Rank to Second Rank would require 500 points.
Had it not been for the watchful maids, making it impossible for Li Hao to show too much skill, he could have earned far more experience points by now.
After all, even though the maids didn’t understand chess, they had enough common sense to find it strange if they saw a baby arranging chess pieces in perfect positions.
And now...
The panel displayed two new categories: [Sword Dao] and [Skill], which hadn’t been there before.
The prompt beside [Sword Dao] made Li Hao curious and excited. Could Sword Dao, like Chess Dao, be upgraded by using Art Skill Points?
Without further thought, he chose to add points.