```html
Lin Haixia eventually left.
However, unlike the previous feeling of sorrowful solitude, he carried with him an excitement that made him want to jump for joy, nearly running out of the Divine General Mansion.
He wanted to report this monumental news to the commander at the frontier as quickly as possible.
If they knew that their child possessed a swordsmanship talent that only appears once in a thousand years, they would surely be very surprised and gratified!
That one sword strike, Lin Haixia understood it, but not completely.
He recognized that swordsmanship, the most renowned sword technique in the Li family's collection, Endless Sea·Tide Sword Skill!
Yet compared to those perfect-level Tide Sword Skills he had seen, it was not inferior and even carried a special sense.
He racked his brain and could only think of two words:
Seamless.
Even more flawless than perfect!
Lin Haixia knew that above perfect technique, there was another deeper realm known as Ultimate Perfection.
But even individuals who immerse themselves in a skill for decades find it hard to achieve.
Apart from diligent practice, it also requires extraordinary talent.
However, this astonishing sword strike was presented by Li Hao.
A six-year-old child.
Even those stunning natural talents would find reaching agility in a skill by the age of six extremely difficult.
Moreover, Lin Haixia had never seen Li Hao practice swordsmanship.
Yet, unquestionably, he suspected Li Hao was practicing in secret.
But regardless of rich or poor, every day consists of twelve two hours.
Everyone is equal in the face of time, and when Lin Haixia observed Li Hao, most of the day's hours were spent playing chess, wandering, dawdling, eating, and drinking.
Never had he seen him practice swordsmanship, not even touching it.
Even if practicing secretly, how much time could he squeeze out?
He asked Li Hao why he secretly practiced swordsmanship.
And why did he hide such an astonishing talent?
But Li Hao only shook his head with a smile and did not speak.
Lin Haixia thought of many things; those imperial family feuds in stories, tales of great family grudges, he had heard some of these, and he vaguely speculated in his heart.
Looking at Li Hao's quiet smile, Lin Haixia felt his nose twinge with sourness. He understood that if the man from the frontier returned, this child would not be so helpless.
He clearly could shine brightly, yet now he could only remain low-key and dormant.
If this child hadn't sensed his sincerity, he probably wouldn't have shown his true self… Lin Haixia thought to this point, feeling both touched and comforted inside.
This sword strike not only revealed Li Hao's swordsmanship talent to Lin Haixia but also, combined with Li Hao's usual conversations, truly made him understand just how smart this child was!
...
...
Lin Haixia hurriedly left, not even greeting Bian Ruxue when passing through the front courtyard.
With Lin Haixia's departure, the courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.
However, now six years old, Li Hao needed to wake up early every day and pay his respects to Aunt at the Eternal Spring Court—this was etiquette.
The purpose of etiquette was to cultivate a sense of respecting teachers and valuing Tao, and knowing how to repay kindness from a young age.
Bian Ruxue, as Li Hao's betrothed fiancée, was already considered half a member of the Li family, so she naturally had to accompany him for the morning greetings.
During the morning greetings, they would inevitably encounter children from other courtyards, but there were only four or five of them.
All of similar age to Li Hao.
For example, Fifth Lady's second son and young daughter.
Sixth Lady's orphaned son.
Eighth Lady's son and daughter.
The other children, either like Li Qianfeng and Li Wushuang, were extraordinary talents taken by famous mentors,
or were old enough to join the army and strive for fame.
Eldest Aunt's son and daughter were both already in their twenties, serving as lieutenant generals in the military, only occasionally returning if there were no wars.
But as Li family members, military law was deeply ingrained in their bones, with strict discipline, setting an example in conduct. Thus, Annually, it was rare for Aunt to see her children.
After paying respects, Li Hao and Bian Ruxue were invited by He Jianlan to stay for the nutritious breakfast she had prepared. Sitting at the table, Li Hao chatted for a few moments with the graceful and elegant Aunt, before the two small figures swayed along and returned to their courtyard.
Li Hao went back to his usual daze, thinking about chess.
Bian Ruxue practiced swordsmanship in the courtyard.
Before leaving, Lin Haixia had taught her a Superior sword technique, enough for her to practice for several years.
One would have thought that this harmonious and peaceful time would just continue to pass slowly.
Until a few days later, a piece of news suddenly arrived at the Divine General Mansion.
Lin Haixia had returned.
A soldier dressed in heavy armor, tall and imposing, with steely eyes, brought Lin Haixia back.
But he only brought back a single hand.
Upon hearing the news from Zhao, Li Hao was stunned.
The chess piece in his hand fell to the ground, but unlike his usual self, who only had eyes for chess, at this moment he didn't even glance at it.
He didn't bother to put on his boots, and barefoot, he ran out, rushing into the Eternal Spring Court.
The maid at the door wanted to report it, but Li Hao already dashed inside.
Then, he saw in the main hall of the Eternal Spring Court, the usual place of morning greetings, a soldier kneeling on one knee.
Li Hao's heart trembled as he passed the soldier and saw, on the ground in front, a piece of red cloth with a hand lying on it.
The severed limb appeared torn, bloodied and mangled.
In a blue sleeve wrap, it was the clothes Lin Haixia had worn when he left.
This hand, just days before, had ruffled the hair of that little girl.
In his ear, the soldier was reporting to He Jianlan:
"Assistant Lin was ambushed by demons while passing through the Qi State highway en route to Northern Yan."
"The battlefield in Northern Yan is in a stalemate. Lately, there have been demons infiltrating cities in Northern Yan, attempting to disperse our forces, and similar incidents have occurred in other states..."
"Pause for a moment."
He Jianlan interrupted the soldier.
She was slightly dazed, looking at the barefoot Li Hao who had hastily rushed into the hall.
Then she seemed to realize something, a sigh appeared in her eyes, and she instructed Xuejian beside her, "Take away the arm first."
"Yes."
Xuejian nodded gently, then raised her apricot eyes to glance at Li Hao, who had dashed in. She was quite familiar with this little fellow and knew the owner of this arm was Li Hao's half-master in Foundation Establishment.
Only, in this military family, she had witnessed many separations and deaths, besides a silent sigh, there were no other feelings.
When Xuejian came over, Li Hao stepped forward to block her.
Ignoring her shocked expression, Li Hao turned, his eyes deadlocked on the soldier:
"Which demon killed Uncle Lin?"
The soldier looked up to see a little boy, about knee-high to him, staring at him with a face full of fury, the gaze shockingly cold and angry, not seeming like it belonged to a child.
From the jade pendant hanging on his waist, he recognized this was the Qilin child of the Li family, though he didn't know from which branch.
Immediately he answered truthfully, "It was a millennia-old Great Demon of the Fourth Realm, leading a few demons to attack and devour Assistant Lin. By the time the city guard of Qi State arrived, only this arm was left."
Devoured! Li Hao's mind roared like thunder, his eyes instantly reddened, blood seemed to rush through his body in reverse, and his head filled with rage.
He could easily imagine what kind of situation it had been, how brutal!
Coming to this world, Li Hao, living in the Divine General Mansion, had heard much about demons but never truly saw them. Even though he knew the battlefield was cruel, it was the first time he felt the impact so directly.
"Does that demon have a name?"
Li Hao asked in a low voice.
The soldier replied, "Yes, that demon has long resided outside Qi State City, giving itself the name 'Tiger Robe Immortal.'"
Li Hao silently etched this name in his heart, an indescribable murderous intent surging within him, but he controlled his emotions, didn't ask more, just turned around, rolled up the cloth on the ground, covering and wrapping the arm.
Afterward, Li Hao looked up at the seated Aunt, "Aunt, I'm taking Uncle Lin's hand back, sorry for the discourtesy today, please forgive me."
Saying that, he turned around and left barefoot, holding the arm.
He Jianlan's eyes slightly flickered, from Li Hao, she subtly saw something not often seen. This child was more mature and smarter than she imagined.
"Xuejian, bring Cheng Zhi's boots to Hao Er."
He Jianlan instructed.
Xuejian nodded, went to the side room to find the boots, and when she chased out of the courtyard, the small figure was already far gone.
...
...
Returning to the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Li Hao found a place to bury the hand, then found a wooden plaque to carve the words "Lin Haixia," sticking it into the soil.
He instructed Zhao to fence the area and prohibit entry.
Upon learning that the buried was Lin Haixia's remaining hand, Zhao hurriedly advised, "Young Master, this is the courtyard where the Family Head lives, we can't bury remains here. We have a cemetery for heroes, let's send Assistant Lin there."
"Set up a cenotaph for Uncle Lin in the hero's cemetery."
Li Hao slightly shook his head, scanning the courtyard, "This vast Mountain and River Courtyard can accommodate one of Uncle Lin's hands."
"Young Master..."
Zhao wanted to speak further but was stopped by Li Hao, having no choice but to comply.
"Make sure to provide compensation to Uncle Lin's family and treat them well," Li Hao told Zhao.
Zhao replied, "As a military man, Assistant Lin's family would have been informed already, and they'll handle his family well."
"That's their matter; this is ours."
Li Hao glanced at Zhao, "You should understand what I mean."
Zhao was momentarily stunned, then nodded slightly, "I understand."
Lin Haixia's death was like a small pebble thrown into the bottom of a lake, causing no ripples within the Divine General Mansion, just a tiny ripple.
Other courtyards continued as usual, but Li Hao became more engrossed in chess in the Mountain and River Courtyard, even ignoring Bian Ruxue's sword practice.
He didn't tell the little girl about Uncle Lin's incident, not wanting to make her sad.
Time flew by.
One day, Li Hao awoke from a dream, seeing himself playing chess with Uncle Lin. Suddenly, a tiger charged in from outside the chessboard, toppling it and pinning Lin Haixia down, biting his neck.
He sat up in bed, gasping for air.
The little girl next to him, awoken by the noise, sleepily asked while rubbing her eyes, "Brother Hao, what's wrong?"
Li Hao came back to his senses, shaking his head, "Nothing."
Once the little girl fell back asleep, Li Hao covered her with the quilt that had slipped off, then sat up, moving to the windowsill.
The moonlight flowed in, and before his eyes appeared letters:
"[You have comprehended the Chess Heart.]"
```