Lin Haixia finally left.
However, unlike the previous regrets and desolation, he carried an excitement so intense he nearly ran out of the Divine General Mansion.
He wanted to report this fantastic news to the commander at the border with the utmost speed.
If they knew their child possessed a sword talent seen once in a thousand years, they would surely be incredibly surprised and consoled!
That sword move, Lin Haixia understood it, yet not fully.
He recognized that swordsmanship, the most famous in the Li Family's collection, "Endless Sea Tide Sword Skill!"
But compared to the perfect-grade Tide Sword Skills he had seen, it was no less inferior, even possessing a unique feeling.
He racked his brains and could only think of two words:
Complete.
Even more flawless than perfect!
Lin Haixia knew that beyond perfect technique, there was another deeper realm called Ultimate Perfection.
But even those who immersed themselves in a technique for decades found it hard to reach.
Aside from rigorous practice, it also required tremendous talent.
Yet, this world-shattering sword move was demonstrated by Li Hao's hand.
A six-year-old child.
Even prodigies strikingly talented at such an age who could make a technique agile were exceedingly rare.
Moreover, Lin Haixia had never seen Li Hao practice swordsmanship.
But without a doubt, he felt Li Hao must be practicing secretly.
Yet regardless of being rich or poor, everyone only has twelve hours in a day.
In the face of time, everyone is equal, and most of the hours Li Hao was seen each day were spent playing chess, frolicking, wandering, daydreaming, and eating and drinking.
He had never seen him practice swordsmanship, not even touching a sword.
Even if he were practicing hard behind the scenes, how much time could he possibly squeeze out?
He asked Li Hao, "Why are you secretly practicing swordsmanship?"
And, "Why hide this astonishing talent?"
But Li Hao just smiled and shook his head, without speaking.
Lin Haixia thought of many things, including imperial and noble family grudges he had heard of, and he vaguely guessed something.
Looking at Li Hao's quietly smiling face, Lin Haixia's nose tingled with emotion, understanding that if that man from the borderland were back, this child would surely not be so helpless.
He could have shone brilliantly, yet now he must remain low-profile and hidden.
If this child hadn't seen his sincerity, he probably wouldn't have allowed him to see his hidden true self... Lin Haixia felt profoundly moved and consoled by this thought.
This sword not only revealed to Lin Haixia Li Hao's sword talent but, combining it with Li Hao's everyday speech and manner, also made him truly understand how incredibly intelligent this child was!
...
...
Lin Haixia left in a hurry, not even greeting Bian Ruxue as he passed the front courtyard.
With Lin Haixia's departure, the courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.
Now six years old, Li Hao needed to rise early every day to pay respect at the Eternal Spring Court as a sign of etiquette.
The purpose of these rituals is to cultivate, from a young age, a reverence for traditions and a heart grateful for kindness.
Bian Ruxue, as Li Hao's arranged fiancée, was already considered a part of the Li Family and naturally had to join him in these morning respects.
While paying respects, they inevitably met other children from different quarters, though only four or five of them.
They were all around Li Hao's age.
Like the second son and youngest daughter of Fifth Lady.
The orphan son of Lady Six.
The son and daughter of Lady Eight.
The rest of the children, like Li Qianfeng and Li Wushuang, had exceptional talents and were taken away by famous masters.
Or they were older and had joined the military to compete for honor and fame.
Like the son and daughter of the Family Head, both in their twenties and serving as lieutenants in the military; if there was no war, they occasionally returned.
But as members of the Li Family, military discipline was ingrained in their bones, and they set a strict example, so the Family Head barely saw her children throughout the year.
After paying their respects, Li Hao and Bian Ruxue were invited by the dignified and graceful Family Head, He Jianlan, to stay and enjoy the nutritious breakfast she had prepared. After chatting briefly with the Family Head while seated at the table, the two small figures, one following the other, wobbled back to their own courtyard.
Li Hao, as usual, daydreamed, thinking about chess.
Bian Ruxue practiced swordsmanship in the courtyard.
The superior sword technique that Lin Haixia had taught her before leaving, would be enough to practice for many years.
It was expected that this peaceful and tranquil time would continue to flow slowly.
Until several days later, a sudden message was sent back to the Divine General Mansion.
Lin Haixia had returned.
A soldier clad in heavy armor, with a robust figure and a stern gaze, had brought Lin Haixia back.
But he only brought back one hand.
When Li Hao heard the news from Zhao, he was stunned.
The chess piece in his hand dropped to the ground, but even though his eyes were usually only for chess, he didn't glance at it now.
Not even bothering to put on his boots, he barefooted and rushed out, charging into the Eternal Spring Court.
The maid at the door intended to report, but Li Hao had already charged in.
Then, he saw in the main hall of the Mountain and River Courtyard, where he usually paid his morning respects, a soldier currently kneeling on one knee.
Li Hao's heart trembled, and looking past this soldier, he saw a piece of red cloth on the ground in front of him, with a hand lying on the cloth.
The severed part looked torn, with messy flesh and uneven edges.
The sleeves were wrapped in bands, which were the clothes Lin Haixia wore when she left.
This hand, just days ago, had caressed that little girl's head.
By his ear, the soldier was reporting to He Jianlan:
"On his way to Northern Yan, Lin encountered a surprise attack by demons ambushing him on the Qi State national road."
"The battlefield in Northern Yan is at a standstill, and recently, demons have infiltrated various cities in Northern Yan to try to disperse our army's strength. Other states have also experienced frequent demon attacks..."
"Stop for a moment."
He Jianlan interrupted the soldier.
She slightly stared blankly, looking at Li Hao who rushed barefoot and hurriedly into the hall.
Immediately thinking of something, a sigh appeared in her eyes, and she instructed Xuejian beside her, "Take the arm away."
"Yes."
Xuejian nodded lightly and instantly lifted her apricot eyes to glance at Li Hao, who had rushed in. She was quite familiar with this little fellow and also knew the owner of this arm, who had been half a master in Foundation Establishment to Li Hao.
However, in the General's Manor Noble Clan, she had long seen many partings between life and death, and aside from a silent sigh, she felt no other emotions.
When Xuejian approached, Li Hao stepped forward, blocking her way.
Ignoring her astonished expression, Li Hao turned around, his gaze fixedly staring at the soldier:
"Which demon killed Uncle Lin?"
The soldier looked up and saw a little boy of equal height to his one-knee kneeling position, staring at him with a face full of anger. That look was extremely cold and furious, almost unchildlike.
From the jade pendant hanging at the boy's waist, he recognized him as a member of the Li Family's Qilin, though he wasn't sure from which branch.
He immediately answered truthfully, "It was a Great Demon of the Fourth Realm, who, along with several other demons, launched an attack and devoured Lin. By the time the City Defender from Qi State arrived, only this arm was left."
Devoured! Li Hao's mind roared like thunder, his eyes suddenly reddening and his blood seemingly rushing backward, engorged in his brain.
He could well imagine what that scene must have been like, how brutal it was!
Coming to this world, Li Hao, residing in the Divine General Mansion, had heard many tales about demons from the surrounding environment but had never truly seen them. Although he knew the battlefield was cruel, this was the first time he felt such a direct impact.
"Does that demon have a title?"
Li Hao asked in a low voice.
The soldier replied, "Yes, the demon lives outside the Qi State City, self-styled as 'Tiger Robe Immortal.'"
Li Hao silently engraved this title in his heart, feeling an indescribable urge to kill, but he controlled his emotions and did not ask further questions. Instead, he turned around, picked up the red cloth on the ground, and carefully wrapped and covered the arm.
Afterward, Li Hao looked up at the Mother seated in the upper seat, "Mother, I'm taking Uncle Lin's hand back. Please excuse my rudeness today."
Having said that, he then turned around, carrying the arm, and left barefoot.
He Jianlan's eyes flickered slightly. From Li Hao, she could vaguely see some traits that were not usually seen in him. This child was more mature and intelligent than she had thought.
"Xuejian, fetch Cheng Zhi's boots for Hao Er," instructed He Jianlan.
Xuejian nodded, went to the side room to find the boots, and was about to chase out of the courtyard when she saw the small figure had already walked far away, disappearing from view.
...
...
Back at Mountain and River Courtyard.
Li Hao found a spot and buried the arm, then carved the name "Lin Haixia" on a wooden plaque and inserted it into the soil.
He instructed Zhao, "Encircle this area and prohibit any foot traffic."
When Zhao learned that what was buried there was Lin Haixia's remaining arm, he quickly tried to persuade, "Young Master, this is the courtyard where the Family Heads live; bodies shouldn't be buried here. We have a cemetery for burying martyrs, let's send Lin there."
"Arrange for Uncle Lin's gravestone in the Martyrs' Cemetery."
Li Hao shook his head slightly and swept his eyes over the courtyard, "This vast Mountain and River Courtyard can accommodate Uncle Lin's arm."
"Young Master..."
Zhao wanted to say more but was stopped by Li Hao and had to give up.
"Make sure to provide compensation to Uncle Lin's family and treat them well," Li Hao stated to Zhao.
Zhao responded, "Lin, being a military man, should already have his family taken care of by the authorities in Northern Yan."
"That's there; this is here," Li Hao looked at Zhao, "You should understand my meaning."
Zhao was taken aback, then nodded slightly, "I understand."
The news of Lin Haixia's death, like a small stone thrown into a lake, did not stir much at the Divine General Mansion, merely causing a slight ripple.
Everything was as usual in the other courtyards, but within Mountain and River Courtyard, Li Hao became even more obsessed with chess, neglecting even the swordsmanship practiced by Bian Ruxue.
He didn't tell the little girl about Uncle Lin's matter to spare her from being upset.
Time flew by.
One day, Li Hao was awakened from his sleep; he was dreaming of playing chess with Uncle Lin when suddenly a fierce tiger burst in from outside the chessboard, knocked over the board, and bit Lin Haixia on the neck while pinning him down.
He sat up in bed, breathing heavily.
The little girl beside him was woken by the noise, rubbing her eyes drowsily, "Brother Hao, what's wrong?"
Li Hao came back to his senses and shook his head, "It's nothing."
After the little girl fell asleep again, Li Hao covered her with the quilt that had slid aside, then sat up and went to the window.
Moonlight poured down, and suddenly words appeared before Li Hao's eyes:
[You have comprehended the Heart of Chess.]