Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1: Bestowing a Name, Li Hao
A throbbing, violent ache pulsed through him!
Li Hao struggled to force his eyelids open, but the task felt nearly impossible.
Eventually, a narrow sliver of light pierced the darkness before his vision.
The faint illumination revealed towering ancient halls, radiating a solemn and majestic aura. Spread out before him was a rugged, dark golden carpet textured like dragon scales.
At the far end of the carpet, atop a flight of stairs, sat a colossal figure of immense presence. The giant's gaze was as sharp as torches cutting through a pitch-black night, possessing a hypnotic brilliance.
Where... exactly is this?
Wasn't I just in the middle of a game?
Right, my phone died, and I was looking for the charger...
Li Hao’s consciousness remained sluggish and clouded as he surveyed his environment in a bewildered haze.
Damn, did I fall asleep with my phone in my hand once again?
Yet, this sensation didn't feel like a dream at all.
"At nineteen years of age, a champion of the military, he took heads at the Royal Court, wiped out Great Demons, and brought an end to a century of turmoil in Cangzhou. The loss of such a hero is not merely a tragedy for the Li Family, but a profound grief for every subject of the Great Yu Dynasty!"
"Marquis of Xingwu, come forward to receive the imperial decree!"
A thunderous, commanding voice echoed through the vast hall, vibrating with power.
Struggling to lift his head, Li Hao saw numerous figures dressed in formal official robes standing in silence on either side of the carpet. Was this... the royal palace?
The Great Yu Dynasty... he couldn't recall such a name from any history book.
While Li Hao remained lost in confusion, a massive man suddenly stepped out beside him, standing as straight as a spear. Even from his silhouette alone, one could detect the faint, metallic scent of old blood.
"On this day, we bestow upon the ninth son of the Li Family, Li Jun Ye, the rank of first-class Zhen Guo Marquis. He is promoted to the rank of great general, granted burial within the imperial tombs, and awarded ten carriages of ancient treasures, three Yu Dragon Orders, and ten dou of gold!"
"From this moment, the nation shall observe three days of mourning, and the court will fast from meat for seven days to honor the brave soul of the Zhen Guo Marquis!"
The sheer scale of these rewards left everyone in the hall breathless with shock.
Only nineteen, and already granted the titles of marquis and general!
While typical marquises were given regional titles like Marquis of the North, the 'Zhen Guo' designation—meaning Protector of the Realm—was a title of immortal prestige!
It was a feat unprecedented and likely never to be matched by future generations.
After all, becoming a first-class marquis at nineteen was an extraordinary honor!
"Your Majesty, I accept this decree on behalf of my ninth brother and offer my gratitude to Emperor Yu!"
The towering figure, standing as firm as a mountain or a lance, dropped to one knee. His deep voice held no trace of joy; instead, it was thick with a suppressed, raspy sorrow.
"This is the debt I owe you; it is what your Li Family has earned!"
"Marquis of Xingwu, that child there belongs to you, does he not? I wish to name him; would you permit this?" "Having achieved no merit, I would not dare to accept such a royal blessing!"
"The men of the Li Family are the heroes of Great Yu! Just as the Zhen Guo Marquis gave his life for the realm beyond our borders, your son entered this world. Perhaps it is the turning of the Dao—Heaven has taken my favorite general and gifted Great Yu another promising youth. I shall name him... Hao!"
"I hope he will carry the spirit of the Zhen Guo Marquis to cleanse the world for Great Yu and bring unity to Donghuang!"
"Your Majesty, that name is too grand; I fear my son cannot carry such an immense honor..."
"Have no fear, the sons of the Li Family are worthy of every honor!"
A single name, Hao?
Li Hao was stunned, nearly laughing. What a strange turn of events; he shared the same name?
Wait a minute.
The baby they were discussing... that couldn't be me, could it?
Li Hao glanced down and was struck dumb; he was wrapped in swaddling clothes, his tiny hands and feet plump and small, held in the arms of a stunning woman wearing military armor.
"Present the dragon blood jade pendant to Hao Er," a voice ordered.
Moments later, Li Hao watched a pale eunuch approach with a serious expression, carrying a dark crimson jade pendant carved with dragon patterns.
A slender, elegant hand reached out to take it, and the beautiful woman holding him murmured, "I thank Emperor Yu for this generous gift."
What is happening here...
Li Hao blinked. Could this really be a dream?
Suddenly, a wave of intense dizziness overwhelmed him. He couldn't stay awake any longer and drifted into sleep.
Qingzhou City, the Divine General Mansion of the Li Family.
The Great Yu Dynasty recognized five Divine Generals, and the Li Family was among them.
With nine generals produced from a single bloodline, all known for their loyalty and bravery, the Li Family represented the peak of nobility in Great Yu, surrounded by endless prestige and wealth.
Yet, this immense prosperity was built upon the sacrifice and blood of their own kin.
Six of the nine Li sons had already fallen!
The youngest marquis had only served in the military for two years. He had just reached the rank of colonel when, during the Cangzhou conflict, he led tens of thousands of riders directly into the enemy's capital.
He conquered fifteen cities and slaughtered a hundred demons!
With glory enough for ten lifetimes, he became the sixth Li brother to die a hero for his country.
Now enshrined in the Temple of Valor, he was worshipped and honored by the masses.
By this time.
Roughly three months had passed since the title of "Zhen Guo Marquis" was bestowed.
During this period, the inhabitants of the Li Mansion had slowly begun to move past their mourning, and the heavy atmosphere had started to lift.
Today, the mansion was hosting a joyful celebration, bringing a rare sense of energy to the estate.
Prominent families and high-ranking officials from across the provinces arrived in person or sent envoys to Qingzhou. A line of opulent, noble carriages stretched out before the Divine General Mansion, causing many locals to stop and stare in awe.
Today marked the hundred-day celebration for the seventh young master of the Li family, the son of the Marquis of Xingwu, Li Hao.
This child of destiny, born into the highest status, had been named by Emperor Yu himself at birth. His name was known across the realm, and as a scion of divine generals, his future prominence was unquestioned.
As the saying goes, it is best to build a bridge before you need to cross it.
Inside the Divine General Mansion, within a chamber of the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Li Hao rested in the arms of his mother, Ji Qingqing, watching the commotion outside with curious eyes.
In these few months, Li Hao had realized he wasn't dreaming. He had... transmigrated.
This wasn't a world of historical records, but the Ephemeral Realm.
It was a land of martial artists, Great Demons, wandering swordsmen, and ancient temples.
Fortunately, the Great Yu Dynasty was a superpower. Demons were strictly suppressed, and few dared to cross the borders, allowing the citizens to live in relative comfort—especially someone born into a premier clan like his.
The future seemed bright!
"Hao Er, to be honest, your mother never wanted you to be born into the Li Family. Did you know that?" While the outside world was loud with celebration, Ji Qingqing sat in the room with a troubled face, whispering in a low, sad tone.
Li Hao blinked up at his mother in confusion.
His vocal cords weren't ready for speech yet. Even if they were, he wouldn't dare ask why, fearing he might give the young woman a heart attack.
Though Ji Qingqing looked quite young to him—likely in her early twenties—the tender care and affection she had shown him over the months had made him feel a deep bond with her.
"Actually, I had already chosen a name for you: Le Ping, Li Le Ping. Your mother only wants you to be happy and safe, to grow up in good health. Uniting the world is the ambition of the royals, not the Li family, and certainly not mine..."
Ji Qingqing spoke softly to herself. The fawning expressions of the nobles outside didn't bring her pride; she found them irritating.
"Emperor Yu named you in the hope that the Li Family would rise again after your ninth uncle's passing. That name carries the heavy weight of the royal family's expectations, acting as both a promise and a burden for the Li Family..."
She went silent.
Such a massive burden placed on her child was hard to bear. She knew that the more favors they received now, the more pressure he would face later.
Li Hao noticed the sadness in the young woman's eyes. In this moment, she wasn't the formidable Seventh Lady of the Divine General Mansion or the fierce female general who terrified enemies; she was simply a mother.
Unable to talk, he just pressed his head closer against her chest.
He tried to offer comfort through his warmth.
Feeling him move, Ji Qingqing looked down. Seeing her son's long lashes and sweet face, her heart melted instantly.
She rocked Li Hao gently, her soft hand stroking the infant as if trying to soothe her own anxieties.
"Regardless of what happens, your mother will protect you. Your father has already reached the 'Immortal' realm, so there is a chance you will inherit that power within your blood."
"Even if your future talent in Cultivation is only average, the power passed down from your father will allow you to keep pace with your ancestors' youth. You won't fall behind your peers."
"No matter what the future holds, Mother will always be your shield. I won't let anyone hurt you..."
She whispered these promises to herself.
"The hundred-day banquet is starting; why are you still hiding in here?"
At that moment, the powerful Marquis of Xingwu walked in. He placed a hand gently on Ji Qingqing’s waist and asked in surprise, "What are you brooding about? Aren't you happy?"
"Of course I am."
Ji Qingqing hid her emotions and looked up with a smile, choosing not to share her worries. She knew the Li men were stubborn and single-minded, viewing a death on the battlefield as the ultimate pride. Her maternal concerns wouldn't outweigh the thousand-year legacy of the Divine General Mansion.
"Are all the sisters-in-law here?" "They've all arrived. Everyone is just waiting for you and Hao Er."
The Marquis of Xingwu looked at Li Hao and patted his head. His rough, calloused palm felt like a dull blade, making Li Hao roll his eyes.
Could this thick-headed father not be a bit more careful?
Ji Qingqing, carrying Li Hao, entered a different room filled with the wives and ladies of the various family branches. Immediately, a wave of voices washed over them.
"My, Hao Er is so handsome! He’s even cuter than Jing Er was as a baby."
"Yes, Shuang Er, look at your little brother. Isn't he precious?"
"Look! He's staring right at me with those tiny eyes!" Along with the ladies, their children were present as well. The youngest, only a year or two old, grabbed onto the adults' clothes, their round eyes sparkling with curiosity as they peered at Li Hao.
The older children, around five or six, seemed strangely mature for their age. They weren't playing around at all, standing quietly to the side. They looked bored but didn't dare leave, showing little interest in their new sibling.
"Come here, Hao Er, let your Fifth Aunt hold you."
A lovely woman took Li Hao into her arms, looking at him with affection before pausing. "Oh, is Hao Er hungry?"
"He just fed this morning."
The woman didn't doubt her, and hearing Ji Qingqing's reply, she stopped worrying. She simply gave Li Hao’s cheek a playful pinch, laughing softly.
The other ladies crowded around to play with him, and when the time was right, they began presenting their gifts.
Ji Qingqing tried to politely refuse, but the items were pressed into her hands. These were treasures that gold couldn't buy. By the end of the day, the gifts for Li Hao’s hundred-day feast filled half the courtyard. Among them was a jade-like bracelet that Fifth Aunt slid onto Li Hao’s wrist, claiming it would nourish his spirit.
Li Hao, who had been annoyed by the constant chatter, had been feeling sleepy. However, the moment the bracelet touched him, a cool sensation flowed from his wrist into his body, leaving him feeling refreshed.
His exhaustion vanished, and his mind grew sharp.
He narrowed his eyes, and suddenly, shimmering, blurry symbols appeared before him.
Compared to the illegible mess he saw when he first arrived, the characters had become clearer as he grew and his brain developed over the months.
Now, it was as if a blurry world had suddenly snapped into focus. Everything was perfectly clear.