Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 2 - 2 Compilation of Swordsmanship

Chapter 2: Compilation of Swordsmanship

Translator: 549690339

[Name: Li Hao]

[Age: 0 years old]

[Cultivation Level: Mortal]

[Mastered Artistic Skills: None]

[Skill Points: 0]

Floating before him, these transparent lines of text formed a character status screen that Li Hao recognized instantly.

His familiarity stemmed from the fact that he had encountered this exact interface in his previous life.

It hadn't been in the real world, however, but within a video game.

Back when he was about to cross over, Li Hao had downloaded a simple mobile game from a popular app store out of boredom. This display was a perfect match for that game’s character menu.

Now, though, a new "Cultivation Level" attribute had been added.

Furthermore, the name and age sections had been updated to reflect his current reality, replacing his old, permanent gaming handle: “Past With the Wind.”

The "Skill Points" listed at the bottom were also deeply familiar to him.

Unlike most adventure or gacha games that demanded endless grinding, this specific game focused on casual relaxation.

It lacked a combat system or battle gear, offering instead elaborate costumes and various artistic pastimes.

Activities included things like chess, fishing, painting, and woodcarving.

One could even watch films or play cards within it.

The wholesome kind, of course.

The game was devoid of monsters; fighting simply wasn't an option.

By refining different arts, a player would earn "Skill Points." These points could be spent to instantly level up artistic proficiency, which in turn unlocked more features.

He never expected that after crossing over, this system would follow him.

Hold on a moment.

Does this thing really expect him to become a master of lifestyle hobbies just like in the game?!

Li Hao felt a mix of shock and disbelief.

In a world of immortals and Qi, what was the point of art!

He needed to be able to fight!

……“Report——”

While Li Hao was lost in the shock of his status panel, a piercing military shout echoed from outside the courtyard.

A soldier from the Li Family elite burst into the area, instantly shattering the peaceful, celebratory mood. He dropped to one knee before the Lord of Fazi Camp and delivered an urgent message:

“My Lord, Northern Yan is in turmoil! Prince Pingcheng has betrayed us by conspiring with demons. He has razed Mofeng City on the frontier, along with eight neighboring towns. Emperor Yu has sent an official decree, commanding you to mobilize immediately to suppress the insurgents!”

The eyes of every powerful figure and noble lady in the courtyard turned toward the Lord of Fazi Camp, their faces masked with a variety of emotions.

Li Hao snapped back to reality, feeling stunned.

He had only been alive for a few months, and yet another war was breaking out?

The warmth vanished from the Lord of Fazi Camp’s expression, replaced by a chilling, murderous aura. His gaze was as sharp as frozen lightning as he looked at the messenger and slowly rose to his feet.

Sensing his wife's presence, he looked toward where Li Hao was held, meeting her eyes.

The lethal intent in his gaze softened into a look of sorrow. “Qingqing, please stay with Hao Er for the remainder of his hundred-day celebration. I will return as quickly as possible.”

Ji Qingqing turned pale. She handed Li Hao over to the Fifth Lady standing nearby. As she looked at the infant in his blankets, she had a strange sensation—it felt as though the child was watching her intently, his eyes filled with a trace of grief.

She shook the thought away, assuming it was just a trick of her mind. The boy was only a few months old; how could he possibly comprehend the pain of parting?

“Mother will be back soon, you must be a good boy,” Ji Qingqing whispered, stroking Li Hao’s forehead with lingering affection.

Then, with sudden resolve, she walked toward the Lord of Fazi Camp. “This mission is too dangerous; I am coming with you!”

The Lord of Fazi Camp shook his head immediately. “Stay here and look after Hao Er. He is still an infant and he needs his mother.”

“I am a high-ranking general of this army. If the commander is going to the front, how can I remain behind?”

Ji Qingqing’s expression was grim. “Prince Pingcheng is a snake who has been plotting for years. This sudden strike suggests a deeper conspiracy. I’ll feel better if I’m by your side.”

Looking into her eyes, the Lord of Fazi Camp knew his wife's stubbornness well. He sighed, giving up his protest. “Very well. Ladies, please look after Hao Er for us. We shall return with all haste.”

“You must stay safe.”

The Lady of the House stepped forward, her face etched with worry. “Go. You can trust us to care for Hao Er.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”

The Lord of Fazi Camp gave a small smile, then turned and barked an order. “Ready the horses! Elite soldiers of Fazi Camp, assemble and move out!”

The General’s Manor was a place of swift action; they were built for war. Very quickly, the couple led their elite unit out of the gates, galloping through the night toward the Northern Yan border.

That region had been the Li Family’s battlefield for generations. They knew every inch of the land, every demon, and every foe there; it was their sworn duty to defend it.

It was for this very reason Ji Qingqing felt she had to go.

With so many eyes watching in the courtyard, she hadn't voiced her true concern: Why had Emperor Yu known about the Northern Yan rebellion before the Li Family did?

……In early winter, the first snow began to fall over Qingzhou City.

More than a year had passed since the hundred-day feast, making Li Hao a year and a half old.

His parents were still locked in combat at Northern Yan. According to the Li Family’s private intelligence, the conflict had reached a stalemate and threatened to become a war of attrition.

At this moment.

The eighteen-month-old Li Hao stood by himself in the Mountain and River Courtyard. With his hands tucked behind his back like a tiny patriarch, he watched the heavy snowflakes drift down from the heavens.

He wondered how the woman who was now his mother was faring in the north.

The servants and maids nearby had grown used to the young master’s peculiar habits.

Even though Li Hao was barely a toddler, his reputation as a genius had already permeated the Li Mansion.

Since he began making sounds at six months old, Li Hao had never once soiled his bed.

While other infants were screaming and crying, the young master used simple words like “eat” or “poo” to tell the wet nurses exactly what he needed.

By the time he was one, while his peers were stumbling through their first steps, Li Hao was already running. He would point at characters in books, demanding the servants read to him so he could learn to recognize the script.

Quiet, intelligent, and incredibly well-behaved—that was the servants' consensus on the young master.

“Second Lady, the young master is right over there.”

Just then, a noble and elegant woman entered the courtyard.

Seeing Li Hao standing solitary in the snow, the woman’s brow furrowed, and she immediately began to scold the staff. “How are you looking after the young master? Do you want him to freeze to death in this storm?!”

The servants jumped in fright, falling to their knees in a hurry.

The lead steward stammered nervously, “Forgive us, Second Lady, but the young master insisted on watching the snow. He specifically told us not to bother him…”

“The young master is a child! Do you follow everything he says? If he told you to jump into a grave, would you do it?!”

Anger flashed on the Second Lady’s face as she hurried to Li Hao’s side. She scooped him up and began brushing the snow from his hair.

“Even if he wanted to see the snow, couldn't you have held an umbrella? He's dressed so lightly! You all must be tired of living!”

The group was drenched in a cold sweat, terrified to even breathe.

“Second Mother, please don't be angry with them. I told them to stay back,” Li Hao said, feeling bad for the servants.

Ever since his parents left for the war, he had been raised by the various ladies of the mansion in rotation. Every one of them treated him with immense kindness. The Second Lady, Liu Yue Rong, was usually gentle, but she was notoriously strict with the help. If he didn't speak up, these servants would surely be punished.

Hearing Li Hao speak so clearly, a light flickered in Liu Yue Rong’s eyes, followed by a soft huff.

“For Hao Er’s sake, I will overlook this once. If I see this again, I’ll make you understand what it’s like to sit in a frozen lake!”

She then turned to Li Hao with a warm, doting smile. “Hao Er, Second Mother is going to get you something delicious. And you, why didn't you put on more clothes? Even with the Dragon’s Blood Jade from the Emperor, you could still catch a chill…”

Muttering her concerns, she carried Li Hao out of the courtyard.

Li Hao was used to this and simply relaxed in her arms.

Before long, Liu Yue Rong brought him to the Shuihua Courtyard.

There, a boy of about four or five was practicing with a wooden sword. His movements were remarkably fluid and disciplined.

This was Liu Yue Rong’s only son, Li Qianfeng.

Despite his youth, the boy’s eyes were filled with focus and grit.

Standing beside him was a muscular, middle-aged man who offered instructions and frequent nods of approval.

Li Hao knew this man was one of Li Qianfeng’s seven specialized military instructors, the one tasked with teaching him the Dao of the sword.

When the Second Lady arrived, the instructor bowed deeply. His eyes drifted to Li Hao, recognizing the child Emperor Yu had praised as a "Kylin." He suspected that once the boy's talent was tested, he might even surpass Li Qianfeng.

The boy training with the sword didn't lose his focus even as his mother arrived, continuing his drills with intensity.

Liu Yue Rong didn't want to disturb him. She gave the instructor a nod and carried Li Hao to a nearby pavilion.

The table there was laden with fine fruits and delicate pastries.

She began to feed Li Hao while watching her son practice. Soon, she became so captivated by the swordplay that she stopped mid-feeding, her gaze fixed on the yard.

“That’s the 'Endless Sea' style, the Li Family’s top swordsmanship, isn't it?”

Li Hao watched with wide, curious eyes.

He had heard that Li Qianfeng’s bone age had been tested and showed elite potential.

Li Hao wondered what his own results would be when his time came.

In the courtyard, five-year-old Li Qianfeng practiced with mechanical precision. Even though he was just performing forms, his technique was so flawless that the instructor couldn't help but offer praise.

The boy, however, showed no emotion; he remained entirely absorbed in the sword.

“Again!”

Despite the praise, the instructor’s training was demanding.

The boy restarted the routine. His movements were incredibly smooth, proving he had memorized every detail.

Li Hao watched, mesmerized, when suddenly, a prompt appeared in his vision.

“You have grasped the fundamentals. Do you wish to record this?”

What?!

Li Hao was shocked. Instinctively, he confirmed the choice.

“Recording successful!”

Immediately, a new panel materialized before him.

[Name: Li Hao]

[Age: 1 year]

[Cultivation Level: Mortal]

[Sword Dao: Not Entered (can add points)]

[Skill: Endless Sea?Tide (Not Entered) [Forbidden]]

[Mastered Artistic Skill: Chess Tao]

[Chess Tao: Level One (82/500) (can add points)]

[Chess Catalogue Collection: 0]

[Skill Points: 1]

For more than a year, Li Hao had tried to decipher his system, but his young age and the need to hide his genius limited his testing. Luckily, he had found a chessboard in the house.

When he was six months old, he would sit on the board and move pieces around by himself.

The maids and wet nurses just thought he enjoyed the "board game" toy and were happy he wasn't crawling into trouble.

Through this, Li Hao discovered that by playing chess, he could earn experience points and level up, just like in the game!

In the real world, mastering Chess Tao was a grueling process.

It required immense talent and years of study.

But Li Hao, who was barely an amateur in his past life, found a shortcut.

Simply by playing on the board, he gained experience.

Moving from unranked to Level One required 100 points.

Level One to Two required 500.

If he hadn't been worried about the maids noticing a baby playing perfect chess, he would have farmed much more by now.

He had to be careful; even if the maids weren't experts, they would find it suspicious if a one-year-old was setting up professional-level board positions.

But now,

In addition to Chess Tao, the panel had unlocked [Sword Dao] and [Skill]—attributes that hadn't been there before.

The notification for [Sword Dao] filled Li Hao with excitement. Could he use skill points to instantly master the sword just like he did with chess?

Without hesitation, he focused on the option to add points.