Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Compilation of Swordsmanship

Translator: 549690339
[Name: Li Hao]

[Age: 0 years old]

[Cultivation Level: Mortal]

[Mastered Artistic Skills: None]

[Skill Points: 0]

These clear texts turned out to be a character panel that Li Hao was very familiar with.

The reason he was familiar with it was that he had seen this thing in his previous life.

But not in reality, it was in a game.

When he was crossing over, Li Hao happened to be bored and had casually downloaded a casual mobile game from the leading store, and this panel was the character panel in the game.

However, now there was the additional attribute “Cultivation Level.”

And the age and name fields also switched to his current real status, instead of that perennial online nickname: “Past With the Wind.”

As for the “Skill Points” at the end, he found them even more familiar.

Unlike the mainstream adventure and card games that required intense grinding, this game’s main selling point was light entertainment.

There was no battle system, no combat equipment, just fancy and flashy fashion, and various arts and leisure activities.

Such as chess, fishing, painting, carving, and so on.

You could even watch movies or play poker.

The serious type.

The only thing missing was monsters; you couldn’t fight.

Improving different arts would accumulate “Skill Points,” and each skill point could directly enhance your artistic level, unlocking more gameplay.

Unexpectedly, after crossing over, he had brought this thing with him.

Wait a second.

This thing wouldn’t expect him to become a full-time lifestyle master like in the game, would it?!

Li Hao was somewhat shocked and speechless.

This was the ephemeral realm, what use was there for art!

I need to fight!

…

…

“Report——”

While Li Hao was immersed in shock at the panel, a shrill military report suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

A Li Family elite soldier rushed into the courtyard, quickly shattering the peaceful and joyful atmosphere within. He knelt on one knee before the Lord of Fazi Camp, urgently reporting:

“My Lord, Northern Yan has erupted into chaos; Prince Pingcheng has colluded with demons and slaughtered Mofeng City on the border, as well as the surrounding eight towns. Emperor Yu has issued an edict, ordering you to set off immediately to quell the rebellion!”

The gazes of all the powerbrokers and the ladies of various courtyards within the courtyard were suddenly focused on the Lord of Fazi Camp, their expressions varied.

Li Hao came back to his senses, somewhat astonished.

It had only been a few months, and there was already another war?

The smile had faded from the Lord of Fazi Camp’s face, replaced by an aura of stern killing intent. His eyes were like cold lightning as he stared at the soldier before him, then slowly stood up.

Seeming to sense something, he looked up at where Li Hao was, his gaze meeting his wife’s.

The murderous intent in the man’s eyes suddenly dissipated, and he showed a look of regret, “Qingqing, please accompany Hao Er for his hundred-day feast, I will be back as soon as I can.”

Ji Qingqing’s face turned slightly pale as she handed over Li Hao to the Fifth Lady by her side. Looking at the baby in the swaddling clothes, Ji Qingqing felt an illusion, as if the child was seriously looking at her too, and there was a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

She was momentarily dazed, thinking it was just an illusion after all, the child was only a few months old, how could he understand separation?

“Mother will be back soon, you must be good,” Ji Qingqing gently stroked Li Hao’s forehead, her eyes also full of reluctance.

But then she resolutely walked towards the Lord of Fazi Camp, “This trip is fraught with danger; I will accompany you!”

The Lord of Fazi Camp immediately shook his head, “You stay here and take care of Hao Er; he is still young and needs you.”

“I am a senior general in the army; the commander is in place, how can I be absent?”

Ji Qingqing’s eyes were grave, “Prince Pingcheng is crafty and cunning, has been biding his time for many years, and has suddenly made a move; I’m worried there might be more to it, it’s better if I accompany you.”

The Lord of Fazi Camp stared at her, knowing his wife’s stubborn character, sighed, and no longer tried to dissuade her, “Alright, then please take care of Hao Er, ladies and sisters; we will be back as soon as possible.”

“You must be careful.”

The Lady of the House approached, her face showing concern, “You can leave Hao Er to us without worry.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”

The Lord of Fazi Camp smiled briefly, then turned and called out, “Prepare the horses; Fazi Camp’s elite soldiers, assemble and follow me!”

In the General’s Manor, actions were swift and decisive; they were accustomed to mustering for battle, and the couple quickly led a team of elite soldiers out of the mansion, rushing overnight towards the Northern Yan frontier camp.

That place was where the Li Family had battled for many years, and they were most familiar with the terrain, demons, and opponents; it was the Li Family’s area of defense.

It was because of this that Ji Qingqing was determined to go along.

There were too many prying eyes in the courtyard, and there was something she did not publicly say, why did Emperor Yu receive news of the rebellion in Northern Yan before they did?

…

…

Early winter, Qingzhou City saw its first snowfall.

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

His parents were still on the battlefield in Northern Yan and had not returned. According to the secret reports from the Li Family Army, it seemed that the war was in a stalemate and might turn into long-term combat.

At this time.

The one-and-a-half-year-old Li Hao stood alone in the Mountain and River Courtyard, hands clasped behind his back like a little adult, gazing at the goose-feather big snowflakes falling from the sky.

He wondered how the girl who became his mother was faring in Northern Yan.

The house servants and maids around him were already accustomed to the young master’s behavior.

Although Li Hao had just turned one year old, the name of a prodigy had already spread within Li Mansion.

Ever since he was able to make noises at half a year old, Li Hao had never wet the bed again.

While other children were crying and shouting, the little master was already using simple words like “eat” and “poo” to alert the wet nurses to feed him and take care of his bodily functions.

By the age of one, while other children were just learning to walk, young master Li Hao was already running around, pointing at words in books, asking the servants to read to him, and learning to recognize characters.

He didn’t cry or fuss, was intelligent and sensible—that was the impression the house servants and maids had of this young master.

“Second Lady, the young master is over here.”

At this time, a graceful and elegant figure of nobility entered the courtyard.

Seeing Li Hao standing alone in the snowy yard, the beautiful woman’s eyebrows shot up, and she immediately scolded, “How are you taking care of the young master? Are you not afraid of him freezing to death in this heavy snow?!”

The surrounding house servants and maids were so frightened that they jumped, hurriedly kneeling down.

The head steward among them nervously said, “Replying to the Second Lady, it was, it was the young master himself who wanted to watch the snow, he asked us not to disturb him…”

“The young master is still a child, is everything he says correct? If he told you to die, would you die?!”

The Second Lady’s face showed anger as she quickly walked to Li Hao’s side, picked him up in her arms, and started patting away the snow that had accumulated on his head:

“Even if the young master wanted to watch the snow, couldn’t you have held an umbrella for him? Dressed so thinly, I think you don’t want to live!”

The group was terrified into a cold sweat, not daring to even breathe deeply.

“Second Mother, don’t blame them, it was I who told them not to come over,” Li Hao said, seeing the situation and feeling helpless.

Since his parents had gone to the Northern Yan battlefield, he had been alternately looked after by the ladies of various courtyards; each lady treated him extremely well. The Second Lady Liu Yue Rong in front of him had a gentle disposition, but she was incredibly strict with the servants. Without saying so himself, the house servants attending to him could not avoid a good scolding.

Upon hearing Li Hao’s clear and coherent words, a flicker of light flashed in Liu Yue Rong’s eyes, followed by a light snort:

“For Hao Er’s sake, I’ll let you off this time. If I catch this happening again, I will let you taste what it is like to spend the late winter in a cold lake!”

After speaking, she turned her face and said to Li Hao with a gentle smile and laughter, “Hao Er, Second Mother will take you to eat something tasty. You, too, why didn’t you wear more? Even with Emperor Yu’s gift of the Dragon’s Blood Jade, what if you get sick…”

Prattling on and on, her words full of concern, she carried Li Hao out of the courtyard.

Li Hao was already used to it and let Second Mother hold him in her embrace.

Soon after, Liu Yue Rong carried Li Hao to the Shuihua Courtyard.

In the courtyard, a child around four or five years old was swinging a wooden sword, his form so true to life that the swordplay seemed rather skillful.

This was the Second Lady’s only child, Li Qianfeng.

Despite his young age, his gaze held concentration and determination.

Next to him, a burly middle-aged man was instructing, nodding frequently.

Li Hao knew this was one of Li Qianfeng’s seven military tutors, specifically teaching him Sword Dao.

Upon seeing the Second Lady’s arrival, the burly man hurriedly bowed respectfully, his gaze sweeping over to Li Hao in her arms, knowing that this was the Kylin child named by Emperor Yu. Perhaps after the talent is tested, he might not be inferior to his own pupil, Li Qianfeng.

The child practicing swordsmanship did not get distracted by his mother’s arrival, continuing to focus on his training.

Liu Yue Rong didn’t interrupt, giving the burly man a slight nod before carrying Li Hao to a pavilion nearby.

On the pavilion table were exquisite fresh fruits and flaky pastries.

Liu Yue Rong held Li Hao, feeding him while watching her son practice swordsmanship, the light in her eyes flickering, and before long, she had become entranced, forgetting to continue feeding.

“This is the Li Family’s finest swordsmanship ‘Endless Sea,’ isn’t it?”

Li Hao opened his small eyes wide, looking on curiously.

It was said that this Second Lady’s child, had his bone age measured and possessed an exceptional talent.

Li Hao wondered what it would be like when his own bone age was measured in the future?

In the courtyard, the five-year-old Li Qianfeng practiced with precision and discipline, even though he was only practicing the movements, his posture was correct, earning frequent nods of approval from the burly man, prompting him to praise the child.

Yet, no joy appeared on the child’s face; he remained fully focused.

“Again!”

Although the burly man praised him, his teaching was extremely strict.

The child began the routine all over again, his movements smooth, clearly having mastered them by heart.

Li Hao watched, entranced, when suddenly, a line of text popped up before his eyes.

“You have learned the rudiments. Would you like to record it?”

What?!

Li Hao was astonished, and instinctively he chose yes.

“Recording successful!”

At that moment, a panel popped up in front of 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 been trying to figure out his panel, but due to his young age and not wanting to appear too miraculously precocious, his opportunities to test things were limited. Fortunately, he had access to a chessboard in the mansion.

When he was half a year old, he lay on the chessboard and played by himself.

The wet-nurse and maids taking care of him saw that the young master seemed to like the “chessboard” toy and were only too happy to have some relief.

It’s better than him crawling all over the place.

In his explorations, Li Hao was amazed to find that by playing chess, he could, like in a game, gain chess experience and easily move up levels!

In reality, to improve one’s chess level was incredibly difficult.

It required focus, talent, and hard work.

But Li Hao himself was only an amateur in Chess Tao, not even ranked.

Now, just playing simple games on the chessboard, he was able to gain experience points.

To go from unranked to Level One in Chess Tao, only 100 experience points were needed.

From Level One to Two required 500 points.

If it weren’t for the maids occasionally checking on him, which made Li Hao cautious about not being too obvious, he would have farmed even more experience by now.

There was no helping it; although these maids knew nothing of Chess Tao, they at least had some common sense.

If they saw the not-yet-one-year-old Li Hao arranging the chess pieces all in their correct positions, it would inevitably seem peculiar.

But at this moment,

apart from Chess Tao, the panel had added two new attributes, [Sword Dao] and [Skill], which were not there before.

Especially the prompt behind [Sword Dao] made Li Hao both curious and excited. Could it be that Sword Dao, like Chess Tao, could be directly improved through skill points?

Without much thought, he chose to add points.