The Name of Eternals

Chapter 227: Ji Leping

The figure rushed forward, looking disheveled but full of excitement, tears streaming down his old face as he reached Ji Yunge: "Third Brother, you've finally returned!"

Seeing this old man crying so emotionally, some of the people who had come from the periphery were also surprised. Apart from Ji Yunge's funeral decades ago, they had never seen this decisive war god of the Ji family shed tears.

"Tiancao!"

Ji Yunge's spectral form trembled slightly. The reunion with his brother brought back many memories.

Meanwhile, in the surrounding floating islands and the grand palaces, news of Ji Yunge's return quickly spread.

The entire upper echelon of the Ji family was stirred, gathering at the sacred mountain, making it quite lively.

In front of the Ji family's ancestral hall, there was a sea of people. Many had come to see the war god who had fallen decades ago.

On the way, Ji Yunge talked with his brothers and wife about what had happened over the years.

His other sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters followed behind their elders, listening quietly, occasionally whispering questions.

Ji Tiancao and the others were emotional, but they didn't chatter. They had countless questions for Ji Yunge.

Where had he been all these years? How had he lived? How had he come back? They missed him terribly… and so much more.

Ji Yunge shared his experiences and the reason for his return.

When they learned that Ji Yunge had indeed been imprisoned by the River of Demise, everyone felt both shocked and relieved.

When Ji Yunge had fallen in battle, they had searched everywhere for his spirit but had found nothing, guessing he might have been swept into the River of Demise.

"Someone cleared the Nether City-level River of Demise?"

"Who is that youth, and which clan's genius is he?"

"What? He's from our Ji family?!"

"Qingqing's child?!"

As Ji Yunge spoke, everyone was even more shocked.

The Nether City-level River of Demise was something even the ancient sacred clans were not interested in, but they knew about it. Even the Peaceful Path realm might not clear it, and at most could only destroy it. If unlucky and encountering something tricky, they could even fall!

And the Peaceful Path realm was considered top-tier combat power even in the ancient clans.

Who would be willing to sacrifice such power for an unnecessary adventure?

Killing monsters in the River of Demise brought no benefits. Most of the demons were imprisoned souls that would dissipate upon death, only to reappear when the river reopened.

But hunting great demon kings outside at least yielded valuable corpses to benefit their descendants.

In the Desolate Heaven, the demons were many, survival was more dangerous, and though the ancient sacred clans sounded mighty, they had to balance everything carefully, not wasting their top-tier combat power.

Additionally, the Merit Treasury of the River of Demise in the Desolate Heaven had been closed since the holy war thousands of years ago!

Even those who later cleared the Nether City-level River of Demise and accumulated one hundred thousand merits couldn't reopen it. As a result, no one cared about the Rivers of Demise, avoiding them to save strength.

"What level is that youth, to clear a Nether City-level River of Demise?"

"Qingqing has a child? We only knew she secretly married an outsider. Who would've thought she'd have a child too?"

Ji Tiancao and the others were stunned and had complex expressions.

Ji Qingqing was the daughter of their thirteenth brother, who had died while hunting a great demon king for the family, attacked and besieged by fierce beasts.

Fortunately, his spirit returned to the ancestral hall, not swept away by the River of Demise.

Recently, when Ji Qingqing's presence was revealed outside the Desolate Heaven, she was brought back to the family. Only then did they learn she had secretly married an outsider.

For their thirteenth brother's sake, they covered up the news and didn't spread it within the Ji family but couldn't hide it from other high-ups. According to family rules, Ji Qingqing was imprisoned.

However, they didn't plan to imprison her for life, only for a thousand years as punishment.

This was already lenient.

Who would have thought Ji Qingqing had a child, who now came to them.

But this child had also brought Ji Yunge back, which was a great merit for the Ji family.

"Yes, the child is fifteen this year and already at the Three Immortal Realms, able to slay demon kings, not weaker than the Absolute Art Realm!"

Speaking of Li Hao, Ji Yunge smiled and said:

"I know the family rules, but this child is a peerless genius, the best I've seen. Both his temperament and talent are top-notch!"

"I hope you can look after him. With such a prodigy, our Ji family will soar to new heights, regaining the glory of our ancestor!"

Hearing such praise, the onlookers were shocked.

A fifteen-year-old at the Three Immortal Realms?

This was indeed prodigious, even among the Ji family's top talents.

And Ji Yunge said he wasn't weaker than the Absolute Art Realm, which was quite a stretch!

Some were shocked, some doubtful, and some thought Ji Yunge exaggerated to repay the youth who saved him or to clear Ji Qingqing's name.

But Ji Tiancao and Ji Yunge's other brothers knew he would never lie about family interests.

Especially about family interests, their third brother was more serious than anyone.

So, however strange it seemed, they were willing to believe.

"Who'd have thought, our thirteenth brother's grandson has such talent!"

"If our thirteenth brother knew, it might make up for the regret caused by Qingqing's mistake."

"Qingqing acted foolishly, but her child seems promising. We'll speak to the family head. Such a prodigy deserves exceptions..."

Ji Tiancao and the others spoke to Ji Yunge.

Having such a prodigy in their line comforted and pleased them.

Ji Yunge smiled, believing that as long as Li Hao displayed his talent and competed for the top genius position, he could find a place in the Ji family.

After all, the Ji family was lenient towards top-tier geniuses.

Moreover, the child was half a Ji family member.

"Where's the child? Why haven't we seen him?"

"He's at the foot of the mountain. I had him wait. Send someone to bring him up, but this needs the family head's approval first."

Ji Yunge said.

Everyone nodded. Such a matter indeed required the family head's consent.

Soon, they arrived at the ancestral hall and saw the current family head, Ji Daoxin, already waiting.

He was Ji Yunge's uncle, from their father's generation, dressed in luxurious attire, with white hair and beard, standing quietly but exuding a serene presence like a tranquil snow lotus on a snowy mountain.

Ji Daoxin's face was kind, with deep eyes and gentle gaze, like a benevolent old grandfather.

But the Ji family was an ancient sacred clan, founded on martial power, and the Desolate Heaven respected strength. As family head, he was undoubtedly the strongest in the Ji family.

Seeing the group surrounding Ji Yunge from afar, he smiled. But soon, his eyes flickered, and his smile faded.

Ji Yunge saw him and noticed the change in his expression, knowing his situation had likely been discerned.

"Yunge pays respects to the family head!"

Ji Yunge stepped forward and bowed. Ji Tiancao and the others also hurriedly saluted.

The younger ones knelt.

Only Ji Daoxin remained standing, while the others bowed or knelt.

Ji Daoxin quietly observed Ji Yunge. After a while, he sighed softly:

"In these final moments, do what you need to do. There's no need for formalities."

Ji Yunge's eyes flickered, and he nodded: "Thank you, family head."

Their conversation was like a thunderclap in the silent hall! Ji Tiancao and Ji Yunge's brothers were stunned, staring at the family head.

"Family head, what do you mean…"

Seeing Ji Daoxin's slight shake of the head, Ji Tiancao's heart trembled, turning to Ji Yunge: "Third Brother, what final moments? Aren't you here to stay?"

Ji Yunge sighed, unable to hide it any longer, explaining his situation.

Hearing he was too deeply affected by the River of Demise and would soon dissipate, everyone was shocked, and many who had been joyfully crying now covered their faces and wept.

"No, that's impossible!"

Ji Tiancao roared, trembling, unable to accept it.

Reuniting only to part again, forever?

Then he remembered Ji Yunge's earlier request to look after the child.

Why not himself?

Because he would completely dissipate!

Realizing this, Ji Tiancao's eyes reddened, filled with sorrow: "Third Brother, why, why is this happening?"

Ji Yunge sighed, gently patting his shoulder: "Tiancao, when I'm gone, assist the family head, protect the Ji family, and don't be as reckless as I was."

"But you've always been steady, I'm the reckless one…"

Ji Tiancao's voice choked.

Ji Yunge smiled: "We're old, why cry like children."

Patting his shoulder again, he signaled to maintain their composure. As Ji family war gods, such sorrow was unbecoming.

Turning to Ji Daoxin, Ji Yunge recounted Li Hao's story.

Ji Daoxin was surprised, but seeing Ji Yunge's solemn eyes, he knew it was his dying wish.

Sighing inwardly, he nodded slightly: "I'll consider it. If the child is as exceptional as you say, he can be a Ji family genius. If not... I can only spare his life."

Seeing such a promise, Ji Yunge felt relieved.

"Thank you, family head."

Ji Yunge bowed.

"In these final moments, pleading for a child, do you have no other wishes?"

Ji Daoxin asked: "You fell in battle, earning great merit. Whatever you want, just ask."

Ji Yunge smiled: "What I wanted, the family head has already given. These children live well, so I'm content."

Ji Daoxin looked deeply at him: "Go then, offer incense to the ancestors. Do what you wish."

Ji Yunge nodded, bowing again in gratitude.

Glancing at his brothers, seeing their sorrowful faces, he smiled:

"I'm back, no need for long faces. Shedding tears for me twice isn't worth it…"

"Third Brother!"

They felt even sadder.

His son stepped forward, choking: "Father, you'll always be my pride. Mother has wept countless times for you!"

Ji Yunge's heart trembled, looking at his tearful wife, understanding he had hurt her again.

He felt a sudden pain, like being torn apart, wanting to smile but couldn't.

Turning away, he said softly: "I'll go talk to the thirteenth brother."

Entering the ancestral hall.

…

As news of Ji Yunge's return spread, more gathered atop the holy mountain.

Soon, they learned Ji Yunge couldn't return to the ancestral hall and would soon dissipate.

And that this war god, trapped in the River of Demise, was brought back by a youth.

Ji Yunge's praise for Li Hao spread through the Ji family, known as a peerless genius.

Before long, a group of young figures descended the mountain, rushing down the white steps to the grand gate.

They saw a boy on the grass outside, seemingly wandering and looking around.

"Hey!"

A well-dressed boy shouted at Li Hao: "You brought back Ji Yunge, right? What are you looking around for?"

Li Hao turned slowly, thinking to say he wasn't called "hey" or Chu Yuxin.

But seeing the boy's cold eyes, he lost the desire to speak and didn't respond.

More figures arrived, including a middle-aged man who hurried to the gate, seeing the boy surrounded by Ji family youths, and quickly approached.

"Have you waited long? I'm here to bring you up the mountain."

The middle-aged man smiled warmly, sent by Ji Yunge's sixth brother to greet Li Hao.

"Not too long."

Li Hao, seeing the man's courtesy, smiled back.

Though the wait was long, he didn't feel bored, using the time to observe the Ji family's sacred land.

Every grass and tree, this was where his mother had lived…

He found it fascinating.

"Call me Ji Boduan. What's your name?" Ji Boduan asked.

Li Hao paused, thinking to say Ji Hao, but noticing the unfriendly youths around, decided to hide some information.

He thought of another name, one his mother had prepared but never used.

"Call me Ji Leping."

Li Hao said.