[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity":3,"chapter-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-103":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Name That Echoes Through Eternity",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2282652,4466,"Chapter 103: The Eternal Night Sword","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-103",103,"\u003Cp>“You’re Xiao Hao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the hall, besides Li Qianfeng, the third-generation members standing included He Jianlan’s children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mingguang and Li Sibei are now around thirty-five years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In age, they are far older than Li Hao and the others—nearly double their age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both have long served in the military and now hold general ranks, with extremely high cultivation bases; Li Mingguang has just entered the first stage of the Three Imperishables, while his sister Li Sibei has long been in the Heaven-Man Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In cultivation, they are the absolute peak of the Li family’s third generation, far ahead of all others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their military achievements are no less remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, their age speaks for itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But He Jianlan had long ago declared that her children would not compete for the True Dragon seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statement was made publicly and thus carried immense binding power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they were to compete, Li Mingguang didn’t enter the Fifteen-Li Realm until he was eighteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached the Heaven-Man Realm at twenty-five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, ten years later, he has entered the Three Imperishables—such progress is extraordinary! Yet compared to Li Qianfeng and Li Hao at the same age, he is vastly inferior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Li Mingguang smiled as he studied Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before returning to Qingzhou, he had already heard of this name; he held great anticipation for this cousin he had never met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such extraordinary talent has already surpassed the Ninth Uncle of his youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and his sister Li Sibei were born earlier and grew up alongside the Ninth Uncle; in fact, he was even older than the Ninth Uncle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generational hierarchy remained; even though the Ninth Uncle was two years younger, he still had to bow respectfully and address him as “Uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the Li family’s strict rules, he did so willingly—after all, the Ninth Uncle, who had once played and cultivated with him as a child, had since surged ahead without peer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each year, he stunned everyone in the courtyard like a brilliant meteor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, heaven envied talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourteen years ago, when the Ninth Uncle perished, he had poured a cup of wine for him on the distant frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drinking in the military was a grave taboo, yet he still drank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the wine, he voluntarily reported himself for punishment and received a hundred military lashes—his skin split, flesh torn, bloodied and mangled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he hadn’t even furrowed his brow; instead, he had smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he returned to his tent, he wept uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cousin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao nodded and greeted Li Mingguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t even read your cultivation base—you’ve clearly trained a technique to conceal your aura,” Li Mingguang chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mingguang turned to Li Qianfeng beside him; compared to Li Hao’s gentle breeze, Li Qianfeng was like a sword half-drawn—subdued yet radiating chilling sharpness, his aura deep and vast, far exceeding the norm for the Fifteen-Li Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing both his cousins so accomplished, Li Mingguang’s eyes softened with pride: “I won’t be joining you in the True Dragon contest this time, nor will your elder sister. In talent, we’re no match for you—our future rests on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qianfeng gave a slight nod: “Cousin, rest assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao studied the man for a moment; his cousin’s temperament bore some resemblance to Auntie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside talent, the natural bearing of an elder brother Li Mingguang carried, in Li Hao’s view, made him suitable to become family head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But while you compete, don’t let it breed resentment or hidden grudges.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister Li Sibei added from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both had changed out of their armor into brocade robes, yet their military training kept their postures upright; her eyebrows carried a sharper, more martial air than most women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister is right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qianfeng nodded, expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their responses, Li Sibei smiled faintly, nodded slightly to Li Wushuang and the others behind them, but refrained from further greetings—there was no time for reminiscing here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the elder generation finished paying respects to Grandmother and summoned Li Hao and the other third-generation members inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Led by Li Mingguang, they entered one by one and saw Grandmother Chen Hefang seated at the head of the hall, the elder generation and the wives of each courtyard seated on either side, while the concubines stood obediently behind their respective mistresses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mingguang, broad and sturdy, stepped forward and knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others followed suit, all kneeling in reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rise,” Chen Hefang said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stood. Li Hao looked up at his grandmother—her hair was snow-white, neatly combed like silver threads; she appeared elderly, her skin wrinkled but free of age spots, her complexion rosy, a remarkably clean and dignified old woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though aged, one could still see she had been a stunning beauty—old age had not dimmed her elegant bone structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Hao studied her, Chen Hefang was also observing her grandchildren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew Li Mingguang best—he had been a child she held, often playing in the Lotus Courtyard with Junye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after her eldest and third sons died in battle, followed by the deaths of her ninth and sixth sons, she had turned white overnight and entrusted all household affairs to her eldest daughter-in-law, He Jianlan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She herself went to Wangyou Mountain to fast and pray, hoping for the early return of her ninth son’s spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of her sixth and ninth sons, Chen Hefang’s eyes grew sorrowful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For years, she had dreamed nightly of them running toward her as children, joyful and spirited, calling out, “Mother, Mother…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those two children suffered too much—one left with only a single son, the other never married.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They trained relentlessly from childhood, never even glimpsing the world’s splendor before being buried on the frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mingguang, come here, let Grandma see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang’s emotions vanished as quickly as they surfaced; she smiled gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mingguang looked at his grandmother’s snow-white hair and felt deep sorrow; he stepped forward and bent his spine, which had always stood straight through his years on the frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the frontier, don’t seek glory recklessly. The Li family already has more than enough merit and glory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang softly stroked her eldest grandson’s shoulder and whispered: “Grandma only hopes you all stay alive.” Her words brought tears to many of the ladies’ eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian’er, seated at the far end, blinked back tears and turned her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These young men remain, but how many of the boys from that generation ever returned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those spirited youths were the fathers of today’s children—and their husbands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mingguang’s heart trembled; he nodded firmly: “Grandson will remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang’s gaze softened as she called Li Sibei forward, studying the little girl she once held—now grown into a striking, martial woman. They said daughters resembled their fathers, and her features bore a likeness to her eldest brother, Li Xingbei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more Chen Hefang looked, the more she cherished her; she sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her gaze swept over the other grandchildren—each face young, already showing signs of promise, bearing the spirit of youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though meeting them for the first time, she saw many familiar echoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is Hao’er?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao paused slightly, took half a step forward: “I am your grandson. I pay my respects, Grandmother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang studied him from head to toe, then waved gently, smiling: “Come closer, let Grandma look at you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of all present, Li Hao stepped forward to stand before Chen Hefang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang studied Li Hao closely, then softly sighed: “You look just like your mother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao’s eyes flickered, but he said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since this is our first meeting, I have no gift for you—but I heard you favor swords. Grandmother will give you one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She called a servant, who brought forth a sword case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the case’s appearance, Li Tiangang rose abruptly: “Mother, this—that’s the sword Ninth Brother used…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian’er’s gaze sharpened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct—it’s the sword your Ninth Brother once wielded: Evernight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang gently touched the sword case, her eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at Li Hao: “This is one of the Ten Greatest Swords in the world. I hear you use a sword—I give it to you. Don’t let this famed blade gather dust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao’s heart jolted—the Ten Greatest Swords in the world, blades capable of slaying Four-Imperishable-level demons, razor-sharp beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sword also possessed extraordinary power, though it could only be unlocked at a corresponding realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, in his hands, it could only sever spirits and purge evil, and of course, it was incredibly sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Grandmother,” Li Hao said softly as he took it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his voice was quiet, Chen Hefang heard the weight in his words and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others remained silent; this sword had been sealed for years, yet now it was given to Li Hao—clear proof of the grandmother’s deep affection for this grandson she had just met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But mostly, it was because Chen Hefang saw the shadow of Li Junye in Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were equally radiant, equally bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd, Li Qianfeng’s gaze darkened slightly, but he said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuerong smiled, but her smile seemed forced; yet all eyes were fixed on Li Hao and the black sword case, so no one noticed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving the sword case to Li Hao, Chen Hefang called Li Qianfeng forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke gently: “I heard you cultivate at Wuliang Mountain. I have three rare Buddhist sutras—I give them to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qianfeng’s expression grew slightly unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave Li Hao a famed sword, yet gave him Buddhist sutras? Yet he dared not show his feelings, only bowed his head: “Thank you, Grandmother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang smiled: “One of these sutras contains a supreme Buddhist technique: Great Compassion Palm. If you master it, not only will its power benefit you, but its cultivation will aid your future sword path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ganfeng blinked, then broke into a smile: “Thank you, Grandma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hefang waved her hand, telling him and Li Hao to step aside, then summoned her other grandchildren and granddaughters, giving each some greeting gifts—though the gifts varied slightly, the differences were minor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meeting ended, everyone dispersed from the Green Lotus Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chen Hefang stopped He Jianlan and several other ladies, apparently to inquire about the household’s affairs over the years, and also ordered Liu Yuerong to notify the Fourth-Stage Bodhisattva who had descended from Wu Liang Mountain and resided in the mansion, to come for an audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the old matriarch left the mountains, Qingzhou City grew even more lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the day arrived for the Divine General to determine the True Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Divine General’s mansion, the streets were packed; countless carriages arrived, all belonging to high officials and nobles, many civil and military officers coming from all nineteen provinces to offer congratulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a grand event had occurred once over a decade ago, and now it was just as bustling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threshold of the Divine General’s mansion was nearly worn through from foot traffic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Members of the Liu clan arrived one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other provinces, the Liu family was also a prominent clan; over the years, as Liu Yuerong married into the Divine General’s mansion, the Liu family naturally leveraged the Li family’s influence and expanded rapidly, with promotions in court rank continuing steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Liu family had mostly civil officials, with several ancestors having been Top Graduates and currently holding office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the Liu clan’s many civil and military officials, other barons and marquises also came to pay their respects, backing Li Ganfeng and showcasing their connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, representatives from the other four Divine General mansions arrived as well, but only as ordinary visitors, taking no side—seemingly just here to observe the Li family’s True Dragon and gauge his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the courtyard, noise never ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the courtyard, Li Hao had brought out a reclining chair and was comfortably basking in the sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, Bian Ruxue ran back into the courtyard, followed by a trail of footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao raised an eyebrow, pushed aside the poetry book draped over his face to block the sun, and turned his head—only to see a familiar face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With white hair and beard, bones as sharp as swords, the man walking at the forefront behind Bian Ruxue was none other than the Sword Saint, Jian Wudao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2088,"2026-06-20T02:15:40.176Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0cf0834c96c7328d3b5f2527d94107387cf9ee8f7401abf9ead68570c8e13e6e","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-104","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-102",929,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-cover.jpg"]