[{"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-19":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},2282568,4466,"Chapter 19: Shallow Blessings","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-19",19,"\u003Cp>Li Hao took the sword, his thoughts racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer cared about deliberately hiding himself; he was weighing the pros and cons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he unleashed his sword technique and revealed his talent, it would surely astonish everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he concealed his physical cultivation, merely wielding the sword with the body of an ordinary child, though he couldn’t fully unleash the peak-level Tide Sword Art, as long as he infused even a hint of its essence, that sword saint old man’s sharp eye for swordcraft would surely recognize his potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Sword Saint as his master, he needn’t worry about others coveting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he became his disciple, he’d have to follow him south to the Sword Hut for cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That place was a sacred ground for swordsmen, yet in overall depth, it might not rival the Divine General’s Mansion, nor match the richness of the Listening Rain Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he needed to elevate himself through chess and other arts—given the Sword Saint’s stern, humorless demeanor, he’d likely be extremely strict and wouldn’t tolerate his “distractions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, could he become his disciple and negotiate for the old man to stay in the Divine General’s Mansion to teach him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Divine General’s Mansion might not tolerate a powerful outsider, comparable to a Li family generation, lingering long-term inside… and the old man might not agree either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it. He doesn’t need to demonstrate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jian Wudao’s voice came, slightly displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao, lost in thought, froze and turned to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jianlan snapped back to reality and hurriedly asked: “Sword Saint, why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His eyes hold no sword. He doesn’t love the sword. At such a young age, his mind is scattered—he’s not cut out for swordcraft.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao’s expression returned to indifference. Had this not been the Divine General’s Mansion, he would have already turned and left without uttering another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword Saint, this child is surely just nervous—please give him a chance to show himself…” Li Fu behind him hurriedly said. This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity; missing it would be a terrible loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he finished, the other man glanced at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That blade-like cold gaze made Li Fu’s throat tighten, as if his life had been sliced open—he fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword Saint, this child has lived his whole life within the mansion, never seen the world, and since he can’t cultivate, he’s hardly ever held a sword. It’s natural he doesn’t love it,” He Jianlan said, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao treated He Jianlan differently than Li Fu—after all, she was the current head lady of the Divine General’s Mansion, managing the estate. He glanced at her and shook his head gently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand your intentions, Lady, but you don’t wield the sword. You don’t understand swordcraft. If he merely aims for ordinary levels or the rank of a worldly expert, my guidance might suffice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But to reach the peak, to meet even the lowest standard of my Sword Hut, he’s far too far behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I judge sword cultivation by two things: sword talent, and feeling for the sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If talent is good but feeling is absent, he’ll only reach second-rate status.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if one truly loves the sword—even with average comprehension—he can one day awaken the Sword Heart and enter the first-rank realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rarely speaking so much, Jian Wudao decided to be perfectly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Bian Ruxue and said to He Jianlan: “Earlier, when this little girl walked over, holding the sword, I saw swordlight in her eyes—she loves the sword. Among a thousand weapons, she’d instantly spot the sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if her talent were mediocre, with steady practice, she could forge a Sword Heart and achieve great things—let alone that her talent is exceptional.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Li Hao: “But this child—there’s not a trace of swordlight in his eyes. Even when he took the sword, there was no emotion. His talent doesn’t matter anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is unsuited for the path of swordcraft!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He delivered his final judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, He Jianlan was utterly silenced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire courtyard fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jianlan opened her mouth, then closed it. Seeing the firm resolve in his eyes, she knew further pleading was useless—unless she summoned the clan elders, but that would shame the Li family too deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked down at Li Hao, her gaze complex, sighing inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew well enough—this child was wild, always playing chess with retainers and servants in the courtyard. Such trivial arts were merely playthings of a peaceful age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Tiangang and his wife weren’t here, so she couldn’t discipline him too harshly. She’d scolded him a few times, but he ignored her and secretly had retainers accompany him—she had no power to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, was this all fate? As He Jianlan remained silent, Jian Wudao no longer cared for others’ thoughts. He’d made himself perfectly clear—if the Li family insisted on forcing this child into his sect, he wouldn’t be polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he turned to the little girl beside him, his eyes brimming with unmistakable fondness, his cold expression softening slightly as he smiled warmly: “Little girl, what’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bian Ruxue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl answered obediently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked at Li Hao and said to the old man: “Can you let Brother Hao demonstrate? He’s very smart—smarter than Xue’er.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao smiled faintly. What use was cleverness? Were there not countless clever scholars in the imperial court? Besides, he’d already seen Li Hao’s mind was cluttered with thoughts—too many for one so young. Such an impure nature would struggle to endure the grueling early stages of sword cultivation, only becoming distracted and wasting himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why some precocious children later vanished into obscurity, while quiet, unremarkable children often achieved greatness late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao disliked the phrase “greatness achieved late.” He saw it as the ignorance of ordinary people, unable to see through the protective veil of true genius. Focus. Single-mindedness. That was the mark of a true genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some children who seemed brilliant understood a little of everything, interrupted adults’ conversations, and delighted them with laughter and praise—but in cultivation, nothing was more dangerous than self-conceited cleverness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steady, grounded, with a touch of intuition—that was the best foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xue’er, come with me to the mountain to cultivate,” Jian Wudao said gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you take Brother Hao too?” Bian Ruxue looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I won’t go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue immediately said, stepping back as if fearing he’d forcibly take her, clinging to Li Hao’s arm: “I want to stay with Brother Hao. I won’t go anywhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao’s expression shifted slightly, his brow furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But though Bian Ruxue’s talent was extraordinary, she was still a child. He didn’t grow angry, only turned to He Jianlan and said: “Lady, I’m taking Xue’er away. When she achieves success in cultivation, I’ll let her return. Perhaps within a few years, you’ll hear her name echoed across the land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with confidence, for the moment he announced it, many in this world would instantly know the name “Bian Ruxue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Saint’s new young disciple—just that title alone would make her famous across an entire province. He Jianlan nodded slightly; she had no reason to refuse Jian Wudao’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao had already regained his composure. He twitched his lips slightly but said nothing. Good—it had made the choice for him, sparing him the trouble of deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Hao, I’m not leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue gripped Li Hao’s arm tightly, her eyes reddening, speaking timidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao didn’t want her to leave either, but he understood this was her opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she stayed in the Divine General’s Mansion, her world would be limited to him alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But becoming the Sword Saint’s disciple meant not only an unparalleled connection, but also exposure to a far vaster world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of selfishness, he wanted to keep her—having such a little tail by his side made him feel secure and happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But considering Bian Ruxue’s best interests, he chose to let her go, speaking softly: “Xue’er, be good. Go with this old man to cultivate. When you achieve success, you can return and see me. Then I’ll take you to eat something delicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t go! I don’t want to cultivate! I won’t practice swordcraft! I hate swords!” Bian Ruxue burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao frowned, realizing he’d underestimated the depth of this girl’s attachment to the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—he’d heard they were childhood companions, raised together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought to himself: if things truly couldn’t be resolved, perhaps he could take Li Hao too. Such a talent as this girl—even with a worthless trinket beside her—was still worth fighting for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come now, you’re a big girl now—you can’t keep crying,” Li Hao wiped her nose with his sleeve, speaking gently, his heart tightening with reluctance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The adults in the courtyard stood silent, watching one child comfort another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many eyes held complex emotions—jealousy and envy. Children were children; they understood nothing. To enter the Sword Hut was such a rare chance—if it were their own child, they’d kick them out the door immediately and let them taste the mother’s footwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Li Hao calmed the little girl down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue, tear-streaked, said: “We have a promise—you’ll wait for me to come back, right here. Don’t go anywhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Li Hao stroked her forehead and nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao’s expression softened too, and even his gaze toward Li Hao grew slightly gentler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he could have ignored Bian Ruxue’s feelings and forcibly taken her—she was still a child; no matter how reluctant now, after half a year in the Sword Hut, time would heal her sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if she willingly followed him up the mountain, that was better still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, such talent was precious—time could not be wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xue’er’s gentle. Old man, you must protect her. Don’t let anyone bully her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After calming Xue’er, Li Hao looked up at Jian Wudao seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao raised an eyebrow slightly at Li Hao’s informal address, but, for the child’s sake, didn’t take offense. He replied coolly: “Little one, rest assured. I’ll care for Xue’er. By my side, no one in this world will dare harm her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” Li Hao studied him deeply, then turned to Bian Ruxue: “Xue’er, if anyone bullies you at the Sword Hut, write it down in your little book. When I come, I’ll make them pay back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present dismissed the child’s words as childish sentimentality—too naive to be taken seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Jian Wudao paused and said to He Jianlan: “I have a body-refining secret manual at the Sword Hut. I’ll send it over later. If you place it in your Listening Rain Tower, it should reach the sixth level. Let this child try it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jianlan beamed and thanked him profusely, then clung to a faint hope: “Could Li Hao really not become your disciple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Wudao left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one phrase remained: The boy had good fortune—but his blessings were shallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1831,"2026-06-20T02:15:40.176Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f2f39f8503e7d4d009cca28ebe177afe633432d3aab04c86f1873eb0e5de899e","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-20","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-18",929,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-cover.jpg"]