[{"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-98":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},2282647,4466,"Chapter 98: Once Pledged to Be First Among Men","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>The news came from another Black Hall Mister, who had sensed the commotion and used his spiritual sense to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng turned livid with rage, then suddenly remembered something: “Yueyao? She didn’t go, did she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a voice came from outside the Sandalwood Palace—Song Yueyao walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng looked up, his heart instantly settling back into his chest as he exhaled in relief: “What are you doing here? I asked you—did Li Hao take everyone else to visit brothels?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although mentioning “brothel” before his own granddaughter felt indecorous, Song Yufeng no longer cared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Song Yueyao felt a flicker of anger and replied coldly: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That brat is utterly outrageous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng flew into a rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao blinked in surprise, seeing her grandfather so furious, and said: “Grandfather, it’s not really his fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Song Yufeng stared at his granddaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao sighed helplessly and explained the full story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing it, Song Yufeng’s eyes widened further, and the Black Hall Mister beside him was equally stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re saying—that Li Hao kid glanced through the sword manual once, then demonstrated a True Form-level sword technique to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he protested, Song Yufeng and the Black Hall Mister had no choice but to believe it—after all, Song Yueyao claimed dozens had witnessed it firsthand in the White Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such a thing was simply too absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng’s first thought was that the sword manual had been leaked—that Li Hao had secretly cultivated it long ago and only now revealed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his second thought was: even if that brat had stolen practice, this was still insane! After all, he was only fourteen—had he been cultivating since infancy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation base of Fifteen Li Realm already shattered the record of the Nineteen Provinces—now he also mastered a top-grade True Form-level sword technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng suddenly sensed something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao might not have mastered just one True Form-level sword technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his own sword manual might not have been leaked at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Li family’s Listening Rain Tower held countless sword techniques—dozens of top-grade ones—so even if they’d secretly collected Yin-Yang Reversal Sword, why would they teach it to Li Hao?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Li family possessed peerless sword arts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With limited energy, they’d naturally give Li Hao a peerless sword art to cultivate—not waste time on a mere top-grade technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Song Yufeng felt his heart clench sharply—there was only one possible explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Li Hao truly had learned it after reading the manual just once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had even reached True Form! According to his granddaughter, there had been a progression—he first revealed Perfect Form, then advanced directly to True Form, skipping Zhenjing entirely…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, he still couldn’t accept it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a reincarnated Sword Immortal couldn’t match this… Song Yufeng’s face twitched as he stared blankly beyond the Sandalwood Palace—what kind of child had the Li family given birth to? After a long while, he snapped back to reality, remembering the brothel, and let out a bitter laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This brat really dares to promise that—doesn’t he know how old he is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Song Yueyao’s expression shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng suddenly remembered something, slapped his forehead, and hurriedly asked: “They didn’t go wearing the academy robes, did they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too late to stop them now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Li Hao’s lesson had been so astonishingly effective—better than these students’ own two years of hard training—that letting them take a break was no big deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just don’t bring shame to the Sandalwood Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, they didn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said the Black Hall Mister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng immediately relaxed and smiled: “This brat still has some sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way down the mountain, Li Hao encountered Prince Jiang Hanxing, who was reciting poetry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning Li Hao planned to visit a brothel, the prince was stunned—then immediately joined them, saying he wanted to see it for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao didn’t care and let him follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunyan Pavilion was the top brothel in Qingzhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, money alone couldn’t buy entertainment—it was primarily a gathering place for scholar-officials who recited poetry and composed verses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poetry contests were often held; only the winner could meet the pavilion’s top courtesan—the famed Hong Wan’er, renowned throughout the province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Hao and the others arrived, a poetry contest was just beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entry required silver; poetry and music were the currency of exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these White Hall disciples were warriors—raised to train in martial arts—who could recite a few famous poems by great scholars, but couldn’t compose their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Li Hao had prepared in advance—since he’d promised to fulfill their wish, he wouldn’t let them return disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, one poem each—you all memorize these,” Li Hao called the group together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng, who loved poetry, was astonished—he’d secretly prepared two poems himself, but never expected this martial genius to have poems of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, poems at such contests had to be original—copying others invited ridicule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Hanxing, who had seen Li Hao’s poetic talent before, also approached, curious—but when he heard Li Hao’s bold claim of “one poem each,” he felt both surprised and slightly disappointed: how good could these poems be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next moment, his eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao had never intended to show off with poetry, nor did he act like those reincarnated literary thieves who dragged out one poem after another to impress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he was pulling out entire volumes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the entire poetry contest erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one after another of Li Hao’s world’s immortal verses echoed through this world, Yunyan Pavilion shifted from lively to roaring, then from roaring to silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you not see the Yellow River’s waters come from heaven, rushing to the sea never to return…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng murmured the lines, frozen in awe, feeling the vast, majestic power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one lifts me to the clouds—I tread through snow to reach the mountain’s peak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Hanxing’s eyes gleamed as he clenched his fists—these two lines seemed to voice his own hidden ambitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the sea ends, the sky becomes its shore; when the mountain peaks, I stand as its summit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ma Jing heard Li Hao hand him this poem to recite, his eyes welled with emotion—he couldn’t write poetry himself, but he could appreciate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two lines seemed to describe the peerless youth before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thousand geniuses walk the earth—but only this boy has climbed to the peak, standing atop the summit, becoming the higher peak! “Born first among men, I alone share eternity with heaven…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I fought across three thousand miles; one sword once held back a hundred thousand troops…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, bold and arrogant poems were chanted by the White Hall disciples, each recitation trembling with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For warriors, these defiant verses struck straight to the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Drunk, I light the lamp and gaze at my sword; in dreams, I hear horns echoing through the camp…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng, son of a military general, leapt to his feet, trembling with emotion upon hearing this poem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The great roc rises with the wind, soaring straight to the ninth heaven!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bold verse comforted countless hearts, igniting passion in those who had long languished in despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the White Hall disciples ascended the stage, their poems dominating Yunyan Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the upper floor, a young woman of twenty, elegantly adorned and breathtakingly beautiful, stood gazing down, listening to the endless recitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each poem—whether grand and stirring or free and wild—sent waves through the soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Yu Dynasty was founded on martial strength; its people revered war, and brothel poetry was mostly battle verses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensual verses were rare, and even when they existed, they were confined to ordinary brothels, unworthy of notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Wan’er had deep knowledge of poetry and could discern quality—these poems were better than most even the Hanlin Academy’s great scholars could produce, rivaling only a few immortal classics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Hong Wan’er noticed that each young poet who ascended the stage had risen from beside a certain boy, then stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that boy whispered a few words to each before they went up—a gesture that invited speculation. Time flew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the poetry contest ended, every courtesan in the pavilion was flushed with longing, and every scholar-guest was entranced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone blabbed—someone learned these poems were all written by Li Hao alone; someone else recognized Li Hao’s identity and shouted it out—suddenly, Yunyan Pavilion erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This astonishing youth, paired with these dazzling, razor-sharp verses, made the poems feel tangible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this excitement, no one cared that the Sandalwood Palace disciples had used Li Hao’s poems to show off—instead, they were delighted that Li Hao favored them, and even without poems of their own, they were warmly invited by the women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilion manager rushed to Li Hao, bowed deeply, and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the young Li family heir—so casual and gentle—and immediately summoned Hong Wan’er to accompany him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other White Hall disciples were each led away by other courtesans to enjoy music and art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager then cautiously asked Li Hao if he might lend two poems to hang in the pavilion as treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao didn’t mind—he let the manager choose two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, two lines were hung outside Yunyan Pavilion’s gate: “Remember your youth’s ambition to grasp the clouds; once you pledged to be first among men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager regretted that Li Hao hadn’t completed the full poem—only these two lines remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did he expect that, because of these two lines, Yunyan Pavilion’s fame would soon spread across all Nineteen Provinces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Li Hao was already inside the private chamber of Yunyan Pavilion’s most sought-after courtesan, drinking and feasting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, tonight I am yours—whatever you wish, I will do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Wan’er smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes studying the top young man of Qingzhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Li Hao revealed his cultivation, no youth in Qingzhou could match him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Then you peel the sunflower seeds for me,” Li Hao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Wan’er paused slightly, her smile radiant as she walked gracefully over and peeled sunflower seeds, placing them at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao clapped his hands, enjoying the gesture while picking up other food and drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the news reached the Divine General’s Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang, upon hearing the servant’s report, widened his eyes and slammed his fist onto the table, causing the precious piece to shatter instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brat, how dare he!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang’s face flushed with rage; the earlier thought resurfaced—he felt his son was terribly undisciplined, daring to do anything! Li Fu jumped in fright and said, “My Lord, I’ve inquired with the Tan Palace side—it seems the Young Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regardless of the reason, go at once and bring him back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every passing second felt like another humiliation for the Li family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Li Fu hurriedly agreed and rushed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Yunyan Tower, Hong Wan’er’s hands were numb from peeling before she finally saw off this Li family Young Master, now full and satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was furious and indignant—she, a great beauty, had drawn countless heroes and heroes to catch a glimpse of her splendor, yet this boy hadn’t even properly looked at her, only ordering her to do crude, menial tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her earlier admiration for Li Hao’s poetry had largely vanished; she had once hoped to forge a good connection with this boy, and if fortune favored her, even as a concubine in the Divine General’s Mansion, she would enjoy endless wealth and honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, it was all ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this night onward, sunflower seeds and small snacks were never again displayed in the upper chambers of Yunyan Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao had just stepped out of Yunyan Tower when he bumped into Fu Bo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fu Bo rushing over with a tense expression, Li Hao raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, thank heavens—you didn’t do anything inside, did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Fu hurriedly inspected Li Hao’s clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao couldn’t help but feel speechless. “Fu Bo, how old do you think I am? Besides, I have a betrothed. I came here just to keep these fellows company, let them relax—they train too hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Fu immediately relaxed; he still trusted Li Hao, though he sighed bitterly. “Young Master, come back with me quickly—the Marquis is furious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao blinked, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately followed Li Fu back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the disciples inside the tower, they were no longer children—they could find their way home on their own; he didn’t need to see them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao returned with Li Fu to Shanhe Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the courtyard, Li Tiangang sat imposingly in the main hall, a new table beside him, holding not only a teacup but also a rattan cane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao and Li Fu saw it the moment they entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Fu’s face changed instantly. “My Lord, the Young Master has returned—this matter has its reasons…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? I’d like to hear them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang’s face was dark with anger, but recalling the incident with the painting, he spoke in a low tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Fu quickly recounted the entire story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense! If someone had wished for you to grant them a fiefdom, would you have agreed to that too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing it, Li Tiangang grew even angrier—he felt Li Hao’s nature was truly unruly, treating vows as something to be casually tossed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you say it, you must do it; otherwise, you break your word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao said, “It was meant to motivate them—and with conditions, within my means.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You could even give them a city once you become a True Dragon,” Li Tiangang stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao met his gaze for a moment, then sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘Within my means’ is a broad term. I believe the scale is up to me to decide—if a request is too extreme, I naturally won’t agree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang raised an eyebrow. “So you know to leave room for maneuver. But have you considered what consequences your visit to a brothel today will bring?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao replied, “If I recall correctly, Second Uncle said you both went to such places often in your youth—why can’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you compare yourself to us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang silently scolded his second uncle in his mind—how could an elder casually share such stories with a child?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to reprimand Li Hao, but when he saw the coldness in Li Hao’s eyes, he paused, his expression shifting. After studying him for a moment, he sighed deeply. “Hao’er, times have changed. I’ve received word that the Infinite Buddha Master has recalled your cousin. At this critical juncture, to act this way means you’re clearly set to clash with him in the True Dragon contest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added, “They know your situation—and still chose this path. They’ve prepared thoroughly. You cannot afford the slightest misstep now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao fell silent for a moment, then nodded. “I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang studied him for a moment, wanting to say more, but ultimately held back. “For now, don’t wander about. Though I promised you freedom, I’ll make it up to you—but for now, behave yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behave himself… Li Hao glanced at him, silently sighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had he ever not behaved himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t he spent years cooped up in the mansion? Was a visit to a brothel now considered misbehavior?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt helpless—once prejudice took root, it was nearly impossible to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected such prejudice to arise even within the closest blood ties—it was both laughable and tragic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lost the will to argue further and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When will this child ever learn to temper his nature? Who does he take after…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Hao depart, Li Tiangang sighed heavily, feeling utterly drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to make amends for Li Hao, yet feared he’d go astray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, you’ve only just returned—many matters shouldn’t be rushed,” Zhao Bo said, his face etched with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a strong sense that a major rift was forming between father and son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their temperaments were simply too vastly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2705,"2026-06-20T02:15:40.176Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","307b65fa63f7b3ba393b8384f701b4ec79e6128d265e630d73759f6d6a6047f1","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-99","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-97",929,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-cover.jpg"]