The Name of Eternals

Chapter 215: The Ancient Ji Family of the Wilderness

"You are…"

Li Tiangang's eyes narrowed at the sudden appearance of Feng Boping. He had long known that Li Hao had a Four Li realm expert secretly supporting him, which allowed Li Hao to establish himself firmly at Tianmen Pass. This must be the person.

As he scrutinized the figure, his face changed with shock and anger, "You're the Thief Saint?!"

Feng Boping had initially hidden himself to avoid exposure. Among the vast Li family, only Li Hao and Li Muxiu had connections with him. Now that he stepped forward, he was prepared for his identity to be revealed.

"Yes, it's me."

"So it was you secretly following Hao'er!"

Li Tiangang was shocked, his eyes wide with anger. "What's your intention? What are you planning?"

Feng Boping sneered, "Without me, your son wouldn't have made it to Tianmen Pass. Do you know how many demon eyes were glaring at him the moment he left your Li family? You pushed a fourteen-year-old child out the door, burdening him with all the hatred your family has accumulated over the centuries!"

"He carried the fury of every demon your family has ever provoked!"

"He bore this burden for your family. Without me, your son would be dead!"

"You ask my intention? My intention is to make sure he lives, to live with his head held high!"

Li Tiangang retorted, "But without you, Hao'er wouldn't have dared to leave the General's Manor. It's your shelter that made him bold enough to defy me!"

Feng Boping laughed angrily, "Even if he stayed in your General's Manor to save his life, would he listen to you? You've been in the North for ten years. Has your son ever been defeated?"

"Does he need your guidance? Does he?!"

Li Tiangang was momentarily speechless. Indeed, he felt guilty for being away for ten years. In terms of talent, Hao'er was unmatched.

But precisely because of this, he needed to guide him onto the right path.

"You, a thief, naturally don't understand ethics and filial piety!"

Li Tiangang glared coldly at Feng Boping, "Do you think achieving great things only relies on strength? Even as an official or general, relying solely on power to suppress subordinates might get you stabbed in the back on the battlefield!"

"Officials are stronger than civilians, but officials are the boat, civilians are the water. Water may be weak, but it can overturn a boat!"

"Even the Emperor must follow proper conduct, balancing grace and might. What does mere bravery amount to?"

Feng Boping laughed, a cold smile on his face, "Are you talking about yourself? Can't you see whose flag is flying throughout Liangzhou?"

"Whose name do countless civilians praise?"

"Is it Li Tiangang's? Is it your Li family's?"

"Isn't it Hao'er who earned this himself?"

Li Tiangang angrily retorted, "That's why I'm here. Who created those banners? Surely not you!"

Feng Boping sneered, "Whoever's name is on the banners made them. Can't you see that? Do you think some hidden master did it? Even if such a person existed, why would they help Hao'er? Have you thought about that?"

Li Tiangang was momentarily stunned, numerous thoughts flashing through his mind. He was speechless for a moment.

Seeing his silence, Feng Boping coldly continued, "Even if there were such a master, do you think they'd help Hao'er for your family's sake? If your family had such influence, why did six out of nine sons die in battle without such help?"

Li Tiangang's face darkened, but he realized there was some truth in Feng Boping's words.

"Did Hao'er really make it himself?"

Li Tiangang stared intently, suppressing his anger.

Feng Boping laughed coldly but didn't answer.

Li Tiangang's heart stirred with excitement and amazement. If it was true that his son made the banners, no matter how he acquired the method, it meant that with such a skill, the borders could be well-defended. If these banners could be mass-produced, the Li family's name alone would be enough to protect the entire Dayu Dynasty!

"Did you really make it yourself?"

Li Tiangang's gaze bypassed Feng Boping, landing on Li Hao's doppelganger.

The doppelganger coldly replied, "It has nothing to do with you. Leave!"

Though he knew it was only a doppelganger, seeing his son's face speaking so disrespectfully made Li Tiangang feel a surge of anger.

Feng Boping's eyes turned icy, "What's the point of asking these questions? Hao'er's life is uncertain. Even if he made them, so what?"

"If he dies, nothing matters!"

Li Tiangang's face changed, coldly replying, "Do you think our Li family's foundation is something you can comprehend? With my fourth uncle, familiar with the River of Death, and Hao'er's own strength, if careful, they won't be in danger."

"I've already stationed tens of thousands of soldiers outside the Dragon City River of Death, ready to protect them as they emerge!"

"You, a thief, wandering everywhere, what do you know about connections and foundations?"

Feng Boping's lips trembled with anger, but he held back his words. He also hoped the General's Manor's foundation was as strong as Li Tiangang claimed, so Hao'er could return safely.

"Let's hope your General's Manor lives up to its reputation."

Feng Boping snorted, waving his sleeve, "I have no desire to argue with you. If you want a fight, I'll oblige. But you won't harm Hao'er!"

"When I didn't show up at your General's Manor, it was to avoid tarnishing your name. Here, you won't have the same luck!"

"So I should thank you?"

Li Tiangang laughed coldly, "You, a thief, stirring trouble everywhere. Who sent you? What's your motive in meddling with our Li family? Did you corrupt Hao'er?"

Feng Boping laughed angrily, "I got along well with Hao'er, and you call it meddling?"

"Without you, Hao'er would still be at the General's Manor. When attacked by demons, he'd have been brought back by Li He!"

Li Tiangang coldly said, "You speak of helping Hao'er, but this is between father and son. Who are you to meddle?"

"What gives you, a thief, the right to interfere in the General's Manor's affairs? Hao'er is our next True Dragon. What's your intention?"

Feng Boping's face twitched, wanting to retort, but the phrase "who are you to meddle" made him swallow his words. He thought of his rootless, drifting life and laughed at himself.

"No matter what you think, I've borne much worse. Your words are just noise to me."

Feng Boping's face grew calm, quietly staring at Li Tiangang, "But as long as I'm here, you won't harm Hao'er!"

"Do you think you can match me?"

Li Tiangang squinted, "I'm not unreasonable. If not for your protection of Hao'er, I'd have arrested you long ago!"

"Try it. Capturing me would be a great achievement, enough to raise your rank from third to second degree."

Feng Boping's lips curled in mockery, "I'd like to see if Li family's True Dragon can move me!"

Buzz!

Suddenly, the Dragon Xiao Sword vibrated, floating before Feng Boping. The hilt pointed at him, while the blade aimed at Li Tiangang.

The doppelganger, sensing the rising tension, stepped beside Feng Boping, coldly declaring, "Intruders will be killed without mercy!"

Seeing the divine sword and the doppelganger defending Feng Boping, Li Tiangang's face darkened, a trace of bloodlust flashing in his eyes, "Say that again!"

Sensing the power gathering around the doppelganger and the divine sword, Feng Boping felt a surge of satisfaction, but quickly suppressed it, softly saying:

"Hao'er, stay here. I'll handle this. Let him see if a thief can shake Li family's True Dragon!"

Stepping forward, he challenged Li Tiangang, "Li Tiangang, dare to fight me outside?"

"Hmph, a thief hiding everywhere, now daring to challenge me?"

Li Tiangang glared at him, and the next moment, both figures vanished from the courtyard.

"Feng Bo!"

Ren Qianqian cried out, but there was no trace of them, only a distant rumbling sound.

Both had deliberately moved away from Cangya City, disappearing beyond sight in an instant.

With a swoosh, the doppelganger stepped forward, chasing after them.

"Young master!"

Ren Qianqian was anxious, only seeing the golden light of the Dragon Xiao Sword following the doppelganger, disappearing into the horizon.

...

Li Hao's body felt like it was being torn apart, his consciousness disintegrating and merging into the world, like snow melting away.

The feeling was strange and terrifying, like being consumed bit by bit.

Dark, cold, damp, silent.

All these unsettling sensations surrounded him. He wanted to struggle but felt like a salted fish nailed to a chopping board, unable to move.

His vision blurred, the light dimming.

In the last moment of sight, he saw Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran's anguished cries, but they didn't seem to see him, their eyes not focused on his consciousness, only angrily facing the vast world.

Li Hao wanted to say goodbye with a smile but had no body to do so.

Darkness closed in like a shut window, sealing off the light completely.

Li Hao felt his consciousness fragmenting, falling into an endless abyss.

My superfluous life ends here, he thought, feeling a cold breath surrounding him, hearing the clear sound of river water.

Simultaneously, a voice echoed in his heart:

"Don't you want to go home?"

It was more a thought than a voice.

Go home…

Li Hao's mind wandered, floating back to the luxurious, empty courtyard, drifting out over mountains and rivers.

Drifting to Tianmen Pass, to the small courtyard, to the Dragon Pass Road and the blooming flowers along the way.

Where is home?

This journey was filled with snow and sunny skies, the scenery changing, but the laughter of companions remained the same.

He had no home, but he had friends.

Li Hao sighed, feeling regret and apology.

No more fishing with Feng Bo, no more guiding Qianqian's swordsmanship to the mastery level, no more accompanying her through hardships.

No more little white fox, the little one would have to find food on its own.

Second uncle, aunt, Yuan Zhao…

Li Hao sighed, feeling the cold in the darkness fading, his consciousness weakening.

Is it because I'm dying that I feel nothing?

His consciousness sank deeper.

But as he fell deeper, a warm sensation appeared in his "chest."

Li Hao's fading consciousness slowly revived.

Looking down, he saw a crimson glow from his chest, growing stronger, like thick blood, lighting up the darkness, enveloping his consciousness.

As the darkness faded, he found himself before a thatched hut.

Beside the hut, an old man in tattered robes, back turned, busying himself, piling up something.

Li Hao looked up, seeing a mountain before the hut.

The old man was moving the mountain!

Or rather, building it! Li Hao was stunned. Where was this?

As he pondered, the old man seemed to sense something, stopping his work.

The mountain trembled, cracking open and collapsing into a bottomless chasm, swallowing the entire mountain!

Li Hao instinctively tried to avoid it, but the falling rocks plunged into the chasm, devouring the mountain.

He was stunned, looking at the old man, an unfamiliar face staring back, expressionless.

"Don't you want to go home?"

The old man finally spoke.

Li Hao was startled, looking around, only seeing a bright moon. He felt this was still the River of Death.

"I take the world as my home. Are you also trapped by this river, senior?" Li Hao asked, suspecting the old man was a soul trapped in the river.

The old man stared, then laughed, "No wonder my control of the river couldn't trap you. I didn't expect to meet someone like you…"

His words made Li Hao's face change, control of the river? The old man could control the River of Death? Realizing this, Li Hao quickly called upon the river.

Golden characters appeared, forming several messages:

River of Death Progress: 99%.

Main Quest: Guard Dragon City (Completed) Side Quest: Growth (Completed) …

Li Hao was stunned. The progress wasn't complete.

Even with the main quest finished, it wasn't enough.

Did that mean completing the main quest wasn't enough?

Seeing Li Hao's thoughts, the old man, seemingly in a good mood, said, "Completing the main quest only lets you leave this river, freeing you from Li Tianzong's obsession. But true completion isn't so simple."

Li Hao was speechless.

The main quest was already insane, yet it wasn't enough. How hard was this ghost-level river? "But now, you only need to do one more thing to truly complete it."

The old man smiled, "This river was originally a Nether Domain. My wandering soul fused with it, turning it into a ghost-level. But now, its power and my obsession have been broken by you. One more thing remains, and you can truly complete it."

Li Hao's eyes flashed, "What is it?"

"Take me home."

The old man said, "The souls drawn and trapped here have deep obsessions with returning home. The deeper the obsession, the harder it is to escape. Likewise, those with similar obsessions can't truly complete it."

"Even if you finish the task, you can't break through if you don't understand this point and abandon your obsession with 'home.'"

He turned, looking at the mountain turned to dust, a hint of sadness in his eyes, "Fusing with the river deepened my obsession. These years, I built this mountain to create my home here. But my obsession attracted more souls, strengthening the river. The stronger the river, the deeper my obsession, creating an unbreakable cycle."

He smiled, but his eyes were sad, "Now my obsession is broken. If I return to my homeland, I can rest. The river's power will also disappear."

Li Hao listened, his eyes flickering with doubt.

Was this old man really the source of the river's obsession?

Was he the final boss?

Yet he seemed kind, far from evil. "No need for suspicion. The river is collapsing, the souls fleeing. I'll return your consciousness to your body outside the river, and I'll reside within you."

The old man said, "Once you take me home, I'll vanish. Otherwise, I'll root in you, and the river will grow strong again. Time is short."

Hearing this, Li Hao believed him. Returning to his body would verify everything.

And if it was an illusion, he could test it through his physical status.

Thinking this, Li Hao said, "Send me out first."

Then, remembering something, he added, "Wait, can you send my companion out too?"

The old man smiled, "Of course. He's been here many times but can't break his obsession. He'll never complete it."

"I'll also send Li Tianzong's soul out. But don't think completion frees him. You think too simply."

"This is a ghost-level river. His soul has long been corrupted. Even completion won't free him. He'll dissipate."

The old man said, "But I can use the river's remaining power to sustain him briefly, at least to let him truly see his home."

Li Hao was stunned. Even returning to the ancestral hall, his grandfather couldn't stay? Only… see it once?

Li Hao felt sad but knew it was beyond his control.

"If you're ready, I'll take you all out."

The old man said.

Li Hao nodded.

In an instant, his surroundings seemed to shift, mountains and rivers flowing, his vision blurring, and then darkness.

When he opened his eyes, light appeared.

A strange scent of trees and grass wafted by.

Opening his eyes, he saw towering trees like steep mountains, needing hundreds to encircle one.

Where is this? Li Hao wondered, realizing it wasn't the jagged valley outside the Dragon City River.

"Hao, Hao'er?!"

Two incredulous, joyous voices sounded beside him.

Turning, Li Hao saw Li Xiaoran in shock.

Beside him, a floating shadow, Li Tianzong, also looked astonished.

"You're alive!"

Li Xiaoran, overjoyed, hugged Li Hao tightly, then examined him. Seeing the red glow on his chest, he asked, "Are you okay? What is this?"

Li Hao looked down, seeing his clothes stained red. Opening them, he found two shattered jade pieces, glowing with blood.

"Dragon Blood Jade!"

Li Tianzong's soul exclaimed, surprised, "A gift from the Emperor?"

Li Hao was stunned, recognizing the precious jade bestowed by the Emperor shortly after his birth.

"This?"

Li Hao held the shattered pieces, confused.

Li Tianzong sighed, "Our family is blessed by the Emperor. Though Xiao Jiu died unexpectedly, the Emperor saved our next True Dragon bloodline. Hao'er, you must remember the Emperor's grace!"

Li Hao was stunned, "This jade saved me?"

He had worn it since it was bestowed, feeling its warm heat, providing warmth and slow nourishment. More a symbol of status than a treasure.

"Yes, few know its secret. It was crafted by the Great Dao Palace's master, said to contain the life-reversing power of a reversal realm expert. It's a second life!"

Li Tianzong explained.

Li Hao was shocked.

Sealing a reversal realm expert's power within? What kind of method was that? Reversal realm experts could reverse fate, even survive fatal attacks. Capturing their power was unimaginable!

Unheard of, showcasing the Great Dao Palace master's terrifying power. And, no one had told him it was so precious!

He almost lost it several times!

"Just a veil over fate."

A calm voice interrupted, surprising the three.

Li Hao looked, seeing the old man's shadow, calmly watching, "Without this jade, he wouldn't die. At the brink, he broke the river's power, his body's vitality flowing. The jade sensed his fading consciousness and activated."

"Who are you?"

Li Tianzong's face changed, feeling a powerful pressure from the old man, as if a thought could doom him.

Li Xiaoran also felt the special aura but not the same pressure, his eyes cautious.

"You outlanders wouldn't know my name." The old man said, disdainful of Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran.

Li Tianzong was stunned by the familiar term, thinking of something.

"Senior, where is this?"

Li Hao asked, sensing the towering trees, realizing they weren't near the Dragon City River.

"This is the river's source."

The old man said, "Where you entered was just an opening. I said I'd take you out, so I brought you to the source. It's closer to my home."

He looked far off, eyes filled with longing and impatience.

Li Xiaoran's face changed, asking Li Hao, "Did you promise him something?"

"Yes, he's the source of the river's obsession. I must take him back, or the river will revive." Li Hao explained.

Also, it's 99% complete, just one step away.

"Where to?" Li Tianzong asked.

Li Hao looked at the old man, knowing he was back in the real world, mostly verifying the truth.

But this miraculous event exceeded his understanding. The river could move, its source in a soul.

"Great Wilderness Heaven, Ancient Sage Ji Family!"

The old man said.

Hearing this, the three were stunned.

Li Hao recalled Li Rumo mentioning his mother was from the Ji family in the Great Wilderness.

Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran's eyes widened, remembering Ji Qingqing marrying into their family. This elder was from the Ji family?

"You're from the Ji family?" Li Tianzong asked.

In that case, they were in-laws?

But the old man didn't recognize them.

"You know her?" The old man was surprised.

After all, outlanders knowing the Ji family's name implied its fame had spread.

Li Tianzong hesitated, then said, "Do you know Ji Qingqing?"

"You know Qingqing?"

The old man was surprised, then smiled proudly, "That little girl should be grown now. Is she playing in your Dayu? With her talent, she should easily outshine your youths, right?"

He was proud, assuming Ji Qingqing was playing in Dayu.

Li Tianzong was speechless. They didn't know her cultivation level, just that it was decent.

Knowing her identity was a private matter, few were aware.

Given Dayu's suspicion and fear of Great Wilderness Heaven residents, Ji Qingqing and Li Tiangang's marriage was a private affair, only known to a few.

Li Tianzong glanced at Li Hao, unsure what to say but understanding the Ji family's rules. Qingqing and Tiangang's marriage was a personal decision, reluctantly approved.

Sighing, he decided not to speak further, telepathically telling Li Hao:

"Hao'er, do you know your mother's identity? We'll take him back, but don't stay long in the Ji family. Don't reveal your mother's name. They might harm you."

Li Hao, having learned from Feng Bo about Great Wilderness Heaven's customs, knew the Ji family's superior bloodline rarely intermarried.

Tiangang and Qingqing's marriage was an exception, supported by the General's Manor's power and secrecy.

Thinking of Ji Qingqing's departure after scaring off the Holy Palace, Li Hao fell silent.

Going to the Ji family, he couldn't reunite with his mother? He recalled the loving gaze of the beautiful woman from his infancy.

"Let's go."

The old man urged.

"We're going too." Li Xiaoran said.

Li Hao, seeing his companions ready to leave, said, "Fourth Grandpa…"

Turning to Li Tianzong, he hesitated, unsure how to address him. Calling him "Grandpa" would mean accepting that identity, but not doing so might hurt him.

Remembering the elder's desire to return, Li Hao felt a pang of sorrow.

"Go back first. The river's power has corrupted Grandpa. He won't last long." Li Hao said, wanting to spare the elder.

Li Xiaoran, shocked, looked at Li Tianzong.

Li Tianzong's face changed, aware of his condition but not expecting it to be so dire.

"Yes, you should leave. I'll take him back." The old man said impatiently.

"Brother, is it true?"

Li Xiaoran's eyes reddened, looking at Li Tianzong.

Li Tianzong was silent, sensing his state. He looked at Li Hao, "Just a glance is enough. Seeing you, my grandson, is satisfaction enough."

"I'll pass my power to you, perhaps helping you advance."

Li Hao shook his head, "I haven't grasped Dao Heart. Your power would only strengthen my soul, not help me break through."

Strengthening the soul was beneficial, but Li Hao could achieve it through cultivation.

Refusing the elder's sacrifice, Li Hao knew the elder's wish was to recognize his talents.

Li Tianzong hesitated, feeling a pang, "But my grandson, I've given you nothing. You almost died for me…"

"You've given me enough."

Li Hao smiled, "You recognized my paintings, my seemingly useless hobbies…"

Li Tianzong felt more heartache, "Such small things, your talents deserve praise."

Li Hao paused, then smiled at Li Xiaoran, "Fourth Grandpa, please take Grandpa back. Be careful."

Li Xiaoran, still reeling from the news, said, "I know, Hao'er. If you're not back, I'll find you!"

"No need, this boy is far stronger." The old man scoffed, as the river's source, knowing everything within.

"Fourth Grandpa, goodbye."

Li Hao watched them leave, feeling a sense of loss but knowing it was necessary.

Seeing the vast trees, Li Xiaoran realized their location and direction, knowing they'd pass Tianmen Pass on the way.

"Is this where Hao'er is stationed? He's so young to be leading troops. He's still at the age for cultivation."

Li Xiaoran smiled uncomfortably, "Hao'er's talent is extraordinary. Early experience is beneficial."

"True, at his age, he's already fighting peak Dao domain demons…"

Li Tianzong, eyes shining with pride, exclaimed, "Our family's future is bright with such a grandson!"

Hearing "future is bright," Li Xiaoran's face changed, thinking of Li Hao's words about the elder's imminent demise. He felt a pang of sorrow, silent as they continued their journey.