1. Bestowed Name, Li Hao
Chapter 1: Bestowed Name, Li Hao
A headache, a severe headache!
Li Hao tried to open his eyes but found it extremely difficult.
Finally, a small gap slowly opened in his vision.
Dim light seeped in, revealing a majestic ancient hall, solemn and imposing, with a dark golden dragon scale carpet extending before him.
At the end of the carpeted steps sat a giant with an awe-inspiring presence, his gaze like a torch, piercing through the darkness like a candle in the night, exuding a captivating brilliance.
Where is this place?
Wasn't I just playing a game?
Oh, my phone died. I was just about to charge it...
Li Hao's mind was sluggish, dazed and bewildered by everything around him.
Damn, did I fall asleep holding my phone again?
But this doesn't seem like a dream.
"Nineteen years old, courageous and unmatched, overthrowing the royal court, vanquishing great demons, and ending a century of calamity in our Cangzhou. Such a hero is not only a loss to your Li family but also a tragedy for the countless citizens of our Great Yu Dynasty!"
"Marquis of Xingwu, step forward to receive the decree!"
A thunderous voice echoed in the hall.
Li Hao strained to look, seeing numerous figures clad in official robes bowing on either side of the long carpet. Is this... the imperial palace?
Great Yu Dynasty... There doesn't seem to be such a dynasty in history, right?
While Li Hao was confused, a giant with a towering and formidable figure suddenly stepped forward, exuding an air of murderous bloodshed just from his back.
"Now, Li Jiajun, the ninth son of the Li family, is granted the title of First-Class Marquis of the Nation and promoted to General. He may be buried in the imperial mausoleum, bestowed with ten carriages of ancient treasures, three Yu Dragon Tokens, and ten bushels of gold!"
"Starting today, the entire nation will mourn for three days, and the palace will abstain from meat for seven days to honor the heroic spirit of the Marquis of the Nation!"
Such grand rewards caused everyone in the hall to be astounded.
At the mere age of 19, he was appointed general and ennobled!
Moreover, most marquises are titled Marquis of the North, Marquis of the Plains, etc., but being ennobled with 'Marquis of the Nation' is a timeless honor!
Unprecedented and likely unmatched in the future.
After all, becoming a First-Class Marquis at 19 is truly extraordinary!
"I, on behalf of my ninth brother, accept the decree and thank His Majesty of Yu!"
That figure, as tall as a mountain and as straight as a spear, knelt on one knee. His deep voice carried no joy or excitement, only a hint of sorrow, hoarse and pained.
"This is what your Li family deserves. It is I who owe you!"
"Marquis of Xingwu, that is your child, right? I wish to give him a name. Would you allow it?"
"I have no merits and dare not accept such grace!"
"Every son of the Li family is a hero of our Great Yu! When the Marquis of the Nation died for his country, your son was born. Perhaps this is the cycle of the heavens. The heavens took away my beloved general but bestowed upon me a fine son for the Great Yu."
"Today, I bestow upon him the name... Hao!"
"May he inherit the will of the Marquis of the Nation, sweep across the world for our Great Yu, and unite the Eastern Huang!"
"Your Majesty, this name is too noble; I fear we cannot bear it..."
"No matter, a son of the Li family is deserving!"
A single name, Hao?
Li Hao was stunned, then almost laughed. What a coincidence that it's the same as my name?
Wait a minute.
The child he mentioned, could it be me?
Li Hao looked down and was dumbfounded. He found himself in a swaddling cloth, with tiny hands and feet, soft and delicate, being held by a beautiful woman in military armor.
"Someone, bring my Dragon Blood Jade for Hao'er."
Soon, Li Hao saw a eunuch with a ghostly pale complexion solemnly approaching, presenting a dark red dragon-patterned jade pendant.
A slender, fair hand gently accepted it, and the beautiful woman holding him whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."
What is going on...
Li Hao blinked his eyes. Is this a dream?
Suddenly, waves of dizziness overcame him, and he could no longer hold on, slipping back into unconsciousness.
…
…
Qingzhou City, General's Residence, Li Family.
The Great Yu Dynasty had five divine generals, and the Li family was one of them.
A family of nine generals, all loyal and devoted, they were considered the noblest of nobles in the Great Yu Dynasty, with endless wealth and glory.
But beneath this immense wealth lay the blood and kinship of its members.
Out of the nine sons of the Li family, six had already fallen!
The youngest, Ninth Lang, had only been in the army for two years and had just been promoted to captain. Who would have thought that during the Cangzhou campaign, he would lead tens of thousands of cavalry and charge all the way to the enemy's royal city as a captain?
Conquering fifteen cities and slaying hundreds of demons! Establishing feats worthy of ten lifetimes, he became the sixth mighty general of the Li family to die for the country.
Now, his statue stood in the Martial Temple, worshipped and sung by the world.
At this moment.
About three months had passed since the title of "Marquis of the Nation" was bestowed.
In these few months, the people of the Li residence gradually emerged from their sorrow, and the gloom on their faces diminished somewhat.
Today, there was a joyous occasion in the residence, making it lively once more.
Dignitaries from various provinces and officials from the court either personally attended or sent representatives to Qingzhou. One luxurious carriage after another stopped at the gates of the Li family's General's Residence, attracting countless passersby to pause and look.
Today was the one hundredth day celebration of Xingwu Marquis's son, Li Hao.
This golden-spooned child, named by the Yu Emperor at birth, became renowned across the land. Being born into the prestigious General's family, there was no doubt that the world would have a place for him in the future.
As the saying goes, it's best to curry favor early.
In a room of the Mountain and River Courtyard within the General's Residence.
Li Hao, in his mother Ji Qingqing's embrace, curiously observed the bustling and lively scene outside the courtyard.
Over the months, Li Hao had come to realize that he wasn't dreaming; he had... transmigrated.
This place wasn't any historical dynasty but rather the Transitory Realm.
There were warriors, great demons, and swordsmen as well as the imperial court.
Fortunately, the Great Yu Dynasty was strong, and demons were forbidden. Those daring to infiltrate the territory were few, so the common people lived relatively prosperous lives. Not to mention being born into a top-tier noble family.
Life had promising prospects!
"Hao'er, truthfully, I wish you weren't born into the Li family, you know?" Amidst the outside clamor, his mother Ji Qingqing spoke with a hint of sorrow.
Li Hao looked up in surprise at his mother.
At the moment, his vocal cords weren't fully developed, and he couldn't speak, but even if he could, he wouldn't ask why. Otherwise, he'd scare this young lady to death.
However, although Ji Qingqing seemed like a young girl in his eyes, being only in her early twenties, the meticulous care and warmth over these months made him feel a sense of reliance on this mother.
"Actually, I already thought of a name for you long ago: Le Ping, Li Le Ping! I just hope you grow up happy and safe. Unifying the world is a royal dream, not the dream of the Li family, and certainly not mine…"
Ji Qingqing murmured, the flattery and fawning of the nobility outside did not fill her with vanity or joy; instead, they felt somewhat piercing.
"The Yu Emperor named you in the hope that the Li family would rise after Ninth Lang's death. This name carries the hopes and exhortations of the Yu royal family upon the Li family…"
She didn't continue.
This heavy expectation had fallen on her child, and it wasn't hard to imagine that the more grace received today, the greater the pressure would be in the future!
Li Hao observed the sadness between this young woman's brows. At this moment, she wasn't the revered Seventh Lady of the General's Residence or the iron-faced female general feared on the battlefield but a simple mother.
He couldn't speak, so he buried his head even deeper into her chest.
Trying to convey his reassurance through body warmth.
Noticing the movement in her arms, Ji Qingqing lowered her head. Her gaze softened as she looked at her child's long lashes and beautiful face.
She gently cradled Li Hao, her slender hand soothing the infant and seemingly comforting her own heart: "No matter what happens, your mother will support you. Your father has already stepped into the 'Three Immortals' realm. There's a chance you've inherited that power."
"Even if your martial aptitude is average, the power your father passed down to you will be enough for you to catch up with your predecessors' footsteps and not fall behind your peers."
"Whatever the future holds, your mother will stand before you and never let anyone harm you…"
She whispered softly.
"The hundredth-day banquet is about to start. Why are you here?"
At this moment, the towering figure of the Xingwu Marquis approached, gently wrapping his arm around Ji Qingqing's waist, and asked in surprise, "What are you thinking about? Are you unhappy?"
"Of course not."
Ji Qingqing concealed her emotions, raised her head, and smiled. She didn't confide her innermost thoughts to her husband. She knew the single-minded nature of the Li family's sons, who took pride in dying on the battlefield. Her private sentiments could never compare to the millennia-old glory of the General's Residence.
"Are the sisters-in-law here?"
"They're all here, just waiting for you and Hao'er."
Xingwu Marquis glanced at Li Hao, ruffled his little head, but his coarse hand felt like a blade, making Li Hao roll his eyes.
This big, clumsy father, can't he be more gentle?
Ji Qingqing, holding Li Hao, entered another room full of the wives and ladies from various households, and the room instantly filled with a chorus of excited voices.
"Oh my, Hao'er is so handsome, even more so than Jing'er was at that age."
"Yes, Shuang'er, look at your little brother, how adorable he is."
"Wow, wow, he's staring right at me!"
Besides the wives from various households, their children were also present. The youngest were only one or two years old, clinging to their parents' legs, their eyes wide and curious as they looked at the swaddled Li Hao.
The few older children, around five or six, appeared mature beyond their years. They weren't mischievous, standing to the side, looking rather bored but too afraid to leave, showing little interest in this new little brother.
"Come, Hao'er, let your Fifth Aunt hold you."
A beautiful woman picked up Li Hao, her face full of affection, and suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, is Hao'er hungry?"
"He just ate this morning."
The beautiful woman didn't question it further, assuming Li Hao was hungry. After hearing from Ji Qingqing that he'd eaten, she stopped worrying and gently pinched Li Hao's little face, laughing merrily.
The other ladies also gathered around to tease Li Hao and, when the time was right, presented their gifts.
Ji Qingqing tried to decline but was forced to accept them.
These were treasures money couldn't buy. On Li Hao's hundredth-day banquet, the gifts piled up in half of the Mountain and River Courtyard, all rare and priceless.
One emerald-like bracelet was placed on Li Hao's tender little hand, gifted by his Fifth Aunt, claiming it had a nurturing effect on the spirit.
Li Hao, initially drowsy from the chatter, felt a cool sensation entering his body from his hand once he wore the bracelet, noticeably boosting his spirit.
Sleepiness vanished, and his thoughts became sharper.
He squinted his eyes, and a blur of characters jumped out before him.
Compared to the murky haze right after transmigrating, these characters gradually became clearer as he grew day by day over the months, with his brain constantly developing.
Now, as if a nearsighted person put on glasses, they became entirely clear.