The Name of Eternals

Chapter 252: His Name

The Xia family's old general, about to turn back, suddenly heard the sound of bones and flesh exploding. He froze and turned around, witnessing a horrifying scene.

The arrogant demon, who had just been flaunting his power, now had his body shattered as if crushed by an unseen force, without even revealing his true form. Amidst the splattered flesh, a struggling figure tried to escape but was immediately subjected to intense pressure, wailing in agony before dissipating, his soul extinguished.

The demon's last scream echoed, leaving the Xia family soldiers on Liyang City's walls stunned, staring in disbelief at the bizarre scene.

On the road below the city gate, a boy riding a horse approached casually. Looking up at the closed gate, he called out, "Sir, could you have them open the gate?"

The boy's voice brought the Xia family general back to his senses. He looked down to see the boy, who sat leisurely on his horse, dressed in simple clothes but with handsome features as if painted by an artist. His unique and serene demeanor was unforgettable.

The general's eyes traced the boy's path and saw that the demons lurking on either side of the road had all fallen, lifeless.

"You..."

The Xia family general's pupils contracted in shock. The boy before him seemed more terrifying than the demons.

The generals rushed to the formation, seeing only the boy on his horse outside the city.

"Did you kill that demon?" The Xia family general hesitated to fly down, quickly descending to stand before the boy. If the boy had indeed killed the demon, his power was unimaginable, possibly at the Four Standing Realm.

And at such a young age, matching the power of the Four Standing Realm, only one name came to mind—Haotian from Liangzhou.

"Yes," Li Hao nodded slightly. There was no need to hide such a small matter. "I heard the Xia family was in trouble and happened to be passing by, so I helped out."

Seeing the boy admit it, the Xia family general's pupils shrank further, his voice trembling, "Are you General Haotian?"

His face was filled with shock and quickly turned to excitement. The deeds from Liangzhou had long spread. Though not under the Xia family's jurisdiction, the boy's reputation had reached all military forces across the nineteen provinces.

To single-handedly subdue the demons and save the borderlands of Liangzhou was an achievement as brilliant as that of a young hero who once guarded Cangzhou a decade ago, a rising star as bright as the morning sun.

Moreover, if the boy could kill demon kings, Liyang City was now saved!

Seeing Li Hao's smiling demeanor, the Xia family general realized his rudeness and quickly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Duke Haotian!"

Previously, they had referred to him as "young general," as it was commonly heard in tales. But since Liangzhou's crisis had turned, the imperial court had deliberated for long and issued his reward. The title of nobility had been sent to Qingzhou and announced to the world.

He was conferred the title of third-rank duke!

He had skipped the title of marquis, directly becoming a duke, an esteemed title placing him above numerous high officials. Even a prince would have to treat him with respect.

Besides his noble title, he was promoted to the rank of Commander-in-Chief of Liangzhou, a real official position at the highest rank, equivalent to a prime minister. Among those in active service, no one could surpass this boy's rank. His nobility was a level only a few of the eldest in the Five Great Generals' Mansions could reach.

"A duke?" Li Hao was surprised. He had expected a reward but not to skip the marquis rank entirely. The renowned "Ninth Uncle," who saved Cangzhou, had comparable achievements but faced lesser demonic threats, yet had only been a marquis. His destruction of the tribal court outside the pass led to his own demise.

"Rise," Li Hao said as the general remained bowed.

The Xia family general looked up, full of excitement. "Duke, you have saved Liyang City and its people. We are deeply grateful. On behalf of the city's people, I thank you for your great kindness!"

He was about to kneel.

Before the boy's calm demeanor, he felt as if he were seeing a god among men, his heart filled with reverence and gratitude.

Li Hao raised his hand to stop him. "It was just a small matter. No need for such courtesy. If you want to thank me, see if you have any famous paintings or chess manuals in the city and collect them for me."

The Xia family general was puzzled but remembered hearing that this boy excelled in both martial and literary arts. With a sigh of admiration, he smiled and said, "Of course. I will have them find it right away."

He ordered the gates to be opened and respectfully invited Li Hao inside.

Meanwhile, several young Xia family lieutenants flew over.

Hearing that the demon was killed by the boy and learning of his identity, they were stunned, looking at the boy in shock.

"Is it really him?"

Among the lieutenants, a female officer stared at the boy, her thoughts drifting back two years to the official road in Qizhou.

Then, a boy sitting in a carriage had left a deep impression on her, guarding a city at fourteen.

Not long after, she heard more about the boy, renowned in Qingzhou.

And later, at fifteen, he saved Liangzhou, becoming famous nationwide.

"This is Xia Qingshuang, one of our family's talents. And this is Xia Yucheng…"

The Xia family general quickly introduced the young Xia family lieutenants to Li Hao, hoping to connect them with Li Hao's influence.

Although Li Hao's estrangement from the Li family was well known, his achievements had surpassed the need for any God General's Mansion's support. He was already a legend.

A sixteen-year-old duke, holding the highest rank in the land, able to slay demon kings—no one would dare offend him.

As the general introduced them, the young Xia family lieutenants, despite their noble lineage, had to bow respectfully. They felt a mix of shock and slight embarrassment.

They were Xia family prodigies, facing a peer from the Li family, younger by seven or eight years, even a decade. Yet, they had to bow, feeling as though the glory of the Xia family also bowed with them.

But the Five Great Generals' Mansions were part of the royal system, their titles and ranks unified. Li Hao's status commanded respect everywhere. Disrespecting him meant defying the emperor and the millennium-old laws.

Riding his horse, Li Hao nodded slightly, acknowledging their greetings.

Exchanging polite words, they escorted Li Hao to the city lord's mansion.

Inside, two young lieutenants exchanged awkward glances.

Earlier in the council chamber, they had firmly opposed using the boy's banner, doubting its deterrent effect and considering it a disgrace. Now, the subject of their skepticism stood before them, causing a sense of unease.

"General Haotian, how did you kill the Three Immutables demon? We didn't see you make a move…"

Xia Yuanming asked curiously.

He had been the most vocal against using Li Hao's banner, but now, facing the legend, he felt a bit apprehensive. The boy's feats of slaying seven demon kings were undeniable.

Hearing this, Xia Qingshuang also looked at Li Hao.

She remembered hearing that the boy had reached the Fifteen Miles Realm when guarding Qizhou.

Now, just two years later…

"You wouldn't understand at your level," Li Hao replied calmly, without a hint of mockery.

Xia Yuanming felt embarrassed and slightly annoyed but held back, realizing the boy had saved Liyang City.

The Xia family general found Li Hao's response appropriate, feeling that Xia Yuanming's question had been somewhat impertinent.

"General, the rumors said you were being hunted by that Taixu demon king. Did you just escape?"

He changed the subject politely.

Recently, many had focused on the Mohe River beyond Liangzhou, but there was no news from there. Unexpectedly, the boy appeared in Youzhou.

"Something like that."

Li Hao replied briefly and then inquired about the situation in Liangzhou.

Although he had learned some from the innkeeper, the Xia family general's information was more detailed.

Satisfied, Li Hao felt relieved. Liangzhou was indeed peaceful.

But while Liangzhou was calm, other provinces in Dayu were in turmoil.

The Xia family general described Youzhou's current plight, surrounded by enemies and at war with the Gluttony Valley demons. Without Li Hao's intervention, the northwest front would soon fall.

And Liyang City wasn't the main battlefield.

In the east, war reports kept coming, with the Xia family's main forces concentrated there.

After explaining, the general knelt on one knee, pleading for Li Hao's assistance.

The young Xia family lieutenants were stunned, never expecting their elder to pay such respects to Li Hao.

Li Hao helped the general up, frowning slightly. "I can't act rashly. It's best if you seek approval from your family head."

The general realized the boy's wisdom, understanding that his own plea wasn't enough.

"I will report to the family head. Please stay in Liyang City for a few more days."

The general said quickly.

Li Hao nodded slightly. "I can, but I must return to Liangzhou soon. Three days, no more."

"Three days..."

The general felt anxious but agreed, quickly arranging accommodation for Li Hao.

However, Li Hao chose a quiet courtyard in the city instead of the city lord's mansion.

Once Li Hao left, the general dispatched a messenger with an urgent letter to the family.

As Li Hao entered the city, a bird demon in high altitude reconnaissance saw everything.

Seeing the strange deaths of the demons and the fallen Three Immutables demon, the bird demon shuddered, nearly losing feathers.

It saw the boy welcomed into the city with utmost respect. Clearly, he was responsible for the carnage.

Able to kill a demon king so effortlessly and at such a young age, there was only one possible identity.

The boy from Liangzhou, said to be trapped in the Mohe River, had returned.

Realizing this, the bird demon hurried back to the demon army camp a hundred miles from Liyang City.

On a mountain, two demon kings drank, one with a concealed aura, casually eating a human leg.

The bird demon anxiously reported the news.

"What?!"

"That guy from Liangzhou is here?!"

"Wasn't he in the Mohe River?"

The demon kings were alarmed, repeatedly confirming the news, then hastily ordered a retreat.

The demon tide around Liyang City began to withdraw rapidly, observed by Xia family scouts.

Meanwhile, the bird demon relayed the news to the Tianji Pavilion, which quickly sent it to the Youzhou front lines.

Almost simultaneously, as the Xia family in Youzhou received the news, the front-line demons also learned it.

On a hill where the Gluttony Valley lord commanded, the news spread like wildfire.

The young general from Liangzhou had come to Youzhou.