"Fifth Brother, you were the one who let your guard down."
The other five-year-old child spoke with a cheeky grin.
The contest between the three of them stopped as well. The slightly older boy snorted in displeasure. "If you keep ambushing me like that, I'll get serious next time!"
"Fifth Brother, if you get serious, wouldn't that just be bullying?"
The five-year-old laughed.
"Hmph, then stop ambushing me."
"Father said that in fighting and killing, there's no such thing as an ambush. Warfare is the art of deception!"
"We're only sparring."
Watching the children squabble, Li Hao's gaze flickered. From their conversation, he could more or less guess who they were.
With a thought, golden light appeared before his eyes.
Li Hao looked toward Chen Hefang, only to find that she was utterly unaware of the golden light hovering before him. As he turned his head, the words formed by that light fell across her cheeks.
[Growth] quest progress: 6%.
Li Hao quickly calculated in his head. It seemed he was just over a year old now.
That meant he should be able to speak and walk.
"Mother?"
Li Hao gathered himself and tried speaking. A clear voice immediately emerged from his mouth.
Hearing that childish call, Chen Hefang froze briefly, then looked down at Li Hao, the smile on her face turning to surprise.
"Shilang, you can call me Mother now? Say it again for me."
"Mother."
Although Li Hao felt strange about it, he steeled himself and called her again. It seemed his vocal cords had indeed developed properly.
Seeing how clever Li Hao was, and that he really understood her words, Chen Hefang's smile blossomed like a flower as she repeatedly exclaimed how wonderful it was.
Hearing the commotion, the children arguing in the courtyard