Chapter 290: Nan Mu Bai is Enraged
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Nan Mu Bai stood frozen as he watched the Guardian Divine Beast of his kingdom coil itself obediently before Lu Chao Chao, its menacing aura gone.
One mouthful after another, it consumed the vegetarian dishes it would normally despise.
“How long has it been since you brushed your teeth? So dirty and stinky,” Lu Chao Chao scrunched her nose.
“Even a little pet must maintain hygiene.” She waved over a trembling palace maid and had her break off a branch of willow.
“Use the willow branch to brush your teeth, it cleans well.”
“Nine heads, nine mouths, not a single one can be missed. I will check!”
“Wrap the branch with your little tail and brush each mouth one by one. I have experience, listen to me!” Lu Chao Chao patted her chest confidently.
Madam Xu opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words.
The supposedly bloodthirsty beast of legend—obediently wrapping a willow branch with its tail, slithering out of the palace gates.
Lu Chao Chao pointed at a maid. “Fetch it a bucket. It needs water to rinse its mouth.”
The maids were terrified. Seeing this, the Sixth Prince personally led people to bring water.
The officials and Southern Kingdom envoys stared in bewilderment at the Nine-Headed Snake.
This ancient, proud bloodline… was using its tail to hold a willow branch, baring its fangs while scrubbing, one head after another.
It was bizarre yet…
Inexplicably hilarious.
Nan Mu Bai clutched his chest, aghast. Today had been a day of extreme shocks!
“Brushing—brushing teeth?!” He could hardly believe it.
The entire royal family worshiped this beast’s ancestors, yet no one had ever dared to make it brush its teeth!
Ming Lang’s eyes widened as if seeing the Guardian Divine Beast for the first time.
“You little prince, spewing nonsense! How is it violent or cruel? I say you’re using its name to oppress the people!”
“Even as a royal grandson of the Southern Kingdom, you must give an explanation to the people of Northern Zhao.” The Emperor cast him a glance.
Nan Mu Bai’s chest heaved violently, but Minister Ming stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, we will ensure that the citizens of Northern Zhao are appeased with a satisfactory response.”
Nan Mu Bai gritted his teeth in silence.
The Emperor, however, was utterly relaxed.
How many years had Northern Zhao suffered humiliation before the Southern Kingdom? At last, Lu Chao Chao had turned the tables, washing away their shame!
The once-feared Guardian Divine Beast of the Southern Kingdom, now brushing its teeth and eating vegetables in Northern Zhao—laughable!
“How is it violent? How is it fierce? I find it adorable and well-behaved,” Lu Chao Chao frowned at Nan Mu Bai.
“Look at its teeth—so clean!”
“See how much it enjoys its vegetables?”
Nan Mu Bai’s expression was stiff. He refused to speak.
“Zhao Yang! Zhao Yang! Can I touch it? I’ve never touched a divine beast before,” the Sixth Prince pleaded eagerly.
“It is a divine beast!” Nan Mu Bai stubbornly corrected.
“Ancient divine beasts have survived thousands of years; they are the heavens’ chosen, immensely proud! It is not something you can touch at will. A mere mortal dares to think of touching a divine beast?” Nan Mu Bai sneered. In the Southern Kingdom, only a rare few had the privilege of interacting with it.
“Why can’t we touch it? We can even ride it!” Lu Chao Chao objected.
Nan Mu Bai rolled his eyes in disdain.
The Sixth Prince lowered his head, eyes red with embarrassment.
“I say you can touch it! He’s lying to you! Come, Sixth Brother, I’ll take you!”
Lu Chao Chao grabbed the Sixth Prince and rushed outside the hall. The officials craned their necks like geese, eager to see what would happen.
Scholar Li Zi Xi sat outside the hall.
Fuming, he shouted, “Brush your teeth all you want, but don’t spit your rinse water into my wine bowl!”
“Scoundrel! I haven’t even taken a sip yet!” Li Zi Xi pushed the table and chairs aside in frustration.
What was this nonsense?!
“Fragrant Fragrance, Fragrant Fragrance…” The Nine-Headed Snake, which had been vigorously brushing its teeth, suddenly froze.
Cautiously, it lowered its heads to look at Lu Chao Chao.
[She… She recognized me?!]
The Guardian Divine Beast’s scales bristled as Nan Mu Bai’s eyes gleamed viciously.
[She insulted the Divine Beast of the Southern Kingdom! Kill her!]
Lu Chao Chao grinned, “Can I call you Fragrant Fragrance? I once raised a little snake. It wasn’t as big as you, but somehow, you two look alike…”
The beast’s tense posture instantly relaxed.
“Fragrant Fragrance, my Sixth Brother has never touched a divine beast before. Can you let him?” Lu Chao Chao looked at Xiangliu expectantly.
Its tail still wrapped around the willow brush, Xiangliu shifted its gaze between the Sixth Prince and Lu Chao Chao.
Nan Mu Bai chuckled coldly. How foolish! Xiangliu had a violent temperament—its mere presence made Southern Kingdom’s royal family cower in reverence.
Yet—
Before everyone’s eyes, the Guardian Divine Beast lowered its noble heads.
The Sixth Prince trembled with excitement, his eyes glowing. “Really? I can really touch it?”
“Xiangliu agreed! Go on, Sixth Brother!”
With a trembling hand, the Sixth Prince quickly stroked Xiangliu’s head. “Wow, so cold! So chilling! Father Emperor, I touched the Southern Kingdom’s Guardian Divine Beast!”
Nan Mu Bai: ???
[Why?!]
[Why?! Every time I asked for its help, it acted high and mighty, ignoring me!]
Nan Mu Bai nearly stomped his feet in frustration.
“Can I touch the other heads?” the Sixth Prince asked eagerly.
The most shocking scene followed.
The Guardian Divine Beast of the Southern Kingdom, one that stood above all, lowered its heads one by one for him to touch.
The envoys of the Southern Kingdom nearly fainted.
“Xiangliu is so tall! Riding on its head must be even more fun than riding Windchaser. Do you want to try?” Lu Chao Chao suggested.
The Sixth Prince bounced with excitement, his face flushed, hands trembling as he grabbed hers. “Really? Really?! Chao Chao Sister!!!”
“Of course! Pick a head and get on.”
Lu Chao Chao waved grandly.
Nan Mu Bai jumped to his feet, nearly knocking over the table. “No!” he roared in outrage.
Everyone turned to him as he struggled to suppress his fury. “A divine beast—cannot be ridden!”
“Not everyone can ride a divine beast!”
“In the Southern Kingdom, only my father and I can command it! Princess Zhao Yang, just because it has some affection for you, do not assume you can trample upon its dignity!”
Nan Mu Bai himself could only ride Xiangliu by secretly infusing it with divine power, coaxing it into submission.
Even then, only when it was in a good mood.
Xiangliu represented the supreme status of the Southern Kingdom.
How could it allow mere mortals to ride atop its heads?!
Lu Chao Chao glanced at him indifferently. “I’m not riding on your head. Why are you so anxious?”
“Fragrant Fragrance, do you agree?” Lu Chao Chao asked expressionlessly.
Having been spoiled under her hand for years, Xiangliu understood the signs of her impending anger.
All nine heads nodded vigorously, wagging eagerly.
Obedient and flattering.
Nan Mu Bai’s face turned deathly pale, all color draining from it.
“Nine heads, nine riders! Who else wants to ride?” Lu Chao Chao asked.
The entire court erupted in excitement!
Riding the Southern Kingdom’s Guardian Divine Beast? Incredible!
Even the Emperor nearly fainted in joy. Such an opportunity? Unbelievable!