Chapter 296: Flaunting
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“How strange, why is this willow tree so bald?”
“Just a while ago, it was full of branches and leaves…” Lu Chao Chao curiously glanced at the tree.
By the riverside, numerous willow trees swayed gracefully with the breeze. Yet, this one stood bare, starkly different from the rest.
“Forget about the tree, the dragon dance is about to start!”
“Come on, let’s go watch the dragon dance!”
Since Lu Chao Chao was small, Li Si Qi lifted her onto his shoulders, letting her have a better view. Though he couldn’t see, he was still incredibly happy.
“Wah… The dragon dance team is coming!”
A vividly crafted fire dragon moved lifelike through the air, drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd.
Standing amidst the spectators, Nan Mu Bai sneered slightly, showing his disdain. “What’s so fascinating about a dragon dance? In our Southern Kingdom, grand festivals summon deities. Have you ever seen a deity’s descent?”
“The divine spirits enshrined in temples descend upon the mortal realm when called by the Celestial Attendants, bestowing blessings and gentle rain.”
“Unlike you people, getting excited over a lifeless puppet. What’s so special about that?”
“Oh, right, Northern Zhao doesn’t even have its own deities.” Nan Mu Bai’s tone was haughty. In the Southern Kingdom, every family had its own faith!
Deities that belonged exclusively to them.
In the eyes of the Southern Kingdom, Northern Zhao was nothing more than a backwater land.
“Who says we don’t have a deity? We have our Little Goddess!”
“That’s right! Our Goddess’s statue is incredibly effective! Just the other day, a carp leaped over the Dragon Gate!” The people of Northern Zhao couldn’t bear to hear him belittle their faith and mustered the courage to retort.
“A Goddess’s statue? Not even listed in the Divine Register. It’s nothing more than a rogue deity!”
“The Southern Kingdom’s royal family worships Zong Bai, the God of Judiciary, who governs divine law. That is a true deity!” This was their pride.
Hearing this, the citizens of Northern Zhao turned red with anger.
“Nonsense!”
“The Goddess is not a rogue deity! We worship her devoutly; she is a true deity of the mortal world!” Year after year, they made offerings to the Goddess. How could they allow her to be insulted?
“True deities recognized by the celestial ranks are all recorded in the Divine Register. I don’t see your so-called Goddess there.”
“And tell me, has your deity granted you power? Has she ever descended upon the mortal world? Laughable!” Nan Mu Bai scoffed.
Deities, too, had ranks.
“You!”
Nan Mu Bai’s words enraged the surrounding people, yet they dared not act rashly against someone dressed in the attire of the Southern Kingdom.
“In the Southern Kingdom, even divine birds descend during festivals.”
“Have you ever seen a divine bird? The Azure Luan, ranked third in the Divine Register, is said to be the mount of deities—a sacred omen!”
“Only we of the Southern Kingdom can summon such a divine creature!” The Southern Kingdom emissary’s brows lifted in pride.
A pride unique to them.
A pride none could surpass.
“And you Northerners? All you can do is watch a dragon dance, a phoenix dance…”
“One day, you should visit the Southern Kingdom and witness true grandeur. Now that is impressive!” Nan Mu Bai smirked smugly.
Meanwhile, his Guardian Divine Beast was curled into a ball, diligently plucking willow branches with its tail.
A servant beneath it held up a large sack, collecting each fallen branch.
“These branches are particularly soft. Perfect for brushing teeth. But, Lord Beast, must you strip just one tree bare?” The small attendant mumbled.
The Nine-Headed Snake glanced at him. Normally, it would’ve swallowed him whole.
Yet, instead…
Nine heads turned in unison to steal a glance at Lu Chao Chao. It forced out a kind smile, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs, making the servant shudder in fear.
With nine mouths brushing twice a day, a whole bundle of willow twigs barely lasted a single day.
It had completely forgotten its mission in Northern Zhao.
Southern Kingdom Emperor: When traveling abroad, be sure to assist the prince in elevating the prestige of our nation!
Xiangliu: Pluck willow branches, brush teeth, freshen breath…
At this moment, while the royal grandson of the Southern Kingdom engaged in a heated debate, Xiangliu was solemnly plucking willows!
“If you’re so capable, summon something before our eyes! Mere words prove nothing—who knows if you’re just bluffing?” The people of Northern Zhao rolled their eyes. They had heard enough about how grand the Southern Kingdom was, but had yet to see them summon anything.
“Yeah, yeah! Didn’t you say you could summon deities at will? Go on, summon one!”
“Let us see this so-called Azure Luan! And your so-called God of Judiciary?”
Nan Mu Bai’s eyelid twitched. Even the entire royal family couldn’t summon the God of Judiciary—how could he?
But summoning the Azure Luan? That, he could do!
“Hmph, today, I’ll let you country bumpkins open your eyes!”
Ming Lang tugged at his sleeve. “Your Highness, our mission is to find the princess!” He frowned slightly.
Nan Mu Bai waved him off. “Summoning the God of Judiciary is beyond reach, but the Azure Luan is within my ability! Spreading the Southern Kingdom’s name—why not?”
“It’s the perfect chance to show my estranged aunt just how powerful the Southern Kingdom is!”
His hands swiftly formed seals, and beneath his feet, intricate patterns emerged, interwoven with radiant light.
“Eh…” Lu Chao Chao watched in surprise.
This was Zong Bai’s power.
The Southern Kingdom’s royal family borrowed the strength of Zong Bai, the God of Judiciary.
“Since they worship him, the power they channel belongs to Zong Bai.” But because Zong Bai rarely descended to the mortal realm, the energy they could harness was exceedingly limited.
A faint glow gathered in Nan Mu Bai’s hands as he stood atop the glowing star array, slowly pushing his palms toward the sky.
“By the power of the God of Judiciary, I summon the Azure Luan!” He declared.
He had summoned the divine bird before—this was nothing difficult.
“By the power of the God of Judiciary, I summon the Azure Luan!”
Three times he called.
The silent night sky suddenly rang with a piercing cry.
The crowd froze. “Did that sound come from the sky?”
“Could he actually do it?” The citizens widened their eyes in shock, thinking the Southern Kingdom was merely boasting.
Looking up—
A shimmering blue light streaked across the sky. A majestic bird with luxurious feathers, trailing a long, radiant tail, soared overhead, crying out proudly.
“It’s the real Azure Luan!”
Gasps of awe filled the crowd.
The Azure Luan spread its wings in the sky, scattering stardust as it flew, a sight both breathtaking and divine.
“It’s truly the Azure Luan! The legendary divine bird!”
“Hmph, now you ignorant bumpkins see, don’t you? If you have the ability, summon something using your so-called Goddess’s power!” Nan Mu Bai crossed his arms smugly, unwilling to let the Southern Kingdom’s prestige fall.
“A rogue deity remains a rogue deity.”
Lu Yuan Xiao’s face flushed with anger. His Chao Chao was the Little Goddess! How dare this man insult her!
“The Goddess has saved the world—she is no rogue deity! So what if the Southern Kingdom can summon gods?!”
The Sixth Prince, who had secretly sneaked out of the palace, was also furious. Pouting, he retorted mockingly, “You can summon gods? Hah! So can I! By the power of the Goddess, I summon the dragon and phoenix!”
“Dragon… Phoenix, appear!” He deliberately mimicked Nan Mu Bai.
Nan Mu Bai’s face darkened, his expression turning grim.
Suddenly, Lu Chao Chao’s forehead warmed.
A mortal was borrowing faith from her power.
Lu Chao Chao glanced at the silly prince. Sixth Brother, don’t be scared!
The Sixth Prince’s eyelid twitched.
A vast and boundless force surged into his body. The glowing array beneath his feet instantly eclipsed Nan Mu Bai’s, radiating a brilliance several times stronger.