Chapter 333: The Spirit Pearl Explodes
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Xu Shi Yun calmly placed her hand on the Spirit Pearl. Her heart remained unshaken, devoid of expectations.
She felt no attachment to Southern Kingdom, nor did she care for its divine power in the slightest.
The Spirit Pearl emitted a faint warmth, as if… a familiar aura lingered within it.
The crowd held their breath, their gazes fixed upon the Spirit Pearl. The entire hall fell into silence.
Ming Lang, too, watched Xu Shi Yun with tense anticipation.
Nan Mu Bai’s breathing grew erratic, his rhythm slightly disturbed.
Time passed…
Yet the Spirit Pearl remained unresponsive.
A triumphant smile threatened to break across Nan Mu Bai’s face. Good, good, good!
A mere mortal, nothing but a lowly mortal!
No one can challenge the right to the throne of Southern Kingdom!
Nan Mu Bai’s grin deepened, while Ming Lang felt a tinge of disappointment. He had seen Madam Ning, and her suffering was truly pitiful. If Xu Shi Yun were merely a mortal, how could she protect her mother and uphold her dignity?
Nan Mu Bai’s smile turned sincere—there was no longer any threat.
Xu Shi Yun withdrew her hand indifferently.
Deng Zhi stepped forward and offered a handkerchief, which she used to wipe her fingertips.
“Aunt, do not be disheartened. Though you lack divine affinity, you remain the esteemed princess of our Southern Kingdom. His Majesty will always protect you.” Nan Mu Bai’s heart finally settled.
She posed no danger whatsoever.
His expression brightened with genuine warmth.
Xu Shi Yun found it amusing.
Nan Mu Bai held the Spirit Pearl, his joy unmistakable. “I shall not trouble you further, Aunt. However, I hope you will reconsider returning to Southern Kingdom. Madam Ning’s health is failing; she does not have much time left.”
Not just Madam Ning, but more importantly, the Old Emperor.
Without the Imperial Jade Pendant, the throne could not be passed on. They were simply waiting for her to return.
Xu Shi Yun gave a slight nod, making no move to hold them back.
Nan Mu Bai didn’t mind in the slightest. His expectations had been fulfilled, and his joy overflowed.
“Lord Ming, let us go.” Nan Mu Bai gestured for Ming Lang to follow. Ming Lang hurriedly nodded at Shi Yun before departing.
Just as they reached the doorway—
The Spirit Pearl in Nan Mu Bai’s hand suddenly emitted a blinding light.
A faint cracking sound echoed from his palm.
The piercing golden glow forced him to shut his eyes. Nan Mu Bai cried out in alarm, “What is happening?!”
Under his horrified gaze, the Spirit Pearl shattered into countless fragments, vanishing into thin air.
Nan Mu Bai stood frozen, unable to process what had just occurred.
“The Spirit Pearl!”
“How could this be? Why did the Spirit Pearl suddenly explode?” Nan Mu Bai shouted in disbelief, his eyes filled with confusion.
Ming Lang was momentarily stunned but quickly dismissed the thought.
“Perhaps when Xiangliu struck you last time, the force landed directly on the Spirit Pearl.” Ming Lang had grown increasingly disgusted by Nan Mu Bai’s conduct. When Xu Shi Yun showed no divine affinity, he had nearly grinned from ear to ear.
It was simply disgraceful.
Nan Mu Bai smacked his forehead. “Ah, I forgot about that.”
“Surely, it couldn’t have been Xu Shi Yun’s affinity that caused the Spirit Pearl to burst, right? Hahaha…” He burst into laughter, his tone filled with mockery.
With that, he led the Southern Kingdom envoys away with great arrogance.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao lay beside the Crown Prince’s bed.
A soft glow from the Soul-Fixing Pearl enveloped Xie Cheng Xi. The little one whispered, “Brother Cheng Xi, who are you?”
“Are you… my silly disciple?”
“Zong Bai? No, that’s not right…”
“Sheng He? But Sheng He was blind.”
“You are…” Lu Chao Chao paused, sensing a deep familiarity from Chong Yue. She had never given it much thought before—
But now…
She suddenly realized his preferences were exactly the same!
A heavy weight settled on Lu Chao Chao’s heart as she gripped Xie Cheng Xi’s hand tightly.
“Foolish disciples, every single one of you! Who told you to save me? You are already revered deities protecting this land! How could you abandon your divine seats for my sake?”
Lu Chao Chao was both furious and anxious, her red-rimmed eyes betraying her emotions.
“Idiots, idiots!”
“Once I reach Southern Kingdom, I will smash your foolish heads!”
Her small teeth clenched, her resolve unwavering. After whispering beside the bed for a while longer, she finally turned and headed to the Imperial Study.
“Emperor Daddy, Chao Chao wants to go to Southern Kingdom!”
Lu Chao Chao clenched her tiny fists, her little face brimming with determination.
“Emperor Daddy, you already know who my mother is, don’t you?” The little one asked.
The Emperor nodded solemnly. “When your mother was assassinated, I sent people to investigate Southern Kingdom. That was when I uncovered the truth.” He had even intervened in subtle ways; otherwise, Southern Kingdom would have found her long ago.
“Then Chao Chao will accompany Mother to Southern Kingdom.”
The Emperor’s brows furrowed. “Chao Chao, do not trust the Southern Kingdom Emperor’s so-called affection for your mother. An emperor’s heart is always dark—I know because I have been one.”
Compared to the throne, a daughter was insignificant.
“My family says the same thing!” The little one covered her mouth, giggling.
The Emperor sighed.
He knelt before Lu Chao Chao, leveling his gaze with hers.
“Chao Chao, the road to Southern Kingdom is perilous, and human hearts are even more so. This journey is a matter of life and death. If you do not wish to go, I will not force you.” His voice wavered slightly, his eyes tinged with sorrow.
“You owe nothing to Northern Zhao, nor to Cheng Xi.”
His affection for Lu Chao Chao was genuine.
For an emperor, sincerity was rare.
An emperor always weighed gains and losses, but with Lu Chao Chao, his heart had softened.
Despite her childish features, the little bald-headed girl’s eyes shone with unwavering resolve. “Chao Chao is the sun of Northern Zhao!”
The Emperor embraced her tightly, inhaling deeply.
Then, he performed a grand bow before her.
Wang Yuan Lu gasped sharply, quickly lowering his head to avoid witnessing the scene.
“This matter shall be entrusted to Chao Chao. This time, it is Northern Zhao that owes Chao Chao…” The Emperor’s expression turned solemn.
“Do not worry. Your family in Northern Zhao will be well cared for. I will not let them suffer even the slightest grievance!”
“General Rong and Prince Jing Xi shall escort you on this journey.” Both were top military figures of Northern Zhao.
“The Eldest Grandson of the Protectorate Duke, Li Si Qi, seems to have lost his night vision. He, too, seeks divine aid in Southern Kingdom and will travel with you.”
Lu Chao Chao’s heart trembled slightly.
The Emperor paused. “Take Scholar Li Zi Xi along. Have him enter the palace daily and ‘greet’ the Southern Kingdom Emperor on my behalf.”
Li Zi Xi’s luck alone would be enough to drive the old emperor to his grave.
Ha! He truly was a genius.
The Emperor grinned smugly, pleased with his plan.
Lu Chao Chao left the palace late at night.
She took a detour to visit the Protectorate Duke’s Manor, where she heard soft sobbing from within.
“What did my child do to deserve this suffering?”
“First, he lost his night vision. Now, he can no longer see even in daylight. Why must his light be taken away?”
“My son! Are you trying to carve out your mother’s heart?” Each sorrowful word carried unspeakable pain, moving all who heard it.
Lu Chao Chao took a deep breath.
Xian Ting!
It had to be Xian Ting!
The moment she stepped inside, Li Si Qi turned toward the doorway, his brow curved with a gentle smile—just like the God of Life, Xian Ting, from the past.
“Chao Chao, you’re here.”
The people in the manor gasped. “The servant said you can only see Chao Chao—so it’s true?”
Li Si Qi chuckled, his gaze unwavering.
“Perhaps it is fate.”
His eyes remained fixed on her.
Lu Chao Chao nearly burst into tears on the spot.