Chapter 338: Terror in the Ruined Temple
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The journey from the Southern Kingdom to Northern Zhao was vast, and with sickly women and children in tow, they could not travel at night, delaying their progress. After seven days of travel, they had only covered half the distance.
“The night is deepening. Let’s rest at the ruined temple ahead,” Xie Jing Xi ordered after receiving word that there were no suitable lodgings nearby.
Deng Zhi, who had been worried upon learning of Madam Xu’s pregnancy, finally relaxed. “I was so anxious when I heard about Madam’s condition. The Southern Kingdom’s journey is treacherous—who knew the pregnancy would be this easy?” She smiled, having spent the past seven days on edge.
She glanced at Shi Yun, noticing that not only was she in good spirits, but she had also gained some weight.
“The one suffering is over there,” she said, gesturing toward Rong Che.
While Shi Yun flourished under Lu Chao Chao’s spiritual spring, even gaining a little weight, Rong Che had been vomiting so much that he looked deathly pale. Even Nan Mu Bai feared he would die along the way and had checked on him multiple times.
Lu Chao Chao glanced at her waterskin, containing the finest spiritual spring water. Naturally, drinking it was beneficial, but she wondered how much of its essence the unborn child could absorb. Having never given birth before, this was beyond her knowledge.
The ruined temple ahead was in disrepair. Its deity was unrecognizable, the roof had a gaping hole, and cobwebs covered every surface. Even the idol of the god was tattered. It was clear that incense offerings had long since dwindled.
The maids quickly cleaned the space, laying straw on the ground and covering it with silk blankets. The guards stood watch, ensuring security in shifts.
“Tomorrow, we will cross the border between the Southern Kingdom and Northern Zhao. In five more days, we will reach Southern Capital,” Nan Mu Bai said, referring to the kingdom’s capital.
“We’ve been delayed too long. I don’t know how my imperial grandfather’s health is faring,” he murmured, his anxiety evident. The Imperial Jade Pendant, the kingdom’s most treasured artifact, had yet to be returned. Without it, his mother could not formally ascend her position. If his grandfather passed away before its return, chaos would ensue.
“Aunt, may I see the Dragon-Patterned Jade Pendant?” Nan Mu Bai hesitated before speaking. “Just one look, I promise to return it immediately.”
His eyes gleamed with curiosity. “The Dragon-Patterned Jade Pendant has been missing for over thirty years. I have never seen it. It is said that when Zong Bai, the Judicial Deity, chose our ancestor as a Celestial Attendant, he bestowed this pendant upon him.”
“They say a great treasure lies within. If it is ever unlocked, it could lead the Southern Kingdom to glory.” He sighed. “Yet, despite being passed down for a thousand years, no one has ever managed to open it.”
Madam Xu’s eyelids twitched violently.
[Open… the jade pendant?]
[My little Chao Chao already opened it before she even turned one!]
“Aunt, may I have a look?” Nan Mu Bai asked again when he noticed Shi Yun in a daze.
Shi Yun nodded. “Chao Chao, let His Highness see the jade pendant.”
Lu Chao Chao lazily pulled the pendant from her robes and casually tossed it to him.
Nan Mu Bai’s heart nearly stopped as he lunged to catch it. “You—You gave the pendant to Princess Zhao Yang?!” he croaked, his voice hoarse and trembling.
This was the Southern Kingdom’s greatest treasure!
The Imperial Token!
People had fought and died over this!
“Chao Chao likes it. Why not give it to her?” Shi Yun replied, her voice calm.
[If she could, she would pluck the stars from the sky for her child.]
Nan Mu Bai’s heart ached.
[I like it too! Give it to me!]
Suppressing his disappointment, he studied the pendant. It matched the descriptions in historical texts—cool to the touch, radiating faint spiritual energy. He gazed at it longingly before finally returning it.
Suddenly, Lu Chao Chao pulled out two walnuts and began smashing them against the pendant.
Nan Mu Bai shot to his feet in horror. “No! You can’t smash it!” His voice cracked in panic. “That’s my heart you’re crushing!”
Lu Chao Chao, munching on a walnut, gave him an odd look. “Why not? I do this all the time.”
“Don’t worry, it won’t break.”
[Even if it did, the inner space wouldn’t be affected.]
[Once opened, the space is imprinted on the soul.]
[Besides, this pendant is just a dead object now…]
Back when Lu Chao Chao had sacrificed her body, her soul had dispersed, rendering the pendant ownerless until she reclaimed it.
Nan Mu Bai, his lips twitching, could do nothing but glare resentfully as Lu Chao Chao tucked the pendant back into her robes.
As the fire crackled in the center of the temple, Shi Yun inquired, “I’ve heard the Southern Kingdom has seven Celestial Attendants?”
The mention of the Celestial Attendants made Nan Mu Bai solemn. “Yes. Our royal family worships Zong Bai, and our guardian beast is Xiangliu.”
“The Empress Dowager’s family, the Su Clan, is of noble blood and has frequently summoned divine beings. They worship Xuan Yu, the God of Darkness. Their guardian beast is an ancient Black Tortoise, which has gained intelligence and is referred to as ‘Old Ancestor.’”
“The Ming Family follows Xian Ting, the God of Life. Their guardian beast is a Black Swallow.”
“The Lou Family worships Xing Hui, the God of War, and their guardian beast is Bai Ze.”
“The Yue Family follows Gan Tang, the God of Four Seasons. They don’t have a guardian beast but possess an immortal herb.”
“The Shen Family serves Chong Yue, the God of Time and Space, but their deity has not responded to summons for years. Their guardian beast is in slumber, and their lineage is fading.”
“Lastly, the Sang Family worships Sheng He, the God of Fortune.”
“Of them all, the Su Family’s Black Tortoise is the strongest…” Nan Mu Bai added with pride.
[Is Bai Ze really weaker than the Black Tortoise? Unless that tortoise has taken shortcuts in cultivation…] Lu Chao Chao rolled her eyes.
“But Aunt need not worry. The Celestial Attendants will not meet with mortals.”
The condescension in his tone was clear. Though irritated, no one could refute him.
As the night deepened, mist crept from the mountains.
The guards outside the temple suddenly collapsed one after another, silently and without warning. Li Si Qi jolted awake, but he could see nothing…
Lu Chao Chao, still nestled in her mother’s arms, opened her eyes. Seeing everyone else had succumbed, the little girl climbed to her feet.
The tattered divine statue suddenly opened its eyes, exuding an eerie, oppressive presence.
The small girl locked gazes with it.
Its eyes glowed with a faint red light, chilling to the bone.
“Well, well… I wondered what kind of monster was causing trouble.”
“Turns out, it’s just an old tortoise.”
“No wonder it’s cultivated so fast—it’s using humans for sacrificial rituals!”
This was none other than the Su Clan’s Old Black Tortoise.
The Old Black Tortoise’s gaze fell on Lu Chao Chao’s waist.
The Dragon-Patterned Jade Pendant?
His cultivation had reached a bottleneck, and he had come out searching for fresh blood.
But he never expected to find such a prize!