Chapter 426: The Unstable Throne
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“If not for him, Grandmother would not have been saved…”
“By then, when we arrived at the Southern Capital, we would have fallen into the hands of a fraud.”
“Tsk tsk…”
“I have yet to properly thank your son.” Lu Chao Chao’s words struck deep, enraging Nan Feng Yu so much that she sprang to her feet, ready to charge at her.
But just as she leaped forward…
Cold, bone-piercing iron chains instantly shackled her wrists and ankles, drawing a sharp cry of pain from her lips.
Old Madam Ning turned her head and saw two villagers from Peach Source Village smiling as they greeted her.
They were dressed in the garb of Black and White Impermanence.
One wore white robes with a tall hat bearing the words “Prosperity Upon Sight,” holding a mourning staff in his hand.
The other wore black robes with a high hat inscribed with “Peace Under Heaven,” gripping a soul-hooking chain.
“Ning’er, why have you come?” The two were visibly surprised.
“Today, we specifically traded duties with Black and White Impermanence to come and reap a soul.” Their gaze toward Nan Feng Yu was chilling.
“Do not worry about us.”
“Your aunt and I manage the Bridge of Helplessness in the Netherworld.”
“Our little granddaughter serves as the assistant to Meng Po.”
“Life is harmonious and peaceful—we work five days and rest for two.” As they spoke, they spotted Lu Chao Chao and immediately bowed deeply.
They dared not show disrespect—even Emperor Feng Du himself had to pay her respect.
Old Madam Ning was overwhelmed with joy, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to find words.
“Eldest Princess, who would have thought? Someone as noble as you, now falling into the hands of mere peasants like us.” White Impermanence chuckled.
Black Impermanence pulled the soul-hooking chain, causing Nan Feng Yu to wail in agony.
“You can’t endure this? Below, countless brothers await your arrival.”
“Rest assured, we’ll ensure that you and Lord Su are placed together in a boiling oil cauldron.”
“A family reunion, neat and complete.”
Nan Feng Yu’s expression shattered. “No, no, no! I won’t go! You lowly peasants, release me! I am the Imperial Heir of the Southern Kingdom! I am a God Attendant! I demand to see Emperor Feng Du!” She shouted, but was she even worthy?
“You? Worthy of meeting Emperor Feng Du?” Black and White Impermanence scoffed in disdain.
“Many thanks to Princess Sunshine for her great grace. With Emperor Feng Du overseeing the Netherworld, we live well. The villagers always remember your kindness, but we have duties and dare not visit the mortal realm on our own. We only ask that the princess not hold it against us…” They expressed their gratitude once more.
Lu Chao Chao dismissed it with a wave of her hand, unconcerned.
Nan Feng Yu suddenly froze, lifting a trembling finger toward Lu Chao Chao, terror twisting her face.
“Mu Bai was right. He wasn’t lying! What he said was true! You are truly—” Before she could utter the word “Goddess,” the young man beside Lu Chao Chao lazily lifted a hand.
“Shh…”
“If you don’t know how to speak, then you shall never speak again.”
His voice was gentle, yet his gaze carried an unyielding sharpness.
Words became reality. With just a single command, Nan Feng Yu clutched her mouth and writhed on the ground, as though an invisible force had ripped out her tongue.
Black and White Impermanence dared not meet the young man’s gaze, standing with lowered heads in deep reverence.
Not even Emperor Feng Du carried such a terrifying presence.
“We cannot linger in the mortal world for long. Ning’er, we must take our leave. Do not worry for us; we are all together in the Netherworld.” Their expressions revealed that their afterlife was not a harsh one.
“The Village Chief reminds you to return to Peach Source Village and retrieve the items beneath the memorial arch.”
Old Madam Ning nodded through her tears, watching as they forcefully kicked Nan Feng Yu into the open gates of the Netherworld before vanishing from sight.
In the Netherworld
As the gates closed, Black Impermanence hesitated. “I never noticed before, but now I feel something different about Ning’er.”
“She was always different. Back when famine struck, even tigers from the mountains sent down dead chickens for her to eat.”
The two whispered among themselves as they led Nan Feng Yu deeper into the Netherworld.
At last, the heavy burden pressing upon Old Madam Ning’s heart dissipated, the weight lifted at last.
“Good, good… This way, I can finally be at ease.” She wiped away her tears.
Upon returning to the Ning Manor, a eunuch was already pacing anxiously at the entrance.
“Princess, you have finally returned. His Majesty is gravely ill and has summoned you to the palace.”
The eunuch caught sight of Old Madam Ning and hesitated.
“Old Madam Ning, you…”
With a flick of her sleeve, Old Madam Ning coldly declared, “I refuse to see him! The marriage contract has been destroyed—there is no longer any need for us to meet!”
The eunuch sighed, making no further attempts to persuade her. He simply led Xu Shi Yun, Lu Chao Chao, and their entourage into the palace.
This time, the old emperor was truly at death’s door.
His face was sallow, lips drained of all color—this was the true visage of a man at death’s threshold.
Surrounded by kneeling princes, princesses, and imperial grandchildren, he lacked a worthy heir.
Without divine power in the royal bloodline, the throne would soon fall into the hands of another.
Mortal blood alone could never subdue the God Attendant Clans.
“Mu… Mu Bai… How is he?” The old emperor’s breath was weak, his desperation for longevity reaching its peak.
His eldest grandson, once outshined by Nan Feng Yu and Nan Zhi Yi, was now the last hope of the Southern Kingdom’s royal lineage.
The eunuch remained silent. Even the National Advisor lowered his gaze without speaking.
The old emperor’s frail body shook with a violent cough. “Speak!”
“His Highness… His Highness the Imperial Grandson, he…”
With no other choice, the National Advisor ordered, “Bring the Imperial Grandson in.”
Before the doors even opened, the sounds of frenzied laughter echoed through the halls.
“You are the Goddess! Hahaha! You are the Goddess!” Nan Mu Bai pointed manically at the National Advisor.
Helplessly, the National Advisor shoved him inside.
He then pointed at the eunuch. “You are the Goddess! Hahaha, you are the Goddess!”
Seeing anyone, he would shout the same words. The old emperor’s heart sank further, and the very breath he struggled to maintain nearly escaped him.
Nan Mu Bai grinned foolishly. “The Goddess… She is right here beside me. Hehehe…”
Lu Chao Chao entered the grand hall alongside her mother.
Nan Mu Bai abruptly leapt up, pointing at her and shouting, “Goddess! She is the Goddess! She is the one who stole the divine treasures of the celestial realm!”
Yet, no one believed him.
Lu Chao Chao sat calmly, even offering him a mocking smile, further driving him to madness. The guards pinned him down and dragged him away.
“His Highness Nan Zhi Yi was torn apart by divine punishment, the Eldest Princess was ripped apart alive, and now the Imperial Grandson has lost his mind…” The Imperial Medical Office had long confirmed it—even Valley Master Jiang himself diagnosed him as insane.
Lu Chao Chao tilted her head as she watched Nan Mu Bai being dragged away.
[Strange… He doesn’t seem like someone who would be scared into madness…]
Xu Shi Yun shared her doubt.
Yet, a sudden memory surfaced.
When the soldiers rescued Nan Mu Bai from the mob, the boy standing behind Lu Chao Chao had done something to him.
Xu Shi Yun frowned. That child looked gentle and obedient—perhaps she was overthinking things.
“Bring forth the Dragon-Patterned Jade…” The emperor whispered weakly.
Only four among the royal lineage carried divine power: Nan Feng Yu, Nan Zhi Yi, Nan Mu Bai, and himself.
What now?
Would the Southern Kingdom’s legacy end in his reign?