Chapter 427: Her Extraordinary Nature
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The Dragon-Patterned Jade rested in his hand as the Old Emperor lay back on his dragon bed, his eyes shut tightly.
His fingers clenched around the jade pendant.
[Why isn’t he speaking? Is he dead?]
Xu Shi Yun pursed her lips and lowered her head, gripping Rong Che’s hand so tightly that it hurt. She nearly let out a laugh.
After a long silence, the Old Emperor let out a faint sigh.
“This Dragon-Patterned Jade is the treasured relic of Southern Kingdom, passed down for a thousand years. It was left by the ancient ancestors…”
“The ancestors once said, the one who can unlock the Dragon-Patterned Jade shall be the supreme ruler of the Southern Kingdom, standing above all members of the imperial family. He will lead Southern Kingdom to its peak—so powerful that even the Divine Realm must bow.”
“I had once believed that person to be…” He swallowed the name, unwilling to even speak it.
Nan Zhi Yi.
Now, he would not utter it aloud.
“Ancestors, show me a path forward…” The Old Emperor sighed, searching for salvation for Southern Kingdom.
—Clatter—
A calligraphy painting fell from the wall.
It landed right at Lu Chao Chao’s feet.
The palace attendants immediately dropped to their knees. “Forgive us, Your Majesty! Mercy!”
The Old Emperor waved his hand, and the guards dragged the trembling servants away.
“National Advisor…”
“Depart at once. Head to the northwest with General Lou and ensure that you bring back the Elven Tribe…” He hesitated briefly before adding, “At all costs.”
The National Advisor bowed slightly. “Understood.”
The Old Emperor’s health was failing; he could wait no longer. He immediately ordered the National Advisor to set out.
As soon as the command was given, the emperor drifted into drowsiness, raising his hand to summon Valley Master Jiang.
Lu Chao Chao left the palace with the others.
Once outside, Xu Shi Yun’s expression turned icy. “Men are all heartless creatures!”
Seeing her sour mood, Rong Che dared not provoke her. Instead, he pitched his voice high and pinched his fingers into an elegant gesture. “Then don’t think of me as a man! Let’s be sisters!”
Xu Shi Yun shot him an exasperated glare.
“You’re incorrigible.”
Seeing the faint smile on her lips, Rong Che finally felt satisfied.
Hmph, his father, the Stabilizing Duke, had said:
A man’s dignity means nothing! If you can’t even keep your wife happy, you’re truly useless!
When they returned to the Ning Manor, three horse-drawn carriages were already stationed at the entrance. Old Madam Ning was overseeing the servants as they loaded the luggage.
Their journey had long been planned.
They were heading to Peach Source Village to retrieve the Ning Clan’s belongings.
“Bring my dog… Oh, and return that loudmouthed bird to the Ming Family!” Lu Chao Chao huffed.
That gluttonous Mystic Swallow Ancestor ate too much; she didn’t want to keep it anymore.
Xie Yu Zhou proudly held onto Windchaser’s reins.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Ning could now walk on her own without the aid of a cane.
After everything was packed, they boarded the carriages and set off.
As they reached the city gates, Zhu Mo stood there in a garish floral coat, waiting.
A group of soldiers were bowing and scraping, seeing him off with exaggerated courtesy.
Beyond the city walls, General Lou led a unit of soldiers assembling in formation.
“Eh? That’s the Old Emperor’s army, heading out to find the Elven Tribe. Their direction is the same as ours…” Lu Chao Chao leaned against the carriage, full of curiosity.
“I only hope they don’t find them.”
“The Old Emperor already has one foot in the grave, and now he wants to drag the Elven women into his mess?” Rong Che sneered in disdain.
Xie Jing Xi, riding alongside them, had read many ancient texts in Northern Zhao’s Library Pavilion.
“The Elven Tribe is born beautiful and kind, deeply cherished by nature. They have long lifespans, and even animals adore them.”
“But they have one fatal flaw.”
“Because of Heaven’s favoritism, the world covets them. People have always sought to capture them.”
“This forced them into seclusion, making them rarely seen.”
“And within their tribe, there is a natural Elven King.”
“All elves, no matter how strong or weak, revere their Elven King absolutely, obeying without question. Their loyalty is so deep they would sacrifice their lives for their ruler.”
“However, the Elven King remains shrouded in mystery, with no information known to outsiders.”
“Some rumors even claim the Elven Tribe has been wiped out, though no one knows the truth.”
They continued their journey, occasionally pausing along the way.
Meanwhile, General Lou and the National Advisor, eager to prolong the Old Emperor’s life, rushed day and night, quickly outpacing them.
Besides, Peach Source Village was remote and required traveling through treacherous mountains, making the journey even slower.
The farther they traveled northwest, the more desolate the terrain became.
“We’ve parted ways with the National Advisor. He’s taken the main road, pushing even further northwest. We’re about to take a smaller path…” Xie Jing Xi held a map, having studied it thoroughly beforehand.
“Shi Yun, can you manage? The side roads might be rough,” Rong Che asked with concern.
Xu Shi Yun, however, was more worried about him. “You should take care of yourself first.”
Ever since she became pregnant, Xu Shi Yun had been eating and sleeping well, even gaining a bit of weight.
Meanwhile, Rong Che suffered from anxiety and morning sickness.
He could only fall asleep after singing a lullaby to an empty swaddle every night.
With a sigh, Rong Che retrieved a sour apricot from his robe and popped it into his mouth.
Fate was truly bitter.
Old Madam Ning, usually reserved, became increasingly lively as they distanced themselves from the capital and approached the northwest. She spoke more frequently.
“Peach Source Village is an extremely remote place, known for one thing—poverty.” Old Madam Ning looked a bit sheepish.
“The towering mountains have trapped the villagers. Many never leave in their lifetime.”
“There are a few neighboring villages. Every two weeks, they hold a market gathering, which is rather lively.”
As they neared Peach Source Village, walking familiar ground, a gleam appeared in Old Madam Ning’s eyes.
That night, they did not stop traveling.
“Once we cross this mountain, Peach Source Village lies beyond.”
“ROAR—” A deafening growl echoed through the forest, startling flocks of birds into the night sky.
Rong Che instantly drew his sword and leaped onto his horse.
“That’s a tiger’s roar!” He scanned his surroundings warily.
The rustling in the woods suggested hidden beasts lurking in the shadows.
“AWOOO—” The distant howls of wolves surrounded them.
The guards unsheathed their swords, forming a protective circle around the carriages.
Glowing green eyes peered at them from all directions in the darkness.
“This is bad—it’s a wolf pack!” Xie Jing Xi paled. Worse still, something seemed to be charging down the mountain with a thunderous rumble.
“A tiger descending the mountain and a wolf pack encircling us… Our luck tonight is rather awful!” Xie Jing Xi muttered nervously.
Old Madam Ning pursed her lips and lifted the carriage curtain, stepping down.
“Mother!” Xu Shi Yun grabbed her urgently.
The old madam patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid, I will be right back.”
The archers had already taken position, aiming at the wolves.
“Old Madam, please return to the carriage!” Xie Jing Xi was sweating in panic.
But Old Madam Ning shook her head. “Let me try.”
“Perhaps… they have come for me.”
She wasn’t entirely sure. It had been so many years since she last set foot here.
Years spent searching for her daughter.
Xie Jing Xi was skeptical. How could these deep mountain beasts recognize her?
Yet, Old Madam Ning strode forward, stopping seven steps from the wolves.
She crouched down, locking eyes with the Wolf King.
Her gaze burned as she whispered, voice trembling, “Is it you? Have you come to take me home?”
She extended her hand slowly.
The group held their breath in horror.
The wolves approached…
And then…
The Wolf King lowered its head, pressing it gently into her palm.