The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 485
Chapter 485: Her Reputation is Ruined
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The evening sun burned crimson, casting its glow across the vast sea.
Before the ship even reached the dock, the bustling noise of the port drifted over.
“I see the pier! I see so many people…”
“Finally, we’ve arrived.” After days on the ship, Xie Yu Zhou was utterly exhausted. His face had turned pale, and even his steps were unsteady, as if he were floating.
Lu Chao Chao had been talkative throughout the voyage, but the closer they got to the dock, the more she pressed her lips together, a nervous anticipation building in her heart.
She had walked this path home for a thousand years.
As soon as the ship docked, the lively cries of vendors filled the air.
“Outsider, first time in Dawn-Dusk City? Come try the city’s signature pastries!”
“Dawn-Dusk City is the largest in the Spirit Realm, home to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, the Pleasure Sect, and countless other great sects.”
“Would you like to try my Sunshine Cake? Let me tell you, it’s a must-eat in Dawn-Dusk City. Back in the day, Sword Sovereign Sunshine loved this cake so much, we named it after her!”
From the next stall over, an indignant shout erupted: “Nonsense! Sword Sovereign Sunshine liked my pastries the most!”
“You shameless liar! Outsiders, come try mine! I promise, you won’t regret it!”
“Don’t miss out! This is Sword Sovereign Sunshine’s favorite snack!”
The two vendors quarreled and soon, fists started flying.
“Bullshit! She loved mine the most!”
“No, mine! You shameless fraud!”
The crowd watched in stunned silence. Xie Yu Zhou discreetly tugged Lu Chao Chao’s sleeve. “So… which one do you actually like?”
Lu Chao Chao glanced over. One was a snow-white dumpling wrapped in fresh bamboo leaves. The other was made from crushed rice, fermented and pan-fried until golden, with a hint of crispness and the faint scent of sweet wine.
Both were flavors from her memories.
She had told every shopkeeper she owed that their pastries were her favorite.
“Back then, the Sword Sovereign often ate on credit at my stall! She personally said my shop made the true Sunshine Cake!” One vendor pulled out an old, worn-out ledger of debts.
“How did you know I have a credit slip? You must have forged it from mine!”
“Nonsense! This has been passed down for a thousand years! It’s in the Sword Sovereign’s own handwriting!”
The argument escalated, and another fight broke out.
Lu Chao Chao felt a twinge of guilt. “Life was hard back then. I was stingy and had no choice… Who knew I’d die young and never get the chance to pay them back.”
A small, round bundle of white fluff suddenly pulled out a handful of spirit stones.
“Sword Sovereign Sunshine’s debts—Chao Chao pays!” She returned a hundredfold, hoping to ease their anger.
The two vendors froze, their brows furrowed.
“Who asked you to pay? Get lost!” One scoffed, clutching the ledger to his chest like a treasure.
“This is the only keepsake we have from the Sword Sovereign. It’s our family heirloom. We don’t want your money!” Neither of them had ever intended to reclaim the debt.
On the anniversary of Lu Chao Chao’s passing, their families had even continued offering the pastries she loved at her memorial.
Generation after generation, for a thousand years.
As they spoke, the two vendors stopped fighting, sitting at their stalls in a daze.
Lu Chao Chao remained silent.
“Please give me some Green Leaf Cake and some Sweet Wine Cakes.” Her voice was soft.
“Huh? You don’t sound like an outsider. That’s the original name of these pastries.”
“Be careful, they’re hot. Hold them properly.” Seeing that she had bought so many, the two vendors happily packed her a large box.
Lu Chao Chao inhaled the familiar scent, her eyes turning red.
“Thank you, uncles.” Her voice was muffled as she bit into a pastry.
While they weren’t looking, she quietly slipped some spirit stones into their money pouches.
The group nibbled on pastries as they made their way into the city. The city gates were tall and imposing, with Dawn-Dusk City strictly forbidding flight within its walls.
Entry required thorough identity verification.
“Where are you from?” the city guard asked.
“The mortal Southern Kingdom.” Lu Chao Chao answered obediently.
The guard gave her a surprised look. With the barrier between realms weakening, many people snuck into the Mortal Realm—but it was rare for a mortal to come to the Spirit Realm.
“What business do you have in Dawn-Dusk City?”
“I’ve come to find Immortal Xuan Cang of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. When he ascended to the Spirit Realm, he borrowed my family’s most treasured artifact and never returned it. I am here to seek justice!”
The guard’s eyes widened. “Immortal Cang Wu?”
“He is the Grand Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Below the Sect Master, above ten thousand people. And you claim he owes you?” The guard was astonished. Immortal Cang Wu was an illustrious figure within the sect.
“Go ahead, go ahead. But little girl, I’d advise you to give up. Immortal Cang Wu’s word is law in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.”
The little girl shyly pressed her lips together and smiled. “Thank you, big brother. Chao Chao is here to reason things out.”
“I am a reasonable person.”
Once the inspection was complete, they entered the city.
Dawn-Dusk City was vast and diverse, with demons freely roaming the streets. Every so often, disciples of various sects could be spotted among the crowd.
“Come take a look! The latest novel about Sword Sovereign Sunshine’s favorite scandal is here…”
“The Many Affairs of the Passionate Immortal and the Lonely Widow!”
Lu Chao Chao’s fair little face instantly turned crimson.
What?!
“This is the spiciest, most scandalous new book!” The shopkeeper hollered, drawing in a swarm of young readers.
She pointed at her own face, stunned.
“My reputation is ruined!!” Gan Tang, you traitor!