Chapter 483

Chapter 483: The Familiar Face of Fu Tu

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

Lu Chao Chao detested people who lacked a sense of boundaries.

Take the Princess of the Merfolk, for example.

Did we even know each other that well? And yet here she was, playing the role of a benevolent do-gooder!

The Merfolk Princess persistently placed a thick stack of assignments before her. “This is mortal paper. I feared it might get wet, so I wrapped it in spiritual energy. Not a single page is damaged.”

Lu Chao Chao’s face bore a cheerful smile, but in her heart, she was cursing the princess’s ancestors down to eighteen generations.

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not Lu Chao Chao. Take this unlucky thing away. It’s not mine!” she spoke slowly, clasping her small hands behind her back, refusing to accept the papers.

Xie Yu Zhou, seeing her resistance, sighed and stepped forward to take them.

“Many thanks for your kindness,” he said, though the true owner of the assignments looked on the verge of explosion.

“I am Jiao Ling, the youngest princess of the Merfolk,” she introduced herself, a slight flush appearing on her cheeks. “Just now, I sensed a familiar aura from your coursework, which led me here.”

It wasn’t exactly an act of goodwill.

She had a request.

Lu Chao Chao crossed her arms and sneered. Returning my assignments and expecting me to help in return?

With a snort, she turned her head away.

“I don’t know anything. I don’t recognize anyone. I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she muttered, her gaze fixed gloomily on the stack of papers.

Jiao Ling blinked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Naturally, I would not ask Chao Chao to help without offering something in return. Merfolk tears crystallize into pearls of immense value. Merfolk silk, known as Jiao Xian, is impervious to blade and flame. As thanks, I will gift you the treasures of my people.”

Lu Chao Chao coughed lightly.

“Actually, gratitude is secondary. The real joy lies in helping others.”

She forced herself to smile. “Just like Sister Jiao Ling, such a wonderful person.”

She bit the words out through gritted teeth.

“If Sister has a question, ask away.” The little girl’s bright eyes stared at her expectantly. How many Merfolk Pearls would she receive…?

“The great demon Fu Tu has long ruled the Spirit Sea. After his battle with the Demon King, he vanished without a trace.”

“Without his presence, the Spirit Sea lacks a guardian and has become a battleground for opportunists.”

“Our Merfolk thrived under his protection, but now…” Jiao Ling sighed softly.

“Fu Tu was no saint, but as a water-dweller, he maintained peace. Just now, I sensed his aura from your coursework, which is why I came. The Merfolk have sought his whereabouts for years, but there has been no sign.”

Lu Chao Chao felt a flicker of confusion.

A great demon named Fu Tu? She had no recollection of such a being.

She took the assignments from Xie Yu Zhou’s hands. Some were freshly delivered by the instructors, while others were unfinished tasks from before…

Jiao Ling pointed at the unfinished stack with certainty. “The aura is strongest here.”

Lu Chao Chao lifted a sheet, bringing it close to her nose.

All she could smell was roasted fish. Back in the Grievous Prison, she had used this paper to wrap her grilled catch.

Zhu Mo suddenly spoke. “That river demon who hung fish for you!”

“River demon!” Lu Chao Chao exclaimed in unison.

“That wounded river demon who arrived in the prison covered in blood… he was Fu Tu of the Spirit Sea?!”

Zhu Mo raised an eyebrow. No wonder he had been able to match him in strength.

During their time in the Grievous Prison, they had constantly clashed.

“A river demon? Yes, he was a water creature by nature. Sister Chao Chao, do you know where he is?” Jiao Ling’s excitement was evident. At last, her people could have peace.

“Ah, he’s locked up at my place.”

After Lu Chao Chao’s sacrifice, the Three Realms had descended into chaos. Perhaps, to evade the Demon King’s wrath, Fu Tu had accidentally stumbled into the Grievous Prison.

He had been trapped there for a thousand years.

Jiao Ling stared at her in shock. “L-Locked up? In your house?!”

Lu Chao Chao pulled a command token from her robes, its design signifying her status as the Female Emperor. “The mortal world’s barrier grows weaker. Find an opportunity and go. This is my family’s token. They will let him go.”

She finished speaking, then cast a shy glance at Jiao Ling.

Why wasn’t she offering thanks yet?

“The mortal world? The Southern Kingdom?” Jiao Ling murmured before taking the token, joy lighting up her face. She bowed deeply to Lu Chao Chao.

“Many thanks, Sister Chao Chao! The Merfolk shall forever remember your great kindness.”

Then, clutching the token, she swam joyfully toward the ship’s edge.

Lu Chao Chao blinked.

She was just… leaving?

She opened her mouth, her small face flushing red before she finally called out, “No need to thank me! You can keep the pearls and silk. Chao Chao just loves helping people!”

Jiao Ling, who was just about to dive into the sea, halted.

“Sister, Chao Chao doesn’t seek gifts, but… I’ve never seen Merfolk Pearls or Jiao Xian before. Could I at least take a look?” She gazed at Jiao Ling with wide, expectant eyes.

Jiao Ling smacked her forehead. “Oh, how careless of me! How could I forget my benefactor?”

As the keeper of the Merfolk treasury, she had full access to its riches.

She opened her palm, revealing a gown woven from Jiao Xian. Under the moonlight, it shimmered like flowing stardust, breathtaking beyond words.

“Jiao Xian is rare. Our people can weave only one gown a year. Here are also one hundred Merfolk Pearls. I hope my benefactor will not find them lacking.”

Lu Chao Chao waved a tiny hand. “No need! Gratitude need not be spoken. Truly, there is no need to be so formal.”

She said this while tightly clutching the gown, unwilling to let go.

Jiao Ling nearly laughed. Mortal girls were truly adorable. So soft, so gentle, so precious.

“Sister Chao Chao, keep them.” She handed her a white conch shell.

“This conch can summon all the water-dwellers of the Spirit Sea. If ever you need us, call, and we will come.”

With that, she flicked her tail and leapt gracefully into the waves.

A soft splash, and she was gone.

Only rippling waters marked her departure.

As the mist cleared, the song of the Merfolk rose around them, a farewell melody carried on the sea breeze…

The National Advisor stood at the bow of the ship. “So the Merfolk’s songs can be this serene. Without enchantment, without aggression.”

Lu Chao Chao sprawled on the railing, counting her pearls. “One… two… three…”

Windchaser lay gloomily at the stern, his canine face filled with sorrow.

At dawn, golden light shimmered ahead.

As their boat drew near, they realized it emanated from an island fragrant with blooming flowers.

A brilliant rainbow stretched across the land, painting a scene of peace and harmony.

“Wow! Is that the Ten Thousand Swords Sect? Are we finally there?” Xie Yu Zhou, weary of ship life, nearly leapt with excitement.

“We’ll reach the sect by evening. This is Hundred Flowers Island.”

“The Celestial Maiden Hua oversees all flora. She once resided in the Hundred Flowers Palace of the Divine Realm but later moved here.”

“A Flower Goddess!” Xie Yu Zhou tugged at the National Advisor’s sleeve excitedly.

“No wonder the air smells so sweet…”

Lu Chao Chao paused in her pearl-counting, quietly stashing them into her space. She shoved her hands into her sleeves. “Let’s not stop at Hundred Flowers Island. We’ll reach the sect by afternoon. No need for delays.”

Xie Yu Zhou looked at her in surprise.

She loved festivities, always eager to join the fun. But now, she was refusing?

Was she hiding something?