Chapter 177: A Hard-Won Revival
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Night fell.
“Your Majesty, it is time to head to the Nine-Level Pagoda,” the Grand Eunuch murmured.
The Emperor responded with a soft hum. A palace maid stepped forward, draping a black cloak over the Emperor’s shoulders. The Grand Eunuch carried a lantern as they made their way to the towering Nine-Level Pagoda.
On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, every Emperor of Northern Zhao ascended the pagoda to perform ancestral rites.
The guards outside the pagoda were heavily armed, their vigilance forming an impenetrable barrier. Dozens of meters away from the structure, the palace maids and eunuchs halted. Eunuch Wang handed over a food box and yellow ceremonial paper, escorting the Emperor to the foot of the pagoda.
“Father.” The Crown Prince was already waiting.
“Eunuch Wang, you must stay back,” ordered a silver-armored guard. The gleaming metal reflected the moonlight, casting an icy aura.
Lowering his head, Eunuch Wang passed the food box and paper to the Crown Prince and retreated step by step.
The Nine-Level Pagoda was shrouded in covert and overt layers of protection. Only emperors and their crown princes were permitted entry.
“Your Majesty, please proceed.”
“The time has come for the ritual,” whispered a guard.
With a creak, the great doors of the Nine-Level Pagoda swung open. The last time the Emperor had come, he had taken the exterior staircase with Lu Chao Chao. This marked the first time in a year that the doors had been opened. Only emperors and their heirs ever stepped inside.
Carrying the lantern, the Emperor ascended, lighting a lamp on each floor as they climbed. Behind him, the Crown Prince followed in silence, his only sound a faint breath.
“Legend has it that Northern Zhao was once a desolate swamp where life could not thrive,” the Emperor began, his gaze drifting toward the top of the pagoda.
“Until one fateful day, when divine mercy descended. A beam of light fell upon this land, and from that spot sprang forth the Heart of Northern Zhao.”
The Emperor’s voice was solemn as he continued, “The swamps turned to fertile earth, trees and flowers broke through the soil, and life flourished. Thus, Northern Zhao gained vitality.”
He paused before adding, “This was a royal secret, passed down solely to the new Emperor upon his ascension. However, as you are my favored son and destined heir, I see no harm in sharing it with you now.”
The Emperor spoke of how the first Emperor, having usurped the previous dynasty, initially knew nothing of the Heart. It was only during a ritual in the Heaven-Supporting Hall that the secret was uncovered.
“When Northern Zhao thrived, countless people vied to settle and build their domains here. Then came a silver-haired man. Somehow, he extracted the Heart of Northern Zhao, proclaiming it the source of life for this land and its people’s devotion.”
“He declared that the Heart required a thousand years of nationwide worship and left it here to receive the incense offerings.”
A faint trace of astonishment crept across the Emperor’s face.
“He also said one more thing,” the Emperor muttered, shaking his head.
“Though over the millennia, the story may have grown exaggerated. The silver-haired man claimed that one day, someone would come to reclaim the Heart. That individual would be the progenitor of Northern Zhao, the ‘Little Ancestor’ of the entire land.”
The Emperor chuckled faintly, dismissing the idea with a wave of his hand. “I doubt such a person will ever come. It’s merely a tale for amusement.”
The Crown Prince’s lips curled into a faint smile as they approached the ninth level. The Emperor lit the final lamp, banishing the shadows and illuminating the space. With the ceremony complete, the Crown Prince’s footsteps softened, as though afraid to disturb something sacred. He laid out offerings, lit incense, and carefully burned the ceremonial paper money. Pouring wine, he knelt solemnly, tearing the yellow paper in quiet devotion.
Suspended in the center of the ninth floor was a dull gray stone, floating weightlessly. Its surface bore countless intricate lines, hinting at immense pressures it had endured.
The Emperor respectfully bowed and prayed, “If you truly possess spirit, may you bless Northern Zhao with eternal prosperity and ensure the enduring stability of the Xie clan’s rule.”
“It will be so,” the Crown Prince replied serenely.
The ritual concluded. As the two exited the pagoda, it was already deep into the night. The Crown Prince turned back, his gaze lingering on the faintly glowing lamps atop the Nine-Level Pagoda, eyes alight with resolve.
The palace gates had closed, and the Crown Prince remained within the palace that night. Lying on his bed with his hands folded behind his head, his thoughts drifted.
Today marked the anniversary of her sacrifice.
“A thousand years, and at last, you have returned,” he murmured. “Disciple Chong Yue has finally awaited your revival.”
Once, he was the God of Time and Space. But now, no longer.
The Little Crown Prince exhaled softly, his memories slipping to his master and elder brothers. They had roamed the Three Realms, weaving her shattered soul back together. He had thrown her into countless reincarnations, exhausting his divine powers.
She, once the master of the gods, had long since been reduced to dust. Her three souls and seven spirits obliterated.
For her, he had defied the laws of the Three Realms, enduring endless torment as Heaven’s impartial law wiped his soul away repeatedly. Only her return had spared him from further erasure or possession by another’s soul.
Now, she had truly returned. Her laughter, her fury, her rebirth—no one could fathom the hardships she endured.
At that very moment, Lu Chao Chao was cheekily reaching out to Madam Xu. “Mama, can I have a chicken leg? Please?”
“Chao Chao has been such a good girl,” she added, her eyes drooping in feigned sorrow.
“Today is a very special day…” she muttered, scrunching her little face.
[Today marks the day of my sacrifice—my death anniversary! Surely a chicken leg is not too much to ask?]
Startled, Madam Xu stared at her blankly. Chao Chao rarely spoke of her past or revealed her thoughts. Hearing her mention her sacrifice brought an ache to Madam Xu’s heart.
“You’ve been overeating. Today is just one day of abstinence,” she sighed. “Besides, you’re overweight. The Imperial Physician said you need to control your appetite and avoid greasy, heavy foods.”
Gently pinching her plump cheeks, Madam Xu marveled at how round and adorable she was. “Fine. Later, Deng Zhi will bring you a chicken leg,” she relented, her heart softening at the mention of the death anniversary.
“Yay! Thank you, Mama!” The little one’s drooping eyes sparkled with joy.
[How wonderful! While others only get to celebrate birthdays, I get an extra holiday—my death anniversary!]
Her lively grin screamed of triumph.
Madam Xu: …
Why is your thought process always so peculiar?
“Mama, I haven’t eaten meat all day! I’m starving skinny!” Chao Chao puffed her cheeks in indignation. “Not a single bite, I swear! Ask Yu Shu! My tummy’s so small now!”
Yu Shu’s expression turned awkward. “Indeed… she hasn’t eaten meat.”
Chao Chao eagerly added, “Deng Zhi, bring the scales! I’ve surely lost weight!”
Perched inside a bamboo basket, she swayed as two maids lifted her. Deng Zhi stared at the scales, her face betraying disbelief.
“Such an… exhilarating weight-loss journey,” the little one exclaimed proudly, parroting a phrase she’d picked up.
“Exhilarating?” Deng Zhi muttered.
“Yes! I haven’t eaten any meat,” Chao Chao declared with pride.
But Deng Zhi’s eyes remained fixed on the scales. Compared to yesterday—she was three pounds heavier!
“What… did you eat today?” Deng Zhi cautiously asked.
“Just eight sweet rolls, two vegetarian buns, and two bowls of porridge. No meat! So, of course, I’ve slimmed down!” Chao Chao rattled off her “diet” with her fingers.
Madam Xu clutched her chest, gasping in exasperation.