Chapter 288: Devouring Humans in Public
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“The divine beasts include the Azure Dragon, Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise, and White Tiger. Then there are the Phoenix, Qilin, and others. But Xiangliu? It doesn’t belong among them.”
“Isn’t it a fierce beast?”
“Xiangliu’s venom turns water bitter and creates foul, putrid swamps. Divine beasts bring auspicious omens—this is nothing but a blatant deception!”
“Do you take us for fools by saying nothing?”
“Ah, big brother, Chao Chao is just a little child. I speak without thinking. Brother won’t get mad, right?” Lu Chao Chao looked at him with innocent, wide eyes.
Nan Mu Bai’s face turned crimson with rage.
For years, they had proclaimed Xiangliu as their Guardian Divine Beast. No one had ever dared to refute them so openly.
Mostly because no one dared to.
Nan Mu Bai knew full well that Xiangliu was a fierce beast!
But in all these years, the Southern Kingdom had failed to summon a true deity. They could barely summon Xiangliu. Were they supposed to tell the world that their so-called Guardian Divine Beast was actually a savage monster?
“His Highness the Imperial Grandson is magnanimous and wouldn’t argue with you.”
“This child just has a habit of speaking the truth. Hurry and be silent…” The emperor, who had waited until Lu Chao Chao finished her critique, finally issued a slow, gentle reprimand.
Nan Mu Bai’s forced smile faltered, while Ming Lang, standing behind him, slightly curled his lips, concealing his amusement.
The Imperial Grandson still believed this child to be a fool.
Yet Ming Lang found Princess Zhao Yang to be rather sharp-witted.
“Princess Zhao Yang has quite the sharp tongue for someone so young. No wonder she’s favored by the Emperor of North Zhao,” Nan Mu Bai said coldly.
For some reason, he disliked this child.
“So you’re saying I can’t speak the truth?” Lu Chao Chao put her hands on her hips. Mixing divine and ferocious beast bloodlines—what an absolute farce!
She wanted to say more, but the Sixth Prince swiftly covered her mouth, grabbed a chicken leg from the table, and stuffed it into her hands.
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes lit up. Like a little hamster, she clutched the drumstick and started munching.
Nan Mu Bai suppressed his irritation. “Xiangliu protects the Southern Kingdom and receives its offerings. Naturally, it is a divine beast. As for consuming humans…”
“Isn’t it an honor for mere mortals to be devoured by a divine beast?” Nan Mu Bai’s expression was haughty, showing not the slightest regard for human life.
“You wretched fool! Human lives are sacred! How dare you condone a beast devouring people? Such a monstrous creature must be exterminated!” Rong Che slammed his cup down, his face darkening.
As a general dedicated to protecting his nation, Rong Che could not tolerate Nan Mu Bai treating human lives as trivial.
He had long harbored contempt for the Southern Kingdom.
During this visit to the capital, Nan Mu Bai had repeatedly demanded prisoners. That was one thing. But countless times, he had asked for common folk to serve as feed for his beast. It was despicable.
Just moments ago, Rong Che had ordered an investigation.
On their way to the capital, Nan Mu Bai had allowed Xiangliu to feast on humans in the streets. The citizens had fled in terror, yet the ground had been drenched in blood, with even severed limbs left uneaten.
This was not simply feeding.
It was slaughter for pleasure!
Nan Mu Bai leaned lazily against the table, idly toying with a fine porcelain cup, his demeanor indifferent.
“Exterminated? Such grand words, General Rong.”
“Xiangliu is impervious to water and fire. Who can touch it? Besides, it is the Guardian Divine Beast of the Southern Kingdom. We will not allow it to be harmed!”
“Why can’t it eat cows, sheep, or pigs?” Lu Chao Chao pried the Sixth Prince’s hand away and blurted out the question.
“Hahaha…” Nan Mu Bai laughed out loud.
Even Ming Lang sighed.
“Princess Zhao Yang, you are far too naive.”
“Xiangliu is an ancient beast. It has fed on humans for countless generations. Do you think you can change its instincts just because you wish it?” Fierce beasts looked down on mortals, never treating them as anything but prey.
Even the royal family of the Southern Kingdom dared not mistreat Xiangliu.
Ming Lang offered Lu Chao Chao a courteous bow. “Princess Zhao Yang, you may not be aware, but Xiangliu is naturally cruel and bloodthirsty. It prefers to consume… living things. Furthermore, it is difficult to control. Only His Highness the Imperial Grandson can somewhat tame it.”
Once, the Nan clan had wielded divine power to suppress it.
But now, their sacred strength had weakened, leaving only Nan Mu Bai capable of earning Xiangliu’s favor.
Nan Mu Bai’s lips curved into a reckless smile.
He waved a hand towards Xiangliu. “Lord Xiangliu, are you hungry?”
The nine-headed serpent lifted itself, gazing down at the crowd. Its scales gleamed coldly, said to be impenetrable.
Its towering form loomed, its nine heads nearly touching the ceiling.
Its coiled body exuded an overwhelming pressure, striking terror into all who beheld it.
Drip, drip…
Poisonous blood dripped onto the floor, immediately corroding it. The crowd’s faces paled in alarm.
The Imperial Guards quickly moved to shield the emperor, bows at the ready.
Nan Mu Bai seemed to relish their fear. “Your Majesty, do not be afraid. Xiangliu’s scales are impervious to water and fire. Your weapons cannot harm it. Rather, you might provoke it to unleash its venom, turning this hall into a swamp.”
“I’ve heard that North Zhao used to be a barren marshland. It would be a pity if it returned to its original state.”
“Hiss…”
“Hiss…”
The serpent’s hissing sent chills down Madam Xu’s spine, raising goosebumps all over her body.
The emperor’s expression darkened. Surrounded by his guards, he could already guess Nan Mu Bai’s intentions.
He wanted the beast to devour someone before the entire court!
Every attendee at this banquet was either a royal or a high-ranking official. No matter who was eaten, it would bring shame upon North Zhao!
The emperor burned with rage, as though Nan Mu Bai had trampled upon his dignity.
“Your Majesty, Xiangliu is starving. If it loses control from hunger, I fear even I won’t be able to restrain it,” Nan Mu Bai said, his eyes brimming with malicious amusement.
“If it’s hungry, let it eat! No one can out-eat you anyway.”
“I only have one mouth, it has nine!” Lu Chao Chao grumbled enviously, her tone laced with sourness.
The Sixth Prince failed to stop her in time. She had already crawled out from the crowd, her small hair bun now undone.
The chubby toddler waddled forward, clutching a carrot she didn’t like, tiptoeing to offer it to Xiangliu.
“Carrot! Yummy! Here, for you!”
“Chao Chao’s favorite! Eat, eat!” Well, she actually couldn’t stand carrots.
Normally, Windchaser would eat them for her, but since he wasn’t in the palace today, she set her sights on Xiangliu instead.
Standing before the colossal beast, Lu Chao Chao looked impossibly tiny.
Madam Xu’s vision blacked out.
“Madam!” Deng Zhi rushed to support her.
“Chao Chao, Chao Chao! Why did she run out?! Bring her back!” Madam Xu’s face turned deathly pale, her limbs trembling.
[Wait… Xiangliu? Why does that name feel familiar?]
Nan Mu Bai nearly burst into laughter.
“You expect Xiangliu to eat vegetables? Are you joking?” Even livestock sacrificed to it had enraged it before.
Nan Mu Bai glanced at her mockingly. “Lord Xiangliu particularly enjoys… the taste of infants.”
“Chao Chao, come back!” Madam Xu lunged forward in a panic.
The emperor’s face darkened as well. “What are you standing there for?! Go save the princess!”
Lu Chao Chao took another step closer, holding out the carrot.
“Eat veggies! Eat veggies…”
Nan Mu Bai sneered.
This child truly did not fear death.