Chapter 288: Eating People in Public
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Someone raised a question, their voice filled with doubt. “The divine beasts are the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and White Tiger. There’s also the Phoenix and the Qilin. But, Xiangliu doesn’t really fit in with them, does it?”
“Isn’t it supposed to be a vicious beast?” another person added.
“Xiangliu’s poison turns water bitter and can make it a foul, stinky swamp. Divine beasts are supposed to bring good luck, not disaster. Are you trying to fool us?”
“Do you think we’re fools if we don’t speak up?”
Little Lu Chao Chao looked up at her older brother with wide, innocent eyes. She tugged at his sleeve and spoke in her baby-like voice, “Big brother, Chao Chao is just a little kid, okay? Sometimes I say things without thinking. You won’t be mad at me, right?”
Nan Mu Bai’s face turned red with anger. He had always promoted Xiangliu as a divine beast that protected their nation, and no one had dared to question this—mainly because no one was brave enough.
But deep down, Nan Mu Bai knew Xiangliu was actually a ferocious beast!
For years, they couldn’t summon a real deity, and Xiangliu was the best they could manage. Could they really tell everyone that their so-called guardian beast was actually a monster?
The king tried to smooth things over. “Prince Mu Bai is kind and won’t argue with a child,” he reassured gently. “This little one just loves to talk. Hurry and hush her up…”
Nan Mu Bai’s smile faded, while Lord Ming, standing behind him, struggled not to laugh.
The prince still thought this child was just a silly fool.
Lord Ming, however, knew that Princess Sunshine was very clever.
“Princess Sunshine, you sure have a sharp tongue for someone so young,” Nan Mu Bai said with a sneer. “No wonder the king of North Zhao likes you so much.”
“What? People can’t speak the truth?” Lu Chao Chao put her hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks. “Mixing up divine beasts’ bloodlines, that’s asking for trouble!”
She was about to say more when the sixth prince quickly covered her mouth and stuffed a chicken leg in it.
Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled as she clutched the chicken leg like a little hamster and started munching on it.
Nan Mu Bai, trying to keep his composure, continued, “Xiangliu protects the Southern Kingdom and gets offerings from our people. So, of course, it is a divine beast. And as for eating people…”
“Isn’t it a blessing for mere mortals to be eaten by a divine beast?” he said arrogantly, clearly showing he didn’t care about human life.
“That’s nonsense! Human lives are precious! How can you allow a beast to eat people? Such a vicious creature should be killed by everyone!” General Rong Che slammed his wine cup down, his face twisted with anger.
General Rong Che, known for defending his country, was furious about Nan Mu Bai’s careless attitude towards human life.
He was sick of the Southern Kingdom’s ways. During his visit, Nan Mu Bai had asked for death row prisoners and even innocent civilians to feed his beast—a truly horrible act.
His investigations showed that, on the way to the capital, Nan Mu Bai let his beast attack people in the streets, causing panic. The aftermath was still visible—blood on the ground and limbs left behind.
This wasn’t just about feeding the beast; it was slaughter for fun!
Nan Mu Bai leaned back against the table, toying with his fancy wine cup. “‘Should be killed by everyone?’ General Rong sure has a big mouth.”
“Xiangliu can’t be harmed by water or fire. Who could kill it? Besides, Xiangliu is our guardian beast. The Southern Kingdom won’t let it be hurt!”
“Why can’t it eat cows, sheep, or pigs?” Lu Chao Chao asked, breaking free from the prince’s grip.
Nan Mu Bai burst out laughing.
Lord Ming sighed: “Princess Sunshine, you’re a bit too naïve. Xiangliu is an ancient divine beast that naturally eats humans. Its habits, formed over thousands of years, can’t simply be changed to suit your preferences,” he explained. Ferocious beasts hold humans in low regard and care little for their well-being.
Even the Southern Kingdom’s royal family, who summoned it, treated it with the utmost respect.
Who would dare mistreat such a creature?
Lord Ming bowed down to Lu Chao Chao’s height, his voice serious. “Princess Sunshine, you might not understand, but Xiangliu is cruel and bloodthirsty. It likes to eat… living things. It’s hard to control… Only Prince Mu Bai Mu Bai can go near it safely.”
In the past, the Nan family had strong divine power to control Xiangliu. But now, with that power weakened, only Nan Mu Bai could get somewhat close to the beast.
Nan Mu Bai wore a daring grin as he looked at Xiangliu. “Lord Xiangliu, are you hungry?”
The nine-headed serpent loomed large, its eyes filled with contempt as it looked around the room. Its scales shimmered, rumored to be unbreakable, casting a cold, frightening light.
Massive in size, its nine heads nearly touched the ceiling. Its snake-like bodies coiled together, creating a terrifying sight that made everyone’s heart pound.
Drip, drip…
Blood dripped from its fangs, sizzling as it burned the floor beneath. The crowd’s faces turned pale, and royal guards quickly surrounded the king, their bows ready.
Nan Mu Bai seemed to enjoy the fear spreading through the room. “Your Majesty, don’t be afraid. Xiangliu’s scales can’t be harmed by water or fire. These arrows can’t hurt it, but they might provoke it to release its poison, turning this place into a swamp.”
“I’ve heard North Zhao was once a barren swamp. Surely, we wouldn’t want that again, would we?”
The serpent’s hiss sent a chill through the crowd.
The king’s face darkened. Surrounded by guards, he understood Nan Mu Bai’s intention.
He wanted the beast to eat someone at the banquet, where everyone was a noble or a high-ranking official. Such an act would be a huge insult to North Zhao!
The king’s anger rose, feeling his pride crushed by the Southern Kingdom.
“Your Majesty, Xiangliu is starving. If it gets too hungry, I might not be able to control it,” Nan Mu Bai taunted, his smile nasty.
“If it’s hungry then let it eat! One mouth against its nine, who here could possibly outeat it?” Lu Chao Chao whispered under her breath, her tone a mix of envy and jealousy.
Her childish words showed her innocence.
While the sixth prince was distracted, Chao Chao sneaked away from the crowd, her hair buns a bit messy.
The small, chubby girl waddled forward, holding a carrot she didn’t like. She tiptoed up to Xiangliu and held it out.
“Carrot! Yummy… Here, you can have it…”
“This is Chao Chao’s favorite! Eat up, eat up…” [Yuck, I don’t like carrots.]
Usually, Chasing Wind would help her in such tricks, but he wasn’t allowed in the palace today, so she turned her attention to Xiangliu.
Not yet three years old, Lu Chao Chao stood tiny before the massive beast.
Seeing this, Madam Xu nearly fainted.
“Madam!” Deng Zhi supported her, alarmed.
“Chao Chao, Chao Chao, how did she get out? Bring her back now!” Madam Xu’s face was pale, her body shaking.
Nan Mu Bai almost burst out laughing.
“You think Xiangliu would eat vegetables? What a joke!” The Southern Kingdom usually gave it chickens, ducks, cows, sheep, and pigs, and sometimes even those weren’t enough to fill it.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Nan Mu Bai shot a mocking glance. “Lord Xiangliu has a particular fondness for eating babies…”
“Chao Chao, come back!” Madam Xu rushed forward, panicking.
The king’s face showed his urgency too. “Fools, what are you waiting for? Save the princess!”
Chao Chao took a few more steps toward the beast, still holding out the carrot.
“Eat veggies, eat veggies…”
Nan Mu Bai smirked to himself. [Such a brave little fool.]
This was the fierce beast that had protected the Southern Kingdom for hundreds of years, known for its ruthless and violent nature. Even the Southern Kingdom handled it with great care.
A dark thought crossed Nan Mu Bai’s mind—if Xiangliu devoured Princess Sunshine, it would crush North Zhao’s reputation under the power of the Southern Kingdom!