Chapter 298: She Leads
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The Sixth Prince had done something extraordinary—he had summoned a deity. Yet, instead of being praised, he was met with harsh scolding.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he wailed, his voice heavy with distress, “The god just didn’t want to do homework! It’s not my fault…”
Two bright red handprints marked his cheeks, and he continued to sob softly, “Ugh… ugh…”
The king, clearly frustrated, waved his hand dismissively and scolded, “Look at him! Does he seem like someone who can talk to gods? He’s more like a blind cat that stumbled upon a dead rat by chance!”
“I’m not a dead rat,” the Sixth Prince mumbled quietly.
[The god just didn’t want to do homework!]
No matter how he tried to explain, no one seemed to believe him.
“Get out! You’re just making it worse by standing there!” the king snapped.
The Sixth Prince wiped his eyes quickly and left the room.
Outside the king’s study, Lu Chao Chao couldn’t help but giggle when she saw his miserable face.
Sniffling, the Sixth Prince noticed her and asked, “Chao Chao, what are you doing here?”
“Sixth Brother, Chao Chao wanna go to the library! Can I go?” Chao Chao asked in her tiny, eager voice. The Sixth Prince was careful not to cause trouble in the palace, despite being the grandson of the Protectorate Duke.
“I’ll take you, Little Sister,” Li Siqi said, trying to cheer up as he led Lu Chao Chao toward the library.
The royal library was a magnificent six-story building. The first three floors were open for borrowing books. The fourth and fifth housed rare editions, and the top floor was reserved for the royal family only, with its books neither borrowable nor copiable.
After they were allowed entry by the library keeper, Li Siqi told her, “I’ll wait here for you, Chao Chao. You go up.”
Chao Chao nodded her little head and turned to her maids, Yuhua and Yuqin. “Take care of Brother Siqi. He can’t see well in the dark,” she instructed, her voice gentle yet firm.
“Yes, Miss,” they responded dutifully.
With Chao Chao ascending the stairs, Li Siqi was left alone in the dim light, his face wearing a faint smile.
In the library, Li Siqi reached for a thick, ancient-looking book on a high shelf. “Chao Chao, this is the Divine Records. It’s said that every kingdom has one. This book is magical! When a new god appears, their name shows up here. And if a god dies, their name fades until it disappears.”
He added with excitement, “Plus, this book can’t be destroyed by water or fire. It’s like a divine gift meant for us to cherish.”
Lu Chao Chao opened the book carefully, her eyes widening before a frown formed on her face—the first page was blank.
“Father said the first goddess in the Divine Records saved the world. She was as powerful as the God of Creation,” the Sixth Prince explained with enthusiasm. “If she were still alive, her name would be in here, ruling alongside the God King over all three realms.”
It was rumored that the God King was the supreme deity over all lands, unseen since the dawn of time.
Lu Chao Chao’s tiny eyelids fluttered slightly. As the story states, before she sacrificed herself, all power was in the hands of the God King’s followers.
The Sixth Prince turned the page. “The first and second gods listed are the Divine Judges from the Divine Realm.”
“The third is the Supreme God of Justice, Bai Zong. The Southern Kingdom worships him; no wonder they think so highly of themselves,” he said with a sneer.
“The fourth is the God of War, Xing Hui.”
“The fifth is the God of Life, Xian Ting.”
“The sixth is the God of Time and Space, Chong Yue.”
“The seventh is the God of Darkness, Xuan Yu. The eighth is the God of Luck, Sheng He. And the ninth, the God of Seasons, Gan Tang.”
“Out of the top ten gods, only two were originally loyal to the God King,” the Sixth Prince noted with pride. “And the seven disciples of the goddess now hold significant power in the Divine Realm. Imagine their strength!”
Lu Chao Chao pressed her little hand against the book’s pages thoughtfully. “If the goddess was still alive, she’d own all three realms.”
“Why do their names look all dim?” Chao Chao asked quietly, her tiny finger tracing the faded name of Chong Yue.
The Sixth Prince looked confused. “Yeah, why does Chong Yue’s name look so dull? It’s like it’s losing its divine light…”
Chao Chao gazed at the dim name, her small face turning serious.
The God of War, Xing Hui, had faded and turned gray, his name barely visible in the Divine Records. The other gods’ names were flickering like candles in a breeze, signaling their weakening power.
When a god’s name disappeared from the Divine Records, it meant they would lose their divine power, and their soul would shatter irreparably.
Lu Chao Chao felt a deep ache in her chest, as if something was squeezing her heart tightly.
The Sixth Prince, his face scrunched up in concern, whispered, “I heard some of the gods are close to falling.”
“Who knows what’s really happening up there? It could be a clash between different factions… or maybe something else is causing it.”
“Maybe the Southern Kingdom has more information,” the Sixth Prince suggested, thinking about their direct service to the gods. He climbed onto a stool and carefully placed the Divine Records back on its shelf.
Lu Chao Chao’s face was pale, her head hanging low.
[What has happened to my disciples? What did they do to bring me back to life? Did it cost them so much that it nearly broke their divine power and shattered their souls?]
“Chao Chao, are you sad?” Li Siqi asked, gently squeezing her hand, feeling how cold it was.
Lu Chao Chao mumbled, her voice soft and muffled, “Brother Siqi, Chao Chao no good… Chao Chao shouldn’t be here…”
[My return must have caused this disaster for my disciples. It’s my fault.]
Li Siqi’s face tightened with worry as he looked at her, his heart aching. He knelt down and wrapped her in a tight hug. “No, Chao Chao! Don’t say things like that! You are so precious, more than anyone else. Never doubt that…”
“Chao Chao, you must live well,” he whispered, trying to comfort her.
But Lu Chao Chao didn’t respond. She just kept her eyes down, her small face still and quiet.
Inside, Li Siqi felt a turmoil, but he maintained a calm expression, not wanting to upset her further.
After leaving the palace, Lu Yan Shu was waiting by the gate to pick up Chao Chao. Li Siqi reluctantly handed her over, his gaze lingering on her.
As the Lu family’s carriage started to move, a servant came to steady Li Siqi. “Young Master, I must be hallucinating. I was starting to think you could see Princess Sunshine at night.”
Li Siqi remained silent, his eyes closed as he leaned back in the carriage, his mind still swirling with Chao Chao’s sad words.
Inside the carriage, Lu Chao Chao leaned against her older brother’s shoulder. “Big Brother… Chao Chao took your old brush,” she whispered, her voice tiny.
Lu Yan Shu chuckled softly. “Big Brother knows.”
“Why do you think I change my brush every three days?” he asked her gently, teasing a bit.
Suddenly, Lu Chao Chao giggled, her laughter sounding like a tiny bell.
That evening, Madam Xu washed Chao Chao’s feet and tucked her into bed herself. Lu Chao Chao yawned, and soon, she was fast asleep, her breathing soft and even.
But her sleep was short-lived.
Before dawn, urgent news disrupted the quiet of the estate like a sudden storm.
A servant, pale and shaky, rushed into the back courtyard, struggling to stand. “Madam! Terrible news! The Second Young Master… he’s in trouble!” he exclaimed, his voice shaking with fear.
Madam Xu was jolted awake. She hastily wrapped a robe around herself and rushed out, her shoes barely on.
“Tell me quickly! What happened?” demanded Deng Zhi, who was keeping watch at night.
The servant, sweating profusely, stammered, “News just came from outside the city… Half a month ago, Dongling clashed with North Zhao. The death toll was high on both sides…” His voice faltered, filled with dread.
“Stop dawdling! Speak clearly!” Deng Zhi snapped, seeing Madam Xu’s face drain of color.
Swallowing hard, the servant continued, “After the battle, a plague began spreading. They’ve been burning bodies every day. The Second Young Master ordered the city sealed… Now, no one can enter or leave. The plague is rampant!” His expression twisted with fear.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
With that, Madam Xu’s knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground. “A plague?” Her voice cracked, echoing with terror. She went pale as death.
“The king has summoned all ministers to the palace to discuss it. The Eldest Young Master has gone too, but there’s no news yet,” the servant added hastily.
“This plague is highly contagious. People develop red spots that turn into open sores, even without direct contact,” he explained, his voice barely steady.
“In the city, they’re burning bodies daily. People are terrified and desperate; some have even tried to break down the city gates,” he continued.
Madam Xu’s face was so pale that even Deng Zhi struggled to support her.