Chapter 312: Flaunting
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“So annoying! Must I scold you every time to make you listen?”
Lu Chao Chao fumed, reaching to pull at her hair, only to remember her bald head. That realization made her grit her teeth in anger.
“Didn’t hit hard enough.” She grumbled under her breath before swiftly climbing onto the bed, wrapping herself in blankets, and falling into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile…
The soldiers stood prepared for disaster relief, ready to face the worst.
“The sky looks like it has a hole torn right through it,” someone muttered grimly.
Yet, before their very eyes, the torrential downpour…
Stopped. Without warning.
Just like that.
Rong Che spread out his hands, his palms dry. “What in the heavens is this? One moment it’s raining cats and dogs, the next moment it just… stops?”
Vice General Zhu clasped his hands together in gratitude. “Thank the Bodhisattva! Thank the celestial deities! This is good—this is very good!”
Lu Zheng Yue secretly asked a servant, “What is Princess Sunshine doing?”
The servant hesitated. “She… was cursing the heavens and the earth. Coincidentally, the moment she finished… the rain stopped.”
Lu Zheng Yue: …
Coincidence?
Probably.
When Lu Zheng Yue returned to the manor, Lu Chao Chao was already deep in sleep. After washing up and changing into clean robes, he pushed open the door to her room.
With a creak, the door opened, revealing the Sunshine Sword casually tossed in a corner.
The legendary sword, so sharp it could split a strand of hair, shone coldly in the dim light—a divine weapon beyond compare.
Yet, at this moment…
The blade was covered in fine, minute cracks. Even more bizarrely, silver-white lightning crackled around its tip.
Lu Zheng Yue reached out to touch it—
“Hiss—!”
A numbing jolt ran up his arm. That was real lightning!
His little sister… really made the Heavenly Dao cry!
Lu Zheng Yue felt a dull ache in his jaw. Poking a hole in the sky? He had assumed it was just an angry outburst, but for her, it was reality!
Sighing, he tidied up her shoes, tucked her blankets in properly, and checked her for injuries before finally relaxing.
As long as she wasn’t hurt, that was all that mattered.
“I suppose the only real damage is that she’s now bald.” He murmured softly, glancing warily at the Sunshine Sword.
A blade that could challenge the heavens… Even Western Yue might not know its true might.
But then, this sword only responded to Chao Chao.
Exiting her room, Lu Zheng Yue failed to notice the soft glow from the jade pendant hanging by her bedside.
A transparent wisp of a soul stood at the bedside, its hazy eyes locked onto Lu Chao Chao’s sleeping face, reluctant to look away.
Though he had forgotten everything, he still remembered one thing—
To protect Chao Chao.
Silently, he stood watch until dawn, and only when she stirred awake did he slip back into the jade pendant.
Lu Chao Chao’s first thought upon waking was to check on Xing Hui.
“Ah, though Xian Ting has dispelled your malice, your soul has been lost for too long. It’s difficult to wake you fully. Xing Hui, you need to return soon.” She sighed.
“If you don’t, and your divinity shatters, you’ll truly become a wandering ghost.”
Flipping open the Divine Register, she found seven disciples whose divinity flickered weakly, barely sustained. No wonder the Southern Kingdom could no longer summon their deities.
Looks like she would have to visit the Southern Kingdom soon to uncover the truth.
[Hmph! I’m still alive! How dare they bully my disciples!]
Lu Chao Chao fiercely protected her own.
“Princess Sunshine, would you like some breakfast?”
“The city is returning to normal. Perhaps you’d like to explore its sights?”
“You’ve been here for days but haven’t properly seen the town yet.” The maid spoke softly.
Lu Chao Chao took a few bites but quickly lost her appetite.
From the General’s Manor, the sounds of chickens and ducks could be heard. The maid smiled. “The townspeople are grateful for Lord Lu’s kindness. They’ve sent local specialties as thanks.”
Lu Chao Chao turned her head and promptly ordered a chicken to be caught.
At that moment, Lu Zheng Yue walked in—just in time to see her wielding the Sunshine Sword, stabbing a chicken in the neck. Blood splattered everywhere.
His eyelid twitched violently.
Such sacrilege!
This was a sword capable of piercing the heavens, and she was using it… to kill a chicken?!
…Well, at least she wasn’t fighting the heavens again.
Killing chickens was good! Very good!
Even when she skewered the chicken on the Sunshine Sword, roasting it over a fire and brushing it with honey, he forced himself not to be distressed.
After finishing two drumsticks and two wings, Lu Chao Chao wiped her mouth and, sword in hand, strolled through the streets.
She happened to run into Rong Che, dressed in casual clothes, patrolling the city.
Vice General Zhu beamed. “That Second Young Master Lu you sent is a fine talent. When we return to the capital, he’ll likely be promoted to Little General. Speaking of which, when are you heading back to Desolate City?”
“Desolate City can’t do without you!”
“We swore, remember? To create a legend! To crush anyone who dares offend Northern Zhao!”
“Do you recall our youthful vow? No wives, no children! Women only slow down our swordplay! We shall never marry! We fight for Northern Zhao, its people are our children!” Vice General Zhu thumped his chest.
“Remember when the Desolate City Lord tried to bribe you with beauties? You slaughtered your way to his manor and scared the coward witless!”
“After that, no one dared to send you women again!” He laughed heartily.
“As the Stabilizing Duke’s only son and the Empress’s brother, you staying single put me at ease! My mother can’t force me to marry while you’re unmarried! You’re a true brother!”
“With you facing the matchmaking storm alongside me, I fear nothing!” He declared proudly.
Rong Che…
Vice General Zhu tilted his head. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you laughing?”
Rong Che remained silent.
“Oh, right! You called me out for something important. What is it?” Vice General Zhu asked.
Rong Che pulled a red wedding invitation from his sleeve.
“I’m inviting you… to my wedding.”
“Yes. I’m getting married.”
Vice General Zhu: ???
Didn’t they agree to grow old alone together?!
Rong Che’s gaze drifted. “Sorry, my friend. From now on, you’ll face the matchmaking storm alone. I—Rong Che—will have a wife!”
He grinned from ear to ear.
“Cough… Have you heard of Lu Yan Shu? The prodigy who became a scholar at ten, despite being paralyzed, and later topped all three imperial exams? That’s my eldest son!”
“That Second Young Master Lu you praise so highly? My second son!”
“My third son? Not even ten yet and already a scholar!”
“Princess Sunshine? The only princess with a title, the Emperor’s precious jewel, the Sun of Northern Zhao? My daughter!”
“And my fiancée…” Rong Che’s gaze softened, his lips curling into a tender smile.
“She’s Miss Xu. The most virtuous, kind-hearted woman…”
“Haven’t you noticed something different about me?” Rong Che asked expectantly.
Vice General Zhu scrutinized him. “You shaved your beard?”
Rong Che shot him a glare, full of disappointment. “These shoes and socks? She made them!”
“This robe? She sewed it!”
“Before I left, she even gave me a peace talisman! I keep it with me every day!”
“And my embroidered pouch? With bamboo patterns—so elegant!”
He gazed at Vice General Zhu, full of hope.
Vice General Zhu: …
“Who asked you?!” He snapped, glaring.
Damn it, so frustrating!
But Rong Che had been holding back for days, eager to flaunt.
He eagerly chased after Vice General Zhu. “My fiancée! My fiancée embroidered it!”
Vice General Zhu: DAMN IT! I’M DONE WITH THIS!