Chapter 358: Ancestors Meet but Do Not Recognize Each Other
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“You have taken on disciples before?” Lou Jin Tang looked surprised.
“Of course! Though, they only learned so-so.” Lu Chao Chao waved a hand dismissively. “Nothing special.”
Lu Chao Chao stuffed a small tree branch into Lou Jin Tang’s hand.
Lou Jin Tang looked at her skeptically, but seeing how excited her younger sister Zhao Yang was, she felt reluctant to refuse.
“Can a tree branch really do the job?”
“This broken sword of mine was once used by my elder brother. I pulled it out from the Sword Tomb.” She spoke with pride.
The three children squatted beneath a large tree. The wind whispered through the leaves, sending them swirling to the ground.
From the adjacent training ground came the sounds of shouting, but just beyond that wall…
Lou Jin Tang was learning swordplay from Lu Chao Chao.
“Watch closely! Chao Chao will only demonstrate once. If you perfect this, even a twig can take a life!”
Lu Chao Chao plucked a thin branch, barely the width of a thumb, so fragile it could snap with a simple twist.
For some reason, Lou Jin Tang felt that the moment Lu Chao Chao grasped the branch, her entire aura shifted.
But she was only six or seven years old—what exactly was different, she couldn’t tell.
The breeze stirred.
Lu Chao Chao moved slowly, her eyes sharp as she wielded the branch, causing the leaves to spiral around her.
At first, Lou Jin Tang had thought to humor her, but the more she watched, the more engrossed she became.
Though the branch held no real power, an inexplicable fear settled in her heart.
She dared not stand before the branch.
There was an unseen pressure.
No one noticed the deep marks carved onto the tree by invisible sword energy, scars that would never fade.
“Did you see clearly?” Lu Chao Chao wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead.
Lou Jin Tang blinked and nodded. “I memorized it!”
Lu Chao Chao eyed her suspiciously. “You really memorized it? Back when I taught Xing Hui, he had to see it three times before he got it!”
“I really did! I’ll show you!” Lou Jin Tang declared with newfound respect.
She grabbed the small branch and began practicing immediately.
Her movements were clumsy, but the technique was intact. Lu Chao Chao’s face lit up with excitement.
“You have more talent than my useless disciple!” Lu Chao Chao’s eyes shone.
Lou Jin Tang lifted her chin proudly. “Of course! How could that useless disciple of yours compare to me?”
Somewhere, a certain ‘useless’ War God sneezed…
“Next time, tell him that yourself.” Lu Chao Chao yawned.
Lou Jin Tang, enthralled by swordsmanship, practiced until she was drenched in sweat, only stopping when she had fully grasped Lu Chao Chao’s moves.
“Chao Chao, you’re amazing!” Lou Jin Tang’s eyes sparkled. “Can you teach me more?”
She had even begun sensing a faint energy flowing through her movements.
“Sure, why not? I have nothing else to do anyway.”
At that moment, Lou Jin Tang had no idea she had just latched onto the strongest backer in all Three Realms.
This was none other than the Old Ancestor of Swordsmanship!
Everyone who had learned from her had become mighty figures in the Three Realms.
Even the War God worshipped by the Lou family had only managed to inherit a fraction of her teachings.
Nearby, Xie Yu Zhou was flailing a branch around, hitting his own face and legs in the process.
“I can’t remember! Not at all!” Xie Yu Zhou tossed the stick aside and collapsed onto the ground.
Lu Chao Chao glanced at him with disdain. “Good thing you can’t. If people knew, I’d lose face.”
Even my worst disciple made a name for himself in the Celestial Realm…
Xie Yu Zhou grinned. “I may not know swordsmanship, but I have you!”
“Whenever I run into trouble, I just say your name!”
Lou Jin Tang, panting with exhaustion, asked curiously, “Does her name work?”
Xie Yu Zhou gave an innocent look. “It does! Though, I often get ambushed.”
“Pfft…” Lou Jin Tang burst into laughter.
The three children collapsed under the tree. Lu Chao Chao rubbed her stomach. “I’m starving…”
Suddenly, she jumped up.
“I have a giant turtle shell! Let’s make Turtle Herbal Jelly!”
“I had it in Northern Zhao. It’s a nourishing medicinal treat, but it’s also a dessert!”
“Since it’s hot today, we’ll chill it in the well for a bit, drizzle some honey over it, and it will be deliciously refreshing!” She licked her lips as she spoke.
Lou Jin Tang’s mouth watered as well, and the three of them dashed to the kitchen.
They even got the chefs to help.
By dusk, they had simmered a whole pot of Turtle Herbal Jelly.
After chilling it in the well for half an hour, it became firm and cool, the perfect remedy for the sweltering summer heat.
“Wow, it’s so smooth and bouncy! Quick, add some honey—I love it sweet!” Xie Yu Zhou shouted impatiently.
“I’ve never had this before. Is it a specialty of Northern Zhao?” Lou Jin Tang asked, savoring the sweet, soothing taste.
If she could have a bowl after every training session, she would be the happiest girl in the world.
“You could say that. Northern Zhao enjoys creating nourishing dishes.” Xie Yu Zhou muttered between mouthfuls.
Beyond the hall, faint voices rose in conversation.
When General Lou led his guest inside, he immediately caught the scent of herbs in the air.
A refreshing coolness accompanied it, making him glance around curiously.
“You have esteemed guests today, General Lou?” Lord Su asked with a smile, his gaze flickering toward Lu Chao Chao.
“Just some children playing in the manor.”
“Lord Su, please take a seat while I fetch the Sword Manual. However…” General Lou hesitated.
“The first half may be shared, but the latter half is the Lou family’s treasure. I hope you understand.”
Lord Su stroked his beard and nodded. “I understand. My granddaughter has a keen interest in swordsmanship and merely wishes to glimpse it.”
The youngest daughter of Nan Feng Yu was said to possess extraordinary talent. Rumors even claimed she was the reincarnation of a Goddess.
She had been well-protected, rarely seen by outsiders.
As they conversed, the refreshing scent filled their senses, washing away fatigue.
“What is this?” General Lou inquired.
Lou Jin Tang was about to answer Turtle Herbal Jelly, but Lu Chao Chao cut in.
“Fairy Herb Jelly.”
“Lord Su, Uncle Lou, would you like a taste?” Lu Chao Chao invited them warmly.
General Lou had already been tempted, and the maids promptly served them generous portions.
With just one spoonful, both men’s eyes widened in astonishment.
It was not just the flavor, but the spiritual energy coursing through it, revitalizing them.
“Excellent! Another bowl!” General Lou exclaimed, polishing his serving off instantly.
His fatigue from the day’s drills vanished, leaving him refreshed.
Lord Su, as a guest, maintained his composure and refrained from indulging further.
“Pack some for Lord Su to take home,” Lu Chao Chao said guiltily.
After all, this was their Old Ancestor.
He deserved a taste.
Lord Su, surprised at her rare generosity, merely nodded. “Thank you, Princess Zhao Yang.”
His tone was indifferent, devoid of gratitude.
To him, Xu Shi Yun had long been a dead person.
Hunting down Ning Shi and Xu Shi Yun had been his task on behalf of his sister in the palace. Their escape had been due to his own negligence.
Lu Chao Chao lowered her gaze, feeling uneasy.
“It’s nothing, really.”
Lord Su did not linger, soon departing with the food container.
His heart weighed heavy.
Old Ancestor… where are you?