Chapter 359: No Entry for Her and the Dog
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Something’s off with you!” Xie Yu Zhou held his bowl tightly, his small face tense with seriousness.
“Stealing your food is akin to slaying your parents, yet you actually let him take a portion to-go?!” Xie Yu Zhou’s eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost.
Lu Chao Chao stiffened her neck in defiance. “Am I such a petty person?!”
Xie Yu Zhou and Windchaser exchanged glances before nodding in unison. “You are!”
Lu Chao Chao huffed and turned away. “I am not petty! I’m the most generous!”
One man and one dog remained silent, simply focusing on devouring the turtle herbal jelly in their bowls.
“This fairy herb jelly contains a faint trace of spiritual energy—truly a rare delicacy.” General Lou finished his portion, his body refreshed as the spiritual energy coursed through his veins. Just moments ago, he had been exhausted, but now he felt invigorated, as if he could train through the night without rest.
“Is the recipe for this fairy herb jelly valuable?” he inquired.
“General Lou wonders if it would be possible to request some for the younger generation of my family? If the boys could drink two bowls after training, it would certainly boost their performance!” General Lou’s voice carried a trace of awkwardness.
Lu Chao Chao scratched at the small tuft of hair on her head. “The recipe isn’t rare—the ingredients are.”
“One pot of fairy herb jelly… consumes an entire old ancestor…” Her voice was barely above a whisper, hesitant to speak too loudly.
“What do you mean by consuming an ancestor?” General Lou’s voice was like rolling thunder, deep and booming.
He looked at Lu Chao Chao in utter confusion.
How could brewing a pot of jelly possibly consume an old ancestor?
Lu Chao Chao wiped sweat off her brow. “It’s nothing, nothing! The recipe isn’t precious, it’s just that gathering the ingredients is difficult.”
General Lou waved a massive hand, exuding confidence. “Don’t worry! The Lou Family can afford it! Write down the recipe boldly. We’ll prepare two pots tomorrow and nourish the family.”
Lu Chao Chao lazily mumbled an “Oh.”
“There’s still another pot in the kitchen. You can take it for your family to enjoy. Chao Chao can’t finish it all.”
She had little interest in turtle herbal jelly, having only taken two small bowls before setting it aside.
She preferred meat.
General Lou was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude before immediately sending someone to transport the pot to the training grounds.
When the Lou Family servants brought brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone, Lu Chao Chao dictated while Xie Yu Zhou wrote.
“Honeysuckle, licorice, hemp seeds, smilax glabra…” Lu Chao Chao might forget many things, but she always remembered recipes perfectly.
“What’s the main ingredient?” Xie Yu Zhou asked as he wrote.
Lu Chao Chao pursed her lips, lowered her voice, and whispered into his ear.
Xie Yu Zhou’s hand trembled, a drop of ink smudging the page.
He looked at Lu Chao Chao with disbelief and dug a finger into his ear. “What did you just say?”
Lu Chao Chao whispered again, “The Su Family’s old ancestor.”
Main ingredient: Su Family’s old ancestor.
“Dear heavens! You really dare to eat anything!” Xie Yu Zhou’s hand trembled with excitement. He quickly finished writing, blew the ink dry, and folded the paper into a neat bundle before handing it to Lou Jin Tang.
Lou Jin Tang didn’t even glance at it, simply tucking it into her robes.
“Wait! Get me another bowl!” Xie Yu Zhou wasn’t particularly fond of turtle herbal jelly, but if an old ancestor had gone into the pot, who could resist?
Who wouldn’t want to try a taste?
Everyone ate until their stomachs were round, so full that even the thought of dinner made them queasy.
Deep into the night, as silence enveloped the residence, Lu Chao Chao and the others were already asleep.
Lou Jin Tang, dressed in simple inner garments, wielded a tree branch beneath the moonlight, moving with fluid grace. No one noticed the faint glimmer of light flickering at the tip of the branch.
With each strike, gusts of wind scattered the leaves around her.
“Tang’er.” From beyond the courtyard gates, her grandfather’s deep and steady voice called.
Lou Jin Tang swiftly withdrew her branch, glancing down at it. When she lost herself in training, she often imagined she was holding a divine sword.
Yet, it was only a humble branch.
At this hour, all the maids and servants had long retired. Lou Jin Tang opened the courtyard gate.
“Grandfather, why haven’t you gone to rest?” Her forehead was damp with sweat, but her bright eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Were you practicing swordsmanship?” General Lou asked.
The young girl smiled sheepishly. “Chao Chao taught me this technique. I was just trying it out. It’s quite fascinating…”
“Princess Zhao Yang is only three and a half years old. How would she know swordsmanship? Be careful not to practice recklessly,” General Lou cautioned.
“By the way, the Lou Family Grand Competition is in three days. Would you like to sign up?” His tone carried an expectant warmth.
“I… really can? But I haven’t formally learned any sword techniques yet!” Lou Jin Tang’s eyes shone like the brightest stars in the sky.
Lou Family children traditionally began martial training at seven. She had just reached that age and had yet to formally study swordsmanship.
The Lou Family revered martial strength, which was the foundation of their undefeated legacy.
Monthly small competitions. A grand competition every thirty years.
The thirty-year grand competition disregarded birthright—whether legitimate or concubine-born, the strongest would claim the title of Patriarch.
Under fifteen participated in the beginner arena.
Above fifteen entered the advanced arena.
The first-place winner in the beginner arena earned a chance to challenge an advanced fighter.
“You haven’t studied sword techniques yet. The beginner arena will serve as a place for you to familiarize yourself with swordsmanship. Remember, don’t let your competitive spirit push you to recklessness and ruin your foundation.” Her grandfather’s tone was strict, softening only after Lou Jin Tang agreed.
Thirty years ago, General Lou had claimed first place, securing his role as Patriarch.
Now, a new head must be chosen.
“Grandfather, will Father win first place and become the new Patriarch?” Lou Jin Tang asked eagerly.
Her father, Lou Yun Zheng, was the legitimate eldest son.
General Lou remained silent, a trace of resignation in his brows.
“Yun Zheng is steady, but he lacks sharp intuition and insight. This time, I fear…”
“Tang’er, remember this: In the Lou Family, birthright doesn’t matter.”
“Strength rules. The strongest wins and becomes the Patriarch.”
“Your uncle Xu Yan may be of a branch lineage, but he is exceptionally gifted. He began training at seven and has already cultivated Sword Intent. He is the strongest in the Lou Family…”
Lou Xu Yan had always carried an air of arrogance, though not maliciously.
Lou Jin Tang hummed in acknowledgment.
“Rest early.” General Lou departed after his words.
Lou Jin Tang gripped the wooden branch tightly, then closed the courtyard gate.
Instead of returning to her room, she continued training in the courtyard deep into the night before finally retreating to bed, exhausted.
The next morning.
Lu Chao Chao was rudely awakened by the sound of training from the Lou Family’s martial grounds.
Yawning, she was assisted by the maids in washing up.
Lou Jin Tang was already seated in the dining hall, waiting.
Lu Chao Chao paused. “You’re up so early?”
“I’ve already swung my sword a thousand times today.” Lou Jin Tang gestured to her short sword.
After a full day of training, she felt as if her strength had increased significantly.
Or was it just her imagination?
Lu Chao Chao sighed deeply. This girl… she was just like Xing Hui.
A sword fanatic.
Xing Hui had cultivated Sword Qi in just three days. How long would Lou Jin Tang take? Lu Chao Chao was curious.
“Want to see the Lou Family’s betting stakes?”