Chapter 368: The Old Elders Compete for Favor
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The next day.
Before the first light of dawn, the Lou Family began preparations for Lou Jin Tang’s succession ceremony.
The young girl held a spirit sword, exuding a valiant and imposing presence. Lou Mu, watching her, secretly wiped away tears.
“Call her Little Auntie… say ‘Little Auntie’…” Lou Mu’s eyes were red as she gently guided her little granddaughter in her arms to greet the new clan leader.
She had not slept the previous night, burning incense and paper offerings in the ancestral hall, seeking comfort for her late son’s spirit in the heavens.
Following recent events, Lu Chao Chao’s status in the Lou Family had become untouchable. No one dared to stop her from entering the restricted grounds or the ancestral hall.
At this moment, Lu Chao Chao was seated alongside the elders, observing the grand succession ceremony. Clad in resplendent silver armor, the War God of Xing Hui shone brilliantly beneath the sunlight.
Lu Chao Chao beckoned to Lou Jin Tang, who quickly ran over.
“Though you have yet to formally become a disciple, you are already half one. Soon, your senior brother will come to congratulate you.”
Lou Jin Tang’s eyes brightened. She had long heard Lu Chao Chao grumble about her ‘unpromising disciple’.
She could finally meet him!
“I have seven senior brothers and sisters—who is coming this time?”
“Your unpromising Fifth Senior Brother.”
Her heart pounded with excitement. Fifth Senior Brother?!
Just then, General Lou lit several incense sticks. Only then did Lou Jin Tang step forward with great reverence, holding her long incense sticks with a solemn expression. Yet, her mind was preoccupied—[When will my Fifth Senior Brother arrive?]
The elders of the Lou Family took deep breaths.
“It has been many years since our clan has summoned the War God… The Divine Attendant position may soon belong to another.”
“Alas, such is the fate of the Lou Family.” Disappointment was evident on their faces.
Lu Chao Chao leaped from her seat and approached Lou Jin Tang from behind.
“Today, as you ascend to the position of clan leader, let me bestow a blessing upon you.”
She raised her small hand and pointed into the air.
Suddenly, the remnant soul of Xing Hui appeared beside her.
Yet, none could see it but her.
With a gentle push, Lu Chao Chao directed the remnant soul into the divine statue. “You have been lost for a thousand years. It is time to return.” She murmured.
“By my name, I summon Xing Hui—appear at once!”
A light streamed down from the heavens, illuminating the divine statue.
In that instant, the silver-armored War God opened his eyes, gazing down upon the world.
The once lifeless stone transformed, as though divinity had truly descended.
“The War God has manifested!!”
“It’s… it’s the War God!”
“The War God has returned!”
“The Lou Family is truly blessed!” Outside the ancestral hall, the clan members fell to their knees in reverence.
Even General Lou and the elders, who had all but given up hope, felt their hearts leap with joy. Overwhelmed, their emotions spilled over, tears brimming in their eyes.
“Princess Sunshine has summoned back our War God!!” The elders sobbed with elation.
An unspeakable ecstasy spread through everyone’s hearts.
The silver-armored Xing Hui fixed his clear gaze on Lu Chao Chao.
For a fleeting moment, a trace of moisture seemed to glisten at the corner of his eye.
“I have returned,” he murmured, staring deeply at Lu Chao Chao.
Her eyes reddened as well.
Xing Hui extended his hand, and the spirit sword in Lou Jin Tang’s grip trembled before flying into his palm.
Before the gathered disciples, he began imparting sword techniques to the Lou Family’s followers.
His teachings were identical to Lu Chao Chao’s own!
“This is the Heaven Cleaving Sword Technique. I will only teach you three forms—enough for you to benefit for a century.”
His voice was cold and distant, yet no one minded.
The Heaven Cleaving Sword Technique?!
The ninth form of this technique was rumored to be All Swords Return to One, capable of splitting the heavens!
The Lou Family was ecstatic, their eyes glued to the War God, unwilling to blink lest they miss a single move.
However…
As they watched, confusion set in.
This looked too familiar.
Why did it resemble Lu Chao Chao’s self-created Sunshine Nine-Sword Style?!
Even Lou Jin Tang was stunned, her mind buzzing.
She turned to Lu Chao Chao, who gave her a playful wink.
[The first three forms of Sunshine Nine-Sword Style had always been meant for outer disciples, after all.]
As the third form concluded, the spirit sword swiftly returned to Lou Jin Tang’s sheath.
The War God stood before her.
Kneeling in reverence, Lou Jin Tang was at a loss.
Then, the War God raised his hand and gently placed it atop her head.
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
For the first time in a thousand years, a Lou Family clan leader had received the War God’s direct blessing!
The elders were so overcome with joy that their faces flushed, nearly fainting from excitement.
A soft sigh drifted into Lou Jin Tang’s ears, a voice filled with both coldness and envy.
“Little Junior Sister, make sure to train well. Do not bring shame to Master…”
With those final words, he vanished before the crowd.
Lou Jin Tang—?!
L-Little Junior Sister—?!
Her head snapped up.
[Did the divine spirit just call me Little Junior Sister?!]
[Mother, am I hearing things?!]
[The War God touched my head… and called me Little Junior Sister?!]
The Lou Family elders were already hoisting Lou Jin Tang up in celebration.
“Clan Leader, this is a blessing for the Lou Family! You are the rightful and honored Clan Leader! If anyone dares voice dissent, they will answer to us!”
Yet, all the while, their gazes shifted wildly toward Lu Chao Chao.
She had summoned the War God.
Moreover, why did the War God’s swordsmanship look identical to hers?!
Their minds were about to break.
“Little Ancestor, what kind of dance do you like?” The Second Elder asked with an ingratiating smile.
“These old bones of mine can still manage a dance for Princess Sunshine!”
“I swear, I shall not disappoint!” The Second Elder had barely finished speaking before the Third Elder shoved him aside.
“Bah! At your age, you’ve got one foot in the grave. Have some shame!”
“Unlike you, I trained in sword dancing in my youth! Look at my form—” The old man twisted his stiff waist.
The two elders immediately broke into a brawl.
“You shameless old geezer!”
“I’ve had enough of you! No one will steal my chance!”
Red-faced and furious, a group of elderly men fought fiercely, while General Lou struggled to intervene.
The First Elder, watching from the side, turned and quietly walked away.
A chill ran through Lou Jin Tang’s heart.
“First Elder… do you think this brings disgrace to the Lou Family?”
Would she blame Lu Chao Chao? What should they do?!
The First Elder spat.
“Bah! As if I’d give up such an opportunity for the sake of ‘face’!!”
“Wait here! I’m going to beg Old Master Bai Ze—we’ll dance together!”
“No one can outshine us!”
With that, he bolted toward the restricted grounds.
Lou Jin Tang: ………