Chapter 374: A Guilty Conscience
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The Sang Family worshiped the God of Luck, Sheng He.
Sheng He’s power was drawn from the vast sea of stars, and so, the Sang Family always conducted their Summoning Ritual at night.
“Does your clan not have a divine beast?” Lu Chao Chao asked softly.
The young priest, dressed in a moon-white robe, shook his head gently. “Our Guardian Divine Beast was once a Qilin, but since the deity ceased to respond to us, we could no longer sustain it.”
“Now, the Sang Family has no Guardian Divine Beast.”
Sang He Li spoke with a hint of regret in his tone.
“When Sheng He still blessed the Sang Family, our greatest ability was Blessing.”
“The blessings of our family could attract fortune and avert disasters, bringing prosperity to the people. But now…”
“It seems we can no longer draw upon Sheng He’s divine power.”
After speaking, Sang He Li led his clansmen forward to perform the ritual of worship.
The sky was filled with countless stars, yet no power responded to their call.
Lu Chao Chao sighed deeply.
“How could he give you power? He’s just an unlucky fellow right now… Honestly, I could summon some for you instead…” Lu Chao Chao scratched her head so much that the tiny hair tuft on her head became undone.
“But without divine support, the Sang Family might not be able to maintain a foothold in the Southern Capital. Worse, it could harm the faith and incense offerings of Sheng He…”
As Sheng He’s devotees, the Sang Family traveled across nations every year, spreading his name and ensuring his incense offerings flourished.
“Ahem…” Lu Chao Chao coughed and turned to Xie Yu Zhou. “Yu Zhou, is your father still residing in the Envoy Residence with Li Zi Xi?”
Xie Yu Zhou nodded while still observing the summoning ritual.
“Tell him to move out. The Envoy Residence is no longer livable.”
Xie Yu Zhou was baffled. Why was it suddenly unlivable?
The young priest’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, and the hope in his clear eyes gradually dimmed. Then, suddenly… someone tugged at his robes.
Sang He Li looked down.
He saw Lu Chao Chao standing on tiptoes, tilting her little head, and spreading her tiny hands. “Make a wish to me.”
Sang He Li was momentarily stunned.
A few days ago, the Ming Family successfully summoned High God Xian Ting. As an acquaintance of the Ming Family, he had gone to seek their methods.
Clan Leader Ming told him: If one day, you encounter a little child telling you to make a wish, do not hesitate!
Now, that moment had arrived.
“May Sheng He have mercy on the Sang Family and bestow us with blessings. And may… the deity be safe and well.” Sang He Li uttered each word with unwavering conviction, eyes blazing as he stared at Lu Chao Chao.
Lu Chao Chao gave him a long look. Faithful devotees were always worth helping.
The night sky was vast and mysterious, filled with dazzling stars like a sea of blooming flowers, shining brilliantly.
Lu Chao Chao gently waved her small hand toward the sky.
From the deep and endless night, streams of power descended. Starlight cascaded down from the boundless heavens…
“Sheng He’s divine power…” The Sang Family gasped.
Sang He Li’s blood surged with excitement as he watched the countless streaks of divine radiance flowing toward him.
No…
They weren’t heading for him—they were flowing toward Lu Chao Chao’s outstretched palm.
The starlight swirled, like a mesmerizing burst of colors blooming in her tiny hands.
Lu Chao Chao slowly pushed the gathered stellar energy into Sang He Li’s embrace. Before he could even react, an immense and boundless divine force filled his being.
It was the purest Celestial Power, even stronger and more pristine than any bestowed by the deity himself.
Above the Sang Family’s estate, the air was thick with celestial energy, stars shimmering in the night sky.
Every member of the Sang Family gazed at her with devout gratitude. Lu Chao Chao turned to Xie Yu Zhou. “Did your father escape yet?”
“Huh? Escape? I haven’t even told him yet…” Xie Yu Zhou, eager for excitement, had no intention of running.
Lu Chao Chao sighed. “Never mind, never mind, it’s too late anyway. No need to run.”
Bestowing divine power upon the Sang Family wasn’t a big deal…
Except…
Li Zi Xi was about to become even unluckier… just a little… little… little… more.
[Faithful believers deserve blessings. What can I do?]
The Sang Family had not yet finished absorbing the power when, in the dead of night, a rider galloped urgently toward them.
“Young Master! Young Master! Please hurry to the Envoy Residence! Something terrible has happened!”
“The ground suddenly collapsed—the entire Envoy Residence caved in!”
“The Top Scorer and Prince Jing Xi have fallen into the depths—their fate is unknown!” The young servant dismounted in tears, shouting.
Even more terrifying, a sudden sinkhole had appeared within the Imperial Palace as well.
Panic spread through the Southern Capital, and chaos erupted within the palace.
The collapsed area? Right at the heart of the Supreme Ultimate Palace.
The Emperor’s sleeping quarters.
His fractured ankle hadn’t even healed, and he awoke in a panic, feeling an overwhelming sense of impending doom. Just as he sat up, the palace floor crumbled beneath him.
“Quick! Sang He Li, come with me to the palace!”
“The Supreme Ultimate Palace has collapsed! His Majesty’s fate is unknown!”
“Princess Sunshine, the Sang Family will never forget your great kindness. Once this crisis is over, we shall petition for your coronation as Empress of the Western Palace!” Sang He Li led his entire clan in a deep bow to her.
Lu Chao Chao received their gratitude without hesitation.
[This is what I deserve.]
That night, the Southern Capital blazed with light. Officials rushed from their homes, barely dressed, racing toward the palace in carriages.
Lu Chao Chao, however, leisurely rode Windchaser to the Envoy Residence. “No rush, no rush. Someone has absorbed part of the bad luck. At most, it’s just a scare.”
“The unluckiest one is over there…” She stole a glance at the half-collapsed imperial palace, its glow illuminating the night sky.
[Feeling guilty… Feeling guilty…]
Time to run.
When Lu Chao Chao and her group arrived at the Envoy Residence, Xie Jing Xi had already dragged a disheveled and traumatized Li Zi Xi out from the rubble.
Li Zi Xi lay flat on the ground, face covered in dust, utterly drained.
Then, he slowly stood up, patted his legs. “Legs are still here. Heh, not crippled.”
He checked his arms and face. “Ah, ah, all still intact… Lucky this time.”
Then, he eyed the crowd, turned his back, bent slightly, seemingly sensing something.
His expression brightened with excitement.
“All here! I can still have children!”
Then, doubt crept into his voice.
“Wait… Is my bad luck getting worse? Something feels off. Usually, I just encounter bandits, mudslides, a bit of sickness, or lose all my money…”
“How did this turn into a sinkhole collapse?!”
He peered into the dark chasm where the residence once stood, tossed in a stone, and faintly heard the sound of running water deep below.
Lu Chao Chao hid behind Xie Yu Zhou.
Li Zi Xi muttered, “Your Highness, I feel like you’re avoiding me…”
Lu Chao Chao, guilty as ever, kept her head down. “No, no, absolutely not. Li Daren must be mistaken…”
But she refused to meet his gaze!
Xie Jing Xi pondered deeply. He needed to buy a separate estate—far away from Li Zi Xi.
[No wonder my imperial brother never let him into the Golden Imperial Hall!]
Xie Jing Xi had once sympathized with Li Zi Xi, even argued with his imperial brother over it!
Before departing, his brother had warned him multiple times to keep his distance from Li Zi Xi.
Xie Jing Xi had accused Emperor Xuan Ping of ostracizing the Top Scholar.
[But my imperial brother was saving my life!]
Li Zi Xi wiped his sweat and, with deep concern, said, “I heard the Supreme Ultimate Palace collapsed, and the Southern Emperor’s fate is unknown. Let’s hurry to the palace to check.”
Li Zi Xi strode ahead.
The others kept a five-meter distance behind him.
“Should we really go check…?”
“Wouldn’t this… send the old emperor straight to heaven?” Xie Yu Zhou sucked in a cold breath.