Chapter 393: Exiled to Grievous Prison
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Lu Chao Chao was small and delicate, yet a heavy shackle was fastened around her neck.
Even her feet bore iron fetters, clanking noisily as she walked.
The Grand Eunuch personally led the escort, delivering her to Grievous Prison.
The little girl’s gaze was blank, her fair and innocent face a stark contrast to the heavy restraints weighing her down.
“What a sin… A child so young, thrown into Grievous Prison—she won’t even leave bones behind.”
“How old is she? She looks younger than my own daughter…”
“Three and a half. I heard she’s Madam Ning’s granddaughter. Now that she holds power, how could this child have any good days ahead…”
The two prison guards, though long accustomed to cruelty, were still stunned upon seeing Lu Chao Chao.
They couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
“This… counts as a felon?” A younger guard broke into a nervous sweat. He had only just become a father, and seeing this tiny girl reminded him of his own child.
An older, solemn-faced man shot them a glare.
“Silence!”
“The matters above are not for us to discuss! Do you want to lose your heads?” Warden Xiao’s chilling gaze swept over them, and no one dared to speak further.
The Grand Eunuch shoved Lu Chao Chao forward. “Why are you dawdling?! Don’t tell me you still expect someone to come save you?”
“Hmph, this is Southern Kingdom!”
“Warden Xiao, this one suddenly awakened divine power and slaughtered the entire Su Clan, committing an unforgivable crime. The Eldest Princess has sentenced her to Grievous Prison. I trouble you to cast her into the most bitter and frigid depths—to temper her arrogance.”
The Grand Eunuch smirked slightly. In this prison, where countless evil spirits lurked, even if Lu Chao Chao had three heads and six arms, she would never escape.
Years ago, when the deities chose their Divine Attendants, they built Grievous Prison to restrain those with divine power who slaughtered innocents.
Warden Xiao glanced at Lu Chao Chao and spoke indifferently, “Grievous Prison is an isolated space, imprisoning countless evil spirits and monstrous entities—even a slumbering Black Dragon. If you awaken the dragon, neither you nor I will be able to bear the consequences.”
“You—!” The Grand Eunuch faltered.
“The Black Dragon has slept for years. How could a mere child wake it? Warden Xiao, do not take me for a fool!” Though displeased, the eunuch did not dare to argue too strongly.
Those who guarded Grievous Prison all bore divine power. Though he held The Eldest Princess’ favor, he would not dare cross them.
“Enough. Handle her as you see fit.”
Opening Grievous Prison required three wardens working in unison.
Lu Chao Chao tilted her head and gazed at Warden Xiao, her voice soft and innocent.
“Uncle, is there food inside? Is there milk?”
“Chao Chao’s tummy is a little hungry…”
The surrounding guards stiffened. They had all heard rumors that the Su Clan practiced dark rituals using children, which led Princess Sunshine to eradicate them.
Now, the Imperial Family sought to protect the Su Clan, punishing Lu Chao Chao harshly.
Seeing the little girl unaware of the horrors ahead, many clenched their teeth in frustration.
Even Warden Xiao took a deep breath before crouching to her level.
“Inside… there is no milk, nor food. Only endless evil spirits… You…” His voice wavered slightly.
“When you enter, do not move around. Find a place to stay. Wait for the day the prison doors open again…”
“The spirits will deceive you. Trust no one. They may… tear out your heart and carve open your belly…”
For once, Warden Xiao showed a rare gentleness, doing his best to warn her.
The Grand Eunuch sneered. “How rare, for Warden Xiao to show kindness.”
“No food inside?”
“The place is full of beast spirits. If you can catch them, eat to your heart’s content! There’s even a slumbering Black Dragon… Have you ever heard of dragon meat? I hear it’s delicious. Dragon tendons, dragon bones, dragon flesh, dragon blood—all precious treasures. Princess Sunshine, you should go and find some.”
His voice was sharp and mocking, making others frown.
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled, and she solemnly thanked him.
“Really? Thank you…”
“Don’t listen to his nonsense.” Warden Xiao snorted coldly, making the eunuch finally close his mouth.
Yet, his expression darkened.
“Open the prison!”
“Wait…”
Nan Mu Bai arrived, gasping for breath. He had barely escaped his keepers and sighed in relief to see the doors still closed.
The Grand Eunuch scowled upon seeing him.
“Leave us!” Nan Mu Bai commanded quietly.
“Your Highness, The Eldest Princess ordered you to reflect on your actions. If you defy her, you will only face more punishment!” The Grand Eunuch looked at him in disappointment, both frustrated and angry, but could only step back with his men.
Still, they kept a close eye on him.
Nan Mu Bai exhaled sharply. “Princess Sunshine, I will beg my mother to release you. Just survive in Grievous Prison until then.”
“As for the Su Clan… they were in the wrong. Justice will be done.”
Lu Chao Chao, shackled from neck to feet, appeared pitifully small.
If she had truly been a mere three-year-old, she might have believed him.
She might have thought Nan Mu Bai still had some conscience left.
“I remember our first meeting,” she said. “You were riding on the head of a Xiangliu, saying it enjoyed eating human flesh.”
Nan Mu Bai paled. “It ate prisoners!”
“When it devoured Lu Jing Yao, you justified it by saying she did not belong to this time. I admit, I have been indulgent, but I would never harm innocent infants.”
Lu Chao Chao chuckled.
“Did you grow a conscience overnight?”
Nan Mu Bai’s expression changed drastically.
Lu Chao Chao smiled at him. “You’ve figured it out, haven’t you?”
“Let me guess…” She paid no mind to his paling face.
“You realized your dear sister is not the Goddess Reborn.”
“And that I… am?”
Nan Mu Bai staggered back, horror in his gaze.
His fists trembled slightly, his breaths rough. But he quickly regained his composure.
She had never concealed her abilities in Northern Zhao. Now, Nan Mu Bai, thinking back, could not help but make the connection.
“There’s no need to pretend to be kind or deceive me. I have no interest in exposing her. If she has the ability, let her take that seat.”
He only wished to steady himself, to convince himself not to act recklessly, lest he ruin his sister’s ascension.
This was the most important event in Southern Kingdom’s history.
The entire kingdom awaited their own deity’s ascension.
If his sister succeeded, The Eldest Princess would ascend to the throne without opposition. No one would dare offend the mother of a deity.
Nan Mu Bai’s expression darkened.
Lu Chao Chao turned away and called out.
“Warden, open the gates.”