Chapter 400: A Day to Be Recorded in History
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The tiger pelt was spread upon the ground, soft and warm.
Lu Chao Chao lay atop it, kicking her little legs playfully. Chen Yuan busied himself with catching fish, while Zhu Mo, the black dragon, kindled the fire—each fulfilling their respective roles.
A gentle breeze swept by, adding to the tranquil and picturesque atmosphere.
“I don’t even want to leave…”
“No need for homework here…” Lu Chao Chao was utterly content. If not for a slight longing for home, she wouldn’t have considered leaving at all.
Chen Yuan’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
“The food in the Grievous Prison is far too monotonous, nothing compared to the delicacies of the outside world.”
“You’ve only been here two days—aren’t you already growing weary of it?”
“Besides, neither of us are skilled cooks. I’m not trying to chase you away, just saying, staying here is beneath you.” Chen Yuan sighed deeply.
“Ah, I do miss mortal cuisine…” Lu Chao Chao swallowed hard.
“The Southern Kingdom seeks to recruit Zhu Mo as their National Spirit, offering him half of their national fortune. Since you’re his master, that fortune would belong to you. Outside, you’d eat and drink to your heart’s content—what’s not to like?” Chen Yuan spared no effort in persuading her. Ever since Lu Chao Chao entered the Grievous Prison, he hadn’t dared to sleep!
Originally, his dream had been to fight his way out of this forsaken place, bellowing to the heavens, Chen Yuan is free again!
But now? With Lu Chao Chao outside, he never wanted to leave this prison for the rest of his life!
He’d rather stay trapped here forever!
Lu Chao Chao rested her cheeks in her hands. “You make a good point.”
“I’m leaving soon—prepare some local specialties for me. Gather the best cuts from the beasts in this prison and kill them for me to take.”
“Also, pull up some of the spirit herbs and medicines growing here—I want to take them all.”
She had little use for them herself, but her mortal family certainly would.
“Of course, of course! Just wait! You won’t have to lift a finger—I’ll handle everything!” Chen Yuan sprang up instantly, so excited that even the flowers in his hair trembled. His grin stretched so wide it nearly reached the back of his head.
He immediately mobilized his subordinates to scour the entire Grievous Prison for supplies.
“When do I leave?” Lu Chao Chao asked.
Zhu Mo responded with due reverence, “Tomorrow at noon. You won’t wake up early, so we planned accordingly.”
Word of Lu Chao Chao’s imminent departure spread, sending the entire Grievous Prison into a frenzy. Even the great demons in the river bustled about, gathering farewell gifts.
By the riverbanks, fish piled up like a small mountain.
Hurry up and leave! Hurry up and leave!
In just a few short days, Chen Yuan had gone from a fearsome presence to a frenzied, sleepless wreck—his former cool and ruthless demeanor utterly shattered.
Mountains of freshly hunted beasts, all of the finest quality, soon filled the area.
Chen Yuan blinked and, feigning nonchalance, casually asked, “Chao Chao, who suggested exiling you to the Grievous Prison?” Despite his relaxed tone, his ears were perked up keenly.
“A eunuch.”
“The personal attendant of the Eldest Princess,” Lu Chao Chao replied indifferently.
Chen Yuan nodded. Good. You’re dead.
As night deepened, Lu Chao Chao slept soundly, while the rest of the Grievous Prison remained restless.
Ning Manor
“Chao Chao has been in the Grievous Prison for two days. She’s only three and a half—how is she surviving in there?” Shi Yun wept, overwhelmed with worry. Tales of man-eating ghosts and beasts as tall as mountains haunted her mind.
No matter how gifted Chao Chao was, she was still a child.
What mother could rest easy under such circumstances?
A child may be strong, but a mother’s heart would never allow her child to remain in danger.
Old Madam Ning’s wounds had begun to heal, fresh pink flesh growing where scars had once marred her face.
Lately, her face had been unbearably itchy, forcing her to wear a veil at all times. When the discomfort became too much, she would gently rub at her healing skin.
Even the half of her face that had been burned was slowly regaining its original appearance.
Despite her graying hair and the fine lines around her eyes, her beauty was still breathtaking.
Perhaps it was due to the rejuvenating balm she had been using. Once aged beyond her years from the grief of searching for her daughter, she now seemed far more youthful.
Age could not conceal such a stunning visage. When she was young, the term peerless beauty had not been an exaggeration.
It was no wonder the old emperor, despite having seen countless women, had fallen for a mere farm girl at first sight—and had never forgotten her since.
“I’ll enter the palace—I must beg him!” The Old Madam stood.
Since the day the old emperor had found her, she had been confined within the manor, never once granted an audience with him.
Begging the old emperor? Unthinkable.
That was precisely why the empress had dared to order her burial alive, replacing her with an imposter.
If the emperor never saw her, then the deception would never be exposed.
Seeing them rise, Xie Yu Zhou hurriedly blocked their path with outstretched arms. “Just wait! Just one more day! Tomorrow the Grievous Prison opens—Zhu Mo will reveal himself! What if Chao Chao seizes the chance to escape?”
“Have faith in Chao Chao. Has she ever suffered a loss?”
“She eats everything—but she never eats a loss.”
“Tomorrow, when the prison opens, she might sneak out! If you storm the palace now, wouldn’t that just alert the enemy?”
Xie Yu Zhou held his breath, pleading fervently.
Xie Jing Xi cast him a sidelong glance and said calmly, “He has a point. Let’s wait one more night.”
“We’ll act after Zhu Mo appears.”
Shi Yun wiped away her tears, and Rong Che whispered reassurances as he led her back to her room.
No one slept that night, staring at the ceiling until dawn.
Xie Yu Zhou held onto Windchaser. “You think Chao Chao will sneak out? I don’t believe it.”
“She only sneaks around for food. When she causes trouble, she does it boldly!”
“If she’s leaving, it will shake the entire Southern Kingdom.”
Xie Yu Zhou knew Lu Chao Chao too well.
“Let’s secure a good spot!” He stuffed two buns in his pockets and stationed himself outside the Grievous Prison.
The dragon had long been a revered symbol of supreme power among mortals.
The news that the black dragon would become the Southern Kingdom’s National Spirit thrilled the people.
Clever merchants set up stalls near the prison.
Sugar artists crafted dragon candies.
Clay figurine vendors sculpted dragons.
Scholars hurriedly painted countless depictions of the black dragon, each one exuding awe-inspiring majesty.
“We are truly fortunate to witness the first emergence of our kingdom’s National Spirit!”
“Even the royal historians are here!”
“Yes! That man next to the historian is a famed artist—this event will surely be recorded in history!”
The people eagerly awaited their chance to see a living dragon.
With a mighty roar, the Grievous Prison gates opened.
A thunderous dragon cry sent shivers through the crowd.
Zhu Mo stood inside the prison, staring at the endless blue sky, his heart racing with anticipation.
Today, he would be free.
Today, he would be reborn as the people’s faith!
Today would be recorded in history.
With a deafening roar, he transformed into his black dragon form, soaring into the heavens.
Chen Yuan, initially calm, suddenly looked horrified.
“WAIT—!!”
But it was too late. The black dragon had already ascended into the clouds.
The crowd gazed up in awe—
Only to see a black dragon, clad in a gaudy, oversized floral jacket, soaring through the skies.
Xie Yu Zhou stammered, “F-Flower Dragon?”
“Or… a sentient floral jacket?”