The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 500
Chapter 500: Outlasting the Short-lived Ones
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Chao Chao, look…”
“Aren’t these three hundred thousand underworld soldiers well-trained?”
“This is the empire I have built for you!”
“When will you march upon the Divine Realm?”
“Oh, right. Back when you were in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, several Grand Elders and seven disciples ascended. We can coordinate an attack from both inside and out. Conquering the Divine Realm would be perfect!”
“Tsk, with the Divine Emperor undergoing tribulation in the mortal realm, we should act quickly. By the time he returns, it will be too late for him to change anything.”
Great Emperor Feng Du muttered his rebellious plans as he walked.
Suddenly, a small girl tugged at his sleeve.
“What is it?” he asked, still deep in his plotting.
“Actually, I have a better idea—something even more important than conquest! Do you want to hear it?” Lu Chao Chao pursed her lips, her eyes twinkling brightly.
Great Emperor Feng Du’s heart leaped with excitement.
“So you’ve already planned something? Speak!”
Lu Chao Chao looked around furtively. “Have you ever studied? Can you read and write?”
Great Emperor Feng Du puffed his chest and lifted his chin. “Are you joking? I am the ruler of the Underworld! If I were illiterate, wouldn’t that be laughable?”
Lu Chao Chao seemed somewhat satisfied.
“Then have you read the Four Books and Five Classics? Studied strategies for governing a nation?”
Great Emperor Feng Du stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Managing the Underworld is similar to managing a country; there must be some overlap.”
Lu Chao Chao chuckled. “Well, I have a favor to ask…”
“I don’t need you to recruit soldiers, nor do I need your three hundred thousand troops…”
Great Emperor Feng Du was about to leap with excitement. The little master might be young, but her ambition was great!
“Can you do my homework? Help me write a national governance strategy?”
“I won’t make you work for free. When I ascend one day, I will surely reward you handsomely.”
“Hey, hey, where are you going?” As soon as Lu Chao Chao finished speaking, Great Emperor Feng Du turned and walked away without looking back.
At four years old, I encouraged you to conquer the world and stage a rebellion.
And you ask me to do your homework?
With a wave of his hand, he opened the Ghost Gate and shoved Lu Chao Chao out.
“Call me when you’re ready to rebel!” Great Emperor Feng Du shut the gate firmly, unwilling to look at her any longer.
Standing outside, Lu Chao Chao stomped her feet, hands on her hips, her little face flushed with anger.
“So stingy! You call yourself my best friend, yet you won’t even help with my homework?”
“What kind of friend are you?”
“Is rebellion more important than homework?” Lu Chao Chao fumed as she soared away on her sword.
The sky was beginning to brighten, a golden hue peeking over the horizon.
Flying swiftly, she faintly heard cries carried by the wind.
She landed amidst the forest, listening carefully. The weak and intermittent voice called out, “Help… is anyone there? Save me…”
Lu Chao Chao frowned. The wild grass was dense, so she used her spirit sword to clear a path toward the sound.
Beneath a towering tree, an elderly man was hanging upside down.
The old man had white hair and a long beard, dressed in a light blue robe that gave him an air of scholarly refinement and dignity.
“Oh dear, help an old man out…”
“Little girl, please save me. I am not a wild monster but an elder of the Book Sect.” The old man groaned pitifully.
Book Sect?
Lu Chao Chao had heard of them—a sect that cultivated through literature.
She recalled how her eldest brother once repelled Ghost Festival spirits using mere words. He, too, could likely cultivate through literature.
“How did you end up hanging on a tree?” Lu Chao Chao asked curiously.
The old man fumed, “Those unfilial disciples of mine! We were on our way to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect for a competition when we were attacked by a demon beast.”
“My disciples ran faster than the wind.”
“I, with my old bones, got caught by this tree demon. If you rescue me, I will reward you generously!”
“I’ll cut the vines to let you down, then,” Lu Chao Chao said cheerfully, always willing to help.
With a flash of cold light, the vines snapped instantly.
Thud!
The old man hit the ground.
“Thank you, young friend.”
“I am an elder of the Book Sect, and my knowledge is unparalleled in the Three Realms. To repay you, I am willing to personally guide your studies…”
It was said that scholars in the mortal world prayed to him before exams, hoping for success.
To be taught by him was considered a fortune beyond measure.
Lu Chao Chao’s cheerful smile stiffened. As she listened, her expression grew solemn.
She watched in horror as the elder pulled out a thick stack of books.
She leaped back, her entire body brimming with resistance. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her little hands trembling.
“You… you repay kindness with treachery!” Lu Chao Chao accused, nearly tearing up.
“How is this treachery? In the mortal world, my reputation is revered. Statues of me stand in various places, and scholars dream of my guidance. You, child, do not understand what an opportunity this is!”
“To express my gratitude, I am willing to teach you for a hundred years!”
“You are only four. With my instruction—Hey, hey, what are you doing?!”
Before he could finish, Lu Chao Chao grabbed a vine and swiftly tied him back up, hanging him from the tree once more!
Book Sect Grand Elder: ???
“Elder, I have calculated that your disciples are already on their way. They’ll be here within one incense stick’s time! I cannot accept your generous thanks, so I shall leave you here for now.”
Little Chao Chao, who had once been eager to help, now had a face of utter disgust.
One act of kindness had nearly cost her a lifetime of servitude.
Ignoring the old man’s indignant curses, she turned and ran.
Good heavens, that was terrifying.
Cultivators lived long lives. Would she even have a future?
The Grand Tutors of Northern Zhao and the Southern Kingdom—she wouldn’t even mention them. They were mere mortals and already past their prime.
As long as she outlived them, she would be victorious.
Carrying her spirit sword, Lu Chao Chao fled at full speed.
Sitting cross-legged on the Sunshine Sword, she donned the mask gifted by the National Advisor. She held a wine flask, her robes billowing in the wind, exuding the air of a carefree sword sovereign.
Outside the Ten Thousand Swords Sect—
Just as she was about to step into its territory, a trembling voice called out, “Chao Chao, is that you?”
The voice was filled with hope and longing, yet tinged with fear.
Lu Chao Chao dropped her wine flask, blinking in a daze. “You… you’re calling me?”
The young girl tilted her head, her starry eyes shining.
Even with only her eyes visible, she was mesmerizing.
Yao Guang took one look at her and felt his strength drain away. It was as if the very air had thinned, leaving only Lu Chao Chao in his vision.
“Chao Chao, it’s you! You’ve returned, haven’t you?”
“I am Yao Guang. Do you remember me?” His voice trembled.
He had only come to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect on a whim, never expecting to truly find Lu Chao Chao.
She had been his heart’s obsession for a thousand years.