Emperor’s Domination

They descended the peak and traversed the terrains.

”Young Noble, who did you see?” Princess Chen asked since they saw no one along the way.

Li Qiye stopped and gazed ahead. The group did the same and saw a girl playing before them.

She was around four or five, as cute as could be with jade-like skin and hair tied up with twin tails. Her onyx eyes were full of life. Her smile revealed two dimples and small canine teeth.

She wore a white dress with flowery embroideries, squatting on the street and playing with the mud. She occasionally let out pleasant laughter or sang a song.

This was out of place since no village could be found on this continent. Where did this girl come from?

Mu Hu seemed to be struck by lightning the moment he saw her. He regained his wits and immediately kneeled before her, slamming his forehead on the ground: ”Ancestor.”

”...” The youths exchanged glances of confusion.

”Do you know who she is?” Princess Chen asked.

”I don’t.” Monk Zhu said.

”Desolate Frontier has an ancestor like her?” Li Xian asked.

”Any idea?” Princess Chen asked Orchidcore.

The latter pondered before answering: ”No, there are many famous ancestors there but I don’t recall anyone with a matching description.”

”Ancestor, where are you here? Where is Her Majesty?” Mu Hu asked.

”I don’t know, but it’s fun here.” The girl still played with the mud.

Li Qiye approached and squatted down to ask: ”This is fun?”

She looked up and saw Li Qiye, becoming ecstatic and immediately jumping into his chest: ”Ancestor!” [1]

”!” This froze the young ones.

Mu Hu called the girl ”ancestor” while she called Li Qiye ”ancestor”.

”Ancestor, I finally get to see you again.” When she smiled, others couldn’t help wanting to pinch her cheeks.

”Shouldn’t be that surprising to see me again. You’ve returned once more.” Li Qiye gently stroked her head.

”Returned?” She stared at him curiously.

”You’ll understand soon.” He smiled.

”It’s been a long time, Ancestor. Jiahui said you would come back.” The girl said.

”You remember.” He said.

”Yes.” She scratched her tilted head and tried to remember. Alas, her eyes showed confusion as she shook her head: ”I only remember Jiahui telling me of your return, Ancestor.”

”She understood.” Li Qiye nodded.

”I...” Meanwhile, Mu Hu didn’t know how to address Li Qiye any longer.

”I’m not your ancestor.” Li Qiye helped him out.

”Yes, he’s my ancestor, not yours, okay?” The girl glared at Mu Hu and said, not wanting Li Qiye to be stolen.

”I understand.” Mu Hu didn’t dare to kneel to Li Qiye and got out of the way.

The others immediately crowded him.

”What’s going on?” The princess asked.

”Which ancestor is she?” Li Xian whispered.

”I’ve never heard of anything like this.” Orchidcore added.

”It’s a long, long story, I don’t know where to start.” Mu Hu smiled wryly.

”Well, start with who she is.” The princess said.

”I only know that she is an ancestor.” Mu Hu waved his hand and said.

”...” The others didn’t know what to say.

”You don’t know who your ancestor is? Are you sure you got the right person?” The princess said.

”Of course, I’ve met her once and she doesn’t stay in Desolate Frontier.” Mu Hu said.

”Where then?” Orchidcore asked.

”Stoneclearing School.” Mu Hu said.

”That’s an old lineage.” Monk Zhu added.

”Driedtree Emperor’s sect?” Li Xian asked.

Stoneclearing School was unfamiliar to the group but they knew Driedtree Emperor.

”Yes, the ancestor is under the protection of Driedtree Emperor.” Mu Hu revealed, surprising the group.

”She was once the strongest emperor in Old World.” Orchidcore said.

”Yes, she’s still among the best now.” Mu Hu nodded.

The group recalled how Mu Hu mentioned ”Her Majesty” earlier. So he was talking about Driedtree Emperor.

”Why is she protecting this ancestor?” Princess Chen whispered.

”How do I know? I only met her once and everyone addressed her as an ancestor.” Mu Hu said.

”Driedtree Emperor was one of Desolate Ancestor’s earliest followers, even earlier than her direct disciples.” Orchidcore said.

”Legend has it the emperor was Desolate Ancestor’s maid, is it true?” Princess Chen asked.

”I don’t know, it is true that the emperor had followed our Desolate Ancestor since the start.” Mu Hu said.

”Her status at Desolate Frontier is quite high too, right?” Monk Zhu said.

”Like Ancestor North Kun or Ancestor Shishi.” Mu Hu wasn’t confident since he was only a disciple with no access to top information.

1. The word she used isn’t quite ancestor since it’s a shortened version. The normal ancestor has two words while this is just the first character. It can be translated as ancestor, patriarch, progenitor, forefather, and many more. Ancestor is the safe choice ☜