Chapter 483: Chapter 68: Love Is Short, Seize the Day

May 4, 2018

The morning in Golden Jade City was already bustling, with crowds discussing everywhere in the streets and alleys.

The city had not settled down for two consecutive days, as the question of the City Lord’s replacement had been troubling the people of Golden Jade.

Zhao Hongwu and Zhao Hongxue, two elders personally selected by Zhao Chenlu, had completely destroyed their own reputations within just one day, causing even the entire elder class of Golden Jade City to be loathed by the people. On May 2, the issue of the candidates further complicated when Zhao Chenlu’s brother, Zhao Jincheng, suddenly announced his candidacy for City Lord, as if pouring cold water on hot oil, setting the city ablaze.

To the infamous elders, Zhao Jincheng’s appearance was almost like a savior. Zhao Hongxue and Zhao Hongwu were eager to express their willingness to step back and provide a stage for the young, directly offering the City Lord’s position to Zhao Jincheng, as long as Zhao Chenlu nodded in agreement, the new City Lord would be settled.

To the people of Golden Jade, that square face of blue bricks was at least kinder than the old faces of Zhao Hongxue and Zhao Hongwu. In fact, when he was still the eldest son of Golden Jade City, most people of Golden Jade expected that when Zhao Chenlu became bored on the City Lord’s seat, he would most likely pass the position to him. Now, during the chaotic times of Golden Jade City, he stepped up, conforming to the right time, place, and people.

However, regarding the elders’ act of yielding, Zhao Chenlu did not give a definitive answer. She neither outright rejected nor explained the reason, which left the elders’ applications unanswered in the void.

Without Zhao Chenlu’s approval, who dared to hastily appoint the City Lord’s position?

Thus, the situation that seemed settled suddenly introduced countless variables, forcing the people of Golden Jade caught in the situation to endure this torment.

——

Meanwhile, in the City Lord’s Mansion, Zhao Chenlu looked at a downcast Zhao Jincheng, feeling both frustrated and amused.

"Jincheng, while I never thought you were an exceptional talent, I didn’t think you were foolish either. Though your skull may be abnormal, your brain isn’t. So how could you do something so stupid? Announcing candidacy for the City Lord of Golden Jade City? Saying that would make people laugh. The choice for Golden Jade City’s City Lord is appointed by me, since when has it become an elected position? Golden Jade City is not a democratic city!"

Zhao Jincheng was filled with shame, bowing his head lower, parallel to the glossy ground.

Zhao Chenlu continued, "Moreover, can’t you see the current situation in Golden Jade City? Is the City Lord’s position such an easy seat? Those elders may be foolish, but at least they have the self-awareness to know that this position shouldn’t be touched lightly. They’re all thinking of finding a scapegoat and then reaping the benefits. And yet, you jumped out yourself. Do you think you’re now qualified to take over from me?"

Zhao Jincheng certainly knew how far he was from being qualified and never considered himself a qualified successor. Although he was trained as a successor, the mere methods his sister taught him were ordinary skills. The truly extraordinary and transcendent magical techniques of Golden Jade City were never shared by Zhao Chenlu. He didn’t blame his sister, for he understood that such Divine Skills were beyond his skill to harness.

"So, why did you still train me as a successor all those years?"

Zhao Chenlu replied, "Because I was bored."

"..." Zhao Jincheng raised his head sharply, speechless as if his worldviews were shattered, "Bored?"

Zhao Chenlu said, "Or was it because you were exceptionally talented and smart?"

"..." Once again, Zhao Jincheng was dealt a heavy blow, unable to speak for a long time.

Zhao Chenlu was patient with her brother and explained seriously, "You’re the closest brother to me in this lifetime. Whatever you wanted to do, I’ve always supported you in doing your best. However, whether it’s the Cultivation Techniques I’ve taught you or the Elixir Pills and Magical Treasure I’ve chosen for you, none are the top-tier. Don’t you understand the reason behind this?"

Zhao Jincheng understood, of course.

For an Immortal Cultivator, being too eager and forcing rapid progress is taboo. The basic understanding within the Immortal Cultivation Realm is that one should cultivate techniques that match their talent. The principle of inequality by birth is elementary knowledge in cultivation. Although Zhao Jincheng was deemed a rare genius by others, compared to his sister, he paled in comparison, which is why, whether it came to Cultivation Techniques or Elixir Pills, he never enjoyed the top-tier treatment.

Zhao Chenlu said, "Simply put, with your talent, you’re not suitable for the role of Golden Jade City’s City Lord, so..."

Before she finished, Zhao Jincheng couldn’t help but retort.

"I admit my talent for Immortal Cultivation is limited, but why can’t I be the City Lord? While I certainly can’t compare to you, elder sister, in terms of talent, am I not at least comparable to father? If he could be City Lord, why can’t I?"

Zhao Chenlu said, "Zhao Hongxue may have had average ability, but he was handsome in his youth."

"..." Zhao Jincheng felt as if he’d been socked in the face with an iron mallet, leaving him bewildered.

Zhao Chenlu explained, "For a political figure, it’s not just about intelligence or audacity but charisma. The ability to attract others to follow you, make them accept your viewpoints more easily, and forgive your mistakes more readily, is far more important than designing brilliant plans or executing tough strategies. Zhao Hongxue, despite his mediocrity and limited courage, at least had a decent appearance. During his term, his support from women wasn’t low. Had he not encountered me, his regime would have been quite stable. But you..."

Zhao Jincheng touched his face. For many years, he’d felt that despite his somewhat peculiar face shape, his features were proper, his demeanor elegant. While he wouldn’t call himself handsome and striking, he thought of himself as having distinguished charm. However, since visiting Shen City, his worldview was shattered.

"I, I can get plastic surgery," Zhao Jincheng said desolately. "With today’s advanced cosmetic technology, why not simply change my face?"

Zhao Chenlu said, "If you change your face, what would distinguish you from a pedestrian? What would make anyone remember you? If one lives their life only to blend in with the masses, wouldn’t it be better to not exist at all?"

"..." Zhao Jincheng practically kneeled before his sister, "I really would rather be a passerby!"

"Then go die, when you reincarnate, there’s a good chance you’ll be a passerby." Zhao Chenlu smiled, utterly unconcerned with her brother’s psychological shadow, and continued, "Besides, when I became the City Lord back then, it was to find someone. Until I find that person, I’ll remain City Lord indefinitely, and it might take a hundred or two hundred years to find them. So I never planned on grooming a successor; it was just to show a façade to amuse the people and pass the time. I never imagined even you would take this seriously. I thought the hints I gave you all the time were sufficient."

Zhao Jincheng felt utterly despondent, how could I possibly have guessed that you, sister, were just bored!

"So, about your candidacy for City Lord, just pretend it never happened. In a few days, create an accident involving a Qi Deviation, and withdraw from this embarrassing stage."

Zhao Jincheng remained silent for a long time.

For the past thirty years, he had never gone against his sister’s will. Whenever Zhao Chenlu gave an order, Zhao Jincheng would comply without hesitation, a habit deeply ingrained over time.

But this time, Zhao Jincheng truly could not resign himself to giving up.

"Sister, I think I still want to give it a try. Even if I lack ability, even if my charisma is limited, but I..."

"Oh, then go ahead."

"..." Zhao Jincheng was once again dumbfounded.

The passionate speech he’d been preparing was just getting started, and it abruptly ended!

Zhao Chenlu said, "My principle is that if someone is hell-bent on destroying themselves, I absolutely won’t stop them, even if it’s you, my brother. I’ve explained the reasoning. If you still insist on your own way, then do as you wish. By the way, hand over that girl who incited you."

Zhao Jincheng was startled, "Incited..."

Zhao Chenlu said, "With your temperament, if I hadn’t come to find you, how could you possibly have left that courtyard? Someone must have found you and persuaded you to come out and be this target. And now in this Golden Jade City, the only person with the guts and eloquence to do this is her."

Zhao Jincheng, while marveling at how worthy his sister was indeed, unhesitatingly betrayed his companion.

A moment later, Qian Yue, with a triumphant smile, stood before Zhao Chenlu.

"Sister Zhao, we meet again. So, how about I..."

Before she could finish, Qian Yue found her body suddenly a hundred times heavier, involuntarily collapsing to her knees, her kneecaps striking the hard jade tiles, causing tears to spring from her eyes.

But the torment had only just begun.

"Do you think I admire your presumptuous cleverness?"

Qian Yue struggled to speak, "Even if it’s presumptuous cleverness, at least it’s thinking courageously, which is far better than being ignorant."

"The thoughts of a fool only make people want to laugh."

Qian Yue replied, "To win a smile from an idol, that’s something."

"So, did I smile?"

"...I, I will work even harder."

Under Zhao Chenlu’s relentless questioning, Qian Yue’s psychological defenses were finally on the verge of collapse, tears already welling in her eyes.

Having accomplished this feat of bullying the small with the great, Zhao Chenlu sighed deeply, "It was true, becoming more and more like that Shang Girl."

Behind her, the Celestial Divine Sword asked, "How can you tell?"

"Just now, when I forced her to kneel, I suddenly felt a kind of pleasure rising from the depths of my heart, akin to the joy of avenging a long-held grudge, so I deduce that the elements of Shang Lanfei in this girl are growing stronger, already able to trigger my internal pleasure switch. If left unchecked, in decades, this could be another form of that Shang Girl."

"I see, so what then?"

"I can’t wait decades." Zhao Chenlu declared decisively.