Chapter 51: It's Never Too Late If You Care

“Ouxinlai, the imperial decree has yet to arrive. Aren’t you going to do something?” That day, not long after Xuanye departed, Ye Zifei left as well, wearing a bitter smile, rubbing his nose. The moment Ye Zifei left, the confinement imposed by the elder Xuan vanished along with him.

Since Ou Jinju was not in the room, he had no idea what had transpired, and later, when he saw Ouxinlai, he was embarrassed to ask, and Ouxinlai made no mention of it herself. Yet the marriage between Ouxinlai and Xuanye was stalled, neither going forward nor being dissolved, and the emperor had not issued a prompt decree to annul their engagement.

“Ou Jinju, is there any particular significance to being Elder Xuan’s granddaughter?” Ouxinlai raised her head and gazed at Ou Jinju. From Xuanye’s attitude, Ouxinlai had discerned that he no longer wished to withdraw from the marriage, most likely because of Elder Xuan’s sudden appearance.

Initially, Ouxinlai cared little about acknowledging this god-grandfather.

But for the sake of this god-grandfather, Xuanye schemed against her so thoroughly that Ouxinlai truly could not endure such indignity! She would rather smash everything she received from Elder Xuan and give it to beggars than let Xuanye lay a finger on it.

As for the emperor’s stance, Ouxinlai had also perceived it. His reluctance to approve the dissolution was, more than likely, because of Elder Xuan.

“There is indeed some significance,” Ou Jinju nodded, his expression somewhat grim. “If you wish to be Elder Xuan’s granddaughter, there are two possibilities. First, you change your surname to Xuan, severing all ties with the Ou family. Second, you become Elder Xuan’s god-granddaughter.”

When he spoke of the second possibility, Ou Jinju’s face darkened.

“This god-granddaughter role seems difficult to assume.” Ouxinlai patted her forehead. If the second option were favorable, there would be no need for the first.

“Yes, after all, it’s only honorary. But once you acknowledge Elder Xuan and receive his approval, you may inherit everything from him. Unfortunately, since you haven’t changed your surname, inheritance is not so straightforward. The Xuan family rules that if they take in a child of another surname, unless the child possesses extraordinary talent, they will not accept them.”

Ou Jinju nodded, laying out the Xuan family’s rules.

Because it is so difficult to enter the Xuan family, even when they do accept an outsider, the surname is changed directly. Rarely do they take in honorary kin.

“How is extraordinary talent judged?” Ouxinlai looked at Ou Jinju.

“The Cave of Chiyou,” Ou Jinju replied. Hearing the name Chiyou, Ouxinlai’s brows rose. She had thought this world completely unrelated to her own, but hearing those words, she realized it was not so.

“It is said the Cave of Chiyou is the battlefield where, at the dawn of time, before the rise of Yan and Huang, Chiyou fought against the Yellow Emperor. Thus, within the cave, many ancient divine artifacts and miraculous medicines remain. But the battlefield, besides treasures, holds devastation, remnants of grand formations, and evil spirits. The Cave of Chiyou opens once every three years, and the number permitted to enter is fixed. If you lack skill and enter, it is certain death. To be accepted as god-kin by the Xuan family, one must survive the cave’s trial—not only must you emerge alive, but also obtain a celestial fate within, as proof.”

As Ou Jinju detailed the cave’s conditions, Ouxinlai narrowed her eyes.

To accomplish anything, one must first sharpen their tools.

Such a simple truth, Ouxinlai well understood.

Thus, to survive the Cave of Chiyou and gain celestial fate is already a blessing; the Xuan family would only benefit from accepting such a god-kin, and might even gain further advantages. Unless they were mad, how could they refuse such talent?

“The cave opens every three years. How long until it opens this time?” From Ou Jinju’s description, Ouxinlai could well imagine how many treasures linger within. Truly, even a scrap fallen from someone’s body would be a great treasure in the eyes of ordinary people.

“Seven days.” Ou Jinju saw the lazy light in Ouxinlai’s eyes suddenly sharpen, and felt deeply uneasy.

Though he believed Ouxinlai was capable, she possessed no supernatural abilities, was still inexperienced, and now was far too young to enter the Cave of Chiyou.

“Seven days?” Ouxinlai smiled. What a coincidence.

“Ouxinlai, don’t act rashly, or you’ll lose your life.” He truly did not mean to look down on Ouxinlai; she was only fifteen, while the youngest to enter the cave was seventeen.

Ouxinlai had yet to hone her abilities; entering now would be suicide.

“But even if you want to go, it’s already impossible. The Ou family began registration a month ago. From those registered, the elders select suitable candidates, and only those chosen may enter the cave. So you have no chance.” Ou Jinju breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, a month ago, Ouxinlai was not yet so ambitious, or it would have been troublesome.

“It’s not too late—not at all. As long as you have the desire, it’s never too late. I knew Ouxinlai was diligent and would surely be interested in the Cave of Chiyou.” Ou Xinya suddenly interjected, grinning.

“For this reason, I registered her name early. As luck would have it, the elders must have thought Ouxinlai was as promising as the clan leader. The list of those eligible for this year’s cave entry has just been posted, and Ouxinlai’s name is right there.” Ou Xinya’s eyes sparkled with a sinister gleam; the way her mouth stretched made it clear she was truly delighted.

—Author’s note—
Thank you to hongchenlu for the gift of diamonds, big kisses.