Chapter 0

The rain fell in torrents. The lightning accompanying the thunder clawed at the sky, cracking it open with one white flash after another.

With dark clouds rolling and wild winds whistling, it seemed that this heavy rain was going to flood the whole world. What a doomsday scene!

Inside the Lu Family’s teahouse, Lu Xingkong, the head of the Lu Family, stood by a huge window. Solemnly staring out at the weird weather, he asked, “When an honorable man is born, there will always be more wind and rain. Do you know how Lil Yu is now?”

“Father, she will be fine.” Lu Qingming comforted him and continued, “We have made enough preparations. Qin Xiaoluo, who is responsible for delivering the princes of the imperial family, is the best midwife in the empire.”

Lu Xingkong pointed at the two intertwined black and white light balls in the sky and said with a smile, “This is the sign of two dragons frolicking with a pearl. For this baby to cause such great movement upon entering the world, he must be born exceptional! When he grows up, he will be capable of anything! My grandson is blessed with a promising future.”

“He won’t be a lazy guy.” Lu Qingming teased him.

“He doesn’t dare.” Lu Xingkong’s gaze became cold. With two streaks of terrifying cold light emanating from his eyes, he added, “My Lu Family will never accept good-for-nothings.”

“Boom!”

Above their heads, another thunderbolt with a long tail popped up, which hurt their eardrums and shook their bodies.

If Lu Xingkong and Lu Qingming hadn’t had their family’s exclusive skill to keep them safe, the sudden thunderbolt that rushed at them might have already knocked them to the ground.

Every beast in forests fell silent, and all the demons in the abyss bowed down.

Suddenly, the stormy sky above their heads was speckled with stars. Like a silver chain, the Milky Way appeared through the tunnel from the end of time, extending all the way across the sky.

Time and space were now in disorder. It was rude defiance against the laws of nature.

Abruptly, the black and white light balls circling in the sky rushed down quickly and exploded on the Lu Family’s roof. Then rays of golden brilliance shone over the world and disappeared in a flash.

“Wow!”

A baby’s shrill cry came from the delivery room, and then there came Qin Xiaoluo’s pleasantly surprised shout. “The baby, the baby has come out… Ahh!”

Lu Xingkong looked delighted. But before he could fully enjoy the birth of his grandchild, he heard a sharp cry. “What happened?” he asked.

“I’ll go and check,” Lu Qingming said out loud while striding toward the delivery room.

…

“How is it going?” Lu Xingkong asked in a deep voice.

“The baby looks as dark as coal. He hasn’t been able to open his eyes so far and can see nothing. Blood keeps oozing out from his eyes, nose, and mouth. What’s worse, his heartbeat is extremely feeble. I’m afraid…” With tears welling up in his eyes, Lu Qingming could not finish his words.

“Smack!”

Lu Xingkong slammed his hand down on the long table in front of him and nearly smashed to pieces the 1,000-year-old rosewood table made by famous artisans.

“The vicious Heavens have insulted my Lu Family to the extreme,” he exclaimed.

“Father…” Lu Qingming called out.

With his eyes closed, Lu Xingkong remained silent for a long time. In a low voice, he asked, “I heard that a maidservant gave birth to a daughter today. Is that true?”

“Yes. It was Lil Yu’s maid…” Lu Qingming’s eyes suddenly widened. With a look of astonishment, he said, “Father, you…”

“Change the two babies,” ordered Lu Xingkong.

“Father, but he is the Lu Family’s descendant, your grandson…” Lu Qingming pleaded.

“I said that the Lu Family would never tolerate any useless person.” Lu Xingkong shouted sternly, “Do you want the outside world to know that the Lu Family has a deformed baby? Do you want them to know that my grandson, your son, was struck by lightning?”

“But Lil Yu, she…” Lu Qingming still wanted to say something.

“She must be tired and needs a good rest.” Lu Xingkong greatly lowered his voice. “Go to keep her company.”

Bowing his head, Lu Qingming plodded toward the outside. His spine was bent, and it looked that this tall man was weighed down by the harsh reality.

“She is called Lu Qiji,” Lu Xingkong declared loudly.

“What?” Lu Qingming asked.

“The girl should be called Lu Qiji, the name that I initially prepared for your son.” Lu Xingkong said, “Have her go to accept praise and glory early tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Father,” Lu Qingming said hoarsely.

He knew that his father’s decision was final. Nothing could be done to change it.

His son…

No, he never had a son.

His daughter was named Lu Qiji.