Ch 83: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Anshun couldn’t give a definite answer to that question either.

He muttered, “Maybe… maybe they are. If they weren’t immortals, who else could do something like that…”

Halfway through his words, he suddenly froze, his face going pale as he stared in horror at the direction the sea beast had gone.
“Not good! That’s where we live!”

The immortals were headed toward a human settlement—his whole family was there!

---

The news of immortals riding a whale spread quickly.

And it wasn’t hearsay—everyone in the small fishing village had seen them with their own eyes. Not just the immortals’ figures, but also the awe-inspiring sea beast that could raise waves high enough to blot out the sky.

It was said the immortals truly matched the legends: bearing celestial grace, clad in garments that shimmered with light, wreathed in drifting clouds.

They looked no different from humans, except their hair was a long cascade of blue, adorned with pearls and gems, dazzlingly beautiful.

Soon enough, the news traveled from the village all the way to the capital—and naturally, to Chu Xu and his followers.

By then, several days had already passed since Ying Lou’s true identity had been exposed.

He had been imprisoned, his long hair reverting to its natural azure hue. Looking at him now, it was impossible not to connect him with the “immortals” of rumor.

Hearing that the so-called immortals could command powerful sea beasts and had come striding across the waves, even those ministers who had clamored to burn this “monster” alive began to hesitate.

They hadn’t sought Ying Lou’s death simply because he was of another race, but because his presence—and the place he held in Chu Xu’s heart—stood in their way.

What gave them the courage to press Chu Xu so hard, to demand the death of this “inhuman creature,” was precisely the knowledge that Chu Xu still needed their support—and that Ying Luo was utterly alone, without a clan or backers.

But now, with rumors of immortals who looked like him, who might well be his kin… no one dared act rashly.

Their plots were already dangerous enough. They could not afford to provoke new, powerful enemies.

So, after two days in the dungeon, Ying Luo was moved—treated with courtesy, taken to a quiet courtyard, provided clean clothes and water to wash. Translated on Hololo novels. His treatment was far better than before.

Yet outside the courtyard, soldiers still stood guard, heavy and vigilant, to prevent any escape.

Ying Luo thought this change was thanks to Chu Xu pleading for him, and in his despairing heart, a fragile hope rekindled.

But he did not know that, in a study some distance away, Chu Xu was speaking with the same old adviser who had been most insistent on “burning the monster.”

“Lord, do you know the truth of Young Master Ying Lou’s origins?”

Chu Xu lowered his voice. “I know what you’re getting at. He is indeed not human. He has clansmen—his people live in the sea. These immortals being talked about so fervently, they are likely his kin.”

The old man’s eyes lit up. “Truly? Then his people really can command sea beasts? If they were to aid us, surely it would drive your great cause further!”

Chu Xu hesitated before saying, “That, I cannot say. Ying Luo… I only know that he is stronger in the water. Otherwise, he’s little different from humans, save for being more agile and powerful.”

He kept a little selfishness hidden.

Ying Luo loved him deeply and was guileless, telling him everything about himself and his clan without reserve.

Chu Xu knew that while merfolk were formidable even on land, they could still be wounded, restrained, or killed.

And in truth, the entire clan numbered barely more than a hundred. They could never truly offer decisive strength to his cause.

So he withheld the truth from the adviser. In his heart, he thought: if his men could be made to believe Ying Luo had powerful backing, perhaps life would become easier for him.

The two discussed further matters, when a trusted aide lightly knocked on the door.
“Master, Mister Wei, a guest has come.”

“A guest?” Chu Xu frowned. “Who?”

This stronghold was extremely secretive—no one outside his closest circle should know of it.

The aide’s voice faltered, tinged with awe. “It’s… an immortal.”

Chu Xu started, his gaze snapping to Wei. “Where are they?”

The aide stammered, “I-in the front courtyard. You… you had better see for yourself.”

---

Front courtyard.

Mu Xing murmured softly, “What I taught you, have you remembered it?”

Bi Fei nodded quickly. Mo Yu hurried to nod as well.

Little Xing had told them: keep a straight face, no smiling, follow his lead in everything.

Mo Yu, as always, didn’t understand why—but thinking was never his strong suit. Since he didn’t get it, he’d just listen.

So when Chu Xu, led by his aide, stepped into the front courtyard, he was met with a breathtaking sight—three merfolk standing proudly at its center.

Each possessed astonishing beauty. Their robes, made of some unknown fabric, shimmered with radiant light, flowing and magnificent.

Their long azure hair streamed down their backs, adorned with jewels and pearls, just like Ying Lou’s.

Around them lay the unconscious bodies of armored guards.

Before Chu Xu could speak, Mu Xing took the lead. With a faint lift of his chin, eyes cold, his voice fell like frost:

“Human, I smell a familiar aura on you. Where is Ying Luo?”

Chu Xu froze.

He was bewildered.

These three merfolk were nothing like what he had imagined.

The first time he met Ying Luo, he’d been drawn to that unclouded smile. Ying Luo was innocent, pure, always looking at the world with the kindest of eyes.

And in his words, his clansmen were the same—simple, kind, like blank paper unstained by shadows.

—completely unlike the three standing before him now.

He snapped back to himself, glanced at the guards sprawled on the ground, and said in a low voice:
“Who are the three of you? To intrude uninvited and strike down my men—what is the meaning of this?”

Bi Fei spoke evenly, her voice ethereal as though it came from beyond the ninth heaven:
“The moment we entered, these people raised weapons at us. I thought they were going to attack. I defended myself—it seems humans are too fragile. Apologies.”

Chu Xu: “…”

The aide who had reported earlier stammered, “It was her just now… she only waved her hand lightly, and I saw a blue light flash from her sleeve—then all the brothers collapsed.”

If that wasn’t an immortal’s power, what was?

The aide trembled. These were Young Master Ying Lou’s kin… then wasn’t Ying Luo himself also an immortal?

But he—he had personally ordered Ying Luo imprisoned! Would Ying Luo hold it against him?

Chu Xu’s heart pounded.

The aide’s account didn’t match what he knew. The guards on the ground proved he wasn’t lying. Then… his gaze sank. Had Ying Luo deceived him?

His tone softened:
“So it was a misunderstanding. You three… you’re Ying Lou’s clansmen?”

Even as he asked, the stern-faced youth among them cut him a cold glance, eyes glinting with a trace of killing intent:

“Where is Ying Luo? We received his summons for help—he said he was in danger. What have you done to him?”

As his words fell, the very air grew heavy. Even Chu Xu felt suffocated, as though the weight of the sea pressed down upon him.

After a pause, Mu Xing lifted his hand slightly. A halo of deep-blue ripples spread like water through the courtyard, and the oppressive pressure dissolved into nothing.

“Take us to him.”

His voice was calm, but it carried an effortless air of command.

And after seeing their unfathomable means, not one dared to complain.

Chu Xu’s mind whirled, but outwardly he managed a smile:
“No need for haste. My men didn’t know you were Ying Lou’s kin, hence their offense. Since you are his clansmen, then naturally you are my friends as well. I’ll take you to him—he will be overjoyed. May I ask how to address the three of you?”

His eyes lingered on Mu Xing. From their positioning and bearing, this child seemed to be the one in charge.

Bi Fei gave her name, then deliberately introduced Mu Xing:
“This is our clan leader.”

Clan leader?

Chu Xu suddenly recalled what Ying Luo had told him—that his title of clan leader had been stripped away.

Judging from these two’s attitude toward this child, the leader’s status in the merfolk clan was evidently supreme. If Ying Luo still bore that title…

He thought of the display of power he’d just witnessed, and his heart burned. If he could win their support, what was there to fear for his cause?

Unable to stop himself, he said, “I am surnamed Chu, given name Xu, courtesy name Bo Yuan, heir of the former dynasty’s Martial Emperor—”

Mu Xing glanced at him and cut him off with a frown:
“You talk too much.”

Chu Xu choked.

The boy took a step—his footfall left an afterimage, and in the next instant, he was already at the courtyard gate. Another step, and his figure vanished.

A cool voice drifted back on the wind:

“I’ll find him myself.”

Such unfathomable means sent chills down the spines of Chu Xu and his men.

If someone like that wished for their lives, wouldn’t it be as easy as lifting a hand?

Bi Fei looked toward the direction Mu Xing had vanished, then turned back. For the first time, her frosty face softened with a trace of a smile:

“Our clan leader is still young, his temperament simple and direct. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Chu Xu: “…”

Dare he take offense?

He could only force a broad smile.
“Your leader is straightforward by nature. I certainly don’t mind. May I ask, where has he gone?”

Bi Fei said calmly, “To find Ying Luo.”

Mo Yu, still keeping his stern face, added:
“We merfolk have our own ways of finding kin. We didn’t need to waste time here. But our leader insisted we inform the host first, to show courtesy.”

Chu Xu: “…”

Everyone else: “…”

But this “informing”… wasn’t very courteous at all!

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