Volume One: Hidden Depths of the Azure Abyss Chapter Two

The atmosphere around Jinli was heavy with tension. She watched as the Crown Prince entered, reserved and troubled, following Yunxiang, with two attendants trailing behind. The Crown Prince looked haggard, his steps slow and labored. Clearly, the sleepless vigil of the past four days had left him not a moment of respite.

Upon seeing Jinli, the Crown Prince immediately performed the utmost gesture of respect, kneeling with three bows and nine kowtows.

Jinli spoke, “Crown Prince, I believe I have made it clear to you before—your mother’s fate is her own tribulation. Whether she survives it or not is destined. Do you understand that your repeated pleas for medicine, your attempts to forcibly extend her life, will only bring her more suffering? In the end, your entire Southern Sea might be implicated.”

The Crown Prince kept his hands clasped and his gaze lowered, exceedingly humble. “I understand. Last time, you had Lord Yunxiang convey this to me. But I still hope you can save my mother. I know you must have a way. I beg you.”

Jinli realized that all her previous explanations had been futile, so she spoke more directly. “It is fate. It cannot be changed. Only she knows what she has done; how those venerable elders of the divine clan will judge her, I cannot say. So, Crown Prince, please return.”

A look of dejection passed over the Crown Prince’s face. In the next moment, he fell to his knees with a thud. Jinli didn’t even spare him a glance, her expression cold as she looked elsewhere. “Crown Prince, she is not even your birth mother. I trust you haven’t forgotten how your own mother died. What purpose does this performance of filial piety serve, I do not care. Yunxiang, see the guest out.”

With that, she set down her teacup and rose. Yunxiang drew aside the gauzy curtain. From her high position, Jinli looked down at the Crown Prince and spoke again, “Crown Prince, every life has its own fate. I urge you to restrain your grief. As for your mother, there is truly nothing I can do.”

Jinli had just turned when she heard a familiar voice say, “Cousin, get up.”

She turned to see the young merman she had met before. His hair and eyes were now black, so changed she almost failed to recognize him. Though he no longer possessed that earlier, otherworldly beauty, his plain clothes lent him a refined, handsome air that drew every gaze.

“And who is this?” Jinli asked, her eyes bright with interest as she sized him up.

The Crown Prince, supported by the merman, replied, “My lady, this is my cousin. He’s shy with strangers. I’ll take him back now, forgive us for disturbing you.”

Jinli’s gaze lingered on the merman, her smile deepening, her delight transparent. Her intent was so apparent that anyone could see it, yet the merman wouldn’t look at her at all. Jinli, with a teasing tone, echoed, “Shy with strangers?”

Only then did the merman look over, a peculiar emotion flickering in his eyes.

Intriguing.

Jinli changed her mind in an instant. “It’s not impossible for me to save your mother—but I have a condition.”

“What condition?” The Crown Prince asked.

Jinli’s gaze shifted to the merman. “I want him.”

“...”

“!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Jinli continued, “Although I cannot save your mother’s life, I can at least lessen her pain and let her live a few days longer.”

With a look, she signaled Yunxiang, who smartly led the merman and attendants away.

Jinli opened her hand, and a brocade box appeared. She addressed the Crown Prince, “This is the Rebirth Pill, one red and one white. You take the red, your lady mother the white. From then on, your destinies will be linked—life and death, harm and healing, shared as one. Will you accept this, Crown Prince?”

The girl’s clear eyes appraised him, her tone casual and languid.

She had thought the Crown Prince would shrink away, but to her surprise, he reached out and took the box from her hand.

“That’s settled, then. You may leave now. The merman stays.”

The Crown Prince hesitated, glancing at the merman behind him, about to speak. But the merman’s expression softened and he shook his head gently. After a moment’s thought, the Crown Prince agreed, “Very well. Thank you, my lady.”

Yunxiang escorted him out. Jinli descended and began to circle the merman, growing more satisfied the longer she looked.

“What is your name?” she asked.

The merman glanced at her, wary and guarded, with a trace of unconcealed disdain, but his manner remained cool.

Jinli came to stand in front of him. “Since you’ve agreed to stay, I have a few rules I hope you’ll follow.”

The merman lifted his eyes to her. Jinli, hands clasped behind her back, spoke slowly. “This isn’t the Southern Sea. There are places you may go and places you absolutely must not. I dislike needless formalities, so you needn’t greet me every day. For now, you’ll stay by my side. You may only leave when I give permission. Understood?”

As he listened, the merman’s pale, slender hands slowly clenched, a shadow darkening his eyes. Jinli saw his reaction and laughed.

“Yunxiang will explain the details,” she added.

She stepped closer, only for the merman to retreat several paces, alert and guarded. She lowered her hand, laughing awkwardly. “No matter. There’s plenty of time.”

With that, she left.

Night fell.

Jinli studied the jade pendant in her hand as Yunxiang approached to pay her respects.

“Have you arranged his lodging?”

“Yes, I’ve settled the young lord in the South Pavilion by the Lotus Stream.”

Jinli asked tentatively, “Does he like it?”

Yunxiang hesitated. “He didn’t seem pleased. He hasn’t smiled or spoken a single word.”

Jinli stood. “I’ll go see him.”

Yunxiang was about to follow, but Jinli said, “No need.”

Jinli transformed into a wisp of immortal mist and arrived at the South Pavilion. Outside, a lotus pond stretched for two miles, with a few immortal pear trees growing in the water—trees that thrived in water and bloomed year-round. Now they were in full, exuberant flower. The merman sat at the water’s edge, the fabric draped lightly over his shoulders, his upper body on the bank, his tail submerged in the clear pool, swaying from time to time. At that moment, he gazed up at the stars.

Jinli watched for a while, then walked over, her voice gentle. “Are you settling in well?”

The merman, seeing her approach, made to leave, but Jinli held out the jade pendant. Surprise flashed in his blue eyes.

“I found this the other day on the rocks. It must be yours.”

He took it, examining it intently before relaxing. Jinli smiled, sitting beside him.

“That pendant seems important to you.”

The merman pressed his lips together. Jinli extended her hand. “Let’s be friends. My name is Jinli. What’s yours?”

The merman stared blankly at her outstretched hand, lost in thought. When he looked up, he found Jinli’s gaze had shifted, burning with intensity as she stared at his bare chest. Embarrassed and indignant, he abruptly swept his arm at her.

Unsteady, Jinli nearly fell into the lotus pond, but with a swirl of immortal mist, she reappeared behind him, still smiling. “Rest well. I’ll leave you for now. Tomorrow I have business outside, and you’ll come with me.”

Before the merman could reply, she was gone.

The next morning, after Jinli had finished her toilette, she opened the door and froze.

In the courtyard, the great pear tree stood like a snowdrift, petals fluttering down. Beneath it stood the merman, tall and elegant, with features as fine as carved jade, his dark hair tied high, eyes clear as stars. A gentle breeze lifted the ribbon in his hair, and his bangs fluttered over his brow. He reached out to catch a falling petal, his expression soft, lips curved in a faint smile—like a painting, impossibly beautiful.

Jinli lowered her gaze and approached step by step. Perhaps he sensed her, for he turned and saw her, withdrawing his hand behind his back. Jinli smiled, rising on tiptoe to pluck a petal from his hair.

He stepped back half a pace.

“Is it beautiful?” she asked.

The merman was startled, meeting her eyes in silence. Jinli opened her palm to show the petal, letting Gengyuan clearly see the tiny black mole on her ring finger.

Her smile was radiant, her beauty breathtaking, but Gengyuan wordlessly pinched the petal between his fingers.

Jinli lowered her hand and glanced at the sky. “The weather is lovely today. Let’s go.”

Gengyuan looked at her, noting that an immortal who rose at this hour could not be very advanced in cultivation. He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

Jinli led her merman companion to an unfamiliar place. He had never been there before and was naturally curious about the outside world.

She saw his interest and smiled. “This is Yanhe Zhai, the most famous restaurant in the demon realm.”

The demon realm? A restaurant?

Just then, a coquettish voice called out, “My lady has arrived!”

The merman stiffened in surprise as five or six alluring, handsome youths swarmed out to greet Jinli. The goddess wore a broad smile; these young men fawned over her, their eyes brimming with affection and admiration.

“My lady, you haven’t visited Xiao He in so long—have you forgotten me?” asked a gentle-featured youth. Jinli stroked his cheek, teasing indulgently, “How could I? I’ve been longing for your music, Xiao He.”

Utterly shameless.

Gengyuan shot Jinli a fierce look, only for her to seize his hand and laugh, “Come along.”

He quickly pulled away.

The others gaped in astonishment—someone had actually rejected Jinli.

But the youth in traveler's garb truly was striking, his bearing graceful and refined.

“Oh, what a handsome fellow! Come inside, let us entertain you,” one of the youths crooned, moving as if to touch him. Gengyuan’s eyes flashed with loathing; he dodged swiftly and brushed off his shoulder.

A proud, aloof young man indeed.

He hardly seemed the type to seek pleasure—his stern demeanor was more suited to a raid than revelry.

Jinli’s lips curved in a smile. Her merman was unruly; she would have to teach him obedience.

“You all, take good care of him. If you do, there’ll be a reward.”

With that, she turned and entered the restaurant, while the beautiful youths dragged Gengyuan along.

Inside a private room, Jinli lounged at ease, listening to the music, her face wreathed in smiles, thoroughly content. Gengyuan, on the other hand, sat on pins and needles as the youths pressed closer to him. He growled, “Get away.”

One of the boys, rebuffed, slunk over to Jinli with a crestfallen face. She set down her wine cup and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The youth, full of grievance, glanced at Gengyuan. Jinli understood, “There, there, don’t be upset. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. Our Xiaonuan is the most adorable.”

“Does my lady like Xiaonuan?” the youth asked.

“Of course I do.”

A shadow passed over Gengyuan’s handsome face. Jinli’s eyes were clear, her smile radiant—as though “like” was a word she could toss out without a second thought.

A woman who could inspire love so carelessly, yet shirk all responsibility—such a person would have been executed ten times over in the Southern Sea.