92 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

# Chapter 92: Into the Sea The man in black had eventually breathed his last. The combined might of the twin swords, Liubing and Candle Shadow, was overwhelming. Coupled with the blood fiend aura surrounding him, it was inevitable that he couldn’t withstand the absolutely righteous strike from these swords. Yan Jue clutched Liubing tightly, still unable to fully believe what had transpired. The cold body lay there on the beach. Qi Xianqing glanced at Yan Jue, "Go ahead." Yan Jue was startled, "Go where?" Qi Xianqing gave her a gentle nudge with his foot, "Don’t you enjoy searching bodies?" Yan Jue was stumped, silently grumbling to herself. She swiftly approached the body to search through the man’s cloak. Removing the cloak, Yan Jue was greeted by an extremely ordinary face of a scruffy-bearded man. Frowning slightly, she searched the cloak and suddenly her fingers felt something cold. Yan Jue pulled out the object. It was a broken bone flute, with a light red silk ribbon tied to its head. The bone flute seemed vaguely familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before. She once again reached into the cloak and pulled out something else. It was a gourd. Yan Jue shook it in her hand. The sound from the gourd was crisp and clear. She removed the gourd’s cap and found over a dozen pale yellow pills inside. Their purpose was unknown. Yan Jue handed the gourd to Qi Xianqing, who sniffed at its contents with a contemplative look. Continuing her search, Yan Jue’s hand brushed across something else and brought it out. It turned out to be a mysterious black pearl, cool to the touch, emitting a faint gleam under the moonlight. Yan Jue slightly furrowed her brows. This seemed somewhat similar... Yan Jue recalled the ice-blue pearl Bai Ying had once given her— a lightning-repelling pearl. This pearl was black, shimmering brilliantly, resembling the one Bai Ying had given her. Qi Xianqing, while keeping a vigilant gaze on their surroundings, suddenly heard Yan Jue ask, "Senior Brother, do you recognize this?" Yan Jue handed the pearl over. Qi Xianqing turned it over, musing, "A water-repelling pearl." Yan Jue was taken aback. She then fetched the lightning-repelling pearl that had once saved her life. Two pearls, one ice blue and the other mysterious black. Their appearances were identical. Yan Jue inquired, "What’s its function?" Qi Xianqing explained, "Cultivators cannot move freely underwater. Even if there’s a barrier of true energy protecting them, they may eventually perish once their energy is depleted." "Holding this pearl in hand is akin to mastering the immortal art of water-repelling. Unlike ordinary water-repelling charms, which last only half an hour, the immortal art of water-repelling takes no toll on true energy and endures permanently." Nodding, Yan Jue stored the water-repelling pearl in her Qiankun pouch and continued to search the black-clad man. Suddenly, her fingertips brushed against another cold object. She pulled it out and paused, somewhat surprised. It was a… crystal bottle? When shaken, the crystal bottle emitted a crisp sound. Upon opening the bottle, it revealed a collection of small pearls. Each pearl shone with a brilliant luster, as if encapsulating all the stars and the vast ocean within. Exchanging a glance with Qi Xianqing, Yan Jue whispered, "Jiaoren Pearls." --- After dispatching the man in black, the two returned to the village. Qi Xianqing extended his spiritual sense to scan the area, and it was confirmed that aside from the black-clad individual, all the other residents were mere mortals. Each household’s backyard in the village suspiciously mirrored the same formation. Using the water-repelling pearl acquired from the man, Qi Xianqing swiftly breached the formation and rescued the trapped mermen. Adopting a similar tactic, Yan Jue employed the Water Ball Technique to escort the mermen back to the sea. Fortunately, the village’s population was sparse. Even if anyone had been awakened by the commotion from the beach, they were no match for the two. After ensuring the mermen's safe return, the pair headed to the Village Chief's house. To be cautious, both donned their stealthy cloaks. The Village Chief's home was farthest from the beach, allowing him to remain undisturbed by prior happenings, continuing his slumber. The sound of the door drew the Village Chief from his sleep, prompting him to hastily slip into his shoes and investigate. Upon seeing the two cloaked figures, the Village Chief was so petrified that he could only beg for mercy while kneeling, unable to articulate his fear. Yan Jue drew her sleeve arrow, its sharp end gleaming with a chilling light as it pressed against the Village Chief's throat. As just a mortal, the Village Chief had never been in such peril, instantly fainting from fright. With a snap of her fingers, Yan Jue conjured a colossal water sphere above them, crashing it down forcefully. "Boom..." The immense splash struck the man's face, abruptly rousing him from unconsciousness. Startled awake, the Village Chief quivered as he knelt, "Immortal, please spare me!" Yan Jue asked, "Why are there so many mermen kept in your backyards?!" The question drained the color from the Village Chief’s face. Yan Jue pressed the arrow further, "Explain clearly and I might spare your life!" Qi Xianqing watched from behind, amused. Though Yan Jue typically seemed gentle, she still had a fierce side. Yet, why did he feel... she was adorably fierce? The Village Chief, his eyes fixed on the sharp arrow, gulped, and began his tale. As it turned out, ten years ago, this small fishing village suffered a famine. Being remote, assistance from the city was impossible, leaving everyone starving. In desperation, the men turned on the women. The Village Chief set the precedent by killing his own wife during an argument. Following his example, others did the same to survive. With the women gone, there was no one to bear children, leading to the mermen being repeatedly hunted. When he finished, the room fell into silence. Qi Xianqing’s expression darkened, his fists subconsciously clenching. Though Qi Xianqing had traveled far and wide, witnessing countless human atrocities, it still angered him. He sometimes found human hearts as terrifying as demons, perhaps even more so. Were it not for his upbringing in a righteous sect, instilled with teachings against ruthless retribution, he might have already... Yan Jue’s demeanor also soured. As the Village Chief shifted uncomfortably on his knees, Yan Jue harshly pushed him down, "Stay still." Qi Xianqing stepped forward, his tone icy, "You’re all mortals; arranging such formations isn’t possible for you." He referred to the illusion formation they had found in the backyards. The brazen capture of mermen was likely linked to the man in black. The Village Chief's face turned ashen, unable to lift his gaze, "The formations… he indeed set them up for us." "That year, a powerful figure arrived in our village, moved by our desolate state, and proposed this plan." "Those mermen, he also helped us capture them." Suddenly, a distant patter of rain could be heard outside. Yan Jue moved to the window and looked out; it was raining. Raindrops dotted the window, becoming a torrential downpour. The sky was filled with dark clouds, and a flash of lightning illuminated the girl's face brilliantly. Qi Xianqing furrowed his brow slightly, "The sound of the waves seems unusual." Yan Jue listened carefully and indeed noticed a difference. The surf, from afar, seemed almost musical, a rhythm like drumming. Suddenly recalling something, she dashed towards the beach. Not far away lay the sea. Under the cloudy sky, many silhouettes loomed. More accurately, many mermen. The waves rose gently, allowing a dozen mermen to float upon the surface, their elongated tails slightly drooping. In their world, the status of the mermen was far below that of humans. Humans rejected them, while dragons looked down on them, placing the mermen in an awkward position. Yet, there was no denying that mermen were beautiful. Even from a distance, each merman, whether male or female, was strikingly handsome, with fair skin and graceful appearances. Their attire was bold, with women donning only a bellyband and men baring their chests. Yan Jue glanced subconsciously at Qi Xianqing. Qi Xianqing pursed his lips slightly, appearing uneasy, his fists clenching at his sides. Yan Jue mentally chuckled, turning her gaze back to the mermen, particularly the blonde girl wearing a tight bellyband, her long hair flowing with the breeze. It was Hai Ying, the one they had just saved. Hai Ying, seeing Yan Jue and Qi Xianqing, waved excitedly. Startled, Yan Jue realized Hai Ying had brought the entire merman royal family. Amidst the group of mermen stood an old man with gray hair. The old man was shirtless, his chest adorned with robust muscles, and his lower half sported a stunning emerald-green tail. Standing atop the high, cresting waves, he wore a shell necklace, with a white dragon scale upon his brow. It was clear he held a distinguished position. Qi Xianqing stepped forward, bowing, "Greetings to you, sir." Hai Ying addressed the Old Merman, "Father, it was these two who saved me." Hearing the title Hai Ying used, Yan Jue understood. Since she called him 'Father King,' he must be some kind of old king of the merman clan. The Old Merman offered a gentle smile to Qi Xianqing, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "Immortal Lord, you saved my daughter, and I have no way to repay you. I have lived in the sea for many years and am unaware of the illustrious names of immortals. From the long sword on your back, this must be the famed immortal sword, Candle Shadow? Immortal Lord, might you be..." Qi Xianqing introduced, "I come from the Five Dragon Gate. My name is Qi Xianqing." The Old Merman studied Qi Xianqing for a long moment, then humbly bowed his head, "I wish to invite the two Immortal Lords to my humble palace. Would you be willing...?" "Given the Immortal Lord's vast powers... I have a matter I wish to request your help with..." Yan Jue glanced at Qi Xianqing. Qi Xianqing lowered his eyes and said, "To receive an invitation from the Old King today is a great honor for me." Just as Qi Xianqing finished speaking, Yan Jue suddenly smacked her forehead, "Oh no." "Hmm?" "There's someone we forgot." --- When Yan Jue and Qi Xianqing arrived at the mountain behind the small fishing village, Jiang Mengchu, still groggy, stepped out from inside, "Senior Brother, Sister Yan Jue, did something happen?" Yan Jue handed her the outer robe she picked up, "Nothing happened. The Old Merman King invited us to visit his palace under the sea, so hurry and get dressed. Let's go together." Jiang Mengchu paused in surprise, then quickly donned her outer robe. The group made their way to the beach. However, when faced with these human cultivators, the Old Merman felt troubled. Human cultivators cannot move freely underwater. Even those cultivators who master the water-repelling technique cannot last long beneath the surface. The Old Merman turned back, looking at them with concern, "You all..." Yan Jue reassured, "No need to worry about that." She then retrieved the water-repelling pearl they had confiscated from the man in black, from her Qiankun pouch. Under the moonlight, the mysterious black pearl emitted a gentle glow. The mermen dove into the sea first. Yan Jue followed behind the mermen. Holding the water-repelling pearl in her hand, she stepped gently into the ocean, listening to the splashes of water before her. What was once a turbulent sea parted before them. Qi Xianqing walked by Yan Jue's side, his expression serious as he scanned their surroundings. Together, they slowly made their way into the depths of the ocean.