Into The Sea

Ji Lingyue slept soundly, completely oblivious to the world around her. When she finally woke up, the window revealed a sky speckled with stars, serene and tranquil. She stretched languidly, sat up slowly, and remained in a daze for a moment before the events of the previous night came flooding back.

A blush warmed her cheeks as her eyes fell on the scattered love bites marking her thighs. She felt even more embarrassed and clutched the blanket tightly. Finally, she calmed herself down, but then she realized that someone was missing. She frowned and called out in a hoarse voice, “Lan Wu.”

Silence filled the room. No one answered. After she called out, she could only hear the rustling of leaves outside. A strange sense of panic washed over her. She quickly threw on a robe, jumped out of bed barefoot, and called out again, her voice louder, “Lan Wu!”

Still, no response.

Ji Lingyue stood alone in the darkness, her breathing slightly rapid. Her chest rose and fell a few times. Then, she formed a hand seal and chanted a summoning spell.

A flash of golden light later, the silver-haired mermaid materialized in the room. She was dressed casually, holding a pot of tea. She blinked in confusion, disoriented by the sudden change of scenery.

Ji Lingyue rushed forward and buried herself in Lan Wu’s arms.

Startled, Lan Wu instinctively raised her arms. It was only when the familiar scent enveloped her that she relaxed, asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Where did you go?” Ji Lingyue mumbled into her chest.

“I went to make tea. I was just about to bring you some. I suppose this is faster than walking back myself.”

Ji Lingyue was silent for a moment before saying, “Next time, tell me before you leave.”

Lan Wu raised an eyebrow. “What if you’re asleep?”

“Then wake me up.”

Lan Wu smiled and patted her back. “Alright. Are you thirsty? You’ve been sleeping all day.”

Ji Lingyue nodded and pulled away from her embrace. She obediently took the teacup and took a sip, frowning. “What did you put in the tea?”

“You noticed?” Lan Wu said, “I added some coral powder. It’s a type of medicinal herb from the sea. It nourishes the body and replenishes energy.”

Ji Lingyue relaxed and finished the tea in one gulp. “What time is it?”

“It’s midnight,” Lan Wu replied. “That Emperor sent someone over this morning. I told them you weren’t feeling well and couldn’t receive guests. They left after that. The little princess also came by.”

“You saw her?”

“Of course not. I don’t have time to play with her.”

Ji Lingyue snorted. “What happened to her being cute? Now you don’t have time to play with her?”

Lan Wu was speechless.

It seemed like this was something she wouldn’t be able to live down anytime soon.

She coughed and changed the subject. “What did you find out about the Empress yesterday?”

“Yes,” Ji Lingyue replied, her expression turning serious. “The mortal doctors couldn’t find the cause because the Empress isn’t actually sick. She’s under a demonic spell that’s causing her to be unconscious.”

“A demonic spell?”

“Yes. But I’m not very familiar with it. That’s why I want you to take a look. I didn’t tell you yesterday to avoid any trouble.”

After all, those people were already wary of demons. If they found out the Empress was harmed by one, they would be even more suspicious of Lan Wu.

“Oh…” Lan Wu asked, “What about Yuan Zhen?”

“Yuan Zhen,” Ji Lingyue sighed. “I told him the purpose of our visit, but he said he would only help us after we resolve the empress’s situation.”

Lan Wu blinked. “So he’s saying if we don’t help, he won’t help either, right?”

Ji Lingyue confirmed it with a silent nod.

Lan Wu hissed, puzzled. “Aren’t you his benefactor? Instead of repaying your kindness, he’s also making demands?”

“It’s not exactly a demand,” Ji Lingyue said calmly. “Exorcising demons is part of my duty. Since I’ve encountered it, I can’t just ignore it.”

After saying this, she seemed to realize something and glanced at Lan Wu, adding, “Exorcising evil demons and vanquishing evil spirits.”

Lan Wu chuckled, unable to resist pinching her cheek. “I get what you mean. So, when are we going?”

“Now.”

“Now?”

Ji Lingyue nodded. “The palace is heavily guarded. The demon probably won’t show itself during the day. This is the perfect time. We’ll go in directly without notifying anyone.”

Lan Wu quickly understood her intentions and praised as they climbed out of the inn window together, “You’ve thought this through.”

Ji Lingyue paused. “Why do you say that?”

Lan Wu was also taken aback. “Weren’t you worried that informing the Emperor would alert the demon and scare it off, that’s why you didn’t want to say anything?”

Ji Lingyue was silent for a moment before humming in agreement. “That’s right.”

She was indeed worried about alerting someone, but it wasn’t the demon—it was the little princess.

But it was better if Lan Wu didn’t know about this petty concern.

“There’s definitely a faint demonic aura,” Lan Wu said, walking from the door to the bed and sniffing the air. She looked at the thin, shadowy figure lying there. “It’s quite subtle.”

Ji Lingyue pondered. “What kind of demon would use this type of spell?”

“If you’re asking me, I actually know of one.” Lan Wu turned around, ready to tell her, only to find the space behind her empty. She froze. “Ah Yue?”

She turned around, scanning the room. “Ah Yue?”

How could she disappear in the blink of an eye?

Lan Wu frowned, her gaze inadvertently shifting to the bed, and she froze.

The bed where the Empress had been lying was now completely empty.

She instinctively took a few steps back, turned around, and ran towards the door, a sense of unease washing over her.

As soon as she pushed the door open, an endless expanse of seawater stretched before her. Schools of fish swam among the red coral reefs, and a palace made of shells glowed softly with a pearly light. The familiar scene made her eyes widen in shock.

She turned back to the room, but it was now a pristine white, with jade floors so smooth they reflected her image. The cold, hard surface made her shiver as she looked down and realized she was barefoot. On the ground, she saw the reflection of a child’s face:

It was her face as a child.

Lan Wu anxiously raised her hands, which were now chubby and soft, like a child’s.

What was happening? Was this an illusion?

She pursed her lips, trying to calm herself. As she pondered a way to break free, she heard a pleasant female voice ask, “What are you doing here?”

The voice should have been unfamiliar, but the moment she heard it, Lan Wu trembled, feeling both fear and joy.

She lowered her head as if she had done something wrong, remaining silent. The sound of footsteps echoed from the depths of the room, gradually stopping in front of her. From her perspective, she could only see a pair of pristine white shoes.

The voice said coldly, “You should be studying with your sister, not coming here to see me.”

Lan Wu blinked, wanting to look up and see who it was, but she couldn’t move. It was as if she were a detached soul forced into this body, a mere ghost experiencing the emotions and actions of her younger self.

The girl clenched her hands, hesitating for a long time before whispering in a childish voice, “I wanted to be with you.”

The woman was silent for a moment before replying indifferently, “But I don’t like you.”

The girl froze, her nose quickly stinging with tears. “I know,” she said, her voice trembling with hurt.

“Your mother wouldn’t allow you to come here, would she?”

“She…” The girl opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. Lan Wu, however, sensed a sudden surge of resentment within the girl. This emotion shocked her, as she had always remembered her mother as kind and loving. She shouldn’t have felt such negativity toward her.

This was definitely a fake illusion.

As Lan Wu became convinced of this, the girl seemed to make a decision. She mustered her courage and looked up, saying, “I know everything now. Actually…”

Her gaze traveled upwards, taking in the woman’s slender waist. Just as the woman’s face was about to come into view, Lan Wu suddenly felt a sharp pain in her forehead. She gasped and sat up abruptly, her eyes snapping open.

Danqing had hopped onto her lap, staring at her with wide eyes.

Lan Wu rubbed her forehead, dazed for a moment before saying in disbelief, “Did you peck me?”

Danqing cooed twice and flapped its wings, fanning the air to the side.

Wu turned her head and realized she was still in the Shuyue Palace, near the Empress’s bed. A gentle breeze blew through the room, causing the candlelight to flicker, casting shifting shadows on the woman in bed.

On the floor beside the bed lay Ji Lingyue, dressed in white.

Lan Wu’s expression changed drastically, and she rushed over. “Ah Yue!”

She gathered Ji Lingyue into her arms, carefully examining her face. The woman appeared peaceful, her breathing steady, as if she were merely asleep. But Lan Wu knew things weren’t that simple. Combining this with what she just experienced, she finally identified the culprit and gritted her teeth, spitting out each word:

“Nightmare Beast!”