Into The Sea

“Mother,” Lan Wu said, grabbing her wrist urgently. “I know this is hard to accept, but today, with all the clans gathered here, it’s the perfect opportunity to expose Lan Zhichuan. Please, pull yourself together. I need you to stand with me. Help me… help me end this.”

Jiang Xi’s voice was hoarse. “Do you have proof?”

Lan Wu paused. “Do you think I would lie to you?”

Jiang Xi shook her head, her body trembling slightly. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, but there needs to be evidence. You say he’s Lan Zhichuan, but where did you get this information? Are you absolutely sure you haven’t been deceived?”

The surroundings fell silent.

Lan Wu stared at her without blinking for a long moment before finally whispering: “Not long ago, Fuyou came to the human realm to find me and told me that… Lan Zhichuan might still be alive.”

Jiang Xi was stunned, looking up in shock. “The High Priestess?”

Lan Wu continued. “Even though you’ve been secluded in Kunlun Sea, you must have heard about the war between humans and demons. But this was a decision Aunt made after being deceived. This deception started a hundred years ago, and the only one with the motive and ability to do this is Lan Zhichuan.”

“Aunt?” Jiang Xi was even more surprised. “Which aunt?”

Lan Wu paused, finally realizing something. “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

Lan Wu’s long lashes trembled as she murmured. “I always thought that you…”

Before she could finish, Lan Wu quickly shook her head and pulled herself together. “You’ve always known he wanted to kill me, and you knew he imprisoned my birth mother. But do you know what else he’s done? Do you know how he became the Sea Emperor?”

Jiang Xi said, bewildered, “Everyone knows that story. His sister died at the hands of a Sea Demons, and the old Sea Emperor had only one child left. So, he inherited the throne.”

“Yes, that’s what’s recorded in history,” Lan Wu said, frowning. “But that’s not the truth.”

“What do you mean?”

Lan Wu pursed her lips, looking at her seriously. “Then let me tell you everything.”

***

At the entrance of the Baicui Cave, the two figures were still at a standstill.

Perhaps sensing the dangerous aura from Ji Lingyue, Sha Lang didn’t take another step. He crossed his arms and swam to the entrance, his face tense.

On the other side, Ji Lingyue didn’t intend to go inside. She walked around the area, eventually stopping at the entrance to the passageway, closing her eyes to rest.

Soon, the sound of rustling noises came to her ears. It seemed like groups of sea clans were approaching. Ji Lingyue opened her eyes and saw the guards at the entrance lowering their heads respectfully. “Your Majesty.”

Her long lashes fluttered as she slowly looked up, meeting the handsome, dignified face.

The last time she had seen Lan Zhichuan was when Lan Wu was severely injured and unconscious. Back then, he had pretended to be furious, using his identity as a protective older brother to interrogate her.

No, perhaps it wasn’t an act. Perhaps he had truly been furious.

After all, the person he thought was dead had survived.

Thinking about it, was it from that moment that Lan Zhichuan began to truly fear Lan Wu and became determined to kill her? Was that why, upon learning they had arrived in Shiling City, he immediately ordered Chu Chen to kill them?

Hearing the guards’ greeting, Lan Ji hummed softly, dismissed them, and slowly swam into the Baicui Cave. As soon as he entered, he saw Sha Lang hovering at the entrance. He smiled. “Sha Lang.”

Sha Lang quickly bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Lan Ji helped him up, putting on a polite smile. “I heard Mother was entertaining guests here. I didn’t expect it to be you.”

Sha Lang shook his head. “It was me, but the Empress Dowager is speaking with the Third Princess now.”

Lan Ji paused. “The Third Princess? Lan Wu?”

“Yes.”

He frowned, instinctively looking deeper into the cave, but noticed the unfamiliar mermaid standing not far away. Lan Ji looked her up and down, his gaze intense, as if he could see through the illusion. After a moment, he frowned. “…Ji Lingyue?”

Ji Lingyue’s heart skipped a beat. She realized that Lan Zhichuan’s cultivation was even more profound than she had imagined. She decided to drop the disguise. “It’s me.”

Lan Ji’s expression darkened. He slowly swam over. “What are you doing here? And why are you disguised like that?”

Ji Lingyue looked up at him calmly. “I came back with Lan Wu to celebrate your birthday. As for why I’m disguised, it’s because… my identity is inconvenient to reveal. If I show up in my real form, everyone will stare. I’m just here for the banquet, not to be the center of attention.”

Lan Ji narrowed his eyes, seeming to accept her explanation. He then asked, “Fine. is Lan Wu inside?”

Ji Lingyue had just nodded when Lan Ji moved to enter. She quickly turned to block him, speaking loudly. “Lan Wu is discussing something private with the Empress Dowager. It’s not appropriate for outsiders to interrupt.”

Lan Ji said coldly, “I’m her elder brother. Does that make me an outsider?”

Ji Lingyue replied, “Even if you’re her brother, you can’t interfere in matters of marriage.”

Lan Ji paused. “What?”

“You hadn’t thought of it?” Ji Lingyue tilted her head. “Lan Wu is a merfolk princess. If she’s going to be with me for a long time, she needs to consider her status. Will we form a soul-bond? Hold a wedding? She These are things she must discuss with her mother. To be honest, that’s one of the reasons why we came back.”

Lan Ji was silent for a moment, then asked, “Are you serious?”

“Of course.” Ji Lingyue said, looking at him. “A heart for a heart, bound until the end. Your Majesty should try it sometime.”