Into The Sea

Facing a soon-to-be cultivator, Lan Wu really couldn’t bring herself to feel close to him. She decided that as soon as they were off the mountain, she would part ways with him. However, as a mermaid hopelessly lost on land, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and rely on Ah Ji to lead her down.

Fortunately, although Ah Ji appeared silent and reserved, he proved to be kindhearted.

According to him, Qihuang Mountain stretched over dozens of miles, and it would take a full day to reach the nearest town.

Before Lan Wu could speak, he offered, “I’ll take you down the mountain.”

Lan Wu was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. They rested for the night and set out early the next morning.

Perhaps because of Lan Wu slowing them down, the day stretched into dusk without a sign of the promised town. Ah Ji turned back to find the girl leaning against a tree, sighing dramatically. He couldn’t help but click his tongue in exasperation.

“Let’s rest here for the night,” he said, grabbing his dagger and heading deeper into the forest. “I’m going hunting. I’ll be back before dark. Don’t wander off.”

“Alright.” Lan Wu couldn’t have been happier. She plopped down, and by the time she turned around, Ah Ji’s lean figure had already disappeared into the trees.

He was surprisingly reliable.

It dawned on her, with a twinge of embarrassment, that here she was, a two-hundred-year-old demon, being looked after by a young human.

Feeling a bit ashamed, Lan Wu pondered for a moment, took a few gulps from her waterskin, and decided to listen to Ah Ji and stay put.

As the last light of the setting sun faded and night fell, Ah Ji had not yet returned. Lan Wu, growing increasingly uneasy, noticed the eerie silence that descended upon the forest, devoid even of the usual chirping of insects, making her heart pound in her chest.

Hesitating, Lan Wu rose to her feet and cautiously made her way in the direction Ah Ji had taken.

As she ventured deeper into the forest, the temperature suddenly dropped. Lan Wu slowed her pace, fumbling to pick up a branch to feel her way. After a few more steps, she heard a sudden crack, and her heart jumped. Something was approaching. She turned towards the sound, but under the faint moonlight, all she could see were the shifting shadows of trees and hearing the occasional rustle of wind.

Lan Wu stared into the darkness, goosebumps rising on her skin.

Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows. Ah Ji, carrying two pheasants, looked up in surprise. “Lan Wu? What are you doing here?”

Lan Wu’s expression changed instantly. She exclaimed, “Watch out behind you!”

Ah Ji reacted instantly. As her warning left her lips, he dove forward, rolling out of the way of a massive serpent’s tail that slammed into the ground where he had been standing just a moment before.

Before Lan Wu could breathe a sigh of relief, an enormous snake head emerged from the forest, its red eyes fixating on Ah Ji. With a wide, gaping mouth, it lunged at him. Lan Wu’s mind went blank, but her body moved on its own. She threw herself at the serpent, grabbing its mouth and wrestling it to the ground.

Sharp fangs pierced her arm, drawing a pained cry from her lips. Ah Ji, scrambling to his feet, saw this and his pupils contracted sharply. “Lan Wu!” he shouted.

Lan Wu couldn’t respond. The serpent coiled around her, lifting her into the air and squeezing tightly. Her face turned red from the pressure. Ah Ji, in a panic, looked around and then, remembering something, gritted his teeth and drew the dagger from his waist, and charged forward without hesitation.

Though the serpent demon’s scales were as hard as iron, its weak spot remained its heart, located seven inches below its head.

Relying on years of hunting experience, Ah Ji dodged a sweeping blow from the serpent’s tail. With lightning speed, he lunged, aiming his dagger at the demon’s heart. But the blade had barely pierced the surface when a monstrous force sent him flying. The serpent demon let out a painful screech, dropping Lan Wu as it thrashed around, knocking down several bushes before swiftly slithering away.

Gasping for breath, Lan Wu lay on the ground, coughing violently. When she finally looked up, she saw Ah Ji lying motionless nearby. “Ah Ji?” she choked out.

His face was pale, blood trickling from his mouth and nose, with multiple broken bones. Lan Wu stumbled over, checked his breathing—it was faint.

Being struck by the serpent demon at full force was something even seasoned cultivators couldn’t withstand, let alone an ordinary human.

He was dying.

***

When Ah Ji regained consciousness, he found Lan Wu sitting under a tree, struggling to bandage her own wounds. Seeing him awake, she said casually, “You’re awake.”

He stared at her blankly for a long moment before his eyes widened in alarm. “The snake demon!” he exclaimed, scrambling to his feet.

“It’s already gone,” Lan Wu smiled. “Thanks to you for saving me.”

“Me?” He looked even more confused, instinctively patting himself down. “But I remember…”

“Oh, you were so brave! You charged at it and stabbed it right in its weak spot. Luckily, its demonic power wasn’t strong enough to do more than knock you out. Otherwise, not even the gods could have saved you.”

“Really?” Ah Ji was even more confused. “I thought a demon that large would be much stronger.”

“Not necessarily,” Lan Wu replied, her voice muffled as she bit down on a knot in the bandage. “How many demons have you actually seen?”

Ah Ji’s paused, then noticed her badly injured right arm. His expression darkened. He got up, knelt beside her, took the bandage from her hand, and began rewrapping it.

Lan Wu winced as he brushed against a particularly deep gash, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at him, surprised by his composure.

As he pressed on the wound, Lan Wu couldn’t help but gasp, tears welling up at the corners of her reddened eyes. Ah Ji hesitated, then carefully continued bandaging.

She tilted her head suspiciously,

Are young humans always this calm after encountering demons?

Lost in thought, Lan Wu suddenly felt something warm drip onto her arm. Startled, Lan Wu looked at Ah Ji and saw that, despite his stoic expression, tears were silently streaming down his face.

Even his way of crying was quiet.

But as a mermaid, those tears felt scorching hot. Lan Wu shivered slightly, not knowing what to do. “D-don’t cry. We’re both still alive. Why are you crying?”

Ah Ji sniffed, muttering. “You almost died.”

“But I didn’t,” Lan Wu said, forcing a light tone. “Surviving a disaster means good fortune ahead. Our journey tomorrow will surely be smoother.” She laughed awkwardly, hoping to lighten the mood, but Ah Ji’s expression remained unchanged, making the atmosphere even more awkward.

Lan Wu felt a bit defeated and closed her mouth, staying silent.

Just as she resigned herself to an uncomfortable silence, Ah Ji spoke again. “Why did you jump in front of me?” he asked, “We barely know each other. Don’t you realize how dangerous that was?”

“I know, but you’re younger than me and seem weaker. Of course I’d protect you.” Lan Wu looked at him softly. “Besides, you’re the first good person I’ve met out here, and you’re helping me down the mountain. If I’d abandoned you and run away, wouldn’t that be heartless?”

Ah Ji’s lips pressed together in a firm line. He met her gaze, searching her clear, bright eyes. Her expression was sincere, her words heartfelt. He looked away, curling his fingers into a fist. “You’re a very kind person,” he murmured.

Lan Wu was momentarily taken aback, feeling a bit guilty. After all, she wasn’t human but a demon.

“Thank you…”

“Alright,” she said awkwardly, mimicking a phrase she’d heard humans use. “A real man shouldn’t cry or keep saying thank you.”

He couldn’t help but glare at Lan Wu, making her stiffen. His gaze, filled with a mix of reproach and resentment, sent a shiver down her spine.

Ah Ji lowered his eyes. While tying the bandage knot, he asked lightly, “When did I ever tell you I was a man?”

Lan Wu blinked, then stared in shock, her eyes widening in disbelief. “You’re not? You…” She looked Ah Ji up and down, her gaze sweeping over his sharp features, lean frame, and simple gray tunic. “You’re a girl?”

Ah Ji nodded. “My name is Ji Lingyue. Ling as in ‘clear,’ and Yue as in ‘moon.'”

After a long moment, Lan Wu finally managed to open her mouth, murmuring, “Oh, I see. You… you have a beautiful name.”