Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Twelve

Geng Yuan stood in thin garments, his long hair half-tied with a simple band. Weariness shadowed his handsome face, yet he remained upright, frail as a willow in the wind. The young man's beauty was marred by a cold, hostile gaze fixed upon those before him. Three youths hurled vicious words at him, each one sharper than the last.

"Geng Yuan, you're nothing but lowly scum. Who are you pretending to be pitiful for now?"

"I knew it—anyone who gets close to you is bound for misfortune."

"Killed your mother at birth, yet you stand here as if nothing's happened."

"A monster like you should just die early."

A mocking laugh echoed. "Hah! Unable to cultivate, tainted by demonic energy, a mere sea demon dreaming of immortality."

"Enough, don't provoke him further. What if he loses control and unleashes his demonic power?"

"True."

"Just looking at that face makes me sick."

After their torrent of humiliation, one spoke up, "You've soiled my brocade robe today. Tell me, what should be done?"

"And what does the Immortal Lord wish?"

His voice was darkly alluring, the corners of his peach blossom eyes lifted in mock amusement.

"What are you looking at?! Trying to get yourself killed?"

That youth was clearly infuriated, raising a hand wreathed in faint blue celestial light. Before the biting lash could fall, Jin Li appeared, kicking the assailant several feet away. The crowd was stunned, all eyes turning to the unexpected intruder.

"Who are you to meddle in our business?"

"You shouldn't have touched him."

The young man froze, staring at the maiden's clear, elegant features. Jin Li's cold warning silenced the others with a single icy glance.

Standing protectively before Geng Yuan, she continued, "You should be grateful the whip never landed. Had it struck, misfortune would have befallen you all."

As Jin Li strode away, the boldest among the group called out, "Who are you, anyway?"

"That's none of your concern."

With that, she led Geng Yuan away.

Back at Lotus River, Geng Yuan had already fallen into a deep sleep. Jin Li regarded the wounds on his arm and the bruises marring his delicate face. If only she had arrived a moment sooner, he wouldn't have suffered so. Rising quietly, she left.

The boy awoke, climbed out of bed, and cast a detached glance at his injuries before vanishing from the room.

The surface of the Southern Sea roiled with tempestuous waves as Geng Yuan walked alone toward the Sea Palace. Panic-stricken people fled in all directions, soldiers poured in from every side, yet he strolled unhurriedly through the chaos.

The youths who had tormented him earlier caught sight of him and roared, "Monster! What have you done?!"

He didn't so much as look at them, simply swept his hand. A surge of overwhelming celestial force sent them sprawling to the ground, where, after a brief struggle, they faded away.

One among them, the one who had wielded the whip, was left dumbstruck, terror and dread in his eyes as he scrambled to his knees, head pressed to the ground in desperate supplication. "I was wrong... please, don't kill me... I beg you."

Geng Yuan approached slowly, lowering his gaze with the authority of a king. Murderous intent twisted his beautiful features, chilling the air. "Weren't you arrogant just now?"

"I was wrong, I swear I'll never do it again."

Geng Yuan had no patience for further pleas. He kicked the man several feet away; the body lay still, lifeless.

He looked at his own hand, then brushed off his sleeve. Jiang Ji appeared.

"My lord, all has been taken care of."

Geng Yuan nodded faintly, turning his gaze to the radiant blue Sea Palace, a smile lifting his lips. In this moment, he was the unrivaled sovereign of the four seas.

"Make sure there's no trace. I will return first."

"Yes, my lord."

***

In Pear Blossom Valley, celestial soldiers filled the sky. Beiting, clad in black armor, stood among the white clouds.

"Criminal Geng Yuan, do you understand your crime?"

"...Crime? You let the guilty roam free and come for me instead?"

A bolt of immortal lightning struck; Geng Yuan fell to one knee, so fragile a mere breeze might have scattered him. Yun Xiang and Jiang Ji were seized, unable to move.

Beiting descended from the clouds, towering over Geng Yuan. "Come with me."

"Go where?"

"To admit guilt and receive judgment."

"I have no guilt to confess."

Geng Yuan stared up at the radiant deity before him. Such dazzling light, yet never once had they shown compassion for the suffering. They only ever sat in lofty judgment over the powerless—hypocrisy at its finest.

"Stop!"

A golden light flashed. Jin Li shielded Geng Yuan, and the celestial warriors all bowed in reverence to the Lady Sovereign.

Jin Li looked at Sang Li. "He is under my protection, Prince Beiting. You cannot take him."

"A coup has occurred in the Southern Sea. The Sea Crystal is missing. Lady Sovereign, are you aware?"

"Trouble in the Southern Sea?" Jin Li was startled.

Beiting glanced at the half-kneeling youth. "He is highly suspect and must be brought to the Celestial Palace for questioning."

"I was with him when the incident occurred, Prince Beiting. Will you arrest me, too?!"

Beiting folded his hands behind his back, eyes turned to the skies above Lotus River, a smile ever on his lips. "Your noble status, Lady Sovereign, is above reproach. But if anything else happens, I wonder if you can still protect this merman."

"Thank you for the warning, Your Highness."

The celestial soldiers departed, the sky gradually clearing.

As Beiting left, he said, "Lady Sovereign, do not come to regret this."

"Regret? I have never regretted a single decision I've made."

Jin Li looked at Geng Yuan, who sat on the ground. Jiang Ji and Yun Xiang helped him up.

That night, Geng Yuan spoke not a word. He drank his medicine when told, while Jin Li kept silent company beside him. Lighting a candle, she spoke softly, "Geng Yuan, rest now."

He looked at her, his eyes misted with unshed tears.

He now held the Sea Crystals of the four seas; only one thing remained before he could see Nan Mo again. On the day of the grand wedding, he had realized Nan Mo had never truly cared for him—the devotion he had harbored for so long had been in vain.

Yet now, more than ever, he yearned for Nan Mo, even if only to catch a single glimpse.

He gently drew Jin Li into his arms.

After ensuring Geng Yuan was asleep, Yun Xiang came to report that the Second Prince of the Southern Sea had come to pay a visit.

Geng Yuan's sleeping face was as peaceful as ever, unaware that as Jin Li quietly closed the door behind her, he silently awoke. Staring at the closed door, he fell into deep thought before slipping out barefoot to follow.

Ruan Tu stood in the pavilion of Pear Blossom Valley, taking in the scenery.

"Second Prince."

He stiffened at the sound, then turned, disbelief and then joy lighting his face as he saw Jin Li.

"Little girl, you...you're of the Celestial Clan? You're an immortal?"

Ruan Tu approached, circling her in astonishment, his eyes bright with tears of joy. Perhaps she was someone he had met during her tribulation, but memories lost are lost; she had never wished to entangle herself with anyone from her trials.

Jin Li explained, "Second Prince, that was merely a matter of my tribulation. Now that it is over, by custom, you ought to address me as Lady Deity."

Ruan Tu's joy slowly froze on his face, a mist gathering in his eyes. "You...you are of the Celestial Clan?"

She sat down, meeting his gaze. The innate power of her divine soul made Ruan Tu uneasy. He sat as well, confusion and a trace of sorrow shadowing his features.

"Second Prince, what brings you here so late at night?"

Ruan Tu raised his eyes, their cool indifference recalling their first meeting. "I came hoping to beg the Lady Deity for Lotus Heart Blossom to save her, but now that I've seen you, I have no further request. I take my leave."

As he turned to go, Jin Li asked, "Are you aware of the matter of the Southern Sea Crystal?"

The Sea Crystal was protected by a barrier; without the proper rune, it was impossible to break. The rune to unseal it was kept within Lotus River.

"What about the Sea Crystal?"

"You don't know?"

Jin Li was surprised that Ruan Tu was unaware. He had just buried Jin Li's "body" and come to Lotus River to beg for medicine to revive her, only to learn now that the Sea Crystal was missing.

"It can only be him. Only he would do such a thing."

"Who?"

"Geng Yuan."

Jin Li stiffened, anxiety twisting in her chest.

How could it be connected to Geng Yuan?

Ruan Tu continued, "Only him. He wants to revive Nan Mo."

Jin Li pressed, "Nan Mo? Isn't she his aunt?"

Ruan Tu laughed, bitter hatred in his eyes. "He never saw Nan Mo as simply an aunt."

Jin Li dared not pursue the thought, yet Ruan Tu caught her hesitation. "Yes, it's exactly as you suspect."

Jin Li was shocked. How could it be that the one Geng Yuan loved was Lady Nan Mo?

Her fingers tapping the table gradually stilled. Ruan Tu, his words spent, wore an expression of utter despair. "I don't know what he's planning, but let me tell you: do not believe everything you see."

He added, "Love can be an act as well."

Love can be an act.

So all this time, his affection for her had been a pretense? Or had she simply imagined it all?

After Ruan Tu left, Jin Li sat alone in the pavilion for a long, long time.

Was the one he loved truly Nan Mo?

Her mind conjured the image of their first meeting: Nan Mo in plain robes, long dark hair, her sorrowful expression fragile as a willow in the wind—evoking boundless pity.

She had never cared before who occupied Geng Yuan's heart, but now that all was clear, unfamiliar emotions stirred within her.

She had always thought their bond was little more than a fleeting connection, that when it ended, she would walk away, uncaring whom he loved or desired.

But now, it seemed, her heart had changed.

She realized that she might truly have fallen for Geng Yuan.

When Jin Li returned, she found him standing in the shade, his eyes lost and uncertain. Seeing her, an unspoken anxiety flashed in his gaze.

She walked toward him, glancing at the medicine on the table. His wounds from the Demon Refining Tower were not yet healed, and now he bore fresh injuries from the Southern Sea. The medicine had grown cold. She asked, "Why haven't you taken your medicine?"

Geng Yuan, anxious, grabbed her hand and tentatively asked, "Who did you just go to see?"

"Let go of me."

A shadow of fear flickered in his eyes. "Can you tell me who you saw? What you did? Please, don't make me worry."

His pitiful, aggrieved gaze would stir compassion in any heart.

Jin Li, unsettled by his expression and that innocent, beautiful face, found him suddenly unfamiliar. She frowned. "Drink your medicine."

Sensing her displeasure, Geng Yuan clung to her hand, refusing to let go, growing increasingly anxious. "No matter who you saw, or what he said, can you just not listen to him?"

"I said, drink your medicine, now."

Jin Li's irritation was clear, her voice rising in sharpness.