Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Eighteen

"I didn't," Jin Li's gaze darted away, unable to meet his eyes. Every word Geng Yuan spoke made her heart in her chest flutter uncontrollably, as if it would burst out the next moment. Her body felt unbearably hot.

"But lately you haven't been coming home for dinner."

"I've just been so busy, I haven't had the time. Don't overthink it."

Geng Yuan's expression drooped, aggrieved. "Jin, if you've grown to dislike me, you can tell me. I can leave."

"No, I don't dislike you. I've only been neglecting you because I'm busy. Once things settle down, I'll spend time with you, alright?"

Geng Yuan nodded, though his face remained desolate.

Once Jin Li walked away, leaving his sight, darkness welled up in the boy's eyes. "How are the preparations for the succession ceremony?"

Jiang Ji stepped forward. "Rest assured, Young Lord, everything is in order."

"We're only one step away. It will all be over soon." No longer would he be under the control of the Beauty Gu.

But Jiang Ji spoke up then. "Young Lord, has the Lady started to suspect us?"

Geng Yuan pondered for a moment, gripping the Heart-guarding Scale in his palm, his voice cold. "No. Go prepare. I want to dispel any such thoughts from her mind."

"Yes, I will prepare immediately."

That evening, when Jin Li returned to Lotus River, she saw Geng Yuan waiting not far off, holding a lantern, his eyes soft, lips curved in a smile.

Before Jin Li could move, Geng Yuan strode forward, looking at her, smiling. "Have you had dinner?"

"I have."

Geng Yuan kept smiling, then gently took Jin Li's hand. With a snap of his fingers, the surroundings glowed with soft light; fireflies sparkled like stars, illuminating the darkness around them. Soon, petals began to glow as well, adorning the trees like celestial robes, dazzling and splendid. The pear blossoms, pure and flawless, seemed even more romantic in the night. Jin Li's heart trembled as they stood amidst a sea of flowers, colorful petals swirling down at their feet, each step making their path shine.

Geng Yuan let go of her hand, then produced a large bouquet of fresh flowers.

Jin Li's heart gave another tremor.

"Why did you prepare so many flowers?" she asked.

Geng Yuan smiled. "You've been avoiding me these days. I wanted to say so much to you, but didn't know how, so I did this instead. I don't know if you like it."

Jin Li looked at the gentle expression on his face, his bright, dark eyes. She was about to speak when Geng Yuan continued, "Don't talk yet. Listen to me first."

He slowly raised his hand, and shining little fish, glowing with celestial light, swam up from the water, circling around Jin Li.

Geng Yuan smiled. "Jin, you are a god with compassion for the world, unable to stand its suffering. I didn't understand your feelings before, but now I do. Because you exist, the world exists; because you are here, all its beauty is possible..."

He took a deep breath and turned nervously to face her. "...Jin, I like you, I adore you, I can't be without you. I want to behold this magnificent world with you, to protect all living beings together, to always be with you. Will you... not leave me?"

Jin Li looked at his anxious, uneasy manner, accepted the bouquet from his hands, lowered her eyes and softly replied, "Alright."

Geng Yuan was overjoyed, watching Jin Li take the flowers, then excitedly swept her into his arms, laughing, "Jin, thank you."

Jin Li hesitated, pondering whether to ask now. After much inner conflict, she finally spoke. "Geng Yuan."

"Hmm?"

"Are you... the sole surviving descendant of the Geng family of the Southern Sea?"

She had spent days investigating, leaving early and returning late. If the Geng family of the Southern Sea had truly survived, if they had lain dormant for years only to overturn the Four Seas and annihilate the Jiao Dragon clan, it could only be for vengeance.

The thought that he might be the mastermind behind such a dreadful plot chilled her to the bone.

Ruthless and decisive, willing to kill rather than let go.

The boy's eyes darkened instantly. He had known, that day, that this question would come eventually, but hadn't expected Jin Li to ask after so long.

Perhaps she had already gathered enough evidence.

"I'm not," he could only deny it. It wasn't over yet; the final step remained. It wasn't time to reveal everything.

The girl in his arms tightened her grip.

He was startled.

She spoke gently, "The Geng family of the Southern Sea died too innocently. It's good that you're not; you don't have to bear that pain."

Yes, she had learned the ancient tale: the Geng family of merfolk wiped out, their blood staining the Southern Sea red for hundreds of miles, leaving no survivors. Later, the Emperor discovered they had been framed.

Anyone who witnessed such carnage would harbor vengeance.

She feared Geng Yuan would be blinded by hatred, and equally feared he would be discovered by the heavens.

But thankfully, it wasn't so.

The boy stiffened; Jin Li's words were unexpected.

"You trust me?"

She nodded, looked up, and kissed his cheek softly. "I trust you."

Putting herself in his place, anyone who had endured such things would bear hatred.

Geng Yuan pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. It was light, but filled with deep tenderness and care.

Jin Li looked at Geng Yuan and said slowly, "I know about your dealings with the Sea Crystal. Will you tell me why?"

Geng Yuan took her hand, replying unhurriedly, "I didn't realize then how important the Sea Crystal was to the Four Seas. You used your heart's blood to heal my mer tail, losing much of your cultivation. I heard the Sea Crystal could cure anything, so I thought maybe it would help restore you."

He didn't want to mention Nan Mo anymore; it was all in the past.

His eyes drooped, guilt and defeat in his manner, tightening Jin Li's heart. She stroked his head, "From now on, discuss everything with me. Don't decide alone, alright?"

His dark eyes shone softly in the night. He nodded, then gently embraced Jin Li.

In that instant, the gentle boy's expression turned grim where she couldn't see.

Days later, Jin Li went to Xu'an Sea to pay respects to the ancient Geng merfolk. Thousands of crystal tombstones, nameless.

No wonder the Southern Sea was stained red.

Thankfully, Geng Yuan wasn't one of them.

Just a surname—thank goodness...

Ruan Tu was still comatose, and tonight was Geng Yuan's birthday. She had neglected him lately with everything going on, so she planned to surprise him.

After checking on Ruan Tu, it was nearly noon. Jin Li asked Yun Xiang to look after Ruan Tu, then went to prepare the evening surprise.

A wave of her sleeve shattered the barrier, revealing a delicate pavilion. She stepped inside, gazing at the lotus-filled pond and the vast pool before her. The blue water gleamed like a mirror, shell walls studded with pearls like stars.

The roof was tiled with crystals. By day, Lotus River's blue sky could be seen; by night, a sky full of stars. There was a giant mirror; with a wave, one could see the Southern Sea's sunset ravines, Star Cliff, and the Nine Heavens Hanging River. Passing through the mirror led to any place one wished.

This World-crossing Mirror was a treasure she had obtained from Lord Yu.

Jin Li was satisfied with the crystal pavilion's decor, already anticipating Geng Yuan's reaction.

Lunch wasn't prepared by Geng Yuan, but with Ruan Tu convalescing at Lotus River, sooner or later Geng Yuan would find out. He ate quietly, head down, Jin Li uneasy about what would happen if she told him now.

"Young Lord."

"Hmm?"

Geng Yuan looked up at her. Jin Li began, "I have something to tell you, but you mustn't get angry."

Geng Yuan put down his bowl. "Go ahead, I won't get angry."

"I brought Ruan Tu to Lotus River."

Geng Yuan's expression flickered, then he smiled, "It's alright."

"You're not angry?"

"I'm not. There's nothing to be angry about. If I get angry, you'll get angry, and we'll argue. So there's no need to let unrelated people ruin our relationship."

Hearing this, Jin Li laughed, cupped his face, and kissed him lightly. "Good boy."

She set down her chopsticks. Geng Yuan paused. "You're finished?"

Jin Li nodded, then rested her chin in her hands, gazing at him, eyes full of laughter. Geng Yuan, embarrassed by her gaze, reached out and patted her head.

Then Jin Li asked, "Have you ever thought about returning to the Southern Sea?"

Geng Yuan answered without hesitation, "No."

He put down his bowl. "I'm happy here. The Southern Sea has changed hands; if I went back, I'd probably become a thorn in the new Sea Lord's side. Better not to return. Wherever you are, that's where I'll be."

Jin Li smiled, her heart overflowing with joy.

After lunch, the two drank tea and read beneath the pear trees. Geng Yuan looked at Jin Li, her exquisite face, the breeze stirring loose strands of hair by her temples. Even her quiet, earnest manner, he could never see enough.

This woman—her seriousness, her worries, her irritation, her mischief—had insensibly woven itself into his thoughts.

Merely thinking of her made his heart tremble, left him restless, fearful that she would learn the truth, fearful she would leave him. All his anxiety, all his joy and satisfaction, came only from her.

Perhaps it was the Beauty Gu.

Geng Yuan gazed at her, lips curving in a smile. Just then, Jin Li sensed a burning gaze. She looked up and fell into Geng Yuan's starry eyes.

Geng Yuan paused, then smiled and asked, "Lady, what do you like about me?"