Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Nineteen

Jin Li smiled, “I love everything about you.”

Geng Yuan smiled shyly, lowering his head. Jin Li found his sudden bashfulness odd. “What’s wrong? I only said one sentence, and you’re already shy?”

She swung his hand playfully and asked, “What about you? What do you love about me?”

Geng Yuan copied her, “...Everything about you.”

Jin Li was clearly unsatisfied with this answer. She shook her head, “That’s too broad. Be more specific.”

Geng Yuan thought for a moment, “I can’t put it into words.”

Jin Li laughed, then looked at him gently and said, “...I love you when you’re focused, when you’re troubled, when you’re impatient, when you’re shy, when you’re angry, when we brew wine together, when we play chess, when we read, when we fish. Whether it’s windy or rainy, when flowers bloom or bear fruit, in the height of summer or the depths of winter, no matter when, I love you, and only you.”

Geng Yuan gazed at her, feeling a strange emotion stir within him.

He looked down in embarrassment and murmured, “But what if I’m not worthy of your love?”

Jin Li didn’t hear him. She patted his hand, and he lifted his gaze. Jin Li raised her chin with pride, “Did you learn it? From now on, say these words to me—only to me.”

Geng Yuan smiled tenderly but didn’t answer. He stood, gently wrapped his arm around her neck, and she tilted her head up. A soft kiss fell.

Perhaps that was the best answer he could give.

Southern Pavilion

Jiang Ji stood before the young man, whose face was dark with displeasure and barely contained rage.

“How did you handle the matter with Jiang Ji?”

“I failed, please forgive me, Young Lord.”

The young man’s face was shrouded in gloom, his peach blossom eyes brimming with danger that made Jiang Ji’s heart tremble.

“This person cannot be allowed to remain in this world.”

Thinking of how Jin Li had saved him and let him stay at Lotus River, at this moment he only wanted to kill Ruan Tu.

Jiang Ji received his orders, clenched his fist in salute, and withdrew.

After lunch, Jin Li went to check on Ruan Tu. He still hadn’t woken, so she returned to her room and began to dress herself, preparing for tonight’s surprise.

A long gown of sky-blue water silk made her skin look even fairer. The flowing sleeves accentuated her slender, graceful figure—an ethereal beauty beyond reach. Her satin-black hair was half-pinned with a flower hairpin, the translucent blue petals adding an elegant touch. Her flawless face, lightly adorned, surpassed even the beauty of a thousand blossoms.

Every smile and every frown stirred the heart.

She watched the sky, estimating the time, and prepared to find Geng Yuan. But to her surprise, neither Geng Yuan nor Jiang Ji were anywhere to be seen. Jin Li searched all around, calling for Yun Xiang.

“My Lady, what is it?”

“Where is the Young Lord?”

Yun Xiang replied, “He went to see the Second Prince.”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

Yun Xiang waved her hand, “Don’t worry, My Lady. I checked, and the Young Lord’s mood wasn’t too turbulent.”

Jin Li breathed a sigh of relief and was about to go check, when Yun Xiang smiled and said, “My Lady, you look especially beautiful today. Even wearing jewelry you never wear. If the Young Lord saw what you’ve done, he’d be deeply moved.” Then, in a whisper, she added, “I even saw the Young Lord change his clothes. He matched yours so well—even I was stunned.”

Jin Li laughed, her heart filled with joy and anticipation.

When she, full of expectation, raised her skirt and climbed the steps, her hand barely touched the door when she heard the conversation inside between Ruan Tu and Geng Yuan.

Ruan Tu, weakly, said, “Congratulations, you finally got what you wanted.”

“Thank you.”

Ruan Tu sighed deeply, “Ah, I truly never expected the usually inconspicuous foster son would have such skill.”

Geng Yuan said nothing. Ruan Tu continued, “Actually, I feel it’s a pity. Those few years in the mortal world weren’t so bad.”

Geng Yuan stared coldly at him. Ruan Tu went on, “That day you held the Godslayer Blade—what were you planning? To kill her?”

Seeing Geng Yuan silent, Ruan Tu laughed. He’d guessed right—the person he saw that day was indeed Geng Yuan.

“But why did you give up in the end? Was it because you couldn’t bear it? Or was it fear?”

Geng Yuan’s eyes paused.

“All these years, after countless ages have passed, coming out from the dark, sunless No-Boat Hall, the only taste of being loved was when someone unexpected saved you at the brink of death—protected you, helped you, gave you a home. If it were me, I wouldn’t want to let go, either. But let me guess—were you so anxious that night, following her, because you were afraid she’d believe what I said? Afraid she’d realize you’re not that gentle, obedient, pure-hearted merman, but instead a possessive, obsessive, ruthless demon who’d do anything for his goals, whose every word is a lie?”

Geng Yuan’s expression grew colder, his eyes filled with murderous intent, as if he could flay Ruan Tu alive.

Ruan Tu sneered, “You’ve come to kill me today?”

“Yes.”

“But if I die, do you think she’ll keep believing you, or will she investigate further?”

Jin Li’s hand trembled, as if her spirit had been snatched away. She stood frozen, her heart seized with pain, unable to breathe. Yun Xiang, furious at what she heard, was about to burst in, but Jin Li stopped her with a single glance.

Jin Li held back her tears, her eyes red and wet. She held her breath, listening for Geng Yuan’s answer.

Geng Yuan’s voice was cold and deep, “If she doesn’t believe me, I have ways to make her believe…”

Jin Li’s mind buzzed, suddenly blank.

Ruan Tu looked at the indifference in Geng Yuan’s eyes.

“Don’t you love her? Don’t you care for her?”

Geng Yuan spoke, filled with sarcasm, as though Ruan Tu’s words were utterly trivial. “It’s all just a performance.”

“You don’t love her?” Ruan Tu growled, “If you don’t love her, why treat her like this? Why?!”

“I told you—it’s all an act. How could it be real?”

Jin Li stood paralyzed, feeling all the blood in her body flow backward. Her heart stopped, and began to ache.

“You’re not afraid she’ll hate you after this? Leave you?”

“Hate? Leave? Do you think she can leave me now?”

Geng Yuan’s tone was mocking, edged with ridicule. His words cut into Jin Li’s heart like blades, leaving it battered and unrecognizable.

“What do you mean by that?” Suddenly Ruan Tu’s expression changed in horror. “…Did you…did you give her the Beauty Venom?”

Beauty Venom? All those years of loving Geng Yuan—was it all because of Beauty Venom?

Jin Li’s face turned deathly pale.

Then, Geng Yuan sneered, “The King of Hell will tell you.” He ordered coldly, “Do it.”

“For your revenge, you’d go this far! Geng Yuan, stop! You’re nothing but a bastard!” Ruan Tu’s hysterical roar echoed from the room.

“A bastard? Ruan Tu! The real bastards are your clan—the dragon tribe. Everything you have now was gained by stepping over the corpses of the merfolk! Your father, your mother, enjoying their days in the Southern Sea atop the bones of my people—have you ever thought of those wronged souls in the depths? Have they ever found peace?”

Then Geng Yuan spoke again, slowly, “Today, you will surely die.”

Jin Li clenched her fists so tightly that blood seeped from her palms. Yun Xiang’s eyes widened, but she couldn’t move.

Jin Li’s hands trembled, her knuckles white. Her clear eyes brimmed with tears. In them was disbelief, helplessness, confusion, and a growing anger from deep within.

His heart was still full of hatred—where was love, where was affection?

He was only using her.

Yun Xiang wanted to break down the door and curse these beasts, but Jin Li had cast a binding spell and she couldn’t move.

She watched Jin Li’s back, the distant sunset sinking, casting her silhouette in stark sorrow.

She couldn’t see Jin Li’s face, only knew she stood there like a statue, stunned.

Just a simple door separated them. She could easily kick it open and confront him, but who knew how many people were inside? If she entered in such a miserable state, like a scorned woman, it would be laughable.

He was just a liar. Nothing but a liar.

And she was just a fool—a hardworking, devoted fool.