Recap
The ladder was placed on the leftmost bookshelf in the third row, where a book was pulled out, leaving an empty space.
To be fair, the position of the book was not very high, and most men could reach it with a slight stretch.
With the little bear teacup, it looked like a petite girl tried hard to stand on tiptoe here, but in the end she angrily brought a long ladder.
Shen Chaomu walked over and looked at the other books next to the vacancy.
“It’s all poetry books here,” he said.
___
Lu Shanhuai woke up with a start. Outside, black waves continued to crash against the glaciers. A stack of materials was pressed under his elbow, and data still pulsed across the holographic screen. Dozens of warships had just set off. Seven hours ago, Song Qianqian had spotted a large group of skeletal mermaids and even managed to bring back a live specimen. However, when the next batch of ships approached the area, there was no trace of the mermaids.
This was highly unusual. Based on their experience from over fifty years ago, the skeletal mermaids wouldn’t abandon their established territory so quickly. The bone nest, essential for their reproduction, was located there. The nest was filled with layers of corpses, providing nutrients for countless skeletal mermaid eggs that parasitized the bones. These corpses belonged to people and strange beasts who had perished in shipwrecks. To sustain such a large population of skeletal mermaids, someone or something must be continuously supplying the bone nest with corpses.
Additionally, examinations of corpses recovered from the pilgrimage site in the deep sea near the main island revealed that they originated from different time periods, but all had either disappeared or died at sea. The question arose: Who could be so obsessed as to hoard these corpses for such a long time? And how were they transported to this underwater location?
Many years ago, the association suspected a connection between the skeletal mermaids and the siren, as both had appeared around the same time. Perhaps only this legendary monster could exert such control over the underwater realm. However, these were just theories. The skeletal mermaids had vanished for six or seven hours, as if deliberately concealing themselves. Such cunning seemed beyond their capabilities; there must be a hidden force manipulating them.
Lu Shanhuai had just woken up when another wave of data flooded in. His terminal automatically began to sort and analyze the information, but a mountain of work still awaited him. He needed to dispatch the next batch of ships. Wearily, he opened his terminal to check the time. The lock screen displayed a photo of three smiling people: himself, Lu Shanyao, and Lu Shanqing with her pigtails. Lu Shanhuai couldn’t help but smile. Just as he was about to put down the terminal, a message arrived: “I’m coming to Bei En.”
The sender was Lu Shanyao.
Startled, Lu Shanhuai checked the dispatch panel and confirmed that a spaceship from the alliance’s main star had indeed just landed. The researchers on board were preparing to travel to the Land of Eternal Night via the Damocles Bridge.
He knew a scientific research team was coming to urgently restart the skeletal mermaid research plan, striving to improve the signal flare and develop a poison for the mermaid. However, he hadn’t expected his brother to come. After all, the researchers coming to the scene had little self-protection ability and would be in grave danger during a crisis. He frowned slightly, contemplating sending a message to Lu Shanyao but ultimately closed the terminal and continued preparing to dispatch the ship.
Sometime later, another commander knocked on the door and entered. He looked at Lu Shanhuai hesitantly and finally said, “‘The Wise Man’ is here.”
This was the stickler for formalities, the inspector who had once asked hunters to write “A Week of the Wise Man” for the association. After being infuriated by Shen Chaomu’s “I helped the old lady of the alien beast cross the crooked neck tree” and resigning, he had come to Bei En. With his background, he must be in charge here. Lu Shanhuai hadn’t seen him at the outpost these days, but he had suddenly appeared at this juncture.
Lu Shanhuai didn’t intend to pay attention to this person. He spent an hour or two organizing the ship information. When another commander came to take over, he left the command room to rest. The temporary command room was on a warship, and it took him five minutes to return to the former tourist hotel on land—most of the hunters rested in the hotel.
As soon as he entered, he saw a bald old man in the hotel lobby. He was in his sixties, with a name tag on his chest that read “Sun Fu.” This was the famous inspector. He was full of energy, and in front of him were a bunch of tired hunters.
Sun Fu said, “What’s going on with your fleet? I’ve said many times that you should advance in a fan shape when patrolling; how can you be so disorganized?”
A hunter tried to argue, “At that time, we had just received the alarm about the skeletal mermaid, and we thought we should get there sooner, so…”
Sun Fu interrupted him, “Who gave you the authority? Can you break formation in an emergency? Don’t you know what will happen if you violate orders? The association doesn’t allow such mistakes. We should be the most professional people. Who is the fleet commander?”
A hunter said, “It’s me.”
Sun Fu looked at him, his tone rather unkind. “What were you thinking? Have you forgotten all your usual training? I’m telling you that I have seen a lot of challenges, and your actions this time are enough to warrant punishment. If I report it…”
“Don’t rush to assign blame; let’s solve the problem at hand first.” A voice came abruptly.
Sun Fu looked back and saw Lu Shanhuai standing expressionlessly at the hotel door.
Sun Fu frowned. “Who are you? Which branch are you from?”
Lu Shanhuai tapped lightly in the air, and his association business card automatically appeared in mid-air. “Senior Commander Lu Shanhuai.”
He was somewhat famous in the association, and Sun Fu obviously recognized his name. After a slight pause, his tone remained unchanged. “You mean I shouldn’t concern myself with this…”
“You should,” Lu Shanhuai said, “But they have been working for more than fifteen hours, and now it’s time to rest.” He turned his head and said to the group of hunters, “You can go back to your rooms now.”
The hunters looked at him and then at Sun Fu, and walked away hesitantly.
Sun Fu’s face turned red with anger, and he was about to speak again, but Lu Shanhuai didn’t bother to entangle with him too much, and said directly: “I dispatched and commanded that fleet. If there is any fault, don’t look for the fleet commander. After the matter is over, you can hold me accountable at will.”
He bypassed Sun Fu and went upstairs, faintly hearing the man cursing angrily to himself.
Back in the room, he felt tired as soon as he sat down.
Lu Shanhuai sat on the bed, wanting to send a message to Lu Shanyao. He had typed dozens of words but, afraid of disturbing his brother, deleted them all. Finally, he simply asked: [How are you doing? Be careful.]
There was no response.
He was probably still busy.
Lu Shanhuai leaned on the bed with the terminal in his hand, thinking he would wait a little longer. But he felt drowsy; his hand drooped lower and lower, and finally, he let go, and the terminal fell on the bed.
He was awakened by a piercing alarm.
He was in a daze for half a second before he jumped up suddenly. The tactical channel showed that a large number of skeletal mermaids were gathering.
The exact latitude and longitude of the assembly point were displayed—it was in the sea area 20 kilometers north of the scientific research station.
There happened to be a team of hunters there.
Lu Shanhuai didn’t even have time to change his shoes and ran, out of breath, all the way back to the command room. The holographic screen displayed the picture from the scene:
The warship was surrounded by a huge and terrifying vortex, and countless skeletal mermaids were swimming underwater. The skin and flesh on their faces had decayed, and when their dull eyes looked towards the sea surface, they reflected a pale and strange light because of the warship’s lights.
A large number of skeletal mermaids had gathered in this sea area in just tens of minutes, quickly surrounding the five warships that were cruising, and didn’t even give them a chance to escape.
They didn’t attack rashly; they just blocked the warships when they tried to leave, as if… waiting for something.
Soon Lu Shanhuai knew what they were waiting for.
Surrounded by the whirlpool was a black reef.
Tender white feet stepped on it, and a pair of hands gently lifted the white and gorgeous cake skirt.
The petite girl had long hair like golden sunlight, and it didn’t get even a little wet, even though she had just emerged from the sea. She wore two necklaces around her neck, one sea blue and the other coral red—the Red Coral Necklace, a North End relic that had been stolen earlier on the main island.
The reef was a bit steep, and she lifted her skirt, taking some time to carefully walk up. During this time, she almost lost her balance. She panicked and held the crooked little golden crown on her head to keep it from falling.
Her face was extremely beautiful, with a thin red on the tip of her nose and cheeks from the cold. Her blue eyes were shining, and an elegant temperament was evident in every move.
Just by taking a look, anyone would know she was of noble birth.
The skeletal mermaids under the sea were swimming faster and faster, almost as if they were celebrating around her.
This harmless girl could never be human.
“Shoot!” someone yelled, and three seconds later, five whaling spears were fired at the girl simultaneously.
Their tips gleamed with a chilling coldness, and they carried an electric current that could paralyze the target. Even the solid skin of a dragon whale could be easily pierced.
However, several skeletal mermaids jumped up from the water in an instant, forming a solid barrier, and there was a terrible sound of bones being completely shattered. The several-meter-long spears pierced through three to five mermaids before stopping; they used their bodies to halt the attack abruptly.
Then several mermaids rushed towards the underwater torpedoes like suicide bombers. Sparks exploded underwater as they blocked any attacks that dared to approach the girl.
This crazed behavior was like that of loyal subjects desperately defending their princess.
The girl gently lifted her skirt again, bowed slightly to everyone on the boat, and after an elegant salute, said in standard Alliance language, “Good evening, everyone. I dedicate this song to Edgeworth Murphy.”
Her voice was ethereal and clear.
When she straightened up, everyone present felt a terrifying mental force rising like a tsunami.
They saw her delicate hand gently pressing on her chest, and she opened her mouth—
The rhythm of the song seemed to come from ancient Bei En.
In those times, whenever the full moon rose and the stardust surged, the Bei En people finished their day’s rush, sat in twos and threes on the beach or reefs, and sang. The children played on the shore, writing star-trail-like characters deeply in the sand, which were swept away by the waves in a blink of an eye. And the mermaids hummed softly, their singing voices like the gentle tide of the sea.
But this song was far more charming than this old rhythm.
It evoked images of the sparkling ocean under the moonlight, beautiful shells, gentle reefs and lighthouses, and the shining scales of mermaids.
The sky, with its ever-changing hues, towering lighthouses, and colossal ice floes, along with those vibrant colors cascading from above, create a mesmerizing scene where the seawater shimmers and dances in the starlight, a symphony of translucent and vibrant colors.
The castle, once in ruins, is now ablaze with a rejuvenating fire. Mud and rocks ascend into the air, restoring the structure to its former glory. The crumbled watchtower stands firm once more. As the tide surges, the royal family, under the watchful eyes of their guards, gracefully navigate the depths of the deep sea. Their attire, interwoven with stardust, radiates a brilliant luminescence. Every gemstone beneath the waves dazzles with an intensity that could rival the stars themselves.
The girl’s melodious voice fills the air, and the ancient mermaid dynasty gradually emerges within her song.
And through the depths of the long undersea tunnel…
I am coming for you.
These images seamlessly intertwine with the enchanting melody.
Another onslaught of blazing lightsabers, torpedoes, and whaling spears ensues, but the sheer number of skeletal mermaids is overwhelming. They collaborate effortlessly, forming an impenetrable shield around the girl. The combined might of the five warships proves insufficient.
The captivating song casts its spell, and everyone gradually succumbs to its intoxicating allure.
A few minutes later, no matter how desperately Lu Shanhuai calls out over the channel, the warship’s offensive comes to a complete standstill.
Tears and laughter mingle as they involuntarily kneel, their hands reaching out in supplication.
In a chilling spectacle, their outstretched hands mark the beginning of their transformation. Their skin wrinkles, and their bodies rapidly decay.
This scene is utterly bizarre. The kneeling figures gradually reveal their pale bones, while the mermaids below resemble a swirling black vortex. Amidst this macabre display, the girl with porcelain skin continues to sing, her crown gleaming.
The glacier bears silent witness. The stardust in the air swirls and scatters its brilliance. The waves, subdued by her presence, dare not stir. The turbulent undercurrent subsides into stillness.
For a moment, only her ethereal song fills the space between the sky and the sea.
The entirety of the North End is captivated by her.
…
Long Shiyu trailed behind Shen Chaomu as he navigated the old bookshelves, meticulously searching for any additional clues left by the mysterious visitor.
Casually following along, Long Shiyu suddenly heard Shen Chaomu remark, “There’s a rumor in Bei En that Princess Karen Haina was actually adopted by the royal family. Her long golden hair doesn’t seem to be inherited from anyone in the royal family; it doesn’t even resemble her mother’s at all.”
“Really?” Long Shiyu questioned. “Why did you suddenly bring that up?”
“…It’s just a lingering doubt,” Shen Chaomu admitted. “When I heard the singing on the main island, I did perceive the image in my spiritual ability. I also sensed residual spiritual energy when passing through the undersea tunnel. With ordinary people’s spiritual abilities, no matter how strong their emotions, it’s impossible to leave such a potent image that I can still detect it now.”
He continued, “Some of the flashback memories…I always feel they’re too similar to the legendary Karen Haina’s experiences. It might just be a coincidence; after all, it’s too unbelievable for the royal family to adopt a strange beast. However, we’ll uncover the truth eventually.”
“Oh.” Long Shiyu nodded, uninterested in the books. He continued to follow Shen Chaomu quietly, passing by the frozen bookshelves.
As he walked, he suddenly realized that the princess seemed to be much taller than him.
Long Shiyu had been so immersed in the joy of having a princess that he hadn’t noticed this before.
The tip of his tail flicked, a hint of disbelief in his demeanor.
After all, princesses were supposed to be petite and cute.
After navigating several bookshelves and repeatedly tiptoeing to compare their heights, Long Shiyu finally, reluctantly, confirmed a fact:
The princess was almost half a head taller than him.
The evil dragon’s self-esteem was wounded once again. He sadly wrapped his tail around the princess’s wrist and let out a dejected “Ying.”
Shen Chaomu responded, “…What’s the matter now? I haven’t even started shaking your dragon horns yet.”
Long Shiyu mumbled, “You’re too tall.”
Shen Chaomu paused, then questioned, “Huh?”
Long Shiyu didn’t want to share this embarrassing fact with the princess and stopped talking, letting Shen Chaomu continue to search the library with a head full of questions. It seems there’s no ancient book that records dragons hate tall people, he thought.
There weren’t many clues there, but on the second floor of the library, they found another door with traces of repeated opening and closing.
The puzzled Shen Chaomu and the dejected Long Shiyu followed this new lead, spending several hours searching until they finally came to a room at the end of the fifth-floor corridor.
Pushing the door open, they found no trace of frost inside, just an ordinary room, as if the owner had just left. It wasn’t too big or too small, with a soft, plush carpet and a dream catcher hanging on the bookshelf. The wallpaper was pink, with a map of Bei En nailed to it. Teddy bear plushies littered the soft bed, and a teacup sat on the table, painted with the same fluffy brown bear.
The person who lived here must enjoy life very much. Every corner was spotless; a few sticky notes with ancient characters clung to the desk lamp, and the plants by the table were green and lush, obviously carefully tended. There was also a quill pen and an open book on the table.
Shen Chaomu stepped forward and flipped through two pages casually. The content was written in Bei En ancient characters and the common language of the alliance, most of which looked like diary entries.
Long Shiyu leaned over to read with Shen Chaomu. They flipped through page by page, picking out the parts in the Alliance language.
[January 2nd, it has been fifty-seven years since I moved back to the castle. I cleaned the room today, and I still like it here.]
[March 16th, I feel a little uncomfortable. I made two cups of black tea, one for myself and one for the little bear. The tea will be astringent if it is brewed for too long, so I should buy some new tea leaves.]
[March 20th, I secretly went to the market to buy some tea and bread. I only have gems, and the merchants were shocked when I took them out, and they gave me a lot of money.]
[April 5th, I saw the coral necklace again. I wanted to get it back, but I would definitely be found. But today, a tourist asked to take a photo with me. Although I am happy, I can’t help it. I can only refuse.]
[April 29th, I still feel a little uncomfortable and slept all day.]
[May 11th, I read books in the library all day today. I like the book “Land and Wind” the most, but I haven’t recovered from my illness yet. I’m dizzy, so I went to bed early.]
[May 30th, my good friend came to play with me. The accompanying picture showed a few cartoon versions of skeletal mermaids holding beautiful shells and pearls in their hands.]
[June 11th, I feel that my condition is getting worse and worse. I slept all day again. I’m a little worried that I won’t get better.]
[June 12th, I slept for a day. I am not feeling well.]
[June 15th, only the power of the throne can cure diseases. I have always known this.]
Every day’s diary entry was a short sentence, but it was clear she had insisted on recording them. Shen Chaomu’s eyes wandered to the side, where dozens of such thick notebooks were stacked. He casually took one down and flipped through it. It was also a diary, with entries day by day. Thousands of pages like this could only be the result of hundreds of years of records.
There was also a collection of poems tucked within the diary, which must have been the one taken from the library. Shen Chaomu took it out. The title was “Starlight is Like Your Skirt,” and the author’s signature was Edgeworth Murphy. The association had spent a long time failing to find the origin of this name, but now it suddenly appeared.
Like a…poet?
Shen Chaomu was about to say something to Long Shiyu, but he saw the young man’s eyes fixed on the diary. Long Shiyu had flipped through a few more pages, and it happened to stop at a particular entry.
[August 17th, I cannot die.]
[August 25th, I read his collection of poems again.]
Shen Chaomu pointed to this entry: “This ‘he’ likely refers to Edgeworth Murphy, and then…the strange beast is Karen.”
“Yeah,” Long Shiyu nodded.
But Shen Chaomu quickly realized that Long Shiyu wasn’t reading those two sentences, but the next one.
[August 27th, the condition is very serious. If I die…]
[If I die, who will remember him?]
The following lines were a completely meaningless repetition, every stroke etched deeply, as if trying to pierce the paper.
[If I die, who will remember him?]
[If I die, who will remember him?]
[If I die, who will remember him?]
“What’s wrong with this sentence?” Shen Chaomu asked, instinctively lowering his voice.
Long Shiyu was silent for a moment, then looked up at him. Shen Chaomu felt that he would never forget this look. It was too complex, filled with twists and turns, like crossing a long icy river to finally see fire, like enduring a long trek only to find himself unable to speak. Thousands of past events and unspoken words were hidden within that gaze.
However, in the next second, Long Shiyu smiled. “There really is a princess here.”
He threw himself into Shen Chaomu’s arms with an exuberant, almost violent hug. “I like princesses the most!”
___
T/N: Every chapter, I experience cute aggression. Long Shiyu is just so cute
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