As Hou Shyao walked back towards the Merman Pearl District with a small bundle of food and healing antidote in his arms, the calm atmosphere of the market was abruptly shattered. Someone shoved him hard from behind, causing him to stumble slightly,
Turning around, he glared at the figure who had dared to push him. It was Sifang, one of the more arrogant and powerful merman guards. With his sharp features and imposing stance, he radiated authority, and the disdain on his face was clear.
Sifang sneered at Hou Shyao, his eyes narrowing in condescending superiority. "Well, well, look who decided to show their face in the market," he spat, his voice dripping with mockery. "The merman orphan, playing house with the weakest of us all."
"I don't have time for your nonsense, Sifang," Hou Shyao replied, his tone cold and unwavering. "I don't care for your games, and I definitely don't care for you."
Sifang's eyes flashed with irritation. "You think you're special just because you managed to crawl your way into the palace once in a while?" he mocked, stepping closer, his voice turning dangerous. "You're nothing but a disgrace, Hou Shyao. A mere servant in the eyes of the true clans."
Sifang, sensing Hou Shyao's hesitation, pressed on. "You think you can heal that broken body of yours and pretend you're someone important? Everyone knows what happened to your family. You're just a stain on the Merman Clan, Hou Shyao. No amount of food or healing will change that."
"Don't speak of things you don't understand," Hou Shyao said, his voice steady but laced with venom. "You have no right to judge me. If I'm a stain, then you're just a puppet to those in power, too afraid to think for yourself."
Sifang growled, moving closer, his fists clenched. "You're lucky you're still standing, Hou Shyao."
as sifang pushed him
As Hou Shyao picked himself up, still stinging from Sifang's push, he noticed that one of the antidote vials had shattered during the fall. The glass shards pierced his palm, but he didn't flinch, instead silently picking up the broken remnants and wincing slightly as the sharp edges dug into his skin. The glass cut deep
Sifang, with a sneer, walked away, clearly satisfied with his act of cruelty. "The orphan… the disgrace," he muttered under his breath, his words carrying through the tense silence. The other guards, lurking nearby, snickered and whispered
But Hou Shyao paid them no attention; he was used to the mockery, the disdain that followed him like a shadow. He had learned to let it slide off him, like water off a rock.
Hou Shyao returned to the cave after a few hours, his movements slow but purposeful. He entered quietly, careful not to disturb Tianlong, who appeared to be resting. The Supreme God of War was still lying on the bed, but something about his posture seemed different—there was an air of heaviness about him, as if something had changed within him.
Hou Shyao didn't speak immediately. He placed the food he had gathered on a stone table beside Tianlong and carefully set down a bottle of healing antidote.
"I brought some food," Hou Shyao said softly, breaking the silence, "and some healing antidote to clear the dark poison you're suffering from. You can't wear that anymore," he added, gesturing to the ragged clothes Tianlong had been wearing. "I bought you some new clothes. Hope they fit."
Before Tianlong could respond, Hou Shyao walked away, heading to the coral pond at the far end of the cave. The gentle, shimmering water reflected the soft glow of the cave,
Tianlong, still lying on the bed, watched as Hou Shyao went to the pond. His eyes followed the merman, his gaze soft and contemplative. Despite his usual pride and stoicism, Tianlong felt an unexpected pull toward Hou Shyao—a need to understand him,
Tianlong sat quietly for a moment, his fingers lingering on the edge of the antidote bottle Hou Shyao had brought. The antidote had a sharp, herbal scent, and he could feel the poison in his veins beginning to wane as he swallowed it. The warmth from the antidote spread through him
His thoughts were disrupted when Hou Shyao's voice broke the silence.
"Is the Heaven Realm really like the stories? The Golden Warriors, the Purple Fairies... is everyone respected? Are you a Golden Guard, also respected?"
Tianlong paused, his dark eyes focusing on Hou Shyao, who sat beside the coral pond, his back to the cave's light. The question hung in the air, simple yet layered with curiosity.
"The Heaven Realm… it's not as glorious as the stories you hear," Tianlong said, his voice quiet, almost nostalgic. "It's a place of power, of politics, of expectations. Golden Warriors and Purple Fairies? Yes, they are respected, but respect here is earned, not freely given. Power and titles define everything. And the higher you climb, the more you have to lose."
He glanced down at the clothes Hou Shyao had bought for him, the new garments feeling foreign to him, but comfortable nonetheless.
"As for the Golden Guards..." Tianlong hesitated, his mind flickering with the weight of his own title. "I suppose I was once considered something like that. A protector of the realms, a symbol of strength and stability. But titles can be deceiving, Hou Shyao. The Golden Guards may be revered, but they are often the first to be sacrificed when the balance tips. As for respect, it's fragile—like glass. One wrong move, and it shatters."
Hou Shyao sat silently for a moment, the weight of Tianlong's question sinking deep within him. His eyes traced the flickering shadows cast by the coral pond, the soft ripple of water serving as a calming background to the heavy question.
"I think..." Hou Shyao began slowly, his voice hesitant at first, but gaining strength with each word. "The Heaven Realm... it's nothing like the stories I heard when I was younger. It's a place filled with power, but also betrayal. The stories painted it as a paradise, where gods ruled with wisdom and strength, and where everything was as it should be. But now I see it's a place where titles matter more than the people behind them, where your worth is decided by your strength, your lineage, and not who you truly are."
Hou Shyao's eyes met Tianlong's, and for a moment, there was no fear in his heart, no anger or bitterness—just an understanding that, for once, someone might see him for who he truly was.
He paused, shifting his gaze from the water to Tianlong, who was watching him carefully. Hou Shyao's heart raced a little, but his resolve remained firm.
And as for you..." Hou Shyao's voice softened, but there was still a hint of skepticism in his tone. He didn't yet understand the true nature of this stranger,
Hou Shyao's gaze dropped again to the water, his fingers skimming the surface as he tried to steady himself.
I don't know..." he continued, the words coming out almost as a challenge. "What is it that makes you different from all the other soldiers? Why should I trust you, or care? You're just one more part of their system, and I'm just a merman. We don't belong in their world."
He didn't know that the man sitting beside him was not just a guard, but the very Supreme God of War, the one who commanded the fates of the Immortal Clans and the realms. To Hou Shyao, Tianlong was simply someone he had encountered in the aftermath of his own suffering,
As Hou Shyao gazed at his trembling hand, the blood from the glass wound staining his skin, he could feel the sharp sting of the shards still embedded within. Slowly, deliberately, he began removing each piece one by one, placing them on a nearby plate, the sound of the glass scraping against his skin
Tianlong, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, heard the faint crackle of glass and turned his gaze, catching sight of Hou Shyao. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. The silence between them lingered like an unspoken vow
Hou Shyao didn't notice Tianlong's gaze, lost in his thoughts. With a steady hand, he wiped the blood off, dipping his fingers into the cool pond water. As he cleaned his wound, his mind wandered to his family. Tianlong thinks I am asleep... he mused inwardly. I must leave tonight. My sister and mother... they must be waiting for me.
His heart tightened at the thought of them, but exhaustion soon weighed his body down. With a final glance at the still, peaceful waters, Hou Shyao laid his head beside the pond, his consciousness fading into a deep, restful sleep.
Hours passed, and Tianlong, ever vigilant, stood from his spot. His piercing gaze landed on Hou Shyao's still form. A faint tinge of concern flickered in his eyes before it was quickly masked by indifference. But when he looked at Hou Shyao's hand, still stained with blood, something within him stirred.
Without a word, Tianlong extended his hand, murmuring a spell under his breath. A soft, glowing light enveloped Hou Shyao's wound, and within moments, the bleeding ceased. The cuts disappeared as if they had never been there.
Tianlong stood there for a long time, watching Hou Shyao's peaceful face.
After about ten minutes, Hou Shyao stirred from his deep slumber. His eyes fluttered open, sharp and focused as the weight of his thoughts returned. He rose swiftly, his movements determined. He had made up his mind.
"I must leave," Hou Shyao murmured to himself as he approached Tianlong, who was seated in silent contemplation.
Tianlong's gaze shifted to meet him, unreadable. Before Tianlong could speak, Hou Shyao's voice rang out, earnest and filled with a sense of urgency.
"Take me with you. I cannot remain here any longer. The deep ocean cannot heal me, but the world outside... it offers me a chance."
Yao, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the shadows, stepped forward, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Are you certain? The place where we dwell is humble, far from grand or special. Should you come, you will be no different from the other lowly beings, just another immortal struggling to survive. You may regret this decision."
tainlong stood tall, his chin lifted slightly in defiance, but there was an underlying sorrow in his eyes. "I will return in days. I do not wish to burden you, nor take up your time or space," he replied, his tone quiet but firm.
Yao's expression softened for a brief moment, but he did not relent. "You think of yourself as higher than you are, yet you are willing to forsake your pride for this. You will regret your choice, I am sure, but..." Yao paused, his gaze lingering on Hou Shyao with a mixture of resignation and understanding. "I have no right to stop you. You may stay until you heal. I will speak to my mother and sister about this. We will find a place for you."
As they stepped out of the cave and into the quiet, mist-covered world beyond, Tianlong's sharp gaze never left Hou Shyao. There was something lingering in the air, an unspoken question that had been troubling him for some time.
"Why did you help me?" Tianlong finally asked, his voice calm but carrying the weight of the doubt that had been on his mind. "You, who despise us Immortals from the Heavenly Realm... Why?"
Hou Shyao did not hesitate in his reply, his tone contemplative yet firm. "My mother once told me, 'If we all continue to hate one another, none of us will survive the end.' She said someone must lower their ego so that others can live. That's what I chose to do. It's not about love or hatred; it's about survival."
Tianlong, though reserved, couldn't help but nod in approval. "Your mother is wise and kind."
Hou Shyao's expression softened slightly, a small, wistful smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Yes... she is. She's the best."
As they continued walking through the streets, the murmurs of the people grew louder, their curious eyes following Hou Shyao. The looks were not kind, nor welcoming. Yet Hou Shyao remained unfazed, his steps steady.
"Have you ever heard of a joke?" Hou Shyao asked suddenly, his voice low.
Tianlong glanced at him, the corners of his lips twitching in amusement. "I am that joke," Hou Shyao continued, his words laced with a resigned humor. "But whatever. Don't mind them. Just walk straight. If anyone asks, tell them you are an Immortal from a small Flower Clan."
Tianlong raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Hou Shyao's bluntness. "I'll remember that."
Before long, they arrived at Yao's home, which was exactly as Yao had described it—modest, but with an air of warmth and simplicity. As they stepped through the door, Yao called out in a voice that echoed through the hall.
"Niao! Niao! Meme! Come out!"
"Niao, Niao! Guess what I collected today!" Hou Shyao's voice rang with excitement as he proudly held up a basket of sea crabs. "I caught twenty of them today!"
Before Yao could respond, a figure entered the room, and Tianlong's presence immediately caught her attention. Niao's eyes widened in shock, her gaze fixed on the handsome figure standing near Yao. She had heard of many guests, but none quite like this one. Her heart skipped a beat as she whispered, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "Who is this handsome man? Did you bring him for me, Yao?"
Yao's expression shifted to one of playful exasperation. Reaching over, he lightly pricked her forehead with his fingers. "Silly girl," he chided. "He's my friend. Don't think too deeply about it."
Niao pouted, but before she could say more, Yao called out, "Mother! Where are you?"
From behind the curtain, a gentle voice responded, followed by the soft rustling of fabric. "I'm here, Yao."
A beautiful woman stepped forward, her aura calm and serene, her smile peaceful and welcoming. Her eyes met Hou Shyao's for a moment,
Mother, I want to introduce you to someone," Yao said, his tone filled with a rare tenderness. "This is a guest who will stay with us for a while."
The woman smiled warmly at Hou Shyao, her voice soft but clear as she addressed him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, young one. I am Yao's mother."
ao's mother gave him a warm smile as he introduced Tianlong, but there was a softness in her eyes as she regarded Hou Shyao.
"Mom, this is... well, he's ...," Yao began, looking toward the handsome figure standing at the doorway. "He is from a small Flower Clan. He came here for trading purposes."
Tianlong bowed slightly, his expression calm yet respectful. "I am Tianlong, from the Flower Clan. I am here for trade, as your son said."
Yao continued, his voice filled with a hint of concern. "While traveling through the clan's territory, he was attacked by some shark guards, and he suffered injuries. I tried to help him. I hope you won't scold me for bringing him here."
Yao's mother's gaze softened, and she chuckled lightly, her voice warm and gentle. "Kindness is never a fault, Yao," she said, her tone reassuring. "You have done well."
She turned to Tianlong and gave him a kind nod. "You are welcome here, young one. Feel at ease."
Yao smiled, though it was filled with the teasing affection he often displayed. "Silly boy," he said, playfully shaking his head. "Go ahead and set up the room for him. He can stay in your room for now."
Yao gave Tianlong a teasing look, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, can you manage sharing a room with me, Tianlong?"
Tianlong's smile turned into a soft laugh, and he answered, his tone light but full of quiet confidence. "I surely can," he replied, his laughter like a breeze across a calm lake.
Niao, who had been listening from the side, suddenly piped up. "Gege, can he sleep with me?" Her voice was playful, though there was a trace of mischief in her eyes.
Yao's mother raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Niao, Niao, you've become quite the handful lately. Yao has made you naughty," she teased, her tone both fond and amused.
Niao pouted, but her mother's gentle scolding seemed to have no effect. "Hmm...," she murmured, crossing her arms.
mother:But they are guests! They must be hungry. Go take a bath, both of you. Yao can show you around while I prepare some delicious food for you."
Tianlong nodded respectfully, feeling a sense of warmth in the air. It had been a long time since he had been treated so kindly. Yao smiled, gesturing for Tianlong to follow.
"Come, let me show you around," Yao said...