Chapter Two: The Black Merman

Shen Qingzhi, drained of spiritual power, could only stay afloat in the sea, swimming desperately. Her arms churned like propellers, yet she refused to abandon Jiang Wanwan. Jiang Wanwan, too, squeezed out the last bit of her pitiful spiritual energy, transferring it to Shen Qingzhi.

“Brother Qingzhi, I’m sorry. This is all my fault—you wouldn’t be in danger if not for me!”

Shen Qingzhi, gasping for breath, replied, “Wanwan, don’t blame yourself. I accept it willingly!”

Behind them, the deep-sea demon thrashed with a mad frenzy, its roars chilling to the bone. A massive, tentacle-thick arm crashed down toward them, impossible to evade. Jiang Wanwan’s eyes went wide; instinctively, the spiritual power in her hand locked onto Shen Qingzhi, flinging him away from the tentacle. She then summoned all her spiritual energy, shooting forward like an arrow, leaving behind a trail of white foam.

Shen Qingzhi was caught off guard as the slimy, fishy wind of the tentacle rushed toward him. Helpless, he closed his eyes.

In the sky, spirit vessels surrounded the rampaging demon from five directions.

“Sir, there are people in the water!”

“2007, 2008, you two, go save them!”

“Yes, sir!”

Two soldiers stepped out, leapt through the spirit vessel’s shield, and dove toward the waves like birds, rescuing the two at the last possible moment.

The stern commander, seeing the rescue was complete, waved his hand. “Form the Big Dipper Formation—exterminate the demon!”

Hundreds of soldiers burst from the vessels, taking their positions in the array, synchronizing their spiritual power output. Spiritual light blazed forth, like a second sun, pouring down in a wave filled with deadly intent.

The deep-sea demon twisted frantically, trying to shake off the creature on its back. But the jet-black merman’s claws dug into its flesh, his fanged mouth tearing off chunks of the demon’s body. His golden eyes turned crimson with bloodlust, yet satisfaction flickered within. Lately, demons in these waters had grown harder to catch; at the mere scent of him, they’d flee far away.

A blade-like surge of spiritual light slashed across his back. The merman bared his fangs, annoyance flashing in his eyes.

Vexing humans!

His claws gleamed cold as he tore a two-meter wound into the demon’s flesh, shrank his own form, and dove into the wound, vanishing within.

Beneath the sea.

Jiang Wangshu watched the deep-sea demon writhing, elated. She mentally commanded her premium-system, “A little closer—I need to be absolutely sure!”

If she missed and caught only some shrimps or small fry, her loss would be immense.

The system pushed the membrane sphere closer with all its might. Jiang Wangshu gripped the Immortal-Binding Rope in her left hand and the Contract Seal in her right, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

She had her plan: first, bind the demon with the rope, then slap on the Contract Seal. With such a massive, unmoving target, she was sure she could tag it.

A tentacle swung toward her, striking the sphere.

Now!

Jiang Wangshu’s left hand moved first, her right following.

Rip!

The deep-sea demon was torn to pieces, its black-red blood instantly dyeing the sea. Jiang Wangshu was dumbfounded—where was the enormous demon she’d aimed for?

How had it turned into chunks of meat?

No! She clawed at her hair in frustration.

The Immortal-Binding Rope in her hand swung around, tossing a tightly trussed black ball into her lap.

The black merman crashed into the membrane sphere, his golden eyes locking onto Jiang Wangshu, brimming with murderous intent. He bared his fangs, a threatening growl rumbling from his throat. Sensing her disdain only fueled his rage—how dare this feeble human look down on him? He was the lord of these seas!

His dark tail thrashed furiously, churning the water, but he could not break free.

The next instant, he went limp like a dead fish—where was his cultivation?

His Nascent Soul-level cultivation—gone!

Jiang Wangshu watched the merman, tumbling and spinning like a hapless husky, and saw the golden, circular mark glowing on his collarbone—her Contract Seal.

Listlessly, she asked, “System, can I take my Contract Seal back?”

The system tried to comfort her. “Host, although this is the highest-grade Contract Seal, and you can only use it once in your life, we also have master-servant contracts, puppet contracts, life contracts—would you like to try one of those?”

The highest grade! Only once!

Jiang Wangshu clutched her chest in agony—misfortune truly favored her with deep affection.

Dejected, Jiang Wangshu was rescued by soldiers clearing the battlefield, still dragging along the hissing, furious fish by her side.

When Jiang Wanwan spotted her, a flash of malice crossed her eyes before she plastered on a delicate smile. “Thank goodness you’re alright, Sister. Otherwise, I’d never have found peace!”

She lowered her head, grasping Shen Qingzhi’s hand. “Brother Qingzhi, see? We both survived. How lucky we are!”

Shen Qingzhi lay sprawled on the deck, eyes vacant, clearly still in shock.

Jiang Wangshu had no desire to deal with Jiang Wanwan. She rolled her eyes. “Calling ‘gege’ all day—are you a chicken or something?”

Jiang Wanwan bristled. “You—”

Beside Jiang Wangshu, the bound merman lashed his tail, making a slapping sound. Fighting his own reluctance, he tried with all his might to bite her arm.

A soft palm landed on his head, sapping his strength. He collapsed, eyes empty.

He was defiled! A filthy human had touched his noble head!

Unacceptable!

He couldn’t lose heart—he had to seek revenge!

His tail slapped the ground as he launched himself into the air, body taut, twisting midair. His elegant fin shimmered as he aimed a mighty blow at her head.

But just as he was about to strike, his strength faded, and he fell, receiving several hard pats on the head.

His mind buzzed—he couldn’t understand it at all.

It was bad enough losing his cultivation—why had his strength vanished too?

Jiang Wangshu patted his head firmly. “Stupid fish, stop making a fuss! Or else I’ll deal with you!”

You’re the stupid fish! Your whole family’s stupid fish! The black merman, ignoring his dizziness, bared his teeth and growled.

“Hungry?” Jiang Wangshu, seeing the merman would not rest, scratched her face, got up, and asked a soldier for some food.

“Eat, eat!” Taking advantage of his open mouth, she stuffed biscuits inside.

The merman fumed, about to spit them out, but the sweetness dissolved on his tongue—a taste he’d never known before. He couldn’t bear to spit it out.

Jiang Wangshu sighed in relief as the merman settled down, feeding him biscuits one by one, no longer mourning the great demon she’d hoped to capture.

He was already bound—what could she do? Just keep him! He looked good enough—maybe she could train him to act cute, or even sell him to an aquarium for some cash.

As he chewed, the merman watched her warily.

In the end, he opened his mouth wide, waiting for more.

Jiang Wangshu stroked his seaweed-black hair—soft and silky. “That’s all for now. I’ll give you more when we reach shore.”

“Let’s give you a name! You’re all black—so I’ll call you Little Black.”

“Little Black!”

Little Black thumped his tail in protest, but the peaceful surroundings and a full day’s exhaustion finally overtook him. He watched Jiang Wangshu’s figure as his eyes slowly closed.

One day, he swore, he’d finish off this weak, filthy human.

Back on shore.

An officer questioned the three, confirmed they had been forced into the sea, and notified their families to pick them up.

Outside the police station.

The Jiang and Shen families crowded around Jiang Wanwan and Shen Qingzhi, fussing over them.

Jiang Wangshu, pushing a spherical water tank, was ignored. Watching the others refuse to disperse, she finally spoke up.

“It’s getting dark. Aren’t you hungry or tired?”

“Dad, your real daughter is standing right here—why worry about others? Your loyalties must’ve drifted clear across the Pacific!”

Jiang Mingqian frowned deeply. “What is there to worry about you for? If you hadn’t caused trouble, would Wanwan and Qingzhi have suffered so much?”

“Look at you—no spiritual root, no brains. How could you compare to Wanwan?”

“And you contracted a worthless black fish! I really can’t guess what’s going on in your head!”

“With such a precious Contract Seal, you didn’t give it to Wanwan. Now look—trash binding trash, wasting good resources…”

Jiang Wanwan and her mother, Mu Guannan, comforted him softly, fanning the flames.

The more Jiang Mingqian spoke, the angrier he became, reaching out to twist Jiang Wangshu’s ear.