In the darkness, the waters of the Bitter Sea lashed against the rocks protruding from the sea surface.
Suspended above the sea, beneath the peculiar island, hung ropes. Figures slid down along these ropes, each carrying a long sack on their shoulder, seemingly filled with something.
Upon reaching the sea surface, they were met by someone.
Uniquely shaped small boats quietly anchored.
The people on the boats took the sacks and carefully placed them on board. Those who unloaded the ’heavy objects’ returned to the island, and soon descended with another sack.
After each person repeated this four or five times, the small boats were filled with sacks.
Reluctantly, they paddled the boats, disappearing into the fog.
As they passed the rocks which served as sentry posts, the Sea Demon Clan’s sentries leaned against the damp rocks, sweetly asleep.
They naturally wouldn’t fall asleep without reason, having inhaled a smoke that induced slumber.
The small boats quietly departed, without disturbing their slumber.
This scene played out simultaneously on all five islands occupied by the Sea Demon Clan.
The only difference was that in two locations, there was no such caution; things were done as quickly as leaves swept by the wind, disappearing from the islands.
Much time after they left, the sky gradually brightened.
On the dark green sea surface, like a moving island, a giant ship quietly anchored.
In the waters before it, the Sea Demon Army was arrayed.
Hundreds of thousands of the Sea Demon forces spread out like a fan, firmly guarding all directions of the giant ship’s advance.
Beneath their feet were enormous Sea Spirit Beasts, which were either naturally docile or tamed by special means by the Sea Demon people, being extraordinarily gentle.
Their massive bodies peacefully lay on the sea surface, resembling the unique vessels of the Sea Demon Clan.
However, these ’vessels’ compared to the opposing giant ship were rather simple.
Like beggars standing in front of a noble in fine clothes, loudly demanding passage not be granted.
On the back of one Sea Spirit Beast sat five imposing Sea Demons, one being Talisa’s father, the Great Clan Chief of the Sea Demon Clan.
"Big brother, Talisa, our niece, has been captured by those humans for so long, won’t anything happen to her? After all, our niece is the first beauty of the Sea Demon Clan!" The Second Clan Leader, beside the Great Clan Chief, spoke with some concern.
Behind him stood Fu Kang.
If one looked closely, they could discern a hint of resemblance in their equally ugly faces.
This Fu Kang seemed to be the son of the Second Clan Leader.
The Second Clan Leader’s words made the Great Clan Chief’s expression even darker.
The Third Clan Leader spoke at this time, "I heard from Jie Sang that the humans merely want to pass through the sea and won’t truly harm Talisa." After speaking, he glanced at Jie Sang standing beside him.
Jie Sang quickly lowered his head and whispered, "Yes, Father."
As it turned out, Jie Sang was the son of the Third Clan Leader.
The Fifth Clan Leader snorted coldly, speaking in a violent tone, "Regardless of the reason, humans have always been our enemies! Whether or not Talisa is in their hands, we must not let them pass. I refuse to believe that our Sea Demon Clan, with so many warriors, cannot defeat just a few humans?"
"The humans you dismiss so lightly are actually masters capable of defeating Kun." The Fourth Clan Leader said coldly.
Once he finished, several Clan Leaders involuntarily turned their gaze to Kun, standing behind the Great Clan Chief.
Kun remained silent as ever, as if the topic of their discussion was not him.
His cold, proud aura made him seem superior, revered by others in the Sea Demon Clan. But this failure pulled him down from the pedestal, inviting ridicule from the young Sea Demons who usually opposed him.
Fu Kang glanced at Kun, releasing a disdainful snort.
The Great Clan Chief glanced at Kun and asked, "Kun, you had a confrontation with that human, how is her strength?"
"Unfathomable." This time, Kun did not continue his silence, answering honestly.
"Unfathomable?" The Fifth Clan Leader sneered, "Kun, are you overestimating your opponent, or perhaps embarrassed by losing, deliberately making the opponent seem powerful?"
Kun cast a cold glance at him, not maintaining the respect due to him as the Fifth Clan Leader.
However, he only glanced briefly before withdrawing his gaze.
"Foster Father," Kun suddenly spoke, "I feel that human is serious. If we continue to block here, persisting, he truly might harm Talisa."
The Great Clan Chief slightly furrowed his brows.
Evidently, Kun’s words were also his concern.
Yesterday, Kun returned defeated and conveyed Mu Qingge’s words. In anger, he gathered the other clans, forming an army to trap the humans’ giant ship, intending to coerce the humans into compromise, make that arrogant human feel fear, and voluntarily release Talisa.
Then, they could settle accounts properly!
Of course, he planned to spare no humans!
However, unexpectedly, after a night of confrontation, the giant ship remained calm, its occupants seemingly unconcerned by their actions, showing no panic or proposal for negotiations.
’What’s going on?’ The Great Clan Chief couldn’t figure it out, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Kun, do you want to compromise with those humans?" Fu Kang said arrogantly.
His gaze towards Kun was filled with scorn.
Yet Kun seemed not to hear, ignoring Fu Kang completely. This darkened Fu Kang’s expression, clenching his fists, his eyes filled with hatred towards Kun.
Seeing his son’s words overlooked by Kun, the Second Clan Leader also looked at Kun, asking, "Kun, Fu Kang’s words are precisely what I wanted to ask."
With the Second Clan Leader himself speaking, Kun could no longer remain silent. He said, "No."
"Then what do you mean?" The Second Clan Leader’s voice suddenly rose.
Fu Kang’s expression became triumphant, feeling his father stand up for him.
"Enough." The Great Clan Chief spoke, stopping the meaningless quarrel.
The Second Clan Leader’s arrogance receded.
"Do we plan to have infighting in front of the humans?" The Great Clan Chief said gravely.
"Big brother, we’ve guarded here all night, are we to continue like this?" The Fourth Clan Leader asked.
This question concerned all the Clan Leaders.
According to their thinking, they should directly attack the giant ship with their army instead of wasting time here. After all, it wasn’t their daughters who were kidnapped.
It’s true Talisa is the first beauty of the Sea Demon Clan. But the duty of a woman is childbirth, ensuring the next generation. Even if Talisa dies, it wouldn’t significantly impact the entire clan. Sea Demon females are rare, but as long as there are still women, they shouldn’t face such a threat.
The only special status came from Talisa being the Great Clan Chief’s only daughter.
"Big brother, let’s attack and seize Talisa back, and kill those humans," The Fifth Clan Leader said, eyes gleaming.
He frequently glanced at the giant ship, expressing greed.
It seemed he was eager to seize the humans’ abundant materials aboard the ship.
"No! Talisa must remain unharmed." The Great Clan Chief rejected his suggestion, insisting.
"But..." The Third Clan Leader hesitated to speak, "Delaying a day is also a danger to Talisa. None of us know what she has encountered while captive. Perhaps she is currently waiting for us to rescue her."
The Third Clan Leader’s words caused a wavering in the Great Clan Chief’s heart.
Beseiging without attacking is a psychological tactic in human warfare.
But why was it ineffective against these humans?
"Big brother, let’s fight!"
"Big brother, don’t wait any longer!"
"Big brother, kill those humans!"
"Big brother, there’s no point in negotiations with humans!"
The Second Clan Leader, Third Clan Leader, Fourth Clan Leader, and Fifth Clan Leader all voiced the call to arms.
Spending a night here already gave the Great Clan Chief enough face.
Their urging made Kun frown slightly.
He watched the immobile giant ship with some concern. For some reason, he always felt that the quieter it became now, the brewing plot was even greater.
Swish!
The Great Clan Chief stood up, took a step forward, and shouted towards the giant ship, "Humans! My patience has run out. If you do not return my daughter, I will declare war. Your small number cannot withstand us."
The Great Clan Chief’s voice reached the giant ship.
Mu Qingge sat comfortably on a deck chair, sipping tea and eating snacks. Behind her, Hua Yue massaged her shoulders, while You He sat to the side, tapping her legs.
Upon hearing the Great Clan Chief’s warning, a slight smile appeared on Mu Qingge’s lips, without even bothering to open her eyes.
Seeing her nonchalant demeanor, You He couldn’t help but chuckle, "Little Lord, anyone unaware would think you’re listening to an opera."
Mu Qingge slightly squinted at her, raised a corner of her lips and said, "Isn’t it just a grand show?"
"It’s my father! Father—! Father—!" Talisa, locked in the cabin, shouted excitedly upon hearing the Great Clan Chief’s voice.
The Dragon Tooth Guard frowned and stopped her, "Shut up! Keep yelling, and I’ll cut out your tongue!"
Talisa turned to look at him, and her astonishingly beautiful face still made the Dragon Tooth Guard uneasy.
"How dare you threaten me? Just wait, and I’ll have your master deal with you harshly!" Talisa said hatefully.
The Dragon Tooth Guard snorted disdainfully, averting his gaze from her.
The Dragon Tooth Guard’s attitude displeased Talisa.
In the Sea Demon Clan, no one had ever dared to treat her like this!
On the deck, Mo Yang approached Mu Qingge and stopped nearby. "Little Lord, they’re back."
Mo Yang’s words brought a slight curve to Mu Qingge’s lips.
"Qingge, I’m back." A childish voice sounded in Mu Qingge’s ear, and a white light fell, transforming into the cold and charming Bai Xi.
Almost simultaneously, a silver light followed, transforming into Yin Chen next to Mu Qingge.
Seeing Yin Chen, Bai Xi snorted meaningfully through her nose.
Yin Chen cast a cold glance over as well.
The snake and fox didn’t argue in front of Mu Qingge, but sparks still flew between them as they eyed each other displeasedly.
Mu Qingge took her feet off You He’s legs, pushed on the arms of the deck chair with her hands, and stood up. She walked towards the bow, chuckling, "The show can finally begin. Mo Yang, bring Talisa up."
"Yes." Mo Yang replied and left.
Yin Chen and Bai Xi defended Mu Qingge on either side as they stood on the deck of the bow together.
When that unmissable red appeared on the giant ship, Kun’s eyes narrowed. A strong battle intent surged from his heart.
Seeing figures finally appear on the giant ship, the Great Clan Chief’s aura also intensified.
The other clan leaders looked curiously at Mu Qingge as if these humans were novel toys in their eyes.
"Is it him?" the Great Clan Chief asked in a deep voice.
This question was directed at Kun.
He was asking if this person that appeared was the leader of these humans.
"Yes." Kun answered briefly.
Receiving a definite answer, the Great Clan Chief suppressed his urge to kill and shouted at Mu Qingge again, "Humans, since you have shown yourself, quickly release my daughter. Otherwise, brace yourself for the wrath of the Sea Demon Clan!"
"The wrath of the Sea Demon Clan? I’m quite curious." Mu Qingge spoke, and her words collectively shocked the Sea Demons. Her nonchalant tone angered them to the core.
"You’re courting death!" the Great Clan Chief said angrily.
Mu Qingge smiled slightly and said to him, "Great Clan Chief, I stated my demands clearly from the start. If you had agreed initially without causing so much trouble, your daughter, the first beauty of the Sea Demon Clan, would probably be back in her comfortable home by now. I don’t court death; it seems you’re the ones who want Talisa dead!"
Infuriating!
No! Infuriating to the Sea Demons!
Clearly, she had kidnapped Talisa, and now they came to rescue her, but instead, she blamed them for not agreeing to her demands, causing the current situation?
Infuriating!
The Sea Demons collectively boiled with anger.
Roaring in their hearts, ’Let’s swap positions and see if you’d let us go?’
"Shameless human! You’re the one who kidnapped Talisa first!" the Great Clan Chief said hatefully. His chest heaved with anger.
He suddenly felt negotiating with humans was a mistake.
Because it solves nothing, only infuriates oneself!
"Thank you for the reminder, Great Clan Chief; I’m not so forgetful as to not remember my own actions." Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly. While the Great Clan Chief was about to jump with rage, she suddenly looked coldly and smiled, "But, I want to ask. If I hadn’t kidnapped Talisa, would you have let me, my people, and my ship leave the seas you control?"
If it were just herself, she could completely evade the Sea Demon Clan and leave these seas. The problem is her wealth and grandeur; such a conspicuous giant ship sailing across the seas—did the Sea Demon think they’re blind!
Mu Qingge’s words made the Sea Demons subconsciously respond in their hearts, ’How could that be! Of course, they must be killed and thrown into the sea to feed the fish! No humans are allowed to sully the Sea Demon Clan’s territory!’
The Great Clan Chief wanted to shout his inner thoughts but suddenly remembered his daughter was still in the other’s hands. Wisely biting his tongue, he stopped his impulse.
However, the Sea Demon Clan’s silence did not surprise Mu Qingge.
On the contrary, this mutual understanding through silence made everyone clearly aware of each other’s intentions.
Mu Qingge mocked, "Since a battle is inevitable, wouldn’t I be a fool not to get more bargaining chips before the war?"
The heavy sarcasm caused unrest among the Sea Demons.
"Kill him!"
"Kill this arrogant human!"
"Humans, get out of the Sea Demon’s realm!"
"Kill them!"
In the army of hundreds of thousands of Sea Demons, shouts rose and fell.
At this moment, the Sea Demon’s unfriendly attitude towards humans was fully exposed.
Mu Qingge watched coldly with a smile on her lips. Initially, she didn’t wish to resort to such extreme measures to solve the problem. Unfortunately, from the very first encounter, the Sea Demons harbored intense hostility towards her or, more accurately, towards humanity.
She didn’t have the time to correct the Sea Demons’ ingrained perception of humans, so she had to adopt extreme measures to force them to give way.
If she didn’t have Talisa as a hostage, Mu Qingge dared to guarantee that the moment her ship was noticed by the Sea Demons, the battle between the two races would already have commenced.
And while the Sea Demon Clan had hundreds of thousands, she only had the Dragon Tooth Guards and a few companions.
With the Middle Ancient Realm still out of reach, engaging in a life-and-death fight with the Sea Demons at this moment would be unwise.
Mu Qingge was a rational person who could always discern what was most important and what could be set aside.
The Middle Ancient Realm was the primary goal, so everything needed to align with this objective.
She wouldn’t go to war with the Sea Demons, wasting resources, nor let them hinder her progress and delay the journey to the Middle Ancient Realm.
Footsteps sounded from behind.
Talisa was pushed by Mo Yang and stumbled to Mu Qingge’s side.
Talisa staggered and then looked up to see her fellow clansmen at sea. During the days of captivity, seeing her fellow Sea Demons was thrilling.
Talisa excitedly searched among the Sea Demons and soon spotted her father, the Great Clan Chief of the Sea Demon Clan.
She shouted, "Father! Father, I’m here!"
Talisa’s appearance naturally caught the attention of the Great Clan Chief. He shouted nervously, "Talisa, my daughter, are you alright?"
"I’m fine." Talisa shook her head at her father.
She was not lying.
Locked on the ship for the past two days, besides losing her freedom, she hadn’t suffered any ill-treatment.
"You see, my father is here. How about my proposal? As long as you nod, I can immediately have my father let your people go," Talisa said triumphantly to Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge lowered her gaze slightly, a faint smile on her lips, and said to her, "Miss Talisa, I fear you’re going to be disappointed."
Talisa’s smile froze, and she said, "Why? Am I not beautiful enough? I don’t even mind that you’re ugly. Marry me, and you can become a noble among the Sea Demon Clan, your status second only to my father’s."
Talisa’s words left Mo Yang, Bai Xi, and Yin Chen, who had never known she had such thoughts, utterly shocked.
What the hell!
This freak actually wants to marry their Little Lord?
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