TRWSB – Chapter 145 Life Beneath the Azure Depths

In the vastness of the deep ocean, two shrimp-like humanoids with long, flowing antennae walked gracefully through the sea.

Qi Shaorong, who had never learned to swim in his previous life, found himself enjoying the novelty of moving freely underwater in this new existence. His happiness, however, was quickly soured by his companion Zhuang Hao’s teasing.

“You paddle like a dog,” Zhuang Hao said, his tone full of mockery. “It’s hilarious!”

“Mind your own business!” Qi Shaorong retorted through gritted teeth, his face darkening with embarrassment.

A nearby group of jellyfish-like sea folk also found Qi Shaorong’s swimming style amusing. “Look at that shrimp man!” one said, laughing uncontrollably. “He swims like a fool!”

Qi Shaorong felt his face burn with humiliation as he overheard their comments.

Zhuang Hao, sensing Qi Shaorong’s frustration, grabbed his hand and swiftly led him away. “Let’s find somewhere less crowded,” he suggested.

Their journey brought them to a bustling underwater marketplace, teeming with diverse sea creatures. Among the chatter, Qi Shaorong overheard two crab-like merchants gossiping.

“Have you seen the new lord yet?” one asked.

“Yeah, saw him. Weak as a twig. He won’t last long,” the other replied dismissively.

Qi Shaorong clenched his fists. These crabs have no idea who they’re talking about. One day, I’ll roast them alive.

The duo continued exploring, passing two merfolk engaged in conversation. To Qi Shaorong’s surprise, these merfolk weren’t the breathtaking beauties of legend but rather unassuming figures with fish tails.

The merfolk spoke of royal politics, missing artifacts, and potential alliances, revealing a web of intrigue centered on the loss of the Sea King Pearl. Qi Shaorong, listening intently, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of schadenfreude at the royals’ misfortune.

Suddenly, the marketplace was illuminated by a bright glow from the protective barrier surrounding the city. “Another sea beast attack,” someone muttered. It seemed to be a common occurrence lately.

Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao approached the barrier and spotted a massive whale, hundreds of meters long, swimming near the city.

“What a colossal creature!” Qi Shaorong exclaimed in awe.

Zhuang Hao’s eyes glimmered as he focused on the whale, establishing a temporary bond.

“You contracted that whale?” Qi Shaorong asked, incredulous.

Zhuang Hao nodded. “A temporary contract. It’ll serve as a set of eyes in the deep for now.”

Qi Shaorong sighed. Zhuang Hao’s skills are ridiculously useful. Maybe too useful.

As the duo ventured deeper into the mysteries of the ocean, the intricate world of the sea folk unfurled before them—danger, politics, and opportunity lurking around every coral reef.

Three Days Later

“Young master, you’re back!” Bi Liuyun greeted Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao with a wide smile as he approached them.

Qi Shaorong, however, glared at him with a look full of resentment, leaving Bi Liuyun feeling slightly uneasy under his intense gaze.

“Young master, why are you looking at me like that?” Bi Liuyun asked, feigning innocence.

“How dare you ask! That water-repelling pill you gave me didn’t even last three days!” Qi Shaorong gritted his teeth.

Bi Liuyun widened his eyes in surprise. “You’re saying it was fake? No wonder it was half-price! I thought it was because I’m particularly handsome that I got such a discount.”

Qi Shaorong’s face darkened. “You bought cheap, second-rate goods to fool me?”

“Young master, it wasn’t intentional! These unscrupulous merchants nowadays make everything counterfeit. I promise I’ll be more careful next time,” Bi Liuyun said with an expression of genuine remorse.

With a huff, Qi Shaorong changed the subject. “Did anything happen while I was gone?”

Bi Liuyun shook his head. “Nothing major.”

“What about you? Did you discover anything interesting in the sea tribes?” Bi Liuyun asked.

Qi Shaorong tossed a spatial ring onto the table. With a flash of light, a heap of seaweed, kelp, sea lingzhi, and other marine treasures spilled out.

“Where did all this come from?” Bi Liuyun asked, astonished.

“Zhuang Hao and I gathered them,” Qi Shaorong replied nonchalantly.

Bi Liuyun looked at him with admiration. “Young master, your efficiency is truly impressive. You collected all this in such a short time!”

Qi Shaorong chuckled dryly to himself. Impressive? It wasn’t me—it was Zhuang Hao. He contracted dozens of sea beasts to do all the work.

“By the way, I heard something interesting,” Qi Shaorong said, shifting the topic.

“What’s that?” Bi Liuyun asked, his curiosity piqued.

“The Sea King Pearl, which the sea dragon tribe entrusted to the merfolk, has gone missing. Apparently, the pearl is crucial to the marriage alliance between the two tribes.”

Bi Liuyun nodded. “That pearl is indeed important. There’s a legend that the Sea King Pearl can help sea dragons advance to the sacred level. Even if it’s just a rumor, its significance can’t be understated.”

Qi Shaorong raised an eyebrow. “Liuyun, you seem to know a lot about this.”

Bi Liuyun smiled modestly. “Not much, really. I’ve always been in the business of gathering information.”

Qi Shaorong gave him a skeptical look. He wasn’t great at gathering intelligence in the human realm, but he sure knows a lot about the sea tribes.

“Oh, by the way, I saw a new branch of Allure Cosmetics on my way back. How did it open so quickly?” Qi Shaorong asked in surprise.

Qi Heng entered just then, his hands behind his back. “It wasn’t supposed to be this fast, but we had help from an influential ally.”

“Who?” Qi Shaorong asked.

“Hai Ling,” Qi Heng replied.

Zhuang Hao smirked. “Biqin Master, you truly are captivating. It seems that sea prince is utterly ensnared by your charm.”

Bi Liuyun laughed. “You flatter me, Young Master Zhuang. My charm is nothing extraordinary—just a few dozen times greater than yours, that’s all.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Qi Shaorong frowned. “Who knows what schemes Hai Ling is plotting.”

Later, Qi Shaorong entered Zhuang Hao’s room with a food container in hand.

Zhuang Hao looked at him curiously. “What brings you here?”

Qi Shaorong set down the container and handed him a bowl of medicinal soup. “Here, try this.”

Zhuang Hao took a sip. The warmth spread through his body, and he felt a faint increase in his magical and martial energies.

Moved, Zhuang Hao thought to himself, Maybe Qi Shaorong is finally warming up to me.

“How does it feel?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Zhuang Hao propped his face on his hand, smiling dreamily. “It’s bitter, but knowing you made it yourself, it tastes sweet.”

Qi Shaorong shivered at the cheesiness, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. “I’m asking how it works, not how it tastes!”

“It’s excellent. My magic and energy levels feel stronger. Did you add blood pearls and rare sea herbs? You’re so good to me,” Zhuang Hao said, pulling Qi Shaorong into a hug.

Qi Shaorong pushed him away. “Don’t overthink it. I just don’t want you collapsing and leaving me to handle trouble alone.”

Zhuang Hao smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

Qi Shaorong scoffed and left.

When Qi Heng walked in, he saw Zhuang Hao grinning foolishly at the empty bowl.

“What’s wrong with you, Young Master Zhuang?”

Zhuang Hao beamed at him. “Qi Heng, do you know? Your young master is in love with me.”

Qi Heng: “…”

“Young Master Zhuang, did you take something?” Qi Heng asked, worried. Has he lost it?

“Yes, I drank medicine. Your young master made it for me,” Zhuang Hao said, smiling even brighter.

Qi Heng: “…”

Later, Qi Heng found Qi Shaorong in the medicine room.

“Young master, what are you doing?”

“Experimenting with some herbal formulas,” Qi Shaorong replied.

“I just saw Young Master Zhuang. He was grinning like an idiot,” Qi Heng said hesitantly.

Qi Shaorong frowned. “What’s wrong with him now?”

“He can’t stop smiling,” Qi Heng replied.

Qi Shaorong sighed. “That guy—this is why I can’t be too nice to him.”

Qi Heng: “…”