TRWSB – Chapter 155 “Waves of Power, Whispers of the Heart”

Mo Yun Trading Company.

“Young Master, news from the City Lord’s Mansion—Qi Shaorong managed to convince Black Shark to be his bodyguard,” the steward reported.

Mo Yunan chuckled, full of admiration. “Our City Lord is quite the unusual one!”

“Unusual indeed. In all the previous city lords, none have ever taken a sea clan member as a bodyguard—let alone a ninth-rank sea clan expert,” the steward said.

“Most of the sea clan look down on humans. Even if the previous city lords wanted a sea clan guard, they couldn’t afford one,” Mo Yunan remarked.

“’Those who are not of our kind must have different hearts’—my lord may be too bold,” the steward commented.

Mo Yunan shook his head. “I don’t think Qi Shaorong is reckless. If he dared to ask, he must have a strategy.”

The steward looked at Mo Yunan and asked, “Then Young Master, what should we do?”

“Try to maintain good relations. This City Lord of ours—his future’s looking very promising,” Mo Yunan said.

He narrowed his eyes. Before, he had only valued Qi Shaorong for the sake of the Business Alliance. Now, he was beginning to pay real attention to the man himself.

“Young Master, the Sea King Pearl has returned to the sea clan,” the steward said.

Mo Yunan nodded. “I’ve heard. With the Sea King Pearl back, I wonder if Hailing will marry that bratty little mermaid princess.”

“I heard Hailing and the City Lord Mansion’s zither master, Bi Qinyun, have an ambiguous relationship,” the steward replied.

Mo Yunan nodded again. “I’ve heard that too. Supposedly, the little mermaid princess got jealous and even overturned Hailing’s yacht. That says a lot about their relationship. But honestly, the sea dragon clan wouldn’t usually fancy a human.”

Most sea clans looked down on humans—especially the sea dragon royal family.

Meanwhile, in the sea clan…

Ariel heard the news from Black Shark that the Sea King Pearl had been recovered and immediately dropped her hunt for Bi Liuyun, rushing back home.

“Mother, is it true? The Sea King Pearl has been found?” Ariel asked eagerly as she returned to the royal palace.

Irina nodded. “It’s true.”

“Then can I finally marry Hailing?” Ariel asked, blushing.

Irina looked troubled and said nothing.

Ariel frowned. “Mother? Isn’t it so?”

Irina sighed helplessly. “The sea dragon clan hasn’t brought up a marriage proposal. Hailing doesn’t seem interested in marrying you.”

Sabei had already spoken to the Sea Dragon King, but the king wasn’t keen on the idea of a political marriage.

The merfolk, once full of talent, had indeed fallen from grace.

Other sea clans had also offered marriage alliances to the sea dragon clan, but the king hadn’t responded.

Ariel grew upset. “Why?! The Sea King Pearl is back!”

Irina sighed inwardly. The pearl may be back—but it was recovered by the sea dragon clan. The merfolk still have to take responsibility for its loss.

In truth, Irina could already tell—Hailing didn’t like Ariel. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it outright.

In the Sea Dragon Palace…

Hailing stared at the Sea King Pearl, smiling weakly.

“Young Lord, Princess Ariel is here.”

“I know,” he replied.

Ariel stormed in. She was brimming with joy but dimmed as soon as she saw Hailing. “I heard the Sea King Pearl is back!”

“Yes,” Hailing answered coolly.

Ariel sighed in relief and smiled. “Then when will you marry me?”

“I have no intention of marrying you,” Hailing said plainly.

Ariel’s face fell. “What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

Ariel clenched her fists. “Didn’t you recover the Sea King Pearl?!”

“I did. But the merfolk still have to take responsibility for losing it,” Hailing said indifferently.

“You’re lying! You just fell for some lowly human, didn’t you?!”

Hailing remained silent.

His silence only confirmed it for Ariel. “You’re awful, Hailing!”

“I’m sorry. But it’s better to be honest—Ariel, I just don’t like you.”

Ariel turned and stormed off in anger.

Hailan strolled in, half-gloating. “You made the little princess cry and run off!”

Hailing nodded. “Yep.”

“You really don’t know how to treat a lady, do you?”

“Coming from you? That’s rich. Didn’t you beat up all the guys who tried to chase you?” Hailing smirked.

“I was just testing their strength,” Hailan said casually.

“You’ll never get married at this rate.”

“Who cares? I never planned to anyway.”

“…”

Hailan teased, “So who’s this ‘lowly human’ the princess was ranting about? The City Lord? But he’s already engaged. You planning to steal him from Zhuang Hao?”

Hailing shook his head. “It’s not him.”

City Lord’s Mansion

“Great wine! Bring another jar!” Black Shark wiped his mouth in bliss.

Qi Heng reluctantly brought more wine. Seeing Qi Shaorong return, he rushed up to him.

Qi Shaorong looked at his worried cousin. “Heng, what’s wrong? You look miserable.”

Qi Heng grumbled, “That senior you hired eats too much! Even if he doesn’t charge protection fees, we’re still losing money.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” Should’ve expected this. From that belly when he came for liposuction, it was obvious Black Shark was a glutton.

Black Shark chimed in, “Come now, don’t be stingy, little friend! By the way, your chef here—amazing food!”

At first, Black Shark had been reluctant to stay, but after discovering the heavenly meals, he practically refused to leave.

Qi Shaorong crossed his arms and warned, “Senior, you’ve slimmed down now, but if you don’t watch your eating, you’ll gain it all back.”

Black Shark shrugged. “That’s fine. I’ll just get that surgery again.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

Zhuang Hao walked over, placing his hands on Qi Shaorong’s shoulders. “Hailing’s here. He came looking for Bi Liuyun.”

Qi Shaorong sipped tea. “Did you tell him Liuyun isn’t here?”

“I did. He said he’ll wait.”

“And you just let him?”

“I said waiting inside costs 100,000 gold per incense stick’s time. He paid a million.”

Qi Shaorong rolled his eyes. “You should’ve asked for ten million. Then he wouldn’t have dared to stay.”

Zhuang Hao nodded earnestly. “I’ll raise the price next time.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

“Still got a bargain—only paid a million. Wonder what he’s really here for. Maybe addicted to getting taken advantage of,” Shaorong said, standing. “I’ll go see him.”

Zhuang Hao followed eagerly. “I’m coming too…”

Qi Shaorong entered the lounge and found Hailing sipping tea like he owned the place.

“So leisurely, aren’t we?” Shaorong said, irritated.

“Not bad,” Hailing said mildly.

“You’re a young lord, surely busy?”

Hailing smiled suavely. “No matter how busy, I’ll always make time to see Liuyun.”

Zhuang Hao nearly gagged. What a smooth-talker—so disgustingly sweet.

Black Shark wandered in lazily. Hailing rose and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Senior Black Shark! I didn’t expect you here.”

Black Shark squinted. “Hailing, huh! Heard you’re marrying the mermaid princess. Invite me to the banquet!”

Hailing replied, “I won’t be marrying Ariel. But you’ll still get a banquet invite.”

Zhuang Hao scowled. This guy’s confidence is off the charts—so punchable.

Bi Liuyun entered. Hailing lit up. “Liuyun! You’re here—I’ve waited long!”

Liuyun frowned. “Come with me.”

“Of course,” Hailing answered happily.

They went to the courtyard.

“What did you come for?” Liuyun asked.

“I have something for you.”

“I don’t need it.”

Hailing stepped closer. “Liuyun, you must really like me. Offering me such treasures for free… I’m flattered.”

“You’re delusional,” Liuyun snapped.

Hailing grabbed his hand and placed a space ring in his palm. “This is for you.”

Liuyun narrowed his eyes. “You better not be giving me junk.”

“You’ll see. It’s not as rare as the Sea King Pearl, but more fitting for you,” Hailing said gently.

Liuyun sighed. “Fine. I’ll accept it. Now leave.”

“Alright,” Hailing looked up at the towering tree in the courtyard before walking off.

As soon as he left, Liuyun returned to his room.

Qi Shaorong walked to the tree and called, “Come down. He’s gone.”

Zhuang Hao leapt down from the treetop.