TRWSB – Chapter 170 Tides of Fate: The Golden Merman

Azure Sea Plains

Biliuyun sat on the rooftop, gazing into the distance, when Qi Shaorong leapt up beside him.

“Why aren’t you sleeping inside? Why choose the roof?” Qi Shaorong asked.

“I can’t sleep,” Biliuyun said gloomily. “Came out to catch some air.”

“The elders of the merfolk came to see you again?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Biliuyun nodded. “Two groups, actually. One said I should return to revitalize the merfolk race. The other insisted that since I see myself as human, I shouldn’t be in possession of the merfolk’s sacred relic.”

“They want you to hand over the Trident of the Sea King?” Qi Shaorong narrowed his eyes.

Biliuyun nodded. “Yeah.”

“Hah! Those geezers really think too highly of themselves,” Qi Shaorong said with displeasure.

Biliuyun agreed, “Right? I have no interest in being some savior of the merfolk. But I’m also not interested in being their benevolent benefactor.”

The Trident of the Sea King was something he risked his life to retrieve from the Fallen God’s Realm. Now a few old men thought they could take it back with a few words? Not a chance.

Biliuyun took a deep breath. “If I stay here, I might bring you a lot of trouble.”

Qi Shaorong smiled. “I’m not afraid of trouble. But—there is a good solution.”

“What kind of solution?”

“Move in with Hailing,” Qi Shaorong said.

Biliuyun: “…”

Biliuyun stared at Qi Shaorong. “Young Master, are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Why would I? I just think staying with Hailing wouldn’t be bad. He’s rich, powerful, good-looking—what a great match. Plus, if you live with him, the merfolk elders would think twice before making a move,” Qi Shaorong said.

Biliuyun: “…”

Elsewhere

Zhuang Hao was peeling fruit as he spoke to Shen Yuan. “It’s been decided that the second prince will be the one coming to the Azure Sea Plains. Tang Tianfeng—did you know?”

“I know,” Shen Yuan replied with a forced smile.

“What do you think of your brother-in-law?” Zhuang Hao asked.

Shen Yuan scratched his head awkwardly. “We’re not really that close.”

Tang Tianfeng had been wildly popular two years ago. But Qi Shaorong seemed closer to Tang Tianying, and Yi Fan had unresolved grudges with Tang Tianfeng.

Qi Shaorong and Yi Fan had a strange bond—possibly born of shared adversity. Yi Fan’s attitude influenced Qi Shaorong’s directly.

Regardless of what the Four Great Families wanted to admit, Qi Shaorong’s influence now rivaled theirs.

“He is your brother-in-law,” Zhuang Hao said pointedly.

“I’m not close to that sister of mine either,” Shen Yuan replied. Even within the Shen family, there were factions.

“Well, let him come then,” Zhuang Hao said nonchalantly. “It’s just a prince. No big deal.”

Shen Yuan looked at Zhuang Hao. “Officially, he’s coming to inquire about the progress on the Sea Sand Mithril.”

“I know,” Zhuang Hao nodded.

Something about Zhuang Hao had changed after his return from an expedition with Yoda. Unbeknownst to Shen Yuan, Zhuang Hao had finally begun to fully integrate the power of the Half-Saint Crystal he obtained earlier. He was now brushing up against the threshold of a major breakthrough.

In the Lab

Zhuang Hao found Qi Shaorong in the lab, studying two crystals—one black and one white.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to figure out how to absorb the power from these crystals,” Qi Shaorong replied.

“The energy in Saint Crystals is extremely solidified—it’s hard to absorb. But keeping them close brings passive benefits,” Zhuang Hao said.

“Too slow,” Qi Shaorong grumbled.

Zhuang Hao chuckled. “A bit, yeah.”

“Why is your luck so damn good?” Qi Shaorong grumbled.

“Your crystals are actually more valuable than mine,” Zhuang Hao pointed out.

Qi Shaorong pouted. “What’s the use if I can’t tap into them?”

Zhuang Hao changed the subject. “You sent Biliuyun to Hailing’s place?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Yep.”

“You’re really looking out for that guy, huh?” Zhuang Hao said sourly.

Qi Shaorong looked up. “The Sea Dragon Pearl ended up with Liuyun, and the Merfolk’s Heart was poured on Hailing. Those two are clearly fated. I’m just helping them along—wouldn’t you agree?”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “Nope.”

“Oh? Then what do you think?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Zhuang Hao turned away, annoyed. “I just think Hailing’s luck is ridiculous. You’re even helping him chase a wife. He must’ve saved a galaxy in his past life. Meanwhile, I’m stuck with a bunch of freeloaders.”

Qi Shaorong clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s just fate, nothing to be jealous about.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Qi Shaorong added, “You don’t have that fate, so stop daydreaming.”

“Do you think Liuyun and Hailing will get married soon?” Zhuang Hao asked.

He personally didn’t think they would, but given how unpredictable people like Liuyun and Mu Tingxuan were, who knew? He might be attending another wedding any day now.

“You eager to attend another wedding banquet?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Zhuang Hao grinned. “Not someone else’s—I want to attend ours.”

Qi Shaorong flushed. “Focus. The second prince is coming.”

“Let him. One more person at the table, that’s all,” Zhuang Hao said indifferently.

Qi Shaorong: “…”

Sea Dragon Palace

“What do you think of my palace?” Hailing asked eagerly.

“It’s nice,” Biliuyun replied casually.

“If you like it, stay longer,” Hailing said, grabbing Biliuyun’s hand.

“I’m not paying rent,” Biliuyun stated.

“Of course not! I’m just glad you’re willing to stay,” Hailing said with a goofy grin.

Biliuyun rolled his eyes.

Watching him, Hailing thought, Qi Shaorong really knows how to help a bro out. Gotta send him a red packet later.

The Sea Dragon Palace was lavish, as expected of the most powerful aquatic clan.

From a distance, Biliuyun spotted a few young sea dragon boys peeking at him.

“That’s the one big brother Hailing likes?”

“Is he human or merfolk?”

“He looks kinda fat,” said one scrawny boy.

Biliuyun’s face darkened. That brat called me fat?

He stomped toward the kid, intending to hang him upside-down by his tail, but Hailing stopped him.

“You can’t touch a sea dragon’s tail,” Hailing said seriously.

Biliuyun snorted and glared at the kid.

“Who are you calling fat, you bean sprout?” he snapped.

“He’s just a kid. Don’t take it so seriously,” Hailing said.

“Kids grow up with warped aesthetics, and this is what happens,” Biliuyun grumbled.

“What happens if you do touch a sea dragon’s tail?” Biliuyun asked.

Hailing hesitated, then said bashfully, “It’s a sensitive spot. Only someone who likes a sea dragon would touch it—it’s basically a mating gesture.”

Biliuyun’s face contorted. “What?!”

Hailing looked innocent. “I mean—”

“Don’t say it,” Biliuyun cut him off. Damn it. I used to love pulling his tail when we were kids. Nobody told me that meant something!

“You’ve gotten shyer,” Hailing observed. “You used to be so straightforward.”

Biliuyun: “…Screw you.”

Hailing smiled. “No matter how you are now—I like you.”

Merfolk Royal Palace

“Princess, Biliuyun has moved into Hailing’s palace,” a maid reported.

Ariel smashed her cup in rage. “That damned half-breed!”

Though Hailing had clearly rejected her, Ariel had always believed he’d come around.

Now, with Biliuyun staying at the Sea Dragon Palace, Ariel was both jealous and afraid.

After the revelation of Biliuyun’s golden merfolk bloodline, the elders launched an investigation. The findings strongly hinted that Biliuyun was the illegitimate child of the late Princess Xue Fei’er.

She had died in battle, largely abandoned by the royal family.

If Biliuyun had been just another merfolk, it would be fine—but he was a golden merfolk. Many elders now supported him as the next ruler.

Ariel sneered. Xue Fei’er fell for a human, disgracing the whole court. She hid Biliuyun well—his origins must be shameful. If I’m right, he’s a filthy half-breed. How dare he compete for the throne?

Still, a nagging worry gnawed at her: If Biliuyun gets close enough to Hailing, would the Sea Dragon Clan support his claim?

The merfolk had long relied on marriages with the sea dragons, and now were verging on being their vassals. Hailing’s stance could turn the tide.