TRWSB – Chapter 227 The Crisis Deepens

Merfolk Territory.

Princess Ariel was seething with anger. “Mother, what’s wrong with those elders? They actually want me to go to the battlefield! There are so many warriors in the merfolk tribe—why me?!”

Queen Irina looked at Ariel with helplessness. “Enough complaining. Don’t forget, your father’s forces have suffered repeated losses. He barely has anyone left to use. This isn’t the time for you to become a burden. When you went to the Sea Dragon Tribe, how could you forget your main task?”

Irina closed her eyes, visibly anxious. She had always thought Ariel was willful, but not to the point of ignoring the bigger picture. Only now did she realize she had spoiled her daughter beyond control.

Ariel lowered her head and mumbled, “If I could marry Hailin, he would surely help us.”

Irina was at a loss for words. “He’s already married Biliuyun. You need to let this go.”

“I can’t accept this, Mother! You clearly told me I could marry Hailin!”

Irina shut her eyes and said quietly, “What’s done is done. Talking about it now won’t change anything.”
Back then, she never anticipated today’s predicament when she gave that promise.

“I don’t want to go to the battlefield! What are those damned elders thinking? Sending me to such a dangerous place—do they want me dead?” Ariel shouted in frustration.

Irina sighed again. “There’s no one left in the royal family. I’m going too.”

Ariel looked at her mother in disbelief. “How could Father let you go? He’s the Merfolk King!”

“Your father has no choice either,” Irina murmured, bitterness surfacing in her voice.

Years ago, Princess Xue Fei was forced to the frontlines and died a martyr. Now it was Irina’s turn. The power of the Merfolk Elder Council far exceeded that of the royal family. Since Ariel had failed to secure reinforcements, King Sabei could only comply with the Council’s decision.

“So it’s all because I didn’t bring back reinforcements?” Ariel asked, agitated.

Irina nodded. “Exactly. The Elder Council used it as a perfect excuse.”

Finally sensing the gravity of the situation, Ariel’s face went pale.

Irina silently drowned in regret.
If only she hadn’t raised Ariel to be so lawless, maybe Ariel wouldn’t have acted so recklessly in such a critical mission. Irina had reminded her repeatedly, yet the moment Ariel saw Hailin, she threw all responsibility aside.

“The elders are now seeking help from Hailin. If the Sea Dragon Tribe sends reinforcements, Mother, would we still have to go to the battlefield?” Ariel asked hopefully.

“I doubt it,” Irina replied. “They’re hosting a wedding right now. Reinforcements are unlikely.”

Ariel’s brows knit in frustration, jealousy bubbling in her chest. While they were drowning in chaos, Biliuyun and Hailin were celebrating their union. The thought was like a dagger to Ariel’s heart.

Sea Dragon Tribe.

The wedding had gone late into the night. By the next day, the guests and newlyweds had all overslept.

“Aunt, the merfolk are here again?” Hailin asked.

Hailan nodded. “Yes. But because yesterday was your big day, I didn’t let them disturb you.”

“Have we sent any troops?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No. Last time Ariel came, she barely mentioned requesting help. Since the merfolk themselves weren’t in a hurry, why should we be?”

“True.” Hailin smiled faintly.

When Ariel had visited, she only cared about meddling in his wedding, showing little concern about the merfolk’s crisis.

“I heard Irina is going to face the sea beasts herself,” Hailan added.

“Really? The Merfolk Queen herself? That’s surprising,” Hailin said.

“Not only her—Ariel’s going too. Irina must be desperate. Sabei is facing growing criticism, with fewer supporters remaining. If he doesn’t resolve this crisis, he might be forced to step down. Irina taking the lead may help rally public support,” Hailan said seriously.

Hailin sneered. “This didn’t happen overnight. I’m just shocked Ariel’s actually going to war.”

“Of course she’s unwilling, but the Elder Council is deeply dissatisfied with her. The queen has no choice,” Hailan replied.

Hailin chuckled coldly. “I knew it. Ariel’s not the type for self-sacrifice. The royal family trying to win public support with her? Good luck. She’s dead weight.”

Just then, Biliuyun walked over. “What are you two talking about?”

Hailin looked at her and asked, “Not resting more?”

“I’m fine. What’s going on with the merfolk?”

“Not much yet. Unless you’re worried…”

Biliuyun shook her head. “I’m not.”
Her mother had died for the merfolk. Most of their royal family was gone. Biliuyun felt no remaining responsibility toward the merfolk tribe.

Zhuang Hao walked out as well.

“You’re up,” Hailin said, raising an eyebrow.

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Yeah.”

“So, when are you leaving?” Hailin asked.

Zhuang Hao frowned. “You trying to get rid of me already?”

“Not at all. I just thought you might not be used to life under the sea,” Hailin laughed.

“Living here for a bit isn’t bad,” Zhuang Hao replied with a smile.
The cool sea temperature made Qi Shaorong cling to him more often, which he didn’t mind.

Zhuang Hao and Qi Shaorong stayed with the Sea Dragon Tribe for a few days, enjoying the underwater scenery.

One day, while touring the Coral Sea with Hailin and Biliuyun, a Sea Dragon envoy arrived in haste and summoned Hailan and Biliuyun back urgently.

“What happened?” Hailin asked Hailan.

“The situation has escalated. What used to be isolated sea beast incidents have grown more severe—now even saint-level beasts are emerging from the Forbidden Zone. So far it’s the merfolk who’ve suffered, but if this continues, our Sea Dragon territory will be at risk,” Hailan said gravely.

Title: The Fall of the Mermaid Royalty and the Rise of New Heroes

The Mermaid Tribe.

Hai Lan looked at Bi Liuyun, shook her head, and said, “That little princess of the mermaid tribe is nothing but trouble. The moment she saw a level-nine demonic beast—Blood Squid—she was so scared she froze, then actually pushed another mermaid beside her out as a shield. Even so, Ariel didn’t make it out unscathed—half her tail was severed.”

Ariel’s disastrous performance on the battlefield brought utter disgrace to the mermaid royal family.

Bi Liuyun said in surprise, “Really?”

Hai Lan nodded. “Sabé has stepped down, entangled in scandal. The mermaid tribe is in complete chaos now.”

Bi Liuyun closed her eyes, a trace of confusion surfacing in her heart.

Hai Ling looked at Bi Liuyun and asked, “You alright?”

Bi Liuyun shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Zhuang Hao looked toward Hai Lan and asked, “Will the Sea Dragon Tribe send troops?”

“Probably,” Hai Lan replied.

…

While Hai Ling and Hai Lan stayed to discuss the details, Bi Liuyun took Qi Shaorong and the others to rest in the main hall.

Bi Liuyun frowned, clearly restless.

Qi Shaorong noticed his expression and asked, “Worried about the mermaid tribe?”

Bi Liuyun gave a sheepish smile. “A little. Young Master, do you think I should help?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Of course. It’s a great opportunity. If you can save the mermaid tribe in their time of crisis, you can build up your prestige—become their savior!”

Bi Liuyun gave an awkward laugh. “I’m not really interested in being a savior!”

“How could you not be?” Qi Shaorong said. “Didn’t you and Hai Ling want to change the status of mixed-bloods in the sea and human races? If you gain fame and call for support, people will follow you.”

Bi Liuyun blinked. “Ah, that sounds good. But with my limited skills, gaining such prestige sounds too difficult!”

Qi Shaorong casually waved it off. “Don’t worry, there’s a way. Have Ah Hao disguise himself as your attendant. Then he can secretly beat those sea beasts half to death, and you just need to fire off a big finishing move and look cool while killing them. Done!”

Bi Liuyun raised his eyebrows. “Ah! That sounds awesome. Young Master, your creativity is truly admirable!”

Qi Shaorong waved a hand. “Just a small trick.”

Bi Liuyun looked at Zhuang Hao for confirmation. “Young Master Zhuang, would you be willing to help?”

“Of course,” Zhuang Hao replied with a bright smile.

“How about you take down a Saint-level sea beast and let me land the finishing blow?” Bi Liuyun said with shining eyes.

Zhuang Hao turned his eyes thoughtfully. “I’ll do my best.”

Hai Ling walked in just then. Bi Liuyun turned to him and asked, “Finished talking with your aunt?”

Hai Ling nodded. “Yes.”

“You’re going to the front lines?” Bi Liuyun asked.

Hai Ling gave a wry smile. “Looks like I have to.” Many of the Sea Dragon Tribe’s elders are in seclusion or off traveling. The number of people available to act is very limited. Normally, being newly married, it wouldn’t be my turn. But now… there’s no choice.”

“I’m really sorry—we just got married and already…”

Bi Liuyun waved it off, eyes shining with energy. “I’m going too.”

Hai Ling was surprised. “Ah? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to get involved in mermaid affairs?”

“That was then. Now’s different. I have a feeling this time, I’ll become famous in a single battle—go down in history, become a Sea Dragon Tribe hero. You’ll have to look up to me after this,” Bi Liuyun said proudly.

Hai Ling: “…”

Qi Shaorong looked at the stunned Hai Ling and said, “Liuyun’s not joking, you know.”

Hai Ling: “…”

“What’s the situation with the merfolk now?” Biliuyun asked.

The Mermaid Tribe.

Hai Lan looked at Bi Liuyun, shook her head, and said, “That little princess of the mermaid tribe is nothing but trouble. The moment she saw a level-nine demonic beast—Blood Squid—she was so scared she froze, then actually pushed another mermaid beside her out as a shield. Even so, Ariel didn’t make it out unscathed—half her tail was severed.”

Ariel’s disastrous performance on the battlefield brought utter disgrace to the mermaid royal family.

Bi Liuyun said in surprise, “Really?”

Hai Lan nodded. “Sabé has stepped down, entangled in scandal. The mermaid tribe is in complete chaos now.”

Bi Liuyun closed her eyes, a trace of confusion surfacing in her heart.

Hai Ling looked at Bi Liuyun and asked, “You alright?”

Bi Liuyun shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Zhuang Hao looked toward Hai Lan and asked, “Will the Sea Dragon Tribe send troops?”

“Probably,” Hai Lan replied.

…

While Hai Ling and Hai Lan stayed to discuss the details, Bi Liuyun took Qi Shaorong and the others to rest in the main hall.

Bi Liuyun frowned, clearly restless.

Qi Shaorong noticed his expression and asked, “Worried about the mermaid tribe?”

Bi Liuyun gave a sheepish smile. “A little. Young Master, do you think I should help?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Of course. It’s a great opportunity. If you can save the mermaid tribe in their time of crisis, you can build up your prestige—become their savior!”

Bi Liuyun gave an awkward laugh. “I’m not really interested in being a savior!”

“How could you not be?” Qi Shaorong said. “Didn’t you and Hai Ling want to change the status of mixed-bloods in the sea and human races? If you gain fame and call for support, people will follow you.”

Bi Liuyun blinked. “Ah, that sounds good. But with my limited skills, gaining such prestige sounds too difficult!”

Qi Shaorong casually waved it off. “Don’t worry, there’s a way. Have Ah Hao disguise himself as your attendant. Then he can secretly beat those sea beasts half to death, and you just need to fire off a big finishing move and look cool while killing them. Done!”

Bi Liuyun raised his eyebrows. “Ah! That sounds awesome. Young Master, your creativity is truly admirable!”

Qi Shaorong waved a hand. “Just a small trick.”

Bi Liuyun looked at Zhuang Hao for confirmation. “Young Master Zhuang, would you be willing to help?”

“Of course,” Zhuang Hao replied with a bright smile.

“How about you take down a Saint-level sea beast and let me land the finishing blow?” Bi Liuyun said with shining eyes.

Zhuang Hao turned his eyes thoughtfully. “I’ll do my best.”

Hai Ling walked in just then. Bi Liuyun turned to him and asked, “Finished talking with your aunt?”

Hai Ling nodded. “Yes.”

“You’re going to the front lines?” Bi Liuyun asked.

Hai Ling gave a wry smile. “Looks like I have to.” Many of the Sea Dragon Tribe’s elders are in seclusion or off traveling. The number of people available to act is very limited. Normally, being newly married, it wouldn’t be my turn. But now… there’s no choice.”

“I’m really sorry—we just got married and already…”

Bi Liuyun waved it off, eyes shining with energy. “I’m going too.”

Hai Ling was surprised. “Ah? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to get involved in mermaid affairs?”

“That was then. Now’s different. I have a feeling this time, I’ll become famous in a single battle—go down in history, become a Sea Dragon Tribe hero. You’ll have to look up to me after this,” Bi Liuyun said proudly.

Hai Ling: “…”

Qi Shaorong looked at the stunned Hai Ling and said, “Liuyun’s not joking, you know.”

Hai Ling: “…”