Whoosh!
Long Fei caught the mermaid just as she went limp, her delicate body collapsing into his arms. With one arm, he sent the sea monster flying, its body crashing against jagged rocks. The impact caused a cascade of debris to tumble into the dark waters.
He pressed his fingers to her jugular—her pulse was faint but still there. Her breath shallowed, and her skin felt unnaturally chilled. As he checked her condition, he noticed her hair shifting, revealing more than it should. He quickly averted his gaze, summoning his cloak to drape it over her to maintain her modesty.
Behind him, the jagged rocks groaned as the wounded fiend stirred. His head snapped up. With a flick of his wrist, a blast of wind sent the creature crashing into the ocean trench. The impact sent stones scattering across the water's surface.
Still, it refused to die. It dragged itself free, baring its fangs.
Long Fei narrowed his eyes. His grip on her tightened.
He extended his arm towards the beast, and he unleashed a vortex of wind, slashing the creature into a retreat. It shrieked and vanished into the shadows, its cries fading into the abyss. He slowly exhaled, his anger subsiding.
The princess started to shiver in his arms, and his expression softened. The remnants of his fury melted away—replaced by concern.
Her fragile form trembled in his hold. Her skin was freezing, and her pulse faltered.
He hesitated, then gently placed his hand over her chest, trying to transfer his qi. Her body resisted, shivering as the foreign energy entered her.
His jaw tightened. There was only one way left.
"Forgive me, Your Highness."
Long Fei gently tilted her head. He placed the Sacred Pearl in his mouth, channeling a trace of its essence. He lowered his head, his lips grazing hers, and transferred the warmth of the Sacred Pearl's energy. Gradually, the color returned to her cheeks, and her pulse steadied.
Her eyelashes fluttered.
For a brief moment, her gaze met his.
Then, she collapsed again.
He instantly pulled back, a tinge of warmth rising to his face. He gulped, his heartbeat unsteady for the first time.
The immortal carefully carried the mermaid princess toward the palace until he sensed the royal guards approaching. He gently positioned her where they would easily find her. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment longer before he turned to leave.
***
The royal guards swam past, their eyes scanning the dark waters.
From behind a distant boulder, Long Fei flicked his fingers.
One guard was startled as an unseen force pulled him forward, landing him directly in front of the unconscious mermaid. A gentle current stirred the veil of white hair from her face.
"Princess Shui Yi! I found her!"
The Captain of the royal guards rushed to her side.
"She's alive, but her pulse is unstable," said the Captain. "We need to get her back to the King, now."
They carefully mounted their unconscious princess onto a sea horse and rushed toward the palace.
He watched the guards leave, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if there was something more stirring in him than mere duty—something he was hesitant to acknowledge.
He vanished without a sound, as though erasing the presence of his actions from the world and his memory.
***
The King stood from his throne. At the sight of his daughter's unconscious body, his face drained of color.
"What happened to her?" he asked.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances, their heads bowed. They had no answers.
His gaze fell upon the cloak wrapped around her—he recognized its owner instantly. A sharp pain pierced his chest, like a dagger twisting in his heart.
He exhaled slowly, and a quiet, sorrowful sigh escaped his lips. The realization hit him harder than anticipated, and his eyes were saddened with a deep understanding. His fists clenched at his sides, but he kept them still, steadying his breathing to calm the storm inside him.
For a long moment, the throne room was silent, save for the soft sound of Shui Yi's shallow breath.
"Leave us," he commanded.
The servants and guards swiftly exited, the doors closing behind them with a soft thud. The King stood over his daughter, his gaze unwavering as he looked down at her fragile form. His chest tightened, his heart trembled, the hope of her safety clashing with the dread of what might come next.
She was alive—that should be enough. But as his eyes traced every delicate feature of her face, the burden of the decisions before him pressed down like an unshakable force. This might be the last time he saw her as the innocent child she once was, untouched by the cruelties of the world.
His trembling fingers brushed the damp lock of hair as though he feared the slightest touch would break her. Every movement was a silent prayer for her recovery.
"My foolish girl," he whispered.
She stirred, her lips parting with a soft, inaudible sound.
A wave of guilt crashed over the King, gripping him. How many times had he promised to protect her? The world beyond the kingdom's walls was a dangerous, unforgiving place. A painful ache spread across his body.
"Forgive me, my sweet daughter," his voice drenched with guilt.
But the decision that loomed before him was undeniable. There was no more room for hesitation.
Better for her to be alive—no matter where she was—than lost forever.
The storm inside him subsided, but the silence was deafening. With a deep sigh, he gently tapped her shoulder, a final tender gesture. Their relationship will never be the same after this.
"Wake up, Shui Yi. You and I need to talk."