Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

Chapter 182 - 132: Xiaoyu’s Hint (Part 3)

You Su said nothing, only nodding in agreement. His greatest fear was that the Jade Ring Pool had dried up, leaving no Lotus Hearts for him to exchange.

"Don’t worry, that’s all just hearsay. I’ve come and gone here so many times; of course, I know the truth. The Jade Ring Pool is just fine, with mountains and water inside—it’s far more beautiful than Jade Ring Lake outside. That’s the real immortal scenery."

You Su nodded, acknowledging the truth, and let go of his hidden worries.

As one of the eleven spiritual blessed lands, although the Jade Ring Pool was smaller in size, it was unlikely that it would truly dry up.

Afterwards, You Su asked many more questions, but Mr. Yu was just an ordinary fisherman and couldn’t set foot on the land of the Jade Ring Pool, so his understanding of the pool wasn’t much better than You Su’s.

After the meal, the fishing boats floating on the lake lit their fishing lights, reflecting against the high-hanging stars and moon in the sky.

The mountains and the great lake wore the mysterious veil of night; the night on Jade Ring Lake was a bit too quiet.

"Mr. Xu, stay overnight on the boat," Xiaoyu called out to You Su, who was preparing to disembark. Mr. Yu smoked silently on the side.

"There’s not a soul near Jade Ring Lake, and we have to set out early for fishing tomorrow. Why not stay and rest on the boat to enjoy some of my grandfather’s delicious fish porridge in the morning?"

You Su looked around, and though there was indeed no suitable place to rest within his Sea of Consciousness, he still intended to refuse until Mr. Yu spoke:

"Just sleep here; I’ll leave early and won’t wait if you’re not here. Don’t worry, I won’t charge you."

You Su then bowed and replied,

"Then I shall humbly accept your offer. I won’t sleep in the cabin; sitting at the bow for a rest will suffice."

"Suit yourself. I’m old and sleep early; I’m going to bed first." Mr. Yu tapped out the ashes of his cigarette and hunched over to push open the small side door of the cabin and went inside.

Xiaoyu smiled apologetically and said, "If Mr. Xu doesn’t mind, you can sleep in my room, though it’s a bit small and may not be comfortable for you."

"How could I? As a cultivator, I don’t necessarily need to sleep. It’s quite pleasant to sit at the bow enjoying the evening breeze."

"No need to be polite, Mr. Xu. You’re a guest; I can’t let you sleep outside. I enjoy sleeping on the deck; you’d better rest in my room." Xiaoyu insisted.

"Really, it’s not necessary. If Miss Xiaoyu keeps persuading me, I’ll disembark. I haven’t paid the hundred spirit stones yet."

As if really about to leave, Xiaoyu quickly urged him to stay, blocking his path.

Staring at You Su’s fresh and handsome face, Xiaoyu couldn’t help but ask, "Jade Pool City nearby isn’t as big as Chuyun City, right? Are you really an Immortal Master from Chuyun City?"

Looking back at Xiaoyu, You Su couldn’t see her face clearly. After hesitating for a moment, he replied,

"Actually, I’m from Henggao Divine Mountain."

"Henggao Divine Mountain?!" Xiaoyu showed a surprised expression, as if she had long yearned for the sacred site, "Then Mr. Xu must be a genius among cultivators!"

"Xiaoyu is joking. I’m not a genius; getting into the Divine Mountain was just luck."

Surprise still lingered on Xiaoyu’s delicate face as she said, "Could you tell me stories about Henggao Divine Mountain? I’ve never left here my whole life and get really bored."

"Actually, I’m not very familiar with the Divine Mountain either, so I’m afraid I don’t have stories to satisfy you. Moreover, it’s rather late now. If you’d like, I’ll tell you after I return from the Jade Ring Pool."

You Su politely declined Xiaoyu’s request; he’s not a talkative person, and storytelling is a privilege reserved for his junior and senior sisters.

"Alright, then I’ll go rest." A bit disappointed, Xiaoyu suddenly remembered something. "Mr. Xu, I’m really sorry; there’s a third room under the dining table, it’s just a bit dirty, so you have nowhere to sleep."

You Su was taken aback but then reassured, "It’s alright, Xiaoyu, go to sleep."

After a nod, Xiaoyu opened a side door and entered her room.

Only You Su and a lamp remained on deck. He stood quietly at the bow, his black robe blending with the night as the breeze caressed him.

He didn’t know how long he’d stood there before he put away the cold Exorcism Order from his arms, but his curiosity still gnawed at his heart like ants.

Was Xiaoyu’s final words before sleep really necessary?

Unable to resist any longer, You Su approached the dining table, removed the nearly extinguished oil lamp, and carefully lifted the dining table, revealing a hidden fish cellar below.

A salty, damp cold wind wafted up from the cellar. You Su furrowed his brows, his eyes filled with darkness.

Raising the oil lamp, its light couldn’t penetrate fully into the depths—shallow, dark lake water swayed in the cellar, with no fish in sight.

Suddenly, it seemed as if You Su glimpsed something. He stepped down the slippery stairs and bent down to shine the light.

This was indeed the third room on the boat, but it was clearly not meant for people. Yet, someone had already occupied the room.

Or rather... that wasn’t a person.

It was a mermaid, with an upper half of a pale, water-soaked girl and a lower half of a gleaming fish body.

The girl’s torso was severed horizontally, with her innards faintly visible. The wound where it merged with the giant fish’s lower half was lined with dense algae, adorned with tiny snails and mussels, swaying with the lake water.

This was not a mermaid from tales, mysterious and beautiful, hidden in the deep sea. It was a monster, crudely pieced together by this eerie algae.

You Su didn’t recognize the girl’s face, but he felt that the healthy, agile girl should be named—

Xiaoyu.

And behind You Su, "Xiaoyu" cast an eerie glance his way.