It is a Betrothal Gift
In that year, an anomaly suddenly appeared in this sea area. He and his brother led the troops to investigate, only to discover the birth of the divine beast, Water Qilin.
In their attempt to subdue the Water Qilin, the two brothers battled it for three days and three nights.
Not only were they unable to tame the divine beast, but they also suffered severe injuries, and countless soldiers of the sea tribe lost their lives.
With a sigh of helplessness, Yue Chi said, “We can only seek help from other tribes to jointly subdue it.”
However, he felt somewhat reluctant because the Water Qilin only brought calamity to the sea region, which fell under the jurisdiction of their clan.
If they sought help from other tribes, they might be taken advantage of, and numerous underwater treasures and beautiful mermaids would become bargaining chips.
As he stood up, enduring the intense pain, preparing to engage in a life-or-death battle with the Water Qilin, a pleasant sound suddenly came from behind.
His brows furrowed slightly, and he turned his head as the sound grew closer. He saw a woman dressed in black, adorned with golden bells on her feet, gracefully stepping on the blue sea surface, approaching him.
Though her face was veiled in black, her captivating eyes and slender figure were irresistible.
“King of Sea wishes to subdue this Water Qilin. Why not give me a try? And I ask you for nothing else but only one request,” she said, her eyes curved with charm as she approached Yue An.
Yue An’s face turned cold, and he slightly turned his head.
“I am not the King of Sea; the King of Sea is my elder brother,” he said.
A hint of confusion flashed in her mesmerizing eyes as she glanced around, then her gaze fell upon Yue Chi standing beside him.
“Apologies, I have a slight case of prosopagnosia. I mistook you for someone else. Will the King of Sea be displeased?”
Her voice was soft and sweet, yet Yue An couldn’t help but feel a strong dislike towards her.
This woman appeared out of nowhere, her words and actions exuding frivolity, clearly not a decent woman.
However, her attire was quite proper. Yue An had never seen such a beautiful and elegant lady dressed in black during daylight.
Yue Chi’s expression remained unchanged, his eyelids slightly lowered. “Miss, this Water Qilin is an ancient divine beast, exceptionally fierce. Even our sea tribe has been unable to handle it. You…”
Before he could finish his sentence, she leaned closer to him, her upper body tilting slightly. “Let’s make a deal. If I manage to subdue it, you will marry me and become my husband!”
What?! Was this her one and only request?
Yue Chi stared at the small face that confronted him, momentarily at a loss for words.
Yue An sneered with disdain, “Women nowadays, in their quest for attention, not only lose their dignity but also their lives.”
She didn’t seem bothered and gazed at Yue Chi with allure, softly saying, “King of Sea, remember my name, Chu Jiuning.”
With that, she raised the corners of her mouth and walked past them, step by step, towards the Water Qilin.
Yue Chi watched her slender figure and couldn’t help but call out, “Miss, don’t do it!”
But she didn’t stop, continuing forward without looking back. “Don’t worry, my future husband. I will definitely return alive to become your bride!”
Initially, Yue An felt a strange tightness in his heart as he watched her resolute figure. However, upon hearing her frivolous and impolite words, he realized he shouldn’t be concerned for her.
He never expected that she would truly have the ability to subdue the Water Qilin.
During the process, Yue An and Yue Chi attempted several times to join in and help, but a massive tornado kept them isolated outside.
After the tornado dissipated, the Water Qilin disappeared. The rain gradually stopped, and the dark clouds dispersed, leaving behind a clear, azure sky as if it had been washed clean.
She still wore her black attire, but it was drenched, her hair in disarray. The black veil was gone, revealing a fair and delicate face, albeit with a hint of sickness.
She covered her left collarbone with one hand and smiled weakly. “Hold it!” Saying that she threw something towards Yue Chi.
Yue Chi caught it and opened it, only to find it was the Water Qilin jade pendant.
“I have sealed it. With further refinement, you will be able to harness its power for your clan.”
She prepared to turn and leave but seemed to remember something, pausing and looking back at the two of them. “King of Sea, it is a betrothal gift!” With that, she smiled and winked.
Yue Chi gazed at her weakened figure. “Are you injured?”
She didn’t refute, only saying, “Don’t worry, it won't kill me! I will definitely return alive to marry you and bring you home!”
Yue An was speechless. He had to admit that this frivolous woman did possess some real skills, but she had a sharp tongue.
“Hey! Don’t daydream. My brother won’t marry you! He’s already engaged, and the future Queen of Ocean will be the mermaid princess, Xuanji!” Yue An retorted.
She turned around, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “First, don’t call me ‘hey’, call me Chu Jiuning. Second, if King of Sea doesn’t want me to hold a grudge and bring you as a gigolo, he should quickly break off the engagement and wait for me to come and marry him. Otherwise, he’ll bear the consequences!”
Yue An was deeply irritated by her absurd words, wondering if this woman had any sense of shame.
He clutched his suffocating chest, closing his eyes tightly in pain…
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in a cave.
“Did you have a nightmare?” an ethereal voice suddenly asked.
He turned his head and saw Chu Jiuning holding his head, wrapped like a mummy, with her hands, blinking her eyes at him.
He sat up, silent for a few seconds, “I dreamt of some unpleasant memories from the past.”
“Is that so?” Chu Jiuning stood up, “Is it about that person named Chu Jiuning?”
Yue An turned his head abruptly toward her, and she shrugged, “You called her name several times just now.”
Yue An averted his gaze, looking absentmindedly at the cave wall beside him. “She caused so much misery to my brother, of course, I hate her!”
Chu Jiuning’s heart skipped a beat, and she changed the subject, “I brewed some medicine for you, I’ll go get it for you to drink.” Two little Pixiu followed her, bouncing and jumping.
Seeing this scene, Yue An suddenly remembered the blurry image of a graceful figure kicking a shuttlecock, and the sound of her laughter, as melodious as silver bells, echoed in his mind along with the beautiful arc of her spinning ponytail.
Lost in thought, Yue An snapped back to reality when Chu Jiuning handed him a bowl of herbal concoction, saying, “Drink it quickly, it’s warm.”
He came to his senses, his unfocused gaze slowly focusing on the bowl of brownish-yellow liquid, a hint of bitterness wafting into his lungs.
He couldn’t help but furrow his brow, and Chu Jiuning seemed to sense his resistance, smiling as she said, “Don’t worry, it’s not bitter!”
How could that be? He could already taste the bitterness without even drinking it!
“Really! Trust me!” She sat down next to him, forcefully placing the bowl in his hands.
He frowned and looked at it, ultimately unable to disappoint her sincere gesture, reluctantly lifting it to drink.
In one gulp, his handsome face contorted in bitterness.
Just as he was about to complain, Chu Jiuning skillfully stuffed a piece of preserved fruit into his mouth, instantly dissipating the bitterness and leaving only a hint of sweetness lingering in his mouth.