Capítulo 2152: Chapter 2150: Merfolk Clan

“Which clan are they from? I’ve been investigating for so many years without any concrete news. What do you actually know?” Gao Deng, in his anxiety, tightened his grip on Jing Shuang’s wrist. Jing Shuang inhaled sharply in pain, and only then did Gao Deng realize, quickly releasing his hand.

“I-I’m sorry.” Gao Deng lowered his head, hiding the guilt and tenderness in his eyes.

Yes, he felt some tenderness for her, but his heart was mostly occupied by Chushuang, which hadn’t changed in over twenty years.

Jing Shuang took a breath, “The books say it’s the Merfolk Clan, but I’ve never seen them myself. They are recorded to live in the depths of the Donghai. Regardless of gender, they are all young and beautiful. They are born with an exceptionally strong inner strength and spiritual power, with astounding talent in Martial Arts or Magic Techniques. However, their power is halved when they leave the water, and every one of them remains young and beautiful because they can’t live past thirty, so no one has ever seen an elder of the Merfolk Clan.”

“How—how could there be a Merfolk Clan? Isn’t that a legend?” Gao Deng’s lips trembled, making it difficult for him to speak clearly.

Jing Shuang couldn’t bear to see him like this, but knowing it had to be clarified sooner or later, she steeled herself to continue: “It’s not a legend. Do you know those Everlasting Lamps in ancient tombs that never extinguish?”

She paused and then continued: “Those are made with mer-oil, which is the oil of merfolk.”

Jiang Yichun couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cold air. Was his heritage really so complicated? He looked over at Gao Deng to see him with a complex expression, seemingly deep in thought.

Gao Deng was reminded of the days spent with Chushuang. She wasn’t bound by so many rules like the women from Zhongyuan and indeed, loved water.

He remembered once, in the wild, Chushuang had charged toward a river with excitement, ignoring his attempts to stop her, directly leaping into the water. Later, she played joyfully in the water, refusing to come out. He urged her a few times, and she hesitantly said she wanted to eat some roasted wild chicken, asking him to hunt some game.

At the time, he didn’t think much of it. After hunting and returning, Chushuang had already lit a bonfire by the shore, looking especially radiant.

He was deeply in love with her back then. He remembered everything about her clearly and always knew she had a special fondness for water.

Could it be…

Chushuang had never mentioned where she was from, and when he pressed her, she only said from the east, refusing to say more, insisting that knowing too much wouldn’t be good for him.

Gao Deng, being a modern person, naturally knew the tale of mermaids and somewhat believed Jing Shuang’s words. He just wasn’t sure if the Merfolk Clan here was the same as mermaids.

“But I don’t have any spiritual power, nor talent in Magic Techniques. I’m probably not.” Jiang Yichun finally spoke after a long silence.

“Even if I return to the Zhong Family now, I’d still be top-tier in Curse Techniques. I wouldn’t say this lightly. You lack talent in Magic Techniques because you are not a pureblood merfolk,” said Chushuang.

Jiang Yichun said nothing this time, and Gao Deng remained silent for a long time. Jing Shuang could only sigh and say she would leave first, giving them some time to calm down.

Jiang Yichun spent half a month recuperating, during which time Gao Deng constantly tried to verify the matter. He found a friend who was a high monk somewhere to examine Jiang Yichun, and the conclusion was the same — the curse in his bloodline was unsolvable.

During this half month, Jiang Yichun thought about many things as he lay recuperating.

First, if he’s going to die, what about Ruozhu and the children?

Second, is he truly beyond saving? He’s only in his twenties, he’s unwilling to accept this!

Finally, he reported to the Emperor, saying his injuries were too severe, and his abilities nearly depleted, rendering him unfit for the Battlefield for the time being. The Emperor even personally visited him, finding even the Holy Doctor helpless, filled with worry and regret.

But that was not the worst. The high monk brought even worse news.

“Forgive this monk’s frankness, but the curse on Young Nephew was originally harmless to others, but it reacted with the Blood Curse he got earlier. The Blood Curse of a thousand is too wicked, and with the inherent curse in his bloodline…” The Elder Monk shook his head, “Is he married? I fear his wife has already been cursed as well. As for whether the children will inherit the bloodline curse, it is uncertain now. It will take until they are older to check. Luckily, the Merfolk Bloodline has thinned considerably.”

Jiang Yichun shuddered, grabbing the Elder Monk and asking, “What if my wife is cursed too? Will she not live past thirty?”

“No, she won’t be like you with a bloodline curse. It should be curable. This monk has a connection with you, if that day ever comes, come find this monk for assistance.” The Elder Monk clasped his hands together, muttering “Amitabha.”

After that, Jiang Yichun could hear nothing more, his mind a blur of pain and self-reproach. Had he harmed Ruozhu, and the children?

Seeing him in such a state, the Elder Monk privately said to Gao Deng before leaving: “Even if his wife is not infected with the curse, they should not stay together for long. Otherwise, she will inevitably be affected, especially the children, who are at great risk. Alas, a bloodline curse plus a thousand grievances, Young Nephew leads a bitter life.”

The Elder Monk sighed as he left, murmuring, “All beings suffer, all living beings suffer…”

Gao Deng recalled when Chushuang was taken away, her obscure glance, her hesitation, perhaps she knew she wouldn’t live past thirty. Better to part ways now than face a future of separation and death?

But he couldn’t forget!

Back then, as she gazed at the children, her eyes were filled with pain, reluctance, and guilt.

She must have been worried about the bloodline curse affecting the children, but she still held hope for the fifty percent chance, didn’t she?

In the end, Gao Deng told Jiang Yichun everything, and Jiang Yichun, in his pain, admitted he understood, but implored Gao Deng not to tell Ruozhu about it.

Witnessing his son’s anguish, Gao Deng could finally comprehend why Chushuang had said nothing back then.

…

Jiang Yichun snapped back to clarity, his gaze resolute. He couldn’t afford to be soft-hearted, couldn’t continue harming Ruozhu and the children like this. He could only leave silently, wishing them a brand-new life.

She was such a good woman, deserving of a lifetime of happiness. Since he couldn’t provide her with lifelong happiness, it was best to let go early.

He gritted his teeth, turned around, and vanished from the Diaojiao Building.

Not far away, a figure slowly emerged, a sinister smile on his face, muttering: “Jiang Yichun is gone, Bai Ruozhu is out of sorts, and chaos reigns outside. Now is the perfect time.”

The figure gradually walked out, revealing himself as Jian Zhen, who had come here with Jiang Yichun. He and Muyu, along with Jing Lei, shared a room. Now that the two of them had been sent by Jiang Yichun to monitor the situation at the mountain’s foot, he could move freely.

Suddenly, he shrank back into his room.

A figure leaped through the window into Bai Ruozhu’s room. Jian Zhen, though unable to see them, sensed the immense strength in their aura and dared not act rashly in his surprise.