The moment we set our sights on conquering the cosmos, we should have anticipated conflict with extraterrestrial intelligence. After all, intruding upon another's territory without instantly understanding each other's language makes clashes inevitable. However, if we were facing the grotesque aliens of human imagination, perhaps I could dispatch one with a single punch. But when confronting a mermaid who appears human, even somewhat demure, it becomes impossible to strike.

I stomped my foot down hard onto the discarded gun. "What are you trying to do? We are saving you; don't repay kindness with hostility."

Ximen Yan told me, "She won't understand your words. Merfolk vocal cords have degenerated; they communicate by emitting specific sound waves."

I understood the logic—it was an evolutionary adaptation for the underwater environment. Yet, just as Ximen Yan finished speaking, the mermaid addressed her. Certainly, I couldn't comprehend her language, but Ximen Yan seemed to understand.

Xiao Cui noticed my deep confusion. "She's speaking the Dwarves' language. It must be that the Ximen Ding family's years of underwater enterprise forced the merfolk to learn it. But this one is strange; her vocal cords haven't degraded. That's a miracle in itself."

The fish spoke haltingly, suggesting it might be the first time she had truly opened her mouth. Nevertheless, Ximen Yan caught the meaning. She turned to me, annoyed, and translated, "She’s accusing me of being an invader, a wicked woman who disregards the code of higher intelligence, claiming we are shattering their principles of existence and plundering the ocean that has been theirs since time immemorial."

I replied, "This sounds like an internal dispute for your civilization. It’s best we outsiders don't interfere. But perhaps you can try explaining to her that I hail from the distant Milky Way—a galaxy composed of over two hundred billion stars. Earth is merely one planet in that tiny Solar System. We Earthlings wish to foster friendly relations with you; we should be allies, not adversaries, working together harmoniously to explore space, mutually benefiting and assisting one another."

Ximen Yan knew a little about my origins. Though reluctant, she relayed my words to the mermaid. Clearly, the creature was shaken. Perhaps the concept of 'extraterrestrials' was entirely new to her consciousness. It’s similar to how many ordinary Earthlings today still struggle to accept the existence of aliens, despite the vastness of the universe rendering Earth a mere speck of dust—humanity should not be arrogant.

The mermaid spoke volumes more to Ximen Yan, who then interpreted for me: "She concedes you seem not to be a malicious person. However, their ancestors decreed that they must live beneath the waves for generations, so fulfilling your proposal is impossible. Space beyond the stars is terrifying to them. In truth, it's the same for us Dwarves; our ancestors similarly warned us that survival lies in living eternally underground."

I countered, "If you remain stagnant, I doubt your technology will ever achieve a major breakthrough. Furthermore, the wheel of history only turns forward. Even if you wish to remain isolated from the cosmic family, the world outside your borders will advance regardless. When external technology far surpasses yours, your aspirations for self-sufficiency and isolation will become futile. I fear the inevitable outcome then will be national ruin."

Ximen Yan nodded repeatedly, translating my speech verbatim to the mermaid. This deeply moved the merfolk. After a long pause, she responded, and Ximen Yan translated: "She agrees with you. The Fish-folk have repeatedly suffered Dwarf attacks. Had they chosen to resist during the very first encounter, perhaps so many of her kin wouldn't have perished under blades. Their continuous forbearance ultimately forced them into rebellion. Knowing this outcome, they wouldn't have sacrificed so many lives in vain. Your words have served as a necessary alarm; she says she will seriously consider your proposition."

"It's good that she understands the principle. She looks exhausted and must be terribly thirsty. Should we place her back in water? Even if the temperature isn't low, perhaps she should wear something. I am a normal man, and I cannot constantly be subjected to such stimulation."

Ximen Yan chuckled and relayed my comments. The mermaid seemed utterly unconcerned by her exposed chest, even deliberately puffing her chest out as if in challenge. I had no choice but to retreat to the stern to cut up octopus meat, hoping to quell my rising agitation.

Xiao Cui was actually a diligent maid, though she seemed burdened by many thoughts. As the two of them sliced the octopus, they chatted, and slowly, I began picking up fragments of their language. This way, I might eventually be able to communicate with the mermaid.

If I traveled to just a couple more planets, I might become a master of universal tongues. I’ve already learned two different languages from the binary stars. I wonder how many secrets remain on this binary system. With intelligent life inhabiting the surface, underground, and beneath the sea, what exactly is the nature of their relationship?

Night fell swiftly. Although I’d lost my sense of time at sea, this darkness seemed to arrive early, as the sky was thick with heavy clouds. Stormy weather is common on the ocean, but perhaps we are genuinely unlucky. If the wind picks up again, who knows where the ship will drift? Must we drift aimlessly for a lifetime?

Ximen Yan and Xiao Cui were already fragile, having survived such a long period of suspended animation inside the octopus. It was a miracle they woke up at all. Furthermore, sailing was a novel experience for them, and they felt unwell. After eating the octopus for dinner and each sipping a small mouthful of fresh water, they retreated into the cabin with Ouyang Qian to sleep. As Ouyang Qian put it, they needed to rest now before the wind struck, because sleeping would be impossible once the ship began to pitch and roll.

The surroundings were so dark I could barely see. I sat at the bow, straining to pierce the veil of clouds to see the sky beyond. Though Ximen Yan assured me my wives were safe, I remained uneasy. Only by keeping them close could I guarantee their absolute safety. But how long would it take to navigate out of this stretch of ocean? A compass or a sextant would be invaluable. While I could use the star resembling the sun and certain fixed constellations for orientation, my complete ignorance of this particular star system meant the margin of error was too great; I might end up getting further lost.

A sudden thought struck me: since the mermaid is an aquatic creature, perhaps she knows the direction to land. Tomorrow, when she wakes, I absolutely must ask for her help. Regardless of whether she hates the Dwarves, I am, after all, a friendly, highly intelligent being from beyond the stars. Asking for directions should hardly be refused.

A faint rustling came from the stern. I whispered, "Who’s there? Is that Qianqian?" Perhaps one of the ladies couldn't hold it any longer and needed to relieve herself. I certainly couldn't just stride over there; that would be mortifying.

The figure at the stern said nothing. The boat lurched, followed by a distinct plop. Trouble. Why would anyone need to relieve themselves overboard? Nobody minds the smell. Now look what’s happened—if they fall in, they might lose their lives.

I immediately leaped into the water after them. Honestly, visibility underwater was far better for me than above. Perhaps my superhuman abilities were meant to regenerate in the water first, after all; I owed my current state to a snake, which might have been a water snake. Underwater, I saw neither Ouyang Qian nor the Dwarf princess, only a mermaid swimming gracefully away. My sudden dive startled her, and she thrashed her tail, intending to flee toward the deep.

My focus was on finding her to get directions, so I pursued urgently. The mermaid, likely mistaking my intent, assumed I harbored ill will and swam even faster. However, her body wasn't as robust as Ximen Yan’s or Xiao Cui’s. After just a few strokes, she expended the small reserve of strength she’d regained during the day, and her body began to drift slowly toward the surface.

Unable to speak underwater, I waited until both of us broke the surface before saying, "Don't be afraid. Even if you wish to leave, I won't stop you, but you must wait until you recover your strength. I only wanted to ask you: where exactly are we, and could you perhaps point us in the right direction? I need to find land to search for my companions. I would be eternally grateful if you could assist."

Dwarvish was still new to me, so my delivery wasn't smooth, but I managed to convey my meaning. The mermaid’s expression softened considerably upon hearing this. "You chased me so urgently; I thought you intended to harm us, just like those villains in the underwater city. Are you aliens truly not hostile toward us?"

I replied, "Certainly not. You could consider me a peace envoy. Judging by that weapon you had, your technology must be quite advanced, perhaps equal to or even exceeding Earth's level from two years ago. However, your environment for survival is too constrained. If you could direct your vision toward the infinite cosmos, I believe your species could flourish far better."

The mermaid countered, "But there are vast physical differences between our species. Would beings like you harbor prejudice against us? We would rather live quietly beneath the waves, undisturbed by anyone."

"Miss," I said, "First, let me assure you that I hold no prejudice against any species. Even we Earthlings are the result of superior genetic combinations drawn from various species, refined over six thousand years of natural selection to adapt to our environment, resulting in our current form. Your choice to evolve legs into a tail to suit life underwater is natural selection at work. Furthermore, your small-nation mentality is unsustainable. My own nation on Earth once entertained such isolationist ideas, but such policies only invite extinction. Fortunately, we awakened early, or another excellent civilization would have vanished from Earth. You are heading down the same path. Progress requires a broad environment; whether you accept it or not, resisting the tide of history only results in being crushed by it."

The mermaid sighed. "I have tried to tell my father the same things, but there are things you don't understand. The law on this planet dictates that fish must live in the water, Dwarves underground, humans on the surface, and birds in the sky. If this order is disrupted, it will herald our apocalypse."

I looked puzzled. "Are you joking? You might dehydrate if you leave the water, but there’s no reason Dwarves can't live on the surface. I know our planet has prophecies, but they’re unreliable. Especially with your level of technological advancement, you should disregard such superstitious nonsense."

"You are an alien and know nothing of our world," the mermaid retorted. "This planet hides a secret unknown to outsiders. We know the Dwarves guard it, but we respect our survival mandate and do not interfere with their lives. Yet, those Dwarves constantly invade our waters and slaughter my kin indiscriminately. Males are castrated to be consumed as delicacies, and females are imprisoned for endless abuse. War is not what we desire, but we are forced into it. The Dwarf underwater city is inviting its own doom!"

I mused, "What you describe happens constantly on Earth as well, except the creatures hunted by us Earthlings aren't as highly intelligent as you. That’s why we show them no mercy. Admittedly, I am an outsider here, and I sense many secrets on this planet. For instance, why do species separated by untold millions of light-years resemble each other so closely? It cannot merely be coincidence. Apart from certain mutations, this place isn't drastically different from Earth, save for the much wider oceans."

"Your perspective proves you are a good person," the mermaid replied. "Perhaps the development of high civilization inevitably involves this struggle where the strong prey on the weak. Regarding our planet’s secret, I have researched it extensively, but without the Dwarf's mysterious box, my studies stall. However, I firmly believe a higher power is manipulating the life on this planet—perhaps even creating it. I suspect the prophecy speaks of this power intervening when our species descends into chaos."

I pointed toward the dark night sky. "Since you enjoy research, Miss, why not widen your scope? The boundless universe holds countless unknowns. The origin of life and species evolution are matters confined to this tiny, needle-point planet. What about the formation and future of the universe itself, how vast is it, how many other highly intelligent beings exist like us, what are their societal structures, and could we exchange knowledge and develop together? There are too many questions. Perhaps you haven't even begun exploring the universe, but once you witness its splendor, you will be hopelessly captivated."

The mermaid looked up. "I enjoy gazing at the starry sky on clear nights; its brilliant beauty deeply moves me. If the fighting ever ceases, would you be willing to guide our scientific research?"

"Of course. I hear you developed aerial craft—something called the Whale-fish Chariot, I believe? Heh. I hope you don't blame Ximen Yan and Xiao Cui; they are innocent. Not all Dwarves live in the underwater city. They were simply Dwarves living peacefully in their own domain whose homeland was seized by outsiders. They sought help and entered the underwater city, leading to your misunderstanding."

The mermaid conceded, "Very well. Since you explained their situation, I won't bring up past grievances. We do possess the Whale-fish Chariot. It is an amphibious vehicle, but apart from one aerial combat demonstration in the underwater city, we mainly use it as a sub-surface transport. Its power source is a blue crystal…"

I interrupted her. "I know about that. The Dwarves use the same energy crystal. If my guess is correct, millions of years from now, Earthlings will call this substance T-Ore, and it will be their primary energy source. Earth's current nuclear and electrical power are insufficient for long-term interstellar voyages, and T-Ore is the best solution to the energy problem."

The mermaid looked baffled. "How could you know about Earth millions of years in the future? I don’t understand. Did I mishear?"

"No," I confirmed. "In your view, time travel might be impossible, but we have documented instances on Earth. I won't hide the fact that I once traveled six thousand years into Earth’s past. Moreover, one of my girlfriends is a highly intelligent robot from ten million years in the future. She’s the one who told me about T-Ore."

The mermaid gasped in astonishment. "Incredible! Can time truly be altered? We never dared imagine such a thing; it violates all laws. Even with superluminal speed, we have never achieved reversing time. How did you manage it?"

"That’s complicated. Theoretically, space is multidimensional; with sufficient energy, we can warp both time and space. However, such experiments are extremely dangerous, and even we are hesitant to perform them—or perhaps it’s just that our motive force is depleted. My spatial journey required four energy stones, but they seem to possess their own intelligence now and refuse to open the gate to space-time for us again."

The mermaid suddenly extended her hand. "Talking to you has opened my eyes to so much. My name is Xiao Yu’er. It is a pleasure to meet you—Alien."

I clasped Xiao Yu’er’s hand. "My name is Zhao Qian. Xiao Yu’er... that name sounds familiar, perhaps one of my girlfriends had a similar name. But it suits you perfectly. Did you know that in our planet's legends, there are indeed merfolk, though none as beautiful as you?"

A flush spread across Xiao Yu’er's face, a shyness her exposed breasts had never displayed. "Really? There are more beautiful ones among my people? Oh, may I ask, do women where you come from wear clothes?"

I subtly glanced at Xiao Yu’er's hemispherical chest. "Yes, we Earthlings consider a woman's chest as private as her lower reproductive organs. Generally, no one is permitted to see them except her husband."

"But it's not like that here," Xiao Yu’er explained. "If we wore clothes like your humans, they would likely disintegrate from the water. Besides, we are accustomed to being bare; putting on clothes would feel uncomfortable. But after listening to your account, I long for your human ways... Could you possibly lend me a piece of clothing?"

Xiao Yu’er slightly covered her chest with both hands. An unexpected wave of excitement washed over me. This half-concealment was profoundly stirring. Is her sudden sense of shame a good or bad thing? After all, I forcibly instilled my own concept of modesty in her. Now, influenced by me, she is unconsciously changing her behavior. Will this cause species confusion, and will the prophecy she mentioned come true?

To hell with it. She’s become my friend through this deep conversation. I couldn't let any other male see her chest. Even if male fish saw her before, that was in the past. I can't just allow such a beautiful mermaid to display her chest to just anyone now. It didn't matter before we met, but now I must intervene.

I readily agreed. "Of course, I can lend you something. But I think we need to get onto the boat to put it on, otherwise, as you said, it’ll just get waterlogged and be useless. One more question: can you survive out of water?"

Xiao Yu’er replied, "Although we Fish-folk have never entertained the notion, I have been conducting experiments and efforts in that area. Our lungs differ from normal human lungs. In addition to functioning like fish gills, they can filter oxygen directly from the air like a normal person. However, after millennia of evolution, many Fish-folk have lost this ability. Fortunately, I deliberately trained this instinct since childhood; otherwise, even after being rescued from the octopus's stomach, I would have suffocated in the open air."

I felt a chill of fear. "That was incredibly fortunate. When the octopus expelled you, you were unconscious. I couldn't just throw you back into the water; that would seem cruel, yet it nearly harmed you."

"My friend said it earlier: everything is destined," Xiao Yu’er said. "Perhaps I trained this function precisely to await this day. I can now adapt to the oxygen in the air, but my skin still cannot tolerate long-term exposure. That’s why I jumped back into the sea just now—to relieve my skin’s dryness."

I laughed. "I thought someone had accidentally fallen in while trying to relieve themselves. When I saw it was you, you turned to flee. I meant no harm. If you wish to leave, I won't stop you, but I only ask for your guidance. The water is your domain, and we are disoriented. We must find a way to leave this area quickly. Besides, as you noticed, a storm is likely coming. Staying at sea much longer will be perilous."

Xiao Yu'er said, "Actually, I hadn't planned on escaping, as my body doesn't permit prolonged swimming. I only regret that although I live underwater, I'm not familiar with every stretch of the sea, just like those surface humans who can't possibly know every inch of the land. So, I’m helpless in the current situation."

I asked, "Then don't you have any communication tools with your own kind? Send out a Fish-Whale Chariot to take us back to the Land Assembly."

Xiao Yu'er puffed out her chest, "Do I look like I can hide anything on my body?"

Her proud chest made me rather awkward, so I could only laugh, "Indeed not. In that case, I'll board the ship to get clothes for you. Can you manage to get aboard yourself, or do you need my help?"

Xiao Yu'er also smiled, "Of course I need help. Firstly, I have no strength left in my body, and secondly, my feet aren't as convenient as yours."

I swam over to Xiao Yu'er and said, "Alright then, you climb up, and I'll push you up from below."

Xiao Yu'er replied, "Good, I’ll trouble you then."

In truth, I held a certain expectation in my heart. Although when she was ejected from the octopus's belly, she brushed against my hand, that feeling was fleeting, and besides, I wasn't mentally prepared then, so the sensation wasn't strong. This time, being able to have skin contact again, I wanted to experience the smooth, fair, water-like skin of the merman.

Xiao Yu'er gripped the edge of the boat with her hands and began to climb. I dove into the water in one swift motion, scooped up her tail, and heaved upward. To be honest, the sensation was quite peculiar—slippery and wonderful to the touch, not awkward like fish scales. But why wouldn't such superb skin manifest as a pair of beautiful legs? If so, perhaps I could pursue her. But now, even if I were willing, my wives might not truly agree. 'To charm all the beautiful women in the world' refers to humans; what is this half-human, half-fish creature? Wait, could Xiao Yudi also be counted as human? Have I broken my vow?

Perhaps because Xiao Yu'er lacked strength, she suddenly slipped back down halfway through her climb. In my haste, I swiftly caught her waist; it was identical to my wives’—slender and soft, with a smooth, unblemished flat abdomen. Thwack! I must have used a little too much force; the water-grass skirt around Xiao Yu'er's waist was torn away.

I didn't intend to look, but my eyes betrayed me. In that millisecond, I clearly saw Xiao Yu'er's lower body. I had initially assumed, like a fish, she would only have one excretory opening, but to my surprise, the exterior looked nearly identical to a normal human's. The difference was that where a normal human's legs would begin to separate below that secret spot, hers were fused together.

If there was any difference, it was that her lower body was entirely hairless—perhaps a trait of fish species. As for whether the internal structure of Xiao Yu'er's intimate area was exactly the same as the female human reproductive system, I couldn't dare speculate without direct experience. However, even if I wanted to look closer, I couldn't, as a small hand clamped over her front.

Feeling guilty like a thief, I spoke softly, "I'm sorry, it was so sudden that I ripped your skirt. I’ll dive down immediately to retrieve it for you."

Xiao Yu'er blushed, "It’s fine. Besides, the current is strong; it's likely already washed away with the water. Never mind."

"Then you..." I hesitated. She didn't intend to stay like this, did she? That would kill me! Even though she was a merman, apart from her legs, the rest of her was no different from a normal girl. I couldn't let her stand before me naked like this.

Xiao Yu'er said, "I saw clothes in the cabin. Just give me one of the shirts."

I nodded, "Stop climbing. Get ready, and I'll toss you into the cabin, to avoid any more accidents."

Saying that, regardless of Xiao Yu'er's consent, I placed one hand on her back and the other under her buttocks, then tossed her with a thump into the cabin, startling the few women inside who woke up with shrieks.

Ouyang Qing woke up, couldn't see me, and shouted everywhere, "Zhao Qian, where are you!"

I climbed onto the bow, "Stop shouting, I'm here. It was too hot just now, so I went down for a seawater bath."

Ximen Yan mumbled groggily, "It's fine, let's keep sleeping. I’m so tired. It’s been so long since I slept so soundly."

I slipped into the cabin, rummaged through Ouyang Qian's clothes, and tossed a few sets to Xiao Yu'er. "Put these on. You'll need to take these trousers apart to make a skirt."

Xiao Yu'er draped the clothes over herself. This way, she looked more like a girl; the way she was exposed before was too improper. However, she absolutely couldn't wear the trouser legs. Since Ouyang Qian was awake, she stopped sleeping and helped dismantle the trousers. Xiao Yu'er leaned against Ouyang Qing and said to me, "Zhao, I truly wish I could grow a pair of legs like yours."

Ouyang Qing replied, "But if you did, you wouldn't be able to adapt to life underwater. Actually, this way is quite beautiful too. Mermaids are an image only found in Earth's myths."

Xiao Yu'er said, "Zhao was right earlier. Although the ocean is vast for us, it’s too small compared to outer space. Perhaps our vision was too narrow before. Since we aim to explore the universe, the first step is to leave the ocean, right?"

Ouyang Qian couldn't understand Xiao Yu'er's words, so I translated for her. Hearing this, Ouyang Qing said to me in Chinese, "Husband, be honest and tell me what you two were doing underwater just now that you even took off the girl's skirt."

Xiao Yu'er certainly couldn't understand Ouyang Qian’s words either, but under the faint moonlight filtering through the clouds, she clearly saw the expression on Ouyang Qing's face and knew the conversation concerned the two of us. For some unknown reason, she started blushing again—one of the rare times in her life she felt her heart race.

I said, "You've jumped to the wrong conclusion again. This mermaid is called Xiao Yu'er. She needs to go into the water periodically to keep her skin moist. I initially thought you all had accidentally fallen in, so I went to save her. Later, the misunderstanding cleared up, and we talked in the water for a while. It turns out there really are unknown secrets on this planet. However, the source of these secrets seems to require finding a secret box. If I had time, I’d really like to go look into it."

Ouyang Qing used a knife to cut open all the seams of the trouser legs, then wrapped the fabric around Xiao Yu'er's body. She said to me, "Let's wait until we find her other sisters in Twin Cities. Husband, look, she’s so beautiful, but her tail is a bit hard for us Earthlings to accept."

I said, "If only it were like in fairy tales, where a mermaid transforms into human legs when she comes ashore and reverts to a tail when she enters the water. That would be wonderful."

Ouyang Qian said, "I actually hope she always has human legs. She mentioned earlier that she wants to explore the universe. You don't think the universe is entirely water, do you? If she has to survive away from the water, then the fish tail is unnecessary. However, we should ask Sister Qingqing's opinion on this. But if a mermaid loses her tail, can she still be called a mermaid? Ah, one truly cannot have both the fish and the bear’s paw."

No one translated for Xiao Yu'er, but she listened very carefully. Perhaps she would learn their language soon. She held onto the cabin with her hands, propped herself up with her tail, and looked down, carefully examining the clothes. Unconsciously, she grew fond of the fabric; perhaps covering her body with it would make her feel safer. But how could she return to a life in the sea looking like this?

"Zhao, I envy your two legs now. I’ve actually studied this problem myself. Our skeletal structures are similar, but swimming long periods with legs held together caused the skin between them to fuse until they slowly grew together. To propel through the water faster, our feet also evolved into caudal fins. If there were a skilled surgeon, an operation could completely restore our original form. But that would only adapt us better to surface life. I can’t leave my original environment yet; my home and family are underwater."

I said, "Whenever you want to study the universe, whenever you want to leave the ocean and leave Twin Stars, come find me. Perhaps I can help you with this matter..."

Swish! Before I finished speaking, a massive bolt of lightning flashed, instantly illuminating the empty sea as bright as day. Xiao Yu'er, standing on her tail across from me, stared at me with an expression of hope. But the sudden light made her realize her loss of composure, and when she felt my gaze upon her, she hurriedly lowered her head.

"What is that!" Ouyang Qing tugged my arm to remind me.

Following Ouyang Qing's direction, I looked. In the afterglow of the lightning, I saw a huge object hovering over the sea surface. I considered myself well-traveled, and the thing looked like a giant jar—silent, with no lights. If not for the sudden lightning, we might never have noticed it. Perhaps the flash made the object realize it was exposed, and whoosh, it plunged into the water and vanished. But the splash it created proved what we saw was not an illusion.

Of course, I didn't want to call it a UFO; that’s an Earthling concept. On this mysterious planet, I would never doubt what I saw. Seeing Xiao Yu'er also focused on the recent event, I asked her, "Is that one of your vehicles?"

Xiao Yu'er shook her head, "We absolutely do not have vehicles of that shape, and its size and speed surpass ours. I doubt the Undersea City has anything like it either. We've interacted for decades; we know the Dwarves' details quite well."

I said, "Ximen Yan once explained the technology of their underground city to me; it seems they don't have such a vehicle either. Does that mean there are other intelligent beings on this planet besides you?"

Xiao Yu'er replied, "I don't know. Even within the ocean, our exploration covers less than a tenth of the area. We may not know many secrets. It's possible there are a few more species, but for them to possess such advanced flying machines and remain unknown to us for so long—that seems strange."

I said, "Since you don't know, let it go. No matter who it is, my destination is Twin Cities."

Ouyang Qing asked Xiao Yu'er, "Miss Xiao Yu'er, where are you planning to go? We can't stay at sea forever. If there's a chance, we can send you home."

Xiao Yu'er said, "My body hasn't recovered, and I can’t contact home. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you for a while longer. Once I recover, I will find my own way home."

I replied, "That's fine, stay as long as you need. Tell us when you think it's safe to leave. Here is your gun; keep it safe."

Xiao Yu'er hesitated to take the gun I offered. She asked, "Do you truly trust me? Aren't you afraid I'll use it to harm you?"

I answered, "Why shouldn't I trust you? We are all on the same boat; we should cooperate to face difficulties. Take it. It’s not comfortable for me to use, and you can defend yourself if needed."

"Thank you," Xiao Yu'er took the gun sincerely. "This is a high-explosive warhead gun, especially suited for use in high-pressure underwater environments. It's the most common weapon where I come from."

I asked, "What is the main focus of your weaponry?"

Xiao Yu'er replied, "Heavy offensive weapons mainly rely on detonating the immense energy contained within blue crystals. Although laser weapons were successfully developed decades ago, they are more widely applied in manufacturing because their effectiveness is rather limited underwater."

I said, "T-ore itself is a crystallization of powerful energy. If detonated under the right conditions, a piece the size of a fingertip could destroy an ordinary spaceship. These weapons should be used cautiously. If they are to be used, they should be equipped on star cruisers. If such weapons are used inside a planet, I fear it will endanger your own living environment."

Xiao Yu'er said, "That's right, we have that concern too. But with current detonation technology, we simply can't achieve that. At most, we can destroy a single building or castle at once. Larger energy crystals cannot meet the detonation conditions."

I said, "That technology will be invented sooner or later. If you can break the racial restrictions within the planet sooner and turn your gaze to the universe, you can avoid self-destruction. Otherwise, I fear one day you will annihilate each other."

Xiao Yu'er said, "You are right. The greed of highly intelligent beings cannot be suppressed; only by setting a wider goal can they ignore the conflicts under their noses. Besides the detonation technology, the other condition limiting the development of energy bombs and energy cannons is that we Merfolk cannot mine blue crystals in large quantities. The Dwarves live underground and can mine extensively, but their manufacturing technology is far inferior to ours. However, over the years of constant conflict, we have learned much from each other. Furthermore, after the destruction of the Undersea City this time, I believe my father will acquire more energy crystals from there. Perhaps in the near future, super energy bombs could be researched—half of one might destroy this entire planet. Giving everyone something to do might help them forget past hatreds. Your idea of diverting attention is quite good."

I asked Xiao Yu'er, "Your father is...?"

Xiao Yu'er replied, "The leader of the Merfolk."

Ouyang Qing translated my question, "So you are a princess too? Husband, you are truly lucky. Why does everyone you meet turn out to be a princess? I feel so inadequate."

I said seriously, "In my heart, every one of you is a little princess. You don't need to care about anyone else's background."

Ouyang Qing nodded, "Thank you, husband."

Boom! This time it wasn't lightning but thunder, shaking Ximen Yan and Xiao Cui awake from their deep sleep. The thunder sounded as if it were directly overhead. Following the thunder came raindrops the size of beans. It seemed we were facing relentless bad luck these few days—when it rains, it pours.

The cabin space was limited. I tightly secured one side of the stern with the only piece of sailcloth on board to prevent rain from pouring in from both ends, positioning Ouyang Qian, Ximen Yan, and Xiao Cui deepest inside, then Xiao Yu'er, and I stayed on the outside to watch the boat to prevent it from being overturned by the wind, and also to shelter them from the rain. The four women behind me, whether human, Dwarf, or Mermaid, now had their hearts entirely focused on me, as I was the man, and I had the responsibility to protect their safety.

The torrential rain was also raging in Twin Cities. Grand Tutor Pang was now completely unrestrained. Crown Prince Ma Xiaoda, devastated by the loss of a close friend, had fallen ill from days of not eating or sleeping. Ma Da momentarily reverted to his old indecisive nature. Chaos gripped the court; officials from the Xiang faction were constantly suppressed, fearful to even breathe without worrying that Grand Tutor Pang would seize on some minor slip, which would cost them dearly if not their lives.

The Pang faction resumed their arrogant reign of power; even Ma Da couldn't stop them for the moment. Although he ordered the Eastern Depot to punish a few key offenders, the Western Depot quickly accused the Eastern Depot of abusing private punishment and fabricating baseless charges to frame officials, getting the offenders removed. Ma Da dared not overly defy the consensus of the officials and could only let the Pang faction run rampant.

Grand Tutor Pang certainly didn't intend merely to create chaos. That day, he requested an audience with Ma Da to suggest that those who distinguished themselves in repelling the enemy should be greatly rewarded, including the madams of the Zhao Residence—they were great heroines who deserved commendation and consolation. Ma Da was puzzled by the Grand Tutor's suggestion, but it was a good thing, and besides, he had intended this for a long time.

"Your Excellencies, it is rare for Grand Tutor Pang, amidst his busy schedule, to still remember Lord Zhao's merits. Although we only say he is missing, everyone knows the truth: the hope of his return is practically nil. This matter has dragged on for so long; I think it is time to give the madams of the Zhao Residence an explanation. Moreover, Lord Zhao was the beloved son-in-law of Lian. Although he has not yet married the Fifteenth Princess, she has vowed before me to remain unmarried her entire life. Therefore, Lord Zhao's relationship with Our Esteemed Self is extraordinary. I have decided to bestow great honors upon him."

Grand Tutor Pang said, "Your Majesty is wise. This action of honoring Scholar Zhao will surely inspire more soldiers to emulate him. It also shows that Your Majesty does not forget meritorious servants, and the people of the world will surely acclaim Your Majesty as a sagacious ruler."

Ma Da had always wanted to be known as a wise ruler, and he had always presented himself as gentle and refined with upright conduct. However, his nature led him to nurture a threat. As a result, the world descended into chaos. He thought the turmoil would end, but unexpectedly, the pillar of support, the fortunate general, disappeared halfway through. To say he disappeared is a polite way of putting it; the events of that day had already spread throughout Twin Cities. Everyone, young and old, knew that Scholar Zhao was trampled by charging horses and then beaten to death with a club. Perhaps his body is currently being exhibited in the Ten Thousand Horse Nation. Because of Scholar Zhao's sudden departure, the Crown Prince's faction lost its backbone and was immediately suppressed by the Pang faction. Ma Da previously thought the court's unrest would conclude, but now a new storm has arisen. Although he disliked Grand Tutor Pang, this suggestion pleased him immensely. For a moment, Ma Da thought the Grand Tutor had changed his ways.

"The Grand Tutor speaks sense! Lord Zhao sacrificed himself for the nation. No matter how much money it costs, we must make this grand and dignified—whether it's consolation or remembrance—we cannot let the Zhao family or the world say that I, Ma Da, am ungrateful after receiving help."

Grand Tutor Pang said, "Your Majesty, this humble servant volunteers to handle this matter on Your Majesty's behalf. By then, I guarantee Your Majesty and the world will be satisfied. We cannot slaughter the donkey once the grinding is done; we must treat Scholar Zhao's family kindly. After all, he killed numerous enemies and has many foes. If someone takes advantage of Scholar Zhao's disappearance to harm his family, Your Majesty will be scorned by the entire world."

Ma Da praised profusely, "The Grand Tutor's consideration is extremely thorough. Earlier, I was only consumed by grief and failed to consider this. Fortunately, nothing has happened yet, or I would regret it endlessly. I entrust this matter to the Grand Tutor; I hope you will not let down Our expectations. However, as long as I do not see Scholar Zhao's corpse, I cannot give up searching for him. Perhaps he was injured and captured by the people of the Ten Thousand Horse Nation? Otherwise, why was his body not found? I hope the Grand Tutor can also handle the matter of searching for him in the Ten Thousand Horse Nation for Us."

Grand Tutor Pang said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble servant accepts the decree. As long as Scholar Zhao is still in this world, this servant will ensure he is seen alive or his corpse is recovered."

Ma Da replied, exhausted, "Go, go handle it. I don't feel well today, so we’ll end here."

Ma Da returned to the inner palace with a troubled expression, while Grand Tutor Pang went off to prepare his affairs with a beaming face. In his eyes, this was a heaven-sent opportunity. Before, with that person in the capital, he had to act with great restraint. Now, with the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Stable Command suppressed, they couldn't even lift their heads. The Wang faction kept a low profile to protect themselves, and the Xiang faction was so oppressed they couldn't breathe. Next, the target should be the women of the Zhao Residence. Even if he couldn't kill them, he had to first disarm their spacecraft and then lock them up. This way, even if that Scholar Zhao really did return alive, he would have leverage, and then he wouldn't fear Zhao not complying.

Cheng Susu, Hua Qingqing, Zhou Ni, Yun Yao, He Yuqing, Cai Jingjing, Xu Chen, and Linglong, eight women, were dressed in their finest attire. The Emperor had invited the eight women to a banquet today: first, to celebrate the repelling of the enemy from Twin Cities, and second, to honor the great hero Scholar Zhao; his family must attend.

Upon entering the inner city, the eight women first went to Ma Xiaowei's palace. There was still time before the banquet. Theoretically, Ma Xiaowei already had a semi-official status, as Ma Da had promised the court officials to marry her off. Thus, the other women felt naturally close to her. Moreover, they understood their husband’s romantic nature; a flirtatious rake and a princess had spent a long time together. If nothing had happened between them and their relationship remained pure, it would be the greatest oddity in the world.

Ma Xiaorui was also there. The ten girls stared at each other for a while, and finally, Linglong spoke first, "Everyone outside is saying Zhao Qian is dead. What do you all think?"

He Yuqing replied, "I didn't see it with my own eyes, so I don't believe it. At most, I'll admit he's missing."

Hua Qingqing said, "I won't believe he's dead until I see a body. Besides, I know Zhao Qian's abilities best; even if he can't unleash his full psychic potential, I don't think he’d just throw his life away. It must be that this so-called Qi Da is just too beautiful, captivating our husband."

Yun Yao and Zhou Ni chimed in, "Exactly. Maybe in a few days, once he's dealt with that mysterious woman, he'll come back. But this time, we absolutely must not let him off easy. We will refuse anyone who tries to let him into bed so quickly."

Ma Xiaorui sighed, "Are you ladies being too optimistic? Zhao Qian’s fate is unknown right now. Though I also pray he's alright, we can't be so confident. What if something truly happened to him? We should find a way to search for him."

Ma Xiaowei countered, "How much more searching can we do? Four starships have been scouring the area for over ten days with zero leads. If Zhao Qian is truly gone, then I will follow him. However, since the elder sisters all believe he is unharmed, I am willing to wait a little longer for him."

The women collectively stated, "Xiaowei, if Zhao Qian truly doesn't return, none of us will live on alone, don't worry. That big scoundrel wouldn't dare abandon us, his beautiful wives. Even though all the evidence suggests he's gone for good, we believe in miracles. We will wait right here for half a year. If he still hasn't returned by then, we will all go to him together."

Ma Xiaowei agreed, "Good. Sisters united in heart, we are certain to wait for him to come back to us."

"Something terrible has happened, terrible!" a young palace maid burst in, stumbling, "Princess, disaster has struck!"

Ma Xiaowei snapped, "What is so urgent that you can't see I have important guests?"

The little maid gasped, "Princess, a catastrophe has occurred, which is why Bazi had to rush to report. During the morning court session, Grand Tutor Pang proposed to the Emperor that the seven consorts and Miss Linglong be kept within the Inner Palace, claiming it was for their safety. Moreover, Grand Tutor Pang has sent men to seize control of the four starships, and has placed Lords Ah San, Ah Si, Ah Mao, and Ah Gou under house arrest. Commander Gu argued fiercely with Grand Tutor Pang in the Hall of Civil and Martial Virtue, but the Emperor berated him soundly and temporarily stripped him of his post."

"What!" The women were stunned. This development was too sudden. Pang Hu was utterly despicable; he had tricked everyone into attending the banquet, and as soon as they left, he seized the starships, then imprisoned the key leaders of the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Stables. This completely cut off their escape routes. Even the Imperial Guards were sealed off by Mada.