Absolute Destiny Game
Chapter 159 - 32: Furious Sea Tide

Chapter 159: Chapter 32: Furious Sea Tide

"Fuck, Feng, what do we do? What the hell do we do, how can we even fight this!" Mr. Ramen was scared shitless, babbling incoherently at the sight of a massive crowd of merfolk led by a Boss-level Boss.

He had always scraped his way through the game, not to mention Boss-level Bosses, he’d hardly fought a handful of Elites.

Xiao Jie was also somewhat nervous, but only slightly so, after playing games for so long, he was quite familiar with some of the hidden rules in games, which wouldn’t put players in truly unwinnable situations. These merfolk seemed unbeatable, but they surely wouldn’t force players to beat them by sheer force, there had to be a way to win without fighting.

"Don’t worry, these merfolk have short legs, they’re useless on land. If worst comes to worst, we can just infinitely kite them," Xiao Jie reassured him.

What Xiao Jie said wasn’t wrong in theory; with the advantage in speed and range, they needn’t fear no matter how many monsters there were. Of course, that was under the assumption that there was no Boss-level Boss—the Merfolk Princess; they were already hard-pressed by a single Merfolk Water Master, the Merfolk Princess was probably several magnitudes stronger.

God knows what Big Moves she could pull off in a real fight.

But naturally, he couldn’t say that out loud. It would be too demoralizing, better to wait and see how things unfolded.

While they talked, the Merfolk Princess had already started talking to Granny Li.

Merfolk Princess (Ji Xian’er): "Old hag, where did you find so many people to help you?"

Granny Li (Flying Yaksa): "You little slut, I’ve told you before, Li Bao is of the Li family’s blood, and will never go with you. All of these people are worldly experts I’ve found—returnees who kill without blinking an eye. If you know what’s good for you, take your people and leave quickly, otherwise—hmph!"

Xiao Jie thought, wow, these two know each other?

Hey, wait, that’s not right. This woman can talk? Weren’t merfolk supposed to be mute?

"Old hag, Li Bao is the lost Treasure Bead of the Merfolk Royal Family, he is destined to return to the sea, Li Bao, Li Bao!"

"Shut up!" Granny Li threw a flying knife at the Merfolk Princess with a flick of her hand, and immediately, a Merfolk Guard stepped in front to block it.

After calling out several times with no response, the Merfolk Princess started singing.

Ah ah ah... Ah ah ah... Ah ah ah ah ah! A beautiful voice began to sing, carrying an unusual wistfulness and seduction, as if calling from the depths of the sea.

I have to say, her singing isn’t half bad.

Inside the straw hut, Li Bao walked out looking dazed.

"Bao’er, why did you come out, go back in," Granny Li hurried over to stop him.

But Li Bao, as if deaf, stared dazedly at the Merfolk Princess and asked, "Is that you, Xian’er? Is it really you?"

"It’s me, Mr. Li, I’ve come to take you away. Come to my side, let me take you to the sea, to our kingdom that belongs to us."

Xiao Jie quickly stepped in front of Li Bao, who was apparently under some sort of mind control, "Li Bao, do you know her?"

Li Bao looked confused, "I’ve been dreaming about her these past few days. She told me I was destined to be her husband and that I should find her. I thought it was just a dream."

Granny Li was furious, "It’s a dream entry technique! This little slut knows no shame! Despite all precautions, I couldn’t anticipate such Demon Art."

The Merfolk Princess, meanwhile, continued to sing softly, "Li Bao, your mother was the princess of the East Sea Merfolk, you are our tribe’s prince, come with me."

"Nonsense, Bao’er, don’t be bewitched by this Evil Woman, my brave warriors, won’t you shoot your arrows? If you help me drive away these shrimp and fish monsters, there’ll definitely be a great reward for you all."

Xiao Jie thought fuck, what good is talking, show me the reward.

If there really were good stuff, I might as well help you.

The Merfolk Princess sneered, "Haha, you know very well whether it’s true or not. What, haven’t you told Mr. Li about his origins in all these years?"

Li Bao looked at Granny Li in shock, "Granny, is this true?"

"Don’t listen to her nonsense; your mother was the daughter of a stranded Sea Merchant Family. Back then, she... "

Xiao Jie knew it was time. He sighed, feigning depth, "Senior Li, why keep this from him? Brother Li Bao, perhaps I can give you an answer. I’ve done some investigation into the past recently and have come to understand some things.

Your mother was indeed a princess of the merfolk, and it all started fifteen years ago, when..."

Seeing Xiao Jie about to reveal the truth, Granny Li became anxious.

"Hidden Moon Following Wind! Stop wasting time, shoot those fish monsters already. If you help me this once, I’ll give you all my treasured possessions!"

"Enough!" Xiao Jie suddenly shouted angrily, "We returnees slay demons and uphold justice to restore light and order to the world, to save the people. It’s not money or equipment that can buy us! I respect you, Granny Li, since you are an elder and a senior in the worldly society, yet you repeatedly try to insult me with money and material possessions; what are your intentions?

Compared to the truth, mere worldly possessions are insignificant. Please stop saying such things; I won’t be tempted by you."

Granny Li was instantly baffled. Did I misjudge him? It can’t be, this kid obviously looks like he can be swayed by profit, although he plays it well, but Granny knows how to judge people, right?

"You weren’t saying this when you accepted the bounty."

Xiao Jie proclaimed righteously, "Even heroes need to eat; it’s only natural to get paid for slaying monsters. But we will never lack a bottom line for the sake of gold and silver treasures. What’s real is real, what’s fake is fake, justice in the world lies within people’s hearts. Today I must speak the truth."

"I Want to Be Immortal" also yelled, "Right, one must be—honest, exactly, honesty is the foundation of a person’s character... honesty..."

After yelling twice and realizing he couldn’t quite nail the act, even feeling a bit ashamed, he could only sheepishly shut up.

Xiao Jie thought to himself, young people’s faces are still too tender for this kind of posturing task; leave it to me.

"Everything started fifteen years ago..."

Xiao Jie began to recount the truth he had pieced together.

In conclusion, he said seriously, "So Li Bao, you indeed have merfolk blood, but you’re also of the Li bloodline. If I’m not mistaken, your mother could very well have been a member of the Merfolk Royal Family, and you indeed might be considered a prince of the merfolk. That is the whole truth."

[System Prompt: Granny Li’s favorability towards you has decreased by 20 points.]

"You bunch of scoundrels, how dare you spout such nonsense! Deceiving my precious Bao’er, oh Bao’er, don’t listen to their gibberish. These fellows must be in cahoots with that evil woman. Granny here is the only person who truly cares for you."

Granny Li’s name turned from green to yellow, then from yellow to orange, and finally from orange to red, pausing for a moment before it shifted back to orange.

Fortunately, with a formidable enemy in sight, Granny Li still did not dare to show hostility; the relationship was only [Cold], not [Hostile].

[System Prompt: Ji Xian’er’s favorability towards you has increased by 20 points.]

The name of the Merfolk Princess changed from [Hostile] red to [Neutral] yellow.

Ji Xian’er said with a smile, "This brave warrior truly understands right from wrong. Truth be told, my Merfolk Country recently went through a calamity, and now only Li Bao and I are left of the Merfolk Royal Family’s bloodline. Only together can we continue our lineage. If you could bring Li Bao to me, I will reward you generously. You may take whatever you desire from the riches accumulated by the Merfolk Country over thousands of years."

Xiao Jie waited three seconds and, seeing no system prompt, was speechless with frustration, thinking, ’Another free-loader, huh.’

Aren’t there any honest NPCs in Luoyang Plain?

They’re not even as good as the Ginkgo Fairy I met before. At least she offered a ’????’ reward for the quest. No matter what it was, there was at least something, but you all just lure people with empty promises without even trying to disguise it.

Having played for so long, he had figured out the pattern: if there really were rewards, the system would likely have a clear announcement, even if it was vague. But without a system prompt, it was highly probable that the NPCs were just trying to fool you.

The more annoyed he became, the more righteous his tone grew.

"Hold your tongue, woman, you have no sense at all, trying to tempt us. We have principles. Granny Li’s treasure is no temptation, and your riches are useless to us. You and Granny Li are despicable, one deceives while you would rob forcefully. A true man knows what he should and should not do; we will not fall for your seduction.

"Money and fame are but passing clouds to me, and wealth and status are like dust. As Hidden Moon Following Wind, I roam the worldly society to bring justice and peace to this world. How could I stray from the right path for the temptation of mere wealth and treasures? Your actions are truly laughable, so laughable!"

After these words, the scene fell silent, everyone stunned by Xiao Jie’s speech.

The NPCs were genuinely taken aback, while Mr. Ramen and I Want to Be Immortal were utterly impressed—indeed, Feng could deliver even the most melodramatic lines naturally and fluently.

[System Prompt: Granny Li’s favorability towards you has increased by 30 points.]

[System Prompt: Ji Xian’er’s favorability towards you has increased by 10 points.]

Huh?

Xiao Jie was surprised. He could understand Granny Li’s increased favorability, but why did Ji Xian’er also have an increase in favorability?

It seems that being a righteous gent does indeed earn respect. Alright then, time to keep up the act.

Xiao Jie looked at Li Bao, "Li Bao, a true man born into this world cannot be controlled by others. Today is your coming of age, and as a man, you should take responsibility. The choice of what happens today is ultimately yours to make.

"Rest assured, whether you choose to be a Merfolk Prince or to stay with your Granny and protect the family legacy, I, Hidden Moon Following Wind, stand for justice. Today, I will ensure your safety no matter what you choose!"

Li Bao was touched, his face full of admiration.

"Brother Feng, I..."

"Bao’er! Don’t listen to him."

"Mr. Li! Come with me to the sea."

"Enough!" Li Bao shouted decisively, his eyes finally firm with resolve.

"Brother Feng, you’re right. A true man must carry his own weight. Granny, I know you want me to continue the Li family lineage and have a peaceful life, but I have my own life goals. Being shut up in that hut for over a decade was like an eternity, not the life I’m meant to lead. I want to be like Brother Feng, to vanquish demons, roam the worldly society, and earn the respect of others.

"If I achieve something and return safely, I will naturally marry and have children to honor you.

"But until then, please forgive this unfilial grandson.

"Xian’er, I appreciate your kindness. Though I indeed have Merfolk blood, I know nothing of the Merfolk. Perhaps one day I will visit the East Sea, and should the Merfolk Country be in peril, I could lend a hand.

"But I will not accept a fate of forced marriage. Please return."

At this moment, Granny Li’s name finally reverted back to the [Friendly] green color.

"Bao’er, you’ve grown up. You’re just like your father was back then. Alright, I won’t control you anymore; as long as you’re happy, that’s good."

On the other hand, Ji Xian’er bit her lip in frustration, "Since you refuse to comply, then don’t blame me for using force. Merfolk, heed my command—take back the prince!"

A hundred merfolk swarmed over at her call.

They’re really going to fight? No way.

Even with the 24th level Granny Li on our side, she’s just an NPC; her stats are far too inferior to Ji Xian’er’s.

Plus, with those hundreds of merfolk, there’s no way we can fight them off.

The only advantage we have is speed.

Xiao Jie said solemnly, "Don’t be afraid. Without water, these shrimp soldiers and crab generals aren’t that scary."

Ji Xian’er scoffed, "You’re right. Then witness the power of our Merfolk Water Control Technique!" The Treasure Bead in her hand glowed brightly as she waved the short staff and chanted incantations.

"Waves rise from the calm sea, a hundred feet of wrathful tide surges forth!"

Sorcery—Furious Sea Tide!

A huge wave surged up from the lake and violently rushed toward the shore.