When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 203: Three Birds With One Stone

Chapter 203: Three Birds With One Stone

Ariel might not understand what Jin Jiuchi was saying, but it did not prevent her from feeling like this kind of gaze was very familiar. That’s right, it was the gaze of someone who wanted her life, her flesh, and her blood! As a result, her panic intensified and she became even more hysterical, struggling fiercely to escape from Jin Jiuchi. "No... no, you get away from me!!"

Torn between laughter and tears, Gu Luoxin could only step forward to console her. He put up both hands to indicate that he meant no harm, and spoke in a gentle tone as if he was comforting a spooked little animal, "Hey, can you hear me? Calm down, okay? We’re not going to hurt you."

At last, Ariel noticed Gu Luoxin’s presence and her eyes brightened as if she had found her savior. However, upon seeing that he was holding the end of the bandages that bound her, her hope instantly vanished and was replaced with utter horror. "Y–Y–You... You guys colluded with each other!" She cried out in shock and incredulity. "How could you... how could you betray Nian? You’re supposed to be on his side!"

His attempts backfired, and Gu Luoxin was at an utter loss of words. "...Am I that scary?"

"Noisy," Noir clicked his tongue with an annoyed look. He turned to Jin Jiuchi and asked, "Can’t you just eat her now?"

Jin Jiuchi grinned and snapped his fingers, "That’s what I’m talking about! Good thing that we are on the same page!

When Ariel realized that Noir was also onboard on the pirate ship, she only felt as if she was done for, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head, losing consciousness. Hence, the first thing Shen Nianzu saw when he finally got onto the ship was Ariel convulsing with foam on the corner of her mouth, and three men who hovered around her as they discussed where they should cut first.

Angry veins throbbed on his forehead as he scolded them, "I just left you alone for a while, and you have already driven her insane? Good, you’re very good!"

"Nian’er, you’re here!" Upon noticing the jade doll’s arrival, Jin Jiuchi’s whole person immediately lit up like fireworks in the night sky. He bounded excitedly toward Shen Nianzu, but his enthusiasm was met with a hard pinch on his torso. "Did you see how— ow ow ow!!" He yelped in surprise and quickly grasped Shen Nianzu’s wrist with a flattering smile, "Softer, Nian’er! What if your fingers get hurt?"

Gnashing his teeth, Shen Nianzu gave him a tight-lipped smile, "I haven’t even started with you yet! How do you explain the headpiece and the ship, huh?! How dare you take them out as you please! You do know that your headpiece can only work once inside the Cycle, right? After this, you can’t summon your mummy soldiers again, and you still dare to use it just for—"

"Just?" Jin Jiuchi interrupted, his tone sullen. The heterochromatic eyes that peered down at Shen Nianzu through the headpiece was nothing but serious. "I’m crashing your wedding here. How can it not be important?"

Shen Nianzu was choked speechless by that rebuke, before his logic came online again one second later. "Haven’t I told you that I’m not marrying her for real?!"

"But you’re going to dance with her!"

"So what?! So what if—"

Jin Jiuchi cut him off with a furious holler, "You haven’t even danced with me yet, so how can you do it with her?!" His height allowed him to tower over Shen Nianzu, and when he glared, there was a hint of coldness and ferocity that had never been there before, startling Shen Nianzu into freezing on the spot. "Nope, not allowed. Even if I have to dig my eyeballs out, I will not allow you to dance with her!"

"Y–You..." Shen Nianzu stammered. Even after half a day, he couldn’t get anything past that one word. This man... why was he behaving like a jealous lover all of a sudden?!

More importantly, could he just put on some clothes?! Until when did he plan to walk around topless?!

***

As the two of them were bickering back and forth on the ship, the chaos below the surface had been swiftly brought under control. The cursed ones were eliminated on the spot, and those who were injured were quarantined until an indefinite period of time to ensure that they would not transform. Despite the initial mayhem, the number of casualties was actually not as extensive as feared, and this certainly called for a celebration.

Except, the atmosphere in the grand hall was anything but joyful for none other than the missing Princess and her groom.

Seated on the throne, the King’s heavy and somber gaze fell upon the beautiful woman with blood splattered all across her body. "This time, it’s thanks to you that we were able to get rid of the cursed creatures so quickly, otherwise I couldn’t have imagined what would have become of Atlantis by now."

Lily showed a humbled look as she bowed politely, "As I should do, Your Majesty. Coincidentally, I know a little martial arts, and it’s an honor for me to be able to help the merfolk clan. It’s just that... the Princess..." her expression turned sorrowful, causing the King’s face to darken further.

"Is there still no news?" The King demanded.

"Reporting to His Majesty!" A guard quickly spoke up, "According to eyewitnesses around the city, Princess Ariel has been captured by the Flying Dutchman!"

The news was akin to cold water that splashed into a pot of boiling oil, causing the atmosphere to explode with panic and anger.

"T–They caught the Princess?! How?!"

"Oh no, are they really going to curse her?!"

"What about Mr. Nian? Where is he?!"

"He’s currently missing! Could it be that he has been kidnapped too?!"

"Your Majesty, we have to save them as soon as possible!"

Amidst the flurry of heated discussion, nobody noticed the slight twitch on the corner of Lily’s lips when she heard the words ’Flying Dutchman’. Pretending to be the ghost ship? Ha! Quite a brilliant idea, she had to admit. Too bad for them, it only made it easier for her to proceed with her plan.

Lily quickly adjusted her emotions and cried out loudly, "Your Majesty, please allow me to offer my help once again! I have heard of the Flying Dutchman before, and they’re known to be extremely ruthless and vicious. If we delay any longer, I fear that the Princess will..." her voice choked with emotion, her eyes reddening. "Moreover, the cursed ones had originally mixed in with the people who came together with me. I feel immeasurably guilty right now whenever I thought about it, so please... please allow me to atone for my sins and save Princess Ariel!" She bowed her head before the King, her impassioned plea earning murmurs of approval across the hall.

Deep inside, Lily couldn’t contain her triumphant joy.

She couldn’t be the Princess’ savior? No problem, just create a new trouble and position herself as an ally to the merfolk clan. This way, she could still claim to have brought the Princess safely back to her home, and she would soon get her hands on the return ticket! Moreover, she could also turn the enmity of the entire merfolk clan against Nian’s team. With chaos all around, she would seize the opportunity to capture the man she desired. This was simply hitting three birds with one stone!

As the King looked down at the sincere and kind-hearted woman, his heart couldn’t help but be moved by her dedication. She was right, Ariel couldn’t afford to wait any longer. They had to rescue her as quickly as possible!

"Fine, I will give you a chance," he declared, adding, "If you can bring my daughter back safely, I will grant you anything— just name it, and I will make it happen. For now, I will give you temporary command over the guards. They should be able to assist you in rescuing Ariel."

Lily suppressed the curve on the corner of her lips and replied with earnestness, "I will not let you down, Your Majesty!"