Chapter 58 Coveting Her: You're Not Good Enough

Bai Yuheng conjured a cleaver to block the swung tentacle. The sharp cleaver tore through its flesh with the force of the falling tentacle. Bai Yuheng gathered her strength, then with a backhand flick, cleanly and decisively chopped off half of the tentacle.

The fallen tentacles were still curled up and writhing, and a foul, fishy smell wafted from them.

Bai Yuheng reached out, and golden threads shot out from her sleeve to bind the boat. Using this as leverage, she leaped into the air. Her hands moved continuously, drawing her bow and shooting an arrow. Then, relying on the force of her fall, she gripped an extremely large cleaver and cleaved the tentacles from a deeper part of the body. The giant beast lurking in the sea let out a sharp wail.

Pei Yuan and Li Tiankuo, who were keeping the giant beast in check on both sides, heard Bai Yuheng's voice transmission: "The giant beast's target is us. I will conjure up puppets similar to yours and let it take them away. You stay here to comfort the wounded and clean up the mess."

Pei Yuan almost immediately understood the meaning behind her words and coldly pressed, "Then what about you? What are you going to do?!"

Bai Yuheng glanced at him briefly, her urgent tone carrying a hint of reassurance. She said, "Don't worry, I already know where they're going to take us. I'll contact you later."

"No way!" Pei Yuan gritted his teeth, feeling his lips and teeth trembling.

He knew she still possessed considerable strength and had a chance of defeating this demonic beast; he also believed in her abilities. However! But Pei Yuan didn't want to stand by and watch her fight alone again; he couldn't do that!

"Master!" Bai Yuheng called out to him.

Although it was just two short words, Pei Yuan could feel the unquestionable authority in her words.

She...she really hasn't changed at all!

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth, making a grinding sound.

Even though he knew what she meant, he wouldn't budge an inch now.

"..."

Li Tiankuo frowned and said, "We can go together."

"No, you have to stay here and bring the people back safely!" Bai Yuheng said coldly. There were many people on the ship, and many civilians had fallen into the sea during the fight. If they couldn't swim and had no one to help them, they could drown in the sea, which she couldn't bear to see. Besides, she could handle it by herself, so it was best for them to stay here!

Bai Yuheng said firmly, "We have cicadas. Cicadas allow us to transmit our voices. I will explain some things to you through the cicadas."

“But…” Li Tiankuo was about to say something when Bai Yuheng interrupted him, “There’s no time to hesitate. The giant beast is on the verge of exploding. We can kill it on our own, but the people on the ship can’t wait!”

Li Tiankuo and Pei Yuan glanced at the many innocent people who had fallen into the water and were struggling and calling for help. Li Tiankuo compromised: "Okay, be careful!"

"Hmm." Bai Yuheng didn't even bother to ask Pei Yuan's permission. She slashed the increasingly frenzied tentacles, then shot out golden threads to retrieve the person who had fallen into the sea and placed him on the deck.

"You guys cover me first!"

After Bai Yuheng finished speaking, she instructed Pei Yuan to attract the giant beast's attention, while she quickly retrieved something that carried their aura, made hand seals and chanted incantations, and three lifelike puppets appeared. Bai Yuheng channeled her spiritual energy into the puppets, and they instantly became mobile, flying in mid-air to attract the giant beast's attention.

She rushed ahead, brushing past Pei Yuan. Their eyes met, and Bai Yuheng nodded to him. Pei Yuan pursed his lips, knowing her temper, but he still wanted to try: "I'll help you."

“No need,” Bai Yuheng refused without hesitation. “You should go back to the boat.”

Pei Yuan stared coldly at her, suppressing his surging emotions when she glanced at him, then turned and retreated onto the boat, standing side by side with Li Tiankuo.

Bai Yuheng glanced back and saw that although he had a cold face, he obediently made a hand seal and withdrew the aura from the three of them.

She nodded in satisfaction, indicating that she was ready. Behind her, Pei Yuan kept a cold, handsome face and refused to look at her.

The three puppets, imbued with their aura, were instantly bound by the wounded tentacles, struggling like real people. The giant beast did not suspect anything. Taking advantage of the situation, Bai Yuheng leaped onto the waving tentacles, using the force to transform the cleaver in her hand into a sharp sword. The sword, like a raging fire, left a giant afterimage, and the golden-red light pierced straight into its eerie eyes.

Then the remaining gold transformed into a giant net, binding the waving tentacles within it. With a sudden thrust, it plunged into the water, causing a loud tremor on the dark surface and sending up a spray of water everywhere.

Underwater, the giant beast reached a familiar place, swimming freely and breaking free from the tightly bound golden threads. Instead, it bound her and sank together into the dark, lightless seabed.

The pale moonlight shone down, illuminating the deep blue sea. The water was calm and still, with only a slight ripple spreading outwards.

Pei Yuan stood at the bow of the boat, his gaze fixed on the dark water, the furrows between his long eyebrows deep enough to trap a fly.

Li Tiankuo was about to speak to him, but seeing his aloof demeanor and the cold aura emanating from him, he moved his lips but didn't say anything. Instead, he turned around and tried to find a way to rescue the person who had fallen into the water.

It's always like this.

A deep sense of powerlessness and chill crept into Pei Yuan's heart, as if strands of ice were piercing him to the core.

Once again, she chose those who had nothing to do with her and abandoned him.

Pei Yuan covered his red and slightly moist eyes, took a deep breath, and plunged into the calm water.

Startled, Cen Ying quickly peered over and saw him, his face colder than the moon, scooping up a person who seemed to be unconscious. With a push, the person was brought to Cen Ying's side. Seeing that he was unharmed, he went to check on the rescued person. Cen Ying breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, the person had only fainted.

While treating the wounded, Cen Ying observed the cold-faced man, wondering why he had to soak the man in the water to save him when he could use his magic to lift him out.

Cen Ying didn't understand and felt that Uncle Pei was too strange. Just now, Yu'er's face was particularly frightening. She didn't have time to think about it and focused on settling the person down.

Calmness returned to the ship, and many unharmed people came to help. Even the arrogant Zhu He was busy with various tasks.

Having finally seized the opportunity, he scurried over to Cen Ying and asked, "Is that woman alright?"

Seeing the worry in his eyes, Cen Ying said, "Don't worry, she contacted us just now, she's safe now."

Upon hearing this, Zhu He breathed a sigh of relief and then asked, "What is her name? How old is she? Where does she live? How many people are in her family? Is she married...?"

"Smack!"

A crisp sound drew their attention. Li Tiankuo expressionlessly placed the medicine bowl he had just finished feeding on the table, making a clattering sound.

Zhu He frowned slightly, puzzled, when he met the man's undisguised, cold gaze. Zhu He felt uncomfortable under his gaze and glared back defiantly until the man turned and left without a word.

"Who is that person? How could they be so rude?"

Cen Ying glanced at him: "Who he is is not important. What's important is why you're asking these questions?"

Zhu He scratched the tip of his nose shyly and chuckled.

Cen Ying brandished a gleaming silver needle at him, her eyes filled with wariness: "What do you want to ask? What are your intentions? Let me tell you, don't even think about hitting on her!"

"No way..." Zhu He saw that her explanation was not convincing, and with his sharp eyes he saw Pei Yuan walking over and standing to the side. He thought to himself that they knew each other, so he should know the truth.

Zhu He walked past Cen Ying, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Pei Yuan saw him, but ignored him; he wasn't an important person.

He tried to contact Bai Yuheng using a cicada, but received no response.

Pei Yuan couldn't help but feel a little restless, his whole being exuding an air of unease, making him unapproachable to strangers.

Seeing that this person was even more unapproachable than the man from before, Zhu He hesitated, but then he remembered the woman's valiant figure, which perhaps gave him some courage. He approached and asked, "Um..."

Pei Yuan didn't hear it.

Zhu He leaned closer and asked, "Brother? I want to ask you something..."

"?" Pei Yuan turned his head slightly and lowered his eyes to look at the man who was very close to him. His eyes, which were as black as lacquer, were filled with a hint of doubt.

"I want to ask you something..." Zhu He repeated, "Do you know who the woman was who dragged that monster into the sea just now?"

When Pei Yuan heard this person mention Bai Yuheng, a hint of displeasure rose in his heart.

"Such a heroic figure, such a clean and efficient fighting style..." Zhu He exclaimed excitedly, praising her in every word. Pei Yuan's displeasure subsided, and his heart was filled with pride and honor.

"...He's so handsome!"

Pei Yuan listened patiently as he finished praising Bai Yuheng. Seeing his subsequent hesitation, he knew that Pei Yuan's attempt to get close to Bai Yuheng must have had another purpose.

"Speak your mind."

Seeing that he spoke so readily and decisively, Zhu He said happily, "It's nothing serious, I just wanted to ask you about someone. I heard that you two have a close relationship."

Pei Yuan understood. If someone else wanted to talk to him about Bai Yuheng, he might have turned around and left after realizing the intention. But now, hearing him say that he had a close relationship with her, just those four words were enough to prolong his patience. His ears burned, and he nodded, agreeing with his statement.

Before he could even ask, he couldn't contain himself and wanted to ask, "How did you figure out that my relationship with her..." Pei Yuan paused, and under Zhu He's expectant yet encouraging gaze, he continued expressionlessly, with a mix of excitement and shyness, "was...more than intimate?"

Zhu He was puzzled. He hesitated, his face as red as rouge, because that was the question he wanted to ask.

Zhu He was puzzled and confused.

"Yes, yes, perhaps there's a unique connection between you two? That makes you stand out at a glance." Whether Zhu He's words were true or not, and whether they contained a hint of flattery, is unknown, but the person was so flattered by these words that the corners of his lips turned down to his ears.

Pei Yuan originally wanted to ask more questions, but ultimately felt a little embarrassed, so he thought he would answer his questions in return. Pei Yuan also knew that it was better to ask if there was something in return: "What do you want to say?"

Seeing that things were looking promising, Zhu He praised him a few more times, but noticing that he wasn't as enthusiastic as before, she got back to the main point: "I just wanted to ask you, what is the name of that woman who risked her life to save someone just now..."

Pei Yuan glanced at him sideways and suddenly sensed something was amiss.

The latter misunderstood, and seeing that he was not like Cen Ying, he felt relieved and said: "Actually, this is the first time I have been so moved. When she stood in front of me, you have no idea how fast my heart was beating. At that time, I only had eyes for her. Her hair was flying, her clothes were fluttering, and her brave and resolute profile... all of them made my heart flutter."

Zhu He, talking to himself, scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly, "Don't laugh at me, this is the first time I've liked a girl this much. Just tell me her name, I'll ask her myself when she gets back—hey? What's wrong with your complexion? Were you injured just now? Should I call Cen Ying to come and take a look?"

After he finished speaking, he looked around for Cen Ying.

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth and said coldly, "No need."

As if he had been holding it in for too long, the two words were squeezed out from between his teeth with great difficulty.

Zhu He was puzzled again. If it wasn't an injury, then what was it?

Pei Yuan took a deep breath. He knew that she was the most dazzling and popular person wherever she was, but he found it hard to bear that someone was professing their love for her in front of him.

Pei Yuan turned and left.

"Hey bro, you still haven't told me!"

Pei Yuan turned around coldly, startling Zhu He. His expression was as if he were Zhu He's father's killer, leaving Zhu He completely bewildered.

Pei Yuan pursed his lips, met his clear yet questioning gaze, and said coldly, "Bai Yuheng."

Zhu He smiled upon hearing this, chased after her, and said, "Hehe, her name is really nice. Which jade? Which Heng? You're so kind, brother. Tell me more about her, okay?"

Seeing that this person was going on and on, Pei Yuan got angry and cast a freezing spell and a silencing spell on him.

He had intended to speak harshly to her, but the sound of her voice reached his ears through the cicadas, pulling him back from the brink of losing his reason due to jealousy, and reminding him of what she had said.

“Yuan’er, harsh words can hurt people; you should think twice before you speak.”

Pei Yuan felt a lump in his throat, so he could only stare at him coldly and warn him: "She is not someone you can covet."

Zhu He: "Hmm?" Why?

Pei Yuan seemed to understand, and said coldly, "You are not good enough for her."

Having said that, he really left this time.

The spell on Zhu He was only lifted after the person had disappeared from sight.

Zhu He was full of questions. What was going on?

Everything was fine just now...

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Author's Note: Pei - a puppy feeling wronged, unwilling to obey but still obediently following orders - Yuan: Do you really want me to look at you like this? [Pity][Crying]

Babies, please add this column to your favorites! [pleading]