Liang Feng gasped, the chains around him loosening a bit. The creepy old voice that had echoed through the cave seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of water slapping against the coral. The other mermaids were still scared stiff, except for the youngest one.
He'd heard her name – Yu Yue. She was the smallest, with pale green scales and big, dewy eyes. She stared right at Liang, her eyes wide and glistening, her lips trembling.
Tell us… Yu Yue whispered, her voice shaky. Tell us your love story. The hurt… I want to hear it.
Liang's throat went dry. A part of him wanted to shut up, to keep all that stuff buried. But they weren't hungry for food but for sad stories that would feed themselves. And, he was a little ashamed to admit, he also wanted to talk. To share his pain, even if it helped him feel slightly better.
Her name was Lan Xue, he said, his voice rough. She was the only person who ever looked at me… not like I was broken… but like I was worth something.
The mermaids swam closer, their breathing shallow.
Liang swallowed hard and continued. My family threw me away because I wasn't good. I was worthless. But she… His voice cracked. She thought I could do anything. She promised to wait for me while I trained and fought to become someone. But when I came back six years later, healed and stronger… He clenched his fists against the chains. She was gone. Someone took her. They sold her off to another kingdom while I was busy chasing a stupid dream.
A murmur went through the group of mermaids. A few covered their mouths, their faces sad.
I messed up, Liang whispered. I got stronger, I took lives, and I spilled blood… but I was too late. I never even got to say goodbye.
A sob broke the silence.
Yu Yue darted forward, her small hands grabbing his face. She kissed him, soft and trembling. The kiss took Liang by surprise, sending a jolt through him.
He just stared, shocked.
The other mermaids gasped.
Yu Yue pulled back, her face bright red that looked like a coral. I—I'm sorry! she stuttered, tears rolling down her face. I couldn't… I couldn't stand it. Your pain—it hurts so much—
Liang, still chained, shook his head, confused. Why… Why did you do that? His voice was scratchy, part angry, and part confused.
Yu Yue turned away, hugging herself. I just wanted to make you feel a little better… even for a second.
Before he could ask more questions, the older mermaid, Luo Yin, snapped, Enough! This is a waste of time! Drag him to the compound before the tides change!
The chains yanked Liang's wrists, pulling him through a dark tunnel. He barely noticed, his head still reeling from Yu Yue's kiss and his jumbled thoughts.
When they came out, what he saw made him gasp.
The Hai Zhen compound was right in front of him – an old place. It used a material of black stone and massive coral formations! Those walls were super high, and mermaids that wore armor guarded them, plus they have bone and pearl tridents. Weird lights flickered inside the towers, making strange shadows on the ocean bottom.
But what was happening at the gates made Liang sick to his stomach.
Hundreds of mermaids that looked skinny and frail were rounded up like cattle. The scales, which used to be bright, were gray! They dumped them at the entrance, some barely awake, others sobbing as people with authority gave orders.
This… Liang whispered, his voice now horrified. This is a market… for your own kind?
Luo Yin smirked. We do what we must to survive, landwalker. You'll figure it out soon.
As they dragged him forward, he felt a sting in his neck. A needle, too fast to dodge, poked his skin. A hot feeling spread through him.
What—what did you do—? he hissed.
Yu Yue, not looking at him, mumbled, We gave you Shui Ling's Gift… so you can breathe and get used to our water… but it also marks you. Our energy around you had made you survive underwater, but not anymore.
Liang's vision blurred for a second, then cleared up. The water seemed clearer, and he could breathe without any issues. But he knew there was a cost.
They went through the gate, and as they did, Liang tried to listen.
He heard his captors whispering.
Master Qian Xu will be happy, Luo Yin said with a voice that's dripping with excitement. A rare man that is strong and good-looking! This should get us a raise.
Or even a reward! another agreed. Maybe we'll get a favor! We'll be the talk of Hai Zhen for a while.
Liang gritted his teeth. Qian Xu. He told himself to remember the name. A person who enslaved his own people and who wants to use him for money.
He tugged against the chains. Where am I? he snapped. And what is this place?!
They ignored him, pulling him harder.
They were near the big entrance, and a crowd gathered. They're all mermaids and they're eyes widened and they spotted him. Their whispers swirled through the water like smoke.
Look at him…
A man… after so long…
So handsome… he has to be ours…
They stared at him, hungry and possessive. Liang felt disgusted. He had fought monsters before, but this—being seen as property—angered him.
Tell me! He ordered the nearest guard. Where do your prisoners come from? Where do they go?!
A heavy tail hit his ribs, stealing his breath.
The gatekeeper, a big mermaid with scars, sneered. Quiet, prisoner. You'll get yelled at for having a big mouth soon.
Liang held back a curse, thinking fast. He had freed prisoners before—he was able to break into the Iron Pits before. He could do it again. But first… he needed to know things. Names. Where they're weak.
As they stopped at the checkpoint, where the older mermaids entered their names into these glowing orbs in the entrance, one of his captors—Yu Yue—stayed close.
She looked at his face, her cheeks red again.
Liang caught her eye, his voice low and urgent. Tell me. Please. Where do they get their prisoners? How does your master get money from this?
She hesitated. She started to open her mouth, then closed it.
Liang pressed. I'm stuck now. But not forever. Help me… and maybe I'll help you.
Her eyes showed conflict the moment she examined his beauty. Finally, she whispered, From the outer reefs. The smaller tribes. They take the weaker, sick, and disobedient… and sell them to Master Qian Xu. He uses them to build his kingdom.
Liang felt chilled.
Yu Yue's voice got even quieter. You're stuck here now. Whether you're a prisoner or not… you have to work. Your strength, your looks… you belong to Hai Zhen.
Liang's jaw tightened. No. I don't belong to anyone.
But as he said it, the chains jerked him forward.
The building doors loomed. Inside, weird lights flickered — purple and blue — and cheers and laughter are what you heard outside.
Liang was dragged inside, the chains hurting his wrists. The crowd made space for him, staring at his face and form. Some reached out, touching his skin as he passed.
He'll be a great addition…
I want him for the song ritual…
Look at his hair… like silk…
Liang's stomach churned. He clenched his fists despite the chains. He stumbled, forced forward by pokes from the guards, but he kept his head up, glaring.
He had been drugged!