Chapter 284: Cutscene of the Sunset Beach

Time, place and meaning often brought significance to one's world and how one perceived it, and for Han Jing, the sight of the orange sunset sky was enough to make him stare at it far longer than he should have. The sky was now nearly dark as the sun began to give way to the moon, but it was still dotted with clouds of varying shades. He was eager to admit that in the Other World; the world was magnificent and beautiful; the landscape was better and everything was more magical.

However, it would be a terrible thing to not admit that his own world had its own wonders. It was something that he failed to appreciate before and could only do so now. And this was only possible because he had nearly worked himself to death delivering flowers and other plants across the entire city.

Han Jing recalled his conversation with the Wood Elf from earlier. "So you're meeting Odele beneath the wooden dock and pretend she had been with you the entire time when the two of you go up?" Ironic it may be, the Wood Elf, Faeran actually enjoyed the air conditioning in the room and was reluctant in leaving his bed of blankets.

He nodded, "Yeah, that's why I want you to be there—"

"She's not going to drag you into the depths." The Wood Elf waved a hand dismissively at him. Faeran wasn't even looking at him and was instead paying attention to the flat screen television behind him.

"Are you sure?"

The Wood Elf snorted. "It's counterintuitive when she wants to go on land. What is she going to do? Rip out your legs and replace them with her fins? Now move, I'm trying to enjoy myself with your people's creations… the entertainment is actually good."

"Don't act so nervous when you have this with you," the Demon Lord snorted and held up a two-piece navy blue bikini.

"We're on a beach—of course she's going to wear something like that." Han Jing crossed his arms. He tried to hide his hot face from the Succubus. "We're trying to make her look like she had simply got out of the water."

Maybe he was being a bit of a perv, Han Jing could have purchased a one-piece swimsuit or even just a pair of shorts and shirt for the Mermaid, but he still ended up buying this thing in his shopping bag. Well, it didn't really matter—his image of Mermaids in shells was still a prevalent thing in his mind.

He really was just trying to be helpful.

Han Jing didn't think that Mermaids, or Merfolks, had a lot of clothes to wear, so in a sense, this was only in accordance to their standard. Maybe he was making excuses, but then he saw it, and unless it was some sort of speeding shark frothing bubbles, this was now her.

He craned his neck behind him and saw that most of the people were far off. There weren't a lot of people on the beach because of the high tides. Something that Han Jing had actually checked the news for. The people around were too focused on some performance on the opposite side of the beach where there was some kind of talent show.

It was safe.

"Boo!" A head finally popped up from the water and revealed shining bright eyes and hair of gold as well. Her appearance was a significant contrast from the red-haired and green eyed Mermaid she portrayed when they had first met in the Other World.

Han Jing blinked—and then felt something prick in the back of his head.

It was as if his Mental Fortitude Skill was telling him to stop staring, and he cleared his throat. "Odele, right?" Even while she was a few feet separated from him thanks to the dock, she had a beguiling appearance that he might have wanted to dive into the water himself.

"And you're Han," She beamed at him, "What a mood if you were some random dude staring at the beach, huh? I'd probably have to yeet out fast."

Han Jing could have taken some damage then and there until his brain actually processed her statements and he nodded. "Yeah… it would have been troublesome. I brought you some clothes? Shall I throw them to you there?" He held up the shopping bag to her.

"But it'd get wet, just let me get up there." The surrounding water began to form and rise, pulling her upwards until she was eye-to-eye with Han Jing and she stretched out a hand to him.

His eyes widened, and he gestured wildly. "Woah, woah, get back down!"

"Sure—oops."

"What do you mean by oops…" Han Jing had a feeling of what had already happened, and yet he still turned his head slowly. The young man hoped that he was wrong. That he would encounter an empty dock before the Mermaid would laugh, tell him it was a joke, and proceed to snatch him out of the docks and into the waters.

But there was a singular person watching them with a slightly surprised look on his face, and despite his sanpaku eyes. It really was a look of shock. It was a face that Han Jing recognized. He automatically pointed and shouted at the Mermaid, "Catch him!"

Somehow Odele didn't hesitate and water blasted towards Dai Song Lan, a leaping and spiraling dragon that attacked him.

The cultivator struck down the water with a spear that appeared out of nowhere. Half a minute later, Dai Song Lan and Han Jing were both drenched. And yet the man was finally enclosed around the water, his spear lying fallen and abandoned on the docks. Han Jing half-wondered why that had been his choice, but it was the logical one.

Dai Song Lan, Mou Gu's partner in their cultivation group or whatever it was.

He was only glad that Odele listened and trusted him enough to follow his instructions, but this time he was looking around more carefully around the beach—

"We're in the Veil," Dai Song Lan said.

"Huh?"

"Nobody can see us. I put up before coming here."

"Oh thanks—wait, why are you here in the first place?" Han Jing asked and pointed at him accusingly. "Are you some sort of stalker? How exactly did you get here—Mou Gu wiped my memory so there shouldn't have been any complications..."

"Yes, it is strange." The man acknowledged with a calm nod.

Han Jing raised his brow. "Well?"

"Not as strange as your friend."

"I'm not his friend!" Odele protested, and somehow she had changed into the bikini and had already puttered around the wooden docks. Unlike their time in the Other World, she could get legs here… and it looked great on her. Albeit, the cup size he got was actually bigger than the real thing.

But that wasn't what Han Jing was supposed to be focusing about!

He cleared his throat and addressed the cultivator again. "If you know what's good for you, then you should speak up, buddy." He gave the man a grin which he hoped looked threatening, and said, "Or else you'll face harsh consequences and it won't be pretty."

"We're not going to kill him, right? I'm not really comfortable with that."

Han Jing blinked and stifled the urge to slap a hand over his face. He wouldn't go that far either, but now their 'threat factor' had officially dropped to zero! How were they going to get information now?!