The girls lounged on the deck, enjoying the breathtaking view of the endless blue ocean. Meanwhile, the ship's crew couldn't keep their eyes off them—drooling, whispering, and their gazes filled with lustful intentions. Most of all, their envy was aimed at Tang Yin.
'Hmph. I'll let you live for now. But once we reach our destination, you'll all die.' Tang Yin's cold thought flickered across his mind as he caught the crew's disgusting stares.
His killing intent was already very sharp—ever since the journey began, he had mercilessly slaughtered bands of Wolf Taken and Evil Soul Masters that crossed their path. To him, it was natural; the Slaughter Domain evolved easiest through bloodshed, and each life he reaped only honed its edge further.
He stood calmly at the helm of the ship, eyes fixed on the boundless horizon, ignoring the simmering malice of the crew. The moment they made a move against him would be the moment they lost their petty lives.
Nightfall
The girls had already retired to their cabins, but Xiao Wu lingered on deck, gazing at the stars. Her delicate hands were clasped together as she smiled faintly, lost in thought.
Tang Yin walked over and slipped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her close as he breathed in her familiar fragrance.
"Tang Yin," Xiao Wu whispered softly, "during the three years we were apart, I always looked at the stars. Every time I missed you, I wished you were by my side."
Her words touched him deeply—especially since he remembered she had once spoken those very lines to Tang San in the original story when she finally confessed her love.
Before he could respond, she pouted playfully. "But you've been busy spreading your love to all these beauties. I don't think you missed me much, did you?" She lowered her gaze for a moment, her voice softening. "Still… it's fine. As long as you're happy, I'm happy too."
Tang Yin's lips twitched. 'Where did she even pick up this trickery? Where'd the Xiao Wu I remembered go—the one who was so naïve, direct, and incapable of hiding her feelings?
she was tugging at his heart with carefully chosen words, making him feel guilty without ever raising her voice. It wasn't anger, it wasn't jealousy—it was that quiet selflessness that struck even deeper, because she was willing to put his happiness above her own.
He tapped her forehead gently and teased, "Are you trying to make me feel guilty, bunny? Don't think I don't know you care for the others too. Tell me—who taught you this trick? Cause I know your brain isn't capable enough."
"Hmph! It was Rongrong. She was genuinely afraid you'd end up filling your sect with only female disciples," Xiao Wu admitted, rolling her eyes and puffing her cheeks.
"Is it wrong for me to want you all to myself? And your love is way too cheap! Loving two or three is fine, but you've got fourteen!" Xiao Wu sounded exasperated and helpless,with her cheeks puffed as she glared playfully at him.
Tang Yin couldn't deny Xiao Wu's grievance and outrage—he knew he had wronged her by spreading his heart among the others.
Instead of retorting, he gazed into her eyes and kissed her deeply. When he parted, his voice was soft but firm. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you my love alone. But no matter what, Xiao Wu, I will always love you—and that love will never end. That is my promise to you."
Her expression softened at his words and his promise. "I know you'll love me. You always do. And I still love being around Sister Erlong—she reminds me of my mother. Yuehua is so considerate, always looking after me."
Xiao Wu added with a gentle, generous smile, "Zhuqing and Rongrong already apologized for stealing your affection, but I've already forgiven them. Dugu Yan dotes on me like an older sister. Lingling is gentle and caring."
"Huo Wu is just like me—we're practically best friends now, along with Bing'er and Yue'er. And Xiao Mei…" She coughed, her cheeks turning crimson, "…she teaches me things—"
Tang Yin's eyes brightened mischievously as he caught her meaning. "Oh? Exactly what sort of stuff, Xiao Wu? Care to explain?"
Flustered, she darted back into the ship, her face burning, leaving him watching with a very wide, amused grin. 'Don't worry—you'll be of age soon enough, and then we can begin.'
The voyage passed uneventfully for three days. But on the fourth, Tang Yin and Dugu Yan discovered that their Sea Food breakfast had been poisoned.
"How dare these fools even try to poison us!" Dugu Yan sneered, her jade like eyes flashing. "Do they really think my Jade Phosphorus Serpent is for nothing? Poisoning the granddaughter of Dugu Bo—ridiculous!"
A cold smile curved Tang Yin's lips. With a thought, his telepathy pierced Haider's mind, extracting all of his knowledge and experience. In an instant, he uncovered the truth—these vermin had no intention of letting him reach Hanhai safely. They planned to loot him and even considered selling his lovers at auction.
They had committed numerous such human trafficking, betrayal, and murder in their lifetime—and now, they had underestimated him.
'Want to lay hands on my women? Who gave you such confidence? Your end is going to be unsightly,' Tang Yin thought inwardly, as he began absorbing all knowledge of sailing and every detail about the soul beasts of the sea.
Afternoon—
On the main deck of the ship, Tang Yin and his lovers lay sprawled, unconscious. Haider and his goons wore menacing smiles, laughing heartlessly and celebrating.
"Haha, what a haul! I'm sure this guy has a fortune on him. And these women… selling them will make us rich," Haider sneered.
"Alright, everyone. Let's tie them up and sever this guy's limbs, or we might end up in trouble ourselves," Haider ordered, motioning for his son to restrain Tang Yin.
But as his son stepped closer, Tang Yin's martial soul flared—two yellow, two purple, one black, and one red ring glowing fiercely—and suddenly gouged out his eyes. Blood poured onto the deck, forming a growing puddle. Everyone froze in shock.
"Soul Emperor!" Haider panicked. As only a Soul King, seeing Tang Yin's 100,000-year-old soul rings left him pale with terror.
"Ahhh! My eyes! I can't see!" his son wailed, panic rising in his voice. Tang Yin coldly gouged the other eye as he spoke, "Do you still dare gaze upon my companions and even think of selling them? Who gave you such courage?" He looked down at the empty sockets.
"No! My son!" Haider shouted, springing forward desperately, trying to stop the bleeding—but it was useless.
Tang Yin didn't pause; he launched into a killing frenzy, leaving bodies in his wake.
"Please! Help me save my son! As long as you stop the bleeding, and we'll take you to the Purple Pearl Pirates—they're the ones we serve!" Haider begged, clinging to hope.
Tang Yin nodded toward Lingling, who immediately activated her healing skill, staunching the bleeding and saving his life.
Since his son was still alive, Haider clung to a desperate hope—that the Purple Pearl Pirates would finish Tang Yin and his companions, avenging the deaths of his crew members.
Six days later, Tang Yin and his companions finally arrived at the island where the Purple Pearl Pirates once operated.