Hua Changqing had just returned to his own courtyard from the old madam's place, feeling a surge of resentment. He pushed open the door forcefully and strode into the room, collapsing onto a chair in a daze.
After sitting there for a moment, suddenly, a pair of delicate, fair hands clasped his shoulders. Her body pressed intentionally against his back, and her fair face nestled into the crook of his neck. She even blew warm air, causing Hua Changqing's heart to race.
"Brother Changqing, what's wrong? Why are you angry again?" the woman behind him asked in a sweet, coquettish tone.
"It's nothing! Qingyao, why aren't you resting yet?"
Hua Changqing turned and embraced the woman's slender waist, pulling her onto his lap. Her slender, fair arms immediately wrapped around his neck.
"I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you. I didn't expect you weren't sleeping in your own room either."
The woman looked up at Hua Changqing with a pitiable gaze, her tone still as sweet and coy as ever, instantly stirring a protective desire in him.
"Mm~"
Hua Changqing elongated his response, lowering his gaze to the charming, sexy, and alluring woman in his arms. While she wasn't as perfect as Xia Wan'er, she could alleviate his craving for women, which was useful.
"Qingyao, how long has it been since we were together?" Hua Changqing asked An Qingyao unexpectedly.
An Qingyao paused slightly upon hearing this. Before she could react, Hua Changqing scooped her up and carried her towards the bed.
What followed was Hua Changqing's fierce and passionate embrace with An Qingyao, their bodies entwined in an intense union…
…
Morning arrived, and gentle sunlight bathed each island, bringing them new hope. Even the air on the islands was crisp and sweet.
The Cold King and his consort had just woken up in their tent when Ye Ying approached them with a report that Ye Er had been brought back.
The couple immediately scrambled out of the tent. They saw Ye Er being supported by Yin Chen and Ye Yi, his face pale and sallow, walking towards them with weak steps.
"Your subordinate pays his respects to the King and Queen!" Ye Er slowly raised a hand to salute the Cold King and his consort.
"That's enough. There's no need for formalities. We are glad you are alive and back with the team," Leng Ruoli said with a smile to Ye Er.
"Thank you… cough cough… Queen."
Ye Er coughed uncontrollably after uttering the word "thank you."
"Yin Chen, Ye Yi, quickly help Ye Er to lie down in the tent. I'll examine him," Leng Ruoli said, her brow furrowed slightly.
Upon hearing Leng Ruoli's words, Yin Chen and Ye Yi immediately helped Ye Er to lie down in the nearest tent.
Leng Ruoli quickly took Ye Er's pulse and then checked his temperature. She found that apart from being weak and having a slight fever, there were no other serious issues. It seemed Ye Er had received medical treatment from someone the previous night.
Leng Ruoli mentally prepared some medicine in her space and took it out for Ye Er to consume. She then gave him two blood-replenishing pills to be taken over two days. She instructed Yin Chen to take good care of him and ensure he rested before leaving the tent.
Upon emerging, she immediately questioned the guards who had seen Ye Er return.
"Ye Yi, did you see how Ye Er returned?"
"Queen, we were patrolling the beach, collecting seafood. When we turned our heads, we saw a little old man rowing a small boat carrying a person towards us. Later, when the small boat was closer, we finally saw that the person on the little old man's boat was Ye Er. We were so happy to see Ye Er return alive!" Ye Yi replied excitedly.
"Hmm, it seems Ye Er was indeed rescued by the residents of another island," Leng Ruoli mused.
"Queen, this subordinate also believes he was rescued by nearby residents, but we will only know other details after Ye Er wakes up," Ye Yi added with a nod.
"Very well. Now, Ye Yi, you will take four brothers along with Xing'er and Ling'er to stay on the island to look after Ye Er. The rest will leave the island with us today."
After Leng Ruoli assigned their tasks to the guards, Leng Jinyu, his son, Ming Jiuxiao, and Shui Yihe also woke up.
Leng Ruoli immediately gathered everyone and presented the gray cloth and sheepskin map they had obtained yesterday, piecing them together for everyone to see.
Upon seeing the complete map, everyone's faces showed disbelief.
"Lier, this… Cloud Mist Island, it's so close to us, and it's hidden beneath the sea…"
"Yes, Father," Leng Ruoli replied, also finding it incredible.
"Then let's go, we must leave here quickly and search for Cloud Mist Island."
As Leng Jinyu spoke, he prepared to leave the island, but Leng Ruoli stopped him.
"Father, to prevent our movements from being exposed, everyone is carrying a piece of blood jade. That way, people won't be able to track our whereabouts."
As Leng Ruoli spoke, she took out a large bag of blood jade from her sleeve pocket. These blood jades were all that Leng Ruoli had managed to find by searching her entire space treasure trove last night. Fortunately, there were enough.
She distributed one piece to everyone, instructing them to wear it around their waists, and then led everyone away from the small island.
Following the map on the sheepskin parchment, Leng Ruoli and the group swam to a small island closest to Cloud Mist Island and rested for a while.
"Father, Eldest Brother, Ming Jiuxiao, you should wait for us on this island. The King and I will go and scout ahead. After we ascertain the situation in the sea, we will swim back up to analyze it with you."
Leng Ruoli shared her plan with everyone.
"Lier, let Eldest Brother go this time," Leng Ruorui suggested, seeing Leng Ruoli's tired appearance.
"Eldest Brother, your and Father's swimming skills are not very good, so it's best to stay here. I have a diving oxygen tank, so swimming won't be too strenuous," Leng Ruoli immediately refused him.
At this moment, Shui Yihe suddenly spoke, "Queen, why don't I accompany you and the King to go into the sea? I have lived by the sea for many years, my swimming skills are better than average, and I am also more familiar with the underwater conditions."
Leng Ruoli listened and pondered for a moment, still hesitant. This was because the deeper the seawater went in this region, the deeper it became, and there were many unknown dangers in the sea. They had almost lost a member on their way here, which was why she and Jun Mohan had decided not to bring others into the deep sea.
Seeing her hesitation, Shui Yihe continued, "When we came earlier, I was observing this sea area. I noticed that the seawater here is turning particularly fast, so I suspect there might be an underwater vortex nearby. If we really encounter an underwater vortex in the sea, we will be in great trouble. However, I am more familiar with the underwater conditions than you all, and I can generally identify dangers quickly. If I can go into the sea with you, perhaps I can help."
Shui Yihe wanted to further explain to the Cold King and his consort.