The Shadow Hunters immediately moved once the merfolk's attack had pierced through the shadows and right at the building. While the windows shattering and exploding couldn't be prevented, the group still tried their best to reshape their shadow technique into a more physical substance and stop it from collapsing.

Its organization's priorities were straight. Even while the Tyrannical Merfolk escaped with hubris during the incident, they would do their best to save and evacuate the people.

Nobody could even pay attention to the two people that had charged out of nowhere to attack the merfolk—there was already a lot on their plate.

"Commander?"

"We don't have time, I assume that the mermaid's their friend. We'll talk with them another time."

.

..

.

Amidst the destruction and the movements of the group beyond the shadows of the night came the realizations of certain people. If there was something that Ying Yue He had discovered tonight, it was a side of her boss she had never seen before.

The man still calculated his decisions and made plans, even when the situation changed.

He was unafraid to make risks.

Originally meant to have a discussion with the Shadow Hunters she thought were ghosts—it turned to a plan to save Bai Minghua when they saw that some beast had captured her.

Her boss was capable of moving despite the new set of circumstances thrown to him, while she on the other hand had frozen when she saw the creature without the safety of the car.

He had not been afraid to face grotesque creatures, nor had he been afraid to attack said creatures—

"Pick up the pen, Miss He." His tone was flat, tired and rather strained.

She immediately picked up the pen, avoiding the disgusting liquid that dribbled around it. There was a sense of self-disappointment that racked through her, even as she tried to wipe the blood on her shorts and give it to him.

There were a lot of things that she didn't understand and couldn't even comprehend until now—she wished that she had actually gone home. She could have been resting on her bed and not be a hindrance to the man.

. . .

Guilt coursed through the CEO regardless of the creature's words, and though some sense of relief followed when he saw the Shadow Hunters trying to mitigate the damage caused, he still felt responsible for the catastrophe.

And yet it was better that they leave and recuperate.

He was curious of what these people were and how their style of combat differed from cultivators, but it was the weight of the Mermaid in his arms and the shaken look on his secretary's face that made him decide to call it a night.

Even while the creature was still on the loose?

Would it come back for the idol? Li Yang accepted the pen and stored it in his pocket. While not capable of changing into a sword, its durability might have been better than one.

"Miss He shall we try to find a place to stay tonight?" It was better to keep them all together.. at least he didn't find it safe to be separated from one another.

"Where boss?"

"Somewhere close enough." The CEO could already imagine the aftermath in the morning, but for now, it was better that they rested.

And so the three of them checked in another hotel nearby and made an excuse about the other hotel—while hesitant at first to make accommodations, they would find themselves at an executive suite.

His secretary, whether through exhaustion or weariness, immediately fell on the bed. Whereas Li Yang brought the Mermaid to the bathroom, specifically into the bathtub to assess her condition.

[ Assessment Complete ]

[ Unconscious (toxin) ]

The Individual has fallen asleep due to the toxin injected into her body, there are some concentrations left in her leg that can be sucked out

.. he would have to do it by himself. The CEO tried to find a first aid kit but realized it was foolish to waste any time. He carefully raised her leg, taking note of the firm, smooth and soft skin until he found some punctures across her flesh. It was so miniature that he almost didn't notice it.

But Li Yang began to suck.

A soft whimper reached his ears, bordering close to a pained moan.

The CEO stopped and spat a vile liquid through the sink and then continued undeterred by everything else. It was a strange situation. Her moans made it even weirder, and yet the circumstances called for it, especially because he had taken responsibility for her safety—

Her other leg suddenly wrapped around his neck in a vice-like grip. "What.. what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Her voice was slightly hysterical, her grip on his neck tightening even more in a painful choke-hold.

He coughed for one moment. The sensation of his windpipes getting crushed was unpleasant.

He wasn't into any of this.

The man lowered her left leg and motioned for the right leg constricting him. And she reluctantly loosened them just enough for him to speak and explain himself.

"You were poisoned by the other merfolk—how are you feeling?"

She blinked at him, never exactly letting go of him despite their uncomfortable position of him pinned under her leg. "Wait, you were the one who killed him?"

The CEO barely managed to shake his head. "I only saved you, but the creature still got away and escaped."

"I see.."

"Did you know it...him?" The CEO asked.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you have the right to ask me questions?"

"I did save you from him, but it's also important to understand the motivations. However, I won't force you."

"... I think that was one of my people, and he was trying to bring me back home—but I didn't think he would end up in that kind of shape." She squeezed her eyes shut. "My location was supposed to be unknown except for my best friend's, but that bitch betrayed me."

"Hypothetically, what if she had to give your location away? I don't think that creature looked like someone in the right mental state."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "You don't know what you're talking about.. but I suppose I owe you some gratitude for saving me." Her expression changed, and she raised a brow at him. "And I believe there's only one thing I can do for you, isn't that right.. CEO?"

He was tempted to say no, but he nodded.

She growled at him. "I hate debts of gratitude, but fine."historical

"If you do not mind, can you also unwrap your leg around my neck—this is a situation I do not wish to be stumbled upon."

She half-glared at him. "Any other man would have died in pure joy at feeling my legs making contact with them, and even more so to be in such close distance to me."

"It's an uncomfortable position."

She let him go and stretched. The Mermaid ran her fingers through her leg and turned on the showers. She began to work on healing her skin idly. "So what does it entail to be officially part of your harem? Do we need to consummate, make a blood pact with one another and drink each other's blood? How is it done with your situation? I don't do marriages."