ATMIWPT Chapter 1 Captured at the Start

The Great Chu Kingdom, Pingyang County.

The sea stretched endlessly, vast and tranquil. The fishermen had already hauled in their nets and sailed away.

Qin Muyao, gasping for breath, collapsed onto a jagged rock after struggling her way up from the ocean depths. She grumbled bitterly, “Xiao Ba, has the High Priest caught up yet?”

Three days ago, she had been a renowned mystical arts master of the 21st century. In the blink of an eye, she had transformed into a mermaid dwelling in the deep sea.

Turned into a mermaid, fine, but to end up as an unlucky fish doing hard labor under the control of the High Priest?

She had no intention of putting up with such misery. Seizing the opportunity while the High Priest was concocting his poisons, she had fled as quickly as her tail could take her.

Xiao Ba, a little turtle, swam nervously around Qin Muyao’s shimmering purple tail, its voice anxious. “You might dodge him for now, but you can’t hide forever. The High Priest’s crystal ball can track us across thousands of miles. We’re doomed!”

Just as Xiao Ba finished speaking, a commotion reached Qin Muyao’s ears from a distance. Without hesitation, she plunged back into the water with a loud splash, concealing herself beneath the waves.

Her current appearance was anything but ordinary. If the villagers spotted her, they’d undoubtedly mistake her for some kind of monster and try to capture her.

“Search this area!”

“There is no mermaid here. Check over there!”

A group of well-trained guards surrounded the rocks, their movements deliberate and methodical, clearly searching for something—or someone.

Hearing the word “mermaid,” Qin Muyao froze, disbelief written all over her face. “Don’t tell me… they’re here for me?”

Curiosity got the better of her, and she cautiously lifted her head above the water to eavesdrop. What she saw left her momentarily stunned.

Standing amidst the guards was a man of extraordinary beauty, his features flawless as if painted by a celestial artist. His dark hair was tied neatly beneath a jade crown, exuding elegance and regality.

This man was none other than the Crown Prince of the Great Chu Kingdom, Fu Hanzhou.

“Hand me the net,” a clear and melodious voice commanded.

The guards immediately obeyed, passing him a specially crafted fishing net designed to capture mermaids.

Before Qin Muyao could swim away, her path was abruptly blocked by the enormous net.

She thrashed wildly, trying to tear her way out, but the net was sturdy beyond measure. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t move an inch.

Fu Hanzhou gripped the handle of the fishing net tightly, yanking it upward with all his strength, intent on pulling the mermaid hidden beneath the water to the surface.

Qin Muyao darted back and forth in the depths, refusing to give Fu Hanzhou even a moment to catch his breath. She muttered under hers, “After finally escaping the High Priest’s control, there’s no way I’m letting anyone else reel me in.”

Summoning all her strength, her purple tail began to glow faintly, an ethereal light rippling across the water.

It was as though boundless energy surged into her tail. With renewed vigor, Qin Muyao tore through the net and prepared to flee.

But Fu Hanzhou refused to relent. Instead of loosening his grip, he tightened it, pulling harder than ever.

With a loud splash, Fu Hanzhou was dragged into the sea, the fishing net tumbling into the depths along with him.

“Your Highness!”

“Rescue him, quickly!”

Panic broke out on the shore as the guards prepared to leap into the water, only to be flung back by a mysterious force.

Qin Muyao watched as Fu Hanzhou plunged into the sea, giving him a once-over before the corner of her mouth twitched. “What a delicate little body. I only pulled a couple of times, and he fell in. All looks, no substance…”

Fu Hanzhou: “…”

The mermaid before him was draped in a sheer veil, her jet-black hair cascading down her back, accentuating her snow-white skin.

Her tail was a striking shade of violet, its shimmering scales glinting like polished amethyst, translucent and mesmerizing.

Fu Hanzhou reached out, tilting her chin up with his fingers as he studied her intently. His voice was unhurried and low, laced with a sense of dominance. “From now on, you belong to this prince.”

The mermaid before him stirred a strange sense of both familiarity and alienation within him, an inexplicable feeling that slipped beyond his control.

And Fu Hanzhou despised anything that he could not control. So, he decided—he would claim this mermaid as his own and unravel the mystery, piece by piece.

Qin Muyao: “…”

What was this cliché domineering line?

Wait a minute. Why did this man seem familiar? It was as though she had seen him somewhere before…

Before she could piece it together, the air shifted.

The wind howled, and waves roared as if the sea itself had been enraged, churning in a violent frenzy.

A low, chilling voice echoed from the depths of the ocean. “Qin Muyao… Qin Muyao…”

It was the High Priest. Dressed in a black robe, his narrow, blood-red eyes glowed menacingly as he scoured the waters, searching for Qin Muyao.

Pain lanced through Qin Muyao’s head, sharp and unbearable. It seemed the curse the High Priest had placed on the original owner of this body was beginning to take effect.

But the moment her hand brushed against Fu Hanzhou’s, the searing pain vanished instantly, as if it had never been there.

She clung desperately to Fu Hanzhou’s hand, her voice hoarse and trembling. “Help… help me…”

Fu Hanzhou lifted his eyes lazily, his commanding presence exuding a bone-chilling ruthlessness. “Who dares play tricks in my presence? Show yourself!”

The mermaid was his now. And as far as he was concerned, no one but him had the right to touch her, let alone harm her.

A dark, mocking laugh rang out. “Foolish mortal… How bold of you.”

The High Priest’s voice dripped with malice. “It just so happens that my poison is missing one key ingredient. Why don’t you serve as my final piece?”

The High Priest stepped closer, his black robe trailing behind him, his long, tangled hair obscuring his face except for his sinister, crimson eyes. He bared his crooked teeth in a twisted grin, muttering an incantation under his breath as he swung his staff. A nauseating, venomous aura seeped from the staff, aimed directly at Fu Hanzhou.

Qin Muyao, who had a photographic memory, had spent the past three days flipping through every book she could find. She recognized the effects of the spell instantly.

The toxic fumes from the staff would seep into a mortal’s body, leaving them either dead or crippled.

She couldn’t bear to let an innocent person suffer because of her.

“Run!” she shouted.

But it was too late.

Acting on instinct, Qin Muyao moved swiftly, positioning herself between Fu Hanzhou and the poisonous attack. With one decisive motion, she pushed Fu Hanzhou away, exposing her back to the deadly aura.

She braced herself for the unbearable agony that would surely follow—only to find herself pulled into a strong, unyielding embrace.

Fu Hanzhou had caught her, his arm locked firmly around her waist. His tone was calm and steady, laced with a faint teasing. “Little thing, why are you panicking? I’ll keep you safe.”

Without hesitation, he unsheathed the sword at his waist, slashing it directly at the High Priest’s staff.

Qin Muyao watched Fu Hanzhou’s reckless actions, like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, and fell into complete despair—she was already prepared to start over in her next life.

After all, the High Priest’s abilities were unparalleled.

But then—

A bloodcurdling scream tore through the ocean, the sound echoing violently in the watery depths.

Qin Muyao braced herself for the pain, but it never came. Nervously, she opened her eyes and blinked in confusion. “Huh? What just happened?”

Oh, the High Priest is screaming so miserably—what a thrill!

Qin Muyao’s brows arched as she smiled, her eyes brimming with schadenfreude. At the same time, she patted Fu Hanzhou’s chest and praised, “Not bad, brother! Nice moves!”

Fu Hanzhou cast her a sideways glance, his expression as stoic as ever. He recalled how she had pulled him into the water earlier during their scuffle. Without hesitation, he raised his sword and pressed its edge against her neck. “Will you keep resisting, or will you come back with me?”

Qin Muyao: “…”

Dog man! She cursed inwardly. His demeanor shifted faster than the tide—one moment, he was “risking his life” to protect her, and the next, he was threatening her with a sword!

The turtle, Xiao Ba, floated over lazily, habitually rubbing its smooth head as it spoke. “Yaoyao, you are so lucky! The man next to you has the true dragon energy, able to withstand the High Priest’s attacks. And with the imperial sword drawn, the High Priest was seriously injured and had no choice but to flee.”

What is the true dragon energy? It refers to the bloodline of an emperor, the royal lineage flowing through one’s veins.

The true dragon energy has the power to counteract the High Priest’s strength, causing unbearable agony.

Qin Muyao’s almond eyes sparkled with delight. “Serves that High Priest right!”

“Don’t celebrate just yet,” Xiao Ba warned, flicking its tail. “He’ll come for you again, and let’s not forget there’s still a sword at your neck.”

Her gaze shifted to the sword resting against her throat, and a chill ran down her spine. In an instant, her proud smirk vanished, replaced by a pitiful expression. Her cheeks flushed red as she pleaded, “Brother, don’t be hasty. I’ll come with you, alright?”

Outwardly, she looked like a helpless damsel. Inwardly, her mind whirred with calculations.

Her current situation was dire—there was no way she could deal with the High Priest for now. Going with this man might be her safest option, at least for the moment.

Once she found a way to lift the curse on her body, she could plan her escape.

Xiao Ba quietly snuck into Fu Hanzhou’s arms.

Just as Qin Muyao agreed to follow Fu Hanzhou, a lotus-like mark bloomed on her forehead, as small as a fingernail.

Its fiery red hue shimmered with an alluring yet pure brilliance, making her look like an celestial immortal who had accidentally descended into the mortal realm.

But before Qin Muyao could dwell on the change, an overwhelming weakness overtook her. Her body softened as her strength drained away, and she fainted without warning.

As she fell unconscious, her violet fish tail shimmered and transformed into a pair of long, slender legs.

Fu Hanzhou witnessed Qin Muyao’s transformation, the sharp glint in his dark pupils concealed. At the same time, he pulled her into his arms and swam toward the shore.

…

Author’s Note: It’s been a long time, but I’m finally starting a new book! This is a whimsical story set in a completely fictional world. All the plot elements are purely made-up, so don’t take it too seriously—just enjoy it for fun! Welcome, lovely readers! Mwah~

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