In a dazed state, Yu Bai felt as though the surroundings began to sway.

There seemed to be a new source of warmth beside him—cozy and comforting, giving a strong sense of security.

The sensation of being suspended in the air made him a little uncomfortable, but the exhaustion from overusing his spiritual power still lingered. So in the end, he only barely managed to tilt his head slightly, leaning toward the warmth.

From another perspective, this movement looked very much like a small, insecure animal unconsciously burrowing into its owner’s embrace.

The person was very thin—so light that it felt as if he might vanish at any moment.

When that little head leaned in, Fu Linyuan instinctively tightened his grip and strode into the research institute.

It was nighttime now, and most of the institute’s staff had already gone home. 

Occasionally, a few on-duty researchers passed by, and they couldn’t help but glance a few more times.

They all recognized Fu Linyuan, of course—but the person in his arms…

The passing researchers were even more curious.

However, the Marshal’s fearsome reputation was well known, and no one understood better than the researchers here just how polluted his spiritual sea had become—so unstable that it could spiral out of control at any moment.

So even if they were curious, no one dared get close or gossip.

Before long, Fu Linyuan arrived outside Professor Xu’s office.

Having received the news in advance, Xu Yiming had already prepared a medical pod.

But when he saw Fu Linyuan personally carrying someone in, he still couldn’t help but stroke his beard in surprise: “This is…?”

Fu Linyuan placed Yu Bai into the open medical pod, then removed the disguise device from behind the other’s ear. “Duke should have already told you.”

Old Xu’s beard-stroking hand paused, and a gleam of excitement shone behind his glasses: “Is it really a mermaid? Can I…?”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Fu Linyuan: “There’s a laceration on the back of his neck and a sprain on the right ankle. I’ve already done some emergency treatment… but he suddenly developed a fever. Please take a look and see what’s going on.”

Hearing this, Xu Yiming began operating the machine while carefully observing Yu Bai, who was lying in the medical pod.

The boy’s figure was thin, appearing somewhat frail, but Xu Yiming noticed the smooth lines of his limbs—this seemingly delicate body likely contained considerable explosive power.

His skin was very pale, with only his cheeks flushed with an unnatural redness due to the high fever; his long, curled eyelashes cast a faint shadow beneath his eyes, making his complexion look even worse.

He looked like a very beautiful child.

Only the fin-like ears peeking out from his long silver hair revealed that the one lying in the pod wasn’t a human, but a mermaid.

As Xu Yiming operated the equipment, a soft green light lit up inside the closed medical pod, scanning the small mermaid lying inside from top to bottom.

For a while, the only sound in the office was the low hum of the machine at work.

Within seconds, a mechanical voice rang out: “Preliminary scan complete — results as follows —”

Xu Yiming examined the scan results displayed on the terminal in front of him, frowned slightly, then looked up at Fu Linyuan.

There was unmistakable reproach in that gaze.

The Marshal of the Empire: “…?”

Old Xu: “…Why didn’t you give him any water?”

Fu Linyuan paused, recalling briefly, then realized that ever since he picked up the little guy, he really hadn’t given him much water to drink.

“The scan shows that he’s in a state of severe dehydration, which is why he developed a fever.” As he spoke, Xu Yiming pressed a few more buttons.

Immediately, the nimble robotic arms inside the pod began to move.

“I’ll replenish his lost fluids first. As for whether there are other causes, we’ll have to wait for the blood test results.”

Pausing for a moment, Xu Yiming added, “There’s far too little clinical data on the mermaids. If he could stay here…”

He had previously heard from Duke about Fu Linyuan’s intention to “release” the mermaid.

Xu Yiming specialized in treating mental storms, but after all these years, research had stagnated. Other than a few medications that could temporarily alleviate symptoms, nothing substantial had been developed.

Mental storm syndrome tormented all citizens of the Federation. During an episode, patients became extremely violent, and their memory and cognition would suffer varying degrees of disorder.

In simpler terms, the symptoms resembled turning into a violent madman.

And the higher one’s mental power rating, the more terrifying the episode would be.

This was also why, although the First Legion admired their Marshal, deep down they feared their superior.

Marshal Fu Linyuan held the Federation’s only known SSS-level mental power rating. But great power came with a great price: it was said that during each episode of a mental storm, Duke had to lock the Marshal in a confinement chamber. No one knew exactly what happened in there, but rumor had it that once a new recruit accidentally entered and was nearly crushed to the point of spiritual collapse by the Marshal’s out-of-control mental power.

Coupled with Fu Linyuan’s usual stern demeanor and his reputation for harshness during military drills, his subordinates were even more wary of him.

So when word spread that Fu Linyuan had purchased a mermaid, Xu Yiming was a bit relieved.

This mysterious creature’s blood had a miraculous stabilizing effect on mental power—so rare it was priceless.

If its secrets could be decoded, countless humans suffering from mental storms could finally find relief.

Fu Linyuan knew what Xu Yiming wanted to ask.

Because there were so few examples, the Federation’s classification of the mermaids as intelligent beings remained ambiguous.

But now, looking at the little mermaid in front of them, it was clearly closer to a sentient being—capable not only of communication, but also of speaking.

Physiologically, it was also nearly indistinguishable from humans.

And the first time Fu Linyuan met him, he had felt a powerful yet gentle spiritual energy emanating from him.

If Professor Xu could glean anything from studying him, it would benefit all of humanity.

But as he looked at the unconscious Yu Bai in the medical pod, he couldn’t help but recall the look of fear the little guy had shown when he saw the syringe.

That fear wasn’t an act.

After some thought, Fu Linyuan said, “…Once he wakes up, if he’s willing, he can cooperate with your experiments.”

Xu Yiming had also heard from Duke that this mermaid was significantly different from the instinct-driven creatures in the legends, possessing intelligence no less than a human’s, so he didn’t object. “Alright. If he’s truly unwilling, the institute won’t force him.”

Fu Linyuan was silent for a moment, then added, “…Please keep his identity confidential for now.”

He trusted Xu Yiming to be rational about this. If Yu Bai didn’t want to participate, the professor wouldn’t force him.

But he didn’t trust anyone else.

Whenever news of a mermaid’s discovery surfaced every decade or so, it always caused a major stir.

Countless people, both openly and in secret, would stop at nothing to acquire even a drop of that precious mermaid blood said to be effective against mental storms.

At an auction a few years ago, a vial barely the size of a thumb sold for three billion transaction points.

If Yu Bai’s identity were exposed, it would pose a massive risk to his safety.

…Especially since the internal situation within the Aon Empire was already unstable.

The best outcome would be to quietly return him home, safe and sound.

“Of course,” Xu Yiming knew exactly what Fu Linyuan was worried about and readily agreed.

After a pause, he lowered his voice: “His Majesty’s condition is also not looking good. The successor will likely be announced at this year’s birthday banquet… which means that in two months, the Aon Empire will have a new ruler.”

Fu Linyuan didn’t seem particularly interested in this topic. He simply responded with a low “Mm.”

Xu Yiming: “…Linyuan, you should start thinking about choosing a side.”

Although the Aon Empire was the leading power in the Federation, with the old emperor bedridden for a long time, the internal balance of power within the Federation was subtly shifting.

The relationship between the imperial heirs had always been strained, and the First Legion was the most elite and formidable military force in the Aon Empire.

So they had always been trying to win over Fu Linyuan.

Unfortunately, he seemed completely uninterested in politics—like water off a duck’s back—politely declining all invitations and never publicly showing closeness to any of the heirs.

Hearing Xu Yiming say this, Fu Linyuan replied calmly, “The First Legion is loyal to the Aon royal family. Other matters have nothing to do with me.”

Xu Yiming wanted to say more, but after moving his lips, he simply sighed lightly and changed the subject: “That matter… any progress?”

Fu Linyuan’s gaze dimmed. After a long moment, he shook his head.

Xu Yiming raised a hand and patted his shoulder, comforting him: “It’s been so many years since the accident… keep investigating. There will be clues eventually.”

Looking at the person sleeping in the medical pod, the young Marshal gave a soft “Mm.”

Yu Bai woke up the following evening.

After such a long sleep, his head felt a bit dizzy. He sat up and shook his head, only fully regaining his clarity after a few seconds.

Almost the moment his vision focused, he noticed the IV drip attached to his arm.

This again.

Frowning, the little mermaid reached out to pull the needle out.

Then his wrist was suddenly grabbed.

He looked up—and locked eyes with the other person.

“Don’t move yet,” Fu Linyuan glanced at the IV bag, “wait another ten minutes, finish the drip first, then it can come out.”

Yu Bai didn’t completely understand, but he got the general idea.

He was telling him not to pull the needle.

The little mermaid frowned even more.

…He hated injections.

His pretty little face scrunched up like a steamed bun, and Fu Linyuan could clearly feel Yu Bai’s resistance.

But the glucose solution was exactly what his body needed now, so Fu Linyuan didn’t soften: “Don’t move, just wait a bit longer.”

Yu Bai pouted and tried to pull his wrist back.

But the man’s strength was greater, and after trying several times, he still couldn’t break free from that firm grip.

Yu Bai: …

The little mermaid turned his face to the other side in displeasure, refusing to look at him anymore.

Seeing the obviously angry back of the little guy’s head, Fu Linyuan felt a bit helpless.

He had no experience in coaxing others, and after thinking for a long time, finally managed to come up with a stiff sentence: “…Be good. Once the drip finishes, I’ll take you home.”

Hmph.

Yu Bai thought angrily to himself.

You won’t let me pull out the needle? 

Then I won’t sleep with you.