Mo Li… or Mo Bai?

[Wen Zhaoyan: I’m here.]

Mo Bai quickly climbed down from his chair and pulled Mo Xiangtian, who was still chatting with Liao Ze, aside.

Mo Xiangtian turned to him. “What’s wrong, baby?”

Mo Bai tugged at his sleeve with his small hand. “Back to the room.”

The little brat’s expression was serious, as if something important was about to happen.

Mo Xiangtian immediately left Liao Ze behind and followed the little brat inside.

Back in the little brat’s room, Mo Bai didn’t beat around the bush. “Wen Zhaoyan is here to see Mo Li.”

Mo Xiangtian was momentarily confused. “He’s looking for you? Then why are we back in the room?”

Mo Bai repeated, “He’s here to see Mo Li, not Mo Bai.”

Mo Xiangtian: “!!!”

Mo Xiangtian’s face darkened. “Then don’t go out! Stay right here!”

He immediately thought of Wen Zhaoyan’s feelings for Mo Li. Letting his son go meet him—that was unacceptable. Wen Zhaoyan was shameless! Always trying to steal his precious baby!

Mo Bai shook his head. “He came to see me about something. I have to go.”

Mo Xiangtian was full of resentment, his tone dark. “Then how are you going to meet him?”

Mo Bai reached out and brushed his hand over Mo Xiangtian’s eyes, opening his spiritual sight. Then, right in front of Mo Xiangtian, he lay down on the bed and let his soul float out.

Mo Xiangtian: “…”

Knowing his son was the mysterious big shot Mo Li was one thing. Watching ‘Mo Li’ float out of Mo Bai’s body was another kind of shock altogether. Instinctively, he wanted to pat his chest for a heart pill. He didn’t find any. His face was frozen.

Mo Bai didn’t have time to say much. He just instructed, “If he asks about Mo Bai, say he’s tired and fell asleep.”

Mo Xiangtian: “…”

Mo Bai said, “Dad?”

Mo Xiangtian, in a daze, said, “O-okay.”

When Mo Bai had first woken up in the little brat’s body, his divine power had been very weak. He couldn’t even make a proper wishing well, let alone open someone’s spiritual sight. His soul had often drifted out of his body.

Now, with more faith—from those soothed by the scriptures, who had given him a fair amount—his soul had stabilized considerably. Opening Mo Xiangtian’s spiritual sight wasn’t difficult.

But he couldn’t do it for too many people.

So on the way back to the living room, Mo Bai reminded Mo Xiangtian, “Probably only you and Wen Zhaoyan can see me… and maybe Xixi. Don’t let anyone misunderstand.”

The last person to misunderstand had been Wen Zhaoyan.

And he had been diagnosed with a ‘split personality.’

His father was different from Wen Zhaoyan. He had a company and a planet to manage. If news got out that he was sick, his subordinates would get restless.

Back in the living room, Mo Bai spotted Wen Zhaoyan, who had returned.

He was very tall. Standing in the crowd, he was like a wolf stepping into a herd of prey. Silent and restrained, yet emanating an undeniable powerful presence, impossible to ignore.

Strangely enough, Mo Bai had never seen Wen Zhaoyan lose his temper. Since they had met, though the man was quiet and reserved, he was actually quite easy to get along with.

Yet, when Wen Zhaoyan stood there, a vacuum seemed to form around him. No one dared approach.

Mo Bai had only seen that kind of aura from his little uncle, Li Chaoci, at the beginning of the party. But his little uncle had projected an air of ‘stay away’ from the start, so naturally, no one wanted to cause trouble.

As if sensing his gaze, Wen Zhaoyan suddenly looked his way.

When he saw Mo Bai walking over with Mo Xiangtian, a flicker of something unusual passed through his dark eyes, though he didn’t show it.

When Mo Bai reached him, he could still see that Wen Zhaoyan’s gaze was focused, as if the whole world held only him.

Wen Zhaoyan said, “Mo Li.”

Mo Bai replied, “…Mm.”

Because of Wen Zhaoyan’s presence, there was no one else around them. Everyone assumed Wen Zhaoyan was talking to Mo Xiangtian.

Seeing this from a distance, Liao Ze felt a pang of regret. He hadn’t expected Mo Xiangtian to have such a good relationship with the Crown Prince. And the Crown Prince’s mental state seemed perfectly fine. Thinking of the koi in his estate, perhaps they had cured him! If he had believed Mo Xiangtian from the start and built a good relationship with him, he wouldn’t be reduced to begging the Crown Prince just to see the koi. He could only be thankful it wasn’t too late, though he’d probably have to pay a price to get permission.

Wen Zhaoyan wanted to speak with Mo Li privately. “Mo Li, can we talk?”

Before Mo Bai could answer, Mo Xiangtian spoke up. “The little brat was too excited last night, got up too early, and is a bit tired. He’s gone to rest.”

Wen Zhaoyan nodded. He wasn’t there for Mo Bai anyway. He said to Mo Li, “Let’s go outside.”

Mo Xiangtian was instantly wary. “Why do you need to talk in private? Can’t you say it here? What do you want to say to Mo Li?”

Wen Zhaoyan looked at Mo Xiangtian, puzzled by his reaction, and was about to explain.

Mo Bai silently pushed his overly dramatic father aside and calmly said to the Crown Prince, “Okay.”

Wen Zhaoyan glanced at Mo Xiangtian again.

Mo Xiangtian was reluctant, but he didn’t dare ruin his son’s plans. He said sourly, “Well, if Mo Li says it’s okay, then go ahead and talk…”

Wen Zhaoyan narrowed his eyes.

It wasn’t his imagination. In this short time, Mo Li had gone from a suspicious unknown to someone who could influence Mo Xiangtian. And this person wasn’t Mo Xiangtian’s illegitimate child, nor little Mo Bai’s uncle. What had Mo Li done to make Mo Xiangtian so obedient? Just save him? Help them?

He put his doubts aside and walked outside with Mo Li.

In another corner of the living room, Xixi’s eyes lit up when he saw Mo Li. It was Mr. Mo Li! He knew that coming to the little brat’s birthday meant he would see Mr. Mo Li. He couldn’t wait to go to him, but a monster uncle was blocking the way. Xixi didn’t dare pass.

He opened his mouth and softly called, “Mr. Mo Li.”

He wanted to ask Mr. Mo Li for help.

The little mermaid’s voice was like a kitten’s meow. With so many people in the living room, Mo Bai didn’t hear him. He followed Wen Zhaoyan straight outside.

Xixi panicked. He hurriedly tried to go around Li Chaoci, his eyes fixed on the door. “M-Mr. Mo Li!”

Mo Bai had already left the living room, so he couldn’t possibly hear the little mermaid’s tiny cry.

But Li Chaoci heard.

Mo Li? That person impersonating him, pretending to be the little brat’s uncle to get close to the Mo family and the little brat? Three months ago, this Mo Li had made an excuse to have Mo Bai trick him into soaking in the pool with the little fish brat for seven days.

Li Chaoci wasn’t stupid. He could feel the changes in his body. Before, when his temper flared, he couldn’t control his transformation. After those seven days, that urge had lessened. He even felt he could control the frequency of his transformations. He couldn’t help but wonder: who was Mo Li? What abilities did he have? What kind of ‘energy liquid’ had he added to the pool that had fully cured Wen Zhaoyan’s mental energy rage and finally allowed him to regain control of his body?

Li Chaoci’s fox-like eyes narrowed dangerously. He reached out, and the little mermaid, who was several meters away, was suddenly in front of him.

The little mermaid’s hair stood on end. Tears welled in his eyes. “Wh-what do you want…”

Li Chaoci said in a low voice, “Little fish brat, who were you just calling?”

Xixi immediately clamped his mouth shut. He hadn’t forgotten he couldn’t reveal Mr. Mo Li’s whereabouts, or Mr. Mo Li would be in danger. Most importantly, this monster uncle was so fierce. What if he bullied Mr. Mo Li? It was better for him to bear it alone…

Seeing the little mermaid pursing his lips, Li Chaoci snorted. “Quite tight-lipped.”

He recalled the direction the little mermaid had been looking. He was certain that direction held only Mo Xiangtian and Wen Zhaoyan, no ‘Mo Li.’ And after Mo Xiangtian and Wen Zhaoyan spoke briefly, Mo Xiangtian left, and Wen Zhaoyan walked outside. When he left, the little mermaid panicked and called Mo Li in his direction.

Li Chaoci lazily tapped the little mermaid’s beautiful hair with his tentacle, his eyes thoughtful. Then, a tentacle hidden beneath the little mermaid’s clothes curled around him, and he headed in the direction Wen Zhaoyan had gone.

The little mermaid struggled hard, tears falling, pearls clattering to the floor. “You, you can’t kidnap me…”

Li Chaoci smiled gently at Xixi, patted his long blue hair, and said cheerfully, “Don’t worry, why would I kidnap you? You’re so small, not even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth.”

The little mermaid wasn’t comforted. He trembled even more. He was so big, not even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth—just how big was the monster uncle?

–

Outside the Mo family villa, a path led to the main gate, and a garden path wound to the backyard. The garden was quiet. Flowers tended by robots were lush. A cobblestone path connected the living room to the sunroom. Beside the path was a bench.

Wen Zhaoyan and Mo Li sat on the bench. It wasn’t very long, so after they sat, there was half a person’s distance between them.

Mo Bai felt a bit awkward.

Fortunately, Wen Zhaoyan showed no abnormality and began discussing the Mermaid Association.

Three months ago, after Mo Li discovered that the exclusion shots the Mermaid Association gave mermaids were actually harmful, Kai had stopped taking Xixi for them.

Kai still used the excuse of Wen Zhaoyan’s worsening condition, making the Association come to give the shot. The Association had no choice. The shot had to be given, or after the ‘weakness period,’ physical functions would fail. Four days later, Xixi was not only not dead but thriving, which was an even bigger hidden danger. What if Kai, worried about the Crown Prince’s condition, really ignored Xixi and didn’t take him for the shot?

The Association had to come.

Under Mo Li’s guidance, Xixi deeply hypnotized the person giving the shot, making them think they had given it. In reality, Wen Zhaoyan had ordered the shot taken for study.

The Association left with an empty syringe. Seeing that Xixi was fine afterward, they assumed the shot had worked.

Until the third month—just last week.

It was time for Xixi’s third shot. Kai again didn’t take him to the Association. Like the previous two times, he had them come to him.

Mo Bai said, “They’re not stupid. They must have suspected something?”

Wen Zhaoyan nodded. “Yes. After all, my ‘condition’ has ‘worsened’ three times, and I’m still not dead.”

Mo Bai snorted. “Pfft!”

Makes sense.

Kai had used the same excuse every time. If the Mermaid Association were that easy to fool, they wouldn’t be so powerful.

Everyone knew the Crown Prince had been exiled to the sanitarium planet for five years. For the first few years, he had searched for a mermaid to soothe him. He never found one. Each mental energy surge was worse than the last. Everyone knew that after five years, the Crown Prince was on his last legs. Ordinary people couldn’t last more than three or four years before their genes collapse.

Indeed, this year, there were frequent rumors of the Crown Prince’s mental consciousness sea worsening. The capital planet palace’s internal affairs office had already prepared for his funeral. Eulogies were written, full of emotion, to make the entire Empire know how much the Emperor grieved for the Crown Prince.

But three ‘worsenings’ later, he still wasn’t dead. And each time, he made the Association come to him. They weren’t fools. They started to suspect.

Mo Bai’s laughter softened his features. His long eyelashes fluttered, his eyes curving into crescents. Some people, when they smiled, just made you feel good. Mo Bai was like that, making you want to give him everything beautiful just to see him smile.

Sensing Wen Zhaoyan staring, Mo Bai stopped smiling, cleared his throat, and feigned calm. “And then? What else did Admiral Kai find?”

Wen Zhaoyan committed the beautiful moment to memory, storing it deep in his mental consciousness sea, then continued. “He found the composition of the exclusion shot, its source, and why mermaids can’t survive outside.”

Mermaids had never been close to humans. Most actually disliked humans. The only mermaid in the Empire who was close to humans was Xixi. But mermaids needed to survive. When they soothed humans with their special abilities, they were paid. It was more like a transaction.

But most mermaids didn’t like this transaction. However, they discovered that if they left the Association and tried to live outside, they would become ill. Mermaids who wanted to reproduce either couldn’t conceive or died in childbirth. Even if they were lucky enough to give birth, the babies were defective, like Little Blue and Little Green, with weak soothing abilities and maybe not even enough self-defense to survive.

Mo Bai frowned. “Is it related to the exclusion shot?”

Wen Zhaoyan said, “Not entirely.”

After ‘rescuing’ a wild mermaid, the Association would take them for ‘checkups,’ using a needle with a special serum during the blood draw. The serum had no immediate effect, but over time, it would cause a reaction.

Hearing this, Mo Bai remembered what he had found online when he first researched the Association.

“Online, it says the Association is gentle and patient with mermaids. Every wild mermaid they rescue willingly stays, because there they are safe, cared for, and have whatever they want, only needing to occasionally soothe humans.”

Wen Zhaoyan said, “Yes. Years ago, after rescuing a wild mermaid, if it wanted to leave, the Association wouldn’t stop it. And after confirming the mermaid was healthy, they would let it go. That’s why the Association has such a good reputation.”

The Empire advocated equality for all intelligent races. Mermaids had their own language, systems, and civilization, so the Interstellar Alliance classified them as an intelligent race. The Association’s superficial efforts were good: mermaids could stay if they wanted, leave if they wanted. ‘We just want to check your health. If you’re fine, we’re reassured. If you ever need help, just ask. We’ll come quickly.’

Mo Bai felt sick. “They figured that after the wild mermaids left, they would soon feel ill or encounter danger, get scared, and come back for help.”

Wen Zhaoyan said, “More or less.”

Mo Bai asked, “Does the serum also affect reproduction? Otherwise, why can’t they have healthy babies? And when the little mermaids come back for help, the Association gives them the exclusion shot, and they recover. Plus, the Association provides good food and care, telling them that if they stay, they only need to occasionally soothe humans, and they’ll have everything they need, including help with reproduction, right?”

Wen Zhaoyan said, “Yes. Some mermaids who don’t want to stay are put up for adoption.”

Mo Bai sneered. “Adoption costs a fortune, and it’s not permanent. They can revoke your qualification whenever they feel you’re unworthy. So you pay, and the mermaid is still theirs, just temporarily in your care.”

He remembered that the mermaid his father had adopted had been taken back exactly like that.

Seeing Mo Bai getting angrier, Wen Zhaoyan pressed his lips and said quietly, “Interstellar people can’t escape energy radiation, and they can’t escape mental energy rage.”

And if they couldn’t escape mental energy rage, they couldn’t escape mermaids. So the Association, holding onto the mermaids, became a coveted entity. People dared not offend them, afraid of losing their adoption qualification. Even more, they dared not confront them, afraid that if they lost the qualification, they wouldn’t even be able to pay for a visit.

Wen Zhaoyan said softly, “That’s why the Association has been so determined to find you.”

The scriptures Mo Li sang had calmed the mental energy of Empire netizens. When they felt restless, they could spend ten interstellar coins to download ‘The Great Compassion Mantra’ or ‘Mind Purification Mantra’ for themselves, without the Association.

According to Kai’s investigation, after Mo Li appeared on the singing competition, the Association’s revenue dropped by 70% that month. The remaining 30% was probably from those who didn’t go online. But once they did, that number would keep falling. A visit to the Association could cost tens of thousands. Ordinary people, who couldn’t afford it, could only endure repeated episodes, saving up for a visit until they couldn’t hold on any longer.

Of course, that wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was that the Association thought Mo Bai was a wild mermaid, living well without exclusion shots, possibly even a mermaid king who could teach others to improve their abilities. If other mermaids learned they could live well outside without the shots, would they want to stay in the Association? Would they keep creating immense wealth and power for them?

Mo Bai felt for the foolish little mermaids. He despised the Association even more. “Since we have evidence, can we report them to the Interstellar Alliance?”

Wen Zhaoyan shook his head. “The upper levels of the Alliance, including the Empire’s high ranks, are closely tied to the Association.”

Mo Bai understood. It made sense. For the Association to be so powerful for so long without being caught, either they had friends in high places, or those friends were them.

But now that Mo Bai knew, and he kept Little Blue, Little Green, and Xixi (his disciple), the Association would eventually target Xixi. He couldn’t rest easy without dealing with them.

Wen Zhaoyan said, “They’re very secretive. They won’t let us in easily.”

Without solid evidence, it would be hard to bring them down. And failure would lead to greater danger and retaliation.

He told Mo Li this to warn him not to interfere, that he would handle it quickly.

But Mo Bai had another idea. He snorted. “Getting in for an investigation might be hard, but don’t forget, we don’t necessarily have to go to them. We can make them invite us.”

Wen Zhaoyan said, “How?”

Mo Bai didn’t waste words. “Check StarBlog later.”

He stood to leave but reminded Wen Zhaoyan, “I’m going to post something about Little Blue. Someone might trace it to you. Be ready.”

Wen Zhaoyan started to ask why he needed to go back to post, but looking down, he saw that Mo Li wasn’t wearing a personal terminal. He paused. He vaguely remembered that whenever they met, Mo Li never wore one. When the network was attacked and he told Mo Li it was fixed, Mo Li had hurried back to go online.

Where was Mo Li’s terminal?

If Mo Bai knew what Wen Zhaoyan was thinking, he’d be helpless. He was a spiritual body. Only in the wishing well could he touch physical objects. Elsewhere, he was just a spirit. He couldn’t wear a terminal. It was still on the little brat’s body.

But Wen Zhaoyan didn’t dwell on it. After Mo Li left, he looked toward a certain spot. “You’ve been listening long enough. Still not leaving?”

In the lush flower bushes, little mermaid Xixi pitifully got up, looking fearfully at Wen Zhaoyan.

Wen Zhaoyan had known it was the little mermaid hiding there. Mo Li had noticed too. Neither cared. Xixi could listen if he wanted; this concerned mermaids anyway.

Wen Zhaoyan said, “Mo Li went back to the Mo family.”

Xixi took a fearful glance at Wen Zhaoyan. He had seen Mr. Mo Li go back, but he didn’t want to follow. He stood still. Under his long sky-blue hair, a small tentacle crept up his neck.

Xixi’s face went pale. “Itchy…”

Helpless, he headed in the direction Mr. Mo Li had gone.

No one saw, under his thick blue hair, a small, octopus-like creature clinging, swaying happily. When the little mermaid misbehaved, it would poke his neck, making him cry pitifully, which it found amusing.

Wen Zhaoyan, who cared about nothing but Mo Li, sat waiting for his StarBlog post.

A few minutes later, he saw it.

Mo Li posted a video with a caption.

[Mo V: Two defective little mermaids, growing better over these months. Want to see how cute an underage transformation can be after transformation? [Video]]

The video showed Little Blue, who had already transformed legs. Though still a juvenile mermaid, with legs, he looked like a ten-year-old boy, with a cool little expression. Seeing someone filming, he frowned in displeasure. But perhaps because the filmer was someone he cared about, he only said in halting common language, “I protect you, take you as brother, not so you can do whatever you want.”

Then a pleasant young voice said, “Taking pictures isn’t doing whatever I want. It’s because I think you’re beautiful, and I want to look at them later.”

“Oh.” Little Blue was silent for a moment, then reluctantly said, “Since, since that’s the case, I’ll let you take a few more pictures…”

He jumped into a large fish tank, and as he entered the water, his legs transformed into a sleek fish tail.

After Mo Li’s rise to fame on the singing competition, his StarBlog had tens of millions of followers. After Wen Zhaoyan’s app launched, downloads reached billions, and Mo Li’s followers grew to two hundred million. That seemed like a lot, but compared to the Empire’s hundred billion, it wasn’t so exaggerated.

But this video shot Mo Li to trending.

According to common knowledge, mermaids only transform legs upon adulthood. This was the first underage transformation. But that wasn’t what shocked netizens most. It was the comments.

‘Don’t defective little mermaids die after a few months?’
‘He’s so young to transform! Wow, Mr. Mo really is the mermaid king? Isn’t that the legend? The mermaid king touches a fish tail, and it turns into legs.’
‘Is your focus wrong? The Association has been looking for Mr. Mo for months with no success. Their notice is still on their website!’
‘Exactly. They haven’t seen him at all, for so long…’
‘Ahhh! Mermaids need monthly exclusion shots! So Mr. Mo has never had one!’
‘Maybe not just Mr. Mo, but the two defective little mermaids too.’

Comments sparked worry. Some worried about Mo Li’s health and urged him to get the shot. Others said he must have had it; the Association just forgot to update their notice.

Then Mo Li himself commented.

Mo V: What exclusion shot? Neither I nor my two little ones have ever had one.

This caused an uproar. Never had it? Impossible! Mermaids would die without it! Every adopter had witnessed their mermaids’ weakness!

The video shot to number one trending.

The Mermaid Association couldn’t sit still.

As Mo Bai was about to log off, he received a message from them.

[Mermaid Association: Mr. Mo Li! Not getting the exclusion shot is very dangerous! Your body may already be damaged by radiation! Please come for a checkup as soon as possible!]
[Mermaid Association: If you’re worried we’ll restrict your freedom, you can leave after the checkup. We only want to ensure your health.]
[Mermaid Association: Please take your health seriously!!]

Reading the messages, Mo Bai smirked.

Hadn’t Wen Zhaoyan said it was hard to get into the Association without evidence? Let them invite him.

Nearly five months later, Mo Bai finally replied.

[Mo: Just a checkup?]
[Mo: Okay.]

Receiving his reply, the Association was so shocked they nearly cried! Finally! After their daily messages, they finally got a reply! Damn, why was this mermaid king so hard to reach! When he got to the Association, they were going to see just how powerful he was!

After sending the message, Mo Bai put his terminal back on and left the room, satisfied. Next, he just needed to find a place, send them a location, and wait for them to come.

Thinking about how to make the Association see him without opening his spiritual sight, and mistake him for a mermaid, he opened the door—and stopped.

Outside his room stood two people.

His little uncle, Li Chaoci, and the pitiful little mermaid, Xixi.

Surprised, Mo Bai said, “Little uncle, Xixi, what are you doing here?”

Li Chaoci looked at him deeply, then, carrying Xixi like a chick, entered Mo Bai’s room. His fox-like eyes narrowed. “Take a good look.”

Xixi, as if his fate was sealed, looked around pitifully. He didn’t see Mo Li.

Li Chaoci said, “Well?”

Xixi pursed his lips. He didn’t want to talk to the monster uncle!

But even without him speaking, Li Chaoci could see. This little fish brat’s eyes shone when he saw Mo Li. When he was bullied, he looked to Mo Li as a savior. He believed Mo Li would rescue him. With Mo Li, he wasn’t afraid.

Now, in this room, without Mo Li, the little fish brat was listless.

Mo Bai was confused. “Uncle, what are you and Xixi looking for?”

Li Chaoci looked him up and down.

He didn’t want to miss any opportunity. He made the little mermaid look carefully again. Still, no sign of Mo Li.

He put the little mermaid down and turned to Mo Bai.

The guards at the Mo family were his. On the trading planet, they had been protecting them. When Mrs. Mo told Guard No. 3 to delete the surveillance, he did, and he also reported everything he saw to Li Chaoci.

Knowing his precious nephew had extraordinary abilities, Li Chaoci had agonized over it. But ultimately, he wanted to train him.

But Wen Zhaoyan had gotten there first.

Just now, following the little mermaid from the living room to the garden, he had heard Wen Zhaoyan talking to thin air. He clearly saw no one beside him. Wen Zhaoyan wasn’t talking to himself, and the little mermaid wasn’t mistaken. So he was certain Mo Li had been there, invisible to others, visible only to Xixi and Wen Zhaoyan.

Then they had followed to Mo Bai’s room. The little mermaid had watched Mo Li enter. He wasn’t capable of lying with his eyes.

But now, the Mo Li who entered was gone. Only Mo Bai had come out.

His special nephew, with abilities even adults couldn’t possess.

Li Chaoci’s mind raced. He thought of their striking resemblance. He thought of how Alud, no matter how he tried, always traced Mo Li’s address to the Mo family.

Staring intently at Mo Bai, he slowly spoke—

“Baby, should your uncle call you Mo Bai, or should he call you Mo Li?”