Mo Bai and Mo Li Are Both Me

In the room, Mo Bai and the little mermaid sat together. Across from them, Li
Chaoci stared at Mo Bai like a prosecutor with his fox-like eyes. The one being
interrogated was Mo Bai.

The little mermaid Xixi was still completely confused. He looked at Mo Bai, then
tilted his head in thought, then stared at Mo Bai again.

He seemed unable to understand how Mo Li had suddenly become little Mo Bai.

Mo Bai, however, felt that being a person was really hard. Once the floodgates
opened, there was no stopping it, was there? Mom was suspicious. Dad knew. Now
even his little uncle had found out. Everyone he had wanted to hide from
basically knew now. The only one left was Wen Zhaoyan. Now he was even worried
that the next person to find out might be Wen Zhaoyan.

But after only a moment’s hesitation, Mo Bai chose to confess. He repeated the
explanation he had just given Mo Xiangtian to Li Chaoci. After finishing, he
waited for Li Chaoci’s response. He knew Li Chaoci wouldn’t be as easy to fool
as his father.

Sure enough, Li Chaoci said, “How do you prove what you’re saying is true?” Mo
Bai was silent for a moment, then asked in return, “What kind of proof would
little uncle like to see?” Li Chaoci said, “Turn into Mo Li for me.”

Mo Bai: “…” Helpless, Mo Bai leaned back, and a shadow drifted out of the little
brat’s body.

Seeing this, Xixi’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Mo Li!” So the baby really was Mr. Mo Li!
He still didn’t understand how little Mo Bai became Mr. Mo Li. But he thought it
was amazing.

Li Chaoci couldn’t see Mo Li, but he could tell from Xixi’s eyes that Mo Li had
indeed appeared. His precious little nephew lay motionless on the sofa. Li
Chaoci’s eyes grew thoughtful.

Mo Bai knew Li Chaoci couldn’t see him. He wanted to open Li Chaoci’s spiritual
sight, but he still had to go to the Mermaid Association, and his divine power
was limited. He needed to conserve it.

Mo Bai turned to Xixi. “Xixi, open little uncle’s spiritual sight for me, like I
taught you.”

Xixi was very nervous. “I, I don’t think I can yet.”

Mo Bai said, “You can. Don’t be scared. You’ve been cultivating for so long.
You’re just nervous.” Mermaids were born with special abilities. In a place rich
with spiritual energy, they were like heaven’s favored children, their
cultivation twice as effective.

Trembling, following the method Mo Bai had taught, Xixi slowly approached Li
Chaoci. When Li Chaoci looked at him, he quickly brushed his hand over his eyes,
then darted back to his corner like a scared rabbit.

The little mermaid’s voice stuttered. “C-c-can you see?”

Li Chaoci: “…”

Li Chaoci could indeed see. An ancient-robed youth with delicate features had
appeared in the room, exactly as he had looked online. He hadn’t altered his
appearance at all. This was his true face. No wonder all the hackers had scoured
the sanatorium planet and couldn’t find Mo Li. Because no one would have guessed
that Mo Li wasn’t a real youth, but a little child. No one would connect a
little brat with a youth. The difference was too great.

His little nephew had suddenly transformed from a child into an adult. Li Chaoci
felt he needed a moment.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, then opened them and lied through his
teeth. “I can’t see.”

The little mermaid froze. He had tried hard to overcome his fear of the monster
to impress Mr. Mo Li. Why had it still failed?

Xixi could only brace himself, slowly shuffle over, and quickly brush his eyes
again.

Xixi said, “C-c-can you see now?” Li Chaoci said, “No.”

Xixi tried a third time.

Xixi said, “How, how about now?” Li Chaoci said, “No.”

Xixi started crying in frustration. “How can this be? I, I followed Mr. Mo Li’s
instructions exactly. Mr. Mo Li, I can’t… it’s too hard… I’m not doing it
right…”

Mo Bai twitched. “Little uncle, stop bullying Xixi.”

Finally adjusting his mindset, Li Chaoci began to face up to Mo Bai’s existence.
What could he do? Whether the little brat was an adult or a little brat, he was
still his sister’s child, carrying half of the Li family’s blood. His own blood
was no longer pure, but his little nephew’s still was. As long as Mo Bai was
willing to be the Mo family’s child, he was his nephew.

Li Chaoci said, “Fine, whatever you say.”

Xixi was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected the monster uncle to be lying. He could
already see!

Suddenly, he felt a surge of anger, like a pufferfish puffing up. Then he glared
at Li Chaoci. “You, you lied to me…”

Li Chaoci said, “Mm. And?”

Xixi was very angry. He wanted to… to… But looking at Li Chaoci’s dangerous
expression, his puffed-up cheeks slowly deflated. Because he was still scared.

Xixi retreated back to his corner.

Mo Bai looked at his little uncle. “Now do you believe me?” He did have special
abilities. He wasn’t really a child. But he had never intended to harm any
family member.

Li Chaoci smirked. “I believe you. I’m just a bit emotional. My precious baby is
so powerful now, he doesn’t even need his uncle’s protection anymore.”

Li Chaoci seemed to sigh, then remembered the conversation he had overheard in
the garden. “I heard what you and Wen Zhaoyan said. You want to go to the
Mermaid Association?”

Mo Bai didn’t hide it. “Yes. Only by getting inside can I find more evidence.”

“How will you go? As Mo Bai or as Mo Li? As Mo Li… will they be able to see
you?”

That was exactly what Mo Bai was thinking about. “I’m working on it.”

Li Chaoci said, “Fine. No acting on your own. You must inform me.”

That night. Mrs. Mo made a large cake with seven candles. Everyone sang a
birthday song for the little brat. It was Mo Bai’s first birthday, and he felt a
little strange. After the song, Mrs. Mo said, “Baibai can make a wish.”

Mo Bai thought it was funny. The Wish-Granting God himself was here. What was he
supposed to wish for?

But everyone looked at him encouragingly, waiting. Mo Bai closed his eyes and
pretended to make a wish. ‘I hope your wishes come true. I hope I have a lot of
faith and become a high priest soon. I hope all the gods who disappeared in the
past can return.’

After ‘wishing,’ Mo Bai blew out the candles, and the lights came back on.

“From today, our baby is a year older! Baby, cut the cake!” Mo Xiangtian said
affectionately.

Mo Bai cut the first piece symbolically, then handed the knife to someone else.
He really didn’t like cake. As Mrs. Mo was cutting it, he slipped off his chair
and tried to sneak away.

Suddenly, a low voice came from behind. “Little brat, where’s Mo Li?”

Mo Bai turned and saw Wen Zhaoyan standing behind him, his dark eyes fixed on
him.

Mo Bai cleared his throat. “Mm… Brother Mo Li probably left. Did you need
something?”

Wen Zhaoyan’s brows furrowed slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he
didn’t.

Just then, Liao Ze, wanting to see the koi at Wen Zhaoyan’s estate, saw him
alone and seized the opportunity to approach. “Your Highness the Crown Prince…”

Seeing this, Mo Bai quickly slipped away.

He didn’t notice Wen Zhaoyan’s gaze following him, his frown deepening.

Mo Bai didn’t know what conditions Wen Zhaoyan had proposed to Liao Ze. All he
knew was that the day after his birthday, Liao Ze got to see the legendary koi.
Liao Ze was so excited he nearly cried.

The Crown Prince’s old butler wanted to help Wen Zhaoyan build his network.
Since Wen Zhaoyan’s exile to the sanatorium planet, everyone saw that he was out
of favor and in poor health, likely to die soon. No one wanted to build a
relationship with him.

Liao Ze was the first to proactively visit. Not knowing what Liao Ze had agreed
to, the butler offered his own incense burner and sticks to build rapport.

Liao Ze’s eyes widened. “I know this! I’ve seen this in my ancestors’ books.
These are for worshipping gods, Buddhas, and ancestors!”

The butler said mysteriously, “It seems Master Liao is also knowledgeable. I
won’t hide it from you.” He recounted the miraculous events after Mo Xiangtian’s
worship, ending with, “Master Liao, I consider you a friend, so I’m telling you
this. In the future, if His Highness needs anything, please look out for him.”

Having already heard Mo Xiangtian’s story, and now seeing Wen Zhaoyan’s state,
Liao Ze was even more convinced. He nearly bowed to the burner.

“Certainly, certainly. Rest assured, Butler Li. I’m willing to help His Highness
in any way.” He was already in business with Wen Zhaoyan, so he was on the same
boat. He had to work hard. Besides, he had his own selfish reasons.

Liao Ze asked, “I don’t suppose I could invite this revered koi fish to my
home?”

The butler frowned. “That’s difficult. The fish aren’t raised by His Highness,
but by the little Mo brat next door. You’d have to ask the Mo family. But I
doubt it. That little brat treasures those fish.”

But Liao Ze wanted them too much. He would have to find another way.

Liao Ze often read his ancestors’ books, so he knew more than the butler or Mo
Xiangtian. As one of the Empire’s four oldest noble families, their ancestral
books were national treasures. He remembered a phrase about ‘building a golden
statue to enshrine a god…’

Taking a breath, he lit incense and silently wished, ‘Please let me take the koi
home. If I succeed, I will build you a golden statue…’

He inserted the incense.

Just then, he looked down and saw a little brat standing beside him, staring at
him with big, warm eyes.

Startled, Liao Ze said, “Ah, it’s little Master Mo Bai.”

Mo Bai stared at him intently. “You want the koi.”

Embarrassed, Liao Ze was about to apologize, “Yes, I’m sorry, little master. I
know it’s presumptuous, but I…”

Before he could finish, Mo Bai said, “Okay.”

Liao Ze was confused. “Huh?”

Mo Bai said, “I said okay. You can take one with you.” But you promised to build
me a golden statue. You’d better not break your word!

Mo Bai was excited. He was finally getting a new golden statue! Just thinking
about it was satisfying. As for the koi… sorry, little fish.

And so, without needing any of his arguments, Liao Ze received a precious koi.

As Mo Bai put the koi in a tank, he felt a little reluctant. But he knew that if
the koi had its own shrine, it could have its own faith, a chance to become a
god itself. Even if the process took a long time, it would be a fresh start.

Plus, the temptation of a golden statue made Mo Bai reluctantly part with it.
“When you grow up, don’t steal my believers…”

Back on Earth, believers in koi were not few!

The koi seemed to understand this was its chance. It nuzzled Mo Bai’s hand, then
reluctantly sank to the bottom, as if saying goodbye.

Mo Bai looked at the koi one last time, then fixed his gaze on Liao Ze. “Don’t
forget what you said.” This was a deal between them. I granted your wish. You
must keep your promise. Otherwise, you would be deceiving a god. And that would
bring retribution.

As Liao Ze left with the koi, he felt like he was dreaming. Just… like that? But
both the butler and Mo Xiangtian had said the fish were raised by the little Mo
brat, who treasured them. Why had he given them away so easily?

Could it be really the Wish-Granting God’s work? The more he thought, the more
mysterious it seemed. He hurried back to the Capital Star with the koi.

The most surprised by Mo Bai giving away his fish was Wen Zhaoyan, who had
watched the little brat raise them.

Wen Zhaoyan said, “You’re willing?”

Mo Bai said, “No.” But for the little fish’s path to godhood, and for his own
golden statue, he was willing even if he wasn’t. Besides, he had mermaids now…

Mo Bai’s milky voice was light.

Seeing he was truly willing, not forced, Wen Zhaoyan didn’t press further.

He took out his terminal to message Mo Li, wanting to discuss the plan for the
Mermaid Association. He wasn’t comfortable with Mo Li going alone.

As soon as he sent the message, Mo Bai’s terminal buzzed. After the incident
with his father, he had learned his lesson and turned off the sound! But seeing
Wen Zhaoyan, he knew it was him.

He stood up, brushed off his pants, and said, “I’m going home to play.”

Wen Zhaoyan grunted in acknowledgment, sent another message to Mo Li, then said
to Mo Bai, “The training plan I gave you yesterday. Look it over.”

Mo Bai said, “Okay, okay, got it.”

Just as he turned, Wen Zhaoyan said, “Your terminal keeps lighting up.”

Mo Bai covered it quickly. “It’s probably my dad. I’m going back!”

Wen Zhaoyan hadn’t thought much of it, assuming the little guy’s family was
messaging him, and he might have accidentally muted it. He was just reminding
him. But the little brat’s sudden panic made him frown. Why was he nervous? If
it was Mo Xiangtian, why did he have to go home to answer it?

Wen Zhaoyan still had to discuss the plan with Mo Li, so he put his suspicion
aside and continued typing. Then his long fingers paused. Mo Li had never
appeared before him wearing a personal terminal. Not on the trading planet
either. Then… whose terminal was he using to reply?

Wen Zhaoyan looked in the direction the little brat had gone, his confusion
growing.

Just then, Mo Li replied.

[Mo: Mm, what plan?]

Pushing his doubts away, Wen Zhaoyan replied calmly: [It’s too dangerous for you
to go to the Mermaid Association alone. I don’t feel comfortable.]

Mo Bai looked at those last few words, his feelings complicated. After a moment,
he said: [I’ll probably take Xixi or Little Blue. They can understand the
mermaid language.]

He explained his plan. [Mo: For the Association to be brought down, the key is
the mermaids themselves. If they know they won’t die, will stay healthy, and can
have babies outside without the shots, they should leave on their own.] [Mo: So
I’m going to have Xixi persuade them. And didn’t you find the source of the
exclusion shots and the serum? If we destroy those places, there will be a
shortage. Many mermaids won’t get the shots.]

[Wen Zhaoyan: If you’re discovered, how will you get out?]

[Mo: I have a way. Don’t worry.]

[Wen Zhaoyan: I have a way too.]

[Mo: Tell me.]

[Wen Zhaoyan: In person?]

[Mo: …Uh, you can just say it here.]

[Wen Zhaoyan: It’s clearer in person.]

[Mo: But I’m not on the sanatorium planet anymore.]

[Wen Zhaoyan: Then I’ll call you?]

[Mo: …] A call would be even worse. As said before, Wen Zhaoyan’s mental energy
was the best detector. He could see Mo Bai’s spiritual body because his mental
energy was strong. But a call was electronic, like surveillance. He couldn’t see
him at all! Would he have to use the little brat’s body, his milky voice, to
talk to him?

Seeing Mo Li’s hesitation, Wen Zhaoyan’s suspicion deepened. He pressed his
lips, not wanting to pressure him, and typed out his plan.

Xixi was the Association’s poster child. To make more mermaids willing to soothe
humans, the Association daily used Xixi as an example, telling how close he was
to humans and how happy he was. Kai said that when he took Xixi for shots, every
wall had screens playing ‘Xixi’s Happy Life’ on repeat, as if to brainwash the
mermaids.

If Mo Bai wanted Xixi to tell the mermaids the truth, Wen Zhaoyan could hack all
the Association’s screens and all the adopters’ terminals, and play a video of
Xixi telling the truth.

[Mo: But humans can’t speak mermaid language, but there are translators. With
them, humans would understand and could stop the playback, right?]

[Wen Zhaoyan: The translation system is installed in the terminals. I can block
the system along with it.]

Mo Bai thought about it. This way, Xixi wouldn’t be in danger. [Mo: Can you hack
so many systems at once?]

Wen Zhaoyan didn’t overstate. [I’ll do my best.]

[Mo: Wait, I know someone else!] [Mo: Little uncle’s Alud. He’s also an expert.]

Remembering how Li Chaoci had once hacked his internet, Mo Bai went to ask him.

Wen Zhaoyan, however, stared at the words ‘little uncle’ that Mo Li had casually
typed, falling silent.

After hearing their plan, Li Chaoci readily agreed. “No problem. But I have to
go with you to the Association. Since your spiritual body is invisible anyway.”

He put on a mask, and with it, he looked exactly like Mo Li. “Uruk
Civilization’s latest tech. It won’t be detected.”

Mo Bai was surprised. “But won’t detection devices show something? Mermaids are
marine creatures. Their body temperature and other readings are different from
humans. I heard the Association primarily checks if a ‘mermaid’ is real.”

Li Chaoci’s handsome face twisted. “Don’t worry. Your uncle will pass the
tests.”

Mo Bai didn’t understand. “But you’re not a marine creature…”

Then he remembered what Xixi had said. His uncle was a monster with many hands!
And the Uruk Civilization’s planet was almost 98% water. Their ships and mecha
were best for underwater combat. Why was the Uruk Civilization so mysterious?
Because they mostly lived under the sea…

Mo Bai was silent for a moment. “Uncle, I’m sure Mom and I won’t mind.”

Li Chaoci’s face darkened. He rubbed the little brat’s head. “Enough talk.
When’s the operation?” He hated his own monster-like form. He wouldn’t expect
others to understand.

Seeing his reaction, Mo Bai didn’t push. “Let me confirm with Wen Zhaoyan!”

He opened his terminal to tell Wen Zhaoyan that Li Chaoci would help with the
systems. Then he froze.

The latest message from Wen Zhaoyan was—

[Wen Zhaoyan: You also call Li Chaoci ‘little uncle’?]

Mo Bai’s head hurt. He had just used it out of habit… People really shouldn’t
talk too much. The more you say, the more you slip.

He replied awkwardly: [Uh, I picked it up from the little brat. It’s a habit.]

[Wen Zhaoyan: Mm.]

Mo Bai looked at the single character, not knowing if he believed it… It was so
hard being a person.

–
“Mo Li sent his location!”

At the Mermaid Association. After Mo Li’s message days ago that he would come
for a checkup, they had been waiting. But they hadn’t dared to rush him.

After a few days of nothing, the Association was getting anxious. They were
about to message him again when he finally sent a location.

It was a mining planet near the sanatorium planet, relatively desolate, with few
people and little water.

They were surprised the mermaid king would be there.

The director wasn’t stupid. Suspicious of a trap, he sent a squad of elite mecha
warriors.

“Bring back the mermaid king, no matter what!” “Understood!”

He didn’t go himself, but sent the deputy.

Reaching the mining planet, they found a small, nearly dry lake. Due to the bad
climate, the water was dark.

Beside the dirty lake, a youth with delicate features stood quietly, hands
behind his back.

Everyone held their breath. They had seen his face online and been amazed. But
in person, they were even more stunned.

He must be the mermaid king. How else could he be more beautiful than any
mermaid?

The deputy smiled. “You’re Mr. Mo Li? We’re here to take you for a checkup.
Don’t worry, if you don’t want to stay, you can leave. We respect mermaids’
decisions.”

‘Mo Li’—actually Li Chaoci in disguise—pretended to be wary. “Why do I have to
go to the Association for a checkup? Didn’t you bring equipment?”

The deputy smiled. “We did, on the ship. But it’s not as complete as what we
have at the Association. Besides, many mermaids are eager to see their king.”

Li Chaoci was surprised. “You know I’m the mermaid king?”

The deputy’s smile widened. “Of course. How else could you survive so long on a
high-radiation planet? You must want to see your subjects, right?”

Li Chaoci hesitated.

The deputy pressed, “They’re all waiting for you.”

Li Chaoci relented. “Fine, but I won’t stay. You can’t force me!”

The deputy thought, ‘If you were eager to stay, I’d be more suspicious.’ Hearing
him insist on leaving made him more reassured. Even if he didn’t want to, they
would find a way.

They easily got the ‘mermaid king’ on the ship. To be safe, they carefully
checked the area for traps or the underage mermaid Little Blue. Finding nothing,
they gave up.

Once they controlled the mermaid king, they would have time to find the little
one.

They didn’t know that beside Li Chaoci was an invisible spirit—Mo Bai. Not only
could no one see him, no one could hear him.

Mo Bai: “Uncle, you’re a good actor.”

Li Chaoci raised an eyebrow.

After getting on the ship, the Association did a quick scan, confirming his
readings matched a marine creature, not a human. They exchanged glances and
treated him well.

Mo Bai: “Tell Wen Zhaoyan we’re on the ship.”

Li Chaoci took out his terminal.

Seeing it, the Association looked at each other but didn’t stop him. Mo Li was
famous online, and they were confident he couldn’t escape.

Still, the deputy asked, “Mr. Mo Li, are you messaging someone?”

Without looking up, Li Chaoci said, “Little Blue. Telling him I’ll be back in a
few days.”

The deputy’s eyes darted. “This Little Blue is the underage mermaid who
differentiated, isn’t he? Is he on the mining planet?”

Li Chaoci looked at him but didn’t answer. ‘Why should I tell you?’

The deputy didn’t press.

Li Chaoci messaged Wen Zhaoyan freely.

[Li: We’re on the ship.] [Wen Zhaoyan: Kai’s operation has started.] [Li: We’ll
reach the Capital Star Association in two days.] [Wen Zhaoyan: In two days, the
exclusion shot and serum bases will be destroyed, including warehouses and
transport ships.] [Li: OK.] [Wen Zhaoyan: Where’s Mo Li? Aren’t you together?]

Wen Zhaoyan had agreed to Mo Li going because Li Chaoci was with him.

[Li: Yes. Problem?] [Wen Zhaoyan: He hasn’t replied. I thought something
happened.]

Li Chaoci looked at Mo Bai. Mo Bai had been with him, reading over his shoulder.
He saw the message.

Mo Bai sighed. “My terminal is with my body. I can’t touch it as a spirit, so I
couldn’t bring it.” Carrying two terminals would be stranger.

Li Chaoci replied: [I’m here. Mo Li is with me.]

[Wen Zhaoyan: Mm.]

Just a single ‘Mm.’ Mo Bai’s eyelids twitched. He felt Wen Zhaoyan had figured
something out.

Two days later. The ship reached the Capital Star. The Association director,
with a squad of mecha warriors, met them at the port.

Determined to get the mermaid king, he announced it to the interstellar
network—’The mermaid king has arrived at the Capital Star Association for
further testing.’

The news shocked the interstellar network. The announcement clearly meant the
Association had found Mo Li and brought him to the Capital Star!

Many adopters, to please their mermaids, told them, “If you behave, I’ll take
you to see your mermaid king.”

Mermaids had a special respect for their king. Hearing this, they were eager.

So adopters brought their mermaids to the Association.

At the same time, on three faraway planets, simultaneous explosions occurred!
The bases and warehouses were leveled, destroying all exclusion shots and the
serum that made mermaids weak.

[Kai: Your Highness, mission accomplished.] [Wen Zhaoyan: How much is left?]
[Kai: Barring accidents, only the shipment on one transport ship.] [Wen Zhaoyan:
Take care of that too.]

In the vast universe, a ship lost contact with its base. The captain panicked
and tried to call the Association director’s private line.

But his terminal had no signal. As he panicked, a crew member rushed in.
“Captain, we’re being targeted by interstellar pirates!”

“Impossible! We’re on a special route!”

“It’s true. Their cannons are aimed at us!”

A loud boom, and the ship shook violently. Alarms blared.

“Fire back!” the captain roared.

But it was too late. The ship’s screen was hijacked. A monster-like figure said
lazily, “This is a robbery. Either leave everything behind—no clothes, no space
buttons—or sink with the ship.”

A monster! From the Uruk Civilization! The most mysterious race, with weapons
and equipment more advanced than the Empire’s! What were they doing here?

Fearful, the crew surrendered. Stripped bare, they lay in escape pods and were
ejected.

Once they were gone, Alud fired energy rounds, and the ship was destroyed.

In their temporary group chat:

[Alud: Done~] [Li: Clean?] [Wen Zhaoyan: That was the last shipment. Only the
Association’s stock remains.] [Li: Mo Li and I are inside. One minute until
block.] [Alud: Hey, Empire Crown Prince! Last time you almost crack my defense.
Let’s compete. Who can block more?] [Wen Zhaoyan: Oh.] [Alud: What’s that ‘oh’?
Are you mocking me?!] [Wen Zhaoyan: Starting.]

The next moment, all translation systems for adopters and at the Association
silently failed. The adopters’ list had come from the Association. They hadn’t
hidden it well. With the list, they easily block the translation systems.

As the systems failed, a gentle, beautiful voice came over the Association’s
speakers and screens.

It was Xixi.

He spoke in mermaid language. The staff, confused, wondered why their
translators weren’t working.

But they didn’t think much of it. Xixi’s voice was heard daily on recordings,
brainwashing mermaids.

Hearing him now without translation, they just assumed a technical glitch.

They didn’t bother learning mermaid language themselves, as mermaids disliked
humans. Even the translator had been made with Xixi’s help.

They called a technician to fix the problem, but soon had other things on their
minds.

Because the mermaid king, Mo Li, had arrived!

Forgetting everything else, they went to see him.

So they didn’t know that Xixi was telling all the mermaids, “Brothers and
sisters, don’t get the exclusion shots anymore! They’re dangerous! The
Association is lying to us… The shots are to control us. Not getting them won’t
stop us from having babies. They tampered with the needles! I haven’t had a shot
in three months… Remember Little Blue? Born defective? He’s healed! And he’s
differentiated!”

Xixi calmly told them the cruel truth: they had been deceived by the
Association.

Xixi had always been the heart of the mermaid community. The Association played
‘Xixi’s Happy Life’ to delude them. Mermaids trusted each other. They believed
Xixi without much persuasion.

Of course, they preferred to trust their own kind over humans.

Suddenly, mermaids everywhere were furious!

“Those despicable humans lied to us!” “I’ll kill them!” “Damn humans, I’ll take
them down with me!”

Worried they might do something rash, Xixi calmed them down.

Also, on every adopter’s terminal, a video automatically played, with the title:
“Dear adopter, Xixi has something to say to your mermaid. Please show them this
video.”

Assuming it was another Association brainwashing video, adopters showed it to
their mermaids.

Not understanding the mermaid language, they were only surprised their
translators weren’t working.

But after watching, their mermaids grew angry, some even attacking their owners.

The owners dared not fight back. Hurting a mermaid would mean losing their
adoption qualification.

–
Things went more smoothly than expected.

At the Association, Mo Bai noticed how the mermaids blindly trusted Xixi. An
idea formed.

“Little uncle, don’t you think Xixi is the real mermaid king? He can rally all
mermaids. He’s willing to communicate with humans, to help mermaids progress,
and to work with humans.”

Wasn’t that what a king did?

Li Chaoci didn’t answer. He had been taken to an exam room.

The director and deputy were there, greeting him warmly.

A technician approached with a needle. The director said kindly, “Don’t be
nervous, Mr. Mo Li. We’re just drawing blood to check your radiation levels.”

Mo Bai looked at the needle. “Uncle, that’s the one. It looks like a blood draw,
but when it pierces the skin, the serum spreads. After the results, they’ll say
your radiation is high and you’ll be weak within half a month. They’ll want you
to stay. If you don’t, the serum will make you weak, and you’ll have to come
back.”

Li Chaoci narrowed his eyes. “Am I seeing things? I think there’s something on
that needle.”

The director’s eyes flickered, but he smiled. “Of course not. It’s just a blood
draw.”

Li Chaoci said, “Really?”

“Really.”

Suddenly, a tentacle grabbed the needle.

The director’s face changed. Sensing danger, he tried to back away, but another
tentacle held him fast.

Around them, mecha warriors prepared to attack.

But when they tried to advance, they hit an invisible wall.

Why couldn’t they get through?!

Mo Bai held up a barrier, giving Li Chaoci an ‘OK’ sign.

“Director!” others shouted.

The director ordered, “Open fire!”

Countless rounds hit the barrier, but it didn’t even crack.

The director’s face was ashen. “Mo Li! What’s going on?”

Then Mo Bai opened his spiritual sight.

Seeing another Mo Li, the director’s eyes bulged.

“Y-you…”

Mo Bai said coldly, “You said there’s nothing on the needle. But I’m afraid of
dying. What if you’re lying? How about you try it? If you’re fine, I’ll take the
shot. Deal?”

He said to Li Chaoci, “Uncle, give him the shot.”

Li Chaoci played with the needle, slowly advancing toward the director.

Just as Mo Bai finished speaking, the needle touched the director’s arm.

“No!” the director screamed, sweating. Human bodies were different from
mermaids’. Mermaid genes were stronger, so the serum dose was stronger for them.
It would make them weak. But in a human, it would cause organ failure. Only
immediate treatment in a medical pod could save him.

But he knew Mo Li wouldn’t let him into a pod. He would die.

Li Chaoci said, “Why so nervous? So the needle is problematic?”

The director gritted his teeth.

Seeing this, Mo Bai stood before him, using his divine power to guide.

“Then tell me, what is this needle for?”

As if puppeted, the director began: “The needle contains a strong relaxant
called GT23…”

Outside the barrier, the deputy and others looked on in horror, unable to stop
him.

They didn’t know Wen Zhaoyan had hacked the director’s terminal and was
livestreaming everything, starting from ‘Mo Li’s’ refusal to take the shot.

Many high-ranking officials with ties to the Association tried to contact the
director, but couldn’t. They tried to force the stream closed, but with Wen
Zhaoyan and Alud, it stayed at the top of trending.

As the director revealed everything, the interstellar network erupted! They had
never imagined the Association controlled mermaids this way. Was this why
mermaids were so distant and unwilling to soothe humans?

The director only regained awareness after finishing. He didn’t know what had
happened. Seeing Li Chaoci had released him, murder filled his eyes. He planned
to kill them all.

But before he could act, an officer with hundreds of soldiers surrounded the
Association.

Seeing Wen Zhaoyan’s people, Mo Bai sighed in relief. His body swayed.

“Little Bai!” Li Chaoci reached for him, but his hand passed through.

Mo Bai said, “I’m fine. It’s just…” His soul was too far from his body, his
power limited. If he had a golden statue nearby, it would help. But he didn’t.
And the barrier had used the last of his power.

Before he could finish, his soul vanished.

Li Chaoci was frantic. Fearing Mo Bai had been hurt by the gunfire, he called
Wen Zhaoyan.

“Wen Zhaoyan! Check on Mo Bai! Now!” He remembered that only Wen Zhaoyan could
see Mo Bai’s soul… If something happened, only he could see it.

Wen Zhaoyan was silent for a moment. “Okay.”

–
The director’s confession was more effective than any evidence.

Li Chaoci knew Wen Zhaoyan’s people would handle things. Worried about Mo Bai,
he hurried back to the sanatorium planet.

Back on the sanatorium planet.

After hanging up, Wen Zhaoyan felt a sense of absurdity. Or rather, absurdity
mixed with dawning realization.

Why was Li Chaoci so frantic for him to check on Mo Bai? He and Mo Li were at
the Association on the Capital Star. Mo Bai was at home. What could happen to
him? If something happened, it could only be to Mo Li.

He stood and went to the Mo family villa.

Mo Xiangtian, who had just gotten a call from Li Chaoci, saw Wen Zhaoyan and ran
to Mo Bai’s room.

Inside, Mo Bai was sitting up, his little face pale.

Mo Xiangtian was frantic. “Baby, are you okay? Your uncle said you might be
hurt! I told you not to go! So far away! What if your soul couldn’t return?!”

“Cough, Dad, I’m fine.” Mo Bai said weakly. “I just used up all my power, so my
soul returned to my body.”

Mo Xiangtian’s eyes reddened. “Don’t do anything so dangerous again!”

Mo Bai was about to agree when he saw the tall man in the doorway.

Meeting Wen Zhaoyan’s gaze, he froze.

Wen Zhaoyan looked at him for a long, long time without speaking.

Mo Bai knew from his look that Wen Zhaoyan understood everything.

He felt complicated. He wanted to say something, but didn’t know how.

Finally, Wen Zhaoyan spoke first. “…I’ll go find Mo Li.”

Like a coward lying to himself, he turned to leave.

Mo Bai’s heart suddenly ached. “Wen Zhaoyan!”

The man stopped and slowly turned back.

Mo Bai looked down, flustered. “I’m sorry. I lied to you. But… Mo Li is me. And
Mo Bai is also me.”

Wen Zhaoyan: “…”