Chapter 180. Marriage partner [1]

Chapter 180: 180. Marriage partner [1]

When they turned around, Lin Xuan’s gaze immediately fell upon the woman who had called out to him.

For a moment, he simply stared.

She was dressed in neat, elegant garments that were unmistakably human in style. Her clothes were arranged fashionably, with smooth layers of fabric falling naturally around her figure.

The robe was modest and beautifully tailored, its sleeves hanging gracefully from her arms, while delicate embroidery traced the edges of the fabric.

Her hair had likewise been carefully arranged, giving her an appearance that would not have seemed out of place among the Loushi five Beauties.

Lin Xuan’s expression changed slightly as he was shocked.

When Elder Hai and Hai Yue had first emerged from the sea, they had worn layers of woven seaweed, polished shells, strands of pearl, and thin pieces of what appeared to be hardened scales. Their clothing and ornaments had seemed to come directly from the ocean itself.

Elder Hai’s long silver hair had flowed freely down her back, with several smooth shells woven into it. Strange blue markings covered portions of her weathered skin, making her appearance even more unfamiliar.

Hai Yue had been no different.

Pearls and small pieces of polished coral had decorated her clothing, while the faint scent of seawater had followed her every step.

Compared with that memory, the woman standing before him now looked completely different.

Lin Xuan’s eyes remained on her for another moment.

He had seen Hai Yue before, of course.

Yet somehow, the difference had not struck him so strongly then.

Seeing her dressed so naturally...

Lin Xuan’s gaze flickered briefly toward Qian Deyu.

The elderly royal envoy had already turned toward the woman, and the genial expression that had remained upon his face throughout the conversation had suddenly become somewhat mysterious.

Hai Yun smiled faintly and repeated herself.

"Patriarch Lin."

Lin Xuan finally returned to his senses.

He gave her a polite nod.

"Yes?"

Hai Yun stepped forward, her elegant sleeves moving lightly with each graceful step.

"I apologize for interrupting your conversation."

Her voice was gentle and composed. Qian Deyu on the side, shook his head kindly.

"There is no need to apologize. May I ask who you are?"

The woman smiled.

"Of course. My name is Hai Yun."

"Hai Yun. Nice name," Qian Deyu said with a faint smile.

Just then, Mo Jian suddenly stepped forward and his gaze had changed.

Anyone could see the undisguised interest he had as he looked towards Hai Yun. The respectful composure he had maintained since entering the Lin Family estate was long gone.

"Patriarch Lin."

Lin Xuan turned toward him.

Mo Jian spoke without hesitation.

"Is she wedded?"

The question fell into the courtyard with startling abruptness.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Even Wei Rong looked at Mo Jian with surprise.

Lin Xuan slowly turned his head toward the Treasury Elder.

Mo Jian, however, seemed completely unconcerned with the awkwardness he had created.

His eyes remained fixed upon Hai Yun.

Of all the questions Mo Jian could have asked after traveling hundreds of kilometres with a royal delegation to investigate the legendary Blue Whale People, that was the one he had chosen?

Lin Xuan didn’t really know how to react to this information... turn it into an entertainment?

"Mo Jian," Qian Deyu said calmly.

His tone was gentle, but there was an unmistakable warning beneath it.

"Perhaps you should consider your words before speaking."

Mo Jian finally seemed to realize that everyone was staring at him.

Yet instead of showing embarrassment, he merely coughed lightly.

"It was merely asking a simple question."

Lin Xuan stared at him and figured he has no words to say.

Just then, Hai Yun smiled beautifully.

Her expression remained completely composed as she looked toward Mo Jian.

"Not yet."

Mo Jian’s eyes brightened slightly.

But before he could say anything else, Hai Yun continued.

"However, I am willing to marry the man who can defeat Patriarch Lin in a duel."

The moment those words left her mouth, the entire courtyard fell silent.

It was as though every sound had been erased at once.

Nobody seemed to know how they were supposed to react.

Lin Xuan was the first to break the silence.

"No!"

His answer came immediately, there was not even the slightest hesitation in his voice.

Hai Yun’s smile remained unchanged.

Then Lin Xuan suddenly felt a voice enter his mind.

"Hold out for two days, and me and the child will be gone by then. It would be considered as entertaining the guests."

Lin Xuan’s eyelid twitched as he glanced toward Hai Yun.

The elderly woman was still wearing that beautiful, perfectly composed smile, making it impossible for anyone else to tell that the two were having an entirely different conversation.

So the first trial really is about feeding them and entertaining them...

Lin Xuan’s gaze became slightly thoughtful.

But why is she going out of her way to help me with the quest? Does she have something to gain from doing this?

His expression remained calm, but inwardly, questions continued to pile up.

What kind of trial is this? How to be a hospitable person?

Lin Xuan sighed inwardly before turning towards Mo Jian.

"That’s what she said."

Mo Jian stared at him for another moment.

Then his face slowly broke into a chuckle.

"I cannot believe it."

He looked toward Hai Yun, then back at Lin Xuan, and his smile widened.

"I’m actually going to get a beautiful wife simply by beating you up, Patriarch Lin."

Lin Xuan nearly laughed.

He had expected Mo Jian to take the matter seriously, but the man’s reaction was far more amusing than he had anticipated.

Before Mo Jian could say anything else, however, Wei Rong suddenly stepped forward.

"I’ll be the one to beat Patriarch Lin."

Mo Jian’s smile disappeared.

He turned toward Wei Rong.

"What?"

Wei Rong looked at him calmly.

"I said I’ll be the one to beat him."

The atmosphere between the two elders immediately became tense.

Lin Xuan watched them silently.

He was beginning to wonder whether the royal family had truly come here to investigate the Blue Whale People or whether they had simply brought two competitive old men along for his entertainment.

Just then...

[ Flex your Nascent Soul ability and intimidate the royal envoys. ]

[ Reward: A clue for the second trial. ]