Hu Yang was completely dumbfounded.

Other mermaids were whispering to each other:

“How did he get here?”

“It seems like he swam over…”

“Are you kidding me? He’s a human, and this is the deep sea!”

“Jiang Qingyue did say that he swims fast, but, uh…”

“So, he’s Ren Shuhan? I didn’t believe it when I heard it. Humans are really good-looking. This trip to the deep sea is not in vain.”

“No, did I misunderstand something about humans?”

“That’s why Teacher Zheng is right. We need to study more…”

Hu Yang had seen Ren Shuhan a few years ago and had a favorable impression of him. However, back then, Ren Shuhan was still a cute little child albeit a bit cold. Now he had grown into a tall, wild, and aggressive young man. This transformation posed a challenge to Hu Yang’s aesthetics, making Ren Shuhan a formidable rival.

Hu Yang had also heard Zheng Zhilai give lectures and knew that Ren Shuhan had been rescued from the sea by Jiang Qingyue…

But now, how was it different from what was agreed upon?

“Do you think I’ll be fooled by you? You probably took advantage of favorable currents and was nearby! Humans can’t breathe underwater. You won’t last long. I won’t bully the weak. Let me teach you a lesson while you still have air!” Hu Yang said to Ren Shuhan, but he was actually speaking to himself and his lackeys:

“Attack him together! He’s just a human. Even if he blows the conch shell, no one will come to save him!”

After he finished speaking, he deliberately moved himself, buying some time. Then, he slowly swam to Ren Shuhan. Opening his mouth with sharp teeth exposed, ready to launch an attack, he suddenly swerved away and performed a feigned move, swinging his tail…

Ren Shuhan grabbed his tail, and Hu Yang crashed onto the ground, landing on top of the mermaid Jiang Qingyue had knocked down earlier.

“Ah—!”

Hu Yang happened to fall on the mermaid who had been knocked down by Jiang Qingyue earlier. He didn’t get up again, and the two cries of pain overlapped. After that, there was silence under the sea.

The other mermaids looked at each other, filled with question marks over their heads:

“…”

“?”

“???”

Mermaid chieftains were selected based on their combat power, straightforward and brutal. Although Hu Yang might not be the strongest among the younger generation, being the only son of the Hu family chief meant inheriting the most powerful genes. Now, he was easily overwhelmed by Ren Shuhan?

Initially, the mermaids’ expectations were that this human might put on a show for a few moves, capable of dealing with ordinary mermaids. That’s why they dared to step forward. However, he would inevitably end up being suppressed by Hu Yang, who possessed formidable strength…

Was the result completely the opposite?

Several mermaids took a step back.

“Attack him together!” Hu Yang shouted in frustration. “He’s a human! He’ll run out of air soon. Even if all of you press him down, he’ll be crushed!”

Ren Shuhan gestured towards them with an indifferent expression: If there are a few of you, come at me together.

Hu Yang brought nine lackeys with him, making a total of ten little shark mermaids. One of them had been knocked down by Jiang Qingyue earlier due to underestimating his opponent. Now, seven of the remaining eight mermaids decided to charge at Ren Shuhan. They exchanged glances, measured the situation, and then collectively swam towards Ren Shuhan.

After all, it’s easy to pick on the weak. How long can a human be aggressive underwater?

They all ended up piling on top of Hu Yang, forming a small mountain.

Jiang Qingyue: “…”

Hu Yang: “…”

Another dead silence beneath the sea.

Jiang Qingyue: “…Brother?”

Ren Shuhan couldn’t speak underwater, but he tilted his head slightly, raised an eyebrow, and pointed to Jiang Qingyue with one hand while motioning with the other, indicating that it was Jiang Qingyue’s turn to be “dealt with.” Jiang Qingyue, understanding the gesture, hugged his precious pearl tightly, remaining quiet and obediently curled up on the side.

Hu Yang and his lackeys were defeated, leaving only one tall mermaid who had not spoken or taken action until now. He looked at Hu Yang and asked, “What’s going on with this guy?”

He seemed to be in his thirties, with muscles giving his face a rough appearance. A scar adorned his right eye, and his back slightly hunched. His voice was deep and resonant, and he showed great interest in Ren Shuhan.

“He’s quite good at fighting?” he inquired.

“I don’t… I don’t know,” Hu Yang replied, almost out of breath due to the pressure from the other mermaids. “He hasn’t left the mountains. Maybe Jiang Chen taught him a few moves? But he couldn’t have won against you, Brother Wang. Please help us vent our anger!”

Brother Wang then chuckled, swimming leisurely towards Ren Shuhan. “Jiang Chen is just average. I didn’t expect her to train a disciple who can spar with me. It’s interesting.”

“He’s Hu Wang,” Jiang Qingyue whispered to Ren Shuhan, coming close to him. “He’s Hu Yang’s cousin and caught a real shark a while ago. He brought it back with the fish still in its mouth, and that’s when he got that scar on his eye. He’s the designated next leader of the Hu family.”

Hu Wang could probably guess what Jiang Qingyue was saying. He laughed heartily, focusing on Ren Shuhan:

“So, you’re Qingqing that Hu Yang mentioned? We seemed to have met when you were little. You look even better now.”

Hu Yang’s expression worsened. “Cousin…”

He had initially not wanted to bring Hu Wang along because he knew Hu Wang was also lascivious. However, given the dangers of the deep sea, his family doted on him. Even if they formed a group, he had to bring Hu Wang along to help watch over things.

Hu Yang could only grit his teeth and say, “The male mermaids of the Jiang family are all good-looking. Once you take over the Jiang family in the future, there will be plenty of mermaids to choose from. You won’t need to form a partnership. Now is the chance, Brother Wang, show them some strength!”

“Take over the Jiang family?”

Jiang Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat, nervously turning to look at his little brother. He found Ren Shuhan pursing his lips, expressionless.

So cool >///