These merfolk were truly hideous, covered in fish scales, with hair like seaweed, buck teeth, and mouths that split open to their ears.
When they laughed, they revealed rows of sharp teeth and long, scarlet tongues, their faces monstrous and terrifying.
They landed on the ground, their lower fish tails transforming into legs, and walked to the riverbank.
"This little girl is badly injured, close to death. If we had known, we brothers wouldn't have had to chase her day and night for days."
One merfolk spoke, his face filled with murderous intent. The pursuit of the clownfish had made the past few days difficult.
The leader of the merfolk said, "We cannot underestimate this mermaid princess. The High Priest specifically instructed that this girl possesses great destiny. If she is not eliminated, we will face dire consequences, and even the entire Arctic Ocean will turn into a sea of blood."
"The old priest is just fear-mongering, always exaggerating."
Some merfolk laughed dismissively, "If this girl truly had great destiny, the merfolk wouldn't have been wiped out by us. Besides, we are the overlords of the Arctic Ocean; who dares to enter the sea and oppose us?"
Several nearby merfolk nodded in agreement.
Even if the clownfish was truly a child of destiny, she couldn't pose a threat to their merfolk tribe, because their backing was unimaginably powerful.
"Although the High Priest likes to play mind games, his prophecies have never been wrong. If we kill this little one, we can go back and claim our rewards."
The merfolk leader reached out and scooped up the clownfish, intending to nip the problem in the bud to avoid future complications.
The clownfish seemed to sense the danger to her life and awoke. Upon realizing she had fallen into the hands of the merfolk, her face filled with panic, and she struggled desperately.
However, no matter how she thrashed, she couldn't escape the merfolk leader's grasp.
"Boss, wait a moment."
One merfolk stared at the clownfish with a lecherous grin, "They say the mermaid princess is naturally beautiful, delicate and tender, more captivating than the most exquisite pearls from the deep sea. Don't waste her; let us brothers have a taste first, enjoy ourselves before killing her."
The other merfolk's eyes gleamed with evil as they licked their lips, beginning to discuss how to force the clownfish to reveal her human form.
Hearing the merfolk's conversation, the clownfish's mind went blank with fear.
She did not fear death, but she could not tolerate being defiled by these shameless, ugly merfolk.
Even if it meant suicide, she would not let these beasts succeed.
However, she was already restrained by the merfolk leader and could not use any of her powers. She couldn't even die if she wanted to.
The clownfish's heart was filled with endless despair, her eyes teary, and large drops of tears fell like pearls from a broken string.
Her tears being pearls was not a metaphor; it was a literal description.
As the clownfish's tears fell, they transformed into lustrous, shimmering pearls!
"Good, my brothers have also worked hard for these days; it's time to taste the exquisite flavor of the mermaid princess."
The merfolk leader began to use a secret technique, preparing to force the clownfish to reveal her true mermaid form.
At this critical moment, a lazy voice sounded.
"Excuse me, do you know which way to the Void Sword Sect?"
The one asking for directions was Ji Hanhan. This simpleton was directionally challenged and got lost halfway.
He happened to hear voices and followed them to ask for directions.
However, when he saw the appearance of the merfolk, he was startled. It was the first time he had seen such ugly monsters, like scavengers that had evolved.
"Human?"
The merfolk were also greatly startled. Seeing Ji Hanhan's harmless appearance, they didn't take him seriously.
"It's been a long time since I've tasted human flesh. This person has delicate skin and tender meat; the texture must be excellent."
The merfolk leader looked at Ji Hanhan, who had delivered himself, and saliva dripped uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth.
Two merfolk rubbed their hands together. They had been tired from chasing the clownfish for days and were already starving.
The appearance of Ji Hanhan now was a delicious feast.
After eating, they could slowly torment the mermaid princess. It would be incredibly satisfying!
"What? You want to eat me?"
Ji Hanhan was a little stunned. He had always been the one eating wild game; he never imagined he would be considered game himself.
He glanced at the merfolk with disdain. These fish demons were too ugly; he couldn't bring himself to eat them.
"I've been cultivating Buddhism recently, so I'll spare you this once. If you don't want to die, hurry up and leave."
Ji Hanhan waved his hand, issuing a warning, not wanting to cause more bloodshed.
"How audacious! Trying to bluff me? A piece of trash like you is no match for me."
One merfolk sneered, his body moved like the wind, pouncing forward, opening his fanged mouth to bite Ji Hanhan's carotid artery.
The merfolk was clearly angered by Ji Hanhan's words and intended to bite off Ji Hanhan's neck and tear him into pieces to eat.
However, as soon as he got close, he was sent flying by a slap from Ji Hanhan.
Half of this merfolk's cheek caved in, his fangs scattered on the ground, and his body smashed heavily onto the ground. After a few twitches, he stopped breathing.
"How dare you! We are the merfolk of the Arctic Ocean. Dare to kill our tribesman, not only will you die, but your friends, relatives, and your entire family will be buried with you."
The merfolk leader roared. He was accustomed to arrogance and always threatened to exterminate entire clans.
This was the usual style of the merfolk. Anyone who dared to provoke them would suffer dire consequences and inevitably face the most brutal revenge.
The merfolk tribe was infamous, and almost no force in the entire Purple Thistle Prefecture dared to provoke them. Now that one of their tribesmen had been killed by Ji Hanhan, they naturally wouldn't let it go.
The merfolk leader thought that by revealing their identity, he could scare Ji Hanhan into utter submission.
However, he miscalculated.
Ji Hanhan showed no reaction. He had never heard of any merfolk tribe and naturally wasn't afraid.
He said indifferently, "What the hell is this merfolk tribe? What are they? If you weren't so ugly and unappetizing, I would definitely boil you."
"Ah... How dare you insult my merfolk tribe? You're seeking death."
The merfolk leader roared in anger, his face ashen. He took out a weapon resembling a trident and, along with several other merfolk, attacked Ji Hanhan.
The trident flashed with a dark gleam, exuding a chilling aura. As it was wielded, it emitted the sound of a tsunami.
The surrounding temperature plummeted, and frost began to appear. The cold was bone-chilling; touching the skin would instantly freeze an enemy into fragments.
With this trident, the merfolk leader had killed countless opponents, but this time it was ineffective.
Ji Hanhan was completely unfazed by this coldness. With a single punch, he blew up both the trident and the merfolk leader.
The other merfolk were terrified and turned to flee, but Ji Hanhan killed them one by one with a punch, wiping them out.
The clownfish regained her freedom and looked at Ji Hanhan with gratitude. He was such a good person, saving her by killing all those hateful merfolk.
However, her excitement quickly turned into indignation.
Because Ji Hanhan noticed her, grabbed her by her tail, lifted her from the ground, examined her closely, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled, smacking his lips, "Wow, this is really good. I must have a good taste."
The clownfish's body stiffened. She thought she had met a good person, but unexpectedly, this scoundrel was a beast in human clothing, coveting her body.
"Pah! You old pervert, let go of me! I'd rather die than let you have your way."
The clownfish thrashed, trying to break free, bubbles escaping her mouth, and spitting saliva all over Ji Hanhan.