A vicious female is trapped in a beastly hell.

Chapter 536 The Truth
Shen Tang decided to keep the appointment.

She wanted to see what tricks that Liu Ye was up to.

The heavy snow that had been falling for several days finally stopped, the dark clouds in the sky slowly dispersed, and the sunlight shone on the distant, icy blue horizon. Snow piled up on the shore, and the sea was as calm as a mirror, shimmering with tiny golden lights.

The imperial army stood in neat rows on the shore, led by a young man with orange hair, who looked to be eighteen or nineteen years old. He was handsome and had reached the seventh level of strength. He was Hu Yun, who had been promoted to major general not long ago.

Since using the Marrow Cleansing Pill to upgrade his talent to A+ level, Hu Yun's strength has improved rapidly. Within a year, he broke through to the seventh rank and was transferred from the remote Green Field City to the Imperial City, where he was appointed as a Major General.

Hu Yun was promoted by Shen Tang and was very loyal to her, so Shen Tang simply arranged for him to stay by her side.

Hu Yun looked at the slender figure in front of him, a hint of longing flashing in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed the emotion.

With his right hand on the holster at his waist, he strode up to Shen Tang and asked respectfully, "Your Majesty, we've been waiting here for half an hour. Shall we continue waiting?"

Shen Tang gazed at the calm sea, suddenly sensing something, and said softly, "They've arrived."

The once calm sea suddenly churned, as if cleaved by a giant axe, with waves rising tens of meters high to both sides, and a group of sea creature soldiers lined up and landed in the middle.

They came ashore in two neat rows, dressed in the distinctive clothing of sea creatures, with scales or animal-like features on their skin, and carrying long halberds.

This doesn't look like they're here to welcome us; it looks more like they're here to arrest us.

Hu Yun and the others looked rather grim, sensing that something was amiss, though they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

"Greetings, Your Majesty Shen Tang. His Highness Jialan has specially sent us to welcome you." The leading orc glanced at the army behind Shen Tang and smiled respectfully. "However, His Highness Jialan said that he only wants to see you alone, so we can only take you there. Please wait here, generals and soldiers."

Hu Yun and his companions' expressions immediately turned grim. They had heard the recent rumors, and everyone knew perfectly well that this meal was definitely not simple.

It is extremely dangerous for a monarch to enter another country's territory alone!
In order to escort Shen Tang this time, they specially selected a group of sea beastmen to form a guard team, but they were stopped like this.

Shen Tang sneered inwardly. She had long known that the mermaid was cunning; to actually want her to attend the banquet alone was practically blatantly treachery.

“Okay, Alan invited me to dinner to discuss some things. There’s really no need for such a big fuss. I can go by myself.” Shen Tang turned around and instructed Hu Yun and the others behind him, “You guys wait here. I’ll be back after I’m done talking.”

"Your Majesty..." The young man looked at her worriedly, wanting to say something, but she interrupted him.

"Don't worry." Shen Tang shook her head, gently placing a hand on his, offering a meaningful reassurance, "I'll be back in half a day at most. If I don't make it back..."

"Give this letter to Lord Qiu Yang of the Yiyuan Empire. He knows what to do."

She was prepared for the worst.

Although she didn't say anything explicitly, Hu Yun sensed that her trip this time was probably not so simple.

He didn't know what had happened between Princess Jialan and His Majesty, but his intuition told him that their relationship might really be different from before.

He solemnly accepted the envelope and nodded earnestly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will wait for you here to return."

Shen Tang looked at the loyal young man and nodded with satisfaction. "Thank you." Then she turned and walked towards the sea.

The orc leader of the sea tribe bowed and gestured "please," saying, "Your Majesty, please."

Waves laden with ice shards crashed against the shore, splashing white spray. A woman of breathtaking beauty walked step by step towards the sea creatures, who led her into the sea, where she eventually disappeared.

Hu Yun watched her figure disappear, his eyes filled with worry.

He stood quietly by the sea, his posture upright and his back straight, like a stone statue that was not afraid of the wind and waves.

The adjutant beside him asked with a puzzled look, "There's something I don't understand. His Majesty's trip this time is probably not so simple. Why didn't General Xiao Jin and the others come at such an important time?"

Given the bond between His Majesty and the beastmen, Xiao Jin and the others would certainly not be at ease and would definitely come to escort them personally.

Hu Yun just smiled mysteriously, "His Majesty is so clever, he naturally made two preparations."

"I hope His Majesty will return safely."

……

The moment Shen Tang touched the seawater, a faint blue light appeared on her body. The blue light surrounded her body, forming a transparent protective shield that filtered the oxygen in the seawater and balanced the water pressure, allowing her to move freely on the seabed like a true sea creature.

In the increasingly dark, deep blue sea, where the darkness was almost imperceptible, Shen Tang radiated a pale blue aura, swimming nimbly like a real mermaid, illuminating her hazy, beautiful face, like a spirit who had accidentally wandered into the deep sea.

It was so beautiful that even the sea creatures held their breath.

They knew exactly what it was.

This is the power of the water-repelling bead.

The Water-Repelling Pearl is the most important treasure in the deep sea. It is formed by the sea beastmen using their primal power. They can only form one in their lifetime and give it only to their partner, representing the deepest feelings.

But for some reason, even the leading general felt that something was wrong.

Even though Prince Jialan and Shen Tang have such a good relationship, he didn't come to pick her up in person, which is indeed a bit different from the rumors...

"Your Majesty Shen Tang, have you and His Highness had a quarrel recently?" the leading general asked cautiously.

Shen Tang shook her head, "No, but something did happen between him and me. He... is no longer the person I love."

The orc was shocked. This wasn't considered an argument? This must have been a really big argument!

It sounds like they're severing ties and getting a divorce.

He adopted the air of someone with experience, earnestly advising, "Your Majesty and Your Highness are still young, and it's normal for them to be proud and stubborn. It's perfectly normal for couples to have minor frictions and conflicts from time to time. As the saying goes, couples quarrel in bed and make up before they get out of bed. What can't be overcome? When Your Majesty reaches our age, you'll know how rare true feelings are, and you can't let a moment of impulse..."

Shen Tang gave a bitter smile. "If I said that the Princess Jialan you are now obeying is no longer the Jialan I love, would you believe me?"

The orcs all looked shocked, as if they had heard something unbelievable, and even doubted whether she was talking nonsense.

Shen Tang understood their reaction.

Indeed, it sounds too fantastical to say that another personality is hidden inside a person's body, like how this foreign soul took over the original owner's body.

No one would believe it at all.

Even Xiao Jin and the others probably wouldn't believe it.

Shen Tang changed the subject, casually asking, "What's the situation in the seas now since His Majesty Garuda disappeared?"

The beastmen breathed a sigh of relief when she asked about something else; His Majesty was indeed just saying things in anger.

The two of them are probably just arguing and giving each other the silent treatment!
They're probably overthinking it.

The sea tribe general replied respectfully, "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. His Majesty has been missing for several days. This incident would have caused a power struggle among the major sea tribe forces. Fortunately, His Majesty had already designated Prince Jialan as his successor, thus preventing another power struggle in the sea."

"So these days, the seas are still searching for the missing Emperor Garuda, while the palace is preparing for the new emperor's coronation ceremony."

Then, the orc cautiously sought an opportunity to explain on behalf of his prince, "His Highness may have been too busy to come, which is why he sent us. But he has also had a sumptuous feast prepared to welcome His Majesty. Please do not be angry, Your Majesty!"

Shen Tang sneered inwardly. That damned guy wasn't really busy; he was just too lazy to greet her.

After these days of renovation, the palace has been restored to its original magnificent appearance, with no trace of the previous war left behind.

In the palace's reception hall, a sumptuous banquet had been prepared to welcome Shen Tang.

Shen Tang had barely sat down when she heard a guard at the door announce loudly, "His Highness has arrived!"

Shen Tang turned her head and looked towards the door.

A commotion arose at the entrance, and then a tall, slender figure slowly walked into the hall, exuding an imposing aura.

As soon as he entered, an invisible pressure enveloped the entire hall, and everyone present immediately fell silent, stepping aside to look at the noble and majestic figure with awe.

The man wore a deep blue sea creature's magnificent robe, embroidered with gold thread and precious glass jewels. He possessed an extraordinary, dignified, and noble air. In just a few days, he had transformed from the shy and innocent figure he remembered, beginning to display the imposing presence of a future sea king who would dominate the world.

Shen Tang was stunned.

Her gaze briefly met the man's as she looked through the crowd.

That cold and indifferent demeanor felt both strange and familiar to her, and it was getting further and further away from the image in her memory... Liu Ye naturally saw Shen Tang as well.

A hint of surprise flashed in his deep blue eyes. In fact, he himself hadn't expected that this female would actually dare to come alone. She was really bold.

A smile played on his lips. "Tangtang, it's been a long time."

"Don't call me that." Shen Tang put away her expression and looked at him coldly, showing no trace of her former feelings. "You know very well that I didn't come here to chat with you. I just want to figure out one thing."

Her clear yet sharp gaze met his directly as she questioned him, each word distinct and clear, "I want to know, what exactly happened that day? Why were you able to control this body?"

These past few days she's figured it out. It must be because Jialan was on the verge of death that her strength increased so much, and the person who took control of this body after that awakening must be Liuye.

But she didn't know how his power was released from the Infinity Box.

The servants in the hall, hearing the strange conversation between the two, all looked astonished, their faces filled with shock.

What exactly happened between Princess Jialan and His Majesty Shen Tang?

Why has the atmosphere between the two become so strange?
Also, what did His Majesty Shen Tang mean by that? What does it mean that "Your Highness has taken control of this body"?
The beastmen who had brought Shen Tang here were even more astonished. Suddenly, they remembered what she had said on the way, and a strange thought popped into their minds.

This thought was like a kite string that had broken in the air; they wanted to grab it but couldn't, and dared not try to. Their expressions were somewhat strange, but they dared not think about it further.

However, once the seeds of doubt are sown, they are very difficult to eradicate.

Liu Ye's eyes darkened, but his smile remained, though it had faded considerably. "What is Tangtang saying? I don't understand."

He glanced indifferently at the surrounding servants and dismissed them all.

The entire hall suddenly became empty, leaving only the two of them.

Ryuya no longer needed to maintain that fake relationship between them.

His smile vanished, and he strode toward her, an invisible pressure enveloping her, almost suffocating her. "You're bolder than I imagined."

Even if the man did nothing, the sheer pressure he exerted on her felt like a thousand-pound burden!
Shen Tang's face turned pale instantly, and she even tasted blood in her throat, but her back remained straight as she looked at him without fear, her eyes filled with anger and a bitter helplessness. "Today, even if I have to die, at least let me die knowing why."

Looking into her stubborn yet clear eyes, Liu Ye laughed out loud, "Tangtang is joking. How could I possibly bear to kill you?"

However, his eyes clearly carried a blatant malice!

Shen Tang closed her eyes tightly, then opened them again, her voice cold and clear, "I just want to know what happened that day. I sealed your power in the Infinity Box back then, so why were you still able to successfully steal Jia Lan's body?"

Upon hearing these words, Liu Ye let out a cold sneer, suddenly turned around, walked to the stage, sat in a high seat, leaned back, and looked down at her coldly, saying, "Oh? Why do you think I stole his body? Couldn't it be—"

"Can I take back my own body?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Tang paused for a moment, then frowned and retorted, "This body originally belonged to Jia Lan! You are merely his split second personality!"

Ryuya looked at her meaningfully, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. "I thought you were very smart, but I didn't expect you to be so ridiculously stupid."

"It seems you don't really understand the difference between the primary personality and the secondary personality. Well then, Your Highness would like to ask you a few questions."

Shen Tang looked at him coldly, her hands clenched at her sides, a bad feeling rising in her heart.

Ryuya rested his chin on one hand and spoke slowly, "Since you completely sealed my curse power with the Infinity Box before, but my consciousness inside him didn't completely disappear and I can still control my body, guess why?"

"..."

"I can possess all of Jialan's memories, but he cannot share mine. Can you guess why?"

"..." Shen Tang's hands and feet grew colder and colder, and she couldn't speak.

Ryuya laughed smugly, "Because I am the main personality of this body! That good-for-nothing is just the second personality that I split off from!"

Looking at Shen Tang's suddenly pale and bloodless face, Liu Ye curled up a wicked smile and slowly said, "I hate all the people who bullied me, and I want to kill them all."

"But unfortunately, I was too weak back then. I was forced to split off this simple and foolish personality in order to gain the Sea King's favor, grow up pure and innocent, and survive."

"But now I am no longer the child who was almost killed in the deep palace. I now have the power to control everything."

Liu Ye, with a lazy and arrogant demeanor, looked down at her and said coldly, "With my power, I could have regained control of this body, but you sealed it and put it to sleep... Fortunately, I later obtained my father's power and had a brief chance to awaken."

"But unfortunately, my power is still suppressed by your broken box. Unless someone opens this box from the outside, I will not be able to restore my peak power and completely control this body."

Looking at the female's increasingly pale face, Liu Ye continued slowly, "You've probably already guessed what happened next. That good-for-nothing personally opened the Infinity Box and handed his body over to me."

Shen Tang's throat bobbed, and she stubbornly shook her head, saying, "I don't believe it! Jia Lan promised me he would never open that box! How could he willingly open the Infinity Box and give his body to you? Could it be..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, revealing a sense of helplessness.

Didn't that idiot ever think that once another personality took control of his body, she would never see him again?

He will lose his life, and he will lose her forever.

The two will never see each other again in this lifetime, whether in life or death.

Jialan loves her so much, how could he be willing to leave her so easily?
As if guessing what she was thinking, Liu Ye sneered, "That's right, he loves you, he loves you even more than his own life."

His cold, arrogant voice was filled with sarcasm, "That's why I said he's an idiot."

"A weak, useless piece of trash, a complete idiot."

Ryuya simply couldn't understand what that personality was doing, that it was willing to give up its life for a female; it was truly hopelessly foolish.

Love is the most useless thing in the world, and female love is the most hypocritical and ridiculous thing. He never needs such a useless weakness, and only finds it laughable and foolish.

"Shut up! I won't allow you to slander him like that! You're the idiot!" Shen Tang's eyes turned red with anger. She could no longer control the chilling killing intent emanating from her body. Her body surged, and she gathered powerful spiritual energy, which transformed into a sharp blade and stabbed directly at the man on the high seat.

Ryūya merely sneered, looking at her as if she were an ant overestimating its own abilities.

He didn't even move. When the mental energy blade was less than half a meter away from him, it suddenly stopped in mid-air and couldn't move, as if it had hit an invisible barrier.

Then, Liu Ye's aura spread out like a wave, and the mental energy blade of the level 10 orc's all-out attack shattered and disappeared!
Ryuya simply straightened his collar, then stood up and walked down from the platform, approaching the female who was tense all over, like a kitten baring its teeth and brandishing its claws in a show of force.

At the same time, he slightly raised one hand, and light blue spiritual energy gathered in his palm.

Shen Tang's entire body was tense to the extreme, like a fully drawn bow, staring fiercely at him, as if she would pounce on him and tear him apart if he dared to take another step closer.

Looking at her fierce yet adorable appearance, Liu Ye couldn't help but laugh. "Tangtang, you don't need to be so wary of me. Although I am indeed not the Jialan you know anymore, I am still me. I have been intimate with you, and my body is still your body. We have had the most intimate contact in the world... loving partners."

“If I really wanted to harm you, you wouldn’t have the chance to speak to me calmly now, the moment you stepped through this door.”

As Shen Tang listened to his nonchalant and hypocritical words, she clenched her fists at her sides, feeling both angry and ironic. What right did he have to say such things? Did he even have the right?

He wouldn't believe a word Shen Tang said to him!

She immediately gathered her supernatural power again, trying to break through the air, but suddenly an invisible chain formed by spiritual power stretched out from the air, bound her body, and violently pulled her into the man's arms.

Shen Tang's expression changed drastically, and she immediately struggled, but Liu Ye suddenly grabbed her slender wrist.

The man's cold, slender hands possessed astonishing strength, holding her tightly in his arms like iron clamps.

Ryuya carried her toward the throne, saying, "Didn't you want to know the truth? I'll give you the truth!"

At the same time, a wisp of spiritual energy entered her mind, and Shen Tang's breathing suddenly stopped.

A memory surfaced before my eyes.

It's Jialan's last memory...

Two chapters combined into one!
I originally planned to write 4000 words, but I accidentally wrote 5500 words, almost 6000 words.

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