Chapter 86 – Sexy Little Siren
Lin Jiu shoved the insulated box into Lin Han’s arms. “Hold this.”
Lin Han hurriedly caught it.
Lin Jiu then walked to an open space. “Come on, I want to see what makes you so confident to boast like that!”
Jiang Shiyao’s smile faded, but he remained still. “What do you mean? Do you want to challenge me one-on-one? Sorry, you’re not part of the ‘Special Security Department,’ so if I fight you, I’d be violating the rules.”
Lin Jiu: “You’re right, I’m not part of the ‘Special Security Department.’ But if you want to be Si Xu’s vice-captain, I need to see your skills. If you can’t even beat me, you have no right to covet that position.”
The commotion was growing. On the other side, the sparring had already ended, and Lu Yu was drawn over.
“What’s going on here? Why’s everyone gathered around?”
Lu Yu approached. “Lin Jiu? Are you here to see Si Xu? He’s busy right now, so you might have to wait.”
Lin Jiu: “I’m not here for him now; I’m here for this guy. I want to fight him. Do you agree, Captain Lu?”
Lu Yu: “…”
Everyone watching: “…”
Lu Yu lowered his voice. “What’s going on?”
Lin Jiu pointed at Jiang Shiyao. “He thinks he’s so amazing, looks down on everyone, and thinks only he’s the best. He even wants to be Si Xu’s vice-captain. I want to see just how strong he is. If he can’t beat me, he doesn’t deserve to be vice-captain!”
Lu Yu: “…”
The members of Team One who had come to watch: “…”
Zang Ye, standing in the crowd, was so excited he was practically snorting with anticipation, just short of shouting, “Fight! Fight!”
Jiang Shiyao sneered. “Aren’t you overstepping your boundaries? Just manage your shop and don’t worry about the ‘Special Security Department.’ Since when did it become your responsibility?”
Lin Jiu, infuriated, retorted, “I want to be Si Xu’s vice-captain! Anyone got a problem with that?”
Lu Yu: “…”
Shi Shuqing, who had just arrived: “…”
Everyone watching: “…”
Lu Yu hurriedly asked, “Have you talked to Si Xu about this?”
Lin Jiu: “No, I just decided.”
Lu Yu: “…”
Lu Yu gave a signal to one of his teammates, urging him to quickly find Si Xu before things got out of hand.
“Captain Lu, can I fight now?” Jiang Shiyao spoke up.
Lu Yu’s face darkened. “Fight? We haven’t even started Team Seven’s evaluation, and you’re already this eager?”
With Si Xu not present, if Lin Jiu were to get hurt under Lu Yu’s watch, Si Xu would be out for blood when he arrived.
As tensions mounted, Si Xu soon arrived. “Xiao Jiu, what’s going on?”
Lin Jiu pointed out, “He thinks he’s so strong and wants to be your vice-captain, claiming Lin Han and Fu Jiao are too weak. I want to see his abilities, but he says I’m overstepping and shouldn’t interfere in ‘Special Security Department’ matters. So, I’ve just decided that I want to be your vice-captain.”
Si Xu: “…”
Si Xu quickly pulled the fuming Lin Jiu aside to calm him down. “No need to fight. He can’t beat you.”
Jiang Shiyao: “…”
Lu Yu: “…”
Everyone else: “…”
Could he be any more biased?
Lin Jiu, now content, asked, “So, can I be your vice-captain?”
Si Xu chuckled. “Why do you suddenly want to be my vice-captain?”
Lin Jiu replied earnestly, “So that I can protect you when you go on missions.”
Everyone: “…”
Protect… Captain Si?!
Si Xu thought for a moment. “You saw Shi Shuqing, right? He’s the vice-captain, and he has a lot of responsibilities. He not only oversees the team’s training but also handles all the team’s affairs. When the captain is absent, the vice-captain has to manage everything and make decisions. Do you really want to be vice-captain?”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu hesitated. “Uh, is there a position where I don’t have to do any work or training but can still go on missions with you?”
Everyone: “…”
Is joining the ‘Special Security Department’ that casual?
After a moment of contemplation, Si Xu said, “We do have a shortage of advisors in Team Seven. How about you become our advisor?”
Everyone: “…”
Since when did they have an “advisor” position? Clearly, he was making it up.
Lin Jiu obediently nodded. “Alright, I’ll be an advisor.”
Everyone: “…”
That… was too easy.
While Si Xu was busy calming Lin Jiu, Jiang Shiyao was not satisfied.
“Captain Si, that’s unfair! I haven’t even had a chance to compete with him. How do you know I can’t beat him?”
Without lifting his eyes, Si Xu said, “If you’re unhappy, then go ahead and fight.”
Jiang Shiyao formed a water shield in front of him with a flick of his hands.
Lin Jiu: “…”
A water shield defense? He’s acting all high and mighty because of that?
If it had been any other defensive ability, Lin Jiu might’ve had to think twice. But against a water shield? No need to even consider it.
Water manipulation was one of the innate talents of the Siren race.
Jiang Shiyao boasted, “My water shield can block bullets, it can expand or shrink, and it can protect one person or a whole group. Compared to Lin Han’s white light armor, mine is far superior. Humanity’s greatest threat is now in the sea, and when I stand on the ocean, the limitless water becomes my strongest shield. So, do you think I have the right to replace Lin Han?”
Lin Jiu extended his hand, and the water shield floating in front of Jiang Shiyao suddenly turned into a stream of water and flew toward Lin Jiu.
With a single hand, Lin Jiu controlled the water, turning it into a sphere that hovered above his palm.
“Do you think I have the right to replace you?”
Jiang Shiyao: “?!”
Everyone: “!!!”
They all knew Jiang Shiyao’s defensive ability was strong, and he had reason to be proud. But who would’ve thought that his water shield would leave his control and end up in someone else’s hands? What was going on?!
In Lin Jiu’s hands, the water sphere transformed into various shapes—first a broadsword, then a longsword, and finally a water pistol aimed at Jiang Shiyao.
“Can you only create a water shield, or can you control water too?”
Jiang Shiyao: “…”
Lin Jiu held the water pistol and added sound effects, “Biubiu~~”
Two small water bullets shot out from the water pistol, hitting Jiang Shiyao’s face and nose, spraying him with water.
Jiang Shiyao: “…”
Everyone: “…”
No one had expected that this water pistol could actually shoot out bullets.
Jiang Shiyao was so angry he started trembling.
Si Xu took Lin Jiu’s hand. “Don’t be naughty.”
The water pistol, now out of control, dissolved into the air.
Lin Jiu looked up at Si Xu. “A team doesn’t need two people with water control abilities, right?”
Si Xu: “Yes, it doesn’t.”
Jiang Shiyao, still drenched, didn’t even bother wiping his face, instead glaring at Lin Jiu with a murderous look.
Lin Jiu remained unfazed. “With your abilities, you should stay at headquarters, but you’re better suited for the newly formed support team.”
Lin Jiu returned Jiang Shiyao’s own words back to him.
Jiang Shiyao was nearly livid with rage. This humiliation was something he would remember for the rest of his life!
In the crowd, Zang Ye and Bai Zhixing didn’t know what expression to make. After all, they had personally tested Lin Jiu’s abilities. How could there be such a huge discrepancy?
Bai Zhixing walked over. “Just how many abilities do you have?”
Lin Jiu: “My abilities are pretty casual; I could have just about anything.”
Bai Zhixing: “…”
Even Lin Jiu wasn’t sure how many abilities he had—it was all up to fate.
Lin Jiu spotted a bald man in the crowd and waved to him. “Mr. Bear!”
Zang Ye: “…”
Zang Ye silently turned away, rubbing his bald head, pretending not to hear.
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu: “I’ve only ever heard that bears have bad eyesight, but I didn’t expect their hearing to be bad too.”
Zang Ye froze, unsure whether to turn back or keep walking away.
Si Xu, not feeling comfortable leaving Lin Jiu alone here, said to Lu Yu, “You guys carry on. I’ll take Xiao Jiu with me.”
Lu Yu knew that Si Xu was busy and might not have time to keep an eye on Lin Jiu.
“You can leave him here if you want. I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”
Si Xu: “No need.”
Si Xu took the insulated box and led Lin Jiu away.
Si Xu brought Lin Jiu to the monitoring room. “I’m a bit busy right now. Sit here for a while, and when I’m done, we’ll have dinner together.”
On the monitoring screen, everyone stood perfectly straight, wearing uniform camouflage. Just from their posture, it was clear they were military-trained.
Lin Jiu (curious): “What are they doing?”
Si Xu: “They’ve all been selected from the military. I’m doing the final review, choosing those with genetic potential. They’ll become users of the gene-enhancing serum.”
The genetic serum couldn’t be used recklessly. Without genetic potential, those who used it could die on the spot.
Si Xu was responsible for the final review, bearing a significant burden.
Lin Jiu: “How do you check if they have genetic potential?”
Si Xu: “There’s no better method right now. I can only use my magic essence to test them. If they can handle it, there’s hope; if not, then there’s none.”
Lin Jiu (surprised): “You’ve been testing them like this the whole time? Isn’t the consumption of magic essence huge?”
Si Xu took a sip from the small flask Lin Jiu had given him. “For this batch, it has to be done this way. In the future, I’ll think of a more accurate and quicker method.”
Si Xu was about to leave, but Lin Jiu grabbed him.
“Don’t go. Gather everyone together and let the Demon Hunting System test them. It’s fast and accurate.”
[…]
[I won’t do it for free.]
Lin Jiu: “How many people in total?”
Si Xu: “There are still 132 people left.”
Remembering Si Xu’s reminder, Lin Jiu negotiated with the system. “I’ll give you 50 magic points. Go do the job.”
[At least 1 magic point per person, or I won’t do it!]
Si Xu: “That’s too much. 10 points will be enough.”
Lin Jiu “…”
[…]
Si Xu: “Actually, it can do the testing for free…”
[50 points! 50 points and I’ll do it! I’m going right now!]
The Demon Hunting System ran off, whimpering, afraid that Si Xu would reveal it had been secretly hoarding magic points.
Lin Jiu “…”
Suddenly, Lin Jiu felt like he’d been ripped off.
Compared to Si Xu testing each person one by one with his magic essence, the Demon Hunting System was much faster. It scanned the entire group and marked those with genetic potential, then passed the information to Si Xu.
Si Xu went out to call the names. Out of everyone, only 42 people had genetic potential.
The number was smaller than expected. Considering these individuals had already gone through multiple rounds of screening, only 42 remained.
After reporting the names, Si Xu returned to the monitoring room to have dinner with Lin Jiu.
Si Xu’s work was done, and after dinner, they could head out for their mission.
As soon as they stepped out of the monitoring room, they saw Huang Qi waiting outside.
Huang Qi immediately stood at attention. “Captain.”
Si Xu: “Is there something you need?”
Huang Qi, looking dejected, glanced at Lin Jiu, then lowered his head. “Captain, I’m applying to leave the team.”
Lin Jiu turned to look at Si Xu.
Si Xu’s face was unreadable. “Are you sure?”
Huang Qi: “I’ve been thinking about it ever since we returned. I’ve made up my mind. Team Seven doesn’t need someone with my abilities. If I stay, I’ll only hold everyone back. I want to go where my abilities can be put to better use.”
Si Xu: “If you’ve thought it through, then go ahead with the process.”
Huang Qi: “Yes!”
Si Xu led Lin Jiu away.
Lin Jiu glanced back, noticing Huang Qi’s red-rimmed eyes. Lin Jiu felt a little bad for him.
Ever since Lin Jiu had seen Huang Qi alone on the ship, he had known that Huang Qi would probably be the first to leave Team Seven. His hypnotic abilities were useless against sea monsters, and if he stayed, he’d either lose his life or cause someone else to lose theirs.
The two walked in silence.
Lin Jiu asked, “How many people have been confirmed for Team Seven?”
Si Xu: “It’s hard to say. Right now, the Combined Unit only has Team One and Team Seven. Each unit is temporarily divided into three smaller teams, with 10 people per team. We need to select the best people from all the enhanced individuals to join the Combined Unit. If anyone fails their assessments and ranks at the bottom, they might be replaced.”
Lin Jiu: “What about Jiang Ge?”
Lin Jiu was worried that Jiang Ge, insisting on joining Team Seven, would end up like the other sacrificed enhanced individuals.
Si Xu: “Currently, the ‘Special Security Department’ has strict evaluation procedures. He might not pass, and the Jiang family doesn’t agree with him taking this path.”
Lin Jiu breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s good if he doesn’t join. It’s too dangerous.”
Suddenly, Lin Jiu realized something. If each unit is divided into three smaller teams and each team needs someone with defensive abilities, then Jiang Shiyao might still have a chance to join the Combined Unit.
“Did I… did I make a mistake? Could Jiang Shiyao actually be a good fit for Team Seven?”
Si Xu took his hand. “Jiang Shiyao’s water shield defense is indeed good, especially suited for maritime combat. That’s why he’s so arrogant. He gained his ability through the enhancement serum for pre-enhanced individuals, and compared to me, he’s known Lu Yu for much longer.”
“He didn’t want to join Team One; he came to Team Seven because he wanted the vice-captain position. Team One already has Shi Shuqing, so there’s no way he could become vice-captain there. His only option was to aim for Team Seven. He had already expressed this to me before. Even without today’s incident, he wouldn’t have made it into Team Seven. He’s not the vice-captain I want.”
Lin Jiu let out a breath of relief. “What kind of vice-captain do you want then?”
Si Xu looked at him and smiled. “If you weren’t so busy, I’d want a vice-captain like you.”
Lin Jiu’s eyes sparkled. “I can be your vice-captain!”
Si Xu pulled him close and kissed his forehead. “But I can’t bear to do that. The workload of a vice-captain is heavy, and they have to be bound by the rules of the ‘Special Security Department.’ I don’t want you to be tied down here.”
Lin Jiu’s personality wasn’t suited for being a vice-captain. He could be carefree most of the time, but if he got confused in serious situations, it might cause a disaster that even Si Xu couldn’t fix. The best solution was to keep him out of it and let him live his own life.
Si Xu, thinking of Lin Jiu’s well-being, made Lin Jiu feel warm and happy. “Then what will you do about your vice-captain?”
Si Xu sighed. “I’ll wait a bit longer. If no suitable candidate appears, then we just won’t have a deputy.”
*
The two of them drove home, changed from their winter clothes into summer clothes, and prepared to set off.
They arrived once again at Xipuluo Island, where it was still daytime.
Lin Jiu sized up Si Xu. “You’re going to wait here for me?”
Si Xu released a flying device. “No need. I’ll go with you. The device can dive underwater and has weapons equipped. It should be useful.”
Lin Jiu hesitated. “Then… I’ll dive first.”
He was worried that Si Xu might see him transform. The process was far from graceful, and the pain of it was real and intense. Lin Jiu had never gotten used to the agony, and he didn’t want to scare Si Xu.
When he was alone, Lin Jiu often stripped naked before diving in. But now, with Si Xu by his side, he felt embarrassed.
Lin Jiu was about to take off his clothes when he noticed Si Xu watching him. His ears turned bright red.
“Y-you turn around.”
Si Xu chuckled. “I’ve kissed every part of your body…”
“Shut up, shut up!” Lin Jiu’s face turned crimson. He threw his shirt over Si Xu’s head. “No looking! Turn around!”
Si Xu caught his shirt and laughed. “Alright, I’m turning.”
Lin Jiu quickly took off his pants and dove into the water. The intense pain made him roll around in the sea, but he gritted his teeth and didn’t make a sound.
Si Xu heard the splashing in the water and knew Lin Jiu had entered. He turned back, but all he could see was the vast ocean—no sign of Lin Jiu.
Si Xu waited at the shore for a while, and soon a head emerged from the water. Long black hair drenched, revealing purple ear fins that looked both eerie and captivating.
Si Xu took a few steps forward, trying to get a clearer look at Lin Jiu in his siren form.
Lin Jiu called out to him, “Get on the flying device.”
Si Xu snapped out of his daze and reluctantly returned to the device.
The flying device transformed into a streamlined form to reduce drag underwater.
Si Xu piloted the device into the sea, and through the transparent cockpit, he could see the underwater world in perfect clarity.
While Si Xu was searching for Lin Jiu, a webbed hand suddenly pressed against the transparent window, and Lin Jiu’s face appeared below, deliberately trying to startle him.
Seeing Si Xu staring at him in a daze, Lin Jiu grinned, revealing a set of sharp little teeth. His purple eyes were brilliantly bright underwater.
Lin Jiu swam back a little, giving Si Xu a full view of him. His dark purple fish tail lazily swayed in the water as he spun in place, then suddenly shot forward, disappearing with astonishing speed.
Lin Jiu playfully swam circles around the flying device, clearly having fun. Si Xu barely contained his urge to grab the mischievous sea demon and pull him inside.
After Lin Jiu had his fill of fun, he swam up to Si Xu and pointed in a direction, signaling him to follow.
The little siren led the way, and Si Xu piloted the device behind him.
Watching the siren pause and play as he swam ahead, Si Xu let out a long breath, nearly driven mad by the teasing antics.
Lin Jiu had the Demon Hunting System guide them to find the Skullfish.
As they neared the Skullfish habitat, Lin Jiu signaled for Si Xu to stop.
[Master Si, the host asked me to tell you to try catching the Skullfish alive. The roe won’t taste as good if the fish are dead.]
Si Xu glanced at the weapons system—if he fired a shot, the fish would be blown to pieces.
The flying device detected a nearby reef. Si Xu decided to park the device there and come back to help Lin Jiu catch the Skullfish.
Si Xu had the Demon Hunting System relay the message to Lin Jiu and left with the flying device.
Lin Jiu noticed Si Xu leaving and followed him.
After parking the flying device, Si Xu stepped out and saw the little siren clinging to the reef, looking up at him.
Si Xu reached out, and Lin Jiu handed him his webbed hand.
Si Xu grabbed the little siren with one strong pull, lifting him from the water and pressing him against the flying vehicle.
Lin Jiu was startled, his eyes wide open, staring at him.
Si Xu’s eyes had already turned silver, his breath heavy as he buried his face in the little siren’s neck, kissing his throat and beautiful ear fins.
Lin Jiu’s ear fins were very sensitive, twitching from the ticklish sensation. “This… this isn’t right…”
As Lin Jiu tried to sit up, the man pressed him down again, holding his webbed hands against the flying vehicle.
The man’s breathing was heavy, his kisses relentless. His warm hand touched Lin Jiu’s cold fish tail, sending a shiver through his entire body.
“No… no, I’ll hurt you…”
The man chuckled softly, holding the frightened little siren in his arms.
“Don’t worry, just let me hold you for a while…”
—
Thank you for the chapter!!!
I’m so mad this isn’t smut ??