Before long, a sizable number of merfolk had gathered in the waters near where they had landed earlier. Some had even climbed onto the reefs.
The new melody seemed to have a considerable soothing effect. They looked far less frenzied than they had during the hunt.
By contrast, the people aboard the poaching ship were visibly bewildered.
After instinctively fleeing for a while, they seemed to notice the merfolk acting strangely. They hesitated, then not only stopped but awkwardly turned back.
See? No need to worry about them running off.
He withdrew his gaze without surprise and continued monitoring the quiet stretch of sea before him.
As he'd said earlier, no matter how long they struggled with the decision, Lan En and the others wouldn't give up on this mysterious place.
In fact, Fu Qian believed that once they confirmed the merfolk were safe, they'd try to land on the island themselves, just like those two—
Squinting at a figure not too far away, sneaking ashore, Fu Qian finally stood up with satisfaction.
Broad-shouldered, with black hair and a thick beard—it was Friend of Nature Delanlai.
As expected, he hadn't escaped either. He'd been swept up in this, too.
The next moment, after carefully surveying his surroundings, Delanlai turned and hauled something else out of the sea.
At first glance, it looked like a fish basket woven from vines, though the craftsmanship was rather poor.
Inside the basket, a familiar, ferocious face poked out. It was the young, naive little mermaid.
More than one of the vines was wrapped around her, as if to keep her from running off.
I knew you wouldn't take the proper route and go on a pilgrimage.
Vivian's singing was clearly more effective on her own kind.
And besides the merfolk outside who had