Give Me an Explanation, Damn It!

The fluctuations of Soul Power around Lin Xia weakened significantly again, and the blue-gold light dimmed considerably.

His gaze upon Zi Zhenzhu, that cold scrutiny, for the first time contained an indescribable astonishment and a hint of... wavering.

He couldn't believe that this shrewish, cursing female pirate who threatened to torture people would do something so insane.

Zi Zhenzhu felt extremely uncomfortable under everyone's gaze, especially Lin Xia's stare, which made her feel even more uncomfortable than having a spear pointed at her.

She abruptly turned her face away, a suspicious blush creeping up her ears uncontrollably, but her words remained sharp, as she fiercely roared at Jixiang:

"Bullshit! I just didn't like those poisonous eels! I wanted to stretch my muscles! Who cared if they were dead or alive! Then I found out they were a bunch of half-dead landlubbers, what bad luck! If it weren't for seeing... seeing..."

She stared at it for a long time but couldn't figure it out. Finally, Stomping Tantrum in frustration and embarrassment.

"I just want to capture her and make her my slave! Is that not allowed? Why are you being so nosy, you dead fish face!"

She pointed at Jixiang, her chest heaving with anger.

"Then why are you locking us up? And... and saying you want to... get married!"

Dugu Yan couldn't help but interject, her voice tinged with shame and indignation.

"Ha!"

As if she had caught something red-handed, Zi Zhenzhu suddenly turned around, glared at Dugu Yan, and then gave Lin Xia a fierce look.

"Why? Ask yourselves! You Land Soul Master are all so delicate and fragile, especially this golden-haired vixen!"

She pointed at Hu Liena.

"And this Bingbing little snake, and this icy little flower!"

She stood with her hands on her hips, berating them fiercely.

"Do you know what kind of people Purple Pearl Island? They're all desperate thugs who've been risking their lives for years and haven't smelled a woman's scent in years! Are you really going to just leave you out there like this? Believe me, you won't even be left with a bone fragment by dawn!"

"On this island, what we don't lack are hungry wolves who're obsessed with women!"

Her words were like ice water, waking Hu Liena and the others. They had only felt the humiliation of imprisonment before, but had never imagined this more terrifying threat.

Yes, in this pirate den, the three women, especially Hu Liena and Dugu Yan, were like fresh meat thrown into a wolf pack! Even Ye Lingling was so frightened that her face turned even paler.

"I'll lock you all up on my territory, hang my purple lanterns there, and say that I'm getting married."

Zi Zhenzhu's voice carried a hint of barely Frisk weariness and self-deprecation.

"There are thousands of people on this island. Even if there are some lecherous fools, they'd better think twice before touching my 'people'! Do you understand? You idiots! A bunch of ungrateful idiots!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, pointing her finger at Lin Xia's nose.

"And you! You ignorant and arrogant brat! You smashed up my house and beat up my people without even asking what happened! Now you know you've wronged an innocent person? Too late! Let me tell you, this isn't over! Even if you're the King of Heaven, you'd better give me an explanation today!"

The truth is like an onion being peeled back, pungent and bringing tears to your eyes.

The violent Soul Power surrounding Lin Xia finally receded completely like a tide, disappearing without a trace.

The bloodshot color in his eyes faded, returning to a deep purple.

All the anger and murderous intent transformed into indescribable complex emotions in Zi Zhenzhu's seemingly domineering roar, which was actually permeated with a twisted logic of protection.

He remained silent for a few breaths, his gaze slowly sweeping over the tear stains and shock of sudden realization on the faces of Hu Liena, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling, over the shocking wounds and weakness of Xie Yue and Yan after being tortured, and finally, his gaze settled on Zi Zhenzhu's face, which was flushed with excitement and shame, yet still breathtakingly beautiful.

Lin Xia stepped forward, and to everyone's astonishment, she clasped her hands together, bowed deeply to Zi Zhenzhu, her waist bent very low, her movements precise and solemn.

"Commander Zi Zhenzhu."

His voice was deep and clear, carrying an unprecedented sincerity.

"Lin Xia was reckless, destroying your hall and injuring your subordinates without asking why, and almost committing a grave mistake, repaying kindness with enmity. This is Lin Xia's fault, and the blame lies with me. I, Lin Xia, hereby apologize to the regimental commander for the offense I have committed today!"

He raised his head, looking openly at Zi Zhenzhu, whose expression was constantly changing.

"Lin Xia will never forget your life-saving grace. I will repay this kindness!"

The pirates were utterly stunned, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. This fiend, who had just been like a demon god descending to earth, smashing down walls with a single punch and killing or injuring several Soul Ancestor and Soul King with a single glance, was now bowing so solemnly in apology to their hot-tempered captain, who had just berated him mercilessly?

Zi Zhenzhu herself was also dumbfounded.

She had imagined countless possible outcomes—the other party would become enraged and continue fighting, or rely on their strength to be arrogant and dismissive, or simply be unreasonable... But she never expected it to be such a solemn apology!

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Lin Xia's lowered head, all the harsh words she had prepared suddenly stuck in her throat.

She felt a surge of heat uncontrollably rise to her cheeks, and even her neck began to feel hot.

She abruptly turned her head again, avoiding Lin Xia's gaze, leaving only a beautifully contoured profile and... ear tips that were almost dripping blood red.

"Hmph! Hypocrite!"

She snapped out the sentence, but her voice lacked its previous sharpness; instead, it carried a hint of barely Frisk panic.

"Who... who asked you to remember any favors! Get your people and get off my island! I can't stand the sight of you!"

Lin Xia straightened up, ignoring the awkwardness in her words.

He walked to Hu Liena and the other two, his fingertips like the sharpest blade, and with a light stroke, the sturdy rope snapped. Hu Liena immediately threw herself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly, burying her face in his chest, and finally letting out a suppressed sob.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling helped each other to their feet, their eyes filled with dependence and the grievance of surviving a disaster as they looked at Lin Xia.

Lin Xia gently patted Hu Liena's back, but her gaze went past Hu Liena's shoulder to Xie Yue and Yan on the ground.

Jixiang had already given them initial treatment and fed them some pills. Their complexions had improved slightly, but they were still weak.

"Brother Jixiang."

Lin Xia looked at Jixiang, her tone earnest.

"My companion is seriously injured, could you please...?"

"The person stays."

Before Jixiang could answer, Zi Zhenzhu's firm voice rang out again. She still had her back to everyone, and her tone left no room for argument.

"This is my island, and these are my rules! They're injured like this, and they think they can leave? They'll be fish food halfway there! They'd better stay put and recover! Once they're healed, get out of here!"

She paused, then added fiercely:

"Especially you! Lin Xia! You damaged the wall, you injured people, you have to pay for it all! Don't even think about getting away with a single penny!"

After she finished speaking, as if she could no longer stay, she suddenly flicked her sleeve and strode towards the other side of the wooden house, where the wall had also been damaged by Lin Xia's punch and had a large hole. Her purple figure, carrying a disheveled anger, quickly disappeared into the light outside the hole.