An arrow cut through the air, flying straight toward the hand Ruthis was about to dip into the water. Ruthis frowned and retreated several steps. His followers and Yue Hanshan's men went on high alert, all turning toward where the arrow had come from.
Someone stood upright there. The moonlight was dim, and there were no lamps to illuminate the path, leaving only a vague silhouette visible.
The figure was tall, his hands still held in an archer's stance. He seemed about to loose a second arrow. Forgetting that he himself stood accused, Yue Hanshan stepped forward to shield Ruthis behind him.
But the moment he moved, Ruthis planted a foot against him and snapped coldly, "Get lost! Stay away from me!"
Yue Hanshan stiffened and stumbled under the kick. With bitterness in his mouth, he led his men aside.
"Who are you? Why not come out and show yourself?"
The whistle of another arrow tore his next words apart. Ruthis's expression turned ugly. He had never expected the man he had failed to win over to be such a ruthless character.
He wanted to get a clear look at the man, but the trusted aides guarding him had already found the best escape route and escorted him away.
Even after retreating far into the distance and disappearing altogether, Ruthis still had not seen the face of the man who had brought people into his residence.
Meanwhile, Shen Yangge heard the anger in Ruthis's voice. Raising his tail, he poked his fish head out of the large wooden basin. At his first glimpse of the man standing in the distance, his eyes went blank for a moment. At the second, he promptly sank back into the water with a gurgle.
Chu Xuanzhen was here!
When he had been a mermaid,