บท 27: Sea
Chapter 26 — Sea
Meng Tian's Workshop.
"The shop is closed for two days. We'll have a job vacation at the beach."
Meng Tian wore a light smile.
Today's the start of summer.
And if there's summer, a beach vacation follows.
"A vacation..!?"
Tang Wulin felt excited.
A chance to finally take a break and relax from his hellish forging and training sessions.
Moreover, they can have fun!
"A beach, huh…"
A word that sounded familiar yet unfamiliar to my ears.
Glorybound City was close to the ocean, but I've never been to that place.
I used to hear about the beach from my parents until my ears grew tired.
My parents always say they spent their honeymoon on a beautiful beach full of white sands and mangrove trees.
Once upon a time, I was always amazed to hear about their honeymoon on the beach.
They've even promised me for the entire family to hold my next birthday at that beach.
Unfortunately, that promise couldn't be kept now…
A warm beach full of sands and gentle waves.
A clear blue ocean and a school of swimming fishes.
A scene that I've always dreamed about when I sleep back then.
Thats why,
"I'll go."
I decided to join them.
This might even provide the chance to find a catalyst for the cold force.
Nay.
Maybe those thoughts were merely excuses for my feelings.
I just wanted to experience what my parents felt when they first saw a beach.
If I did so, perhaps, I can somehow feel close and connected to them.
I just… miss them.
Senior Brother Long also agreed to join the vacation without hesitation.
Meng Tian then clapped his hands satisfiedly.
"It's decided then. The vacation is just tomorrow, so let's prepare the essential things we will need."
Meng Tian began to individually assign the parts we would need.
At the end, Tang Wulin hesitantly raised his hand for a question.
"Wulin?"
"Can I bring my sister?"
Tang Wulin wanted to see the beach together with Na'er.
"Fine, you can even bring your parents to the beach."
"Ah, thank you!"
Meng Tian then dismissed the sudden emergency meeting.
"Master, I heard that an idol from Red Rose will perform a concert there…"
Senior Brother Long suspiciously gazed at Meng Tian.
"...while wearing a skimpy swimsuit."
"How dare you accuse me!" Meng Tian glared back. "Is it wrong to relax at the beach!? Do you think I'm such a person!?"
"..."
We couldn't help but just silently stare at him.
After Red Rose arrived, Meng Tian evidently developed a new hobby.
The skilled and powerful Meng Tian had his entire life changed when got a glimpse of the poisonous entertainment world.
Namely—!
Idols and comics!
The two things where most of his money got spent.
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Glorybound City was just sitting near the ocean, but they still needed to ride a soul train to get there.
The meeting place was at the train station's entrance gate.
Everyone soon arrived while carrying their own stuff.
"Long, have you brought the table, chairs, utensils, blanket, and umbrella?"
"I brought them all."
"Tang Family, you've brought drinks and food? I've also bought my share, but I doubt it will be enough to fill everyone here."
"We have prepared a lot!" The Tang Family responded eagerly.
Tang Ziran was now working at the famous Red Rose's Mecha Guild, so the family had more budgets to spend.
"Nai An?"
This time, Meng Tian asked me with twitching lips.
"I brought more than enough."
"...I can clearly see that."
Meng Tian gazed at the giant leather bag on my back.
The bag surely was overflowing with a lot of unknown things.
"What's inside your bag?" Tang Wulin asked while looking astonished.
"A lot of high-quality meat, rice, and vegetables. There are also spices and carbonized drinks made by Red Rose."
The ingredients alone were enough to fill elephants.
I always asked for Ning Shui to buy me high-quality ingredients. I even told her about my vacation on the beach.
As for the other things in my bag, I tried to recall those items.
"And some fireworks."
I remember my older sister saying that fireworks were essential when we were formulating our plan for the beach…
"Fireworks…!"
Tang Wulin and Na'er were eagerly looking at the bag, their hands itching to try out the fireworks.
Meanwhile, their mother, Lang Yue, was curiously looking at the giant bag.
"He says that bag has various high-quality ingredients and spices!?"
The quantity alone daunted her with exhaustion, but she was excited to try cooking with expensive ingredients.
"The train has arrived. Let's now go inside."
Meng Tian gestured for us to enter the soul train.
I stared at the streamlined body of the train born from technology.
A soul train.
We went inside the soul train.
The cabin was a four seater that faced each other, so we separated into two groups.
Of course, the Tang Family were in the same group.
Senior Brother Long and I were seated together with Meng Tian.
Anyways, it didn't matter much since we were practically besides each other.
As the soul train moved, I gazed outside the window, quietly appreciating the beautiful landscapes we came across.
Tang Wulin and Na'er were doing the same thing since this was their first time on a soul train.
Their funny reactions were so loud that it caused their parents to laugh. Even Meng Tian and Senior Brother Long started to chuckle.
I just silently glanced at them laughing so happily together
A memory from the past surfaced in my mind.
My past happy memories were full of laughter and smiles.
As I looked at Tang Wulin, for the first time ever, I could feel a stuffy emotion rising up from my heart.
I grabbed my chest and silently closed my eyes.
The emotions I was trying to suppress were now spilling out.
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The soul train soon arrived at the train station near the beach.
The blue sky was devoid of clouds; only a bright sun and a few seagulls flying across the air.
Today, the weather was really great. Not too hot, nor too cold.
"So this is the ocean… so vast!"
Tang Wulin was mesmerized by the ocean that stretched far without limits.
The sight of the ocean warmed his blood and calmed his mind.
"Why do I feel so close and loved by the ocean?"
Tang Wulin wondered about the mysterious sensation he was feeling from the ocean.
Meanwhile, I could feel my feet sinking under the soft grainy sands. A cool gentle breeze brushing against my black hair tied into a single long tail, fluttering ever so softly. I could see dozens of large mangrove trees on the beach.
Then there was the beautiful sea before my eyes that perfectly reflected the sun.
I could only gaze at the beautiful scenery for a long time, feeling indescribable sensations arising from within me.
Tranquility and peace.
For the first time, I felt peaceful and tranquil, to the point where even my rage and bloodlust calmed down.
"Is this what they felt?"
I wondered in silence, thinking about my loving parents.
"... it's warm."
I strangely felt warm like someone was embracing my body.
My lips and eyes started quivering, but I suppressed my leaking emotions once again.
I looked around before noticing Tang Wulin and Na'er also being mesmerized by the ocean.
Aside from us, there were also many people on the beach.
It was then—
I noticed the blue clam necklace trembling faintly with excitement. It was a mystical necklace that greatly helped me, so I wondered why it was suddenly reacting to something.
"Could it be…" I held the necklace while gazing at the clear blue ocean.
Meanwhile, the adults had already set up our spot while we were busy admiring the ocean.
"Let's go change."
Meng Tian said to the us, the three males of different ages.
I first dropped my gigantic bag, and followed Meng Tian to the male changing room.
The girls also went to the female changing room.
After changing into pants, we soon left the male changing room.
The four of us were shirtless with only tight short pants on the lower body.
Meng Tian and Tang Wulin had a really toned and muscular body that attracted many eyes of the ladies.
However, the one who attracted the most attention was me.
Meng Tian and Tang Wulin were already used to seeing me shirtless, so they didn't think much.
Yet they couldn't deny that my streamlined body went beyond the norms of aesthetic and strength. Every piece of my muscle fibers were tempered like firm steel cables, and then sculpted to achieve the perfect ratio, so that it pursue the realm of gods.
If they were compared to me, then they would feel that their body was extremely lackluster.
However, if there was a fault, it would be the burnt scar on my chest that vaguely resembled a sun, hiding a mysterious story to them.
Tang Ziran sighed dejectedly, as he was the only one with a normal body compared to us.
As we returned, the mother and daughter pair had also changed into their swimsuits.
They were wearing rash guards that tightly covered their skin.
Na'er gazed at my naked upper body, but her ears quickly reddened. The burnt scar piqued her curiosity, but she couldn't ask about it.
She remembered the time I ruthlessly slaughtered people.
Was the scar the result of doing those kinds of things?
Or something even more harsh?
Upon thinking so, she shivered from the chilling coldness.
"How do I look?"
Na'er could only approach her brother to rid those thoughts.
Tang Wulin saw she was wearing a violet swimsuit.
"You look good," he complimented her with a smile.
I also looked at her.
I rarely interacted with girls, but it was safe to say she has a good appearance.
Na'er noticed my gaze and then lowered her red face.
I retracted my gaze.
That incident must still be in her head.
There was even a chance of it developing into a trauma.
Our spot was covered by a large umbrella to shield us from sunlight. Then there were chairs and a table, as well as a large blanket placed on the sand.
Meng Tian also brought a barbecue set, but that would be used at night.
We were told to swim first, the adults insisting on cooking the food first.
It seems like they wanted us to really have a fun day.
Senior Brother Long and Meng Tian helped to prepare the ingredients and cooking item.
Meanwhile, Tang Ziran installed the electric stove on the table.
On the other hand, I insisted on helping with the cooking because I knew exactly how much I consumed per meal.
The two siblings also wanted to help, but they were sent away since there were too many people helping to cook.
There is a saying that too many cooks spoil the soup.
In the end, the two decided to swim and play in the ocean.
They even dove deeply and saw a school of fishes.
In the ocean, Tang Wulin felt a vast amount of water elements going inside him, making him feel his energy becoming inexhaustible.
He felt amazing and good in the ocean!
Tang Wulin even tried to cultivate and realized it was also faster than his normal cultivation.
Na'er was dumbfounded to see her brother cultivating deep in the ocean.
Meanwhile, I was displaying my cooking ability with amazing dexterity and flexibility. My hands were swift and steady, every movement being accurate and precise with the handling of ingredients and spices.
"Are you buddha..?"
Meng Tian was speechless to see illusions of me having extra pairs of arms since I was cooking too fast.
"How fantastic!" Lang Yue exclaimed with a smile. "I can't lose to you! I still have my pride as a housewife to protect!"
And thus, the two of us had a cooking battle.
The others could only watch from the side because of our insane hand speed.
We soon were able to make enough food for a few feast.
After cooking enough, our eyes were greeted by various dazzling finished products.
"Kids, time to eat!"
Tang Ziran loudly called out for the two siblings.
The extravagant steamy dishes were stacked on the table like a small mountain.
"We don't have enough space! Go grab another table somewhere!" Meng Tian quickly glared at Senior Brother Long.
"..."
Senior Brother Long soon came back with another large table.
"Woah, the dishes looks tastier than usual…!"
Tang Wulin and Na'er were salivating from their mouths.
"I was helped by Nai An. He's so skilled at cooking, I wish he could be my son." Lang Yue sighed sadly. "Wulin, you'd better learn to cook for your vicious appetite!"
Tang Wulin wryly smiled.
Na'er was astonished to hear that I could also cook. She never expected it since it was a big contrast to my stoic appearance and ruthless attitude.
All of us soon started to eat, stuffing large amounts of rice and meat inside our mouths without a stop.
"It tastes so delicious!"
"Nai An, I didn't know you were a good cook!"
"So yummy…!"
Many praises were thrown after their taste buds were overwhelmed by the fragrant taste, the foods instantly melting in their tongue and being smoothly swallowed into their stomachs.
The carbonated drinks also tasted good and sent refreshing fizzles down their throats.
The vicious eaters were Tang Wulin and Na'er who were gobbling them down their throats like drinks.
I ate slightly faster than them, but they were trying to compete with my eating speed.
However, I didn't mind and just ate to fill my stomach.
In just a short time, every dish vanished and was replaced by oily empty plates.
Everyone was stuffed until they were extremely full.
But despite eating so much, our stomachs didn't bloat.
Lang Yue could only watch enviously while patting her own bloating stomach.
Tang Ziran just quietly held her hand, knowing they were somehow feeling the same now.
"Alright! Time to swim and burn fats!"
"Yes!"
They went in the ocean and started to fight by splashing waters around, causing them to laugh aloud.
I peered silently at the setting sun that hung on the horizon, the ocean water showing a rippled reflection of it.
The sight of them laughing loudly and enjoying the sea.
The gentle sound of the waves rocking to the shore.
The vibrant sound of the seagulls crying aloud to deliver newspapers.
The soft sound of the cool wind sweeping the mangrove trees.
The grainy sensation of my feeting sinking under the warm white sands.
The distinctive smell of the salty water that assaulted my nose.
All of them were so near yet appeared so distant to me.
I wondered.
Can I really enjoy this beautiful scenery?
Is it fine for me to go laugh and have fun along with them?
The world before my eyes was beautiful and joyful.
Yet behind me was the ugly path I've already trodden.
An ugly world.
I've been reminded.
That I'm nothing more than just a hideous monster.
I was broken.
And not like them.
I suddenly felt countless hands grabbing me from behind—dragging me away from this beautiful world, sinking my entire being within a murky swamp of endless nothingness.
There were various voices whispering words into my ears, hushed words that solely served to inflict pain.
My chest became heavy and suffocating to the point it was difficult to even breathe—murky waters flooding my mouth and pipes, filling the entirety of my scorching lungs that screamed and desperately heaved for a breath.
I'm dying.
Yet such thought failed to even invoke the sense of fear or desperation in my mind.
"Are you not gonna swim? Ah, I know now! You can't swim!"
A voice suddenly pulled me back into reality as my entire senses recollected themselves.
The leaking emotions were once again suppressed in an instant.
My dead eyes then gazed at the voice who called me.
Tang Wulin.
He was quite shaken to see the expression on my face back then.
An expression that couldn't even be described in words.
To his question, I simply shook my head and entered the ocean.
The moment my entire body was submerged, however, the necklace and cold force simultaneously reacted to the entire ocean.
A faint bluish glow appeared in the necklace, a same kind of bluish glow happening in my red pupils.
…
Imagine Tang Wulin receiving a lunchbox from Gue Yue. He ate it, then was asked how it tasted. Then Tang Wulin replies: "It's good, but not as good as the one Nai An makes."
Boom, I wonder how furious she will grow and hate mc?
...
Is the plot advancing too slow? Already chapter 26 yet still no spirit soul and first soul ring💀 (Just kidding, just consider the Life-death wheel his first soul ring since it gave him two natal abilities). Anyway, leave a good review and power stones for that motivation!
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I ran out of money for my gym membership and coffee 😭😭 I don't know what choose between the two
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