Chapter 134: The Great Mage—Na

As they moved forward, the fog gradually thickened, making it harder and harder to see. Mu Xue could sense something approaching, but she always kept a certain distance from it.

Sang Jingwen crouched down, switched his flashlight to hand mode, and shone it ahead. Suddenly, both he and Yi Ping caught a glimpse of a green light flashing in the distance—was it some kind of creature blinking?

It disappeared in an instant, so he couldn’t be sure. He could only stare intently ahead, ready for anything. “The thing Xiao Xue sensed might be up ahead. Everyone, be careful.”

Tu You, trembling on Sang Chu’s shoulder, was a spirit, but he was truly afraid of the dark—and of ghosts!

“Ah Chu, do you think… there are ghosts here?”

Sang Chu laughed. “Didn’t we already check last time? Don’t worry, there aren’t any ghosts in the magic academy, but there might be monsters.”

Thinking of this, Sang Chu suddenly said, “Brother, let’s switch places. I’ll use the whistle.”

She had been walking in the water, and it reminded her of that checkpoint in the monster world. No, the sound Mu Xue heard was probably the barrier in this water area.

Otherwise, how could the whistle have gotten second place? It must have been because of the monsters!

Sang Jingwen said, “Alright, be careful.”

He and Yi Ping carefully switched places with Sang Chu. Sang Chu stood up, borrowed Sang Jingwen’s light, looked ahead, and blew a sharp, piercing whistle.

“Ah—!”

A heart-wrenching wail echoed through the fog and gradually faded away.

The creatures in the water, as if terrified by the whistle, fled at top speed.

The narrow river widened, and the monsters—big and small—scrambled away in a frenzy.

When the fog, rocks, moss, and shrubs had all scattered, the small river had become a large lake. In the center of the lake stood a huge boulder, and on top of it, a beautiful mermaid was tied up.

Her long, dark green hair trailed into the water, revealing slightly pointed ears. Her tail, as green as jade, was covered in scars, with patches where the scales had been ripped off, exposing bloody flesh.

She had a great figure, every curve just right, and a pair of wings like a dragonfly’s on her back.

But her beautiful face was numb, and her eyes were filled with despair.

When Yi Ping and the other boys saw the mermaid, they instinctively turned their backs to her.

Sang Chu stopped the bamboo raft, looked at the mermaid, and asked, “Hello, we’re just passing through. Who tied you up here?”

Tu You: [Ah Chu, this mermaid seems a bit pitiful.]

Sang Chu agreed. This mermaid was different from the ones they’d seen in the monster realm before. She didn’t seem as intimidating; instead, she gave off a sense of brokenness, and her body was covered in wounds. Even her upper body was battered and bruised.

Sang Chu said, “I have some clothes here. I’ll come up and help you put them on.”

The mermaid, hearing this, slowly turned her head to look at Sang Chu. She hadn’t expected that all the men on the boat had turned their backs to her. This tiny bit of kindness made her fall silent for a moment.

After a long while, she finally parted her cracked lips and managed a faint smile. “No need, kind soul. You should leave quickly. You’ve scattered the fog, and those rock monsters and water beasts will come soon.”

Sang Chu asked, “Was it them who trapped you here?”

The mermaid smiled sadly, her tail weakly slapping the water beneath the boulder. “Yes. My grandmother said mermaids can’t leave their homes, and we must never enter the Dryad Forest. This place belongs to the rock monsters. Their king is domineering, cruel, and born with divine strength. He rules the Selin Forest.”

At that moment, Mu Xue suddenly said, “Sang Sang, I think those things are coming back.”

“Brother, Xiao Xue, you two stay in front and behind and keep your guard up. Yi Ge, take the fire talisman!”

“Okay.”

Sang Chu leaped onto the boulder and examined the restraints.

The mermaid, Na, blinked in disbelief. Many people had come here before, but none had tried to free her.

Her eyes were filled only with wariness.

“This is a magic stone. It can seal magic, so it’s useless to struggle…”

Before she could finish, Sang Chu had already taken out a dagger, wrapped it in what looked like a fruit’s stone jade liquid, and sliced through the restraints.

This stuff cut through the magic stone as easily as tofu, and the magic stone that had trapped her was no exception.

When Sang Chu helped Na up, she felt as if she were dreaming.

“Put these clothes on first. Do you know the way out? If so, come with us.”

“Leave? Hmph!”

Suddenly, a voice boomed, “You’ve got some nerve, daring to steal my bride! Eat them!”

A group of rock monsters, wooden monsters, moss, and shrubs surged forward, surrounding them.

Seeing the situation, Na, terrified of being recaptured, clung tightly to Sang Chu, her porcelain-white hands gripping her desperately.

Her eyes were full of pleading.

Sang Chu looked at her, comforted her softly, and gently held her hand.

Sang Chu said, “Bride? This is imprisonment.”

A towering rock monster laughed loudly. “So what? If you want to save her, you’ll stay too! The woman will be shared by all, and the men—eaten!”

“Wuwuwu!!!”

A chaotic chorus of monsters roared. Sang Chu picked up Na, jumped back onto the bamboo raft, and set her down. “Do you know the way out?”

“I do. If you follow the river past the rock monsters, you’ll reach the nearest magic town in Selin Forest.”

“Good. That’s where we’re headed. Be careful.”

After making sure Na was settled, Sang Chu drew his sword. “Brother, Xiao Xue, blow the whistle!”

Tu You hurriedly nodded and blew the whistle. The sharp sound sent the monsters fleeing in all directions.

Even Na, sitting on the raft, couldn’t stand it. She covered her ears and curled up, trembling.

Sang Chu didn’t stop, but said to Na, “Hang in there, we’ll be out soon!”

Na knew there were many monsters here, and this group was her only hope. But the sound of the whistle pierced her body, making her feel as if knives were cutting her flesh—it hurt so much!

“Mu Xue, Yi Ge, you two handle the plant monsters. Leave the rock monsters to me!”

“Okay!”

The three of them worked together, and soon the monsters were scattered, the rock monsters falling to Sang Chu’s sword.

Tu You hurriedly flew to the shore and swept the monsters into her pouch—after all, these were all useful materials!

With the help of the whistle, they made it safely through Selin Forest, collecting quite a few monsters along the way.

But Na was pitiful—her already weak body was now even worse off.

Seeing her covered in blood, pale as a sheet, Sang Jingwen and Yi Ping wanted to help her up.

But when they saw the fear in her eyes, they stopped in their tracks.

Sang Chu squatted in front of her helplessly and said, “If you don’t want them to touch you, how about I carry you? Once we reach town, maybe we can find a doctor to treat you.”

Na nodded, climbed onto Sang Chu’s back, leaned against his shoulder, and spoke in a weak but clear voice: “Thank you… My name is Na.”

“I’m Sang Chu.”"