Beauty and the Beasts

The females in mermen tribes were shared by the entire tribe. Every merman had the right to mate with the female. Although the numbers of these mermen had been expanded by him and An’an and they didn’t receive any external disturbances and everything was within his control, it was hard to guarantee that they wouldn’t have a change of heart.

Take now for example.

“Daddy, we’ve already come of age. Where should we go to look for a mate?” Silver, the most outstanding amongst the little mermen, raised this question to Bluepool.

Silver was a merman whose body was completely snow-white. His facial features were exquisite and cold, looking like a mobile ice statue. Just looking at him would make one shiver from the cold.

The number of mermen was too high, and it was impossible for them to come up with so many names. Therefore, they were named after their colors. Like their surnames.

Most mermen would have to add another word after their colors. Only the strongest amongst those of the same color would have the right to get a one-word name.

Take Bluepool’s previous tribe for example. The leader was gold-colored and his name was a single word: Gold. As for Bluepool, as other blue-colored mermen in the tribe were stronger than him, he was named Bluepool and not ‘Blue’. However, no one who’d call him by his name now.

Silver was the strongest amongst the little mermen. It wasn’t just amongst his color, but also all colors. Therefore, he naturally assumed this single-word name that symbolized one with great strength.

Bluepool was braiding An’an’s hair. During these 20 years, he had the time to temper himself and had finally become a four-striped beastman. He was a true blue king now.

Hearing this, Bluepool’s actions didn’t change, but a wariness grew in his heart.

“There are too few females, and not all mermen will be able to have one,” Bluepool said the brutal truth. He tied a bowknot for the end of An’an’s braid, then put on a little white flower on it.

An’an didn’t like flowers and didn’t even dare to touch them. She lifted her braid and shook off the flower.

Bluepool looked at her helplessly. “Why do you hate flowers so much? I’ll put two pieces of leaves on you, then.”

An’an didn’t detest leaves and let Bluepool do as he wished.

Silver looked at them. Bluepool didn’t miss the hint of envy that flashed past in his eyes. His heart sank.

It seemed that they had really grown up.

Bluepool’s expression sank, a hint of fury coming out from his voice. “I’ll make arrangements for you with regards to your mates. If you have the time to think about such things, you might as well go on land to hunt prey to make a few thick pieces of clothing for your mommy.”

“Yes, I was wrong. I’ll go make preparations right away.” Silver lowered his head and replied. His face didn’t reveal his emotions as he turned to swim away.

After making a turn, Silver was immediately surrounded by a bunch of young mermen.

“How is it? What did daddy say?”

“Where should we go to find our mates? If we find one, do we bring them back to the tribe or leave to lead a life for ourselves? Do we give birth to a group of mermen as daddy did?”

The young males’ words and expressions were filled with yearning.

Silver’s eyes swept past them coldly, immediately causing the mermen to hush.

“Let’s go to a further place to take a look,” Silver said coldly. Before his words ended, his silver tail moved and he disappeared.

The mermen immediately followed after him. The group moved further and further away until they disappeared into the sea.

They swam for half a month and encountered many creatures. They didn’t come across any females, but they did come into contact with another mermen tribe.

Silver had his companions hide while he sneaked into a group of mermen who was about to go out to work.

“Who are you? Why do you look so unfamiliar?” A purple-colored merman suddenly asked with some wariness in his eyes.

Silver was already a two-striped beastman, the only one amongst their family. It seemed that two-striped mermen were considered strong to other mermen tribes as well. At the very least, this group of mermen was all one-striped beastmen.

Author’s note: [Not sure how many people understand this, but An’an had treated flowers as plants’ reproductive organs. One can imagine how it feels when their boyfriend ties a pen*s onto your hair.. This was how An’an was feeling.]