The Fallen Merman

“Any other alpha can hug their wife. Why can’t I hug you?” Bai Chunian closed his eyes and complained drunkenly.

Rimbaud stopped resisting and bit his lower lip hesitantly. “Alright.” 6YW2t9

The alpha’s eyes were shut, and his eyelashes would flutter restlessly every now and then. Rimbaud watched him and spaced out unknowingly, enduring the heat enwrapped within the alpha’s arms.

He rarely put up with anything for anyone. The only compromises he made were all due to Bai Chunian, indulging in his embrace and aggression.

Rimbaud gently brushed Bai Chunian’s eyelashes as he released soothing pheromones and propped up his cheeks as he gazed at him.

“Cabean Se weyena quaun kadin kimo。(The sea queen’s dusty throne has been waiting for you.)”

qxVmHj

“Boliea milaye. (My little boy)”

His voice sounded low and exhausted.

After being transformed into a cultivation stage experimental subject, he lost the capacity to think and forgot several things collectively. He could only rely on his instincts to judge and react, but as time progressed, his fragmented memories were being connected together, and his ability to think was returning.

After ten minutes or so, the alpha seemed to have fallen asleep, hence Rimbaud struggled to escape from Bai Chunian’s arms. The scales that had been rubbed off fell on the sheets. 4gKrsD

He was a little dizzy presently, so he placed his hands on the bed to rest. The majority of the exposed skin on his body was burned.

The alpha’s body temperature was abnormally high. Rimbaud was on the verge of exceeding the heat limits he could handle. If it was someone else, they might not have detected it, but Rimbaud was particularly sensitive to temperature and Bai Chunian’s body shouldn’t carry such heat.

He vaguely smelled a foreign pheromone.

Rimbaud rummaged through the cabinet to find the thermometer. He observed it, wondering how this apparatus was supposed to work. 4VrZCI

Bai Chunian rolled over and rubbed himself all over, frowning and grunting in his sleep. Rimbaud was just seated right next to Bai Chunuan, and he felt a warm breath on his face.

Rimbaud was in a daze for a moment. He picked up Bai Chunian’s phone from the ground, but the list of contacts within the locked device was inaccessible and he didn’t know how to use it. He patted Bai Chunian’s face and positioned the latter’s hand on the screen. “Han Xingqian… phone… call him.”

Bai Chunian muttered absent-mindedly. “Don’t speak the names of other alphas…”

“No… Doctor Han.” Rimbaud held Bai Chunian’s hand and pressed it on the screen. There was a thin layer of warm sweat that formed on his hand. JBr6Mn

It took a long time to convince Bai Chunian to call Han Xingqian, and Han Xingqian picked up. Everyone was already sleeping at this time, and his voice sounded awfully tired.

“Xiao Bai…hot.” Rimbaud described in a hushed voice.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

Han Xingqian said, “He told me he went to drink, and that’s why his body temperature is slightly elevated. It will be fine, stay away from him.”

“No… no… very high.” Rimbaud pursed his lips. He arranged the phone on Bai Chunian’s scorching forehead, trying to let Han Xingqian feel Bai Chunian’s body temperature through the network cable. XgIEF8

Ljc Wlcudljc rjlv, “… P’ii mbwf bnfg. Mlgra, olcv j kjs ab mbbi tlw vbkc jcv ags ab kjxf tlw eq.”

Elwyjev atgfk vbkc atf qtbcf jcv mjgglfv Djl Jtecljc yjmx ab tlr olrt ajcx. Ktf mbiv kjafg wjvf Djl Jtecljc offi j iba yfaafg. Elwyjev kjr islcu bc atf fvuf bo atf aey ab uejgv tlw. Ktf oglutafclcu atlcu kjr atja atf yief pfiisolrtfr lcrlvf atf ajcx yfujc ab rklw ribkfg jcv ribkfg ecali atfs mbcalcefv ab vlf bcf joafg jcbatfg.

Rimbaud prodded the cold water in the fish tank and felt that the water temperature had indeed risen.

“…Faak. (Fuck)” luH1gz

He transferred the water cooling device resting by the waterbed over to the outer wall of the tank and cranked it to the third setting. A layer of frost slowly encased the outer wall of the fish tank, barely enough to keep the water cold, but Bai Chunian was still terribly hot.

Bai Chunian, who was dipping his back in the fish tank, said groggily, “Are you boiling me? I’ll be cooked, it hurts.”

Rimbaud climbed into the tub, curled his tail around Bai Chunian’s body to undo the moisturizing bandage on the latter’s body, and pressed his cold skin against the alpha’s hot chest.

The moisturizing bandages fell in circular motions to the bottom of the tank. With the direct contact of heat, his skin rapidly reddened and swelled as his scales fell off. Rimbaud indifferently endured the pain. He’d modify his position every so often, using his cold skin to cool the alpha down. nEGwJ9

When Han Xingqian entered the door, he witnessed a rather splendid scene. He was truly composed although he couldn’t help but be shocked.

Xiao Xun was following behind, carrying the medicine box for him. He noticed Han Xingqian stop in his steps and unconsciously tracked his line of sight.

Rimbaud’s back was covered with a scarlet pattern that resembled the devil’s face. However, the pattern didn’t consist of a tattoo artist’s artistic lines but those of scars roughly carved with sharp instruments. As his thin and prominent scapula rose and fell, the grim bloody-crimson face seared on his back smiled.

When Rimbaud saw them come in, he gathered up the moisturizing bandages and wrapped it around his upper body. He climbed out of the fish tank and sat upright on the bed’s edge, but he couldn’t hide the fatigue on his face. YnISPK

“Are you okay?” Han Xingqian asked in concern. He lifted the medical kit from Xiao Xun’s hands and retrieved the stethoscope and thermometer.

Rimbaud shook his head.

After Han Xingqian examined Bai Chunian, he discovered that alcohol poisoning wasn’t the cause. Bai Chunian’s body temperature was boiling hot. If it weren’t for his superior differentiation level, an ordinary person would’ve surely died due to hyperpyrexia from such an extreme temperature.

“I think it’s the differentiation ability of a gland.” Han Xingqian judged based on experience. “Xiao Bai is exceptionally alert when he’s sober, thus making it difficult to manipulate him unbeknownst to him. The other party took advantage of the moment when Bai Chunian’s body temperature rose from the alcohol to cover up the initial fever. Once the fever reached a certain degree, Xiao Bai would be unconscious and powerless to resist.” dSifqK

“His internal temperature is still rising. Even Xiao Bai can’t endure for much longer. I’ll send him to the Medical Association first and request to conduct a search for suspects tomorrow.”

Rimbaud stared directly at him, his gaze revealing his killing intent.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

Han Xingqian bowed to persuade him. “I assure you that the Medical Association’s seniors won’t allow anything bad to happen to Xiao Bai. Just wait at home; don’t go out and wander.”

“You accompany him.” Han Xingqian explained to Xiao Xun who was behind him. “I’ll pay you an internship salary later.” UziPTO

Xiao Xun didn’t care about the money, but he nodded obediently and stayed with Rimbaud.

The room instantly quietened with two less people. Rimbaud sat in a daze with his fishtail curled up and seeing that Xiao Xun didn’t enjoy socializing, a peaceful balance was maintained.

However, the merman was really too beautiful. Xiao Xun couldn’t help but glance over periodically. Rimbaud’s wet blond hair was messily draped over his shoulder, and his fish tail had lost numerous scales. He looked haggard, but his beauty remained unhindered.

Rimbaud didn’t look at him, but he could feel Xiao Xun’s eyes on him. He asked coldly, “Do I look good?” 7TuzhE

“I’m sorry.” Xiao Xun looked away and apologized softly.

After a while, Xiao Xun broke the silence and took the initiative to explain, “That day was the second time I saw Bai Chunian. We are indeed unacquainted with each other. He was trying to provoke you that day.”

“En.” Rimbaud wasn’t super interested in this topic.

“Then… didn’t you hit him too hard? Aren’t you two lovers?” Xiao Xun knew that he shouldn’t meddle in other people’s affairs, but he was personally disgusted by such abusive behavior since he grew up in a family with domestic violence. JaUWqS

“Lov…ers…?” Rimbaud considered the term earnestly and grunted lightly. “You mean… brood pouch? He doesn’t want it… I forced him. Cat… cute… pitiful… but I forced him… I want him.”

Xiao Xun froze. “Brood pouch… No normal person would appreciate being called that word, especially considering the fact that he’s an alpha.”

Rimbaud was confused. “Wei? (Why)”

Xiao Xun brainstormed and slowly explained it to him. “Brood pouch is similar to surrogation here. It means that you asked someone to help you have a baby, but you have no feelings for them.” pTdthj

Just like me, Xiao Xun thought.

Rimbaud pondered on this cultural difference for some time and asked softly, “Then…with feelings…brood pouch…how to say?”

Xiao Xun didn’t expect him to ask such a question. There was a bit of awkwardness in his expressionless face as he deliberated over the answer. He tilted his head away and answered: “This….I don’t know about this. I’ve never been in love.”

The atmosphere became awkward once again. BJSC4z

At that moment, a faint and unfamiliar pheromone rushed into the windowsill, and both of them looked up in alarm simultaneously.

Rimbaud reacted quickly. He accurately captured the hostile scent which was the same strange scent that appeared on Bai Chunian. He swiftly climbed to the windowsill and opened the window, intending to jump down and catch up to the source.

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

Xiao Xun stopped him. “Wait for a bit, in case it’s a trap.”

“En, but so what?” Rimbaud peeled Xiao Xun’s hand off of his wrist. “Kill…person who used the ability…the ability goes away…you know.” Bu7Nzd

Rimbaud nimbly descended the window.

Xiao Xun hesitated for a moment. He brought his phone before running out to chase after Rimbaud and sent Han Xingqian a shared real-time location along the way.

Rimbaud’s crawling speed was incredibly rapid. He could utilize the electromagnetic adsorption on the steel structure. Basically, no obstacle could stop him.

However, the Greyhound wasn’t slow either, being even faster than the merman on land. Rimbaud quickly scaled a high wall while Xiao Xun leapt briskly, gripping the upper edge with both hands. By relying on his arms and legs’ strength to climb over, he continued to keep up with Rimbaud. 0eA5bY

“I’ll come with you,” announced Xiao Xun.

Rimbaud peered at him. “You can’t do it. Stand farther away.”

“But Dr. Han told me to stay with you.” Xiao Xun proceeded to follow him stubbornly.

Rimbaud grimaced. “So obedient.” We367w

Xiao Xun looked away in discomfort. “I’m not, I just…”

Rimbaud focused ahead. “Who cares about you?”

“Detected.” Xiao Xun’s J1 differentiation ability, Universal Dashboard, was an ability that could detect a variety of data. He used this to pre-determine the individual’s escape route. There were two options, with a probability greater than 90%.

“There’s a road to the left and one in front. We can split up and trail them separately.” Xiao Xun said, “But I also learned from Dr. Han that people who have the means to use their ability on Bai Chunian without him knowing are not many. Except for guests at the banquet, they can only be traitors within the Alliance… It’s truly inappropriate for me to verbalize this, but these are the results of my precise analysis. This is obviously a premeditated plan, and some accident might transpire if we rush to pursue.” 9aeWnd

“Rimbaud, I advise you not to go.” Xiao Xun said, “I anticipate that the probability of an accident ensuing is 77%. Believe me, go back and request back up first, then search tomorrow.”

Rimbaud turned a deaf ear to his remark.

Not because he was obstinate, but he himself knew exactly the self-healing ability’s bounds of an experimental subject and to what extent a serious infection would occur.

Xiao Xun stopped. EC NhI

He was able to get fourth place in the ATWL exam alone, relying on his unquestionable strength, but he was definitely not reckless.

He effortlessly ascended the high walls, jumped, and ran between the tall buildings in the dark. He scanned for the blind spots of all surveillance cameras and used his keen dynamic vision to constantly monitor Rimbaud’s movements, calculating the success rate of various tactics in his mind.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

When they reconvened, Xiao Xun informed him of the two tactical routes he had planned. Rimbaud nodded, and Xiao Xun immediately climbed the towering wall and continued the pursuit.

Xiao Xun was the first to discover the other party’s trace at a corner with flickering street lights. He used Universal Dashboard to detect the atmosphere’s data and derive the other party’s gland type—Bombardier beetle alpha, beetle-type gland. hUfq y

Xiao Xun sent a message to Rimbaud, who was sneaking close to the barbed wire fence. “Bombardier Beetle gland. Its range of skill may pertain to both poisonous gasses and high temperatures.”

Rimbaud’s momentum dwindled for a bit.

He would usually ignore other abilities, but heat was his Achilles’ heel.

Cold sweat oozed out of Xiao Xun’s forehead. He wasn’t that proficient in close combat, but he wasn’t armed with a sniper rifle this time, so he could only gesture to Rimbaud. “Can you do it?” 3C9EtJ

Rimbaud observed the sky. It was almost dawn, so there was not much time left.

If the opponent’s ability was unfavorable to them, then they could only seize the opportunity by attacking first. Electricity enveloped Rimbaud’s fishtail, which turned it into a lightning bolt, and it swam forward hastily.

Meanwhile, Bai Chunian was lying in the Medical Association’s ward, surrounded by several distinguished professors. Han Xingqian was also among them.

The number of instruments connected to Bai Chunian’s body kept increasing. Some cells in his body were dying in large masses, and the effectiveness of his self-healing was impeded due to the intense temperature. If this carried on for any longer, it would be life-threatening. YVl9Hd

Professor Zhong expressed his opinion. “I think it’s the M2 ability of the Bombardier Beetle gland that caused his scalding temperature. At present, the fastest solution is to kill the source of the ability, but with his current state, he’ll be critically infected in four hours at most. It’s already too late for us to apply for a search and arrest.”

Another doctor suggested. “Try injecting an Ac agent to forcibly raise his growth stage. With his level, everything will work out as long as he wakes up.”

The Ac agent was in Han Xingqian’s hands. He had promised Bai Chunian possession of the drug when he returned from his mission.

“I don’t recommend it,” said Han Xingqian, who had been silent the entire time. “If it’s an experimental subject still in their cultivation stage, the injection’s effects can still be controlled when they evolve into the maturity stage, but he’s already at the maturity stage. Once the Ac agent is administered, it will accelerate the development to the deterioration stage. We can’t predict the outcome. Even if the potency of our agent imitation lasts only 24 hours, I can’t guarantee that he’ll be able to behave during that time frame.” eRtqv

Professor Zhong agreed with Han Xingqian’s opinion and asked someone to rush their application to the Secret Service, hoping to execute that Bombardier Beetle gland before Bai Chunian got infected.

Because he rushed to leave, Han Xingqian had forgotten to mute his phone, which rang abruptly.

“I’m sorry.” Han Xingqian fished out his phone and pressed mute, but he saw a notification indicating Xiao Xun sent him a shared a location and video. Under the dim streetlights, Rimbaud was fighting with an M2-grade Bombardier Beetle alpha. He was trying to kill his foe with the electric barrage, but the other party obviously knew something about his ability and kept raising the air temperature to interfere with Rimbaud’s ability.

“Rimbaud found the person.” Han Xingqian showed the video to the solemn-looking Professor Zhong. “When it comes to high-temperature abilities, the fish-type gland is at a disadvantage.” dyuH6q

In the video, the drastic atmospheric temperature of 100 degrees scorched Rimbaud’s fishtail. He fell off the barbed wire, landed on the ground, and deftly crawled away to evade the upcoming attacks. His fish scales were quickly scalded, exposing an area of seared red flesh.

Rimbaud’s agonizing shrill screeches rang out from the video. The excruciating pain could be felt through the recording.

Please visit chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

Bai Chunian’s fingers moved and the instruments’ readings went out of control and skyrocketed. He covered his dreadfully aching head and clumsily pawed the Ac agent in Han Xingqian’s hand.

“Go call…Rimbaud…” tT9afY