The women of the Sea Demon Clan naturally wouldn’t help Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge never expected this point either.

For her, as long as after they left, these women of the Sea Demon Clan helped them delay a bit, it would be enough.

The sea area controlled by the Sea Demon Clan is vast; the giant ship had sailed for a day and a night, still not leaving this range. And behind the giant ship, the hundred-thousand-strong army of the Sea Demon Clan followed from afar, trying to find an opportunity to rescue the hostages on the ship, but they never found a chance.

Above Bitter Sea, the green waves surged.

"Big Brother, are we really going to let those damned humans go?" The fifth clan leader, being hot-tempered, couldn’t help but complain to the great clan chief.

He had roamed Bitter Sea for so long and had never encountered such a stifling moment!

"The primary task is to ensure the safety of the women in the clan!" The great clan chief said with a slightly deep gaze, naturally holding some suppressed anger in his expression.

Yet, he was more rational than the fifth clan leader.

His words made the other clan leaders fall silent. Now, it was no longer just about Talisa, but about all the women in the clan.

This interest concerned them personally, so at this moment, no one suggested a strong attack.

Just as Mu Qingge said, if they dared move recklessly, the time before they boarded the giant ship would be enough for her to kill all the women of the Sea Demon Clan.

"Hmph, I think that kid is just bluffing. Does he really dare to kill our women? Isn’t he afraid of being hunted by the Sea Demon Clan to the ends of the earth?" The fifth clan leader said discontentedly.

The great clan chief glanced at him without speaking further.

The fourth clan leader then spoke, "That human is cunning and treacherous; since he could devise such a malicious plan to threaten us, he would dare to do it. Moreover, if you and I ask ourselves honestly, if there was a chance to kill him, would you let it go? Surely he knows this too, so once we forcefully attack to snatch people, he would definitely adopt the idea of breaking through by any means, kill first, then fight us to the death!"

The last words of the fourth clan leader made the others, including the great clan chief and Kun, frown.

They were not worried about the fight; they feared that after the women in the clan were all dead, even if they killed this brazen kid, their clan could not escape the fate of destruction! 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Silence spread among the five clan leaders, and after a while, the second clan leader tentatively said, "Why don’t I secretly take some people away first, sneak to the front sea area and ambush. When he passed the sea area we controlled and swapped the women back, I would kill him!"

There was a trace of viciousness in the second clan leader’s voice, his eyes flashing with sharpness.

"That’s a good idea!" The fifth clan leader immediately perked up, chiming in.

"No!" The great clan chief shook his head, refusing.

His refusal without hesitation made the second clan leader’s face suddenly cold, and the fifth clan leader also looked at him displeased.

"Ahead is the territory of the Lost Clan. Fighting in their territory, do you want to provoke a war between the two clans? Moreover, for a treacherous human!" The great clan chief solemnly stated his reasons for refusal.

"Lost Clan? The Lost Clan fears nothing!" The fifth clan leader crudely responded, his tone full of strong disdain.

The fourth clan leader hesitated and spoke, "Although leaving our controlled sea area means entering the range of the Lost Clan’s control, this is still far from their primary area, and it shouldn’t alarm them. Moreover, if discovered, we have legitimate reasons to explain."

The great clan chief fell silent, his expression flickering.

It seemed he had been persuaded by the fourth clan leader.

Saying he didn’t hate Mu Qingge was false, saying he didn’t want to kill Mu Qingge was false!

Not to mention Mu Qingge dared to threaten the Sea Demon Clan like this, but simply for kidnaping his only daughter, Mu Qingge was already sentenced to death in the great clan chief’s heart.

Previous concerns were justified, but now, the fourth clan leader’s words seem to have gradually persuaded him.

After being silent for a long time, the great clan chief finally gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! Do as the second brother suggested."

The great clan chief’s approval made the second clan leader reveal a cruel smile.

Of course, this smile was aimed at Mu Qingge on the giant ship, and all humans.

"Big Brother, rest assured! When he swaps the women back, just give me a signal, leave the rest to me." The second clan leader confidently said.

Fu Kang also straightened his chest following his father’s words.

"Wait, Kun is also going with you." The great clan chief suddenly said.

This sudden decision made the faces of the second clan leader and Fu Kang stiffen.

The great clan chief explained, "Kun has faced that human before; how he fights would be helpful." This reason allowed no refusal.

The second clan leader had to nod.

"Since this is the case, Jie Sang should go too." The third clan leader suddenly smiled and suggested.

"Jie Sang should also go?" The second clan leader frowned in displeasure.

The third clan leader reasonably said, "In any case, the cause of this matter has some relation to Jie Sang."

The second clan leader was very unwilling, but the fourth clan leader spoke again, "Indeed, send Jie Sang along. After we receive the women and hasten there, we can launch a frontal attack and wipe out these arrogant and despicable humans."

The second clan leader swallowed his words.

Because he seemed to have no reason to refuse.

Eventually, the second clan leader left with Kun and Jie Sang, naturally accompanied by Fu Kang.

Besides, they took away ten thousand troops.

The number couldn’t be large, or else it might alert the giant ship.

After they left, the great clan chief coldly snorted disdainfully.

Understanding the great clan chief’s meaning of this cold snort, the third clan leader followed with a sentence, "The second brother is the second brother, always thinking about how to gain advantage."

The fourth clan leader laughed and said, "With Kun and Jie Sang following, he can’t gain advantage. No matter what is gained from the human ship, we five will equally share it."

The fifth clan leader rubbed his hands, chuckling ’hehe,’ his eyes full of greed.

It seemed that, in the eyes of the Sea Demon Clan, Mu Qingge and the others, having lost their chips, were super fat, carrying immense temptation.

...

Night fell again, and lights were lit on the giant ship. The scattered lights made the giant ship magnificently beautiful.

The army of the Sea Demon Clan, following at a distance in the dark on the sea, they seemed somewhat forlorn gazing at the bright ship ahead.

The women of the Sea Demon Clan were placed by Mu Qingge in the largest cabin at the bottom.

Huddled closely together, they snuggled up for warmth, their eyes full of bewilderment and fear. Talisa wasn’t among them but remained in the room where she was before.

At the top of the cabin, hung a round tray, on which a burning incense pan sent wisps of blue smoke, straight up, dissipating in the cabin.

Suddenly, the cabin door opened.

The sound of the door opening caused a shiver of fear among the women.

They were not as strong as the Sea Demon Clan males, appearing utterly innocent and weak at this moment.

A team of Dragon Tooth Guards walked in, carrying steaming food in their hands.

"So ugly,"

"They look so ugly!"

"Humans look so weird!"

Among the Sea Demon Clan women, some younger girls, less timid, both scared and curious, hid in the arms of elders or sisters, secretly watching the Dragon Tooth Guards.

Mu Qingge’s Dragon Tooth Guards are all stern and handsome, but in their eyes, they were extremely ugly.

The murmuring gossip quietly spread.

These words naturally did not escape the ears of the Dragon Tooth Guards.

Faced with such aesthetic views, they could only smile bitterly inwardly, unable to explain anything.

Think about it, when even their Lord, known for peerless looks, was seen as extremely ugly by these sea demons, what was there left to be imbalanced about?

"Eat."

Placing the steaming hot food in the middle of the cabin, the Dragon Tooth Guards swiftly retreated.

This group of women dislikes them for being ugly, and they don’t want to look at these ladies even for a moment, right?

After the Dragon Tooth Guards left, after a while, the women of the Sea Demon Clan cautiously approached the food.

The food was utterly different from what they usually ate.

They curiously observed, but no one dared to try.

Finally, a slightly bold girl was the first to do so.

Seeing her eat with great relish and joy, the other Sea Demon women began to scramble for the food.

No one noticed that above the cabin, in a concealed spot, there was a small window. In the window, a pair of clear eyes silently watched everything happening inside the cabin.

When the Sea Demon women started eating, Mu Qingge pulled down the cover of the window, blocking the view.

"What kind of incense did you have them light in the cabin?" Bai Xi asked curiously, standing behind Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge faintly smiled and casually said, "Just some little gadgets. They can temporarily seal their Spiritual Power, making them weak." This was done to prevent unnecessary struggle and some pointless resistance.

Bai Xi suddenly understood, nodding, "They seem to be unaware."

Mu Qingge walked outside, saying blandly, "I measured the dosage carefully, as long as they don’t channel their Spiritual Power, they won’t notice. After eating, they will have a good sleep. The medicinal power running through their bodies can be considered a benefit."

"A benefit?" Bai Xi looked at Mu Qingge in astonishment.

Mu Qingge explained calmly, "They have been living at sea for years and more or less have some common health issues. This medicinal incense can somewhat cleanse chronic illnesses and improve their bodies."

"You’re even helping them condition their bodies?" Bai Xi was shocked.

She had thought that these women were just Mu Qingge’s bargaining chips. Not killing them or abusing them was already merciful. She hadn’t expected that Mu Qingge would secretly be helping them improve their health.

"Why?" Why do this? Isn’t it unnecessary? Bai Xi couldn’t understand Mu Qingge. It seemed that ever since she knew Mu Qingge, she just couldn’t understand her.

Sometimes Mu Qingge was ruthless and merciless, where no one was innocent in her eyes.

Sometimes Mu Qingge was loyal and righteous, advancing and retreating together with her trusted aides and friends.

Sometimes Mu Qingge was arrogant and domineering, overbearing and menacing.

And sometimes, she was very amiable and easy to talk to.

This time, Mu Qingge made her feel kind-hearted... What a joke! She actually thought Mu Qingge was kind-hearted? Bai Xi inwardly scorned herself severely.

"Why?" Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly as she looked at Bai Xi. Seeing her cold and stunningly beautiful face filled with confusion, she thought for a moment and said, "Consider it compensation for abducting them."

After speaking, she turned around to leave.

However, just two steps away, she looked back at Bai Xi, "You can also understand it as the exchange terms for my bargaining chips."

"..." Bai Xi stood frozen, watching Mu Qingge’s figure disappear around the corner.

She couldn’t understand Mu Qingge, yet seemed to understand her a bit.

Abducting the Sea Demon women onto the ship was indeed immoral, even despicable.

But this approach allowed Mu Qingge to take on the blame alone, avoiding a war and preventing harm to the Dragon Tooth Guards and even to Yin Chen and herself.

Therefore, she resolutely chose this method, which outsiders would scorn, to solve the problem.

Yet, she found another way of compensation in her heart.

Secretly helping the Sea Demon women improve their bodies, but not speaking of it.

She used her own way to smooth over the knot in her heart, unconcerned about bearing the infamy of threatening women.

In this moment, Bai Xi seemed to understand what Mu Qingge was truly seeking after in her heart—

She never sought external praise. What she sought was simply a clear conscience!

"Mu Qingge, oh Mu Qingge, what kind of person are you?" Bai Xi murmured to herself, her eyes filling with contemplation.

...

Mu Qingge walked to a door, knocked on it, then pushed it open to enter.

Inside was Talisa, along with the Dragon Tooth Guards responsible for watching her.

Seeing Mu Qingge come in, the Dragon Tooth Guards silently withdrew. Talisa kept staring at Mu Qingge until she sat on the chair opposite her.

Mu Qingge’s gaze lightly swept over the untouched food on the table, raising an eyebrow she asked, "Why not eat? Doesn’t it suit your taste?"

Talisa glanced at her, stubbornly turned her head, then said with grievance, "Do you think anyone can eat when they find out they’ve been deceived?"

Thinking of her fellow clansmen locked up on the ship, Talisa felt an inexplicable grievance towards Mu Qingge.

She hated Mu Qingge for deceiving her and extracting information, implicating her clansmen.

But Mu Qingge neither abused nor humiliated them, leaving her unable to bring herself to completely hate her.

Mu Qingge smiled silently, looking at the food on the table, "If you starve yourself, it won’t affect me at all."

Talisa’s body stiffened, showing hesitation in her expression.

After a moment, she bit her lip and said, "How long do you plan on keeping us locked up?" Her action should have carried a maiden’s shyness, but it instead made people hesitant to look directly at her.

"I’ve said before, as long as we safely leave this sea area, I will let you go." Mu Qingge said slowly, rubbing the finger cover on her hand.

Talisa’s body stiffened, averting her gaze from Mu Qingge, "They won’t let you leave so easily."

"I know." Mu Qingge replied indifferently.

"You know?" Now it was Talisa’s turn to be astonished. "Since you know, why are you still doing this?"

Mu Qingge smiled slightly, giving a vague answer, "I have my ways."

Seeing her unwilling to elaborate, Talisa didn’t press further.

However, her gaze towards her still carried that feminine annoyance.

"Did you just come to see if I’ve eaten?" Talisa said awkwardly after a while.

Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly, slightly raising her chin, "I’ve got nothing to do, thought I’d chat with you. I know little about the Bitter Sea; if you’re willing, you could tell me something about it."

"I’m not willing!" As soon as Mu Qingge finished speaking, Talisa immediately refused.

She also added, "Are you trying to extract information from me again? Hmph! I won’t fall into the same trap twice."

Mu Qingge grinned, looking at Talisa with interest. "Why so tense? I’m not asking for anything about your Sea Demon Clan. I just want to know what lies ahead once we leave your Sea Demon territory, and how far it is from the Middle Ancient Realm."

Talisa was taken aback, staring at Mu Qingge for a while.

After a moment, she haughtily said, "What makes you think I’ll tell you?"

Mu Qingge squinted her eyes, smiling, "There are other Sea Demons on my ship besides you. I came to you because I’m most familiar with you."

Talisa tightly pursed her lips, Mu Qingge’s words made her feel she’d lost her advantage.

It seemed that even without her cooperation, Mu Qingge would still get all the information she wanted from other Sea Demon women.

Yet, the thought of Mu Qingge speaking so gently with other Sea Demon women made Talisa uncomfortable, as if something belonging to her had been taken away.

After a long while of awkwardness, Talisa grudgingly said, "Fine. What do you want to know?"

Seeing Talisa compromise, Mu Qingge happily held up two fingers and said, "Just those two questions."

One was about the situation after leaving the Sea Demon Clan.

The other was how far it was to the Middle Ancient Realm.

Talisa gave her a glance, picked up the chopsticks on the table, and forcefully poked at the food. As if that food was Mu Qingge in front of her.

After venting her anger, she said, "After leaving the Sea Demon Clan’s territory, you’ll enter the Reclusive Clan’s region."

"Reclusive Clan?" Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Yes." Talisa nodded. "We don’t know where they came from. It was like, thousands of years ago, they suddenly appeared above the Bitter Sea, fought with our Sea Demon Clan for a long time, and finally, after settling the wars, divided the territories. It’s safe to say that part of the animosity the Sea Demon Clan holds towards humans is because of them. Who made them look just like you humans, being both ugly and despicable!"

Talisa shot a fierce glance at Mu Qingge as she spoke.

Mu Qingge grinned slightly, not arguing.

From Talisa’s words, she picked up a key piece of information—the ’Lost Clan’ are humans. However, these humans have a mysterious origin and appeared suddenly. They settled in the Bitter Sea, instead of going to Linchuan or the human-populated Middle Ancient Realm.

Humans are naturally social creatures.

Their seclusion here must have unknown reasons!

"These people are not weak, they call themselves the Lost Clan, ruling over a few hundred miles of sea in the west. Even if you pass through our Sea Demon line, their line is also difficult to overcome. Because, like us, they strongly reject outsiders." Talisa said gloatingly. "Moreover, they differ from us in that their ratio of females to males is similar. Your methods for dealing with us won’t work on them."

She wouldn’t use the same strategy twice.

Mu Qingge smiled faintly, not bothering to explain to Talisa. She did, however, discern more information from her. Though the Lost Clan are human, they are antagonistic toward humans. Why is this?

Seeing Mu Qingge unmoved, Talisa was somewhat disappointed but continued, "In the outer seas governed by the Lost Clan, there is a vast area of spirit beasts. Many marine spirit beasts gather there. Unless you go through them, you won’t enter the Lost Clan’s seas. As for how far it is from the Middle Ancient Realm, I don’t know. Our Sea Demon Clan has never set foot on land and has no interest in it. If you have the skills, you may inquire with the Lost Clan’s people."

’Spirit beasts, Lost Clan.’ Mu Qingge silently repeated these words in her heart.

It seems these are the two gates to entering the Middle Ancient Realm!

"How many people are in the Lost Clan, and how are they distributed? Who is their leader?" Mu Qingge asked Talisa, her voice pressing.

Talisa raised her chin and snorted, "I don’t know. And even if I did, why would I tell you?"

Suddenly, a shadow cast over her.

A fragrant scent wafted past her nose.

By the time she regained her senses, Mu Qingge had already come before her, his hands resting on the arms of her chair, leaning forward to meet her gaze directly.

Mu Qingge smirked playfully, "Since the Lost Clan is an enemy of the Sea Demon Clan, how could you not know more about them?"

Talisa was momentarily dazzled by Mu Qingge’s smile.

She didn’t understand why a face so plain could look so enchanting when it smiled!

For some reason, Talisa felt her heart racing.

Her expression flickered, and she slipped through the gap beneath Mu Qingge’s arms, escaping from the stifling confinement.

Mu Qingge did not stop her, merely turning his head to look at her.

Talisa felt a bit flustered under his gaze. Diverting her eyes, she maintained her pride as the Sea Demon Clan’s most beautiful and said to Mu Qingge, "Very well! I can tell you, so you can cause some trouble for the Lost Clan, especially that ugly woman Xie Ya!"

Upon mentioning this unfamiliar name to Mu Qingge, Talisa’s face showed a vicious expression.

Apparently, there was a deep enmity between her and Xie Ya.

However, Mu Qingge was not interested in their private feud.

He merely laughed off her use of the word ’trouble’.

Whether the Lost Clan would be friend or foe depended on their attitude.

Just like the current Sea Demon Clan.

If at the beginning, they had chosen to communicate peacefully and let Mu Qingge leave, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.

"In truth, I am not very clear about the Lost Clan either. They are too mysterious. After the war between the two clans, they have rarely appeared. Only when our Sea Demon Clan accidentally intrudes into their waters, do they come out to give a warning. My father mentioned that they have only one ruler, whom they call the Clan King. Under the Clan King are four generals governing each region of the Lost Clan’s seas. They live on an island called Duole Island, said to be very large, like a continent. I’ve never been there, so I don’t know the details. The number of people in the Lost Clan is not high, probably around a hundred thousand. But they have impressive cultivation talents; each individual is extraordinary. Xie Ya is a leader among their generation, the daughter of the Southern General and also their clan’s princess."

"The general’s daughter, princess?" Mu Qingge heard the name ’Xie Ya’ from Talisa’s mouth a second time, along with details, sparking a bit of curiosity.

It’s not their feud that intrigued him. But why is she called a princess when she is the general’s daughter?

"What’s so curious about that? The Lost Clan’s Southern General is a woman. She married the Clan King and their daughter naturally is the Southern General’s heir, also the Lost Clan’s princess," Talisa explained.

So that’s how it is!

Mu Qingge realized, although somewhat surprised that within the Lost Clan, women could become generals.

This is probably the third most powerful woman she knows of.

One is Jiang Li, the ancient Witch Empress.

And then there’s Feng Yufei’s Crown Princess of Li Country, the future Empress.

Finally, there’s the Female General of this remnant tribe.

Although she has yet to make contact with the remnant tribe, just from the title, it’s clear that she holds real power, not just a nominal title.

A woman who can ascend to this position must be very strong. Whether it be personal prowess or intellectual strategy, she is not inferior to any man.

Suddenly, Mu Qingge developed a keen interest in the Southern General of this remnant tribe.

At this moment, Talisa began speaking to herself, "Speaking of that Xie Ya, I get angry! Last time I accidentally entered the territory of the remnant tribe, and unexpectedly, she suddenly appeared and expelled me. So ugly and yet acts all aloof, as if she’s the most beautiful person in the world..."

Talisa rambled on, allowing Mu Qingge to understand her grudge with Xie Ya.

To put it bluntly, it was merely a clash of egos.

Amused inside, Mu Qingge neither affirmed nor denied Talisa’s words. She could only be certain that the woman who Talisa called ugly, by normal human aesthetics would definitely be a great beauty.

Of course, since she’s not a real man, she has no curiosity about beauties.

"Let’s eat." Mu Qingge used three words to interrupt Talisa’s indignation.

Talisa’s voice abruptly stopped, her eyes once again showing a look of resentment as she gazed at Mu Qingge, "Again, you just use me and then discard."

"..." Mu Qingge found herself bemused.

She was just urging her to eat quickly, how did she become someone who burns bridges after crossing them?

Mu Qingge was too lazy to offer further explanations, she simply took out a medicine bottle from her bosom and placed it in front of Talisa.

"What is this?" Talisa curiously examined the bottle, reaching to take it from the table.

"Take one pill daily, it’s beneficial for your health," Mu Qingge answered.

Talisa looked at her with skepticism, as if to say, ’My health is fine, why should I take it?’

Seeing her confused expression, Mu Qingge, not wanting her spontaneous act of kindness to go to waste, explained, "The low fertility rate of the Sea Demon Clan, as well as the tendency for boys over girls among newborns, is related to your body. This medicine can improve your physique, making conception easier and increasing the birth rate of girls." Mu Qingge did not delve into the complex explanations of pH balance, but simply conveyed the final outcome to Talisa.

Although the decision of having boys or girls lies with the father, the environment within the mother’s body is also crucial.

The medicine Mu Qingge gave to Talisa was not some Divine Pill, just some nourishing medicine for women, aimed at balancing pH levels. A well-tuned body naturally increases the chances of conception.

However, to Mu Qingge, this ordinary elixir akin to the Black Chicken and White Phoenix Pill she knew from her previous life turned into an invaluable treasure in Talisa’s eyes!

"Really! Is this medicine truly that miraculous?" Talisa excitedly stood up.

Mu Qingge nodded. "This medicine is limited in quantity, enough for you and three others, you can distribute it freely."

"That’s fantastic!" Talisa laughed with joy.

Being the daughter of the Great Clan Chief of the Sea Demon Clan, she naturally knows the greatest challenges faced by the clan.

Her sincere smile made Mu Qingge curious. "When we first met, you seemed eager for Jie Sang and Fu Kang both to die, why is that?"

At the time, the feeling Talisa gave her was indeed of a calculating and ruthless woman.

Talisa’s face stalled, gripping the medicine bottle tightly, she said to Mu Qingge, "Fu Kang’s father is very ambitious, he is the Second Clan Leader, though outwardly respectful to my father, secretly he seeks to replace him. I rejected Fu Kang and chose Jie Sang, hoping to help my father find a reliable alliance to thwart Fu Kang’s father’s ambition. However, Fu Kang appears to have gone mad, vehemently clinging to Jie Sang. I was indeed there to stop everything. But when I thought of marrying someone I don’t like, I felt upset. I thought, letting them fight to the death might be best, their forces could never ally, maybe even become enemies, solving my father’s issue."

Mu Qingge seemed to understand Talisa a bit more, this seemingly spoiled woman was quite sharp in her thinking. She simply wanted to protect her father in her own way.

Without pressing further, Mu Qingge stood up.

Before departing, she suddenly said, "By the way, I also performed some adjustments for the women of the Sea Demon Clan. Though not with pills to reinforce their vitality, there will be some improvement. During the effectiveness of the medicine, they might feel fatigued and unable to utilize their Spiritual Power. Once the effects of the medicine wear off, they’ll be fine."

After speaking, Mu Qingge walked out.

Talisa was left frozen, not understanding why Mu Qingge suddenly told her this.

It wasn’t some spontaneous decision for Mu Qingge, but she didn’t explain the reason to Talisa, believing that Talisa will realize it in time.

...

The army of over a hundred thousand from the Sea Demon Clan chased Mu Qingge’s giant ship for several days and nights.

On this day, they finally reached the sea boundaries governed by the Sea Demon Clan.

Mu Qingge noticed that in the waters beyond a single dividing line, the color of the sea was deeper, dense and murky. It seemed that there were many trails of activity from creatures beneath the sea.

"Human, we’ve already left the range of our Sea Demon Clan’s rule. You should honor your promise and release the hostages!" From behind the giant ship, came the voice of the Great Clan Chief.

Mu Qingge walked toward the deck at the stern and met the gaze of the Great Clan Chief.

She offered a mysterious smile and said to him, "Great Clan Chief, send someone over to pick them up."

So agreeable?

Not only was the Great Clan Chief stunned, but several other clan leaders were also taken aback.

They originally thought Mu Qingge would continue to resist for some time before releasing the hostages. They had even prepared for her refusal to let them go.

"Fourth Brother, what does he mean?" The Fifth Clan Leader asked the Fourth Clan Leader.

The Fourth Clan Leader frowned and shook his head, "I don’t understand either."

"Forget it, let’s send someone over to check if he will really release them." The Third Clan Leader said through gritted teeth.

"We can’t get too close, lest he notices Second Brother and the others aren’t here." The Great Clan Chief reminded.

With his reminder, the Sea Demon Clan army abruptly stopped.

After some deliberation, they sent a team to pick up the hostages.

When the team reached the giant ship, Mu Qingge did not renege on her promise and had the Dragon Tooth Guards lead out the Sea Demon Clan women, letting them disembark one by one.

During the process, Mu Qingge suddenly said, "Great Clan Chief, where are the Second Clan Leader and the others? And yes, there’s also the one I fought with last time, oh yes, also Jie Sang and Fu Kang."

Not good! We’ve been discovered!

The eyes of the Great Clan Chief and others constricted sharply, immediately growing tense.

The team responsible for receiving the hostages also froze, stopping their actions.

All around, it seemed as though a bizarre silence had descended.

Mu Qingge suddenly chuckled and said, "Why are you all so tense? Those who need to pick up hostages should pick them up."

Her words prompted the Sea Demon Clan women to continue disembarking. However, it left the Great Clan Chief and his peers with hearts in their throats. Internally, they speculated what Mu Qingge’s words really meant.

Had he figured it out or not?

Until the last Sea Demon Clan woman had disembarked, Mu Qingge remained motionless.

This slightly eased the minds of the Great Clan Chief and others.

The Great Clan Chief quickly scanned the women disembarking but failed to spot Talisa’s figure. He hurriedly asked, tense, "Where is my daughter?"

"Great Clan Chief, no need to worry." No sooner had Mu Qingge spoken than Talisa emerged from behind her.

"Talisa! Come back quickly!" Seeing his daughter, the Great Clan Chief called out excitedly.

"Father—!" Upon hearing her father’s voice, Talisa also became excited.

"Talisa, go ahead," Mu Qingge said softly.

Talisa’s body stiffened, looking at her. In her eyes were reluctance and other emotions. She said, "My understanding of humans only extends to the Exiled Tribe. The ancestral teachings of the clan also tell us that we can only be enemies with humans. In contact with the Exiled Tribe, I found this to be right. However, you changed my view of humans. Will we meet again in the future?"

Mu Qingge smiled slightly, "If fate allows, we will meet again."

Talisa nodded, disembarking the ship.

When she returned to her father’s side, the Great Clan Chief hugged her tightly, examining her. "My child, you’re alright?"

Talisa shook her head, "Father, I’m fine. They treated us well and did not subject us to any insults."

Her words were confirmed by the Sea Demon Clan women.

Though they were captured, during their time on the giant ship, none of the troubling issues arose. The humans on the ship were kind to them, never causing difficulties and even offering sumptuous food. Every day, they could smell a faint, pleasant scent that lulled them to sleep sweetly, awakening to a warmly comfortable body.

"Talisa, have you gone mad? You’re speaking for humans!" The Fifth Clan Leader said displeased.

He waved his hand, ordering others to take the Sea Demon women away.

Simultaneously, he inwardly mocked the humans’ naivety, thinking that this act of releasing hostages was foolish. Without their bargaining chips, he was curious about how these cunning humans would escape the encirclement they had set.

Thinking this way, the Fourth Clan Leader thought differently, as did the Great Clan Chief and the Third Clan Leader, each with a wary demeanor.

Talisa ignored the Fifth Clan Leader’s comment, simply telling her father, "Father, they are good people; let them go. They haven’t done any harm to the Sea Demon Clan, and..." just as Talisa wanted to mention the medicine Mu Qingge offered, Mu Qingge suddenly spoke up, interrupting her.

"Great Clan Chief, I know what you’re thinking. I advise you against acting rashly, otherwise, the cost will be terrifying. You can ask your women if they feel the weakness, unable to wield spiritual power."

What!

At Mu Qingge’s words, everyone reacted with visible shock.

Only Talisa looked at Mu Qingge with shock.

"Did you poison them?" The Fourth Clan Leader growled angrily.

Mu Qingge smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

Her ambiguous attitude plunged the Sea Demon Clan into immense fear.

They thought—this despicable, cunning human, how could he release the hostages so easily?

Looking again at the women of the Sea Demon Clan, every one of them had a pale face and fearful eyes, trapped; indeed, they aligned with what Mu Qingge had described.

"Damn human, I’m going to kill you!" The Fifth Clan Leader seethed, ready to charge at Mu Qingge for a decisive battle, but was held back by the Fourth Clan Leader.

Talisa looked at Mu Qingge, eyes full of confusion and uncertainty.

When Mu Qingge’s clear eyes swept over her, she suddenly understood a little about Mu Qingge’s actions.

"Talisa, do you feel any discomfort?" The Great Clan Chief asked his daughter anxiously.

This time, Talisa had the opportunity to explain everything, but she pressed her lips and said, "Father, let them leave, and we’ll be fine."

Her words invisibly added to the credibility of Mu Qingge’s statement.

"You!" The Great Clan Chief was profoundly shocked.

He interpreted this as his daughter being poisoned too.

He looked at Mu Qingge fiercely, seemingly wishing to tear her to pieces!

"You broke your word!" The Third Clan Leader couldn’t help but shout.

Mu Qingge sneered, "If you kept your word, then tell me, where are those individuals I mentioned earlier?"

With one sentence, they were rendered speechless.

Mu Qingge’s expression turned sharp, her icy voice stating, "Tell them to clear the way. Don’t cause a war at the last moment; otherwise, the outcome will not change."

"Nonsense! If we let you go, how will we cure the poison on them?" The Fifth Clan Leader roared.

The Fourth Clan Leader also said, "You can leave, but how do we detoxify them?"

Mu Qingge laughed, saying straightforwardly, "Send that man who fought me onto the ship. Once we enter the Exiled Tribe’s sea domain, I’ll give him the antidote to bring back."

Mu Qingge’s words seemed to be her final ultimatum.

The remaining four clan leaders exchanged looks, and the Great Clan Chief finally said, "Inform Second Brother and the others to remove the ambush and let them pass!"

They admitted they couldn’t outplay the humans’ cunning.

Cunning humans should be handled by equally cunning humans!

The Exiled Tribe would surely teach them a deep lesson! With these thoughts, a hint of inscrutable malice flickered in the reluctant expressions of the Sea Demon Clan leaders.