AITAMITB Chapter 129

When Zhao Xiaokui and the rescued individuals reached the side of the military ship, stretchers and medical personnel were already waiting on the deck.

She used a water column to lift the people onto the ship, and immediately someone took over, placing them on the ground and initiating immediate medical care.

“Captain Zhu…” The woman saved by Zhao Xiaokui clearly recognized Zhu Wei. Tears welled up in her eyes the moment she saw him.

Zhu Wei, looking at the significantly fewer people than when they communicated yesterday, sighed and patted her shoulder, saying, “It’s good to be back. It’s good to be back. In the future, kill more evil gods, don’t let their sacrifices be in vain.”

The woman wiped her face, walked to the side, and soon medical personnel surrounded her.

“Captain Zhu.” Zhao Xiaokui greeted Zhu Wei, pointing to Shen Zhifei, “This is my girlfriend, Shen Zhifei. I’ll trouble you to take care of her.”

Zhu Wei naturally accepted the fact that Zhao Xiaokui had a girlfriend. The exploration of Fula Town was not a secret to him. He had long known about the news of Zhao Xiaokui and her girlfriend disappearing together. Therefore, seeing both of them at the same time didn’t strike him as particularly surprising.

Now, Zhu Wei is more concerned about Zhao Xiaokui’s well-being. “I heard they say that when you were in City Y, your supernatural powers seemed to go out of control. Are you okay now?”

Zhao Xiaokui flicked her long golden fishtail. “I can’t say whether it’s a problem or not.”

“Your tail does look pretty,” Zhu Wei was tempted to touch it, but realizing it was now a girl’s legs, he withdrew his hand midway, awkwardly asking, “Can’t you turn back now? Will you always use the tail? Can you still go ashore?”

“I can feel that the current situation is temporary. It should be okay after some time. By then, I should be able to control the differentiation of my tail into legs. You don’t need to worry.”

“As long as you’re okay, that’s good.” Suddenly, Zhu Wei thought of something. “You should be more than Fourth Order now, right?”

“Fifth Order.” Zhao Xiaokui smiled, a bit smug, “Just promoted.”

Zhu Wei clicked his tongue.

It hadn’t been that long since they discovered the deep-sea relic together, which was the last time they were together. Back then, Zhao Xiaokui was almost at his level, but now she had far surpassed him.

Hearing that Zhao Xiaokui even met the leader of the Nightwalkers in the capital, Zhu Wei couldn’t help but sigh. Talents indeed emerge in every generation. Now, he, as the former leader, was almost being overwhelmed by the younger generation. Fortunately, people as extraordinary as Zhao Xiaokui were still in the minority; otherwise, he wasn’t sure if he could handle being the captain steadily.

The people were brought back, and encountering Zhao Xiaokui was an unexpected delight. Their mission on the military ship was considered successfully completed.

What’s even better is that they were prepared for combat, but the anticipated battles they might face did not occur. The prepared ammunition and artillery were left unused.

Although it was inevitable that some sacrificed on the return journey, it was now the best outcome.

Zhao Xiaokui’s fishtail cannot transform into human legs, so she can’t walk. Once on land, she becomes like a disabled person. Zhu Wei originally intended to find a tank or something similar for her, allowing her to stay submerged in water. However, Zhao Xiaokui rejected the idea and insisted they simply use the boat, with her sitting at the bow.

Among superhumans, there are quite a few individuals undergoing physical transformations, but those who grow an entire fishtail are still a minority.

Soldiers on the military ship couldn’t help but sneak glances at her. Someone was caught red-handed by Zhu Wei, who he promptly smacked on the forehead, saying, “What are you looking at? You haven’t seen it before?”

The person rubbed his head and grinned, “Last time I saw Captain Zhao, she didn’t have a tail.”

“What’s so special about a tail? Work hard in your training, and strive to reach Level Five soon. Maybe then you’ll grow a tail too.” Zhu Wei couldn’t stand the ignorance of this group of people. After settling the team members, he turned to the woman saved by Zhao Xiaokui and said, “Let’s go inside and talk. Tell me, what exactly happened.”

Zhao Xiaokui sat at the bow of the military ship, her long tail hanging down. In the radiant sunlight, it reflected a golden glow.

Shen Zhifei walked over, holding a bottle of water, and Zhao Xiaokui said, “What are you doing out here? It’s so sunny.”

Shen Zhifei didn’t speak, just sat down beside her.

Zhao Xiaokui rested her head on Shen Zhifei’s lap, closing her eyes.

Shen Zhifei gently massaged her.

Shen Zhifei’s thighs were as soft as pillows stuffed with cotton. In the salty sea breeze, the unique scent of cedarwood and the melting of ice and snow were distinct. Her fingertips were soft, with just the right amount of pressure. The nerves that had been throbbing in pain for a while suddenly relaxed.

The sea breeze gently tousled their hair. Shen Zhifei’s long hair also fluttered in the wind. Zhu Wei, observing this scene from upstairs, felt like he was looking at a painting.

“They…” Next to Zhu Wei, Xiang Ruxin also witnessed this scene.

The closeness between girls is normal, but Zhao Xiaokui and Shen Zhifei could create a world of their own, making everyone else feel like outsiders.

Zhu Wei chuckled and said, “They are a perfect match, right?”

Initially surprised when he learned that Zhao Xiaokui was in a romantic relationship with another girl, after witnessing their interaction, everything felt so natural to Zhu Wei.

If someone is willing to accompany you through life and death, to be with you through thick and thin, then what does it matter if their genders are the same?

Zhao Xiaokui didn’t need others’ questioning.

Their relationship didn’t require the speculation of others.

Xiang Ruxin was briefly taken aback.

Although she had guessed that the two were close, getting confirmation from Zhu Wei still surprised her.

She was not a conservative or feudal-minded person, especially considering that Zhao Xiaokui and Shen Zhifei had saved her and her teammates today.

Upon hearing Zhu Wei’s words, she immediately nodded and said, “Yes, they are a great match.”

After picking up the rescued individuals, the military ship began its return journey.

Upon learning about Zhu Wei encountering Zhao Xiaokui, headquarters was delighted and urged them to return quickly, not to delay outside.

The military ship sailed at a fast speed, leaving behind a trail of white waves on the sea.

For lunch, Shen Zhifei brought food from the dining room to the deck, and she and Zhao Xiaokui ate together.

Both of them were famished, and as soon as the food arrived, they buried their heads and started eating.

When they lifted their heads, both bowls were spotless, as if licked clean.

Shen Zhifei and Zhao Xiaokui locked eyes and burst into laughter.

When did they ever look so disheveled, especially Shen Zhifei? It was her first time experiencing this frantic hunger.

Zhao Xiaokui said, “Thank you for your hard work.”

Shen Zhifei placed her bowl next to Zhao Xiaokui’s and said, “Don’t say such things. Being with you is never hard.”

After lunch, the sun became increasingly intense. Zhao Xiaokui wanted Shen Zhifei to rest in their room, but Shen Zhifei insisted on staying with her.

Pointing at her own skin, glowing white in the sun, Zhao Xiaokui said, “I’m not afraid of getting sunburned. Your body may not handle it as well as mine. Be good, go to a shady place, or let Captain Zhu find you an umbrella.”

Shen Zhifei couldn’t argue with her and reluctantly agreed to use an umbrella.

As she stood up, she spotted a dolphin leaping out of the water.

For girls, encountering dolphins, cute and friendly creatures, usually brings joy.

Shen Zhifei pointed at the dolphin, which leaped out again, wanting to show Zhao Xiaokui. However, after seeing it, Zhao Xiaokui frowned and said, “Something might be wrong. I’ll go check.”

With that, she leaped into the water from the warship.

As the warship was moving fast, Zhu Wei noticed Zhao Xiaokui jumping off and hurriedly approached, asking, “What’s going on?”

Shen Zhifei explained, “Xiaokui found a dolphin and thinks something might be wrong.”

Zhu Wei took out his binoculars and looked in the direction she pointed, explaining to her, “Dolphins are social animals. If you see only one, there might indeed be a problem somewhere.”

Communicating with dolphins was not difficult for Zhao Xiaokui. While dolphins couldn’t speak, the visual information stored in their brains was enough for her to understand what happened.

She quickly returned and told Zhu Wei, “A group of fishermen from a fishing boat got trapped on a small island nearby. The spiritual manifestation created by the evil god on the African continent has confined them there.”

Zhu Wei asked, “What do you plan to do?”

Zhao Xiaokui replied, “I want to rescue those people.”

After assessing the direction the dolphin came from, she thought the small island should not be very close to the African continent. Otherwise, the spiritual manifestation would have engulfed both the island and its inhabitants. It seemed more likely that the island’s distance conveniently fell on the boundary line covered by the spiritual manifestation. Zhao Xiaokui believed that, with her abilities, she could safely explore the edges and rescue a few people.

Zhu Wei pondered for a moment, “What do you need?”

“I can manage alone; it’s safer that way,” Zhao Xiaokui replied.

“Then we’ll wait for you here,” Zhu Wei said.

“Alright.”

Zhao Xiaokui turned to Shen Zhifei and said, “I’m going to rescue them.”

Knowing she couldn’t stop her, Shen Zhifei hugged her and said, “Be safe.”

With a leap, Zhao Xiaokui descended from the water pillar.

Her golden fishtail flashed in the air.

The little dolphin couldn’t comprehend complex matters, but it knew Zhao Xiaokui had agreed to help and, seeing her approach, emitted joyful sounds. Zhao Xiaokui patted its smooth back, signaling it to lead the way. The dolphin leaped into the water and swiftly swam ahead.

After swimming a distance, it looked back to make sure Zhao Xiaokui was keeping up. Seeing her closely following, it continued happily, swinging its tail towards the troubled area.

The dolphin and the mermaid quickly disappeared from the visible horizon. Towards the sea where Shen Zhifei was gazing, Xiang Ruxin couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you worried?”

“I am worried,” Shen Zhifei, who recognized the people Zhao Xiaokui had rescued earlier that morning, smiled at her and said, “But I trust her even more.”

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