The Blind Dragon Chapter 6

After much searching, I settled in a small village.

My identity was that of a painter who created portraits of beast clan brides. I lived in a remote cabin in the woods.

The area around the cabin was lush with foliage.

Every morning when I woke, I was greeted by a sea of green that lifted my spirits.

I'd sit on the balcony in a lounger, drinking morning tea and watching clouds drift across the sky.

Occasionally I'd hear news from the Divine Clan.

The hottest topic recently was my severing ties with Elena.

Apparently, Elena had gone to Emma, who'd been kind enough to take her in.

Voices drifted up from the path in the distance. I knew my business for the day had arrived.

The visitors were a marten clan father and daughter.

The father was polite, generously giving me a pearl before repeatedly requesting that I paint his daughter beautifully so she'd have a better chance of being chosen by the Divine Clan.

I raised an eyebrow, thinking there was more profit in this painting business than I'd realized.

The daughter bit her lip, her eyes full of worry, refusing to move.

Her father impatiently pulled her forward. She shuffled to the easel, muttering, "I want you to paint me ugly so I won't get chosen!"

"Who wants to be a Divine Clan bride anyway? They're the most disgusting people!"

The father couldn't hold back anymore, pointing at his daughter and shouting, "Judy! Have you been listening to that mermaid's nonsense again? That brat has poisoned the minds of so many girls!"

Before the conflict could escalate, I quickly intervened, asking about this mermaid they mentioned.

That got Judy excited. She spoke enthusiastically, "The mermaid sister's name is Rain. She has the most beautiful voice, and she tells us so many stories about the Divine Clan. She used to be a bride chosen for the Divine Clan too, but the one who picked her was a terrible person. Whenever he was unhappy, he'd beat her to vent his anger. Later, he even slashed her face. When he thought Rain was useless, he tried to skin her alive. Rain managed to escape."

"That little mongrel!" her father said angrily. "Her blood isn't pure. After she escaped, even her own clan wouldn't take her back. We felt sorry for her and let her live nearby. Never thought we were raising a snake in our midst. The stories she tells have scared all the young girls half to death. During bride selection, they use every method to avoid being chosen. Fewer and fewer brides from our area have been sent, and the Divine Clan has been very displeased these past few years."

The father and daughter started arguing again.

But I was delighted. I set down my brush and asked them to return in two days.

As he was leaving, the father hesitated, then warned me, "Painter, you're not interested in that mermaid, are you? I'd advise you to be careful. Don't go near her. Countless males around here have been bitten by her."

That night, I locked up my cabin and walked toward the beach.

A figure sat with her back to me on the rocks by the shore, her fish tail swaying gently.

Soon, she sensed my approach.

The moment she turned, her expression shifted from gentle to fierce.

She glared wide-eyed, baring her teeth. Her cheeks were covered in crisscrossing scars that extended down to her neck.

This was her.

I walked forward calmly. As the waves washed over my feet, she lunged at my throat.

I dodged, saying softly, "I mean you no harm."

She snorted coldly, glaring at me, and lunged again.

I feinted, circled behind her, and grasped her gills.

Her upper body quickly became immobilized, only her tail thrashing against my shins, leaving red welts.

"Little mermaid," I leaned close, "I'm here to make a deal with you."

She hesitated a moment, then spoke mockingly. "What kind of deal could I possibly make with a noble dragon clan god?"

I looked surprised. She'd identified my true form in such a short time.

I laughed, released her, and as moonlight fell, I stood before her, gazing into her eyes.

"I want to marry you."