The Surrendering Jialinger, Jiang Che's Downfall

Jia Ling'er panicked for a moment but quickly composed herself.

Yet the thought that this human man had seen all her private photos made her skin crawl. But there was no time to dwell on that now—would he really release these photos to the public?

Though the mortal realm and the Nine Heavens remained separated by the ancient decree of "Severing Heaven and Earth," spreading news to the Nine Heavens wasn’t difficult.

And she had no doubt Jiang Che possessed the means to do so!

"Jiang Che, you have no idea the consequences of this. The girls in these photos are all imperial saintesses of the Southern Abyss Heaven. If these scandalous images leak... it will shake their Dao hearts to the core, possibly even destroy them. It could ignite war among the imperial clans. Your Jiang Family may be powerful, but can you stand against a dozen imperial clans?"

Jiang Che burst into laughter. "Your Highness, are you out of your mind? You’re the one who took these photos, not me. I just happened to lose them by accident, and they coincidentally ended up circulating in the Nine Heavens..."

"If the imperial clans seek vengeance, they’ll come for you. What does that have to do with me?" He shrugged, washing his hands of any responsibility.

"You—!" Jia Ling'er was speechless.

"Your Highness, once these scandalous photos flood the Nine Heavens, even some lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator could buy them for a few spirit stones. Imagine them leering at your private images, making vulgar comments. People won’t speak of you with reverence anymore—just filth."

"Whether it’s the Dragon Princess or the Pearl Maiden, do you think they’ll hate you to death? Their Dao hearts will forever bear this demonic shadow. The so-called prodigies of heaven... might as well be ruined."

"Stop! Just stop!!!" Jia Ling'er was on the verge of collapse.

Regret consumed her—regret for taking those photos, for her arrogance, and most of all, for sneaking into the mortal realm.

If she hadn’t descended, none of this would’ve happened.

"You think I’ll stop just because you said so? My mouth, my rules. I’ll say whatever I want to piss you off—mmph?!"

Jiang Che was mid-rant when, inexplicably, Jia Ling'er suddenly leaned in and silenced him with her lips.

...Literally silenced him. A full five-second stun lock.

Honestly, Jiang Che had countless tricks up his sleeve. Even a true Great Emperor wouldn’t be able to pin him down. Who could possibly stun-lock him?

The mermaid maidens watching nearby were stunned into silence, especially Qing'er—her mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg.

How did the plot take such a surreal turn? They were just arguing, and now they’re kissing?!

After what felt like an eternity, Jia Ling'er shoved Jiang Che away, wiping her lips with visible disgust.

Seeing the shock in Jiang Che’s eyes, realization dawned on her, and she smirked.

"You won’t release those photos. Knowing you, you’ve already claimed those girls as your possessions. You’d never let others lay eyes on them."

Clearly, amid her meltdown, she’d had an epiphany.

"Heh..." Jiang Che chuckled. "You win. I really won’t release them."

Jia Ling'er scoffed and spat in disgust. "Disgusting!"

"That’s disgusting? Oh, I can do worse." Jiang Che crossed his legs, his grin dripping with mischief.

"Kidnapping me has ruined your reputation in the Nine Heavens. The Dragon Princess and the others would never risk descending to ‘reward’ you now. And once you’re in the Nine Heavens? Forget it—they’re all under the protection of Great Emperors." Her tone was mocking.

The subtext was clear: Dream on, toad. You’ll never taste swan meat.

"Who says I’m out of luck? Why do you think I’m keeping those scandalous photos? I’ll visit each of them personally... and tell them you gave me the photos." Jiang Che leaned back, utterly relaxed.

"I’ve even got my script ready: ‘Miss, you wouldn’t want these photos to go public, would you?’"

"Don’t worry, I’m a professional at this. Very specialized expertise."

Jia Ling'er: "......"

Once again, she witnessed true shamelessness—no, even that word couldn’t capture this man’s depravity.

"Whatever. Do what you want. Kill me, torture me—I can’t escape anyway. But I’ll never love you, you despicable human."

Jia Ling'er had fully surrendered. Thinking it through, she had no leverage left.

The immortal scales Jiang Che held could produce dozens of royal-blooded mermaids with lineage no weaker than hers. Would the Jialan Clan side with her or Jiang Che?

The answer was obvious!!!

With so many Great Emperors in the clan, which family didn’t have descendants yearning for royal blood?

Once everyone had imperial-grade bloodlines, what use was a princess like her?

"Giving up already?" Jiang Che leaned down and scooped her up.

Never love him? How many women had said that, only to end up eating their words?

Master Jiang specialized in breaking stubborn wills.

But he wasn’t in a hurry to "eat the fish." Sooner or later, she’d be his—and he preferred women who came to him willingly.

Jiang Che stood and tossed a maid outfit at Jia Ling'er. "Change into this. From now on, you’re the house servant. Cleaning, laundry—it’s all your job."

"You—!" Jia Ling'er glared at him furiously.

As a princess, she’d never lifted a finger in her life. Servants waited on her!

Ha! Work? She’d rather die.

She’d take a beating from Jiang Che over being a maid any day.

...

"Young Master Jiang, please don’t be angry with Her Highness. She’s just spoiled and still upset," Xue'er said soothingly, patting his shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah! The princess is actually really sweet normally," another chimed in.

Though they’d love to see the princess’s "corruption," it was clear Jiang Che intended to add her to his harem.

They weren’t foolish enough to badmouth her now—that would only earn Jiang Che’s displeasure.

"Heh, you girls are so much more obedient and adorable. Whoever reaches Martial God first gets a top-tier imperial bloodline upgrade."

"Young Master, you’re too kind! Tong Tong doesn’t care about bloodlines. I just want to serve you forever."

And so, Jiang Che sank deeper into the warm embrace woven by these five enchanting mermaids...