#428 - Chapter 428 Lack of Courage
Deep within Fish-Man Street.
The air was thick with a dank, fishy stench, each step seeming to tread upon a hidden and filthy past.
Few were willing to visit this place; even the ordinary residents of Fish-Man Island would choose to detour around it.
It was a gathering place of darkness and despair, concealing countless secrets and conspiracies.
Jin slowly walked into this darkness, his figure moving like a shadow in the dim light, his eyes gleaming sharply as he looked straight ahead.
His heart was filled with a mixture of curiosity and vigilance; he knew that Vander Decken IX's lair concealed many dark dealings and secrets of Fish-Man Island, which might even affect his judgment of the future situation.
The surrounding walls were covered with dirt and mottled marks, and whispers lurked in the shadows, as if hinting at some unknown dark dealings.
Jin's gaze swept over the figures hidden in the darkness, a sneer appearing on his face. His arrival undoubtedly broke the peace of this area, invisibly alerting those sinister eyes.
"What a filthy place," he thought to himself, his steps firm and powerful, each one reminding him of the surrounding dangers.
He knew that in this place, there were no friends, only enemies waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Stopping in front of a dilapidated building, Jin slowly approached, sensing the various auras permeating the area.
Through the broken window, he saw several people sitting around, discussing something in low voices, their eyes full of cunning and sinister intent.
Those people occasionally looked up, a trace of vigilance and unease flashing across their faces; clearly, they did not welcome any outsiders.
"What are you talking about?" Jin's voice was like a cold wind, instantly freezing the air.
His appearance broke the tranquility of this area, and a sense of oppression surged like a tide, instantly drawing the attention of those people.
They froze, their faces changing, their eyes flashing with panic and hostility.
One of them stood up, trying to hide his inner unease, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, "Who are you? This place doesn't welcome outsiders like you."
Jin's lips curled into a playful smile, "I'm here just to learn about the situation on Fish-Man Island. I heard that this place is the source of the answer."
He slowly raised his hand, signaling them not to be nervous, but the majesty in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
"The answer?" The man frowned, obviously unwilling to reveal anything easily. However, Jin's gaze was as sharp as an eagle, instantly piercing his heart, making it difficult for him to control himself.
"I don't want to hurt you," Jin softened his tone, but remained firm, "but if you don't cooperate… I think you should be clear about the consequences."
His words were like sharp blades, cutting through the dark air, and everyone present felt an invisible pressure.
They looked at each other, weighing the risks and benefits in their hearts, and finally chose to remain silent.
Jin's smile gradually deepened, knowing in his heart that they had no way out.
In this dark game, he was already in control.
"Ah! Let me go!!!"
A panicked girl's cry broke the gloomy atmosphere of Fish-Man Street.
Jin's gaze was instantly drawn over, and the whispers and shadows around him seemed to freeze at this moment.
He quickly walked towards the direction of the sound, feeling a faint sense of displeasure in his heart.
Turning past a dilapidated door, the scene before him made his heart tighten.
A small mermaid was surrounded by several fish-men, her face pale, her eyes full of fear.
She struggled desperately, her fingers weakly patting the wall beside her, trying to find a chance to escape.
Jin's eyes turned cold in an instant.
"Let her go!" His voice was as loud as thunder, instantly locking the little girl's pain and fear into everyone's sight.
The strong men obviously did not expect an outsider to break in, and looked at each other, a hint of disdain appearing on their faces.
"Who are you? You're not welcome here!"
One of the strong men remained calm even after being discovered for what they were doing, striking a threatening pose.
But Jin ignored his threat, just slowly taking a step forward, his aura surging like a tide, the pressure directly approaching them.
"Let her go."
Jin's voice was low, the majestic voice containing an irresistible force.
A glimmer of hope flashed in the little mermaid's eyes, she slightly raised her head, looking at this stranger who seemed to have come out of the light.
The strong men's expressions gradually tightened, their hands trembling slightly.
"Do you want to die?" The strong man tried to fight back.
But Jin's eyes became sharp in an instant, as if able to see through all illusions.
"I'll say it one more time," he coldly approached, as if forcing these people to make a choice.
"Let her go."
Jin's voice was like a cold blade, ruthless and decisive.
The last strong man finally couldn't help it, weakly letting go of the little girl, who collapsed to the ground like discarded trash.
The little girl retreated in terror, then forcefully grabbed Jin's hand, feeling that warmth and safety.
"It's okay, I'm here,"
Jin slightly lowered his head, comforting her.
The darkness and threats surrounding them seemed to be dispelled at this moment.
But the next moment, the little girl's hand was as fast as lightning, a sharp blade stabbing straight at Jin.
In this instant, Jin's eyes slightly condensed, instantly capturing the little mermaid in the shadows, and a subtle sneer appeared on that face.
"What an amazing little toy," Jin's lips curled into a playful smile, having already anticipated all of this.
He slightly tilted his body, easily dodging the fatal blow, and counterattacked like lightning, a wind-like force gripping the little girl's wrist, the blade falling to the ground with a crisp clatter.
"What a pity, such a smart little girl,"
Jin's voice was gentle, like a father's teaching to a naughty child.
The little girl looked at him in surprise, her eyes flashing with confusion and fear.
At the same time, the fish-men who had kidnapped the little girl surrounded him from all directions, revealing fierce expressions, their eyes flashing with disdain and ridicule.
They secretly rejoiced, seeming to think that they could put Jin in a desperate situation at this moment.
"You want to gang up on me?" Jin's smile did not diminish, but instead became more confident and composed.
He slightly released the little girl's hand, using a chop to make the other party faint.
Even a little girl who grew up in this environment should not be underestimated, Jin smiled, not taking this little episode to heart.
"Come on, let's see your 'courage'."
He said easily, his hands slightly open.
The fish-men looked at each other, a hint of hesitation flashing in their hearts, but they were also driven by the hostility in front of them, and finally decided to rush towards him.
"Let's do it!"
Jin's laughter was like a horn echoing on the battlefield, his figure seemed to turn into flowing wind in an instant, easily avoiding the attack.
With a casual wave of his hand, a fish-man who rushed up was knocked out, heavily hitting the wall, making a huge noise.
Seeing this, the surrounding fish-men were shocked, the original momentum was shattered by this powerful force, and the sneer on their faces instantly froze.
Jin's figure was at ease in the chaos, he was like an absolute master, easily dealing with all threats.
"It seems your 'courage' is not enough."
He said casually, his eyes sweeping over the panicked fish-men.
