Chapter 2391: Physiological Mask and Psychological Mask

The Mermaid Queen: "???"

Is something wrong with this guy?

If it were anyone else in my current hostage situation, they'd probably be desperate to get rid of me, this bringer of ill fortune. Yet he wants to take me to find suitable clothes?

At this thought, her expression hardened. She held the dagger horizontally against Zu'an's neck. "Heh, I suppose you're planning to lead me into some trap to earn merit, aren't you?"

Zu'an secretly chuckled. A section of her fair wrist, peeking out from her sleeve, was clearly a different skin tone from her palms and face.

Her face was very ordinary, with a slightly sallow complexion. She had also made sure her hands matched the color, but she hadn't noticed the giveaway at her wrist.

One could say she had some acting skill, but not much.

Speaking of disguises, Shang Hongyu also enjoyed dressing up, and Jing Teng was even more extreme—a beautiful girl who transformed into a terrifying Ghost King, striking fear into anyone who heard her name.

All the women he encountered seemed to be master actresses.

Seeing no response, but rather a strange expression, the Mermaid Queen suddenly frowned slightly. "Why are you smiling?"

"I'm not smiling?" Zu'an was startled by the pressure from the dagger, wondering if his acting skills had deteriorated to this extent.

"Though your face isn't smiling, your eyes are," the Mermaid Queen said coldly.

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. He never expected her to be so sensitive to emotions. He could only explain, "It's mainly because the daily lives of us small guards are so dull and boring. Situations like this usually only happen in storybooks and plays, and they always involve the main character. So, I just got a little excited thinking about it."

The Mermaid Queen: "???"

The reason was so absurd that she actually thought it might be true. After all, a normal person couldn't fabricate such a preposterous answer.

She scrutinized the guard. He was tall and sturdy, but his face was indeed ordinary, and his strength was low. Such a guard was probably the most unremarkable and unnoticeable type in the Dragon Palace. She likely wouldn't even glance at someone like him on a normal day.

Unconsciously, a hint of pity entered her eyes. This little guard was not only timid but also seemed to be full of strange fantasies. In short, something was wrong with his head.

This was actually perfect, saving her the trouble of coercion or temptation.

"It's really not a trap? You're not trying to alert others to capture me?"

Zu'an shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Absolutely not! You're a high-flying heroine; you even dared to trespass in the Dragon Palace, so your cultivation must be incredibly high. My abilities are so meager, how would I dare deceive you?"

"Besides, my monthly salary is only a few hundred ordinary yuan stones. Why would I risk my life for that?"

The Mermaid Queen gave a soft huff and then retracted her dagger.

Inwardly, she added another assessment: this guard was not only cowardly and afraid of death, and a dreamer, but also a bit of a chatterbox.

However, his speaking style was quite amusing.

"I've changed my mind. You don't need to find me clothes to change into. Just take me to the Four Directions Hall to have a look."

"Huh?" Zu'an was secretly pleased but appeared very reluctant. "You'll be exposed without proper clothes."

Seeing his hesitant demeanor, the Mermaid Queen felt secretly delighted. "It's fine, I have my own methods."

The Merfolk possessed a unique ability: after refining their innate scales, they could freely transform them into any style of clothing.

Previously, she had only considered borrowing his clothes to avoid revealing her identity, but when she heard him suggest finding another guard's clothes for her, she instinctively resisted. This was compounded by her suspicion that he might be trying to trick her.

Although she wasn't afraid, delaying the rescue of Princess Peacock would be problematic.

"Can I... not go?" Zu'an asked, his face a picture of misery and reluctance.

Inwardly, he sighed, lamenting the constant tension he'd been under. Moreover, given his current status, he really had to pay attention to his image.

With the burden of being an 'idol,' sometimes he couldn't express himself freely.

This current situation was much better. No one knew who he was, and he could act with fewer inhibitions, feeling an inexplicable sense of ease.

It seemed he truly was a born actor. If he ever had the chance to return to Earth, he would definitely go into the entertainment industry and teach those young idols what real acting was.

Seeing that he was clearly afraid, yet there was a glint of excitement deep in his eyes, the Mermaid Queen was somewhat speechless.

This little guard logically didn't want to go, but deep down, he harbored an inexplicable anticipation.

Another child poisoned by dramatic tales.

Weak yet eager to play.

"If you don't go, you'll die!" the Mermaid Queen threatened, feigning seriousness.

"Heroine, please don't be rash! I'll go," Zu'an quickly changed his tune.

Seeing his pleading expression, the Mermaid Queen inexplicably felt a little lighter. "Lead the way!"

She needed to rescue someone, and doing it alone would be inconvenient. Having someone cooperate would be much better.

Yet, a touch of sadness lingered in her heart. She was, after all, the dignified Mermaid Queen, but at such a critical moment, she couldn't trust anyone. She had been forced to randomly pick a passing guard to cooperate with her.

Of course, her personal maid was trustworthy, but she didn't want to bring her into such a dangerous situation. Besides, her maid was usually lazy and didn't like to cultivate, so bringing her would only be a burden and easily reveal her identity.

"Heroine, you're not planning to use me and then kill me once your task is done, are you?" The guard, walking ahead, suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts.

The Mermaid Queen's lips curved slightly upward. "Don't worry, as long as you cooperate well, I won't kill you!"

"But please don't make me do anything strange," Zu'an added cautiously. "Otherwise, if it's investigated later, I'll be charged and beheaded."

The Mermaid Queen snorted coldly. "Keep talking nonsense, and I'll stitch your mouth shut, believe it or not?"

On the surface, she seemed angry, but in reality, she wasn't.

Strangely enough, being with this little guard significantly lightened her previously heavy mood.

Although she didn't wear a mask on a daily basis, the title of the Sea Race's foremost beauty weighed heavily on her. She was surrounded by men, each with their own ulterior motives and coveting her body, yet they were all overlords dominating their own regions. She could only find ways to skillfully navigate among them.

In those times, wasn't she also wearing a mask?

Now, with a physical mask, she could finally let down her guard and be her true self.

This little guard, despite his many flaws, seemed like a decent person. If this rescue operation made it impossible for him to remain in the Dragon Palace, she would bring him back to the Merfolk tribe to serve as her personal guard.

Hmph, when he eventually learns my true identity and sees my real face, his expression will surely be priceless.

No, that's not right. She couldn't let him know her true identity. She would just find another random excuse to transfer him over then.

The Merfolk tribe was predominantly female. With so many beautiful girls, he would surely find a good marriage there. Consider it his reward for helping her this time.