Chapter 18: The Disappearance

In Jianye City, Wang Dasao’s roast duck shop had not emitted the fragrant aroma of roasted duck for several days. Her face was haggard, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety; her son, Little Tiger, had not returned home for days. Wang Dasao wandered through the city’s streets and alleys like a headless fly, asking everyone she met if they had seen Little Tiger.

Xu Xuan happened to pass by the roast duck shop and saw Wang Dasao’s distraught appearance, stirring a wave of sympathy in his heart. He entered the shop and softly asked, “Wang Dasao, what has happened to you? You look so lost and troubled.”

Seeing Xu Xuan, Wang Dasao seemed to grasp the last straw of hope, her voice trembling with tears, “Young Master Xu Xuan, my Little Tiger hasn’t come home for many days. I have searched all over Jianye City but have found no trace of him.”

Xu Xuan furrowed his brows, a surge of chivalry rising within him. “Wang Dasao, please do not despair. I, Xu Xuan, will help you find Little Tiger.”

At that moment, Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing also arrived at the roast duck shop.

Xiao Bai spoke gently, “Young Master Xu Xuan, we just heard that you intend to help Wang Dasao find Little Tiger. We would like to lend you a hand.”

Xiao Qing nodded in agreement, “Yes, Young Master Xu Xuan, we cannot just stand by while Little Tiger has disappeared like this.”

Xu Xuan looked at them gratefully. “Thank you both. I’ve already spoken to some of Little Tiger’s friends. They said he mentioned going to East Sea Bay to play before he vanished. So I think we should start by investigating there.”

Thus, the four of them set out toward East Sea Bay.

The sea breeze at East Sea Bay brought a salty, humid scent. On the sandy shore, scattered shells and small crabs dotted the beach. Xu Xuan looked around, hoping to find any clues related to Little Tiger.

Xiao Qing ran to the shore and called out to the sea, “Little Tiger! Little Tiger! Where are you?” But the only response was the sound of waves crashing against the sand.

Xiao Bai closed her eyes, using her spiritual power to sense the surrounding aura. After a while, she opened her eyes and said, “There are some scattered and weak energies here. I’m not sure if they are connected to Little Tiger.”

Xu Xuan approached a fisherman by the shore and asked, “Uncle, have you seen a little boy around here recently? About this tall, wearing a blue shirt.” He gestured to indicate Little Tiger’s height and clothing.

The fisherman thought for a moment and said, “A little boy in blue? Oh, I think I saw one a few days ago. He was picking up shells by the sea, but after that, I don’t know where he went.”

Xu Xuan continued, “Have you noticed anyone suspicious around him?”

The fisherman shook his head, “No, nothing like that.”

Thanking the fisherman, Xu Xuan returned to Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing looked a bit disheartened. “Young Master Xu Xuan, it seems the trail ends here.”

Xu Xuan comforted her, “Miss Xiao Qing, don’t lose heart. Let’s keep searching along the shore. Maybe we’ll find other clues.”

They walked along the shore until they reached a cluster of rocks, where Xu Xuan noticed some strange footprints on the ground. These prints did not look like ordinary human footprints; they resembled those of a giant fish or perhaps a monster.

Xu Xuan crouched down, examining the footprints with a furrowed brow. “These footprints are very unusual. I fear Little Tiger’s disappearance might be connected to whoever made these prints.”

Xiao Bai also crouched to inspect them. “They have a faint fishy smell. They must have come from the sea.”

Curious, Xiao Qing asked, “How do we find the owner of these footprints?”

Xu Xuan pondered for a moment. “I think we should try to find a sea spirit or monster to ask. Miss Xiao Bai, Miss Xiao Qing, you both have experience in these matters. Do you know how?”

Xiao Bai replied, “I know of a type of sea demon that frequents these waters. They are well-informed, but finding them requires a special summoning ritual.”

Xiao Qing said excitedly, “Then let’s begin the summoning ceremony right away.”

So, Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing began preparing the ritual.

They drew strange symbols on the sand and placed shells and pearls in the center. Xiao Bai chanted softly, and soon an eerie light shimmered over the sea.

A sea demon with a fish’s head and human body emerged from the water. It stared at them sharply and asked in a sharp voice, “Who are you? Why have you summoned me?”

Xu Xuan stepped forward and said, “Great Sea Demon, we are searching for a missing boy named Little Tiger. We found some strange footprints and suspect his disappearance is linked to their owner. Do you know anything?”

The sea demon looked at Xu Xuan, then at Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing, and said, “I’ve heard of a boy taken to an underwater cave. That cave is the territory of the merfolk. Sometimes they snatch children from the land, but they usually don’t harm them—they just find children interesting.”

Xu Xuan’s heart lifted. “Can you tell us where the cave is?”

The sea demon shook its head. “I cannot tell you directly, but I can give you something that will guide you to the cave.” It produced a glowing blue shell and handed it to Xu Xuan.

Xu Xuan accepted the shell gratefully. “Thank you, Great Sea Demon.”

The sea demon glanced at them once more and then slipped back beneath the waves.

Holding the shell, Xu Xuan said to Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing, “Let’s follow the shell’s guidance and find Little Tiger.”

With that, the three of them headed into the depths of the sea, determined to uncover Little Tiger’s whereabouts.