"Who knows… I only just heard," Mo Ya said evenly.
"Come on. It's our assignment." He patted Bai Feng on the shoulder and flashed away toward the most ornate pavilion in the capital.
"An assignment, huh… When will we ever leave this cage?" Bai Feng murmured, then followed.
They skimmed over rooftops like wraiths. In moments they reached the most beautiful compound—Que Pavilion. Night had fallen; stars pricked the sky, and the pavilion blazed with lamplight.
At a windowsill, Mo Ya stroked his chin as he watched the woman inside. "Mm… promising. Very promising."
Arms folded, Bai Feng kept his eyes averted. "Did you learn her name?"
Mo Ya glanced over with a teasing smile. "I've always wondered whether you were born afraid of women. Surprised you're interested now."
"Don't forget why we're here," Bai Feng replied coolly.
"You're diligent today," Mo Ya chuckled. "Fine. Keep watch. I'll be right back." He slipped away.
Bai Feng stood quietly, then moved to the window and eased it open. He frowned. "She's… playing? An invisible zither?"
The woman was pure and poised, eyes like autumn water. Kneeling before an empty table, she let her fingers dance across the air. If you didn't look closely, you'd think her mad. But if you focused—and listened with your heart—you would hear it: a piece only audible to those who feel it—the Heart-String Melody.
Mo Ya returned, eyes glinting.
"Well?" Bai Feng asked. "Her name?"
"She's unusual," Mo Ya said. "Most avoid this place; she volunteered herself. Rare."
"I asked for her name," Bai Feng said, gaze steady.
Mo Ya's smile thinned. "Do you hate this place that much?"
"You do too," Bai Feng answered. "This beauty is a prison. We live as someone's killing tools… puppets. What's the difference from being dead?"
Mo Ya exhaled a soft laugh. "I never dwelled on it—only invited sorrow. But now… perhaps we're lucky. I didn't expect the person we were waiting for to appear so soon."
"You mean… she is—" Bai Feng's eyes flashed.
"She's called Nongyu. Whether she's his Nongyu, we'll see. Well? Do we gamble?"
"At this point, would I turn back?" Bai Feng's eyes shone with rare resolve. "This may be our only chance. With his strength… we might finally break the cage."
"Then tell him," Mo Ya said with a nod. "I'll keep watch here."
Bai Feng nodded and leapt away, lightness skill carrying him into the night.
---
In a quiet courtyard of the inn, Xue Nu and the others trained in earnest. Their internal strength had surged to the peak in an instant; without practice, they would never wield it properly. Inner force required technique, unlike raw battle power.
A white blur lit on the roofline.
They sensed him at once. Bai Feng skimmed down, surprised by the dangerous aura that flared from each "delicate" woman below. These weren't fragile beauties—they were top-tier masters. His hope rose. Maybe this time we really can escape…
Ignoring the women's looks entirely, he flashed to the stone table where Goku sat and cupped his hands. "The person you're seeking has appeared."
"Oh? That fast?" Goku glanced toward the city—his sight sliding through distance and walls. A graceful silhouette came into focus, and his mouth curved. "So it really has moved up in time. My butterfly effect is getting loud."
"You all keep practicing," he told the women. With a sweep of his sleeve, he and Bai Feng vanished.
They reappeared atop Que Pavilion.
Mo Ya's eyes flickered in surprise; he hadn't sensed a thing. If they hadn't materialized before him, he would never have known.
Bai Feng was more than surprised—he was stunned. In a blink they had crossed the city.
....
Goku slipped through the window and landed soundlessly behind Nongyu.
Smack.
Mo Ya tapped Bai Feng's shoulder. "Snap out of it. Not like you."
Bai Feng drew a steadying breath, eyes bright. "Mo Ya… I saw it. The speed that can catch up to life as it passes."
"What?" Mo Ya frowned. Bai Feng wasn't acting like himself.
"Do you know how long it took him to bring me here from the inn?" Bai Feng asked solemnly.
Mo Ya thought a moment. "His skill is unfathomable. I didn't notice until he appeared. If I had to guess… six minutes?" For him, the same trip took a 12 minutes; halving that was already a gulf. He couldn't imagine more.
Bai Feng shook his head.
"Then how long?" Mo Ya prodded, intrigued.
"…An instant." Bai Feng's tone was grave. "In the blink of an eye we were here."
Mo Ya's eyes widened; then he gave a disbelieving snort and punched Bai Feng lightly in the arm. "Since when do you joke?"
"I'm not joking," Bai Feng said, gaze unwavering. "It happened between two heartbeats."
Seeing that look, Mo Ya's surprise deepened. He glanced toward the shadow within the room and murmured, "Could his lightness skill truly have reached the legendary… Zhi Chi Tian Ya—'a step to the ends of the earth'?"
"Legend… real after all," Bai Feng whispered, equally shaken.
They had misread the truth—but given their horizons, the mistake was natural.
Mo Ya's mouth curved. "Looks like we've found a remarkable ally." He nodded toward the surrounding roofs. "Come. We'll keep watch. If anyone shows up, it'll be trouble."
By "anyone," he meant Ji Wu Ye—the only man allowed here besides servants.
The two flickered away to a distant eave to monitor the area.
Inside, one woman sat, fingers moving through the air; one man stood behind her, listening. Slowly, the silent music took shape—clear to the heart if not the ear. Goku smiled. He could hear the Heart-String Melody.
After a while, Nongyu stilled her hands, rose, and—without turning—asked softly, "Well? How does it feel?"