"Thank you, Big Brother Goku! I swear I won't betray your trust—I'll end this age of chaos." Shaoyu clasped his fists to Goku, his voice firm and steady.
"Sir Goku, we're deeply grateful for your favor toward Shaoyu," Fan Zeng added, bowing solemnly. "If there's anything within the Xiang clan's power, we will never refuse."
"It's nothing." Goku waved it off, then glanced at Shaoyu. "Come here. I need a word with you." He turned toward a quiet corner, and Shaoyu followed.
In the corner, Goku grew serious. "Remember this: fate has set a death calamity in your path. If I leave it be, you will die. If you ever meet a man named Liu Bang, do not hesitate—kill him. Either he dies, or you do. He's destined to be the obstacle to your domination of the realm. I'm telling you only because we know each other. I gave you this manual so you'd have the strength to break your fate. From now on, train hard. Don't slack."
History is full of "ifs." If Guo Jia hadn't died before Red Cliffs—what then? If Xiang Yu had eliminated Liu Bang—what then?
This time, Goku chose to turn an "if" into reality for Shaoyu. He admired this world's Xiang Yu and wanted to give him a push. He was curious: if Shaoyu unified the realm, what would come next?
"Thank you for the warning, Big Brother Goku." Shaoyu's expression hardened. "Liu Bang… I won't forget."
Goku nodded, and the two returned to the others.
"Shaoyu, what did Sir Goku say?" Xiang Liang asked quietly.
"Nothing much. Some pointers on training." Shaoyu shook his head. Since he didn't elaborate, Xiang Liang wisely let it drop.
"Big Brother Goku! You gave Shaoyu a martial manual—don't forget me!" Tianming hurried over with an ingratiating grin.
Goku thought for a moment, then a book appeared in his hand. He tossed it to Tianming. "A sword technique manual. If you master it, you'll reach the top tier. If you don't—well, that's on you." He paused, then looked to Gai Nie. "You should study it too—and keep an eye on Tianming."
"This… is it proper?" Gai Nie hesitated. As a man of the jianghu, he knew what a manual meant.
"It's just a book." Goku's tone was casual. For him, such things were hardly rare.
"In that case, I gratefully accept." Gai Nie bowed. Truth be told, he was curious. After all he'd seen from Goku, how could he not be?
Footsteps sounded down the corridor. A handsome man with a sword stepped into view, his expression cold as ice—emotionless.
Master Ban and the others glanced at Gai Nie, their faces tense. They clearly feared bloodshed on the spot.
The newcomer was none other than Gao Jianli, wielder of the Shuihan sword; his "Yi Shuihan" was famed across the land.
Entering the hall, Gao Jianli's gaze went first to Xue Nu. A complicated look flickered in his eyes. Then he turned to Goku and cupped his hands. "Sir Goku. It's been more than ten years, and you haven't changed at all."
"Heh. Little Gao, you still remember me?" Goku smiled lightly.
But a decade was a long time. Gao Jianli's feelings had faded. Back then nothing had been decided; the sprout had barely formed before Goku cut it off. Still, seeing the woman he once fancied stirred something in him.
"You're Gai Nie?" Gao suddenly turned, his cold aura chilling the floor beneath his feet until frost bloomed across the stone.
"I am," Gai Nie replied calmly, fists cupped.
"Why is someone like you in our Mohist city?" Gao asked Master Ban, voice flat.
"They're guests the Chief wants to meet…"
"Guests? Hmph. Best not cause trouble. Otherwise…" Gao shot Gai Nie a frosty look, snorted, and turned to leave.
High above the Mohist City, a gigantic white bird glided through the clouds. Arms folded, Bai Feng looked down at the mist-wreathed peaks. "That's Mohist Mechanical City. It's riddled with mechanisms. Whether you can enter or not—depends on your own skill."
As he finished, two figures leapt from the bird's back, plummeting toward the clouds below.
---
Night fell. Da Tiechui led several Mohist disciples on patrol through the woods, torchlight pushing back the gloom.
For some reason, everyone felt a chill along their spines, as if a pair of cold eyes watched them from behind. A breeze stirred, and Da Tiechui's face hardened. "No—blood. I smell blood."
"I smell it too." The group halted, expressions turning grim.
"Looks like Master Ban was right—some vermin snuck into our Mechanical City." Da Tiechui snorted. "Bold move. Picking Da Tiechui's turf to make trouble!"
"Ah!"
A scream ripped through the trees.
"Not good! Over there!"
"That was Ashan!"
"Move!" Da Tiechui barked. They sprinted through the thicket.
—
In the guest quarters, Goku lay comfortably on his stomach while Da Siming and Shao Siming massaged his legs and shoulders.
They had always stood above others. Serving someone like this was hard to accept—but that was the point. The more he ordered them around, the quicker they'd get used to it. In time, obedience would come naturally.
During the massage, Goku sensed Da Siming's killing intent flicker more than once. Each time it rose, a wave of deathly dread washed over her, as if she were toeing the edge of an abyss. Cold sweat broke out on her back; she didn't dare make another wrong move.
Just then Chi Lian sauntered in, hips swaying, every step a temptation. "Goku, someone's infiltrated the Mohist City. What should we do?"
"Leave them. A few clowns. The Mohists can handle it." Goku waved her off. But the sight of Chi Lian's sultry figure made his blood stir. After being kneaded for so long, he was already simmering; now the heat flared. He sat up, reached out, and pulled Chi Lian into his arms.
Startled, Da Siming and Shao Siming flushed, sprang to their feet, and slipped out of the room.
"Hee-hee, is Big Brother Goku bullying Sister Chi Lian again?" Yue'er peered through the doorway, eyes sparkling. She was about to tiptoe inside when Nongyu blocked her gently. "Be good, Yue'er. Go play somewhere else."
"It's always like this—I can't even take a peek," Yue'er pouted, then shuffled off.
Face tinged pink, Xue Nu gave the room a quick glance and reached to close the door—only for Goku to appear in a blur, scooping her up. "None of you are escaping." His sleeve flicked, and in an instant he whisked Xue Nu and Nongyu back inside.
While Goku was busy being affectionate with his ladies, elsewhere the killing had begun.
Night fell; the moon watched the slaughter. Screams echoed through the grove. The air reeked of blood and death. One Mohist disciple after another buckled under the weight of fear.
A black shadow slipped through the dark like a ghost, silently reaping lives.
"Ah!"
Another scream, right at their side. Da Tiechui's eyes went wide as a comrade toppled. Rage blazed in his chest. "Who's there? Which bastard is it? Get your filthy hide out here!"
His roar shook the branches and sent birds shrieking into the air.
Da Tiechui swung his colossal hammer. Wind howled; trees snapped at the waist; stones skittered and shrubs exploded as he carved a wide ring of open ground around them.
A shadow flickered, forced into the open by the "Thunder God Hammer."
"Heh-heh. The Thunder God Hammer lives up to its name. If I hadn't moved, you'd have nicked me," a cold, rasping voice said. The figure was gaunt, bat-like, with eyes full of bloodlust.
"So it's you" Da Tiechui sneered. "Bad luck running into me."
_____
T/N:
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