This place was quiet and beautiful, veiled in mist. A spirit lake gleamed like warm jade, wrapped in strands of rosy light. Now and then a white crane crossed the sky, like a scene from a celestial paradise.
A group of peerless beauties lingered here—some standing to one side, some seated in meditation, some laughing and playing, others silent and thoughtful.
Two figures flashed into being: Goku and Ji Fei appeared at once.
At the sight of them, the women turned their heads. Several rose and approached.
By the lakeshore, Yue'er ran straight into Goku's arms. "Big brother Goku, Mother—where did you two go? Why didn't you take Yue'er?"
"We went to do things meant for adults. What would a child do there?" Goku tapped her little nose and chuckled.
"So you were up to no good again…" Yue'er's cheeks reddened, and she dropped the question.
"Yue'er is still young—watch your mouth," Xue Nu said, shooting Goku a look.
Nongyu glanced at Ji Fei. "How did it go?"
Ji Fei nodded, then looked at Yue'er and chose to say nothing more. Turning to Goku, she spoke softly. "Send me back."
"Not going to walk around a bit?" Goku smiled.
"I'd rather not." Ji Fei shook her head. Here, she felt out of place. Only in Goku's world did she fully relax; there, she needed to think of nothing—no fear, no worry, no care. There, she felt at home, free to cast aside all the dust of the mortal world.
"All right," Goku said.
"Yue'er, will you come back with me?" Ji Fei asked.
"No! I'm staying with big brother Goku."
Goku nodded. With a thought, Ji Fei vanished from view, entering Goku's inner world.
Ever since leaving the newly opened immortal mountain, Goku had already taken the women into his world.
He dropped down beside the Goddess and grinned. "Since you've descended, keep me company for a stroll, hm?"
"With so many women around you, do you still need me?" the Goddess replied serenely, amusement in her eyes.
Goku glanced at Xue Nu and the others—ten in all—scratched his head, and laughed. "The more the merrier."
The Goddess's smile stayed gentle. "I didn't come to keep you entertained. I'm here to supervise you—so you don't turn my world upside down."
"Same difference," Goku said, laughing. "Xue Nu, Chi Lian—let's go."
"Go where?" Xue Nu and the others looked over.
"Shopping," Goku said, and led them down the mountain path.
Inside Xianyang Palace.
A cup shattered to glittering shards.
"Useless—every last one of you!" Ying Zheng roared, glaring at the cowering Meng Tian and the others. "I gave you troops and countless masters, and you still failed. Why do I feed such wastrels? You've thrown away the face of Great Qin!"
"What tricks does this Goku have? Tens of thousands of soldiers could do nothing to a single man? Luo Wang is nearly destroyed, Zhao Gao's life or death unknown, Gongshu Qiu missing… I marched all my life and won with less against more—when have I ever suffered a defeat like this?"
"His martial strength is truly unfathomable," Meng Tian answered, head bowed, sweat beading at his brow. "Perhaps peerless in this age. And the Mohists were full of masters. Gai Nie goes without saying, and with Yue Shen and Da/Shao Siming from the Yin–Yang clan alone, we had to tread carefully."
"The Guo Shi?" Ying Zheng's gaze chilled. "Are you saying the Guo Shi has betrayed me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Guo Shi has submitted to Goku's camp; Liu Sha no longer interferes. As for the Yin–Yang clan, they're gravely weakened—likely finished," Meng Tian said respectfully.
"Even the Guo Shi…" Ying Zheng's voice flattened as he mastered his temper. He turned to a refined man at his side. "Li Si—your view?"
Li Si saluted. "Your Majesty, this Goku is reputed 'Number One Under Heaven.' If even the Guo Shi has bent the knee, the title is no boast. His followers are packed with experts; a few men cannot handle them. If you mean to remove this threat, the cost will not be small."
"The Hundred Schools are thorns in my side," Ying Zheng said, face like iron. "This Goku is the greatest thorn of all—our largest obstacle to sweeping the realm. Such a man must die, no matter the price."
"His followers are many," Li Si replied, "but the world has no shortage of masters. There are several in the imperial Sky Prison. Yet even masters may not suffice—by now it's proven that in single combat no one can match him. If Your Majesty would remove him, only massed arms can do it. However strong he is, a man's strength ends. If tens of thousands fail, send hundreds of thousands. If hundreds of thousands fail, send millions."
"Ridiculous! To kill one man, mobilize a million?" Ying Zheng snapped. "Does he have such heaven-defying power?"
"Your Majesty must not underestimate him," Meng Tian said gravely. "His demon sword is sentient—it can kill at his will without his hand. As for Goku himself, no one knows his true limits. Years ago he sheared off Duanyun Mountain with one stroke; his name shook the world. That is the level we face."
"Our concern isn't only how to kill him," Li Si added, voice tight. "It is how to prevent him from assassinating Your Majesty. He is the strongest living expert. Ten Jing Ke would not equal this one man."
At the name "Jing Ke," a forbidden echo in this hall, the air turned colder still. But the risk was too grave to mince words.
"Even ten Jing Ke…" Ying Zheng's expression darkened. The hall itself seemed to fill with killing intent—this emperor who had decided life and death for millions was still a man who woke from dreams at the memory of a single dagger. Now there was someone worse than ten such men.
"Pass my order," he said at last, voice like a blade. "At any cost, remove Goku. Even if it takes a million—several million—I will not begrudge it. Meng Tian, carry my edict to Fu Su. He holds full authority; he may draw on any forces. I will not hear the word 'failure' again."
"The general obeys!" Meng Tian saluted and withdrew.
"You said there are capable fighters in the Sky Prison?" Ying Zheng asked, looking to Li Si.
"Yes. One is named Sheng Qi—captured by Gai Nie himself. His skill is on par with Wei Zhuang. There are several more just a step below. If we can bind them to the Empire, they'll be a force not to be ignored," Li Si said respectfully.
"See to it. If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you responsible."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
…
Sunlight danced on quiet seas, scattering a thousand points of light across the water.
"It's beautiful," Xue Nu breathed from the shore, eyes on the distant horizon.
"Sanghai City—prosperous and fair, seat of the Confucians. I've long heard of it, but this is my first visit," Chi Lian said, gazing at the bustling city that crowned the coast.
"Come on," Goku smiled. "Let's go in."
They chatted as they walked, soon reaching the road's end where a grand city rose ahead. The gate tower was imposing; high walls loomed in gray-brown stone.
Sanghai was an ancient city—magnificent and thriving. In this age of chaos, it was a rare island of peace.
On the streets, the women's stunning looks drew many glances, but their chill like ice and allure like a serpent's kept strangers at bay.
Only Yue'er skipped along, hand in Goku's—peering here, peeking there—until before long the two had left Xue Nu and the others behind.
"Youjian Inn?" Passing a tavern, Goku stopped, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yue'er, let's sort out lodging first, then shop. This place looks decent."
"Youjian Inn—what a quirky name!" Yue'er laughed, tugging him toward the door. Xue Nu and the others followed close behind.
Just as Goku and Yue'er stepped across the threshold, a clamor of angry voices rolled out from within.
.
🔥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Read ahead! 🔥
If you're loving the story, you can unlock 50+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS right now for just $4/month on my Patreon! Not only do you get a massive backlog to binge-read, but you also directly support my daily translation work. ❤️
👇 Grab your early access here:
🔗 [patreon.com/user?u=79514336]
(Or simply search for Translator-Sama on Patreon!)