"Don't panic! That panther is already badly injured—it can't move well. Archers, ready your bows! Kill it!"
The Qin officer in command stayed calm and issued his order sharply.
"Roar!"
Surrounded on all sides by soldiers, the wounded panther grew more agitated, its eyes glowing red as it swiped a massive claw to the left.
"Ahh!"
A soldier's scream tore through the air. The panther's claws ripped through his armor like paper, carving three deep gashes across his chest. Blood poured down as the others recoiled in terror.
"Loose!"
At the command, a dozen heavy crossbows fired as one. The bolts shot forward with lethal force, piercing through the panther's limbs and torso.
"Roar!"
The great beast howled in agony. Already grievously wounded, its body trembled, its joints riddled with arrows. With a final roar, it collapsed heavily to the ground.
"Xiao Hei!"
A girl's cry echoed through the forest path. Carrying a small lunch box, she froze at the sight of the fallen panther. For the first time, mist gathered in her usually cold eyes.
"You… all deserve to die."
Killing intent flared within her gaze—icy and merciless. Her slender figure moved like a phantom, darting through the Qin ranks like a swallow in flight. In the blink of an eye, she was upon them, her strikes swift and precise.
"Uh… Shaoyu," Tianming stammered, staring at the girl fighting fiercely against the soldiers. "We didn't… do something bad, did we?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? We didn't hurt the panther." Shaoyu rolled his eyes.
"So, what now? Should we help her?"
"Do you even have to ask? This started because of us. We can't just stand here!" Shaoyu grinned boldly and leapt into the fray. "Miss, I'll help you!"
"Ha! You make it sound like you're some hero," Tianming muttered—but he, too, charged in beside them.
The Qin soldiers were no match for the three. Within moments, punches and kicks sent soldiers flying; dozens were knocked down in the blink of an eye.
But the situation quickly turned grim—this time, the Qin weren't fielding a small patrol. Hundreds of elite soldiers soon surrounded them, crossbows raised and aimed. Escape was no longer possible.
"What's wrong? You were so bold before—why aren't you fighting now?"
A Qin officer in heavy armor strode forward, sword gleaming in hand. Surrounded by guards, he sneered proudly at the three youths.
"This is bad," Shaoyu muttered, eyes narrowing. "Don't move rashly! Those crossbows are made with Gongshu family's finest mechanisms—lethal and precise!"
"What do we do, then? Damn, if I'd brought Fei Gong, we wouldn't be stuck here," Tianming said, uncharacteristically serious.
The girl's expression stayed calm as she scanned the soldiers, as though seeking a flaw. Her fingers wove quickly into mysterious hand signs, faint light flickering between them.
"Well, well—what's all this fuss?"
A lazy, cheerful voice drifted through the trees. Several figures emerged from the forest path, led by a man in orange robes with an unmistakable aura.
"Brother Goku!" Tianming and Shaoyu's eyes lit up at once. "It's Brother Goku!"
"He's… he's that Goku?!"
At the name, panic rippled through the Qin soldiers. "Goku" was a word that haunted their ranks—a nightmare spoken in whispers.
"Behind him… isn't that Lady Yue Shen? And the Da and Shao Siming too? So he really is the Sword God—Goku!"
The troops faltered. Sweat trickled down foreheads as their hands shook on their weapons. One by one, they began edging backward, unable to meet his gaze.
"It's him…"
The girl froze mid-gesture, surprise flashing in her eyes. Recognition struck her—the same man who had saved her back at Youjian Inn.
Goku surveyed the trembling Qin soldiers with calm indifference.
"So, what will it be? You leave on your own—or I make you leave?"
"M-My lord, what do we do?" a soldier whispered, clutching his spear.
"What do you think?" the captain hissed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Even General Meng Tian and Master Wei Zhuang together couldn't handle him. You want to die here? Retreat—report this to the general!"
No one argued. The captain turned and fled, his men stumbling after him in panic.
"Hey! Come back! You were all so tough a moment ago!" Tianming shouted after them, hands cupped around his mouth. "What's wrong now? Cowards! I said come back!"
His taunting only made them run faster.
Shaoyu could only shake his head, amused, before turning to Goku with admiration shining in his eyes. "Just your presence was enough to make the Qin army flee. That's true power. I wonder when I'll reach that level…"
He sighed, pushing the thought away, and approached with Tianming. Both saluted respectfully.
"Brother Goku, you saved us again! But what are you doing here?"
"With the whole city plastered with our wanted posters, where else would we be?" Goku replied with a faint smile. "But really, you two sure know how to stir up trouble. Every time I see you, chaos follows."
"Heh…" Both boys scratched their heads sheepishly.
"If you can't handle something this small, how will you ever lead armies across the world? The manual I gave you—study it well. Don't bring it shame."
"Yes!" they both replied, voices firm.
Goku nodded, then turned toward the girl kneeling beside the fallen panther. Her hand trembled as she stroked its bloodied fur. The beast's breathing was faint, its life ebbing away.
"Well, well," Goku said with a smile. "Didn't expect we'd meet again so soon."
"You… know each other?" Shaoyu asked, surprised.
"Thank you," the girl said quietly, eyes still downcast. "You've saved me again." She touched the panther's head gently, her sorrow returning.
"Don't be sad. With me here, it won't die," Goku said softly, patting her shoulder in comfort.
"You… you can really save Xiao Hei?" the girl—Shi Lan—looked up, eyes bright with hope.
"Of course! If Big brother Goku wishes, he could bring someone back from the dead," Yue'er said proudly.
"Shaoyu, Tianming—pull the arrows from its body," Goku instructed.
"Got it!" they answered together, moving carefully toward the beast.
"Be gentle, don't hurt her!" Shi Lan urged, her affection for the creature plain.
Working together, they pulled every bolt free. The black panther lay motionless, its breaths shallow, life barely flickering.
"Quick! Please, save her!" Shi Lan's voice trembled, her cold composure gone.
"Relax," Goku said with a calm smile. He raised his hand, and a soft, shimmering light bloomed in his palm before flowing into the panther's body.
Before their astonished eyes, every wound closed at incredible speed. Within moments, not a trace of injury remained.
"Roar!"
The panther suddenly sprang up, roaring thunderously. Tianming yelped and darted behind Goku, while even Shaoyu tensed for a fight.
"Don't be afraid! She won't hurt you," Shi Lan laughed joyfully, stroking the beast's sleek fur. At her touch, the once-fierce creature lowered its head affectionately, rubbing it against Goku's leg.
"Amazing…" Tianming breathed. "It was dying a moment ago—and now it's fine!"
Shaoyu nodded, equally stunned. "Just incredible…"
"If only brother Goku had been there sooner," Tianming murmured, lowering his head. "The Juzi might still be alive…"
"Everyone dies, sooner or later," Goku said gently. "What matters isn't the past—it's what you do with the present."
"Thank you for saving Xiao Hei," Shi Lan said softly. "My name… is Shi Lan."
.....
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