"Xianyang Palace is sealed tight—layer upon layer of elite guards. Assassinating Ying Zheng is harder than ascending to Heaven," Shi Lan said, meeting Goku's gaze with unusual gravity. He had helped her and saved Xiao Hei; she would not watch him walk to his death.
The Mohists frowned as well. Shi Lan had a point. Goku's skill was unfathomable, and even Gai Nie likely could not withstand a single exchange with him—but forcing a way into Xianyang was another matter entirely. Since the Jing Ke incident, Ying Zheng had turned the palace into a fortress, stationing tens of thousands of soldiers. It was a dragon's den in more than name.
For most people, entering meant not returning.
"where is it that I cannot go? How laughable."
His voice was mild—but the quiet confidence and arrogant certainty in it swept through everyone present. Against their own instincts, they found themselves believing him: if it was him, he could do it.
"You may move against Ying Zheng as you like," a voice like spring water sounded, "but how do you intend to deal with him?"
The Goddess stood there, serene as moonlight.
For a heartbeat, everyone—even Gai Nie—went still. Her beauty and bearing were too perfect; standing near her felt like basking in sunlight after winter.
"Who… is she? When did she appear?" Even as they reeled, the masters realized with a start that none of them had sensed her arrival. She seemed to have simply… appeared.
"She's Ling yue" Goku said lightly.
"A fitting name," Dao Zhi breathed. "To think there could be such a woman in this world… I could die without regret."
More than a few looks toward Goku held a trace of bitter envy. Xue Nu and the others were already enough to unhinge the world; now this?
"You haven't answered me," Ling yue said gently. "What will you do with Ying Zheng—kill him, or simply teach him a lesson?"
The Mohists turned to Goku as well. It almost felt as if Ying Zheng's life or death rested on his whim.
"That depends on his attitude," Goku said with a small smile. He took Yue'er's hand and headed for the door. "It's late. Time to sleep."
Nongyu and the others exchanged bows with the Mohists and followed him out.
"Do you think… Sir Goku will succeed?" Ban Dashi asked, face grave.
"Of course," Shaoyu said at once. "If brother Goku moves, the tyrant Ying Zheng will not live. You haven't seen his true power—but our Xiang clan has."
Whenever Shaoyu remembered Goku's world-splitting strike from years ago, his blood hummed. Armies were just numbers before that sword.
"If sir Goku truly acts, Ying Zheng will die," Fan Zeng said calmly, stroking his beard—though the faint tremor in his hand betrayed the storm in his heart. "All we can do is wait—and prepare. Whatever the outcome, it favors us. If Ying Zheng falls, the realm will fall into chaos, and that will be our chance to restore peace. If he lives, he will still lose face; in his cruelty he may do anything—and that will hasten Qin's end."
Within Goku's inner world, he was enjoying an entirely different sort of night with his companions.
Outside, killing intent gathered. The world's great disturbance had begun.
Dawn broke.
Elsewhere, the Confucians' crisis arrived.
"Chancellor, an imperial secret decree!"
A courier galloped up, dismounted in a rush, and held a brocade scroll high. He was ushered straight to Li Si's residence. Li Si stepped out as the man bowed.
"A secret decree?" Li Si's brows lifted. "Let me see."
As he read, his expression darkened; at the end, his brow knit tight. He exhaled softly. "So it's come to this…"
"Pass the order to the three armies: by His Majesty's command, the Confucians have colluded with the Mohists and harbor rebellion. Surround Xiao Sheng Xianzhuang. Let not a single person escape. Any who resist—kill without mercy."
Shock rippled through the troops, but the army obeys.
Qin forces poured into Sanghai, sealing every gate and road. With one decree, Ying Zheng thrust the Confucians into the abyss.
---
"It's bad—terrible! Something big has happened!"
At first light, Pao Ding burst into the Mohists' hideout, shouting.
"Fatty Ding, why the yelling? I thought the Qin had found us," Dao Zhi said, dropping from the eaves with a scowl.
"What happened?" Ban Dashi and the others emerged, frowning at Pao Ding's panic.
Youjian Inn had long since been seized as a Qin staging post, so the Mohists were holed up in a shabby, out-of-the-way house—hastily tidied as a temporary base.
"It's the Confucians!" Pao Ding panted. "They're in serious trouble!"
"Sit. Tea first—breathe, then talk," Ban Dashi said, pouring him a cup.
After a long gulp, the big man continued: "At dawn I went, as usual, to deliver food to Fu Nian and the others. On the way, I saw Qin soldiers flooding into the city, sealing every gate."
Faces tightened. Xiao Gao's voice went iron-hard. "Have we been exposed?"
"No. This time they're not after the Mohists—they're after the Confucians."
"The Confucians?" Shock rippled around the room.
"Isn't Ying Zheng known to favor Confucian teachings?" Rong said, frowning. "And Li Si himself studied among them. Why move against them now?"
"Because he found out they've been meeting with us," Pao Ding said grimly. "He's furious—declared them rebels. Li Si has the estate surrounded. The Confucians are corralled outside the main hall, bound. I even saw Qin soldiers digging a huge pit. Are they going to bury them alive?"
"So the Confucians suffer because of us…" Ban Dashi said, stricken.
"With tens of thousands surrounding the estate, a rescue won't be easy," Xiao Gao said, eyes narrowing. "Unless…"
"Unless brother Goku intervenes," Shaoyu finished, eyes lighting.
"Where is brother Goku?" Tianming looked around. No sign.
"He disappeared after last night. Did he already head for Xianyang?" Rong asked, brows knitting—her icy tone unable to hide the trace of concern.
"What about Xianyang?" Goku's voice sounded as he appeared beside Rong with a smile.
"So you didn't leave…" she said evenly, turning her head—though her expression was not quite steady, and her heartbeat had quickened under his nearness.
"You all look grim. Let me guess." Goku's eyes swept the room, then he blinked. "Book-burning and scholar-burying? That escalated fast."
"Does Li Si truly mean to bury Confucian disciples alive?" Gai Nie asked, eyes turning cold.
The Mohists traded shocked looks.
"With Ying Zheng's cruelty, what wouldn't he do?" Xiang Liang said, brow furrowing.
"Who's there? Come out!" Gai Nie snapped suddenly, staring up at the roof. The unfinished wooden sword was already in his hand.
The others tensed, ready to strike.
"Don't be alarmed—it's me."
A figure in a black cloak dropped lightly from the roof and pushed back his hood, revealing a handsome, scholarly face.
"Zi Fang? You?" Surprise swept the room as weapons were lowered.