Goku led the frightened horse back to his side, swung himself smoothly into the saddle, and extended a hand toward Xue Nu.
"Come on up."
Xue Nu's delicate hand reached out, their fingers intertwined for a brief moment before Goku pulled her effortlessly onto the horse behind him.
"Don't get any funny ideas!" Xue Nu snapped softly, sensing his teasing intent. Her cheeks flushed with a charming shade of pink as she gave Goku's head a light tap.
Goku grinned. "Hehe… fine, fine—"
Just as he was about to spur the horse forward—
"Wait!" Xue Nu called out, stopping him in time.
Goku turned his head. "What is it now?"
"You're not planning to leave your sword behind, are you?" she asked, pointing toward the black blade still standing upright in the ground nearby. Its lonely silhouette seemed almost pitiful—abandoned by its master.
"Oh… now that you mention it, I really did forget." Goku scratched his head, completely unbothered.
Xue Nu rolled her eyes. "Are you sure you're even a swordsman? Don't swordsmen treat their blades like their own lives? How could you just forget yours?"
"I'm no swordsman," Goku replied with a smirk. "I only use that sword for… style."
"Style?" Xue Nu blinked, confused. "What do you mean by style?"
Goku froze for a second. How on earth was he supposed to explain that to her? How do you tell a pure, stunning beauty what it means to "act cool"?
He cleared his throat. "Ahem… let's just say—it's not something to take seriously. If you take it seriously, you lose."
He lifted his hand casually, and with a sharp metallic hum, the dark sword shot up from the ground like a streak of lightning, rising into the air before coming to hover beside him. Crimson light pulsed from its edge, waves of demonic aura rippling outward.
As Goku caught the sword, the red glow faded instantly, the weapon returning to its ordinary appearance.
Xue Nu gazed at it curiously. "What's the name of your sword? I've never seen it in any of the weapon registers."
"The name?" Goku hesitated. This sword was called the Sword of Chi You, but that sounded… a bit too ancient.
Maybe it needed a better name? Something with more flair?
He thought for a while and finally shrugged. "Let's just call it the Demon Sword. It's an ancient divine weapon—said to be the King of All Blades. But it's a demonic weapon; not just anyone can wield it."
"Demon Sword…" Xue Nu murmured, nodding slightly. She could already tell from the crimson aura it had released earlier that it wasn't an ordinary blade.
But still—naming a divine weapon so casually? Was that really okay?
"You won't… be harmed by it, will you?" she asked softly, worry flickering in her eyes. Anything tied to dark energy was never something to be taken lightly.
"If an ordinary person touched it, the sword's demonic aura would devour their mind," Goku said lightly. "But me? Hah. Even if it had ten thousand times the courage, it wouldn't dare."
"Bzzzt—Bzzzt—" The sword trembled in his hand, letting out a resonant hum—as if submitting, acknowledging its master.
"Here, hold this for me." Goku handed the sword to Xue Nu. He had no plans to put it away. Carrying such a stylish divine weapon around was the perfect way to keep up appearances.
Xue Nu hesitated. "Didn't you say ordinary people can't touch it?"
"Relax," Goku chuckled. "You're not ordinary. You're its mistress. It wouldn't dare harm you."
Her cheeks reddened instantly, the words sinking into her heart. She carefully accepted the sword—yet the weapon remained still and calm, showing no sign of rejecting her. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
---
By sunset, the two arrived at a bustling city.
Dismounting, Goku glanced wistfully back at the gates before paying the entry tax and walking through without issue.
Though still within Yan Kingdom's borders, the royal wanted posters for the two had never reached this city—Goku had intercepted them on the road.
As for their funds? That was easy. Goku's own world held piles of gold, and if that wasn't enough—turning stone into gold was child's play for someone of his level.
---
The ancient inns of this era were lively and chaotic—warriors, vagabonds, thieves, and nobles all mingling under one roof.
Just as Goku and Xue Nu stepped into the main hall, an old woman descended the stairs, accompanied by a graceful young woman.
Goku's eyes widened in surprise.
'No way… it can't be her, right?'
The young woman was elegant and serene, her beauty as pure and cold as winter frost. Her long black hair was tied into a slim ponytail, wrapped with a light-blue headscarf.
Her purple eyes shimmered with clarity and calm confidence, yet her youthful charm still lingered—a perfect blend of grace and allure.
This was none other than Duanmu Rong, the woman who would one day be known as the Divine Healer of the Qin era.
Goku recognized her immediately.
The old woman beside her, though, didn't interest him in the slightest.
While Goku remembered her, Duanmu Rong clearly didn't know him. She spared only a brief glance—her attention caught, instead, by the breathtaking Xue Nu standing next to him.
Perhaps only a woman of equal beauty could stir her interest.
Goku looked away, suppressing the urge to greet her.
They were strangers here; walking up to her out of nowhere would only be awkward.
"Shopkeeper! Two premium rooms, please."
He placed a heavy silver ingot on the counter.
"Right away, honored guest!" The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, bowing deeply as he shouted toward the stairs.
"Er Liuzi! Take these guests to Heavenly Room No. 2 and No. 3!"
"Yes, sir! Right this way, honored guests!"
As Goku and Xue Nu followed the attendant upstairs, Duanmu Rong turned to the old woman beside her.
"Granny Wang, let's go. Your grandson's illness can't wait."
"Ah, thank you, Miss Duanmu," the old woman said gratefully. "If not for you, that poor child wouldn't have survived this long!"
They hurried out of the inn together.
---
Night fell.
After dinner, Xue Nu went to rest.
Goku, on the other hand, returned to his own dimension—to spend time with his girls there.
When dawn broke and the first light touched the horizon, the peace shattered—
A thunderous march echoed from outside.
A regiment of soldiers surrounded the inn in tight formation, shields raised, sealing off every exit.
"General, what's going on?" the terrified innkeeper cried. "We're just simple folk—we haven't done anything wrong!"
Ignoring him, the general gestured to his men.
"Have you seen these two?"
Three soldiers stepped forward, holding up portraits.
The innkeeper's face turned pale. The faces on those posters were unforgettable—one handsome young man who paid in silver like it was nothing, and one breathtaking woman.
"G-General! Spare me! I didn't know they were wanted criminals! They're in Heavenly Room No. 2 and No. 3!"
In his panic, he betrayed Goku and Xue Nu without hesitation.
Meanwhile, awakened by the commotion, Duanmu Rong opened her door.
Her violet eyes widened slightly when she saw the portraits. "It's them…"
Just then, a calm yet mocking voice sounded from above.
"Well, you guys sure work fast. Didn't expect you to find us this quickly."
Goku and Xue Nu appeared together on the upper balcony, looking down at the soldiers below.
"It's them, General!" a soldier shouted, confirming the match.
"What are you waiting for? Attack! His Majesty's orders—kill on sight!" the general barked, immediately retreating to hide behind his troops. He knew all too well the kind of monster he was dealing with.
The soldiers, unaware of Goku's true strength, charged in with a roar.
Goku's eyes turned cold. "Hmph… a bunch of fools. Seems your Yan King still hasn't learned his lesson. If that's the case…"
His voice dropped to a deadly whisper.
"Then I'll remind him."
The Demon Sword shot from his hand, streaking through the air like blood-red lightning.
Screams tore through the hall as the blade weaved between men, cutting through armor and flesh alike. Within moments, the entire troop lay lifeless on the floor, blood soaking into the wooden planks.
"P-Please… spare me…"
The general collapsed, trembling violently. Behind him, more soldiers rushed in, forming a defensive line to shield him.
"Protect the general!"
But none dared take another step forward.
Hundreds had fallen in an instant—how could they possibly fight such a monster?
The red blade floated high above them, radiating a killing aura so intense that no one dared even breathe loudly.
Goku raised his hand again, ready to finish the job—
But then, a soft, cool hand caught his wrist.
Xue Nu looked at him, eyes filled with quiet compassion.
"They were only following orders. There's no need to slaughter them all. Let's go."
Goku met her gaze for a moment, then slowly lowered his hand.
His voice was calm, but his words carried weight.
"Remember this, Xue Nu. Mercy to the enemy… is cruelty to yourself. Anyone who tries to take our lives—deserves no mercy."
"I understand," Xue Nu said softly. Her heart was kind, but facing Goku's strength… the soldiers truly were nothing more than ants.
_____
T/N:
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