"What? A demonic sword?!"
Shaoyu and the others were utterly stunned. They turned their gazes toward the blade hanging at Goku's waist, their eyes filled with disbelief and shock.
Long Qie exclaimed, "That design… that overwhelming, sharp aura it emits… there's no mistake. That's a true demonic sword! Could it be… he really is that legendary Sword God?!"
"The Sword God of legend… is it really him?" Shaoyu murmured, his eyes flickering with a strange light.
"Oh? I only did a few things casually, and now I'm already a legend wandering through the world?" Goku said with mild surprise after hearing their conversation.
"Hmph! Ridiculous!"
Meng Tian scoffed coldly. "The so-called 'Number One Sword God'? That's nothing but the foolish rumor of ignorant commoners! They say you once cleaved the entire Yan Kingdom palace in half with a single strike, forcing the entire Han Kingdom to kneel in surrender… and even claim that you alone can destroy a kingdom at will! Is that true? Today, I'll see for myself!"
"Are you sure?"
Goku looked at him calmly, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile. "You do realize… that could get you killed."
"Hmph! How arrogant…"
Chi Lian gave Meng Tian a faint glance, her eyes full of disdain.
"It seems someone's about to be in trouble," Xue Nu said with a light smile, her silvery hair fluttering in the wind — a sight of ethereal beauty.
"The greatest swordsman under heaven… I only acknowledge Gai Nie," Meng Tian said solemnly. "As for you, whether those rumors are true or not — we'll see soon enough."
"Heh… in that case," Goku said softly, "you may find the price you'll pay… is more than you can bear."
With that, he casually drew the demonic sword from his waist.
"Ah… looks like Goku's going to make a move."
Chi Lian's lips curved into a seductive smile. Her body swayed lightly as she spoke, eyes filled with allure — yet deep within them glimmered a chilling, dangerous light.
As Goku drew his sword, Meng Tian's expression hardened.
That seemingly effortless motion made his heartbeat quicken uncontrollably — a primal, instinctive response to impending danger.
Suddenly, a crushing, invisible pressure enveloped the area.
Meng Tian's eyes widened in terror; his pupils shrank to pinpoints.
'Wh-What… what is this terrifying aura…?! I… I can't even move! Could it be… the legend is true?!'
Before him, Goku walked forward slowly — each step steady and deliberate.
Cold sweat poured down Meng Tian's back. His well-trained body and mind, tempered through years of battle, were collapsing under the sheer weight of Goku's killing intent.
A fear born from his very soul consumed him. No human could possibly withstand such dread.
"He's… afraid?" Shaoyu muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.
"That's General Meng Tian — the famed commander of Qin's elite army! How could anyone frighten him into such a state?!"
"That's… aura," Fan Zeng said gravely. "A manifestation of will and spirit — something only reclusive masters of unimaginable power can wield. But to use it so powerfully… to terrify even General Meng Tian into paralysis… I've never seen anything like it. The legends… might be true after all."
"You mean… he really possesses the power to destroy a kingdom single-handedly?!" Shaoyu gasped, staring at Goku with awe and fear intertwined.
"Whether it's true or not…" Fan Zeng stroked his beard. "We'll soon find out."
"Weren't you the one eager to test the truth behind those rumors?" Goku said quietly as he stopped before Meng Tian. "What's wrong? Lost your strength to move?"
Meng Tian gritted his teeth, saying nothing, sweat pouring down as he fought desperately against the terror crushing his mind.
"How disappointing," Goku said softly. "You can't even endure a fraction of my aura, yet you dare speak so arrogantly?"
He flicked his wrist.
Slash!
A flash of light tore through the air.
Goku's demonic sword cut through Meng Tian's armor like silk, leaving a long, bloody gash across his chest.
With a cry of pain, Meng Tian fell from his horse.
"General!!"
The surrounding Qin cavalry shouted in alarm and raised their crossbows to fire.
"Careful!" Shaoyu shouted.
"Pathetic," Goku said coldly. "Don't embarrass yourselves."
He swung his sword again.
A brilliant arc of sword energy sliced through the battlefield. In an instant, the Qin riders along its path were cleaved in two.
The sword energy continued forward, unstoppable, until it reached a mountain hundreds of meters tall — and split it cleanly in half.
A thunderous roar echoed as the upper half of the mountain collapsed, sending clouds of dust rolling across the land like a storm.
When the dust settled, everyone stared in stunned silence at the smooth, mirror-like surface where the mountain had been cut.
The sound of gasping filled the air as terror spread through every soldier's heart. Facing this man was like standing before a god of destruction.
"S-So powerful…" Shaoyu whispered, his voice trembling. His eyes were wide with disbelief.
"Heh~ It seems they've all been swallowed by fear," Chi Lian said with a teasing smile. But behind that charm gleamed admiration — pure and unrestrained — for the man before her.
"This isn't even a contest," Nongyu said softly, brushing her fingers across her zither. "Since Goku appeared, their fate was sealed."
Goku swept his gaze across the trembling soldiers. "So," he asked calmly, "do any of you still wish to fight me?"
Clang—!
Countless weapons fell to the ground as the Qin soldiers reflexively dismounted, faces pale as ash. Not a single man dared meet his eyes.
"To think one man could subdue thousands of elite riders without lifting a finger… truly incredible," Shaoyu said in awe.
"This man… really does have the power to overturn the world."
Goku looked down at the wounded Meng Tian. "Now do you believe me?"
Meng Tian clenched his jaw. "The title 'Sword God'… you deserve it. I've lost, and I've nothing more to say. Go ahead and finish it."
Goku smiled faintly. "Killing you here would be boring. Take your men — and leave."
"What?!" Meng Tian looked up in surprise.
"No," Shaoyu interrupted angrily. "Others may leave, but his head stays!"
"If you want him dead, then earn the strength to do it yourself," Goku said lightly. "When you have the power, take his head with your own hands."
Shaoyu hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Very well. Meng Tian, next time we meet, I'll be the one to kill you!"
"I'll await that day," Meng Tian said. Supported by two soldiers, he rose to his feet and bowed deeply toward Goku. "Thank you for sparing my life. But remember — I will never show mercy to the Empire's enemies. Next time we meet, I won't hold back."
"Heh. Do as you please," Goku said with indifference. "Mortal affairs don't concern me."
"Farewell, then."
Meng Tian took one last deep look at Goku before riding off with his remaining men. Deep down, relief washed over him — for had such a man chosen to serve Chu instead of standing alone, the Qin Empire would be in grave danger indeed.
Shaoyu stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "You've saved our lives. I, Shaoyu of the Xiang clan of Chu, will never forget this kindness. May I know your name, benefactor?"
"Name's Goku," he said with a faint grin. "If you don't mind, you can just call me Brother Goku."
"Brother Goku!" Shaoyu called without hesitation. To call such a being "brother" was an honor of a lifetime.
"Qin's conquest of the six kingdoms is inevitable — destiny's decree. The unification of the land is necessary for the world's progress. It's a good thing. But Ying Zheng's ambition is too great… he is not a benevolent ruler."
Goku's tone softened. "Your goal shouldn't be to destroy Qin now. Instead, gather your strength and wait. One day, you might unite the world yourself."
"To… unite the world…" Shaoyu's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Even if only three households remain in Chu," Goku said, patting his shoulder, "Chu will rise again to destroy Qin. I have faith in you."
Then, with a faint smile, his body blurred — and vanished, along with Xiao Li and the other women.
"Even if Chu has but three families left," Shaoyu whispered, "Chu will destroy Qin!" His heart surged with new resolve.
"Let's go!" he shouted, spurring his horse forward.
---
Far away, nestled between mountain ranges, lay a small and peaceful village — a rare haven amidst the chaos of war.
But today, that peace was shattered.
The sound of hooves thundered across the land. Armored riders swept through the valley like a storm, led by a man astride a magnificent blood-red horse, its mane blazing like fire.
Perched on a tree branch nearby, a slender young man watched the riders pass. His sharp eyes narrowed.
"Qin cavalry? Here? Don't tell me our movements have been exposed…"
His build was lean and agile, his expression cunning yet confident. His eyes, bright and piercing, gleamed with intelligence and mischief.
If Goku were here, he would have recognized him instantly — the infamous "King of Thieves," Dao Zhi.
Without hesitation, Dao Zhi leapt from the tree, his movements light as the wind.
In a blur, he vanished into the distance, racing toward the village below.
_____
T/N:
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