Though this seemed like an ordinary village, armed men in matching black attire quietly guarded every corner.
"Hmm? Wait—someone's there!" one of the patrolling men suddenly shouted.
Everyone tensed, raising their weapons toward the rooftops.
"Relax, it's me."
A laid-back, almost teasing voice came from the shadows as a figure appeared.
"Ah—Leader Dao Zhi! You nearly scared us!"
The guards sighed in relief upon seeing the man's familiar face.
Dao Zhi — known across the land as the King of Thieves — wasn't smiling this time. His expression was unusually serious.
"Listen carefully. A squad of Qin cavalry is heading this way. I'm afraid this base has been exposed. We need to evacuate immediately!"
"What?! Qin cavalry here?"
The guards' faces changed drastically.
"This is serious! Pass the word—Mo Family disciples, retreat to the forest behind the village immediately!"
Dao Zhi nodded and vanished from sight, his figure flickering through the air like a shadow. Moments later, he appeared inside a modest wooden hut.
Inside, a graceful woman was tending to the wounded. Her beauty was calm and pure — her demeanor elegant and gentle, like frost-kissed jade. She wore simple linen robes and a pale blue headscarf, her attire plain yet dignified. Her bright, clear eyes carried a serene light that seemed to wash away all turmoil.
She was none other than Duanmu Rong, the famed Healer Immortal of the Mo Family.
"Miss Duanmu," Dao Zhi said grimly, "the Qin soldiers have found us. You must take the injured and evacuate immediately. I'll stay behind to buy you time."
"So soon?" Duanmu Rong's brows furrowed slightly. "Be careful, then."
She nodded calmly. Of all people, she trusted Dao Zhi's agility the most. Even if he couldn't win, she knew he could always escape.
She quickly gathered the Mo Family disciples, directing them to move the wounded. This place, after all, was a temporary recovery site for injured operatives returning from missions — vital in such chaotic times.
---
Outside the village, Dao Zhi stood alone before the incoming cavalry. He smiled lazily, blocking their path.
"Hey now," he said, his tone light and mocking. "This is a peaceful village. Don't you think bringing an entire army here is… a bit excessive?"
The Qin general leading the troops frowned. "You're… Dao Zhi, the so-called King of Thieves from the Mo Family?"
He snorted coldly. "So the reports were right! This is indeed one of your hidden bases! Soldiers! Those are imperial traitors—kill them all! Archers, prepare! Fire!"
"Oh dear… I didn't expect to be recognized so easily," Dao Zhi sighed dramatically.
"I must really be famous. Fame truly is a curse — people fear it as much as pigs fear getting fat."
Even as the soldiers raised their crossbows, Dao Zhi's expression remained relaxed, a faint grin playing at his lips.
In the blink of an eye, a dagger flashed into his hand — and his body vanished like mist.
By the time the soldiers noticed, he had already appeared behind one of them. The blade flashed again.
"Sorry, friend. I'm afraid this is your final rest."
The soldier fell from his horse before he even realized what had happened.
Dao Zhi's figure flickered again — another soldier collapsed.
His movements were too fast; the Qin cavalry couldn't react. Within moments, seven or eight men were already dead.
A few panicked soldiers loosed their bolts, but they missed entirely — striking their own comrades instead.
Dao Zhi chuckled. "Heh, looks like you're helping me out. How considerate! Here, let me return the favor."
He appeared behind another rider, his voice whispering death into the man's ear.
Before the soldier could turn, the dagger pierced his heart.
"Form up! Tight formation, back to back!" the general barked sharply, regaining control.
"Don't let him find an opening!"
The soldiers quickly obeyed, their horses circling until their backs pressed together.
Dao Zhi, realizing the danger, landed lightly atop a nearby tree branch, smiling wryly.
"Hey, that's cheating, you know? You're ruining all the fun."
"Fire!" the general roared.
Arrows darkened the sky.
"Heh… you really think a few arrows can harm the King of Thieves?"
Dao Zhi's grin widened. His figure blurred as he danced between the arrows, twisting and spinning through the storm of death with impossible grace. Not a single arrow so much as grazed him.
He landed soundlessly, brushing dust from his sleeve.
Before he could breathe, another volley flew.
But Dao Zhi's footwork was like lightning — Shadowstep of the Electric God. He slipped through the deadly rain unharmed once more.
"Hmm, your arrows must be running low by now," he said with a smirk. "That's… not a good sign for you."
But the Qin general only smiled darkly in return.
"You think I don't know you're stalling for time? Actually… we share the same goal."
"What did you say?!" Dao Zhi's eyes widened.
Suddenly, screams echoed from behind the village.
"Enemies! They're here—ahhh!"
Dao Zhi's face changed. "Damn it… a trap?!"
He vanished instantly, sprinting back toward the village.
"Hmph… even if you go back," the Qin general murmured with a sinister smile, "what can you do? Against those Masters…?"
---
The mountains stretched endlessly into the distance — tall, mist-shrouded peaks covered in lush greenery.
Goku walked along a forest trail, accompanied by Xiao Li and the four women. The breeze was gentle, and the moment peaceful.
Beside him, Chi Lian pressed close, her graceful, mature figure leaning intimately against his arm. Her eyes shimmered like flowing water, her every motion brimming with charm. Her soft hand looped around his arm, trapping it against the warmth of her boobs — a closeness that made Goku quietly delighted.
The other three women — Xue Nu, Nongyu, and Xiao Li — looked on with a mix of envy and exasperation.
Only Chi Lian, bold and bewitching by nature, would dare cling to Goku so openly. As for them, though their hearts stirred with similar feelings, their reserved nature wouldn't allow such shamelessness in broad daylight.
"Look over there!" Xiao Li suddenly pointed down the mountain path. "There's a village below!"
"In a place this deep in the mountains?" Nong Yu murmured. "That's strange… Wait." Her eyes narrowed. "Something's happening down there. Fighting."
"It's Qin soldiers," Xue Nu said softly. Even from a distance, her sharp gaze could see the chaos clearly.
"Goku, look," Xiao Li said again, pointing toward the woods behind the village. Her tone carried a hint of surprise.
"Oh? Them?"
Goku's lips curved into a smile. "Well, what a coincidence. Didn't expect to run into them here. I wonder what mischief they're up to this time?"
"You know them?" Xue Nu asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes," Xiao Li nodded. "In my original world, they're Da And Shao Siming of the Yin-Yang Clan. But now… they probably don't remember us anymore."
Since the day they had followed Goku, nothing about him or his past was hidden from them.
"I see," Chi Lian said, smiling seductively. "Then perhaps we're about to gain a few more sisters."
Goku chuckled. "Things are indeed a little different from the original timeline. Before, it was Gao Jianli and his group who saved Shaoyu — but they never appeared. Seems I had to handle it myself this time."
"That woman down there seems to be in danger," Nongyu said softly. "Should we help her?"
Xue Nu's eyes narrowed as she recognized the woman being attacked. "It's her…"
"Heh, you remember too?" Goku said with a faint smile. "She's the one we met at the inn when we escaped from Yan Kingdom. Never thought we'd meet again like this."
"Just one meeting and you already remember her face?" Xue Nu sighed, giving him a playful glare. "Typical man — can't forget a beautiful woman."
Goku laughed. "If even you remember her, how could I forget? All right, let's go. If we delay any longer, she might not make it."
Before anyone could answer, Goku's figure blurred — disappearing in an instant.
Xue Nu sighed softly. "You really are a 'savior of damsels,' just like Saeko said. Completely hopeless."
Then she, too, followed.
"Let's go," Chi Lian said with a wicked grin to Xiao Li and Nong Yu. "Let's meet our future sisters-in-arms."
In a flash of light, the women soared after Goku.
---
Crimson light flashed. Silver needles flew like shooting stars.
Duanmu Rong's hands moved with impossible precision, releasing needle after needle that glittered in the sunlight with deadly coldness. Hidden among the trees, she fought fiercely against not one, but two powerful opponents — the Da Siming and the Shao Siming of the Yin-Yang Clan.
Flower petals danced through the air, shimmering with beauty — yet every bloom concealed a lethal edge.
Shao Siming, face veiled in gauze, moved with eerie grace, her eyes calm and sorrowful. Her body seemed weightless as she drifted between the branches, sending waves of enchanted petals and leaves slashing toward Duanmu Rong like invisible blades.
"Hehe… playtime's over, little healer of the Mo Family," came a voice from ahead.
From behind an ancient tree, a figure emerged — alluring and terrifying. Her slender hands glowed crimson, blood-like energy swirling between her fingers.
Duanmu Rong's brows knit tighter. She said nothing.
With a flick of her wrist, a dozen silver needles shot forward like lightning toward Da Siming.
But the woman only smiled faintly. "The gap between us isn't so small, child… especially when you face both of us at once."
Forming a complex seal with her hands, the Da Siming unleashed a surge of red energy. A spinning Yin-Yang symbol appeared before her palms, radiating deadly light that shattered every incoming needle and buried them deep in the surrounding trees and ground.
_____
T/N:
For readers who would like early access, my Patreon is available for just $4 per month. You'll unlock 40+ advance chapters and help support ongoing works.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
You may also search Translator-Sama directly on Patreon.
Your support is sincerely appreciated