A dazzling blossom-whip flashed into being and, in the space of a heartbeat, bound Duanmu Rong's hands and feet. She toppled to the ground, unable to move.
"Not good…" Duanmu Rong's face tightened.
"Hehe… such a beauty. It feels like a waste to kill you," Da Siming swayed her hips as she stepped in front of Duanmu Rong, allure masking palpable danger.
"The Yin-Yang clan's Da Siming and Shao Siming…" Duanmu Rong's tone turned cold. "Ying Zheng is making quite a fuss. To send masters like you to a remote village like this."
"Hehe, pure coincidence," Da Siming smiled. "I didn't expect to run into the Mo Family's 'Healer Immortal' herself. I imagine you know quite a lot about the Mo Family's secrets…" Scarlet light began to coil around her pale fingers, her charm edged with killing intent. "Let me take a look at that pretty head of yours… and the secrets it's hiding."
As she spoke, a bloody radiance spread from Da Siming's hands, lancing straight toward Duanmu Rong's brow.
The red glow rushed closer. Duanmu Rong's eyes widened. She wasn't afraid to die, but if the Yin-Yang clan pried the Mo Family's secrets from her mind, every hidden refuge would be exposed. That would doom them all.
"Da Siming! You naughty girl—up to no good again?"
A mild voice drifted down from above. Da Siming frowned and looked up. A man and four women descended from the sky. Startled, she leapt back to regroup beside Shao Siming.
"It seems the Mo Family's reinforcements are here," Da Siming said, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. "We withdraw. Now."
Shao Siming's gaze was placid as still water. She gave a small nod.
"Trying to flee—right in front of me?" Goku smiled faintly. He tapped a finger, and an invisible force wrapped around the two women, freezing them in place. Their hearts jolted in shock.
"Who are you?"
After a futile struggle, Da Siming fixed a frosty look on Goku, though alarm skittered beneath her calm. His method was unheard of—eerie and overwhelming. Since their debut, they had never suffered a loss… and now, with only a single exchange, he'd subdued them. How could they not be shaken?
Shao Siming remained unreadable, her bright eyes resting on Goku, betraying nothing of her thoughts.
Goku's gaze settled on Shao Siming, curiosity lighting his eyes. "I've always wondered what you look like beneath that veil. I could see through it if I wished… but I'd rather see it with my own eyes."
Shao Siming stared back, calm as ever, then slowly shook her head.
"Don't want me to look? What, did you swear an oath—whoever lifts your veil must marry you?"
She shook her head again. Goku noticed her heart remained placid, without the slightest ripple. Such composure earned his silent praise.
"Well then, that settles it. You're too mysterious for your own good—it makes me curious." He reached out toward her veil.
"Stop!" Da Siming snapped, a chill glint in her eyes.
In this era, what Goku was doing could be branded as insulting a decent maiden.
Goku smiled at Da Siming. "And who are you to command me?" With his right hand, he gently drew down Shao Siming's veil.
A peerless face emerged: skin like polished jade; long violet hair like silk; fine, arched brows; features delicate and dignified—pure, serene, and elegant, like a lotus just risen from clear water.
In her luminous eyes, cool detachment and a trace of sorrow mingled—yet, deep within, a flicker of flustered panic. One glance could stir the heart and draw the soul along with her mood—her joy becoming yours, her pain piercing you in turn.
"Such a face… hiding it behind a veil almost feels like a crime."
Even Goku, who was surrounded daily by stunning beauties, couldn't help but admire her. Xue Nu and the others also brightened; beauty, after all, compels every gaze.
With a thought, Goku released the invisible bindings. Feeling the restraint vanish, Da Siming and Shao Siming sprang back, seals already forming at their fingers. In the same breath, Skull-Blood Handprint and Ten-Thousand-Leaf Flower Gale roared to life and surged toward Goku.
They struck without hesitation—ruthless and absolute.
"Hmph."
Chi Lian's cold snort cut through the air. Seeing the two unleash a killing strike at Goku, fury flashed in her eyes—icy, lethal, and yet wickedly alluring.
Her chain-serpent soft-sword snapped into her hand. With a flick, it shot out like a hunting viper, coiling and spiraling in midair. In a blink it shredded the incoming flower-leaves and the crimson skull—then pressed on, lunging straight for Da Siming and Shao Siming.
Da Siming blanched. Their combined techniques had been brushed aside as if nothing—how could they not be shocked?
They dodged swiftly, light as wind—yet the chain-serpent seemed alive, extending without end, twining and pursuing. It wove a cage around them, tightening as it spun—on the verge of grinding them to pieces.
"Chi Lian… are you planning to kill them?" Goku asked mildly.
"They were planning to kill you," Chi Lian replied, halting the sword's contraction. She swayed to Goku's side, her deadly charm returning as her eyes kept a cold gleam fixed on the two. A beautiful serpent—irresistible, and terrifying.
"Do you think they could?" Goku smiled.
"Fair point." Chi Lian's lips curved. She glided forward, voice honey-soft. "Then how shall we deal with them? If you can't bear to kill, hand them over to me. I'll train them properly…" She shot Goku a languid look. "Just like you trained me, remember?"
"Ahem. We can discuss that later."
Goku's thoughts strayed—back to when he'd tried to "train" Chi Lian into the woman from the original tale, only to be thoroughly turned about by her instead. Those scenes were… vivid. In the end, she'd chosen to become the Chi Lian he truly liked, and here she was now.
With a light flick, Chi Lian recalled the chain-serpent. The links clattered harmlessly to the ground.
Freed, Da Siming and Shao Siming wasted no time. They vaulted to a treetop, looking down at Goku. A chill glimmer danced in Da Siming's eyes. "We'll remember today's debt. Go!" She tossed her hair and darted away.
Shao Siming gave Goku a long look and turned to leave—only for a figure to appear before her in a blur. She started.
"Easy. Your veil." Goku held it out with a faint smile. "Try to do less harm in the future."
Shao Siming accepted the veil, studied him for a heartbeat, and offered the slightest nod. A breath of fragrance lingered in the air as she vanished.
---
Supported by Xiao Li, Duanmu Rong stood as Goku approached. He glanced at the blood on her left shoulder and frowned.
"Duanmu Rong," she said with a cool composure, bowing slightly, "thank you for saving my life, Sir Goku. The legendary Sword God lives up to his name— even Da Siming and Shao Siming were no match for you."
"Oh? You know me?" Goku looked genuinely surprised.
"Yes. Eight years ago, at the Fulai Inn, I had the fortune to see you once," Duanmu Rong replied. Though her expression was calm, her eyes glinted with a strange light. She had been captivated by his peerless sword control then; later rumors claimed he cleaved the Yan royal palace with a single stroke. The Mo Family's Juzi had confirmed it—truth, not rumor. For a young girl at the time, the impact had been immense.
"I'm glad you remember," Goku smiled. In Duanmu Rong's startled gaze, he took her slender hand and examined the bloody marks there, his brow tightening. "Da Siming and Shao Siming were merciless. If these aren't treated properly, they'll scar."
A soft white glow gathered in his palm and poured over her wounds.
Duanmu Rong's initial indignation melted as she watched the gashes knit together before her eyes. A faint blush rose to her cheeks.
"Let go of Miss Rong!"
A sharp shout rang out. A figure flickered in from the distance. In a flash, a Shun-Fei Wheel spun from his hand, slicing toward Goku.
Nongyu's brows arched. She stepped forward lightly; an ancient zither shimmered into her hands. Her fingertip swept a single string—one crisp note expanded into an invisible wave that knocked the flying discus aside and hurled the intruder backward into a tree. He crashed down, coughing hard.
"Stay your hand—he's one of ours!" Duanmu Rong cried.
"O-ours?" Dao Zhi staggered upright, suddenly embarrassed. His eyes lit up as he took in the women's faces. "Ah! My apologies, fair lady—terribly rude of me."
"If you dare wag that slick tongue at us again," Xue Nu said coolly, "I'll cut it out."
"Er—s-sorry. Haha…" A chill ran down Dao Zhi's spine under her aura. He shuffled to Duanmu Rong's side, worry etched across his face. "Miss Rong, are you all right?"
_____
T/N:
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