"Goku—there's a… uh—wow, you're fast! You've already caught the panty-thief?"
Xue Nu and the others rushed in, ready to speak—then brightened at the sight of the black-clad figure sprawled at Goku's feet.
"What panty-thief? She's a woman," Goku said, shaking his head.
"A woman?" The group paused, stunned.
At that moment, the "unconscious" intruder's eyes snapped open. Steel flashed—she whipped a short dagger toward Goku's throat with startling speed.
"Goku!"
"Watch out!"
Xue Nu and Lady Ji cried out, but Xiao Li and the High Priestess didn't so much as flinch. They knew what Goku was; a swipe like that couldn't touch him.
Sure enough, before the blade had fully arced, Goku flicked his palm. The woman shot backward through the window, slammed into a tree, and spat blood. Even then, she acted decisively—her figure blurred into shadow and vanished into the night.
He had clearly held back because she was a woman. Otherwise, that one slap would have ended her.
"Not going after her?" Xue Nu frowned toward the empty window.
"No. Too much hassle. She's no panty-thief—and a woman. Not worth the chase," Goku said lightly.
"That's enough—back to bed," he added. The women exchanged looks and returned to their rooms.
Alone again, Goku murmured, "A fluid, ever-changing disguise art… Could she be the Black Qilin? Hm. I should catch that one for a closer look someday."
He resealed the room and resumed refining. The night passed without further incident.
---
At dawn, Goku dispelled the barrier and stepped out. He climbed to the roof and watched the newborn sun gild the city in gold. A small shape bounded from Xiao Li's window, skipped along the eaves, and dove into his arms.
"Up early, aren't you?" he chuckled, rubbing Xiao Xiuxiu's head. The Pixiu closed its eyes in bliss.
"Morning is dull," Goku sighed at the painted sky. Without turning, he said, "Xue Nu—play White Snow for me."
"Very well."
Light footsteps alit beside him. Xue Nu brought the jade flute to her lips.
A clear, airy melody rose—elegant, bright, alive. Within moments, snow drifted from the empty sky.
All through the inn, hands stilled and heads tilted to listen.
From the windows, people glimpsed a man lounging on the ridgebeam and, beside him, a white-haired beauty standing with skirts and hair fluttering like falling snow—an ethereal vision, a fairy descended.
"A goddess…" someone breathed, mesmerized.
Goku felt the stares and soured. He stood, took Xue Nu's hand, and vanished—reappearing in Lady Ji's room.
"The famed first beauty of Yan, and worthy of the name," Lady Ji smiled. "Hearing even half that song is enough to satisfy a lifetime."
Xue Nu cast Goku a helpless look; he really was possessive. A few extra glances from strangers and he whisked her away.
"If Sister Ji would like, I'll play a full piece for you when we have time," she said gently.
"Good. Now, Sister Ji—lift your hem. Let me check on little Yue'er," Goku said, already stepping to the bedside.
Color warmed Lady Ji's cheeks, but she complied, drawing the fabric to reveal her smooth, slightly rounded abdomen.
"Mm. Good—seems a touch larger than yesterday."
"Really? Let me see!" Xue Nu leaned in. "You're right…"
Goku finished infusing gentle life energy to nourish the fetus and drew his hand back.
Just then, the inn erupted in commotion. People craned from windows, chattering all at once.
Goku frowned and crossed to the window. Down on the street, ranks of soldiers marched past. In their midst swayed a lavish sedan chair, draped in red silk. Through the curtain he glimpsed the outline of a beautiful young woman—her shoulders trembling with soft sobs.
Goku's brow knit. He beckoned a passing server, flipped him a bit of silver, and asked, "What's going on?"
The man palmed the coin and sighed, glancing at the sedan. "You folks must be from out of town. Here's a warning: with ladies this stunning at your side, don't let them notice—or trouble will come."
He nodded toward the chair. "That poor girl… Ji Wu Ye—he's gone mad. Every year he selects a peerless beauty from across the realm for his… pleasure. We commoners can only suffer." He shuddered and hurried off, too frightened to say more.
---
"So the Han Kingdom's great general is cut from the same cloth as Yan Chun-jun," Xue Nu said coolly. Only the faint glint of frost in her eyes betrayed the killing intent that stirred within.
She looked at the weeping girl and felt a stab of kinship. She had been lucky—she had met Goku. What about this girl? Who would save her?
"Goku… could you—"
"I understand," he said with a faint smile. "Since fate put this in front of me, I can't pretend not to see." He bent his knees to leap from the window.
"Wait." Xue Nu caught his sleeve. "We'll be in Han for a while. Could you… change your face? No need to stir up endless trouble."
"You're right." He nodded. He still needed to win over Chi Lian and Nongyu; for now, a low profile was best.
He brushed a hand over his face. Before their eyes his features shifted; a folding fan appeared in his hand. He looked every bit the elegant young lord.
"Well? Handsome, right?" he grinned.
Smack.
Xue Nu swatted his forehead.
"Why hit me?" he blinked.
"Ah—sorry. You just look like someone begging for a slap," she said, tongue peeking out, a little embarrassed.
"…" Goku's face went flat. "Come on—this handsome look screams sophistication, and you want to—"
"Looks exactly like a spoiled rake who eats, drinks, gambles, and visits brothels," Xiao Li said evenly. "May I hit you once?"
"You too, Xiao Li…" He clutched his chest theatrically—then laughed, wiped his face back to normal, and let the fan vanish. "All right, joke's over. Let's save her before they're out of reach."
He extended a hand. A blade of pure light formed in his palm. "No need for me to go personally to rescue one woman."
"Go."
At his whisper, the light-sword streaked away like a comet, plunging toward the soldiers around the sedan.
Radiance flashed. The sword danced, weaving through ranks, punching cleanly through armor and flesh.
"Ambush! Ambush! Form up—ah!"
_____
T/N:
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