Gai Nie chose his words carefully. "It's about the boy, Tianming. Someone placed a powerful Yin–Yang curse on him—the Sealed Slumber Mark, also known as the hypnotic interdiction. It's an advanced, terrifying art that can drive the victim into madness and end in an inexplicable death."
"Years ago, a Daoist master advised me. I thought he alone could break such a mark. But after witnessing your methods just now—utterly unfazed by Yin–Yang curses—I can't help but admire you, Sir Goku. So I must ask: do you have a way to remove it?"
"I do," Goku said mildly.
"How?"
For once, a ripple crossed Gai Nie's calm features.
"That Sealed Slumber Mark—I can undo it with ease," Goku replied.
"Then please—save Tianming." Gai Nie bowed deeply. "The child suffers whenever the mark flares. If you can rescue him, I will be in your debt. Anything within my power—I will not refuse."
"It has benefits… and dangers," Goku mused. "If I remove it now, Tianming will die. Do you still want it undone?"
"Truly that perilous?" Gai Nie's brows knit.
"The danger isn't in the removal—it's Tianming after the removal. The mark brings him pain, yes—but it also saves him in times of crisis. If I strip it away now, he won't survive the calamities that the mark was meant to carry him through. He could die. Are you certain you want it lifted now?"
"You mean Tianming is fated to face several mortal trials, and only the mark will let him survive them?" Gai Nie asked after a moment's thought.
"That's right," Goku nodded.
"I hadn't expected you to be so versed in fate and number as well. I'm impressed," Gai Nie said, bowing again.
"Well? Decided?"
"In that case, we'll leave it be for now. But… when is the best time to remove it?"
"When the time comes, it will undo itself. Tianming's life is hard to snuff out—you needn't worry."
Goku waved him off with a faint smile and turned away.
Gai Nie bowed to his retreating back, then fell into thought.
—
When Goku reached his door at the manor, he heard Da Siming's furious shout—and Chi Lian's sultry laughter. He stepped inside—and stopped.
Da Siming dangled upside-down from the eaves, trussed tight. Chi Lian stood with a whip poised to strike.
"Hey, hey—Chi Lian, what are you doing?" Goku cut in.
"Training," she purred, eyes gleaming. "Her attitude is atrocious, so I was about to correct it for you. Give me a few days and I'll hand you a perfectly docile Da Siming."
The other women exchanged helpless looks.
Goku rubbed his forehead. "That's what I get for teaching you those… questionable ideas. My mistake."
He flicked a hand; the ropes loosened and Da Siming drifted to the floor. Before Goku, she didn't dare act out—the terror he'd carved into her heart and soul remained. Her glare toward Chi Lian, however, was anything but friendly—tinged with wariness. She'd already crossed blades with Chi Lian once and hadn't lasted a single move before being pinned up like a trophy. She understood now: the little girl was a little monster; these other women were big monsters.
"Letting her go just like that?" Chi Lian pouted. "I wanted to try those techniques you taught me…"
"I was joking. You weren't supposed to take it seriously…"
---
Leaving Goku's room, Da Siming and Shao Siming walked the corridor. Da Siming's voice was tight with annoyance. "Why didn't you help me just now?"
Shao Siming only looked at her and shook her head.
"So you really think you're one of them now?" Da Siming snapped.
Another quiet shake of the head.
"Forget it… It's bad enough that he is terrifying. But every woman beside him is just as monstrous…" A shudder passed through Da Siming's eyes at the thought of Goku. Even now, cold crept through her limbs. That fear—she would never forget it.
Shao Siming's face stayed serene. She nodded slightly.
"I can't believe our Yin–Yang clan made an enemy of a being like that… Ruin is only a matter of time. Ying Zheng is seeking death," Da Siming muttered, flicking a strand of hair from her brow as she slipped into her room and shut the door. As for running? Before a being like that, the thought never even formed.
Shao Siming glanced once toward Goku's quarters, then entered her own room.
—
In the courtyard, Goku reclined with his head pillowed on Xue Nu's ample softness, sprawled on a wooden chair while Chi Lian and the others kneaded his legs and shoulders. A life to inspire envy.
Duanmu Rong stepped in, frowning at the sight. Her cool features grew cooler still—then softened as she reminded herself these women were his wives. Yet an unnameable feeling lingered in her chest. "Our message received a reply. The Juzi orders us to evacuate Mirror Lake at once. Prepare to leave." She turned to go.
"What's there to fear? Big Brother Goku is here," Yue'er huffed.
Goku's brows twitched. In a blur he pulled Duanmu Rong into his arms.
She startled, color rising to her cheeks. "What are you—"
Thup-thup-thup!
Three throwing knives shrieked through the air—right where she had been standing. Goku flicked his fingers, catching all three between them, then snapped them back into the trees. A strangled cry sounded, and the grove fell silent.
"Looks like they've made their move," Chi Lian said, hand on hip, charm in full bloom.
"Th-thank you," Duanmu Rong murmured, realizing he had shielded her. Another rescue… and a very complicated feeling.
From the other side, Gai Nie emerged, dragging out a black-clad corpse. He tossed it at their feet and revealed the spider tattoo on its neck. "Qin's hounds," he said grimly. "Faster than expected. Sir Goku, what do you advise?"
"Uncle! What happened?!" Tianming ran up, gawking at the body—then suddenly yelled, "No—forget that! I just saw a huge white bird in the sky! Really huge!"
"A great white bird?" Gai Nie frowned, plucking a white feather from Tianming's shoulder. He blanched. "This is—"
"White Phoenix's feather cloak…" Duanmu Rong's face hardened. "It seems not only the Yin–Yang clan but Quicksand and Wei Zhuang have set their eyes on us."
"Wei Zhuang?" Master Ban snorted. "We've searched for him for years—so he finally shows his face?"
"White Phoenix, is it?" Goku glanced at the sky, a faint smile curving his lips. "He knows I'm here, and Wei Zhuang still dares to move? Interesting."
He thought for a moment. "Let's go. Time to leave." Only within the Mo Family's hidden refuge would things get interesting.
Everyone packed quickly and climbed into the carriages, rolling out.
—
Above the clouds, a massive white bird wheeled. A refined man in white stood on its back, frowning as he watched the carriages racing below.
Far off, a flock of crows crossed the sky. A man in black bounded from back to back, sprinting across the air.
White Phoenix (Baifeng) flicked a glance at the approaching shadow, then fixed his gaze on the mountain road again.
A blur landed beside him—Mo Crow now stood on the white bird's back. Arms folded, he looked down with an easy smile. "Didn't expect to run into Lord Goku on this job. Lucky or unlucky, who can say? Right, Baifeng?"
"I'm only wondering," Baifeng said calmly, eyes still on the road, "since Wei Zhuang knows Lord Goku is with them… why does he still dare to act?"
"The Ghost Valley school takes two disciples each generation—one 'Vertical,' one 'Horizontal'—born rivals," Mo Crow said lightly. "Seems Wei Zhuang cares very much about Gai Nie."
"Not a wise move," Baifeng murmured.
"Agreed. If he angers Lord Goku, Wei Zhuang is finished," Mo Crow said, shaking his head. "We've worked with him a long time. I'd rather not see him seek death."
Baifeng's brows drew together. "We've both seen it—Lord Goku's strength lies beyond the mortal world. But I am curious: why align himself with the Mo Family at all?"
_____
T/N:
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