With a casual air, Yun Yao embraced Zhou Ni. Having just left the embrace of a man, she desperately needed something to hold onto, and Zhou Ni was the perfect substitute right there. Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Ni was in a rather delicate mood, and Yun Yao’s hug involuntarily elicited a soft moan from her. Just then, Yun Yao’s own bones felt wonderfully soft, and upon hearing Zhou Ni’s sigh, a tremor ran through her body, causing her to let out a low hum in response. Each woman held her own thoughts close, neither daring to dwell on the other’s reaction, and with a hasty turn, they settled down to sleep separately.

Before dawn broke, we were roused by Magistrate Wu. He had intended to gather everyone for a meeting to sort out the Linglong and Da Li Wan situation, but with Magistrate Wu appearing so early, the meeting was off. Even if I wanted to slip out with Yun Yao and Zhou Ni, it was impossible; Magistrate Wu would certainly try his hardest to stop us if he knew.

“Brother Zhao, I came to inform you that I dispatched someone to send a letter to my father-in-law overnight. That pig Cai has stationed men at the gate guarding us, so you need not fear. He doesn't yet have the gall to storm into the Wu Residence to make arrests. Once my father-in-law's reinforcements arrive, that old dog will certainly meet his end.”

Magistrate Wu meant well, and I certainly couldn't scold him for disrupting my plans. “Brother Wu, I have caused you trouble. Perhaps I should leave. As long as I am gone, Cai Hua won't dare to do anything to you.”

“What kind of talk is that, Brother Zhao? Are you looking down on me? I know you are an ethereal master, one who disdains associating with mere mortals like us, but I truly regard you as a brother. Don't say another word. I'll handle everything. Besides, Cai Hua is deliberately targeting me; it is I who have implicated you, brother.”

I couldn't say much more, and Magistrate Wu took the opportunity to invite me to observe his wife’s condition, treating us to lunch that day as well. As a result, three days were confusingly wasted. That evening, I could no longer sit still. I summoned everyone to the living room for a meeting.

Before I could voice my opinion, Linglong interjected, “Master, you’re planning to tell us to withdraw from this matter, aren’t you? To use your words—to preserve our own skins?”

“I haven't said a word yet. How did you know?” I replied.

Linglong scoffed, “I’ve seen it these past two days. You and Sister Yun Yao have already planned to fight our way out, fearing you might drag us down with you, and you want us to stand aside. You’ve thought this through very thoroughly, haven't you?”

“Yes, Linglong. We are from Earth and have no real ties here. My only objective is to find the other friends. But you are different. You have parents, and Da Li Wan has a brother, a sister-in-law, and a good father. You should stay clear of this if you can. Otherwise, if everyone is harmed because of me, my sin would be too great.”

“Hmph,” Linglong snorted, falling silent. She exchanged a look with Da Li Wan, and the two of them hurried back to their room, reappearing shortly, fully geared up. Linglong had her exquisite bow and arrows strapped to her back, while Da Li Wan carried a large bundle and hefted her big cudgel. Neither said a word, simply standing motionless by my side.

“What are you two doing?” I was the first to break the silence.

Linglong answered crossly, “It’s none of your business.”

Da Li Wan added, “Right, none of your business. Brother Zhao Qian, you go your way, and we’ll go ours.”

I was nearly driven to distraction. “Linglong, don't throw a childish tantrum. What will I do if Uncle Chang Feng and the others get dragged into this?”

Linglong retorted, “There are hundreds of miles of dense forest around Hulu Peak. If the officials want to arrest people in Hulu Village, they first need to consider if they can even enter the village. Even if they get in, we can hide in the forest, and they still won't catch us. To catch a few people, they would need to deploy at least several thousand men. Do you think the court is foolish? So, you truly don't need to worry about us.”

Hulu Village was indeed a natural fortress, one that could be defended or retreated from. It was nearly impossible for a large army to enter the mountains. Even if some soldiers managed to break through the swamps and beasts along the path to the foot of the peak, stationing just a few dozen men to guard the main path up the mountain, with two positioned at the mouth of the pass to shoot arrows defensively, even an army of ten thousand could likely not break through.

“Are you two determined to rebel with us?” I asked.

Da Li Wan declared, “Brother Zhao Qian, we don’t understand what rebellion means. We only know who is good and who is bad. In any case, we two are following you. Wherever you go, we go. Do you intend to abandon us and enjoy the good things alone?”

Linglong chimed in, “That’s right, Master has a truly wicked heart, not sharing good things with us.”

I managed a wry smile. “This is a matter punishable by death! And you call it a good thing? Fine. Since everyone is united, that’s even better. I’ve decided not to wait any longer. We will fight our way out of the Wu Residence tonight. Otherwise, Magistrate Wu will corner me tomorrow morning with this and that, and we won't be able to leave. If we delay any longer, our beards will grow long, and nothing will get done.”

Linglong asked, “But the city gates are closed at night. How can we get out of the city?”

I explained, “I observed when we entered. The city gate here is very simple, just secured by two wooden bolts inside. There are only about twenty guards. We can easily fight our way out.”

Da Li Wan slammed her cudgel down. “I’ll deal with those men. You open the gate.”

With the two of them joining us, the success rate of our escape increased. However, there was no need for them to take the lead. I wasn't a fool to possess guns and not use them. I took out the laser gun and placed it on the table. “We now have two killing weapons. Yun Yao and I will handle the fighting. Linglong and Da Li Wan only need to guard against stray arrows from the officials. Yun Yao and I will take turns using the laser guns to carve a path out of the Flying Eagle Residence. Then, we will all rendezvous with Cheng Susu in Feiyu County. After we succeed, we will retreat into the mountains and wait for an opportunity to look for the others.”

“Laser gun?” Linglong cautiously touched the gun I had placed on the table. “Is it very powerful? More powerful than my arrows? Master, was this the thing you had Sister Susu bring to the jail last time?”

I had to demonstrate the power of the laser gun to them; only then would their confidence be bolstered. Thinking of this, I kicked the stone stool beneath me and asked Linglong, “Can you shoot an arrow through this stone stool?”

Linglong shook her head. “That’s absolutely impossible.”

I stood up, picked up the laser gun, and fired a shot at the stone stool. After a flash of white light, a hole, slightly thinner than Linglong’s little finger, appeared in the stool. Linglong could look straight through from one end to the other. She and Da Li Wan were both startled. “It can shoot through stone? What is this thing? Is it a type of arrow? Why are there no strings or arrowheads? Master, please tell us about it—it’s so amazing.”

I explained, “This is a light weapon. This light is different from the ordinary light we usually see. It is light of extreme zero-one high temperature, a temperature so high it can melt rock and steel. With your current technology, it seems there is nothing on Gemini that can withstand it. Moreover, its range is quite far, and it doesn’t deviate mid-flight like an arrow. You could say it eliminates one enemy with one shot; it is a super treasure for killing.”

“Hmph!” Linglong’s little nose wrinkled. “So that’s why you were so unafraid, making me worry needlessly for several days.”

Yun Yao looked at me with hidden meaning, while Zhou Ni remained silent. Linglong’s current expression was incredibly charming, and her little secret was inadvertently revealed.

I deliberately pretended not to notice. “Although this weapon is formidable, it cannot be without flaws. The main issue is its limited rate of fire; it can only launch one beam of laser at a time, and there is a time interval between two shots. If we face dozens or even a hundred men, two laser guns can barely hold them off. But if the crowd is larger and their attack speed is faster, then we won’t be able to resist.”

Linglong nodded. “I understand. But it should be more than enough to charge out of the Flying Eagle Residence with it.”

I nodded, putting the gun away. “Alright, we’ll prepare separately. Everyone get some sleep; we set off in the early hours of the morning.”

Who could sleep at a time like this? After barely dozing off, we got up to prepare. Zhou Ni and Yun Yao had altered their oversized, unsuitable clothes over the past two days, and now they looked spirited and possessed a unique charm. Zhou Ni had two quivers of arrows and some light clothing strapped to her back. To facilitate shooting, Yun Yao carried nothing besides a laser gun tucked into her waist, naturally wearing her anti-gravity boots. Zhou Ni wore ordinary shoes; Yun Yao wearing anti-gravity boots to tour Mars was purely accidental.

Linglong had her bow slung across her back, a quiver of arrows and a dagger at her waist. The dagger was something she and Da Li Wan had bought at the market; it certainly wasn't made of fine iron, but it was much better than wood. Da Li Wan, besides her large wooden club, carried an extra-large pack on her back. Inside were a pile of iron coins and all the gifts we had bought. She adamantly refused to discard it.

I had my military knife tucked at my waist and held the laser gun in hand, tying a sturdy rope around my waist. Let's see if it dares to fall off again this time. The five of us quietly jumped out of the window and crept toward a section of the Wu Residence wall. I had secretly observed these past two days; leaving through the main gate was completely impossible. Not only were there guards at the main gate, but Cai family men were also watching outside. Climbing over the wall was the safest way to leave.

Yun Yao, carrying Zhou Ni, easily leaped over the wall. Zhou Ni asked softly, “Are these the anti-gravity boots? I have some vague memory of them.”

Yun Yao also whispered, “I hope you remember your boyfriend soon. Only then will I, your sister, be truly happy.”

Zhou Ni’s face flushed crimson. Since that night, she had tried again to gauge Yun Yao’s feelings, but Yun Yao always evaded the topic. Today, Yun Yao saying this clearly indicated that she had a boyfriend before. In that case, the voluptuous dream she had that night was likely true. Had she really done such a 'lewd' thing for him? It was hard to imagine, as she was clearly still a virgin. Oh, when would all her memories return?

As Zhou Ni hid in the corner of the wall, deep in thought, Yun Yao had already flown out of the Wu Residence carrying Linglong. Linglong let out excited yelps, almost like a little she-wolf. “Sister Yun Yao, you really can fly! You jump higher than my mom! She always said her Qinggong was amazing, but she’s far inferior to you! Can you take me as your apprentice? Will you accept me?… You are the real Bird God, aren't you? Hmph, Master pretends to be the great Bird God, but he can’t actually fly. You are the one who can truly fly!”

Da Li Wan and I struggled mightily to climb over the Wu Residence wall. Seeing Linglong chattering away, I reprimanded her, “Little ancestor, can you give your mouth a rest? We are escaping for our lives, not having a leisurely chat.”

Linglong shot back at me, “Sister Yun Yao can fly, so what are you afraid of? She is the real Bird God, not like you who only gets angry at people. I’m just a child; can’t you be a little gentler with me?”

“Who!” A questioning voice suddenly came from the corner, followed by the sharp clang of a gong. We couldn't let them raise the alarm.

Da Li Wan happened to be right by that wall corner. “Your grandpa!” she shouted, swinging her big club, knocking the fellow down flat. The gong hit the ground with a thud.

I waved my hand. “Follow the plan. Yun Yao takes the lead, Da Li Wan and Linglong protect the center, and I will cover the rear.”

Seeing she had caused trouble, Linglong snapped her mouth shut, not daring to make another sound. However, her hands were busy; in one swift motion, she drew an arrow, nocked it on her bow, and watched the surroundings alertly with eyes shining in the hazy moonlight.

The first gong strike had already alerted the guards from the Cai household. Instantly, gongs blared and voices rose in clamor. Squads of men rushed out from the civilian houses and from behind corners. Torches were lit one after another, illuminating the entire street as if it were daylight.

I stared at the scene in shock. Cai Hua was too ruthless! Was it necessary to mobilize such a large force just for me? He wanted to ensure my death. Since he shows no benevolence, don't blame me for lacking righteousness. We shall wait and see how this plays out.

Yun Yao was no delicate girl. First, she was agile from frequently dancing, and second, being from the countryside, she had good stamina forged by farm labor. Her laser gun shot beams of white light, leading the way forward. Linglong and Da Li Wan protected the flanks, while Zhou Ni was guarded in the center. In truth, Zhou Ni had better stamina, but her mind was muddled at the moment, and no one dared to let anything happen to her.

Now, I wouldn't blink when killing, but Yun Yao and I had agreed beforehand: strike their legs to reduce the mortality rate. After all, the people of Gemini were also living beings, and it would be too cruel to end their lives so rashly. I had been a soldier; even without superhuman powers, my shooting accuracy would far surpass Yun Yao’s. The dozen or so men gathering behind me were all shot down before they could reach me.

“What kind of weapon is this!” the fallen henchmen shouted while clutching their legs. More were stunned where they stood. Not only had they never encountered such a thing, but they had never even heard of it. It was as if a tribe of Stone Age savages had run into machine guns.

“My leg! Ah, my leg has a hole in it! It hurts so much!”

“Hurry and report to Lord Cai! They have strange weapons; we can't stop them!” a supervisor shouted to the servants rushing up behind him, dragging a wounded leg. He touched the wound—no blood, no hidden projectile, yet a thin, narrow hole pierced through the thigh muscle, causing him pain severe enough to make him nearly faint.

This supervisor was relatively lightly wounded; many had been shot in the leg bone, which was shattered. The pain made them sweat all over. Forget chasing anyone; even getting up was difficult for them.

Strangely, besides seeing beams of white light, they hadn't noticed the opponents' weapons at all, which made them feel incredibly bizarre. They recalled the legends that this Divine Doctor Zhao could cut open bellies to deliver babies; perhaps he used magic?