Sun Dasheng paid no mind to the sly words spat from the shadows. He merely sneered at the man’s veiled threats, his gaze fixed on the deep crimson of the rising sun. The man’s words were venomous, yet beneath the venom lay an obvious tremor of fear; he hadn’t the courage to truly strike, lest he incur the wrath of the Zhao residence’s influence. The Zhao residence was too mighty, too far-reaching to challenge lightly.

Ma Xiaoda, following my instructions, hadn't uttered a single word during the entire proceeding. Only after the others had departed did he speak, “Do you really think those three are up to the task? Are they too weak? The area of the Twin Cities is nearly half that of Feiying Prefecture. Should I switch them out for a few Qianhu teams disguised as civilians to support them?”

I shook my head, rising to my feet. “No need. If we do that, it stops being the underworld and becomes a real military operation. No matter how well our men disguise themselves, the shadow of the official soldiers will always cling to them; they can never truly integrate into the world of the underworld. Though these three are unremarkable in appearance, they possess hidden depth. I trust them. Just wait and see; they will succeed. I’m leaving now; if anything comes up, I’ll have Jingjing relay the message to you.”

Ma Xiaoda nodded slowly. “Very well, I may not trust them, but I trust you. You should keep a low profile these next couple of days, lest you be truly discovered. Explaining your absence to my father, the Emperor, would be troublesome. You know that a Marshal leaving his post without leave is subject to punishment, and it would even implicate my two sisters. They are so young; how could they withstand the inevitable censure from the court ministers?”

“Understood. Rest assured,” I replied. “Tomorrow I will head to the Imperial Stables and try not to reside in the central city; that way, no one will notice. Let’s go, Linglong, or we’ll be scolded again for being late.”

On the way back, Fu Bo, Shi Qing, and Shi Shuang walked with their heads bowed, not daring to speak a word, looking deeply ashamed. “What’s wrong with you three?” I asked. “Are you hungry? You needn’t be frugal with the Crown Prince’s money. If you try to save him money, he won’t be pleased; he’ll be angry.”

Fu Bo immediately bowed low. “Master, we have brought trouble upon you. Please punish us. It was because we failed to hide the divine lamp properly that those bandits were drawn here.”

Shi Qing coughed lightly. “Indeed, Master. We shall never again dare to overreach ourselves and cause you trouble. We will stay dutifully in the residence and attend to our duties.”

Linglong laughed lightly. “Look at you, speaking such nonsense again. Don’t you yet understand the Master’s temper? Is he truly such a heartless man? Isn’t that right, Master?”

“Yes,” I affirmed. “From now on, you must not only follow me out, but you must also announce it openly and proudly to everyone: you belong to the Zhao residence. Anyone who dares to touch a single hair on your heads will face the wrath of the Imperial Stables and the Eastern Depot! We will hunt them down to the ends of the earth and punish them severely. Today, you merely made one mistake…”

The two young women listened, their blood boiling. Hearing the final sentence, they immediately knelt down in panic. “What is it, Master? Please bestow your punishment upon us.”

“It is deserved,” I declared. “And I will punish you severely.”

Linglong looked confused. “What are you saying, Master? I’ll be unhappy. That’s simply not like you.”

“They should not risk their lives for a mere broken lamp,” I stated. “How much is one lamp worth? If the Zhao residence lacked the three of you to manage our affairs, we wouldn’t even be able to eat, drink, sleep, or relieve ourselves. Therefore, when we get back, I will punish them with prolonged reflection, and they will not eat tonight.”

“Ah?! We don’t get to eat tonight?” Linglong giggled, pulling the Shi sisters up from the ground, her gaze toward me filled with boundless affection.

Shi Qing, Shi Shuang, and Fu Bo spoke in unison. “Master, your divine lamp is not worth ten servants! This punishment is too harsh for your old servants. Please give us a true punishment, or we cannot be at ease.”

“We have been together for so long,” I said gently. “You should know my temperament by now. I am giving these two lamps to you. One for Fu Bo, and one for you two sisters. They are fully charged and should last you more than a decade. When you have electric lamps in the future, it will be more convenient for you to work at night.”

Linglong smiled at Shi Qing. “Sister Qing, look how good the Master is to you! I’ve been with him for so long and haven’t even managed to get a lamp. I suspect he’s taken a liking to your beauty, Sister. You must be careful! The Master is a terrible lecher; he might sneak into your bed in the middle of the night!”

Linglong was merely joking casually, and Shi Qing was utterly mortified by the blush that overtook her face, yet the sheer happiness in her expression was impossible to conceal. Her steps became slightly unsteady as she walked. Fu Bo knew that once I made a decision, I never retracted it. “Thank you, Master. I won’t need to bother lighting lamps when checking the courtyard at night anymore. Please rest assured, Master, I will certainly take good care of your divine artifact.”

I ignored their expressions of profound gratitude. It was difficult to change habits they were so accustomed to. Let them be as they wish; they would adapt with more time spent together.

Fu Bo led the way, with the Shi sisters following behind, their separation from me and Linglong unintentionally widening the gap between them. I turned to Linglong and said, “Later, back on the spaceship, I’ll fetch a few more lamps. I’ll send one over to Ma Xiaoda, and…”

Linglong finished my sentence. “And one for Chenchen, and one for Sister Jingjing too, right?”

I chuckled. “Wrong. I’ll give you two, and then send two to them.”

“Hehe, compensating me now, are you? You’re thoughtful. But I don’t need two lamps.”

Linglong was happy now because the nature of our relationship had been clearly defined, and I had even paid a formal visit to her future in-laws. In Linglong’s eyes, the marriage was set in stone now that her parents knew. After her laughter subsided, her tone shifted abruptly. “Oil-slicked words and unprompted attentiveness never mean anything good. Tell me, where did that scent on you come from? Confess honestly, or I’ll tell the other sisters when we get back. In the few minutes you were hiding to evade the Royalists, you managed to charm another girl? Master, you truly have unusual skills.”

Linglong’s sudden interrogation confirmed my suspicion: the fragrance must have been transferred from Black Rose Jin Meili while I was busy making a mess in the cellar. Linglong was naturally sharp; smelling that scent would lead her thoughts directly to… that sort of business. But a man entertaining liaisons was absolutely out of the question to admit. I tried to deflect. “What scent? Perhaps the place I was hiding used to store spices. Your nose is too keen. Besides, do you really think I possess the ability to conquer a girl in mere minutes?”

“That’s true,” Linglong conceded. “Even if you’re handsome, it takes time to conquer a girl’s heart, unless the girl is a fool, or you used force… But, Master, I noticed your trousers were slightly damp in the front just now. And that smell—I finally remember it! Remember that night at General Liu’s residence in Pingyuan County, when we were hiding outside the room to peek…”

I certainly understood why my trousers were damp in the front. It was because my brother down there had been jostled against Jin Meili’s lower body when the tent was set up. A woman in a short skirt with no undergarments—that was the first time I had witnessed such an explicit scene. I supposed she was moved too; the fluids kept flowing. Thus, my brother rubbed against her upper half, and all the dampness transferred back. It would have been strange if I wasn't soaked.

As for the scent Linglong mentioned, when we infiltrated Pingyuan County and stayed at Liu Gang’s house, Linglong insisted on investigating when she heard strange noises from Wan Niang’s room. She ended up witnessing the couple engaging in their marital duties. The heavy, sensual aroma hanging in the air then must have been nearly identical to the scent on me now. Perhaps I hadn’t noticed it myself, but for a woman as experienced as Linglong, such details were a major giveaway.

Linglong felt too embarrassed to continue. It was that night that she first experienced the sensation of women’s passion, and from that moment on, her heart could no longer remain concealed; it became entirely devoted to the man before her. I saw the memory flicker in Linglong’s eyes. “You miss that night, don’t you?” I murmured. “I will ensure you are happy and joyful forever. Choosing to become a woman of the Zhao family was the right decision.”

Linglong lowered her head in shyness, momentarily forgetting her interrogation. “Mmm, Master, you are so good to me. Linglong will never leave your side.”

“Ahem, ahem, ahem…” Shi Qing suddenly began to cough violently behind us. Then came a sharp scream from Shi Shuang. “Sister! What’s wrong with you?”

Linglong and I spun around in alarm. We saw Shi Qing doubled over, coughing relentlessly. Under the emergency light, a pool of blood stained the floor. Shi Shuang was terrified, pale, and utterly bewildered.

Linglong helped support Shi Qing, while I demanded, “Shi Qing, have you always been ill? Why didn’t you listen to me when I told you to see a doctor! How could you ignore my instructions?”

Seeing my anger, Shi Shuang immediately dropped to her knees. “Master, please don’t be angry! Please calm your anger, Master!”

“Calm my ass!” I retorted. “Was it to save me money? If anything happened to your sister, how would I face her brother? Don’t think that because your Master is a doctor, I can bring the dead back to life. I know nothing, or I wouldn’t have told your sister to see an outside doctor! Hurry up and carry her, quickly! Fortunately, a real divine physician has arrived at the residence; otherwise, you three would have worried me to death.”

With the help of Linglong and the personal guards, the group rushed back to the Zhao residence. Ma Xiaorui’s shopping party had already returned. I later heard they came back thoroughly disgruntled. The reason was that the women were all too stunningly beautiful. Their beauty was breathtaking; their sex appeal, mesmerizing. Especially the chests of Cheng Susu and a few others—they were unparalleled treasures in the Twin City Nation, attracting the gazes of countless men in the night market. Fortunately, the personal guards kept any real trouble at bay, but the lecherous stares were unbearable. They only stared intensely at the full curves of the few voluptuous women. Ma Xiaorui was furious enough to explode. The little girl was now experiencing jealousy. Her own chest, flat as an airfield, made her deeply insecure, so she lost all interest in shopping and hurried home early to eat snacks. She stayed angry about this for several days until I spent half the night tending to her and soothing her with kind words before I managed to calm her down.

“Qingqing! Qingqing, come out quickly! Shi Qing is vomiting blood!” I shouted, kicking open the residence gate. Shi Shan had dedicated his entire being to my cause, remaining utterly loyal and faithful. If I couldn't even take care of his sister, I would have no face to see him again.

Hua Qingqing ran out wearing only a light robe. “What happened? She was perfectly fine during the day!” Hua Qingqing had no X-ray vision, so she certainly couldn’t have known Shi Qing had a hidden ailment.

Shi Shuang spoke with a trembling voice. “Sister has been coughing lately. She always forced herself to bear it. When I was sleeping, I once overheard her saying she had no hope left and that I should live well for our brother. Now that I think of it, she must have known she was sick and didn’t have long to live.”

“Nonsense! If I, Zhao Qian, say someone isn’t allowed to die, no one dies! Qingqing, you must have a handle on this illness, right? If all else fails, I still have the divine medicine concocted from the blood flowers!”

Hua Qingqing raised a hand. “No need to rush. Let’s save what we can. I lack deep research into traditional Chinese medicine. If we were on Earth, I could diagnose the cause immediately, and treatment would be simpler. However, judging by Shi Qing’s condition, it seems to be a problem with her lungs.”

“Are you saying you lack equipment like a vision scope or X-ray?” I countered. “We can use the monitoring cameras from the spaceship! Although the clarity won’t match a true device in our hospital, it’s still far superior to ordinary equipment on Earth.”

“Yes, yes! Good thing you reminded me! Hurry and carry her to the room. Having diagnostic equipment assist in treatment will simplify things tremendously. Otherwise, relying solely on pulse reading will severely impact my judgment of the condition.”

Hua Qingqing led the others into the room, and Linglong followed, carrying the medicine box—she had become Hua Qingqing’s assistant. Now, I, the phony divine physician, was relieved of duty. I was truly terrible at medicine; every time, I only managed to pass by sheer luck using medicine brought from Earth. The psychological pressure was immense. Now, with a genuine master physician, I had nothing to worry about.

It felt like an eternity before anyone emerged from inside. Shi Shuang, Fu Bo, and a crowd of women who had rushed over anxiously asked, “How is she? Is there a problem?”

Hua Qingqing announced, “It’s nothing serious. Shi Qing has what is similar to chronic pneumonia on Earth. I’ve given her antibiotics. People here react incredibly well to antibiotics; I expect Shi Qing’s body will recover soon. Everyone, don’t worry.”

I praised Hua Qingqing. “A divine physician indeed! Your touch is extraordinary.”

Hua Qingqing turned to the other women and said, “I am no divine physician; at most, I’m an alchemist. The true divine physician is the Master of our household.”

I laughed. “The divine physician’s wife can be called a divine sorceress. From this day forward, I bestow that title upon you. Just don’t tarnish my reputation as a divine physician.”

Hua Qingqing laughed, then pulled up Shi Shuang, who was kneeling in gratitude. “Your sister’s illness didn’t form overnight. It started with malnutrition in the early stages, likely followed by a viral infection that was never treated. It accumulated day by day until it became a serious condition. But don’t worry, this is not difficult for us. Although her condition has slightly worsened, I estimate that a full week of antibiotic treatment should allow her to recover fully. But she must pay attention in the future. Her nutrition needs to be kept up. Secondly, illness must be treated promptly, or it risks deteriorating into other problems.”

Shi Shuang thanked her earnestly. “Thank you, Madam Hua. Living in the Zhao residence is like being in paradise. My sister’s serious illness was rooted in the past. As long as her illness improves, and she eats well and lives comfortably in the Zhao residence, she surely won’t fall ill again.”

As the master of the Zhao residence, I issued an order. “It’s getting late; everyone return to your rooms to rest. Starting tomorrow, I will be taking the two princesses to the Imperial Stables. Staying in the Twin Cities is too dangerous. If outsiders discover we secretly returned, we will face trouble.”

Zhou Ni piped up. “We’ll go too! The people at the Imperial Stables heard you found Sister Qingqing and want to celebrate with us.”

“Very well, everyone go. Carry Shi Qing onto the spaceship as well. We will only formally return to the Twin Cities after Gu Qi arrives.”

After instructing Shi Shuang on how to care for her sister, Hua Qingqing returned to her room. I quietly followed her in. Hua Qingqing laughed. “What are you doing, sneaking around like you’re stealing landmines?”

I smiled and embraced Hua Qingqing. “No, I’m stealing kisses and beauty. Wife, can we finally have some fun tonight? Something always interrupts us.”

Hua Qingqing raised an eyebrow. “Have fun how? Is there anywhere you haven’t been? I heard from Yun Yao that you’ve become rather perverse. I won’t allow you to do things from behind anymore! If you want that, go find Yun Yao. Everyone says she’s incredible now; she can handle any maneuver you want. Hehe, we studied her dance movements; she’s improved greatly since before, and she’s added a classic grace, an air of mature sensuality. It seems you’ve been quite diligent in your recent training.”

I pulled out my phone and set it to record. “How can you only use Yun Yao as a topic? Tonight, I’m making a special episode just for you, and I’ll show it to the others later.”

Hua Qingqing nestled into my arms. “No! Tonight, I only want to belong to you. Thinking about the sisters seeing the dignified divine physician behave so wantonly—I can’t accept that. You once said you were captivated by my noble temperament. Please grant me this once, allow me to save face. At worst, I’ll agree to whatever you want tonight. Every part of my body belongs to you tonight. Let Qingqing experience her husband’s true love! Give me your wildest!”

The only regret was not finding Ouyang Qian or He Yuqing. Otherwise, I was truly living in carefree bliss. Since Feiyu County had fallen and the Emperor hadn't issued an edict, there was nothing I could do but set the matter aside. Developing smelting technology for the main drive shaft of the spaceship also couldn't be rushed; these things required time to progress step by step.

While waiting for the bandit suppression army to return, besides secretly helping Sun Dasheng develop his Feiyu Gang, my focus was on researching my firearm technology. We already had gunpowder. Utilizing the existing iron, Tie Zhen forged several steel bars for me. I was thankful for the repair equipment brought from my spaceship; I had packed nearly a complete set in case the Yunhan vessel sustained damage, never expecting it would prove so useful now.

Initially, I considered that manufacturing guns required machine tools and stamping equipment. But I had overlooked the auxiliary functions of some spaceship devices; they could easily handle these tasks, and the technical standards surpassed ordinary machine tools and presses. This was also why I rarely interacted with these tools; it seemed my university years were wasted—besides acquiring a harem of wives and a diploma, I didn't grasp any truly practical skills.

The guns fabricated with these tools were admittedly nothing like Earth firearms. One reason was my poor manual craftsmanship—probably on par with a primary school student’s manual labor class project. The second reason was the limitation of black powder’s power; considering this, I needed to make the bullets quite large to increase the propellant charge.

I considered manufacturing smokeless yellow powder, but there was absolutely no chemical foundation here. Trying to achieve it based purely on an idea was impractical. Moreover, I didn't need to develop everything from scratch; that would be a complete waste of time. What I needed right now was to build a batch of guns to protect my people, and then focus entirely on repairing the spaceship. The remaining tasks would fall to the Cosmic Development Company.

The Cosmic Development Company was an idea I conceived just a few days ago. Since a terrestrial planet like Gemini existed, was it possible that other worlds like it existed elsewhere in the wormhole network? If their civilization surpassed ours, so be it. But if they hadn't surpassed us, we would need to develop and utilize them. The Cosmic Development Company would be tasked with this mission.

Due to the quality of the craftsmanship, the trial guns produced were all single-shot bolt-action designs. The bullets used specially made hard paper casing, filled with an iron shot projectile and an ignition mechanism based on a striker system that would hit the primer, igniting the black powder inside the bullet and rapidly propelling the iron shot out.

It took me seven full days just to perfect the primer for the bullet. Lacking any chemical foundation, finding an explosive similar to an Earth blasting cap was incredibly difficult. While I didn't endure 1,600 material experiments like Edison inventing the lightbulb, I nearly lost all my hair worrying. If I couldn't find a decent priming charge, these guns would only function like early matchlock cannons, requiring manual ignition to fire, which would be largely useless on the rain-prone world of Gemini.

Fortunately, my wives were all experts, especially Hua Qingqing, whose chemical research surpassed everyone else’s. Guided by her direction and experimentation, we finally synthesized a new compound that was easily ignited. This new compound had no other remarkable features besides being sensitive to external impact, but it was perfectly adequate for use as an ignition device. However, it had to be stored with extreme caution, completely isolated from other flammable materials. Once inserted into the bullet, the hard casing would provide protection, eliminating the danger.

Finally, on the day Gu Qi returned with the Imperial Guard and rebel leaders like Zhu Shou, this batch of experimental primitive guns was completed. The barrels were cut using a laser, ensuring absolutely first-class machining. Despite being somewhat heavy, the entire gun body proved, through over a hundred tests, to have a range exceeding a bow and arrow, though the effective distance was limited to between fifty and one hundred meters; beyond that, accuracy could not be guaranteed.

Although we had many laser guns, that small number was insufficient to equip an entire army. Bows and crossbows could be manufactured in large quantities given sufficient iron, but they were far inferior to guns in terms of accuracy. Furthermore, according to my original design, these guns, once perfected, should have been semi-automatic, requiring the manual pulling of the bolt to cycle the striker. However, the feeding and ejection mechanisms required complex design and manufacturing, and there simply wasn't enough time. For now, manual loading and shell ejection would have to suffice.

Though a five-shot or even ten-shot repeating action would be even better, that would impose new demands on the manufacturing process; I only require the design of the most primitive three-eight rifle—fire one shot, eject the casing, and then load the second round. Equipping an entire division with such a rifle would make them invincible on the Twin Star plains. Even if they encountered a battle scenario like the one at Huyang Prefecture, how many men could withstand a volley from ten thousand rifles firing in succession? The power of the high-velocity iron bullet is incomparable to arrows or crossbows.

Shi Qing’s illness truly recovered quickly. She and her sister, Shi Shuang, have been doting on me these past few days, treating me better than a lord—they almost took over the task of washing my face. This shows their deep gratitude toward me. However, I disliked them treating me this way, but since they insisted, I had no choice but to hide from them daily. Fortunately, the Imperial Stables compound is vast; I have plenty of places to go.

Gu Qi finally arrived outside Shuangcheng. At night, he snuck into the Imperial Guard camp with Ma Xiaorui and Ma Xiaowei. Since the route was entirely through Imperial territory, the journey passed without a single mishap. The next morning, our welcoming party and Ma Da’s procession were set to meet, heading toward each other, positioned to cross paths ten li north of the city, as anticipated for maximum inconspicuousness.

The bandit suppression campaign in Liuyang was progressing at lightning speed. Those irregular troops couldn't hold a line; in fact, there was hardly any fighting required. We just needed to follow in their wake and clean up the remnants. The four reorganized armies, the Fourth and Fifth, also departed from Huyang and are expected to reach Shuangcheng in a few days. As for the frontier reinforcement work, I haven't reported to Ma Da yet; I am unclear on his current considerations.

Ma Da’s high regard and sheer delight were evident in the grandeur of the welcoming party. Many of the formalities were concepts I couldn't translate into anything I understood. Thankfully, Ma Xiaowei had coached me beforehand: drink when told, bow when instructed, and walk when signaled. She knew I disliked kneeling before people, so she taught me ways to bluff my way through the necessary rituals.

Grand Tutor Pang, the Left and Right Chancellors, the Inner Eight Princes, and all the civil and military officials delivered lengthy eulogies. During these speeches, I almost burst out laughing several times. It instantly brought to mind the poems written by Zhang Wenbing and Niu Pang when I was in the Feiyu County Yamen. The cultural disparity between our two worlds meant that many things, once translated, lost their context and became quite comical.

The reception, the return to the palace hall, the report on suppressing the bandits, and the grand celebratory banquet—all these events concluded late into the night. Following that, Grand Tutor Pang hosted a banquet, the Chancellors invited me privately, and finally, even the Inner Eight Princes sent congratulatory gifts. The countless other necessary social engagements left me reeling for several days.

Next came the return of troops and military authority. The Imperial Guards were reformed back into their respective garrisons. Soon after, the forty thousand strong army arrived to garrison outside Shuangcheng. Specific matters concerning frontier reinforcement would need to be re-debated in court due to the bandit suppression campaign. Currently, besides holding the nominal title of General of Majestic Might (Weiwu Dajiangjun), my only actual positions are within the Imperial Stables and the Eastern Depot. Even the Crown Prince’s lessons were suspended because we finished The Thirty-Six Stratagems, and neither Ma Xiaoda nor I were keen on proceeding with other subjects. It was a relief for everyone involved.

Regarding the spacecraft, I kept the matter hidden from the civil and military officials, only providing a brief explanation to Ma Da. If he intended to claim the four ships, I was prepared to have a serious confrontation with him, because those four spacecraft are my **, and they are the key to our return to Earth. Handing them over to these people would only render them useless scrap metal.

Fortunately, Ma Da listened to the advice of his two daughters and son and granted me full control of the spacecraft. This resolved a potential crisis between us; it was, perhaps, a shrewd move on his part—better to have them utilized by me than sitting idle as useless relics.

After a week of commotion, quiet finally returned. I felt as if I had recovered from a major illness and spent an entire day confined to the Zhao residence. Life on Earth was so much freer and more enjoyable. There, no one dared force me to do anything, but now, I often feel like I have no control over my own actions, having to paste on a smile and engage in pleasantries with people I detest—like that father-and-son duo, Dan Shi and Dan Guchun. I knew they still resented me for taking Cai Jingjing, but Cai Jingjing was originally my wife, so naturally, I wouldn't let those two get their way.

Now that I had officially returned to Shuangcheng, the women’s outings no longer needed to be kept secret. Cheng Susu, Hua Qingqing, Zhou Ni, Yun Yao, and Linglong took turns going out to enjoy the streets daily. The slight clumsiness of the rifles replacing the standard bows and Xiuchun sabers of their personal guards drew many stares. Of course, the men’s gazes invariably lingered on my wives. Every time they returned, they complained about being stared at by lecherous wolves who were "eating ice cream with their eyes," vowing never to go out again. Yet, the next day, bored, they would happily head out once more.

The Eastern Depot delivered news that Jin Meili of the Seafood Restaurant had officially registered in Shuangcheng. Because I had previously mentioned this to Ma Xiaoda, he had whispered a few words in his father’s ear, suggesting that a prosperous city like Shuangcheng should possess the magnanimity to accommodate minorities, quoting the saying, "Tolerance is great." Consequently, despite some ministers' objections, Ma Da finalized the registration.

However, Ma Da had his own concerns: he feared that too many Jin people might flood into Shuangcheng, which would bring consequences far beyond what one Jin Meili represented. Thus, he silenced further discussion and strictly forbade any other dark-skinned individuals from entering Shuangcheng until the crisis between the Jin and Shuangcheng nations was resolved. Although the dereliction of duty by the Middle City Gate guards this time would not be prosecuted, any future recurrence would result in severe punishment for the entire Imperial Guard.

Though awake, I didn't want to get out of bed. Gazing at the sunset outside the window, I pondered how to find the other two women and achieve full family reunion. If that required waiting for further advancements in smelting technology, at least having them near would put my mind at ease. Although I have people on Earth I care for more deeply, they are protected by immense power—the Dragon Girl alone possesses secret strength on the moon that even the US and Russia wouldn't dare provoke. Moreover, worrying about them was useless since I couldn't return now, so I completely let go of my concerns.

Tap, tap, tap—three knocks on the door, followed by Shi Qing’s voice: "Master, are you awake? The Fifteenth Princess requests an audience."

"I’m awake. Let her in," I replied. "Ma Xiaorui isn't with her, is she?"

Shi Qing answered, "No, Master. The Fifteenth Princess came out alone. I’ll call her in now."

If Ma Xiaorui had come, I would have had to put on a show, at least getting dressed first. Although these two sisters have a relationship more intimate than Hua Qingqing and Yi Xiaorou, and Ma Xiaowei knows everything about her sister, Ma Xiaorui remains ignorant of her sister’s secrets. She forbids me from telling Ma Xiaowei about my dalliances with her, so in front of both of them, I must act as if nothing is out of the ordinary.

Ma Xiaowei pushed the door open and entered. "Still sleeping? They said you slept the entire day; you wouldn't even let them call you for lunch."

"I’m exhausted. I never felt this tired even when I was on Earth. Now that I finally don't have morning court and no one is inviting me to banquets, I must sleep deeply. My bones ache dreadfully; this long sleep feels wonderful."

Ma Xiaowei smiled and sat beside me, gently beginning to massage my shoulders. "Let me give you a shoulder rub. I’ll massage you."

"How embarrassing. You are a princess; perhaps I should massage you instead."

Ma Xiaowei laughed and dodged me. "Stop fooling around. If you give me a massage, nothing good will come of it. You’ll mess up my clothes, and I won’t be able to face anyone. They don't know about our relationship yet. By the way, when do you plan to make it public? Find a chance to propose to my father the Emperor soon. My imperial younger brother has asked me several times, and I’ve kept everything concealed."

"Didn't we agree? Once Ouyang Qian and He Yuqing are found, and I have fulfilled the vow I made to Yun Yao, I will announce our relationship. I was actually just thinking about how to search for those two."

Ma Xiaowei gently pressed my shoulders and leaned against my back. "I'm anxious! What if you stop wanting me? You promised to love me for all eternity; you are not allowed to go back on your word!"

Naturally, I was quite fond of this clingy little princess. I turned and embraced Ma Xiaowei. "I won’t break my promise. If I ever stopped wanting you, the three of you sisters would eat me alive."

Ma Xiaowei huffed, wrinkling her little nose. "Hmph, I doubt you’d dare. Otherwise, Xiaorui alone would be enough trouble for you. I don't know what's gotten into that girl lately; every day she pressures me to ask what’s really going on between you and me."

I pinched Ma Xiaowei’s nose. "And what did you tell her? Did you confess anything?"

"How could I dare? I can tell her about other things, but I dare not speak of the shameful things we’ve done. If that big mouth of hers got out, would I even have a life left? It’s all your fault. Not only did you use my mouth in such a way, but also that dirty place down there—you pervert!"

I smiled wordlessly at Ma Xiaowei’s playful indignation, finding her demeanor delightful. This dignified, graceful princess was just a childish girl in front of me. Indeed, after only a few days apart, she had secretly slipped out of the palace for a rendezvous with her lover. Before this, she had only left the palace once in her entire life.

After enjoying my caresses with her eyes closed for a while, Ma Xiaowei said, "The day after tomorrow is the grand New Year celebration here. Do you have any plans?"

"None. I’ll do whatever they arrange. As long as no one invites me to dinner, that’s fine. I truly dread it now. I’d rather stay home eating husks and vegetable scraps than attend another feast of rich food."

Ma Xiaowei chuckled sweetly. "That won't do! I came today to deliver an invitation. Even if you're afraid, you must attend."

I looked at her skeptically. "What?"

Ma Xiaowei said, "Someone has invited you to dinner. Are you going or not?"

"Only if you invite me. Otherwise, I won't go. I’ve already instructed Butler Fu to say I’m sick if anyone else comes with an invitation, just to save me the trouble of inventing excuses to decline."

"I don't need to invite you," Ma Xiaowei replied. "If you don't want to go, I’ll reply to them."

It was impossible for Ma Xiaowei to be delivering an invitation on behalf of a minister; her father and brother wouldn't need her to deliver theirs. I asked, puzzled, "Just who is it? If you don't tell me now, don't blame me if I strip you naked and take you from behind."

Ma Xiaowei feigned fear. "No, no! I haven't washed yet! I’m scared of you. They are your two wives; you decide whether to go or not."

Xu Chen and Cai Jingjing? "Yes! I’ll go! When?"

Ma Xiaowei said, "Tonight."

I immediately jumped out of bed to get dressed. "Why didn't you say so sooner? I need to clean myself up properly."

Ma Xiaowei showed a hint of jealousy. "Is my status in your heart less important than theirs?"

I kissed Ma Xiaowei’s cheek. "They are equally important, but they don't completely belong to Zhao Qian yet. So, I must exert twelve-tenths of my effort to win them back."

Ma Xiaowei teased, "Since I’m already captured, I don't need any effort?"

"I do need to. Haven't I been trying hard enough? Every time, you let out waves of unrestrained cries that scare me from using too much force..."

Ma Xiaowei pinched my arm. "You dare say that!"

When everyone gathered in the living room to actually examine the invitation, I was profoundly disappointed. My name was listed last, not even ranking ahead of Linglong’s. Xu Chen and Cai Jingjing intended to invite these sisters over to the residence for a reunion; I was merely an accessory. Because the inner city gates close after nightfall, Xu Chen and Cai Jingjing planned to have us stay the night so we could enjoy ourselves fully.

The prospect of ‘staying the night’ sounded tempting. Unfortunately, it wasn't implied that it would be with me. With so many people staying in Xu Chen's palace, it would be a miracle if I got any private time with them.

Cheng Susu smiled at me. "You sound like you don't want to go."

Zhou Ni remarked, "I think Brother Zhao doesn't want us to go. He wants private time with Chen-chen and Jingjing overnight."

My thoughts, of course, did not escape them. Regardless of how far ahead I was thinking, the immediate first step was to strengthen communication with Xu Chen and Cai Jingjing. Until their memories fully recovered, I couldn't relax my vigilance. Furthermore, the last time I saw Ma Xiaorui, she mentioned that Zhang Guan was starting to pressure Xu Chen again. Although he hadn't done anything to displease me, it was a bad sign. I needed to be wary of other men eyeing them, especially that boy Dan Shi, who still hadn't forgotten Cai Jingjing.

I brazenly retorted, "Who said I don’t want to go? I was just thinking about how to bring all of you together for the night."

Cheng Susu blushed. "The Fifteenth Princess is here; you shouldn't speak like that regardless of the time or place."

Ma Xiaowei understood perfectly what I meant—the ‘all of you’ certainly included her—but she couldn't admit it. "It's fine, Sister Susu. I know Lord Zhao likes to joke. Since none of you have other plans, let's leave right away. It’s getting late, and the palace gates will close soon."

There are fifty personal guards currently stationed at the Zhao residence, all equipped with rifles. Although these rifles were somewhat deficient in performance—only capable of single-shot fire and requiring manual ejection of the casing—they still held an advantage over bows and crossbows. Coupled with the sabers used for close combat, fifty guards were sufficient to repel an attack of five hundred men.

Among these fifty guards, twenty were also equipped with laser guns, which were capable of automatic fire. However, considering how advanced this weaponry was, and because it wouldn't achieve the goal of immediate shock and awe, I instructed them to use the rifles as much as possible during any sudden incident. We were not aiming to kill; intimidation was the objective. Killing with such advanced weapons wouldn't showcase my capabilities.

Twenty of the fifty guards remained at the Zhao residence for protection, while the other thirty escorted us safely to the Inner City Gate before receiving orders to return. They would come back tomorrow morning when the inner gates opened to retrieve us. These guards were not qualified to enter the inner city. Even Linglong and Yun Yao only gained access through Ma Da’s personal request to Ma Da for special permission. I had already retrieved the tokens given to Zhou Ni and Cheng Susu; as long as the inner gates remained open, I could enter and exit freely using the tokens.

The guards on duty today were led personally by Squad Leader Man Fu and Deputy Leader Gu Fei. Watching the group enter the inner city and disappear from sight, the guards began to gather their formation to return home. According to regulations, ten men could be excused from standing guard duty tonight. After giving instructions, Man Fu pulled Gu Fei aside. "Brother Fei, since we have rare free time tonight, let me treat you to seafood at the restaurant."

Gu Fei shook his head. "Forget it. I know you need money to get a wife. Actually, the Master is very easy to talk to; just borrow some from him. He probably won't even ask for it back. Besides, our current technology makes minting iron coins trivial; money is just a trifle to the Master."

Man Fu insisted, pulling Gu Fei toward the seafood restaurant. "Brother, even if I’m poor, I'm not short of the money for a meal. If you refuse to give me face, I’ll get angry."

Gu Fei was known to be a glutton, mainly because he consumed an astonishing amount of food to maintain his massive frame; naturally, his strength was equally impressive. Since someone was treating him, and this evening of leisure was truly rare, Gu Fei couldn't resist Man Fu’s enthusiasm and followed him into the Seafood Restaurant.

The Seafood Restaurant was packed, not because the seafood was exceptionally delicious, but because the proprietress was too beautiful. Actually, beauty was secondary; the key was how incredibly sexy she was—a revealing short skirt, a tight, low-cut top, and skin tanned to a healthy, dazzling black that caught every eye.

Jin Meili, through the Eastern Depot's registration and Ma Da's special approval, was officially recorded by the Judiciary Department of Shuangcheng as the first dark-skinned commoner in the Shuangcheng nation. She was completely unaware of who helped her; in the darkness that night, she hadn't clearly seen the face of the man. Although she was intimately familiar with the enormous size of his manhood, she wasn't promiscuous enough to inspect every man’s equipment. That night, due to the crowding, his member had nearly breached her private sanctuary, which she had guarded for over a decade. Yet, Jin Meili felt no anger about such an incident.

On the contrary, Jin Meili secretly hoped for his reappearance. Who was that man? How did he fall into the hidden cellar? And how did he manage to leave silently, dispersing the Eastern Depot men, and resolving her citizenship issue? Was this fate?

Whenever she couldn't sleep late at night, Jin Meili would caress her full breasts, recalling the scene with him that night. When passion flared, moisture would uncontrollably flow from below. Slowly, Jin Meili learned to use the memory of his voice and movements to seek pleasure for herself. Nourished by this arousal, Jin Meili became increasingly sexy and alluring.

Most patrons came solely for Jin Meili’s presence. They wouldn't complain even if they were just eating plain white rice with pickled vegetables. Jin Meili wasn't the delicate, demure type. The Jin people’s inherent sexiness was fully displayed on her—her deep cleavage, and the brief glimpse of dark shadow at the root of her thigh whenever she subtly lifted her leg, provoking intense longing.

Jin Meili waited anxiously for that man to return for her. Even if he were to molest her again, she would accept it, for he had awakened the heart of this dark-skinned girl. All other men, no matter how attractive, were currently mere dirt in her eyes. Her heart was entirely filled with this unknown man she had never truly met.

It took significant effort for Man Fu and Gu Fei to find a spot in a corner; securing a private room was impossible. The restaurant was fully booked for lunch and dinner every day except for the mornings when it was closed. They considered themselves extremely lucky to find an empty table.

After a few cups of wine, the conversation flowed freely. Man Fu said, "Brother Fei, you’re getting on in years. It’s time you looked for a wife."

Gu Fei chuckled. "No rush. I’m only nineteen. Children from poor families sometimes don't marry until they are twenty-four or twenty-five. Besides, there’s no suitable one yet. I need to like her, and she needs to like me. I don't want some blockhead who’s only good for bearing children."

Man Fu laughed a couple of times, then probed cautiously. "Brother Fei, I think that young girl Linglong is quite nice. Although she’s a bit young, in a couple of years, she could be brought home. I can tell you pay close attention to her normally."

Gu Fei chuckled without commenting, but Man Fu seemed determined to pursue the matter. He continued, "Brother Fei, if you're interested, I can put in a word with Captain Linglong for you. There aren't many good girls to choose from these days. If you want her, you should claim her first before someone else does."

Gu Fei said, "Brother Ah Fu, we are brothers. I’ll tell you honestly: Linglong is indeed the type of girl I like. She's lively, kind-hearted, highly skilled in martial arts, and exceptionally beautiful. But there’s one thing I believe you’ve already noticed—Captain Linglong seems to have feelings for Lord Zhao. Please don't bring this up again, lest it damage our brotherhood."

Man Fu looked shocked. "Impossible! How could Lord Zhao like Captain Linglong? He already has so many wives! And he’s more than ten years older than her. Lord Zhao wouldn't do something as predatory as stealing someone’s affection, like an old ox grazing on tender grass."

Gu Fei sighed. "Affection knows no age barrier. In our Shuangcheng nation, men in their forties or fifties marry sixteen-year-old wives. Moreover, Lord Zhao looks extraordinarily young, and he is talented; it’s not strange that Linglong likes him. Unlike me, I only have brute strength; besides eating, I have no other commendable skills. If Captain Linglong were to follow me, she would be wronged."

Man Fu objected. "Brother Fei, you shouldn't say that. No one is destined to be someone else's beast of burden forever. Today we are captains of the personal guard; who knows if tomorrow we won't become famed generals? It all depends on seizing opportunities. If a chance presents itself, you should grab it, even if it costs you your life."

Gu Fei replied, "It’s not that I haven't considered transferring to the main army for development. Kong Wu and Sun Chang have both reached the rank of Army Commander, which is truly enviable. But Lord Zhao’s safety requires our protection more urgently. After careful consideration, I decided to stay."

Manfu chuckled, "Fat Brother, you're taking this too seriously; it’s sheer blind loyalty. We have no kinship with Lord Zhao; why should we sell our lives to him? You should think more about your own future. As the saying goes, self-preservation is the law of nature. Take me, for instance—I was so poor I couldn't even build a hut, watching other men’s children running wild while I remained a lifelong bachelor. But these last few days, your brother has struck it rich; marrying a wife and buying a house is no longer an issue. If you’re interested, Brother, I can introduce you."

Gu Fei didn't know what Manfu was trying to imply. He could only continue listening. Manfu continued, "Such a pure girl as Linglong deserves someone like you, Fat Brother. You must be too timid to confess your true feelings. Lord Zhao is just a man, too; why should we yield to him? He himself once said that in the face of love, all are equal. You shouldn't give up; I truly feel you deserve better."

Gu Fei said, "A'Fu, among all the personal guards, we are the closest brothers. Say what you mean directly; your elder brother’s mind is slow and dislikes beating around the bush."

Manfu asked, "Fat Brother, how have I treated you normally?"

Gu Fei replied, "Very well, like true brothers."

Manfu pressed on, "Then tell me, would I ever harm you?"

Gu Fei affirmed, "No, I trust you."

Manfu then posed, "Is there something you could do that would benefit the poor common folk while simultaneously bringing profit to yourself?"

Gu Fei responded, "Be more specific. How can I possibly draw a conclusion based on such vague terms?"

Manfu seemed hesitant. "Uh... there are some matters I can't fully decide on my own. Today, I only wanted to gauge your personal opinion. If you trust your brother, I can introduce you to a friend. If he deems you trustworthy enough, he will explain everything to you then."

Gu Fei shook his head. "A'Fu, you know I abhor trouble. Although what you speak of is tempting, I think I’d rather return to the personal guard unit and stay put honestly."

Manfu grew anxious. "Don't be like that, Fat Brother! Are you content to watch the woman you love be snatched away? Are you willing to remain a subordinate, a mere servant forever? Opportunities don't return once they pass. This is the moment to change your destiny; you mustn't miss it!"

Gu Fei countered, "If I agree to this, will the woman I love fall into my arms? Will I become a high official and amass great wealth? Will I have endless delicacies to eat thereafter, never needing to toil again?"

Manfu declared, "More or less. The current imperial court is in chaos, and the common people live in deep suffering. As ambitious young men, it is our duty to serve the nation and seek fortune for the populace. Fat Brother, I have known you for a long time; I understand your temperament and personality completely. As long as you agree, all your dreams will come true."

Gu Fei let out a low chuckle. "It seems I can find no reason to refuse you."

Manfu laughed along, "That's because I am truly considering Fat Brother’s best interests; that’s why you have no choice but to agree. Once we pull off a few earth-shattering deeds, not only will fortunes pour into your purse, but you will achieve supreme status and favor, never having to be a mere soldier again."

Gu Fei drained his cup of wine. "What exactly is this fantastic venture? You have my head spinning with confusion. Don't play games with me, boy; I have neither the time nor the patience for it."

Manfu explained, "If Fat Brother is truly interested, I will take you to see someone immediately. After all, some matters are not mine to decide alone. It’s not that I don't trust you, but there are established protocols—I must follow orders."

Gu Fei urged, "Then what are you waiting for? We rarely have this much free time as we do tonight. If we miss this evening, it will be difficult to arrange another meeting."

Manfu grew somewhat excited. "Exactly! That’s what I thought, which is why I rushed to bring you here for this discussion. Let’s eat quickly, and then I’ll take you for a walk. If it doesn't work out, please don't blame me, Brother. Everything I've said today, just consider it meaningless chatter. But if it succeeds, our brotherhood will only grow stronger. Working together, there's nothing we can't accomplish."

Gu Fei pushed his wine cup away. "I’ve eaten and drunk enough. Let’s go."

Manfu didn't want to waste another moment and stood up. "Good, Fat Brother, follow me."