I darted ahead while those little folk chased me madly from behind. Already lost in this dense forest, I soon had no idea where I was. The little folk flew with astonishing speed, propelled by the umbrella-like spinning devices atop their heads, yet they still lagged behind me.

Slowly, I began to grasp something: perhaps my supernatural abilities entered a state of selflessness, possibly evolving into an independent conscious entity. It grew stronger when the opponent was formidable, and weaker when the opponent was frail. When I had no need for it, it would lie dormant, leaving me utterly ordinary.

Because I was lost, I kept circling back, and the little folk quickly noticed. They changed tactics, splitting up to corner me. The plan worked instantly; I was suddenly hemmed in before an impenetrable wall of dense woods by more than a dozen of the small figures. They offered no pleasantries, merely lowering their heads and aiming straight for my abdomen to drill through.

I didn't hesitate; retreating was no longer an option. I engaged the little folk in a brawl, throwing punches. I had no idea if my body could withstand their relentless boring assaults, but my stubborn streak flared up—I wouldn't let them gain an inch, even if it cost me my life.

Blood and wood splinters flew amidst the jungle canopy. Screams mingled with the relentless clanging sounds. Dust billowed up, obscuring all sight for a time. Occasionally, one of the small figures would be flung clear of the fray, landing on the ground to remain utterly still.

This group of little folk was savagely aggressive, launching suicidal attacks. Life after life was shredded beneath my hands, and the sheer carnage ignited a greater killing instinct within me. When the remaining few finally harbored thoughts of retreat, it was too late. The nearest one, having just turned, had his skull smashed by my fist; the umbrella-like flying drill device on his head was pierced with a massive hole.

An even smaller little man, clearly enraged, turned back to charge me. However, two others flanking him pulled him back forcefully. A stream of unintelligible chatter erupted—a language I couldn't comprehend. My bloodlust was at its peak; I paid no mind to their words. In two quick strides, I seized the two who were struggling with the smaller one, brought my hands together with a crash! The two collided, brains spilling, dead on the spot.

The small little man grew more grief-stricken at the sight. The others behind him couldn't hold him back, and he finally activated his flyer, hurtling toward my chest. With two corpses still clutched in my hands, I was momentarily unable to properly engage him. I lashed out with my foot, connecting squarely with his lower abdomen. Whoosh! He shot over my head, followed by a sickening smash and crash as he slammed into the large tree behind me, his headgear shattering into ruin. In the scramble, I spared no thought for checking his fate.

At this moment, only one small figure remained before my eyes. He shrieked and lunged at me. My vision clouded by bloodlust, I certainly wouldn't let him escape. These people weren't here to kill me without reason; they were clearly directed by someone. The prime suspect was Pang Hu. Anyone from the Pang faction deserved to be eliminated. While we hadn't had direct conflict before, the moment these little folk began drilling, we became true enemies. Showing mercy to an enemy is irresponsibility toward oneself, so I didn't consider holding back.

My iron fist swung up; one solid punch, and he would undoubtedly die. I had proven time and again that my fist was harder than their flyers and their bodies. My superpower would never allow them to underestimate me.

"Stop! I beg you, don't kill him!" A clear, bright female voice suddenly rang out from behind me. She spoke in the Duocheng dialect, so I understood her perfectly.

If it had been a man’s voice, this punch would have landed. But my old failing resurfaced; that voice pulled me back from the bloody haze. I sidestepped, letting the last little man pass. He didn't attack but rushed behind me. Only then did I have time to look back. Lying on the ground was a disheveled little girl. No, perhaps she wasn't young—it was just that her body was so small.

"Princess! Are you hurt? Are you alright?" Turns out the one I spared was also female. She deactivated the device on her head, revealing a pretty little face, though her looks and bearing couldn't compare to the one lying on the ground. She cried out, "Princess"—unbelievable, too many princesses in this place.

The little female dwarf addressed as Princess pushed away the one checking on her. "I'm fine. It's dangerous here; you must leave quickly!"

I spoke: "Do you think you can still run? However, I've decided not to kill you now, to avoid being called someone who violates moral codes."

The Dwarf Princess snorted coldly: "You have killed many of our kin. I will remember this debt. Unless you kill me now, I will certainly kill you to avenge them."

I countered: "You provoked me first. Pang Hu sent you, didn't he? Don't deny it. Apart from him, there are no enemies of mine here—only corpses."

The little red cheeks of the Dwarf Princess instantly changed color, followed by a few coughs that brought up a mouthful of blood. It seemed my kick to her abdomen had injured her internal organs. Amen, forgive my sins. This was the first time in my life I had struck a woman, even though she wanted to kill me. Still, delivering such a heavy kick, right to the lower abdomen, made me feel a bit ashamed.

"Princess! How are you? Hold on, I'll take you back for treatment." The remaining female dwarf seemed to be the Princess's maid.

The Princess breathed rapidly: "I won't make it. Go back and report to my father: the target was too powerful; we failed."

"Princess, Princess, you can't die..."

—–Linglong said to Yun Yao: "Do you think your husband has fled in fear? It's just catching a rabbit; why is it taking so long?"

Yun Yao smiled: "Maybe he was charmed by the rabbit demoness. Hurry up and save your master."

Linglong pouted: "I won't. If that were the case, he'd surely blame me for interrupting his good time."

Manfu suddenly emerged from the bushes, rushing over: "Esteemed Madams, the Master has ordered me to take you back to the Imperial Stable first."

Zhou Ni asked: "And him? Why isn't he returning with you?"

Linglong stared at Manfu and laughed: "Did the rabbit demoness dazzle his eyes? Is he wandering blindly in the woods right now?"

Manfu replied: "How could that be? The Master discovered suspicious individuals and is tracking them. Before leaving, he instructed me to escort you back to the Imperial Stable first, and he will return after finishing his business."

Cheng Susu said: "In that case, let's return. We can have another picnic next time."

Hua Qingqing added: "I have no objection; I'm tired anyway. Let's go."

The women had ridden horses to the location. When they emerged from the thicket, the two hundred mounted guards outside remained in formation, maintaining their vigilance. Manfu announced: "Following the Master's orders, escort the Madams back to the Imperial Stable."

Gu Fei shouted: "Master's orders! Time to head back!"

Manfu asked Gu Fei: "Brother Fei, everything normal back there?"

Gu Fei repeatedly affirmed: "Yes, yes, perfectly normal—except for you being a bit abnormal."

Manfu questioned: "Me? Everything went smoothly for me too. Once this mission is done, we'll have a couple of drinks. How about it?"

Gu Fei chuckled: "Sure, if we have time."

Manfu glanced back toward Linglong and said to Gu Fei: "What are you two muttering about? The sky is turning overcast. If we don't get back to the Imperial Stable soon, we might get drenched on the road."

Manfu mounted his sturdy horse and took the lead: "Men, let's go."

Yun Yao called from behind: "Captain Man, are you heading the wrong way?"

Manfu looked back: "How is that possible? This is the way back to the Imperial Stable."

Yun Yao corrected him: "No, we've decided temporarily. We're not going to the Imperial Stable; we're going to Duocheng instead."

Manfu's face shifted slightly: "Why? Didn't we agree to return to the Imperial Stable? Besides, Master Zhao ordered us to wait for him there."

Yun Yao stated: "Even if we return, we return. As for you, you're supposed to go to the Eastern Depot."

Manfu's face changed again: "Heh heh, Miss Yun is joking with me. Why would I go to the Eastern Depot? Is there a mission? If so, I must go immediately."

Linglong chimed in: "Yes, there is indeed a mission. You are to go there and truthfully explain your status to the Depot guards. Even if you try to deny it, they have instruments there ready to deal with you."

Manfu was shocked: "You! What kind of joke is this? Is something wrong?"

The women replied in unison: "We are perfectly fine. Is there something wrong with you? Or are you afraid of being exposed there when your true identity is revealed?"

Manfu realized the secret was out. He swiftly drew his laser pistol: "Since that's the case, Madams, don't blame me for being impolite. Brothers, reveal yourselves!"

Swish. The two hundred mounted guards simultaneously removed their long rifles from their shoulders, then split into two lines, crouching down and pulling back the bolts. Manfu said smugly: "Madams, please bear with us. We must proceed to the Imperial Stable now. I know Miss Linglong is skilled, but I advise you not to move, or I cannot guarantee whether the brothers behind me might accidentally discharge their weapons. You know the power of these long rifles; don't do anything foolish that would deeply grieve Brother Fei."

Linglong let out a sharp sound and laughed: "You are utterly shameless! Do you think you can control everything?"

Manfu sneered: "Heh heh, Miss Linglong, don't be too pleased. In the next minute, you will become one of my brother's wives. Out of respect for him, I won't trouble you, but as for the other Madams... that will depend on my mood."

Hua Qingqing smiled: "Is that so? We wonder if your mood is good or bad today? It would help us make a judgment."

Manfu was nearly stunned senseless by Hua Qingqing, staring blankly: "It is excellent, of course. Brother Fei, quickly send a signal for backup. I fear if I don't control myself, I'll go mad from enchantment."

BANG! A gunshot rang out behind them, echoing far into the distance. After a short while, the sound of rapid-fire popping—like beans frying—echoed back, then abruptly stopped. Manfu looked puzzled and asked: "What was that?"

Gu Fei replied: "Nothing much. It's settled over there."

Manfu was confused: "What do you mean? Why was there a gunshot over there?"

Yun Yao, riding her horse, asked: "And what do you mean? Shouldn't there be a gunshot over there?"

Manfu sensed something was amiss—perhaps the backup team had run into trouble. He waved his laser pistol: "Brother Fei, let's go. Hurry up and escort them away from here. We'll meet first at Fengting, twenty li outside the East City."

A gun barrel pressed against Manfu’s waist. Gu Fei asked with a sly grin: "Didn't the Madams just say you were going to the Eastern Depot? Why are you going outside the East City now?"

"Brother Fei, what do you mean by this?" Manfu asked.

Gu Fei responded: "Nothing much. You had designs on my little sister, so how could I be favorable to you?"

Manfu's heart clenched. He suppressed his panic: "Brother Fei, think carefully! These mounted guards are all my men. If you harm me, I can't guarantee they won't come after you. Besides, don't you want to marry Miss Linglong? That corrupt official stole the woman you love; do you intend to just swallow that insult?"

Gu Fei chuckled sinisterly: "You're talking nonsense while facing death. Are you nearsighted? Haven't you realized yet whose guns the mounted guards are pointing at? I truly admire your observational skills."

Manfu looked up, and his face instantly turned deathly pale. The muzzles of the two hundred mounted rifles were aimed not at the people on horseback, but directly at him!

"What's going on? What is this?" Manfu asked in confusion.

Linglong cracked her whip sharply: "We'd like to ask you that! We never expected the usually sharp and loyal Deputy Captain Manfu to be a double agent!"

Manfu couldn't believe it: "You... how could you know? Impossible, absolutely impossible! Brother Fei, don't you want a lifetime of wealth and status? That scoundrel official treated you poorly, yet you still serve him? Are you even a man? Don't you have any ambition?"

Gu Fei spat toward Manfu: "Pah! If my little sister hadn't given the order, I, this piece of scum, would have crushed you flat with one go! What kind of person do you take me for, huh? Do you think I'm some greedy, ungrateful beast? Miss Linglong has shown me immense kindness. I know she likes the Master, and I don't feel jealousy; I treat her like my own sister. You dog whelp dared to harbor designs on her—I'll shoot you dead myself!"

Manfu suddenly whipped his hand back, aiming his laser pistol at Gu Fei: "Stop right there! You know the power of this gun. Fine, since Linglong is like your sister, I want to see if she's willing to sacrifice you, you traitorous snake! You're the one who is the turncoat."

"Wouldn't that description fit you better?" He Yuqing suddenly removed the armor from her head and stepped out from among the mounted guards.

"T-T-The Boss?" Manfu recognized the beautiful voice despite his shock.

He Yuqing stated: "I concealed your background, defying Zhao Qian and the sisters’ displeasure. But I never knew you were a double agent! What? Is it fun being both the dog killer and the dog protector? Now you've disgraced our Dog Slaying Gang and made me lose face in front of my husband and my sisters. If you choose to commit suicide, I can grant you a quick end. Otherwise, you'll experience the Eastern Depot's newest torture implements."

Manfu used the gun to force Gu Fei to move aside: "So the Boss is also one of his wives. This truly surprises me. Don't come closer, or I'll take his life! Brother Fei, I only need to borrow your body for now. Your bulk is perfect for stopping bullets. Once I escape this danger, I will certainly let you go."

Gu Fei sighed: "Are you still deluded? Then I can't help you anymore."

Linglong, from her horse, snapped: "You've wasted enough words, traitor! Give up your life!"

Whoosh! An iron arrow shot forth, flying toward Manfu. Manfu had received special training; he raised his hand, preparing to swat the arrow down. However, as he pulled the trigger on the laser pistol, the expected result didn't materialize. He realized he had been calculated against; even his gun had been tampered with. A sudden sharp pain struck his eye—the iron arrow had pierced his brain. He fell instantly, dead!

Yun Yao gasped: "Oh dear, Linglong, you were too reckless! We should have kept him alive to interrogate him for intelligence."

Linglong blushed: "But he schemed against the Master at every turn; if I didn't kill him, I couldn't rest easy."

He Yuqing brushed the wind-blown strands of her hair behind her ear, then stepped forward toward Gu Fei: "Thank you. If you hadn't discovered Manfu's conspiracy in time, I might have ended up being the culprit."

Gu Fei hurried to reassure her: "Madam, why say such things? Guarding the Master’s safety is my duty. I, Gu Fei, serve only one person in this life: our Master. No one can make me betray him."

Linglong questioned him: "Very well, so you don't listen to me?"

Gu Fei replied: "You are my little sister; of course, I must listen to you. If you hadn't shown me kindness previously, Gu Fei would have starved to death on the streets today."

Linglong huffed: "I don't want to hear it! You always use that excuse. I only gave you two iron coins; why do you remember it so vividly? Where is the Master? You said this plan was flawless, that nothing would go wrong!"

Yun Yao interjected: "You keep saying that. If that arrow hadn't just killed him, we could be asking him right now."

Linglong panicked slightly, jumped off her horse, and addressed the other women like a child who had misbehaved: "Sisters, I was wrong. Punish me."

The women smiled helplessly: "How would we dare? If we hurt the Master's girl, he'll scold us to death! Hurry up and send people into the woods to search. The sky is getting dark; be careful not to get caught in the rain here."

Several hundred people rushed into the thicket to search meticulously. Finally, they found the rabbit's nest. The surrounding area showed traces of a fierce battle, but no people were visible—only numerous small holes on the ground indicated something unusual had transpired.

Linglong threw herself onto Gu Fei: "Brother, you promised the Master would be fine. Now... where is he?"

Gu Fei looked genuinely panicked. If any real danger had befallen their leader, it would be disastrous. Hua Qingqing said gently: "Linglong, this isn't Captain Gu's fault. Zhao Qian deliberately requested the 'lure the snake out of its hole' strategy. You must trust him; he will be fine. It's starting to rain; let's return to the Imperial Stable immediately. He will meet us there after he finishes his task."

Linglong asked: "Is the Master truly going to be fine?"

The women nodded: "Yes, he definitely will be fine. Looking at the scene, he defeated strange enemies here not long ago, and then likely left for some other reason."

The battlefield was now clear of the little dwarfs' corpses, but scattered components remained on the ground—which is why the women called the enemy strange. Raindrops began to fall. No further searching could be done in the downpour. Rain on the Twin Stars could be very dangerous; what started as a drizzle might soon become a torrent, possibly accompanied by fierce winds.

:—: The Dwarf Princess coughed up blood, terrifying her attendant who rushed to support her. I sat on the ground nearby, watching the two share their final 'tender' moments. After seemingly conveying all they needed to say, the Dwarf Princess struggled to speak to me: "No matter who you are, you won this battle. Our Dwarf Clan concedes defeat. But one thing: please spare Xiao Cui. She is only my maid; she is young, and I do not wish her to be brutally killed by you."

I replied: "It's fine if I spare both of you, but you must tell me who sent you, and who you are."

The maid named Xiao Cui seemed distinctly unfriendly, shouting angrily: "Don't even dream of getting anything from our mouths! Kill us or torture us as you wish, but please spare the Princess; she is gravely wounded. If you have any conscience, do not harm her."

Fighting women yields no glory, even in victory. I sighed: "Listening to you, I sound like a great villain. Fine, fine, I'll let you go. Even if you don't tell me, I know—Pang Hu must have sent you. And you must have lived underground for a long time? The Dwarf Clan? That makes sense; being short makes burrowing much easier."

The two women remained silent, but judging by the expressions on their faces, my guess was close to the mark. I continued: "You should go. I am clearly the victim, yet now I'm being called heartless. If I hadn't possessed some skill just now, I might have been turned into meat filling for dumplings. I need to rest. You must leave quickly, or it will cause trouble when my people arrive; at that point, I cannot guarantee you'll be able to leave."

The two female dwarfs seemed surprised by my reaction. The Princess, pale from spitting blood, wasn't quite dead yet. She said to her young maid: "Xiao Cui, bury the bodies of our comrades. We were outmatched; we have no one to blame now."

The maid named Xiao Cui obeyed, rising to collect the remains of the comrades I had destroyed. I watched on the side, relieved that all the deceased were male dwarfs. If I had pulled out a beautiful female dwarf like the Princess from the pile, I feared I would suffer remorse for the rest of my life. Ah, this old habit won't change; even if the enemy is beautiful, it's enough to stir my compassion.

"Let me help you," I said, stepping toward Xiao Cui.

"Go away!" The little maid fiercely shoved me aside. Her companions' tragic state had likely ignited her indignation.

"Cough! Cough!" Two more coughs shook the beautiful, delicate Dwarf Princess, who spat up another pool of blood. Pushed away by Xiao Cui, I moved to her side: "Let me treat your wound; otherwise, you might cough yourself to death."

"No need!" The two spoke in unison again. My heart ached for Zhao Qian; alas, Zhao Qian, you truly offered a warm face only to have it spat upon. These were the very people who intended to kill you, yet you sought to help and save them. Even if this princess was so petite and beautiful as to be heart-stoppingly attractive, you shouldn't be so indiscriminate in your affections.

With that thought, I shook my sleeve and walked away, intent on finding my wives. What if something went wrong during the rabbit-catching plan and they got hurt? Though the area was swarming with personal guards, I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to them, so I shouldn't waste any more time here.

Just as I left the jungle where the fighting had occurred, a sinister cackle echoed behind me. My curiosity piqued, I turned back. Those two dwarf women couldn't possibly produce such a sound; someone else must have arrived. I couldn't simply ignore it, especially since they were my enemies, and their identities were so mysterious.

The maidservant, Xiao Cui, stood protectively in front of the beautiful princess. Before them now appeared four more small dwarves, dressed and equipped identically. However, they did not seem to be allies of the first two. If I followed the logic that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, I should feel some goodwill toward these four newcomers. But the opposite was true; these four seemed like the type begging for a beating—precisely the kind of people I despised.

"Princess, I bet you didn't expect this. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. When you deployed all the elite of the Dwarf Clan, I knew a major operation was underway, so I followed you all the way. I never thought this easy advantage would fall to my Nangong family. By now, I trust my father has already seized the throne. Why don't you become my consort? Though you would lose your princess status, you could still secure a position as a noble lady."

"Pah!" Xiao Cui spat, and the princess’s face was a mask of fury. However, she lacked the strength to retort, leaving the task to Miss Xiao Cui. "Nangong Ao, don't try to sow chaos with your deceptive words! We won't believe your lies. The Emperor is protected by twelve elites; you won't touch him in the slightest."

"Hahaha," laughed the dwarf man called Nangong Ao. "You are too naive. Does the Nangong family act without absolute certainty? To tell you the truth, those twelve elites have long been ours. The entire underground Dwarf Kingdom is under our control now. Believe it or not, I have come here to escort the princess back to see for herself, and secondly, to deepen the bond between us. After all, the title of the most beautiful woman in the underground Dwarf Kingdom is not an undeserved reputation."

Nangong Ao’s words caused the dwarf princess and Xiao Cui’s faces to change drastically; their small bodies trembled uncontrollably. If the situation was as he claimed, this operation had not only cost the Dwarf Clan its elite warriors but also allowed the Nangong family to exploit the vacuum and usurp the Dwarf Kingdom’s sovereignty.

Nangong Ao was clearly satisfied with the reaction of the two women. He gestured to the three dwarf warriors behind him. "Take them. Tend carefully to the princess's injuries when we return. I intend to marry her as the Crown Princess; she must not be harmed in any way."

Xiao Cui was fiercely loyal and stepped forward to shield the princess. "Don't even think about it!"

Nangong Ao chuckled. "The maidservant is a gift for you. Take your time with her before you leave. There are fewer than a hundred Dwarf Clan women here; I know your instincts have been itching. Go on."

It seemed that among these peers, burrowing no longer served as a weapon, as Xiao Cui did not use the apparatus on her head to defend herself. She struggled desperately like any ordinary girl, which was truly astonishing. What good was the little strength she possessed? Chik—her black attire was ripped open, revealing her small, tender chest trembling in the wind. The dwarf princess watched in alarm, Puh—another mouthful of blood erupted from her lips. It was finished; her body was already frail, and another two spurts might lead to death by hemorrhage.

The two small dwarves leered and reached for her delicate breasts. Suddenly, a sturdy branch blocked their hands. The three cried out in shock, only then realizing a tall human figure stood before them, smirking at them.

"Y-you are who?" Nangong Ao himself asked, his voice trembling.

I smiled. "One who sees injustice and cannot ignore it. Do you feel no shame? Two girls, one of whom is injured, and the four of you little men bully them like this? Where is your conscience?"

Recalling how Xiao Cui had used the word 'conscience' earlier, I deployed it here. By now, I knew my strength far surpassed these little brutes, so I felt no fear toward them.

Nangong Ao was furious that his moment was interrupted by this unexpected interloper. Relying on his perceived advantage, he subtly signaled his three dwarf warriors. They let out strange shrieks, and high-speed rotating equipment erupted from their heads, hurtling toward my chest.

"Be careful!" Xiao Cui and the princess cried out in unison, realizing that my safety was now linked to theirs, prompting their immediate concern.

"Get out of the way!" I roared, unleashing my fists. The two small dwarves were instantly pierced through their umbrella-like devices, their skulls smashed, killing them instantly.

"The wind is strong, let's scram!" Nangong Ao suddenly yelled, sinking rapidly into the earth. It was too late for me to try and grab him, and in that moment of hesitation, the remaining small dwarf also began to burrow. Let them go; this matter had nothing to do with me. It was just my old habit of playing the hero coming to the rescue again.

However, I remained curious about their tunneling speed. The forest floor held millennia of accumulated leaves and mud, making burrowing easy. Their umbrella-like drilling mechanism was exquisitely crafted; it bored through the earth while simultaneously flinging soil behind them. Its sharpness surpassed any known material on the Gemini planets.

Bang! "Ouch!" A shriek echoed from underground. "What's happening?"

"Reporting to the Crown Prince, we've hit granite."

"What? Didn't they say this equipment could penetrate granite?"

"Perhaps... perhaps we were tricked."

"Damn it! My head is about to shatter! Find another way quickly! I’m eager to return and report this situation to Father. Ximen Yan’s brat found a powerful human ally; we need to reinforce our defenses."

"W-what are you looking at?"

Xiao Cui clutched her clothing and stepped closer to me.

I pulled my gaze back from the hole. "Not looking at anything. I don't understand a word of your gibberish. By the way, she's bleeding quite badly. You should take her to a healer quickly, or I genuinely fear she might pass away."

"We... we have nowhere to go," Xiao Cui suddenly burst into tears. The dwarf princess on the ground had already lost consciousness. The previous shock had aggravated her internal injuries; the moment the enemy retreated and her tension eased, she could no longer hold on.

I felt a pang of apology, after all, I had injured her with a kick. Honestly, it was the first time I had struck a woman so hard. But could I be blamed? I didn't know she was a woman initially, and besides, if I hadn't been ruthless, they would have killed me. We were enemies then, and showing mercy to an enemy is a reckless disregard for one's own life.

I turned to leave, unable to bear Xiao Cui's sorrowful cries. I looked back at her. "Why do you have nowhere to go? At worst, go find Grand Tutor Pang. Surely he wouldn't refuse to help you?"

"I don't know who this Grand Tutor Pang is. We were merely following the Emperor's orders on a mission. This surface world is alien to us, and our underground home has been occupied by villains. W-what should I do? The princess is gravely injured. Please, have a conscience and help us."

Good heavens, women change so fast. One moment she refused my help vehemently, and now she’s crying and begging me. Most people couldn't handle such a rapid shift. But I couldn't blame them; they must have had some sense of security before, believing everything would be fine once they returned home. Now, it seemed these two had become homeless wanderers. Their psychological safety net was shattered, causing them to revert completely to the nature of ordinary women.

I am not one to adhere strictly to rules. Whether they are enemies or benefactors, I help if I wish to help, and I kill if I wish to kill. So, I said to Xiao Cui, "Alright, stop crying. I will help you save the princess. But since those two escaped, this spot might be dangerous, and it looks like rain. Let’s first find a safe place to settle her down."

Xiao Cui nodded. I stepped forward and picked up the 'big' woman who resembled a three-year-old child. After Xiao Cui finished burying her fallen comrades on the battlefield, we plunged deeper into the dense forest. By then, raindrops had started to fall, quickly soaking all three of our clothes. Looking at the 'child' in my arms, I had to admit, she was a woman with an excellent figure. Though a sparrow, she had all the necessary parts—truly petite, exquisite, and miniature.

"There's a hole up ahead!" Xiao Cui reminded me.

I hastily moved my gaze away from the girl in my arms. To harbor lustful thoughts for a child like this would surely draw heavenly wrath. She was at least half a head shorter than Linglong and Ma Xiaorui; I could barely tell the difference between her and the Seven Dwarfs from the fairy tales.

"It’s a large tree hollow. Let’s get inside to shelter from the rain," I said after spotting the opening hidden in the grass.

Xiao Cui anxiously asked, "How is the princess? Will she be alright? You promised to help me save her, and you can't go back on your word. As long as you heal the princess's injuries, I won't pursue the charges of you killing so many of our warriors."

I retorted defensively, "You are really unfair. You provoked me first, and now I am showing exceptional mercy by saving you, yet instead of being grateful, you want to blame me for the fight just now."

Xiao Cui insisted, "We are women; must you haggle over this with us? Are you even a real man, given that towering physique of yours!"

I felt a bead of sweat run down my spine. This little mouth was truly talkative. Looking at her, whose height barely reached my thigh root, I wisely kept quiet. Even if I won the argument, there would be no joy in victory, only the taint of being a large person bullying a small one.

Ancient trees thousands of years old were everywhere in this dense forest. This particular one was a great tree whose trunk had rotted away. Fortunately, it lacked many large branches, so it remained standing for now. The tree hollow was large enough that the three of us could fit inside without crowding; we could even lie down, thanks to how small the other two were.

Perhaps this had once been the lair of some beast, as it was lined with a layer of soft, dry grass. I gently set the princess down and checked her breathing. Xiao Cui asked, "How is the princess?"

I replied, "No breath. It must be from excessive blood loss earlier..."

Before I finished speaking, Xiao Cui shrieked and threw herself onto me. Thankfully, she wasn't planning to stab me through the heart to avenge the princess; otherwise, in this urgent situation, I would have had to kick her away too. But biting my thigh like that was unacceptable. I roughly lifted her up. "Hey! Stop acting like a rabid dog! If you keep this up, I'll toss you out!"

Xiao Cui sobbed, "The princess is dead! You killed her! I will take revenge for her even if I die!"

I was caught between laughter and tears. "I said she had no breath, but I never said she was dead."

Xiao Cui wiped her tears, looking perplexed. "You’re lying! What's the difference between having no breath and being dead? It’s all because you kicked the princess that she got hurt!"

I placed Xiao Cui aside. "I said I would save her, and I can do it. If you continue being unreasonable, I will stop interfering."

Xiao Cui looked skeptical. "You can save her even if she has no breath?"

"Of course. Do you think I'd walk the mountains without nine-tenths certainty? My nickname is Physician Zhao, who revives the dead."

Clearly, these dwarves hadn't heard of my reputation. However, when I took out my syringe-like medical tools, it sparked great curiosity in her. "How do you possess these things?"

"Why shouldn't I?" I carried a life-saving divine needle for just such an emergency, prepared to use it on myself if needed. Since I had kicked this 'princess' and injured her, it was only fair to return it to her.

Xiao Cui said, "It seems only we possess these methods of treatment; surface humans haven't advanced to such a sophisticated degree."

I intentionally tried to scare her. "You're wrong about that. Don't think you're invincible just because you can dig tunnels. Let me tell you, our spaceships can travel through the sky and earth. I actually knew people like you existed long ago, because I once saw a relatively advanced tunneling device—perhaps an ancient relic left behind a thousand years ago. But that's enough proof of your existence. Also, is television your invention?"

Xiao Cui shook her head, watching me draw the fluid. "Television? I don't know what that is. Are you... are you really that powerful?"

I flexed my fist. "Just look at me, won't you?"

My fist had crushed more than a dozen of their people today. Xiao Cui flinched away in fear. Seeing this scene, a hint of pity stirred in my heart. They were just a group of children; perhaps I was too heavy-handed. I'll save the princess first to make amends; as for the others, their bodies were shredded, impossible to save.

"Show me her arm," I instructed Xiao Cui.

It seemed Xiao Cui was familiar with injections, so she didn't stand on ceremony like the women on the Gemini planets. I suspect if I had asked her to expose the little dwarf princess's backside, she would have complied. A pale, jade-like little arm was pulled out from under the black clothing. I plunged the needle into the princess's arm. Since the needle was quite long, her slender arm could barely handle it, but I managed to get the injection in.

I couldn't tell if this medicine was universally effective for both types of humans or if the dosage needed adjustment. These were concerns I couldn't dwell on now. At worst, an overdose would turn her into a superhuman; her life, however, shouldn't be in danger.

Outside the tree hollow, the rain intensified, mixed with a gale. Fortunately, the forest provided shelter; otherwise, the wind would have blown rain into what would have become a small ocean inside. I reached out and plucked a few large leaves from the entrance to shield the opening, while Xiao Cui stayed glued to the princess, fidgeting nervously, checking the princess's pulse every so often.

I tried to reassure her. "Don't worry, it shouldn't be a major issue. Since I injured her with my kick, I naturally must compensate you."

Xiao Cui worried, "But why is there still no breath or pulse?"

My heart was starting to feel uneasy too, but I spoke words of comfort. "The time hasn't come yet. Wait a bit longer."

The weather grew increasingly gloomy. Staring at the raindrops outside, my eyes began to grow heavy. But with these two dangerous individuals present, I dared not truly fall asleep, so I could only occasionally close my eyes for a minute of feigned slumber.