Ximen Yan murmured hesitantly, "Can we trust her again?"

Ouyang Qian replied, "Actually, Xiaoyuer is a good person. Although I can't understand their language, I could tell that last night she genuinely tried to dissuade the mermen from harming Xiaocui and me. It was only her stubborn old father and some despicable ministers who wouldn't let Xiaocui go, which is why they moved us to the Fish Capital."

Xiaocui added, "Yes, Princess. If Xiaoyuer hadn't stopped them then, I might not be seeing you now."

I said, "Then let's trust her one more time. If we want to rush back to Shuangcheng quickly, we have to rely on the mermen's power. Relying on our own two legs, who knows when we'll get back."

Ximen Yan asked, "Didn't you say your energy orb allows for rapid movement? Maybe we don't need the spaceship anymore."

Ouyang Qian looked confused. "What energy orb?"

I explained, "I'll tell you later. Xiaoyuer, I hope there won't be any more accidents this time. Seeing Ouyang Qian and Xiaocui safe and sound, I no longer wish to dwell on past events. Let's call it even. From now on, you take your wide road, and I'll take my single-log bridge. I don't want to get involved in the war between you merfolk and the dwarves, but if you wish to set aside prejudice and focus on developing technology, I can help."

Xiaoyuer spoke coolly, "Thank you. Your blood sample and gene research results are back, Zhao. Your genetics are quite exceptional, and your antiviral resistance is incredibly strong. While I had hoped to keep you here to assist with our research, I see now that was merely a foolish wish. If you don't object to my proposal just now, then follow me. The environment here is too poor. I'll take you to the palace to rest; you can leave tomorrow morning."

The four of us followed the merman Xiaoyuer had brought. He led us into a large house within the Fish Capital. The furnishings were quite nice; many of the bizarre and strange objects were things I had never seen before. As soon as the water-screen device was activated, the merman left. Regrettably, the place was vast and empty, yet there were no blankets or bedding for warmth—just two empty beds. It seemed the merfolk's lifestyle was fundamentally incompatible with ours.

Ximen Yan and Xiaocui took one bed, and I took the other with Ouyang Qian. We all lay down fully clothed. We hadn't eaten or even had fresh water for an entire day and night. Everyone was hungry and exhausted. It seemed obtaining food and water here would be extremely difficult. With no other recourse, we decided to wait until morning before going ashore.

Ouyang Qian closed her eyes and quickly drifted into a hazy sleep, but she kept mumbling to me, "Hubby, Ximen Yan looks at you so strangely. Based on my woman's intuition, there seems to be something improper between you two. Surely she isn't still bothered by the incident where you held me while I was bathing in the sea?"

I glanced toward Ximen Yan and Xiaocui at the opposite end of the room; both girls seemed asleep too. "Qianqian, I don't want to hide anything from you. Ximen Yan and I have been intimate."

Ouyang Qian's sleepiness vanished instantly. She shot her eyes open. "What? I've only been gone for a day and a night, and you've already gotten involved with her? Hurry up and tell me, what was it like making love with Princess Snow White?"

I was stunned. "You can't be serious. I'm not joking with you; we really were intimate."

Ouyang Qian retorted, "Who said you were joking? I expected this long ago; I just didn't think it would develop so fast. Think about it: she’s as playful as an infant, yet her sexual organs are fully mature. Most men wouldn't be able to handle that temptation, let alone a pervert like you. And the crucial thing is that she can transform. That creates the necessary conditions for you to be intimate. I doubt you'd jump at the chance to be intimate with a little girl, but when she transforms into a normal young woman, I absolutely believe you couldn't resist."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought you would be angry. Also, I have two other princess friends in Shuangcheng. One of them, the Emperor has already promised to me as a wife. What's your opinion?"

Ouyang Qian replied, "No opinion, as long as you don't neglect us sisters. You are the husband, you are the heavens; of course, we must listen to you."

"Thank you, Qianqian. You are all so good to me," I said, hugging Ouyang Qian sincerely.

Ouyang Qian snuggled into my embrace. "What are you saying, Hubby? You are the one who is so good to us. I’m so tired, sleepy, and hungry."

I said, "I dare not leave you now. We'll make plans on the surface when it's light. Just bear with it for a bit. What if another accident happens while I'm gone?"

Ouyang Qian nodded. "We really can't feel secure when you aren't here. Don't worry; just think of it as weight loss. Hey, Hubby, should I call Yan Yan over? You could sleep holding both of us."

I said, "Don't let Xiaocui see. We'll talk when it's just the three of us. I'll tell you a secret: her chest, after transforming, is even bigger than yours."

Ouyang Qian secretly reached down to touch my manhood. "What's so surprising about that? In our Zhao family, I wasn't known for my bust size to begin with. But could she really be bigger than Sister Nana or Sister Susu? So I'm not envious."

I chuckled quietly, "Then what are you known for?"

Ouyang Qian snuggled down beneath me. "What do you think? Have you forgotten the titles of Su Xue and me? We are the exhibitionist, little lustful vixen, experts at seducing men until they are hopelessly infatuated—the kind that can't be satisfied even with a hundred times in one night..."

Ouyang Qian couldn't finish because her mouth was filled. Since I was turned to the side, facing away from Ximen Yan and Xiaocui, they wouldn't notice anything improper happening in my arms even if they woke up. Ouyang Qian was indeed a seductive enchantress; no wonder Fang Yanmeng was most wary of her back then. But a vixen must have her own unique methods for charming men, and Ouyang Qian exuded sensuality from every pore. Soon, gripping the flesh of her breasts, I sank into waves of ecstasy.

Drowsily, I sensed someone arriving. Opening my eyes, I saw it was Xiaoyuer bursting into the room. Fortunately, Ouyang Qian's cleanup work was thorough; nothing improper could be discovered. Xiaoyuer stood at the doorway shouting, "Zhao, wake up quickly! My father wants to kill those dwarves. You must stop him immediately, or he will become more deeply entrenched, and then he and Sister Yan's group will truly become hereditary enemies!"

The other three women were startled awake. Ximen Yan asked, "What's happening?"

Xiaoyuer explained, "My father brought back the dwarves we held captive in the underwater base. This morning, he suddenly decided to execute them. I didn't have time to notify you, so I rushed to take the dwarves out of the prison and hide them temporarily in a Fish-Whale War Chariot. But my father discovered the dwarves missing and started a city-wide search. They will be found soon. You must think of a way!"

I said, "Normally speaking, those dwarves are prisoners of war to the merfolk, and we shouldn't interfere too much. However, this matter concerns Ximen Yan, so we cannot stand by idly. Let's go; we'll take them and flee the Fish Capital together."

Xiaoyuer said, "I'll lead the way for you... Why don't you trust me?"

Ouyang Qian interjected, "I believe Xiaoyuer. Let's go."

Everywhere on the route, merman soldiers were visible. Xiaoyuer quickly led us to the Fish-Whale War Chariot hidden among the civilian dwellings. Opening the hatch, we indeed found a group of dwarves inside—the same ones whose clothes I had stripped off last night. Of course, Ximen Qing was not among them; corpses wouldn't be brought back to the Fish Capital.

Xiaoyuer urged, "You must leave quickly. Once you break through the surface, fly straight east, and you will soon reach the coastline of the Jin Kingdom. Then, fly straight along the route to Shuangcheng."

Ouyang Qian asked, "Xiaoyuer, what about you? If you secretly release the dwarves, won't your father punish you?"

Xiaoyuer replied, "I am his only daughter; my father won't do anything to me. Hurry, or it will be too late."

Ximen Yan turned to Xiaoyuer. "Thank you, Xiaoyuer. Although I don't like these dwarves, they are my kin after all, and I'm glad to save them. You must be careful. If your father treats you poorly, you can come to our underground city; I will definitely welcome you."

Xiaoyuer insisted, "Stop talking about that now. The city-wide search started when I went to find you. I fear they will trace back here any moment. Hurry up, or with the speed of this war chariot, I worry you'll be captured before you even surface."

Suddenly, a throbbing sonic vibration echoed. Xiaoyuer's expression changed. "This is bad, they found this place! Hurry and go!"

Xiaoyuer leaped out of the Fish-Whale War Chariot. Before the hatch could close, a large number of merman soldiers sprang out from every corner of the water and from behind houses. Thousands of Fish-Whale War Chariots quickly converged overhead. They encircled the area like an impenetrable iron barrel. Xiaoyuer stood blocking the hatch, helplessly saying, "We were discovered after all. Why can't I ever succeed in one thing? Why does fate torment me like this?"

The sudden encirclement frightened the three women too. I said, "Don't worry. I'm not sure if I can save these little dwarves, but getting you away safely is effortless."

Ouyang Qian looked at the dense swarm of Fish-Whale War Chariots outside the hatch. "Can we break out? Are the merfolk going to fight us to the death? We should consider this carefully. Your body just recovered."

I tested the energy within me and recalled the battle at the underwater base last night. I felt handling the current situation shouldn't be a major issue, but failing to rescue the dwarves was annoying. Ximen Yan might not complain, but she certainly hoped her compatriots could be saved.

The war chariots opened a passage, and under heavy guard, the Merman Emperor appeared. This time, the opponent seemed prepared. Although mermen cannot produce vocal sound, they have computers here. To wage war against the dwarves and to learn their techniques for using Blue Crystal energy stones, the merfolk understood the dwarven language, and their computers contained their character sets. Several characters were projected in the water before the hatch.

Xiaoyuer dove back into the water-screen device. "I know you must suspect me again, but I truly wanted to save them, and I never expected them to trace us here so quickly."

Ouyang Qian went over and steadied Xiaoyuer. "Don't be afraid, Xiaoyuer, I believe you. You are a good girl. Sister knows you wouldn't harm us."

These few words moved Xiaoyuer so much that she collapsed onto the floor. "Thank you, Sister Ouyang! All my painstaking efforts would be worth dying for if I could earn those words from you."

Ximen Yan read the characters projected in the water. "The Merman Emperor asks us to leave the Princess and the dwarves behind. They promise not to pursue matters regarding us and do not wish to offend us. But these captured dwarves cannot be released because they are murderers; many merfolk died at their hands. If we forcibly intervene, the merfolk will mobilize their entire nation against us this time."

The dwarves inside the cabin also understood the projected text. Terrified, they all immediately knelt before us. "Save us, Princess Ximen Yan! You must save us. The underwater city is destroyed; our only way out is the underground city. We will be the most compliant citizens there from now on; you cannot abandon us!"

I said, "Since we've already gotten involved, we can't abandon this midway. I'll try to protect this war chariot with my energy orb, and we'll charge out together."

Ouyang Qian worried, "The chariot is so large; I'm afraid that won't work. Even if it does, it will severely damage your body. We should find another way."

Xiaoyuer, who was being half-held by Ouyang Qian, suddenly lashed out, snatching the knife I had used to cut the octopus meat from Ouyang Qian's waist. She then struggled out of Ouyang Qian's embrace, steadying the hatch with one hand while holding the knife to her own throat with the other. Her mouth opened slightly, and she emitted a sonic wave toward the Merman Emperor opposite them.

Ouyang Qian cried out in alarm, "Xiaoyuer, what are you doing? Put the knife down, it's dangerous!"

Xiaoyuer turned back with a desolate smile. "Sister Ouyang, I truly want to repay the life-saving grace you and Zhao showed me. How cruel fate is—it's always me who ends up harming you. This time, I will risk my life to ensure my father safely lets you leave. Otherwise, Xiaoyuer will truly die from the guilt of her brother's death."

Ouyang Qian and Ximen Yan stomped their feet. "You’re being foolish! What happened in the past is past; we don't blame you! Your life is important; put the knife down immediately!"

Xiaoyuer wept and shook her head. Just then, the projected text outside changed. Ximen Yan read aloud, "The Merman Emperor demands Xiaoyuer drop the knife, or he will never acknowledge her as his daughter again, severing their father-daughter relationship, and he will also exile Xiaoyuer from the merfolk nation."

Xiaoyuer ignored the 'threats,' emitted several sonic waves from her position at the hatch, and then turned back to us. "Start the chariot quickly! As long as I am here, my father and the others won't dare to lay hands on you. Hurry!"

Ouyang Qian urgently asked me, "Zhao Qian, the enemy forces are too numerous. Are you confident you can force a path out?"

I drove my stream of consciousness to probe the surroundings. Merfolk soldiers were spread out across a radius of over ten nautical miles. Even if we broke through, it would be a river of blood. This was not the outcome I desired. If this happened, the Twins Star system would never know peace. Vengeance breeds endless conflict; if I kill them today, they will surely seek revenge tomorrow.

Xiaoyuer suddenly pressed the knife harder, and a stream of bright red blood trickled down her neck. "Zhao, if you don't go, I will die in front of you! Xiaoyuer has failed to repay your life-saving grace and has only been used by my father. This time, I must get you out! Hurry up and start the chariot!"

Ouyang Qian was startled by the sight of Xiaoyuer's blood. "Zhao Qian, hurry and go! I'm afraid Xiaoyuer will act rashly and do something foolish."

Merfolk technology was quite advanced; their chariots could operate both in water and out of it. I quickly found the control panel. Although I couldn't read the script, I realized my X-ray vision had recovered significantly. A brief examination of the integrated circuitry was enough for me to grasp the basics. I might not operate it skillfully, but slowly starting it up shouldn't be a problem.

The Merman Emperor's face showed deep concern. As Xiaoyuer continued to threaten him, he ordered his subordinates to clear a path. The war chariot floated upward and finally broke the surface, ascending into the air. Given the laws of merfolk existence, they could not pursue above the water. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

With a clang, Xiaoyuer's knife fell to the floor. The journey had been long, and she could no longer hold on. Ouyang Qian went forward to support her. "Xiaoyuer, how could you be so foolish? We could have found another way to escape."

Xiaoyuer gave a weak smile. "Sister Ouyang, I finally did one thing to repay you. So this is what the outside world is like... The sunlight is so harsh on my eyes. Perhaps it's not meant for me."

Everyone looked up outside the cabin. Indeed, the sky had cleared, and the rising sun blinded them. Surrounding them was the boundless ocean in every direction. Fortunately, the Fish-Whale War Chariot had a directional indicator. Although global positioning was impossible, as long as they flew east, they were sure to reach the coast of the Jin Kingdom.

With a thump of water hitting metal, everyone looking out at the bright sunlight turned back in surprise. Ouyang Qian cried out, "Xiaoyuer jumped out!"

Ximen Yan exclaimed, "She can't leave! Her father will definitely punish her! The Emperor made such a severe promise in front of tens of thousands of soldiers. If Xiaoyuer returns to the Fish Capital, she will certainly be punished, perhaps even exiled from the merfolk nation."

Ouyang Qian fretted, "Oh no, what are we going to do? She's so muddled! She should have just stayed with us. Why did she jump in?"

Ximen Yan insisted, "She must not want us to doubt the sincerity of her attempt to save us. I truly believe Xiaoyuer has no ill intentions toward us."

Ouyang Qian rushed into the war chariot's control room and pulled me up. "Come with me quickly!"

I was confused. "What for? I need to drive the chariot. Can you take over?"

Ouyang Qian said, "There's no time! Just let it fly by itself, and jump down quickly!"

Ouyang Qian pointed outside the hatch at me. I glanced out and then pulled my head back in. "Are you out of your mind? Why should I jump down?"

Ouyang Qian shoved me out, saying, "Go find Xiaoyuer! If she goes back to the Fish Capital now, she will be punished. We’ll take her with us!"

Only then did I realize Xiaoyuer had already left. With the cut on her neck, re-entering the water could lead to infection. That foolish fish—did she think I would be grateful? I was more likely to call her a complete idiot.

Xiaoyuer must have swum quite far. I didn't see any trace of her after entering the water, but my thought power is no child's toy. As long as I allowed my brain to project outward, all scenes would appear in my mind. I had experienced similar phenomena after my evolution on Earth, but the ability seemed nowhere near this strong before.

Far away, on a patch of underwater reef, Xiaoyuer was lying there, her shoulders heaving—she must have been weeping. I swam over quickly and lowered my external energy shield to its lowest setting. After last night’s experiment crashing into the chariot, I knew that with precise control, I could keep the shield from dissolving any object it touched. If controlled perfectly, it could repel water without harming any person or object entering the energy field.

Xiaoyuer noticed the surrounding seawater receding. She raised her head and turned. "Zhao! W-why are you here?"

I replied, "Looking for you, you big fool! Why did you jump in?"

Xiaoyuer turned her face away from me. "Why should I stay there? The sea is my home; I’m going back to the Fish Capital. Goodbye."

I grabbed Xiaoyuer's arm. "Xiaoyuer, you can't go back now. Your father is furious. Come with me first; I'll take you back when he calms down."

Xiaoyuer struggled. "Why should I go with you? Since you met me, there's been nothing but trouble. I'm a troublemaker, a good-for-nothing burden. I really can't hold my head up in front of you. Let me go; give me some dignity and self-respect, please?"

Blood beads were still seeping from the wound on Xiaoyuer's neck. My heart ached. "No, you can't go anywhere looking like this. Come with me. When I sort out my current affairs, I will personally escort you back to the Fish Capital. By then, your father's anger will have subsided, and I believe he won't make things difficult for you."

Xiaoyuer wrenched her hand free and cried, "Don't bother with me! I'm not one of yours. At worst, I'll just die. I've already died once. You go! Don't ever come back, and I don't want your help with anything. Just don't let me see you again!"

I was confused. "Xiaoyuer, do you truly hate me that much? Just because I disrupted your life?"

Saying this, Xiaoyuer dove headfirst into the water. "Don't ask me; my heart is a mess."

I immediately chased after her and wrapped my arms around her smooth back. With a flick of Xiaoyuer's tail, smack, her seaweed undergarment snapped again. That wasn't all; as my hands moved, the clasp of her seaweed skirt came undone, pulling it down too. Xiaoyuer gasped and immediately covered herself.

With three points simultaneously exposed, she couldn't possibly cover herself. I awkwardly turned my face away and handed the seaweed garment back to her. "Don't run off, or I'll have to chase you again. You're dressed so seductively; I can't guarantee I won't take liberties."

Xiaoyuer said indignantly, "You're bullying me again! This isn't the first time you've stripped someone!"

I countered, "Then stop running and struggling, alright? I promise not to take your clothes off again."

Xiaoyuer wiped the tears from her eyes. "But what would it look like if I went back with you? Ximen Yan would look down on me, and even Sister Ouyang would misunderstand me."

I said, "No, you are my friend, and the friends of them too. I can introduce you to many more friends later. I'll take you to see our starship. I've noticed that while your war-chariot-ships have advanced power systems, they lack many necessary conditions for space travel, and you lack satellite support here. If conditions allow, we should develop satellites first. Then, a global positioning system could mark the exact location of even an ant on a computer map. We could even start an internet and telecommunications company, build a batch of mobile phones to sell among surface dwellers, subterranean humans, and subaquatic humans..."

Xiao Yu'er replied, "I don't understand any of that, but I still prefer researching genetic engineering. Oh, and your genes are very strange; even the most potent viruses here are destroyed by them. Are all you aliens like this? However, the vitality of your somatic cells is quite short; they will surely self-destruct within six hours of leaving your body, and with our technology, cloning and replication are simply impossible. Tell me, if someone wanted to inherit your excellent genes, what exactly should they do?"

I said, "That question is too complex, and I'm not entirely clear on many aspects either. But you can stay by my side and study it slowly; I will certainly cooperate actively. Besides, I have a girlfriend who is an expert in that field. If you have any questions, you can ask her. Heh heh, you have a fantastic figure; you must have many handsome suitors pursuing you."

As the two spoke, they unknowingly found themselves face to face. Xiao Yu'er tried several times to put her torn seaweed dress back on but couldn't manage it. At first, she instinctively covered her vital areas, but merfolk usually aren't bothered by such things. It was just that Xiao Yu'er had been indoctrinated with surface human ideology while up on the water the night before, which is why she was suddenly concerned with covering her three points. But as the conversation deepened, her hands unconsciously shifted position. Thus, her firm, hemispherical breasts and her smooth, snow-white lower body were revealed before me.

Xiao Yu'er blushed deeply at my teasing remark, but she immediately puffed out her chest and retorted, "Of course! If I had a pair of legs, I guarantee I could seduce you! Hmph, just thinking about Xi Menyan's smug look makes me angry, as if she's the only girl around."

Xiao Yu'er’s supple chest thrust forward, her two small cherries igniting a fire in my heart. Unable to help myself, I turned my head away to avoid looking, saying, "You've already seduced me now. If you want legs, I imagine it shouldn't be a difficult matter. After all, our skeletal structures are similar. With a certain level of bio-regeneration technology combined with supreme medical skill, your legs could certainly be fashioned through surgery."

"Really?" Xiao Yu'er exclaimed, overjoyed. She was merely a child; the sadness from moments ago had already vanished like passing clouds. "Then can I live in the outside world just like you do?"

I replied, "Other than a slight issue with your skin, the other problems shouldn't be major. However, I think as long as manufacturing technology reaches the required standard, we can completely produce a type of moisturizing garment, and then you won't have to worry about anything."

"That would be wonderful if possible!" Xiao Yu'er suddenly threw away the seaweed dress in her hand and hugged me tightly. "Zhao, will you help me realize this dream? To be honest, I long for space, I long for the galaxy you spoke of. I want to pilot a spaceship and explore everywhere. But the very first step I need to take is to leave the ocean. I know your energy is incredibly powerful; please help me, won't you?"

Holding such a perfectly formed, exquisite woman in my arms made me tense. I stammered, "I can help you, but can we stop with the embraces from now on? I'm a normal man. If you press against me like this, I'm afraid something might happen."

This time, Xiao Yu'er didn't blush; instead, she giggled, "Actually, down in the depths, ordinary men and women are always completely open with each other. As long as you don't think of anything inappropriate in your heart, how could I affect you?"

I am certainly no righteous gentleman. To hold a naked, beautiful mermaid and not think inappropriately—only a ghost could manage that. I subtly reached out and pinched her nipple, saying, "But my mind is entirely full of inappropriate thoughts. What should we do about that?"

Xiao Yu'er hadn't expected me to pinch her nipple; her body trembled, and she slumped onto my shoulder. "Don't pinch! I... I can't bear it! You should go find Xi Menyan; you two already performed that indecent act in public anyway. Or Ouyang Jie-jie can do it! In any case, I'm still young; don't scare me."

I asked, "Have other merfolk seen your body too?"

Xiao Yu'er replied, "Yes, it's very normal where we are. But you are the first person to actually touch me. Please take your hand away. My body is so soft. Ever since you said those things to me last night, I decided that I would never let anyone else see my body again in this life. But now you are doing this—what should I do?"

I said, "From our perspective, you have only one option: marry me."

Xiao Yu'er seemed a little scared. "Ah! Is there any other way? Then let my decision only take effect after this time, okay?"

I felt a surge of satisfaction in my heart. Although Xiao Yu'er's charms had been exposed before, it was due to her environment, so I couldn't hold too much against her. Still, being the first person to touch this mermaid's body was worth taking pride in. Counting this, she was essentially a virgin to me. If I couldn't broaden my mind and vision, how could I court the endless beauties in the universe? There might even be some who naturally grow up naked in the jungle, but if there were, I probably wouldn't be interested in them.

Xiao Yu'er was young, and there wasn't much of an emotional foundation between us. Today, taking the chance of her being happy to throw herself into my arms and pinching her nipple was already fortunate. If I pushed things further, I wasn't sure if she would get angry. Better to quit while ahead and avoid being slapped, which would be awkward for both of us.

I used one hand to steady Xiao Yu'er's waist and the other to pick up the seaweed skirt from the ground. "I told you not to run, but you insisted on running. Now your clothes are ruined, what do we do?"

Xiao Yu'er ignored the clothes on the ground and said to me, "Zhao, you truly won't hold past grudges and will help me realize my dream? If so, I won't return to the Merman Kingdom. Well, first help me with the surgery to grow my legs, alright? Then help me design a moisturizing outfit—I want a pretty one. I'm already ugly; wearing an ugly outfit would make me look even worse. After that, take me back to Earth to see your technology. Then, help me build a spaceship, and I will roam the universe, never returning to see my father again. He's a scoundrel; I hate him to death."

Completely acting like a child, I said, "I promise you everything. Will you come back with me now?"

Xiao Yu'er pulled me with her body and said, "Let's go. I thought I was going to die here all alone this time. I'm so happy now; I can play with you friends again. I don't need the clothes; didn't you promise to help me design a moisturizing suit later?"

I said, "But now I need a way to go back and report in. You don't expect to be seen like this by those short men, do you? I think they might burst a blood vessel from shock. Your figure is just too tempting."

Xiao Yu'er smiled proudly. She picked up the clothes. "We can just gather some more seaweed to tie around me, but this seaweed will wither if exposed to the air for too long; it can only cover me temporarily."

I said, "Even one minute is enough. I need something to report back with, or else they'll think we did something shameful here."

Xiao Yu'er's mood brightened considerably. After all, she was just a child without complex thoughts; feeling that her wishes were about to come true, she cast all worries aside. "Zhao, when you pinched my nipple just now, does that count as something shameful? What would happen if I told them?"

I immediately begged for mercy in fright. "Please, don't say anything reckless! I was just overcome by your seduction. At worst, I'll help you with a few more things in the future."

Xiao Yu'er laughed, "You said that yourself! Then let's hurry up and gather some seaweed so the others aren't kept waiting."

I stopped the little mermaid who was about to swim off. "Stop moving around! Be careful of the wound on your neck. We'll go together."

Xiao Yu'er happily exclaimed, "Ah! So you do care about me too! I'm so happy." What an easily pleased mermaid!

When I returned to the war chariot with the exhilarated Xiao Yu'er, several women stared blankly. How could the mermaid who had been weeping like a heartbroken soul moments ago become so cheerful in such a short time? Xiao Yu'er declared, "Jie-jies, I've decided not to leave. You must all take good care of me from now on."

The women quickly compared the drastic change in Xiao Yu'er and secretly gave me a thumbs-up. While we might not be superior in other skills, we were top-tier when dealing with girls—and I had just subdued another princess.

"Look! The coastline is just ahead!" Xiao Cui shouted, pointing forward.

I sank into the pilot's seat. "Finally, some hope. Let's find a place to eat, drink, and get some decent clothes first, then we'll release these mermen. After reporting back to my wives in Shuāngchéng, I'll go to the underground city to help Xi Menyan."

Xiao Yu'er anxiously reminded me, "Don't forget about me and my affairs!"

By this time, all the women knew why Xiao Yu'er had become so happy. Ouyang Qian said comfortingly, "Don't worry, Xiao Yu'er. Things like yours aren't a big deal on Earth. Once we get back, we can get it sorted out for you quickly."

Xiao Yu'er asked, "Ouyang Jie-jie, can't it be managed here? I really can't wait."

Ouyang Qian replied, "The manufacturing conditions here are too low; it might genuinely be difficult."

Xi Menyan interjected, "Xiao Yu'er, no need to rush. Our underground city's production process is no worse than yours. When the time comes, Zhao Qian can provide the blueprints, and I will help you make the moisturizing suit. As for the surgery to grow legs, I think we should ask Hua Qingqing Jie-jie; I might need to ask her for a favor too."

Xiao Yu'er asked, "Is that Hua Qingqing Jie-jie as nice as you all? I'm afraid she might ignore me. After all, I'm a... a specimen."

Ouyang Qing comforted Xiao Yu'er, "No, she's Zhao Qian's wife too, and she's even gentler than I am. And she smells so fragrant! You'll love her when you meet her."

I had been gazing ahead. Seeing the people coming and going on the pier, I told the group, "Find a secluded spot to land. Once we've eaten, drunk, and settled our immediate concerns, we'll head to Shuāngchéng."

Shuāngchéng was shrouded in a heavy mist. Consecutive days of rain and low temperatures resulted in thick fog every night, making it hard to see figures even a few steps away. A faint light emanated from Ma Xiaowei's sleeping quarters. The women had been staying there recently; naturally, they weren't sleeping on the floor anymore, having simply set up several more beds in the main hall. All the eunuchs and male servants who used to handle chores there had been replaced by palace maids, as it was inconvenient for men to be involved in the daily life of so many women.

After some mutual recommendation and deference, the women elected two directors for the Women's Federation: Yun Yao as the head director and Ma Xiaowei as the deputy. The reason they looked to Yun Yao for leadership at this moment was partly due to her independent nature. Since she often performed outside, her experience in handling matters was richer than that of Zhou Ni and Xu Chen, who were also independent. As for Ma Xiaowei, she was deeply familiar with the situation in Shuāngchéng, and besides, she was genuinely talented—otherwise, she wouldn't have been elected military supervisor twice in a row. As for Cheng Susu and Hua Qingqing, although they were more worldly and smooth-talking on Earth, on Twin Star, they still had to follow Yun Yao's command.

The head and deputy directors of the Federation hadn't given their speeches yet, but Ma Xiaorui always jumped in first to stir things up, invariably earning a glare from Linglong. Ma Xiaorui, unconcerned, continued her address: "I say, sisters, since the location where Ah San, Ah Si, Ah Mao, and Ah Gou are imprisoned has been confirmed, we should launch our operation tonight while the fog is thick and visibility is low."

Yun Yao nodded. "Personally, I think it's time to make a move. Our influence is being gradually eroded by Pang Hu. If we delay any longer, who knows if those few will be in danger? Zhao Qian hasn't sent any word; it's truly worrisome."

The women paid no mind to Yun Yao's slightly rambling speech. In fact, they were all extremely anxious themselves. Believing their man was safe was one thing, but his prolonged silence was another matter entirely. When a woman loses her man, it is a terrifying, world-ending event.

Seeing the somber mood, Ma Xiaowei said, "Sisters, worrying won't help. It's better to focus on how to rescue them. I have already sent someone to invite the Crown Prince; we can discuss launching the operation tonight."

Linglong placed a map on the table and spread it out. "This is the floor plan of that secret prison in Central City. The enemy has five hundred soldiers guarding it, and the prison site is very close to the Imperial Guard barracks. A large-scale troop movement for a direct assault is definitely out; it would inevitably cause chaos in Central City. Therefore, the only way to save them is by cunning."

He Yuqing looked troubled. "The defenses inside the prison are formidable. How can we do this without being discovered? Unless we dig a tunnel to burrow in, but we don't have the time. If we only needed to bring one person out, we could disguise ourselves and sneak in, but getting all four of them out together—that’s a bit precarious."

Ma Xiaorui suddenly exclaimed, "Have you forgotten someone? Perhaps we can have him dig a hole, and it'll be done in a short time."

The women paused. "You mean Xi Menyan? She can barely save herself right now; we can't even find a way to help her. How can she possibly help us?"

Ma Xiaorui clarified, "No, I mean Han Wei, the digging expert from Huyang Prefecture! He's a mine manager now, rich and successful, but my brother-in-law promoted him back then. If we ask him for help, would he refuse? If he refuses, we'll just seize his precious digging tool, and we can tunnel into the prison in no time."

Han Wei possessed an excavator, a product of super-civilization, which Zhu Shou had snatched away earlier. After conquering Huyang Prefecture, the Marshal graciously returned the device to him. If they requested help from Han Wei now, he surely wouldn't refuse. A wave of joy washed over the women. That thing could burrow incredibly fast; if the starting point was closer to the prison, it wouldn't take an hour to reach it. However, they needed to be extremely careful when measuring the direction, lest they drill right under a prison guard's feet.

Cheng Susu and Hua Qingqing volunteered, "The two of us will be responsible for measuring the drilling location. Yun Yao and Linglong, you two can go find Han Wei. What do you think?"

Head Director Yun Yao stated, "I have no objection. Xiaowei?"

Ma Xiaowei agreed, "I consent. Be careful on your journey."

Yun Yao and Linglong were old partners. Yun Yao could completely carry Linglong to Huyang using her anti-gravity boots, but considering they would need to bring Han Wei and the excavator back, they decided to steal a starship first. Pang Hu guarded the four starships belonging to the Imperial Horse Bureau and the Zhao Residence heavily, but Linglong was supremely skilled. She easily infiltrated the Zhao Residence, knocked out a dozen guards, and fled with Yun Yao aboard the Qingqing.

The two women soon arrived in Huyang. They bypassed the Prefecture Office and went directly to the headquarters of the First Army Group. The First Army was garrisoned in Huyang. Commander Cheng Qiang was originally a Thousand-household Commander in the Imperial Guard. After the restructuring, he was promoted to Deputy Commander. When Gu Qi led troops back to Shuāngchéng, Cheng Qiang was promoted to full Commander. Upon hearing that the two ladies needed to find Han Wei, he immediately sent men to look for him, simultaneously learning about the events unfolding in Shuāngchéng.

Cheng Qiang held deep respect for his old Marshal. Upon hearing the news of the disappearance, he was deeply grieved. "Ladies, please forgive me. Being stationed on the frontier, I was unaware of the happenings in the court. I urge you to keep your spirits up. Lord Zhao is a reincarnation of the God of War; he won't easily depart. He will surely return soon, for the Nation of Shuāngchéng cannot exist without him."

Linglong was secretly delighted that Cheng Qiang counted her among the wives. "Commander Cheng, there's no need to worry. We have full confidence in waiting for our Lord's return. However, Pang Dang's tyranny cannot be ignored. Once we rescue those few officials, we can discuss how to strike back against Pang Hu."

Cheng Qiang rose from his seat and knelt respectfully. "Ladies, your servant Cheng Qiang knows he possesses limited abilities, but if you require anything, please do not hesitate to command. Although the Jin Kingdom and the Ten Thousand Horse Kingdom are eyeing us greedily, being in my post, I dare not leave. But if Pang Hu dares to disrespect the Lord's legacy, we will certainly march back to Shuāngchéng to reinforce you, even if it means being charged with dereliction of duty."

Yun Yao emotionally stepped forward and helped Cheng Qiang up. "Thank you, Commander Cheng. If that day truly comes, we will undoubtedly have to trouble all of you."

Cheng Qiang replied, "You are too kind, Madam. The Lord showed us grace through recognizing our potential, and we hold him in the highest regard. I will send swift riders to inform Commander Ding, Lord Liu, and Lord Lin of this. Ladies, please issue your commands!"

Heartened by this support, Yun Yao formed a bold plan in her mind, but for now, the rescue was paramount. She decided to propose it later at the family meeting. Han Wei soon arrived. Yun Yao briefly explained the situation to him. Han Wei turned around without a word and headed back to retrieve his family heirloom.

Yun Yao knew time was of the essence. "Let's go together, Commander Cheng. We must take our leave for now."

Han Wei responded, "That would be best. I have a few of my most trusted assistants; we'll bring them along. The underground tunnel will be dug much faster with more hands."

Yun Yao and Linglong were naturally thrilled. Han Wei was considered a confidant, so the soldiers he requested should be trustworthy. The trio flew the starship to the Huyang Iron Mine—the former location of Prince Shou's residence. Before the ship had even fully landed, Han Wei kicked open the hatch and leaped out. To be honest, he was indeed anxious. Han Wei owed his current status entirely to the Marshal's patronage back then, and the recovery of his ancestral treasure made him even more grateful. Han Wei never thought he would have the chance to repay them in this lifetime, yet now his benefactor was in trouble, and his wife was making a request. How could he not be eager? He had to handle this perfectly; if even the slightest mistake occurred, he would lose all face.

The office and the family quarters of the iron mine were located within Prince Shou's former rear garden. Han Wei kept his treasured artifact at home rather than storing it at the mine. He kicked the door open with a loud thud. His wife, Lady Hu, who had just entered, rushed out. "Husband, what is it? You look so frantic. Someone from the military headquarters came looking for you just now; are you being conscripted?"

Han Wei ignored her question. "Hurry and notify those few Little Hui-zis! Tell them to assemble immediately at the office front—no dawdling, or I'll expel them from the lineage!"

Lady Hu was a beautiful woman, and Han Wei had always treated her well. She asked with confusion, "Husband, what is it that's so urgent? I'm worried about you..."

Han Wei, who was already underground searching for his heirloom, poked his head out and nearly jumped up: "Go, just go! If you delay the matter, I'll divorce you!"

Lady Hu had never seen Han Wei so enraged; she didn't dare disobey his orders and left tearfully. Yun Yao entered right after. "Han Dage, what happened? Sister-in-law is crying."

Han Wei hauled the excavator out of the secret room. "That woman doesn't understand the urgency of the situation. Lady Yun, please pay her no mind."

Yun Yao said, "Han Dage, we still have a relatively generous amount of time; you don't need to be this anxious."

Han Wei beat his chest. "Lady Yun, it's untrue to say I'm not anxious! I know Lord Ah Mao. He and the Master saved this humble servant outside Huyang City years ago. Now that the Master is missing and they are imprisoned by Pang Hu, my heart feels like it's burning! I wish I could rescue them right now, and then we could all go search for the Master together."

Yun Yao felt a surge of emotion once more, mixed with a deep sense of pride. While her husband might appear jovial in everyday life, every single one of his friends was the type upon whom one could stake their very life. To have such a husband—she must have cultivated tens of thousands of blessings in a past life. If he returned safely, she wouldn't tire of him even if he asked her to dance until morning light, night after night.

People and supplies quickly gathered before the hatch of the Qingqing. Han Wei turned to Hu Shi. "Wife, you should return home. I have weighty matters to attend to. This is critically important, so do not press for details."

Hu Shi's eyes were red and swollen. Though she saw the beautiful Yun Yao and Linglong, she dared not question her husband's fidelity. Submissively, she started toward home. Han Wei looked at the assembled disciples. "Little ones, regardless of how much you've fooled around with me before, today your mistresses have entrusted us with a paramount task. This mission allows for success only, nothing less. If even the slightest mishap occurs, you are all expelled from this sect. And who knows, I might just bury you myself! Therefore, you must focus with every fiber of your being."

The group of disciples roared back, "Master, rest assured! We shall achieve success or perish in the attempt!"

Han Wei waved his hand with satisfaction. "Carry my ancestral treasures onto the shuttlecraft!"