Chapter 39: The Sensible Guo Xiang – Piccolo Grabs the Mission!

"Father! Don't worry about me! Even if I die, I have no regrets. You are a great hero. You can't abandon the people of Xiangyang just to save me!"

Tears welled up in Guo Xiang's eyes as she shouted from the platform where she was held captive next to King Jinlun.

She was just a teenage girl. In the face of death, it was only natural to feel fear. Yet, in this critical moment, her bravery and clarity surpassed her years.

She knew her father wasn't just a parent—he was the last hope of Xiangyang City, the hero standing between tens of thousands of innocents and a brutal Mongolian army.

If Guo Jing surrendered just to save her, the city would fall. Thousands would die. And her father's name would forever be tarnished.

So, even though fear gripped her heart, Guo Xiang refused to be the reason her father abandoned his duty.

Her sensibility moved even the cruelest heart.

---

On the platform, King Jinlun's expression wavered.

He looked down at Guo Xiang, and for a moment, genuine sorrow crossed his face.

He hadn't intended to harm her—he never did. Deep down, he admired her spirit and had even hoped to make her his apprentice.

In fact, in the future, he would go so far as to sacrifice his life to protect her.

But for now, as the Mongolian Empire's National Teacher and a representative of the Khan, he had no choice. He had to carry out this act of coercion.

His ideal outcome? Guo Jing surrenders, the city is taken without further bloodshed, and Guo Xiang's life is spared. In return, perhaps she would agree to become his disciple.

A perfect ending.

But he knew it wasn't going to happen.

Because if Guo Jing were the kind of man who would surrender, he would not be Guo Jing.

---

"Xiang'er!"

From atop Xiangyang's city wall, Guo Jing and Huang Rong stood, their faces contorted with grief and helplessness as they gazed at their daughter.

She was right there—so close, yet impossibly far.

To surrender was out of the question.

Doing so would doom the entire city and its people. Their names would go down in history as traitors and cowards.

And besides, even if they gave up, there was no guarantee they would be allowed to live. The Mongols were not known for their mercy.

No—they had no way out. And their martial prowess, though unmatched in the martial world, wasn't enough to storm an enemy camp alone and save their daughter.

For the first time, Guo Jing questioned everything.

What use was fame and heroism, if he couldn't even protect his own flesh and blood?

---

Just then, a voice echoed in Guo Jing's mind.

"It looks like you're in trouble. Would you like help dealing with these Mongol soldiers and rescuing your daughter?"

Guo Jing's eyes widened in alarm. He spun around, trying to find the source.

"Who's there?! Who said that?!"

His sudden outburst caught the attention of Huang Rong and Guo Fu beside him.

"Brother Jing, what's wrong?" Huang Rong asked, concerned.

"Didn't you hear that voice just now?"

"Voice? What voice? Brother Jing… are you too anxious over Xiang'er? Are you… imagining things?"

Was it just his imagination?

The voice had sounded so real…

Then, again—calm and steady—it returned.

"Would you like assistance defeating the Mongolian forces and saving your daughter?"

This time, there was no doubt.

Guo Jing's eyes flickered with realization. Only he could hear it.

He glanced around again, and a thought crossed his mind.

A divine being? An immortal?

Yes, that must be it!

Who else could speak directly into his mind like this?

Surely, a benevolent immortal had taken notice of his plight and come to offer aid!

Xiang'er was saved!

"I do! I need help! Please save her!" Guo Jing cried out without hesitation.

His sudden burst of emotion shocked both Huang Rong and Guo Fu, who were now looking at him with deep concern.

Was he losing his mind?

---

Inside the system, Jack received confirmation.

> Ding! Mission Created: "Eliminate the Mongol Forces and Rescue Guo Xiang."

Jack: "Alright, a new mission is live. Everyone get ready to compete for it."

Beerus: "Finally! This time, I'll definitely win it!"

Zeno: "Yes! Mission time! I missed out last time, but this one's mine!"

Jack: "A quick reminder: If you don't get the mission, don't throw a tantrum."

Zeno: "Don't worry, I won't! I'm not a sore loser!"

Jack: "Good. Then let the scramble begin."

> Ding! Congratulations to thug member Piccolo for successfully claiming the mission!

---

Piccolo: "Excellent. I got it."

Goku: "Wow, Piccolo, you're lucky! So jealous."

Vegeta: "Hmph. I didn't expect you to be the one to grab it."

Krillin: "Piccolo, do your best! Make sure to get a five-star rating!"

Piccolo: "Don't worry. I'll give it my all."

As soon as the system finished assigning the task, a glowing portal materialized in front of Piccolo.

Without a word, he stepped into it and vanished.

---

Back in Xiangyang…

"Guo Jing!" King Jinlun's voice boomed from the platform. "This is your last warning. If you don't surrender, your daughter dies by my hand!"

He gripped Guo Xiang's neck with a dramatic flourish, holding her aloft.

From afar, Guo Jing's fists clenched in helpless rage.

But… Guo Xiang noticed something strange.

Though King Jinlun's hand was wrapped around her throat, he wasn't applying any pressure.

She could still breathe.

---

Inside, King Jinlun was conflicted.

He didn't want to harm this girl. But he had a duty.

What he didn't expect… was Piccolo's sudden arrival.

The sky shimmered above the platform. A ripple formed in midair, and in the next instant, a green figure in a white cape emerged, floating silently behind King Jinlun.

Piccolo's sharp eyes locked onto the situation immediately.

A crowd of soldiers below. An enemy commander holding a hostage. A panicking father on the city wall. He had all the intel he needed.

He moved fast.

---

With lightning speed, Piccolo closed the distance and grabbed King Jinlun's wrist.

Before the man could react, a surge of invisible energy burst forth, launching him across the platform.

Guo Xiang stumbled forward—into safety.

Piccolo gently caught her, his large hand shielding her from falling debris.

"You're safe now," he said in a low voice.

Guo Xiang looked up in awe at the towering Namekian before her. She had never seen such a creature—but she instinctively knew he was here to help.

King Jinlun crashed into a wooden beam, groaning.

The Mongol soldiers below broke into chaos, not knowing who—or what—had just appeared.

From atop the city walls, Guo Jing's eyes widened as he saw a cloaked figure rescue his daughter in the blink of an eye.

"Immortal…" he whispered.

Tears filled his eyes.

Xiang'er was safe.

And Jack's group?

Their legend was only just beginning.

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