The cave hideout of the Blackridge Bandits is truly something else—big caves leading to small caves, twisting and turning like a maze. A mysterious draft blows from who-knows-where, making the torches set every five steps flicker and dance. The whole place has the vibe of a spooky adventure.
The old strategist arranged for Jack Young to stay in a so-called 'side room,' which, he claimed, was meant for the future bride of the bandit chief. The place was actually pretty well decorated, with all the basic furniture.
"Miss, the Blackridge Bandits are just getting started, so things are a bit rough. Please forgive us." The old man was determined to keep Jack Young happy, so he kept his attitude humble.
"It'll do for now." Jack Young kept up the act, waving her sleeve like a noblewoman. "You may leave."
Once inside with the door shut, the black-faced girl was just about to burst out in excitement when Jack Young quickly covered her mouth and pointed around the room, whispering, "Careful, the walls have ears."
The girl nodded, got the hint, and deliberately raised her voice: "Master, this place is so dirty and messy. Please wait a moment, I'll tidy up right away." As she spoke, the black-faced girl quickly felt her way around the room, knocking on the rocky walls, checking for peepholes or sound tunnels. After a moment, she nodded to signal it was safe.
Jack Young pointed outside, and the black-faced girl stepped out. "Hey you, yeah you! Go get some hot water, my master needs to wash up! Hurry, this place is filthy!"
A moment later, footsteps sounded outside, and the girl's voice rang out: "Alright, hand it over! Next time, answer when I call, got it?" Then she brought in a basin of water, shut the door, and grinned. The contrast between her dark face and white teeth was striking. "Sis, all clear!"
"Hey, you don't look that old, and you seem pretty green, but you're quick on the uptake." A good teammate is a real blessing, and this black-faced girl wasn't holding anyone back. "By the way, what's with your face? All smudged and black—go wash it off. We're going high-profile now, so the flashier, the better."
"Got it!" There was a bronze mirror in the room, so the girl went over, sat down, and started washing and wiping her face. "But you're even smarter, sis. To come up with a plan like that in such a short time—not just think of it, but actually go through with it? Most people wouldn't dare."
"Not dare? What's there to be afraid of?" Jack Young plopped down on a chair. "A girl who doesn't know martial arts is about to walk into a den of wolves—if you don't put on a strong front, it's tragedy all the way." Honestly, this dream is pretty wild. I'm actually starting to get into character.
"Sis, you're a real heroine! Even among the women of the jianghu, few could pull off what you just did!" The black-faced girl was clearly impressed. "If my grandpa met you, you'd totally hit it off. Might even become best friends despite the age gap!" She finished tidying up and turned around—a total transformation.
Her skin was fair and glowing, her eyes big and bright—the details aren't important, but it was a dramatic makeover. She went from a dusty country girl to a lively, adorable loli!
If someone had snapped a pic of her earlier and labeled it 'before plastic surgery,' then took one now and labeled it 'after,' posted them on Weibo—people would be dying to know where she got the work done.
Jack Young was stunned too, reaching out to pinch the girl's cheek. "Wow, you really cleaned up nice! Makes me want to snatch you up and make you the Peach Bandit's bride!"
"Hehe," the girl, who looked pretty young, giggled shyly. "No way I'm as good as you, sis. If anyone's getting kidnapped, I'd rather snatch you for myself!"
Speaking of which, I still haven't checked out what I look like. Jack Young walked over to the bronze mirror. It was kind of blurry, but you could make out the basics. "Hey, not bad! Pretty decent!" Seriously, why is it a bronze mirror? Since this is a dream, why not imagine a fancy full-length mirror?
"Speaking of hair..." Until now, my hair had always been hanging loose behind me, so I hadn't noticed it. Looking in the mirror, I realized it was white. I grabbed a handful and brought it to my eyes—it wasn't the dry, old-person kind of white, but smooth and shiny, like something out of an anime or game. Kinda classy, actually.
"I don't know how to tie my hair. Can you just do something simple for me? Wouldn't want it getting in the way if a fight breaks out." Pro tip: never let your hair get yanked in a brawl, so better fix it now.
"Don't know how to tie your hair? You really are a pampered lady..." The now-clean-faced girl muttered, but came over to help anyway.
"So, what's your plan for taking down the Blackridge Bandits? I mean, most of these bandits don't seem to know much martial arts. You think you could solo them all, one versus a thousand?" Time to strategize—Jack Young got straight to business.
The girl thought for a moment. "From what I've seen so far, I'm not worried. But I've heard their chief, Shi Heilong, is a real martial artist. His 'Cinnabar Palm' is supposed to be pretty fierce. We'll have to trade a few blows to see for sure."
"Then we just scout out the place and bail. We'll keep up the act till we're out, then head straight to Eastgate City and get the authorities to send troops. No way a little bandit hideout is gonna flip the world upside down!"
"Sis..." The girl paused, clearly speechless. "Eastgate City and the whole region have already been taken over by Mongol invaders. The authorities... well..."
Jack Young raised an eyebrow. "So this place is enemy territory after all? Mongols, plus that 'national crisis' stuff—guess this dream's set in the Southern Song era. Southern Song, huh? That lie about the Brotherhood Hall actually fits! So, you came in here to play hero—surely you came prepared? You didn't just stroll in empty-handed, did you?"
"Of course not!" The girl finished tying Jack Young's hair, then pulled out a hairpin and stuck it in. "Done! Gorgeous! This hairpin was a gift from my grandpa—I'm lending it to you for now, but make sure you give it back."
(This chapter isn't over yet~ Please click 'Next Page' to keep reading the good stuff!)
Then, out of nowhere, the girl started—undressing?! And she began by lifting her skirt!
"Hey, hey, what are you doing?" Jack Young jumped, thinking, Is it because spring's here that even my dreams are getting wild? First I dream I'm a girl, then a pretty girl starts stripping—am I about to switch from nightmare king to something else?
With a swish, the girl's outer clothes came off, revealing—an outfit of tight-fitting gear underneath, with a soft rope tied around her waist. Turns out she was wearing the combat gear first, then covered it up with the country-girl outfit. Under the wide skirt, she even had a cloth pouch full of bottles and jars.
The girl picked up the bottles and jars, looking proud. "Of course I came prepared! I've got everything. With these powders, even three or five trained fighters couldn't get close!"
"Let me see, what've you got? Oh, knockout powder, bone-softening dust, energy-sapping powder, bone-piercing nails, flying needles, blow darts—not bad!" Jack Young checked over all the bottles, then tied the little bundle around her waist without hesitation. "Alright, I'll hold onto these. With your skills, you won't need them. Let me use them for self-defense."
The girl thought about it. "Sis, leave the fighting to me. If things really go south, I'm afraid you won't be much help."
"Oh, you think I'm weak?" Jack Young jumped up, throwing punches and kicks. "Back in the day, I was a brawler! Those scrawny guys, swinging swords and acting tough—I could knock three of them down with my fists!"
Ah, those were the days—back when I even learned some commando assassination moves. But once I started working, it all went to waste; can't even do the splits now. Still, this dream body feels totally natural, just as strong as my real self—maybe even faster and more flexible! Except for the two lumps on my chest messing with my balance, everything else is a total upgrade!
"Ha!" Jack Young leapt up and did a perfect high kick—full splits, no sweat!
The girl was genuinely surprised. "Sis, with your natural talent, if you'd trained in martial arts, you'd be amazing!"
Just then, the old strategist's voice came from outside the door: "Miss, our chief is back, and it's just noon—he'd like to meet with you."
"Got it. Wait outside for now." Jack Young replied, then exchanged a look with the girl—both a bit serious. The main event was here; whether it worked or not, this was the big show.
"Act natural, follow my lead, and be ready for anything!" Before she knew it, Jack Young was the one giving orders.