One Wife, Multiple Husbands – Part One

He went to report to the prince. Moqi tightly held her hand, not relaxing at all, and nervous sweat broke out in her palm. 　　……………… 　　Huangfu Zeduan walked out of the bamboo forest, and halfway through, he met Zhou Xun and asked him to go to the study to fetch something for the guest hall. 　　After giving instructions, he and Qin Yuhang arrived at the guest hall one after another. Two rows of stern warriors stood in the spacious hall, who were men brought by the Sha Zhou King. The Sha Zhou King was sitting on a high-backed chair in the front of the hall, while Master Qing Tian sat helplessly beside him. 　　”Nephew Huangfu, this gentleman claims to be the Sha Zhou King and says he must see you no matter what,” Master Qing Tian said, annoyed by this powerful figure. Today was a major Taoist festival with crowds of pilgrims, and he had many things to do, running around busily with no time to entertain any king. 　　Huangfu Zeduan’s eyes were cold: “What a mighty uncle, bringing so many people in and treating my Tianying Gate like his own backyard?” 　　The Sha Zhou King chuckled dryly: “I didn’t bring them in to show off, but to protect myself. Now that the Ninth Prince is here, all of you go outside.” 　　The warriors received the order and withdrew in an orderly manner. 　　”Wait, do you think Tianying Gate is easy to enter?” Huangfu Zeduan’s originally cold face suddenly became icy. He reached to his waist and drew the Seven Star Longyan Sword with a swoosh, tracing an elegant arc. With a light “hiss” in his ear, he pierced through a warrior’s throat. The guard’s eyes widened, and he fell back silently. 　　At the same time, Qin Yuhang also made a move. The Damascus sword flashed like lightning, and with a “puff”, another warrior’s head flew off his neck, rolling to the Sha Zhou King’s feet. The headless body sprayed blood a meter high, swayed, and fell in a pool of blood. 　　The two struck in the blink of an eye, killing two warriors with lightning speed. 　　The remaining warriors changed their expressions and drew their weapons. 　　”Want to make a move?” Huangfu Zeduan sneered. 　　”Misunderstanding, misunderstanding,” the Sha Zhou King was shocked, his soul nearly leaving his body. He quickly waved to the warriors: “Go out, all of you.” 　　The warriors received the order and retreated from the hall. 　　Huangfu Zeduan’s cold, emotionless eyes met the Sha Zhou King’s: “What urgent matter does Uncle want to discuss with me?” 　　”Cough cough…” The Sha Zhou King wiped the sweat from his forehead: “I really didn’t want to be so rude, but Tianying Gate is too formidable. My daughter just had a dispute with a young Taoist on the square and was taught a lesson by your Fourth Senior Sister. If Master Qing Tian hadn’t stopped her, she might have suffered greatly. I’m worried about my daughter’s mood and asked her to look around.” 　　The Sha Zhou King recalled how his daughter had asked her guards to catch a handsome Taoist on the square, but a female warrior quickly beat up the guards. If Master Qing Tian hadn’t intervened in time, things could have escalated. 　　Huangfu Zeduan was exasperated: “Get to the point directly, don’t waste words.” 　　A flash of anger crossed the Sha Zhou King’s eyes, disappearing too quickly: “Ninth Prince, the Turks have occupied my Sha Zhou and haven’t left. Wowonai has been captured for a long time. Why not pursue our victory and completely drive the Turks out of our Yingtang Kingdom, bringing peace to the people?” 　　Huangfu Zeduan’s eyes were deep like an bottomless whirlpool, and he slowly smiled: “What does Uncle want to do?” 　　The Sha Zhou King became energetic: “No need to trouble the Ninth Prince. Just lend me 10,000 troops, no, 30,000, no, 60,000 troops, and send me the formula for your newly developed fierce fire oil. With these, I can drive away the Turk soldiers and reclaim Sha Zhou.” 　　Huangfu Zeduan responded with a “oh” and said sarcastically: “Uncle is quite capable. The mighty 60,000 Yingtang troops against just a few thousand Turk soldiers? If people knew the Yingtang army was so useless, wouldn’t you lose face?” 　　The Sha Zhou King was secretly resentful but had to bow his head under the circumstances, and smiled apologetically: “This way we can ensure victory and reduce military casualties.” 　　Huangfu Zeduan spoke in a cold tone: “I will personally dispatch troops to handle the Turks in Sha Zhou. As for you, with Sha Zhou’s great defeat and over 100,000 people killed, do you think you can escape responsibility? Do you still think you’re the all-powerful Sha Zhou King?” 　　The Sha Zhou King jumped: “What… what do you mean?” 　　”Senior Brother, Zhou Xun is here,” Qin Yuhang, who had been silent, reminded. 　　Zhou Xun walked in with a letter, approached, and presented it with both hands. 　　Huangfu Zeduan took the letter, glanced at it, and tossed it into the Sha Zhou King’s arms: “Your ambition to reclaim Sha Zhou is good, but I’m afraid you won’t have the chance.” 　　The Sha Zhou King opened the letter and his face turned deathly pale, his hand holding the letter trembling. 　　”Do you think Sha Zhou’s fall and the death of over 100,000 people is nothing? What use is the imperial court then?” Huangfu Zeduan’s eyes were icy: “Tomorrow, you’ll be escorted by the Prince of Chu’s guards to the capital to see the Emperor. Prepare anything you need to take quickly. If you’re late, His Majesty’s imperial wrath will be unbearable.” 　　The Sha Zhou King knelt down: “Ninth Prince, the Emperor trusts you most. Can you plead for me? As long as I don’t die, I’ll accept anything.” 　　Huangfu Zeduan snorted coldly: “Trading your worthless life for the lives of Sha Zhou and over 100,000 people, you’re not losing out at all.” 　　The Sha Zhou King’s face turned ashen, staring at the letter and shedding two lines of tears. 　　”Bad news! Bad news!” Facai ran in panic, entering the hall and shouting loudly: “Master, Senior Master, my Master’s Wife is being bullied by a seductive demon in the bamboo forest! The seductive demon brought a group of thugs, saying they want to kill my Master’s Wife and skin her alive!” 　　Facai hated the West Lin County Lord deeply and exaggerated as much as possible, but he wasn’t entirely wrong. 　　Huangfu Zeduan demanded: “Who is this seductive demon? Speak clearly!