The King, Shen Xiu Wang, had originally planned to act at night, but his impatient nature got the better of him. He couldn't wait any longer, bypassed the Grand Tutor Bai Ju, and ordered the three women, Yan Ran, Qing Cheng, and another, to be brought to him.
That night, Ming Zhi Tian went to find the three women, Ouyang Ni Feng and the others, but their rooms were empty, leaving him puzzled.
Ming Zhi Tian summoned Bai Ju and asked, "Where are they?"
Bai Ju was equally bewildered, "I don't know, this..."
Ming Zhi Tian said, "Besides you, the only other person arranged here is His Majesty. Take me to him."
Bai Ju hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alright."
Upon meeting Shen Xiu Wang, Bai Ju explained, "Recently, the border bandits have been rampant. To avoid harming innocent people, His Majesty had to transfer them to safer accommodations."
Ming Zhi Tian asked, "Thank you, Your Majesty. When will these bandits be eradicated?"
Shen Xiu Wang mused, "Hmm... soon. Once the banditry is dealt with, His Majesty will personally send someone to notify you. You may leave."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded and bowed, "Your humble servant takes his leave!"
Bai Ju also bowed, "Your humble servant also takes his leave."
Shen Xiu Wang waved his hand, "Go."
Bai Ju caught up with Ming Zhi Tian, "Fellow Daoist Ming, wait for me."
Ming Zhi Tian said, "He took away my three women without even asking me, and I don't even know where they were taken. Border bandits? Have you heard of them?"
Bai Ju thought for a moment, "There was trouble a few years ago, but they were all driven away by His Majesty. I haven't received any news recently. Perhaps it's true?"
Ming Zhi Tian snorted, "You're not even sure. Forget it. I hope he gives me a good explanation, otherwise, I won't be polite, even if he's a deity. I'm not afraid."
Bai Ju frowned, "His Majesty would never do such a thing. I believe in His Majesty."
Ming Zhi Tian stated, "Here, I trust no one but myself."
...
At night, Ming Zhi Tian gazed at the starry sky. Tonight felt like an eternity. He paced back and forth, his heart filled with unease.
He returned to his room and practiced the 'Chang Sheng Jue,' which allowed him to achieve a clear mind and pass the arduous night.
After a day of waiting outside the palace gates for Shen Xiu Wang's arrival, he finally saw him.
Shen Xiu Wang was about to return to his study when he noticed Ming Zhi Tian, not the Grand Tutor Bai Ju, and asked, "Hmm? My esteemed Minister Ming? What are you doing here?"
Ming Zhi Tian spoke directly, "May I ask Your Majesty! Have the border bandits been eradicated?"
Shen Xiu Wang's expression soured, "No, withdraw."
Ming Zhi Tian was enraged, "Hmph, Your Majesty, I address you as Your Majesty! No matter what kind of rampant bandits or devils, return my three women to me. I will protect them myself, so you need not trouble yourself."
Shen Xiu Wang frowned. A sword-bearing guard nearby saw the situation and stepped forward to scold Ming Zhi Tian, "How dare you speak to His Majesty like that!"
Ming Zhi Tian glanced at him, "A mere guard, what are you worth?"
"You!"
"Presumptuous!" Shen Xiu Wang was furious. No one had ever dared to speak to him like this before. Ming Zhi Tian was the first.
"What I say goes. Are you questioning me?"
Ming Zhi Tian sneered! "Today, return my women to me. You will give them up, you have to give them up!"
Shen Xiu Wang's divine gaze chilled, "Are you... threatening me?"
"I dare not!" Ming Zhi Tian replied, "I am merely reminding you."
"Guards!" Shen Xiu Wang called out.
Immediately, one hundred sword-bearing guards appeared, "We are at your service!"
Shen Xiu Wang pointed at Ming Zhi Tian, "Insubordination! Seize him!"
"What?" Ming Zhi Tian became even more certain that Shen Xiu Wang had ill intentions towards his women.
"Yulai!"
All the guards' long swords were taken by Ming Zhi Tian, and they all pointed at Shen Xiu Wang in mid-air.
Ming Zhi Tian froze for a moment, then said, "If you repent and return my people to me unharmed, I will leave immediately, and we can pretend this never happened. But if you don't, then you've made an enemy."
"Presumptuous!"
Shen Xiu Wang's gaze summoned an unknown force that shot towards Ming Zhi Tian!
Unable to withstand the blow, Ming Zhi Tian, along with over a hundred long swords, all fell to the ground.