"Go back. Rest early tonight. Tomorrow, I will personally stand up for you. This concerns my reputation; I absolutely will not let that old fool's conspiracy succeed." Prefect Wu pushed me away before I had time to explain.

Linglong pulled me toward the guest rooms. Once inside, she started reaching for her bow and arrows. I grabbed her arm. "What are you trying to do!"

Linglong exclaimed, "This infuriates me! Let's fight our way out and see what they can do about it."

I held Linglong back firmly. "Linglong, stop right there. Things are already this chaotic; can you please give me one less thing to worry about? I know you care about me, and I'm grateful, but if anyone is going to confront them, it shouldn't be a young woman like you. I've got this. Besides, this matter is complicated, and arguing with them will likely put us at a disadvantage. Let me think this through tonight, and we'll talk tomorrow, alright?"

Hearing my soft, coaxing tone, Linglong relented. She blushed and gently tugged the hand I held, but when she couldn't pull free, she stopped resisting. "Brother Zhao Qian, please allow me to call you that behind your back. Let's return to Gourd Village. The outside world is too complicated. I don't care if you killed someone or not; even if that person was killed by you, I know they must have deserved it. Let's stop concerning ourselves with these matters and go back to the peaceful life in Gourd Village, okay?"

I sighed. "Linglong, have you forgotten my mission? I must find the other five. Moreover, I still have many things to do on Earth. The kind of life you describe is likely one I'm not fated to enjoy. Yes, I did smash that stone at Zhang Bayi, who deserved it for trying to plant aphrodisiacs on Yun Yao, but I only knocked him out lightly. I didn't anticipate that when he fell, he would pull off my belt. But I checked his breath at the time; he truly wasn't dead, just unconscious. Who knew this incident would be seized upon by those with malicious intent? They completely beat Zhang Ba to death and then made a major issue out of the belt I left behind. Now, I have no way to clear my name."

Linglong held my hand, afraid to move, and asked softly, "Brother Zhao Qian, then who do you suspect is behind this? If you have enemies here, perhaps it's that treacherous advisor."

I thought through the entire sequence of events again. "If my guess is correct, it should be Cai Hua’s son, Cai Deng, and another man named Guan Tong. Cai Deng was furious after failing to meet Yun Yao. Incited by Guan Tong, they planned to give Yun Yao an aphrodisiac. I ruined their plan and acknowledged Yun Yao in public, which only made them resent me more. Later, they somehow discovered Zhang Ba, who was unconscious behind the rockery, and thus used him to frame me."

Linglong asked cautiously, "Then can you figure out a way to resolve this tomorrow?"

I forced a casual smile. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. You go back to sleep first. I'll sit in the living room for a while longer."

Linglong dared not disturb me and returned to her room first. I paced, thinking, and felt this matter was difficult to resolve. Although Prefect Wu would certainly not compromise with Cai Hua, hiding in the Prefect's manor meant I couldn't search for the other five women.

Unable to devise a good plan immediately, I decided to return to my room to sleep first. As the saying goes, when the cart reaches the foot of the mountain, there will be a way forward. In any case, Thirty-Six Stratagems, escaping is the best policy. Finding two wives consecutively in Flying Eagle Prefecture is already a stroke of great fortune. Moreover, Yun Yao possesses a laser gun, and she's wearing anti-gravity boots. With these two pieces of equipment, I don't fear Cai Hua attacking me physically. If he dares, I'll let him taste the power of super-technology's laser gun.

I am inherently a man who adapts to circumstances. Since I couldn't think of anything, I stopped worrying. However, thinking of Yun Yao just now, I realized how empty it felt around me. This situation hadn't happened for several years before I came to Gemini.

Is Yun Yao sleeping with Zhou Ni now? Although Cheng Susu knows about the ridiculous things we did before, her attitude toward me remains lukewarm. Restoring our previous relationship will likely take time to pursue. Zhou Ni is completely unimaginable—besides, she used to be a prostitute; winning her over is a major challenge.

But Yun Yao is different. She was my wife before, and now that her memory is fully restored, she is truly my wife again. She certainly won't refuse any of my requests. I really want to hold her and be intimate; perhaps that would help me clear my head and devise a plan to deal with the Cai Hua family.

Drowsily, I suddenly heard a light gasp, "Brother Zhao." Then, a fiery, full, soft body burrowed into my covers and nestled close beside me.

It was Yun Yao! This little girl had snuck into my room! Wonderful! I turned and pulled her tightly into my embrace. "Yun Yao, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Yun Yao nestled against me. "Mmm. I waited until Sister Zhou Ni was asleep, and then I kept waiting for you. Do you miss me?"

I gently kissed Yun Yao's face, hair, and the curve of her ear. "I do, day and night, longing to hold you both again as I sleep. Now that you are finally back, Brother Zhao is overjoyed."

Yun Yao kissed me back. "Yun Yao misses you too. Ever since my memory returned, I've fallen asleep thinking of your name every night. I was so scared being alone outside, but I knew you would never abandon us and would come looking for us sooner or later. Now Yun Yao can be spoiled in your arms again. I'm so happy, Husband, I want you..."

I wanted Yun Yao just as much, but ever since I discovered my superpowers were being drained by some mysterious force within the wormhole, I worried that ability would be affected. Even if I were the same as an ordinary person, my wives—a whole group of them—could not be treated like ordinary people.

"Yun Yao, perhaps you don't know yet, but I'm different now. My, my superpowers are gone." I tested cautiously.

Yun Yao, who had been so happy, froze upon hearing this, but then she laughed. "Husband, is that important? Then tell me, are you still the same Zhao Qian I met back at Liangshan?"

I hugged Yun Yao tighter. "Of course, I am. Would any other man treat you this way?"

Yun Yao let out a soft, delicate cry. "Since you are still Zhao Qian, Brother Zhao, and still my Husband, superpowers don't matter to me. What I want is you."

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "But if I don't have my superpowers, I can't protect you."

Yun Yao took my hand and placed it on her chest. "Husband, who says you can't protect us just because you lack superpowers? I heard Zhou Ni recount what Linglong said—you were quite fierce protecting Sister Susu in Flying Fish County. Besides, I believe you can protect every one of us even without superpowers! Because you are Zhao Qian, you possess a brilliant mind. Even without using that superhuman ability, you can still dominate the world and look down upon the cosmos!"

Yun Yao's words gave me immense confidence and courage. What if I didn't have superpowers? Could I really not fight a group of unenlightened Gemini people with my intelligence? Even if I returned to Earth and couldn't regain my powers, with advanced technology, what real difference would it make? The only question was: without superpowers, could I still satisfy many women at night?

"Yun Yao, I will do my utmost to ensure your safety, but there is one matter that is quite troublesome."

Yun Yao gently patted my back as if soothing a baby. "What is it? I don't care if you have superpowers or not; you are my Husband regardless, and I will never allow anyone to hurt you."

"The trouble is that I fear my sexual stamina might have declined. I am deeply worried I won't be able to give you sexual fulfillment in the future."

Yun Yao giggled sweetly. "Do you think we want you to wear us out every night? It would be better if you held back a bit more down there, so we can relax more. Hehe... Mmm..."

*...*...*...*...*Linglong returned to her room, tossing and turning, feeling suffocated. Her father, Chang Feng, though a scholar, was also a hunter. While his hunting skills weren't as good as Linglong’s mother’s, everyone in Gourd Village was a hunter. Hunters are characterized by clear debts of gratitude and revenge: repaying kindness and exacting vengeance. Interacting with animals for years had made their natures even more straightforward.

She lay in her bed fully clothed for a while before quietly getting up, grabbing her bow and arrows, and leaving the Prefect Wu's guest quarters. She couldn't tolerate being 'imprisoned.' Although Prefect Wu hadn't physically confined them, guards stood at the main gate—what difference did that make? She wanted to show those people a thing or two.

"Master Guan, this plan of yours is excellent! Killing several birds with one stone," a servant outside the Prefect's manor was flattering Guan Tong in an alley, highly praising his actions that day.

Guan Tong was quite smug. He had engineered several 'miraculous turnarounds' that evening. He had initially offered a good idea to Pang Taishi’s adopted son, Cai Deng, but an unknown person had sabotaged it from behind the scenes. However, this sabotage turned out well, allowing him to propose an even more poisonous and ingenious scheme for Cai Deng. This way, not only would Cai Deng gain the beauty, but the detractor would also be crushed underfoot. If Cai Deng was pleased and recommended him to Pang Taishi, wouldn't he soar to success?

"That's called killing two birds with one stone! You don't know culture, yet you try to act like a scholar," Guan Tong gleefully lectured the servant.

The servant quickly agreed. "Yes, yes, Master Guan's cultural level is renowned in Flying Eagle Prefecture. It's just that we never found an opportunity. This time, as long as we attach ourselves to Pang Taishi's path, the juniors among us will also prosper following Master Guan’s promotion."

Guan Tong proudly scratched the back of his head. "Indeed, indeed. As long as you perform your duties well, I won't forget your contributions. But we absolutely must fan the flames in this case tonight. Prefect Wu is clearly favoring that kid. You must understand Wu Rong's foundation is solid; he is the Prime Minister's son-in-law. If he strongly defends that boy, even Chief Director Cai won't be able to touch him before Pang Taishi steps in. Therefore, we must find a few witnesses for Cai Deng to prove that Cai Fu's servant was indeed killed by the man surnamed Zhao tonight. That way, he'll be utterly incapable of defending himself, and even Wu Rong won't be able to save him!"

The servants replied, "Master Guan values us so highly, and we all watched the opera at the Prefect's manor tonight, so we can certainly help with testifying in court. We'll say we went to the rockery to relieve ourselves and saw the man surnamed Zhao sneaking into the opera troupe to harass Miss Yun'er. Then, the servant from Cai Fu acted bravely to defend virtue but was overpowered and killed by him with a stone. This way, his motive and guilt will be firmly established."

Guan Tong praised him heartily. "Clever! As expected of my subordinates. We have no direct connection to Wu Rong or Cai Hua, so testifying in court is perfect! Hehe, divine physician? Let's see how he dies. Miss Yun'er, although I can't have you first, as long as Young Master Cai gets you, haha, I might get a taste too! Ouch! Who the hell hit my head?" The servants were startled. "Master Guan, what's wrong?"

Guan Tong rubbed his head. "Someone hit my head with a pebble! Quickly find him for me! I want to see which brat is causing trouble. And whatever we just planned must not be overheard. Hurry, find him, hurry!"

The subordinates looked around. It was dark, with only a few lanterns here. Where could they find anyone? "Master Guan, there’s no one here. Are you mistaken?"

Guan Tong held out the hand he used to rub the back of his head and looked under the lantern light. "It's bleeding; how can I be mistaken? Can you feel a sensation that causes bleeding? Hurry and find him!"

Guan Tong's subordinates dared not delay. They left one person to guard while the others searched everywhere with lanterns. However, the lanterns only illuminated a limited area, so the few men just flapped around like headless flies. Instead, they alerted the men Cai Fu had sent to monitor the Prefect's manor, causing an immediate uproar of crowing roosters and barking dogs.

Cai Fu’s men assumed someone from the Prefect Wu's manor was attempting to escape, and they immediately moved in with swords drawn to make arrests. Two of Guan Tong’s subordinates were knocked down with a single kick and were about to be bound. Guan Tong hurried forward to explain.

"Gentlemen, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! Someone just attacked me secretly. We are looking for the culprit."

Cai Fu's men recognized Guan Tong. The leader stepped forward. "It’s Young Master Guan. Since we are allies, it must be a misunderstanding. Men, release them! Ouch! Who the hell hit my head!"

Guan Tong was pleased; now he could have Cai Fu's men help search. He said, "Quickly, search! The person throwing pebbles couldn't have gone far. Spread out and look now."

But after a lengthy search, they found nothing. Instead, more and more people were struck on the back of the head by pebbles, and cries of pain erupted everywhere. Guan Tong was the unluckiest; the pebble-thrower seemed to have a personal vendetta against him. The back of his head was already swollen like a bee sting. Terrified, he could only order his subordinates to wrap his head with clothes, making him look like an Indian fellow.

It was late, and the matter remained unresolved. Guan Tong could only return to his residence dejectedly. But just as he reached the front gate, another pebble struck the back of his head, neither too hard nor too soft. Although his head was wrapped in cloth and didn't hurt much, it meant the pebble-thrower had followed him home secretly.

Exhausted after a long day of scheming and strategizing, Guan Tong was already mentally drained. Now, being struck by pebbles had left him frightened and unnerved. He collapsed mentally, clasped his hands over his head, and rushed into the manor shouting, while the servants immediately locked the doors behind him, fearing they might also be struck if they couldn't dodge in time.

Guan Tong was unmarried but had several concubines. He had been excited tonight to spend time with them, but these few pebbles ruined his mood, leaving him with no interest. He ordered the main gate heavily barred and prepared to take a hot bath to wash away the bad luck and sleep early.

The wall of the Guan residence was nearly three meters high, yet a slender, dark shadow shot up the wall, landed softly inside the courtyard, and then vanished in a flash among the layers of rooms...

"Master Guan, the hot water is ready. Please step in for your bath," two servants presented a full tub of hot water and respectfully invited Guan Tong to enter.

Usually, Guan Tong would summon a maid to accompany his bath, but tonight he was too vexed and simply had the servants lock the door so he could relax alone. Lying in the water, Guan Tong began to retrace his steps. He found the person hitting the back of his head very strange. Had he offended someone that day?

Thinking of offense, Guan Tong suddenly became fearful. If the man surnamed Zhao had arranged someone to deal with him, why only target the back of the head? Could it be that his sins were so grave that Heaven had taken notice? Was Heaven punishing him? Otherwise, why couldn't he find the perpetrator?

The more he thought, the more frightened Guan Tong became. Even the dark tree shadows on the window looked like demons sent by Heaven to discipline him. He shouted loudly, "Servants! Servants! Send a few people in here!"

But no matter how loudly he shouted, no servant answered. To maintain quiet for his studies, and to avoid being scolded by the old master for being constantly indulgent, the place where he lived was far from his family quarters. Only a few servants and maids attended to him here, and it was already late at night; no one responded.

Guan Tong jumped out of the large bathtub, grabbed his clothes, and prepared to run out. Suddenly, a small pebble shot through the silk screen of the window. The back of Guan Tong's head stung, and his heart froze in terror. How did that person get inside these high, walled compounds? It must be a demon sent by Heaven!

Shocked, he retreated repeatedly, and suddenly, with a thud, he fell backward headfirst into the bathtub. A large mouthful of bathwater rushed into Guan Tong's mouth. He only managed a choked "Ohm" before he was suffocating, blood streaming from all seven orifices, and he never climbed out of the tub again. Alas, his name was chosen poorly; this time he fell into the tub, and from now on, he'd be permanently 'managing the tub' (a pun on his name Guan Tong/Guǎn Tǒng).

The small figure outside the window clearly hadn't expected a small pebble to scare someone to death by falling into a tub. A muffled chuckle escaped. "Serves you right! See if you dare frame Brother Zhao Qian again..." At his feet lay several subdued servants...