Plain King

The royal palace.

"Mother... I'm so scared!"

Ever since Zhou returned, he had taken the form of a disheveled child. Day and night, he hid in the queen dowager's arms, crying and seeking comfort.

And now, judgment had finally come.

"Your Majesty... Grand Witch Su has reached the palace gates. A great crowd has gathered outside."

An attendant hurried in to report, dropping to his knees, his voice trembling. "The guards... the guards have opened the gates themselves..."

Before long, Su entered the great hall in a black shaman's robe, still wearing his camphor-willow Nuo Mask. He looked at the pale young man and the queen dowager, who was struggling to keep her composure.

His voice rang clear. "Summon the royal clan, the civil officials, and the generals!"

"Yes!"

Several guards withdrew without even glancing at Zhou for permission.

Before long, the great hall filled with royal kinsmen and ministers. Xia Qi stood silently at the head of the left-hand ranks.

Every gaze turned toward the mother and son above them.

"Zhou's rash advance led to a crushing defeat. He must be punished... Men, hang him up and flog him."

Su gave a light laugh as he issued the order.

"Yes!"

Several shamans stepped forward, seized Zhou as he screamed, wept, and wailed, and hung him from a beam in the great hall.

Crack!

A shaman raised his whip and lashed Zhou hard.

In an instant, Zhou's splendid silks and brocades flew apart like a flurry of painted butterflies. He screamed, and a bloody welt rose across his back.

"Start with a hundred lashes."

Standing beside the throne, Su looked down at the queen dowager.

Her face went white. She did not dare object.

Crack! Crack, crack!

The shaman swung his long whip. At first Zhou screamed, but his voice