Chapter 234: The Hun Version of a Marriage Tournament
Chapter 234: The Hun Version of a Marriage Tournament
In this situation, Uyun Qiqige could only think of a way to remedy the situation. Due to several tribes chasing after the Horse King on the vast grasslands, the wild horse herd had been split up. The Horse King, leading a few hundred wild horses, had coincidentally ended up at Lu Haikong's ranch. Even more coincidentally, Lu Haikong was brought out and then, very coincidentally, led to Uyun Qiqige's presence.
For Uyun Qiqige, this was the best possible outcome. There was more than one Horse King on the grasslands, and who knew if someone else might capture another Horse King in the future. So, Uyun Qiqige boldly announced that this Han man was her husband, her man.
However, Uyun Qiqige's announcement was a clear message to everyone: this Han man was her possession, a prize of war. As for being a husband? It was merely a nominal title.
Although this situation left many disappointed, and even caused some of Uyun Qiqige's followers to turn their backs on her, for Uyun Qiqige, this was one of the best possible outcomes.
If she hadn't taken this step, the power she had gathered would have crumbled.
Among her followers, there were many who wanted to capture the Horse King and become her husband. This incident made Uyun Qiqige realize that the men under her command were unreliable. So, she started consciously nurturing a female-led team, but the Elder Chief had other plans and wasn't going to let Uyun Qiqige off easily.
For him, it was essential to crush Uyun Qiqige's unbecoming ambitions. Otherwise, this struggle wouldn't be complete in his eyes. So, he set his sights on Lu Haikong.
Everyone knew that Lu Haikong was just a temporary shield for Uyun Qiqige. By breaking this shield, the situation would revert to its previous state, and the Elder Chief could even use this opportunity to choose a husband for Uyun Qiqige, suppressing her restless ambitions.
"I don't believe this Han man could have captured the Horse King. It must be a trick. You say he captured it, but there's no warrior who can tame the Horse King and end up in such a pitiful state." The Elder Chief spoke to Lu Haikong with a raised voice.
"I know he caught and tamed the Horse King, and that's all that matters to me. Whether you believe it or not, he's my man."
"If that's the case, then you should leave the tribe with this man. He won't get our recognition!" The Elder Chief's words caused Uyun Qiqige to stiffen.
"Impossible! I absolutely won't leave!" She still wanted to become the leader of this tribe and wouldn't be driven away so easily.
"Prove it to us. Show that he has the ability to tame the Horse King!" The Elder Chief's cloudy eyes flashed with a gleam, setting a trap.
"Since you say he's a warrior capable of taming the Horse King, he must also be a warrior, perhaps the strongest within a hundred li radius. So, we'll hold a grand tournament. Whoever becomes the strongest within this area will have the right to marry you!"
The Elder Chief spoke loudly, and as he did, the news spread throughout the tribe. Soon, the entire territory was abuzz with excitement.
Clearly, the Elder Chief had planned this. His primary target wasn't Lu Haikong, but the tournament itself.
Now that the news was out, it would become a fait accompli, whether Uyun Qiqige agreed or not. Even her own followers wouldn't accept her opposition.
At this point, the Elder Chief considered himself the winner. Regardless of who ultimately triumphed in the tournament, Uyun Qiqige would be treated as a prize, completely removed from this power struggle, or at least expelled from it.
Indeed, the old man's experience showed. Uyun Qiqige's face turned ashen, her delicate fists clenched tightly, and her mouth opened to speak, but she remained silent.
After a moment of silence, Uyun Qiqige turned to look at Lu Haikong. Her gaze seemed to be searching for something in his body.
Both the Elder Chief and Uyun Qiqige spoke in the Hun language, and their speech was rapid. Lu Haikong's understanding of the Hun language was limited to slower conversations. He couldn't comprehend their fast-paced dialogue, but he could tell from the Elder Chief's expression that he was not well-intentioned towards him, and his ill-will towards Uyun Qiqige was no less.
Seeing Uyun Qiqige's gaze, Lu Haikong directly asked, "Woman, what did this old man say?"
"I said I don't believe you tamed the Horse King, so we don't acknowledge you as her husband. We're holding a grand tournament, and all Huns within a hundred li can participate. Only the strongest among them will have the right to marry her." The Elder Chief pointed at Uyun Qiqige, using his limited Mandarin to explain to Lu Haikong.
"In other words, she'll become the victor's possession, his prize?" Lu Haikong's face showed a flicker of interest.
The Elder Chief hadn't expected Lu Haikong to be interested in this aspect. It was then that he truly noticed Lu Haikong. Despite his frail appearance, his eyes and demeanor were filled with confidence. He didn't show the hesitation one would expect from an injured Han man in a Hun tribe. Instead, he seemed like a fierce tiger, resting casually on someone else's territory.
In the 1619 version of the book, there's not a single mistake!
This Han man was definitely not ordinary!
The Elder Chief's eyes gleamed. He didn't think a simple Han man could have such composure, but it didn't matter. Even if Lu Haikong won in the end, from his perspective, Uyun Qiqige would still be his private possession. The Elder Chief's plan would still work.
So, the Elder Chief nodded, "Yes, whoever becomes the final victor, she will become his wife, a vassal to the winner."
Lu Haikong looked at Uyun Qiqige and smiled, "I'd like to participate. Can I?"
"Of course, you must participate. After all, you're her man!" Uyun Qiqige replied before the Elder Chief could, in her usual style. Her words were fine, but the tone conveyed a sense of subservience.
Chapter end
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