Chapter 949: Pledge of Loyalty

Seeing Daiqisi’s horrified expression, Song Qingshu snapped his fingers beside her ear. “If you’ve gotten over the shock, let’s consider a more practical question. What do you think Xiao Zhao will do once she learns the truth?”

As Daiqisi remained silent, Song Qingshu continued, “Oh, I almost forgot. According to your Ming Cult’s rules, saintess’s like you are meant to be devoted to the Ming Zun. Technically, both you and your daughter should belong to him. Of course, your ownership now belongs to me. If the Ming Zun wants you, he’ll have to ask my permission.” He waved the contract Daiqisi had signed earlier triumphantly.

Daiqisi ignored his remarks about her ownership and focused on what her daughter’s reaction might be if what he said was true. Although Xiao Zhao usually appeared gentle and indecisive, that was only under normal circumstances. If she learned something had happened to Zhang Wuji, she would stop at nothing. As her mother, how could Daiqisi not notice the depth of her daughter’s feelings for Zhang Wuji?

As for the reverence a Ming Cult disciple should have for the Ming Zun… Daiqisi let out a cold laugh and dismissed the thought entirely.

Noting her expression, Song Qingshu smiled. “It seems we agree. Xiao Zhao will undoubtedly seek revenge against the Ming Zun. So, who do you think the Persian Ming Cult will support? A young puppet leader or the great Ming Zun?”

“The Ming Zun, of course!” Daiqisi said coldly. Under normal circumstances, she might have been uncertain about the choices of the Tree Kings and the council at the headquarters, as a young puppet leader would be easier to control than the Ming Zun, granting them greater power if Xiao Zhao remained as leader.

But now, with the headquarters on the brink of collapse under Mongol pressure, they had exhausted all means to survive, even allowing her return to the Central Plains. If they learned the Ming Zun had returned, wouldn’t they welcome this savior with open arms?

Song Qingshu smiled. “Actually, you needn’t dwell on it too long. The Persian headquarters have likely already made their choice. In all likelihood, Xiao Zhao has already been placed under house arrest.”

“What!” Daiqisi shot to her feet. Though she was often emotionally detached, Xiao Zhao was now her only family left in this world.

“It’s not surprising you didn’t know. The Ming Zun’s orders probably reached the Persian headquarters while you were en route to the Central Plains. Out on the vast ocean, the headquarters wouldn’t have sent anyone specifically to inform you,” Song Qingshu explained.

“What exactly happened?” Daiqisi pressed urgently.

Song Qingshu then recounted his encounter with the Ming Zun at Blackwood Cliff and how they had eventually reached a truce. The Ming Zun had mentioned instructing the Persian headquarters to liaise with Western duchies, successfully ambushing the Mongol vanguard. The Mongol general Ketbuqa was killed, and ten thousand elite Mongol cavalry were annihilated. Meanwhile, assassins from the Eagles Nest were sent to target the Western Expedition commander, Hulagu. Though they suffered heavy losses, Hulagu was critically wounded and near death. The Mongols’ once-unstoppable momentum had been severely disrupted, greatly alleviating the pressure on the Persian Ming Cult.

These events had occurred in the distant West, and the Central Plains states paid little attention to them, so Daiqisi had been unaware.

“You actually defeated the Ming Zun!” Daiqisi was utterly shocked. Though she knew Song Qingshu’s martial skills were exceptional, she never imagined they were to this extent. In the eyes of Ming Cult disciples, the Ming Zun possessed divine powers, omnipotent and unparalleled, almost like a legendary deity. How could such a being be defeated by a mortal?

“To be precise, we fought twice, with one win and one loss. The first time, I nearly died by his hand but was saved by a remarkable young woman,” Song Qingshu said, smiling fondly at the thought of the slightly ditzy Ah Qing. He made a mental note to find time to search for her in the Kunlun Mountains. “By the second encounter, the Ming Zun was injured and no longer my match. However, considering our common enemy, the Mongols, I let him go.”

Daiqisi felt she was losing her mind. The day had been a relentless barrage of explosive news: first, Zhang Wuji’s possession, then the Ming Zun’s resurrection, and now Song Qingshu had actually defeated the Ming Zun!

Though she had never held much reverence for the Ming Zun in her heart, that was merely a lack of religious devotion and did not diminish her recognition of his power. How could a demonic figure like him be defeated by Song Qingshu and forced to rely on his mercy to survive?

Daiqisi’s gaze toward Song Qingshu shifted noticeably.

Song Qingshu laughed heartily. “What? Do you suddenly see me in a grander, more heroic light? Feeling the urge to offer yourself to me?”

“Drop dead,” Daiqisi retorted, her face flushing with anger. She wondered what had come over her to suddenly view this ruffian in a different light.

Song Qingshu felt she had digested enough of the information. “Alright, you should understand your situation now. You failed your mission and face execution by fire. On top of that, Xiao Zhao is opposing the Ming Zun. In this vast world, I am the only one who can protect both of you.”

Daiqisi remained silent. She knew Song Qingshu spoke the truth. Even if she returned to the cult and avoided punishment, once Xiao Zhao learned the truth, she would inevitably break with the Ming Zun. Rather than be caught off guard later, it was better to prepare early.

The Ming Zun’s power was deeply ingrained in every Ming Cult disciple’s bones, and Song Qingshu was the only one who had proven capable of defeating him.

Daiqisi weighed her options and concluded that, in all the world, only Song Qingshu could protect her from the Ming Zun. The Mongols were powerful, but given their long-standing enmity, she instinctively ruled them out. The Khitan were a shadow of their former selves and subservient to the Mongols, so they were out. The Qing Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles and naturally not an option. The Southern Song had long been weak and was dismissed. As for Western Xia, Dali, Tubo, and other minor states, they weren’t even worth considering.

“You’ve gone to such lengths to win me over. What exactly do you want?” Daiqisi knew there were no free lunches in this world. Song Qingshu wouldn’t take such great risks to help her without a reason.

“Madam, your peerless beauty is enough to drive any man to lose his senses,” Song Qingshu said, noting her rising anger. He quickly set aside his playful smile and spoke earnestly, “But what I value more is your skill in disguise. As I travel the world, I need someone to act on my behalf in my absence. You possess formidable martial skills, foresight, and the art of disguise. You and I are a match made in heaven.”

“Though I am not from the Central Plains, even I know that’s not how ‘a match made in heaven’ should be used,” Daiqisi said coldly.

Song Qingshu was unperturbed. “So, does this mean you agree to join me?”

After a moment of hesitation, Daiqisi finally nodded.

A brilliant smile spread across Song Qingshu’s face. “Then let’s discuss your pledge of loyalty.”