“If I am not mistaken, your injuries are severe. Against others, you might manage, but unfortunately for you, I am your opponent. Even at your peak, you might not defeat me as I am now. If we fight, though I may suffer grievous wounds, the one who dies will undoubtedly be you.”

Song Qingshu stepped forward slowly, his aura growing with every step. “So, you propose an alliance to divert my attention, exposing many secrets to convince me of your sincerity, hoping I’d overlook your true condition.”

Ming Zun grabbed the two women, retreating a few steps, gripping one by the throat with each hand. He sneered coldly, “Take another step, and I will kill them.”

He silently lamented his predicament. Injured by Ah Qing’s sword Qi last time, he had tried everything to expel it but failed, leaving his condition worse than before. However, being a millennium-old daoist, with experience rivaling even Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang, he devised a solution: the Northern Darkness Divine Technique or the Cosmic Absorption Technique.

Ah Qing’s sword Qi entwined with his innate Qi like a parasitic worm. No amount of effort could expel it, and any attempt only tightened its grip. Resolutely, he decided to disperse his internal energy entirely. Without a host, Ah Qing’s sword Qi would dissipate. Yet, as one of the most powerful martial artists, he refused to become a cripple. The Northern Darkness Divine Technique and Cosmic Absorption Technique offered salvation–they could disperse the sword Qi while rapidly restoring his strength.

The Northern Darkness Divine Technique remained elusive, so he sought the Cosmic Absorption Technique at the Blackwood Cliff. However, he knew that Ren Woxing harbored ambitions and would never willingly hand over the technique if he learned of Ming Zun’s weakened state. Thus, Ming Zun hid in an abandoned villa atop the cliff, nursing his wounds and devising ways to acquire the technique. All his schemes lacked certainty until Song Qingshu arrived with Zhao Min and the others.

Though injured, Ming Zun’s abilities allowed him to conceal himself from Song Qingshu’s sharp senses. Learning that Song Qingshu also sought the Cosmic Absorption Technique, Ming Zun planned to ambush him upon his return. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Song Qingshu’s strength had advanced tremendously, leaving Ming Zun no longer his match.

Realizing the danger, Ming Zun resorted to taking hostages and feigned an alliance. If he survived this ordeal, he could seek revenge later. His exaggerated sincerity, however, raised Song Qingshu’s suspicions, and the latter soon deduced Ming Zun’s dire situation.

As Song Qingshu drew closer, Ming Zun tightened his grip on the women and growled, “Do you not care for their lives?”

Ming Zun fell silent, then sneered after a moment. “I underestimated you before. Still, had you truly cared little for their lives, you’d have acted already. It seems I’ve won this gamble.”

Song Qingshu chuckled. “Actually, I was pondering a way to save them both and kill you.”

Ming Zun’s face twitched. “Have you figured it out yet?”

Song Qingshu sighed. “With your martial arts, I can’t think of a flawless solution.”

Ming Zun burst into laughter. “I once considered you an equal, yet you hesitate over two women. If I were in your place, I would eliminate my greatest rival without a second thought.”

As a millennium-old adversary, Ming Zun was adept at reading people. His arrogance stemmed from knowing Song Qingshu wouldn’t be goaded into rash actions.

Song Qingshu remained unbothered. “That’s the difference between us. You only care for power. I value beauty over power.”

These words, inspired by a song from his past life, created a profound impact in this world.

Zhao Min’s eyes sparkled, her heart resonating deeply. Once a noble princess, she had abandoned everything–her family, her clan, her country–for love. It was, indeed, valuing beauty over power.

Li Mochou, standing nearby, was equally shaken. Betrayed by love, she had grown to despise the world and all men, believing them all heartless. Yet here stood a man willing to forsake power for the sake of love.

While Ming Zun scoffed, “Naive!”

“Naive or not, it’s my choice,” Song Qingshu said calmly. “Release them, and I will let you go.”

Zhao Min grew anxious. If she could speak, she would have berated Song Qingshu for wasting such an opportunity. She despised Ming Zun and would rather perish together with him. Yet beneath her anger, a deep warmth blossomed–she knew what Song Qingshu was sacrificing for her. r

Ming Zun sneered. “Do you take me for a fool? Without hostages, I wouldn’t escape.”

“If you don’t release them, you’ll never leave this room,” Song Qingshu replied firmly. The room fell into a tense standoff.

After a pause, Ming Zun suggested, “How about this? I release one of them now and the other after I’m safely down the mountain.”

Song Qingshu shook his head. “No. Release both now.”

“Are you mocking me?!” Ming Zun roared.

“You have no choice. Release them, and you might live. Prolong this, and you’ll die,” Song Qingshu warned.

Ming Zun’s eyes flickered as he calculated his options. His injuries worsened with every passing moment. Finally, he said, “I’ll release them, but you must promise me one condition.”

“Speak,” Song Qingshu demanded.

“Give me the Cosmic Absorption Technique,” Ming Zun said, his voice trembling with desire.

Song Qingshu frowned, quickly deducing his intentions. “You intend to use it to dispel the sword Qi?”

“So what if I am?” Ming Zun admitted openly. “If I can’t expel it, I’ll never return to my peak. But if you refuse, I’ll cripple this body, leave you with years of internal injuries, and drag these two women down with me.”

“Cripple the body?” Song Qingshu’s eyes widened, recalling that Ming Zun could possess another.

“Exactly. I am undying. Worst case, we all perish,” Ming Zun retorted.

“Fine,” Song Qingshu relented, formulating a plan.

Yet Ming Zun wasn’t easily fooled. “Recite the technique for this daoist to practice first,” he demanded, pointing to Li Mochou.

Song Qingshu hesitated briefly before nodding to Li Mochou. “No problem. Go ahead and train. Breathe deeply, imagine your dantian an empty box, your body an abyss… Let your Qi flow through the Ren Meridian…”

Trusting Song Qingshu implicitly, Li Mochou began practicing without hesitation.

Ming Zun observed intently, monitoring her progress with his Qi.

This is the 2nd of 16 chapters sponsored by Sixth.

Check out my other projects: Dual Cultivation with a Fox Demon, Ask the Mirror (recommended), and Immortal Divine Tribulation, The Way of Restraint