Blood Oath
Blood Oath
[He always does things his own way!] She had only intended to help Princess Ling Meng and give her hope. However, that had angered Jun Moxie. This had shattered any hope of saving Ye Guhan's life.
The Princess and Ye Guhan's political position was very sensitive. Moreover, the Jun Family circumstances weren't very good either. This was driving Jun Moxie to forego the task of saving the man's life.
"Why? What else do you want me to do? What in the world do you want from me? You just say it! I give you my word; I'll give you anything you ask!" Princess Ling Meng was still kneeling on the ground in despair. She had a vacant expression on her face. However, she still clung to her last hope as she asked Jun Moxie.
"Nothing you offer will make any difference; I don't trust you," Jun Moxie raised his head and looked up at the sky. He let out a deep sigh. He then spoke in a resolute manner, "Princess, I really wish to save him but you must be aware of our Jun Family's situation. … to say that it is precarious… would be an understatement. And if I could cure conditions that even the three foremost doctors of the city weren't able to. What would it mean…"
Jun Moxie took a deep breath, "Right now… people can only suspect… and be suspicious of me. However, it will become a reality if I manage to save Ye Guhan's life! Princess, Ye Guhan is one of the most 'Taboo Names' to his Majesty the Emperor. Reviving him would tantamount to offending the Emperor! This single matter concerns the lives of thousands of Jun Family members… and tens-of-thousands of our Faction's followers. In such circumstances… ah… Princess… don't you think that sacrificing Ye Guhan's life is a good idea? Would the Princess do it differently if she were in my place?
"How can you expect me to trust you?! The Heavenly Punishmentmily has never been loyal to anyone. Doesn't the Princess know that?" Jun Moxie said heavily.
"I can pledge to guard your secret… you… you just asked how you can believe me… how can I…? …" Princess Ling Meng hung her head dispiritedly. She knew that no pledge she would make would be binding-enough. She didn't know how to explain that her promises would be different from her Family's. So, she kept quiet for a while.
Dugu Xiaoyi bit her lip. It seemed that she wanted to say something. However, she eventually decided to remain silent.
Sun Xiaomei sighed inside her heart. Young Master Jun's words were reasonable. She knew that she would've ignored any pleas for assistance in this situation as well. She had realized just how childish and unwise her actions had been .
[The current Emperor is very wise. But one his few undeniable faults is that he's too suspicious…]
Sun Xiaomei was lost in her thoughts. Then, she saw the princess suddenly rise to her feet. Her delicate body changed directions, and then she knelt down again. Princess Ling Meng then bit her lips very hard, and a wisp of blood started to flow down from the corner of her mouth. The blood streamed down her face and started to drip on the ground.
She hesitated for a moment. Then, she eventually placed her left hand upon her chest. She then spoke in a soft yet resolute tone, "The heavens above and the earth below—the Gods of this world and the successive generations of my ancestors—listen to my oath! I, Ling Meng, hear-by swear…"
She paused for a moment, and her face suddenly twisted. She then continued, "… If Jun Moxie is able to save my Uncle Ye's life… then I Ling Meng vow that I'll return to the Palace and spare no efforts to demand from my father… that I be married to Jun Moxie. Weather a wife or a concubine… I'll comply to his wishes; I'll never complain. I'll spend this life being the most loyal woman to Jun Moxie. I will keep my mouth sealed regarding all his secrets, and I will not divulge a single thing to anyone else. If it seems that I have reneged on this oath… may my whole family die! And may my ancestors never find any peace! Ling Meng herself shall be punished by being hacked into pieces. Then being thunderstruck five times… none of my descendants shall be allowed to continue in this world! I take this blood oath before the heaven and earth and the Gods of this world!"
The Princess turned her hand after she finished speaking. She held a delicate throwing knife in it. The knife flashed like lightning as she moved it towards her arm, and slashed it. She didn't even flinch as she did this… The blood gushed out like a fountain. The Princess then drew a circle in front of her with her own blood. Then, she knelt and tapped her head right at the center of that bloody circle. Her luxuriant and water-like hair scattered onto the ground. She didn't raise her head for a long time…
With heaven and earth as witness, and in the name of the Gods and ancestors… her soul, and her blood, had gone into this oath!
This was the most sacred and also the most malicious oath in the Mystic Mystic Continent. No one would ever dare to abandon this oath. And, Princess Ling Meng had already knocked her head in the very center of the bloody circle.
The oath had been sealed.
It was in-commutable in that life.
Dugu Xiaoyi cried out in alarm. She glared as her small hand covered her mouth, while her eyes quickly filled with tears.
Princess Ling Meng got up. Her face was covered with tears but she didn't weep. She then faced Jun Moxie and then spoke, "Maybe I've convinced you now… Jun Moxie?"
Jun Moxie was stunned-speechless.
Young Master Jun had never thought that the Princess would take such an oath—not even in his dreams.
[What are you saying?]
Jun Moxie had previously decided to save Ye Guhan. However, he wasn't able to start the procedure due to some difficult problems. Then, the sudden arrival of Princess Ling Meng coupled with her special identity had escalated the situation further.
Otherwise, he would've saved Ye Guhan in secret, and fronted the non-existent 'mysterious expert'. A few people may have doubted it, but it wouldn't have been a huge hindrance. However, he had never taken into account that the Princess would immediately make her way to his residence after being returned to the Imperial Palace by that man. Moreover, she had brought three Imperial Physicians with her. And those three were the top medical experts in Heavenly Scent City.
This mix of so many people had killed Jun Moxie's plan. He wouldn't be able to save the man even if he capable of doing it since the Emperor may find out about his talents if the Princess were to leak any of his secrets to His Majesty's ears. Young Master Jun's skills could've easily brought upon his doom…
First his Grandfather had taken undue advantage of the Jun Family's influence to commit a purge. Then, his Uncle's injuries had mysteriously healed. This was then followed the mysterious emergence of the Aristocratic Hall. Any logical interpretation of these facts would point in the Jun Family's direction, and heads would start to roll…
Therefore, Jun Moxie had resolutely refused to treat Ye Guhan.
However, Princess Ling Meng had made that Blood Oath to gain Jun Moxie's trust…
She had made this Oath to mediate the circumstances between herself and Jun Moxie…
The Princess's body trembled. There was a fierce expression on her face as she looked at Jun Moxie.
She was aware that Jun Moxie had endlessly nagged his grandfather to take an offer for his marriage to the Imperial Princess a few years ago. However, she had then rejected him and her father had also lost interest in the Jun Family. The whole matter had fizzled out sometime later.
Princess Ling Meng's judgement had been clouded by the present circumstances. She hadn't paid careful attention to Jun Moxie's words. She had heard him speak "I don't trust you," and had interpreted it to be a demand for her loyalty by marriage. [This has obscurely revealed this debauchee's real aim! However, I fear that he won't save my Uncle Ye's life if I don't agree to his condition…]
[Am I only to look on helplessly as Uncle Ye leaves the mortal realm?]
Princess Ling Meng had reached an impossible conclusion after she had searched her soul.
Therefore, she had decided to make this Blood Oath after some hesitation.
[I will sacrifice the rest of my life as long as Uncle Ye survives. It's not much of a sacrifice; is it? Anyway, who is to say that my father won't just use my marriage as a means to rope-in a minister in the future? There's no guarantee that I'll ever be allowed to marry by my own choice. In fact, he may just send me to Jun Moxie since he's quite influential…]
[Uncle Ye could do that much to save my life. Can't I even do this much for him?]
Therefore, Princess Ling Meng had eventually made this resolute decision.
The throwing knife covered with her own blood was still in her hand.
However, the Princess's mind was ice-cold.
[What else do you want now? Tell me what you want…]
However, she was merely in a trance…
Princess Ling Meng looked at Jun Moxie. And Jun Moxie looked at the Princess. Their thoughts were a mess. Sun Xiaomei could understand their thoughts. And her eyes were wide-open in shock…
Suddenly, Dugu Xiaoyi let-out a loud sob in the midst of this silence… Then, she started to weep… She was completely heartbroken.
[Boo hoo… brother Moxie… I liked him first… and yet you suddenly took that oath without speaking to me first! You stole him! No Way! Sister didn't even discuss this with me! You're a cheat!]
Dugu Xiaoyi felt wronged; she felt very sad. And when she looked at those two silently starting at each other… she thought they were looking at each other "lovingly". Hence, she couldn't help but cry.
Dugu Xiaoyi was dazzled in reality. She was just imagining things like Princess Ling Meng. There was nothing more to it. What she felt as "loving" gaze between two people… was actually Jun Moxie feeling stunned and panicky. There was a hint of embarrassment in his body language, and he was having a tough time in restraining his anger. And the Princess was tragic over the "Sacrifice" she had just made.
This gaze they shared, and that of two lovers, are two completely different things.
"Fine! I promise you! I will save him!" Jun Moxie took a deep breath, "However, I don't accept your oath! You and I aren't a fit match! Therefore, even speaking of marriage between us is absurd!"
"Ye Guhan will have to stay here for a long time. I can only restore his health very slowly. And I can't guarantee the extent of his recovery. You… understand what I mean?"
[I can save him or I can kill him.]
[You took that lousy oath. Even if you had to take an oath… it should've been about 'not opening your mouth'. I could've stuck to my original idea by fronting the story about the mysterious master saving Ye Guhan's life, and you would've been the perfect tool to make the world believe it. Just that much would've been enough! But you had to go and add that part about 'marrying me… or become my concubine, and then abiding by my desires'! What a shitty oath!]
[Bah! Even if you wish to marry me… I don't wish to marry you! I have no intention to do so! You aren't that beautiful. Can you even compare to that little girl?! And can you even compare to that little girl from the Silver Blizzard City? … No matter what sort of a woman she is… she has the upper hand in this regard. Your beauty is worth a 'fart' to me!]
However, Jun Moxie had been stunned by the severity of the Oath the Princess had taken. He was shocked by the sacrifice she was willing to make for Ye Guhan. In fact, he was certain that he would've never taken such a tough decision if he were to be in her shoes!
"Once a blood oath is taken… it cannot be changed even if you don't accept it! This is a well-known fact!" Princess Ling Meng's heart was filled with joy when she heard that he had agreed to save Ye Guhan. But she continued calmly, "I just hope that the truth of this matter is never known to my Uncle Ye."
"I can only guarantee my utmost effort in this matter." Jun Moxie sighed with numbness. [What is this? Why does it feel like I've forced an honest girl into selling her body…?]