269 Blood Oath (1/2)
Forget about other matters — she hadn't even taken Jun Mo Xie's temperament into consideration. [He is very different from other people. This man never brings himself out in the open for anyone. No is an exception to that rule!]
[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 Mo Xie. This had shattered any hope of saving Ye Gu Han's life.
The Princess and Ye Gu Han's political position was very sensitive. Moreover, the Jun Family circumstances weren't very good either. This was driving Jun Mo Xie 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 Mo Xie.
”Nothing you offer will make any difference; I don't trust you,” Jun Mo Xie 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 Mo Xie 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 Gu Han's life! Princess, Ye Gu Han 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 Gu Han'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 Tian Family has never been loyal to anyone. Doesn't the Princess know that?” Jun Mo Xie 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 Xiao Yi bit her lip. It seemed that she wanted to say something. However, she eventually decided to remain silent.
Sun Xiao Mei sighed inside her heart. The 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 Xiao Mei 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 Mo Xie 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 Mo Xie. 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 Mo Xie. 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 Xuan Xuan 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 Xiao Yi 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 Mo Xie and then spoke, ”Maybe I've convinced you now… Jun Mo Xie?”
Jun Mo Xie was stunned-speechless.
The Young Master Jun had never thought that the Princess would take such an oath — not even in his dreams.
[What are you saying?]
Jun Mo Xie had previously decided to save Ye Gu Han. 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 Gu Han 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 Tian Xiang City.
This mix of so many people had killed Jun Mo Xie'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. The 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 Mo Xie had resolutely refused to treat Ye Gu Han.