Chapter 587: Loving Beauty More Than Power
“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?”