Princess Ling Meng's forehead pressed harder against the floor. Her shoulders shook from the overwhelming desperation she could no longer hide.
"My Uncle Ye has suffered countless grievances because of my willfulness… he has suffered so much harm because I wasn't sensible…" Tears gathered in her eyes, but she forced herself to keep speaking. "There is nothing I can do to repay him. But he lies dying now… and I am willing to sacrifice everything for his life!"
Her breath trembled, and her voice faded for a moment. Then she looked up at Jun Mo Xie with eyes full of a hopeless determination.
"Jun Mo Xie, I… I bow before you!"
She raised herself slightly and then slammed her forehead down again.
Boom!
The heavy sound struck the floor like a hammer, sending a sharp jolt through the room.
It was not the act of a sheltered princess. It was the act of someone throwing away pride, dignity, and status for the sake of one man's life.
Dugu Xiao Yi's eyes turned red. Sun Xiao Mei bit her lip hard, trying to hold back her own tears. Even though they had known she was desperate but seeing the proud Princess Ling Meng kneeling so sincerely made their hearts tighten painfully.
Jun Mo Xie's expression remained calm on the surface, as still and unmoving as a quiet lake. Yet a faint warmth flickered in his eyes as he looked at the kneeling princess. It wasn't pity but more like a silent acknowledgment.
'Hah… women like this are rare. How many in this world would kneel like this, bleed like this, for someone who isn't even their family?'
But that flicker vanished just as quickly.
He wasn't a saint, and he never pretended to be one.
He was the Devil Himself!
He was the King of Death, the Shadow Monarch!
Ye Guhan was saved because of his Uncle. Not because of Ling Meng, and certainly not because he wanted to show his strength in front of anyone.
Dugu Xiao Yi, who had been trembling with worry, suddenly stepped forward. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she shouted emotionally, "Bastard, why do you hesitate? The Princess is kneeling in front of you and begging… what more do you want? Hurry up and do something if you can help! Is us two kneeling in front of you not enough?"
Jun Mo Xie's calm eyes instantly turned cold.
He lifted one hand and, gently but firmly, as he pushed Dugu Xiao Yi aside. The movement wasn't violent, but it carried a strange, chilling force that made her stumble back a step. Then he looked down at Princess Ling Meng again, his face showing nothing but indifference.
"I'm sorry… there's nothing I can do."
The words landed like a stone.
Sun Xiao Mei's entire body trembled.
The princess's breathing became shaky, her gaze empty and unfocused.
"Why…?" Ling Meng whispered hoarsely. "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!"
She was still kneeling, her posture broken, her heart lost between despair and desperate hope.
Jun Mo Xie let out a tired sigh. His tone remained serious, but there was a faint heaviness in it. "Your majesty, you might have many things that other people wish to have. But you can't give me what I want. After all, trust can't be bought anywhere in the world."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"You must be aware of our Jun Family's situation… to say that it is precarious would be an understatement. If I cure something that even the best of the city couldn't cure, then what would happen? Princess, Ye Gu Han is one of the most 'Taboo Names' to His Majesty the Emperor. Reviving him would be tantamount to offending the Emperor."
His words were steady and unhurried, yet every sentence struck like a hammer.
"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 sacrificing Ye Gu Han's life is a good idea? Would the Princess do it differently if she were in my place?"
Then, his eyes narrowed slightly as he continued. "How can you expect me to trust you? The Tian Family has never been loyal to anyone. You know it better than me, right?"
Princess Ling Meng trembled. She tried to steady her voice, but it cracked almost instantly."I can pledge to guard your secret… you just asked how you can believe me… how can I…?"
Her voice faded slowly as she knew the truth. No promise she made was worth anything in the eyes of others. Her family's name had destroyed its own credibility long ago.
So she could only stay silent.
Dugu Xiao Yi bit her lip hard. She wanted to say something, but she held it in. She didn't want to make things worse.
Sun Xiao Mei lowered her head. She couldn't deny that Jun Mo Xie's reasoning was solid. If she were in his position, then she might have made the same decision. Realizing how impulsive she had been made her chest tighten with shame.
Princess Ling Meng suddenly stood up, startling the other two. Her delicate frame swayed slightly, but before they could ask anything, she turned and dropped to her knees again.
Her body trembled as she bit her lip so hard that blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. It slid down her chin and dripped onto the floor, staining her robe.
She placed her left hand over her chest. Her voice was soft, but every word carried a firm, unbreakable resolve.
"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, hereby swear…"
She paused, her face twisting with pain and determination, 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 will be married to Jun Mo Xie. Whether a wife or a concubine… I'll comply with 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!"
A small, delicate dagger appeared in her hand, and before Sun Xiao Mei or Dugu Xiao Yi could react, she raised it toward her arm.
The blade flashed in the sunlight.
But it never touched her skin; a violent gust of wind swept across the room.
Whoosh!
Jun Mo Xie moved swiftly as thunder and grabbed her wrist, locking it in place.
"Stop it, you crazy bitch!" He shouted, the first time his composure truly cracked. "I have already healed your Uncle Ye! So stop this nonsense!"
The room froze in its place, and the three women were dumbfounded by his words.
Princess Ling Meng looked up with her tear-stained face, her mind blank, her voice barely audible.
"Huh? What… what did you say…?"
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
📢 Author's Note 📢
If you're enjoying this story and want more chapters right now, I invite you to check out my Patreon. There you'll find:
✅ Daily updates – never miss a day of new content
✅ Advanced chapters – read far ahead of public releases
✅ Exclusive perks & extras – only available to patrons
Your support not only gives you early access but also helps me dedicate more time to writing and expanding this story. Every reader who joins makes a huge difference.
👉 Dive into more chapters today: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨