The mantra for the Cosmic Absorption Technique wasn’t lengthy, so Song Qingshu recited it quickly. Li Mochou followed along in practice while Ming Zun monitored the flow of her True Qi within her body.

As her chaotic True Qi began to dissipate, Ming Zun nodded in approval. Suddenly, a suction force erupted from Li Mochou’s body, pulling away the strand of True Qi he had been monitoring. Though startled, Ming Zun had been prepared and severed the connection between his True Qi and himself.

Noticing Ming Zun’s change in expression, Song Qingshu said coldly, “I’ve already recited the mantra. It’s your turn to release them.”

Ming Zun laughed heartily. “Since you’ve upheld your promise, I will not break mine. I’ll return them to you now.” As he spoke, he struck Zhao Min with a palm, then pushed the two women toward Song Qingshu before disappearing into the night.

A thousand-year-old demon like Ming Zun would never trust someone so easily. Finding no flaws in the mantra, his suspicion only deepened. He believed that once the hostages were released, Song Qingshu would attack him, so he struck Zhao Min, leaving her gravely injured but not fatally so. He calculated that Song Qingshu would have no choice but to treat her injuries, thereby abandoning any pursuit.

He didn’t harm Li Mochou further because he noticed she was already on the brink of death. A heavier strike might kill her, which could provoke Song Qingshu into pursuing him at all costs.

Zhao Min felt her vision darken as she coughed up blood. Her body floated weightlessly forward until she collapsed into a warm embrace. Summoning all her strength, she opened her eyes to see Song Qingshu’s anxious expression. A faint smile appeared on her lips before she lost consciousness.

Holding her delicate frame, Song Qingshu glanced into the darkness, his eyes flickering with cold determination. After a moment of hesitation, he gave up the thought of pursuing Ming Zun. He had to admit that Ming’s tactic to strike where it hurt the most was masterfully executed.

“She… how is she?” Li Mochou, having dispersed her chaotic True Qi and absorbed a trace of Ming Zun’s power, already felt much better. Though her internal injuries weren’t fully healed, a few hours of meditation would suffice for recovery.

“Not good,” Song Qingshu replied with a frown. “Stand guard for me while I stabilize her injuries.”

“Alright,” Li Mochou agreed, though a gleam of excitement flashed in her eyes. She thought, ‘You humiliated me when I was injured, Zhao Min. Now that the tables have turned, let’s see how I deal with you!’

After an hour, Zhao Min finally regained consciousness. Her first words were, “I’m not dead yet?”

Behind her came Song Qingshu’s laughter. “With me here, dying isn’t that easy.”

Zhao Min realized she was lying partially in Song Qingshu’s arms. Her cheeks flushed as she struggled to sit up, only to be overwhelmed by sharp pain radiating through her body.

“Don’t move. I’ve only stabilized your injuries. You’re far from recovered,” Song Qingshu said, his words tinged with both reprimand and concern.

Zhao Min’s heart trembled. For some reason, his simple words touched her deeply. For the first time, she felt no need to feign comfort in his arms; it felt natural. But when she caught sight of Li Mochou nearby, an awkwardness overtook her, and she quickly changed the subject. “What about Zhang… Ming Zun?”

“He escaped, of course,” Song Qingshu replied nonchalantly.

“And you just let him go?” Zhao Min asked, displeased.

“What else could I do? Leave you to die?” Song Qingshu chuckled softly.

Zhao Min fell silent. After a long pause, she sighed. “Ming Zun was right. You really are too soft-hearted.”

“There will be other chances to kill him. But if you died, there wouldn’t be another Princess Shaomin,” Song Qingshu said, holding her gently as a faint fragrance from her body wafted toward him. Despite the closeness, his feelings were purely tender, devoid of desire. Ɍ

Blushing, Zhao Min retorted, “I know you let him go on purpose because you need him to hold back the Mongols, just like when Cao Cao was spared at Huarong Pass. Don’t expect me to thank you for it.”

Song Qingshu laughed wryly. Zhao Min’s stubborn denial of her gratitude amused him. ‘Why do so many women I meet have this tsundere trait of denying their true feelings?’

Li Mochou snorted from the side. “I thought I was ungrateful, but meeting you has taught me there’s always someone better.”

Once bent on killing Song Qingshu for interfering with her practice of the Jade Heart Sutra, Li Mochou now saw him sacrifice a rare opportunity to save them. The saying ‘Loving beauty more than power’ shattered her icy heart. She was the kind of woman who would give everything for love, and this act erased any lingering animosity she felt toward him.

Zhao Min bristled. “Of course, you’d take his side. You’re his lover, after all.”

“What did you just say?” Li Mochou’s expression darkened instantly as she stood abruptly.

“Don’t deny it. Alone in a room together, clothes disheveled—what else could you be?” Despite her injuries, Zhao Min refused to back down.

A flash of silver light darted toward Zhao Min, but Song Qingshu swiftly deflected Li Mochou’s Frozen Soul Silver Needle, sighing. “Why must you two fight?”

Seeing Song Qingshu defend Zhao Min, Li Mochou’s heart grew inexplicably heavy. She sneered coldly, “No wonder someone dares act so recklessly—they know you’ll always stand up for them. Who’s really your lover here?”

“Enough,” Song Qingshu said helplessly. “You’re both respectable women. Can’t you stop using such distasteful words?”

“Hmph!” Both women huffed simultaneously, turning away from each other in frustration.

Breaking the tension, Li Mochou finally spoke. “Thank you, Young Master Song. The Cosmic Absorption Technique has healed my internal injuries. Though my strength isn’t at its peak, with this technique, I’ll recover quickly.”

She felt no guilt for absorbing others’ internal energy, given her ruthless nature. However, she added with a hint of embarrassment, “To save us, you gave the real mantra to Ming Zun. Your kindness… I am deeply grateful.”

Hearing this, Zhao Min burst into laughter. “What a foolish woman.”

“What did you say?” Li Mochou snapped, her icy demeanor returning.

“I said you’re foolish. Do you really think that mantra was genuine?” Zhao Min smirked at Song Qingshu, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Don’t tell me you were stupid enough not to tamper with it. Otherwise, I’ll be terribly disappointed.”

Song Qingshu coughed awkwardly. “The mantra is real… but I made some modifications.”

“What kind of modifications?” Li Mochou asked, surprised. She quickly checked her body and found no anomalies.

“You’re a woman, so it doesn’t affect you,” Song Qingshu replied, his tone evasive.

“Modifications specific to men?” Zhao Min pressed, her curiosity piqued.

“Yes,” Song Qingshu admitted reluctantly but didn’t elaborate, his expression conflicted.

Zhao Min persisted, her curiosity only growing. “What kind of modifications?”

Finally, Song Qingshu explained hesitantly, causing both women’s expressions to grow strange.

Zhao Min spat in disgust, “You men are all shameless scoundrels!”

Song Qingshu retorted, “Oh, feeling sorry for your old lover now that he’s been turned into a eunuch?”

Zhao Min’s face turned pale as she struggled to sit up, her abrupt movements worsening her injuries. Blood seeped from her lips as she began to cough violently.

Seeing this, Song Qingshu immediately regretted his words. Some jokes, he realized, should never be made.

Li Mochou chuckled maliciously. “Cough yourself to death for all I care.”

Unexpectedly, Zhao Min turned to her with a cold stare. “You’re hoping I’ll die, aren’t you?”

Startled by Zhao Min’s sharp intuition, Li Mochou remained unflinching. “And what if I am?”

Zhao Min smiled faintly. “Then I’ll make sure to live just to spite you.” Looking toward Song Qingshu, she asked sweetly, “Brother Qingshu, do you have a way to heal me?”

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

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay