020 Subjugation

Ouyang Ke’s eyes lit up, his heart stirred. Ignoring Tolui, he smiled and said, "What kind of person do you take me for? Once I have given my word, how could I go back on it? However, while he may leave, you, Lady Huazheng, must stay..."

"Fine."

Cheng Lingsu had anticipated that he would not let the matter rest so easily. Yet, this was for the best; dealing with Ouyang Ke alone would allow her to maneuver and seek an opening to escape, whereas having Tolui present would only burden her with unnecessary concern. Thus, she cut him off before he could spout any more nonsense.

Ouyang Ke did not expect her to agree so readily. He laughed, "That is more like it. With the obstruction gone, we can finally have a proper chat."

Ignoring him, Cheng Lingsu turned her back. She took the kerchief containing the blue flowers from her bosom, shook it slightly in the air, and used it to bind the lacerated webbing of Tolui’s hand. After returning the flowers to her breast, she briefly explained the situation to Tolui, urging him to return at once.

Tolui’s face turned leaden. He retreated two steps, suddenly drawing the single-edged saber stuck in the ground at his feet. With his eyes fixed on Ouyang Ke, he swung the blade through the air before him with a fierce, chopping motion. "Your martial arts are superior; I am no match for you. But today, in the name of the son of Khan Temujin, I swear to the gods of the grasslands: once I have purged the traitors who harmed my father, I will surely settle this score with you! I do this to avenge my sister and to show you what a true hero of the steppe is made of!"

Though also the son of a Mongol tribal leader, Tolui was modest and deeply loyal, unlike the arrogant Dushi. Yet, his inner pride was no less profound. As Temujin’s favorite son, he understood his father’s vast ambitions—to turn every land covered by the blue sky into pasture for the Mongol people.

For this goal, he had trained in the army since childhood, never missing a single day. He had not expected that after years of bitter training, not only would he fall into the hands of the enemy, but he would also be unable to bring his sister, who had come to save him, back to safety. Tolui knew Cheng Lingsu was right; he had to prioritize Temujin’s safety and return to mobilize troops to support his father. Yet, the thought of his sister being forcibly detained here left him so choked with humiliation that he could barely breathe.

The Mongols valued their word above all, especially oaths sworn to the gods of the steppe. Knowing he was outmatched, Tolui made this vow with ironclad resolve. His expression was solemn and devout, his words brimming with heroic spirit. Though not a master of martial arts, his shoulders, forged through long years in the military, carried the same kingly air as Temujin’s. His commanding presence was so intense that even Ouyang Ke, who did not fully grasp the content of his words, felt a flicker of secret alarm.

Cheng Lingsu felt a warmth in her heart. The blood of Temujin’s daughter, flowing within her, seemed to resonate with Tolui’s defiance and resolve. It surged like a torrent, making her eyes grow hot. She turned slightly, blocking Ouyang Ke’s path, and whispered, "Go quickly. Return now; I have my own ways to escape."

Tolui nodded, took two steps forward, and embraced her briefly. Without sparing another glance at Ouyang Ke, he turned and sprinted toward the camp gates.

The few guards remaining who saw him running from the camp attempted to intercept him, but were each cut down by his blade.

***

Only when she saw with her own eyes that Tolui had seized a horse at the edge of the camp and galloped away did Cheng Lingsu finally relax, letting out a soft sigh.

In her previous life, her master, the Poison King, used toxins as medicine to heal the sick, yet he firmly believed in the cycles of karma. In his later years, he converted to Buddhism, cultivating his spirit until he reached a state of perfect equanimity. As his youngest disciple, she had been deeply influenced by him. Having died once, only to be cast into this world, she could not help but believe there might be some greater, hidden purpose.

She had originally intended to avoid becoming entangled in the affairs of this world, hoping to find a chance to escape far away, to return to the shores of Lake Dongting and see what the White Horse Temple would look like centuries later. She wanted to open a small clinic, heal the sick, and spend her life guarding the longing and deep affection she held for that person from her past.

Moreover, if Temujin were in danger, the Mongol tribe where she had lived for ten years would also suffer. Her mother and brother, who had raised her with genuine care, and the people she saw every day would all be struck by disaster. After ten years together, how could she stand idly by?

Thinking of this, Cheng Lingsu sighed again.

Seeing Cheng Lingsu staring in the direction Tolui had departed, lost in thought and sighing repeatedly, Ouyang Ke lifted his chin and sneered, "What, are you that reluctant to see him go?"

Detecting the implication in his tone, Cheng Lingsu frowned. Pulling her thoughts back, she blurted out, "I am worried about my brother. Is that not natural?"

"Oh? He is your brother?" Ouyang Ke raised an eyebrow, a fleeting glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Then... the lad from before was your lover?"

"What nonsense are you..." Cheng Lingsu paused, suddenly realizing, "You mean Guo Jing? Were you already... did you know as soon as we arrived?"

"Not 'you all', just 'you'. I knew the moment you arrived." Ouyang Ke looked quite pleased, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Although Cheng Lingsu had dismounted far away, his internal energy was profound, and his hearing far surpassed that of common Mongol soldiers. He had discovered her almost the moment she infiltrated the camp. Just as he was about to reveal himself, he saw Ma Yu intervene to lead her and Guo Jing away.

Years ago, his uncle Ouyang Feng had suffered a great loss at the hands of the Quanzhen Sect; thus, the Western Poison lineage harbored resentment and caution toward the Taoists of Quanzhen. Recognizing Ma Yu’s Taoist robes and recalling his uncle’s warnings, Ouyang Ke had abandoned his plan to appear. Instead, he remained in the shadows, observing their exchange.

He had expected Cheng Lingsu to urge Ma Yu to storm the camp. He did not know Ma Yu was the leader of the Quanzhen Sect; he only thought that, besides the thousands of soldiers in the camp, Wanyan Honglie was accompanied by several martial arts experts capable of pinning Ma Yu down—perhaps even killing him to eliminate a major threat to the sect. He had not expected the Taoist to leave with Guo Jing, leaving Cheng Lingsu behind alone.

Cheng Lingsu began to piece things together: "Wanyan Honglie came here in secret, likely to sow discord between Sangkun and my father, keeping the Mongol tribes in constant conflict so that the Jin Empire would have no threats from the north."

Ouyang Ke had no interest in such politics, but seeing how earnest Cheng Lingsu looked, he nodded and complimented her: "To see the truth through such simple clues—you are truly clever."

Brushing aside a strand of hair blown by the wind, Cheng Lingsu’s gaze was as clear as the waters of the Onon River on the steppe: "You are one of Wanyan Honglie’s men, yet you let Guo Jing go to sound the alarm, and now you have let Tolui go to mobilize troops. Are you not afraid of ruining his grand scheme?"

Ouyang Ke laughed, reached out, and lightly tapped her chin with his folding fan. "Afraid? What does his scheme have to do with me? If I can win a beauty’s smile, what does it matter?"

Cheng Lingsu did not smile; instead, she frowned and stepped back, avoiding the flirtatious fan. She reached out and caught the black-lacquered tip of the fan in her palm. A chill, cold as ice, pierced through her skin to the bone, making her want to let go immediately. Only then did she realize the ribs of his fan were forged from mysterious black iron.

"What? Do you like this fan?" Ouyang Ke flicked his wrist, casually brushing off her hand and retracting the fan. He snapped it open and waved it lightly before him. "If you fancy anything else, I would gladly give it to you, but this fan..." He mused for a moment, then chuckled, "If you like it, as long as you follow me from now on, you will naturally be able to see it whenever you wish..."