Flower Stealing Master

“To deal with Mongolia?” Song Qingshu’s expression turned peculiar. He had never expected Ming Zun to propose such an idea. After all, the two of them had attempted to kill each other several times before. Now, this sudden suggestion to form an alliance felt like an abrupt and jarring shift.

Standing to the side, Zhao Min was filled with anxiety. She was worried that Song Qingshu might actually agree, which would mean her vengeance would become unattainable. Unfortunately, her pressure points had been sealed, leaving her unable to speak despite the torrent of words she wanted to say.

Seeing Song Qingshu’s silence, Ming Zun assumed he was hesitating. He decided to add fuel to the fire, continuing to persuade him. “Although your current territory does not border Mongolia, from my perspective, the Qing Dynasty is already on the brink of collapse. Its lands will inevitably fall into your hands sooner or later. By then, you’ll face the Mongolian cavalry directly. Mongolia’s main forces are now on their westward expedition. When they return, it will spell the end of all nations in the Central Plains. With your intelligence, you should clearly see this coming.”

Song Qingshu remained silent. Coming from a later era, he was fully aware of Mongolia’s threat. If the main forces of their western expedition returned, they would undoubtedly sweep through the nations of the Central Plains like an unstoppable hurricane.

“What’s your plan?” Song Qingshu suddenly asked. Zhao Min, listening from the side, felt a chill in her heart. She realized that Song Qingshu was likely already tempted.

“You and I should unite to eliminate Mongolia’s wings before their main forces return from the westward expedition. The Ming Cult can dispatch troops from Tianshan to crush Arik Boke’s forces, while you advance northward to attack Prince Ruyang’s territory. Then, we can join forces with the nations of the Central Plains to encircle Kublai Khan’s forces. If we can eliminate these three Mongolian kings, Mongolia’s strength will be reduced by at least half. Even if Temüjin returns with his army, the situation will already be beyond repair.”

A cold gleam flashed in Ming Zun’s eyes. This strategic plan was his last resort. Song Qingshu’s sudden emergence had caused his plans to annex the Golden Serpent Camp and control the White Lotus Sect to collapse, effectively thwarting his ambitions to dominate both the Qing Dynasty and the Southern Song. Despite his personal grievances with Song Qingshu, Ming Zun was a cunning strategist. In the face of greater threats, he decisively chose to ally with him to counter Mongolia.

“Even if Temüjin doesn’t prevent us from trimming his wings, both Arik Boke and Prince Ruyang’s forces are filled with formidable generals and elite soldiers. Do you think defeating them will be that easy?” Song Qingshu was evidently skeptical of this plan.

“Arik Boke and Prince Ruyang indeed have considerable strength, but if we can’t even defeat them, what’s the point of talking about conquering the world?” Ming Zun’s tone carried an air of disdain, as if the tens of thousands of elite Mongolian cavalry under Arik Boke were nothing more than paper tigers to him. “As for Temüjin’s western expedition forces, you don’t need to worry. They won’t be able to return for years.”

A look of hesitation flickered across Ming Zun’s face. After a brief pause, he finally spoke. “Fine, to show my sincerity in this alliance, I’ll share an important piece of information with you. Do you know why the Western Xia’s consort recruitment was delayed?”

Recalling what he had heard from the Four Evils, Song Qingshu nodded. “I heard that Hulagu, a Mongolian prince traveling from the West to Western Xia, was ambushed. Western Xia postponed the event to wait for him.”

“Postponed for a year?” Ming Zun sneered. “Forget a year; they’d be lucky if the consort recruitment happens within five years.”

“Is there some hidden reason behind this?” Song Qingshu asked curiously.

“You already know my identity as Ming Zun of the Persian Ming Cult,” Ming Zun said, his expression tinged with nostalgia. “Our Persian Ming Cult has a branch of assassins who have specialized in assassination for centuries, striking fear into the hearts of rulers and nobles across the West. This time, I issued an order for the leader of this generation, the Old Man of the Mountain, to personally lead the best assassins to target Hulagu. Though the Mongols have many experts under their command, they barely managed to save Hulagu’s life. However, after encountering the Old Man of the Mountain, Hulagu was gravely injured. It will take him years to recover.”

As Ming Zun explained, Song Qingshu finally pieced together the entire story. Mongolia’s westward expedition had advanced with unstoppable momentum, causing great alarm among Western nations, which formed alliances to protect themselves. Ming Zun took advantage of this chaos to have the Persian Ming Cult secretly coordinate with the Western nations. When the Old Man of the Mountain injured Hulagu, the allied forces seized the opportunity to counterattack, annihilating a vanguard of tens of thousands of Mongolian troops led by a general named Qutb.

This unprecedented defeat enraged Temüjin. He immediately changed his strategy, ceasing hostilities with the Central Plains nations and forging peace agreements while summoning the main forces of his remaining Central Plains troops to join the western expedition. His goal was to annihilate the Western nations and the Persian Ming Cult.

Song Qingshu’s eyes narrowed as he spoke in a deep voice. “You’re sacrificing the Western nations and the Persian Ming Cult to buy yourself time.”

“You underestimate the strength of the Western nations,” Ming Zun replied with a hearty laugh. “Not to mention the Persian Ming Cult. Our headquarters, the Bright Peak, is deep in the mountains, as impregnable as a fortress. Even if an army of 100,000 comes, they may not succeed in taking it. As long as we can eliminate Arik Boke and the other Mongolian kings during this time and seize the Mongolian steppes, the western expedition forces will become a tree without roots, adrift and vulnerable.”

However, Ming Zun harbored a deeper scheme. In Persia, he hadn’t fully appreciated the riches of the Central Plains. Now, after seeing the wealth and prosperity here, he felt that even if the Persian headquarters fell, gaining control of the Central Plains would be a worthwhile trade.

Of course, he wouldn’t reveal this ulterior motive. Seeing Song Qingshu still hesitant, Ming Zun frowned and said, “If we don’t act quickly to eliminate the Mongolian kings, we’ll be doomed when their main forces return. Can’t you see that?”

Song Qingshu chuckled. “Even as your enemy, I must admit that your strategy of diverting disaster westward is brilliant. Your abilities and strategic vision are unmatched. However…” He abruptly changed his tone. “I’m curious. Why would someone as proud as you suddenly propose an alliance with me?”

Ming Zun’s expression stiffened as he replied unnaturally, “Because of your current martial prowess and influence, as well as your recent victory over the Qing army of 100,000. Your ability as a general is evident. Naturally, you’re qualified to form an alliance with me.”

“Is that so?” Song Qingshu sneered. “Then why did you ambush me earlier and try to kill me?”

Ming Zun snorted. “If you could be so easily killed by me, you wouldn’t be qualified to cooperate.”

“You’re proposing this alliance out of fear, aren’t you?” Song Qingshu’s smile deepened.

“Ridiculous! What do I have to fear?” Ming Zun’s heart skipped a beat, but he didn’t let it show.

“You’re afraid that, even at the cost of their lives, I’d kill you today,” Song Qingshu said coldly, stepping forward slightly. 

In an instant, a terrifying aura erupted from him.

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