Chapter 371 - 21: Zhong Ming: I’ll Avoid Its Spearhead

Chapter 371: Chapter 21: Zhong Ming: I’ll Avoid Its Spearhead

"But if we could get Zhong Ming, he could easily eliminate the Evil Spirits and keep our clan’s territory and resources safe..."

After briefly considering the difference between Zhong Ming and the Silver Blood Guard, the many factions that had come to Immortal Martial City knew what choice they had to make.

The next moment, numerous small and medium-sized factions swarmed toward Zhong Ming and the current acting head of Prince Qinghe’s Mansion—Ji Qingyue.

"Princess, we have long heard of your benevolence. We hope Your Highness will give us an opportunity to pledge our allegiance!"

"Your Highness, we will give Prince Qinghe’s Mansion our full support!"

"Your Highness, my clan members and I wish to join your household guard and await your command!"

"..."

The numerous small and medium-sized factions of Immortal Martial City formed an impenetrable crowd around Ji Qingyue, causing Ji Hao’s expression to become utterly grim.

The only thing that offered him a sliver of comfort was that the Patriarchs of Immortal Martial City’s three great families remained firmly in their seats, unmoving.

’Prince Qinghe’s strength is limited. Even with Zhong Ming’s help, the highest position he can vie for is just Vice Military Commander. The three great families of Immortal Martial City can also compete for that position. Since he can’t offer them anything more, they will never switch their allegiance to Prince Qinghe’s Mansion...’

Just as Ji Hao began to feel reassured, he saw the Qi Family Patriarch suddenly receive a message. The information first made him pause, stunned for a moment, but he quickly seemed to understand something.

At this, the Qi Family Patriarch shot to his feet and offered Ji Hao an awkward apology, "My apologies, Ji Hao."

With those words, he strode through the crowd, walked up to Ji Qingyue, and bowed respectfully. "Princess Qingyue, my Qi Family also wishes to pledge allegiance to the Prince Mansion, but I have one impertinent request."

"What condition?!"

The Qi Family’s sudden defection lit up Ji Qingyue’s eyes with delighted surprise. She knew full well the vast difference between factions; the Qi Family’s allegiance alone outweighed that of a hundred small and medium-sized ones. With the Qi Family won over, Prince Qinghe’s Mansion’s influence in the New Army was bound to rise dramatically.

Amidst her joy, she was also filled with curiosity—the Qi Family had been a strong contender for the Vice Military Commander position, so why were they willing to settle for a subordinate role?

It wasn’t just Ji Qingyue who couldn’t figure this out; Ji Hao and Shen Wanshang also furrowed their brows, their eyes filled with confusion. They stared intently at the Qi Family Patriarch, desperate to hear his answer.

As all eyes fell on him, the Qi Family Patriarch... looked rather embarrassed.

’Why does he look embarrassed?’

Just as Ji Qingyue’s mind was racing with wild guesses, the Qi Family Patriarch, urged on again by his family’s Supreme Elder, had no choice but to lean in close to her side and state his family’s condition via a voice transmission.

Those few short words made Ji Qingyue’s eyes fly wide in an instant. A deep crimson blush shot up her cheeks, so intense that even the tips of her ears turned red.

"What did you say!" she exclaimed in a low, instinctive cry, her voice a mix of shame and alarm. "L-lend... A condition like that... How could Brother Zhong Ming possibly agree!"

Seeing Ji Qingyue’s refusal, the Qi Family Patriarch grew anxious and quickly pleaded via voice transmission, "Princess, the Qi Family only has this one request! As long as you can persuade Young Master Zhong Ming, my family is willing to risk everything and pledge our complete allegiance. We will even offer up all the treasures in our mansion and our Cultivation Resources!"

The Qi Family was dead set on this condition, willing to pay any price for it.

And Ji Qingyue’s flustered and embarrassed expression only made Ji Hao and Shen Wanshang’s curiosity burn even hotter. The two of them stared fixedly at Ji Qingyue and the Qi Family Patriarch, the same thought churning in both their minds: ℴ

’What on earth did the Qi Family propose to make the ever-composed Ji Qingyue have such an intense reaction?’