My Demonic Cult's Holy Maiden

He had never felt this way before.

"Yes! I believe in you, my husband!" Su Yue nestled in Qi Yu's arms and whispered.

Qi Yu held Su Yue's delicate body, but he was thinking about something else.

Originally, I didn't want to get involved in any political affairs; I just wanted to protect myself and Su Yue, and this ordinary yet happy daily life.

But from the day she met Li Ming, she was already labeled as Li Ming.

No matter how he tried to explain himself, no one believed him, because he was just an ordinary person.

This time Su Yue was lucky; she wasn't injured. But what about next?

If you don't have the talent to practice martial arts, you can't use force to make others fear and submit.

Since we can't protect Su Yue by force, then we'll use power!

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Chapter Thirty-Six: Choosing Sides

"Husband, are we really not moving?"

Su Yue stared blankly at Qi Yu and asked.

After Qi Yu returned, he said he wasn't moving anymore.

Qi Yu smiled slightly and said, "We're not moving. Since someone wants to harm us, I'll let him know what terrible abyss he's touched."

Su Yue looked at Qi Yu without saying a word, her expression somewhat complicated.

Because before, Qi Yu had always acted as if he was indifferent to worldly affairs and indifferent to everything.

She found it hard to adapt to her husband's change and was also somewhat worried.

She didn't want Qi Yu to get hurt, not even in the slightest.

……

"Brother Qi, you were looking for me!" Li Ming, along with Li Minghai and his younger sister Li Yulan, arrived at Qi Yu's courtyard once again.

Qi Yu looked at Li Ming and said, "I can help you!"

Li Ming was taken aback, his heart pounding, but he still looked uncertain and asked, "The help you're talking about...?"

"Did you know I was assassinated yesterday?" Qi Yu asked.

Li Ming pondered for a moment, but still nodded.

Yesterday, his spies in Jiangzhou City sent word that the Chang family had indeed sent men to intercept and kill Qi Yu.

Qi Yu looked at Li Ming indifferently and said, "You knew, but you didn't tell me. So, can I take that as you wanting the Chang family to kill me?"

"After all, those who cannot be used by me will surely be killed by me. Perhaps it would be best for someone like me to die, wouldn't it?"

Qi Yu kept staring at Li Ming, trying to see every change in Li Ming's expression.

Li Ming did not answer, so Qi Yu continued to speak.

"Even if I don't die, I can still face reality. Now only you can protect me from the Chang family and force me to take sides."

“I even think that you must have sent people to protect me in secret yesterday, so that your people would come out to rescue me after the assassins made their move.”

"That way I'll be eternally grateful to you, and then I'll be completely devoted to you, following you in the revolution, right?"

Li Ming's expression was somewhat unpleasant, because Qi Yu had already seen the whole thing clearly.

Indeed, he knew beforehand that the assassins would make their move.

He also arranged for Li Minghai to protect Qi Yu in advance, so that Qi Yu could be rescued after the assassins made their move.

The lobby was silent; no one spoke.

After a while, Li Ming's expression gradually calmed down. He looked at Qi Yu and said, "You're right. I did know in advance and made arrangements accordingly."

"I just didn't expect that someone would save you!"

Qi Yu looked at Li Ming indifferently, and after a long while said, "You've succeeded. Now you've driven me to a dead end."

Li Ming said with a hint of apology, "I'm sorry, but for the sake of the common people of the Great Yun Dynasty, I will never let a talent like you, Brother Qi, go unpunished."

“I know that my apology won’t quell your anger, so I’ve cut off my own arm as compensation to you, Brother Qi.”

"Li Minghai, bring me a knife!"

Li Ming's last words were spoken to Li Minghai.

Li Minghai looked terrified and hurriedly knelt on one knee, saying, "Your Highness, you mustn't! You are of noble birth, how can you do something like cutting off your own arm?"

"As long as it can quell Brother Qi's anger, what's wrong with me cutting off my own arm? Enough talk, I order you to bring me a knife!" Li Ming said with a serious expression.

Qi Yu watched Li Ming and Li Minghai put on an act in front of him with a half-smile. Would Li Ming really cut off his own arm?

If Li Ming really had the courage to cut off his own arm, I would follow him and assist him in conquering the world without any problem.

But Qi Yu felt that this behavior was very pretentious.

"Enough, stop acting. It disgusts me. I can help you, but you have to agree to one condition!" Qi Yu couldn't stand it anymore.

Li Ming removed his hand from the hilt of the knife, then waved to Li Minghai, signaling him to release his arm.

"What are the conditions?" Li Ming asked.

"I want the entire Chang clan of Linghai wiped out!" Qi Yu said indifferently.

Extermination of the entire clan?

Upon hearing those two words, Li Ming, Li Yulan, and Li Minghai all felt a tremor in their hearts. Then, when they saw Qi Yu's indifferent gaze, a chill ran through their bodies.

"Is this your condition?" Li Ming asked with a serious expression.

Qi Yu nodded and said, "If you agree to this condition, I'll help you!"

Li Ming nodded and said, "Okay! I promise you!"

Qi Yu finally smiled, extended his hand, and said, "Then it will be a pleasure to cooperate, Your Highness!"

Li Ming stared blankly at Qi Yu's outstretched hand, not knowing what it meant, but still reached out his hand.

Snapped!

Qi Yu slapped Li Ming's hand hard, and the latter immediately winced in pain and gasped.

"How dare you!"

Just as Li Minghai drew his sword to take down Qi Yu, Li Ming raised his hand to stop him.

"Now, consider this what you owe me. I don't want your arm anymore," Qi Yu said.

Li Ming's palm was swollen, which shows how much force Qi Yu used.

"Thank you for your understanding, Brother Qi!" Li Ming said with a wry smile, covering his palm.

Qi Yu glanced at Li Ming and said, "Let's make this clear first, we're in a business relationship. I'm not your servant, so don't try to boss me around."

Li Ming was stunned. Although it was different from what he had imagined, it seemed that it was already good enough that Qi Yu could help him.

"Alright! Brother Qi, you don't need to bow to me in the future!"

Qi Yu glanced at Li Ming and nodded.

While it's said that no formalities are observed in private, in public one still needs to give Li Ming face.

“If Your Highness has nothing else to say, then please return!” Qi Yu said.

Li Ming hesitated for a moment, then said, "Brother Qi, are you interested in the imperial examinations next month?"

Qi Yu was taken aback, then understood Li Ming's idea: wasn't he just paving the way for his own career?

"No interest!" Qi Yu replied directly.

Being an official is so tiring!

Although he had offered to help, he didn't want to get too involved in officialdom.

……

Li Ming left, and Qi Yu sat alone in the hall, lost in thought.

Ultimately, I am too weak to protect Su Yue on my own, so I will make an investment.

Invest in the future emperor of the Great Yun Dynasty!

The most successful investor in Chinese history was Lü Buwei, because he invested in an emperor.

Li Ming may not be King Zhuangxiang of Qin, and I may not be Lü Buwei, but I still have to take the gamble.

From the day she met Li Ming, she was already labeled as Li Ming.

This assassination attempt is the best proof of that.

If I continue to remain neutral, I won't be as lucky as I am today every day.

……

That evening, Li Ming sent Qi Yu a lot of files, all of which were about the Chang family and the political situation at court.

The Chang family is a very powerful family with deep-rooted influence in the Dayun Dynasty.

A hundred years ago, after the Su family was destroyed, the Chang family became the most powerful.

However, the Chang family learned from the Su family's demise and paid great attention to the education of their descendants, resulting in the emergence of many talented individuals in the Chang family.

The Chang family has influence in many current administrative centers.

Moreover, the Chang family is also supporting one of Li Ming's younger brothers, planning to help that prince ascend the throne as a puppet emperor.

Li Ming came to Jiangzhou City this time to invite Li Chun to come out of seclusion, but then he encountered an assassination attempt.

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Chapter Thirty-Seven: Ambush

Qi Yu looked at the dossier, occasionally highlighting key points, and gradually a complex court situation emerged in his mind.

Even after dark, Qi Yu was still reading by lamplight, examining the case files.

Su Yue watched from the side, her expression somewhat complicated.