Hong Meilin's outburst was an instinctive reaction, and Wang Jian had foreseen it all along.
"You still have the option of returning to your group and facing my faction head-on. But I assure you, the outcome would be the complete annihilation of your people," Wang Jian stated, his voice dripping with coldness.
Angry and seething, Hong Meilin gritted her teeth, but she remained rooted in place. Unbeknownst to her, her decision elicited an internal smirk from Wang Jian. It indicated that she was contemplating becoming his woman, and he relished the thought of what other concessions she might offer to sway him.
"...If you grant us safe passage and agree to share 50% of the ore found in this mine, I will personally beseech the Pope to forge an alliance between the Church and your faction, Your Highness Jian," Hong Meilin declared, after careful deliberation.
Wang Jian's smile took on an amused edge as he asked, "And what about you, my dear Meilin?"
That devilishly handsome smile on his face caused Hong Meilin's teeth to clench, but she mustered all her strength to contain her rage as she forced the words out, "...I-I... I will... become... your... woman...!"
The words tasted bitter and suffocating as they left her lips, a testament to her unwillingness. Yet, she knew that she had to play this dangerous game if she wanted to secure the safety of her group and maintain a shred of control in this precarious situation.
"Now, this is an offer worth considering," Wang Jian stated, a sly grin stretching across his face. "Forging an alliance with the church would undoubtedly strengthen my faction. However, I question whether you hold enough status or influence to make such a momentous decision on behalf of the church."
Hong Meilin's spirit sank, and she bowed her head, a defeated expression overtaking her features. Wang Jian was right; she lacked the authority to make such a monumental choice without consulting the Pope.
"But fear not, my dear," Wang Jian continued, his voice dripping with honeyed persuasion. "I have a proposition to resolve this quandary. How about you arrange a meeting between myself and the Pope? We shall engage in a discussion concerning the mine and jointly determine how we should distribute its riches between our factions."
Hong Meilin's eyes brightened as she lifted her head. The idea held promise, and she felt a glimmer of hope in this unexpected turn of events.
However, Wang Jian wasn't finished yet.
He added with a self-assured smirk, "But in doing so, I naturally have two conditions. The first, as you are well aware, is that you must become my woman. And let me be clear, I don't mean a relationship where you can disregard my authority. I won't coddle you. You will be bound to my commands and expected to follow them without question. In return, I will spare your group from harm. Naturally, my commands can never include anything that would turn you against the church against your wishes."
Hong Meilin's fists clenched tightly, her anger boiling within her, but she managed to push through and ask, "What is your second condition?"
Wang Jian's smirk widened, a glint of malevolence in his eyes.
"The second condition is that your church group must ally with my faction and venture deep into the heart of this forest to confront the demons lurking within. I demand your word that no member of your group will utter a single word about this mine. And if, by any chance, someone dares to leak it, they shall find no mercy from me."
At that moment, the true extent of Wang Jian's cunning and persuasiveness was laid bare. His words flowed with eloquence, weaving a web that entrapped Hong Meilin in an impossible situation.
"Can you offer a genuine assurance that my church group will be safe if we agree to these conditions?" she questioned, her face etched with skepticism.
Wang Jian's smirk deepened, and he conjured a flash of blue light, unveiling an ancient scroll within his spatial ring.
"This requires no introduction. Behold the Golden Radiance Oath Scroll—a powerful blood contract that even I cannot break."
Hong Meilin's eyes widened in surprise as the scroll materialized in Wang Jian's hands. The weight of its significance was palpable, and she knew she couldn't disregard its power.
Wang Jian extended the scroll towards her, its presence radiating a mystical aura. Hong Meilin cautiously accepted it, feeling the texture of the aged parchment beneath her fingertips, confirming its authenticity.
"We shall inscribe the conditions upon this sacred scroll and affix our signatures with our blood," Wang Jian proposed.
Hong Meilin's anxiety heightened as she grappled with the gravity of the situation.
She understood that if she were to affix her name to the contract, binding her to become Wang Jian's woman, she would be shackled by an unbreakable command, her very essence at risk of obliteration should she defy it.
With swift, deliberate movements, Wang Jian meticulously inscribed the binding conditions onto the aged parchment, ensuring every word was precise and unambiguous.
Hong Meilin's eyes scanned the script, her mind absorbing the weight of the commitment she was about to make.
After a moment's contemplation, she nodded, acknowledging the terms laid out before her.
Resolutely, she pressed her index finger against her lips, feeling a slight sting as a bead of blood emerged. Carefully, she applied her blood as a signature, marking the lower left corner of the scroll.
Wang Jian followed suit, crimson droplets mingling with ink as he affixed his own signature alongside Hong Meilin's.
As their life essence blended with the contract, the parchment shimmered with a brilliant golden light, transforming into an ethereal chain that coiled around their very souls.
The bond was now forged, an unbreakable tether that would ensure compliance and exact severe consequences for any breach.
A solemn silence hung in the air, the weight of their intertwined destinies palpable.
Wang Jian rose from his seat, a wicked smirk dancing upon his lips as he proposed, "Let us commemorate our newfound relationship with a passionate kiss, my dear Meilin."
Hong Meilin's inner resistance flared, but the binding nature of the contract compelled her to comply, submitting herself to Wang Jian's desires.
Reluctantly, she took a step forward, their lips meeting in a fervent embrace. Wang Jian's tongue invaded her mouth, exploring every inch with an unbridled hunger.
His hands roved freely across her body, caressing, and groping her with a possessiveness that left her feeling both violated and powerless.
No longer restrained by any boundaries, Wang Jian's touch became increasingly intense and forceful. His grip on her bosom tightened, his fingers venturing towards more intimate regions, exerting control and dominance over her vulnerable form.
Hong Meilin squirmed within his embrace, her body recoiling from his advances.
The aggression with which he handled her breasts and buttocks left her feeling violated, trapped within a web of submission she had unwillingly woven herself into.
As their lips parted, both of them gasping for air, it was clear that the kiss had left its mark on them.
Without wasting a moment, Wang Jian leaned in for another kiss, his hunger for her unabated.
His hands ventured even further, emboldened by their previous encounter.
Slipping beneath the fabric of her top, his fingers explored the contours of her supple, porcelain skin.
With a deliberate and possessive touch, he traced a path along her midriff, his fingertips igniting trails of sensation along her body.
Moving with calculated intent, his hands found their destination—her ample bosom. His touch grew bolder, as he pressed against her softness, relishing in the firmness, and yielding nature of her flesh.
His fingers kneaded and caressed, his palm gently cupping the curves that had captivated his attention.
Their illicit connection intensified, a dance between dominance and submission, as Hong Meilin found herself trapped in the clutches of a man she despised.
…
The passage of two hours saw Wang Jian and Hong Meilin venturing deeper into the cavern's labyrinthine depths.
Among the devoted followers of the church, anxiety grew like an untamed wildfire, their worry mounting as they wondered about the fate of their esteemed Saintess.
Whispers of concern echoed through their ranks, questioning whether Wang Jian had inflicted harm upon her delicate frame.
Meanwhile, within the enclave of Wang Jian's faction, a particular gathering of eminent figures, notably the esteemed Liu Family, commenced an inspection of the mesmerizing Ebon Void Essence Ores.
A symphony of voices filled the air, reverberating with passionate discussions on how best to harness the potential of this rare and precious resource.
Their minds delved deep into contemplation, considering the intricate tapestry of talisman formations that could be woven using the ore's essence.
At the forefront of these deliberations stood Liu Yu, a paragon of talent in the art of talisman craftsmanship. His presence radiated authority, as his profound expertise shaped the course of their discourse, breathing life into innovative ideas.
Yet, Lady Zhuoran and Bixi Shuyan, in their own secluded corner, shared a unique anticipation for Wang Jian's return.
Their hearts brimmed with elation, for it was through Bixi Shuyan's keen guidance that they had unearthed this veritable mine of rare ores.
For Lady Zhuoran, this discovery held a glimmer of hope.
She believed that the unearthing of such a precious bounty would alter Wang Jian's perception of her daughter, granting her the reverence she deserved.
No longer did she dwell on the torment she endured as his sexual slave, as she harbored the belief that her daughter's usefulness would shield her from his cruelties.
Meanwhile, Bixi Shuyan remained blissfully unaware of her mother's thoughts, her mind consumed by aspirations that mirrored her own self-importance.
With the revelation of this resource-rich mine, she envisioned a scenario where Wang Jian would lend a receptive ear to her entreaties, his hands restrained from besmirching her mother's dignity.
She reveled in the thought that her own talents would shield them from harm, their value acting as a safeguard against his impetuous desires.
The two, Lady Zhuoran and Bixi Shuyan, remained naively oblivious to the dark reality that unfolded behind closed doors.
Unbeknownst to them, Wang Jian had indulged in carnal pleasure with both women, their bodies mere playthings in his lascivious games while making them think that they were saving the other one by sacrificing themselves.
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