"Up to you, but I'm your only hope to be saved."
"Fine, I will serve you if it helps you get stronger. But I want you to promise to save me once you're strong enough."
He knew he didn't have enough leverage to demand an oath, but if Ken respected himself, a promise should be enough.
"You have my word."
Ken didn't worry about the possibility of Nick lying to him. He was sure Nick told him the truth throughout the whole conversation; he mixed a truth drug in the Qi Absorbing Pill he concocted as a demonstration of his skills earlier. He planned to do it since the beginning.
Since Nick agreed to serve him, it meant he truly meant it. If Nick wanted to lie to him, the drug would make him feel so horrible about it that he'd have to change his mind.