| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Translator Note: I will rename the Shadow Guards, from Shadow Guard One to Shadow Guard Seventeen, using their corresponding Chinese names. However, to avoid confusion since the names for numbers ten to seventeen are similar, and using ‘Ying’ consistently would create further similarity, especially with the main character’s name, Shi Qi, I will only add the prefix “Ying” to the single-word number names (one to ten). While the two-word names (eleven to seventeen) will retain their original form.
Ex, Ying Qi (shadow guard seven) and Shi Qi (shadow guard seventeen).
Here are the Chinese names in English words, numbered one to seventeen:
1. Yi (一)
2. Er (二)
3. San (三)
4. Si (四)
5. Wu (五)
6. Liu (六)
7. Qi (七)
8. Ba (八)
9. Jiu (九)
10. Shi (十)
11. Shi Yi (十一)
12. Shi Er (十二)
13. Shi San (十三)
14. Shi Si (十四)
15. Shi Wu (十五)
16. Shi Liu (十六)
17. Shi Qi (十七)
“Master?” Shi Qi's [1] hand trembled.
[1] Shadow Guard Seventeen
“Remember what I told you before? Stay in the carriage and take care of yourself…him.” Xing Beiming originally intended to instruct him to take care of himself but he suddenly felt that it may have sounded sentimental and changed his wording abruptly.
“Yes, Master.”
It was Master’s command and even if it meant risking his life, he would protect his Master’s child. Shi Qi’s eyes dimmed as he glanced at his own belly but quickly regained his determination.
The carriage sped up and soon stopped in a picturesque place. However, the beauty of the scenery was marred by rows of graves in the lush greenery. Shi Qi pulled back the curtain and recognized this as the place where Yan Zhuangzhu, who had been buried a few days ago, was buried.
Did the Master instruct them to hurry here to confirm that it was the Yan’s people who wanted to ambush them?
Xing Beiming got off the carriage then called Hou Jia over and whispered to him. Hou Jia’s expression changed a few times but he eventually nodded and shouted to the guards behind him, “Brothers! Start digging!”
Though they didn’t know what their Master’s intention was but since Master had ordered it, then they had to obey. Several people surrounded Yan Zhuangzhu’s unfortunate grave.
But without tools, they could only use their sword.
But suddenly, several iron shovels fell from the sky with a clatter and startled them. They looked up but there was no one there. However, since the Lord had not spoken, it was probably from his command. So, one person picked up a shovel and began working.
Hou Jia was also surprised by the sudden appearance of the shovels from the sky. His mind quickly turned and realized it was probably the Master’s Shadow Guards.
As the Captain of the World’s Supreme Fortress, Hou Jia also knew some inside information.
Knowing was one thing but seeing was another.
The Captain’s admiration for the Shadow Guards soared to an extreme level in an instant. Such ghostly skills, he couldn’t match even after twenty years of training!
But before they could dig more, someone couldn’t help but jump out. “Hey! How dare you do such a wicked thing as digging up someone’s grave? Stop it at once!”
Everyone looked up and saw a fat monk with a string of large beads around his neck while his robe was open to reveal rolls of fat.
They didn’t recognize him, so they continued digging.
The monk’s face flushed with anger. “Stop at once! If you don’t listen to the words of Monk Fashan, you’ll regret it! Are you waiting to reap the rewards?”
As soon as Monk Fashan spoke, several people emerged from the shadows. Each of them had a sinister look, indicating they had some reputation in the Jianghu. However, the most formidable and troublesome man in the Jianghu stood before them but they didn’t recognize him!
Xing Beiming said indifferently, “Where did this fat bald donkey come from?”
This comment elicited a hearty laugh from Wu Enchi, who had long found the monk unsightly.
A monk who ate so much meat couldn’t be a good person, right?
She had been quietly following them all the way and Wu Enchi finally understood why they had suddenly changed direction.
Hou Jia and the other guards couldn’t help but laugh. Shi Qi, who was in the carriage, also couldn’t help but smirk.
The self-proclaimed Monk Fashan was even more furious. He pointed his finger at Xing Beiming and cursed loudly, “Damn it! You shed crocodile tears only when you see a coffin [2].Report your name as Monk Fashan won’t kill nameless nobodies!”
[2] is an idiom that suggests someone is insincere or hypocritical, showing false sympathy or remorse only when it benefits them or when they are faced with a tragic situation.
Xing Beiming’s expression didn’t show any irritation. He just simply moved his right hand slightly.
The next moment, Monk Fashan was lying on the ground while clutching his mouth as blood poured out from between his fingers.
Full of foul language, I told you not to speak with your mouth full [3].
[3] means that someone is using vulgar or offensive language, despite being previously advised not to speak while their mouth is full, implying they are disregarding polite behavior or etiquette.
A seemingly elegant Taoist priest beside Monk Fashan raised his whisk [4] disdainfully and said, “I am Daoist [5] Qingfeng. Why are you disturbing the grave of Master Yan Zhuang? It’s inappropriate to disturb him when he has already passed away.”
[4] used by Taoist priest.
[5] Taoist priest.
Xing Beiming turned his head and signal to continue. Wu Enchi jumped off the horse and pointed out sharply, “There’s a give-and-take situation here, isn’t it, Daoist Qingfeng? Why don’t you tell this young lady why you’ve been sneaking around following us?”
Daoist Qingfeng’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. A flirtatious woman beside him cooed in a sweet voice, “Oh, this little girl really knows how to turn the tables. We came here to pay our respects to an old friend. It just happened that we were on the same road as you. How can you say we’re following you? We haven’t even paid respects to our old friend yet, and we happen to see you doing such wicked things. Aren’t you afraid of karma?”
Wu Enchi waved her hand. “Let’s talk about karma [6] later! We’re all people of Jianghu, so let’s not talk nonsense. We’ve been twisting and turning on this road for so long, and you’ve been sticking with us all along. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten where your old friend sleeps? Just by casually following a group of people and you already know that they’re here for your old friend? Just because you’re naive doesn’t mean everyone else is like you.”
[6] It is the belief that one’s actions, whether good or bad, will eventually bring about corresponding consequences or outcomes in this life or future lives.
Wu Enchi’s mouth continued to rattle off and leaving the group across from them thoroughly angered.
Daoist Qingfeng shook his whisk and stopped beating around the bush. “Recently, there have been some injustices in Jianghu. I believe you’ve all heard of it. The thief is skilled in martial arts and adept at sucking people’s blood dry for his own use. When we talk about this, some may think of the Blood Demon Palace more than a decade ago. But the Blood Demon Palace has long been destroyed and this method but there are rumors that it is the work of the person with the highest martial arts in Jianghu. His Moon Shadow Divine Art is extremely vicious. It is said that when practiced to the highest level, it will use human blood as a catalyst for cultivation…”
All the guards stopped their movements. The person mentioned sounded familiar!
Xing Beiming calmly interjected, “Oh? And who might this gentleman be?”
Daoist Qingfeng summoned up his courage and met Xing Beiming’s cold yet smiling eyes while suppressing the chill rising from the bottom of his heart and said in one breath, “It’s natural that the one who can practice the Moon Shadow Divine Art is Lord of World Supreme Sect. Isn’t that right, Lord Xing?”
The guards all wore angry expressions. Hou Jia stepped forward because felt that it was going too far. Although the World’s Supreme Fortress did not often have close relations with the orthodox martial arts world, nor did it care to be labeled as such, but to throw such nefarious deeds on their Master was unbearable.
Xing Beiming restrained Hou Jia’s actions and took two steps forward. Daoist Qingfeng and the others retreated three steps.
“Lord Xing, now you’re also under suspicion. As long as you come back with us then we will investigate the truth. If it’s a misunderstanding, we will make amends.” Daoist Qingfeng didn’t dare to confront Xing Beiming directly but his words were clear that suggest that they wanted to imprison Xing Beiming.
“And what if I refuse?” With their abilities, he couldn’t guarantee that being imprisoned wouldn’t lead to a series of challenges to his bottom line.
“Then we’ll have to offend you! Attack!” Daoist Qingfeng waved his whisk and his men rushed forward.
The guards stopped digging and just threw away their shovels before grabbing some weapons to meet them.
Soon, it turned into a chaotic fight.
In Xing Beiming’s eyes, these people were simply a ragtag bunch and not worth his intervention. He just stood aside while calmly watching the guards confront the disorganized mob but his eyes fell on a certain spot.
Hou Jia was assigned to protect Wu Enchi, who didn’t understand martial arts. The girl was dumbfounded.
In her eyes, the morally ambiguous master of the World’s Supreme Fortress was more admirable than the Martial Arts Alliance Master. He had great skill, could navigate both sides of the law and was completely more worthy of the title of Martial Arts Alliance Master than Lin Canghai! Now that she had seen the real person and spent a few days with him, she felt that she was truly blessed!
Shi Qi felt itchy inside.
The current situation didn’t require the Shadow Guards to intervene at all but even though he was a guard now, he still can’t join them.
If only… sigh
Shi Qi felt extremely frustrated that he was unable to contribute. He slightly lifted the curtain to observe the situation.
But in just a moment, someone with ulterior motives noticed.
“There’s still someone in the carriage!” With a shout, someone rushed towards the carriage.
Your looking for death!
Xing Beiming’s eyes narrowed and before Shi Yi [7] and Shi Er [8] could act, the people rushing forward were thrown back and just laid on the ground, motionless.
[7] Shadow Guard Eleven
[8] Shadow Guard Twelve
Soon, this one-sided fight came to an end.
The well-trained guards and acting in unison against the disorganized mob.
The outcome was obvious.
There were people groaning on the ground everywhere. Daoist Qingfeng, who had been so suave before, had already lost his composure as he kept clutching his stomach while rolling around. Perhaps his earlier enthusiasm had brought him his deserts and he had suffered retribution. He had been kicked hard in the lower abdomen by a guard who had long found him unsightly and almost extinguishing his future generations…
“Xing Beiming! You…you dare to go against the entire Martial Arts World…” Some people lying on the ground still didn’t give up as they continued speaking disrespectfully.
“Master!” Hou Jia stepped forward and waited for orders. If Master gave the command, it would be best to pull out all the teeth of these people.
Against the entire Martial Arts World, just because of them?
“Not in a hurry,” Xing Beiming raised his hand then looked at the people lying in disarray on the ground, “Yan Zhuangzhu, is this your purpose?”
Yan Zhuangzhu?
Daoist Qingfeng sneered. While enduring the pain, he said, “Lord Xing, don’t be too arrogant. Lord Yan Zhuangzhu has been dead for a long time. Who in Jianghu doesn’t know? If he were still alive, he wouldn’t see you acting so wickedly!”
“Is that so?” Xing Beiming didn’t show any anger. He just looked straight ahead, “Still not coming out?”
“Xing Beiming, you—”
“Hahaha…” A burst of laughter rang out from the ground. The person who had pretended to be dead got up in one fell swoop and wiped the blood from his face, revealing a face full of righteous dignity.
It was none other than the deceased Yan Zhuangzhu!
Translator:
This novel translation has already been edited by me, but if you still notice any awkward phrasing or errors, please point them out kindly so I can correct them. Thank you.
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