| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Unexpectedly, it started raining without any warning in the night.
Ying Qi was sleeping under a blanket near the carriage door while Xing Beiming slept with Shi Qi as usual. However, tonight, one of Shi Qi’s hands remained stuck to his belly and prevented something.
Xing Beiming was not sleeping due to the excitement of feeling the baby’s movement for the first time and that his spirits were too high to rest.
Without Ying Qi needing to explain, Xing Beiming understood that the baby’s movements were a sign of life inside Shi Qi’s belly.
Even though the movements had ceased for now, Xing Beiming couldn’t bear to let go.
It was the first time he truly felt the presence of the child, it was really his child without any doubt!
The warm breath brushed against Shi Qi’s face, and the closeness of his Master was not unprecedented but even the emotionally slow Shi Qi sensed the difference at this moment.
Without the presence of the Shadow Guards and only a faint warmth surrounded them while flowing slowly around the two figures.
This feeling was so unfamiliar yet so endearing.
Outside the carriage, the sound of raindrops tapping against the roof intensified and the air grew colder. Xing Beiming subconsciously pulled Shi Qi closer and even intertwined their hands and legs.
His hand that had been resting on Shi Qi’s warm belly wandered upwards, brushing past his chest, abdomen, and finally to his shoulders and back.
Shi Qi’s body trembled slightly and his face, which was raised upwards, almost touched Xing Beiming’s lips. His body stiffened, which allowed the hand behind him to slowly slide down to his tailbone and bring their faces closer to a kiss.
Amidst the sound of rain, there seemed to be another peculiar sound. Shi Qi suddenly widened his eyes and instantly tense his body in anticipation. In the darkness, he whispered softly, “Master!”
“Hush!” Xing Beiming halted his movements while whispering gently, “Unless necessary, do not force your skills.”
“Yes, Master.”
Ying Qi had silently disappeared into the carriage. Moments later, the clash of weapons and the whistle of arrows filled the rainy night air as attackers approached the carriage. Xing Beiming and Shi Qi emerged from the carriage and the next moment, the carriage was shattered into pieces by a volley of arrows.
Another wave of arrows came but Xing Beiming countered with his internal energy and freezing the arrows in mid-air before redirecting them back at their origin, causing the dark valley to scream in agony.
However, the attackers were not limited to just this.
While fending off those who rushed towards him, Xing Beiming sensed that Shi Qi, who had been following him closely, was suddenly moving further away. Looking in Shi Qi’s direction, Xing Beiming couldn’t see his expression due to facing away but his movements were swift, precise, and ruthless and almost inflicting severe injuries with every strike.
It was evident that these people were trying to draw Shi Qi away to deal with him separately.
But after fighting for some time, Xing Beiming and his group realized that besides those who had shot arrows earlier, all the others who seemed impossible to kill were merely drugged individuals, much like the previous encounter. Without orders from their Master, they would keep attacking until the living targets were dead.
Was there a hidden hand directing them from the shadows?
The answer would soon be revealed.
Sustaining a few injuries was inevitable in such a battle but Shi Qi also grew desperate because the longer the fight dragged on, the worse it became for him!
After cutting off one drugged person’s head and the sight of the dark purplish-black blood only seemed to enrage the remaining ones, who attacked even more ferociously. They cared only about attacking and showed no concern for self-preservation, clearly holding a significant advantage.
The purplish-black liquid splashed onto Shi Qi’s body, showing strong corrosive properties. Whether it was poisonous or not, Shi Qi felt his vision blur but he still managed to block an attacking hand aimed at his chest and abdomen and redirecting it to his shoulder instead—
Gritting his teeth fiercely, he suppressed the sudden pain that surged through him but his mind remained clear. He quickly cut off the arm embedded in his shoulder and kicked away the one-armed drugged person. His sword gleamed with a bloody aura as he swiftly aimed for another attacker’s neck—
“Bang!” An attacker from behind was blocked by someone, and Ying Qi leaned against Shi Qi’s back while speaking urgently, “Xiao Shi, take the Master and leave first. We’ll hold them off!”
“No!” Shi Qi instinctively rejected it because he realized that Ying Qi was willing to sacrifice himself.
But if they leave only Ying Qi and the others behind, the chances of escaping were too slim!
“Shi Qi! Protecting Master is the top priority! Don’t forget our duty! You need to think about yourself too. We’ll meet at Shuichuan and everything will be fine!” Ying Qi fiercely declared, despite sustaining numerous wounds.
On the other side, Xing Beiming was surrounded by the bodies of several attackers and the eerie purplish-black liquid on the ground became more grotesque under the rain’s wash, filling the air with an unsettling odor.
Before him stood a seemingly out-of-place refined gentleman, dressed in white with an air of calmness and a faint smile.
“Lord Xing, long time no see. Do you remember the last time we watched the Hundred Flowers Beauty Contest together on the roof? How disappointing that your friend didn’t come this time!” His tone was as if he had encountered a close friend and even recalled their previous acquaintance at Yunliu Lake in Souyun City.
“…” Xing Beiming was speechless.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about me. That’s really hurtful!” The gentleman, holding a white jade fan, slowly opened it in the darkness with an eerie smile. “Lord Xing, it seems that your guards are barely holding on. Why don’t we sit down and discuss how to handle this?”
“What is your identity? What is your connection to the Blood Demon Sect?” This man was different from the one mentioned by Shi Qi but he should also hold a high position within that Sect.
“Oh?” The gentleman’s expression changed slightly. “Since Lord Xing is so certain then I won’t beat around the bush. Everyone knows that World’s Supreme Fortress is the top power in the world, dabbling in both black and white paths. However, this time, openly assisting the orthodox Martial Arts World would be opposing our Blood Demon Sect. Sometimes, turning a blind eye is necessary. What do you think, Lord Xing?”
Since Xing Beiming had figured out their identities then there was nothing more to discuss.
Xing Beiming hadn’t intended to interfere in this matter, but since they had targeted him, how could he afford not to fight back? With a light tap of his foot, Xing Beiming gathered his chilling inner energy and launched a fierce attack.
The gentleman in white was taken aback by Xing Beiming’s swift action and barely managed to dodge the attack. He was skilled in lightness arts and not everyone could evade like he did. Seeing that Xing Beiming was not inclined to discuss matters further, he smirked instead, “I thought Lord Xing might consider cooperating with us to share control of the Martial Arts World. But now, it seems unnecessary!”
Xing Beiming underestimated the situation.
They were nearing Shuichuan but still unexpectedly encountered such a thorough ambush.
Although Xing Beiming didn’t regard these people highly, he still had to consider his Shadow Guards, especially Shi Qi, who was pregnant.
He didn’t know if they had been injured.
The white-clothed gentleman, barely managing to block Xing Beiming’s next palm strike, felt a surge of cold energy in his body and his internal energy became somewhat stagnant. He hurriedly called the drug people to come and hold Xing Beiming back while thingking that Moon Shadow Divine Art was indeed extraordinary.
Xing Beiming was slightly distracted because he was thinking of Shi Qi, suddenly a figure rushed towards him but Ying Qi intercepted the drug people while resolutely saying to him, “Master, please take Shi Qi and retreat first. We will find a way to meet up with you later!”
Xing Beiming glanced subconsciously in Shi Qi’s direction then looked at Ying Qi’s pleading and resolute eyes. After some consideration, he nodded and flew away.
“Take care.”
“Yes, Master!”
Shi Qi instinctively blocked his abdomen, causing many attacks to land elsewhere but his stomach still hurt faintly. Suddenly, a sharp pain struck casuing Shi Qi’s legs to go weak, fortunately, Xing Beiming caught him in his arms in time then flew towards the outskirts of the battlefield.
The white-clothed gentleman was about to catch up but was intercepted by Ying Qi.
Although he incurred numerous injuries to stop him, Ying Qi’s eyes remained firm and vowing to stop this manipulative individual.
The white-clothed man was only blocked for a moment before losing track of Xing Beiming, coldly smiling, “Do you think stopping me means these people won’t continue to chase your Master? Well, let me play with you for a while.”
Xing Beiming carried Shi Qi along the mountain valley with no unexpected pursuit by the group of drug people. Their speed was evident from the consistent distance between them.
Frowning, Xing Beiming looked at the person in his arms, “How are you holding up?”
The usually firm and composed eyes were now furrowed and showing a hint of pain even though this person typically disregarded the pain of swords and knives slicing through flesh.
A soft moan escaped from his lips.
Opening his tightly shut eyes suddenly, Shi Qi trembled and said, “Master, please let go of me, I can…”
“Shut up,” Xing Beiming didn’t want to hear those words.
“Master,” Shi Qi didn’t obediently keep quiet as usual but rather urgently said, “Master, I am a Shadow Guard, no, now I am a Royal Guard but even as a Royal Guard, I must ensure your safety. This is my duty! And I can still hold on now, let me… um…” The words he didn’t finish were swallowed up by the lips pressed against his, as Xing Beiming chose the fastest and most effective way to silence him.
Shi Qi’s mind blanked for a moment but immediately remembered the crisis in front of him. He tightened his fist and was about to push away but Xing Beiming moved away first, “If you don’t want me to be distracted then shut up, or we’ll both perish here. Regardless, think about the child in your stomach because that is the only heir of this Lord!”
What?
Shi Qi was completely shocked by his words…
He grabbed Xing Beiming’s clothes while staring at his face in astonishment.
Did Master understand the meaning behind his words?
As the mist thickened, it became apparent that there was a steep cliff ahead. Xing Beiming lowered his head and said to Shi Qi in a deep voice, “Do you trust me?”
Seeing Shi Qi nod, he revealed a faint smile that was almost imperceptible, “Then hold on tight!”
With that, he leaped down…