| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Losing track of the two, all the drugged people returned. The person in white looked at the blood-soaked figure of Ying Qi on the ground and spat in frustration.
The wind howled in their ears and even the sound of rain became unusually clear in this situation. Shi Qi stared at Xing Beiming’s face, which was not very clear, until Xing Beiming pointed to a withered tree below the cliff and they both landed safely.
Xing Beiming still held Shi Qi in his arms and looked down at him, saying, “You’re really foolish. Doesn’t your eye hurt?”
Shi Qi replied with a question, “Master, will Ying Qi and the others be okay?”
Xing Beiming fell silent for a moment. He found a place to take shelter from the rain and laid Shi Qi down before he checked Shi Qi’s pulse but couldn’t discern much. He then asked, “Apart from the wounds, is there anywhere else that doesn’t feel well? Does your stomach hurt?”
Shi Qi shook his head. The intense pain that had made his legs weak had subsided somewhat and while he had various wounds on his body, none seemed too severe.
Xing Beiming didn’t bother to verify the truth in Shi Qi’s words and proceeded to treat his wounds. Among the various injuries, the most serious was the hole in his shoulder where he had been stabbed. Xing Beiming pressed his palm against Shi Qi’s back, allowing his internal energy to circulate while also transferring some internal energy to him.
During the process, Shi Qi’s numbed nerves finally began to respond and the pain from his wounds caused him to clench his fists tightly but he didn’t make a sound.
Xing Beiming caught Shi Qi’s slightly weakened body and then expended more internal energy to dry their clothes. In this early winter rain, the cold was biting and Shi Qi held Xing Beiming’s hand, “Master, don’t waste your energy. What if those people come after us again?”
Xing Beiming had already dried their clothes and retracted his internal energy but instead of letting go of Shi Qi’s hand, which felt slightly cool in his, he held it tighter, “Don’t move. The amount of internal energy I used is nothing to be concerned about. This cliff isn’t low and with the fog, they should value their lives. Don’t worry.”
How could he not worry?
“Get some rest. We’ll have news by tomorrow morning.” Xing Beiming covered Shi Qi’s eyes with his hand. Even though he couldn’t see, he knew there must be worry in those eyes.
He held Shi Qi against him, feeling the warmth.
Although Shi Qi knew that Xing Beiming’s body was usually cool due to the Moon Shadow Divine Art, but he still had expended energy for him. Shi Qi thought before falling into a deep sleep.
Before losing consciousness, he seemed to hear a soft voice saying, “Everything will be fine, trust me.”
Maintaining warmth in their bodies with his internal energy, Xing Beiming had no hesitation. He glanced at the rain outside and his eyes, which had previously revealed some tenderness, now turned cold and ruthless.
Blood Demon Sect, since you’ve issued the challenge first, then I, Xing Beiming, will accompany you to the end!
Shi Qi opened his eyes, only to see the classical carved bed canopy and matching bed curtains while below him was a soft mattress.
Where was this?
Shi Qi sat up suddenly but relaxed upon hearing voices from the outer room.
It was Master’s voice.
Ying Shi knelt before Xing Beiming with his head bowed low. “I’ve failed in my duty. Please punish me, Master!”
Xing Beiming shook his head. “Get up and speak. You came to Shuichuan at the command of this Lord, how could there be any fault? You rushed here as soon as you received the news and even within three hours. Your concern for this Lord was sincere, so where is the fault? Go, confirm the whereabouts of Ying Qi and the others as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Master.” Hearing the movement in the inner room, Ying Shi retreated.
Xing Beiming turned to Shi Qi, who was halfway off the bed and gently placed him back and covered him with the blanket once more. Although Shi Qi wanted to resist, he was overpowered and could only lie there. His eyes wide open as he asked anxiously, “Master, any news about Ying Qi and the others?”
“We checked the place where the fight occurred last night. Apart from some bodies of the drugged people, we found no trace of them but they should be safe. Because they haven’t returned yet then they should have been taken by the people from the Blood Demon Sect.” Xing Beiming informed Shi Qi of the investigation carried out by the Shadow Guards when they returned in the morning.
Shi Qi fell silent.
After a moment of silence, Xing Beiming reached out and touched Shi Qi’s abdomen. “Did you know that your situation this time was very dangerous? So, we must find Gu Weijing immediately. After you recover for a few days, we’ll set off. Rest assured, the World’s Supreme Fortress will spare no effort to rescue them. Understand?”
Shi Qi nodded because he trusted his Master.
During the recovery period, they received a visit from Ke Weiqing.
Ke Weiqing pointed at Shi Qi and spoke to Xing Beiming, “Even though you’re taking care of him so well, he’s still calling you Master, why are you so unreliable? But do you know that your Lord’s aura has attracted a large number of people from the Martial Arts World? Forget about the distinctions between the underworld, the righteous path, and the demonic path, just one Lin Canghai has been looking for you so actively. It’s strange that the Blood Demon Sect doesn’t see you as a big fish to be slaughtered! So, don’t be too self-important. Your strength alone is nothing compared to the entire Blood Demon Sect! Even though you’re not announcing your presence, you’re attracting too much attention. Do you understand?”
Actually, the truth was that Ke Weiqing was upset about being abandoned over a month ago!
Unexpectedly, before Xing Beiming could retort, Shi Qi couldn’t help but speak up, “Young Master Ke, when you were researching about those drugged people, our Master sent someone to find you but the servant said you were in seclusion.”
Being in “seclusion” to research about the drugged people left Ke Weiqing with nothing to say. It was his own fault for getting too excited over a new toy that he had closed himself off. Now, it was being thrown back at him, and it was very annoying!
Ke Weiqing approached Shi Qi’s face just inches away with a malicious expression and said, “Little Shi Qi, I’m heartbroken! You’re only speaking up for your Master. It’s really a pity since I found something good on the road and was planning to give it to you but now I don’t want to. Humph!”
Xing Beiming reached out and grabbed the collar of his robe to push him away, “Why would the guards of this Lord speak up for someone unrelated?”
Ke Weiqing clicked his tongue twice, “Truly a protective Master! Little Shi Qi, you really don’t want it? If you don’t, this poor little jar that was so cherished in the blanket will be thrown away by this Young Master! It’s pitiful that no one wanted this treasure!” He then reached into his large sleeve and pulled out a small black jar, which Shi Qi found exceptionally familiar, and even caressed it with a slightly aggrieved expression.
Shi Qi “Ah” in surprise and felt extremely delighted.
He thought he would never find it again.
Taking the small jar from Ke Weiqing, Shi Qi thanked him gratefully, “Thank you, Young Master Ke! But how did you think of bringing it back?”
Ke Weiqing replied half-truthfully, “Of course it was because I was passing by the scene of the incident and wanted to find some clues, but I didn’t expect to find this treasure in the soaked blanket. It was empty, yet so precious!”
In fact, the truth was that his beloved pet, for whatever reason, caught a whiff of the faint plum scent and kicked the jar out. He just had to take it and unexpectedly, he ended up doing a favor. Ke Weiqing grinned mischievously as he approached Shi Qi, as if seeking credit, “Little Shi Qi, look, this Young Master brought back your treasure. Shouldn’t you thank me?”
Shi Qi smiled, “Of course, Young Master Ke but how should I thank you?”
Ke Weiqing’s expression was like a fish on the hook while looking at the stoic-faced Xing Beiming and pointing at Shi Qi’s belly, “Then, I want to be the godfather of the baby!”
Shi Qi was stunned, then his face flushed.
Xing Beiming was furious and directly threw Ke Weiqing out and this time, out of the gate directly.
……
Two days before departure, the guards brought good news—Shi Yi and Shi Er returned!
Their faces were all bruised and battered, a sight too unbearable to see.
Seeing Xing Beiming, they were ready to apologize but instead, they were sent to heal their wounds properly. After all wounds were bandaged and it was confirmed that there was no danger to their lives, they recounted the events one by one.
It turned out that initially, Ying Qi and Shi Yi were taken away. Ying Qi was seriously injured, so he was being carried while Shi Yi was tied up and escorted by two drugged people. The crucial point for the Shadow Guards was to act silently and invisibly, unnoticed by anyone. This also provided great convenience for Shi Er, who had been following them all along and trailing them to Guiping, a village town at the foot of the mountains, which was the closest to Shuichuan.
“That place is probably one of their branches. The people in white are all locked up in one place and Shi Yi is held separately. But we didn’t find Ying Qi. Once we entered that place, we lost track of Ying Qi, Master.” Fortunately, Shi Er was most skilled at disguise and narrowly rescue Shi Yi. However, it couldn’t be ruled out that it was a plan of the person surnamed Zuo, from which they inferred their whereabouts.
But now, Ying Qi’s whereabouts were unknown, making it impossible for them to relax.
Xing Beiming sent people to Guiping to keep an eye on them. He wanted to know their purpose.
Despite the enemy knowing their itinerary, they still retreated to Guiping instead of following them to Shuichuan. However, they couldn’t ignore finding Gu Weijing as Shi Qi’s condition was currently the most important and he must be protected.
Seeing Xing Beiming’s icy expression, Ke Weiqing patted his shoulder, “Don’t scare the child with that expression! This Young Master didn’t intend to be a huge obstacle between you two but who made Ying Qi not here? Sigh, this Young Master really misses him…”
Xing Beiming: “…”
Following the address given by Elder Zou, they climbed the mountain. Surprisingly, this mountain was a bit different from other places. Although it was early winter, the trees were mostly lush green and occasionally small animals ran past, giving it a somewhat utopian feel.
Gu Weijing really knew how to pick a secluded place to live!
Lost in thought, a fairy-like teenager jumped out ahead with hair that was as pale as snow. He stared at Xing Beiming and the others warily with his voice clear but as sharp as ice, “This is my home ahead. You’ve come to the wrong place. Please go back.”
What? Could this white-haired youth be Gu Weijing with his youthful appearance despite his white hair?