| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Spring has arrived and people have shed their heavy cotton coats and cloaks to wear the spring attire. Without the cloak's obstruction, Shi Qi's belly bulged noticeably and he rarely went out onto the streets, staying only in the East Lake Villa.
He slept until waking naturally in the morning, then walked a few laps around the courtyard to stretch his waist and abdomen. However, his clumsy movements often made Shi Er burst into wild laughter from his hiding spot. At noon, he ate the lunch specially prepared by Ying Qi, which was nutritious but not to his taste. Nevertheless, Shi Qi cooperated and ate most of it. In the afternoon, he took a short nap before Gu Weijing would come by occasionally to check on his health. Later, they would gather in the courtyard to chat, pass the time or read the messages sent by Xing Beiming.
As he couldn't stay up late at night, so after dinner, he went to bed early and was only accompanied by a small jar.
Today, Ke Weiqing came wandering around again, claiming to visit his godson. Seeing his longing gaze at Shi Qi's belly, Ying Qi had to warn him. "Shi Qi is not like before, as jis belly can't be touched casually. Young Master Ke, you can just satisfy your curiosity with your eyes."
Ke Weiqing pursed his lips and tossed a box to Ying Qi, "Of course, I know. Here. This is something I'm giving to my godson. I hope he'll be close to me, his godfather, after a safe birth. Hehehe~" He finished with a mischievous smile, as if imagining something.
Ying Qi opened the box and widened his eyes. Inside was the extremely precious life-saving medicine rumored in the Martial Arts World—the Spirit Pearl Fruit. Although it was just a grape-sized fruit, it's efficacy could not revive the dead but could restore vitality.
Legend had it that these fruits were extremely rare, each tree bearing only one fruitvwith a long growth period. He had only read about them in medical books and never expected to see one in person.
Young Master Ke truly spared no expense for his godson.
"If you give, you receive!" Thinking of his chubby godson waving his little hands and calling him godfather in the future, Young Master Ke's mouth watered.
Gu Weijing held the Spirit Pearl Fruit, his face filled with a confident smile. "With this, I finally have no more worries. Although I'm a divine physician, this is my first time delivering a child for a man. Even if emergency measures are needed in the end, this Spirit Pearl Fruit can ensure both their safety."
Tonight, Shi Qi felt a bit uneasy.
Because Xing Beiming's message should have arrived today but there was still no news. Shi Qi convinced himself that perhaps there were special circumstances delaying the message, yet he was still anxious that he would be unable to sleep until dawn approached.
Getting up with dark circles under his eyes, Shi Qi picked up the cool water on the table and brought it to his lips. The sudden chill made him shiver, so he quickly put it down. He tried to wipe his face but almost used a foot-washing towel instead. When he tried to sit down, he almost tripped over the table legs. Shi Er, hidden in the beams, burst into laughter, "Shi Qi, what are you doing so early in the morning, all absent-minded?"
Turning around and sitting back on the bed, Shi Qi smiled helplessly, "I don't know why but I always feel a sense of impending doom. Maybe I'm just overthinking."
Shi Er jumped down and leaned close to Shi Qi's ear teasingly, "Is it because no one warms your bed at night and you're feeling lonely? I can keep you company~"
"Nonsense, do you have any news?" Shi Qi asked firmly.
"Young Master Ke has sent someone to inquire. Be patient. Maybe there were special circumstances delaying the message." Shi Er replied.
No one knew the specifics of the inquiry.
Days passed and waiting for the Xing Beiming message became Shi Qi's nightmare, until one day—
"Clang!"
The sound of a cup falling to the ground made Shi Qi stand up in disbelief while staring intently at the person delivering the news. "What did you say? Say it again."
The visitor was one of Shadow One's men. His face was filled with sorrow but still spoke each word clearly, “Master's whereabouts were exposed. During the battle with the demonic people, their location was tampered with. Not only were fire explosives buried but the ground also collapsed entirely afterward. There's no trace of the Master or the demonic people. We and the Martial Alliance have been searching along the coast for days without any luck."
Fire explosives?
Collapsing ground?
Lihai City was a sea town and falling off the coast should have posed no problem for Xing Beiming's skills. The key concern was the fire explosives
Was Xing Beiming injured?
If he wasn't injured, he should have appeared long ago.
Shi Qi clenched his fists tightly and almost gritted his teeth as he asked, "Why was the Master's whereabouts exposed?"
The subordinate's face turned resentful, "There's a traitor in the Martial Alliance! No, that person has always been a spy! We just haven't found his whereabouts yet!"
"Who?"
"Fang Sihan."
After the subordinate left, Shi Qi stood still with blood dripping from his sleeve. Ying Qi approached and opened his hand, concerned. "Shi Qi, don't hurt yourself."
"Brother Qi, who is Fang Sihan? And why haven't I heard of him in the Martial Arts World?"
"He's a rising star in the Martial Arts World, supposedly Elder Fang's nephew from Changqing Hall. He joined the Martial Alliance a few months ago and was highly skilled in martial arts, gaining unanimous approval. That's how he learned such secretive information. Rumor has it that he's modest, polite, and courteous. It seems his acting skills are also good... Shi Qi!"
Seeing Shi Qi clutching his abdomen and tilting his body, Ying Qi's face turned pale as he supported him. "Shi Er, go quickly and fetch Master Gu!"
————
"Being too emotionally disturbed is taboo. Do you want to prematurely deliver the child or to lose the child?" Gu Weijing took out a pill and gave it to Shi Qi. He intended to scold him severely but seeing Shi Qi lying on the bed in a distraught state, he held back and just let him realize the danger the child was in.
"I want to go to Lihai City." Shi Qi suddenly spoke up.
"What?" Gu Weijing and Ying Qi were stunned, then Gu Weijing said sternly, "No! Do you know your situation? Although it's not full term yet, but the child could be born at any time. Do you want to risk both your lives?"
"What Master Gu said is right. We will do everything to find Master. Don't you believe that Master can keep himself out of danger?" Ying Qi also comforted.
"No, Brother Qi, Master Gu, I feel more uneasy here, so please let me go. I promise the child will be fine!" Shi Qi pleaded urgently.
"No, you can't play with your life like this!" Gu Weijing left angrily and even slammed the door behind him.
"Brother Qi..."
"I agree with Master Gu. Listen, if it's the Master, he wouldn't want you to take risks either." Hearing this, Shi Qi fell silent but the feeling of wanting to ensure that person's safety was something others couldn't understand.
At night, a figure slipped out of the room quietly but was stopped by Ying Qi, who had been guarding for hours until he finally saw someone.
Shi Qi pretended to be calm and pointed to the left, "Brother Qi, I just need to go to the bathroom."
Ying Qi sighed, "Who are you trying to fool? If you insist on going, I'll accompany you to the end."
"And us!" Several voices came from the shadows.
Thus, what started as a solo journey became a duo, then in the end, as a group and they all set off for Lihai City. Gu Weijing sat angrily in the car, seeing his pregnant patient behaving so recklessly. If something happened to him, it would ruin his reputation. Therefore, he was not doing this willingly!
The area where Xing Beiming and Yin Ji battled was devastating. A massive black hole was created by the fire explosives, and the nearby trees were all burned to ashes. It was originally near the coast but the ground collapsed after the explosives and all debris disappeared along the water into the sea.
Shi Qi stood frozen while staring at the black hole. Lin Canghai approached him with some guilt. "I never expected our Martial Alliance to have a traitor and even cause such harm to Lord Xing. The Martial Alliance will do everything to find him! But Yin Ji also fell into the trap. Among them..."
"Where is Fang Sihan?"
"He disappeared after the incident. We thought he was also killed. But we found letters left in his room, claiming to declare war on the Martial Alliance on Yin Ji's behalf."
"Master Lin, this may not be related to the Blood Demon Sect."
"Yeah, Fang Sihan's disappearance is suspicious. We need to find him to know the truth. Are you..." Lin Canghai thought that Shi Qi would reveal some important clues to him but was surprised when Shi Qi walked toward the edge of the sea while ignoring him. Lin Canghai felt guilty and didn't dare disturb him further.
Many people were still searching nearby, even sending out many boats for rescue and retrieval at sea. Shi Qi also wanted to board a ship but was stopped by Ying Qi and warned by Gu Weijing, so he had to give up.
Ke Weiqing's face showed seriousness for the first time. Suddenly, his gaze shifted and his eye twitched. He silently followed the figure in white.
"Why did you bring me here?" Thinking of the past grievances, Ke Weiqing's eyes almost wanted to leave on the spot.
"Hehe, you're so obedient. You come when I call, do you have a crush on me?" Zuo Wuxiao joked.
"Pah! Do you think I, Ke Weiqing, would have eyes for someone like you, a lecher? What tricks are you playing?"
"Turns out you like that kind of thing. But anyway, I just want to cooperate with you to find Xing Beiming and my Master, who disappeared together. My Master has used the soul-chasing incense on himself and I can find him."
"Why should I cooperate with you? If you can find them, then just find them. What's your purpose, speak!”
"I'll be honest. Since everyone around here is from your World's Supreme Fortress or the Martial Alliance, how can someone like me resist? So let's make a deal. I'll help you find someone and you will protect me."
If not for someone betraying him at the last moment, how could he end up entangled with these martial people alone?
A trace of darkness flashed in Zuo Wuxiao's eyes.
Finally, Ke Weiqing brought Zuo Wuxiao back to Lihai City. Annoyingly, Zuo Wuxiao threatened him that if he didn't help him, he would secretly play dirty tricks. Ke Weiqing didn't want to deal with him in the shadows, so he chose to keep him close and under tight supervision. Looking at Zuo Wuxiao's mask, Ke Weiqing sneered, "Humph! The Blood Demon Sect always plays these sneaky games. Wearing a mask can't hide your true nature!"
Zuo Wuxiao didn't get angry but instead smirked, "Then isn't your friend the same kind of sneaky person?"
Ke Weiqing knew he was referring to Xing Beiming's disguise in the Martial Alliance. He disdainfully said, "My Young Master has noble integrity. How could he be compared to scoundrels like you?"
Zuo Wuxiao pretended to be surprised, "Young Master Ke, you praise him so much. Are you secretly in love with him?”