| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Luo Cong Mountain, the most famous mountain in the Jiangxi area, served as the designated meeting place for Xing Beiming and Yin Ji.
It was the shortest distance between Yueming City and Lihia City. The two groups of people traveled intermittently and finally arrived in the Jiangxi area, the day before the appointed date. They each found a place to settle down and awaited the upcoming battle the next day.
Unaware of the impending fierce battle, people lived their lives leisurely. There were no major forces in this area except for an obscure Lushan Sect, so it was relatively peaceful.
At the foot of Luo Cong Mountain was a quaint little village with a few restaurants and inns due to the mountain's popularity. Xing Beiming and Shi Qi found a relatively clean inn to stay in. In this rural area, one couldn't expect much, so they settled for whatever was available.
Buckwheat steamed buns, steamed pork with rice noodles, stir-fried unidentified greens with preserved meat, braised bamboo shoots with pork, wine dregs soup balls.
Despite being in a rural area, the local delicacies were quite appetizing.
After finishing their meal in the room, they went downstairs for a stroll to aid digestion. A person wearing a hat with a brim approached them. Shi Qi subconsciously glanced at the face under the hat, which seemed ordinary but somewhat familiar. Before he could ponder further, Xing Beiming pulled him downstairs directly.
Most of the people downstairs were traveling merchants who had seen much of the world and didn't pay much attention even when they saw someone with a refined demeanor like those from the Martial Arts World.
They knew what was worth noticing.
With plenty of time left, the two wandered around the woods beside the village with their thoughts filled with concern for the battle tomorrow.
Even though Shi Qi had confidence in his Master, there was still much worry. He wished he could trade places but his Martial skills were lacking.
Xing Beiming knew the worries in Shi Qi's heart and shifted the conversation to tomorrow's decisive battle. If there were worries, it was better to discuss them openly.
"Shi Qi, do you know how the Blood Demon Sect, founded by Yin Haoyue, was destroyed back then?"
"Yes," Shi Qi nodded. "It was due to the joint efforts of three renowned experts in the Martial Arts World. However, since their victory was not glorious, they withdrew from the Martial Arts World after Yin Haoyue's death and their whereabouts are unknown."
"It was indeed not a glorious victory. History proves that in battles between righteousness and evil, the righteous usually prevail. No matter how many wrongs were committed before, they often end up as corpses at the hands of the majority. At that time, the followers of the Blood Demon Sect had already suffered heavy casualties. Yin Haoyue, after all, was just a woman and couldn't withstand the joint force of so many people, especially since she was pregnant at the time."
"What?" Shi Qi's eyes widened. "So, what about the child?"
"Naturally, the child died too. She couldn't even save her own life, let alone the child's. If I'm not mistaken, that deceased child was Yin Ji's younger brother. Losing both his birth mother and brother at the hands of Martial Artists, it's no wonder he's opposed to the entire Martial Arts World." Xing Beiming recounted these bloody events calmly.
"What about their father? Why didn't he show up?"
Yin Haoyue, whose reputation in the Martial Arts World was as notorious as a demon, willingly gave birth to a child?
"Who knows? Maybe he's dead." Xing Beiming said solemnly, then beckoned Shi Qi closer. "Let me tell you a secret."
"Huh?" Shi Qi curiously leaned in, only to receive a kiss on the lips from Xing Beiming, who then burst into laughter. "Master!" Shi Qi chuckled, thinking this was just a pre-battle relaxation tactic.
After the laughter subsided, Xing Beiming said seriously, "Enough joking around. It's a real secret. Perhaps Yin Haoyue's lover was... one of those three renowned experts." Whispering this shocking secret into Shi Qi's ear left him dumbfounded.
Shi Qi couldn't believe it. That would mean the person who killed his own wife and child was... "Master, is this true?"
Xing Beiming smiled, "Perhaps. It's inferred from Yin Ji's words, and he didn't hide it from me. Remember the time we were ambushed together? While we were healing in the cave, we each told a story. Since it wasn't the whole truth, I'm not entirely sure. Judging from Yin Ji's age, he was likely born before the establishment of the Blood Demon Sect and probably another tragic story of love turned into hatred."
No one is born evil; it's just circumstances that often lead to it.
But one shouldn't harm innocent people because of one's hatred.
Who should seek revenge for the innocent lives lost during this time?
"What are you thinking? In fact, if it weren't for that incident back then, I wouldn't have stayed out of the conflicts between righteousness and evil."
"Master?" Could the Master also be connected to the events back then? Could it be about the Master's parents...
"What are you thinking?" Xing Beiming pressed his hand on Shi Qi's forehead, "Lu Wenjing, that guy, was among the crowd condemning Yin Haoyue back then and he was quite vocal. That's why I, too, harbor no good feelings toward those people. Am I being unreasonable?"
"Not at all," Shi Qi instinctively denied. His Master had suffered so much in his youth, all because of Lu Wenjing and those people. Even though they were praised by the Martial Arts World, who would judge them for their wrongdoings?
"Is that so?" Xing Beiming felt a bit better, "Let's not talk about those depressing matters. How about something uplifting? What do you think about using those fertility medicines? Since Ke Weiqing like babies so much, why not let him experience childbirth himself?"
Uh...
Shi Qi's mind conjured up an image of Ke Weiqing with a big belly while gesturing and directing things. "Then Young Master Ke could finally have the joy of having a little bun." Then he thought again, "Master, we should be careful not to let those with ulterior motives get their hands on the medicine."
Xing Beiming took out the bottle. "I'm afraid that besides this bottle in my hand, there are no others left in the world. If you're not at ease then keep it to yourself." He handed the bottle to Shi Qi and continued, "Tomorrow, it might be inconvenient for me to carry it."
Shi Qi securely tucked the medicine into his embrace, causing his cautious demeanor to amused Xing Beiming.
Leading him back, Xing Beiming said, "Tomorrow, wait for me at the inn." Then, without waiting for Shi Qi’s reply, he furrowed his brow. "No, Yin Ji is unpredictable. I'm afraid he knows he's no match and will play dirty. You better follow me."
Yin Ji still didn't understand the concept of mutual consent. If he knew that Ying Qi had left World's Supreme Fortress with his silent consent, he might go mad!
Actually, Ying Qi had insisted on taking Ye Yunsheng's mission knowing he had decided to leave. Even if it wasn't for him, this duel would've happened anyway. Yin Ji had kidnapped Shi Qi twice and almost caused him to lose his baby, so Xing Beiming also had a score to settle with him. Dealing with someone like Yin Ji required preparedness. Ying Qi was steady and wouldn't act rashly. Xing Beiming hoped his future path wouldn't be too difficult; otherwise, he didn't know how he would feel about it.
"I'll be careful, Master."
“I'll be using a lot of mental and physical energy tomorrow. Won't you let me relax in the evening?"
Shi Qi, soaking in a bath, remembered the suggestive words from Master before dinner.
How to relax?
Comfort Master? But he was not good with words... So, what kind of comfort would Master like?
Thinking like this, Shi Qi's face turned red uncontrollably.
He touched his buttocks, Master seemed to like this and that...
If he took the initiative, Master would probably be very happy. With determination, Shi Qi's gaze became firm.
First, he had to prepare himself and then when Master arrived, he would be a bit more proactive and push Master onto the bed before pressing him down—
Preparation work involved making that area soft and wet...
Since there was no lubricant, he would use water.
Shi Qi sat in the bath while slightly lifting one side of his buttocks and cautiously touching a place he had never touched before.
It felt embarrassing but Sbi Qi firmly pushed his fingers in, despite the slight pain. With effort, half a finger went in and Shi Qi breathed a sigh of relief. He then realized his waist and buttocks were a bit sore and half of his buttocks were stiff.
This posture was not easy to move in. Shi Qi pulled out his finger then stood half-leaning against the edge of the tub so that his buttocks were suspended. He inserted his finger into the rear entrance again while frowning.
He wondered how Master usually did it without making him not feel the pain.
Enduring it with the warm water, he moved in and out a few times while sweating profusely.
His slightly wet hair scattered on one side and his head slightly raised. Due to the awkward posture and the pain, his cheeks turned red from the steam and the sleek line of his back exposed to the air glistened with water. But what caught attention the most was the occasionally raised buttocks peeking from the water and the slender fingers resting in that arousing red area...
Amidst the difficult movement he was doing, it hit a certain spot causing Shi Qi's legs to soften and he let out a muffled groan.
This must be the spot that Master always targets.
Shi Qi tried to do it again...
Xing Beiming carried a bowl of sweet and sour red date juice towards the room. Just as he was passing by the counter, he saw the innkeeper carrying this enticing red date juice towards the backyard, meant for his wife who was in confinement.
Thinking of Shi Qi's strange taste during pregnancy, Xing Beiming boldly asked for a bowl. Fortunately, people in rural areas were accommodating and the innkeeper didn't ask much and just directly poured a bowl for him from the pot.
Just as he was about to enter the room, he heard the sound of water from inside. Right, before leaving, Shi Qi said he wanted to take a bath.
How unromantic.
When he said he wanted to relax, he meant to take a bath together as a couple, but Shi Qi went ahead and bathed first!
Xing Beiming coldly prepared to startle this unromantic guard. Quietly entering behind a screen, he suddenly spoke up, "Oh, Shi Qi, you actually—"
His unfinished words came to an abrupt halt as he saw this scene that made one's blood boil with excitement. His eyes uncontrollably slid down from the slightly red cheeks to a certain key area.
Xing Beiming's hand trembled.
What was his beloved Shadow Guard doing?