| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Warning: Rape
The cold was harsh and the endless yellow sand stretched out as far as the eye could see. A few dilapidated houses dotted the barren landscape, depicting a scene of desolation.
This was the border area where the Central Plains met various foreign countries. Being in a state of neglect and abandonment, life for each household was still incredibly difficult.
Many people left this place to seek a better life in the prosperous Central Plains but most of them ended up dying in a foreign land due to the long and arduous journey. There was insufficient water and food, and scarce resources to shield from extreme heat and cold.
The Eight Directions Inn was perhaps the only inn around, situated atop a slightly elevated slope. Rows of red lanterns outside the inn were unusually eye-catching. It was a two-story building with a small courtyard behind, much better than the drafty houses visible around. As one approached, the sounds of noisy drinking and revelry typical of every inn could be heard emanating from within.
As soon as this guest stepped into the inn, the previously bustling lobby quieted down. There weren't many people, just a dozen or so, but all eyes were fixed on this newcomer.
Clad in black sturdy clothing with a gray cloak draped over and a matching scarf to shield against sand and cold, almost covering the entire face. The most eye-catching thing about him was the object hanging from his waist, wrapped in layers of cloth but clearly discernible as a sword. He was clearly someone from the Martial Arts World!
Originally, the boisterous and flirtatious innkeeper, who was teasingly engaging with the rowdy men, noticed the new guest. She approached while swaying her hips and flashed what she believed to be a perfect smile, "Well, guest, are you here for a short stay or to lodge?"
The man took a step back, tugged at the reins of his horse and spoke gently, "Could the innkeeper please ask the attendant to feed my horse? It hasn't had water for quite some time."
"Of course." the innkeeper called out towards the backyard, "Ah Hu, come and help this guest feed his horse. Provide plenty of fodder and water!"
A burly man with a kind smile approached and led the horse towards the stable. The man nodded in thanks and then walked straight into the inn, settling at a square table in the corner. He glanced at the menu hanging on the opposite wall then turned to the approaching innkeeper and said, "A plate of beef, dry-fried chili peppers, five steamed buns and a pot of sake, please."
Without uttering any unnecessary words, the still-charming innkeeper rolled her eyes at him playfully and went off to the kitchen, grumbling.
The meals were simple and soon arrived. The man untied the scarf around his neck, revealing a warm and gentle face, causing the innkeeper to stare in amazement.
It was rare to see outsiders in this rundown place and those who did come were usually weather-beaten and rugged men, unlike his efforts to maintain his skin's beauty.
With soft features, a straight nose, and rosy lips, he was like a painting compared to the rough men in the room with their thick eyebrows and coarse features.
The group of men saw their limelight being stolen by this man and upon careful consideration, realized they indeed couldn't compare. Instantly, resentment brewed in their hearts and their mouths became foul.
One of them said, "Where did this young nobleman come from? Even eating a meal is done so gracefully. Could he be a woman in disguise?" Another added, "Innkeeper, stop flirting in front of your husband. With his physique, he definitely can't satisfy you! Hahaha..."
The innkeeper, faced with such remarks, only pretended to be angry and scolded them a few times before shifting her gaze to the man. Seeing his lack of response, she couldn't help but feel disdain. It turned out he was a cowardly man, unable to resist when faced with intimidation!
She lost interest in him as well.
Some people never understand the principle of knowing when to stop.
Seeing the man silent, the group of men became even more audacious in their remarks. Since verbal jabs didn't affect the man, one of them slyly pinched a scorpion from between the wall crevices. Scorpions like these were common here, large in size but with low toxicity.
They dared to handle it casually but those from the Central Plains were unaware.
A few muttered, "Let's scare him and see if he wets his pants hahaha..."
Just letting the scorpion crawl over wouldn't have much of an effect, so they, emboldened by wicked courage, threw it towards the person who was just picking up beef. They screamed, "Ah—poisonous scorpion!"
The scorpion darted towards the corner, aiming for that enviable face. Yet, the man remained calm and just calmly stuffed the beef he had just picked up into his mouth. The onlookers smirked, wondering if this man had been scared silly and lacked the courage to dodge.
But in the next moment, as the hand holding the chopsticks lifted gently, one chopstick pierced through the scorpion's body and disappeared from view at a speed faster than the eye could follow. People instinctively looked for the vanished chopstick, only to see the man who pinched the scorpion now pale and leaning against the wall. "Hey, did you get scared? What a coward!"
The big man didn't speak but stiffly moved his body an inch away then collapsed on the ground.
As he fell, everyone could clearly see a scorpion hanging from where his ear had been, suspended by the remaining tip of the chopstick embedded in the wall. The chopstick had almost entirely pierced through, leaving the scorpion there as a warning.
Cold sweat dripped down and some who feared trouble quietly left while the rest stopped the nonsense. Now, they knew they couldn't afford to provoke someone from the Central Plains.
The innkeeper stood gaping with her mouth open and the light returned to her eyes as she looked at him with a hint of intrigue. However, just as she was about to make a suggestive move, the shopkeeper coughed from behind, earning a glare from the innkeeper.
Unlucky!
She hadn't even done anything excessive. She could just tone it down a bit, no need to be so obvious!
Reaching into the chopstick holder for another pair, Ying Qi continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Yes, he was Ying Qi who disappeared from the World's Supreme Fortress months ago and caused quite a stir. However, the commotion quickly died down.
After bidding farewell to Shi Qi that day, he traveled westward while evading countless pursuers sent by Yin Ji. He felt no panic, only resignation and a hint of resentment. He had lived for over twenty years without liking anyone, yet Yin Ji forced various relationships on him. He just wanted to escape but Yin Ji was relentlessly searching for him.
What was his motive?
After eating two steamed buns but still lacking appetite, Ying Qi went to the counter to ask the shopkeeper for a room. It had been half a month without proper rest and today he wanted to sleep soundly.
As night fell, the wind howled fiercely across the desert. Ying Qi tightened the slightly thin blanket, thinking about the events before leaving the Fortress.
The celebration for the baby's one-month milestone.
He had purposely waited for that day, knowing that while he might not witness the child's growth, the thought of him, Shi Qi, and the master with happy smiles was enough. Closing his eyes, he cleared his mind of cluttered thoughts and forced himself to sleep.
A deliberately softened footsteps echoed on the wooden corridor.
Ying Qi opened his eyes while sneering. If it were normal footsteps, he might have thought it was someone coming to stay, but this sneaky approach—was his intimidation during the day not enough?
The approaching individuals were the big men who had been stunned by Ying Qi during the day. Although they had been scared, but the more they thought about it, the more resentful they felt.
They wanted to vent their frustration on someone and had some useful tools on hand from their usual mischief. They wanted to teach that guy a lesson and deflate his arrogance.
The cheap smoke wafted into Ying Qi's room. Ying Qi stuffed the pillow into the sheets and leaped onto the bed frame while wrapping himself in a scarf. He watched as the shadowy figures entered and headed straight for the bed while seemingly holding something in their hands. In the dim light, they saw a lump on the bed and shouted harshly, "Attack!"
Several heavy blows rained down as they yelled, "Hit hard to let this kid know how powerful we are! Daring to scare us, we'll beat you to death!"
Ying Qi shook his head as he watched these people act foolishly.
Although they were ruthless in their strikes, he found it both irritating and amusing.
He remained silent, waiting for them to tire themselves out and realize something was wrong.
One of them said, "He's quite skilled, wouldn't he die so easily with these few hits?"
"Let him die, it's just to vent our anger! But there's something off about this."
A burly man with a face full of flesh grumbled and reached to lift the blanket covering the bed.
The bed had been torn apart, causing the cotton to fly everywhere and looking completely ruined. Underneath the wreckage was a flattened pillow. "Damn it, we've been fooled!"
Ying Qi silently landed behind them, speaking in a low voice, "Yes, you've been fooled. If you like it here, just make do and spend the night." Before the men could react, he swiftly pointed at their acupoints. Leaving them stiffly standing in front of the bed, Ying Qi jumped out of the window. He didn't want to deal with these conflicts, so it was best to continue on his way.
That night, everyone staying at this place heard the sound of a horse neighing, followed by the fading sound of galloping hooves. In the dark night, who stood amidst the bleak wind, watched him ride away.
Continuing west would lead to the border.
Ying Qi spurred his horse northwards and stopped at a dilapidated inn. While there were more people here compared to before, it looked even more desolate. The steamed buns were coarse and somewhat blackened but Ying Qi didn't mind. He bought some as dry rations along with some dried beef and ordered a bowl of noodles to sit down and eat.
At nearby tables, traveling merchants were discussing their trades and sharing rumors they had heard. "...Although the Eight Directions Inn isn't exactly peaceful, nothing this terrifying has happened before. I heard those few people died particularly horrific deaths with the entire room splattered in blood. People say it was the work of a demoness. How could someone tear bodies apart like that..."
The Eight Directions Inn?
Ying Qi paused.
The conversation continued, "Didn't they say there was a Martial Artist living in that room? He disappeared after the deaths, so he probably did it!"
Ying Qi's expression darkened.
Who would have killed those people after he left?
Pushing the bowl of noodles aside, Ying Qi grabbed his dry rations and hit the road.
He needed to carefully consider when he had been tracked.
He had thought that he had escaped that person's control but he was wrong.
As he traveled through a desolate forest, Ying Qi halted his horse with his voice devoid of gentleness, "How long do you intend to follow me? Come out."
With a purple flash behind him, someone landed behind Ying Qi. He reflexively raised his hand to strike but was forcefully restrained on the horse and unable to dismount. The person behind him exerted enough force to nearly embed him into their flesh and hold him tightly while whispering in a voice that was like a nightmare. "I told you, I'll make sure you return to my side. Even if it's at the ends of the earth, I'll capture you."
*******Memory Playback**********
Splash—
A basin of saltwater poured down, awakening the person who had been unconscious for who knows how long. Opening their eyes, they saw the menacing face of a demon people holding various torture tools.
Seeing the person awake, the cultivator smirked and whipped them once more on his already battered body while speaking callously, "Quite stubborn but my reputation as Butcher Liu San isn't for just a show. The Palace Lord will surely blame me if your current state isn't miserable enough! Get ready to beg for mercy!"
Ying Qi didn't spare him a single glance. Despite the hardships he faced, he was still thinking about whether his Master and the others were safe.
He had heard a few days ago that one of the captured individuals had escaped and now this large prison only held him. Even though his future was uncertain, his worries were somewhat alleviated.
Liu San, seeing that the person in front of him was completely indifferent, felt a surge of anger rising up towards his head.
The people who usually trembled under his hand were already wailing and howling while urging him to just kill them but this guy is just silent.
Dropping the blood-stained whip from his hand, Liu San's gaze shifted to the red-hot charcoal brazier in the corner. As he walked over, he could feel the heat waves hitting his face, causing him to close his eyes in enjoyment while smiling maliciously, "A branding iron is such a wonderful thing. No matter how tough a person is, once it touches them, all their bravado goes out the window. Imagine if this thing was pressed against the most vulnerable part of you, oh, the blissful sensation..."
But even facing death, Ying Qi just gritted his teeth.
Liu San, holding the branding iron, stood in front of Ying Qi while circling around him as if taunting. "Don't be afraid. The Palace Lord said to spare your life. If I accidentally press it down, then just consider your life was forfeit. But I will just brand you in a couple of non-lethal spots, hm?"
Feeling the heat source getting closer and closer, Ying Qi closed his eyes. Liu San was feeling triumphant when suddenly, the iron door clanged open and a voice calling "Palace Lord" echoed in. Liu San quickly tossed the branding iron back into the brazier and bowed his body to welcome Yin Ji's arrival.
Yin Ji, dressed in purple robes, although not inferior to a brothel's courtesan, commanded respect from everyone present. They didn't dare to harbor any lascivious thoughts and not even dars to raise their heads.
Stepping leisurely to the hanging bloodied figure, Yin Ji examined him for a moment while feeling quite satisfied, "Liu San, not bad. Your skills haven't regressed. You may step down for now."
Liu San nodded obediently and stepped back.
Lifting the blood-stained chin, Yin Ji met the unyielding gaze, sighing, "I forgot, you, Shadow Guards have experienced pains beyond ordinary comprehension, so these things are trivial to you. Unafraid of death and unafraid of pain. In that case, it seems I can't do much to you. However, I've thought of some unconventional methods recently that might be effective~ You wouldn't be afraid to be the first to undergo them, would you?"
As expected, there was no response.
After Yin Ji left, Liu San didn't approach again and no one else came for torture.
Just when Ying Qi couldn't help but worry about external matters, Yin Ji brought news of their Master's return to World's Supreme Fortress.
Since the Master had returned, had they also managed to recruit the Divine Physician?
Before he could contemplate this, Yin Ji inexplicably became enraged, lashing him a few times and then ordering him to be chained and taken to a room with a hint of powder fragrance.
Thrown into a steaming hot bath, before Ying Qi could even think about what Yin Ji intended to do, he was suddenly overwhelmed by intense pain as the water was infused with medicine and seeping into the wounds covering his body.
The pain caused Ying Qi to tremble and he couldn't suppress the screams that escaped his throat.
The door to the room was tightly closed and Yin Ji stood gracefully by the bath. His slender fingers tracing the water's surface. With a tone of accomplishment, he said, "This water contains top-notch healing medicine. I've put a lot of effort into it for you. Your wounds will heal quickly but remember, it only treats the symptoms, not the root cause~ If you want to escape, you'll need inner strength! Once you're better, I'll have some fun with you on that big bed over there~”
Ying Qi was in so much pain that he couldn't think clearly, let alone understand the meaning behind the words spoken to him. His inner strength was suppressed and faced with such extreme agony, he could only grit his teeth and endure it.
After what felt like an eternity, he was carried to a bed, where someone applied something on him and then wrapped his entire body. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the intricately carved bed canopy above him.
Ying Qi tried to sit up but his hands were tightly bound to the bedpost and he had no strength in his body. Panic surged within him as he realized he was naked under the sheets.
The excruciating pain that almost made him pass out earlier was gone and he wondered what kind of game Yin Ji wanted to play.
"Awake?" came the voice from the door, accompanied by the aroma of food. Ying Qi's stomach, which hadn't had a proper meal in days, uncontrollably growled at the scent.
Hearing Yin Ji's unapologetic laughter, Ying Qi wished he could just bang his head against the bedpost. After Yin Ji finished laughing, he brought the tray to the bedside and tempted him with, "Egg and ham pie, buns, spicy enoki mushrooms and vegetable porridge from One Dish Pavilion. Quite a nice breakfast, wouldn't you say? Come, get up to eat?"
Ying Qi averted his gaze but Yin Ji didn't mind. He continued, "You, Martial Artists, I don't understand your mindset. When captured by the enemy, shouldn't you enjoy good food and drink, live well and infuriate your captors? Even if you don't anger them, you should at least preserve your strength, so when someone comes to rescue, you're not too weak to escape. Are you, Shadow Guards, all about waiting to die once captured? Hm?"
Though reluctant to admit it, Yin Ji made sense. "You've tied me up, so how can I eat?" Ying Qi's throat, long deprived of moisture, felt unusually dry and cause some pain as he spoke.
This was the first time he had spoken in what felt like a long time and Yin Ji seemed oddly excited. His lips curved into a pleasing arc as he replied. "No hands, no problem. I can feed you. No one has ever received this service before, so you should feel honored."
‘Thanks, but no thanks.’ Ying Qi thought but the fragrant bun was already at his lips. He intended to turn his head away but seeing Yin Ji's provocative gaze, he thought, ‘He really has no strength left.’
Even if it's just to endure the upcoming torture, he shouldn't let this opportunity slip. Yielding to Yin Ji's challenge, Ying Qi bit into the bun with determination.
If not for the circumstances, this would have been a very satisfying breakfast. Yin Ji's service was impeccable and after finishing, he even wiped Ying Qi's mouth with a cloth, earning a curious glance from him. Yin Ji smiled knowingly, "A full stomach gives you strength. I served you just now and later, it will be your turn to serve me. Oh, hehehe~"
As Yin Ji reached to remove their outer robe, Ying Qi hadn't yet realized what they intended to do. But when those hands lifted the sheets and touched his chest, he couldn't remain calm anymore. "What are you doing?" he asked.
Yin Ji's fingers brushed over a red spot on his bare chest, causing it to respond uncontrollably before he chuckled, "What am I doing? Haven't you done this kind of thing before? Even if not with men, you must have with women. What I'm about to do is what you've done to them~.”
Ying Qi couldn't believe his ears.
While he didn't reject intimacy between men, like what his master and Shi Qi had, he also didn't feel comfortable with another man, especially a demon Lord doing that to him. "How dare you! Stop!"
"Why wouldn't I dare? This is the punishment I've thought of. To let you endure torment and never find release. Let's see if you still won't beg for mercy. Let me tell you, if it weren't for someone interfering last time, that little guard would have been at my mercy long ago. But you're not bad either. So don't disappoint me too much." Yin Ji revealed his long-planned scheme while squeezing that sensitive spot harshly, causing Ying Qi to shiver and satisfy Yin Ji as he watched Ying Qi breath grow heavier.
Ying Qi was purely enraged while watching helplessly as Yin Ji opened a small box that had been placed at the bedside before taking out a soft plug. It added a bit of excitement and prevented him from biting his tongue in desperation. Unable to speak, Ying Qi's eyes reddened with anger and just made whimpering sounds.
Yin Ji patted his heaving chest to comfort him, "Don't rush, I haven't started yet! I've prepared a lot of things for you, one by one, to ensure you're comfortable to the point of speechlessness~"
Yin Ji's gaze became more profound, causing Ying Qi to struggle more. Yin Ji chuckled softly, "Do you know why I didn't use aphrodisiacs? In fact, that would make you surrender more easily." Picking up a bottle containing some liquid, he poured a bit onto the dark red mouth, "Because that sensation turns even a man with strong willpower into a slave to its effects, which is meaningless as I want to invade your consciousness step by step and to make you surrender..."
Yin Ji's slender fingers went to that spot…
This sensation was more unbearable for Ying Qi than any cruel punishment. If given a choice, he would rather have the scorching hot iron branded on his body than endure this humiliation. Ying Qi tightly shut his eyes and tried to block it out.
However, the sound of Yin Ji taking out something else reached his ears, at the same time, his fingers withdrew.
The next moment, the icy sensation on his face made Ying Qi abruptly open his eyes, only to see a jade device—"Wu! Wu wu!"
‘You! Yin Ji!’ He roared in extreme anger.
Naturally, Yin Ji didn't give up because of this.
The well-lubricated area was waiting for him...
In Ying Qi's furious gaze, Yin Ji charmingly smiled as he inserted his…