Chapter 240: Pregnancy
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
After his self-destruction, Gu Shenwei became weak. However, this enabled him to comprehend Death Scripture swordcraft better.
This swordcraft was a bloody art. Users could only improve themselves through ceaseless killing. The more proficient they were, the greater their killing desire, and vice versa. The quintessence of “self-deconstruction” and “life-destruction” led to the same destination, which was to be conquered by the Murderous Swords, and became a part of it.
When facing one’s desire, one’s obedience would be one’s victory. Emotion, sword and killing were all one’s desire.
Initially, Gu Shenwei felt uneasy about being controlled by the Death Scripture. However, he now wanted to embrace it.
He had already practiced Wayless Qigong four times. Though his Internal Strength had not recovered completely, he could feel a strong Internal Breath moving quickly through his meridians. It disappeared after several weeks, as though it was a river in a desert.
He believed that he would soon be able to keep the Breath in his Dantian.
He saw the changes in Maid Lotus and Shangguan Ru. Shangguan Ru was progressing fast although she practiced the wrong skill. She was also well trained in Emotionless Swords due to her powerful Internal Strength. Gu Shenwei was left far behind.
Similar to what Gu Shenwei did when Slave Yao was experiencing qigong deviation, he looked on coldly at Shangguan Ru. There were symptoms occasionally. Shangguan Ru would sometimes feel tightness in her chest. She even thought that it was caused by the remnant hazard, which was left by the master of New Moon Hall.
His days in the fort would have been like this whereby he would practice Wayless Qigong secretly, watch Shangguan Ru die of qigong deviation, assassinate the Supreme King, and mess up Golden Roc Fort. Then, he would find Wei Song to find out all the facts. Unfortunately, his whole plan was destroyed by a nobody even before it started.
It all started when Luo Ningcha suddenly summoned Slave Huan. It had been nearly a month since the last time he stepped into the Eighth Young Master’s residence. He even thought that he had nothing to do with this woman anymore.
Luo Ningcha’s attitude alerted the killer. She seemed to have changed into another person. She was concerned with Slave Huan’s “possession” and spoke many comforting words. She felt slightly out of place new disposition, and talked nonsense. “You have survived for a month. It seemed that you have a chance to fully recover. Why not find a monk to conduct a rite for you? I’ll pay for it.”
There were other maids in the room, thus Gu Shenwei had to be grateful for her. He claimed that Miss was extremely kind to her servants and that he was recovering well.
After talking for a while, Luo Ningcha found an excuse to send all of maids off and walked out of the screen. She asked in the tone of Xu Yanwei, “Do you miss me?”
Gu Shenwei didn’t miss her. Thus, he gave an ambiguous answer. “I dare not.”
Luo Ningcha took his reply as flattery. She wanted to display her charms, but then she could not help but raise her hands and gently stroke the killer’s face. “As compared to the father and son, I like you more.”
Gu Shenwei felt disgusted. His control over his emotions weakened as he no longer had his Internal Strength or the Death Scripture. He stepped back to avoid her hands. “Does Miss have anything for me?”
Luo Ningcha’s expression suddenly changed. She shook her hands and went behind the screen. Though she was not wearing her veil anymore, some of her habits were unchanged. “Slave Huan, you are ungrateful. Don’t you know that you’re a nobody? I can ask the Lord to kill you anytime.”
This was the woman Gu Shenwei was familiar with. “If I’m not loyal to Miss, I’ll kill myself at your command.”
Luo Ningcha loved to hear this. She remained silent for a while behind the screen and then said, “I want you to do something for me.”
“Please instruct.”
“Well, although you have lost your Internal Strength, you haven’t lost your intelligence. Although there are counselors and military counselors in Stone Castle, you can help me come up with stratagems. I can support you forever, even if you have lost your kung fu.”
“Who’s your enemy?”
“Humph, who dares?” Luo Ningcha sounded confident and arrogant. She then murmured something, but Gu Shenwei could not hear it clearly.
“What did you say?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Gu Shenwei had prepared humself fully, but he hadn’t expected such a thing. He was stunned and his facial expression shifted. “Who…?”
“Hee. Don’t be silly, it’s only been half a month and it has nothing to do with you.”
Gu Shenwei was relieved. This made Miss unhappy again. “It’s right to say that you are ungrateful. It seemed almost as if I spared your life when I say that it’s unrelated to you. Are you that cowardly?”
Gu Shenwei had understood her intention and ignored her accusation. He said, “Does Miss want me to think of an idea to cover this matter up?”
“Exactly.” Luo Ningcha said excitedly. “You’re so clever.”
“Does the Lord know?”
“I have yet told him. The elderly woman Meng loves to kill pregnant women in Stone Castle so I didn’t reveal this news. But, they’ll know sooner or later. You have to help me think of a way to resolve this. Similar to … Shangguan Hong, people thought that he was the nephew of the Lord for dozens of years. But, he was the Lord’s illegitimate child. This is the effect I want.”
Due to Luo Ningcha’s scream that night, people knew that the Lord had visited his daughter-in-law. However, the fort had to maintain its reputation. Gu Shenwei thought for a while, and said, “You don’t need to wait further. You tell the people tomorrow that Eighth Young Master had came back unnoticed when Bighead Kingpin’s coffin was sent here.”
“Will this work?” Luo Ningcha was unsatisfied with his suggestion. “It has been half a month. Besides, what if Shangguan Nu doesn’t agree? I’ll be even more embarrassed.”
“The time difference is insignificant. As for Eighth Young Master, if I’m right, he won’t deny your request, or at least he won’t deny it in public”
Luo Ningcha was not stupid. She finally understood after Slave Huan’s clarified. “You’re right. Shangguan Nu has yet broken away from Lord. He’s not afraid of me, but he is afraid of the Lord, so… you little imp. That little girl, Shangguan Ru wants you back, but I won’t let her. From now on, you shall assist me. We will destroy the Meng family. When my child becomes the Supreme King, I’ll make you… What do you want to be?”
“I’ll be satisfied as long as I can stay by Miss’s side.”
“Humph, Slave Huan, you have a glib tongue.”
Luo Ningcha’s voice became sweet and gentle again. Gu Shenwei was in a hurry to leave as he stepped out of the house regardless whether Miss agreed.
It was getting dark and there was no one in the backyard. Gu Shenwei heaved a sigh of relief. He felt that he had to find a way to get rid of Luo Ningcha. She’ll foil his plan sooner or later. Furthermore, she had bore a child for the Shangguan family so he would have one more enemy.
Before Gu Shenwei could come up with a plan, he saw someone hiding behind the pillar. His vision and hearing were weakened with the loss of his Internal Strength. However, he was still very alert. He could guess the identity of the person with one glance. “Slave Xin, shall we leave together?”
Slave Xin walked out and acted as though he had only just saw Slave Huan. He looked surprised. “Master Yang, you are out so soon. I thought I would have to wait longer.”
“Well, Miss has nothing much for me. Why did you come? You know that you can’t enter the backyard any time you wish.”
“Yes, I know. The weather is cold, so I have brought you a garment. For a moment, I forgot the rules for a moment.”
Slave Xin did bring a robe and helped to put it on for Gu Shenwei. Gu Shenwei took a few steps and suddenly stopped. “I’m so foolish. Miss had asked me to take the incense burner out. Come with me.”
“Miss said this?” Slave Xin sounded surprised. He then found something wrong in his words and added hurriedly, “Master Yang, the truth is that I’m just a lowly slave, so I’m slightly… afraid of her.”
“It’s ok. Miss has changed. Just remember not to look at her directly.” After saying this, Gu Shenwei walked towards Miss’s room.
Slave Xin stood there and hesitated for a while. He then followed Slave Huan.
Luo Ningcha had lost her affection. She was unhappy with Gu Shenwei for returning and for knocking on her door. “What do you want? I’m going to sleep. Call the maid over.”
“Miss, you have forgotton that I haven’t yet took the incense burner out.”
“What…?”
As soon as Luo Ningcha spoke her first word, Gu Shenwei barged in. There was a timid slave following him. The slave hunched over and his head could almost touch the ground. She seemed to understand Gu Shenwei’s intention. “You can take the burner out tomorrow.”
“Since I’m here, I can do it now…” While talking, Gu Shenwei went past Slave Xin and closed the door. Then, he suddenly turned over and hit Slave Xin’s neck.
However, Gu Shenwei had forgotten that he had lost his Internal Strength. His strength was stronger than his same-aged counterparts. Slave Xin fell onto the floor, but remained conscious. He only hurt his forehead. He rolled to one side, and sat up. He supported his body with an arm and looked at Slave Huan in surprise. “Master Yang, you are…”
“What have you heard?”
“I did not… No, I didn’t even hear… Master Yang, what do you mean?”
Gu Shenwei had never believed in Slave Xin. After Shen Liang’s visit, he knew that Slave Xin was a surveillant from Heart Cleansing Yard. Thus, he didn’t let Slave Xin serve him. He did not expect that Slave Xin was getting bolder as he dared to eavesdrop on their conversation.
As Gu Shenwei did not have the Internal Breath, Luo Ningcha did not know any kung fu, and other killers including Maid Lotus were guarding the front yard, no one noticed this spy.
“You’re Miss’s servant. You better tell me the truth. Miss will forgive you, and also protect you.”
“I really did not…”
“You report to Heart Cleansing Yard every day. Shen Liang must have given you many benefits.”
“No, no…”
“How much you knew about Miss? What did you report to Shen Liang? What is Shen Liang’s intention behind this surveillance? Is he unsatisfied with Miss? Or does he want to harm the Lord?”
“I did not say anything about Miss.” Slave Xin was frightened and shocked. Gu Shenwei’s questions made him dizzy. “Blademaster Shen had already learned that you’re from the Gu family. Miss, I did not say anything about you. I …”
Luo Ningcha stood at the side silently, with her hands hidden behind her. Then, she suddenly she raised her right hand, and threw a jade paperweight. Slave Xin reacted fast and dodged. He knew his life was at risk and would lose his life if he continued act timidly. Thus, he jumped up as he tried to rush out through the door, after which, he could shout for help and attract the attention of the killers of Heart Cleansing Yard. This was the only way that he could save his life.
Gu Shenwei was guarding against Slave Xin. He stepped forward and blocked the doorway. But he had overestimated his power. Slave Xin was like a trapped beast who wanted to escape. Gu Shenwei was then knocked down by Slave Xin.
