Hua Yan touched her incredibly flat abdomen, still feeling quite uneasy.
However, Lu Chengsha was even more anxious than she was, so Hua Yan forced herself to stay calm, putting on an expression of having everything under control, and said, “Anyway, it’s all up to people. Even if your grandfather doesn’t agree, he won’t kill me anymore…”
Actually, if he did want to kill her, it would be even better!
The two had been squatting in an inn in Jiancheng for a day, still very hesitant—mainly because Lu Chengsha was hesitant. He thought it was bad to deceive people, especially to deceive his grandfather, so he hesitated and was unwilling to agree.
Blushing, Hua Yan said without words, “If you don’t want to deceive him, it’s very simple. You come over now, and we…” Her voice lowered ambiguously for a few sentences, “…make it real.”
Lu Chengsha was instantly speechless.
In the silent guest room, there was only the sound of his suddenly disordered breathing. It wasn’t very clear, but Hua Yan inexplicably felt a little flustered for a moment.
“Actually, we have already been intimate as husband and wife…” Hua Yan’s voice was still very low, but she knew Lu Chengsha could hear her clearly, “It’s just that nothing came out of it, so it doesn’t count as deception… If we try again, maybe…”
As Hua Yan spoke, she felt her ears burning.
Indeed, she was a demoness from the Demon Sect, but she was not very qualified, blushing just from saying a few words like this. If her mother knew, she would definitely scold her for being unpromising!
If her mother were here, let alone forcing a marriage with a child, she might even force a marriage with herself.
Thinking of this, Hua Yan couldn’t help but say, “Do you really want to marry me or not! Why are you still hesitating and dragging your feet? You don’t even need to speak, I’ll do the talking. You just… wait here!”
Lu Chengsha seemed to want to resist further.
Hua Yan directly said, “Do you want to marry me or not! Or were all those nice things you said before just lies to me…”
Lu Chengsha immediately replied, “No.”
“Then that’s settled! Anyway, you don’t need to worry about it anymore!”
***
At this moment, Lu Zhenxing was practicing his skills in his room, simultaneously comprehending his own sword intent in his mind. The path of swordsmanship is infinitely profound. Even at his age and stage, he did not dare claim any great achievement.
He was meditating when he heard footsteps outside. Lu Zhenxing immediately felt a bit impatient.
Since that day, he had not gone out after his injury healed. Food was delivered directly to his door, and aside from his long-serving old servant and his sons and grandsons, almost no one had seen him.
The footsteps were very unfamiliar, belonging to none of the above. Most likely, it was some new disciple who didn’t understand etiquette and intruded here.
Lu Zhenxing’s face darkened, and he shouted, “Who is outside!”
His voice was low and majestic, usually scaring young disciples away immediately. However, the footsteps not only didn’t stop but also came closer, as if deliberately making noise for him to hear.
Lu Zhenxing’s gaze instantly turned cold as he gripped the hilt of his Wuqian Sword.
He hadn’t encountered anyone daring enough to come looking for trouble with him in many years.
Then, he heard a woman’s voice say, “Let me in, I have something to discuss with the Old Manor Master of Tingjian Manor.”
Lu Zhenxing would recognize that voice even if it turned to ashes. It was the same voice that had arrogantly spoken on the rooftop of Tingjian Manor, saying things that made him want to kill her on the spot.
His sword attendant, Xin Mo, immediately said, “The Manor Master is not seeing any guests. Miss, please leave.”
As he spoke, he called out loudly, and soon, the disciples of Tingjian Manor surrounded the area outside the door.
Lu Zhenxing was currently not in a position to kill her. This demoness was highly skilled in martial arts and not easy to kill. The simplest way was to drive her away directly. Of course, if she didn’t know her place, Tingjian Manor wouldn’t show any mercy.
“I really have something important to discuss.”
Xin Mo said, “Miss, please don’t make things difficult for me. I’m just doing my job for the Manor Master, and he really cannot see guests.”
Lu Zhenxing suppressed his anger, knowing that Lu Chengsha was still considering him. If he rushed out to kill her now, Lu Chengsha might feel justified in openly being with this demoness.
As he was thinking this, he heard the demoness clear her throat, seemingly very nervous but speaking loudly, “I… I am pregnant. The child is Lu Chengsha’s. Are you Tingjian Manor going to do something about it?”
This statement was like a thunderclap.
The disciples who had been warily watching the demoness, fearing an attack, were completely taken aback by her words.
No one expected her to suddenly say such a thing…!
The surroundings fell into a dead silence, with only the woman’s words echoing in everyone’s ears.
“I… I am pregnant. The child is Lu Chengsha’s. Are you Tingjian Manor going to do something about it?”
“The child is Lu Chengsha’s. Are you Tingjian Manor going to do something about it?”
“Are you Tingjian Manor going to do something about it?”
Involuntarily, everyone’s gaze shifted to the woman’s abdomen. Each person had their own thoughts, but no one dared to speak. Their expressions became increasingly strange.
“What did you say!”
With a loud “bang,” the door to Lu Zhenxing’s room was flung open.
The tall, elderly man with white hair strode out, his face showing undisguised anger and… shock. “…How is that possible!”
Hua Yan, with her neck stiff, said, “Why is it impossible? I really…” She touched her belly as if to hide something and lowered her head. “…am pregnant with his child.”
Hua Yan continued, “If you don’t believe me, you can have someone take my pulse…”
She wasn’t unprepared. She had deliberately planted a type of parasite in her body that could mimic the pulse of pregnancy. Even the most skilled doctor would believe she was indeed pregnant.
Sure enough, under Lu Zhenxing’s cold gaze, Xin Mo summoned the manor’s doctor.
The old doctor, unaware of the situation, simply followed orders and checked Hua Yan’s pulse. After a while, he said, “Although it’s still early to determine the exact month, this young lady is indeed pregnant…”
The expressions of the onlooking disciples became even more nuanced, especially when the beautiful, seductive demoness shyly touched her belly again, making it an indescribable scene…
Lu Zhenxing was silent for a moment before coldly saying, “How can you prove that this is his child?”
Hua Yan was stunned for a moment, then her eyes reddened—this time genuinely: “If it’s not his, whose could it be! I’ve only been with him.” She hadn’t expected to be slandered like this. Already feeling wronged and now exaggerating her emotions, tears instantly welled up, “You can say whatever you want about me, but how can you slander my reputation on this matter! If you don’t believe me, ask anyone in the Jianghu, apart from him, who else have I been so close with…” The more she spoke, the more her tears flowed uncontrollably. She wiped them with the back of her hand, but her cheeks were soon wet again, looking extremely wronged.
Just moments ago, she was full of momentum, but now she seemed weak and tearful. Her charming features were softened by the tears, inexplicably evoking pity.
Several disciples felt their hearts waver, almost wanting to step forward to comfort her—fortunately, a glance at Lu Zhenxing brought them back to their senses.
Lu Zhenxing didn’t believe her at all, but seeing her cry so incessantly, even starting to hiccup, with her cheeks and eyes all red, made him feel like he was bullying a young girl. And his previous words were indeed inappropriate.
Even if there was a one in ten thousand chance that she was carrying Lu Chengsha’s child, his words were still out of line—it did sound like shirking responsibility.
Of course, he wouldn’t apologize. Lu Zhenxing coldly asked, “Where is he?”
Hua Yan sniffled and said, “Outside.”
Good grief.
Then it must be Lu Chengsha’s child.
Lu Zhenxing’s eyebrows shot up, and he cursed, “—That bastard!” He couldn’t help but glance at the sobbing girl, who looked to be only in her teens.
If she weren’t a demoness, he would break Lu Chengsha’s legs right now!
Although he had long known the two had been involved, getting a girl pregnant without proper engagement or marriage was unacceptable!
Even if she was a demoness, this was still inappropriate!
He had done the deed, but didn’t even understand this much, leaving her to come to Tingjian Manor with a big belly—no, Lu Zhenxing realized, he might have done this deliberately to force his hand, making him have no choice but to agree. Lu Zhenxing was instantly even more furious, never imagining that Lu Chengsha had become so cunning. He angrily shouted, “Where is he now! Get him here right away!”
Shortly after Lu Zhenxing’s words fell, a dark shadow descended and landed on the ground.
Clad in black, with a long sword on his back, his posture was tall and upright like a pine tree.
Lu Chengsha naturally didn’t want to step into Tingjian Manor again, but exceptions existed. He was very worried—afraid that Lu Zhenxing would find out it was fake and, in his fury, harm her. He hadn’t expected her to deceive even the doctor.
Seeing Lu Chengsha, Lu Zhenxing only wanted to hit him again. However, as he approached, raising his hand, that demoness suddenly stood in front of him.
—This demoness was pregnant.
—And pregnant with Lu Chengsha’s child.
Lu Zhenxing immediately paused.
Lu Chengsha, more anxious than her, pulled her behind him in one swift move.
Lu Zhenxing: “…” Could you be a little gentler?
The demoness was also unyielding, clutching Lu Chengsha and saying, “It’s okay, at worst, it’ll be two lives lost. Then everyone will know that Tingjian Manor not only refuses to take responsibility for a pregnant woman but also wants to kill her to silence her.”
Seeing her lie so blatantly, Lu Chengsha knew she was doing it to ensure he could marry her openly, but he was still anxious and said, “Forget it… let’s leave.”
Hua Yan wouldn’t let it go so easily. She immediately touched her belly, going all out, trying to act like a desperate pregnant woman. “What about the child in my belly! Is this child supposed to live namelessly! Are you telling me that the esteemed righteous sect can’t even take responsibility?” As she spoke, she squeezed out a few more tears, sobbing, “I don’t even want him to return to Tingjian Manor, I just want… Old Manor Master Lu, to let him marry me. You forced him to swear an oath, and even threatened him with suicide. He’s stubborn and wouldn’t agree… I promise not to make him do bad things, I just want…” Her tone became increasingly pitiful, “to marry him.”
She quickly added, touching her belly, “to give the child a complete family.”
The surrounding disciples were utterly stunned.
Lu Zhenxing didn’t know what to say for a moment. He had never dealt with such an extremely awkward situation. He was always straightforward and decisive, but this… he couldn’t really harm a woman pregnant with Lu Chengsha’s child!
Hua Yan noticed too. Initially, Lu Zhenxing had murderous intent towards her, but ever since the doctor confirmed her pregnancy, that intent disappeared. He even, like Lu Chengsha, glanced at her belly from time to time.
Seeing that he couldn’t handle her, Lu Zhenxing cast his icy, furious gaze towards Lu Chengsha.
Hua Yan immediately shielded Lu Chengsha, saying, “…Don’t hit him!” At this point, she was all in, saying, “The child can’t be without a father.”
Lu Chengsha: “…”
Lu Zhenxing: “…”
Lu Chengsha showed no outward emotion, but inwardly he was so flustered he could barely speak.
He had never imagined the situation could become so intense.
All he wanted to do was drag her away quickly.
However, Hua Yan was exceptionally persistent. During the standoff, she suddenly let out a low cry and clutched her belly, causing everyone to tense up, even making Lu Zhenxing furrow his brow and say, “Call the doctor.”
The doctor, who was already nearby, immediately said, “Miss, you must stay calm at this crucial moment, or you might not be able to keep the child…”
Hua Yan shook her head, sniffing, “Since you won’t agree… it might as well be…”
She wore a light-colored dress, and under it, faint traces of red began to show.
Even Lu Zhenxing, who knew little about women’s matters, understood that this was a bad sign. His heart trembled, “…I never said I wouldn’t agree.”
Hua Yan’s eyes brightened instantly, “Really?”
Unfortunately, before Lu Zhenxing could finish his sentence, Lu Chengsha had already scooped up Hua Yan and dashed away.
Hua Yan couldn’t help but punch him in frustration, “Why are you running! Your grandfather finally started to soften…”
Lu Chengsha paused, “But you’re bleeding…”
Hua Yan said, “It’s fake! It’s a blood bag I prepared beforehand…”
Lu Chengsha still felt uneasy, “…We shouldn’t deceive like this.”
“I’ve told you…” Hua Yan wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering seductively in his ear, “We could make it real…”
A blush immediately spread from Lu Chengsha’s earlobes up to his handsome face, turning it completely red.
He couldn’t find the words to respond.
“There’s no time like the present, why don’t we… wait, no, that’s not right…” Hua Yan touched her belly, then froze, “I think my period just started. Close call, almost got caught.”