Chapter 221: The Joy of Becoming a Father

Zhou Qing had pondered Ling Ji’s invitation for a while before finally agreeing. He had felt a lingering sense of guilt toward her over the matter of the Dragon Pearl, so since she had now reached out for help, he decided to fulfill her request.

Following the woman in black to the cave belonging to the Snake Clan, Zhou Qing disposed of several tiger demons that attempted to ambush them along the way. At the cave entrance, the woman stopped and signaled for him to proceed inside alone.

Upon entering, Zhou Qing followed a circular path that led deep into the earth. At the bottom, by a small subterranean lake, he found Ling Ji.

Ling Ji looked deathly pale, as if she had suffered grave injuries. Beyond her pallor, Zhou Qing noticed that she was heavily pregnant, her belly swollen just like that of a mortal woman.

"Do you demon races also harbor internal conflicts?" Zhou Qing asked, casting a glance at her.

Ling Ji let out a cold huff at his mocking tone but offered no reply. Zhou Qing was not offended by her attitude. They stood in silence by the lake for a moment before he asked, "What is the story with your pregnancy?"

"What do you think?"

"What do I think?" Zhou Qing countered. Recalling the timing of the dragon transformation incident, he asked with a tone of uncertainty, "Is it mine..."

"You think too much; it is not yours," Ling Ji interrupted, cutting him off. She continued, "I asked you here today because ever since I conceived this child, my cultivation has become extremely unstable. A few days ago, I was wounded by a tiger demon whose cultivation is far inferior to mine. I had intended to wait until after the child was born to seek revenge on the Tiger Clan.

"However, the Tiger Clan has been bullying us, taking advantage of the situation to counter-attack into my Snake Clan's territory. Fortunately, I had laid a defensive array in this mountain that has managed to hold them off for now, but I don't think it can last much longer."

After listening to her explanation, Zhou Qing did not respond immediately; instead, he walked toward the boat floating in the center of the lake.

"Are you going to help or not? If not, then leave," Ling Ji said. Seeing that he was ignoring her and heading for the boat, she flickered into motion and blocked his path.

Zhou Qing retorted, "The child in your womb is not mine, so why should I help you? I didn't compete with you for that Dragon Pearl back then, which I consider sufficient compensation. I owe you nothing, and I have no obligation to accept your request."

"You..." Ling Ji began, intending to lash out in anger, but she swallowed the words before they could leave her lips.

"Don't get so worked up. It’s one thing to hurt yourself, but don't let your temper harm the child."

Smiling as he offered this advice, Zhou Qing flickered behind her and continued toward the boat. Upon reaching it, he saw a scroll hanging inside. The person in the painting had handsome features and was dressed in flowing red robes—was it not a portrait of himself?

The moment he saw the painting, he stepped onto the boat and took it down. Examining it closely, he realized it was not a new work; it had been painted some time ago.

"What is the meaning of keeping my portrait here?" Zhou Qing asked, waving the scroll in front of her.

"It means nothing. I have a hobby: I like to paint the faces of my enemies so that I will never forget my hatred."

"Is that so? Does that mean I am the only enemy you have in this entire world?" Zhou Qing glanced around the interior of the boat and, seeing no other portraits, posed the question.

"Stop with the nonsense." As she spoke, Ling Ji reached into the pouch at her waist, withdrew a golden inner core, and tossed it toward him. "This is the Dragon Pearl we obtained together. I never consumed it. If I give it to you now, will you help my Snake Clan?"

"Can you not just tell me the truth?"

"What truth are you talking about? Either you agree or you don't. If not, I..." Seeing him avoid the question, Ling Ji began to scold him, but a look of pain crossed her pale face, and she instinctively reached out to cradle her pregnant belly.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing lunged forward to steady her, asking in a gentle voice, "What’s wrong? Are you alright?"

"Get lost!" After he steadied her, Ling Ji shoved him away and retreated to the edge of the boat to sit down.

"Fine, I will agree to your request. Since you gave me this Dragon Pearl, it’s yours—you should keep it." He returned the pearl to her, staring at her with words on the tip of his tongue, but he ultimately remained silent and turned to walk toward the shore.

Seeing his expression, Ling Ji called out to him, "If you have something to say, just say it. Why must a grown man be so indecisive and hesitant?"

"You are a truly interesting woman. When I wanted to say something earlier, you found me annoying. Fine, I was worried about upsetting you, so I kept quiet. Now you complain that I’m being hesitant? What exactly do you want?"

"Do you have something to tell me?"

"I do. Before I came down here, I didn't have much to say, but now, I have a great deal to tell you. It’s just..."

"Then speak," Ling Ji said, glancing at him before lowering her head.

"No rush. I haven't quite organized my thoughts yet. Let me go out and deal with those little demons, and when I’ve sorted out what I want to say, I’ll come back."

With that, Zhou Qing smiled and nodded at her before leaving the cave.

As he made his way out, his state of mind had changed drastically from when he had entered. Before, he had merely intended to do a favor and be done with it, but after seeing Ling Ji, his thoughts were no longer so simple.

Although she had been cold and dismissive by the lake, Zhou Qing could see that she cared for him deeply. She hadn't consumed the Dragon Pearl he had given her, but had kept it all this time—he couldn't help but suspect she treated it as a memento. Combined with the portrait she had hung on her boat and her performative indifference, he no longer doubted that the child in her womb was his.

*Suddenly a father.* The phrase popped into his mind, and it hit home with undeniable reality.

"The child in her womb is mine. I am going to be a father."

On his way out of the cave, Zhou Qing wore a look of genuine joy. Although the revelation was sudden, it was well within the realm of what he could accept. Now that he knew the truth, he would have to thoroughly rethink his plans for the future.