novelraw Chapter 576 - 515: Fierce Competition
Chapter 576 - 515: Fierce Competition
Less than a month before her due date, Sha arrived, wanting to take Sang Luo to the Ghost Domain to give birth.
Sang Luo resisted contact with Sha, but she also knew how to assess the situation. Going to the Ghost Domain to give birth was the best decision.
That day, all the attendants in Rashamon Palace saw the Venerable King personally carry a heavily pregnant woman to his bedchambers.
A huge commotion erupted in the palace. Some were in disbelief, others were confused, and still others speculated about the woman’s origins...
The ones hit hardest were the beauties of the harem, who were all thrown into a frenzy.
The oldest among these beautiful concubines had been in the palace for over a hundred thousand years. They had never seen the Rakshasa King bring a woman back from the outside, let alone carry her personally. Even the Ghost Concubine, who had been the most favored back in the day, was treated with indifference by the Rakshasa King. If the Venerable King hadn’t wanted a child, the existence of these women in his harem would have likely made no difference to him.
’Could it be that the child in that woman’s belly is the Venerable King’s heir?’
The Ghost Concubine was so furious she smashed several things. Her crimson nails dug viciously into her palms. In her heart, she refused to believe it. ’Weren’t they saying the Rakshasa King was naturally sterile?!’
’How could he possibly have an heir!’
’That woman must be carrying a bastard!’
But no matter how much she disbelieved it, a sliver of fear remained in her heart. ’That woman and her child absolutely cannot be allowed to live!’
"Someone." The Ghost Concubine casually summoned an attendant. "Prepare some lavish gifts. I am going to personally see the beauty the Venerable King brought back."
But when she arrived, she discovered the palace was completely surrounded by guards. She wasn’t the only one with that idea; several other beauties had also come, only to be blocked outside.
The beauties all looked sour. When Yu Meiren saw the Ghost Concubine approaching, a flash of delight crossed her face before she deliberately adopted a sorrowful expression. "It seems Your Majesty truly cares for this new beauty. Not only did he bring her back to his bedchambers personally, he even arranged so many guards to protect our new sister. It’s truly enviable. Even the Ghost Concubine, in her most favored days, never received such treatment..."
Hearing this as she walked over, the Ghost Concubine was so enraged she slapped her. Seething, she yelled, "Are you tired of living? How dare you stand here gossiping about me!"
"Ah!" Yu Meiren clutched her swelling cheek and knelt in terror. She grit her teeth, hiding the mockery and hatred in her eyes. Looking up, her lovely face appeared even more pitifully beautiful. "It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have spoken ill of you, sister. But... I was only worried for you..."
"The Venerable King values this new beauty so much, and she even arrived heavily pregnant. Once she gives birth, she’s guaranteed to become the next Queen Ghost. What will become of us then...?"
The other beauties also fanned the flames, making the Ghost Concubine even more furious. She insisted on going inside to see the situation for herself, but was still blocked.
"I’ve been in this palace for a long time! I can’t even visit a newcomer? What is the meaning of this, blocking me here!"
"Apologies. These are the Venerable King’s orders. We are unable to comply."
Her handmaid also tried to persuade her. "My lady, we should head back for now."
The handmaid whispered in the Ghost Concubine’s ear, "I heard the Venerable King went to Black Mountain Valley to hunt an Ancient Ghost Beast. He likely won’t be back for ten to fifteen days."
The Ghost Concubine’s eyes suddenly lit up, and her expression softened. "Fine. Since it’s the Venerable King’s command, I won’t press my luck." She flicked her sleeve and left.
The Ghost Concubine had always been arrogant and domineering, relying on the Venerable King’s favor, and she had been eyeing the position of Queen Ghost for a long time. How could she possibly give up so easily? The other beauties had hoped to watch the drama unfold, but seeing nothing happen, they too left in disappointment.
...
During her first few days in the Ghost Domain, Sang Luo didn’t even need to use her spiritual power to know how many eyes were secretly watching her.
There were bribed servants, a series of "accidents," poisoned meals, and her fetus-preserving medicine was secretly swapped with an abortifacient.
...
’The competition is pretty fierce.’
When Sha returned, Sang Luo yawned and casually tossed a small paper effigy at him. "Keep your harem in line. I don’t want anything happening to the child."
Sha’s expression darkened upon seeing the paper effigy. He raised a hand, and a wisp of ghost fire incinerated it to ash. He left and returned a moment later, offering Sang Luo several orbs of Soul Power and an Ancient Beast Crystal Core.
After consuming them, Sang Luo wore a strange expression. "The Rakshasa King is truly iron-fisted and ruthless, killing the women who’ve shared his bed for years without a second thought."
’In this man’s eyes, there’s no affection at all, only the need for an heir!’
"I told you, you are the only one I have ever truly possessed." Sha sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking her belly as if he could sense the small, forming life inside.
"My true body has never touched those women," he said. "Only my Clones."
"...Really?" Sang Luo was skeptical.
"As you’ve said, I have no reason to lie to you. Besides, you don’t care anyway, do you?" Sha looked at her, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Sang Luo’s face flushed slightly, and she turned away, refusing to look at him.
Sha’s lips curved into a smile, his mood clearly improving. "You make that exact expression every time you lie."
He then brought over a bowl of fetus-preserving medicine. "Drink this. It might be a little bitter, so I added some malt sugar."
"You... don’t use that tone with me." Sang Luo awkwardly took the bowl and tilted her head back, drinking it down in a few gulps. It wasn’t as bitter as she’d imagined; a faint sweetness lingered on her tongue. It was a taste she liked.
Sha took the empty bowl from her and casually placed it on the table, his gaze settling on her face. "Have you ever considered that perhaps I’m not intentionally imitating him?"
...
"That Wolf Beast was a part of my soul. Even though I am not him, I did not erase his memories... My love for you might not be as intense or as deep as his was, but that doesn’t mean I feel nothing at all. Everything I do and think when I’m with you comes from my own heart." Sha’s deep, magnetic voice held an indescribable allure and a hint of sorrow that vanished in an instant.
"Luoluo." It was the first time he had called her that. "I don’t want you to see me as a substitute, and I certainly don’t want you to treat me like a stranger. Perhaps you could try to accept Sha."
"...Thank you for your kind sentiment, Rakshasa King, but let’s not bring love and affection into our purely transactional relationship," Sang Luo said with a light laugh.
’She was the type to play it safe and protect herself. She didn’t believe in the love the Ghost Clan spoke of. The Rakshasa King might genuinely have some feelings for her, or he might just be coaxing her for the sake of an heir. But so what?’
’She didn’t need his affection.’
’A man like him had been high and mighty for too long; he would never be willing to lower himself and become a captive to another. Let alone share a woman with another man. Sooner or later, his dissatisfaction would fester, and he would become an uncontrollable bomb.’
’Sang Luo knew her own limits. She couldn’t handle the Venerable King of the Ghost Domain. It was best to leave some things as they were.’
"Fine. If this is what you want, I will not speak of such things again." Sha’s deep, cyan eyes became indifferent once more. He tucked the blanket around her, then stood up and left.