Giving Birth for Shen Wen

The two arrived at a quiet room.

Medusa kept a very low profile, for she understood Cao Ying's place in Shen Wen's heart.

Yet Cao Ying's very first words exploded in her mind like a thunderclap.

Cao Ying looked at her, her tone calm. "Medusa, since you have acknowledged a master, you are one of us from now on.

Tell me, are you willing to become Husband's concubine and bear his bloodline?"

"W-what?" Medusa froze completely. Her light violet eyes widened instantly as she stared at Cao Ying in disbelief.

She had thought Cao Ying might warn her or set rules for her, but she had never expected this.

What the other woman proposed was a request that shook her to the core.

Become Shen Wen's... concubine?

Bear his children?

The powerful impact robbed her of the ability to think. She could only stand there blankly, her mind utterly empty.

Cao Ying's words were like thunder, stirring towering waves in Medusa's heart. Her first instinct was shock.

But what followed was not the fierce rejection and anger she had expected.

As she examined her own heart, she realized that she did not actually feel much resistance toward the proposal.

Medusa had always been cold toward men. The reason was that those so-called talented young men and powerful experts of various clans—

In her eyes, they were all beneath contempt, utterly unworthy of catching her attention.

But Shen Wen was different. His strength, methods, background, and even that domineering way he had toyed with both her and the entire Snake People Clan in the palm of his hand—

All of it, alongside the humiliation, gave rise to an indescribable thrill of submission within her. Especially when she had personally uttered the word "Master."

An unprecedented pleasure had bloomed in her heart.

More importantly, there was the burden that had always weighed on her.

The Snake People Clan's inheritance.

As Queen, she bore the duty of giving birth to the next Medusa and continuing the bloodline of the clan's leaders.

Originally, she might only have been able to choose someone like Kui Xing from within the clan, a man of passable strength, and join with him.

Only after fulfilling that duty could she pursue higher realms without distraction.

But now, everything was different.

The Snake People Clan had already submitted to Shen Wen. Their life and death, honor and disgrace, were all tied to him alone.

Deep down, she had always harbored a faint concern: would Shen Wen truly regard the Snake People Clan as an asset, rather than disposable playthings he could sacrifice at will?

But if... if the next Medusa Queen to rule the Snake People Clan were Shen Wen's biological descendant?

Once that thought arose, it spread wildly through her heart like weeds.

If her child became the future ruler of the Snake People Clan, then the connection between the clan and Shen Wen—

Would no longer be merely that of master and subordinate. They would also be bound by blood.

Shen Wen would surely place greater importance on the Snake People Clan and support them more.

Only then could the Snake People Clan truly integrate into the core of his forces and become indispensable to him.

Rather than remaining vassals who might be discarded at any time.

For the sake of the clan... this seemed like a better path than the one she had originally envisioned, joining with a powerful member of her own clan.

Her lifelong conviction had been to devote herself to the Snake People Clan.

Now, a path that could grant both herself and her people a broader future lay before her. There seemed to be no reason to refuse.

In the span of a few racing thoughts, Medusa had already convinced herself.

But she still had one question. She raised her violet eyes, now restored to clarity and sharpness.

Looking at Cao Ying, she said, "I can sense that you and Master share deep feelings.

Why... why would you take the initiative to propose this?"

Cao Ying fell silent for a moment before finally deciding to reveal part of the truth. "I suspect that Husband...

May very well be the sole surviving descendant of some ancient Dou Di, or perhaps an even greater existence.

Continuing his incomparably precious bloodline may be the mission he bears.

I fear I cannot manage it alone." She looked at Medusa, her gaze carrying scrutiny and resolve.

"And you, whether in potential, strength, or temperament, are someone I have chosen as qualified to share this responsibility."

Medusa's heart trembled. The sole surviving descendant of a Dou Di bloodline?

That explained his endless stream of astonishing methods and treasures.

She immediately pressed further. "If that is the case, then Dan Chen possesses a special soul, while Qing Lin has the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.

Their potential is equally extraordinary, and toward Master... I imagine they are deeply devoted as well."

"Why not choose them?"

Cao Ying did not explain herself to Medusa.

Nor could she say that the thought of serving one husband alongside her own sisters might make her feel awkward.

As for Qing Lin...

She was far too young. It was not time yet.

Her tone turned cool. "I have my own considerations. You need only answer me: are you willing, or not?"

Medusa took a deep breath and suppressed the turmoil in her heart.

She knew this was an important choice.

Meeting Cao Ying's gaze, she slowly spoke, her voice regaining its usual calmness and authority. "If Mistress does not reject me, Medusa... is naturally willing. However, I have one condition."

"Speak."

"If I am fortunate enough to bear children in the future," Medusa said with unusual firmness, "the first child must remain with the Snake People Clan.

"She will become the next Medusa Queen, inherit my position, and protect my people.

"This is my final bottom line."

After hearing Medusa's condition, Cao Ying's expression did not change. She merely nodded slightly. "Very well. But since we have begun this, you cannot bear only one child.

"Continuing Husband's bloodline is both your responsibility and your honor."

Medusa nodded. "I understand."

"Very good. I will make the arrangements." Cao Ying's tone was calm, as though she were discussing something utterly ordinary.

After Medusa left, Cao Ying was the only one remaining in the Quiet Room.

The composure she had forced herself to maintain instantly crumbled. She took a deep breath, her full chest rising and falling slightly.

Heaven knew what a tremendous shock and inner struggle it was for someone as proud as Cao Ying to personally discuss making another woman her husband's concubine—

And having that woman bear children for him.

An indescribable bitterness welled up in her heart.

She closed her eyes, and memories of every moment since she had met Shen Wen surfaced uncontrollably in her mind.

From their marriage of convenience, with Heavenly Flames as bait, to the awkwardness of their wedding night.

Then there was his unreserved gift of the Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi and the Sky Burning Cauldron, and his domineering figure as he subdued a Dou Zong with a single fist...

Scene after scene flashed by, finally settling on the time he had disregarded his own safety to help her refine the Heavenly Flames within the underground lava.

The faint bitterness in her heart was gradually replaced by a far more complicated emotion.

Resignation, understanding, and perhaps a sincere wish for his well-being that even she herself was unwilling to examine too closely.

Suppressing the surging thoughts in her heart, she rose and headed toward the Pill Room where Shen Wen was.

Inside the Pill Room, Shen Wen had just finished regulating his breath.

When he saw Cao Ying enter, he lifted his eyes, only to find an unusual solemnity on her face.

Cao Ying sat down across from him. Without beating around the bush, she told Shen Wen everything about her conversation with Medusa and her own plans.