All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 579 - Three Hundred and Thirty-Six_2
"If only I really were a man..."
...
The pile of firewood inside the Daoist Temple cast a dim, somber glow. Gently wiping the two swords in the Sword Box, Su Bei felt a brand new flow of energy coursing through his body and murmured to himself, The sword needs nurturing.
For him, the Qingping Sword was already second nature, but when it came to Missing Departure, he still had much to improve in terms of control.
Though the myriad techniques of the world are ever-changing, they all share the same root—since ancient times, what countless cultivators have sought is the ultimate longevity, the great immortality. Only when a cultivator achieves minor immortality can they be truly worthy of the title "Immortal," taking the initial steps toward "Achieving Dao." For Sword Cultivators, the sword nurtures the person, and the person nurtures the sword. While there's no such hyperbole as becoming one with the sword, to reach the pinnacle of a cultivator's journey, at the very least, one must cultivate a Sword Spirit. A Sword Spirit of one's own.
Slowly closing his eyes, Su Bei fully opened his Dantian Knowledge Sea, allowing his soul to merge with the surrounding heaven and earth, where he could see himself sitting cross-legged. His soul wrapped around Missing Departure, then returned to his body. Now, as he touched the sword once more, he could feel a bit more intimacy than just a moment prior.
Pleased with this scene, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction, then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork, and began to roast it over the fire, thinking, The sword is well nurtured.
Missing Departure: ...
The Flower Bright Moon was dimmed and enshrouded in a light mist.
Footsteps approached lightly from behind Su Bei. Within the flickering, dim firelight, he could barely make out that familiar wisp of white gauze. With no moon in the sky, the surroundings were rather gloomy.
Su Bei's lips curved upward. Without looking, he swept the woman into his arms by the waist and laughed, "Why has Ji Baoer come back alone? Tell me! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"
...
As they spoke, the atmosphere grew heated. He pressed against her, his hand gliding over her ear, tracing the curves of her body. Li Zijun's eyes were wide open, her mind a blank slate as Su Bei pulled her in effortlessly. Feeling his skilled hands caressing her, she couldn't think straight for the moment.
She had just bathed and carried a fragrant scent, an atmosphere of sultry allure filling the Daoist Temple. Her cheeks gradually turned rosy; she didn't know if it was due to her own awkward posture or because of the wrist he held.
Su Bei frowned slightly, gradually realizing that something was off. This part of Ji Baoer should be fuller... and not feel this tender and inexperienced, he thought. I can even sense the woman beneath me trembling.
"M-Master." Li Zijun finally snapped out of her shock, her small hands anxiously pushing against Su Bei as she spoke nervously, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."
Su Bei: ...
Her voice carried a hint of grievance as she turned her head to the side, biting her lip. Su Bei froze, leaning down to stare blankly at the woman before him. What sort of beastly act have I just committed?
The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head but feared the gesture might be misconstrued. His hand froze in midair. He swallowed hard and said, "Disciple, I... your Master didn't know it was you."
He continued, "You're wearing your Master's wife's clothes, and the firelight is dim..."
Li Zijun lowered her head and mumbled a reply, her expression hidden in the dim light. "Master... c-can you please get off me first?"
Su Bei: ...
Su Bei smiled awkwardly at her, then gently got up. He rubbed his nose, thought for a moment, and said, "I really didn't know..."
With that, he grasped her snow-white wrist, intending to pull her to her feet.
The firelight flickered, casting shifting shadows on their faces as each remained lost in thought. For some reason, as Su Bei looked at Li Zijun's translucent, jade-like face, an impulse rose within him, and his heart began to beat faster.
Compared to Nan Ji, my actions just now were quite forceful, Su Bei thought. The response Li Zijun gives me is markedly different. Yet her gentleness, combined with that elusive sense of distance, stirs a strange feeling within me.
Seemingly forgetting the prior embarrassment, Su Bei raised his hand again, tentatively extending two fingers and gliding them toward Li Zijun's face. After a moment's pause, he finally made contact with her smooth, jade-like cheeks.
Li Zijun's delicate body shivered slightly, her intelligent eyes like stars. She shifted a little, but this time she didn't resist fiercely. Closing her eyes, she allowed Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful face with his two fingers. Her skin felt as smooth and warm as jade.
Suddenly, Su Bei saw pearl-like teardrops slip from the corners of Li Zijun's eyes, trailing down her snow-white cheeks. The flickering firelight illuminated the glistening tracks.
Su Bei's hand stilled, then gently glided to Li Zijun's soft chin, tilting her head up to gaze at her stunning face. With two fingers, he gently wiped away her tears and said softly, "I'm sorry."
"I..."
Li Zijun looked at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. I don't even know why I'm crying, she thought. Is it because of his offense? Or because there's no possible future between us? Seeing that momentary lapse in his gaze, I don't know what expression I should wear. Is it resignation?
"Flowers in the mirror, the moon on the water." Li Zijun gently raised her head, a faint smile playing on her lips as she blinked back the last tear. "Your disciple doesn't blame you, Master. Sister Nan Ji gave me the dress; that's why Master mistook me."
Su Bei: ...
Su Bei gave her an awkward smile, suppressing the dreadful thoughts that had just arisen within him. Why are all the disciples I've taken on so strange? he mused. Each one feels as if we've shared long years together; there's always this hint of indescribable emotion involved.
Just then, the door opened. Ji Nanjue, changed into a different set of clothes, stepped in. Her expression was peculiar as she surveyed the scene. She sat down barefoot beside Su Bei, dabbing at lingering water droplets on her skin.
A flicker of puzzlement crossed her eyes. Normally, he would have pounced on me by now, she thought. Why is he so composed tonight? What happened between these two while I was away? This atmosphere is so odd.
"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted," Ji Nanjue asked.
Su Bei smiled at her and then embraced her.
In Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue seemed to sense his complex mood. She tilted her head up and kissed the corner of his lips. I was just thinking about so many things, she reflected. I know the road ahead will be long and arduous; the merciless world will make our path exceptionally difficult. Yet, being able to enjoy this moment of tranquility fills me with such satisfaction. My mindset is gradually shifting... It's not about longing for every day and night together, but cherishing what we've had.
"It's nothing," Su Bei said, stroking her hair. "It's late; we should get some sleep..."
Ji Nanjue stood up and took the distracted Li Zijun's small hand. She carefully examined her own dress that Li Zijun was wearing, then nodded. "Zi Jun, this dress looks quite good on you..."
Li Zijun's face flushed crimson.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said, feigning sternness, "As punishment, you'll sleep outside tonight. I'll sleep with Zi Jun. How about that, Zi Jun?" She winked at Li Zijun.
Li Zijun started, looking up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her. She said, unable to bear the thought, "That doesn't seem right... It looks like it's going to rain outside."
Su Bei knew Nan Ji was trying to give him an out; She must have sensed the awkwardness earlier, he thought. A warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Ji Nanjue. "I'll go outside then..."
Just then, faint footsteps sounded from not too far away. The unexpected noise made all three of them frown slightly. Su Bei voiced his confusion, "Could there still be travelers out this late at night?"
...
