All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 653: ,_2

"If only I really were a man..."

...

The light from the pile of firewood in the Daoist Temple was dim and heavy.

Su Bei gently wiped the two swords in the Sword Box, feeling a completely new energy coursing through his body, and muttered to himself, "The sword needs to be nourished."

The Qingping Sword was already second nature to him, but his control over the Missing Departure was still lacking in many ways.

All the laws under heaven may change, but they never stray from their essence. Since ancient times, what countless cultivators have sought is that which grants immortality, "the grand longevity."

Only those cultivators who achieved minor longevity truly deserved the word "Immortal," having begun their path to "Achieving Dao." As for Sword Cultivators, the sword nourishes the person, and the person nourishes the sword. Although it is not as exaggerated as merging with the sword, if one wants to reach the end of the cultivator's path, at the very least, they must nurture a Sword Spirit.

A Sword Spirit of their own.

Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His entire Dantian Knowledge Sea fully opened, his soul dissipating outwards and merging with the world around him. He then saw himself sitting cross-legged.

His soul coiled around the Missing Departure for a loop before returning to his body.

Touching the sword again, he could feel a closeness that wasn't there before.

Satisfied with this progress, Su Bei nodded, then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork, and began roasting it over the fire.

"The sword has been well nourished."

Missing Departure: "..."

Flower Bright Moon was dimmed by a hazy mist.

Soft footsteps came from behind Su Bei, and within the flickering firelight, a familiar wisp of white gauze could faintly be seen.

With no moon in the vast sky, everything around was somewhat dim.

A slight curve appeared on Su Bei's lips. Without looking, he wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and held her close, laughing, "Ji Baoer, why have you come back alone?"

"Speak! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"

"..."

As he spoke... his touch began to explore, moving upwards. Pressing down on her, he brushed his lips against her earlobe... his hands tracing the curves of her body.

Li Zijun's eyes were wide, her mind a blank slate, as Su Bei simply pulled her towards him.

Feeling his skilled hands wandering over her body, she was momentarily unable to think.

Having just bathed, her body still carried a fragrance, shrouding the Daoist Temple in an enchanting atmosphere.

Her complexion turned rosier, though it wasn't clear whether it was due to her own embarrassing movements or his firm grip on her wrist.

Su Bei furrowed his brows, beginning to sense that something was amiss.

Certainly, Ji Baoer should feel more... developed, and not have this sort of naivety. He could even feel the woman beneath him trembling.

"Master... Master."

Li Zijun finally recovered from her shock and pushed at Su Bei with her small hands, nervously saying, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."

"..."

Her words carried a hint of grievance as she turned her body aside, biting her lip.

Su Bei was stunned for a moment, then leaned down and gazed dumbfoundedly at the woman before him.

Had he just committed an act worse than a beast?

The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by stroking her small head, but then worried this gesture might be misunderstood. His hand froze mid-air as he swallowed dryly.

"Disciple, your master didn't realize it was you..."

"You were wearing your master's wife's clothes, and the firelight was dim..."

Li Zijun murmured a low reply, her head bowed, her facial expression unreadable.

"Master... can you please get off me?"

"..."

Su Bei gave an awkward smile, then gently stood up and touched his nose. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Your master truly didn't know..."

With that, he grabbed her slender wrist, attempting to pull her to her feet.

The firelight waxed and waned, casting its glow on their faces, each lost in their own thoughts.

For some reason, looking at Li Zijun's lustrous, jade-like face, Su Bei felt an impulse rising within him, and his heart began to beat faster.

Compared to Nan Ji, his actions just now could hardly be considered gentle. The sensation Li Zijun gave him was quite different.

Yet, that gentle yet slightly distant feeling sparked a strange sensation within Su Bei.

Seemingly forgetting the prior awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand again and tentatively slid two fingers across Li Zijun's face.

He hesitated for a moment but eventually made contact with her smooth, jade-like cheek.

Li Zijun's delicate body trembled slightly, her intelligent eyes like twinkling stars. She created a little space between them but, this time, didn't react violently. Instead, she closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to softly caress her beautiful face with two fingers.

Gentle and smooth as jade.

Suddenly, Su Bei saw pearl-like teardrops slide from the corners of Li Zijun's eyes, tracing paths down her snow-white cheeks.

The flickering firelight illuminated two trails of tears.

Su Bei's hand paused. He then gently slid his fingers to Li Zijun's delicate chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze, looking at her exceptionally beautiful face.

With two fingers, he gently wiped away her tears and said softly, "I'm sorry."

"Master..."

Li Zijun looked at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears.

She didn't even know why she was crying. Was it because of his offense? Or because whatever lay between them was doomed to have no resolution? Seeing the momentary daze in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what kind of expression to wear. Helplessness?

"Flowers in the mirror, moon on the water."

Li Zijun gently lifted her head, a smile gracing her lips as she concealed the last tear in the depths of her eyes. "Your disciple doesn't blame Master."

"Sister Nan Ji gave me the dress; that's why Master mistook me for her."

"..."

Su Bei gave her an embarrassed smile, pushing down the terrible thoughts that had just surged within him.

Why were all the disciples he took on so strange? Each one seemed as if they had shared long years with him, hinting at some indefinable sentiment between them.

Just then, the door opened.

Ji Nanjue walked in, wearing a different robe. Her expression was odd as she scrutinized the scene before her.

Barefoot, she sat down beside Su Bei, wiping away the water droplets that still clung to her skin.

A flicker of doubt crossed her eyes. Usually, he would have pounced on me. Why is he so calm today? What happened between these two while I was away? The atmosphere is so strange.

"Husband, what's the matter? You seem distracted."

Su Bei smiled at her and then hugged Ji Nanjue.

In Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue sensed his complex mood. She tilted her head up and kissed the corner of his mouth.

She had been thinking a great deal just now. She knew the road ahead would be long and arduous, that the world was heartless and would always make their path together exceptionally difficult. But being able to enjoy this moment's peace filled her with a deep satisfaction.

Her mindset began to shift slightly.

Not seeking to be together day and night, forever and always, but cherishing the moments they once shared.

"It's nothing."

"It's late. We should sleep..."

Su Bei stroked her hair.

Ji Nanjue stood up and took Li Zijun's small hand, who still seemed absent-minded. She carefully examined her own dress on Li Zijun and nodded. "Zi Jun, this dress looks quite good on you..."

Li Zijun's face turned crimson.

Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said, feigning a cool tone, "To punish you, you'll sleep outside tonight. I'll cuddle with Zi Jun."

"Alright, Zi Jun?"

She winked at Li Zijun.

Li Zijun was startled for a moment. She looked up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and 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 giving him an out; she had likely sensed the earlier awkwardness.

A warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Ji Nanjue. "I'll sleep outside then..."

Just then, the faint sound of footsteps approached from not far away.

The sudden noise made all three of them frown. Su Bei asked with some confusion, "Who could be walking around at this hour?"

"..."