All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 667 - Three Hundred and Seventy-Four: The End, or Perhaps a New Beginning._1
To prop up a great building that is about to collapse, to staunch the furious surge that is about to overturn.
Such rousing words were, in truth, no more than lips breaking the silence, yet to act upon them could exhaust untold effort, much like Su Bei's state at this moment.
I'm really going to die, huh...
Su Bei wanted to smile, but his unfeeling lips failed to curve into the gentle arc he'd intended.
The roaring of Spiritual Energy explosions echoed in his ears.
Then, he felt his body falling into a soft embrace, her familiar scent diffusing around him.
"Saintess... you've come."
But Su Bei's spirit was indeed faltering. His half-closed eyelids struggled to stay open. Not turning his head to look at Key Smoke, he shoved the tightly clutched ring into her hand, his voice weak, "The ring can seal the Heavenly Dao Stone..."
Key Smoke gripped the ring tightly, nodding her head vigorously.
Without his delay, if the South Emperor had been allowed to condense the Heavenly Dao Stone, then even my attainment of Mahayana would have been futile once the stone was fully formed.
As if recalling something, Su Bei's numb lips finally managed a smile. With a touch of melancholy, he said, "There's also a personal matter. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
"I have four disciples, but as their master, I've hardly taught them anything.
"There won't be another chance, will there? If one day they encounter any trouble, could you, for the sake of that bowl of ice cream, lend a hand...
"Let them know, their master wasn't entirely worthless."
...
Key Smoke, looking at Su Bei's tightly closed eyes, raised her jade arm to cover her own, her shoulders trembling slightly as she nodded incessantly.
Su Bei breathed with difficulty, curling his broken body like a child, his eyes blankly staring at the twilight sky above.
I thought that in this life I would fulfill the wishes of my past life, yet I never expected it to end with such bitter regret. Frustration built like ramparts in my heart, a surging resentment with nowhere to vent. This life, I suppose, could be considered that of a white-robed figure, sword in hand, free and unrestrained. A life of solitude and disappointment; the Heavenly Dao, austere yet majestic. Absurd.
Su Bei's throat worked, and finally, he squeezed out a few words, his bitter laughter as hoarse as a worn-out bellows, "Help me... convey a message to them.
"Just say... I'm sorry...
"Your master... has broken his promise."
...
His hand dropped heavily, falling silent forever.
「In a daze, a light flashed before Su Bei's eyes.」
It seemed Su Bei opened his eyes. He saw brilliant light, mountains, and the moon.
The setting sun, drunk with its own splendor, lazily cast a golden-red glow upon the land.
In the Xiao Family Courtyard, he once again saw that girl's figure. Dressed in a pink gown with snow lotus trim, she stood fearfully beneath the wall, watching the burly man charge towards her.
"Little lady, go to hell!"
The burly man's mouth curled into a savage grin as he yelled, lunging and stabbing towards the girl.
Su Bei was stunned and panicked, but his hand moved instinctively, piercing the man's chest.
"Thank... thank you," Xiao Ruoching's eyes widened as she said cautiously.
Su Bei stared blankly at her, then reached out to pinch his own cheek.
It hurt a bit.
Xiao Ruoching looked at this strange man with a puzzled expression, instinctively taking a step back. "Senior, what's wrong with you?"
Su Bei's eyes widened. A smile slowly spread across his face, then he began to laugh heartily, eventually jumping up in sheer joy. "You are Xiao Ruoching?"
Xiao Ruoching hesitated and then nodded.
By now, Su Bei's eyes were brimming with tears. He just looked at her, his voice trembling with excitement as he began, "Would you like to be my..."
He hesitated mid-sentence, the words that should have come so easily now stuck on his lips.
The evening light lingered on the treetops. A pear blossom petal drifted down, landing on Xiao Ruoching's delicate eyebrow.
Su Bei reached out and gently removed the pear blossom petal. He crouched before her, his lips curving into a graceful smile.
After a long moment of contemplation, he finally said softly, "Shall I take you to a family that will adopt you, is that okay?"
...
Xiao Ruoching shrank back slightly, gazing at the man before her, her cheeks inexplicably flushing.
After a long, long while, she nodded and whispered, "Okay."
The gentle breeze rustled the pear blossoms, creating a soft, whispering sound.
The setting sun bathed the land in a warmth so beautiful it could melt any icy chill.
My heart... already shattered to dust.
In the sky above, a meteor streaked across the heavens.
* * *
Key Smoke could no longer feel Su Bei's heartbeat. When the hand she held fell limp, a tear escaped her eye and traced a path down her cheek.
Why does my heart still ache so? I've already overcome the Heart Demon Tribulation.
「The first time she saw him...」
...he sat full of youthful vigor before the remarkable stones, filled with anticipation for the future.
The man who had first distinguished himself on the Ascension Platform, the one who wielded the Qingping sword with graceful ease. Beneath the Heavenly Tribulation, they had nearly been buried together in that dream they called "the future."
There was a phoenix crown and crimson wedding robes, red candles in a soft-tented chamber, and the indelible memory of a figure in white turning back to smile.
There was her jug of wine, and the two of them drinking together...
