All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 676: .._2
If only I were really a man...
* * *
The light from the pile of firewood inside the Daoist Temple was dim.
Su Bei gently wiped the two swords inside the Sword Box. Feeling that fresh flow of Qi coursing throughout his body, he muttered to himself, "The sword needs maintenance."
The Qingping Sword had become second nature to him, but he still had much to improve in his control of the Missing Departure.
The myriad laws of the world are ever-changing but not beyond grasp. What countless cultivators have sought since ancient times is the ultimate longevity that wards off death.
Only a cultivator who has achieved minor longevity truly deserves the title of "Immortal," marking the initial stage of Achieving Dao. For a Sword Cultivator, it is often said that the sword nourishes the person, and the person nourishes the sword. Though not as exaggerated as becoming one with the sword, one must at least cultivate a Sword Spirit to reach the end of a cultivator's path.
A Sword Spirit of their own.
Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His entire Dantian Knowledge Sea opened completely, his soul drifting out and merging with the world around him. He then saw himself sitting cross-legged.
His soul wrapped around the Missing Departure once before returning to his body.
Touching the sword again, he could feel a closeness to it that had not been there a moment before.
Seeing this, Su Bei nodded with satisfaction. He then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork onto it, and placed it over the fire to roast, saying, "The sword maintenance is not bad."
Missing Departure: "..."
Flowers bloomed brightly under a dim moon, shrouded in light mist.
Light footsteps approached from behind Su Bei. In the flickering firelight, one could just make out a familiar wisp of white gauze.
With no moon in the sky, everything around was rather dim.
Su Bei's lips curved into a smile. Without looking, he swept the woman into his arms and laughed, "Ji Baoer, why have you come back alone?"
"Tell me! Where have you left Zi Jun?"
"..."
As he spoke... his caresses on her skin gradually ascended.
Pressing down on her, his hand caressed her earlobe... following the curves of her body.
Li Zijun's eyes were wide, her mind blank, as Su Bei pulled her in effortlessly.
Feeling his deft hands exploring her body, she couldn't think for a moment.
Having just bathed, a fragrance lingered on her, suffusing the Daoist Temple with an enchanting atmosphere.
Her face grew rosier. It was unclear whether it was due to the awkwardness of her position or his hand gripping her wrist.
Su Bei frowned slightly, beginning to realize something was amiss.
Ji Baoer should feel more... ample? And not so inexperienced. He could also feel the woman beneath him trembling.
"M-Master..."
Li Zijun finally snapped out of her shock. Her small hands pushed against Su Bei frantically as she said nervously, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."
"..."
There was a hint of grievance in her voice. She turned away, biting her lip.
Su Bei was taken aback. He leaned down, staring blankly at the woman before him.
What kind of beastly thing have I done?
The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head, but he feared the gesture might be misunderstood. His hand froze in mid-air, and he swallowed hard before saying, "Disciple, your master didn't know it was you..."
"You were wearing your master's wife's clothes, and the firelight was dim..."
Li Zijun mumbled a response with her head down, her expression hidden.
"Master... could you please get off me?"
"..."
Su Bei smiled awkwardly at her, then gently stood up. Touching his nose, he thought for a moment and said, "Your master truly didn't know..."
As he spoke, he reached for her snow-white wrist, intending to pull her to her feet.
The flickering firelight cast its glow on their faces, each lost in their own thoughts.
For some reason, as Su Bei looked at Li Zijun's clear, jade-like face, an impulsive feeling arose within him, and his heart began to beat faster.
Compared to Nan Ji, his actions towards Li Zijun had been quite forward, and the sensation she gave him was clearly very different.
But her subtle tenderness, mixed with a faint, almost imperceptible distance, ignited a strange sensation in Su Bei.
As if forgetting the previous awkwardness, Su Bei lifted his hand again, extending two fingers tentatively towards Li Zijun's face.
He hesitated for a moment but finally touched her smooth, jade-like cheek.
Li Zijun's delicate body trembled slightly. Her star-like, intelligent eyes showed a hint of struggle, creating a slight distance between them, but this time she did not react violently. Closing her eyes, she allowed Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful face with his two fingers.
Warm and smooth like jade.
Suddenly, Su Bei saw a pearl-like teardrop roll down her snow-white cheek from the corner of Li Zijun's eye.
The flickering flame reflected two tear-streaks on her face.
Su Bei's hand stilled. Then, he gently slid his fingers to Li Zijun's delicate, rosy chin, tilting it up to gaze at her stunning face.
His two fingers gently wiped away her tears as he said softly, "I'm sorry."
"Master..."
Li Zijun looked at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears.
She didn't know why she was crying.
Is it because of his offense?
Or because there's no possible future between us?
Seeing the momentary daze in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what expression to wear.
Is it helplessness?
"Flowers in the mirror, the moon on the water."
Li Zijun gently lifted her head. Then, she curved her lips into a smile, hiding the last tear at the corner of her eye, and said, "Your student doesn't blame you, Master."
"Sister Nan Ji gave me the dress. That's why Master mistook me for someone else."
"..."
Su Bei gave her an embarrassed smile, suppressing the terrible thought that had just flashed through his mind.
Why are all the disciples I take on so strange?
Each one acts as if they've known me for ages. There always seems to be this indescribable emotion between us.
Just then, the door opened.
Ji Nanjue, dressed in a different set of clothes, walked in. She then looked around with a puzzled expression.
She sat down barefoot beside Su Bei and began to wipe the lingering water droplets from her skin.
A hint of doubt flashed in her eyes. Usually, he would have pounced on me. Why is he so calm today?
What happened between them while I was away?
The atmosphere is so odd.
"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted?"
Su Bei smiled at her and then embraced Ji Nanjue.
In Su Bei's arms, Ji Nanjue sensed a complex mix of emotions from him. She tilted her head back 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. The world was often unfeeling, which would make their journey exceptionally difficult. However, being able to enjoy this moment of peace made her feel very content.
Gradually, her mindset began to shift.
Not seeking to be together day and night, but cherishing the moments we've shared.
"It's nothing."
"It's late. Time to sleep..."
Su Bei stroked her hair.
Ji Nanjue got up and took the distracted Li Zijun's hand. Carefully examining the dress Li Zijun wore, she nodded and said, "Zi Jun looks quite good in this dress..."
Li Zijun's face turned crimson.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said coolly, "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 was taken aback. She looked up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and said with some reluctance, "That's not good... It looks like it's going to rain outside."
Su Bei knew Nan Ji was creating an out for him. She must have noticed the awkwardness just now.
His heart warmed. He looked at Ji Nanjue and said, "I'll go outside then..."
Just then, faint footsteps were heard approaching from not far away.
The sudden sound caused everyone to frown. Su Bei said with some confusion, "Hmm? Who could be walking around so late at night?"
"..."
