All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 686: .2

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

...

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

With gentle strokes, Su Bei wiped the two swords within the Sword Box, feeling a completely new flow of energy coursing through his body, and murmured to himself,

"The sword needs nurturing."

For him, the Qingping Sword had already become an extension of his hand, but his control over the Missing Departure still left much to be desired.

Though the myriad techniques under heaven are ever-changing, they all stem from the same fundamental principle. Since ancient times, the ultimate pursuit of countless cultivators has always been that grand state of eternal life, the ability to never die.

Only those who have achieved minor immortality truly deserve the title 'Immortal,' having taken the initial steps towards 'Achieving Dao.' For a Sword Cultivator, the principle is that people nurture swords and swords nurture people. While it's not about literally merging with the sword, one must, at the very least, cultivate their own Sword Spirit.

A Sword Spirit that belongs to oneself.

Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His entire Dantian Knowledge Sea opened up completely. His soul drifted out, merging with the heaven and earth around him, and he saw himself seated in meditation.

His soul twined around the Missing Departure for a moment before returning to his body.

Touching the sword once again, he felt a closeness that wasn't there a moment before.

Seeing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction. He then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork with it, and began to roast it over the fire, muttering,

"The sword is well nurtured."

Missing Departure: "..."

The flowers were bright and the moon dim, shrouded in a light mist.

Footsteps gently approached from behind Su Bei. Despite the flickering firelight, a familiar wisp of white gauze could just be made out.

Under the moonless night sky, everything seemed a little dim.

Su Bei's lips curved into a smile. Without even looking, he wrapped his arms around the waist of the woman behind him and laughed,

"Ji Baoer, why have you come back alone?"

"Tell me! Where have you left Zi Jun?"

"..."

As he spoke... his hands began to gradually explore upwards. Pressing against her, he caressed her ear... following the contours of her body.

Li Zijun's eyes were wide open, her mind a blank slate as Su Bei simply pulled her over to himself.

Feeling his expert hands exploring her body, she couldn't think for a moment.

She had just bathed, and her fragrance filled the air, creating an enchanting atmosphere within the Daoist Temple.

Her cheeks gradually turned rosy, though it was uncertain if it was due to her own embarrassing actions or because of the way his large hands grasped her wrists.

Su Bei frowned slightly, also beginning to realize that something was amiss.

Clearly, Ji Baoer's body should be more... developed? And she wouldn't have this sense of naivete. He could almost feel the woman beneath him trembling.

"Master... Master."

Li Zijun finally snapped out of her shock. Her small hands pushed at Su Bei somewhat frantically as she said nervously,

"I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."

"..."

Hurt was woven into her words. She turned her body to the side, biting her lip.

Su Bei froze for a moment and then leaned down, staring blankly at the woman before him.

What had he done, behaving no better than a beast?

The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by stroking her head but was afraid she would misunderstand. His large hand stalled midair, and he swallowed hard before saying,

"My disciple, I didn't know it was you..."

"You were wearing your master's wife's clothes, and with the dim lighting..."

Li Zijun looked down and muttered a response, her expression unclear.

"Master... could you please get off me."

"..."

Su Bei gave her an awkward smile, then gently stood up and touched his nose. He pondered for a moment before saying,

"I truly didn't know..."

With those words, he grasped her slender wrist, intending to pull her to her feet.

The fluctuating firelight cast shadows upon the two figures, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

For some reason, looking at Li Zijun's translucent, jade-like complexion stirred an impulse within Su Bei, and his heart began to beat faster.

Compared to his usual interactions with Nan Ji, his actions just then had not been mild at all, and the impression Li Zijun left on him was vastly different.

Yet the elusive sense of tender distance emanating from her caused Su Bei to feel a strange sensation.

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

He hesitated for a moment, but eventually, his fingers met her smooth, jade-like cheek.

Li Zijun's delicate body shivered slightly, her jewel-like eyes shimmering. She created a small gap between them but didn't react violently this time. Closing her eyes, she allowed Su Bei's fingertips to caress her beautiful cheek lightly.

Gentle as jade.

Suddenly, Su Bei saw pearl-like tears well up at the corners of Li Zijun's eyes and roll down, gliding over her snowy cheeks.

The flickering firelight illuminated two glistening trails of tears.

Su Bei's hand paused before gently sliding under Li Zijun's tender chin. He lifted it to turn her face towards him, gazing intently at her breathtakingly beautiful visage.

With two fingers, he gently wiped her tears away, whispering softly,

"I'm sorry."

"I, your master..."

Li Zijun's eyes, filled with tears, looked back at Su Bei.

She didn't even know why she was crying. Was it because of his trespass? Or because whatever was between them was doomed to have no future?

Seeing that momentary distraction in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what kind of expression to wear.

Was it helplessness?

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

Li Zijun gently lifted her head. Then, her lips curled into a slight smile as she hid the last teardrop in the corner of her eye, saying,

"Your disciple doesn't blame you, Master."

"Sister Nan Ji gave me the dress; that's why you mistook me for someone else."

"..."

Su Bei gave her an embarrassed smile, suppressing the terrible thoughts that had risen in his mind just a moment ago.

Why were all the disciples he took on so strange? Each one seemed as if they had shared long years with him, and there was always this confusing, unspoken affection involved.

Just then, the door opened.

Dressed in a different garment, Ji Nanjue walked in, her expression a little awkward as she surveyed the scene before her.

Barefoot, she sat down beside Su Bei and began to wipe the lingering water droplets from her skin.

A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Normally, he would have thrown himself at me by now. Why is he so calm today? What happened between these two while I was gone? The atmosphere is so strange.

"Husband, what is it? You seem distracted."

Su Bei smiled at her, then pulled Ji Nanjue into his embrace.

In Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue seemed to sense his tumultuous emotions. She tipped her head back and kissed him lightly on the lips.

She had been thinking a great deal just now. She knew the road ahead was long and arduous. The merciless world would make their journey together extremely difficult. Yet, being able to enjoy this brief moment of peace filled her with contentment.

Her mindset had gradually begun to change.

—Not seeking to be together from dawn till dusk, but cherishing that they had once possessed such moments.

"It's nothing."

"It's late; we should sleep..."

Su Bei stroked her hair.

Ji Nanjue got up and took the distracted Li Zijun by the hand. Examining her own dress on Li Zijun, she nodded and remarked,

"Zi Jun, you look quite good in this dress..."

Li Zijun's face flushed red.

Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and, pretending to be cold, said,

"As punishment, you sleep outside tonight. I'll cuddle with Zi Jun."

"Is that okay, Zi Jun?"

She winked at Li Zijun.

Li Zijun was taken aback. Looking up at Su Bei and then at Ji Nanjue beside her, she said, somewhat reluctantly,

"That doesn't seem right... It looks like it's going to rain outside."

Su Bei naturally knew that Nan Ji was giving him a way to save face. She must have noticed the awkwardness from before.

His heart warmed, and he looked at Ji Nanjue, saying,

"I'll just go outside then..."

Suddenly, faint footsteps sounded from not far off.

The unexpected noise caused everyone to frown. Su Bei asked with some confusion,

"Who could be walking around this late at night?"

"..."