All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 698: .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 a completely new energy circulating within his body, he murmured to himself, "The sword needs to be nurtured."

For Su Bei, the Qingping Sword had already become an extension of his hand, but his control over the Missing Departure was still significantly lacking.

In this world of endless methods and changes, what countless cultivators ultimately sought was that grand longevity which grants immortality.

Only a cultivator who achieved minor longevity truly deserved the title "Immortal," a preliminary step to Achieving Dao. For Sword Cultivators, although there was no such exaggeration as merging as one with their sword, if one wished to reach the pinnacle of cultivation, they had to, at the very least, foster a Sword Spirit.

A Sword Spirit of their own.

Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His Dantian Knowledge Sea opened fully, his soul escaping and merging with the world around him, where he saw himself seated in the lotus position.

His soul wound around the Missing Departure for a moment, then returned to his body.

Touching the sword again, he could feel a bond with it that was closer than just 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, remarking, "The sword is nurtured well."

Missing Departure: "..."

The flowers glowed faintly, the moon was dim, and a light mist veiled the surroundings.

Light footsteps approached from behind Su Bei, and in the flickering firelight, he could barely make out a familiar silhouette veiled in white gauze.

Without the moon, the sky and everything else seemed dim.

A smile curved Su Bei's lips. Without looking, he wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and said with a laugh, "Ji Baoer, why have you come back alone?"

"Speak! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"

"..."

As he spoke, his hands began to gradually roam upwards. He pressed against her, his touch exploring the curve of her ear, his hands moving in sync with the contours of her body.

Li Zijun's eyes widened, her mind a blank slate, allowing Su Bei to pull her close.

Feeling his practiced hands caressing her, she found herself unable to think for a moment.

She had just bathed, her skin still fragrant, enveloping the Daoist Temple in an amorous atmosphere.

Her complexion gradually grew rosy, though it was unclear whether it was from the awkwardness of her position or from his firm grasp on her wrist.

Su Bei furrowed his brow, gradually realizing something was amiss.

Clearly, Ji Baoer's figure should be more... developed, and she wouldn't feel so inexperienced; it even seemed the woman beneath him was trembling.

"M-Master..."

Li Zijun finally snapped out of her shock. Her small hands frantically pushed against Su Bei as she said nervously, "I-I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."

"..."

A hint of grievance was in her voice. She turned her body slightly, looking away and biting her lip.

Su Bei froze, then leaned down, staring dumbfounded at the woman before him.

What despicable act had he committed?

The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head but feared she would misunderstand. His hand froze mid-air as he swallowed nervously. "Disciple," he began, "your master didn't know it was you..."

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

Li Zijun looked down and mumbled an indistinct reply, her expression unreadable.

"Master… could you please get off first?"

"..."

Su Bei gave her an awkward smile, then gently stood up. He touched his nose and, after a moment's thought, said, "Your master really didn't know..."

With that, he grasped her delicate wrist, intending to pull her up.

The firelight flickered, casting shifting shadows on their pensive faces.

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

Compared to Nan Ji, his actions just now had been quite bold, yet the sensation Li Zijun imparted was vastly different.

Yet her gentleness, mixed with an almost imperceptible distance, roused a strange feeling within Su Bei.

As if forgetting the previous awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand again, extending two fingers to tentatively brush against Li Zijun's cheek.

After a brief pause, his fingers finally made contact with her smooth, jade-like cheek.

Li Zijun's delicate body shivered slightly, her intelligent eyes as bright as stars. She flinched, creating a small gap between them, but this time she offered no strong resistance, closing her eyes and allowing Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful face with his fingers.

As tender as jade.

Suddenly, Su Bei saw a pearlescent tear trail down her snowy cheek from the corner of Li Zijun's eye.

The flickering firelight illuminated two glistening tear tracks.

Su Bei's hand paused. He then gently slid his fingers to Li Zijun's soft chin, tilting her face toward him and gazing into her stunningly beautiful countenance.

His fingers softly wiped away her tears as he said gently, "I'm sorry."

"Master..."

Li Zijun looked at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes filled to the brim with tears.

She didn't know why her tears were falling.

Was it because of his transgression?

Or was it because they were destined to have no future together?

Seeing the brief, lost look in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what expression to wear.

Was it helplessness?

"Flowers in the mirror, the moon on the water," Li Zijun said softly, gently lifting her head. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile as she hid the last teardrop in the depths of her eyes. "Your disciple doesn't blame you, Master."

"The dress was a gift from Sister Nan Ji; that's why Master mistook me."

"..."

Su Bei gave her a sheepish smile, suppressing the unsettling thoughts that had just surged within him.

Why were all the disciples he took in so peculiar?

Each one seemed as though they had shared long years with him, and he always sensed some indescribable sentiment between them.

Just then, the door opened.

Ji Nanjue, now in a different outfit, walked in and surveyed the scene with a curious expression.

Barefoot, she sat down beside Su Bei, wiping away the lingering water droplets from her skin.

A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Normally, he would have pounced on her. Why was he so calm today?

What had happened between the two of them while she was away?

The atmosphere was so odd.

"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted," Ji Nanjue asked.

Su Bei smiled at her and then embraced Ji Nanjue tightly.

Within Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue seemed to sense a myriad of complex emotions. She tilted her head up and lightly kissed his lips.

She had been thinking a great deal just now. She knew the road ahead was long and arduous; the world was unfeeling, destined to make their path extraordinarily challenging. Yet, being able to enjoy this moment of peace brought her a sense of contentment.

Her mindset had gradually begun to shift.

She desired not unending days together, but simply to have had such moments at all.

"It's nothing," Su Bei replied, stroking her hair. "It's late; we should get some sleep..."

Ji Nanjue stood up and took the distracted Li Zijun by the hand. She examined the dress Li Zijun was wearing and nodded. "Zi Jun looks quite good in this dress..."

Li Zijun's face turned bright red.

Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said, feigning coolness, "As punishment, you'll sleep outside tonight. I'll sleep with Zi Jun."

"How about it, Zi Jun?" Ji Nanjue winked at Li Zijun.

Li Zijun was taken aback. She lifted her head to glance at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and said with some hesitation, "That doesn't seem right... It looks like it's going to rain outside."

Su Bei knew Nan Ji was giving him an out, as she had likely noticed the earlier awkwardness. A warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Ji Nanjue and said, "I'll just go outside then..."

Just then, the faint sound of footsteps approached from nearby.

The sudden noise made everyone frown. Su Bei voiced his confusion, "Who could be traveling at this late hour?"

"..."