The drizzle cleared, morning dew kissing the tips of banana leaves, hesitating to fall.
The gentle spring breeze stirred, causing willow leaves to flutter and lifting the folds of Su Bei’s garnts, which gently unfolded.
The warm breeze tenderly teased the strands of hair on Key Smoke’s back, scattering them like black snow.
With the sun’s warm gaze upon her, Key Smoke stood silently, her swirling eyes fixed intently on him.
She thought, On the chilly path of immortality, shall we embrace each other?
Her lips parted slightly, murmuring to herself as she gazed at Su Bei’s smiling eyes, a tremor of emotion etched within her own.
She had never heard these words before, but undeniably, in that mont, she could clearly feel the intense beating of her own heart.
Yet, as she looked into his earnest eyes, she gave him a slight pout and involuntarily said, "Then who will I embrace for warmth?"
"..."
Those mature, seductive eyes adopted such an expression, exceptionally intoxicating, as if laden with ineffable, complicated feelings, stirring ripples in one’s heart.
Su Bei was taken aback and didn’t respond to her words.
Should I say that I’ll embrace you? he wondered. But how could I ever be worthy?
She was like a peach, ripened atop a peach tree yet growing on an unreachable cliff summit. Though no one could pluck it, it refused to fall willingly.
Alone, she blossod thus, blooming in solitude with a delicate, intoxicating fragrance.
Seeing Su Bei’s hesitation, a hint of disappointnt flickered across her expression, and she said softly, "You... you really are sothing."
"If you won’t speak, then let it be."
Perhaps all she needed was that one promise from him for her to decisively cast off the shackles in her heart.
Su Bei gazed at her. Beneath that peerless, mature visage, it seed she still concealed the sentints unique to a girl in the bloom of youth.
Does she yearn for romance?
Such a pouting expression, if made by any other woman, might seem contrived. Yet on her, it possessed a unique beauty that felt natural and enchanting.
"I just don’t wish for you to engage in that so-called ’severance of worldly ties.’"
"To overco your so-called Heart Demon Tribulation..."
"..."
Key Smoke bit her lower lip, her emotions more turbulent than ever. Her expression darkened, and she clenched her jade-like hands, almost growling as she spoke, "Why would I need to sever my worldly ties? Don’t you already know why?"
"It’s because of you!!"
"It’s all because of you..."
After all this ti, is he still trying to shirk responsibility?
Su Bei smiled wryly, wanting to say sothing. "I..."
Hearing Su Bei stamr, Key Smoke felt an inexplicable surge of irritation. The water from the ground soaked her white silk stockings, its coolness seeping into her skin.
"You already have so many confidantes, isn’t that enough?"
"..."
Her unspoken question was: why, then, did he have to entangle himself with her? Why did he have to enter her heart?
In truth, she knew her anger wasn’t truly about this. It was more about the fact that while he could have many won by his side, he seed unable to face her directly.
And now that he was with Ji Nanjue, she felt she no longer stood a chance.
She couldn’t possibly love the sa man as her own Disciple, could she?
She had harbored hope, yet he had rcilessly crushed it.
Su Bei took her hand and had her sit down. Looking at the woman before him, he said gently, "Why are you throwing such a tantrum, like a child?"
Key Smoke was startled. A strange sensation welled up inside her at being called childish by a man centuries her junior, yet for so reason, she didn’t find it repulsive.
Su Bei caressed her soft, pliant palm, his gaze complicated.
He still didn’t know the true origin of her complex feelings for him—whether they stemd from their interactions in that Illusion World or from the so-called red thread of fate.
Does Su Bei like her?
To be honest, there was no reason not to.
Yet sotis, those feelings were inexpressible. He had too many won in his life, which wasn’t fair to her. And she was a Saintess; how could she possibly debase herself as other won might?
He wouldn’t abandon his other won for the Saintess, just as he wouldn’t forsake others for her now...
"Actually, I have always been fond of the Saintess. In Su Mou’s heart, you are noble, stunning, and extraordinary. But knowing you have your principles, I could only suppress my feelings and avoid them..."
"But I am also selfish; I can’t bring myself to let go of this affection."
"I cannot bear to see you again with cold indifference in your eyes, devoid of any emotion. Nor can I accept the thought of you one day in another man’s arms."
"I am not worthy..."
"..."
THUMP.
The red thread of fate in Su Bei’s heart snapped.
A bitter smile touched his lips. Was this tumultuous affection, born of that fateful thread, finally coming to an end?
Perhaps this was the best outco for both of them.
Yet, he was filled with a sense of loss nonetheless.
He gently closed his eyes, but the image of her cold, indifferent expression he had braced himself for did not appear.
Opening his eyes.
Key Smoke’s eyes, brimming with tears, gazed back at him. Her small blouse fluttered lightly in the wind.
She gently rose, looked at Su Bei, and then extended her hand, palm up.
The lines on her palm were clear and distinct. Her skin was fair, her snowy-white wrist extended towards him. "Elder Su, let’s make a pact with a palm strike."
As Su Bei looked on in confusion, Key Smoke spoke.
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