If only I were truly a man...
...
The flickering light from the pile of firewood inside the Daoist Temple was dim and heavy.
Su Bei gently wiped the two swords within the Sword Box. Feeling a brand-new stream of qi traveling throughout his body, he muttered to himself, "The sword needs nurturing."
The Qingping Sword was already second nature to him, but when it ca to the Missing Departure, there was still much to be desired in terms of control.
In this world, endless thods and changes all adhere to their origin. Since ancient tis, countless cultivators have sought that ultimate longevity: immortality.
Only cultivators who achieved minor longevity truly deserved the title 'Immortal,' having reached the preliminary stage of Achieving Dao. For a Sword Cultivator, the idea of complete unity with the sword might be an exaggeration. However, if one wishes to reach the end of the cultivator's path, a Sword Spirit must, at the very least, be nurtured.
A Sword Spirit that belongs to oneself.
Su Bei slowly closed his eyes, his entire Dantian Knowledge Sea opening up completely. His soul dissipated, rging with the heaven and earth, and he perceived himself sitting cross-legged.
His soul twined around the Missing Departure once before returning to himself.
Touching the sword again, he felt a newfound closeness compared to just a mont ago.
Seeing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction and then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork, and roasted it over the fire. "The sword has been well-nurtured."
Missing Departure: "..."
The flowers were bright, the moon dim, all shrouded in a light mist.
Footsteps gently approached from behind Su Bei; the flickering firelight hazily revealed a familiar wisp of white gauze.
The sky was moonless, casting a gloom over everything.
A smile curved on Su Bei's lips. Without looking back, he wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and lifted her into an embrace, laughing, "Why has Ji Baoer co back alone?"
"Speak! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"
"..."
As he spoke... his hands had already begun to gradually trace upwards. Pressing down on her, he nuzzled her earlobe... his touch following the contours of her body.
Li Zijun's eyes widened in shock, her mind blank, as Su Bei effortlessly pulled her close.
Feeling his hands skillfully exploring her body, she was unable to think for the mont.
She had just bathed, her body still fragrant, creating an intimate ambiance within the Daoist Temple.
Her complexion slowly turned rosy, but it was unclear whether it was due to the discomfiture of her own movents or because of his hand grasping her wrist.
Su Bei frowned, slowly realizing sothing was amiss. Clearly, Ji Baoer should feel more... developed, he thought, and not so unripe. I can even feel the woman beneath trembling.
"Master... Master..."
Finally recovering from her shock, Li Zijun nervously pushed against Su Bei, stamring, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."
"..."
Her words carried a tinge of grievance as she turned her body to the side and bit her lip.
Su Bei was instantly taken aback, leaning down to look at the woman before him, dumbfounded. What kind of inexcusable thing have I done?
The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by stroking her head, but fearing further misunderstanding, his hand froze mid-air, and he swallowed hard. "Disciple, your master didn't know it was you..."
"You were wearing your mistress's clothes, and the firelight was dim..."
Li Zijun mumbled a response, her head lowered, her expression unreadable.
"Master... Could you please get off?"
"..."
Su Bei gave her an awkward smile and then gently stood up, touched his nose, and pondered for a mont before saying, "Your master truly didn't know..."
As he spoke, he grabbed her snow-white wrist, attempting to help her up.
The light from the fire flickered unevenly, casting shadows over the two of them, each preoccupied with their thoughts.
For so reason, looking at Li Zijun's translucent, jade-like complexion, Su Bei felt an impulsive emotion rise within him, and his heart began to beat faster.
His earlier actions had been quite forceful, and the physical sensations Li Zijun evoked were vastly different from Nan Ji.
Yet her gentle and subtly distant deanor evoked a strange feeling within Su Bei.
Seemingly having forgotten the previous awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand, tentatively sliding two fingers towards Li Zijun's face.
He hesitated, and ultimately his fingers made contact with her smooth cheek.
Li Zijun's delicate body shivered slightly, her intelligent eyes shining like stars. She managed to create a small gap between them but didn't react violently this ti. She closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful face with his two fingers.
Gentle as jade.
Suddenly, Su Bei saw, from the corner of Li Zijun's eye, a teardrop like a pearl slipping down her snowy white cheek.
The flickering firelight reflected two streaks left by tears.
Su Bei's hand paused; then he gently touched Li Zijun's delicate chin, turning her face towards him, gazing intently at her stunningly beautiful face.
Two fingers gently wiped away her tears as he whispered, "I'm sorry."
"Master..."
Li Zijun's eyes t Su Bei's, filled to the brim with tears.
Why am I crying? Li Zijun wondered. Is it because of his transgression? Or because there's no possible future between us? Seeing the montary daze in his eyes, she didn't know what expression to make. Is this helplessness?
"Flowers in the mirror, the moon on the water."
Li Zijun gently lifted her head, and then a small smile ford on her lips, hiding the last tear in her eyes. "Your disciple doesn't bla Master."
"Sister Nan Ji gave the dress; that's why Master mistook for soone else."
"..."
Su Bei gave her a sheepish smile, suppressing the terrible thought that had just flashed through his mind.
Why are all the disciples I take on so peculiar? Su Bei mused. Each one seems to have shared long years with ; there's always this indescribable sentint between us.
Just then, the door opened.
Dressed in different clothes, Ji Nanjue entered, then looked around with a curious expression.
She sat down beside Su Bei with bare feet, wiping the water droplets that were yet to dry from her skin.
A flash of doubt crossed her eyes. Normally, he would have lunged at . Why is he so calm today? What happened between them while I was away? The atmosphere is so strange.
"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted," she asked.
Su Bei smiled at her, then held Ji Nanjue in his arms.
It seed that within Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue could feel his complicated emotions; she tilted her head up 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; relentless world affairs would make their journey together exceptionally difficult. Yet, at this mont, being able to enjoy a little peace made her feel quite content.
Her mindset gradually began to shift.
I don't ask for eternal companionship, only to treasure the monts we've had.
"It's nothing."
"It's late; ti to sleep..." Su Bei stroked her hair.
Ji Nanjue got up, took the absent-minded Li Zijun's hand, and examined the dress she was wearing carefully, nodding. "Zi Jun looks quite good in this dress..."
Li Zijun's cheeks flushed red.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and, feigning a cold tone, said, "As punishnt, you'll sleep outside tonight, and I'll cuddle with Zi Jun."
"How about that, Zi Jun?" She winked at Li Zijun.
Li Zijun was startled. She looked at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, feeling sowhat reluctant. "That doesn't seem right... it's going to rain outside."
Su Bei naturally knew Nan Ji was giving him a way to save face. She must have noticed the awkwardness from before, he thought.
His heart ward. He glanced at Ji Nanjue. "I'll just go outside then..."
Just at that mont, the faint sound of footsteps ca from not far away.
The sudden noise made them all frown, and Su Bei said with so puzzlent, "Who could it be, walking about so late at night?"
"..."
Reviews
All reviews (0)